Erin Rodrigue – The Blog Pros

September 24, 2024

How to Start a Podcast on Spotify for Free [+ Expert Insight]

I’ve got good news for you: Spotify is the go-to destination for podcasts, commanding 35.8% of all listeners and over 40 million monthly listeners in the U.S. alone.

And I've got even better news: Spotify for Podcasters makes it easy to start a podcast and reach those listeners — no fancy equipment or advanced skills required. And, once you’ve started your show, you can find different ways to promote and market your podcasts to maximize your reach.

Here, I'll cover everything you need to know about podcasting on Spotify, how to upload your next episode to the platform, and hear from seasoned podcasters about their thoughts on the platform.

Table of Contents

What Is Spotify Podcasts?
How to Meet Spotify's Podcast Requirements
Switch to Spotify for Podcasters Hosting
Spotify for Podcasters: Expert Insight

Putting your podcast on Spotify gives you access to multiple features for growing your show, engaging with audiences, and monetizing your content. Some stand-out features include:

In-depth show and episode analytics.
Monetization tools.
In-app or platform recording and editing.
Q&A or polls to share with audiences to build engagement.
“Video episodes” for a unique watching experience for fans.

You can either use Spotify for Podcasters as your hosting platform or upload your episodes to Spotify with an RSS feed from your existing host.

And if you want some pro tips to help you create a successful podcast, I've got you covered there, too.

How RSS Feeds Work on Spotify

An RSS feed is a unique ID card for your podcast. I like to think of it as a house address, and, like a house address, there is only one RSS feed per podcast.

Every host gives you a code that you can copy and paste into different directories to share your episodes on other platforms, like from Apple Podcasts (host) to Spotify. RSS feeds update automatically, so you won’t have to share your link with other distributors more than once.

How to Meet Spotify's Podcast Requirements

The first step to starting a podcast on Spotify is making sure you meet its podcast requirements. Here's a quick rundown.

Your podcast should have:

A title along with relevant details (i.e., category and primary language).
Cover art in a 1:1 ratio and PNG, JPEG, or TIFF format. The higher the resolution, the better.
A high-bitrate MP3 format (128 kbps+) or MP4 with AAC-LC.
Episodes that do not exceed 12 hours.

Once you meet the conditions in this checklist, you're officially ready to upload your podcast to Spotify. Check out the steps below.

1. Create a Spotify for Podcasters account.

Unsurprisingly, you'll need a Spotify for Podcasters account to upload your podcast to the platform. You can use this form to sign up and select either “I want to start a podcast” or “I have a podcast.”

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If you click the first option, log in with your existing Spotify account or create a new one. If you select the second option, select your current podcast host from the list and claim your show by adding your RSS feed and entering a verification code you get over email.

If you already have a podcast but want to switch to Spotify, follow the steps outlined here.

2. Add information about your podcast.

Once you set up your account, you’ll add information about your podcast, including:

Podcast name.
Description.
Cover art.
Category.
Language.
Content type (clean or explicit).

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3. Upload your files.

If you already have a podcast, you can upload existing audio or video episodes or create and edit an episode within the Spotify for Podcasters platform.

Before uploading your audio files, I recommend adhering to these few best practices:

Make sure your episode is formatted as either MP3, M4A, or WAV files.
Smaller files upload faster.
Episodes must be shorter than 12 hours (while most are, this is the maximum length that Spotify recommends).

To upload an episode ready to be published, click Quick Upload and upload an audio or video file. If creating from scratch, click Create an episode.

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When creating an episode within the platform, you’ll land on a dashboard that lets you record or upload audio, add files you’ve previously uploaded to your library, and edit and add effects.

I think the drag-and-drop builder is an easy way to build all of your episodes, and you can preview each as many times as you’d like during your editing process.

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4. Add episode information.

Once you’re ready to publish, add an episode title, description, and publishing timeline. You can also note if the episode is part of a series, the type of episode, and whether the content is clean or explicit.

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Don’t forget your cover art! It should be formatted as a high-resolution PNG, JPG, or TIFF in a 1:1 aspect ratio (or as a square image).

5. Share your podcast on other directories.

Once published, your podcast will be available to Spotify users globally. You’ll need to use your RSS feed link to share it on other platforms. On podcasters.spotify.com:

Click Settings, then Podcast Availability, then click RSS Distribution to get your unique link to paste in the designated distribution spot on other directories.

Switch to Spotify for Podcasters Hosting

If you already have a podcast host but want to switch to Spotify for Podcasters, I think the process is relatively easy, and you won’t lose your existing episodes or profiles on other platforms.

