What Is A Podcast?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
We’re going to keep this answer super high-level. The term Podcast as a noun. A podcast can be audio or video and is traditionally accessed through apps or podcast directories through a subscribe or follow button. Podcasts usually center around one topic and include multiple episodes grouped into podcast seasons, think Lore, or published regularly and ongoingly throughout the year, like Libsyn’s official podcast about podcasting, The Feed.
Your podcast may also be referred to as your show and the content you release is what is commonly known as your podcast’s episodes, or your show’s episodes.
You might use both terms in the following way: “ I just launched my podcast, my show is about hiking and my first episode is about Yellowstone trails.”
As you create the elements that comprise your podcast, titles, artwork, and descriptions, you’ll find that some details will be at the show level, and others will pertain only to the individual episodes.
Some people use the word podcast to also describe their episodes. This usually leads to some confusion. While probably up for heated debate, refraining from using podcasts to describe your podcast’s episodes is going to be helpful. There is a big difference between saying you have 100 podcasts vs. you have 1 podcast with 100 episodes.
By nature, podcasts open the doors for many voices and perspectives – so start a podcast and reach the world.
What Is A Podcaster?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
YOU! If you are going to be the main talent for your podcast, then this is absolutely you! You are a podcaster when you jump into the world of recording your voice and distributing it via podcast apps and directories. A podcaster is not, generally, someone who listens to podcasts.
You join a pretty amazing community of people when you become a podcaster.
What is a podcast host?
What Is A Podcast Host?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is one of the podcast terms that is tricky, it can mean both YOU the podcaster, AND the service that stores your media files and distributes them to your audience. The two meanings of the word “host” added to “podcast” can be very different depending on how they are used.
“I am looking for a new podcast host because my current host does not provide podcast stats,” vs. “The podcast host is interesting; I love listening to their show.”
Libsyn is a podcast host. Rob Walch is a podcast host. One is a service, the other is a person.
What Is Podcasting?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is the podcasting term used to describe the total effort of creating a podcast. It is not used to describe the act of listening to podcasts in the world of podcast hosting. You may have been listening to podcasts for years, but you have not been podcasting until you have created your own podcast.
See how it is used in the examples below.
I have been podcasting for 10 years and the name of my podcast is “Start Podcasting”. Every new podcaster should listen to my first episode called, “How to Name your Podcast”.
What Is A Podcast Hosting?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is related to the term “podcast host” and is typically used to describe the service of storing podcast files. It is the platform you use to house and distribute your podcast. Libsyn provides podcast hosting, as well as podcast distribution, and podcast monetization.
What Are Podcast Titles?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
A podcast title is the name of your podcast. It is the title that appears in directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts with your podcast show artwork. It functions at the overall show level, not the episode level. It is very helpful to understand the best practices for podcast title creation.
Can I Have Podcast Subtitles?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Yes. Some podcast directories and apps will display a subtitle along with your Show Title. It is not required, but can be a fun, catchy phase that illuminates your concept.
Does Each Episode Have A Title?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Yes. And this is a required element of publishing an episode. This is the unique title of the particular episode you are publishing and should reflect its specific content.
What Are Author Tags?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Author tags are offered at the show and episode level. This can be just your name as the podcast host or podcaster, but it can also include the name/s of the person or people who appear in each of your episodes. You can also use the name of the company that produces (and therefore "owns") your podcast. Authors are searchable in many directories, including Apple Podcasts, so tying a name to your podcast helps with your show’s discoverability.
Note: This blog explains how to create the best podcast titles, episode titles, and author tags.
What Is A Show Description?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This podcast term is exactly what it says — a description of what your podcast is about at the highest level. After your podcast title, it is the next thing your audience will see. It should engage the reader in the first few sentences as some apps will truncate that rest. A good podcast description, title, and show artwork can help you get featured on Apple Podcasts.
What Are Show Notes?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Show notes detail what listeners can expect in each episode. They often include time stamps so your audience can skip forward to highlights in the episode. And they don’t need to be difficult to create. Here, Dave Jackson shows how to speed up writing your show notes on Libsyn with snippets.
What Are Podcast Categories?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Most podcast directories organize podcasts by category so that listeners can find podcasts by the topics of interest. You are required to provide at least one category; however, Libsyn provides two fields for categories for directories that support multiple categories.
What Is The Content Rating?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Your show's rating is important for establishing parental controls and for determining where your podcast can be heard. Note that some countries do not permit explicit content so directories that are based out of those countries may not accept your podcast if it has an explicit rating.
How Do I Pick A Show Language?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is the language that is used in most episodes of your show. Currently, no platforms offer a multi-language option.
What Is Podcast Artwork?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is sometimes called cover art. It is what listeners see first when searching for your podcast. Libsyn has a savvy “Design with Canva” button that helps make creating podcast artwork super easy. And, check out these tips on creating brilliant podcast artwork!
What Is Podcast Episode Artwork?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The individual artwork for each episode. This is usually only seen after someone clicks on your show. Some podcasters have artwork unique to each episode and others default to the show artwork or variations of it.
What Is An RSS Feed?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
When your audience subscribes to your show, they are subscribing to the RSS feed generated by your podcast hosting Platform. Your RSS feed is delivered to places like Apple and Spotify each time you publish and automatically contains many of the elements listed above. A Podcast RSS is one of those podcast terms that have historical importance to the foundation of podcasting.
What Are Common Podcast Formats?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Your format is the shape your podcast takes on a regular basis. Interview, panel discussion, co-host banter, storytelling, news reporting, etc. This need not be static.
We have some great information about choosing your podcast format!
What Is A Podcast Editor?................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This is the individual who does all the post-production and file cleanup work so each episode is ready for an audience. In most cases, YOU are the editor. If you are able to invest a little more in your podcast, you might hire one.
Note: Don’t be intimidated! Audio editing is easier than you think!
