Find Your Sound: 11 Steps To Start a Podcast (2024)

In the busy world of content creation, podcasts are one of the few ways to get close to and interact with someone. Starting a podcast can help you connect with people and have an impact, whether you’re an aspiring business owner, an expert in your field, or someone with a story to tell. But how do you start? How do you find your way through the confusing world of hardware, software, and advertising without using up all of your resources? Don’t worry, I know what to do. This complete guide will show you 11 important steps to start your podcast, from recording that first episode to keeping your audience interested and beyond. Let me introduce you to podcasting, a world where your voice can be heard and your thoughts can fly.

Starting a Podcast In 11 Steps:

• Find a podcast topic
• Select a format.
• Brand your podcast
• Pick your podcast gear.
• Get recorder software
• Outline your first episode.
• Get your podcast recorded
• Intro and outro recording
• Podcast editing
• Choose podcast hosting.
• Promote your podcast

1. Find a Podcast Topic

Choose a theme for your podcast first. You should stress test your idea by writing down at least 18/20 episode themes, including what you would discuss and who you would interview if your podcast includes interviews.

A stress test is essential because if you can’t think of 18/20 episodes, you’ll run out of ideas before your podcast takes off. Your idea needs a solid foundation.

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes recently reached 1,500 episodes. Podcast themes that are truly exceptional have the ability to stand the test of time.

Will you enjoy recording fresh episodes on your podcast theme in two years? Choose your passion. Passion is your best incentive to stay disciplined in tough times.

When you have a theme in mind, ask yourself these things:

• What are you trying to do with your podcast? For example, to get business leads, become an expert on a subject, or make money without doing much work.

• Just “why” do you do your podcast? Connect a practical reason with a deep-seated reason to stay inspired. What do you want the world to know about your goals or message?

• For whom is the show meant? Make an “avatar” of the people you want to reach. Because you’ll know more about what people think and feel, you can speak directly to them. It also makes your podcast feel more personal, which helps you connect with your fans. Think about what they like, what they believe, and how they live.

• How will people remember your show? What does your show do well that makes people want to talk about it? Find an area that is only an inch wide but a mile deep. This will help you stand out. Niche markets help you get rid of what you see as competition. What you wear and how you act is another way to stand out.

Think about what your show will do for people who listen to it. Your show will have more enthusiastic and excited viewers who will tune in every week if you can make useful content that is also fun.

2. Select a Format

Choosing a format is like picking out a tool for podcasting. It affects everything about your show, from the guests to the gear to the co-host situation. To get you started on your audio adventure, here is a list of some common file types:

• What an Interview Extravaganza! Imagine that you are the host of a talk show and you are questioning interesting people about your theme. To picture this, picture Lewis Howes talking to CEOs on “The School of Greatness.”
• Deep Dive Drama: Do you have a complicated subject that needs to be looked into season by season? Write an exciting story like the investigative classic “Serial.”
• News Ninja: Break down current events into small, easy-to-understand pieces to become the best person to explain them. This is like NPR’s “Up First.”
• Knowledge Powerhouse: Picture yourself as a digital professor who drops bombs of information about a certain subject. A “Creative Class” in this format would be a workshop.
• Fictional Feast: Let out your inner writer and make a scripted world full of drama and sound effects. Think of “Limetown,” a podcast that’s like a radio show but much better.

Picking Out Your Format Dojo:

After seeing the weapons, you should ask yourself these important things:

• Guru for interviews or Solo Superstar? Do you want to talk to guests or would you rather be alone?
• Chaos with a co-host or a one-person powerhouse? Are you ready for more fun (and maybe more work) with a co-host?

Don’t forget that all of these forms can be gold for podcasting. Picking the right one will affect the tools and gear you need, so be smart, grasshopper!

The length of the episode and when it will be released:

Length: Don’t make your fans bored.

Publishing: Being consistent is the key. Pick a time that you can keep, even if it’s only once a week. Afterward, you can always speed up.

3. Brand Your Podcast

Your podcast’s name is the first thing that new fans will see when they discover your brand, so it’s important to give it a lot of thought. Make sure the title is short, easy to say, and unique, and that it fits your interests and the interests of your audience. Also, choosing the right category is important to correctly show what your podcast is about and keep it from being removed from directories. Think about what platforms like Spotify can tell you about areas that are growing quickly, like music, history, religion and spirituality, health and fitness, and religion and spirituality.

Write interesting episode descriptions that fit the character limits of different platforms and include relevant keywords to make them easier to find. Pay close attention to your podcast cover art and make sure it follows best practices like the right size, file compression, and minimal text use to effectively show what the podcast is about and draw potential listeners. For professional help, you can use tools like Canva to find free cover art templates or hire skilled artists from sites like Fiverr or 99designs.

