How to Host and Publish Your Podcast with Podcastle
Updated: Feb 4
Are you looking to start your podcast but don't know where to begin? Choosing the right podcast hosting platform is one of the most important decisions you'll make when launching a podcast. Podcastle has become an increasingly popular option for podcasters of all experience levels.
Podcasting is a popular and effective way to share your voice, ideas, and stories with the world. Whether you want to create a podcast for fun, education, business, or any other purpose, you need a reliable and easy-to-use tool to host and publish your podcast. In this blog post, we will review Podcastle, one of the best artificial intelligence tools for podcasting, and show you how to use it to host and publish your podcast.
What You Will Learn
What is Podcastle?
Podcastle is an online platform that offers a suite of products and services for podcasting. Podcastle allows you to create, edit, transcribe, distribute, and monetize your podcast with just a few clicks. Podcastle uses artificial intelligence [SEE: How to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Save Time on Daily Tasks] to enhance your audio and video quality, generate realistic voices, clone your voice, translate your content, and more. Podcastle also provides you with resources and guides to help you start and grow your podcast.
Podcastle is a relatively new podcast hosting platform that launched in 2021. Despite its young age, it has quickly become a favourite among podcasters due to its intuitive interface, competitive pricing, and robust features.
Some key things to know about Podcastle:
All-in-one platform - In addition to podcast hosting, Podcastle also provides a website builder, analytics, and monetization tools. This makes the production and distribution process much more streamlined.
Unlimited storage and bandwidth - There are no limits on storage space or data transfers each month. This allows your podcast to grow as large as it needs to.
Great support - Podcastle prides itself on providing exceptional customer service and support. Questions are typically answered quickly by knowledgeable representatives.
Easy-to-use interface - The dashboard has been designed for simplicity and ease of use. Even those newer to podcasting can intuitively navigate it.
Podcastle's Key Features & Benefits
Podcastle positions itself as the "one-stop shop" for end-to-end podcast creation and promotion. Beyond basic hosting, they provide:
An intuitive recording studio to capture interviews or solo episodes
Audio editing tools like noise cancellation, compression, etc.
Automated transcription of long recordings via AI
Video features like trailers and overlays
One-click syndication to all major podcast platforms
Custom website builder to host your show
And more!
This all-in-one model aims to help podcasters simplify workflows so more time is invested into creating high-quality content.
But does Podcastle deliver on its ambitious promise? Let's analyze the platform's capabilities in more depth:
Seamless Podcast Recording & Editing [Podcast tools]
As an aspiring podcaster, I first researched Podcastle's recording and post-production editing tools. After all, these functions make or break your show quality right out of the gate.
Here is what you need to know:
Browser-Based Recorder
Simple solo recording - name your track, set MP3 quality, and hit record
Remote interviews - share a guest link to capture clear conversation no matter where they are
Video podcasting - add HD webcam video alongside audio
Screensharing - demonstrate products/services alongside dialogue
It offers impressive flexibility whether recording roundtable discussions, presentations, or 1-on-1 calls. Professionals will appreciate easily bringing on guests rather than forcing in-studio sessions.
Audio Clean Up & Optimization
Raw recordings rarely sound polished straight out of a session. So leveraging audio filters is key:
Noise cancellation - eliminates ambient sounds for clear vocals
Compressor - balances all volume levels
Auto transcriptions - converts speech to text for editing
Audio effects - spatializer, bass boost, etc.
These tools help to create pro-grade episodes without expensive mics and sound-dampening equipment. Extremely handy for amateur podcasters on a budget!
Simple Timeline Editor
Most people dislike clunky advanced editors that have a steep learning curve. Thankfully, Podcastle offers an intuitive post-production timeline:
Trim segments - shorten gaps or tangents
Rearrange order - organize content with drag & drop
Insert intros/outros - professional esthetics
Export MP3 - push one file to your feed
The process is very similar to popular video software but tailored to podcast needs. I had episodes edited quickly without frustration.
Verdict: Podcastle has all core functions covered to craft high-quality episodes with minimal overhead or tech skills.
AI-Powered Automated Transcription [Podcastle transcription]
Transcribing interviews is incredibly tedious and inaccurate if done manually. You can be sure that many will typically avoid it but transcripts provide nice SEO visibility.
Luckily, Podcastle offers an automated transcription feature powered by AI:
95%+ accuracy - near-perfect machine transcription
Speaker detection - separates dialogue lines
Export text - download for repurposing audio
Editor - fix inevitable AI errors quickly
A podcaster said it got his 2-hour interview into text in under 4 minutes with only a handful of fixes needed!
This frees up so much time I would have spent manually typing. The AI even improves over time adjusting to my common podcast terminology.
