To start a podcast all you need is:
- A solid idea
- Knowledge of how to turn that idea into bingeable content
- Some basic equipment
- A hosting platform
- A plan on how to keep producing episodes consistently
In this blog, we’ve put together a simple yet comprehensive guide on how to start a podcast. What’s more? A handy checklist right at the end to ensure a successful launch of your podcast.
So, grab your favorite cup of coffee, a pen, a notebook, and let’s launch your podcast.
What is A Podcast – Simplified?
Podcasts are usually long form video or audio content meant based around a common theme (aka niche) to either educate, entertain or inspire.
If you want to share something that not only grabs attention but keeps it with the world, podcasting is the way to go. The first step of starting a podcast is the pre-launch of your podcast.
Pre-Launch: Where the Magic Begins
Many think that the first step to how to start a podcast is recording an episode and shooting it out but that’s not the case. The pre-launch phase is where you decide what your podcast will be about. And how to execute the actual production of your podcast.
This pivotal phase can be divided into two key aspects: the creative and the technical. Let’s tackle the former first.
Creative – Embracing Your Creative Side
The creative side of podcasting can be a bit daunting for many. While others thrive in this arena. It’s an area that sparks both excitement and anxiety. But try to have fun with it. Because if you want to keep creating your podcast for a long time, injecting some fun at each stage helps a lot.
Topic Dilemma
Feeling stuck? Don’t know which topic to choose? Fret not, here are four tips select a topic:
- Passion Over Popularity: Opt for a topic you’re passionate about, rather than what’s trending because authentic interest always outshines fierce competition.
- Talkability Test: Your topic should be something you want to endlessly talk about.
- Embrace the Niche: Interested in a very generic topic? Can you identify a unique aspect unexplored before? If yes, consider it. Why? Targeting a smaller, passionate audience within a broader subject area can give you a highly engaged and loyal audience.
- Seasonal Strategy: Is your topic a seasonal one? Maintain consistency even during the off-season. Why? Many podcasts tend to fade during these times, offering you an opportunity to shine.
Need some inspiration? Consider these engaging topics for your podcast journey:
- True Crime
- Comedy
- Self-Improvement
- Technology
- Interviews
- Health and Wellness
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Pop Culture Commentary
So, whether you’re drawn to solving mysteries, making people laugh, or helping others become the best versions of themselves, there’s a podcast topic waiting for your unique perspective. Don’t overthink it. Just pick one and trust your gut.
Content Research
Let’s talk about content! Once you pick a topic, how do you know what’s going to work and what’s not? And what do you actually talk about in each episode? Keep reading to get answers to all your questions.
Competitor Research
What are your fellow podcasters talking about? And are there gaps? And if there are no gaps, what do you do? All of these questions will be answered by the competitor research.
To kickstart your competitor analysis, use this Google Sheet to uncover hidden treasures:
- Top Podcasts in Your Niche
- Hidden Gem Podcasts with Incredible Content
- Non-Podcast Yet Popular Gems
- Sought-After Topics
- Key Dates in Your Niche
- Notable Events in Your Niche
- Influential Personalities in Your Niche
As you compile this treasure trove, you’ll start noticing trends. Keep track of your insights, including keywords, trending themes, hot topics, popular hashtags, content approaches that worked, and topics that have been overdone under “Insights From Primary Research” for each topic.
Unique Ingredients: Now, let’s add a sprinkle of uniqueness! Engage with your family and friends to uncover their burning questions related to your niche.
If, for example, you’re exploring the world of cryptocurrency, ask them what puzzles them. If you unearth a question that’s yet to find its answer, consider it your secret sauce. It’s your ticket to crafting content that truly stands out.
The Great Topic Hunt: For a treasure trove of topics, delve into these magical websites:
- Trends24
- Google Trends
- Answer The Public
- Learn-Anything.xyz
- Google Question Hub
- AlsoAsked.com
- QuestionDB
- Quora
Now that you have a treasure chest of captivating topics, it’s time to mix your content potion. Divide your episodes into three categories:
- Evergreen Content (timeless classics)
- Trending Content (buzz-worthy gems)
- Answer-Based Content (solving those burning questions)
Arrange your content sequence like a grand symphony, and get ready to hit the record. Stick to your schedule (we’ll discuss this later, don’t worry), and voilà! You’ve conjured an organized and powerful content strategy that will keep your listeners coming back for more.
