Private podcasts are a hot new trend in the podcasting world, but they can be a bit confusing. Don’t worry! We’re here to clear things up. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating a private podcast. From what they are and how to create a private podcast to the benefits they offer and who uses them, we’ve got it all covered.
What Are Private Podcasts?
As the name suggests, private podcasts are just that—private. They offer premium content that is only accessible to subscribers, usually behind a paywall. Unlike traditional podcasts that work on a single RSS feed, private podcasts use a unique, protected RSS feed for each subscriber, which isn’t listed publicly online or on any podcast directories.
Podcasters typically share these exclusive RSS feeds directly with subscribers, often via email. This personalized approach means only those who have subscribed and paid for access can listen to the content.
Benefits of Private Podcasts
- Privacy: Private podcasts offer a safe, controlled environment for sharing content with a specific audience. Perfect for creators and organizations looking to keep things exclusive and protect their intellectual property, they also allow for secure sharing of sensitive or confidential information with a chosen group.
- Community Building: Private podcasts help you create a loyal community of listeners. By offering exclusive content, you can engage more deeply with your audience and foster a sense of belonging. This can strengthen relationships and build lasting trust between you and your listeners.
- Lead Generation and Nurturing: Think of private podcasts as a powerhouse for lead generation. By sharing valuable, exclusive content, you can attract potential customers and guide them through the sales journey with targeted episodes. It’s all about building relationships and providing helpful insights.
- Monetization: Private podcasts open up a world of opportunities for monetization beyond traditional methods. Offer subscription-based access for a steady revenue stream, or leverage your private audience for targeted advertising and sponsored content. Engaged listeners are more likely to respond positively!
- Creative Freedom: Private podcasts give you the freedom to experiment with different content formats and styles that might not be a good fit for a public audience. Create niche, specialized, or even controversial content without worrying about backlash—it’s your space to express yourself and innovate!
- Learning Material: Private podcasts can be amazing educational tools. Use them to share training materials, lectures, or in-depth analysis with employees or students. With curated content, you can enhance learning experiences and boost knowledge retention.
Overall, private podcasts offer a unique platform for creators and organizations to deliver high-quality, targeted content while nurturing stronger connections with their audience.
How to Create a Private Podcast
Creating a private podcast isn’t all that different from starting a regular one—it just requires a focus on controlled distribution and unique RSS feeds. Here’s how you can get your private podcast up and running:
Choose a Podcast Hosting Company
Many podcast hosting services offer private podcasting solutions. These solutions are great for every type of person or organization who are looking for a straightforward answer for how to create a private podcast. So whether you’re a creator, school, university, or company, if you want to create a private podcast, choose a podcast hosting company. If your current host doesn’t support private podcasts, you might need to switch. Here are some options:-
- Hubhopper – You can start a private podcast with any plan (starting at $12/month, beginning at 100 subscribers), where you can create one, and send invites to your subscribers directly. We don’t even take any revenue share on private podcasts so you can be worry free. Here’s an under 2-minute video guide on how you can create a private podcast on Hubhopper.
- Captivate – you can access the private podcasting feature on all their subscription tiers (starting at $19/month). Members can join through the unique RSS that opens up in their default listening app.
- Transistor – Subscribers can join the feed through a private link or invite. Each time a new episode is published, listeners will receive a notification in-app or through email. You can access the private podcasting feature on all their plans (starting at $19/month)
- Libsyn – It provides a premium paywall and lets listeners stream private content through the Libsyn app or page, taking 50% of earnings.
Set Up a Membership on Your Website
This option is best for podcasters or e-course creators who want to sell a variety of premium content and have been wondering how to create a private podcast. You can distribute and accept payments for private podcast episodes directly through your website. Plugins like MemberPress or WooCommerce help you set up paywalls and automate the payment process.
Try a Third-Party Platform
Third-party podcast apps like Storyboard, uStudio, and Supercast offer secure distribution for your private podcast, with different pricing and features. These platforms are pricier than podcast hosting platforms and one can’t set up payment making them not the best option for creators.
Create a Crowdfunding or Donation Page
This approach works well for established podcasters with demand for bonus content. Platforms like Patreon allow you to offer private episodes and bonus material in exchange for monthly donations. Podfan is another option that lets you provide member-only feeds and accept donations.
Join a Podcast Network
This is suitable for podcasters with a large audience who don’t mind sharing profits. Networks take care of logistics, but they also take a cut of sales. These work best for creators with a large audience (think 50,000+ downloads per month) but may limit creative control.
Leverage Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Podcasters can also use popular platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts for private podcast subscriptions. With Spotify you can keep a majority of your earning and give some payment processing fee, while Apple collects an annual fee depending on your country, you can check out the annual fees by clicking here and takes a percentage of the subscription price.
By following these methods, you can effectively create and distribute your private podcast while engaging a dedicated and exclusive audience. Enjoy the journey of building your own private podcast!
