How to Start a Podcast 2022 : The Ultimate Guide

Do you want to start a podcast? It's a great way to increase brand awareness and get in front of your target audience. But starting a podcast can feel overwhelming, especially if you're new to the medium. That's why we've put together this guide - to help you understand everything you need to know before starting your own podcast. We'll cover everything from choosing a topic and setting up your equipment, to recording and promoting your show. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to launching a successful podcast!

Benefits of Launching a Podcast

First, let's take a look at some of the benefits of starting a podcast.

Podcasting is growing in popularity - according to Edison Research, the number of Americans listening to a podcast each week has grown 120% over the past four years, and 90 million Americans listen to a podcast every month. As the audience for podcasts continues to grow, there has never been a better time to start a podcast for your business, brand, or personal hobby.

Podcasting is an effective marketing tool - podcasting can be an extremely effective marketing tool because it allows you to connect with your target audience in a unique and intimate way. Unlike other forms of media, such as blogs or videos, people can consume podcasts anywhere and at any time, making them a convenient and highly engaging way to reach your audience.

Podcasting is affordable and easy to set up - starting a podcast doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment or technical expertise. All you need is a computer, some recording software, and an internet connection. And since podcasting is such a popular medium, there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started.

Topic & Format

Now that we've covered some of the benefits of podcasting, let's take a look at how to start your own show. The first step is choosing a topic and format for your podcast.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a topic is that the best podcasts are usually those that are specific and niche-focused. That doesn't mean you can't have a general podcast on a wide range of topics, but it's important to think about what your show will be focused on.

Some other things to consider when choosing a topic:

• Are there already other podcasts covering this topic? If so, what makes yours different?

• What are your interests and expertise? Can you find a way to tie those into a podcast topic?

• What does your target audience want to hear? Do some research and figure out what kind of content would interest them.

Now let's jump into the format of your show. There are a few different types of podcast formats to choose from:

• Interview podcasts - This is the most popular format for podcasts, and it involves interviewing guests on a wide range of topics.

• Scripted-non fiction podcast - This format involves telling stories or recounting events, but without using traditional radio drama techniques.

• News and current affairs podcast - A news and current affairs podcast covers the latest headlines and provides an in-depth analysis of current events.

• Comedy podcasts - As the name suggests, a comedy podcast is a show that features humorous content.

Once you've chosen a topic and format for your podcast, the next step is thinking through the length of your episodes and publishing schedule.

Episode Length & Publishing Schedule

Most podcasts are around 30-60 minutes long, but there's no set rule on episode length. It really depends on your topic and format - for example, interview podcasts may be longer than scripted nonfiction podcasts.

As for the publishing schedule, most podcasters publish new episodes once a week or biweekly. But again, it's totally up to you - some podcasters publish less frequently but that can impact your audience's engagement.

Podcast Imagery

Once you've finalized your topic and format, it's time to start thinking about your podcast's visual identity. This includes the logo, color palette, and any other graphics you'll use to represent your show.

Your podcast's visuals should be consistent with your branding and help to create a unified look and feel for your show. The best place to start is by creating a style guide for your show. This will help your designer create artwork that accurately represents your podcast and helps it stand out from the competition. Your style guide should include:

• The name and logo of your podcast

• Colors and fonts you want to use

• The overall tone and feel of your show (e.g. serious, funny, informative)

• Any specific design elements you want to include (e.g. illustrations, graphics, etc.)

Podcast Equipment

Once you have your style guide created, it's time to purchase your equipment. In order to record your podcast, you'll need:

• A computer with recording software (such as Garageband or Audacity)

• A microphone (either USB or XLR)

• A mixer

• Over ears Headphones

Often many want to go with the top-of-the-line microphone, mixer, and software. Unless starting a podcast is your profession don't go nuts buying the most expensive stuff.

When starting out you can invest in an inexpensive Dynamic mic like a Samson Q2U. For recording and editing software, we recommend using Audacity, which is free to download and use. As for a mixer, a Focusrite or any basic model will do - just be sure to check that it has enough inputs for all of your microphones.

Podcast Theme Song

Music is a big part of many podcasts and often sets the tone for the show. If you want to add a theme song to your podcast, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

• The length of your song should be around 30-60 seconds long

• The lyrics and style of your song should match the tone and feel of your podcast

• You'll need to get permission from the copyright holder to use the song on your podcast

If you're not comfortable creating your own theme song, there are plenty of stock music libraries that offer royalty-free tracks. Just be sure to read the licensing agreement carefully so you know what you can and can't do with the music.

Content Mapping

Now that you have your equipment sorted out, it's time to start recording! The best way to improve your podcasting skills is by practicing, so don't worry if everything doesn't sound perfect at first. Just make sure you create a general outline for each episode and stick to it.

If you're having trouble coming up with content ideas, here are a few tips:

• Interview guests who are experts in your field

• Share news and insights about your industry

• Talk about the latest trends in your niche market

• Share personal stories that relate to your topic

• Do product reviews or case studies

• Offer helpful tips or advice related to your topic area

Podcast Hosting & Syndication

Now that you have all of the basics in place, it's time to think about where you'll host your podcast and how you'll distribute it.

When it comes to hosting your podcast, there are a few different options:

• Self-hosting: This is when you host your podcast on your own website or server. You'll need to purchase hosting space and set up the necessary software yourself.

• Buzzsprout: Buzzsprout is a popular podcast hosting service that offers free and paid plans. They provide all the necessary tools to help you publish, distribute, and track your podcast's performance.

• Podbean: Podbean is another popular podcast hosting platform that offers both free and paid plans. They have a wide range of features that make publishing and promoting your podcast easy.

Podcast Directories

Once you've chosen a host, it's time to start distributing your show! Most host platforms have easy features that allow you to list your episodes in various directories with one click. The directories you want to make sure your podcast is listed are

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

• Stitcher Radio

• Spotify

• TuneIn Radio

Marketing & Promotion

When it comes to promoting your podcast, social media is a powerful tool. Make sure you post updates about new episodes on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to help schedule your posts ahead of time.

Another great way to promote your show is by creating a website or landing page specifically for your podcast. This will give listeners a place to learn more about your show, listen to past episodes, and contact you if they have any questions. Some other great avenues for promotion are:

• Guest blogging: Write guest posts for blogs in your industry that mention or discuss your podcast. This will help drive traffic back to your show's website and increase its exposure.

• Paid advertising: If you have the budget, you can also run paid ads for your podcast on websites and social media platforms. This can be an effective way to reach a

• Guest Podcasting: Finally, one of the best ways to promote your podcast is by appearing as a guest on other shows in your industry. This will help expose your show to new listeners and generate some buzz.

Now that you know everything there is to start a podcast, it's time to get started! Just make sure you take things step-by-step and don't try to do too much at once. By following this guide, you'll be on your way to launching a successful podcast.

If you need support in bringing your podcast to life our Podcast Launch services are a great place to start.