6 Important Things to Keep in Mind Before You Start a Podcast

Podcasts are very convenient to record and publish on the internet. They have an easy entry point and a very low maintenance cost in general. 

However, there are some key aspects that you should be aware of. These will help you maximize your venture. 

In this post, we will shed light on these things and why is it important to keep them in check. 

Let’s dive right into it. 

6 Interesting Things About Podcasts to Keep in Mind

As you already know that a lot of people have started to venture into the world of podcasts. But their growth isn’t always based on a single factor. 

Let’s check how you can achieve the same level of success through basic steps: 

Choose Your Topics Wisely

The first and foremost thing you need to keep in check is how you select your discussion topics. It is the essence of your podcast and the reason why people will listen to it. 

Topic selection can be done in a number of ways. You can study market trends or develop your own plan to discuss various matters per episode. 

Should I orient my podcast with respect to a single topic?

To answer it simply, yes and no. You can choose a single field to dedicate your podcast to but not a single topic. 

A single field has various areas for you to explore. Whereas, a single topic can get monotonous after a couple of episodes. 

For example, Joe Rogan’s podcast features new guests in every episode. The topics are related to the guest in question. 

This way, his listeners always know that there is something new in each episode. 

Moreover, his questions aren’t random. They are structured and are also related to the guest in one way or another, hence the content being fresh.  

Podcast Format

The next thing you need to be aware of is the format of your podcast. Many people believe that podcasts are meant to be in audio format. 

But that’s not entirely true. While podcasts started with only audio as a medium, they have evolved way past that. You can also record your podcasts with video. 

Which format should I go for?

It depends on two things. How many resources you can spare and what sort of growth do you desire for your podcast.  

Naturally, a video podcast requires more equipment, time, and professional skills to execute. 

On the other hand, your format also contributes to growth. For example, your targeted audience might prefer audio format over video format. 

Can I switch my podcast format down the line?

Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, most podcast hosts prefer to switch audio to video format as their podcast grows. Generally, it helps you target a wider audience. 

Podcast Schedule

It is no surprise that you need a proper upload schedule for your podcast. This not only helps your growth but provides your community with something to look forward to. 

There are multiple schedules you can choose from. You can either go for one/two episodes per week or a handful of episodes per month. 

Which schedule is the most beneficial?

Your schedule will vary with respect to multiple factors. This includes your manpower, your discussion topics, and your guests. 

For low to mid-profile podcasts, 1 episode per week or 3-to-4 episodes per month is sufficient. You can maintain the quality of your podcasts easily.

Moreover, it helps you elaborately plan your next episode. 

Branding

Podcasts aren’t meant to be a short-time venture. You can’t just upload 4 or 5 episodes and then fall off the grid. Your podcasts won’t amount to anything this way. 

On the other hand, you should focus on building a brand around your podcast. It is a gradual process but it can certainly help you in more ways than one. 

What can I achieve from branding my podcast?

Branding brings authenticity to the table. You can convert the authentic value to capitalize on monetary gains. 

Not only can you approach new sponsors but you can also demand a higher charge rate from them. Without proper branding, it’s not possible. 

Does branding impact my targeted audience?

It certainly does. You can even expand your targeted audience because of it and by no means it is a bad thing. 

Down the line, you can even use your podcast as a source of active income rather than passive income. 

Plan Your Content

Just like your schedule and format is important, the content you fill your podcasts with is also crucial. It is good practice to plan everything way ahead of time. 

You can save a lot of resources and precious time this way. Moreover, it keeps you from the hassle of finding new topics. 

What should be the main goal of my content planning?

There are two things you need to focus on. First, your discussion topics. Second, your guest list. 

You can contact your guests weeks prior to the recording and organize your recording day easily. Furthermore, if a guest isn’t available, you can also find replacements. 

Expert Opinion

Lastly, you should always get an expert’s opinion about various things related to your podcast. It can be about discussion topics, guests, or upload schedules. 

As the phrase goes, there’s always a bigger fish. Just like that, there will always be someone who knows more than you about a certain topic. 

How can I benefit from that? 

To put it simply, you can get free coaching from other people. For example, you can learn how to edit your podcasts or adjust audio levels for your listeners. 

Either way, a second opinion will only help you improve your podcasts. In the long run, you monetize these skills in different areas as well. 

Wrapping Things Up…

With this, we come to the finish line of our post on important things you should keep in mind before starting a podcast. We hope this information proves to be useful for you.

Podcasts are quite useful when it comes to community and brand development. However, you need to execute certain things correctly in order to grow at a rapid pace and earn from it. 

Let us know what you think in the comments below.