Video Podcasting Made Simple
While audio-only shows still dominate, adding video elements helps drive more YouTube streams and website engagement.
You may not have professional cameras or editing chops. Luckily, Podcastle makes enhancing podcasts with video surprisingly straightforward:
Studio webcam capture - record episodes looking directly at the audience
Screenshare mode - demonstrate slides, sites and services discussed
Custom intros/outros - elevate aesthetics like popular YouTubers
Social trailers - auto-generate teaser videos
The workflow mirrors their audio editor so ramp-up time is minimal.
While video production still requires more effort than audio alone, Podcastle deserves applause for democratizing access to multimedia podcast content.
Global Distribution Simplified
Too often podcast software lacks reliable syndication to all major platforms. Uploading episodes everywhere manually eats up valuable promotional time.
Thankfully, Podcastle shines here providing seamless global publishing:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Pandora
And 100+ apps/sites
When you click publish once your show goes live across platforms within the hour. Analytics even integrate listening metrics from all services in one dashboard.
Set it and forget about distribution so you can focus your efforts on crafting content and engaging your audience. This alone makes Podcastle invaluable!
Podcast Promotion Guidance
Expanding reach requires savvy marketing beyond syndication. You will love how Podcastle provides tailored podcast promotion guidance:
Their tips range from perfecting podcast SEO to repurposing content across social platforms. Extremely useful for amateurs like myself figuring out podcast promotion through trial and error!
While execution still requires grinding work, the blueprint is immensely helpful. Major props to Podcastle here.
Related Topics
In other posts, we have discussed the following topics relating to artificial intelligence (AI):
30 Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools to Make Your Work Easier
How to Use Artificial Intelligence to Save Time on Daily Tasks
Desktopus AI: How to Create a Stunning Presentation with Decktopus
What are The Benefits of Using Pictory AI for Social Media Marketing
Surfer AI: How Can Surfer AI Help You Research, Write, and Optimize Your Content?
10web Review: A Step-by-Step Guide on 10web AI Website Builder
Why Choose Podcastle?
Podcastle is not just another podcast hosting platform. It is a comprehensive solution that covers all aspects of podcasting. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Podcastle for your podcast:
Podcastle offers a free plan that lets you host up to 10 hours of audio per month and get unlimited listeners. You can also upgrade to a premium plan that gives you more storage, bandwidth, features and support.
Podcastle lets you record your podcast directly on the platform using its online podcast recording studio. You can also upload your existing audio or video files and convert them to podcasts.
Podcastle provides you with a range of audio tools to edit, enhance and transform your podcast. You can use the MP3 audio cutter to trim and split your audio, the podcast studio to add music and sound effects, the voice-over studio to record voiceovers, the AI voice generator to create realistic voices from text, the text-to-audio tool to convert text to speech, the remove background noise tool to reduce noise from your audio, the auto-levelling tool to balance your audio levels, the AI voice cloning tool to clone your voice or any other voice, the text to voice generator to create voice-overs from text, the AI voice maker to create custom voices, the AI voices tool to access a library of natural-sounding voices, the AI noise reducer tool to remove noise from your video, and the online audio converter tool to convert your audio files to different formats.
Podcastle also offers a variety of video tools to create and edit video podcasts. You can use the video splitter to cut and split your video, the video trimmer to trim and crop your video, the crop video tool to crop your video frame, the resize video tool to resize your video dimensions, the video podcast tool to create video podcasts from audio files or text, the online video recorder tool to record videos online, the video recording software tool to record videos on your computer, the video maker tool to create videos from images or text and then add text to video tool to add captions or subtitles to your video.
Podcastle helps you transcribe your podcast using its transcription products. You can use the audio-to-text tool to transcribe audio files or podcasts, the voice-to-text tool to transcribe voice recordings or live speech, the MP3
Now that you know the basics about the platform, let’s look at how to use Podcastle to launch and grow your podcast.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Podcastle Account
Getting started with Podcastle just requires visiting their website and signing up for a new account.
The signup form requests basic information like your name, email address, and password. The process only takes a minute or two.
One great thing about Podcastle is they allow you to try the platform for free initially. We’ll touch more on their pricing and plans later on.
Step 2: Create Your Podcast
After logging in to your new Podcastle account, it’s time to create your first podcast.
Click on the “Create Podcast” button to get started.
You’ll then be asked to provide some key details:
Podcast Name - Choose a title that’s memorable and reflects the podcast concept.
Podcast Description - Use this to explain what listeners can expect from your podcast.
Podcast Category - Select a broad category like Comedy, True Crime, Technology, etc.
Podcast Language - Choose whether it’s in English or another language.
Podcast Cover Art - Upload eye-catching cover artwork that will represent your podcast.