4. Choose Your Podcasting Equipment 

Making sure the audio quality is good is important for building your podcast’s reputation and keeping viewers’ attention. Start by choosing the right tools for podcasting. There are three main types of microphones: condenser mics (like the Rode NT1), dynamic mics (like the Shure SM7B), and USB mics (like the Blue Yeti). Although iPhones can be used to record, sound quality is better when using a dedicated microphone. On both iOS and Android devices, apps like Spreaker and iRig Recorder make it easy to record podcasts.

To improve the sound of your production, you might want to buy extra things like pop filters, desktop microphone stands, and over-the-ear headphones like the Sony MDR7506. Shock mounts, like the ones made by Rycote, help keep movements to a minimum while recording. XLR connections may be needed depending on the type of microphone you have. To make these connections, you can use an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett line or an external audio recorder. Standalone podcast machines from companies like Rode are more advanced and can record and handle more audio, but they are more expensive and better for upgrades in the future.

5. Get Recording Software

After getting all of the equipment you need for podcasting, the next step is to choose software that will help you record and edit your audio. Some podcasters may choose sites like Zoom, but there are many other options that are better suited for podcasting.

There are different kinds of apps that can be used to record and edit audio. Adobe Audition stands out as a complete option because it has powerful editing tools and features for making podcasts at a professional level. Even though it costs $22.99 a month to subscribe, Adobe Audition is perfect for people who have mixers and other high-end recording gear and want to edit music in more complex ways.

Audacity, on the other hand, is free and easy for podcasters to use. Audacity is good for beginners and people on a budget because it has a lot of editing tools and a lot of free tutorials. GarageBand, which comes with MacBooks, is also a good option for Mac users because it makes simple audio editing tasks and podcast recording easy.

You need both local recording software and remote recording tools in order to do interviews for your show. These tools make sure that high-quality audio is recorded, even when people are in different places. Zencastr is a popular choice because it lets you record remotely in studio-quality sound by giving each guest their own unique link and sending them their own songs.

Dialpad AI Meetings is a good choice for people who want to use a free conference call service that can record calls. In addition to being compatible with PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, Dialpad AI Meetings also lets participants join calls from desktop or mobile devices. The moderator can record the chat for later use.

It’s easy to use Callnote to record talks from Skype, Google Hangouts, and other services. Callnote is easy to use and works with both PC and Mac. This makes it a great tool for podcasters who do talks on a variety of communication platforms.

Podcasters can make sure they produce high-quality material that engages and captivates their audience by using the right recording and editing software.

6. Outline Your First Episode

It takes more than a good recording to make a podcast interesting; you also need interesting information and a confident delivery. Making a structured outline for your shows is an important part of doing this. Outlining based on how you want your audience to change is very important, but scripting isn’t necessary unless your show is scripted. Start by picturing the episode’s purpose and the main point you want viewers to get from it. Keep your audience in mind as you go through the process. A complete outline has hooks that get people’s attention, introductions of guests, interview questions, talking points, smooth transitions, and closing comments. This shows your guests that you are prepared and professional. A suggested structure for a show includes an intro, an episode summary, an ad segment, an interview, a call to action, and the end. Remember that the most important things for a good podcast are still interesting content and a confident voice.

7. Record Your Podcast

This may seem like a difficult task, but actually making a podcast is much easier than it looks. There are a few easy steps you need to follow to make sure the recording goes smoothly. Start by picking a room with low background noise, and think about using soft items like movers’ blankets to cut down on echo. Make sure that the sound from your microphone is going to the computer correctly by changing the system settings. This is especially important if you are using a condenser microphone that needs phantom power. A conservative recording level of around -20 dB will help you avoid distortion. Also, make sure you record in a high-quality file like WAV or AIFF to avoid compression artifacts. Keep your mouth in the same place and tone of voice to avoid volume levels that are too high or too low. Also, make test recordings to see how the sound is on different listening devices. Don’t forget to record 30 seconds of quiet so that you can get a print of the room’s noise after the fact.

8. Record an Intro and Outro

You can add personality and professionalism to your podcast by adding intros and outros to each show. These are often called “bumpers.” These short voiceovers, which usually come with intro music, include important information like the name of the podcast, the number of the show, the host(s), and an interesting tagline or hook. A good podcast intro should quickly present the host(s), explain the podcast’s theme or purpose, and stress the benefits listeners can look forward to. On the other hand, a good outro thanks viewers, repeats the tagline, and encourages them to take more engagement actions, which helps you connect with your audience more deeply. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, sign up for your email newsletter, donate to the show on Patreon, or follow you on social media are all examples of actions. Platforms like Fiverr give you choices to find the right fit for your podcast’s tone and style, whether you record these yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

9. Edit your podcast

Editing your podcasts is crucial for enhancing the overall quality. It involves adding engaging intros and outros, ensuring consistent volume levels, and eliminating any dead air or mistakes. There are several recommended software options available, such as Adobe Audition, Audacity, or GarageBand. Editing is an essential aspect of podcast production, as it helps create a seamless and captivating listening experience. It’s important to be mindful of some common editing mistakes. These include using music that is too loud, having intros that are too long, and using copyrighted music without permission.

