Podcasts have come a very long way in a short period of time, and it’s a new channel of digital marketing that is setting companies apart from their competitors, as well as boosting sales and brand awareness. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, hobbyist, business owner, or anything else, the fact remains that there’s never been a better time to get into podcasting.
In this article, we’ll discuss some tips to help you get started with your own podcast.
Recommended Read: How to Create a Great Podcast
1. Choose a topic and subject you’re passionate about
This might sound simple enough, but the very first step is choosing a topic for your podcast. Perhaps you have a very broad idea of what you want to talk about, or maybe you have a niche topic in mind that relates to your business, a side project, or even just a hobby. The more specific you can be, the better – it’ll make it easier for you to come up with content down the road. No matter what your topic is, make sure that it’s something you’re passionate about.
Decide on a catchy name
Along with choosing a topic, you need to decide on a perfect name for your podcast. It should be catchy, memorable, and representative of your show.
Tip: Avoid using words like “podcast” in your title. For example, “Name of Your Business Podcast.” It’s redundant – we already know it’s a podcast – plus it shows a lack of creativity.
2. Ask yourself a lot of questions
Before you can start interviewing guests, you should start by asking yourself very pointed questions about your future podcast. For starters, why are you starting this podcast? What do you hope to accomplish? What is your message to listeners? Is your main goal to be drive business or sales for an upcoming book, product, online course, services, or something else? Are you striving to become a thought leader in your field, or simply increase your brand awareness and audience?
Don’t forget to take their perspective into account, too! Why should someone listen to your podcast? What benefits will they receive? What sets you apart from other podcasters? Who is your target audience specifically, in terms of demographics and interests?
Knowing the answers to the “what’s” and “why’s” are going to help you determine your long-term strategy, and ensure your overall success.
3. Choose the right equipment
However, there are some other pieces of equipment that can make your podcasting experience a lot better. For example, headphones can help you better monitor your audio, a quality microphone will ensure you come through crisp and clear – as opposed to recording through your laptop or iPhone – and an editor or podcast production team can help you polish your final product.
Recommended Read: Remote Podcasting Tips
4. Get some original artwork made
Your podcast artwork is one of the first things people will see when they come across your show, so it’s important to make a good impression. It should be eye-catching and the overall aesthetic and theme should be representative of your topic, message or brand.
Tip: Make sure the design you choose looks great and is clearly readable in small formats – such as when it appears as a thumbnail in an app.
If you’re creative and have the time, you can create your own artwork. However, there are plenty of freelance artists and design studios who can do it for you. Just be sure to provide them with as much information as possible, so they can get a good understanding of your vision.
Since the artwork will likely be shared across multiple platforms, like Apple and Spotify, as well as social media handles such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you want to be completely happy and proud of your choice in cover art.
5. Know your budget
You might be wondering: “Can’t I create a podcast for free?” Yes, you can, if you use a free hosting platform, you already have all the equipment, create your own custom music and cover art, and are able to record and edit your podcast by yourself. That said, even if you’re on a tight budget, we recommend putting a small amount of cost into your podcast equipment and software, as this will kickstart a high quality podcast from day one.
Recommended Read: 4 Ways to Start Monetizing Your Podcast
Remember: Most free hosting platforms still have their limitations, and may ask or require you to upgrade to paid features at some point down the road.
6. Decide on a format
Now that you’ve chosen your topic and have some idea of what you want to talk about, it’s time to figure out the format for your show. This could be anything from interview-based to solo episodes, or a mixture of both.
If you’re not sure where to start, try experimenting with different formats and see what works best for you and your audience.
7. Prepare your first round of podcast guests
Before you can start recording your episodes, you first need to plan them out. Booking guests for your show is time consuming. It requires a lot of research, reaching out to people, and confirming availability. However, it’s worth it in the long run as guests can add a lot of value to your show and help you attract a new audience.
Start by identifying the types of guests who would be most interesting and valuable to your target audience. Once you have a list of potential guests – ideally consisting of your dream roster and top choices – reach out to them and see if they’re interested in appearing on your show. If they are, be sure to send them a detailed rundown of what to expect, including the format of the episode, the topic, and the tentative air date.
Tip: Create a one-sheeter that you can send to all guests, which includes an outline of your podcast’s basic information, such as the outline of your episodes, your recording process, tips for them on the day of the recording session, such as where they should record, equipment to use and to ensure there are no noisy distractions, such as pets, children, air conditioners or electronic devices.
Recommended Read: How to Find Top Notch Podcast Guests
8. Fight imposter syndrome and have fun
Creating a podcast can be a lot of fun, but it’s also hard work. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this – everyone feels like an imposter at some point. Every great podcaster started at exactly where you’re at today. Just keep pushing forward, and don’t give up.
Podcasting is a great way to share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the world, so have fun with it – be creative, experiment with different formats and topics, and see what works best for you and your audience.
Ready to get started?
We hope this guide has helped give you a better understanding of what’s involved in creating a podcast. Just remember, it takes hard work and dedication, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.
If you need a little help getting started, Sorrentino Media offers expert podcast production services. We can assist with everything from pre-production concepts to post-production editing. Get in touch with us today to learn more!