There are two ways to switch your podcast to Spotify. Both are three simple steps.

Option 1: Adding via your RSS feed.

1. If you already have a Spotify account, go to the Spotify For Podcasters page, and click Get Started, then follow the steps to log in.

2. Then choose “I already have a podcast.”

3. Type in your RSS feed. If you don’t know your RSS feed, I think option two may be easier.

Option 2: Adding your podcast through Spotify’s Switching Page.

1. I simply went to the Spotify for Podcasters switching page and used the search field to enter my podcast name. You can use a feed URL, but you can also simply type in the name.

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2. I confirmed I owned the podcast.

3. Finally, I signed up for a Spotify for Podcasters account (or you can import your podcast into an existing account and then redirect your RSS feed so it points to your new Spotify URL). The exact process for this final step varies by hosting provider, so it’s a best practice to follow their unique steps.

Once you’ve migrated successfully, you can use the platform for all it offers and upload audio or video or create a new episode with its built-in features.

Spotify for Podcasters: Expert Insight

I know that there are multiple podcast hosting platforms available, but I wanted to know what Spotify for Podcasters’ current users think, so I spoke to some experts. Here’s what they have to say:

“An Equitable Pathway for Creatives”

Troy Sandidge, host of iDigress Podcast, says, “Spotify for Podcasters provides a plethora of creative tools and features to share your podcast episodes.”

Sandidge goes on to share that Spotify for Podcasters is especially useful for minority-led podcasters, with its programs like the “Making Space” initiative that “literally helps podcasters find free places where they can record episodes.

That is by far such a phenomenal way to make things more accessible for those who may not have the same financial ability to start, but this provides an equity pathway for more creatives to proceed.”

“Huge Advantages for Podcasters”

Al and Leanne Elliot, hosts of Truth, Lies, and Workplace Culture, also use Spotify for Podcasters:

“We’ve had Spotify as part of our Podcast Distribution mix since the beginning of Truth Lies & Work podcast, and although it’s no ‘silver bullet’ for podcast reach, we’ve seen huge advantages to using it, and see a bright future for podcast distribution.”

Some of those advantages include:

Spotify’s analytics (they say it offers sharper insight compared to platforms like Apple Podcasts).
The development team's openness to receiving feedback and ideas.
A simplified monetization process for integrating paid placements or ads.
Frequent releases of new features that “help podcast creators and encourage listeners to swap to the platform from more established apps.”

“A Turnkey Solution”

Sandidge says, “From programs to community research and more, Spotify is working to provide a fully streamlined turnkey solution coupled with training and opportunities to help creatives elevate and grow.”

What About Downsides?

As with all tools, there are always potential pitfalls. While the experts I spoke with gave largely positive feedback, they shared a few challenges:

The podcast category is a relatively new addition, so gaining visibility in search results can take some time. But even with that, there’s still good news — the advanced algorithm means there’s a good chance your listeners will find you in some way.
Spotify isn’t always clear about how new features work. For example, the Elliots say the Q&A panel is a unique feature, but they haven’t figured out where the responses appear.

Back to You

I find podcasting a great way to reach my audience, and Spotify for Podcasters is an excellent option for creating and hosting episodes.

In five easy steps, you can share your podcast on one of the biggest podcasting platforms today. Once your podcast goes live, remember to share it far and wide.

I suggest making this a regular practice with each episode to boost your listenership.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

September 4, 2024

How to Write Prompts for ChatGPT, According to HubSpot’s SEO Team [+ Examples You Can Steal]

To use ChatGPT or not to use ChatGPT? Is that really the question anymore?

If you're like me, you already use this tool to amplify your awesomeness. Like improving your email writing, analyzing data faster, or firing up your social media strategy.

But I have to admit — it’s not all peaches and cream. And others seem to agree — marketers we surveyed stated ChatGPT outputs aren’t publishable 96% of the time.

Does this mean you should throw the whole AI concept away? Not at all. Your outputs are only as good as your prompting skills.

So, I spoke to HubSpot's SEO team to understand how to write prompts for ChatGPT. Stick around to see the key elements of a good prompt, helpful ChatGPT prompt tips, and prompt writing examples.

Table of Contents

Prompt Writing Techniques
How to Write the Perfect AI Prompt
ChatGPT Prompt Writing Examples

How to Write the Perfect AI Prompt

1. Envision your ideal response.

It's tempting to load up ChatGPT and jump right into the prompt. However, Josh Blyskal, Associate SEO Strategist at HubSpot, recommends a more introspective approach.

“The first thing you should do is figure out what you want. Before I type anything, I always take a moment to envision what the final output will look like,” he told me.