However, there are simple solutions to these problems, such as using royalty-free music options like YouTube Audio Library or Soundstripe. When editing, it’s important to first ensure that your podcast content flows smoothly and captivates your audience. Once that’s taken care of, you can then shift your attention to refining the audio quality during the second round of editing. Here are some expert tips to improve the audio quality of your content. You can start by eliminating any silent moments, smoothly transitioning between tracks, reducing background noise, applying high-pass filters, adjusting the equalization, using compression, de-essing, and mastering techniques to maintain a consistent volume level that matches other podcasts. If you find yourself short on time or simply not interested in the editing process, you may want to consider enlisting the help of freelancers. There are various platforms available, such as Fiverr, Upwork, or specialized services like We Edit Podcasts, where you can easily find professionals to handle the editing for you.

10. Decide on Podcast Hosting

If you want to host your own podcast, you need to know that you can’t just upload your audio files to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Instead, you need a different host. Buzzsprout, Transistor, and PodBean are all well-known sites for hosting podcasts. Once your podcast is hosted, you’ll send an RSS feed to podcast directories. This standardizes content syndication and makes sure that your episodes are mentioned correctly with names, descriptions, and audio files.

Platforms like Transistor make this process easier by letting you send your work directly to major directories from your website. Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, YouTube, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Deezer, and Amazon Music are all common places to find podcasts. These are some of the most famous channels, but you can send your podcast to as many as you want by including the name, description, category, and artwork when you submit it.

11. Market Your Podcast

It’s important to market your podcast well from the start because it gives you a chance to be listed in Apple Podcasts’ “New & Noteworthy” section, which could help your podcast grow even faster. To make it more likely that Apple Podcasts will notice your show, try to get some listens and reviews right away. Treating your launch like an event, setting up a website for your show, and collecting email addresses can help get people interested. It’s best to start with at least two episodes, preferably three, so that your audience has something to look forward to right away without being too much. This will also show stability and encourage people to subscribe. You can also get more people to see it by telling your email list about the launch and asking for subscriptions and reviews right away. Using tools like repurpose.io and wavve.co to make audio clips for social media, making sure show notes are SEO-friendly, using guests’ audiences, and being a guest on other podcasts are all good ways to market your show.

How to Make Money From Your Podcast

Making money from your podcast can be done in a number of ways. However, building a following and earning their trust should come first. Aside from ads, podcasts can also be used to make money in other ways. Promoting sponsors during shows is part of sponsorships. Earnings are usually based on download numbers and are paid on a cost-per-1,000 (CPM) basis, with rates ranging from $18 to $50 CPM. For direct support, podcasters ask listeners to donate money to the show. For affiliate marketing, podcasters can promote products or services and make commissions. Podcasts often make extra money by selling related items like merchandise, consulting services, books, and classes. You can look into these ways to make money after you’ve released a few shows and built an audience.

Create the Best Podcast for Your Brand Today

Start your own podcast for many reasons, including the chance to reach new listeners who prefer audio. According to Statista, there will be over 100 million podcast users by 2028. Podcasting is a great way to build an audience and become a leader in your field because you don’t need to have written content before or have a blog that people follow. Podcasts are easy to listen to and fit right into people’s daily lives, whether they’re commuting, working out, or at home. Podcasts are also usually free to make and listen to, which makes them an appealing and cost-effective way to share information.

FAQ on how to start a podcast

How much does it cost to begin a YouTube show?

This is how much it can cost to start a new podcast if you choose cheaper tools and software.

Are podcasts a way to get paid?

Yes, they do. The more people who listen, the more sponsorships, membership groups, coaching, and other things you can offer can earn you.

How do you begin a podcast?

• Choose an audio theme.
• Choose an outline.
• Make a brand for your show.
• Pick out your audio gear.
• Get tools for recording
• Plan out your first show.
• Record your show.
• Make an opening and an outro.
• Change your show
• Choose an audio host.
• Spread the word about your show.

Is it free to start a podcast?

Yes, you can use a free podcast hosting service and free audio software to make and set up a podcast for free. You can also post your shows for free to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. However, one of the most common audio tips is to buy a good microphone to make the sound better.

In conclusion, starting a podcast can help you reach new people and become an expert in your field. You can get around in the world of podcasting and make material that people want to hear if you have the right tools and strategies. Finding your podcast’s niche, making interesting episodes, and making money from your work are all steps that add to the success of your podcast. Remember that podcasting isn’t just a way to share your voice; it’s also a way to make connections, start talks, and leave a lasting impression. So, jump in, start your podcasting path, and let the world hear how powerful your voice is. Let your heart lead you, be true to yourself, and your podcast will become a source of inspiration in the growing field of audio storytelling. With these 11 important steps, you’ll be on your way to having your voice heard and your ideas taken off. Start your show right now and be heard!!!!