Between figuring out which recording gear to use and finalizing a podcast name, topic, and format, podcasting can quickly become overwhelming â melting the initial excitement of starting it.
Good news though? Creating a podcast can become less confusing and more doable when you break down the process into steps to take at a time.Â
This guide will help you with just that as we answer how to start a podcast (with an actionable checklist) and what you need to start a podcast. Along the way, weâve also shared frameworks to script or outline your podcast, social media podcast promo templates, and a show name generator to get started right away.
Altogether, launching a podcast divides into five steps:
- Setup your podcast topic, name, format, and cover art
- Choose podcast equipment and software
- Generate episode ideas and script (or plan) a few episodes
- Record and edit your podcast episodesÂ
- Promote your podcast
Letâs dig in:Â
[#TOC1]1. Setup your podcast topic, name, format, and cover art[#TOC1]
Kick it off by getting your podcast basics right. Brainstorm and finalize the following:Â
Podcast topic
Your ideal podcast topic is one that interests both you and your target audience and offers something unique. Identifying it boils down to taking these steps:
- Start with some introspection
Ask yourself what your expertise lies in. What can you talk about for days on end and not get bored by the time you reach your 50th episode? Â
- Next, look outward
You can always dive into creating a detailed listener persona down the line â when youâve enough audience data. For now, highlight who your ideal listeners are and talk to them about their interest in your podcast topic.
The idea here is simple: find out whether thereâs a listener demand for your idea.
- Now research podcasts in your target space
Studying potential competitors will save you from launching yet another podcast on a topic there are tons of podcasts on.
Listening to competitorsâ podcasts would also help you identify a unique angle for your show â an awesome way to fill a gap in your niche and create a podcast that listeners will love.
Together, these three steps will assist in nailing your podcast topic and angle:
 Audience interest/your audienceâs appetite for topic + Your interest & expertise + The space youâre going to fillÂ
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Podcast format
Do you want to host a solo show or invite guests or both? Also, do you prefer a live show or perhaps a recorded video element to it?
Each way of structuring your podcast comes with its pros and cons. So itâs best to put some thought (hey! no overthinking đ) around what you can realistically manage.
Choose from the following podcast formats:
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Solo or Monologue Podcast Format
When you record yourself speaking to your audience.
Pros
- Great for intimately connecting with listeners.
- No schedule clashes â record whenever you want.
- Best for establishing yourself as a thought leader or authority in your field.
Consâ
Leaves all podcasting responsibilities â from ideation to engaging listeners and promotion on you.
Examples
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Co-Hosted Podcast Format
When you record with a partner.
Pros
Reduced hosting pressure as you split podcasting responsibilities.
Cons
- Finding a good partner with the right chemistry is challenging.
- Scheduling clashes as you coordinate with your co-host on a suitable recording time.
Examples
Interview Podcast Format
When you (and your co-host) chat with an expert.
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Pros
- Less pressure on you for bringing the best insights to the show.
- Better promotion as guests share the episode with their network.
Cons
- Outreach, scheduling, and editing more folks can be hard.
- You need strong interview skills (guiding the conversation to the right path, asking the right questions to bring out the gems, etc)
Examples
Panel Podcast Format
When you interview more people than one guest as in the interview format.
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Pros
- Least hosting pressure on the host.
- Lots of interesting insights for listeners.
Cons
- Reaching out and scheduling with multiple guests is challenging.
- Making sure all guests feel included and getting everyone to talk can be tough.
Examples
Video Podcasting Format
When you record video/your webcam along with the audio.
Pros
- Better opportunity to connect with listeners â humanizing your show further.
- Offers plenty of ways to repurpose your content for more reach and maximum impact.
Cons
- Itâs not for the camera-shy folks.
- Tough to get the logistics right for all guests (if in a panel interview format).
Examples
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Non-Fictional Storytelling Podcast Format
When you narrate real-life stories or events.
Pros
- Lots of stories to feature on the podcast.
- Storytelling can make your show super engaging for listeners.
Cons
- Fact-checking to make sure all details are correct takes a lot of work.
