Vol.1 No.4 How Podcast Hosting and Distribution Work
Sebastian Rusk
Helping established professionals amplify their credibility by launching a podcast in 90 days or less. Comedian. Keynote Speaker. Podcast Launch Strategist. Podcast Coach, Author/Host of #PodcastsSUCK.
#FunFact: The Term "Podcasting" Combines "iPod" and "Broadcasting": The term "podcasting" is a portmanteau of "iPod," Apple's popular portable media player, and "broadcasting." Although podcasts are not exclusive to iPods, the name stuck, highlighting the early connection between podcasts and Apple's device.
Wondering how your podcast gets onto Apple, Spotify, and other podcast listening platforms?
Well, then you're in the right place, as this week's edition takes a closer look at how podcast hosting and distribution work.
Podcast hosting and distribution are essential components of the podcasting process, allowing creators to share their content with a wide audience across various platforms.
Here's a detailed breakdown of how it works, including specifics for platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and additional information about other platforms and the role of podcast hosting accounts.
Podcast Hosting Basics
1. What is Podcast Hosting?
- Podcast hosting is a service where podcasters can upload, store, and manage their audio files. It's akin to web hosting, but specifically tailored for podcast audio files.
- A podcast host provides a platform to upload and organize episodes, create show notes, and generate an RSS feed.
2. RSS Feed
- The RSS feed is a crucial component. This is where your podcast lives and breathes. It's a file that contains all the information about your podcast and its episodes, including titles, descriptions, and links to the audio files.
- When you update your podcast by adding new episodes on the hosting platform, the RSS feed automatically updates as well.
An RSS feed also prevents you from having to upload to multiple locations every time a new episode drops. Think of it like your "one-stop shop" - you upload to one place and it gets distributed to multiple locations simultaneously.
3. Podcast Website
- Many podcast hosting services offer a website for your podcast. This website is a central place where listeners can find all your episodes, learn more about the podcast, and access show notes.
- You can often personalize this website and even register a custom domain name, making it more brand-centric.
Distribution to Platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify
1. Apple Podcasts
- To get your podcast on Apple Podcasts, you need to submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Apple offers tools for podcasters, like analytics to track listener trends and episode performance.
- You must adhere to Apple’s content guidelines and technical requirements for podcasts.
2. Spotify
- Spotify for Podcasters allows you to submit your podcast through their platform, giving access to tools for tracking your podcast's performance, understanding your audience, and more.
- Spotify also offers unique features like music integration for podcasts on their platform.
3. Other Platforms
- Many podcast hosting platforms offer easy distribution to other platforms like Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and more.
- This is typically done through a simple submission process, similar to Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Additional Tools and Features
1. Analytics and Insights
Most popular podcast directories
As of February 2023, Apple Podcasts holds the?number one?spot with 38.7% of all podcast listeners and 48,789,778 podcast downloads.
领英推荐
Spotify currently holds the?number two?spot with 28% of podcast users and 35,295,536 downloads.
Other podcasting platforms and listening apps in order of popularity:
- Both Apple Podcasts and Spotify offer detailed analytics. You can track how many people listen to your podcast, how long they listen, demographic information, and more.
2. Monetization Options
- Platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts have various monetization options, including ads, subscriptions, or premium content which make it easy for podcasters to leverage and monetize their show.
3. Marketing and Promotion
- These platforms also offer tools and tips for marketing and promoting your podcast, helping you grow your audience. Marketing a podcast is no easy task but these platforms make it that much easier as they offer tools to help you better market your show.
Setting Up a Domain for Your Podcast Website
Having a custom domain for your podcast is VERY IMPORTANT as it makes it easier for you to market and tell people about your show.
"So where can I find your podcast?" - instead of telling them to pull up Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you simply give them the domain name for your show.
Once you've set up distribution to Apple, Spotify, etc most hosting platforms will hyperlink your show right on your podcast website making it easier for people to point, click, listen, and subscribe.
1. Registering a Domain
- You can register a domain name through various online domain registrars.
- Choose a name that reflects your podcast’s name for brand consistency.
2. Pointing Domain to Podcast Website
- Once you have a domain, you can 'point' it to your podcast website hosted by your podcast host.
- This involves updating the DNS (Domain Name System) settings through your domain registrar to direct the domain to your podcast hosting provider’s servers.
3. Propagation
- After updating the DNS settings, it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet.
Conclusion
Podcast hosting and distribution are streamlined processes that enable podcasters to share their content with a broad audience efficiently.
Everything you've learned today is a vital component to setting up and running your podcast properly.
By utilizing the tools and features provided by platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as taking advantage of a hosting service's website and domain customization options, podcasters can effectively grow and manage their online presence.
Remember, consistency in content and leveraging these tools for analytics and promotion are key to a successful podcasting journey.
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This week's YouTube Video discusses whether or not you need one of those pop filter thingys for your podcast microphone.
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