What makes for a good podcast?
Prior to delving into our compilation of pointers and techniques for podcasting, it’s essential to contemplate what constitutes an effective podcast.
It is crucial to ensure that the show remains engaging and meets the expectations of the listeners throughout its duration. Additionally, by keeping your audience in mind, you can cater to their preferences and needs, which helps to build loyal and dedicated followers of your podcast.
It is difficult to convey the importance of experience using just one word. Experience encompasses a multitude of events and situations that shape an individual’s growth, knowledge, and understanding of the world around them.
It involves learning through trial and error, making mistakes, taking risks, and gaining insights that cannot be gained from books or lectures alone.
Experience is vital for personal development and can provide valuable skills and perspectives that can be applied in various aspects of life.
There’s no need to be concerned! Our suggestions for starting a podcast will help you develop a captivating and high-quality podcast.
Our guidance on podcasting is intended for newbies, seasoned individuals, and anyone looking to enhance their podcasting abilities.
Here are 25 pieces of advice to help you create and launch a thriving podcast.
Begin by watching the video provided and then continue reading to discover our compilation of 25 helpful hints for creating a podcast.
1. Start with the What
First, what makes a good podcast?
Someone who possesses a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals from the start: the purpose, effective communication strategies, and the significance of the subject matter.
What is the focus of your podcast? Starting a podcast simply for fun conversations with friends on a microphone is not advisable. It is important to have a precise understanding of what your show is centered around in order to maintain consistency and stability from the very outset.
2. Then, Think about the How
It is advisable to determine the style, structure, and tone of your content before commencing. If you have a clear understanding of your podcast’s nature and process, you can avoid potential obstacles along the way.
It is acceptable to modify things as you proceed, yet if you maintain consistency, it will make it simpler for your audience to stay committed.
3. Find Your Why
Consider the reason behind your decision to participate in the show.
If you are only doing this project to have fun with your friends or make some quick money from sponsors, you should consider if it is really worth your time. Unless you have a more meaningful objective, you may quickly lose motivation and give up soon after starting.
4. Know Your Target Audience
Take a moment or more to identify your target audience. Avoid trying to reach out to everyone as this strategy will not be effective. It is important to keep in mind that creating a buyer persona is popular in the world of marketing for good reason.
Consider the following questions about the person you would want to be your ideal listener:
- How old are they?
- What are their interests or hobbies?
- What kind of job do they have?
- Where do they live?
- What are their goals in life?
Having a comprehensive comprehension of your perfect audience can assist you in generating content that is always amusing and relevant, thereby garnering their appreciation.
5. What Value Do You Provide?
Once you have familiarized yourself with your intended audience, reflect on what requirements your presentation satisfies for them.
Ensure that you understand how your podcast fits into the lives of your audience, whether it’s just for entertainment during their daily commute or providing advice to help them reach their professional goals.
6. You Don’t Need “That Voice”
A lot of individuals believe that their voice is not suitable for podcasting.
A lot of novice podcasters tend to speak with a different tone during recording compared to how they talk in their everyday life, without even realizing it. This could be due to concerns about their voice’s accent, slang or pitch changes and the social implications it could have. It’s important to know that many other podcasters face the same struggle.
It doesn’t matter what your voice sounds like; you can still become a great podcaster.
It is most beneficial for podcasters to exhibit authenticity by avoiding the tone of a local radio announcer or a rigid educator presenting an uninteresting speech; it is best to speak in a natural, conversational manner.
To a certain extent, it depends on the script. It’s essential to write your podcast script in a manner that resembles natural speech (avoid using complex terminology or excessively elaborate sentences).
By wearing headphones while speaking, you can receive instant feedback on how you sound in the present moment. This enables you to make adjustments to your talking speed, pitch and other traits as necessary. The more practice you have with this technique, the more effortless and genuine your speech will become.
Locate the suitable arrangement and maintain consistent with it.
It is advisable to determine the recurring sections of your program in advance. This will simplify the process of preparing episodes and enable your viewers to anticipate the content of each segment.
The typical way a podcast is organized is as follows:
- Intro: At the beginning of the podcast, you will introduce yourself, your co-hosts, and any guests. You will provide your audience with an overview of what topics will be discussed in the episode.
- Main Content: The primary content of your program, which could be a guest interview, main monologue or conversation, or an audio drama.
- Outro:Finish the episode by summarizing important points and providing a call to action for the audience.
If you are conducting a podcast interview, we have additional suggestions for you.
8. Don’t Forget About Ads
Your ads should be inserted in between the segments of your episodes. Typically, podcasters incorporate a mix of various types of advertisements.
