You want to make the best choice. So what will it be: Buzzsprout or Podbean? Spotify for Podcasters, Acast or Libsyn? And is Soundcloud still a thing? Wait, WHAT IS A MEDIA HOST?
A media host is where the audio file you produced for your podcasts lives. It’s your podcasts home so to say.
From there it will be (after you set it up once!) automatically distributed to all the major podcast players and apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
So far so good. But here is where it gets complicated.
Podcasting hasn’t gotten any more straight forward ever since I started in 2017.
It became a very crowded space in recent years with many players in the market. Looking at media hosts today, there are so many options to choose from.
I am sure you are feeling overwhelmed by it too.
It also doesn’t help with your decision making progress that in many blogs you’ll read that this or that media host is better for growing your audience. That this or that media host offers better sponsorship integrations or stats.
In the end, the most important thing that you need, the thing that turns your audio file into a Podcast is an RSS feed so it can be sent off to all the major podcast players. And here’s the good news.
ALL OF THE MEDIA HOSTS PROVIDE THAT.
Yes, some have more goodies than others, some are more userfriendly or give you some more perks (or so they claim, because they want your business of course!)
But in the end it won’t be the media host you choose that makes or breaks your podcasts success.
What matters is that you produce an intriguing show with great sound quality that gets your listeners to come back for more.Â
Do your listeners care if you choose Acast or Libsyn as your media host? Nope. Does it make a difference for them if you pay 5, 20 or 50USD or nothing each month for your podcasts home? Again, no.
So if you are just starting out, on a tight budget, signing up for a media host that sets you back let’s say 15USD or more each month might not be something you feel up for.
Luckily, there are free options available.
But then again, and you will hear me reflect on that in the episode choosing a host that you pay for monthly does come with benefits too.
And it migth not be the technical benefits you think of at first. Like the user experience better statistics.
I see the clear benefit for choosing to pay for where you host your podcast somewhere else. Press play to hear more.
Keep making an #impact with your voice!
Yours,
Regina
PS: YOU CAN BOOK ME FOR 1:1 COACHING (in english and german language!) Want hands-on support to get your podcast idea in front of your first listeners? Want to grow your podcast, win awards and sign your first sponsorship deals? I will help you out with all of it.
3 month, weekly calls, I’ll be by your side all the way. My coaching is tailored to what YOU and YOUR PODCAST need in this moment.
Get in touch in the booking area below and we set up a complimentary 1:1 call so you can get a taste of what having me as your podcast coach feels like. Bring your most tricky question that keeps you up at night and you get the answers how to move forward in just 45 minutes.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
My clients and me have had great experience with the following media hosts:
- Spotify for Podcasters: Free / I host Off the record Podcast on Spotify for Podcasters (and this episode was recorded straight into their voice recorder with my Shure mic.
- Buzzsprout: They have a free tier too but with limitations. Many of my clients use it.
- Libsyn: I host #impact podcast of Libsyn.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about the pro’s and con’s and how choosing your media host can help or hinder you with committing to your podcast. And hear me ramble a bit about the exceptionally bad weather in Vienna right now too. (edit: I recorded this episode last week already, right now the weather in Vienna is actually SPECTACULAR. Hello there, summer, I sure missed you)
Get in touch with me for a free 45 Minute Podcast Strategy Call at regina@hashtagimpact.com
Book your free 45-minute Podcasting Strategy Call with Regina
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About the Author: Viennese audio-enthusiast Regina Larko is passionate about the human voice at the intersection of creating impact and changing the world for the better. As a child she dreamt about becoming a teacher. As a teenager she wanted to become a radio host. After graduating from highschool, she wanted to become an actress. Sometimes she wonders how the heck she ended up studying China Studies, moving to China in 2009 – without a job but with her sweet (now) husband in tow. In Shanghai and Beijing she worked in civic education and after relocating to Hong Kong she started exploring new career paths. Lots of freelancing, questioning, doubting and child bearing followed. In 2017 she launched #impact – A Podcast about stuff that matters. The rest is history. Nowadays she has 3 kids, a podcast impact business and at least 2 big cups of coffee a day.
Regina is host of globally top 5% ranked #impact Podcast and coaches courageous Podcasters to give them the confidence, tools and resources they need to find Podcasting success.
