How to Start a Podcast in 2025: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

When I first started podcasting, I just thought it looked fun. I listened to shows like The Bugle, Judge John Hodgman, and We’re Alive and wanted to learn how to do it myself. My husband brought sound design and editing skills, and I brought writing and theatre experience. Some couples take pottery classes together, and some go skiing. Together we produced one episode, uploaded it to SoundCloud, and shared it with friends and family. That first step boosted our confidence and opened the door to a whole new way of telling stories.

That was over ten years ago. And like any other podcaster, I didn't stop at one. Since then, I've run a co-hosted podcast, a two-minute news bulletin show, and created episodes using nothing but a smartphone mic.

I want to share what I’ve learned and show you how to start a podcast by making the most of what you already have. That means keeping things simple and affordable at the outset, embracing gradual audience growth, and following best practices while avoiding common pitfalls.

Loads of people are making podcasts every day, about topics from current events to ancient cheesemaking, and having fun doing it. Audiences are always looking for new podcasts to add to their queue. Why not join the movement? Let’s get started! 

Step Zero: Know Your Podcast’s “Why”

Before you start shopping for microphones or setting up social media profiles, all you need is a pen and paper. To produce a podcast that you can sustain, enjoy, and monetize, first you need to ask yourself four questions. Write these down.

• Purpose: Why do I want to start a podcast?
• Audience: Who do I want to talk to?
• Topic: What do I want to talk about?
• Hallmark: Why should the audience pay attention and come back for more?

It’s probably not lost on you that these spell out PATH. Big decisions about what to spend and analysing data can come later. For now, you’re planning your PATH framework to make the right podcast for you and the people you want to attract.  

For example, I produce a podcast with my brother. Here’s our PATH: 

• Purpose: To share the experience of autism, connect with people who have autism and their caregivers, and teach my brother audio editing skills. 
• Audience: Individuals with autism, their families, friends, caregivers, and those interested in learning more about autism. 
• Topic: My brother’s favorite topics (his adventures in the community and pop culture) and a section about autism news and relevant ideas. 
• Hallmark: People should listen and keep coming back for insights into life with autism and my brother’s unique sense of humor and perspective. 

Take some time with this, because they’ll seep into all aspects of your podcast, like butter into the air bubbles of a muffin. The PATH framework helps ensure that when you learn how to start a podcast, you create a show that lasts.

Choosing Your Topic & Audience

Now that you have your PATH, take your topic and narrow the focus. Here’s where you concentrate on what excites you most about the topic. For example, instead of planning a podcast about “movies,” you might choose “movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock.” 

Next, brainstorm a list of 8-10 episodes. If you set a timer for five minutes and write the list without overthinking it, some exciting ideas pop up. 

Take the “films directed by Hitchcock” example. You could make episodes about: 

• Hitchcock’s leading lady characters
• Editing and camera technique in Rope vs. Psycho
• How Hitchcock uses music to build suspense

You get the picture. The more specific your topic, the simpler it’ll be for the people who care about it most to find your show. If you’re wondering how to start a podcast that stands out, narrowing your topic like this is the most effective first step.

For example, Ladies Talkin’ Leafs is in the Sports category, wherever you get your podcasts. To be more specific, it’s a hockey podcast: a continuing analysis of the Toronto Maple Leafs made by lady Leafs fans, for Leafs fans, “with a focus on the female demographic.”

Their podcast doesn't exclude anyone; the focus on “women who love the Toronto Maple Leafs” makes this show easier for the right audience to find. Plus, the audience knows, “This is for people like me.” 

It’s impossible to please all of the people all of the time. If you try, you’ll end up with a show as bland as disposable paper napkins. But a podcast topic with a specific focus can attract the people who need and want it most. And, they’re most likely to support and share your podcast.

Show Format & Planning

There are myriad ways to tell your story, but for now, let's stick to the most frequently found formats. They are: 

• Solo
• Co-hosted
• Interview
• Narrative (fiction or non-fiction)

Revisit your podcast’s PATH framework. Which format best showcases the ideas you want to share? Next, ask yourself which format you can realistically sustain over time. When you’re learning how to start a podcast, choosing a format early makes planning and production much easier. Let’s look at the four most common options.

Solo Podcasts

Solo podcasting is a popular format. Your ideas take the spotlight, and you bear all the responsibility. Plus, solo podcasting makes scheduling recording sessions easier. If you’re getting ready to start a podcast for the first time, a situation where it’s just you and the audience could feel daunting.  As you get used to it, though, you may find it liberating. 