What Is a Private RSS Feed, and How do I Create One?
All the magic behind a private podcast lies in the private RSS feeds. To understand it, you must know how a normal RSS feed works. Usually, you’d host your podcast on a hosting platform, get an RSS feed from the service provider & submit it to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
Your podcast will then be available on all the listening platforms for your listeners to tune into. Anytime you upload a new episode, your RSS feed will reflect the updates across all platforms to which your podcast is distributed to.
A private RSS feed works the same way. The only difference is that it’s not distributed publicly. You’ll have to share these private links with each paying listener so that they can manually subscribe to your podcast.
The good news is that you won’t have to do any heavy lifting. Your hosting platform will create those private RSS feeds for you. When it comes to accessing a private podcast, there are three ways you can go about it:
- Podcasts that are password-protected and can only be accessed through your member website
- A single global RSS feed for all the subscribers
- Unique RSS feeds for each subscriber
Different hosting platforms use different approaches when it comes to creating a private podcast RSS feed, so you might want to pick a hosting platform that provides you with a private RSS feed structure that you like.
With Hubhopper, you generate a unique RSS feed for each subscriber making it easy for you to remove subscribers later.
How To Listen To Private Podcasts?
You’ve figured out how to create a private podcast, but how do you listen to one? Just like you listen to any other normal podcast, you can also tune into a private podcast the same way. The only difference is that you can’t find private podcasts in a podcast app or a player.
Instead, you’ll receive your unique private RSS feed by the podcaster linked to your email address. This unique URL will give you access to all the private content.
All you have to do is take that unique RSS feed and add it to your favorite podcast app. Once subscribed, you will automatically receive new episodes and can even download them to listen offline.
Which Podcast Apps Support Private Podcasts?
iOS Podcast Apps for Adding Private Feeds:
- Apple Podcasts
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Downcast
- Castro
Android Podcast Apps for Adding Private Feeds:
- Castbox
- Pocket Casts
- Podcast Addict
- Podcast Republic
- Player FM
- Dog Catcher
- Beyond Pod
- Podcasty
- PodKicker
Podcast Apps That Don’t Support Private Podcasts:
- Spotify
- Google Play
- Stitcher
- iHeartRadio
- Acast
- Podcast App
- PodcastOne
- DoublePod
- PodcastHD
- Podcast Guru
Who Uses Private Podcasts?
Private podcasts work exceptionally well when catering to a small audience and need a private setting to share your content. Here is a list of people who use private podcasts and why it comes in handy:
1. Organizations
Many companies are adopting private podcasting as a medium to share training material, weekly updates/announcements & company-wide communications. Not only does it help them in making corporate leadership more accessible but also in sharing information among a large and dispersed workforce.
As many companies are adapting to remote working culture, private podcasts are also great for connecting remote teams and keeping everyone on the same page.
Moreover, it is a great tool for onboarding new employees, cutting down the time the HR team spends on relaying the same information in a format that is enjoyable.
2. Creators
This category involves a lot of people. Whether you’re a podcaster, blogger, vlogger, or an influencer, if you want to monetize your audio content, private podcasts help you out a lot.
If you already have a sizable audience and want to monetize it, converting your content into a private podcast is your easiest route. You can share related bloopers, bonus episodes, behind the scenes, and all the unseen content that your loyal audience won’t mind paying for.
3. E-course Creators
Educational podcasts are a very popular category, and for a good reason. Since audio is a passive and easy to consume content, many busy people listen to podcasts to learn more about things they are interested in. Thus, private podcasts are used by e-course creators to deliver their content and make it more accessible to people.
4. Schools/colleges
As podcasting is being taught in media schools and universities, it’s a good time for them to adopt the medium for e-learning as well. Teachers can upload their lectures or create audio study material and distribute them among the students via a private RSS feed. This could come in handy for not only the current batch but for future ones as well.
Private Podcast Goals
Before jumping into the world of private podcasting, it’s important to know your purpose and goals. As we’ve explored, private podcasts offer a range of benefits, but understanding your specific objectives will help you make the most out of them.
Your goals will likely depend on who you are and who your target audience is. Here are some common goals people have for private podcasts, as well as the types of individuals or organizations who pursue them:
- Monetization: Creators can use private podcasts to generate revenue by offering premium, exclusive content to subscribers.
- Community Engagement: Creators can foster a loyal community by providing special content that encourages deeper connections with their audience.
- E-Course Enhancement: E-course creators can use private podcasts to complement their courses, providing additional insights or discussions on course topics.
- Internal Communication: Companies can use private podcasts for internal communication, sharing important updates, announcements, or training materials with employees.
- New Hire Onboarding: Companies can streamline the onboarding process by using private podcasts to introduce new hires to company culture, values, and procedures.
- Educational Resources: Schools and universities can use private podcasts to distribute lectures, educational content, and study materials to students, enhancing the learning experience.