He gives an example of a marketer who wants to generate a marketing plan.

Instead of typing “Write me a marketing plan” into ChatGPT, she should take the time to envision what the plan looks like — how many sections it has, how many bullet points are under each section, and what information it contains.

Now that she has a better grasp of the task at hand, it becomes much easier to compose a prompt that checks all the boxes.

2. Write a specific, action-oriented task.

AI models thrive on specificity. If you feed it with vague instructions, you give it room to interpret what it thinks you want.

For example, suppose you prompt ChatGPT to “Rewrite this [article/email/Tweet],” expecting it to write something new and original. Instead, it regurgitates your original message using the same words and phrases.

The solution is to get specific and intentional with your words.

Instead of “Rewrite,” for instance, you might say reimagine, expand, simplify, or modernize. Even a small change in the way you phrase a prompt can significantly change the response.

As Blyskal points out, “A lot of people treat AI like a rigid system that can be hacked with the right words or phrases, but that's not the case.

There are no secret keywords that can guarantee the best results. It's like playing a game of words, and you have to think intentionally about the ones you use.”

3. Set the stage with context.

You could get away with stopping at the previous step — especially if your request is fairly straightforward (e.g., “Write five knock-knock jokes for kids”).

However, you can supercharge your prompts by padding them with context. This gives the AI model more ingredients to cook up a great response.

Bianca D'Agostino, former SEO Specialist at HubSpot, puts it this way:

“Suppose your friend asks you to go to the store and pick up a few things. You definitely need more context — which store, what things, what's the budget, and so on. The more context you get from your friend, the easier it is to do the task. The same goes for AI!”

Let's look at an example:

Both of these prompts might yield good results, but the second prompt will give you a more detailed and compelling description.

This is because the AI model has more context to work with, including the product's name (“Squeaky Queen”), its form (a scrub), and its key features (vegan, gluten-free, recyclable packaging).

4. Add clear instructions.

Although AI models are powerful, they still need you to take the lead. Without clear instructions, they're essentially a chef without a recipe or a new employee without a handbook.

Here's an example: Imagine you need to write an article about Instagram marketing. Along with the main task ("Write an article about Instagram marketing"), you also instruct ChatGPT to:

“Cover the following subtopics…”
“Incorporate the following quote/statistic…”
“Add an example to demonstrate…”

Not only are you giving ChatGPT a clear topic, but you‘re also guiding and shaping the content itself. You’re adding quotes, statistics, and examples to give the output more texture.

Of course, it's not just what you say but how you say it. The content of the article might be up to par, but it may lack a unique voice or perspective. This is where style and tones come in.

Adding Style and Tone

For Sylviain Charbit, HubSpot Senior Technical SEO Specialist, adding style to prompts is a multi-step process. He starts by letting the AI tool generate a general answer and then progressively molds its response for style.

“You can ask it to inspire itself from a situation, character, or profession, or provide it with already made examples to emulate,” he told me.

Charbit also incorporates ChatGPT tone modifiers, such as “cheerful,” “humorous,” or “authoritative,” to guide the AI further.

Let's look at some examples:

Other style parameters include length and format. You can specify the length of the response (e.g., “Keep the article under 800 characters”) and its format (e.g., “Create a list of bullet points”).

5. Clarify and refine.

Blyskal follows the 60% Rule.

He told me, “When you generate something and it's at least 60% of what you want, you should continue refining that specific prompt. But if it falls short of that, it might be time to start from scratch.”

So, if you ask ChatGPT to generate a list of ten blog ideas and you only like two, it's a good indication to go back to the drawing board.

Even if you meet the 60% threshold, you can still refine the output by giving follow-up instructions such as, “Make it sound more conversational” or “Condense this into one paragraph.”

Remember that prompt writing isn't an exact science. Like any creative process, it often takes multiple revisions to get the right output.

Prompt Writing Techniques

Give It a Role

Role-playing is a technique that involves asking the AI model to adopt a specific role, job, or function.

“When you ask an AI model to play a specific role, you're giving it a certain level of expertise,” Blyskal told me. “For instance, if you prompt it to act as a professional interviewer, it will look for examples of good interviewing skills and respond with professional-seeming questions.”

By defining a role for the AI model to play — such as a professional interviewer, a graphic designer, or a nutritionist — you're also tapping into different viewpoints and perspectives, which can be especially helpful for marketers.

For example, let‘s say you’re launching a new product, a cold plunge tub. You need to create an ad that appeals to your target audience: long-distance runners. In this scenario, you ask the AI model to play the role of a long-distance runner and list the key benefits of your product.

