In this article I'm going to explain how to upload a podcast to the internet, and make it available to your listening public. After all, when you make a podcast, you want people to hear it, right?
But uploading and publishing is a step that foxes nearly every new podcaster. I totally understand, too: it's not intuitive! You don't upload it to iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or any other directory. You don't upload it to your own website. Instead, you upload your podcast somewhere else entirely, and then publish it to those places.
So, where in the name of the wee man DO we upload our podcast files? Where do podcasts live?!
That's what I'm here for – let's find out!
Where You DON'T Upload your Podcast
Most people are podcast listeners before they're podcasters. A few years ago, before I published a single podcast episode, I normally found shows on iTunes (now Apple Podcasts). Sometimes I even found shows on their own individual websites, and listened to them there.
So when I started learning to record and mix audio, I made a note that I'd “need to figure out how to upload my podcast to iTunes”.
I also planned on getting my own website and uploading my podcast episodes to that. These two platforms, to me, were where podcasts lived.
Well, on both fronts, I was a little off the mark, because:
On the second point, it is possible, but here's why you shouldn't upload podcast files to your own site. In that case, what DO you do? Here's what:
Simple, eh? Well, it sort of is, but only if you know how. So, let's find out how!
So Where Do I Upload My Podcast To?
First, you need to sign up for a podcast hosting service.
Quick Recommendation? Use Buzzsprout.
Buzzsprout is a low-cost, high-value podcast hosting service. It's simple to set up, easy to use, and has all the features you'll need.
Here's our full Buzzsprout review. If you do want to shop around, though, check out our ‘Best Podcast Hosting‘ article to read through all the options.
What is a Podcast Host & how do they work?
Podcast hosting services are companies that are designed to do exactly what it says on the tin: host your podcast audio files. Here's what that includes:
Now, there are two ways to use a Podcast hosting service.
Option 1 is very easy – the host provides a website with space for shownotes and players that show up automatically. But these sites tend to be relatively simple, and you wont have much control.
Option 2 takes a little more setup, but it gives you way more flexibility and control. In this case, you'll be uploading audio files to your host, and then publishing the shownotes and the audio players on your own website. There are a lot of advantages to this, and the setup isn't that complicated.
Read our full guide on setting up your own podcast websiteFirst let's look at how to deliver your show solely through the media host.
Creating Your Host-Provided Podcast Website
When you create an account with a Podcast Host you'll have the opportunity to fill in all the details about your podcast series. The name of the show, a description, the category that best suits it, and you can upload your own cover art too.
Publishing episodes is a similar process. Uploading audio is no different to uploading images on social media. You create a new episode page within your media host platform, then enter your episode title and that particular episode's shownotes. Podcast ‘shownotes' are a description of what's in the episode, as well as links to any websites mentioned. After that's done, you hit ‘Publish'.
Uploading audio is no different to uploading images on social mediaOnce you've done this, you have a live podcast episode, and your media host will have created a generic website for your show.
At this point, your podcast won't appear on your own website, or in directories like iTunes. That's what we'll sort out next.
And, if you'd like to see an example before we get there, check out Podcraft. That's our own ‘how to podcast' show which we host with Buzzsprout. We publish episodes to our own website, here at thePodcastHost.com/podcraft-podcast/, but you can also see how the Podcraft site on Buzzsprout site looks.
How Do I Get My Podcast Into iTunes or Spotify?
Good question! Rather than uploading to iTunes or Spotify, you'll instead simply submit your show to their directory.
You only have to submit your show once, when you first publish your podcast. From then on, once the directory knows your podcast exists, they'll check in regularly for new episodes, and send them on to all your subscribers.
Step by step: How to get your podcast in iTunes / Apple Podcasts.Step by Step: How to get your podcast into Spotify
A full list of the best directories to submit to
Once all of that's done, your podcast will usually be approved and appear in iTunes within the next week.
How Do I Make My Podcast Appear On My Own Website?
For me, it's nearly always better to send listeners to your own website, rather than a host-provided one. It means you then have complete control and ownership of what they experience.
If you already have a website for yourself, your company or your brand, you can use that! No need to create a new one, unless you really want a separate one for your podcast. Just create a Podcast section within that site. On WordPress, you might just create a new category called Podcast and use that for Podcast posts, for example.
If you don't have your own website yet, we have a guide here that w...