Finding Your Podcast Format
Podcasts come in all shapes and sizes. One such difference is the format of your podcast. Here are the common formats, and how they’re different from each other.
- The Solo Podcast:
A solo podcast is a one-person show. Imagine yourself at the centre of your content, and sharing your knowledge with your audience. It’s perfect for individuals with expertise to share.
- The Interview Show:
The interview show works best when the host thrives on conversations. Instead of shouldering the entire responsibility for an engaging episode, you bring in a new guest each week. This allows for a diverse array of topics and perspectives.
- The Panel Show:
Picture a host and a rotating cast of guests where each offers fresh outlooks and perspectives. The panel show is a step up from the interview show and can have multiple hosts too. With so many hosts and guests, it can become quite entertaining as well as give you authentic and natural moments that your audience may enjoy.
- Conversational/Co-hosted Podcast:
In this format, you have more than one host that remains constant throughout the show. Unlike the interview and panel show, where guests keep changing, here the show hinges on the hosts consistently having engaging discussions. This format has the advantage of the constant mayhem of managing various guests availability and schedule. Instead, it is just the host’s availability that needs to be managed.
- Non-Fictional Storytelling:
This format unfolds captivating, real-life stories. It can have one host or may have multiple voice actors acting various parts of the stories. Just think of podcasts like “Serial” or “The Teacher’s Pet.” This format has a lot of advantages like being bingeable since people want to know what happens next.
- Fiction Storytelling:
Want to tell stories but your own? Why not create stories from scratch and share those. A genre where this format excels is the horror one. You may also experiment with different genres and see which one suits you.
- Repurposed Content:
Are you a content creator? Why not repurpose your old content? Breathe life into your old content by making small tweaks and converting it into a podcast. This way you increase the reach of your content by being on multiple platforms.
- Hybrid:
You can also mix and match formats until you find a great fit. The choice is yours, and it’s as diverse as your imagination.
Finding the Perfect Podcast Name
What should you name your podcast? Maybe you already have a bunch of names but are unsure about which one to pick. This is completely normal. Here are top tips to help you narrow it down:
Keep it clear:
Simplicity is your best friend here. A podcast name that’s easy to remember and short is the one that will stick in your audience’s mind.
Avoid Alphabet Soup:
Acronyms may sound fun but are bad for audience recall. It might be tempting to shorten a big name to an acronym, but try to avoid it.
Check Availability:
If you have narrowed down that list, check if somebody has a podcast with that name or not. Is the domain available? Is it a username available on social media channels? If yes, then maybe tweak it a bit. Pre production and planning’s main aim is to avoid pitfalls like these when you’re already 10 episodes deep.
Ask for Feedback:
Ask your friends and family about the names you’ve narrowed down. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can lead to the perfect name.
For some name inspiration, we have a blog on 200+ ideas for podcast names and a much more detailed guide on how to choose a podcast name.
Crafting a Captivating Podcast Description
What do we do when we come across a podcast? We read the description before we listen to an episode to see if it is something up our alley.
A podcast description is crucial to attract your target audience. Here’s a brief guide on writing one:
1. Start with a hook that catches your audience’s attention.
2. Introduce your Podcast with one or two brief sentences.
3. Tell what’s your podcast’s main theme and how it is different from other podcasts in your niche.
4. Do you have unique selling points? Perhaps it is your guests line up or a twist on something commonly known? Mention it here to create even more interest.
5. Be a little tease by telling your audience what you’ve planned in the upcoming episodes.
6. If you won’t tell your audience to subscribe and share, guess what? They won’t. So when you’re wrapping it all up, ask them to subscribe and share. If they enjoy your content, they’ll share it when you ask them to.
7. Last but not the least, optimize your podcast description for search engines. If you have relevant keywords, include them in the description to enhance discoverability in search results.
Creating Eye-Catching Podcast Cover Art
Your cover art is the first point of contact with your listeners. It will inform them what your podcast is and what it is about.
- We recommend you keep it simple yet eye-catching.
- Keep the name of your podcast bold and clear. Focus on the font & size of the ‘podcast name’. Remember to keep the background complementary to the font style so that it looks good even in the thumbnail.
- Ensure the cover art is of high resolution.
- Always remember to create your podcast cover art in a 1:1 ratio, a square and save it in a JPG or PNG format.
