How to Start a Podcast?

How to Start a Podcast? – Overview

Starting a podcast is an amazing way to share your voice with the world. But how to start a podcast? Where do you begin? Before we tell you that, let’s see what a podcast actually is.

A podcast is typically an audio episode on an online platform (it can also have a video) where people share their knowledge, opinions, and stories in areas such as entertainment, science, horror, education, sports, etc.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know, from brainstorming ideas to recording and editing episodes.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• 5 Reasons to Start It
• How to Start a Podcast?
  • Find a Niche or Topic for Your Podcast
  • Give Your Podcast a Name
  • Choose the Format You Want to Follow
  • Set up Podcast Equipment
  • Use Relevant Softwares to Create Your Podcast
  • Select a Platform to Publish the Podcast
  • Promote Your Podcast
• How To Make Money With a Podcast?

5 Reasons to Start a Podcast?

Here are several reasons why you must start a podcast.

1. You Can Share Your Passion: Podcasting allows you to share your passion with a wide audience. Whether it is discussing hobbies, interests, or expertise, you have a platform to express yourself.
2. Establish Expertise: Consistently creating podcasts on a particular topic can establish you as an authority. Over time, listeners may perceive you as knowledgeable and trustworthy, opening doors for various opportunities.
3. Reach a Global Audience: Unlike traditional media, podcasts can reach a global audience. Your message is not limited by geographical boundaries, allowing you to connect with people from around the world.
4. Monetize Your Podcast: As your podcast becomes popular, you may have the chance to monetize it through advertisements, sponsorships, or even listener donations. It can turn your passion project into a source of income.
5. Learn and Have Fun While Podcasting: Producing podcasts can be an enjoyable learning experience. From improving your communication skills to mastering audio editing techniques, podcasting offers personal and professional growth opportunities.

How to Start a Podcast? – 7-Step Guide

Here are 7 steps to start your own podcast

Step #1: Find a Niche or Topic for Your Podcast

Selecting the right niche for your podcast is essential. You should pick a niche that aligns with your goals, whether you want to educate, entertain, or make money. Selecting a niche that matches your interests and audience preferences sets you up for success in your podcasting journey.

Here is how you can select a podcast niche:

1. Discover Your Passion: Start by picking a topic you are passionate about. Choose something you know well about and could talk about endlessly.
2. Check What’s Popular: Look at trending topics within your interests to see what people like. Offer a fresh perspective or angle on popular topics.
3. See What People Want: Use tools to find out what people are searching for online. Then, instead of broad topics, narrow down to a specific niche within your interest.
4. Test Your Idea: Try out your concept with pilot episodes or surveys. Then, choose a topic that won’t quickly become outdated.
5. Combine Ideas if Needed: Mix two interests to create something new. Be open to adjusting based on feedback and changing trends.

Top 9 Podcast Niche Topics:

Step #2: Give Your Podcast a Name

Picking the right name for your podcast is just like choosing the best outfit for a big event. It should show off your style, be unique, and stick in people’s minds. But with so many choices, how do you find a name that really shows what your podcast is about and connects with your listeners?

Here are some steps to help you come up with a compelling podcast name:

1. Consider your podcast topic and jot down related words or themes.
2. Look up existing podcasts in your niche to avoid duplicating names.
3. Choose a name that your target listeners will find appealing and easy to remember.
4. Make sure your name is simple, straightforward, and matches the tone and personality of your show.
5. Ask friends or family what they think of your name ideas.
6. If you want a website, make sure the name you pick is available as a domain.
7. Ultimately, go with a name that feels right to you and represents your podcast well.

Step #3: Decide the Format You want to Follow

Podcasts are not only about a person talking alone; rather, they can take many forms or formats. They can be interviews where people talk about interesting stuff or documentaries that take us on adventures. Deciding on a format makes it easier for you to set the tone and structure for your show. It also shapes audience expectations and can guide you with content creation.

Here are the different types of podcasts you can choose from:

1. In Solo or Monologue podcasts,
   1. You share your own stories, opinions, and expertise without guest interviews.
   2. Example: In the “Sleep Cove” podcast, Christopher Fitton, the host, guides listeners through soothing sleep meditations, hypnosis soundtracks, and stories to create a tranquil atmosphere.
2. In Co-hosting podcasts,
   1. You team up with someone with a similar background or interests to host the show together.
   2. Example: Jason and Travis Kelce host the podcast “New Eights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” in which they discuss sports, mainly football.
3. In Interview podcasts,
   1. You invite guests like subject experts or celebrities and chat with them about their experiences and insights on specific topics.
   2. Example: In “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Joe Rogan interviews guests from different backgrounds on numerous topics like current events, politics, comedy, etc.
4. In Roundtable podcasts,
   1. Apart from you, you have several other people with similar backgrounds to discuss specific topics.
   2. Example: In the podcast “Rob has a Podcast,” hosts Rob and Nicole Cesternino chat about various reality TV shows with guests from the reality show world or community.
5. In Narrative podcasts,
   1. You can narrate stories covering various genres. It is the best choice if you enjoy and are excellent at storytelling.
   2. Example: “The Truth” is a podcast where the hosts narrate unique short stories with intriguing background music that brings the tale to life.
6. In Conversational podcasts,
   1. You have relaxed chats with co-hosts or guests. It can include idea exchanges, debates, and even banters.
   2. Example: In the “The Ranveer Show” podcast, you can listen to Ranveer Allahbadia (aka BeerBiceps) converse with professionals from varying fields to give us a detailed rundown on the person, activity, or event.
7. In Documentary podcasts,
8. 1. You must dive deep into historical events, real-life stories, or social issues by including interviews, old footage, and in-depth research.
   2. Example: “Serial” is a documentary podcast in which the host picks one real-life story per season and explores it in several episodes.