- Pre-roll adsIn the period before the main content is presented.
- Mid-roll adsamidst the primary information
- Post-roll ads between the main content and the outro.
At the beginning stages, it’s unlikely that there will be any sponsorship deals. However, as your subscribers increase, it’s important to initiate contact with prospective sponsors. To obtain further details and a complimentary pitching template for future use, refer to our guide titled “How to Get Podcast Sponsorships.”
9.Determine the appropriate duration for your episodes.
Also, make sure to consider the duration of your typical episodes. What will be the intended length of your shoots?
Podcasts come in varying lengths, with some being as short as 10-20 minutes and others lasting for an hour or more. The average podcast duration falls within the range of 30-45 minutes.
10. Organize Your Workflow
Successful podcasters have a planned format for their podcasts and a systematized approach towards producing each episode. The process of developing an episode includes several stages:
- Outlining
- Researching
- Booking guests
- Recording
- Editing
- Uploading
After the publication, there is still additional work such as promoting the episodes on social media platforms and sharing the written transcripts or show notes on your blog.
Choose the actions for your particular process that will simplify it as much as possible in order to make your work more efficient.
11.It is important to maintain a regular timetable for releasing content or products
This consistency helps establish expectations among audience members and builds trust in the brand. Whether it is weekly, monthly, or yearly releases, staying on schedule shows that the company is reliable and committed to delivering its promises. Failure to adhere to a consistent release schedule can lead to disappointment among customers, damaging sales and reputation.
Determine the frequency at which you will release new episodes, whether it be on a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly basis. The ideal schedule for you will vary based on a few factors such as how often you can consistently produce fresh content.
The importance of being timely hinges on the type of production you are working on. If your focus is on politics or current affairs, it becomes more crucial than if you are creating a work of fiction for audio.
No matter how often you prefer to work, stick to the timetable you select. To ensure that everybody is aware of what’s going on, it may be useful to employ script templates, checklists, and project management software such as Trello or Asana.
12.One should acquire the necessary technological and podcasting equipment.
Having the appropriate equipment is crucial for improving the quality of your podcast. In order to achieve the desired result, you will have to make a financial commitment and purchase the necessary gear.
- Mics
- Headphones
- A video camera
- Lighting
- Mixers
To view our suggestions regarding top-notch podcast gear, have a look at our piece titled “The Crucial Checklist of Podcast Equipment for Any Wallet”.
13.Concentrate on creating episodes with excellent audio quality.
It’s not solely about the equipment. Our primary advice for recording podcasts is to select top-notch audio (and video) quality.
Your audience can distinguish between recordings made by inexperienced individuals and those with superior sound quality. Therefore, it is essential to have recording software that is designed to produce optimal outcomes.
level audio and video with user-friendly software such as Riverside, which captures audio in the lossless WAV format and 4K video files. Additionally, it saves each file on the local device of every participant for reliability, eliminating the need for a strong internet connection. Follow this link to learn more or begin producing high-quality recordings instantly. Easily create podcasts.
14. Start off Strong
It is not advisable to hastily create your initial podcast just to have something to publish. Avoid being lured into the temptation of commencing straight away and counting on figuring things out through trial and error.
When creating your first podcast episode, it is important to have a clear purpose in mind. Begin by introducing yourself and warmly welcoming your audience.
Explain why you were motivated to start this podcast and how you hope it will impact listeners – whether that be educating them on an important topic or providing an escape through entertainment. Be sure to clearly define the theme of the episode, including what listeners can gain from tuning in.
In order for the content to be engaging, informative, and enjoyable for listeners, plan ahead of time what you’ll discuss in detail while keeping in mind a conversational tone while recording. Avoid long pauses during recording by editing any mistakes afterwards.
Lastly, utilize social media networks for promoting the podcast while welcoming feedback from audiences regarding improvement ideas for future episodes. Do you want to have enjoyable discussions with someone? Or, maybe, do you want to impart a new ability or knowledge to them?
Make sure to inform your new audience about what they can anticipate from your upcoming content. What frequency can they expect new releases? What will be included in each podcast episode’s format, such as recurring segments?
It is important to inform your audience in advance about what they can expect. Hence, it is crucial to address all significant queries before publishing your initial episode.
15.Select the Appropriate Date to Start Your Podcast
To ensure a successful podcast, it is recommended that you publish your episodes during the times that are most popular among listeners. Generally, it is advisable to release podcasts on weekday mornings such as Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays in Eastern Standard Time (EST). This method is considered a best practice.
