10 Books Every Podcaster Should Have On Their Shelf
Previously, we shared with you our recommendations for books every radio broadcaster should consider reading and purchasing. This time, we're turning the page and taking a look at books we think every podcaster should have on their shelf!
While podcasting is an audial medium, sometimes there are priceless bits of information you can only find while reading a well-written book. On our list of recommendations, we've included tomes from respected authors that can aid you if you're just getting started with podcasting, itching to learn tried-and-true secrets, or looking to make money from your work.
Without further ado, here are our picks!
1. Podcasting for Dummies
There's a good reason why this book is numbered first on every online podcasting book list you'll come across: it's really easy to digest. Like every instructional book published in the For Dummies series, this no-nonsense guide by Tee Morris and Chuck Tomasi will help you understand everything about podcasting if you're totally clueless about the medium.
Another reason why Podcasting for Dummies is hailed as a classic is because it's constantly being updated to match the times (it's currently in its 4th edition). With podcasting being a new and rapidly evolving art form, it's nice to have a guide with fresh information.
2. Profitable Podcasting
Want to start making money from your podcast? Check out Profitable Podcasting by Stephen Woessner. In this valuable guide, a podcast is treated like a business. Selling products and attaining sponsorships are discussed among other things. It's not just a publication that will teach you how to make cold hard cash, but also how to grow your audience and gain a committed following.
This book is definitely not for everyone - especially for those who are just looking to have a podcast as a hobby. But if you're looking to earn even just a little bit of cash from talking into a microphone, it's worth picking up this book.
3. Podcast Launch - A Complete Guide to Launching Your Podcast with 15 Video Tutorials
A book you can both read and watch online! Podcast Launch by John Lee Dumas is very clever in how it communicates information. Like Podcasting for Dummies, it's tailor-made for those with no prior knowledge of the biz and who are looking to start from scratch.
In addition to offering practical technical advice, Podcast Launch includes insight from Dumas regarding how he started his successful podcast Entrepreneur On Fire. The mix of how-to knowledge and wisdom from experience makes for an enlightening read.
4. Introduction to Podcast Technology
Maybe you're familiar with podcasting and how it works, but struggle when it comes to the technological side of things? Maybe you're unsure how to properly adjust a microphone or have no idea how to start editing an interview? Look no further than David Power's Introduction to Podcast Technology for help.
This book explains thoroughly and patiently what every piece of podcasting equipment is, how to use it, and how you can experiment with technology to make your podcast better than ever. Even if you know all about podcasting equipment, this guide is still useful because it navigates through common technical difficulties you may encounter while recording.
5. Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio
Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel is all about how to make your podcast addictive. It teaches you how to use ancient secrets of radio broadcasting in order to create a podcast that people will come back to week after week.
To help you, the book goes behind the scenes of seven different popular podcasts - This American Life, The Moth, Radiolab, Planet Money, Snap Judgment, Serial, and Invisibilia - and explains tricks the shows use to draw in listeners. It also includes cameos from podcasters Ira Glass, Jad Abumrad, and Robert Smith. This book is especially useful if you're creating your own narrative podcast.
6. So You Want to Start a Podcast
Another resource for beginners, So You Want to Start a Podcast covers everything from hosting and guest booking to editing and marketing. It offers plenty of encouragement and insider stories from author Kristen Meinzer.
Meinzer is an award-winning commentator, producer, and former director of nonfiction programming for Slate’s sister company, Panoply. She's reached more than ten million listeners through her three successful podcasts. In other words, you're in really good hands with this guide. Every chapter asks questions that will allow you to take an introspective approach to structuring your show. It's informative as well as inspiring.
7. Podcastnomics
An older book on podcasting, Podcastnomics may have been published back in 2014, but it was ahead of its time and is hailed as a classic by podcasting nerds. Written by Naresh Vissa, Podcastnomic's goal is to earn you millions by turning you into what Vissa calls an "audiopreneur."
Vissa offers his insights into marketing, sponsorships, and advertisements. This makes a great companion piece to Profitable Podcasting if you're really looking to make bank from your audio show.
8. Podcast Planner: The Little Guided Planner to a Successful Podcast
Podcasts offer the ultimate freedom of creativity, but without organization, they can be a jumbled mess of ideas. Enter Podcast Planner by Jerry "The Pod-Starter" Hamilton. This tiny interactive book will help you organize the direction of your podcast and plan your first 100 episodes.
Podcast Planner is a fantastic tool for brainstorming and storing ideas in a safe place. You'll find guided questions to help you create new episodes, branding tips, goals, monthly overviews, checklists, and much more. It's like a journal with precious advice!
9. Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You): A How-to Guide from the First Family of Podcasting
Just from the title of this book, you can tell how brutally honest and authentic its contents are. Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) was created by the legendary McElroy brothers (My Brother, My Brother and Me, The Adventure Zone, Sawbones). It teaches readers how to start their own podcast through hilarious and helpful insights.
In the book, the McElroys share their masterful expertise - from choosing a noteworthy name for your show to what microphones are the best on the market and money-making tips. This is one of the newer podcasting books on our list, but one that comes from the best in the business.
10. Podcasting Hacks: Tips and Tools for Blogging Out Loud
Finally, we have Podcasting Hacks by Jack Herrington. This one is even older than Podcastnomics (it was published in 2005). Despite being a dinosaur, it still has some helpful tips when it comes to getting started, sound production, software recommendations, development, distribution, and building an audience.
More advanced topics include audio editing, podcasting on the go, and even videocasting. In the book, Herrington explains why podcasting is the future (news flash: he was totally right), and how it's quickly becoming the most popular medium in the world of online blogging.
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Article Image: A hand grabs a red and white book from off a shelf. (Christian Hume via Unsplash.)