As of March 2021, there were almost 2 million podcasts worldwide. But how do you make one of your own?
Starting a podcast from scratch can be overwhelming and it requires a lot of work. But if you follow these 5 tips, you’ll have a clear direction for your podcast when you sit down to record the first episode.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn how to start a podcast people will actually listen to.
1. Know Why You’re Podcasting
Before you do anything else, you need to decide why you want to make a podcast. Are you trying to entertain people? Is this an endeavor to build your business brand?
Knowing the “why” will also give you specific goals and remind you why you started this podcast when things get tough.
2. Choose a Topic
If you’re unsure what topic to choose, some popular podcast genres include comedy, true crime, news, health, and sports. However, once you’ve chosen a genre, you need to narrow it down.
For example, a true crime podcast about “murders” is too broad. But a podcast about “unsolved murders in the 20th century” is specific enough to capture people’s attention and give your episodes direction.
Solidifying your topic will also help you understand the type of audience you’re making content for.
3. Pick An Enticing Name
There are usually 3 options when it comes to choosing an enticing podcast name.
The first is using your real or stage name, such as “Droning with Drew.” The second is something relating to your topic, for example, “The Marvelous Medical Podcast.” And the third is a catchy or funny name like “Too Fat to Be Spiderman.”
After you choose your podcast name, you will have to keep your creative juices flowing for titling your podcast episodes. The name can draw someone in, but the episode titles will keep them there.
4. Plan Out Your Format
Common podcast formats include one-on-one style interviews, solo commentary, a group discussion, scripted narrative storytelling, or a mix of these formats.
The style you choose will also inform the length of your episodes. But with that said, there’s no “correct” length. If you’ve said all you wanted to say with no tangents, whether it’s 10 minutes or 1 hour, it’s perfect!
5. Buy Quality Equipment
You don’t have to buy fancy equipment that’s going to break the bank. But if you want to have a high-quality podcast, you should be working with more than just a built-in laptop microphone.
To start, you will need a quality microphone and a laptop with a USB port. You’ll also need podcasting production equipment such as recording and editing software. But if you’re not good at this part, you could hire someone else to do it for you.
Starting a Podcast The Right Way
Starting a podcast may be difficult at times, but you’ll connect with others, spread your message, and have some fun along the way. And if it takes you a while to build a following, don’t stress! Anything worth building takes time.
Now go plan that podcast! And if you found this helpful, check out some of our digital marketing content.