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Podcasting allows you to share your opinions with the world and you can even establish yourself as an industry expert.
Is it hard to get started? What equipment will you need? How do you grow your base of listeners? These are all valid questions that an online podcasting course can answer. And if you already have a podcast and want to step it up a notch to turn a profit, there are advanced classes that can also help.
Featured Courses:
A Quick Look: Best Podcasting Courses
Here’s a quick look at Benzinga’s top picks:
- Getting Your Podcast Off the Ground! by Neil Patel
- Launch a Podcast Using Your Smartphone by Udemy
- Producing Podcasts by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Podcast Audio Editing Ninja by Udemy
- Live Streaming your Podcast — Building a Podcasting Studio by Udemy
- Podcasting: Business and Law by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Podcast Host Masterclass by Udemy
- Podcast Coach: Podcasting Profits by Udemy
- Podcast Influence & Revenue Course by Udemy
What Makes a Podcasting Course Great?
With so many options to choose from, how do you know which are worthwhile? The best podcasting courses meet the following criteria.
1. Taught by an Experienced Instructor
Anyone can launch a podcast, but it takes someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience to be successful at it. Your instructor should have a proven track record of podcasting success. You can check an instructor’s credentials on LinkedIn and analyze his or her online reviews to gain greater insight into what they’ve done in the field.
2. Covers the Latest Trends
The online landscape is rapidly evolving, along with the world of podcasting — you want a class that’s updated to reflect the latest trends and industry developments. Otherwise, you may rely on dated information to build a strategy. When it’s implemented, you won’t get the results you’re expecting.
3. Offers Resources
Courses with in-depth lectures are helpful when you want to learn the basics or improve your podcast’s reach. But it’s even better if it includes resources to walk you through specific strategies or demonstrates the outcomes you’re seeking through articles and case studies.
Our Top Picks
We researched hundreds of courses to bring you our top picks from Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy. We’ve listed them by skill level — beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Here’s a description and price point for each class to help you make an informed decision.
Podcasting Course for Beginners
Want to learn how to launch a successful podcast from scratch? Start with these courses for beginners.
1. Getting Your Podcast Off the Ground! By Neil Patel
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Free
Interested in launching a podcast but don't have a clue where to start? Look no further than this comprehensive course from Skillshare.
Getting Your Podcast Off the Ground! includes over 39 lessons to help you build a solid foundation for your very own podcast. The course takes a step-by-step approach and starts with lessons on researching the perfect niche and topic for your podcast. You will also learn how to build out a list of podcasting ideas for each show, attract listeners, record your 20-second promo, create a marketing plan and utilize tools to make your podcast stand out.
Neil Patel, a popular podcaster and self-taught coder, teaches the class. He's also the host of The Indian Startup Show, which holds the top spot on the Tech Podcast iTunes list in India.
Enrollment is free and there are no prerequisites to register for this course. Expect to spend 3 to 4 weeks working through the material.
2. Launch a Podcast Using Your Smartphone by Udemy
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: $19.99
Skip the fancy equipment and launch a podcast from your smartphone using the guidance found in this beginner-level course. It's one of the top-rated options from Udemy and includes instant access to 13 lectures jam-packed into 2 hours of on-demand video, 1 article and 5 downloadable resources.
Lead Consultant Dayo Samuel will teach you how to choose the perfect topic for your podcast, identify the most marketable niche and publish your first episode in 7 days. He will also show you what it takes to reach at least 100 listeners with your first podcast episode.
A seat in this course is only $19.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
It's a good idea to have a basic understanding of mobile apps before signing up. You will also need an Android, Blackberry or iPhone on hand to successfully complete the course.
3. Producing Podcasts by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Included in the monthly membership
Producing Podcasts is another excellent course that lives up to its name. In 4 modules that span close to 2 hours, you will learn how to self-produce a podcast so you can share your message with the world.
In the first module, you will learn how to plan your podcast. The second module focuses on producing podcast content and the third module dives into publishing, distributing and measuring the performance of each episode. The course wraps up with a lesson on promoting your podcast.
The course is led by Danny Ozment, podcast producer, marketing consultant and brand strategist. Throughout his career, Ozment has produced more than 20 podcasts that have been downloaded over 100,000 times each month.
Intermediate Podcasting Courses
These courses will teach you to set up an in-home studio, edit your episodes like a pro and avoid any legal issues with your podcasts.
