How to create a private podcast in 2023
A step-by-step guide
A private podcast is a podcast that is not publicly available for anyone to access or subscribe to. Instead, it is only accessible to a specific group of subscribers, who each receive a unique RSS feed they can add to their podcast player. Private podcasts are often used for internal communication within organizations, for paid content or members-only content, or other personal or confidential purposes.
To get invited to a private podcast, listeners typically get a unique link or login credentials to access their private RSS feed. Private podcasts are not listed in public directories like Apple Podcasts or Spotify and are not searchable through standard podcasting apps or websites. They can, however, be distributed through various methods, such as email, invite links or password-protected websites.
How do private podcasts work?
A private podcast isn't publicly accessible or discoverable. Instead, subscribers get a unique RSS feed to add to their podcast player.
This allows subscribers to:
Subscribe to the podcast in their podcast player (Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts)
Receive new episodes on their phone
Download episodes on their phone for offline listening.
What you can do with a private podcast
A private podcast allows you to give members access to a series of audio files that they can listen to in their favorite podcast app. Here's how companies and organizations are using it:
Offer ongoing audio training to your employees.
Onboard new employees.
Send a weekly "Message from the CEO" to all employees.
Here's how authors, course creators, and online training organizations are using it:
Authors are creating an audiobook version of their books and giving folks who purchase the physical copy free access to it.
Course creators, colleges, and online training organizations are adding audio lessons to their regular curriculum. Students receive individualized access and can listen to it in their favorite podcast app.
Membership sites are doing exclusive private podcasts just for members.
How to create a private podcast for your team
You can use a hosting platform like Transistor to create private podcasts.
To start a new private podcast, click "Add a show." You'll see the option to create an enhanced private podcast when you click "Add a new show:"
After filling out your Show Settings, you'll need to add an episode.
How to record audio for your private podcast feed
You can record your weekly podcast however you’d like:
On your desktop, with a fancy microphone
Or, simply record using your “Voice memos” app on your phone
Once you're done recording, upload your audio to Transistor straight from your phone or computer. Transistor will turn it into a podcast episode and publish it to your private employee feed.
Employees get notified in their podcast app or by email that a new episode is available.
Companies using this find these audio updates are much more personal and “human” compared to traditional email updates.
For more information on choosing a microphone, recording software, and editing your podcast, check out our guide: How to Start a Podcast.
How to share the private podcast with your employees
Now that your first episode is published, you can go to the "Subscribers" tab and add subscribers (members, employees, etc) to your podcast.
They can be added manually (one at a time), or via CSV upload.
Once you've added a subscriber, they'll automatically receive a welcome email that looks like this:
When they click the button in their email, they'll receive a list of podcast app options that are supported on their device:
They can choose their preferred option, and it should open the podcast in the listening app they selected.
Once they are subscribed, they'll automatically receive new episodes when they are published.
You can also send them this tutorial, which shows them how to add a private feed to their favorite podcast app.
Case study: Dan, Startup CEO
Recently, I met Dan. He's the founder of a startup in Canada. In the last four years, they've grown from 5 employees to over 60! But with that growth has come communication challenges:
This is where the idea of a "private company podcast" comes in.
As a CEO, you can record your weekly podcast however you'd like:
On your desktop, with a fancy microphone
Or, simply record using your "Voice memos" app on your phone
You can upload your audio to Transistor straight from your phone or computer. Transistor will turn it into a podcast episode and publish it to your private employee feed.
Employees get notified in their podcast app or by email that a new episode is available.
Companies using this find these audio updates are much more personal and "human" compared to traditional email updates.
Which podcast apps support private podcasts?
These iOS podcast apps allow you to add private feeds:
Apple Podcasts (video demo)
Google Podcasts
Pocket Casts (instructions here)
These Android podcast apps allow you to add private feeds:
Google Podcasts
Castbox (instructions here)
Pocket Casts (instructions here)
Podcast Addict
Podcast Republic (instructions here)
Player FM (register for an account first)
Dog Catcher
Beyond Pod
Podcasty
PodKicker
These podcast apps don't support private podcasts:
Spotify
Google Play
Stitcher
iHeartRadio
Acast
Podcast App
PodcastOne
DoublePod
PodcastHD
Podcast Guru