Once you input this information and save your new podcast, you can move on to the next steps of further customizing and configuring things.
Step 3: Customize Your Podcast Settings
In your newly created podcast dashboard, the settings tab allows you to customize different elements of your show.
Some of the options include:
RSS Feed - Your main podcast RSS feed URL can be obtained here for distribution to directories and apps.
Website URL - Claim a custom URL slug for inclusion on your Podcastle website.
Maturity Rating - Select the appropriate content rating, like clean, explicit, etc.
Categories & Keywords - Include additional tags and descriptors to help with podcast discoverability in directories.
Available Languages - List all spoken languages used within your podcast episodes.
Social Media - Connect your social profiles so visitors can easily follow you elsewhere.
Configuring these settings carefully will ensure your show information is displayed properly across platforms.
Step 4: Set Up Website Builder
A great perk of using Podcastle is getting a custom website built for you at no additional cost.
Inside the “Website” tab of your podcast dashboard, you can access and customize your site.
Podcastle provides different themes and layouts to select from. You can then easily drag-and-drop different elements like:
Text sections
Images
Audio players
Subscribe buttons
And more
It’s a user-friendly way to build a polished website for your podcast even without any web design experience.
Be sure to connect your site to a custom domain for the best results.
Step 5: Record and Upload Episodes
Now for the most exciting part, creating and publishing episodes!
Inside your podcast dashboard's “Episodes” tab, you can upload audio files, fill out metadata, and make episodes public.
A few key steps in the process:
Record audio - Use recording software like Audacity or Descript to create MP3 files. We recommend standards like 128kbps bitrate.
Add episode photo - Include eye-catching episode-specific artwork.
Write show notes - Include a summary, quotes, links, etc. to display on the website.
Select publication date - The date when the episode will go live to listeners.
Add tags - Include supplemental tags for better search visibility.
Make public - Flip the switch to distribute your episode across Podcastle.
Allow some time after making your episode public for the RSS feed to update with the latest content fully.
Step 6: Analyze Performance
One advantage of Podcastle is the powerful analytics available directly inside your podcast dashboard.
You can view a range of metrics like:
Downloads - See total downloads and downloads per episode over time.
Listen locations - Understand what countries/cities your listeners are from.
Traffic sources - Determine what websites, directories and apps are driving listeners.
Engagement - Identify your most popular episodes based on total listens.
Demographics - Learn the age, gender and interests of your listener base.
Evaluating this data will reveal what’s resonating with your audience and where there’s room for improvement.
Ongoing analysis should inform your content strategy and marketing plans around promotion. Now let’s discuss some ways to grow your listenership.
Step 7: Promote Your Podcast
Simply creating great content is only half the battle. The rest comes down to effectively promoting your podcast.
Here are some proven tactics for expanding your listener base:
Leverage social media - Promote new episodes across platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Consider taking out paid ads.
Pitch press - Reach out to bloggers and journalists who cover topics relevant to your show.
Run giveaways/contests - Encourage sign-ups and shares in exchange for prizes and rewards.
Get reviews - Ask current listeners to leave ratings/reviews on directories to build credibility.
Guest on other shows - Appear as an expert guest on complementary shows to tap into their audiences.
Use clips for marketing - Repurpose short audio snippets from episodes for social content.
Collaborate with sponsors - Partner with brands that resonate with your listeners for co-marketing opportunities.
Driving consistent traffic and growing an audience happens gradually over time through promotion. But by sticking to a methodology, your podcast can continually expand its reach and impact.
Comparing Podcastle Plans & Pricing
We’ve taken an in-depth look at how Podcastle’s features can benefit podcasters. But how much does it cost to use the platform?
Podcastle offers 4 different plans at increasing price points:
Basic (Free)
Storyteller
Pro
Business
1. Basic
The Basic plan is free for one creator and does not require a credit card. It includes multi-track recording for up to 10 remote guests, unlimited audio recording and editing, 3 hours of lifetime video recording, unlimited podcast hosting and publishing, and collaboration across your whole team.
2. Storyteller
The Storyteller plan is $11.99 per month per creator ($143.90 when billed yearly) and includes everything in the Basic plan plus intuitive AI audio editing, 8 hours of video recording, lossless quality downloads, royalty-free music library, 10 hours of transcription, 8 hours of text-to-speech with AI voices.
3. Pro
The Pro plan is $23.99 per month per creator ($287.90 when billed yearly) and includes everything in the Storyteller plan plus Revoice to clone your voice with AI, automatic filler word removal, 20 hours of video recording, 25 hours of AI transcription, 20 hours of text-to-speech with AI voices, AI-generated episode summaries, and priority customer support.
