Thinking About Starting a Podcast? Start Here

I've helped launch a lot of podcasts, and the ones that last all have something in common: they figured out a few basics before they ever hit record. Gear matters less than you think. Clarity matters more.

Who is it for?

Just like a business, a podcast needs a specific listener. "People who like business" is too broad. "Women in the Upper Cumberland who are building something of their own" is a show someone can recognize as theirs.

What's the promise?

Finish this sentence: "Every episode, you'll walk away with ___." That promise shapes your format, your guests and your episode length. It also becomes the line you use to tell people about the show.

Pick a format you can keep up

Solo, co-host or interview? Weekly or every other week? Twenty minutes or an hour? Consistency beats ambition. A good twenty-minute show every two weeks will outgrow an hour-long weekly show that fizzles after episode six.

Don't overthink the gear

A decent dynamic microphone, headphones and a quiet room will get you most of the way. Soft surfaces (a closet full of clothes, a rug, a couch) do more for your sound than an expensive mic in an echoey kitchen.

Plan for the work after the recording

Editing, show notes, artwork, publishing to Apple and Spotify, and clips for social media take more time than the conversation itself. That's the part that wears people out. Decide up front who's doing it.

Want help?

That last part is exactly what I do. My team handles recording, editing and distribution for one simple monthly price, starting at $500 a month. Take a look at the shows we produce, or schedule a free consult and bring your idea.