How To Start A Podcast in Kenya: Beginners

Looking for a guide on how to start a podcast in Kenya?

You are in the right place.

I will walk you through everything you need to do to create your own show! This is a complete step-by-step guide perfect for beginners like you. This will take you from idea generation to launch.

This guide will hold your hand through every single step on how to start a podcast. This include:

• How to plan for success
• Top quality equipment you need for the show
• How to record, edit, and publish your show
• Strategies to help you grow.

What is a podcast in Kenya?

A podcast is a series of programs (e.g., audio or video files) that are automatically downloaded from the internet to your computer, phone, etc.

Podcasts can be recorded on any topic and many podcasts go over current news stories as well as address more esoteric topics such as science fiction novels.”

Here is something interesting about podcasts:

Podcasting is less competitive as of now than blogging. As such, this is the perfect time to start one.

Did you know that as of September 2020, there are over 1 million podcasts around the world and over 600 million blogs!

Blogging water is turning red, making it the best time to move away and maybe start podcasting.

Soon, we are launching our own podcast show. And here are the steps I would take myself.

In a nutshell, here are steps to take to start a podcast in Kenya;

1.     Decide on your podcast name, topics, and goals

2.     Choosing podcast episode format

3.     Getting down to record the show with the right gear and software

4.     Using the right tools to edit the podcast audio

5.     Finally, publishing the show to a host and other directories

Before you start, here are some podcast equipment in Kenya you will need;

• Microphones
• Pop filters for filtering sound clicks (continue reading to understand more
• Mic Boom Arm
• Voice recorder
• editing software
• Headphones in Kenya

How To Start A Podcast In Kenya (Step By Step Guide)

We will now cover each of these five steps further to reveal a perfect blueprint used by thousands of people to launch their own shows.

As they say, if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Starting a podcast is no different. You need a plan.

Here, there are two critical questions you need to answer truthfully and wholly.

1. What will you be talking about in your podcast?

Ask yourself this, why are you creating a podcast? What is it for?

Maybe you are a marketing manager somewhere, a freelancer, or a business. And you heard it somewhere that podcasting is a great way to capture your audience’s attention, build authority, and give entertaining content.

Or, maybe you are here because you want something to do as a hobby. As such, you will be creating the show during your spare time. The subject could be something you feel inside (passionate about).

It doesn’t matter why you are starting a podcast.

This question is aimed at helping you find your ‘why.’

Let me explain.

Podcasting is will not always be fun. At some point, you will be struggling to get up and record a show, and procrastination will set in. when that happens, the only way out is to remember your ‘why.’

Keeps you motivated and focused. Find why you want to start a podcast in Kenya.

2. Who is it for?

Who are you targeting with your show?

Here is the thing:

You don’t have a podcast without a target audience. What is the need for starting something no one is going to listen to?

That is why this is a very important question. Think about who you want to reach with your show.

To help you out, look at your ‘why’ and think of the perfect person looking for such content. That is your target listeners.

For example:

If you are starting a marketing podcast to talk about how to market a business on social media (why), your target audience is the business owners (who).

The truth is unless you clearly understand who you are targeting with your show, reasons for doing so, you will struggle to build an audience.

Having your target listener in mind keeps you from getting distracted and creating episodes that don’t interest them.

If your podcast is targeting football fans, why do you need to create a business episode? Total waste of time.

3. Pick a co-host (optional)

If you have someone, a co-worker, friend, or business partner that would love to join you to host the show, would be great.

Remember, this is optional. But it’d be really great to start a podcast in Kenya with a co-host.

Here, you two would be having a natural and engaging conversation where each of you gives your own opinion on the subject.

Additionally, a co-host can:

·        Help you keep things in perspective

·        Handle other tasks such as promotion

As much as this seems fun, it can turn into a trap too. Before you bring anyone on board, make sure you two have the same interests and are equally excited about the topic.

Once in, set a schedule and stick to it.

Hey, don’t take this the wrong way. There aren’t any rules here. If your co-host drops off along the way, you’ll continue the podcast.

You also have an option to start the show solo and bring on a co-host later. Your choice, the vital thing is you get started.