16.As you are searching for guests, focus on finding individuals who truly fire up your interest
Seek out people who share your values, or have expertise in areas that fascinate you. Connecting with people who genuinely inspire and excite you will lead to more engaging conversations and a better overall podcast experience for both you and your audience.
Recording. It’s essential to choose interview guests for your podcast who you genuinely want to talk to. Avoid booking individuals solely because they contacted you or have an impressive background. If you are not genuinely intrigued by the guests, it will reflect in the final recording. Please provide more context or information for me to accurately paraphrase the given paragraph.
If you want to have lively and enjoyable discussions on your podcast interviews, it is essential that you show genuine enthusiasm and interest.
Consider reaching out to people in your personal and professional networks who have unique experiences or expertise. When selecting guests, prioritize those who can provide valuable insights or perspectives for your listeners.
Don’t be afraid to ask potential guests directly if they would be interested in being on your podcast – the worst they can say is no! Remember that a diverse range of voices and backgrounds will make your podcast more engaging and inclusive.
To discover fascinating and relatable guests, begin by researching other podcasts within your niche. Take note of the individuals they’ve interviewed.
However, if you invite someone who has already been featured on a similar podcast, ensure to pose different questions so that you’re not merely replicating the previous interview. Try contacting people within your personal and professional circles who possess unusual experiences or knowledge.
When selecting interviewees, give priority to those who can offer valuable insights or outlooks for your audience members. Do not hesitate to request potential guests directly about their willingness to appear on your show as their response could be positive or negative.
Remember that incorporating a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds will make your podcast more captivating and comprehensive in nature. I am sorry, but there is no paragraph provided to paraphrase. Please provide the necessary information.
There are alternative methods to discover guests, such as using social media, interacting with people in real life, and accessing guest directories like PodcastGuests.com.
17. Gain knowledge from skilled podcast hosts and interviewers.
There are numerous successful podcasters and creators already. Why not take inspiration from them and their guidance?
You can learn some valuable advice from Mr. Beast, who is considered one of the most accomplished content creators internationally. Here are some examples:
One can learn effective interviewing techniques from professionals. When creating a list of guests and scheduling interviews, it is important to develop the necessary skills to become an interesting and engaging interviewer.
Observe how professionals not only listen to respond, but they listen with the goal of comprehending. Demonstrate your engagement in what the guest has to share through active listening.
Do not hesitate to deviate from your predetermined set of questions and allow the conversation to proceed naturally. Whenever you have additional inquiries, ask them as they come to mind.
18. Do Your Research
In order to conduct an interesting and unique interview, it is advisable to gather as much information as possible about your podcast guests beforehand. This can involve exploring their website’s “About” section, looking through their social media profiles, and listening to any previous interviews they have given.
By doing this, you can avoid only scratching the surface during the interview and instead delve into more meaningful topics.
By conducting research and gaining knowledge about your guests, you can create thought-provoking inquiries (and refrain from posing the commonplace ones that your guest likely encountered numerous times).
19. Use a Pre-Interview Process
Before starting the recording, spend some time conversing with the guest, be it in person or via a virtual studio.
Introduce your guests to the theme and target audience of your show. Explain the procedure for publishing and inform them about the release timing of the episode, along with where you’ll be endorsing it.
Lastly, inquire if there are any queries that your guest might have for you. By making them feel comfortable before starting the recording process, they will be at ease and more likely to open up and provide an outstanding interview.
20. Produce in Batches
Another useful podcast recording technique is to group your recordings together into batches.
Recording a series of podcasts together can allow you to utilize your time effectively, increase productivity, and prevent missed release dates. All you need to do is organize the topics for each episode beforehand, and then record and edit them all in a single session.
If your subject matter pertains to current events or news, it is not possible to pre-record. However, if your content is timeless, you have the option of recording several episodes simultaneously.
If batch recording is done correctly, it can entail producing content for a whole month within one day.
21. Determine and Track Your Key Metrics
The realm of podcast analysis can be perplexing and daunting. You have access to a vast amount of unrefined data, depending on the hosting platform you opt for.
If utilized effectively, podcast analytics can assist you in making informed choices regarding your podcast, which enables you to acquire knowledge about your target audience, track your progress, and evaluate your prospects for generating revenue.
Select the measurements you plan to monitor according to your personal objectives and priorities. Metrics that can be measured may consist of:
- Downloads
- Streams
- Listens
- Subscribers
- Audience demographics
- Average consumption
- Highest-performing episodes
After selecting a set of metrics, it is important to track them over an extended period of time to determine their effectiveness and identify areas that require modification throughout the duration of your presentation.
For further knowledge on identifying and monitoring significant measuring points for your podcast, make sure to read our comprehensive manual on Podcast Analytics.
