{"id":8483,"date":"2020-11-25T11:09:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T09:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xneelo.co.za\/insights\/tools-for-creating-a-winning-podcast\/"},"modified":"2024-05-06T09:07:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T07:07:19","slug":"tools-for-creating-a-winning-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xneelo.co.za\/insights\/tools-for-creating-a-winning-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Tools for creating a winning podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"

While a podcast may not have been part of your 2020 business plan, now that the world has shifted in a more digital direction you might be looking for new ways to connect with your customers. We asked Denise Meikle from <\/span>Castos<\/span><\/a>, a podcast hosting and analytics platform, to share some of her most valuable insights and tools for creating a winning podcast. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why a podcast is good for business<\/span><\/h2>\n

As anyone who has a favourite podcast will attest, a podcast is a more personal way to connect with potential customers. A study by<\/span> Accenture Strategy<\/span><\/a> found that \u201c62 percent of consumers say their purchasing consideration is driven by a company\u2019s ethical values and authenticity.\u201d But how is your business communicating that authenticity? While paid ads across social media and articles written for SEO are valid ways to generate brand awareness, they aren\u2019t the right mediums to express a company\u2019s mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best channel for authentic storytelling and relaying important values is a podcast. Hearing messages from leaders and insights into how the company makes purpose-driven decisions could be the reason someone decides to become a customer. <\/span><\/p>\n

As an added bonus, a podcast is an owned and operated medium. What this means is that companies don\u2019t have to play by Google\u2019s or Facebook\u2019s rules to succeed. Podcasting is still a relatively new medium in South Africa, so there\u2019s a lot of room to stand out. Taking a creative risk and appealing to a person\u2019s emotional side with engaging stories could bring in more customers who want to stick around.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specific tools necessary for creating a podcast<\/span><\/h2>\n

The beauty of podcasting is the lower barriers to entry. Expensive gear or software isn\u2019t necessary to get started. A simple set up with a smartphone and a pair of headphones can be a good place to begin. <\/span><\/p>\n

The only necessary thing is creating an RSS feed. The RSS feed is what ultimately powers a podcast and distributes it to popular listening platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It can technically be coded by tech-savvy people, but most podcasters use a <\/span>podcast hosting provider<\/span><\/a> instead. The provider will automatically create a functioning feed and help deliver episodes to every listening platform. The available service providers are generally affordable and also provide analytics so that you can understand your podcast\u2019s performance, and how to enhance it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why it\u2019s essential to have a podcast website<\/h2>\n

\u201cSearching the internet\u201d<\/span><\/a> is the preferred way for listeners to discover new podcasts, so it\u2019s important to have a website attached to your podcast. It becomes a central place for listeners to learn more about the podcast\u2019s mission, hear current and old episodes, and engage on other platforms like Instagram or Facebook. <\/span><\/p>\n

A website also lends credibility to a podcast, signalling to potential listeners that the hosts are committed to creating the show. Google serves podcast episodes in search results, so it\u2019s a great way to find new listeners, and a dedicated site also makes it easier for other people to talk about the podcast by sharing one link.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why WordPress is a good platform for a podcast<\/span><\/h2>\n

WordPress<\/span><\/a> is the top platform for podcasters because of its ease of use and accessibility. <\/span>Anyone can start a site with WordPress<\/span><\/a>, in the same way, that anyone can start a podcast. The variety of plugins make it easy to embed episodes onto a website, help readers subscribe to the podcast, and create episode playlists to help new listeners get caught up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended podcast hosting plugins<\/span><\/h2>\n

Seriously Simple Podcasting<\/span><\/a> is a top WordPress plugin for podcasting. With over 20,000 active installations and 193 5-star reviews, it\u2019s a good solution for companies and individuals wanting to start their podcast. <\/span><\/p>\n

Features include customisable player widgets, the ability to manage multiple podcasts from one site, and the option to choose which post type you want to use. <\/span><\/p>\n

Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts for podcasting<\/h2>\n

Do:<\/b><\/p>\n