Top 10 podcast tips for beginners

My goal has always been to give you as much information and knowledge as possible. So, if you’re looking for a week-by-week guide to planning a podcast or tips for beginners, this blog can allow you to hit the ground running.

As you may know, podcasts used to be a second thought and a barely noticed content platform. It then became one of the hottest media ecosystems. Because of its quick rise to fame, it’s something I know every entrepreneur can benefit from with the right strategies.

When you think about podcasts, you think about the power of narrative. 

Words are powerful.

What Can You Leverage With A Podcast?

Podcasts drive purpose, deliver thoughts and create action. Audio and voice are by far the most natural way for humans to interact.

We are genetically designed to listen.

You can leverage your words using audio to:

  • Spread content
  • Present new perspectives
  • Deliver Thought Leadership
  • Empower audiences

With that in mind, every business associate or owner needs to understand podcasts, and not be afraid of them. Podcasts deliver content in a way that no other form can. To better understand this concept, I have posted some of my best podcasts tips for beginners that I share with my clients.

10 Podcast Tips For Beginners

If you are a bit more advanced and don’t think these tips will be worth your while, I encourage you to watch our podcast: The Webinar: Lessons From The Frontline

This webinar series is all about digging into the deep rewards of podcasts and webinars.

If you’re new to podcasts, keep reading to understand the basics, then join us on our YouTube channel and catch up with all the episodes. 

1. Your Podcast Should Serve A Purpose

Your purpose helps you identify a solid topic for your listeners. What would you like your audience to know? It is crucial to select a topic that will be educational for your listeners. Be sure to also select a subject that you and your presenter are comfortable speaking about. Once you have ironed out ‘what’ this looks like, take some time to analyze the subject matter and why it would be of interest to your audience.

Identify a few standout concepts or ideas to talk about during the series.

For example: If you plan on creating a podcast about launching a small businesses, focus on something specific relating to this topic. That way, you can draw in your listeners one step at a time.

Don’t try to cover every aspect of a small business, just what you know will be vital for listeners to be informed and what you know will benefit them.

Another great tip is to think about who is listening, are you talking to the financial, marketing, or HR team? 

From there, you will be able to address the real-world benefits of putting the strategies you’re teaching into practice. 

2. Give Your Podcast A Distinct Brand

While walking down the aisles of a supermarket, you remember you have to buy some ketchup. There is a wide array of options presented to you, but how do you decide on one? 

One word—Branding

The same can be said about a successful podcast. Each podcast has a certain uniqueness it brings to the table. That unique flare is what keeps listeners attentive and loyal.

When starting a podcast, remember that people develop a better impression when it provides some sort of distinctiveness. 

That may be the energy levels, style of conversation or the type of influencers brought in.

In other words, it has a brand.

One of the best ways to give your podcast a distinct brand is to establish yourself as an authority in your niche or industry. Always produce helpful content. 

Analyze your existing target market. As a business, you should already know your audience and their needs. So you should be able to provide them with proper tips and knowledge.

3. Continue a Consistent Publishing Schedule

Getting your podcast out on available platforms is one thing, but the pivotal factor in building an audience is uploading regularly.

Depending on your availability, this could mean weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly.

Remember, people are creatures of habits, giving your audience a schedule that you can realistically adhere to allows your audience to build the habit of listening to you.

4. Create an Action Plan

Before you turn on the mic and bring in the experts, it would be advisable to create an action plan. This action plan will help you and your speakers organized prior to the event.

Key characteristics of the action plan would include:

  • An outline of your subtopics
  • The people you’re bringing in
  • How much time you’ll spend talking about each sub-topic
  • The burning questions you want to cover

Plot out how you will record, edit, publish and promote your podcast. Break it down into specific and actionable steps.

Word of advice, just because you formulated a plan, doesn’t mean you have to follow it to a T.  

The purpose of the plan is to guide you through planning out the podcast. Don’t make it too structured, some sort of informality is welcomed by your listeners.

