How to build a profitable podcast.
We understand you have worked hard to create an amazing podcast that your listeners love. Let's use an RSS feed to get this to your listeners...
Well, the first step in generating a loyal list of subscribers that will tell their friends, feed your ego and buy your stuff is to enable them to subscribe to your show... and how do you do that?
With a podcast RSS feed... let's get into it:
The SS in RSS stands for "straightforward syndication", and was built originally to aid internet users with getting the latest blog posts as they were published on their preferred websites.
Users do not have to visit each website one after the other, all they have to do is to enter their favorite blog's RSS feed to a feed aggregator, and they will get all their preferred blog posts in one place.
One place to get...
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For a blog RSS feed, you will find images, texts, videos, and other types of media files, in a podcast RSS feed, you include audio, text, and image data about your podcast.
Your listeners can subscribe to your podcast RSS feed, this way they can always get your podcast's latest episodes on their preferred platform or app. They do not have to visit your website to listen to new episodes.
The reason you produce content is for your listeners. They do not want to miss out on anything, especially if you are giving them useful, inspiring, or educational content that is improving their lives.
Your dedicated listeners will always check your website to stay updated on the latest episodes. However, a large portion of your listeners will not have the time and dedication to do that. There is so much content online that people have to consume, and yours can easily get lost amid everything.
Listeners that subscribe to your podcast RSS feed will see updates in their summary display, as an episode drops. All they need to do is to check their feed, check out what's new, see your updated episode, and get to listening to the latest content you have for them on your podcast.
As a content producer that wants followers, you have to make it easy to find yourself.
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If it is difficult to see you, you will be missing out on many potential followers and listeners. The primary importance of creating an RSS feed is for listeners to find your show easily.
If you have coding knowledge, which most of us don't have, you can use XML to create your RSS feed. You will have to enter all the desired information and add the new episodes as they drop.
However, another step that seems more comfortable is to use a feed builder and create your RSS feed by hosting your podcast with a podcast host (like bCast!). Setting this up will cost a small amount each month but is super straightforward and you do not need any coding knowledge to do this. You could already have an RSS feed for your website, which is great... however, this is not going to serve the purpose of your podcast. Your website RSS feed will likely record the blog posts and fail to pick up podcast audio.
Another reason, perhaps the most popular one, to have an RSS feed, is to submit your podcast to podcast directories. Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others require you to submit your podcast RSS feed; this will make finding your podcast easier for your potential fans.
Let's share some potential options for doing this...
The first step to creating an RSS feed for your podcast is by finding a platform to host your podcast. There are different ways and tools you can use to achieve this...
This particular one is quite popular when creating an RSS feed for all forms of the podcast. You might already have a website that runs on WordPress; this can efficiently function as a plug-in for the website. It is easy for you to publish every episode of your podcast, generate your RSS feed URL and use it as you like.
Using RSS.com is another popular method. Many podcasters commonly use the site. The first thing you need to do on the site is to create your account. After which you start to add your podcast audio files to the dashboard with a description for each. This service will give you access to your podcast RSS feed URL.
You can create an account and upload your podcast audio files on SoundCloud. Then you can make an RSS URL using the platform.
This is another good hosting platform for your podcast. You can generate an RSS feed for your podcast using this platform.
On Squarespace, you can create a blog with an RSS feed, and it will have all the details you need to post your podcast RSS feed URL.
Do you need a unique website host to create an RSS Feed?
You don't require a unique website to generate an RSS feed for your podcast. You can use any website to create your RSS feed.
How do you create an RSS Feed from scratch?
You also can create an RSS feed from scratch. If your content hosts on a website, have a server, you can create your RSS feed from scratch. One way to do this for your podcast is by using RSS Builder – this is an excellent free platform, and it is an open-source RSS-making program. Using this program, you can always upload each of your podcast episodes to your website and generate the feed.
Using the RSS Builder application, you begin by generating a news feed; then you give it a title before you add the URL to your website. The next step is to write a description and queue the feed up for generation. Every time you add new content, you will enter the unique URL to the RSS feed.
After learning how to host and generate an RSS feed for your podcast, the next step is to upload your podcast audio files. Your RSS feed is built to recognize every new episode you upload.
If you are going the self-generation route, you have to make sure you are correctly uploading your podcast audio files to the website, and ensure it is the same URL that the RSS feed recognizes. Use RSS Builder to add the URL to the RSS feed each time you upload new audio files; this will help it to identify that new content and it will spread it to podcast directories.
If you use a hosting platform for your podcast, all you need to do is to upload the new podcast episode quickly. If bCast is your hosting platform, all you need to do is upload your latest podcast into the platform, and the RSS feed will pick it up and deliver your awesome episode to all your listeners.
You want your podcast to be available on several platforms, as much as you can find. To ensure this, you will have to submit your podcast RSS feed URL to these platforms. Platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and several other platforms will help you get more visibility for your podcast.
Connecting your podcast RSS feed URL to most podcast directories is pretty easy. We have created some articles explaining these processes in easy to understand terms:
It would be best if you optimized your podcast RSS feed. Your podcast distribution's success depends on how well you optimize your RSS feed. Even if you produce the best podcast, but fail to maximize searchability, you will not get listeners. You also have to remember that you need a good description of the RSS feed. You should also add an audio transcript in the show notes as it can help the visibility of your podcast.
The more relevant data you add to your RSS feed, the more likely your potential listeners will be able to find you on their favorite podcast listening application.
In summary, getting your RSS feed right is almost as important as creating great content for your podcast.
After all, you're creating good content so listeners can associate with your brand.
The several RSS generating platforms available have made the job easier for you. You have no excuse for not maximizing the visibility that your podcast can get.
