Mark Asquith guides listeners through the straightforward process of publishing their first podcast episode using the Podcast Websites WordPress system. He emphasizes the importance of deleting the demonstration episode after listening, as it is not necessary for iTunes or other platforms. The episode covers essential components such as creating an episode title, adding show notes, and linking an MP3 file. Mark also explains how to configure a featured image for the post and insert a podcast player using a shortcode. Lastly, he highlights the publishing options available, including the ability to schedule episodes for future release, making it easy to plan and manage content efficiently.
test show notes
Mark Asquith takes listeners on an insightful journey into the world of podcast publishing, providing a step-by-step guide tailored for first-time podcasters. The episode begins with a vital reminder: after absorbing this tutorial, users should delete the demonstration episode to avoid cluttering their podcast feeds. Mark sets the tone by highlighting the simplicity of the Podcast Websites WordPress platform, which allows users to focus on creating engaging content without getting bogged down by complicated technicalities.
He meticulously outlines the crucial components required for a successful episode configuration. Starting with the episode title, Mark emphasizes its importance in attracting listeners, followed by the creation of show notes that enrich the listening experience. He encourages podcasters to view show notes as an opportunity to connect with their audience, either by crafting them directly in the WordPress editor or importing them from a preferred writing application. The conversation then shifts to the MP3 file, which is the heart of any podcast episode. Mark insists on the necessity of linking this audio file correctly, ensuring it is accessible via major platforms like iTunes and Stitcher.
Mark doesn’t stop there; he delves into the importance of visual elements, suggesting that podcasters add a featured image to their episodes. This image serves not only as a visual representation on their website but also plays a role in engaging visitors and enticing them to listen. The episode culminates with practical tips on the publishing process, including how to schedule episodes for future dates, enabling podcasters to maintain a consistent release schedule with minimal effort. Overall, this episode is a treasure trove of practical advice, designed to empower aspiring podcasters to navigate their launch with confidence.
Transcript
Hi, this is Mark asquith@podcast websites.com and I'm here to talk you through how to publish your first episode using the podcast website's WordPress system. Now, this episode is actually a demonstration.
So what I'd like you to do is once you finish listening to this, once you've figured out how we've configured this for you, please, please, please go ahead and delete this episode. Because you don't need this when you publish to itunes or to Stitcher or wherever else you send your show.
So what I'd like you to do is listen to this until the very, very end, but then log in to your WordPress dashboard, head on over to Podcasts on the left hand side, click on Edit and take a look at how this post is configured. And you know, it's actually really, really simple.
There aren't really that many components to think about when you're publishing a specific podcast episode. There are only really a few that you need use. The first one, of course, is Episode title.
You're going to need to pop that right at the very, very top in the box, which is very obviously labeled title. And then what you're going to need to do is actually put your show notes.
Now you can type these show notes directly in to the large editor in the center of your screen when you're editing or publishing a new post. Or of course you can paste them in from something like Word or Iowa Writer, something that you use to actually author your show notes.
And then what you also need to do is of course, pop in an MP3 file. Now, it's very important that you link an MP3 file up because that's what itunes will pull in and that's what people will listen to.
Now, if you're using the podcast website's media hosting, that's very, very simple and there is separate help available for that. But you will see everything that you need, the editing screen of this post to help you see how we've done that.
Likewise, if you're using an external media host, it's very, very simple to paste the link in to the relevant place there as well. So that should be all very, very straightforward for you. Take a look at how this post is configured behind the scenes.
Now, the only other thing that you'll need to do is twofold.
You will need to, number one, figure out whether you need a featured image for your episode, which can be configured using the box on the right hand side of the editing screen. And you can just simply drag and drop an image into there. And that will actually display on your website.
Now that's not the episode artwork for itunes, that's very simply the featured image for the post on your website.
Something to entice readers, something to engage readers and grab their attention, to read the post and eventually listen to this episode that doesn't get pulled through to itunes. So that is optional.
And the second thing that you're going to need to be aware of at this point is right at the very, very top of the show notes editor, what you will see is a little black play button. It's like a triangle pointing to the right.
You will need to pop your cursor to the relevant place within your show notes that you would like to place your podcast player. And then once you've got your cursor in the right place, typically the top or the bottom, most people do do it at the top.
Pop the cursor at the top, hit that play button up on the editor, the black triangle, and that will pop in a shortcode that says square bracket, open spp dash player, close square brackets. And what that does is that tells WordPress that you would like simple podcast press player to be inserted at that point. And that's it.
As easy as that.
Now the next thing you need to do just to finish this off is over on the top right you will see in the editing screen, the top right holds the publishing section. So this is where you dictate what you want to do.
Once you've got your post ready to go and you actually have three options, you can save it as a draft, you can preview, or you can quickly publish. Now those three things are very, very obvious. It's very easy to see what those three options actually do for you.
But there is, there is another option.
If you were to set a slightly different publishing date by clicking on the word edit right next to where it says publish immediately, then you could set this episode to publish on a different date. So for example, perhaps a future date you would actually see that publish button change to the word schedule.
And that means that you can start to future publish things.
So on a Saturday morning, you can set up all of your posts for the week, all of your podcast episodes for the week, and you can set them to publish Monday through Friday, very, very quickly, very, very easily. So have a play around, guys. Look at how I've configured this for you.
And if you need anything, if you need anything at all, all you need to do is head on to support over on the left hand side of your podcast website's WordPress administration panel. Where you'll find everything you need to get in touch.