Co-Hosted Podcasts

Co-hosted podcasts thrive when hosts bring different but complementary perspectives. If you and a friend share an interest but approach it from different angles, this format lets you highlight those differences, share the workload, and keep things fun.

Interview Podcasts

The interview podcast format lets you explore a topic by speaking with experts in the field. It takes extra time to schedule sessions and research your guests, but when done well, these shows deliver instant expertise and often attract the guests’ own audience too.

Narrative Podcasts

Narrative podcasts, whether fiction or non-fiction, can be one of the most powerful ways to engage an audience. Music, soundscapes, and field recordings spark the imagination, but they also demand more time, effort, and skill. For podcasters who want to bring a story to life more vividly than any screen, this format is worth it.

Mixing & Pivoting Podcast Formats

Now that you know these four formats, you can apply creativity and your perspective. Some podcasts use a hybrid format, mixing two or more of the aforementioned models. Digital Folklore, for example, combines scripted narrative fiction with expert interviews, taking the audience on an immersive journey to explore the oddest corners of the Internet. 

If you choose solo, co-hosted, or interview podcasts, it’s not hard to adapt the format. For example, if your co-host needs a break, you can schedule an interview or let a guest co-host for an episode. Co-hosted or interview podcasts can have solo episodes when needed. You’re not stuck with one format forever. 

How Much Time Does Podcasting Take? 

Every episode has its own quirks, depending on the format you choose and how you edit your audio. Solo, co-hosted, or interview podcasts take less time to produce than narrative podcasts. Interview podcasts can take more time in the pre-production stage, from outreach and scheduling to researching your questions. The more details you nail down in pre-production, the less work you have to do in post-production. Plan on needing at least five hours per episode for your first five episodes. As you grow more comfortable with the process, it’ll go faster. 

How Long Should Podcast Episodes Be?

With podcasting, you've no time limit, but your listeners still deserve focus and respect

A podcast episode should be as long as it needs to be, and no longer. Pocket-Sized Podcasting has an average episode time of 90 seconds, whereas Dan Carlin's Hardcore History regularly runs past the six-hour mark. There's a gulf between these examples, but both are appropriately sized.

According to Buzzsprout, the most common podcast episode length is between 20 and 40 minutes. That's good to know, but it doesn't mean it's relevant to your own average runtime.

How Often Should I Release New Episodes?

Buzzsprout also revealed that the most common podcast release schedule is between 8 and 14 days. Again, though, that doesn't mean it's necessarily the best fit for you.

If you can do weekly, then that's a powerful habit to instil in your listeners. But maybe it's simply a matter of whenever you can manage. So long as you're up front with your audience about that, then it's better than no episodes at all.

Some podcasters release daily, which usually means very short episodes (sometimes batch-recorded in one session). Others take a seasonal approach where they will release on a weekly basis for 8-20 weeks, then take a few months off.

Again, there's no right or wrong answer here. Only what works for you, and, crucially, doesn't burn you out and stop you podcasting altogether.

Scripting Your Episode

Remember the list of podcast topics you brainstormed earlier? Time to revisit it. 

No matter how spontaneous a podcaster seems, they almost always plan what they want to talk about in that episode before they press record.  Not only does a podcast episode script help you communicate your ideas to your audience, but it can also help you with editing and making promotional assets such as social media posts. You can even repurpose your podcast scripts into a book further down the line. 

Scripting your podcast episode depends on how you best present a topic. Some podcasters make a list of talking points they want to mention. Others write their script word for word and read it verbatim. The amount of detail you write (or don’t) is up to you. Personally, I start with a minimalist outline. Then, for any details I need to get exactly right (such as quotes, citations, or refrences), I’ll write them out word for word. 

At a minimum, you need an outline with: 

• Your introduction,
• A thesis idea or hook 
• The concepts that support or prove your thesis
• A wrap-up and call to action at the end. 

These signposts help you avoid rambling or repeating yourself. You’ll sound extemporaneous, and your audience will appreciate your clarity. 

Your Trailer or Episode Zero

When you start your podcast, plan to create a trailer and a pilot episode, also known as “episode zero”. The trailer provides a brief overview of what to expect from your show and why audiences should tune in. Your pilot episode or episode zero sets expectations for the audience in more detail. 

