Eager to start podcasting but not sure how? It’s no secret that podcasting is booming, with thousands of hobbyists, influencers and even media giants taking up space in the podcast editing industry.
But what’s the secret sauce to drawing in listeners and building a loyal fanbase that looks forward to hearing from you? In this guide, we’re spilling the tea on how to start a podcast in 9 easy steps plus a few podcasting tips to help you get the most out of the experience.
1. Mapping Your Vision
The first step to learning how to start a successful podcast is crafting a solid plan. Who is your ideal listener? What’s your niche? What do you aim to achieve through podcasting? Figuring out the answers to these questions goes a long way in helping you find your tribe and creating content that keeps them coming back for more.
Your “Why?”
Think about why you want to become a podcaster in the first place. Is podcasting just a hobby for you? Perhaps you would like to make a lucrative career out of it or simply build an online community.
Once you know your why, it will be easier for you to start a successful podcast that motivates you to show up consistently.
Your Niche
People trying to figure out how to start a successful podcast often get stuck on finding their niche. The greatest podcast tip you’ll ever receive? It’s easy for you to go on and on about topics that interest you; after all, you wouldn’t want to trail off during a recording.
Pick a niche that fuels you enough to keep talking. This will help you keep your podcasts engaging, attract the right listeners and make planning content less of a headache.
Here are a few questions to help you nail your niche:
- What am I good at?
- Who would you want to be your ideal listener? (Create a listener profile and be as specific as you can be!)
- What are your ideal listeners’ pain points, and how can you solve them?
- What’s missing in the podcasting space?
- What can you do to cut through the noise and get noticed?
Need inspo? Check out these podcast tips and niches for a nudge in the right direction!
Your Identity
What do you want your podcast to be called? Pick an easy-to-remember, on-brand name that will pop up on search engines when people search for what interests them. Podcasts that grow organically typically use keywords to boost their visibility.
Pro podcasting tip? Make sure your podcast name is not already in use and claim any websites or social media domains with your name.
Your Podcast Structure
Create a podcast sequence; think intro, main content, conclusion and outro. Also, consider ad placement.
Pro podcasting tip? Writing a podcast script before each episode goes a long way in keeping you on track!
You should also consider how long your podcast will last (55% of podcasts are over 30 minutes long), how frequently you’ll post episodes or whether you’ll host the show solo and invite guests, tell stories, cover facts and more.
Remember, you don’t have to stick to a single structure, especially when you still learning how to start a successful podcast. Play around with things until you find what works for you.
2. Getting The Equipment You Need
Now that you have a vision for your podcast, the next step is getting the right equipment. The good news is that you don’t need a fancy studio to make a good podcast. If you have a tight budget, all you need is a computer, which is an excellent idea for starting your podcast. However, if you want to invest in phenomenal recording quality and make your podcast editing process easier, you can start with the following:
- A podcast microphone for crisp sound.
- Wired podcast headphones to stop audio bleeding and echoes.
- A computer or laptop compatible with your podcast software of choice.
Pro podcasting tip: If you’re making a video podcast, you’ll need a camera (or a phone with a good one). You could also consider pop filters, a microphone stand, soundproofing and good video lighting if you want to take your podcast to the next level.
3. Get Ready for Your First Episodes
Once your equipment is in order, it’s time to start preparing to record your podcast. Schedule your podcast recordings and create an outline of what you want to cover in each episode. For interviews, plan and order your questions. To make life easier, consider recording your podcasts in batches so you can schedule uploads over time.
If you are going to be narrating stories or reporting, consider working with a scriptwriter to ensure your podcast is clear and always on point. Interviewing a guest? Reach out to them in advance and let them know the length of the interviews and what to expect once they accept your invitation so they can prepare.
Once you’re ready, set up your equipment and give it a test run to ensure everything is working correctly.
4. Recording
Your equipment is all set, your podcast notes or scripts are ready, and finally, you’re ready to start making an actual podcast! Get a podcast mixer for your computer and start recording. If you have a co-host or interviewee who’s not in the same place as you, remote recording software should be part of your arsenal. Got one person in the studio with you and another joining you remotely? In that case, you’ll definitely need remote recording software and to think of ways of capturing everyone in the studio with you, especially if it is a video podcast.
Pro podcast tip: consider sending remote recording guidelines beforehand. If your budget allows it, send them equipment to use, too!
5. Podcast Editing
Raw recordings are great, but even the best talk could use some fine-tuning to keep listeners hooked. You want to ensure the background noise, harsh sounds, plosives and unwanted sections are removed to make your audio crisp and storyline easy to follow. To spice up your podcast, music, effects and a great intro and outro will do.
