So you want to start a podcast

Podcasts have become so popular now that many people are starting them from their own home as either a hobby or to help boost their business and marketing plans. And with the current atmosphere of the pandemic, now is the perfect time to launch your idea into a podcast. But where do you start? To help, we’ve put together a few essential things to consider before you start your own podcast.

Things to consider when starting a podcast

Type of podcast

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide on what type of podcast you’d like to start, as there are many different types out there now. Some are educational, such as finance tips or parenting advice, while some are purely conversational, where a few hosts discuss common topics like dating or current events. Then there are ones that feature a guest or expert every episode, where a few hosts (typically one to three) conduct an interview style podcast. And others take a storytelling approach, where the host tells a factual or fictional story every episode. Once you decide on the type of podcast you’d like to start, you can start figuring out the structure and format for every episode.

Structure and format

Your structure and format will depend on the type of podcast you’re hosting. For example, if you choose to produce an interview style podcast, you’ll let each guest take the lead. But there are still some things you’ll need to consider, such as three to five questions to ask each guest. You’ll also want to make sure you do your research on your guests before each episode. If you’re hosting another type of podcast, you may still have guests or experts from time to time so it’s important to factor that into your format. Start with a basic outline and record a few test episodes until you get it right.

Duration

If you’ve ever listened to podcasts before, you know that there are some that are entirely too long. This isn’t necessarily something to consider when you’re recording, but something to take into account when editing your soundbites. You want to keep it long enough to make sure you’re including all the pertinent information, but short enough to not lose your listeners’ interest. Alternatively, there are some podcasts that are too short, leaving their listeners wanting for more. Finding a good balance is key.

Your audience

Lastly, but most importantly, you need to know your audience. Who are you making the podcast for? And what do your listeners like? Think about why you’re starting your podcast — is it to educate people or entertain? Or to start a discussion around some sort of fandom, like a movie series or a TV show. Once you know your target audience, you can get a better idea of what your topics will be for each episode.