4. Pick a name for your podcast

Here is something I want you to look at:

Go to Apple Podcasts charts and look at the top shows. You will realize that they have a variety of names. Some are descriptive (what the show is about), while others don’t have a meaning.

Here is how to pick the perfect name for your show:

Pick a name that will make it easier for you to expand later on.

For example:

Instead of calling your show, ‘market your business on social media call it something like ‘market your business.’

Here, you leave room for expansion just in case you wish to explore other related topics down the line.

Once you have the name, it is time to reserve a domain name. Go here and check out how to do that.

5. Show format

Let’s talk about the show

How long should an episode be?

Despite what everyone is saying, there is no magic or perfect length of an episode.

I have seen 7-minute shows and 3-hour long episodes. The thing is, find what works for you.

But here is something to keep in mind.

Avoid making the podcast longer than it needs to be. To do that, avoid going off-topic for long.

What is the perfect podcasting style?

The interview shows are really great. But it doesn’t mean you should do it.

There are other options like:

• Solo shows – where you talk about the topic alone
• Co-hosted – you share opinions with your co-host about the topic

Consider mixing all of these styles.

Here is why interview podcast is preferred:

Helps you gain a ton of new listeners. Make sure you give your show guest a pre-written template as well as the graphics.

Episode format (free template)

Here is a popular episode template:

• Teaser
• Play intro music
• Welcome message
• Advertising spot (introduce the sponsors of the show)
• Get down to the interview
• Give a Call To Action ( for example, review us on iTunes)
• Outro Music

But hey, be creative. You don’t have to copy this one here.

6. Preparing to actually record your first episode

Here is where we are with our how to start a podcast in Kenya guide:

You have a topic, podcast name, target audience, episode length, and style.

It is time to get started with recording your first show.

Here are things you will need at this stage:

Create podcast cover art

This is like the cover photo or profile photo for your show.

Why does it matter?

Well, it turns out, the cover art is the #1 thing people see when browsing podcasts charts.

Moreover, it is the first thing people see when you share your show on social media.

To create one:

• Use Canva.com
• Hire someone (if you have the budget of course).

Our friends at Buzzsprout wrote a great guide on how to design the best podcast cover art.

Consider a professional intro

I am saying ‘consider’ because it is optional. You can introduce yourself. But I find it really cool and when someone else introduces you.

Hypes up your perceived value and it is a great way to stand out especially now that you are learning how to start a podcast in Kenya.

Look for professional voiceovers or actors.

Pick the best intro music

Look for the best intro music. There is plenty of royalty-free music on the internet.

Check out these guys at PremiumBeat. You will get awesome podcast music.

Choose a microphone

You will need podcast equipment in Kenya.

You can either buy or borrow one from a friend.

But remember this:

The quality of the audio is critical.

Here are some of the best podcast equipment in Kenya

Here are affordable options to consider from Jumia Kenya

#1. Professional Lavalier Microphone For Mobile & Camera

This Lavalier Clip-on Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone is designed for vocal or video use and provides a clear and accurate voice recording experience to the user, performs significantly better than the majority of the built-in microphones, making it ideal for all sorts of recording; indoors and outdoors.

#2. Bolun Super Professional Wireless Loudspeaker Microphone

Lapel type wireless microphone, widely used in teaching amplification, conference amplification, performance amplification, monitoring, and home entertainment. It is very convenient to use, as long as the receiver is inserted into any plug-in microphone with amplifying equipment with an amplifier, the distance is about 15 meters.

#3. Felyby MIC-90 Computer USB Condenser Microphone

This Condenser Microphone has been designed with a professional sound chipset, which lets the USB microphone hold a high-resolution sampling rate.

Compile the guests’ list

If you are going the interview way, this is the time to come up with a list of guests you want to feature on your podcast.

With the list ready, the next step is to reach out to them.

And to save you time, use scheduling tools like Acuity Scheduling. Here, people can look at your calendar and pick dates based on their availability.

7. Recording and editing the podcast

Here are the things you need to record and edit the show episodes:

But first:

Can you record a podcast on your phone?

Theoretically, yes. Especially if you are using iPhones (even android devices), they have powerful microphones, giving you everything you need to record an episode.

But there is one big problem.

The audio quality may be low as compared to using professional microphones

That said, there are certain apps you can download to turn your iPhone into a podcast audio recorder.

For example:

• Speaker – available for both iOS and android
• iRig Recorder – both android and iOS
• Anchor – iOS and Android

Here is something to make it even better.

Microphone for phones (iPhones and Android)

These should help improve the quality of the sound if you’ve decided to record it with the phone.

Check These Ones Out. They Are Rated 5-Star Of Jumia, With Awesome Customer Reviews

#1. Generic Ta Mini Microphone Condenser Clip-on Lapel Lavalier Mic Wired for Phone Laptop-Black

Features

Features:

• Highly sensitive, high dynamic, and wide frequency response.
• Double Condenser Microphone Can effectively reduce environmental noise.
• Simple operation, convenient to use.
• Hand-free can be used for chatting, video meeting, song recording &, etc

#2. Armic Phone Lavalier Microphone Recording Bee Double Microphone Interview Microphone

Features

• Reasonable price
• Durable and practical
• Top Sales Item

Best microphones of laptops and computers

Your laptop should have a USB port. This is where you can connect any external device, for example, a microphone.

Ideally, your computer should be able to record audio, but the quality is wanting, hence the need for these microphones.

And don’t worry, all of these are plug-and-play, meaning no need for special drivers, installation procedures, or any other technical jargon.

Check These Ones Out. They Are Rated 5-Star Of Jumia, With Awesome Customer Reviews

#1. Professional Condenser Sound Recording Microphone With Tripod Holder

Features

• Quality condenser microphone idea for singing or chatting on internet, online game, video chatting and video conference, such as Skype, Youtube, Twitch etc.

• Classic fashionable appearance design.
• Good quality abs material, special tempering treatment on mic mesh, rugged and durable.

• Includes tripod stand with mic clamp, adjust using angle.

#2. Generic BOYA BY-M1 Universal Lavalier Microphone Clip-On Condenser

Features

• Works for iPhone and Android phones, DV digital camera, tablet, laptop, recording pen, and DSLR camera. 
• 6M wire length allows for recording and shooting anywhere you want 
• Portable and lightweight
• High sound quality and noise reduction
• 3.5 to 6.5 converter included

Do you need Audio recording software?

Yes.

You need software to help record, edit, and produce the audio files as mp3 files.

Ideally, you plug in the microphone, start the software, and hit record. It is as simple as that to start a podcast in Kenya.

Consider the following audio software:

•  GarageBand – free for Mac. With it, you can easily record the audio through the microphone and save it as MP3.
• Adobe Audition – paid audio software (KES 2100) for both Mac and PC. If you have a budget, consider investing in this tool. It is powerful and gets the job done pretty well.
• Audacity – download for free for PC and Mac. There are a ton of tutorials on how to use it, so I won’t discuss it here.

Now, what happens when you and your guest are not in the same place?

How do you record remote interviews?

In such cases, you will need other software.

Call recording software

Call recording software allows you to do exactly as it sounds; record calls.

For example:

Normally, other podcasters use Skype or Google Hangouts to hold interviews. Here call recording tools will come in handy.

Here are some to consider:

• Zencastr – available as a free download for both Mac and PC users. Gives you the ability to record studio-quality files
• UberConference – PC/Mac/iOS/Android for free. Hold a conference and record the calls
• Callnote – available for PC/Mac as both free and premium version (approximately KES 1K). You can record Hangout, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook, Viber calls.

Other podcasts recording equipment you will need to improve quality

With our how to start a podcast in Kenya guide, here are other tools you may need.

a)    Pop filter

This one filters the clicking noises your mouth makes when speaking close to the mic. With it, the audio will be clean and clear.

Look at this one:

Takstar PS 1 Studio Microphone Mic Wind Screen Pop Filter Filter

b)    Mic Boom Arm

Boom arms bring the mic in front of you, hands-free. Also, you can easily adjust the distance and height easily.

Here is one: Adjustable Microphone Stand Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Mic Bracket Metal Material with Microphone Holder for Studio Recording

Must-have if you are recording at a home office desk.

c)     Headphones

The last thing you want is the sound of your guests coming directly from the speakers, then picked by your microphone, resulting in a disgusting echo.

Avoid that by using headphones.

Sony MDR-ZX110LP – On-Ear Headphones. Check it out on Jumia Kenya.

Make sure you first read the best headphone reviews in Kenya before buying any.

d)    Recorder

What happens if your computer crashes or loses power mid-way?

You will lose data, that’s for sure.

To avoid that, consider using an external recorder like this one. With it, you can easily record the audio and later import it to your computer for editing.

Additionally, recorders are highly portable. As such, you can be recording episodes while on the go and do not need your computer then.

Generic Voice Recorder Pen USB Built-in Microphone Mp3. Check it out on Jumia Kenya.

By now, you should be having everything you need (tools) to help you start a podcast in Kenya.

How To Actually Record A Podcast

It is actually easy to record a show.

All you need to do is plug in the microphone, and open your audio recording software on the computer.

Make sure the mic is on, and also ensure it is set as the default input device for your chosen recording tool.

Click the record button, and start talking.

Here is something to note:

In case of mistakes or distractions while recording, no need to pause or turn off the mic. Later on, you can edit those parts and remain with a clean version.

Here is a nice tutorial on how to record a podcast using Audacity.

Once done recording, use the following settings because they are the best.

• Save the audio as MP3 file – are low sized files, and play well on multiple devices
• Also, save the MP3 files as fixed bitrate and not variable (VBR)
• Choose the bitrate as 128kbps – commonly used since it keeps the file small with perfect quality
• For sample rate, use 44.1Mhz – actually, this is the CD quality

With recording out of the way, time to start editing.

How to edit a podcast

Editing allows you to

• Add intro and outro
• Stabilize show volume
• Remove things like long pauses, pops, and background noise among other mistakes.

Whatever software you picked (Audacity, Adobe Audition, GarageBand) should get the job done well.

If you are finding it rather hard to use the software, get help from someone who understands it well.

There are a ton of freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork willing to help with the editing at a small fee.

8.     How to publish your podcast

After editing, next thing is to publish the show on the host.

What is the host?

This is a server or place where your MP3 files will be hosted. It is not recommended to upload the audio files on the same server you host the website.

Why?

There is a high chance that the hosting company does not have adequate resources to support the downloading and streaming of the MP3s.

With that in mind, look for a separate host.

Submitting your podcast to channels

This is the last part of how to start a podcast in Kenya.

With the files hosted, it is time to get attention.

Here is a list of popular channels you should submit your show:

• iTunes
• Spotify
• YouTube
• Google Podcast
• SoundCloud
• Stitcher

Make no mistake, these aren’t the only ones. There are other directories to consider.

When submitting, they will ask for the following information about your podcast:

• Name
• Description
• Category
• Cover art among other things.

Ways to make money with a podcast in Kenya 

Podcast Sponsors

If you are willing to sell out and do anything for money, your podcast will certainly become a commercial. 

And if this is the case, be prepared to lose some of that audience while gaining more sponsors in exchange. 

The more sponsors you have on board with your show, the easier it becomes to cover production costs as well keep yourself afloat financially.

Selling merchandise

Kenyan podcasters can also make money by selling their own products or services through an online store such as Etsy (current favorite) or Gumroad.

It’s possible for podcasters to sell merchandise and books as well! Whether it’s branded shirts, hats, mugs, tshirts or anything else they want to put up for sale online. 

All these items are excellent opportunities for creators who are looking at ways to monetize what they do best.

It is important to note though that different country may have different rules about how this type of business operates so  it is best to look into the rules and regulations in your country before you start any of these types of businesses

Donations from listeners/viewers

If there’s one thing podcasters need most of all, besides time and effort put into creating content, it’s listener support! 

Create incentives for people to donate and chip in to help you make your show even better. 

Affiliate marketing

Podcasters can also generate income from affiliate marketing.

If someone makes a purchase after clicking on an ad that you have placed in the content of your episode, then the podcast creator will earn commissions based on their own advertising revenue share with advertisers or other third parties 

Place ads

You can also make money if ads are placed on your podcast. 

This means that when someone listens to an episode with a pre-placed ad, then the podcaster will earn commissions based on their own advertising revenue share with advertisers or other third parties.

·