- Laborious podcast format as it takes work to find and research the right stories, identify the best hook, and more. Â
Examples
Podcast Theater Format
When you tell fictional stories across a series of episodes/seasons.
Pros
- Least common format so less competition.
- No worries regarding sharing accurate facts.
Cons
- Audience building takes time since itâs a unique format.
- Upfront work in planning seasons so you can connect episodes.
Examples
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Episode length and frequency
Before anything, know this: respect your listenersâ time. Meaning: your podcast episodes canât be as long as they need to be â Thatâs a big no.
Instead, a good exercise is to work out an ideal episode length, then cut it back by 5-10 minutes. Creating such an artificial limit saves you from rambling. You dive straight into the meaty bit, which ensures every second is packed with value for listeners.
Now for ways to determine the ideal episode length and podcast frequency:
- Ask your audience. Something as simple as a Twitter poll works.
- Review the competitor standard. See if you can make it better â by shortening or lengthening it or publishing more regularly.
- Tailor your epsiode length to your publishing frequency. If you plan to publish an episode daily, for instance, consider keeping it short (about 15 minutes long). Similarly, if youâre going weekly, you can play with a 30-40-minute episode length.
One thing to be mindful of here: if you donât already have an established brand, consider sticking with short to medium-length podcast episodes that come out regularly (rather than quarterly). Why? Because listeners are more likely to tune into long episodes (1-3 hours) from people such as Joe Rogan who they already know than those they arenât familiar with.
Most of all, pick a schedule that you can realistically manage. After all, youâve to keep the show running and you canât do that if you arenât able to squeeze it between your other responsibilities.
Canât commit to podcasting daily, weekly, or fortnightly? Consider dropping seasons as the Freelance Writing Coach podcast does.Â
Podcast name
If you already have a personal brand or are creating a podcast for a client thatâs well-known in their niche, selecting a name is often as simple as adding âshowâ or âpodcastâ to your name or company name.
For instance, The Michelle Obama Podcast and The Search Engine Journal Show add their name to their show.
Alternatively, pick a self-explanatory name (these tend to be easily discoverable too) in case youâre talking about something specific such as growth hacking or baking (lava cake, anybody?).
For instance, SEO 101 Podcast has SEO in its name â making it clear what itâs about. The same is true for The Business of Baking Podcast which covers the business side of running a bakery business.
Yet another idea to come up with a podcast name? Use a podcast name generator to auto-generate your showâs name:
 Whatever you finalize, remember these two, must-follow pro tips:
- Keep it short since short names tend to be memorable and easily fit (and are readable) on your podcast cover art.
- Include a keyword in your podcast name if you can because podcast directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts are search engines and a keyword in your name will improve discoverability and help you monetize your podcast.
Podcast Cover Art
A podcast cover does two jobs:
- Set listenersâ expectations
- Invite people to tune in
Itâs why your cover art needs to reflect your podcastâs theme and personality. To do so, make notes of the following three and ask yourself these accompanying questions:
- Reflect on your podcastâs angle, tone, and personality â how can your cover art better showcase it in visuals? Use a business name generator or AI logo tool to come up with branding that stands out and speaks to your podcast.
- Study competitorsâ cover art â what can you do to make your cover art stand out?
- Review your audience (their age, industry, and expectations) â how can your cover art better resonate with them?
Remember to design a minimal cover or use these podcast cover art templates:
Whatâs more, because 73% of listeners tune in from their smartphone, make sure your podcast cover art is minimally designed and easy to read (fancy fonts can be tough to read so donât use them).
One last tip: design for dark mode. That is: choose colors carefully so they donât blend in the background for folks who have dark mode active on their devices.Â
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[#TOC2]2. Choose podcast equipment and software[#TOC2]
If youâre on a shoestring budget, you can start your podcast with just your computer.
However, crisp audio quality plays an effective role in retaining listeners. Itâs why we recommend investing in at least a good mic (nothing that breaks the bank) before starting and using the headphones or ears buds you have.