4. Podcast Audio Editing Ninja by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $24.99
Wonder how the pros create high-quality podcast episodes without spending a fortune? This intermediate-level course from Udemy can provide some insight.
Audio Editor Hank Davis shares the secrets to creating a high-quality audio workflow in record time. He walks you through a proven prerecording, recording, editing, production and workflow routine that gets results.
Your enrollment fee of $24.99 includes 12 lectures condensed into 2 hours of on-demand video. The course also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the material.
It’s a good idea to have some experience with podcasting and using audio editing software before you sign up. It's also helpful to have an auto-editing workflow that you're currently using when you enroll.
5. Live Streaming your Podcast — Building a Podcasting Studio by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $19.99
Just $19.99 gets you a seat to this course that will show you how to set up a podcasting studio in your own home. You will also learn how to effectively use a digital audio mixer and master the post-production process when editing your work.
Course material is delivered through 1.5 hours of on-demand video and 5 downloadable resources. You will need to pass a final exam to get your certificate of completion.
The course is taught by Paul Richards, the chief streaming officer for PTZOptics, who has over 10 years of experience in the audiovisual technology industry.
You will need internet access, podcast topics and audio equipment before you enroll.
6. Podcasting: Business and Law by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: Included in the monthly membership
Offered by LinkedIn Learning, Podcasting: Business and Law is designed to help you steer clear of any legal issues with your podcast. There are 2 parts to the course — staying out of trouble and running a podcast business.
Part 1 covers several legal issues as they relate to podcasting, like choosing the right name, using music and interview content in your podcast and responding to legal complaints. There are also lectures on government regulations, copyright and fair use, defamation and what provokes lawsuits.
In part 2, you will learn the fundamentals of operating a podcast business. This section includes discussions on podcast income, employees and contractors, business formation, trademark registration, copyright registration and taxes.
Enrollment is included in the $29.99 monthly LinkedIn membership. You can grab a free seat in the course by registering for a 1-month trial.
Instructor Richard Stim is an attorney that specializes in intellectual property law.
Advanced Podcasting Courses
Ready to start monetizing your podcast? You may find these courses useful.
7. Podcast Host Masterclass by Udemy
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $144.99
If you want to take your podcasting skills to the next level, this highly-rated course from Udemy is for you. It is divided into 3 sections:
- Hosting a Show
- Interviewing Skills
- Next Steps
When you enroll for $144.99, you’ll receive instant access to 16 lectures condensed into 1 hour of on-demand video and 5 downloadable resources. You will also receive a Certificate of Completion when you reach the finish line.
The course is facilitated by 3 industry experts. Scott Paton is an executive producer with 15 years of podcasting experience. Martin Wales is a sales and marketing communications specialist and Scott Alex has several years of experience teaching communication techniques.
8. Podcast Coach: Podcasting Profits by Udemy
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $94.99
Turn a profit from your podcast using the nuggets of wisdom shared in this highly-rated course from Udemy. You will learn how to use your podcasting skills to launch and build a profitable coaching business.
Brought to you by 2 facilitators from the Podcast Host Masterclass, this course includes core lessons on exploring coaching options, getting started and using your podcast to expand your coaching business. There’s also a bonus lecture that contains answers to some of the most pressing questions you may have as you get started.
The cost to enroll is $94.99 and includes full lifetime access to the course material. And if the course doesn’t meet your needs, you can receive a full refund if it’s within 30 days of the original purchase date.
You should have experience podcasting along with a large following before signing up.
9. Podcast Influence and Revenue Course by Udemy
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $24.99
The Podcast Influence and Revenue Course is another offering from Udemy that will teach you how to monetize your podcast. It includes critical lessons on generating revenue and gaining influence as a podcaster.
Facilitator James Mulvany, the founder of Podcast.co., shares 2 case studies that demonstrate some of the key concepts shared in the class. He also draws from over 15 years of experience.
Registration is only $24.99 and includes lifetime access to 15 lectures delivered through 2 hours of on-demand video. It’s important that you have a growing podcast before you sign up.
Choose the Right Podcasting Course for You
You can get started with one of our recommended podcasting courses without investing a ton of money. The knowledge you’ll acquire can set you up for a successful launch. You can also enroll in an advanced class, apply the strategies you learn and start earning money from a podcast you’ve worked so hard to build.
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