So, You Want to Start a Podcast?
Ever caught yourself thinking, “Maybe I should start a podcast”? You’re not alone. I remember having that same thought while sipping my morning coffee one day, listening to someone else’s show, and thinking, I could do this. I have things to say too.
But then reality hits: Where do you even start? How do you record, publish, and get people to actually listen? Don’t worry, friend. Let’s walk through it together, step by step, like two folks chatting over coffee at Summer Moon.
Step 1: Know Your Why
Before you buy a fancy microphone or spend hours scrolling through YouTube tutorials, stop and ask yourself why you want to start a podcast.
Is it to grow your business? Build a personal brand? Share your story? Educate others?
Your “why” will shape everything from your show’s name to how you promote it. When I started thinking about mine, I realized I didn’t just want to talk—I wanted to connect. I wanted my podcast to feel like a conversation that left people inspired, not overwhelmed.
Step 2: Choose Your Topic and Style
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Think of it like showing a home for the first time—you might not know every detail, but you know the feeling you want folks to have when they walk in.
Pick a topic that excites you enough to talk about week after week. Then decide your style: will it be solo, interviews, roundtable discussions, or storytelling? Keep it authentic. People don’t want perfection—they want you.
Step 3: Keep Your Gear Simple
I know it’s tempting to order the whole Amazon podcast kit, but truthfully, you can start small. A USB microphone, your laptop, and a quiet space are enough to get going. Use free editing tools like Audacity or GarageBand to clean up your audio. You can upgrade later once you find your rhythm.
Step 4: Create Your Brand and Format
Think of your podcast like your business brand—it needs a name, a tone, and a clear message.
Decide how long each episode will be (15 minutes? 45?), how often you’ll release them, and what your intro will sound like.
You don’t need a voice like a radio host. You just need to sound like yourself on a good day.
Step 5: Record, Edit, and Publish
This part can feel technical, but once you do it once or twice, it’s a breeze. Record your first few episodes, edit out the long pauses, and upload them to a podcast host like Buzzsprout, Spotify for Podcasters, or Podbean.
Your hosting platform will push your show out to places like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts automatically.
Step 6: Promote Like You Mean It
Post snippets of your episodes on Instagram, share quotes on LinkedIn, or start a blog that ties into your podcast (like this one). If you’re already showing up online, your podcast can be an extension of that—another way for people to get to know you.
Step 7: Give It Time
Just like real estate, success in podcasting takes consistency. Don’t quit if you don’t hit 1,000 downloads overnight. Focus on serving your listeners and staying consistent. The right audience will find you if you keep showing up.
My Final Word
If you’ve been feeling that nudge to start your podcast, take it as a sign. You don’t have to wait until everything’s perfect. Just start.
The conversations you have, the stories you tell, and the people you impact—those are what make it worth it.
So grab your mic, your coffee, and a little courage. You’ve got something worth sharing.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Id a donec consequat consectetuer. Feugiat ultricies pharetra quis, pede donec neque facilisis curabitur sociis bibendum dapibus, tempor. Nonummy laoreet odio nullam massa laoreet neque pede vitae sapien.
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