Your Ultimate Checklist for Launching a Podcast
Launching a podcast successfully involves a mix of strategic planning, creative content development, and effective promotion. This can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the space! One of the biggest reasons why 90% of podcasters don’t make it past 3 episodes is because it can be a lot to manage, but I’m here to let you know that you can do it! If you implement a strategy and tools that can help you be consistent, launching and growing a podcast can be incredibly rewarding. Here are some essential tips to consider when launching a podcast:
1. Define Your Niche and Audience: Understand who your podcast is for and what specific niche it will fill. This helps in creating targeted, relevant content that resonates with your intended audience. I suggest searching for and listening to similar shows in your niche to get a feel for how you can bring a new perspective to the audience. You can do an exercise that personifies your ideal listener. Write down their name, where they like to shop, where they live, what TV shows they watch, where they shop, what food they like to eat and even what they look like. This can help you create an avatar of your listener so you can tailor your content to them from the start!
2. Craft a Compelling Podcast Name and Description: Your podcast name should be memorable, relevant to your content, and easy to search. The description should clearly articulate what the podcast is about, what listeners can expect, and why they should listen. Make sure to research current podcasts out there so your name is unique and stands out. Using alliteration, puns, or visual cues in your title can make it catch your ideal listeners’ eyes and ears :)
3. Invest in Good Quality Equipment: Good audio quality is crucial; poor sound can turn listeners away. Invest in a good microphone, use pop filters, and consider the acoustics of your recording environment. You can record in a closet to reduce echo, and look at second-hand retailers for gently used items to save on cost, especially in the beginning. Make sure to do several test recordings to get used to the new recording equipment and how it works. I use Descript for recording and editing. It is extremely efficient and user friendly. For remote recordings, I use Riverside or Zencastr.
Suggested Microphones:
Entry Level - BlueYeti
Mid Level - ATR2100
High Level - Rode Procaster
I have a list of home studio quality equipment I recommend for all my clients!
4. Create Engaging Content: Plan your episodes to be engaging and informative. Start with a strong intro, keep the content dynamic, and end with a clear call-to-action. Use stories, interviews, and varied formats to keep the audience engaged.
5. Record Multiple Episodes Before Launching: Launching with multiple episodes (typically three or more) allows new listeners to dive deep right away, which can help increase listener engagement and retention.
6. Develop a Consistent Posting Schedule: Regularity is key. Decide how often you want to post new episodes—weekly, biweekly, monthly—and stick to it. Consistency helps build a loyal audience. I always like to plan out episodes a month in advance, and have a 2 week preferred lead time between recording and publishing episodes.
7. Promote Your Podcast: Utilize social media, email newsletters, and other platforms to promote your podcast. Consider creating a website or a blog for your podcast. Engage with listeners through social media and encourage them to subscribe, rate, and review regularly.
8. Leverage SEO Strategies: Use relevant keywords in your podcast title, description, and website to improve visibility in search results. This helps in attracting more listeners organically. You can type in your topic or niche into Google, TikTok and Instagram to get the top keywords on those platforms.
9. Utilize Podcast Directories: Submit your podcast to popular directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others to maximize your reach. You can do this all at once through your RSS feed — where you publish your podcast. I recommend using Captivate.
10. Gather and Act on Feedback: Listen to feedback from your audience to improve your podcast. Use listener surveys, read reviews, and adjust your content based on the audience's preferences.
11. Monetize Your Efforts: Once you have a steady audience, consider monetizing your podcast through sponsorships, merchandise, premium content, or listener donations. Check out my blog post, How to Monetize Your Podcast, for more information on how to do this!
12. Network with Other Podcasters: Networking can provide cross-promotion opportunities and valuable insights from more experienced podcasters. You can reach out to podcasts with similar audience sizes first and offer to interview them or share an organic recommendation for it on your show in an episode. This is a great way to open the door for collaboration. Exposing your show to like-minded audiences is an incredible tool for growth! Look at the “Suggested Shows” feature on Spotify from your show’s page as a place to start finding podcasts that are similar to yours.
By following these tips, you can enhance your chances of launching a successful podcast that attracts and retains a dedicated listener base. I know this can be a lot, but I promise once you get a flow going, you’ll be able to create content seamlessly. If you need support, that’s what I specialize in! Reach out and I’d love to chat about how I can help you grow your show. You can also learn more tips on my TikTok. I hope this helps!
