How to Start a Podcast: a Creative Step-by-Step Guide

Are you up for a challenge? Here is one: why don’t you create your own branded podcast?

Podcasts are affordable, mobile and intimate… and they are here to stay. According to Edison Research, among podcast listeners, 30% of the time spent listening to audio sources is dedicated to podcasts.

This is a huge opportunity for brands and a lot of them have already taken the leap and started using podcasting as a way to boost their marketing strategy. Creating a podcast is easy—the trickiest part is catching your audience’s attention and making sure they are actually consuming your content.

With this ultimate guide to branded podcasts, we will tell you everything you need to know to create, launch and sustain your own podcast. Buckle up!

What is a podcast?

A podcast is a type of digital media that allows brands to connect with audiences in a personal, authentic way. Podcasts are typically audio or video series that can easily be streamed and downloaded from mobile and computer devices. 

Podcasters tend to cover a wide range of topics, depending on what their brand is and how they are trying to promote it. They usually structure their podcasts in episodes, where they include news, education, entertainment, storytelling, interviews, or specific topics. ‍

14 complete steps for creating a podcast 

The first step is obviously coming up with a powerful concept idea for your podcast.

1. Define your podcast’s topic

What will your podcast be about? What is the main topic you want to cover? What will be some of the episodes’ themes or titles? Find out what your answers to these questions are before going any further.

The goal here is to pick a topic that is wide enough to act as a central theme throughout every episode while you cover more niche sub-topics.

Our tip would be to go for a hot topic that still hasn’t really been analyzed in the media and/or to be the first to explore a concept linked to your company’s industry. For example, if you are a hosted phone system provider, you can talk about cybersecurity. Don’t forget to have fun though and be sure to cover concepts that are important to you and your brand.

2. Find the right name for your podcast

Choosing the right name for your podcast is essential, as this name will and should reflect your editorial direction, your brand DNA and your field of expertise.

To make the right choice, keep in mind that the name of your podcast should:

• Be indicative of the topic you plan on covering. Potential listeners should get an idea of your podcast’s topic just from reading its title. As an example, a podcast called Wanderlust would be about traveling.
• Allow for a wide range of sub-topics to be covered. Avoid choosing a name that is too specific as it might limit you in terms of potential themes to discuss.
• Be original and easy to remember. You should preferably go for a name that is both short and impactful, all while representing your brand and its values. Avoid long, abstract names at all costs.
• Be unique. Obviously it would be a shame to go for a name that is already taken, so take a look at Apple Podcasts or Spotify and make sure the name you choose isn’t already a registered trademark.

3. Think about the editorial format of your episodes 

Once you’ve chosen a topic, you need to think about the ways you’ll cover it.

Here are some examples of popular editorial formats:

• Interview
• Short reports
• Testimonials
• Fiction / storytelling
• Audio magazine
• Videocast
• Talk show

The editorial format mostly depends on both your marketing goal and your target audience. The age of your audience, for example, is a key factor when it comes to deciding how to address them.

An audio magazine will be ideal if you wish to report on technical concepts while addressing industry experts, while a talk show style podcast will do well among a younger audience that is looking for entertainment.

4. Define your podcast’s length and frequency

As a marketer, you are aware of the fact that publishing new content regularly is key. Well, the same rule applies to podcasts!

Similarly, it is essential that you only release quality content, so take a moment to think about how much time you are able to invest in your podcast before deciding on its length and frequency.

Here are the 6 main frequencies: 

• Season stacking (all episodes are published simultaneously)
• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Bi-monthly
• Quarterly

Regarding your podcast’s length, know that 83% of all podcasts are less than 30 minutes long. Always keep in mind that length and quality are two independent factors. While it can make perfect sense to record a two-hour episode on a very complex topic, some topics can be covered efficiently within just 15 minutes. The choice of your editorial format will also influence the length of your podcast.

5. Find a co-host (optional)

Podcasts are a very intimate format. If you pay attention, you’ll quickly notice that a lot of branded ones involve just two voices, especially considering that interviews are such a popular podcast format.

