Breaking into the podcast game

A great way to promote new music or work is through podcasts, which have been growing in demand exponentially in the last few years.

WordPlay T. Jay has just revived his podcast, “No Rhyme or Reason,” with co-host Icarus Gray, and he is giving advice on how to start up a podcast if you have have before.

“When building a brand and making music, one way to promote is to build a podcast, which you can also use to create a lot of micro-content but cutting it up and using it as needed,” T. Jay said.

Podcasts have been growing recently, with the rate projecting their popularity will double in the next two years.

Since 2014, according to Nielsen, podcasts have grown in popularity by 20 percent each year, as people are always looking for new content to listen to while working, driving, exercising, etc.

“There is an audience for them, so it’s important to jump on the bandwagon while it’s still early and while podcasts are growing,” T. Jay said.

To get started, T. Jay said the following is needed:

• A microphone, cell phone or laptop

• Software or an app for audio editing (Audacity, Garage Band, Zoom, etc.)

• Video recording equipment (optional — a webcam, Zoom, smart phone, etc.)

• A host site (Buzzsprout)

Podcasts are in MP3 format and sent in file form over the internet using RSS feeds, which is why a host site is needed.

RSS feeds utilize a website link to pull the file from. Buzzsprout, for example, offers file hosting that allows for about 6 hours of content per month for about $18.

Another option is to use your own website, setting up a blog and posting the audio file there. You can also add a blurb about the podcast contents and use tags to make them easier to locate.

As far as the process of making a podcast, T. Jay said it goes like this:

1. Record the audio/video

2. Add effects or background music, avoiding using copyrighted material

3. Export the file to MP3, usually 16 bits and 192 kbps stereo

4. Upload the file to your host site

5. Edit video for YouTube, Facebook, promotions, etc. (optional)

T. Jay’s promotional strategy for “No Rhyme or Reason” involves recording the episode, then creating multiple promotional video clips in different formats for different social media sites, as well as promoting the podcast by word of mouth to family and friends.

For more about how to build a podcast, check out the video below!