Podbean has been a famous podcast service in the industry since the mid-2000s. And while Podbean has seen increased competition in recent years from Apple, Spotify, and Amazon, Podbean’s value-add for creators lies in its ease of use and marketing analytics tools.
Getting started with Podbean is incredibly intuitive and easy for new podcasters. The company offers targeted podcast advertising, marketing campaigns, and an extremely straightforward user interface.
This article will introduce you to Podbean’s hosting interface and review its unique features and capabilities.
Podbean website
Podbean has done a remarkable job of introducing new users to all the features and services Podbean offers. Where learning to live stream with Twitch isn’t always as straightforward, Podbean brings new visitors into the fold rather quickly.
From the landing page, new users are introduced to Podbean’s advertising and monetization features, and signing up can be done in minutes. We created a new podcast within about ten minutes. Podbean offers a backend user interface that allows podcasters to mix and manage audio, giving users a full array of production capabilities to improve the quality of their cast before it goes live.
Podbean also gives content creators the ability to customize their podcast landing page. There are templates available, but creators can also upload their HTML and CSS, so whether you are a newbie to branding or a full-on content creator/dev/marketer (triple threat), Podbean has options.
Those familiar with content management systems like WordPress will appreciate these capabilities. Creators can add “pages” to display a biography, contact information, and other information about your podcast.
And what’s great about the service is that it’s free for up to five hours each month.
Tips for creating an engaging podcast
First and foremost, creating podcasts to say you have a podcast isn’t going to produce the results you’re looking for. Like your live stream, a promoted podcast should have relevant information about your brand and feature the best things about you. Here are a few tips for creating engaging content.
Talk about things you’re interested in
No one wants to hear a robot promote a product or channel. Instead, look at your podcast as an extension of your live stream. And as such, the podcast should be about things you’re interested in. Talking about the latest game you’ll stream makes sense if you’re a gamer. But don’t forget to have an objective or story to share with your audience.
For example, creating a podcast about the newest patch makes sense if you stream Dark Souls on your live stream channel. And it’s an excellent opportunity to send listeners back to your live stream channel.
Stay on topic and ask for feedback
If you spend a lot of time live streaming, you probably already know how important it is to talk about relevant topics and keep your audience engaged via chat and audio. Podcasting is no different. One of our favorite podcasts is It’s Always Sunny Podcast, a podcast made by the creators of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Launched early in 2022, the podcast was initially intended to talk about old episodes of the show. And while that was entertaining, only a few months went by before the hosts upgraded the experience to include live performances, call-ins, and video. The point is Rob McElhenney realized pretty early on how important feedback was and adjusted the show’s structure to meet the needs of his audience.
Follow their lead. Don’t forget to include links to your live stream on the show’s landing page and communicate to your audience regularly about how they can get involved.
Invite guests and listen to what they have to say
Being a live streamer usually means you’re on your own. You’re the gamer, the chat mod, the host, the marketer; you’re a one-person show.
Podcasters don’t have this problem (if they don’t want to). While most listeners return to podcasts because they enjoy the host’s personality and show structure, adding variety to the mix enhances the experience significantly. Listeners want different perspectives and to hear their favorite hosts interact with individuals who can provide them.
However, if you bring hosts to your show, don’t forget that it isn’t just you anymore. Nothing is worse than inviting someone onto your show and talking over them. Instead of creating more value, you’re likely to chase viewers off as they attach to the guest and want to learn more, only to get frustrated when you don’t let them talk.
Bringing guests on the show is a tried and true way to add new listeners and create value, but you need to let your guests talk. Ask them a question and listen. It’s their perspective you’re after.
Audio is essential
While you can get away with substandard audio on your live stream channel (while you save up for better gear), nothing is worse than poor audio in a podcast. And there really isn’t a standard that podcast services use to regulate this. We’ve all downloaded what looks like an exciting new podcast on Apple or Podbean, only to start listening and find out the host is probably recording it in their closet. And no judgment here; if you record your podcast in the closet, it’s okay, but it shouldn’t sound like it.
If you don’t invest in a quality microphone and make the adjustments needed to reduce noise in your podcast, your effort is likely to have the opposite effect – you’ll lose listeners and viewers.
Podbean onboarding experience
When you log in on the Podbean platform, you’ll immediately feel welcomed and comfortable with the concept: you can be a podcaster. The podcast dashboard has several options to get you started, but you’ll want to Setup Your Podcast first.
You’ll be prompted to enter preliminary information about your casts, like the podcast title, description, category, and promo image, in the setup interface.
Next, you’ll be prompted to Publish Your First Episode. Click New Episode. Once you’ve uploaded your MP3 file, you’ll be prompted to enter a Title and Description.
Once you’ve uploaded your file and included the pedigree information, you’re ready to publish. Click Publish once you’ve finished all your checks.
There is also another opportunity to add or replace your logo here. Next, you’ll be prompted to use Podbean’s distribution features.
Once you publish your first episode, you’ll be presented with options for distributing your content, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Samsung.
Customer support quality
While Podbean only offers live chat with its business podcast plan, its other plans provide decent support. Even if you are managing your Podbean alone, exploring its features and finding your way when you’re stuck is no problem. Its comprehensive support center covers all platform services and Android and iOS apps.
Video tutorials are also available to introduce you to the platform’s features. In addition to helping you get started with their tools, the Podbean team hosts free webinars to introduce you to podcasting.
Statistics
Another great feature Podbean offers is its statistics dashboard. Podbean shines here. Content creators can learn more about their audience and most popular episodes, research download sources, operating systems, retention rates, and more from the dashboard.
The statistics feature is excellent because it gives content creators another way to learn about their audience, which provides them with even more insight into planning a successful live stream on their channel. In addition, you can monetize your podcast from the statistic dashboard; the application process is straightforward.
Final words
Podbean’s customization options are top-notch. However, serious casters should get an unlimited plan to enjoy the Podbean experience fully as the free plan includes only five hours a month (still a great deal, free).
Related: Worth it? Should You Use A Podcast Title Generator In 2023?