Your podcast is brand new, you’ve done just a few episodes, but already, it seems like your computer is running low on storage. What do you do? You are recording episodes at home, but you have someone else editing them. What is the easiest way to get the files to them for editing? Cloud storage is a service that allows users to store and manage digital data, including files, documents, images, and multimedia content, on remote servers accessed over the internet. Instead of relying on local storage devices like hard drives, cloud storage leverages a network of servers hosted by third-party providers. Think Google Drive or Box.
For podcasters, cloud storage is a fundamental tool for hosting podcast episodes, storing promotional materials (such as episode thumbnails, show art, and media kits), and facilitating collaboration among podcast teams. Efficiency and organization are key when you are preparing your podcast for success. You need to be able to find assets quickly for journalists and bloggers. Your cloud storage account is a centralized and accessible place to store your podcast-related content and improves your workflow and content management. Let’s talk about all of the reasons why you need cloud storage for your podcast.
Why Cloud Storage Is Essential for Podcasters
Accessibility and Collaboration
When your files are stored in the cloud you can access your podcast files from anywhere with an internet connection. This is most beneficial if you have a team working on your podcast or need to collaborate with remote contributors.
Backup and Security
What if your computer just stops working, or your editor suddenly loses access to your files that are stored on their computer? How will you finish working on your episodes? While you can get a new computer and new software, you can’t get back artwork and audio files if they are only stored locally. Storing your podcast files in the cloud provides a reliable backup solution. In case of hardware failures or other disasters, your content remains secure and can be recovered quickly and easily. Make sure your backups happen automatically or you have regularly scheduled backups to make sure that your work is safe and secure.
Easy Sharing and Distribution
Before I had a Mac to airdrop files back and forth between my computer and my phone, moving clips and short videos between my computer and my phone would have been time-consuming if I didn’t have the files stored in the cloud. Cloud storage simplifies the sharing and distribution of podcast files – even if you are only sharing them with yourself. No more struggling to attach a file that you want to share by email. You can easily generate shareable links for episodes, promotional materials, and media kits, making it convenient for collaborators and sponsors to access the content. Do you want your guest to help you promote their episode? Sending them a link to all of the assets is a great way to not only show how professional you are but to also make sharing easier for busy guests and their team.
Scalability
You will be podcasting for years to come (we claim it!) so you will need a storage solution that grows along with your podcast. As your podcast grows, so does the volume of your content. Cloud storage services offer scalable which means you can expand your storage space quickly, as needed.
Version Control
Some cloud storage platforms offer version control features, enabling you to track changes made to your files. This is particularly useful when working on collaborative projects or when updating promotional materials.
When Do Podcasters Need Cloud Storage?
As Soon As You Begin Your Podcast
Don’t wait to get cloud storage. You may think you don’t need it for the first two or three episodes, but you never know! You can start with something small and easy like Google Drive, and work your way up as your needs evolve.
Throughout the Podcast Production Process
I not only store our finished episodes in the cloud, but I also store raw audio files just in case I need to go back and find bloopers, send the raw file over to someone else to edit, and just for general safekeeping. I store my edited episodes, and final versions in the cloud, and you should too. This ensures that your podcast assets are easily accessible during all stages of production.
For Promotional Materials
This may be one of the most important things for you to store in the cloud. Upload promotional materials such as episode thumbnails, show art, video thumbnails, audio clips, video clips, and media kits to the cloud. This makes sharing and distribution seamless across your social media platforms. If you want to send a quick audio clip to a friend or a consultant to get an opinion, it is easy to make a link and share it by text, email, or WhatsApp.
Content Marketing
Promoting your podcast isn’t only about the show, it’s about promoting the host too! People want to see your process. This is an important part of your strategy. Keep b-roll footage, behind-the-scenes photos, and videos in the cloud for easy integration into your content marketing strategy. This lets you share engaging visuals on social media to promote your podcast.
Archiving Past Episodes
Archive past episodes in the cloud for long-term storage. This ensures that your entire podcast library is securely stored and can be accessed whenever needed. This is particularly useful if you are not going to have all of your episodes stored with your podcast host all the time.
What to Store in Cloud Storage:
Audio Files – Raw and edited audio files for each episode. Clips of interesting, quotable moments.
Visual Assets – Episode thumbnails, show art, video thumbnails, promotional graphics, and media kit visuals.
Video Content – Full video episodes, video clips, and any supplementary video content like behind-the-scenes video.
Promotional Materials – Audio clips, teaser videos, and other materials used for promoting your podcast on social media and sharing it with advertisers, guests, and collaborators.
Media Kit – The complete media kit, including documents, graphics, and any additional files.
B-Roll and Behind-the-Scenes – Behind-the-scenes photos and videos, b-roll footage, and any extra visual content.
So when you start your podcast, what is the VERY FIRST THING you will do? Say it with me. Set up your cloud storage. By using cloud storage for your podcast, you streamline your workflow, make collaboration easier, and ensure the security and accessibility of your podcast assets. It’s a valuable resource for podcasters looking to efficiently manage their content and promotional materials. Having your content organized in the cloud is the first step in setting your podcast up for success.
