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Are you wondering: How do you start a podcast? And, maybe you're looking to educate yourself a little first.
Fortunately, there are brilliant podcast training courses to take you from a podcast beginner to a pro in no time. You can find free courses, so even if you're on a budget, you can start somewhere.
Read on for a list of our 11 best podcast training courses. We review each one and cover their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
What skills do podcasters need to start a podcast?
The world of podcasting is no easy feat! While anyone can start a podcast, it takes work to create a show that audiences love to listen to. To achieve your podcasting goals, you'll need to develop the right skills.
Speaking skills
From a content perspective, it's important that you become a master of public speaking. In every episode, podcasters must communicate clearly with audiences.
To be a great podcaster, you'll need to speak clearly, keeping your podcast interesting and easy to understand. It's also a good idea to level up your interviewing skills so that you're ready to welcome special guests to your show!
Digital skills
Next, you'll need to start working on your digital skills! There are many ways that these can help you improve your production process and optimize your show's quality.
As your podcasting career begins, you'll need to learn the basics of audio production, sound technology, and maybe even video filming. You'll also need to know how to navigate content uploading and sharing.
Marketing skills
No podcasting skillset is complete with great marketing knowledge! This is how you'll start to build an audience for your podcast.
When you start podcasting, you'll need to learn about a range of marketing channels, including social media marketing, as well as paid podcast sponsorships and podcast advertising opportunities. The better your understanding of marketing, the better equipped you'll be to grow your audience.
Organization skills
It's no secret that managing a content creation career can be a lot of work! To make the most of your time and energy, you'll need to learn effective management and organization skills.
As you begin to grow your podcast audience, start to create clear planning and organization systems. Record your ideas, set up a schedule, and stay true to deadlines and responsibilities. Don't forget to keep track of new podcast earning opportunities along the way!
How do I learn how to do a podcast?
There are many ways you can learn how to start podcasting!
You could develop your skills by listening to other podcasts, accessing online education materials, or even reading the Riverside blog and listening to our Hit Publish podcast!
If you're looking for a more formal approach to learning, there are plenty of options available to help you. Many talented professional podcasters offer training courses designed to help new podcasters like you get started.
Why should you try podcast training courses?
Podcasting courses are great educational resources when it comes to helping you get started as a podcaster! In many cases, a great course can set you on the path to podcasting success.
By learning from expert-delivered podcasting courses, you can develop your confidence and learn the skills you need to create high-quality content from day one of your journey.
From coming up with ideas to recording new episodes and marketing to the masses, podcasting courses can teach you the tricks of the trade!
As you learn, you'll be able to identify your strongest skills, work on the things that challenge you, and consider new ways to improve and monetize your podcast.
How much is a podcast course?
Podcasting courses vary greatly in price, length, and format. This means that it's always possible to find a course that's right for you, your needs, and your budget.
Whether you're keen to make a big investment or just looking for free resources to get you started, you'll be able to find the right program.
11 Best Podcast Training Courses in 2024: Free & Paid
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options online and wondering where to start your course search? Here are 11 of the best podcasting courses in 2024 and why we think they're so great!
1. Power-Up Podcasting by Pat Flynn
Price: $799
Pat Flynn's Power-Up Podcasting course offers a step-by-step guide to all the secrets of the podcasting world! This course is designed to help you learn everything you need to know about podcasting in a clear and comprehensive way. Including idea generation, digital learning, interview skills, launch plans, upload basics, monetization advice, and more, this course covers it all!
Pros:
- This course is a complete start-to-finish guidebook.
- You'll learn from the podcasting experts.
- The step-by-step format is easy to follow.
Cons:
- The course requires a high-value investment.
- The program doesn't offer support beyond the course materials.
Best for: Creators who are serious about achieving podcasting success.