However, feel free to be the sole voice of your branded podcast or to have five simultaneous guests. It all depends on your concept! Just know that having a co-host means having access to more input and ideas and that your conversations might make your podcast more engaging.

If one of your coworkers or partners is the ideal co-host, now’s a good time to ask them if they would be up for it!

6. Write a thorough script

Just like you wouldn’t hold a presentation without preparing it first, you should not start recording your podcast without having written a script.

Your script will help you avoid forgetting to mention something and will allow you to talk more eloquently.

A good script should include:

• A detailed, chronological outline of your episode (introduction, welcome message, topics to cover, conclusion etc.)
• If relevant, a list of your interview questions
• A list of your own narrative parts (personal anecdotes, transitions etc.) to optimize your storytelling and make sure your podcast takes its listeners on a structured journey.

This is also your chance to research your topic, define your keywords and explain the most complex concepts you will cover. You should put yourself in the shoes of your listeners and think of the questions they might have while listening. Be sure to include as much useful, detailed and relevant information as possible, such as facts and data.

Don’t forget to keep things interesting and avoid turning your podcast into a snoozefest. Be straightforward and to the point when writing your script as this will make your podcast easier to follow too.

7. Create an aesthetically pleasing cover image

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression and the cover image is going to be the first thing potential listeners look at when finding your podcast. Apple Podcast tends to give more exposure to podcasts that have a quality cover image, so don’t miss out on that opportunity because of poor design.

Here are some tips to create an impactful podcast cover image:

• Choose a visual that evokes your podcast’s topic. It should be eye-catching all while telling potential listeners what your podcast will be about.
• Do not write more than 4 words on your cover. Less is more!
• Avoid images of microphones, headphones or any audio equipment at all costs. Be creative!
• Make sure your cover image is easy to read, even as a thumbnail.
• Keep your cover image in tune with your other brand assets. It should reflect your brand DNA too.

If you find Photoshop and Illustrator too intimidating, Canva is a great free tool you can use instead.

8. Record your podcast’s intro and outro

Adding signature sound effects to your podcast will make it both impactful all while branding it and making it more engaging.

Every podcast episode should have an intro jingle as well as an outro that should include:

• A voice-over (how about yours?) that will introduce the episode, mention your podcast’s tagline and introduce your guests (if applicable). Remember you can always hire someone on Fiverr if you don’t feel comfortable doing that yourself.
• Some background music to set the mood and make your intro more lively. Here, you can either purchase a music license through a website such as PremiumBeat or search for royalty-free music on dedicated platforms (Incompetech, Free Music Archive…).

9. Gather the necessary podcast equipment

It might seem difficult to pick the right podcasting tools as a beginner, but just 3 or 4 of them are enough to record a professional-sounding podcast. You should know that these tools are absolutely affordable too!

Your first step here is to find recording software and audio editing software.

Here is what we can recommend:

• Free software: GarageBand (Mac only) and Audacity (Mac & PC) are both ideal for beginners
• Paid software: Adobe Audition ($20.99 per month), Hindenburg ($95 per month)

You can also choose to use an online podcasting tool such as Alitu ($28 per month). This tool aims to optimize your production process and allows you to easily add a jingle while offering some basic mastering.

You’ll also need to get a podcasting kit that includes:

• A USB microphone: It is key to recording audio for a high-quality podcast. Our tip here is to invest in a good microphone from the get-go, such as the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB that you’ll be able to use for many, many years.
• Headphones: They will help you get audio feedback of your own voice and that of your guests while recording. For optimal audio performance, we recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphones.
• A sound windscreen: This will shield you against unwanted stray sounds.
• A camera (if you are making a videocast).

Depending on your budget, you could also invest in a mixer, a microphone boom or a USB sound card if using a XLR microphone, which is not USB compatible.

10. Record a professional podcast

Now that you’ve got your script ready, opened your audio software and connected all your equipment, it is time to start recording.