22. Give Your Podcast a Distinct Brand
When you put in the effort to create a unique brand for your podcast, it will eventually become more prosperous.
To give your podcast a unique identity, branding is necessary. This involves establishing a specific set of emotions, memories, and associations that listeners automatically link to your show.
The way your audience perceives you is what defines your brand. Regardless of whether you create it or not, they will still possess it.
By purposefully shaping and crafting your brand, you have greater influence over the way your audience views your program. This increases the likelihood of creating a steadfast group of dedicated followers.
Pause and reflect on your intended audience, your ultimate objective, and your vision. Choose a style and tone that are most suitable to those aspects. Don’t be afraid to let your unique character come through!
23. Use Social Media to Your Advantage
If you are not using Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you are losing a huge chance to promote your podcast. Social media is a costless and effortless means to access a vast number of listeners.
Be imaginative with your social media posts. One way to do this is by trying various techniques such as:
- Utilize an internet-based video editing software to transform your podcast episodes into short clips that can be easily shared.
- You can request your guests to promote the podcast episode on their social media profiles and mention you (and make sure to share it again on your own profile).
- Regularly provide your followers with updates, such as information regarding the upcoming episode’s subject or its release date.
- Share impactful phrases from your most recent episode.
- Request for questions from the audience that will be answered in the upcoming episode.
- Engage with peers in your field by tracking their activities, showing appreciation for their publications, and leaving favorable remarks whenever relevant.
24.One way to expand and improve your podcast is by consistently providing valuable content to your listeners.
By building a loyal audience that trusts and appreciates your contributions, you can increase your reach and grow your podcast in popularity. It is important to focus on delivering high-quality content that meets the needs of your target audience, whether that be through informative interviews, engaging storytelling, or actionable tips and advice.
Over time, as you establish yourself as a trusted source for valuable insights and entertainment, you will find that more people are drawn to your podcast and eager to hear what you have to say.
It is important to prioritize the worth that you offer your audience. Producing content that holds significant value can increase the likelihood of growing your audience and achieving your objectives.
It is important to keep researching your intended audience even after starting your podcast. Continuous learning about their interests, preferences, and motivations for listening to you is crucial.
Request feedback and suggestions through emails, social media posts, direct messages, and survey replies. If you can align your show’s content with the topics that interest your audience, you are more likely to establish a dedicated and expanding fan base.
25. Record in a quiet environment
One of the top tips for recording high-quality podcast audio is to avoid any interruptions caused by external noise. Therefore, it is highly recommended to record in a noise-free environment.
Ideally, it is best to record your podcast in a studio that provides sound insulation. However, with a little effort, you can also make arrangements for one at home. To ensure that you have a quiet and appropriate recording environment at home, our guide on setting up a podcast studio can be of great help.
What should you not do in a podcast?
Although we have provided you with helpful advice on podcasting, we would like to caution you on some common errors that should be avoided. Despite the fact that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, we offer you podcasting tips to prevent them.
- If you’re a beginner, avoid overspending on equipment and software. It’s not necessary to spend a large amount of money to acquire good quality items. It’s advisable to begin with the essentials and gradually add more items over time.
- Before beginning a podcast, it is crucial to have a specific area of focus or audience in mind. It is not advisable to start without defining your niche or target market.
Although it may appear beneficial to cover a wider range of topics in your podcast, having a specific niche can provide your audience with a clearer idea of the content and theme of your show. - Do not forget to edit your podcast. Although it may seem daunting, editing your podcast is essential if you aim to create a high-quality production. For those who are new to editing podcasts, utilizing automated software such as Riverside can aid in the process by refining and rectifying the audio with just a few simple steps.
- Remember to advertise your podcast. materials and post them on various social media platforms. This helps in getting more visibility for your podcast and attracting potential listeners who might be interested in your content. Therefore, it is essential to market your podcast efficiently to achieve success in the crowded podcasting space. The previews of your podcast’s episodes.
- It is not advisable to depend on the internet for recording purposes. What if, after recording your entire podcast, you discover that your poor internet connection has resulted in poor quality audio and video? Therefore, our advice for podcast recording is to use local recording directly on your devices to avoid any interference.
- It is important to make sure you do not forget to create a backup of your recordings. To avoid any interruption in your podcast due to a computer crash, it is advisable to create backup copies of all the recordings and store them in an online cloud-based storage system. Some software even offers the feature of automatically backing up your recordings as you make them, ensuring you can access them regardless of any unforeseen circumstances.
You now possess all the necessary advice and techniques required to begin producing your own podcast show. So why wait? Start creating amazing podcasts today!