In this tech-driven world, podcasting has become one of the most beloved forms of communication. Whether you’re a small business looking to expand your reach or a creator looking to share your passion, podcasting is a great way to reach your target audience.
Let’s face it—people are busy. With endless tasks and responsibilities, it is very tough to attract and retain your target audience’s attention when they have several other things on their minds.
So, how do you cut through the noise?
Meet them where they are. Podcasting lets you dive into the hot topics in your industry in a way that is easy to digest. Podcasts will be a $1.6 billion industry and a smart move for businesses looking to make a real impact on the market.
So, are you ready to make the most of this promising practice? This blog will explain everything you need to know to start a podcast.
Table of Contents
Why Start a Podcast?
Before diving in, consider why you or your business should start a podcast. What’s in it for you?
It is a great way to build your personal or business platform, find your unique voice, engage a dedicated audience, and create a loyal community. Speaking directly to your listeners can address their pain points and interests in ways that plain text often can’t.
This trend is only growing, with over 464 million podcast listeners globally in early 2024. Podcasting is easy and budget-friendly for a small business, so why not get on it?
Easy 10 Steps to Start a Podcast
Of course, you can’t just grab a mic and get started – you need some strategy. Here’s what you need to do. We have broken down the process into 10 easy steps. Let’s get started!
1. Define Your Niche and Target Audience
Your niche is like a smaller, more specific group within a larger audience – those who share your interests.
Knowing your podcast’s target audience impacts your content and marketing. To define your audience, consider your brand, current or potential listeners, competitors, and desired results.
Also, choose a platform that offers real-time analytics. They can help you analyze what kind of content is working and map out what you can share. You can gain insights on:
- Downloads per episode, and over time
- Completion rate
- Audience categorized by listening platform
- Reviews, ratings, and rankings
- Peak times
- Website visits
This way, you’ll be able to craft episodes that truly resonate with them!
2. Choose a Name and Logo for your Podcast
The name and logo you pick go a long way – this is what your audience will interact with first. From the get-go, these elements can make your podcast memorable and identifiable.
Your podcast will directly reflect your business and identity, and nobody wants a generic one, right?
With a live podcasting platform, you can get access to customizable branding elements like a logo, banner, background, and even overlays to the video stream and recordings.
Pro tip: Use tools like Canva to design a professional-looking logo and test your name and logo with potential listeners for feedback.
3. Pick a Co-Host
Who said podcasts are only a one-person effort? Think about getting a co-host on board! A co host can grab the audience’s attention and keep things lively and chatty.
When co-hosts bring different areas of expertise to the table, it enhances the quality of your discussions. Learning from different perspectives when you tune into a show is always great, isn’t it?
It is also helpful to work with a co-host when you’re conducting a debate or a talk show. Take comedian Howie Mandel for instance. He and his daughter Jackelyn Shultz team up for a fun podcast where they pull prank calls, chat with guests, dive into pop culture, and have quirky conversations!
And in the end – get more engagement!
4. Decide on the Format
Your podcast episode and format depend on your content, goals, and target audience. Some standard formats include an interview style, narrative storytelling, a roundtable discussion, or Q&A. Whatever suits your kind of business!
If you cannot decide on one, experiment with different formats to see which strikes a chord with your audience and suits your style. To help you choose, here are some of the most common podcast formats:
- Interview podcasts
- Educational podcasts
- Co-hosted podcasts
- News recap podcasts
- Scripted non-fiction podcasts
- Scripted fiction podcasts
5. Invest in Quality Equipment
This goes without saying – the better your software and equipment, the cleaner and crisper your podcast content will look and sound.
While investing in microphones, cameras, and editing software can be costly, it pays off in the long run. But if the budget is an issue, don’t worry about it. Get studio-like quality and deliver an excellent experience to your listeners with the simple click of a button!
It’s just like working out of a physical studio, you’ll get access to features like:
- A waiting room and permanent room
- External camera and mic
- Room layout
- Screen-sharing
- Invite guests and participants to chat
- Event embedding on the site
6. Record and Edit Your Podcast
By now, you have figured out your niche, format, and direction. Now, you’re at the most important step –sitting before the microphone and camera and bringing those ideas to life.
Choose a quiet space and use good-quality microphones. Create a live podcast and stream it to your audience, tools like OnTheFly, Audacity, and Garageband can make it easy, quick, and convenient. OnTheFly automatically records while you live stream, making it easier and time-saving.
7. Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
A hosting platform can help you upload your episodes and make them available to the audience. Some easily accessible directories for podcast uploads include Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
If you want to go for a podcast live stream, consider audio podcast platforms like OnTheFly, which supports live streaming. It even provides analytics to track your podcast’s performance and listener engagement.
8. Create a Podcast Page
Having a dedicated podcast page is a game-changer for your audience. It makes it super easy for them to find all your episodes in one spot. Be sure to include episode descriptions, show notes, and links so they can subscribe on various platforms.
Adding a contact form for listener feedback and engagement is also a great idea. You can host extra content like transcripts, guest bios, and related resources on this page. It’s all about the experience!
9. Promote Your Podcast
What is the point of it all, if it does not reach the right people at the end of the day? Here’s where promoting your podcast comes in. To do this, throw in a mix of strategies to enhance visibility and attract listeners, such as:
10. Monitor Your Progress and Seek Feedback
Make sure to regularly check your podcast’s performance with the analytics tools provided by your hosting platform. Keep an eye on metrics like listener numbers, episode downloads, and audience demographics.
Encourage your audience to give you feedback, whether on review sites, social media, or even through real-time chat. Their input is invaluable. Use their feedback to tweak and improve your content so you can keep growing and engaging with your audience.
Concluding Thoughts on How to Start a Podcast
Starting a podcast might feel like a big task, but it is totally worth it. Choosing the right live podcast streaming service will help you reach more listeners and interact with them in real time.
Platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music have made it super easy for people to find and listen to new podcasts. Dedication and the right tools can make your podcast a fantastic way to connect with people worldwide.
To stream your podcast, establish your brand, and much more, get onto a comprehensive podcasting platform now!