You can generate a bespoke podcast trailer script quickly and easily with our Alitu Showplanner. Answer a few questions, and it'll also help you pick your name, define your audience, and refine your USP. It's totally free, and no login is required!

Recording & Editing Your Podcast

So as we've covered so far, there’s some groundwork to do if you want to set your podcast up for success. But don’t let planning turn into procrastination. The sooner you get behind the mic and record, the better.

At this stage, focus on three things: equipment, environment, and software.

Your Podcast Equipment

Whether you’re using a USB mic, a smartphone, or a full multi-mic setup with a mixer, you’ll need a way to capture your recordings.

If you’re new to podcasting, keep things simple. Focus on your message instead of worrying whether every detail is set up perfectly.

Keep costs down as well. Buying expensive gear won’t make your podcast better, and it can add pressure to sound flawless when you’re still finding your voice.

The gear you need depends on your format. If you’re recording at your computer, a USB mic is the simplest choice. If you plan to record on the go and include video, a wireless lavalier setup will serve you better.

In our Best Podcast Microphones roundup, Matthew recommends the Samson Q2U, saying, "You’ll find many technically superior microphones to the Q2U, but it wins the day because of the quality and versatility it offers at its low price point. The Samson Q2U is perfect for almost all new podcasters, and to this day, I still use mine every single week."

In the roundup, he also recommends the Rode Wireless Micro and BOYA Mini as brilliant and affordable wireless smartphone options. For just over $100, you could get a Q2U and BOYA mini, which would cover almost every conceivable recording setup and scenario!

Your Recording Environment

Where you record can be just as important as what you record with. Granted, AI cleanup tools like Alitu can bail you out when you can't control the noise around you, but prevention is better than cure, whenever possible.

If you record in a space free from distracting background noise and excessive reverb, your software can focus on optimising and enhancing the sound, as opposed to just trying to repair it.

Eliminating background distractions can be as simple as closing a window, turning off your phone, and hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door.

As for reverb (the vocal echo found in certain types of rooms), adding soft surfaces can "sound treat" the area. Some podcasters kit out cupboards or closets with pillows and towels to create vocal booths. The good news is that you don't need to treat the entire room, only the area around the mic. A $15 cat bed will immediately sound treat any environment - even a cave!

Your Podcast Software

Finally, you'll need somewhere to record, edit, and mix your audio, ideally all in one place.

Recording

Recording is pretty format-dependent. If you run online interviews or roundtable discussions, you'll need call recording software. If you're flying solo, you'll only need to capture your own voice. If you're using a wireless lav mic setup, then your phone's voice recorder app or video camera will do the trick.

On the recording front, Alitu enables you to easily record calls or solo audio. Other great call recording software platforms include Riverside.fm, Squadcast, and Zencastr.

Some solo podcasters opt to record into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Adobe Audition, Reaper, or Audacity. DAWs are built to edit, mix, and produce audio, too, though they lack built-in call recording features and can have a steep learning curve.

According to our 2024 Podcast Gear & Software Report, one in four podcasters use Audacity. It has improved a lot in its 25 (yes, twenty-five!) years, although it may still look intimidating to beginners. Its biggest selling point, however, is that it's absolutely free. If you're a solo podcaster with no budget, though, then Audacity is an excellent option.

Editing, Mixing, & Exporting

All of this falls under the blanket term of "post-production". From cutting mistakes and rearranging segments to adding music and balancing volume, it’s the work you do after recording.

If you use dedicated call-recording software, it may have few or no editing tools. In that case, you’ll need to download your audio and handle post-production in a separate program such as Audacity or Alitu.

Editing software offers tools like noise reduction, EQ, compression, and normalization to clean and optimise your audio. These take time to learn in a DAW like Audacity, but tools like Alitu automate the process, making it easier if you’re new or short on time.

To mix down a podcast episode that's ready to upload to your hosting provider, a common format is an MP3 file in mono and 96kbps. This is an ideal balance between quality and file size for spoken-word content.

If you're making something a little more highly-produced, like an audio drama or documentary show with layered in music and sound effects, a stereo MP3 at 128-192kbps would be preferable.

If your focus is purely on the spoken word, then Alitu will do all the cleanup, leveling, post-processing, and exporting for you. You can even publish and host your show on Alitu without having to download and re-upload it elsewhere.

