Want to start a podcast? Sujata Singhal covers choosing your topic, episode length, co-hosts, format, the gear you need to record and where to host it.
You might already have an area of interest in mind, or you know you want to start one but have no clue how to structure the content, how long each episode should be and whether you should have co-hosts. You also aren’t sure what type of equipment you will need to create your podcast and how and where to broadcast it.
Content
You want to pick an area of interest for which you are passionate and curious. If your podcast becomes successful, you might have several years in which you need to create episodes that keep your listeners returning for more.
Also, given the number of podcasts out there, see how you can add value within the industry you pick. While it’s important to stay true to your own style and approach, doing a little research on podcasts that might be similar to the one you are interested in is a good starting point.
Structure
You will also want to consider the following:
- Length: On average a good length for a podcast is between 30 and 45 minutes, but there are successful podcasts over an hour long. Consider your average listener and how much time they can give each episode.
- Co-hosts: It can be good to have a co-host to create a bit more variety in your show. However, there are many one-man and one-woman podcasts that are very successful.
- Format: Will you and your co-hosts introduce the topic and then your guests, interview style, or will it be more of a show in which you and your co-hosts pick a topic and bring different types of expertise to the table? One way to get your structure down is to come up with an episode topic, create a basic outline of what you want to cover, and do a dry run. Record it, play it back and then create a more definitive outline from what you did and didn’t like about the flow.
- Frequency: This will really depend on how often information is renewed or added to in your field. In some industries a daily podcast might make sense; in others a weekly or monthly one will do.
What You Will Need to Record
This is what you’ll need at a minimum: a USB microphone (if your microphone doesn’t have USB, you will also need an audio interface for your computer), a headset, a computer, and recording and mixing software. For beginners I recommend Audacity, a free open source program, but there are others that require a subscription fee that are also very good.
Broadcasting
Once you have recorded a couple of episodes, you will want to find a podcast host and a podcast directory. While there are a number of services for both, SoundCloud is a good place to get your podcast hosted if you are new to the craft. Once you have a host, you will need a podcast directory. Some examples of podcast directories are iTunes, Stitcher and Blubrry, with iTunes being the most popular.
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