How To Start A Podcast: 13 Steps To Make Money From Podcast

In order to learn how to make a podcast, you don’t need to be very technical, nor does it cost a lot of money. You will learn everything you need to know about audio podcasting and why you should create one in this guide. The topics covered will range from the very technical to the abstract aspects of podcasting. 

Learn how to start a podcast as a business owner to reach this growing audience and expand your business through content marketing.

How to start a podcast

To start a podcast, you’ll need to follow these steps: 

1. Learn how podcasting works
2. Decide on a podcast theme
3. Choose a format
4. Brand your podcast
5. Select your podcasting equipment
6. Get recording software
7. Create an outline for your first episode
8. Record your podcast
9. Record an intro and an outro
10. Edit your podcast
11. Decide on podcast hosting
12. Promote your podcast
13. Monetize your podcast

Step 1: Learn how podcasting works

Podcasts come in a variety of flavors. Personal podcasts, technical podcasts, sports reports, music samples, taped social events, previously recorded radio programs, book reviews, and audiobooks are all available. You can probably find a podcast on any topic you can think of.

Podcasts come in a variety of flavors. Personal podcasts, technical podcasts, sports reports, music samples, taped social events, previously recorded radio programs, book reviews, and audiobooks are all available. You can probably find a podcast on any topic you can think of.

Blogs and podcasts might appear very similar; the primary distinction is that a podcast entry comprises a media file that the consumer can download by accessing the website directly or by subscribing to a syndicated blog feed (also known as the RSS feed).

Many bloggers who desire to podcast do not do so due to the learning curve involved in creating and sustaining a podcast. As fantastic as podcasts might be, producing, recording, uploading, hosting, and advertising one necessitates a higher level of technological expertise than written blog entries.

However, figuring out how to work podcasts may be worthwhile if you believe they will help you develop your audience, enhance your blog material, or improve and expand your blogging talents. In the sections that follow, you may learn more about the benefits of podcasting and how to pick between audio and video podcasts.

Choosing between audio and video

If you’re ready to make the leap into podcast production, you’ll need to settle on a format. Audio and video production both necessitate specialized expertise. Your level of technical competence and comfort can influence the media you select.

Consider what form of podcast is appropriate for your blog’s readership – for example, don’t use videocasting if your blog is aimed at people with low bandwidth.

Here are a few tips that can help you decide what type of podcast to use:

Audio:

• Easier to produce than video because of the larger availability of open-source software. Most software for professional video editing is expensive.
• Easier and generally quicker to edit than video.
• More portable than video. Fewer portable devices are designed to deal with video than with audio.
• Less of a space hog than video, making audio files less expensive than video files to store on a web host.

Video:

• More compelling. The visual and auditory components combined are more likely to keep a viewer from becoming distracted.
• You can make videos shorter than audio. Audiences likely feel satisfied with a 2–4-minute video podcast, whereas they might want a much longer audio podcast.
• Gives you more visual elements to work with — both when you’re designing your blog and in individual entries.
• Has more related sites online where you can upload and share files.
• Requires the viewer’s sole attention, whereas people can listen to audio podcasts while completing other tasks. You can listen to an audio podcast while driving to work, for example.

Video and audio files can get very large. When you upload them to your web server, you fill up your available disk space more quickly than you do if you upload only text and photos. Also, distributing audio and video requires more bandwidth. 

Keep an eye on your disk space and bandwidth usage so that you aren’t hit with unexpected overage charges. Ask your web host how to keep tabs on those elements, any fees that you may accrue, and whether you need more space and bandwidth.

Step 2: Decide on a podcast theme

You need to identify a theme for your podcast before you get started. When you do this, it’s important that you write out at least 20 topics for an episode, including the topics you would discuss and who you would interview if you were doing an interview.

When choosing your podcast theme, consider this: will you still be interested in making new episodes two years from now? Think about what interests you. You will be motivated to stay disciplined by your passion even when things get tough. 

You should consider the following questions once you have selected a theme:

1). What is the goal of your podcast? The reasons to generate leads for a business, build authority on a topic, and earn passive income are among them.

2). Why do you do this podcast? Find an intrinsic purpose to motivate you while combining your practical reason. What is the message that you wish to share? 

3). For whom is the show intended? Develop an avatar of your ideal listener. You’ll be better able to understand how listeners think and feel, so you can address them directly. Furthermore, it creates a more intimate feeling for your podcast that connects with your listeners.