Because it's an all-round 'podcast-maker' tool, Alitu has loads of features to make post-production easier, including:

• Text-based editing - delete from the auto-generated transcripts, and the corresponding audio will be cut
• Automatic um, ah, and long silence removal
• Intuitive drag-and-drop episode builder tools
• Double-speed playback to listen through in half the time
• A free music library to add polish and branding to your episodes

Branding & Presentation

Yes, just like Mom always said, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Mom also cares about how people see you. 

How your podcast “looks” is a big factor in getting people to hit play. Respondents to our Podcast Discovery Survey told us that a podcast’s description, episode titles, and artwork were more important to them than presenter recognition or knowing what the host looks like. So, let’s go over what makes your podcast’s first impression on audiences, and how to make the most of it. 

Podcast Description

When asked how they choose a podcast, respondents to our Discovery Survey in both 2020 and 2024 ranked “the description” as the top factor. This short blurb appears in podcast directories, apps, and listening platforms, and you add it when setting up your show in your hosting account. Here’s what to include:

• Who your podcast is for
• Why they should listen
• What to expect

Read summaries of a few of the top-charting podcasts in your preferred podcast app, and note how they’re written, especially the first sentence. If you’re unhappy with your current show summary, the good news is that you can edit it at any time.

Once more, answer a few quick questions in the Alitu Showplanner, and it'll help get you set up with a brilliant first draft of a podcast description!

Podcast Titles

People often search for new shows, but they also look for information in individual episodes. That means your episode titles can be just as important as your podcast’s overall name. Since the show name usually comes first, we’ll start there before moving on to episode titles.

Your Podcast Name

Podcast names tend to fall into one of three categories: metaphoric, accurate, or personal. Our guide to MAP Out Your Podcast Name explores how and why these types of names work in greater detail. 

Metaphoric names are memorable because the audience has to contextualize the name. It’s satisfying, like solving a simple puzzle. For example, Chuck Cramer is a native Californian living and working in Europe. He wanted to take this audience “on a wine journey,” so he named his podcast On The Road with Mr. CA Wine. 

Accurate names appear to be the most popular. They tell the audience exactly what to expect, making them easier to find. For example, PTSD and Beyond provides education and insights into PTSD, trauma, healing, and recovery. 

Personal names are good choices for podcasters who already have a following in their industry. For example, Dr. Monica Anderson spent the 80s and 90s as a journalist and author before producing Perpetual mOetion with Dr. mOe Anderson. 

Which kind of name should you choose? If you’re about to start a podcast for the first time, or if you’re not well-known in the industry of your podcast’s topic, it’s best to use an accurate podcast name. This way, the audience that needs the information you share can find you easily.  Once you’ve built an audience, you can rebrand with a new podcast name if necessary. 

Keep it short. Different podcast directories show various amounts of text for the podcast title. In some cases, this could be as few as 30 characters. Avoid stuffing your title with keywords in the hopes of getting search engines to rank your podcast higher. 

Your Podcast Episode Titles 

Even if you don't want to go down the descriptive (dare I say "boring"!?) style of podcast name, you can still supercharge your discoverability with brilliant, compelling episode titles.

Remember the Hitchcock podcast we brainstormed earlier? Let’s say you have an episode comparing editing and camera technique in Rope vs. Psycho. And, let’s assume your audience is made up of early-career filmmakers and Hitchcock fans. 

Take a few minutes with your episode’s material, whether listening to the audio, reading a transcript, or re-reading your script. Is your episode: 

• Instructional or Educational? Try a title starting with why or how, or set up a problem to be solved, with a clear solution. For example: How to Build Suspense Like Hitchcock: Lessons from Rope and Psycho
• Behind-the-scenes info,or specialized knowledge? Try hinting at exclusive access. For example:  The Secret That Makes Rope More Daring Than Psycho
• Emotionally affecting? Include emotions or physical feelings in the episode title. For example: Why Watching Rope Feels Hypnotic While Psycho Attacks
• Tied to current trends or events? Listicles are a hallmark of cultural buzz pieces, but you can also mention trending topics. For example, 3 Editing Lessons Filmmakers Can Steal from Rope and Psycho, or What Jaws’ 50th Anniversary Showed Me about Hitchcock’s 100th. 
• Storytelling? Personal experience is one of the best aspects of podcasts. If your episode justifies it, frame the title narratively, like, What I Learned About Suspense Watching Rope and Psycho Back-to-Back. 

Your episode title does a lot of the heavy lifting for SEO. Make sure it shows what’s in the episode, leaving out just a bit, so the audience will want to press play. 