- If you wish to start designing your cover art, then here is a video tutorial on how you can create using our in-built design tool.
- You can check out our blog on some additional designing tips for your cover art..
Scripting vs. Winging It: Finding Your Podcasting Style
To write a script or wing it, that’s the question. See, it totally depends on the format you choose.
For instance, if you choose the interview format, a script is redundant since the episode’s content depends on the conversation with the guest. You can prepare some talking points beforehand.
If it is a solo podcast, having a script is useful. In the first episode just focus on introducing your podcast, yourself and what is in it for the listeners.
Focus on authenticity and delivering content concisely to keep it engaging. Whether that requires a script or not is totally up to you.
Structuring Your Podcast for Success
There are many different structures your episode can take, but a basic structure you can follow is intro – body – outro.
Intro – a short and simple description of you as the host, the podcast and/or episode, giving listeners an idea of who you are and what you will discuss in the episode.
Body – the main portion of your podcast. This is where you share your story, insights, and any research you did for the chosen topic of the episode. Keep it structured and easy to follow along for your audience.
Outro – a short summary of the episode, sometimes with a short preview of or promo of the next episode. You can also precede this with CTAs like subscribe to the podcast, leave reviews, sign up for the newsletter, etc.
Background music – many podcasters choose to have background music during at least the intro and outro sections; a great source for this music is YouTube’s Audio Library – they even have sound effects
Duration – podcast episodes actually range from being 2-120 minutes long! When starting a podcast, aim for not more than 15 minutes and go from there. You may find that you have lots more to say, or not so much. In that case, experiment with various episode duration and see which one works the best for you and your audience.
As you evolve, your structure will change and evolve too. But to get things started, this structure works.
Mastering the Art of Podcast Scheduling
In any job, most of the magic happens when you show up regularly and on time. Podcasting is no different. Before you start your podcast, a schedule helps you avoid any anxiety and keeps you focused on creating content consistently.
Everybody talks about consistency but for good reason. Consistently uploading episodes keeps your audience hooked and wanting more. With a podcast schedule you’re consistently putting out episodes and here are the benefits of following a podcast schedule:
- It streamlines your production and increases your efficiency. With a plan, everything falls into place.
- Releasing episodes at the right time and day can make or break your episode’s performance for the first 24 hours. Knowing when your audience is active and listening to your episodes can maximize listens.
- Your schedule becomes the North Star and keeps you on track.
Here is a blog that can help you create a schedule plan.
The Technical Aspect of Podcasting
That was about the creative side of the pre-production phase of starting a podcast. Let’s dive into the technical side of things.
What is an RSS feed?
Understanding what an RSS feed is crucial when you’re figuring out how to start a podcast because it is the most basic technology your podcast hinges on. Here’s a very simple explanation.
Your favorite TV show is available on a channel or streaming platform. A podcast also needs a place where different podcast listening platforms can stream it on.
This place has all the information like the name, cover art, and the episodes. This place is the “RSS feed”.
Whenever you upload a new episode you upload information to your RSS feed that all the podcast directories read and make it available on their platform.
Podcasters typically don’t create the RSS feed manually, since the podcast hosting platform takes care of it. That’s where we – Hubhopper, a podcast hosting platform – come in and generate and manage your RSS feed for you.
Hosting Your Podcast – Simplified
Your podcast hosting platform not only creates your RSS feed but does so much more. If you host your podcast on Hubhopper, we make the process of creating podcasts simple and seamless for creators. The in-built tools of the studio helps you in creating, editing, and uploading your episodes with ease.
We get your podcasts across both regional and global platforms through its extensive distribution network. Hubhopper’s set of amazing features help you create with ease. Whether it is microsites, embedded players, private podcasts, or AI tools, we ensure that you focus on creating great content while our platform handles all the technical aspects.
Equipment
You don’t need a big budget or fancy equipment to begin your podcasting adventure. In fact, you already have some powerful tools right at your fingertips.
Your trusty phone’s built-in microphone can be your best podcasting buddy, and with Hubhopper Audio Recorder and Editor, you have the magic wands you need. Podcasting is all about affordability, so you don’t need a Hollywood setup or a superstar’s face to get started. We’ll share some great pro-tips to record clean audio with your phone’s microphone in the next section.