But first, here are some useful tips from us:

• Always position your microphone 2 to 4 inches away from your mouth. You can then adjust the distance depending on your audio feedback.
• Stay away from the microphone when you aren’t talking to avoid unwanted noise.
• Keep a glass of water ready in case your throat gets dry.
• Keep an eye on your script but do not read it. Get used to bringing up your ideas in a casual and spontaneous way. This will make your podcast sound much more authentic.
• Breathe! Everything’s going to be alright. And if you do make a mistake, you can always edit it out.

You are now ready to press “Record” and start having fun. Congratulations! 

To go further, you can use our podcast video maker to start editing your audio and video like a pro.

Once you are done recording, be sure to:

• Save your audio files as something like “PodcastName-Episode-1-Topic”
• Export your audio files to .mp3 to reduce the volume of your recording
• Select a constant bitrate of 128 kb/s to increase audio quality
• Choose a sample frequency of 44,1 MHz

11. Edit your podcast

Now that you are done recording your first episode, it’s time for some post production work to start editing it. Ready?

The two main skills you’ll need here are creativity and a good sense of rhythm. You want your podcast to catch and sustain the attention of your target audience.

Here are some tips for you:

• Play with the vocal equalizer settings to improve sound quality and adjust the volume.
• Get rid of unnecessary pauses and silences as well as stray sounds.
• Make sure to only keep what is essential. Start editing the rest out for a great finish!
• Rephrase or simplify your guest’s answers if necessary, for example by adding narrative elements.
• Structure your podcast using music.

Lastly, don’t forget to mention the name of your brand at the very beginning of your episode so your listeners know who is behind their new favorite podcast.

Now that you’re done editing, remember to add ID3 tags when saving your file, as they will be useful to send information about your podcast to MP3 players. Include the title of the episode, the name of your podcast, its category and anything else you think would be useful.

Elevate your video content effortlessly with PlayPlay's powerful templates and features, enabling you to create a video podcast that resonates with your audience and boost engagement.

12. Hosting your podcast

Fun fact: Did you know that podcasts are not hosted directly on Spotify or Apple Podcast?

Actually, these platforms are simply making content available via their own app. This file transfer system is called an RSS feed. Once set up, your podcast’s own RSS feed will automatically distribute your latest episode to all dedicated platforms.

Just like a website needs a web hosting provider, you’ll need to find a podcast hosting service. Some of the most popular options include Buzzsprout, Captivate, Transistor, LibSyn or Blubrry.

Aside from some small differences regarding pricing and storage, these podcast hosting services are all fairly similar.

Here are some of their benefits:

• Fast download speed and fast loading times when streaming
• Mobile-friendly podcast listening
• Easy WordPress and YouTube integration
• Audience data
• The option to add notes to your podcast, such as a transcript or links to additional resources
• Monetization options by adding audio ads to your podcast

To select the right podcast host, you’ll need to know how many episodes you’ll be releasing each month. For example, if you are releasing 4 1-hour episodes per month (50Mb each), you’ll need at least 200Mb of storage per month. Of course this is just an estimate and you’ll need to look for the solution that best fits your needs.

Make sure you get unlimited bandwidth and slightly more storage than you need.

13. Share your podcast on the right podcast apps

Now that your episodes are hosted online, you need to submit your RSS feeds to the main podcast apps. Don’t worry, this is easy!

You just have to:

• Copy your RSS feed from the “RSS Feed” tab of your podcast host
• Paste your RSS feed to the podcast submission forms (we’ll get back to that right after)

And voilà! Your podcast has officially been published.

Here are some of the podcast apps you might want to use aside from the main ones: Deezer, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud etc.

The main 4 podcasting apps are:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes): It is the number 1 podcast platform and gathers over 900k podcasts in total. Just add your RSS feed to Podcasts Connect to be added to their directory.
• Spotify: The number two app with around 700k podcasts. Spotify is an essential streaming platform that should not be overlooked. You can submit your episodes here: Spotify for Podcasters.
• Google Podcasts: It was launched in 2018 but still isn’t very popular among podcast creators. However, it is tremendously helpful when it comes to boosting the SEO of your podcast. Just head to the Google Podcasts app.
• Stitcher: This platform has 8 million users and 65k podcasts. Your podcast should definitely be on there too. You can register here: Podcast Creators.