A lot of people trying to figure out how to start a podcast often ask us whether professional podcast editing services are necessary. While you can do the podcast editing yourself, a podcast editing service can save you time and stress, especially if you don’t have time or simply want to focus on creating content and less on the tech stuff.
Remember, your content deserves the best, and investing in professional podcast audio editing will make a huge difference.
6. Create Your Podcast Cover
They wouldn’t tell us not to judge books by their covers if we didn’t. Afterall, people will see your podcast cover first. It doesn’t matter if your worked with a great podcast audio editing professional – a bad podcast cover equals fewer listens.
Think of your podcast as a brand. What should the cover art look like? What will attract your audience? What about the logo? You want your podcast cover and logo to be identifiable, interesting to your ideal listener and not overcrowded with too many visual elements.
Work with a good podcast cover editor to create the perfect artwork for you or give it a shot by using simple podcast art creation tools. Don’t forget to keep image size requirements in mind.
Pro podcasting tip: A good rule of thumb is creating a cover with dimensions that are acceptable on multiple platforms.
7. Publish Your Show
Once your podcast is recorded and you’ve done all the podcast editing, it’s time to publish. Choose a reliable podcast hosting platformthat will distribute your episodes to podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and others. Most hosting platforms also offer analytics so you can track your podcast’s performance.
8. Promote Your Podcast (And Make Money From It)
Creating great content is just part of the equation—now it’s time to spread the word! If you already have a substantial following on social media, gaining traction will be easier. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t get noticed if you don’t.
- Share each new episode on your social media platforms with engaging visuals, teaser clips, and hashtags to boost visibility.
- Collaborate with other podcasters for guest spots or cross-promotions. This helps you tap into new audiences.
- Encourage listeners to sign up for an email list to stay updated on new episodes and exclusive content.
- Use podcast SEO to make sure the right people can see your podcast. You can do this by adding good keywords to your titles, show notes, podcast descriptions and transcript.
Once your podcast gains traction, you can monetize it through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, merchandise, or even premium content for subscribers. Although monetising your podcast can be quite a hurdle in the beginning, it will become easier as your audience grows.
9. See What’s Working and What’s Not
If you want to stay relevant for years to come, continuously assess the success of your podcast. What podcast editing style resonates with your audience the most? What’s your biggest listener age group?
Use the analytics from your hosting platform to see download numbers, how long people are listening and when they drop off, geographic locations of listeners, and episode performance.
Pro podcast tip: Encourage your listeners to leave reviews on your content ideas, podcast editing elements such as intros and outros and more. After all, feedback goes a long way in helping you improve and grow your podcast audience.
Answers To Common Questions on How to Start A Podcast
How fast can I start making money from my podcast?
Starting a successful podcast equals better earning potential (keyword, successful). While you can start monetising early through methods like affiliate marketing or sponsorships, it’s easier once you have a steady audience. Focus on building your audience first, then explore monetisation options such as ads, merchandise, or listener donations.
Do I need to record my podcast in a studio?
While having access to a studio is great, it’s not a requirement. Many successful podcasters record from their homes with a few simple equipment upgrades. Focus on minimising background noise and use quality microphones to improve your sound, and invest in professional podcast editing to seal the deal.
How many episodes should I prepare in advance for my new podcast?
We recommend that you have at least two to three episodes ready to go live at a time. However, it all depends on how much time you want to give yourself to prepare for the next one, how long podcast editing takes you and other factors. A podcast editing service can buy back your time, allowing you to focus on recording more episodes and other things that matter.
Remember, all you need is one episode to get started, so don’t hold yourself back if you don’t have episodes queued.
How often should I release new episodes?
Consistency is key in podcasting. Whether you choose to release episodes weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, stick to a schedule your audience can rely on. Publishing regularly helps build momentum and keeps listeners coming back for more.
However, it’s easy to get burnt out when you’re still figuring out the ropes, especially if you’re doing everything on your own. Consider working with a podcast editing or scriptwriting service like LW Digital to make life easier.
You’re All Set; Over To You
Learning how to start a podcast and create a successful podcast takes time, dedication, and a bit of know-how. With these podcasting tips, you now have everything you need to launch a podcast that stands out (and makes you money). Remember, consistent effort, great content, and professional touches like podcast editing and scriptwriting will help you attract and retain listeners.
Now it’s time to grab your microphone, hit record, and share your voice with the world. Happy podcasting!