But if you’re ready to level up and sound even more professional, here are some recommendations:
Samson Q2U – It is a budget friendly microphone without compromising on quality. The USB and XLR connection gives you flexibility too. The sound quality is top notch and will boost your podcast’s production level.
Rode wireless microphone – If you’re recording with a video podcast where you don’t want bulky mics taking up space, this microphone is a good option.
The Blue Yeti – It is a USB microphone that’s widely known among podcasters and is frequently used by them. What sets them apart from other suggestions is its range of polar patterns. In simple words, it is great for a single person, or multi guest podcast.
Recording Tips for Crystal-Clear Sound
Recording your podcast on the go is a breeze with our mobile app. To achieve that crisp and clean sound, follow this secret recipe:
1. Find a Quiet Spot: Seek out a peaceful corner and turn off fans and AC to minimize background noise.
2. Create Your Audio Sanctuary: Close the door to create a quiet space where your voice can shine.
3. Find the right time: If your surroundings have disturbances, record when it is whisper-quiet for high audio quality.
4. DIY Pop Filter: Don’t have the money to spend on a pop filter? Grab a sock that’s not too thick or too thin and cover your phone’s mic.
5. Cozy Sound Booth: Drape a cotton sheet over your head to create a makeshift sound booth that enhances your audio.
Despite all the precautions, background noise may sneak in. In that case, Adobe Podcast Enhance is a great option.
With a few clicks and minutes, your audio will be cleaned up and no one would even know that the audio has disturbances.
When you’re all set to record, you have two choices – having an outline or a script. An outline is your key points in one place so you know what to talk about without going off topic or in circles. A script is a word-to-word written form of what you want to say. See which one works better for you, just remember the episode should sound natural and conversational. Avoid being too robotic or monotonous.
Crafting and Editing Your Podcast with Ease
When it’s time to edit your podcast, remember that moderation is key. Trim excessively long pauses to maintain a smooth flow. Pauses can add flavor, but too many can be a buzzkill. Cut the clutter while keeping the essence.
Our trusty Hubhopper Audio Editor is your sidekick here. Use it to add background music, adjust volume, and make your podcast a delightful listening experience.
Remember when we talked about intro and outro? They create an auditory memory and give your show a professional touch. You record them once and then add them whenever you edit an episode. They’re the secret sauce of podcasting charm.
With these tips, you’ll be crafting and editing your podcast like a pro. The podcasting world is your oyster, so go forth and dazzle!
Hubhopper Studio Editor: Our simple yet powerful tool is here to assist you in editing your podcast. It can help you add music, apply fade in and out effects, and trim unnecessary parts from your audio. Sign up on Hubhopper Studio today to start your very own podcast.
For additional help with editing, check out our video tutorial that guides you through using the Hubhopper Studio Editor.
The built-in editing tools make podcast creation a smooth journey, and you can even eliminate any background noise that might sneak into your audio using the Audacity tool.
Scheduling
We’ve emphasized the significance of having a content schedule for your podcast. However, the question arises: how do you actually stick to that schedule without manually posting your podcast each day?
Here’s where Hubhopper’s built-in solution, episode scheduling, comes into play. When you sign up on Hubhopper, you gain access to this feature. It allows you to schedule your episodes in advance.
Instead of holding everything in your life to upload your episode at the right time, you can schedule it and relax. You can even batch schedule episodes for the month and focus on other important aspects of your creation process.
Launch
You’ve done all the hard work, it is time to take it and present to the world. If you have not picked a podcast hosting platform, Hubhopper is the answer.
Discoverability & Distribution
If the tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? THE bigger question is, if there was no vehicle to take people into the forest, how would they even hear it? Distribution is exactly that vehicle.
As a podcaster, you need to be on as many platforms as possible, to maximize the chances of someone finding your podcast and tuning in. Here are some more reasons why increasing your distribution matters:
1. Stand Out in the Crowd: Distributing your podcast is a hassle, because going to each platform individually and submitting your RSS feed is time consuming. Many podcasters might skip it, which means you can stand out on platforms that perhaps less people use, but the competition is low too.
2. Monetization: If you want to monetize your podcast, being on as many platforms as possible can have a compounding effect on your listens and downloads. It can boost your reach and make you a better bet for sponsors. You can create a community of listeners and aggregate them in one place. By selling exclusive content or merch to this community can be another revenue stream you can consider.