2. Producing Podcasts by Danny Ozment
Price: Variable - LinkedIn Learning subscription
If you want to learn about podcast software, equipment, and production, the Producing Podcasts LinkedIn course is for you! This course is available as part of LinkedIn Learning. It walks students through all the production basics, from content length and SEO to audio recording, sound editing, web hosting, RSS setup, episode uploading, and more.
Pros:
- The course is comprehensive, offering great actionable steps.
- You can learn course content at your own pace.
- The program can be supported by other LinkedIn Learning courses.
Cons:
- You'll need to be a LinkedIn Learning subscriber to access this course.
- You may not have access to personalized advice or support.
Best for: Aspiring podcasters who want to master production skills.
3. The Podcast Masterclass: The Complete Guide to Podcasting by Phil Ebiner, Ravinder Deol, and Video School
Price: $69.99
The Podcast Masterclass is designed to get your recording, editing, uploading, and marketing skills up to scratch! This course teaches all the skills you need to become a professional podcaster, offering insight into equipment, software, production, and more. You'll even learn how to respond to market conditions!
Pros:
- This course offers comprehensive content.
- The course fee is affordable.
- You'll get plenty of detailed podcasting information.
Cons:
- The course is brief, so you might require further learning.
- The course is self-guided, so you may have to source answers to your own questions.
Best for: Podcasters looking to build strong foundational skills.
4. How to Produce a High-Quality Video Podcast by Joey Daoud
Price: Variable - Skillshare subscription
How to Produce a High-Quality Video Podcast offers everything you need to know about video podcasting! This course provides 19 lessons, covering everything from equipment to soundproofing, recording, livestreaming, exporting, publishing, and more.
Note that the instructor, Joey Daoud, uses Riverside to show you how to podcast remotely effortlessly. Riverside is an easy-to-use podcasting platform ideal for beginners who want to create professional recordings. You can record up to 4K video and 48kHz audio podcasts without worrying about your internet connection ruining the quality. Other noteworthy features include separate track recordings, remote recording with up to 10 participants and in-built editing tools to polish off your episodes.
Learn more, or sign up on Riverside for seamless professional podcasts.
Pros:
- This course is available alongside other Skillshare courses.
- The course covers video production skills and concepts.
- You’ll learn how to video in high-resolution
- You'll get a specific software walkthrough for recording remotely.
Cons:
- You may need further learning to develop other skillsets such as marketing.
Best for: Podcasters who want to create high-resolution video media (especially remotely).
5. Adobe Audition CC Audio Production Course by Mike Russell
Price: $47.99
The Adobe Audition CC Audio Production Course was created to help new podcasters learn how to record and edit audio content using Adobe Audition software. This course allows you to develop strong editing skills, helping you capture higher-quality audio and release better podcast episodes.
Pros:
- The course offers a specific overview of one important skillset.
- The program is taught by an expert instructor.
- You'll become a master of audio editing for podcasts.
Cons:
- This course only covers one niche, so you'll need to search for additional courses.
- In addition to the course, you'll need to purchase relevant software programs.
Best for: Students who want to master production skills.
6. How to Start a Podcast by Buzzsprout
Price: Free
Created by Buzzsprout, the How to Start a Podcast course helps aspiring podcasters prepare to launch! This course provides you with all the details you need as a beginner in the podcasting world. You'll discover how to choose your format, purchase the right equipment, and record and edit your podcast. You'll also learn important upload and market information.
Pros:
- This course is completely free!
- Information is delivered in a beginner-friendly way.
- You'll understand the basics of launching a podcast.
Cons:
- The course is limited to launching, so you may need further training.
- A self-guided course delivery mode could be challenging for some students.
Best for: New podcasters preparing to launch.
7. Podcast Engineering School by Chris Curran
Price: $6,999
Podcast Engineering School is your one-stop shop for a technical podcasting education. This course helps you learn how to become a master audio engineer, improving sound and content quality for your podcast. With over 30 hours of training, you get all the help you need, plus software discounts and other bonuses.
