Wanna start a podcast on Spotify so you can reach the biggest audience? Great! But don’t rush off to sign up for a Spotify for Podcasters account too quickly. You do realize that there are more effective ways to launch and grow your podcast, right?
Still not sure? Follow the step-by-step guide below to learn how to start a podcast on Spotify.
Create a Spotify account
Want to know how to start a podcast on Spotify? First head over to Spotify for Podcasters and create an account.
Select “I want to start a podcast” and complete the standard signup form. Note that this account is separate to your Spotify listening account, if you already have one of those.
Set up your podcast
After you’ve completed signup, let’s set up your podcast. Add your podcast name, description, category and language. This stuff might seem basic, but a podcast’s description and category are super-important. Podcast aggregators like Spotify and Apple Podcasts recommend your show to other listeners based on this information, and Google also uses it to figure out what you’re offering. A well-written description is like a beacon for potential listeners!
Create and upload your first episode
To create an episode using Spotify for Podcasters, you can do one of two things. Your first option is to upload a previously edited audio file.
Your second option is to record an episode directly into your computer or phone. After you’re done recording, Spotify for Podcasters allows you to add library music, clips from previous episodes and other audio snippets to complete your episode.
Next, you’ll need to add the title and description for your first episode. This is different from the podcast description you added earlier. What you enter now will only show up for this specific episode.
Scroll down to edit further details like season number, episode number, episode type. Also state whether or not your episode contains explicit content.
Add cover art
Spotify for Podcasters won’t let you publish your episode until you’ve added a cover art. When you hit Publish, you’ll be directed to a page where you can upload a previously designed image or create one.
To design your own basic cover art, select “Choose one for me” and complete the design wizard by selecting a library image, adding text and selecting colors.
A word of advice: don’t create your podcast cover using a default tool like this one. Cover art is super-important! A good design gives potential listeners an idea of how good your show is and whether or not they want to hit play. Rather hire a professional to create your podcast cover design. It’s worth it.
After completing the process and hitting “Update cover art”, you’ll be notified that your podcast is in the pipeline!
Your podcast is now live on Spotify
After a few minutes, your podcast will be available on Spotify. Whoohoo! From here, you’ll be able to share the link to your show with others. They’ll be able to listen to it using Spotify on their phone, desktop app or web browser. Success!
Submit your show onto podcast apps other than Spotify
Congrats! You’re live on Spotify. But what about getting your show onto other podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and iHeartRadio? To be visible on Apple Podcasts and all the others, you’ll need to submit your show’s RSS feed to these platforms manually.
Let’s do that now. Head over to your settings and select Podcast Availability.
Choose which podcast apps in the list you want your show to appear on. Follow the instructions for each one. You’ll have to leave Spotify and complete the RSS submission process for each platform you choose, but it doesn’t take too long and it’s a once-off process.
Once you’re done submitting your RSS feed to the other podcast distribution platforms, your show will begin appearing in their search results soon after.
Monetize your podcast (optional)
During the setup process, you might have noticed the “Set up monetization (optional)” feature. Should you enable it? Short answer: probably not. If you’re a new show, you might not even be eligible to monetize. Take a look at the Spotify monetization documentation to see if you qualify.
Having listener support or ambassador ads playing throughout your show might seem like a quick way to earn money. But bear in mind that advertisers are only really interested in existing audiences. First grow your audience by producing a fantastic quality podcast. A good time to start thinking about pitching advertisers is when you’re getting 1000+ listens per episode.
Why am I seeing stuff about Anchor.fm?
What is Anchor.fm? Let’s clear up some confusion. In 2019, Spotify acquired the podcast publishing platform Anchor.fm. Three years later (in March 2023), Spotify converted Anchor.fm into Spotify for Podcasters, the service we used to launch our show in this guide article. Articles which suggest you get an Anchor.fm account in order to distribute your podcast to Spotify are a bit out of date. There’s an in-depth explanation of how it now works in this support article.
Conclusion
That’s about it! That’s how to start a podcast on Spotify for free. If the process seems simple, that’s because you’re launching a basic show with basic functionality. As previously mentioned, it takes more to capture your listeners’ attention. Our advice on how to do that? Start a free trial with Saspod and see the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Anyone can record audio and use a podcast hosting provider like Spotify for Podcasters or Saspod to upload it as a podcast episode.
To start a podcast, you need an internet connection and equipment for recording audio. This equipment can be as simple as your phone or as sophisticated as a professional recording studio. You also need to select a podcast hosting provider. All podcast hosting providers will ensure that your show appears on Spotify.
New podcasts themselves typically don’t generate much income. But they’re great for generating a buzz! Using your new podcast, you could grow your listener base and start earning money from the retailing of show-related merchandise or through online shopping affiliate links.
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