Do you want to launch a podcast? Here is how you do it!

The popularity of podcasts has increased significantly over the past couple of years, especially under the global lockdown. Do you have a message to the world, but are a bit camera shy? Maybe you have an opinionated friend, who is quite entertaining when discussing interesting subjects. Or even, you have a company, and you wish to extend your brand to this platform, because it will speak best to your target audience. Either way, it's a fun, creative and beginner-friendly project, which you can begin on a very small budget, sometimes even for free.

My experience showed me that it can be quite overwhelming when working on launching your first episode, and that’s why I would like to share some lessons from my experience, to help you create your own podcast show with ease and some introductory guidance.

Choosing the topic and the title of the show

According to Apple Podcasts research, at the moment there are over 2,000,000 podcast shows, which equates to a 400% increase over the past 3 years, from when there were just 525,000 podcasts.

That is why, going forward, it is important to consider a few points:

• How do I set myself apart from the vast majority?
  
  
• How do I remain relevant and authentic?
  
  
• Can I produce enough episodes to retain the interest of the listeners?
  
  
• Is this the right time to launch the show (is the market ready)?
  
  
• How and why is this subject of interest to me, and why would people listen to me?

It’s crucial that you know your WHY, especially when selecting your topic, you need to be sure that you are as specific as you can be, so you do not drown in the abyss of generally popular subjects.

When thinking about the subject of your show, ask yourself: “Will I be able to create more than 100 episodes talking about this?” At the same time, you need to make sure that the subject you chose is not too broad, otherwise, you will lose the interest of your core public. Remember, you can always develop your subject in the future, as your podcast grows. Most importantly it must be interesting for YOU, as this project is a hefty time investment out of your life.

As opposed to the subject, the title of the show can be broader. Why, you ask? If we look at the Apple Podcast Charts, we see a broad selection of titles. Some have a specific meaning; some have none really. A broader name gives you the opportunity to grow later without compromising the identity of the show.

You can check out the free Podcast Name Generator for some ideas. I suggest a few hours' worth of brainstorming, and just letting it come to you.

Choosing the equipment

The next crucial step is the choice of equipment. You can start with as little as your phone microphone. iPhones and iPads, especially newer ones, have excellent DACs built into them. It does not have to cost a fortune either, but it may be a good idea to invest in a good microphone. It is important that you have a plan for your format! If you choose the equipment carefully, you can get a good deal for approx. DKK 500-1,200.  But I can guarantee it will definitely yield returns on your investment.

As you grow, you will be able to upgrade your equipment. Some microphones are better for solo shows, like Rode NT-USB or ATR2100x-USB, while others like AKG Lyra or Blue Yeti X are good for interviews and are a great universal solution. If you have a slightly larger budget, then the Shure SM7B is the next level quality investment.

Depending on your setup, you may want to consider pop filters, sound-absorbing pads, shock mounts, etc. It helps to do some research and, I can tell you now, often you will find that good quality used microphones will serve you well for a few years. The reason why equipment selection is important is to ensure sound quality and reduce noise. Both will save you a lot of time in editing and let the listener know that you hold quality value. That is why you should also consider the location of your recording sessions. Do you want to be on-the-go or in the studio? Echoes, sound distortion, clarity are all nuances that you should consider improving as your show grows.

It may seem overwhelming, but it's ok if the sound is not perfect in the beginning. In fact, there are plenty of great shows without the perfect sound quality, but with a message so loud that the number of listeners keeps increasing, because the content is too good. Our local Femme Lead Podcast is a great example of this.

Preparations

Now that we've talked about the very basics. Let's talk about the preparations.

Show format

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