How to Start a Podcast

Starting a podcast is an effective and convenient way to deliver content. Podcasting is in fact a serious business that continues to grow at a lightning-fast pace. With more and more people listening to audio content over reading it, many bloggers build an intimate relationship with their followers because of its one-on-one communication structure.

There are so many reasons for creating audio podcast shows! Some of those reasons are to eliminate the costs associated with written content, promote products and services, connect with potential followers in your niche, and develop a lasting relationship with your audience.

With so many various podcasts out there, the quality of your show can make all of the difference. People are looking for an engaging and entertaining podcasts that makes them return to it every week for the latest episode. If you’re able to conveniently convey all the information listeners need, and you can easily make money online and find success with podcasting.

Podcast listeners can consume this content anywhere – at work, at home, even during a commute. This perk is particularly beneficial for listeners who are on the go and need to consume information while attending to other tasks.

In this post we’ll go through all the steps you need to take to start a successful podcast. Let’s dive right in!

Want to Launch a Podcast? 5 Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting a Podcast

There are various ways to make money podcasting, but the most common method is through affiliate marketing. When you naturally include a mention of a product or service on your podcast, you are essentially creating an advertisement, and how much you earn promoting brands depends on your number of downloads.

The more subscribers you have, the higher your chances of earning. If you want to grow your podcast audience, it is essential to figure out what and how they want to listen to content. Ultimately, what they look for is high-quality content.

There are Five Things You Can Do to Make Your Podcast Better

Make it authentic;
Implement a structure;
Make sure it has a clear topic;
It must cater to the right audience;
It must stay on schedule and remain consistent.

All these elements brought together may have a great impact on your podcasting success. Because podcasting is all about interacting and communicating with your followers, speaking from a place that is informational, structured, and authentic is the key to building a community.

Now that you know the cornerstones of a quality listening experience, here is a compprehensive guide on how to start a podcast from scratch:

Step #1: Why You Need A Podcast

Understand the reasons why need a podcast. Do you need a podcast to make money or just for fun? Or maybe you consider it as a marketing tool? In any case, podcasting will help you build credibility and provide information that is in high demand with listeners.

However, you should clearly realize that people listen to podcasts for expert advice. And you must be an expert in your niche to provide it. Before choosing a topic, think what you’re passionate about, figure out your target audience, and the type of show that they would enjoy.

In general, having a clear road map will give you a competitive edge over other podcasters. Once you have determined the motivation factors behind wanting to learn how to start a podcast, you are one step closer to launching a successful podcast.

Step #2: Narrow Down A Topic

If you have an existing channel or a successful social media profile, choosing a topic for a podcast is relatively straightforward. As a content creator, you know what topics your audience likes and it’s best to stick to the subjects related to your niche.

For example, if you’re a beauty blogger, you would want to create a beauty or wellness podcast about makeup, hair, fragrance, skincare, including brief spaces of information on the services you provide. The audience that you attract will be people who are interested in makeup tutorials, beauty tips, and tricks.

If, after the research, you’ll find there are many podcasts about your topic, listen to them and think about how you can stand out amongst your competitors. Make sure you produce actually new content to avoid creating a podcast that has already been done. Your audience wants something new, so give them what they want.

To succeed you need to ask yourself who you would want to listen to. Doing this will allow you to keep a specific persona in mind and curate your topics for that customer base. Knowing your audience helps to narrow down your future topics and gives a clear idea of what type of content you should produce.

Step #3: Pick a Podcast Title

Picking a title requires some thought because a great name explains right away what your podcast is about.

When choosing a title for your podcast consider keywords that are relevant to your target audience. Including them will help your podcast become more visible on search engines.

For example, a beauty podcast titled “Why do I smell bad” depicts exactly what it is on face value and will attract listeners interested in removing body odor. This approach is the most likely to attract a specific audience.

It’s desirable that your podcast name be clever and descriptive. Make it catchy yet understandable at the same time. Users should be able to locate it when they search for information about your chosen topic. At the same time, your description should perfectly reflect the niche of the podcast and give users a clear idea of the show they’re about to listen.

An appealing description encourages your audience to listen to your podcast and click your links. Provide little information in the description that matters to your audience. Hook your audience to make them curious enough to sit through the whole podcast.

Step #4 – Decide on Podcast Format

One of the most important things to do before you start a podcast is to decide on the format. Will you provide all the content? Will you feature interviews with other content creators? Will there be another host alongside you? How long should a podcast episode be? What is the best frequency to release a podcast?

Now this may seem like a lot, however, these are the questions that need to be answered if you want to succeed in podcasting.

For example, solo podcasts are a brilliant option for anyone who likes creative freedom and wants to build their own reputation and authority in the niche. You’re totally free to choose which brands to promote, and you don’t need to split the profits. If you can handle the intimidation of being on your own and you’re able to quickly find ways to entertain the audience, then go solo podcasting.

Another format is to have a co-host so you no longer need to do everything yourself. When you’re engaged in a good conversational flow and have someone to banter with, this makes things easier. If you are planning to have a co-host, establish strict guidelines to guarantee that everything runs smoothly and avoid potential conflicts.

Interviewing others can too provide credible information to your followers. While the audience of your guest will likely tune in to listen, you can build a large following this way. However, you may need some certain skills on how to be an interviewer. This means asking the right questions and picking a good time to talk.

Step #5: Create a Unique Logo

A positive first impression is an important start to making your podcast like a pro. Colors and visuals are one of the first things that people see when openning your accounts and that’s why quality does matter.

It usually takes a couple of seconds to form a first impression of these colors and visuals, as well as of a logo. Having an attractive logo will allow you to stand out in the first few seconds.

Step #6: Get the Recording Equipment

To start a podcast you oftentimes don’t need expensive equipment. At the very least you’ll need a good microphone and a Windows or Mac computer with internet access.

However, to get the best results when recording a podcast from scratch, you may want to invest in good-quality equipment. This will allow improving the sound quality of your podcast.

Even if you don’t possess high-quality equipment yet, fret not. When you’re just starting out, it’s better to focus on keeping the content interesting and building a following. Keep your operations simple and easy until you start making money with your podcasts.

And don’t forget to run a mic test before starting a podcast to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Step #7: Plan and Promote Your Launch Date

Promote your podcast as well as its launch date on every social media site. Let people know your podcast exists and is waiting for them. Use all tools available to attract as many eyeballs as you can. Tell your followers, friends – anybody in your network – to support you and listen to your podcasts. The more visibility you get, the better.

If you have an engaged following on one or more of the major social networks, let them know about the launch date. Show your appreciation to your followers who left comments, reviews, and feedback on your posts. You may ask them to interact with your posts in the future. This will show people you’re serious about building a relationship and sharing your expertise.

Also, encourage people to share your podcasts with anybody who may find your information helpful. Even if you don’t have a huge following yet, the direct and personal interaction lets listeners know that your podcast is an engaging one which worth their attention.

Step #8: Publish an Episode and Continue to Promote

Publish your first episode and then constantly promote it while adding new ones. Don’t assume that the listeners will come once you publish it. In fact, starting a podcast requires exposure and effort to make it successful. Always think about promotions and building your audience to maximize the profits you attain from promoting brands. In a nutshell, you need to create credibility and trust amongst your audience.