For a masterclass on episode naming, as well as fuel for infinite future content ideas, check out our WHISPER TITLES framework.

Podcast Cover Art

For many listeners, the cover art makes a bigger impression than the title or even the host. The trick is that your design has to work at every size. Most of the time, it’s a tiny thumbnail on a phone screen, but it should also look sharp on bigger promotional assets. The best way to test this is to view your artwork at different sizes and see if it still grabs you.

Due to the scale issue, great podcast logos typically have few colors and visual objects. Think about images meant to be seen far away. Like a coat of arms or road signs, your podcast cover art needs to motivate people, whether the environment has poor visibility or good. 

For the same reason, limit the amount of text in your image. Poor legibility can make them scroll away. In podcast directories, nobody can zoom in enough to make a clever tagline worthwhile. Ideally, you would only want the name of your podcast on there.

You can hire a professional designer to take care of all of this for you. Or, you can do it yourself quickly and easily on a tool like Canva. They have a bunch of templates, so you're not starting from scratch.

Format-wise, podcast cover art should either be 3000 x 3000 or 1400 x 1400 pixels, saved as a JPEG or PNG file, and ideally, it should be under 500 KB in size. 

Podcast Show Notes

Podcast show notes are essentially individual written episode descriptions. There's no right or wrong way to "do" show notes - some podcasters write detailed blog posts that rival the episodes themselves. Others are happy with a few teasers and some bullet points.

Podcast show notes are also an opportunity to include things like:

• Links to tools, resources, or websites mentioned in the episode
• Links to your podcast website, social media, and transcripts
• Citations for information you referenced in the episode
• Your guest’s website, social media, or other promotional materials
• Affiliate links or links to products you sell

Writing show notes has become much easier in recent years due to AI. For example, Alitu will automatically transcribe your episodes for you and then use those transcriptions to generate show notes.

Many podcasters treat these as a first draft and still do a bit of editing to polish them up. But it can be much better than starting with a blank page, especially if writing isn't your strong suit.

Publishing Your Podcast

One of the final steps in learning how to start a podcast is understanding how publishing works. The beauty of podcasting is its openness. You upload your episodes once to your hosting provider, and they appear everywhere, from Apple Podcasts to Spotify and beyond.

That makes your hosting provider the home of your show. There are plenty of excellent hosting services available, from Buzzsprout and Captivate to Castos and Transistor. Hosting is one of the many features Alitu offers as well.

A podcast hosting account is essentially your show’s profile, where you add the key details like name, description, and cover art. Any updates you make here will automatically reflect in all the apps, directories, and platforms where your podcast is listed.

Once you create an account with a podcast hosting provider and fill out the show's details, you need to publish one episode before submitting to Spotify and Apple Podcasts. That "episode" could be an episode zero or even a trailer - you just need something published for it to work.

Once you've hit publish on a piece of content, you can start pushing your show out there. Here's how to submit to Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And, once you're in Apple Podcasts, you'll automatically be listed in loads of other apps too, from Overcast and Podcast Addict to Pocket Casts and Castro!

In your early episodes, make your main call to action about encouraging listeners to subscribe or follow in their chosen app. Explain the benefit clearly: when they subscribe, new episodes are delivered to them automatically.

It doesn't hurt to show them how, too. Here's how to follow a podcast in Apple Podcasts and how to follow a podcast on Spotify. Embed these videos on a "Subscribe or Follow" page on your website, or, use them as a template to create your own.

YouTube & Video Podcasts

One of podcasting’s greatest strengths is its audio format. It gives creators flexibility and lets listeners tune in anywhere, whether they’re washing dishes or walking the dog.

Still, video has become a big part of podcasting in recent years. It isn’t essential, but many creators feel it adds another dimension to their content and growth strategy. Some film entire episodes, while others repurpose shorter clips or create “shorts.”

Unsurprisingly, YouTube is the main home for video podcasts. You can upload full episodes, highlights, or even audiograms and static-image “videos.” On top of recording full videos, tools like Alitu can create audiograms automatically, so you can build a YouTube presence without ever turning on a camera. And if you decide to add video later, you’ll already have the foundations in place.

Post-Launch: What Now?

Hitting publish for the first time is a big milestone. So first and foremost, take a moment to celebrate getting to this stage before hurrying back to what's next.

But, unless you've just launched "The One Episode & Done" podcast, you'll already be thinking about getting back behind the mic. And it would be nice to find some listeners outside of your immediate friend and family circle, too...