Understanding your goals will guide you in creating a private podcast that aligns with your vision and connects with your target audience.
Are private podcasts a good fit for all companies?
Private podcasts can be a game-changer for internal communication and sharing important information with employees. For new hires, an in-person onboarding is beneficial, but having a private podcast they can listen to can save your HR team a ton of time. But is a private podcast the right fit for your company?
If you run a small company, a private podcast might not be necessary since most information can be easily shared verbally. However, if you manage a larger organization with 100 or more employees, private podcasts become a powerful tool. They can streamline communication, especially during a hiring spree, and the one-time effort of creating private podcast content can significantly ease your HR department’s workload.
Are private podcasts a good fit for my school/university?
Absolutely! Schools and universities stand to benefit greatly from private podcasts. Since syllabi typically don’t change too often, you can record episodes once and share them with students over time. This approach is also useful for providing regular updates about the school or university.
Are private podcasts a good fit for my e-course?
E-courses can vary significantly in format, but many rely on video content as the preferred medium. While videos are engaging, offering audio versions of your e-courses can be a great complement, particularly for working professionals looking to upskill.
Audio content is easier to consume on the go, allowing you to stand out from the crowd and potentially attract more participants to your course.
Are Private Podcasts Effective?
The effectiveness of private podcasts depends on your goals. If you want to expand your podcast reach and grow your audience, private podcasts might not be the best fit, as the content is limited to selected listeners.
Take your current audience size into account. If you’re just starting out and your audience is small, it might be wise to wait until you have a larger following. Additionally, consider whether your audience would be willing to pay for premium content. Gathering feedback through surveys or Q&A sessions can help you make a more informed decision.
On the other hand, if your goal is to create a podcast for private use or a specific group of people, private podcasting can be very effective. It’s a convenient, secure way to deliver content to a targeted audience. Whether it’s for internal company use, educational purposes, or specialized communities, private podcasts offer a safe and direct means of sharing content.
Top 5 Tools For Creators | How To Create A Private Podcast That You Can Monetize
- Hubhopper: This is an easy-to-use and robust podcast hosting platform that supports private podcasts. At just $12 per month, it’s a budget-friendly option. Hubhopper allows you to send email invites for your private podcast directly from the platform, saving you time and effort.
- Canva: Perfect for creators who want stunning graphics but lack design skills or budget for a professional. Canva’s templates help you create eye-catching podcast cover art effortlessly. Plus, Hubhopper integrates with Canva, streamlining your podcast design process.
- Headliner: This audiogram maker lets you create audiograms for promoting your podcast on social media. Hubhopper also integrates with Headliner, making it easy to create marketing materials and spread the word about your private podcast.
- Hootsuite: Promoting your private podcast on social media is crucial for building a community and monetizing your content. Hootsuite helps you manage and schedule posts across platforms, ensuring your private podcast reaches the right audience.
- ConvertKit: This email marketing tool is designed with creators in mind. It helps you craft beautiful email newsletters for your subscribers. Use ConvertKit to spread the word about your private podcast via email, letting your audience know about your latest exclusive content.
Supporting Premium & Confidential Content Through Private Podcasts
We’re living in a time when the podcasting space is rapidly evolving, offering both freemium and premium content options. If your audience is on board with it, taking advantage of private podcasts can be a game-changer for your podcasting journey. Plus, from a monetization perspective, you won’t have to rely solely on sponsorships.
Whether you’re aiming for company-wide communication, e-courses, or offering premium content to a targeted audience, private podcasts provide a secure, easily accessible medium.
As you explore the world of private podcasts, remember that it’s about creating a personalized experience for your listeners. By understanding their needs and interests, you can offer valuable content that keeps them engaged and coming back for more.
So, whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, private podcasts open the door to new opportunities and ways to connect with your audience. Dive in and enjoy the journey of creating and sharing unique, high-quality content that resonates with your community.
Happy podcasting!
FAQs
Is it possible to make a podcast private?
Yes, you can technically make a podcast private, but there are some limitations. Changing the status of your podcast to private will only apply to future episodes. Any episodes you previously published will still be available to the public. You could delete and re-upload these episodes under your now private podcast, but it may not be the best solution since many people may have already heard the content.
Additionally, podcast hosting platforms often don’t allow this kind of change because of potential complications. It’s important to decide upfront whether you want your podcast to be private or public to avoid these issues.
Can you make Apple Podcasts private?
Yes, you can make your own private podcast on Apple Podcasts, and within the Apple Podcasts app the listener can paste the RSS feed to add your private podcast to their library.
How do I make an independent podcast?
Yes, you can start your own podcast independent from others simply. All you need is a topic, podcast name, an amazing podcast hosting platform, and your unique voice and idea to start an independent podcast.
Can someone do a podcast alone?
Yes, you can make podcasts as a solo host, if you want a detailed guide on how to start a podcast we have a beginner friendly guide for it here.
