Almost everything about online presence is about balancing quality content with timing. This helps ensure the content produced next is properly promoted and represented.

Podcasting is one of the ways people use to reach new audiences. It also helps podcasters by deepening their connection with target audiences. So, what is a podcast? Just like a radio talk show, a podcast is an audio program focused on a particular topic. Podcast listeners or fans can subscribe to it on their devices and listen to it at any time.

For your podcast to reach many people, you must find the right subscription service. Apart from increasing an audience, podcasters can also earn from their creative work.

There are various ways in which you can monetize a podcast. These include sponsorships and advertising as well as affiliate marketing. With a paid podcasting platform, you don’t have to go about wondering about how to make money with a podcast.

What You Should Know Before Choosing a Subscription Platform for Podcasting

Something as simple as an app on a smartphone can help you create a basic podcast episode. But, it’s also a fact that your audience will appreciate a more sophisticated approach. When you start podcasting, you’d like it to sound as excellent as it possibly can.

Luckily, there are several subscription platforms for podcasts that can take your content to the next level. Paid podcasting sites enable podcasters to reach a lot of people.

With a platform like Patreon, you don’t have to ask questions like how much does a podcast make. That’s because entrepreneurs and creatives use the service to get paid by listeners who want to consume their content.

Apart from the usual perks, subscription platforms come with other benefits.

• They help podcasters in maximizing their subscription audiences. This enables them to grow from their existing listener base.
• They make it easy for listeners to discover bonus content and support creators while getting offered something of value in return.
• Podcast creation platforms give creators access to the Q & A feature. This enables listeners to interact directly with the show.

Here’s what podcasters should know before choosing a subscription platform.

1. Understanding the “What” and the “Why”

A podcaster must answer important questions first before investing in a subscription platform. Starting a podcast without a solid plan is like planning to fail. You might get there in due course, but you’ll have wasted a lot of time while at it.

Some podcasters start this journey without having a good idea of what their niche and style are. Some don’t even know who should be their target audience. You may be able to stumble upon success by finding your way through trial and error. However, it’s much easier to have a defined plan.

To begin with, start with some soul-searching about why you want to start podcasting. Is there something valuable you want to teach your audience? Do you like the idea of getting paid to interview personalities you admire? Write down your what and why then let it guide your decisions. It helps to ensure you’re not wasting time going through a path that leads to nowhere.

2. Find Out About Podcast Monetization

No matter how passionate you are about podcasting, there’s always a doubt or two. For some people, it’s about the equipment to be used and not being a techie. For others, it’s the lack of confidence because they hate their voice. But more often and for most people, it’s about the money!

They are concerned about how to monetize a podcast. They ask themselves questions like how much does podcasting cost? And how much do podcasters make?

If you’re planning to invest in setting up a show, you need to know how much it will cost you. You also need to know whether this will be a good return on investment. All the concerns are important. That’s because they’ll help you figure out if the project is worth the investment.

Thus, before you spend your savings, before choosing a subscription platform, find out how to make an earning career from podcasting.

3. Ease of Use of the Subscription Platform

The features of a podcast subscription platform would be useless if you don’t know how to use them. So do your due diligence and research the features offered by a podcast hosting site. You also need to learn how to use the dashboard. That’s because it makes it easier to manage your podcast and media files.

Look for screenshots and YouTube videos that go through a host’s dashboard. That will help you see how everything is laid out. You’ll also get the technical knowledge needed to use the features effectively.

4. Understand Your Ideal Listeners

Who is your target audience and why? Just like in business, you must find out who your ideal audience is. Who is that one person that you need to share your message with?

Considering one perfect person to target simplifies the process of creating content they’d like to listen to. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Which gender group is more interested in the show?
• What is their age group?
• What are their dreams and challenges?
• Are they unemployed or employed?
• What social media platforms do they prefer?

Always keep in mind that specific questions are better. Knowing your listeners’ preferences will determine which platform they are more likely to reach you. In that way, you can also channel your resources to the platform where most of your listeners will be tuning in.

Additionally, their answers can also be great sources of material for your early episodes to build rapport.

5. Creation of Episode Subjects

A podcaster needs to come up with particular subjects within their topic to talk about at length. This is after narrowing down their focus to a single topic. Go ahead and brainstorm a number of episode subjects to ensure you have enough to say.

Consider selecting a broader topic if you can’t get enough material with the previous list of topics. To make your brainstorming easier, think about every aspect of your topic. If your topic is about parenting abroad, for instance, consider everything your listeners might want to know. They may want to find out about:

• Medical care abroad
• Possibilities of dual citizenship
• Learning foreign languages abroad

Figuring out your niche topic early on will also help determine your ideal podcast platform. Some platforms are known to carry particular topics, hence it’s easier to connect with your target audience.

6. Purchase the Right Equipment

A good podcast needs to have a better sound quality. If your listeners hear a lot of background noise, they’re likely to steer away. Remember that there are many podcasters around. Thus, you must ensure you make it easy for your fans to listen.

You can record a podcast with your smartphone or your computer’s built-in microphone. But, you’ll get a much better sound quality from a quality microphone. Other additional podcast equipment includes:

• A computer
• Pop filter
• A boom or microphone stand

You also need to have a host that meets your needs if you aren’t the one hosting. Make sure that your chosen subscription platform will cater to all your technical needs.

Conclusion

A lot of people who are new to podcasting have the wrong idea of what it’s like to do the job. Becoming a podcaster involves good planning and organization. You also need to keep your goals and audiences’ needs in mind to create quality podcasts. And, of course, you need to have a platform to be accessible and relevant to your audience.

But before investing on a paid platform, make sure that you’ve considered every factor listed above. In that way, you can make sure that you’ll receive your money’s worth.