Course Content
1. The elements of communication
2. Internal communication plan
3. Metrics
4. Conclusions
Communication 4.0 represents a challenge due to the enormous speed of digital transformation. We have reviewed external communication processes with an emphasis on the digital tools needed to effectively communicate our ideas and reach our target audience, stressing the creation of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. We have also seen the need for a digital marketing strategy that allows us to define our objectives and the subjacent principles that govern any marketing proposal. On the other hand, we have seen the creation of an internal communication plan, highlighting the most remarkable features and the need for open and fluid communication between employees. We closed our module with a brief approach to social media metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of our communication strategies. In short, we focused on practical creation, promoting a step-by-step vision of development and implementation. We hope this module can contribute to achieving your goals and help you to lead your future communication strategy. Remember that adaptation is a fundamental competence of the creation process and, therefore, we want to encourage you to be updated on the trends of communication 4.0 and to make the most of your efforts.
5.5 Creating a Podcast: How to create your first channel
How can it be done?
Once you have the microphone and the programme that you will use to record and edit your podcast episodes, it is your turn to create a podcast channel and upload your content. Want to start a new podcast channel but have no idea what the process is for creating a podcast?
In this step by step guide we will see how to start your first podcast channel without spending a single euro.
At this point it is worth noting that it is not necessary to follow the same order to create your first podcast. Personally, this is the order we, as InterMediaKT follow, and we consider it ideal, but everyone works differently, so do not hesitate to change the order. We will focus on referring to both the premium services used by professional podcasters and the best and most reliable free ones for beginners.
Step 1: Find a name for your podcast
The first thing you need to do is think about the name of your podcast channel. The name will determine the rest of your steps. The name will be added everywhere, so there is no point in running to create a channel without first coming up with one.
Here are some tips for choosing a name:
♦ Keep it short and make sure it is easy to pronounce, while it is easy enough for everyone to remember. Big and / or complicated names are easy to forget and so are not an ideal choice.
♦ Choose a catchy or practical name. For example, if you are preparing to open a podcast channel with coffee recipes, as a [practical] name you could put “coffee recipes with Greg”. However, if you want a catchier name, you can put something like “Coffee Talks”, or “Weekly Coffee Talks”, or “My life with Coffees”, or hundreds of other names and titles. Take your time, write down the different names and styles that your podcasts will have on a piece of paper and choose the best one.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the name you choose does not exist so as to avoid competition or even legal problems. You can also visit directories of podcasts channels, to get ideas for names and covers.
Step 2: Make the cover photo
There are two ways you can make a cover photo for your podcast channel: Alone or by hiring a graphic designer. In this article, we will move on to the first option.
The most professional and intricate covers are often created by programmes such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. However, because not everyone has the necessary knowledge and budget for such a suite of programmes, you can use tools like Canva to easily create beautiful cover photos.
Step 3: Description and links
Next stop: The description of your podcast channel. The description is quite important as it will not only determine the content of your podcast but also the SEO to be found by the search engines.
When someone searches for a podcast on Google, Bing or any other search engine, If they want to find themselves as “podcast with coffee recipes”, then you need to make sure that both the title and the description contain these keywords.
For example, if the name of the Podcast is “Coffee Talks”, then in the description be sure to put the word “coffee” and other important words such as “coffee recipes”.
Step 4: Record your first episode
Record your first episode and then create the intro that the episodes will have. Unless you have enough time, and passion for editing, I would suggest you prepare every time, alternatively you will end up cutting and making changes in countless parts of your episodes. Therefore, proper preparation is necessary.
You can use a notebook and a pen, or even your favourite note-taking app. I personally use Notion to organise and prepare not only the podcast episodes of The Blogging Dispatch, but also the articles and videos you will find on the Inkstory YouTube Channel. To add all the information of the episode, you will also need to deal with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) so that more people can find your episode.
Step 5: Podcast option features & more
♦ Episode Title: The title of the podcast episode. Check the tips mentioned above. Episode Description: The description of the podcast episode. The bigger and more concise it is, the better. Make sure it is SEO-Friendly and do not forget to add links to your social networks or affiliate links.
♦ Publish Date: The date the episode will be published. Leave it at “Now” to make it directly visible to everyone.
♦ Season Number: The number of the season. If you start now, then you put “1” as it is your first season.
♦ Episode Number: The number of the episode. The first episode of the season is “1”, after the second “2” and so on.
♦ Episode Type: If it is a regular episode, then hold the “Full” option. If it is a trailer or intro for your upcoming episodes, then you choose “Trailer”. If it is a bonus episode, then you choose the “Bonus”.
♦ Content: Clean is the clean content that does not include swearing or talking exclusively for adults, while Explicit is for everyone else.
♦ Polls: You can use them, and your listeners will be able to vote on various questions you ask them. This is an ideal choice when you want to increase the engagement of your listeners.
♦ Q&A: Ask your listeners questions to increase engagement.
Once you have filled in all the required fields, you can either click on “Save as a draft” to save the episode as a draft, or on “Next” to proceed with its publication. If your Podcast Channel is new, it will take a few days for all other streaming services to approve it and your episodes to appear everywhere.
Using a streaming service
You can use a streaming service, also known as “hosting services”, if you do not have your own website to upload your podcast episodes.
The easiest and fastest way to create a Podcast Channel is through Anchor. The service is provided completely free of charge to everyone and allows you to record, edit, upload episodes and maintain a public profile. Anchor also uploads your episodes to other streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Castbox, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, among others.
Upload your first episode to Anchor
The process of uploading podcast episodes to Anchor is not much different from the process of uploading videos on YouTube.
1. From the “Dashboard” page click on “New Episode”.
2. Podcast Creation: A step-by-step guide for beginners.
3.Anchor provides some basic options:
Record: Record your episode directly from its own built-in tool (I would suggest a programme like Audacity or Adobe Audition for better results).
Library: Insert an episode or part of an episode that you have already uploaded. Messages: Add messages you have received from listeners of your Podcast during the episode.
Transitions: A collection of free music and sound effects for your podcasts.
4. Click to Upload or Drag files: To upload your existing and edited podcast episode.
5.Once you are ready, click on “Save Episode” to save the changes.
The same steps apply of course to upload all your other episodes, making the necessary changes to the titles, descriptions, season and episode number.
Video
Check the relevant animation video: