Podcasting Overview
Important Definitions
Podcast Host: The platform where you upload your audio files and generate your RSS feed. (This is what the Sermon Engine is.)
Podcast Directory: The platform where you syndicate your RSS feed to, and where listeners can subscribe to your podcast. (This is what Apple/iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify are.)
Syndicate: To distribute information to multiple broadcasting platforms.
RSS Feed: A Rich Site Summary Feed is comprised of documents that can be updated regularly (such as audio media items). Think of it as the connection between a podcast host and a podcast directory. To learn a bit more, click here.
Step #1: Enable Your Podcast
First thing's first: Before you can add your podcast to your favorite platforms, you need to have a podcast to do that. Thankfully, creating a podcast is easy! All you need to do is go to your Podcast Settings, enable your podcast, and add in your podcast description details!
I'm Ready For Step #1
Step #2: Add Media To Your Podcast
Once you have everything set up in your Podcast Settings, you'll need to double check that you have at least one audio media item added to your podcast. Otherwise, you won't be able to syndicate your podcast to any podcast directory. You can add audio media items in your Media Settings.
Take Me To Step #2
Step #3: Syndicate Your Podcast
You're halfway there! If you've enabled your podcast, added in all the required details, and ensured you have at least one media item added to your podcast, then you're 100% ready to start adding your podcast to various podcast directories! You'll need to have your RSS feed handy for this, which you can find back in your Podcast Settings.
Hit Me With Step #3
Step #4: Redirect People To Your Podcast
You're almost there! If you previously hosted your podcast with a different platform (such as LibSyn, Podbean, or Buzzsprout), and you've replaced your old RSS feed in a podcast directory with your new Sermon Engine generated RSS feed, people will no longer be able to access new episodes. To receive new content, they will need to subscribe to your new RSS feed. That's where redirecting them to your new RSS feed comes in handy. (If you've never hosted your podcast elsewhere, you can safely skip this step.)
Let's Tackle Step #4
Step #5: Promote Your Podcast
You're on the final stretch! Once you RSS feed has been successfully submitted to the podcast directories of your choosing, select the main podcast platform/directory you want to point people to when prompting them to subscribe to your podcast. Then, finish strong by adding a button to subscribe to your podcast within your Sermon Engine!