With that, here are podcast equipment recommendations for you:Â
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Best podcast equipment for beginners
Understand the following mic types as you shop for one:
- XLR or USB. Their plug-and-play functionality makes USB mics easy to use. But they donât offer the highest quality sound recording. In comparison, XLR mics offer better sound quality but need an interface (a device that converts the micâs signals into a format your recording software recognizes) to work with your computer.Â
- Condenser or Dynamic. Condensers are sound-sensitive, which makes them a good pick if youâre recording from a studio with an interface. In contrast, dynamic mics give you the âradioâ voice and are best for recording in a regular room.
Budget recommendations for podcast microphones around $100: Shure SM58 (XLR, Dynamic), Rode NT-USB Mini (USB, Dynamic), Audio Technica ATR 2100x (XLR + USB, Dynamic)
Budget recommendations for podcast microphones under $250: Rode Procaster (XLR, Dynamic), Rode: NT USB, (USB, Condenser), Shure MV7 (XLR + USB, Dynamic).
Have a little more cash you can spare? Get these two on top of a microphone for better quality podcast recording:Â
- Headphones. Headphones prevent echo or audio bleed during the recording when your mic picks up unwanted sounds from other equipment. Wired ones like Audio Technica M50X donât need batteries and reduce lag.
- Camera (for video podcasts). You can always use your webcam or phoneâs camera to get things rolling. Alternatively, invest in a full HD webcam such as Logitech C920 or an expensive DSLR.
Once you start seeing results or if youâre starting with a mid-range budget, get these good-to-have podcast equipment as well:
- Pop filter
- Lighting
- Microphone standÂ
Best overall podcasting software
You need software to collaborate with guests, record episodes, and edit recordings.
There are free options out there such as GarageBand for recording and editing, in-person, audio-only podcasts for Apple users. However, a specialized software offers high-quality recording â essential for offering a top-notch listener experience.
[#TOC3]3. Generate episode ideas and script (or plan) a few episodes[#TOC3]
With your podcast topic and recording gear ready, get into planning mode.Â
Brainstorm ideas for episodes based on:
- Questions people ask you or ask each other on social media and community forums
- Topics you think arenât discussed enough but need to be
- Questions you had on the topic when you were starting out
Once youâve a backlog of at least 25 ideas ready, script the episodes.
Scripting saves you lots of time down the line by helping you record focused episodes. That focus, in turn, ensures your episodes are loaded with value.
Again, you donât need to go in-depth and have everything fully written down (although you can do that too if you think thatâll beat your nervous jitters).
But the simplest version of a podcast script is a bulleted list of points youâll cover or questions youâll ask experts if youâre doing an interview-style or panel-based podcast.
Copy-paste these points into a teleprompter (psst! VEED has a free one đ) and refer to them when recording.
You can also flesh out these bullet points for a semi-detailed script (in case of a solo or co-hosted show). Or donât, because you can always record on the fly with the bullet points as your guide.Â
Remember, donât let scripting hold you back â use it as a supportive tool for fleshing out each episode instead. Hereâs an idea for how your script could look like:
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[#TOC4]4. Record and edit your podcast episodes[#TOC4]
Recording can be the most overwhelming part of starting a podcast â specifically for those who donât consider themselves pro speakers.
But hereâs a little secret thatâll cheer you up: itâs not about how you speak but the way you edit your podcast recording.
Of course, articulating your thoughts beautifully and choosing the perfect words play an important role. But donât let that hold you back. Because speaking clearly and plainly (read: no rambling and no fluff) is often the best way to connect with listeners.
So go on, set yourself 6-8 inches away from your mic (make a call me like the đ€ sign with your thumb and forefinger to measure) in a well-furnished room. Then, hit record in whatever podcasting platform you're using.â
Pro Tip: Recording in-person? Make sure everyone in the recording studio has a separate microphone for optimal audio quality.
Donât forget to select an appealing video frame with an interesting background that shows your personality if youâre recording a video podcast.