Step #4: Set Up Podcast Equipment

Regardless of whether you have experience in podcasting or just beginning your journey, having the right equipment is crucial for creating top-notch episodes. Setting up podcast equipment is easier than you might think.

Here is all the equipment you will need:

1. Microphone
Choosing a microphone for your podcast depends on your budget and needs. Here are the two types of microphones you can use :

• USB Microphones:
  • For beginners or solo podcasters, a USB microphone is easy to use and plugs directly into your computer.
  • Examples: Shure MV7, Blue Microphones Yeti USB, etc.
• XLR Microphones:
  • XLR microphones offer higher quality but require an audio interface to link to your computer, providing more control over sound.
  • Examples: Audio-Technica AT2035PK, Blue Microphone Yeti, etc.

2. Headphones
When picking headphones for podcasting, choose comfortable ones with good sound quality. Closed-back headphones are best for blocking outside noise. Brands like Audio-Technica and Sennheiser offer good options.

Here are some headphones you can try for your podcasting:

• Affordable Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Soundcore Anker Life Q20, Sennheiser 280 PRO, etc.
• Premium Headphones: Sennheiser HD 660S Open Back Professional Studio Headphones, Shure SRH940, etc.

3. Mic Arm/ Mic Stands
When choosing a mic arm or stand for your podcast, make sure it can hold your microphone well and is easy to adjust during recording.

Here are a few types of mic stands or arms you can use:

• Desktop Stands.
• Boom Stands.
• Broadcast Arms.
• Kick drum/Amp Stands.

4. Backup Devices

• Cloud Storage Services: Find cloud storage to store your podcast recordings. It will keep your data safe even if something happens to your computer.
• USB Flash Drives: They are handy for saving backups of your podcast recordings and are portable so you can easily carry them.
• External Hard Drives: Purchase external hard drives to keep copies of your podcast recordings safe.

5. Audio Mixer Software/ Audio Workstation (DAW)
An audio mixer is like a control center for your podcast’s sound. It lets you adjust the volume, tone, and other settings for your microphones and other audio sources. You plug your microphones and devices into the mixer, then tweak the settings until everything sounds right. There are two types of mixers: some connect directly to your computer (USB mixers), while others need an extra device called an audio interface (analog mixers). Mixers come in various sizes and have multiple features, like built-in effects or recording capabilities.

Here are some Audio Mixers you can use for your podcast:

• Rode RodeCaster Pro
• Presonus StudioLive AR8c
• Mackie DLZ
• Zoom PodTrack P4

Step #5: Use Relevant Softwares to Create Your Podcast

Making a podcast is simple if you have the right tools to work with. Recording a podcast includes writing what you want to talk about, recording, and making edits.

Here are some softwares that you can use for creating your podcast episodes:

Step #6: Select a Platform to Publish the Podcast

Once you have a final copy of your first episode, all you need to do now is look for platforms where you can share your voice with millions of people.

There are two kinds of platforms you need:

• Hosting: It is where your podcast lives online. It’s like renting a space on the internet to store your episodes.
• Distribution: These are platforms that make your episodes available so listeners can find and listen to them.

Here are some softwares you can look into:

When picking software to publish your podcast, keep these points in mind:

• Choose user-friendly software that’s easy to navigate, especially if you are new to podcasting.
• Look for editing features like noise reduction and compatibility with your OS and file formats.
• Consider integration with your podcast hosting platform and compare costs.
• Seek software with good support and check reviews from other podcasters.

Step #7: Promote Your Podcast

So, you have finally recorded, edited, and uploaded your podcast’s first episode. But are we really done? Not really. The last and most important thing you need to do now is promote your podcast. You need to spread the word so more listeners know about your podcast.

Here are some marketing techniques to promote your podcast:

• Submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others to reach more listeners.
• Share episodes on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to link with your audience.
• Partner with other podcasters for cross-promotion to expand your audience. Also, be a guest on other podcasts or invite guests to yours for exposure.
• Choose relevant keywords in your podcast titles and descriptions to improve search visibility.
• Write blogs or create videos about your podcast to attract new listeners.
• Consider paid advertising on social media or podcast platforms to boost visibility.
• Offer special perks to subscribers and release episodes regularly to keep listeners engaged and coming back for more.

Now, with these 7 simple steps, you have an amazing podcast ready to roll. But are you wondering if this podcast can earn you money? The answer is yes. Let’s see how.

How To Make Money With a Podcast?

You can make money with your podcast by doing the following:

• Get sponsors that will pay you for advertising their products or services.
• Try affiliate marketing, which lets you earn commissions by promoting products.
• Sell merchandise related to your podcast, host live events, or offer online courses or consulting services.
• Use crowdfunding platforms like Patreon that allow your listeners to support your podcast financially.
• Provide premium content for a subscription fee.

Final Thoughts

Podcasts are an amazing way to share stories, knowledge, and opinions with listeners worldwide. They offer opportunities to make money through advertising, sponsorships, and other means. By following the steps given in this article, you can create a successful show that resonates with audiences and potentially generates income.

Recommended Articles

We are confident that with this guide on how to start a podcast, you have an outstanding podcast that could generate passive income. For more easy-to-follow guides, check out these resources.

1. Space Podcasts
2. Sports Podcast
3. Science Podcasts
4. Educational Podcast