4. Business
Business plans are customized for large organizations and include everything in the Pro plan plus unlimited video recording, custom transcription and text-to-speech plans, unlimited cloud storage, a dedicated account manager, and the option for invoicing.
Top Podcastle Alternatives
While Podcastle is a great choice, it’s not the only option. Many competing podcast hosts exist in the market. Below we’ll compare some top Podcastle alternatives:
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is one of the most popular podcast hosts with a user-friendly dashboard. Pricing starts at $12/month for 2 hours of content.
Key Pros
Very easy to use
Great for beginners
Built-in podcast website
Key Cons
Less advanced features
Storage upgrades cost extra
No video support
Captivate
Captivate focuses specifically on building engagement and monetization features into their podcast host. Pricing starts at $19/month.
Key Pros
Robust analytics
Tools for a growing audience
Accepts paid membership subscriptions
Key Cons
More expensive than competitors
No free tier is available
Interface less intuitive
Libsyn
Libsyn pioneered podcast hosting all the way back in 2004. Their platform remains popular given decades of trust. Pricing starts at $5/month with a 50MB storage limit.
Key Pros
Industry leader since 2004
Positive reputation
Very affordable entry pricing
Key Cons
Storage maxes out at 1TB for $75/month
Less modern feature set
Interface dated looking
Red Circle
Red Circle offers a free tier of podcast hosting that stands out from competitors. Their unlimited free offering is monetized by occasional audio ads.
Key Pros
The truly unlimited free tier
Modern platform & features
Great integrations & partnerships
Key Cons
Audio ads inserted into free shows
Paid plans are still expensive
Less established company
This comparison just scratches the surface of Podcastle’s alternatives, as dozens exist out there. Weigh out the pros and cons of pricing, features, credibility, support levels, and more.
Podcastle Pros and Cons
Let's recap the key takeaways from our extensive evaluation:
Pros
Robust recording studio & editor
Accurate automated transcription
Intuitive video integration
Reliable cross-platform distribution
Great educational resources
Cons
The steep learning curve for utter beginners
Podcastle delivers immense value, especially for amateur podcasters lacking tech skills or production budgets. Their platform and guidance empower creators to efficiently publish studio-quality shows to the world.
While utter novices may prefer simpler software, most hobbyists and professionals will thrive leveraging Podcastle's top-tier product capabilities.
FAQs About Podcastle
To wrap things up, let’s review answers to some frequently asked questions about Podcastle:
How long does Podcastle take to approve my podcast?
Podcastle instantly approves all new podcasts with no screening or review process. Your show will be available immediately after submitting.
Can I migrate my podcast to Podcastle?
Yes! Podcastle offers tools to easily migrate your RSS feed, website, and content over from any other podcast host. Their support reps can assist with the process.
Is unlimited bandwidth really unlimited on Podcastle?
Correct. All Podcastle plans officially come with unlimited monthly data transfers and bandwidth with no hidden caps. This allows unlimited scale.
What is Podcastle’s maximum upload file size?
You can upload podcast episode MP3 files up to 5GB in size to Podcastle. This provides flexibility for long-form episodes.
How do I cancel my paid Podcastle subscription?
You can easily cancel or downgrade your Podcastle subscription at any time through your account dashboard. It takes just 1 click and can be paused immediately.
People Also Ask
Here are some of the questions people asked on Google:
Is Podcastle free to use?
How do I use AI in podcasts?
What is the Podcastle AI Chrome extension?
Is Podcastle any good?
How do I use Podcastle for text-to-speech?
Does podcast app pay you?
How to use AI for beginners?
Can AI edit a podcast?
How can I turn my voice into AI?
How do I download from Podcastle?
Can you upload audio to podcastle?
How do I download audio from Podcastle?
What is Podcastle used for?
Who is the owner of Podcastle?
Does Podcastle have a video?
Is there a free AI to convert text to audio?
Which AI converts text to audio?
How do you clone a voice on Podcastle?
How many listeners do you need to make money on a podcast?
How long does it take for a podcast to make money?
How much can I earn from podcasts?
How to make money using AI?
Can I learn AI on my own?
How do I use AI for free?
Can AI transcribe a podcast?
How AI built this podcast?
How AI can help podcasters?
Start Hosting Your Podcast on Podcastle!
Ready to get your podcast up and running on Podcastle? Why waste more time researching piecemeal solutions when Podcastle gives you everything needed under one roof? We covered a lot of ground around features, setup, pricing, comparisons and more.
The platform makes launching and expanding your podcast easier than ever. And you can sign up free today to try it out with no commitment required.
Have additional questions? Feel free to reach out! We’re happy to offer advice to aspiring podcasters. We wish you monumental success engaging global audiences with the help of Podcastle's phenomenal platform.
