Start a Podcast

Lesson plan

• 01
  Prologue

  Hear a preview of the lessons you’ll learn from our team of audio industry experts.

  This lesson introduces you to your host, Jonathan Hirsch, founder of top LA podcast company Neon Hum Media. He’ll explain how this course will prepare you to go from idea to podcast using the advice and strategies of experts. Successful podcast creators, entrepreneurs, and producers will teach you how to:

  • Write, record, and mix your podcast
  • Set your show apart
  • Monetize your show
  • Create a podcast that makes sense for your business
  • Use best practices to promote your show

  
• 02
  About This Course

  Get to know host Jonathan Hirsch and learn why he wants to help you tell audio stories.

  Podcasting can be daunting when you’re just starting out. This lesson gives you a look at your host Jonathan’s background, including how he got inspired to create his first podcast, began working on other shows, and eventually launched his own audio production company. He’ll also cover the format of this audio course and how to use the Knowable app and extra resources that are included.

  
• 03
  Comparing Formats

  Learn the basic podcast formats and how to decide which one is for you.

  This lesson will familiarize you with the five most common podcast formats and why structure plays such a big role in defining your show, the way you present your story, and how your audience receives it. To decide which format works best for your idea, you’ll learn all about the different types of podcasts and hear a few examples of each:

  • Interview
  • Discussion or roundtable
  • Documentary
  • Magazine-style
  • Fiction

  2 resources for further study

  
• 04
  Finding Your Niche

  Learn how to develop a unique vision for your show.

  This lesson will get you asking some important questions to decide on the show you want to make—including how to establish your vision and figure out what makes your idea unique. One successful podcast host will walk you through his story and how he uncovered the answers to key questions like:

  • Why do you want to start a podcast?
  • What will your podcast be about?
  • Who is your audience?

  An NPR-created guide for podcasters; 1 action item; 4 resources for further study; in-app list of questions to get started

  
• 05
  Documentary Storytelling

  Learn how to turn your idea into a narrative or documentary podcast.

  This lesson teaches you how to use narrative in audio. Documentary podcasts are popular, but they require lots of time, labor, and creativity. Expert storytellers and producers from NPR and Vox will give you advice on how to create a great story, including how to:

  • Establish the central question of your show
  • Determine the structure
  • Keep an open mind and tell the story as it unfolds
  • Surprise and challenge your audience
  • Find a character who can carry your story

  1 action item; 4 resources for further study; 3 recommended books for aspiring narrative podcasters; 4 links to archival audio tools

  
• 06
  Recording Your Audio

  Learn which equipment you’ll need and how to make your audio sound great.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn about the recording process and what you’ll need to buy to make your podcast sound professional. While great audio can be made simply, an expert audio engineer will break down the basic gear you need to get started, including:

  • Headphones (and how to choose a good pair)
  • Microphone (including your three basic options)
  • Recording devices and tools

  1 action item; 5 resources for further study; 5 links to recording tools; in-app list of the basics to buy

  
• 07
  Interviewing

  Learn the best practices for getting the most out of your guests.

  This lesson will teach you the art of interviewing. Experienced producers will give you advice for interviews, including how to prepare, ask great questions, and get the most out of your guests. You’ll learn why listening is the most important part of any interview and receive tips like:

  • Check your equipment and sound before you begin
  • Avoid jumping into the interview right away
  • Prepare beforehand
  • Bring the conversation back
  • Keep rolling until your guest leaves

  1 action item; 6 resources for further study

  
• 08
  Writing for Audio

  Learn how to write for the ear.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn the best practices for writing for audio, a skill that requires you to ignore many of the rules you learned in English class. Jonathan and one of his trusted producers will explain how they adapted the story of Jonathan’s childhood for the podcast Dear Franklin Jones. You’ll learn to:

  • Keep it simple
  • Keep it simple
  • Say the words out loud
  • Find the story, the stakes, and the descriptive tape
  • Describe the surroundings

  Break it into scenes

  
• 09
  Hosting and Recording Your Podcast Narration

  Learn to sound pitch-perfect when recording narration.

  This lesson teaches you how to host and record the narration of your podcast—what’s known in the industry as “tracking.” You’ll learn rules that apply to almost any audio recording, like:

  • Get comfortable
  • Make sure your microphone is well-placed
  • Make it as quiet as possible
  • Sound conversational
  • Find your style and be yourself

  1 action item; 3 resources for further study; in-app resources for vocal exercises

  
• 10
  Post-production: Editing and Mixing

  Learn how to increase your show’s production value through editing and mixing.