Here’s an example from Perplexity (my fave AI tool) because it provides images and links to sources (peace out hallucinations):

Now, the AI model will generate responses that align with the needs and preferences of long-distance runners. This gives you valuable insight into your audience, enabling you to create a more compelling and relevant ad.

Chain of Thought

Imagine you‘re on a road trip, and you’re relying on GPS to guide you from point A to point B. Throughout the journey, it gives you turn-by-turn directions until you reach your destination.

Chain of thought prompting follows a similar approach. You give the AI model one prompt after another, with each prompt building on the one before it. This keeps the model on track, giving you greater control of the output.

“You're basically asking the AI model to explain its reasoning at each step. If you don't like any of the explanations, you can tinker with the output until it's ready for the next prompt,” Blyskal explains.

This is ideal for tasks that can be broken down into smaller steps.

For example, consider a copywriter using AI to create an article. She first prompts it to create an outline. Once she‘s happy with the outline, she prompts it to write the article, and then the headline, and then the meta description. She doesn’t move to the next step until she's satisfied with the current output.

That's the power of chain prompting. By guiding the model in a logical sequence, you generate more accurate and relevant responses.

Provide Examples

“If there's any one tip that will take your prompting to the next level, it's providing examples to the AI model,” Blyskal told me.

You can think of examples as reference points, helping the AI model emulate a certain style, tone, structure, or format. On top of that, AI can analyze a piece of content and offer improvements.

Here are several types of examples you can provide to ChatGPT:

Style and tone reference: Don’t ask for a blog post in a specific topic and hope for the best — provide a sample paragraph or excerpt showing the style and tone you want. For instance, include a snippet of witty and conversational text, if that’s what you’re going for.
Structural guidance: Include a sample or visual outline when requesting a content outline. It should show the expected flow, sections, and key content elements (e.g., intro, X subheadings, bullet lists, etc.).
Content improvement suggestions: After drafting content with ChatGPT, provide specific examples of areas that need improvement or refinement. Highlight sentences or sections that need clarification, enhancement, or a different approach. Don’t forget to include style and tone references to ensure it stays consistent.

While AI prompting is a science, it’s also an art. So don’t be afraid to get creative with your examples and instructions to get out-of-the-box outputs.

ChatGPT Prompt Writing Examples

Here are three use cases I’m seeing many people use in content marketing today. I included the prompt, why it works, and the generated output by ChatGPT.

Social Media Campaign for a New Product Launch

Prompt: “Create a social media campaign to launch our new eco-friendly water bottle. The campaign should include 5 Instagram posts, 3 Facebook posts, and 2 X posts. Each post should highlight the product's sustainability features, target eco-conscious consumers, and include a call-to-action to visit our website.”

Why it works:

Context: Specifies the product and its unique selling point (eco-friendly water bottle).
Task: Clearly defines the number and type of social media posts needed.
Instructions: Details what each post should highlight (sustainability features) and the target audience (eco-conscious consumers).
Clarification: Includes a call-to-action to drive traffic to the website.

Generation:

Fun fact: 31% of marketers use AI for social media post creation based on our AI marketing survey.

Email Marketing Campaign for a Seasonal Sale

Prompt: “Draft an email marketing campaign for our upcoming summer sale. The email should be engaging, highlight the 20% discount on all summer clothing, and include a clear call-to-action to shop now. Target young adults aged 18-30.”

Why it works:

Context: Specifies the event (summer sale) and the discount offered.
Task: Defines the content of the email (engaging, highlight discount).
Instructions: Details the target audience (young adults aged 18-30).
Clarification: Includes a call-to-action to encourage immediate shopping.

Generation:

Fun fact: We found 28% of marketers use ChatGPT to create and answer emails.

PPC Ad Campaign for a Service-Based Business

Prompt: “Create a PPC ad campaign for our digital marketing consultancy. The campaign should include 3 Google Ads and 2 Facebook Ads. Highlight our expertise in SEO and social media marketing, and include a call-to-action to book a free consultation.”

Why it works:

Context: Specifies the type of business and services offered.
Task: Defines the number and type of ads needed.
Instructions: Details what each ad should highlight (expertise in SEO and social media marketing).
Clarification: Includes a call-to-action to drive consultations.

Generation:

Fun fact: 90% of marketers see AI reducing time spent on manual tasks (like creating ads).

Back to You

Blyskal said it best: “At the core of prompting is conversation.” You don't engineer or program AI. Instead, you talk to it.

Like any conversation, you naturally adjust your tone, provide ample context, and share details, anecdotes, and examples to give your story texture. These are the same elements that make a really great prompt.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in July 2023 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.