Getting Started: Setting Up & Publishing Your Podcast
This guide walks you through launching a new podcast on Fireside, from initial setup to distributing your show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow the sections in order, several steps (like publishing an episode) are required before later steps (like applying to directories) will work.
TIP - Recommended order
1) Create your podcast → 2) Add your hosts → 3) Publish your first episode → 4) Set a publishing frequency → 5) Submit to Apple Podcasts & Spotify → 6) Add your directory links to your website.
1. Create Your Podcast
When you start a new podcast, you'll move through five setup steps:
1. Choose a Title
2. Choose a Prefix URL
3. Choose Cover Art
4. Add a Subtitle and Details
5. Fill in Metadata
Once you've completed all five steps, you'll land on your new podcast's homepage in the dashboard.
2. Add Your Hosts
Before you publish an episode, add yourself, and anyone else hosting the show, as a host.
NOTE
This is a quick step, but it's easy to skip in the excitement of getting your first episode out. Do it before you publish.
3. Publish Your First Episode
You need at least one live, published episode on Fireside before you can apply to podcast directories like Apple Podcasts. Directory applications will not go through on an empty show.
IMPORTANT
Apply to directories only after your first episode is published.
4. Set a Publishing Frequency
In Podcast > Settings, choose a publishing frequency before you attempt to submit to Apple Podcasts.
IMPORTANT
You must choose a frequency in order to publish on Apple Podcasts. If you skip this, your submission may get stuck in Draft mode indefinitely.
5. Submit to Podcast Directories
Distribution to outside platforms is managed from the Connections page in your dashboard.
Go to Podcast > Settings > Connections.
Apple Podcasts
1. Go to Connections and select Apple Podcasts, then choose Apply Podcasts.
2. Give the account a name, and choose whether it's an Individual or Business account.
3. Submit the application.
TIP — If it fails the first time
It's not unusual for the first submission attempt to fail to load. If that happens, go back and submit again — the second attempt typically goes through.
Spotify
From the Connections page, select Spotify and click Submit
6. Add Your Directory Links to Your Website
Once Apple Podcasts and Spotify have approved your show and issued listening links, add those links to your site:
1. Go to Podcast > Settings.
2. For Apple: open your show's page in Apple Podcasts, copy the URL, and paste it into the Apple Podcasts field in Settings.
3. Paste your Spotify show URL into the matching field.
These URLs are what make the "Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify" links appear on your podcast's website.