If you want to be successful with a podcast – you’ll need to know how to start a podcast on iTunes (now known as Apple Podcasts).
Want a free podcast bundle? Get 3 training guides to jumpstart your podcasting.
Get Podcast Hosting
Before you think about posting your show to iTunes, you’ll want to get yourself a podcast hosting service.
While many people think that iTunes/Apple Podcasts is where you put your show, it’s actually not where your show lives. Prior to having your show on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, or anywhere else – you’ll need to sign up for podcast hosting.
If you don’t yet have podcast hosting, check out my comprehensive review of the best podcast hosting services, the pros and cons of each, and what you need to consider before buying hosting. Here’s the link to my post titled, “The Best Podcast Hosting Services.”
Create Podcast Cover Art
The other important piece before you start your podcast on iTunes is that you need to create podcast cover art.
Without appropriate artwork for your show, there is no reason to have a podcast. If you’re not sure about podcast artwork, here are a few essentials: your artwork must be 1400×1400 or 3000×3000 and ideally no bigger than 500kb.
If you’re not a graphic designer, use a free tool like Canva to set these dimensions or hire us and we’ll make a solid podcast cover for you.
For anyone who feels overwhelmed by graphic design or any of the steps related to getting your podcast on iTunes, check out our Podcast Website Design page and let us know if you want us to edit, brand, or design your podcast artwork.
Now, if you do have hosting and artwork ready, let’s dive into how to get your podcast on iTunes (now known as Apple Podcasts).
Related Article: How To Promote Your Podcast
The 9 Steps To Get Your Podcast On iTunes (Apple Podcasts)
How To Start A Podcast On iTunes:
- Get podcast hosting
We recommend Podbean hosting
- Create podcast cover art
Make sure your cover art meets Apple’s requirements (1400×1400 or 3000×300). Design your podcast yourself, or have the pros create cover art for you
- Write up a short show description
Your show description will entice people to listen to your podcast
- Upload an episode
Upload at least one episode to your Podbean hosting account
- Create an iTunes Account
Just make sure iTunes is downloaded on your computer
- Set up Apple Podcasts Connect
After you have an account set up, go into Apple Podcasts Connect
- Add your RSS Feed To Apple Podcast
Go to your podcast hosting service and copy your RSS Feed into the Apple Podcasts membership area
- Wait for your show to go live
Expect an email confirmation that your show is live within 24 hrs and up to 5 business days
- Share with the world
Once your show is live, go share it far and wide. This will help you get into New and Noteworthy and it’ll also just be a fun way to celebrate your new show.
Those are the steps!
If you’re thinking it sounds like a lot, I know how you feel. At first, this seems like a lot, but once you do it, you’ll realize it’s just creating a few accounts and copy and pasting some information.
To help you visualize and see the steps on how to start a podcast on iTunes, here is a great tutorial video.
