I am often a morning walk companion for people I will never meet. How can this happen? They take me to their earbuds as they stream my podcasts, creating a better agency

This is a perfect sign for marketers eager to venture into the podcasting universe. Once a fringe platform, the podcast is now surprisingly mainstream. According to Nielsen, six out of 10 people understand what they are, and 112 million Americans – 40 per cent of the nation’s population – have listened to at least one. Although podcast listeners are thin-skinned men, it’s not much: 56 per cent are male, while 44 per cent are female.

Marketing professionals must not only remember those figures, but they also need cash in their own campaigns. When 67 million men and women are monthly podcast consumers, it is often a separate segment that deserves serious consideration. The fact that an astonishing 63 per cent of podcast listeners shop has endorsed something recommended by the host, and you yourself have a real gold mine.

How to Start a Podcast in 7 Steps

If you’ve never been ahead of the mic before, you’ll still see the primary stage of a solid podcast schedule. From there, you will be ready for the branch.

Step:1 Create a checklist to keep yourself on task.

I asked myself questions repeatedly before doing podcasting. They included everything from niche audiences that I wanted to succeed if the podcast host was a short-term frenzy or long-term interest. I also considered the podcast genre, which I like to show to the general public, including show prep and publication schedule.

Obviously, your checklist is going to be personal, but confirm that it includes a neighbourhood on technical elements. If you have not done your homework, it is often difficult to line up audio, iTunes, accounts and interviews.

Step:2 Set up your basic show format.

Every interviewer likes to run their own podcast in a particular way. Many podcasters ask guests a similar question, but as a listener, I feel hasty during haste. Sure, it’s less work, but it makes the host lazy. I loved interviewing content experts but occasionally wished the housemates were solitary. My agreement was a 4 to 1 ratio of at least one interview.

I was confident that I could do some of the available questions and then start a conversation on the fly. A huge danger? Maybe. But I was confident that I could close the conversation from 45 minutes to hours without the security net.

Step:3 Leverage the heck out of your network.

The primary 10 episodes set the tone for any podcast launch, so confirm that you line up high-profile, interesting, engaging guests who are about to close for just a few – or listeners – of yours. My friends came by my side on a big road, offering me a rocker from day one. Not only did he help make the podcast public, but he also generously allowed me to ride his social media coattails.

Step:4 Track your downloads.

Rob Walch was one of my recent podcast guests who offered an important consideration for any podcasters: You have to stay on top of your downloads. Rob’s suggestion is to hit an episode of a minimum of 500 downloads to ensure that you have broken the circle of individuals in just your click.

What’s the right download number, quote, “success” for you? Only you will determine it, but it helps to keep a gentle eye on the numbers. Start looking down at the hearing? Go back to face one and ask those tough questions again, which will pivot you before you lose the traction of your podcast.

Step:5 Produce great content consistently.

Does everyone have a bad condition at one time? Sure. And if you have planned in advance and therefore have great content in the bag, you cannot release it in a better way. Try to make several available before you release your podcast publicly. In this way, you get the relief of a buffer zone.

Do not try to start too early. You will always build after your delivery. With its itinerary, which sees me fewer than 200 aircraft a year, I decided to urge 10 episodes before proving myself, so that I could keep up the trouble. August and September 2015 were a fleet of set-ups and recordings, and we opened the doors to our podcast – virtually in October 2015 – since then, without fail, we published a replacement episode weekly.

Step:6 Prepare to become a podcast promoter.

Your target person will not find your podcast without the help of a touch, so sell it as if your life depends there. I used my company’s email list, my personal social channels, and myriad other platforms. In addition, I requested that each guest promote their own episode.

We had the privilege of soliciting new and notable iTunes, which topped the top five of its many subject-specific lists during the primary month.

Step:7 Learn how to monetize your podcast.

Finally, it is important to find out how to earn your podcasting supported income. One method is to market your book, workshop, or online course, to build thought leadership at a similar time.

If you’ve got a narrow audience with depth or breadth and you can’t just sell ads or sponsorships, you’ll still have a number in your favour.

Starting a podcast is a powerful way to share your ideas, grow your brand, or build a community. Here’s a complete step-by-step tutorial on how to launch a successful podcast from scratch:

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How to Start a Podcast: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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Step 1: Plan Your Podcast

Choose Your Topic & Niche

• Pick a topic you’re passionate about and that has a target audience.

• Be specific: Instead of “health,” go for “nutrition for working moms.”

Define Your Target Audience

• Who will benefit from your podcast?

• What problems can you help them solve?

Decide the Format

• Interview-based?

• Solo episodes?

• Panel discussions?

• Storytelling / documentary?

Decide the Episode Length & Frequency

• Common durations: 20–45 mins

• Weekly, bi-weekly, or seasonal?

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Step 2: Prepare Your Podcast Setup

Equipment You Need

• Microphone: USB mics like Blue Yeti or XLR mics like Audio-Technica ATR2100x

• Headphones: Closed-back headphones for clear audio monitoring

• Pop Filter & Mic Stand: Optional but helps improve audio quality

• Recording Software:

  • Free: Audacity (Windows/Mac/Linux), GarageBand (Mac)

  • Paid: Adobe Audition, Hindenburg, Descript

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Step 3: Record Your First Episode

Tips for Recording:

• Choose a quiet room.

• Use a script or outline.

• Record in WAV or high-quality MP3 format.

• Speak clearly and naturally.

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Step 4: Edit Your Podcast

• Remove mistakes, filler words, long pauses, background noise.

• Add intro/outro music, transitions, and sponsor messages.

• Tools:

  • Audacity (free)

  • Descript (text-based editing)

  • Adobe Audition (professional-level)

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Step 5: Create Branding Assets

Podcast Cover Art

• Minimum 1400×1400 pixels (Max 3000×3000)

• Use tools like Canva or hire a designer

Intro/Outro Music

• Royalty-free music from sites like:

  • Pixabay

  • Free Music Archive

  • AudioJungle (paid)

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Step 6: Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform

You need a host to store and distribute your podcast.

Popular Hosts:

• Buzzsprout

• Podbean

• Anchor (Free, now part of Spotify for Podcasters)

• Libsyn

• Transistor

These platforms give you an RSS feed needed for directories like Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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Step 7: Publish and Distribute

Submit to Major Directories:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Google Podcasts

• Amazon Music

• Stitcher

• TuneIn

• Others (via RSS feed)

Show Details to Add:

• Title

• Description

• Author

• Category

• Language

• Tags/Keywords

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Step 8: Promote Your Podcast

• Share on social media

• Create a website or landing page

• Turn episodes into blog posts or YouTube videos

• Use audiograms (via Headliner) for short video clips

• Collaborate with guests or influencers

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Step 9: Monetize (Optional)

• Sponsorships

• Listener donations (Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee)

• Selling products or services

• Premium episodes or memberships

• Affiliate marketing

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Bonus Tips for Success

• Stay consistent with your schedule.

• Ask for listener feedback.

• Track metrics (downloads, listener retention).

• Always look to improve audio quality and engage your audience.

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Summary Checklist

Topic/Niche
Equipment
Recording Software
Episode Plan
Podcast Host
Cover Art & Music
Directories Submission
Promotion Strategy
Monetization (optional)

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Would you like a template for a podcast episode script, or help creating your cover art or intro music?

How To Start A Podcast: A Complete Step-By-Step Tutorial