Consider the following:

• Interests that they have
• What they believe
• How they live and what they do
• What they like best

4). What will make your show stand out? Why should people talk about your podcast? What makes it noteworthy? The best way to stand out is to pick a niche that is an inch wide but a mile deep. Niche marketing removes perceived competition. You can also stand out with your style.

Consider what your podcast can do for your listeners. You’ll have more enthusiastic and excited listeners who tune in weekly to your show if you can provide educational material that’s also entertaining. 

Step 3: Choose a format

The podcast format is the next important component. Which format will you use and how will it be structured? Here are some suggestions:

• Interviews. Podcasts in this category feature a single host interviewing guests associated with a particular theme. For example, The School of Greatness. 
• Scripted non-fiction. Generally, these podcasts have a single theme throughout the season. For example, Serial. 
• News. These podcasts provide news in an easy-to-digest format. For example, NPR’s Up First.
• Educational. Podcasts that are scripted and non-fiction are intended primarily to teach. For example, Revisionist History. 
• Scripted fiction. As with radio dramas, these podcasts are scripted and highly produced. For instance, Limetown.

When you have chosen a format, ask yourself:

• Are you going to interview? 
• Do you plan to have a co-host?
• Will you fly alone?

Podcasts can be made from any of these formats. Your choice of format impacts the type of equipment and software you will need to invest in to produce your show.

Two of the most common questions beginners have about formatting are:

• What should the length of my podcast episodes be?

The length of an episode depends on how much value it provides for your audience, but not longer. 

• What is the best frequency for publishing my podcast?

It’s consistency, not volume, that counts. Nobody wants to subscribe to an unpredictable podcast. Make sure your publishing schedule is manageable. Scaling up can always be done later.

Step 4: Brand your podcast

Next, let’s discuss how to develop your podcast brand. It’s the first impression new podcast listeners have of your podcast, so you want to put some effort into it. 

Name your podcast

Names are powerful, so don’t underestimate their impact. Make sure the name of your podcast speaks to you and your audience. Just the name of the podcast should give listeners an idea of what it is about. 

The following guidelines will help you choose an excellent podcast name:

• Keep it to four words or less.
• Make it interesting and succinct.
• Don’t use the words “the” or “podcast.”
• Spell it out and pronounce it easily. 
• Choose a name that you enjoy saying out loud.
• Make sure it isn’t already being used by another brand.

The podcast name is often accompanied by a “hook” or short description. This should not be taken too seriously, however. Don’t stuff your podcast with keywords or you’ll be penalized. Make sure your podcast has keywords that will make it easier for people to find it.

Select your category

There are a variety of podcast categories to choose from, such as news, arts, and culture. It’s important to choose a category that accurately describes your podcast since listeners will browse these categories based on their interests. 

Your show will be removed from some directories if it is listed in a category that is completely irrelevant to its content. 

Statista lists the top ten podcast genres by weekly audience share in the US as follows:

1. Comedy (22%)
2. News (21%)
3. True crime (18%)
4. Sport (17%)
5. Health and fitness (17%) 
6. Religion and faith (16%)
7. Politics (16%)
8. Self-help and productivity (15%) 
9. Investigative journalism (13%)
10. Finances (13%)

Write a description

Write a good podcast description. Listeners will decide if they want to listen to your podcast based on the things they read about it. There are different character limits for each podcast directory. There are 4,000 characters in Apple Podcasts (which is a lot of words), but between 400 and 600 is the sweet spot.

Be sure to include the following in your podcast description:

• Ensure it is engaging
• Ask a question here
• Describe what you do
• Your podcast’s value proposition should be included

Podcast platforms also search engines. When people search for new podcasts, you should include relevant keywords so they can find your show.

Cover art

Creating a cover that stands out and visually communicates your subject is essential for your first impression. 

A few best practices are listed below:

• A minimum of 1,400 by 1,400 pixels and a maximum of 3,000 by 3,000 pixels are recommended for your cover art. 
• Optimize mobile files by compressing them. 
• Your artwork should not contain too many words

Step 5: Select your podcasting equipment

After we’ve nailed down your podcast’s brand, let’s move on to the tools you’ll need. No one will listen to your podcast for long if it doesn’t sound good. Podcasts are usually listened to in headphones; poor sound quality is distracting and uncomfortable. It’s not merely nice to have, it’s a necessity to have the right podcast equipment. 

