If you’ve ever thought, “I could launch a podcast,” while binging your favorite show. If you’re nodding your head, “Yes,” you are already halfway to being the next podcast host!
As it turns out, podcasting and creating your own podcast is easier now than ever before. Here’s the thing: anyone can start a podcast, but whether or not you have the inner commitment, capacity, and creativity to create a breakthrough podcast is more nuanced than it might seem.
We get it. That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know to launch your podcast without losing momentum or burning out.
From the first concept to recording, broadcasting, and distribution, this is your step-by-step guide to launching your podcast like a seasoned pro.
Finding Your Podcast’s Sweet Spot (AKA, What’s Your Show About?)
If you’re a podcast addict already, you know that the competition for a new concept that can break through the clutter is significant. That being said, podcasting is still one of the top growing communication and broadcasting avenues available to gain traction as a thought leader, influencer, industry expert, and the list goes on.
In the US, over 47% of people listen to a podcast one or more times per month. And that number has increased by over 7% year over year, according to Backlinko.com.
What does this mean for you? There’s lots of room in podcasting for your grand idea or concept. But it starts with a few key steps:
Identify Your Niche - Are you a writing coach or marketing expert? Are you a female entrepreneur or startup founder? These are just a few examples that can help you start narrowing down your podcast concept and focus for your show.
Define Your Ideal Audience - The more you can define your ideal audience for your podcast, as in who it is specifically for, such as middle-aged men, moms, or women in their twenties (you get the point), the better your podcast will perform. While it might seem tempting to keep your concept and audience focus broad, with over 6 million podcasts in production, believe us when we say the more you can create a niche with your topic and audience, the better.
Determine Your Show Style - Will you be inspirational, formal, or witty and crass? Is your style humorous or professional? These are questions that need to be asked and answered before you start podcast production. Because, as you may know, nothing is worse than thinking you’re getting one type of show – as a listener – and ending up with something entirely different.
Decide Your Show Format - Will you be a podcast that hosts guests only? Are you a solo podcast, where it’s just you? Or is it a mix? Determining the format of your show in advance will significantly help you set up content and create a calendar for your episodes that makes sense.
Create a Brand and Marketing Strategy - If you want to be taken seriously as a podcaster, your show will need a brand (logo, tagline, website, description, etc.), and a marketing strategy for content creation (episode titles, outlines, etc.), and promotion. Don’t skimp on this important step! Learn more about creating a brand strategy in our post titled, Behind Every Great Website is a Greater Content Strategy, for more insights.
Most importantly, don’t be the 800th person to launch a podcast about beauty tips – unless, of course, you are the undisputed expert in your niche and have a twist on the topic that isn’t being discussed. Is this starting to make sense?
Tech Talk—Equipment You Actually Need (No, You Don’t Need a Million-Dollar Studio)
Okay, so here’s the deal. You’re looking through all the blogs and insights on how to start a podcast and feel more confused now than before. That’s not unusual; there are a million production platforms and lists of things you need to become a podcast producer. But the reality is, you need far less than you might think (or read).
For a podcast beginner, the equipment you need is relatively simple. Our essential list of podcast equipment for beginners is below:
Choose your recording platform - We’re big fans of Riverside, especially for beginning podcasters, but there are many platforms that will work. An expanded list of platforms, features, and reviews for a variety of podcast recording software platforms, is available in this article from U.S. News, titled ‘Best Podcast Software.’
Determine if you need headphones - Depending on the software or platform you decide to use, you may or may not need to record with headphones. Determine this before your first recording session!
Choose Your Recording Space Wisely - On platforms like Riverside, you can literally record anywhere (even your living room!). But it is best if you can record in a quiet space with good acoustics. It doesn’t need to be a fully designed recording studio but do take the time to think this through.
I know, simple, right?! Will you learn what works as you start recording? Sure. Is there more advanced equipment and studio options that might elevate your show? Absolutely.
Do you need these things to start recording and launch your podcast? Absolutely not!
Lights, Mic, Action—Recording and Editing Like a Pro
Now that you have determined your concept, platform, and space, it’s time to record! Some time-tested tips that we’ve discovered will immensely help you record a high-impact podcast that grows and lasts in a competitive market.
Start with a Strong Hook – Grab listeners in the first 30 seconds. Share an interesting fact, teaser, or personal story to draw them in.
Keep It Conversational – Talk like you’re chatting with a friend. Authenticity makes your podcast relatable and enjoyable.
Pace Yourself - Speak clearly, avoid rushing, and vary your tone to maintain energy and keep listeners engaged.
Use Good Equipment - Clear audio quality is key! Invest in a decent mic and record in a quiet space for the best sound.
Be Mindful of Length - Stick to your planned length and keep it tight. Aim for 30-45 minutes unless you’re diving deep into a compelling topic.
