Podcast hosting: How to start a podcast with the best podcast hosting

The Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting

If you’re wondering how to start a podcast, you’ll need to find podcast hosting. That’s the topic of this week’s episode of the Q’d Up Podcast on Podcasting. Jay (Pod Vader) and John take a closer look at some of the best podcast hosting around. They review several podcast hosting platforms and some of the top things you need to be looking for when finding the best podcast hosting for your show.

The guys talk about what being IAB certified means, how monetization works for each network, if the service has dynamic ad insertion, and even what the cross-promotion communities look like within each service. If you’re just getting starting and looking for podcast hosting, this is the episode you need to listen to immediately.

Show highlights:

Introduction

Recording software roundup (1:46)

John and Jay are back to using Zoom this week. They talk about one of the technical difficulties they’re having and how podcasters should be prepared for those types of issues.

Podcast hosting: An introduction (4:15)

When learning how to start a podcast, finding the best podcast hosting is among the first steps. Podcast hosting truly matters when determining how successful your show can be. It can be as simple as a place to house your RSS feed or it can be a full site that introduces people to who you are and what your show is all about. But you can absolutely not have one without podcast hosting.

Best podcast hosting: Libsyn review (10:03)

Jay gives a quick Libsyn review and talks about how they’re well known for being the one-stop-shop for podcast hosting and distribution.

Best podcast hosting: Blubrry review (12:55)

Jay continues his breakdown with a Blubrry review. If you’re looking to self-host your podcast, Blubrry might be the best option for you. With a PowerPress plugin, you can put your podcast hosting right on your own website.

Best podcast hosting: Spreaker review (12:55)

With an easy to use platform that has dynamic ad insertion, Spreaker is a great option for podcast hosting and podcast recording software. They also have a live podcasting feature that allows users to interact with the show, in the moment.

Best podcast hosting: Red Circle review (18:00)

We here at the Q’d Up Podcast On Podcasting use Red Circle ourselves. It’s one of the few free podcast hosting options and has great cross-promotion features so you can grow your podcast quickly with their community.

Best podcast hosting: Megaphone review (24:15)

Megaphone was recently in the news after being bought out by Spotify. Known as the podcast hosting home to many of the larger radio personalities, Megaphone is for bigger and well-established podcasts.

Best podcast hosting: Some of the others with monetization (25:50)

Though Jay and John have reviewed some of the larger podcast hosting networks, they give a little shoutout to a few others that have podcast monetization, including ACAST, Anchor, and Omny.

Best podcast hosting: Captivate review (28:56)

With a focus on building your podcast brand, Captivate is a great initial option for those learning how to start a podcast and in need of good podcast hosting.

Best podcast hosting: Transistor review (30:22)

John talks about his personal experience using Transistor for Penn State Health’s podcast. Transistor has both private and public podcasting options under the same account.

Links:

Q’d Up

Pod Vader - Twitter

Pod Vader - Email

Pod Vader - Linked In

John - Email

John - Linked In

Zoom - Video conference software

Podcast hosting: Libsyn

Podcast hosting: Blubrry

Podcast hosting: Spreaker

Podcast hosting: Red Circle

Podcast hosting: Megaphone

Podcast hosting: ACAST

Podcast hosting: Omny

Podcast hosting: Anchor

Podcast hosting: Transistor