You need the right podcast equipment, not just a nice-to-have.

Let’s start with microphones. Mics can be divided into three main categories.

USB mics. You can start recording right away with a USB mic, as you just need to plug it into your computer’s USB port, open your recording program, and you’re ready to go. The mics are the most affordable and easy to use but have the poorest sound quality compared to other microphones.

Dynamic mics. When you have two people talking, these mics are a great choice because they reject background noise well. Their durability and lack of external power make them an excellent choice. The use of dynamic microphones is common among radio announcers, broadcasters, musicians, and podcasters.

Condenser mics. They are also known as capacitor microphones and are known for their excellent audio quality and sensitivity. A 48V phantom power supply or batteries are needed to operate these mics. A condenser mic is better suited for quiet, sound-treated spaces since they are more sensitive.

Can you start a podcast using an iPhone?

Yes, in a nutshell. With the iPhone’s microphone, you have everything you need to record audio. Unfortunately, the audio may not sound as clear or professional as you would like.

Having said that, you can download several apps for your iPhone that turn it into a podcast recorder. In-app recording is also offered by podcast hosting services like Podbean and SoundCloud. Android users can obtain these apps as well:

• Anchor (iOS and Android)
• Spreaker (iOS and Android)
• iRig Recorder (iOS and Android)

Podcast recording equipment to improve quality

You can boost your production quality with some gear beyond microphones. 

Pop filter (typically $5–$20). You can use pop filters to prevent the clicking sounds your mouth makes when speaking close to the microphone from being recorded. A plosive is a really harsh consonant sound, such as p’s or b’s.

Desktop microphone stand or boom pole: 

Boom arms let you hold your podcast microphone hands-free, in front of you. In addition to adjustable height and distance, these mics also allow you to move around while podcasting or simply hide the microphone when you’re not recording. This is useful if you’re recording at your desk at home.

Over-the-ear headphones. Over-the-ear headphones are quieter, have better sound quality, and are more comfortable than earbuds.

Shock mount. Using this tool, you can suspend the microphone and prevent vibrations. 

Shock mounts are available from most microphone manufacturers. There are a number of universal microphone shock mounts available, such as Rycote, which allow you to attach microphones of various sizes and shapes quickly.

XLR connections

If you choose to use a USB microphone, you won’t need an interface. In your recording program settings, select your microphone as your audio input by plugging your microphone directly into a USB port on your computer. 

XLR connections are required for condenser or dynamic microphones. 

There are three options here:

• A Focusrite Scarlett-type audio interface. An interface expands and improves the sonic capabilities of a computer, so professional microphones can be connected. Basically, they act as a middleman, allowing sound to pass from your computer to the speakers. 
• Connect your XLR microphone to an external audio recorder. You can record and host a podcast episode independently of your computer. Your audio will be saved to an SD card, so you can upload it to your computer for editing later. 
• Podcasting machine. Rode has created standalone podcast machines with recording, effects processing, and an intuitive console for controlling everything. It would be better to start with these later on rather than upgrading to them.

Step 6: Get recording software

As soon as you have all the hardware, you’ll need sound editing software and recording software.

Audio recording software

You can record the audio from your microphone using the software recommended in this section. You can also edit the recordings using this software.

Adobe Audition (PC/Mac; $20.99 per month). Adobe Audition has all the bells and whistles you need when it comes to audio editing software. While it’s more than what you’ll need to edit your podcast, if you’re using high-end equipment and a mixer, it’s worth checking out Adobe Audition.

Audacity (PC/Mac; free). Compared to paid audio editing software, Audacity is a great free alternative. There are many tutorials online that will help you learn how to use the software.

GarageBand (Mac; free). MacBooks come with GarageBand, which can handle your audio editing needs for most users. The podcast microphone can be recorded with GarageBand and saved as an MP3 file.

Call recording software

Using software that records your calls might be useful if you plan on conducting interviews for your podcast. Using a mixer that records all sound from your computer will not require this software. 

As an alternative, if you plan to conduct interviews using a basic setup and a tool like Skype or Google Hangouts, here are some call recording tools you might find useful:

• Zencastr (PC/Mac; free to start). Record remote interviews in studio quality by sending a link and receiving separate tracks for each guest.
• Ecamm Call Recorder (Mac; $39.95). Record Skype calls on your Mac.
• Dialpad Meetings (PC/Mac/iOS/Android; free to start). Participants can join this free conference call software from their desktop or their phone, and the moderator can record the call.
• Callnote (PC/Mac; free to $9.95 per year). Besides Skype and Google Hangouts, Callnote also records Viber, FaceTime, Facebook, GoToMeeting, and WebEx conversations.

