Planning for a Podcast
One of the most important things about podcasting is planning in advance of the first episode. It can save you a lot of time and questions that may come up later in the production process. Over this, planning is crucial in the creation of a successful podcast. So, sit back, relax and enjoy some food for thought on podcast planning.
With these simple and easy to understand steps, you too could be on the way to creating something awesome. Let’s start by talking about how you can plan out your podcast before coming into Studio 7725 and recording the first episode.
Step 1: Develop a podcast concept: When coming up with a concept, try asking yourself these questions. “Why am I starting my podcast?” and “what is my podcast about?” Once you’ve discovered your why and what, figuring out the rest can be easy. Some ways to help you nail down a concept are:
Identify your podcast goals: “Why are you starting your podcast?” and “what goals are you trying to accomplish with it?” To help get you started, here are some reasons why others start a podcast.
To generate leads for a business
To be recognized as a thought leader in a certain industry
To share an important message
It’s fun!
Pick a podcast theme or topic: One of the most important aspects of your podcast is its theme or topic. But whatever you choose, make sure you’re passionate about it and excited enough for continued research and discussion. Once you’ve figured out your topic, it’s time to perform some market research. Search for other podcasts and see if there are similar topics to yours being discussed. If so, use them to your advantage by listening and seeing what they’re doing well so you can build upon it for yourself.
Name your podcast: When choosing a podcast name, try to pick something that’s catchy and memorable. It will differentiate your podcast, helping it stand out amongst others while making it easier for people to search and find it. Some advice on podcast naming according to Buzzsprout:
Don’t stuff your title with key words, but also make it easy to be found. Add a brief description to the show if the title is short, say like 2 words or so.
Step 2: Choose your podcast format: All podcasts are different. Some have multiple hosts while others have one. Your podcast could be an in-depth interview or someone telling a story. The point is no matter what format you choose, make sure that it fits your podcast concept and is something that you feel comfortable with.
Optimal podcast length: Don’t let people tell you that there is an optimal length for a podcast episode. Let your podcast be as long as it needs to be, but without dragging out the information. Be comfortable with cutting out fluff and aspects of the episode that don’t have much value to your audience. And as a reminder, if you create high quality productions, people will keep listening.
Podcast publishing schedule: Podcasting is something that can be a full-time job or a part-time side hustle. If you don’t intend on spending a ton of time on production, then a more relaxed posting schedule may be for you. If you have the time and capabilities, I recommend posting a new episode every week. Doing so keeps the momentum you’ve built going while maintaining engagement with those listening to your podcast. Above all else, maintaining a schedule builds a more profound connection with your audience while keeping your excitement up for producing new content!
Once you’ve selected your concept, podcast format, approximate show length, and publishing schedule, it’s time to produce your podcast at Studio 7725! How can we create an amazing podcast for you? Read our next blog post to find out how.