How to Podcast Using WordPress

With the increasing popularity of podcasting, it is no surprise that there are over 2 million podcasts available across various platforms. With millions of people scouring the web to find information and answers to their questions, there’s no better time to get your valuable information out than through an engaging podcast. Podcasting is the next step in expanding your brand by drawing more attention to your business and potentially increasing sales. Starting a new podcast, or modifying an existing one, is easy using WordPress’s customizable features and a strong podcast hosting plugin. Here is everything you need to know about podcasting with WordPress.

Setting up a WordPress Podcast

Because most listeners are scouring the internet to find new content, it is almost impossible to have a successful podcast without a website. If you don’t have a blog site or website already, the first step in developing your self-hosted podcast is to create a WordPress website and install a WordPress theme specifically for podcasting. WordPress gives you complete control over the setup and design of your page, making it unique to you or your company.

Once your website is up and running, you can start adding your episodes. While it is possible to link your audio or video files in a post, it becomes more difficult to upload them to podcast clients such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. To avoid this and access all of WordPress’s podcasting benefits, you will want to install and activate a podcast plugin. Plugins allow you to upload and manage your content, plus view your podcast’s analytics right from the WordPress dashboard. Some plugins also have a customizable player so visitors can play your podcast directly from your website. A few popular plugins are:

• PowerPress Podcasting Plugin by Blubrry
• Seriously Simple Podcasting
• Podcast Player – Your Podcasting Companion
• Buzzsprout

Next, link the installed plugin to the associated podcast hosting service. This step is essential before uploading audio or video files to WordPress. The podcast hosting service stores and transfers uploaded audio, so large files aren’t stored directly on your website or plugin, keeping the website from lagging. This will provide a smoother listening or viewing experience for your audience. Linking your plugin and podcast hosting service usually involves sharing the podcast hosting service’s API code or account login information with the plugin on WordPress. Fill out any additional settings and podcast information while connecting these fields. Each plugin/hosting service has a different integration process, so check the instructions on how to establish this connection. Once linked, episodes can be uploaded directly to the WordPress Dashboard.

Uploading Podcasts to WordPress

Most podcasters create their content in MP3 or MP4 audio or video files and upload them to their hosting service. The RSS feed is automatically generated and shared to your site. Once the media is stored on the podcast hosting service, it can be uploaded to the WordPress site.

• Create a new post just as you would for any other content you add to your page.
• Add a creative title that represents the episode.
• Write a brief description of the episode.
• Assign the post to an existing category or create a new one if the episode is a part of a series.

Within the post, add an audio or video block where you will upload the media, or link to your episode. Then, publish! It will then be live to your audience. Depending on the plugin, the process to upload media may be different, so check the plugin’s specific instructions.

Sharing to Podcast Directories

The problem has never been in getting the content to the web page but in getting the content to work through feed systems. WordPress, in most cases, will automatically include new podcasting data in your RSS/Atom feed system. This makes it easy for you to deliver content and your users to subscribe and download that content. A good podcast client such as Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Spotify will allow you to subscribe to your favorite podcasters’ RSS/Atom feed and automatically download the content to a computer or a portable audio player as soon as the latest items are available.

To submit your show to directories, you must use the feed URL or RSS. Set up an account with the platform you wish to use. Now, you will be able to add the RSS feed or URL in the “Add Podcast” section. Once submitted and approved, the podcast will be listed, and new episodes will automatically be available to your audience.

Managing your Podcast

Once you start developing and uploading new content, WordPress makes it easy to manage it all right from the dashboard. This eliminates the hassle of switching between multiple platforms and allows you to have full control of everything regarding your podcast. From customization to reviewing analytics, you will have the easiest, most efficient experience podcasting with WordPress.