Step 7: Create an outline for your first episode

A good outline includes a hook to catch the audience’s attention, introductions of guests, interview questions, talking points, transitions, and closings. You not only show your guests you came prepared by doing these things, but they also help make your podcast go more smoothly. 

For your outline, here is a generic episode structure:

• Hook (teaser)
• Intro
• Welcome/episode overview
• Ad spot
• Interview
• Call to action
• Outro

Step 8: Record your podcast

It seems like recording a podcast is a lot more complicated than it really is. Preparation and management of an effective podcast recording can be divided into the following steps. 

1. Make sure the room has good sound

Pick a quiet place to work. Be aware of what might make noise in your surroundings. Is your computer fan loud? Your refrigerator? Phones? Pets? A television? You will have an easier time handling a cleaner recording later on.

Try and minimize echoes in rooms with hardwood floors or lots of windows. Although sound treatment is most effective for professionals, you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on it right away. Moving blankets can reduce echo effectively. You can also use soft objects to absorb sound and make recordings sound better.

2. Make adjustments to your systems

Be sure that your microphone is sending sound to your computer by adjusting the system preferences. Ensure phantom power is turned on if you’re using a condenser microphone. 

Change the time and bars in the software. You’re recording a podcast, not music, so we don’t need bars or beats. 

3. Record at a conservative level

Ensure that the recording level is conservative. Recordings that are too loud should never be recorded. Although you can always make things louder, later on, a recording that is too loud will sound distorted. 

A good input level is around -20 dB or about halfway up on most meters (yellow) when speaking at a normal-to-loud voice level.

Then, using a hearty laugh or an emphatic phrase, verify that the level does not surpass 0 dB or go “into the red.”

4. Record an audio file of high quality 

The sound distortions caused by compression artifacts compound over time. Ensure that your initial recording is a WAV or AIFF file of high quality. 24 bit, 48 kHz is recommended. Although you will probably upload your podcast as MP3 or AAC, you should start with a high-resolution format.

5. Your voice and mouth placement should be consistent

Make sure your mouth is facing the microphone. Be careful not to have a wide volume range. If you want to prevent bursts of air from going directly into your diaphragm, set up your microphone slightly to the side. 

It should not be set up at too extreme an angle, as this will interfere with the pickup pattern.

6. Test your recording 

Having a listen to a test recording can be helpful when setting up your podcast recording environment for the first time. Test recordings can be listened to on headphones, car speakers, cellphone speakers, laptops, etc.

7. Set a timer for 30 seconds of silence

The noise print of the room is captured in this way (like a sonic fingerprint) and will be helpful during post-production

Step 9: Record an intro and an outro

It adds flair and personality to your podcast to have an intro and outro. In most cases, they are short voiceovers that introduce the podcast, the episode number, the hosts, and the “hook” or tagline of the podcast. The intro/outro is also known as a bumper.

Your podcast intro will hook your listeners and show them what value your podcast will provide. You should let listeners know:

• Your identity. Tell us about your experience and why your perspective is important by introducing yourself in one sentence. 
• The topic of your podcast. Explain clearly and concisely what the purpose of your podcast is. 
• What they will gain from listening. A great podcast intro is the most forgotten, yet most important, part of the whole thing. Explain how your podcast is going to improve the listener’s life.

Thank your listeners for tuning in, include your tagline, and give them something to do next with an excellent podcast outro. It helps you to develop a deeper relationship with your audience when you include a call to action. 

You might want your listener to take the following actions:

• Write a review on Apple Podcasts 
• Subscribe to your email newsletter
• Become a Patreon supporter
• Follow your social media accounts

These can be recorded yourself if you have the skills. It’s also possible to hire someone who has a great voice for your podcast intro and outro. My podcast’s intro and outro were created on Fiverr in the past.

Step 10: Edit your podcast

If you edit your podcasts, you can add an intro and outro, stabilize the volume, and remove dead air and errors. Software like Adobe Audition, Audacity, or GarageBand should do the trick (e.g., Adobe Audition, Audacity, or GarageBand).

Most people find editing to be the least appealing part of podcast production. However, it is a necessary step. 

