How to Upload a Podcast: a Step-by-Step Guide (Screenshots)

You recorded a smashing episode for your new podcast, and you’re now ready for everyone to tune in.

There’s just one problem. Navigating the logistics is absurdly frustrating, from locating the RSS feed to selecting the right podcast host.

Fortunately for you, this guide will show you how to upload a podcast in no time.

What you should do before uploading your podcast

1. Transform your scrappy audio clips

Ask any podcast listener, and they’ll tell you there’s nothing more disappointing than a content-rich podcast with bad audio.

Don’t believe me? Go on, read this thread.

Fortunately, there’s a way to sound like you recorded in a professional studio—even if you don’t have access to professional audio equipment.

ReMasterMedia helps you master your self-recorded clips for a next-level audio experience in a few quick steps:

• Upload your recording
• Select an audio enhancement profile
• Clean your recording
• Download your remastered recording

ReMasterMedia stands out because it masters your recordings up to 10 files at one go.

And yes. This includes videos, too!

Pricing starts from $71.50 for 3 hours of remastering annually. Grab the ReMasterMedia annual deal on AppSumo today for $59.

2. Choose a podcast hosting platform

Easy there, tiger.

Before distributing your podcast, you need to upload it to a podcast host. Here are five popular options with their pricing and favorite features.

	Anchor	Captivate	Buzzsprout	Podbean	Libsyn
Pricing	Free, but takes a small fee from Listener Support and Anchor Sponsorships	Free 7-day trial, with paid plans scaling from $17/month	Starts free, with paid plans scaling from $12/month	Starts free, with paid plans scaling from $9/month when billed annually	From $5/month
What users like	Completely free with no storage limits	Excellent customer support Daily updates on new and improved features	User-friendly interface Easy-to-understand statistics that break down demographics	Excellent interface Unlimited storage space and bandwidth even for the cheapest paid plan	Outstanding analytics One of the best syndication platforms

 

Most of these podcast hosting platforms distribute your podcast to major listening apps in just a click.

For example, Captivate automatically syndicates your show to all its podcast directories after clicking the “submit to all” button.

If you’re using a podcast host without built-in distribution, you’ll need to copy the RSS feed and manually paste it on the listening apps. We’ll go over this in detail shortly (or you can just jump to that section).

3. Create a website

At some point, you will want to monetize your podcast. Whether it’s selling special offers from affiliates or products of your own, a website is the way to go.

Check out Mai-kee Tsang’s website below. Note how the podcast guesting strategist promotes her social media handles and workshops at the end of her 100th episode.

But creating a website from scratch and maintaining it when you have dozens of tasks on your plate is easier said than done.

Even with web builders that offer pre-made templates, you still need to jump through multiple hoops. Plugins, layouts, amiright?

Here’s a better alternative we recommend: Use Podsite to build an automated website for your podcast.

All you have to do is submit your RSS feed once and answer a few simple questions. Podsite will then create an SEO-optimized web home for your podcast instantly.

Each episode will get a dedicated page with information, including transcript and release notes, thanks to a beautiful thing called automation.

This means that you don’t need to create a new web page painstakingly each time you upload a new episode.

This podcast-centric web builder also includes built-in contact forms, email sign-ups, sponsorship packages, donation buttons, and smart links for listeners to auto-open their favorite podcast apps.

Of course, some of the podcast hosting platforms listed above offer a built-in website builder, but they can get expensive quickly.

Case in point: Podbean sets you back at $9/month. That’s $108 a year!

If you’re looking for a simpler alternative, try Podsite. For a limited time, you can grab the Podsite lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $99.

How to upload a podcast: a step-by-step guide to distributing it on top listening apps

Are you using a podcast host without built-in distribution? This section is for you.

In your podcast host, locate the RSS feed and copy it.

Pro Tip: Can’t find it? In most cases, you can find the RSS feed under the settings or directories.

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, one last note: Each listening app takes a different amount of time to approve your podcast’s first episode, so don’t be alarmed if it takes more than a week. Looking at you, Apple Podcasts.

Spotify for Podcasters

With over 299 million listeners, Spotify is the number one listening app to be on if you want to tap into a world of new listeners. Here’s how it works:

1. Click Get Started
2. Enter your podcast RSS feed
   • Note: You only need to submit the RSS feed URL once. This applies to all listening apps.
3. Verify your podcast using the 8-digit code sent to your email address
4. Complete your podcast information, including the language, country, category, and subcategories
5. Submit your podcast

Google Podcasts Manager

With Google Podcasts, you reach millions of listeners across Google Search and Google Assistant, among others. Follow these steps to upload your podcast on Google Podcasts Manager:

1. Click Start now
2. Enter your podcast RSS feed
3. Confirm your podcast
4. Verify the ownership of your podcast

Apple Podcasts Connect

Here’s another big player on our list. To add your show on Apple Podcasts Connect, follow these steps:

1. Click the ‘+’ button and select New Show
2. Select Add existing show (RSS feed)
3. Enter your podcast RSS feed
4. Choose your user access restriction and click Save
5. Review your podcast info and click Save
6. Set your podcast Content Rights
7. Submit your podcast for review

Stitcher

Stitcher is one of the largest listening apps in the market. It’s also known for its original shows through Witness Docs and Earwolf. Any fans of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend?

You know the drill. Follow these steps to add your podcast to Stitcher:

1. Click Join Us Today
2. Enter your podcast RSS feed and click Next
3. Confirm your email address and click Next Step
4. Complete the signup process
5. Login to your email inbox and click the I Approve. Add This Show to Stitcher button

Overcast

Overcast is a free and simple podcast player for Apple users. Created by a developer, it’s won praise from The Verge and TechCrunch.

To submit your podcast to Overcast, follow the exact steps as Apple Podcasts Connect. Here’s a quick recap:

1. Click the ‘+’ button and select New Show
2. Select Add existing show (RSS feed)
3. Enter your podcast RSS feed
4. Choose your user access restriction and click Save
5. Review your podcast info and click Save
6. Set your podcast Content Rights
7. Submit your podcast for review

Amazon Music for Podcasters

Blast your podcast through Amazon Music, Audible, and Alexa with this on-demand streaming listening platform. After logging in to your Amazon account, follow these steps:

1. Enter your podcast RSS feed URL
2. Select your country and click Submit
3. Click Confirm Email

That’s it!

Pat yourself on the back.

Right now, all you have to do is wait for these listening apps to approve your podcast.

In the meantime, grab the Podsite lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $99. It instantly creates a website after you enter your RSS feed URL and answer a few simple questions.

Each episode automatically gets a dedicated SEO-optimized page, and you get built-in contact forms, email sign-ups, and donation buttons, to boot.

Better yet, browse our podcast-friendly software lifetime deals on the AppSumo store. There are dozens of tools that help take your podcast from 100 listens/month to upwards of >1K.