Promoting & Growing a New Podcast

Now that you have a live podcast sitting ready in Apple, Spotify, and all the other podcasting apps, it's time to spread the word!

Social media posts are the simplest way to get the word out about your podcast. These posts also invite your audience to respond. Don't expect to go viral: you’re simply announcing your new episodes to people who may be interested in your podcast’s ideas. 

Here’s a tip: frame your posts as questions instead of statements. “New episode out now about eating clean on a budget” might get a few clicks, but “Do you ever get frustrated trying to eat healthier when fruit and veggies are so expensive?” is far more likely to spark a conversation.

Make "please share the show with someone else you think might enjoy it" a primary part of your call to action. Word of mouth is a huge driver of podcast growth, and if you serve your early core of listeners, they can become your biggest marketers.

Join communities focused on your podcast’s topic, whether online or in real life. Don't push your podcast on them right away, or you won't be welcome for long. Instead, read and reply to their posts and note what matters most to them for future episodes. If you get into a conversation with other community members and it feels appropriate, then mention your podcast.  

Many podcast enthusiasts discover their next show for their queue because it was mentioned on one of their favorite podcasts. Cross-promotion with other podcasts in your niche is a great way to share audiences and build relationships. You can swap trailers and edit them into your episode, or tell the audience about them when you record. 

Remember, other podcasters are just like you, trying to connect with others who care about the same topic. You can work together to elevate the conversation about your podcast’s ideas. 

Just like our PATH framework focuses on how to start a podcast, our SCALE framework is designed to help you promote and grow your show. Check out our full guide for a masterclass on podcast marketing and audience building.

Monetizing Your Podcast

I won’t pretend that monetizing a podcast is easy. But it is absolutely possible.

Of course, there's a difference between monetizing and making a profit. In the early days, a good aim is simply to try to cover your costs. Eventually, you might find you have enough left over to buy some pizza, and you can build from there.

An easy on-ramp for new podcasters is crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Ko-Fi. These don't take much to set up and can act as placeholder "sponsors" in your episodes, too.

Depending on your topic, you may be able to partner with relevant products or services through affiliate programs. Platforms like Awin, Impact, and ShareASale are good places to start. Affiliates can function like sponsors, but companies only pay when your audience clicks through and makes a purchase.

Selling other people’s stuff can work well, but not as well as selling your own. Creating a product or service is a brilliant way to build a revenue stream that you own and control. Maybe your topic lends itself to coaching, or perhaps you could eventually repurpose your episodes into a course or book. However you do it, turning your expertise into something tangible gives your podcast lasting earning power.

There are loads of different ways to make money from a podcast. Just don't try to do too much at once, and don't let this distract you from the primary aim of creating brilliant, compelling, and consistent podcast episodes!

How to Start a Podcast, In a Nutshell

It’s simple to start a podcast. Starting a good one, though, requires more thought and attention to detail. To recap, here’s how: 

• Define your WHY (PATH Framework): Clarify your Purpose, Audience, Topic, and Hallmark before worrying about gear.
• Choose your topic & niche: Narrow the focus so your podcast stands out and attracts the right listeners.
• Pick a format: Solo, co-hosted, interview, narrative, or a mix. Start with what you can sustain long-term.
• Plan your time & schedule: Decide how long episodes should be and how often you can release them consistently.
• Script or outline episodes: Prepare an intro, hook, supporting ideas, and a wrap-up with a call to action.
• Create a trailer & pilot episode: Set clear expectations for your audience before launch.
• Set up your equipment & recording space: Keep it simple and affordable; focus on audio quality, not expensive gear.
• Record & edit: Use accessible tools (e.g. Alitu, Audacity, Riverside) to clean, mix, and export your audio.
• Brand your show: Craft a strong podcast name, compelling description, clear episode titles, and eye-catching cover art.
• Write show notes: Include resources, links, and a reason for listeners to click play.
• Publish via a hosting platform: Upload once and distribute everywhere (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.).
• Promote & grow: Share on social media, join communities, encourage word of mouth, and cross-promote with other podcasters.
• Keep improving: Use feedback and analytics to refine your show and build momentum.

Once you’ve managed to start your podcast, block out a few hours per week to produce and publish new episodes. When you publish new episodes consistently, not only will your production workflow ease, but your podcast will become a habit for your audience. Your audience is out there, waiting: make that new habit a good one.