Here’s why: 

1. Conversations often veer off into tangents. A little less is more. Leave out the fat and keep the good stuff.
2. Audio of poor quality can cause listener fatigue. As a result of listening that requires too much effort and focus, the listener gets tired and leaves early.

Here are the most common editing mistakes:

1. Too loud music. Turn the volume down more than you think you need to. Listen to your intro in different environments and on different devices (car stereo, headphones, in the kitchen, etc.) to hear how it will sound to your listeners.
2. It was too long of an introduction. In your introduction, you should move at a fast pace, roughly 20 to 30 seconds. Do not linger too long.
3. Music that is copyrighted. Tracks cannot be used unless the recording label and the artist grant permission. The good news is that there are plenty of royalty-free music options, such as YouTube Audio Library, 909 Music on Soundcloud, and Soundstripe.

The first step in editing should be to make a cohesive and engaging podcast. A second pass should involve cleaning up the audio. 

You can make your audio sound more professional by following these tips: 

• The listener will be able to easily notice dead air gaps. 
• To avoid jarring transitions, crossfade between tracks.
• Reduce background noise by using noise reduction. 
• To filter out all sounds below a certain frequency, use a high-pass filter. You can set a high-pass filter around 80 to 100 Hz to help eliminate rumble and plosives that your listeners won’t want to hear anyway because most speaking voices don’t generate fundamental frequencies below 85 Hz.
• Correct any frequencies that seem to stand out in the recording using equalization. You should not cut or boost anything more than 6 dB because you want the recording to sound natural. 
• Make sure the loudest parts of the recording are closer to the average volume of the recording by applying compression. It’s a really helpful tool, but don’t use it too much. Start with a 2:1 ratio.
• Make use of a de-esser. When recording vocals, you may encounter a problem called sibilance, which is the presence of sharp “s” and “t” consonants in words. With a de-esser, this unpleasant sound is removed and the voice is easier to listen to for longer periods of time. Less is more. 
• Make your podcast louder than other podcasts by mastering your audio. A peak level is the volume before distortion occurs. In general, a peak level of -1 dB is good for podcasts. An average level is your signal’s peak level. RMS levels between -16 dB and -12 dB are a good range.

Don’t let the lack of time or interest in editing stop you from creating a podcast. A professional editor can help you. Fiverr and Upwork offer professional editors. We Edit Podcasts also offers a professional service for this purpose. 

Step 11: Decide on podcast hosting

People often misunderstand that podcasts aren’t directly uploaded to platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. You must upload your audio files to a separate host.

In order to do this, you use a podcast hosting platform, such as: 

• Buzzsprout
• Transistor
• PodBean

Submit your RSS feed after your podcast is hosted. RSS feeds are standardized ways to syndicate podcasts to podcast directories. This software ensures that your episodes are automatically placed on directories, adding all the necessary code to make sure listeners see the appropriate titles and descriptions as well as hear the right audio. 

Your podcast can be submitted directly from your dashboard to all the major directories if it is hosted by Buzzsprout. 

You can list your podcast in a number of directories. It’s okay to distribute your podcast across as many channels as you want. I’ll recommend the most popular. You will need to provide a name for your podcast, a description, a category, artwork, etc.

• Apple Podcast
• Stitcher
• SoundCloud
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Google Play

Apple Podcasts

It should be your priority to focus on Apple Podcasts, since it is the largest podcast directory. The only podcast directory you should submit to is this one. The Apple Podcasts for Creators page can assist you in creating a podcast account and submitting it to Apple Podcasts.

Stitcher

Podcasts can also be discovered on Stitcher, the second largest podcast directory. On Stitcher, for example, there is a podcast called Basic Brewing Radio that discusses homebrewing beer. For wine enthusiasts, there is the Wine for Normal People podcast.

YouTube

If you want to reach more people, you may want to post your podcast on YouTube. Uploading a video is like uploading any other YouTube video. Use a static branded image to complement your other artwork for the visuals. Video is also an option.

Spotify

Its popularity with streaming music and ability to recommend relevant music and podcasts make Spotify a leading directory for podcasts. You want to get your podcast in the feed of the directory since it is growing quickly. You can submit your show to Spotify for Podcasters by going to their site. A podcast listing usually appears within a few hours, but it may take two to five days.

SoundCloud

Another way to expand your reach is by listing your podcast on SoundCloud. SoundCloud subscribers for PlayStation’s podcasts have exceeded 5,000.

