Colin Gray is the founder of Alitu, an automated podcast recording & editing tool, and The Podcast Host, one of the longest running and most authoritative podcasting blogs on the web. In addition, he also hosts his own show called Podcraft which teached listeners how to create better quality audio content.

Colin has been helping people set up and run successful podcasts for more than a decade. Coming from an academic background, in 2008 Colin began teaching lecturers how to use podcasting to enhance student learning. He then founded The Podcast Host website in 2011, which has now helped several thousand people launch and grow their own podcast.

Unlike the previous episodes in Season 2 of Meet the Podcasters, this conversation doesn’t focus on a particular show that Colin has produced. Instead, this episode is more of a step-by-step guide covering everything you need to know to launch a great podcast.

So if you’re someone who’s been thinking of starting a podcast but you’re unsure where to start, Colin lays out a simple framework you can follow to go from having an idea in your head to having a well produced show live on Apple, Spotify and everywhere else. In this episode, James Deeney talks to Colin Gray about:

• 00:00 - Intro 
• 01:38 - Highlights
• 04:10 - How podcasting compares to blogging
• 07:58 - The why and how of defining your ideal target audience
• 11:00 - How to name your podcast the right way
• 14:05 - Tips for designing podcast artwork
• 21:15 - Colin's podcast equipment recommendations
• 26:43 - Creating a podcast trailer
• 32:55 - The challenges of producing a good interview podcast
• 42:55 - Tools to optimise editing and post-production
• 53:28 - Apple & Spotify premium subscriptions
• 56:57 - Converting listeners to paying subscribers

Selected Links From the Episode

Connect with Colin: LinkedIn | Twitter

Visit The Podcast Host

Listen to Podcraft

Alitu, Podcast Editing Software

How to create great podcast artwork, Podcast.co

Canva, Online Photo Editor

How to name your podcast, Podcast.co

Equipment

• Zoom H6 Recorder
• Samson Q2U, USB Microphone
• Rode PSA-1, Mic Stand
• Rodecaster Pro, Audio Mixer
• Squadcast, Audio & Video Recording
• Riverside.fm, Audio & Video Recording
• Audacity, Free Audio Recording Tool

Producing a podcast in seasons, The Podcast Host

Apple Launch Podcast Subscriptions, Apple

Paid Podcast Subscriptions on Spotify, Spotify

How to monetize your podcast with premium content, Podcast.co