Engage With Your Audience - Use Q&A sections, shout-outs, or listener feedback to make your audience feel involved.
Plan, but Stay Flexible - Outline your episodes, but allow for natural flow. Too scripted can sound robotic, and too loose can be unfocused.
End with a Memorable CTA - Direct listeners to take an action: leave a review, subscribe, or follow up on social media!
Editing is where the magic happens—think of it as deleting all the awkward silences and “umms” that your listeners will thank you for later.
Trim the Fluff - Edit out long pauses, filler words ("um," "uh"), and off-topic tangents. Keeping the pace tight improves the listening experience.
Enhance Audio Quality - Use noise reduction tools to minimize background sounds and balance audio levels to ensure clear, consistent sound.
Add Music and Sound Effects Thoughtfully – Intro and outro music set the tone, while subtle sound effects add interest. Don’t overdo it—let these elements support your content, not overshadow it.
Pay Attention to Transitions - Smooth out transitions between sections or speakers to create a natural flow. Use fades, crossfades, or short music clips to connect segments seamlessly.
Listen Through with Fresh Ears - Take a break after editing, then listen again to catch any remaining issues. This final check helps ensure a high-quality, engaging episode.
Getting Your Podcast Out There—Distribution and Hosting Platforms
Getting your podcast distributed and live on various platforms is the next frontier. If you want to have a broad range of access and the ability to reach a large audience, start by signing up for Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Here are instructions for both platforms.
How to Submit Your Show on Apple Podcasts
How to List Your Show on Spotify
The Pros and Cons of Hosting Platforms Like Buzzsprout and Libsyn. Read this comparison chart from G2 about The Best Podcast Hosting Platforms.
Promote Like a Pro—Marketing Your Podcast (Because “If You Build It, They Won’t Just Come”)
We know this is where the going gets a little trickier, and you need to dig deep and find the grit and commitment to get your podcast heard and seen. As the title of this section suggests, building it is half the battle, but learning how to promote your podcast effectively is just as critical to fostering long-term podcasting success.
Promoting your podcast could be an entire blog post in itself, but for now, here are a few strategic tactics you can use and focus on to get your podcast seen and heard.
Leverage Social Media - Creating social media pages to promote your show is essential. Choose the channels that you feel will give you the most engagement, and then create a content strategy that utilizes hashtags, optimized descriptions, and regular content to promote your show.
Utilize Email - Whether you create a new email marketing strategy or wrap your podcast into an existing plan for another business or brand, reach out to potential listeners via email! It’s the best way to remind listeners when a new show drops and grow a captive audience.
Host Guests - Creating a plan for your podcast that includes hosting guests is beneficial for a few reasons. First, guests will help you grow, especially if they promote your podcast and their episode. Second, hosting guests gives you easy-to-execute content.
Join Podcasting Groups - There are many groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms that focus on podcast resources and connections. Join and participate in these groups!
Look for Podcast Swap Opportunities - One of the best ways to grow your network and listeners is to swap guest appearances with another podcast. You can both benefit from the added exposure, and this tactic helps produce easy-lift content for your show.
Lean on Friends and Family - Especially in the beginning, remind friends and family to listen to, download, and rate your show. Every positive review and download helps you grow!
Monetization Options—Turn Your Passion into Profit
We know this is the section you’ve been waiting for. Who doesn’t want to make money off their podcast efforts? Remember, it takes time for some of these strategies to take root, so if you start to lose momentum, remember that many podcasts don’t monetize for nearly five years.
We’re not trying to scare you, but just keep with it, and ideally, your work will start to pay off over time. That being said, some podcasts become wildly successful in a short period of time. Here are some of the ways you can make money off your podcast.
Sponsorships - You can create a sponsorship plan, and seek out sponsors that will monetarily support your show. Note: Make sure you have a plan to promote sponsors once they sign on.
Paid Ads - Your can approach brands yourself advertise on your show, or utilize the in-platform options with Spotify, Apple and some hosting platforms. Note: Usually your show needs to hit a certain threshold to qualify for in-plaform ads.
Merchandise - You can sell stuff. Just make sure you have a plan for promoting your merch for sale.
Partnerships - If you are able to grow on social media, paid partnerships become a legitimate option. Brands love to be shared by “influencers,” and you can make money while doing it.
Ready to Launch Your Podcast? Let’s Do This!
You’re now equipped to start your podcast journey from idea to iTunes. But if you're still feeling overwhelmed—or just want to skip the trial and error—why not let the experts handle it? The Summary Content Marketing team will help you create a great podcast that tells a story, and gets heard. Contact us today, and let’s turn your podcast dreams into a reality!
Want help launching your podcast? We’ve got your back! From brainstorming concepts to professional editing and promotion, the Summary Content Marketing team makes it easy. Reach out today for a free consultation!