3. Accessibility: Podcast listeners have their preferences when it comes to where they listen to their favourite podcasts. Someone might prefer Spotify while someone else prefers Castbox. A wide distribution ensures your podcast is available on platforms your audience frequents, making it convenient for your audience.
If you choose Hubhopper, your podcast will be distributed to platforms like:
- Hubhopper app and web
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- YouTube
- YouTube Music
- Amazon Music
- TuneIn
- Gaana
- Listen Notes
- Podcast Index
- Podkicker
- Castbox
- Pocketcasts and more…
Post Launch: What Comes Next
What do you do after the podcast live? It is tempting to think that it is just rinse and repeat of creating more episodes and publishing them online, but there are two things you need to do as well. You need to market your podcast and track your analytics.
Here’s a quick guide to help you do both of these things that are essential for your growth.
Marketing Your Podcast
You’ve ensured that your podcast name, format, descriptions, cover art is right. You have the best recording strategy in place. A podcast hosting platform is taking care of distributing your podcast everywhere so it reaches as many people as possible that are looking for podcasts on podcast apps. Marketing your podcast is reaching people who are outside of podcast apps and might find your podcast interesting.
1. Time it right: Timing plays a huge role in the performance of your podcast in the first 24 hours. Generally people listen to podcasts on their commute or when they’re going to bed. You can schedule your episodes accordingly, and see their performance. If your podcast is on Hubhopper, your Analytics dashboard will show you when your audience tunes in and tweak the release time accordingly.
2. Collaboration is Key: Approach podcasters in your niche despite their audiences to be on their podcasts. Some might not entertain while others would love to have you. It will spread your word out there and also help in networking.
4. Social Media: Everybody is on social media, and podcast clips go viral too. Don’t miss out on your chance by not posting on social media. Many people also discover new podcasts through social media so it is a great way to capture new listeners.
5. Newsletter: Social media and podcast platforms are built on algorithms. We don’t have much control over them. An email list is the antidote to that. Start a newsletter to give people updates, the journey might be slow in the beginning but it’s worth the effort.
6. Podcast website: A podcast website is the home of your podcast. When you create a search engine optimized website, you can get listeners who are interested in your niche and are searching for related content.
And for more podcasting wisdom, check out our blog on ‘15 Powerful Strategies to Promote Your Podcast.’ It’s packed with tips and tricks to supercharge your podcast’s success. Keep the magic alive!
Analytics
Analytics hold the key to understanding your audience better than ever. Dive into their listening patterns and watch your content creation plan flourish.
Data at Your Fingertips
Ever wondered which devices your listeners prefer? Explore the world of operating systems to see if they’re Team iPhone, Android, or even something more unique. It’s like a tech safari for your ears!
Discover the hottest podcast platforms for your show with our Podcast Player data. Is it Gaana, Spotify, or Google Podcasts? Keep an eye on trends and choose the apps that elevate your podcast.
Download Your Insights
Hubhopper Pro offers advanced analytics, and you can even download this data in CSV format from your analytics dashboard. It’s like getting a backstage pass to your podcast’s performance!
Explore Device Preferences
Wondering which gadgets your listeners love? From generic smartphones to Apple Watches, our device distribution data has you covered. Get a peek into your audience’s tech preferences.
Time Travel with Custom Date Range
Break free from time constraints and view data beyond 90 days. Choose your custom date range and explore the insights that matter most to you. It’s like having a time machine for your podcast analytics!
So, embark on this data adventure and use these insights to empower your podcast, making it the best it can be. Your journey to podcast greatness continues!
How to start a podcast – The Checklist
So, now that you’ve gone through the entire blog and have a strong foundation on how to go about it. But all these steps can be pretty overwhelming. We’re going to give you a FREE checklist that will set you up for success and you’ll not be worried about missing anything. Just click here and you’ll be directed to a Notion Checklist.
Here’s what you do next
Once you get the checklist, you start actually working on each task and keep ticking them off, so you feel that you’re accomplishing something. I get that it feels overwhelming to start a podcast, but with the checklist and this comprehensive but concise guide, you now have a broken down step-by-step process of going about making your podcast.
You’re actually way closer to making your podcast than you think right now. You just need to take the leap of faith and put in the work, and you’ll be good to go. We believe in you and always have your back.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Happy Podcasting.