Pros:
- This course provides expert-level learning.
- You'll get access to plenty of extra content and benefits.
- The program includes interactive features and activities.
Cons:
- The course requires a high investment.
- This program might be too advanced for some beginners.
Best for: Podcasters who want to be audio experts.
8. Podcasting Simplified by PodcastInsights
Price: Free
The Podcasting Simplified course is an email-based program designed to help you develop new skills every day. Over a 10-day period, you'll receive helpful guides on all the basics, from recording, editing, uploading, launching, and more. Plus, you'll get access to extra benefits to help you grow your podcasting career!
Pros:
- This course offers a fast and easy introduction to podcasting.
- The program is 100 percent free.
- Learning materials are delivered directly to your email inbox.
Cons:
- The email format of the course may limit engagement and applications.
- You may still require further learning.
Best for: Podcasting beginners who are keen to learn the basics.
9. Podcasters' Paradise by John Lee Dumas
Price: $997 annually or $97 monthly
The Podcasters' Paradise course provides new creators with an online podcasting community! This course offers membership options, which includes access to course materials, Q&A sessions, strategy support, masterclass learning, and more. This is a true investment in long-term podcast success.
Pros:
- This course is taught by the experts.
- The annual subscription includes access to the Podcast Journal.
- You get to be part of the creative podcasting community!
Cons:
- The course runs on a subscription model.
- The price can be steep for podcasting beginners.
Best for: Podcasting superstars who want to invest in long-term learning.
10. Podcast Bootcamp
Price: Free
Podcast Bootcamp is designed to offer a crash course in all things podcasting! In this course, you'll learn how to start a podcast from scratch, including how to plan, record, edit, launch, and market new episodes. This program is the perfect starting point for podcast beginners!
Pros:
- This course is totally free!
- The program has a fast-paced structure, running over just 5 days.
- You'll get a crash-course overview of the basic skills you need.
Cons:
- The course is brief, so you might need to keep learning.
- You could require further support for more advanced podcasting skills.
Best for: Beginner podcasters looking for a good starting point.
11. Tansy Aster Academy
Price: Podcast Editing School at $30/month, or Pro Group at $45/month
The Tansy Aster Academy offers two streams of courses. In the Podcast Editing School you can expect live calls, video demonstrations and a comprehensive course on cleaning up and mixing your podcast. Whereas, the Pro Group offers a supportive space to learn how to navigate your podcast business better. When you join the Tansy Aster Academy, you also get access to their community and an array of resources.
Pros:
- Community-based course, which is great for networking
- Live calls so you can ask your burning questions
- $10 Community pass, if you'd like to get a taste of the course before committing
Cons:
- You have to purchase two separate courses to receive access to all their resources
- Subscription-based so you need to pay an ongoing fee
Best for: Podcast editors, or those looking to create a podcast business
FAQs on podcast training
Still unsure about podcast training and what it takes to start your own podcast? Here are our answers to a few frequently asked questions!
What is the average podcast salary?
How much you'll earn from your podcast will vary depending on your subject matter, marketing skills, audience base, and career trajectory. According to ZipRecruiter, some podcasters can earn as much as around $200,000 every month! However, average salaries are usually much lower, leveling out at $50,000 to $60,000 per year once your podcast income is stable.
How hard is it to start a podcast?
Starting a podcast can be a challenge, but if you're creative, you can achieve your podcasting goals! Once you have an idea, all you need to get started is a basic understanding of the industry and the motivation to learn more.
How do you start a podcast with no money?
While it's a good idea to invest in your podcasting career, it is possible to start a podcast on a low budget. You can record high-quality audio on your computer using Riverside. You can also learn using free podcasting courses!
How long should a podcast be for beginners?
Podcasts vary in length depending on content and style. Generally, it's best to record podcast episodes that are between 20 minutes and an hour long.
Ready to start your own podcast? Capture studio-quality with Riverside, and begin your podcast journey right now!