How to Start a Podcast

5 Things That Stop People From Starting Podcasts – and Why They Shoudn’t Stop You

1. “I Don’t Know What to Podcast About.”

If you have the desire to start a podcast, but don’t think you have the content for a good show, don’t worry. And definitely don’t quit! There are a number of solutions to this problem. Start with a simple brainstorming session. Write down a list of your hobbies. Then create a list of topics you like. If you’re stumped, walk over to your bookshelf or video game collection (or browse the “watched” lists on your streaming accounts) to get a sense of what genres and topics you keep coming back to.
If you have interests, you have content to work with. But at this point we have to address a follow up concern that is frequently paired with the “I don’t know what to podcast about” worry. It comes up a lot, and it sounds like this.
I like all these things, but I’m not an expert in any of them.

This statement is hyper connected to imposter syndrome. Here’s the thing. You don’t need to be an expert in anything to start a podcast. So how do you get away with starting a podcast when you’re not a pro at your topic? There are a few options.
First, passion will take you far. Lots of people enjoy hearing someone else geek out about common interests. Genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for books, tv shows, games, culture, or whatever else you’re discussing can build a real audience base (see the Joe Rogan podcast, which features 2-3 hour conversations with a variety of guests). Maybe, like Joe Rogan, You’re interested in creating an interview podcast!

Second, you can bring in experts and have a conversation. There’s no shame in admitting what you don’t know. In fact, that can help you build trust. Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert is a great example.

It is true that if you’re not comfortable covering a topic or creating content on your own, you will likely need to look outward for help. But no – you don’t need to know famous people to get started. First, leverage your own connections. You probably know some people who are quite good at or knowledgeable about some things. Maybe you even have connections with, well, other connections. Another option is to add a co-host to your podcast to bring some additional expertise to your show. Maybe you’re the enthusiast who asks the questions your listeners will be asking, while your guest or co-host brings the detailed expertise.
You can find and create content for your podcast. Spend some time exploring these options, and if you’re still stuck, let us know.

2. “I’m Too Busy.”

This reason stems from some misconceptions about what you have to do to have a podcast. Namely, that you need to podcast weekly (or more) for an indefinite amount of time.

Good news. It’s not true.

Remember S-town? One of the most famous podcasts created by This American Life? The one season show achieved its cultural impact with just seven episodes.

Your show doesn’t have to go on forever. Your decision to dedicate a couple months to planning and recording all your podcast episodes or spread out your creative process doesn’t change the validity of your show.

3. “No One Will Listen to My Show.”

Admittedly, building a podcast audience is a task. However, there are multiple ways for you to market your podcast. Our number one tip for building a podcast audience is simple: make them a part of the show. You can do this by giving your listeners a way to communicate with you via an email account. Or, go a step further by creating an exclusive slack channel for subscribers. Read reviews and listener questions on the air, or invite a lucky listener to join in on an episode! This connectedness between listener and host is one thing that makes podcasts so popular, and it naturally builds a word-of-mouth reputation.

4. “It’s Too Expensive.”

Yes, podcasting equipment can be pricey. If you’re worried about how much it costs to start a podcast, we understand. You may feel pressured to buy the best equipment on the market. But that’s not a necessity. There are tons of options when it comes to podcast equipment. Quality microphones do exist for people who are starting out on a budget. Plus, there are free editing platforms. Additionally, you may be able to find a place where you can rent equipment before buying to save money while you decide what equipment you want in your studio.

5. “I Don’t Know How to Record or Edit a Podcast.”

For those who are intimidated by the learning curve of podcast editing, learning platforms like Youtube and Skillshare are great options. Great tutorials are out there, but if you don’t want to deal with the technicalities of podcast editing, you can hire a podcast editor to take care of the audio stitching, mixing, mastering, show notes, etc.

How to Know When You’re Ready to Launch Your Podcast

Most creators struggle with feeling “done” with their work. There are always more questions to ask, more edits to make, or better ways to word things. This perfectionism can slow or stop the process.

You may never be comfortable with the quality of your work, but if you never stop editing, no one will ever hear your work.

That’s where goals come in. If your podcast does what you intended for it to do – educate, entertain, market, etc, it’s time to release your podcast.

Not sure if you’re hitting your marks? Bring in a focus group of friends and family who can give feedback on if your podcast is ready for an audience.

If you’re releasing content on a weekly basis, make sure you have a review day in place for revising your content. Then, when it’s time, let your podcast episode get published and start focusing on the next thing. Take the mistakes or “I wish(es)” from the past and implement them in your future episodes.

You’ll probably never think your podcast is perfect — but don’t let perfection keep you from production. The world needs more true, beautiful, helpful, funny, inspiring, curious content. Get creating!