Top Tips for Starting Your Own Podcast

Podcasts are a fun way for listeners to engage with their favorite creators, learn something new, or find entertainment. Most of us have listened to an episode or show through streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, and many people have been tempted to take the next step and create their own. If you fall into the latter category, you’re likely scouring the web for resources, how-tos, and tips and tricks to do this successfully should you decide to take the plunge.

To help you get started, here are 14 tips to launch your own podcast and make it a success.

1. Be Selective About Your Podcast Topic

With a podcast, you can talk about anything of interest to you, from casinos and sports to history, art, or movies. When choosing your podcast topic, give it a great deal of time and consideration. You’ll want to ensure it’s a topic you can reliably talk about, find interesting, and that people are interested in. Take the time to brainstorm what a few episodes might be about. You might even want to outline a few of them to determine if it’s a viable topic for you. 

2. Consider the Style & Format You Want

Podcasts typically come in a few different styles or formats. When deciding which will work for you, review the pros and cons of the common types and consider what fits your style best. Popular formats include interviews, co-hosting, or solo podcasts. When working with others, a pro might include the opportunity to share diverse perspectives with your audience, and a con may be that it can be challenging to align schedules for recording episodes.

3. Get Creative With Your Podcast’s Name

With a topic and format chosen, you can start working on a name that captures what your podcast is about. You’ll want something unique, easy to remember, and easy to search for, so it requires some creativity. You could try using a name generator or AI tool if you’re struggling with ideas.

4. Create a Publishing Schedule

A consistent publishing schedule lets your listeners know when to expect new content and helps hold you accountable for recording, editing, and publishing content regularly. Many podcast creators will opt to release an episode once a week or every other week, either of which is an excellent goal to get your podcast started.

5. Write An Episode Script or Outline

Avoid sitting down to record your podcast and drawing a blank, rambling, or getting off-topic by creating an episode script or outline. It gives you something to refer to while recording to keep you on track and topic. Don’t be too strict about following it, though—sometimes, podcast magic happens spontaneously.

6. Invest in a Microphone

While you can start a podcast on a tight budget without one, investing in a microphone is often considered one of the most worthwhile expenses. Even a relatively cheap one can make a huge difference in the quality of your audio and how many people will enjoy listening to your podcast.

7. Consider Where You’ll Record

When recording an episode, choose a place where you’re unlikely to get distracted, and that is relatively quiet so that you don’t compromise the quality of your audio. If you’re recording at home, consider a room with soft furnishings (such as an area rug) to dampen unwanted sounds.

8. Avoid Complicating the Editing Process

Keep editing simple, especially when you’re first starting, as it can be overwhelming to take on while finding your footing in editing software or your podcasting style. Carefully consider what editing software you’ll use, read reviews from other podcasters, or consider outsourcing the editing to someone with experience.

9. Decide on a Hosting Platform

Podcast hosting platforms are available in droves. They allow you to easily upload your episodes and create a main podcast page and often come with tools to help you monetise your work so you can start earning from your podcast as easily and quickly as possible.

10. Create a Signature Intro & Outro

With a podcast, your episode intro and outro become signatures to your show and part of your brand. So you’ll want to create one that people recognise and feel familiar with. Some podcasts create one with music or a standard spoken intro, while others might play a snippet from the episode to engage and excite listeners.

11. Create Eye-Catching Podcast Art

Podcast art can capture listeners’ attention while they scroll through the different podcasts available, and they often convey what to expect from a podcast. A few best practices are to keep text minimal, avoid mixing multiple fonts, ensure it can be easily seen and read at a small size, and have it ready for use across different platforms to promote your show.

12. Pay Attention to Your Podcast Description & Show Notes

Once you have your name, artwork, and episodes queued up. You might be tempted to publish content with a quickly written description or show notes, but these things are more important than you might expect. They help potential listeners get to know what your podcast offers and help your show get discovered in searches.

13. Transcribe Each Episode

Not everyone who engages with podcast content listens to it. Some may instead need or choose to read the transcript. Providing a transcription of each episode allows your work to go further, and it makes your content more accessible. It can also be incredibly simple, as there are many programs that can transcribe audio for you.

14. Promote Your Podcast

After doing all the work of planning, recording, and publishing content, you need to promote it. Create a website for it, share it on social media, and tell everyone about it. This will help your podcast reach new listeners and become the success you know it can be.

What Are You Waiting For?

With these tips, you can finally develop that podcast you’ve been daydreaming about. Now, all that’s left is to get started. Good luck, and happy recording!