Some niche podcast directories also exist, such as Learn Out Loud, which is dedicated to educational podcasts or Women in Podcasting, which focuses on women podcasters.

In case you are releasing a videocast, YouTube is definitely the main platform you should consider. Our tip is just to avoid static images or audiograms when posting on YouTube, as this will obviously not make your video very engaging. Instead, consider filming yourself while recording the podcast!

14. Use traditional communication channels to promote your podcast

To increase the reach of your branded podcast, remember to promote it using your usual communication channels, such as:

• Your website, for example by writing a dedicated blog post or publishing your podcast’s transcript
• Your social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), for example through a videocast, a short video summary or an audiogram
• Your PR channels, by launching a media relations campaign targeting journalists, influencers and other podcasters
• Your newsletter to promote your podcast to your email lists
• Word of mouth: as you know, your friends and coworkers are your best ambassadors. Tell them about your podcast and focus on how they can benefit from listening to it.

You are now ready to create and launch a successful branded podcast. Now, who’s already thinking about season 2?

Why should you launch your own branded podcast?

Podcasting is one of the best marketing strategies to expand your audience reach, connect with existing and potential customers, and make your brand more authentic and personal. 

If you still need to be convinced that podcasts are a powerful marketing tool, here is some data that should change your mind.

• In the US, 50% of all homes are podcast fans. That’s over 60 million homes in total.
• In 2019, the total number of Americans aged 12+ who have ever listened to a podcast passed 50% for the first time.
• The percentage of Americans who listen to online audio (defined as listening to AM/FM radio stations online and/or listening to streamed audio content available only on the internet) has doubled since 2012, growing from one-third of the population to two-thirds.
• In 2020, 20% of Americans listen to them weekly.
• As a fully mobile format, podcasts are accessible to your audience anywhere and everywhere, especially from their smartphone. In the US, 65% of people use their smartphone or tablet to tune in.
• Podcasts are a great way to generate additional revenue. Not only do they allow you to establish your brand as an expert in its field, they also allow for additional sales.

We hope we’ve managed to convince you to give launching your own branded podcast a try. Let’s see how to get started now.

How to develop your podcast branding?

Before you get started with creating your podcast, you should keep in mind that your podcast will have a direct impact on how customers view your brand. So, you’ll want to get your podcast branding right to make sure it’s aligned with what you’re selling! 

Every element and feature of your podcast is associated with your brand. These elements and features include your podcast description, intro theme, trailer, and even the tone of voice you’re using to discuss your topics!

Two examples of important elements to work on for your podcast are: the name, and the intro and outro. 

Your podcast name is the first element that will make customers decide if they want to tune in or not! The name has the potential to make your podcast show memorable and appealing to any target audience. 

The second most important podcast element is your intro and outro. These are key in making your podcast stand out from the rest. Once a listener decides to listen to your podcast after reading the title, you’ll want to include a catchy intro to grab your audience’s attention and make sure they continue listening to you! Your outro will be all about ending your podcast episode on a high note, so that listeners are encouraged to tune into more. 

Create stunning podcast videos with PlayPlay 

Want to promote your podcast on social media for a larger audience reach but don’t have a video editing software in mind? 

Choose PlayPlay!

PlayPlay is the video creation platform that will empower you to transform your podcast into an engaging video for any social media platform. PlayPlay provides a suite of video creation and editing features to help you quickly create professional and high-quality videos in a matter of minutes. 

Once you’ve filmed your podcast session, you can use PlayPlay’s premium stock library or multi-format resize tool to help you create the perfect video for each social media platform. 

Reasons to love PlayPlay for your podcast video making: 

• Premium stock library: Access millions of high-quality, royalty-free media from your videos. Use premium images, videos, and GIFs from Getty to enhance and make your professional videos more engaging. 
• Crop and resize videos: Use PlayPlay's multi-format resized tool to start editing your videos for different content channels and formats. In minutes, you can resize your videos into vertical, horizontal, or square modes without affecting the quality of your output.