 And if you find yourself getting stuck (odds are you will and thatâs okay!), donât stop and start from scratch â
Instead, pause and continue from where you think your recording went downhill. When you edit the recording later, simply edit out the messed-up bit and the pause for a seamless narrative.Â
A few other things to edit:
- Remove anything thatâs redundant or doesnât contribute value.
- Get rid of âummsâ and âahs.â A few are okay though â you donât want to sound like a robot, after all.
- Clean your audio to remove distracting background noises (you can do this in one click with VEEDâs editor)Â
[#TOC5]5. Promote your podcast[#TOC5]
Distributing your podcast episodes is key to growing your pool of loyal listeners.
You can always share the link to your latest episode on your socials and with your verified email list. But to encourage people to tune in, use the following tactics:
- Build hype around the upcoming episode by sharing your favorite takeaway from it.
- Include behind-the-scenes content (a bite-size video, picture, or story sharing a funny moment or a glimpse of your recording, for instance) with a link to your episode.
- Create a personalized media kit for your guests and request them to share the episode with their audience.
- Offer exclusive episodes and bonus after-show content through a branded podcast community.
An even better way to drive more people to your podcast is to repurpose the content into different formats.
For instance, use VEED to create multiple, bite-sized clips from your video podcast as Lenny Rachitsky does for his podcast. For example, Lenny repurposed this episode into multiple social media videos including this one on TikTok:
If youâre running an audio-only podcast, create audiograms with VEED. Then share them to your marketing channels with a link to the full episode.
You can also auto-create a transcript of the episode with VEED and refine the transcript or use it as your reference to write a new blog post.
Social Media Examiner takes this approach to reuse and promote its podcast content. Hereâs their podcast episode on scaling Facebook Ads and the repurposed blog post with a link to the complete episode.
 Here are 10 more effective ways to promote your podcast.
One parting tip: donât share all repurposed pieces of podcast content to every and any marketing channel âÂ
Instead, review content-platform fit before promoting a clip to a specific marketing channel for maximum results. Put simply:
- Understand each distribution platformâs audience appetite before sharing it on there.
For example, an NSFW podcast might be best distributed to YouTube and TikTok but not LinkedIn, whereas, a marketing podcast might make sense to distribute on most social channels.
- Review which content formats each platformâs audience enjoys the most.
Reels, for instance, are a great format to get your Instagram followersâ attention. Similarly, Twitter threads do well on Twitter rather than videos.  Â
In short, ask yourself: is my audience on YouTube (or whatever channel) interested in this topic? f so, which content format do they consume the most hereÂ
Wrap up: How to start a podcast checklist
Starting a podcast can sure be confusing. But it doesnât have to be. Use this podcast launch checklist to plan, create a recording setup, and get in the flow of things:Â
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Phase 1: Get your podcast basics right Â
â Select a topic and angle for your podcastÂ
â Choose a podcast formatÂ
â Determine your publishing frequency and episode lengthÂ
â Come up or auto-generate your podcastâs nameÂ
â Design your cover artÂ
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Phase 2: Get your podcasting equipment readyÂ
â Use whatâs available or shop for these must-have equipment: microphone, headphone, cameraÂ
â (When ready or on a sizable budget) shop for good-to-haves: pop filter, mic stand, ring light
â Set up your podcast recording and editing softwareÂ
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Stage 3: Plan and script episodesÂ
â Brainstorm and shortlist 25 podcast episodesÂ
â Script the first batch of episodesÂ
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Stage 4: Record and editÂ
â Connect your equipment with your podcast recording software, position yourself, and start recordingÂ
â Edit out sections you botched, unnecessary pauses, redundant sentences, and filler words
â Clean the audio to get rid of distracting background noisesÂ
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Stage 5: PromoteÂ
â Auto-generate a transcript of your episode with VEEDÂ
â Repurpose the transcript into a blog post, Twitter thread, social media post, or newsletter Repurpose the transcript into a blog post, Twitter thread, social media post using an AI social media post generator, or newsletter
â Create bite-sized video clips or audiograms from your podcast episode and share on relevant distribution channelsÂ