  In this lesson, you’ll discover how to shape the sound of your podcast after you finish recording. An expert sound designer and a podcast creator will teach you how to make your show stand out from the crowd by using the six main elements of post-production:

  • Software
  • Focusing on the lead voice
  • Editing for style and time
  • Music
  • Volume

  1 action item; 4 resources for further study; 6 links to editing software tools

  
• 11
  Preparing for Launch

  Learn how to create an RSS feed and publish your show on the major podcast platforms.

  This lesson teaches you how to launch your podcast so anybody can listen to it. You’ll learn from an experienced podcast producer how to make a show successful, from production to distribution to sales, including how to:

  • Set up an RSS feed
  • Decide where to publish and host your podcast
  • Use apps like Apple Podcast
  • Get your podcast to non-Apple users
  • Build a website for your podcast

  1 action item; 3 resources for further study; 7 links to tools for hosting your show; 8 links to tools for building your website; in-app guide to getting your RSS feed to Apple Podcast

  
• 12
  Your Audience

  Learn how to engage and grow your audience.

  In this lesson, successful podcast creators will teach you how to receive and process feedback from your audience to make a show they want to hear. You’ll learn how to:

  • Conduct an online survey of your listeners
  • Think about your own listening habits
  • Be authentic, even when you read ads
  • Be consistent and set achievable goals for new episodes
  • Ask for feedback and reviews

  1 action item; 2 resources for further study; 4 links to tools for gathering feedback

  
• 13
  Promotion

  Learn how to expose your show to new listeners.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn how shows make it onto Apple and Spotify’s lists of top podcasts. An expert podcast producer will teach you strategies for maximizing promotion and gaining traction like:

  • Knowing the lists you want to be on (curated or popularity-based)
  • Feed-swapping with other podcasts
  • Making sure your podcast name is great
  • Having the right image or artwork

  1 action item; 3 resources for further study; 8 links to logo design tools

  
• 14
  Podcasting for Your Small Business

  Learn how to use podcasts as a marketing tool — without alienating your audience.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn how to promote your small business with a podcast—something that’s becoming much more common these days! A podcast host for a major venture capital firm explains how to do this authentically by:

  • Considering your brand’s values
  • Asking why your brand should tell this story
  • Promoting your brand without selling
  • Thinking about who you want to reach
  • Earning and keeping your audience

  1 action item; 3 resources for further study

  
• 15
  Monetizing Your Podcast

  Learn how to make money from sponsors and fans.

  In this lesson, the founder and CEO of a podcast collective and production studio will walk you through the steps of podcast monetization, including:

  • Creating a show with an audience that cares about it before contacting brands
  • Reaching out to partners for advertising opportunities by pitching, cold emailing, and networking
  • Anticipating and resolving issues that might discourage a potential partner
  • Sharing audience demographics with potential sponsors
  • Setting rates and expectations for ads

  An example press kit; 2 action items; 2 resources for further study; 5 links to tools for direct listenership support; 4 links to sponsorship tools.

  
• 16
  Media Ethics and Law

  Learn the legal issues related to podcasting, including copyright law and booking guests.

  This lesson breaks down the legal and ethical issues you need to consider as you create your podcast, including copyright issues, release forms for interview guests, and how to avoid defamation suits. An entertainment and media law attorney will explain:

  • Fair use
  • Permission, informed consent, and release forms
  • Libel, slander, and defamation claims and defenses
  • Issues with investigative podcasts
  • Basic ownership and contracts

  A podcasting legal guide; example contractor agreement; example interview release form; example limited copyright license agreement; 1 action item; 7 resources for further study; 7 links to music and sound effect resources

  
• 17
  Developing Your Podcast Over Time

  Learn how to grow and sustain your podcast over time.

  In this lesson, an experienced podcast creator will discuss how his shows, as well the podcasting industry, have changed over time. He’ll give you advice and strategies to make your show flexible and long-lasting, including how to:

  • Start out by experimenting and taking risks so you don’t get boxed in
  • Know when to bring in help
  • Come up with new ideas
  • Avoid feeling burnt-out about your show
  • Prioritize self-care

  1 action item; 2 resources for further study; 9 links to resources for connecting with other podcasters

  
• 18
  What's Next

  What to expect as the industry evolves.

  This lesson discusses the past and future of podcasts with the COO of Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco. He’ll give you insider insight on the industry, including the biggest changes happening in:

  • The current market
  • The advertising process
  • Podcasts themselves
  • Challenges for podcasters going forward

  1 action item; 5 resources for further study