PODCASTING 101: TERMS & FAQS

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Quick Podcast Glossary

If you have questions about podcasting and need help, but are lost in all the podcasting language, we’re on it! Heres a podcasting term FAQ so you can talk podcasting like a pro.

Podcasting for Beginners

Know what Podcast Terms are What

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!

Starting a Podcast

Common Questions

What Should I Think About Before Starting A Podcast?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

It comes down to purpose, passion, and listening to your inner podcaster. Find out what you should know about yourself before you commit!

How Do I Make A Podcast … Really?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Well, you’re in luck! We’ve got lots of resources to help you get podcasting today! Here is our comprehensive How to Start a Podcast Guide that will take you from concepting your podcast through, creating it, growing it, and monetizing it. It’s a deep dive that will help you think through some critical questions before you jump in.

What Do I Need To Know To Start A Podcast? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Remember, podcasting is a journey and you pick up a lot of things along the way. If you read our how to start a podcast article above, you’ve got a great launching pad. Want to learn about the things our Libsyn podcasters wish they knew before they started? Read our Make a Podcast — Just start blog and use their hindsight to your advantage!!

How Do I Actually Record A Podcast? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lots of answers here. One of the best is to start out with Libsyn’s studio tool that comes with all of our Libsyn hosting plans. It is the easiest, fastest way to get started podcasting and clearly explains (along with examples) each of the components of your podcast from intro through outro! Choose any Libsyn plan today.

What Are Some Good Podcasting 101 Equipment For Beginners?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Believe it or not, you don’t need to spend a lot to get basic podcasting equipment; much of it can even be FREE! Watch this video on how to get started podcasting for less than $100 as well as the follow-up videos that recommend, mics, headphones, digital audio workstations, and more all for under $100! If you want to start without equipment you can record from your built-in mic with Libsyn studio.

How to Promote a Podcast

Learn About Growth

Do I Need Social Media For My Podcast?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Social media is a great marketing tool for you podcast if you do it right. Some things it is good at, some, not so much. Watch this video on best practices for promoting your podcast on social media and this video on how it easy it is to plan your posts with Libsyn’s easy social media scheduler.

How Can I Grow Podcast Audience?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

That’s usually one of the most important questions on a podcaster’s mind — and we’ve got the answer! Listen to this panel of experts talking about how to keep your podcast audience growing at a steady rate. Avoid the plateau!

How Can I Learn To Podcast? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Clearly, Libsyn is a great resource to learn everything you need to know about podcasting, but we also love to promote all the other ways you can glean knowledge, get experience, fins answers and participate in the podcasting community. Check out our podcast education resources blog and enjoy!

How to Monetize a Podcast

Make Money at ALL Levels

Do podcasts make money?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Sure they do, but not usually right away. We’ve got some great information on how to set yourself up to succeed financially with your podcast. The blog on niche podcast content and this one on podcast content systems both position you for success. Featuring Kate Erickson from Entrepreneurs on Fire, they are a must read! Podcast monetization and how podcasters get paid are also common questions we cover in our Monetization content on our YouTube channel. Looking for what monetization options come with your Libsyn Podcast Hosting Plan? We’ve got you covered for everything from podcast donations to podcast advertising.

What ia a podcast subscription?................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Podcast subscriptions or memberships are comprised of loyal fans who wan to pay a bit more to get something extra from the host that they love. Maybe it’s an inside look to their creative process, ad-free episodes, exclusive special guest episodes, etc. It’s a way of treating your fans to something more for a monthly fee. We have some great ideas for creating bonus podcast content by repurposing material you may already have!

What is podcast advertising?...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

When you reach a certain threshold of downloads, you can then be in the market to accept podcast ads. This is exciting and Libsyn has everything you need to enter the podcast advertising world when you are ready. You can learn more about podcast advertising and subscriptions on our helpful podcast monetization page.
And remember, Libsyn offers a wealth of information, education, and inspiration on our Libsyn Support page. Articles, blogs, videos, webinars, and more!