Six tips for starting a podcast

With more and more people podcasting than ever before, the community of both podcasters and listeners has become incredibly diverse. Today, there really is something for everyone. From sport to cooking, mysteries to true crime, anything goes! Best of all, becoming your own podcast host is super easy. In no time, you could be uploading your content to a hosting platform such as Buzzsprout or Simplecast and have your own RSS feed.

So how can you join in the fun? We’ve come up with six pre-launch tips we believe are essential to make it as a successful podcaster...

1. BE PASSIONATE, BE SPECIFIC

Hopefully, the main reason you want to try podcasting is that you feel really strongly about a particular subject, and you want the whole world to know!

To get it right, avoid broad, generic topics and talking points. Your listeners crave detail, so give them what they want. For example, instead of creating a show all about football as a whole, why not focus on a certain country, division or specific team? There will no doubt be thousands listeners who share the same specific interest and passion, resulting in a more concentrated, loyal subscribership. Think of your mic as the place to give your audience all the amazing details they crave about their favourite past times and passions.

2. SOUND LIKE A PRO

Let’s face it, if you don’t have good quality audio, your listeners are going to find it a little tricky to understand and enjoy what you’re saying. Not only do you need a clear and catchy podcast intro, but you need great sound quality right the way through every episode you record. Not just any mic is up to the job. Finding the right microphone is a must to deliver crisp, clear sound.

If you're looking for a great mic, we recommend the Joby Wavo POD microphone with pop filter, giving you a smooth, clear voice for broadcasting. With Omnidirectional or Cardioid settings for switching the microphone from interview to solo mode in seconds, just plug in via the standard USB-C connector and hit record with confidence!

3. FIND YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

Whether you’re just two friendly co-hosts having a chat, conducting interviews with guests, or discussing more serious subjects, you need to find a format and structure that all work for you.

Choosing and staying with the same tone will attract repeat listeners and a like-minded following. Informal/formal or somewhere in between, there’s no ‘correct’ answer when it comes to attracting new listeners. In short, your podcast vibe should come naturally without having to force it.

4. THE HOST WITH THE MOST

So, you’ve found a co-host, honed in on a specific topic, got a great mic, and recorded your first episode. You've maybe even used some editing software in post-production to make sure everything hangs together just right. Now you want to share your creation with the world… But how?

There are a wide range of sites where podcasts are available such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, among others. To get your podcast up on these platforms, you'll need a hosting service. We’d recommend starting with a free hosting service for ease and flexibility.

Platforms such as Anchor are free of charge to upload your content to and will help you reach large audiences. Other suggested platforms offering both free and paid plans include: Soundcloud, Buzzsprout, PodBean, and, Spreaker.

5. CONSISTENCY REALLY IS KEY

All the top podcasters produce content regularly, and listeners expect fresh content to keep coming their way. So decide on a production schedule that is achievable for you, but regular enough to keep your listeners engaged. Whether it’s once or twice a week, plan out your content in advance, and schedule episodes ahead of time where possible. This will also be key for any interviews or guest slots you want to include in your format.

You can also duplicate this plan for social media, scheduling regular posts on Twitter or Instagram about your podcast, subject matter, or posing questions to your audience, which helps create buzz and holds the interest of your listeners.

(Top tip: Tidy desk, tidy mind! Keep your recording workspace free from clutter by adding practical accessories, like a USB hub to extend your device capabilities. The Joby USB-C Hub allows you to use your microphone, headphones, keyboard, and mouse through a single port.)

6. LOOK THE PART

To take your podcast to the next level, you might want to consider recording video as well as audio. Some subscribers will enjoy watching your conversations just as much as listening to them! This also gives you the opportunity to clip short segments of video for use on social media.

Achieve the perfect lighting setup with the Joby Beamo™ Ring Light TelePod™ Kit, , with ten brightness levels and three colour temperature settings to help you create the perfect mood.

The TelePod™ offers ultimate flexibility and precision positioning whatever the angle, whilst the GripTight PRO 2 Mount allows you to add your smartphone to the centre of the ring light for a high-quality streaming setup, such as Instagram Live.

In short, starting up a new podcast is super exciting! And who knows, you might just make it big. Setting the stage for your success as a new podcaster starts with finding the subject that's right for you, sussing out your target audience and then investing in the right gear to bring your pod to life.

Getting a great mic and ensuring top audio quality is key, but an engaging video can play a big role too. From there, it's all about recording your first podcast episode and getting the right editing software for your audio files.

Along the way, you should also be thinking about your podcast name and podcast cover art. In no time, you'll be uploading your content on a hosting platform such as Buzzsprout or Simplecast. Who knows, in no time your content could be hitting the airways across platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Visit the Joby website to find out more about the products mentioned in this blog, as well as wide range of other accessories to help level up your content creation!

And above all, remember to enjoy yourself, have fun. Create.