Google Play

Google Play podcasts are a great way to reach more potential listeners. Begin by visiting the Google Podcasts Manager. Enter the RSS feed URL for your podcast, then click Submit RSS Feed. Your podcast will be published once you confirm ownership and review the information.

Step 12: Promote your podcast

You can be featured in Apple Podcasts’ New & Notable section when you launch. Imagine how quickly you could grow your podcast with this. Your new podcast would gain a lot of traction with this.

You’ll want to launch your podcast in a way that you receive listens and reviews quickly if you want Apple Podcasts to notice you. Your podcast will likely be featured as a result. Despite not being guaranteed, launching your podcast this way can also help you grow organically.

Create buzz around the launch of your podcast by making it an event. Let people know what to expect from your podcast on a landing page. On this page, people can also sign up for a mailing list, which can be used to contact them on launch day.

Pre-launch audience building is crucial because it creates a snowball effect.

You should debut your podcast with a few episodes, ideally three, on the day you debut it. Listening to this number of episodes without overwhelming your audience is a good idea. With only one episode, you are not likely to get the listen numbers you need to be noticed by Apple Podcasts.

You need to also let your listeners know that you will put out content regularly and that they have something to look forward to. By showing multiple episodes at launch (e.g., episode #1, episode #2, etc. ), you’re implying there are many more to come.

Send an email to your email list announcing the launch and asking them to subscribe and leave a review after listening. If you encourage your subscribers to leave a review on the first day, it can help you get noticed by Apple Podcasts, increasing your chances of getting featured.

Here are a few more simple marketing ideas:

• Take advantage of tools like repurpose.io and wavve.co to create short snippets of your audio and post them on social media. 
• Transcribing your episodes will improve your SEO and help you get found on Google.
• Your guests’ audiences can help you spread the word about new episodes.
• Join other podcasts as a guest.

Monetize your podcast

You can monetize your podcast in many ways. Build your audience first and earn their trust. From there, you can consider monetizing it.

You can make money podcasting in addition to displaying ads:

• Sponsorships. During this segment, the podcast promotes a sponsor. Sponsorship income depends on the number of downloads your show receives. Rates typically range from $18 to $50 per 1,000 views, with sponsors paying on a cost-per-1,000 basis.
• Direct support. A host asking for direct support is when they ask for money from listeners. Most likely, people will donate some money to your podcast if they like the content.
• Affiliate sales. Affiliate marketing can also generate income for podcasters. As an affiliate, you will typically make money based on what you sell to the company you are promoting rather than per download.
• Selling products. 
• Podcasts often make money by selling complementary products. In addition to merchandise, consulting services, books, and live events, courses can also be offered.

Your podcast can be monetized as soon as you have launched a few episodes and built an audience.

Best podcast business tips

Now that you know how to start a podcast, keep these tips in mind before and after you press Record:

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

We all make mistakes from time to time. No matter how big or small the mistake is, it is a valuable lesson you learn. You become a better person as a result. You shouldn’t be afraid to make one. Trying again is always an option.

Be persistent

At some point in our lives, we’ve all felt stuck or unmotivated. In the case of podcasts, it can feel impossible to move forward. Get back to the point. Getting traction and seeing results in podcasting takes time, so stay motivated.

Relax

Your voice should not be a source of self-consciousness. You don’t need a professional voice to make people listen to you. Simply speak naturally.

If you sound shaky or nervous on the mic, remember that it takes practice to improve your confidence. Comparing my first few podcasts to today’s, I can clearly see how much I have improved.

Don’t read from a script

It is important that your podcast sounds natural. Audiobooks aren’t for podcast listeners. Podcast listeners are accustomed to dynamic discussions and conversations. Having a few bullet points to work from is OK, but practice talking about topics off the top of your head.

Make guests feel comfortable

The first time you conduct an interview, it’s very important that you make the guest feel comfortable. Warm up the guest before you hit record. You will get more insightful answers if you create a welcoming environment. 

Final Words

Creating a successful podcast is possible today. Starting with the podcast listing information, find podcasts that are doing what you want to do on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Record a short podcast episode today, introducing yourself and your podcast idea if you already have an external microphone. 

Try talking for a long time into a microphone before diving in, and then listen to your voice afterward. The episode you record today does not have to be uploaded, but it’s a good idea to practice and familiarize yourself with the process.