Steps to Start a Podcast
Starting a podcast can be an exciting journey, but it’s not without its challenges. After more than five years of podcasting, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. If you’re considering starting your own show, here are the steps to get started—and some personal insights from my own fails and feats along the way.
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1. Know Your Why – Why are you starting a podcast? This is the foundation of everything else you do. Is it to start a business or market an existing one? Is it to pursue a passion? When I launched my podcast over five years ago, my goal was to reach a new segment of my mom audience and expand my platform. Your “why” will guide your content, structure, and audience engagement.
2. Identify Your Target Audience – Who are you speaking to? What is your niche? Your niche is a smaller segment of a larger group. For example, instead of targeting “Moms who homeschool,” a more specific niche could be “Stay-at-home moms who homeschool.” Understanding your audience will help you create content that resonates and keeps listeners coming back.
3. Define Your Podcast Concept – What will your show be about? Will it have a specific theme? Take time to develop a clear concept that aligns with your goals and audience. This is also a great time to brainstorm podcast ideas. Research what’s already out there and figure out how to set yourself apart with your unique perspective.
4. Set Your Launch Date – Once you’ve nailed down your “why,” audience, and concept, set a launch date. Give yourself enough time to prepare and execute your plan without rushing. Many people choose their launch date first, but I believe getting the first three steps clear before deciding on a date works better.
5. Determine Your Episode Format and Structure – Decide on the format of your episodes. Will you host solo episodes, interviews, or a mix? How long will episodes be? How often will you record? Consistency is key. When I first started, I only did interviews every other week because I had a full-time job and a blog to manage. Now, I do a mix of solo episodes and interviews weekly. Whatever you decide, stick with it to build trust with your audience.
6. Choose a Strong Title and Tagline – Pick a title that’s clear and optimized for search engines. Your tagline should explain exactly what your show is about, using keywords to help new listeners find you. For example, if your podcast title is Homeschool Hustle for Moms, a clear tagline might be, “Helping stay-at-home moms create systems to stay organized all day.”
7. Design Your Podcast Cover Art – Your cover art is the first impression of your show, so make it professional and eye-catching. If you’re on a budget, tools like Canva can help you create high-quality designs easily.
8. Outline Your Content Strategy – Identify 3-5 content pillars or themes you’ll cover on your show. For example, productivity tips, homeschooling hacks, and time management strategies could be your focus areas. Plan at least 10 episode ideas before you launch. This ensures consistency and keeps you from scrambling for topics. Write a clear podcast description with keywords to attract listeners.
9. Add Intro and Outro Music – Intro and outro music sets the tone for your podcast. While music isn’t required, many podcasters use it to add professionalism. Free resources like YouTube’s audio library offer royalty-free tracks.
10. Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform – Your hosting platform stores your audio files and distributes episodes to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I switched to Buzzsprout and have been thrilled with their customer service—they made transitioning from my previous host seamless.
11. Pick Your Equipment – Good audio quality is essential. Over the years, I’ve tested different microphones and equipment. Below are some recommendations:
Hyper X QuadCast (w/Pop Filter)
Samson Dynamic Mic
12. Select Your Recording and Editing Software – I record using Zoom and edit with GarageBand, which came pre-installed on my computer. It’s user-friendly and reliable. Audacity is another free and excellent option.
13. Batch Record and Edit – Before launching, record and edit 4-6 episodes. This lets you test your capacity and ensures you have content ready to go. Batching episodes saves time and helps maintain consistency.
14. Develop Your Launch Strategy – Decide if you want a quiet launch or a loud launch. For my podcast, I chose a quiet launch—publishing several episodes before sharing them with my audience. A loud launch, on the other hand, involves creating buzz and excitement leading up to the big day.
Podcasting is a rewarding journey that requires hard work and dedication. Over time, you’ll develop systems, strategies, and processes that align with your brand and help you stay consistent. Whether you start small or go all-in, the key is to stay the course. If you do, you’ll discover just how fulfilling this path can be!
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Are you a mom looking for ways to monetize a God-led passion or need podcast coaching? If so, fill out this coaching application to see if we’re a good fit for working together!
Related: Start Your Own Business! Career Ideas for Moms
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