This is also because you want the podcast to seem conversational, authentic and casual.

5. Invest in Quality Equipment

No one wants to listen to a podcast with below-par audio quality. 

It doesn’t matter how intriguing your topics are, or which amazing guests you bring on. If your audio doesn’t sound crisp, you’re going to lose your audience before you even begin recording. 

Investing in great audio recording software, good quality microphones and editing tools will go a long way in helping you create a winning podcast.

There are many free or low-cost audio production tools that you can use to enhance your podcast. Some studios specialize in audio recording.

If you’re a business and need to assure professional quality—a studio can make a big difference in production value in recording and editing.

6. Be Ready to Edit and Add Production Value

If you want to sound professional, you’ll need good editors.

Editing helps you smooth out the wrinkles and create a good flow. You’ll also want to add production value. 

Add a powerful and catchy introduction to spark an immediate interest among listeners. The real benefits of an effective podcast occur behind the scenes.

Editing may end up taking the majority of your time, but it is a pivotal part of the process. So, ensure that this step is not overlooked.

7. Promote, Promote, Promote

Did I mention promote

Building an audience is one of the biggest challenges of a successful podcast.

Podcasting requires the same marketing techniques as regular forms of online content. That means being active in driving traffic to your podcast. 

The good news is, we live in a time of the most powerful marketing tool ever—Social Media. 

There are many ways to use social media to promote your podcast and build an audience. 

For example: Create a hashtag to represent your brand. This is an effective way to encourage listeners to leave comments about your topic.

Now let’s talk about timing. Good, rewarding podcasts are generally 20 to 30 minutes. But not everyone can find time during their days to listen to a whole podcast. 

Create short fragments of the most compelling parts of each episode, then upload them on all your social channels.  

Social Tip: Do not use the same caption on every channel. Give your audience a reason to follow all your social channels. 

You can also expand your reach by releasing your podcast on many platforms as possible. You can start with YouTube, Spotify, Blubrry and iTunes.

8. Get a Host With "That Voice"

Mainstream podcasts are developed, hosted and administered by whoever conceived the idea.

With business podcasts, the marketing department locates the best team to run the series. 

The best practice is to choose an individual comfortable being the main voice of the podcast. It’s okay if it’s not you. 

Find that unique and energized individual to run your series to provide consistency. This will prove essential for long term success.

9. Produce in Batches

This tip can related back to Tip 4.  

One of the biggest challenges to creating a corporate podcast series is scheduling. Most businesses tend to find a topic and schedule a time on a day leading up to your next publishing date.

However, a more efficient way is to develop a bunch of themes and schedule all the interviewees for a single day.

Produce 3-6 podcasts in one day.

This will have you covered for a couple of weeks or months (depending on your publishing schedule). Always leave room for one-off podcasts that are tied to specific events on your calendar.

Generally, producing in batches gives you a lot of breathing room. Want to learn one way to boost production without sacrificing quality? 

Focus on creation first. Improvements can happen later through editing.

The real benefits of an effective podcast occur behind the scenes

10. What Ever You Do—Don't Sell!

My final podcast tips for beginners is: Don’t Sell—Educate. 

It’s okay to introduce your company and the work that you do. A brief introduction is a great idea because it validates your credibility on the topics of discussion. 

Emphasis on brief, it does not need to last half your podcast.

The point of your podcast should not be to sell your product or service. Rather, to use your expertise to bring clients up to speed with information and trends that they would be interested in.

Using this tactic will allow you to better identify where your buyers are in your sales funnel.

Let's Recap: Podcast Tips For Beginners

Starting a podcast within your industry and niche will prove it’s worth when executed properly. Keep the above 10 tips in mind while you begin plotting our your podcast strategy, and remember:  

  1. A podcast can help you reach a larger audience and build authority: Share your knowledge and become a recognized thought leader in your industry.
  2. Speak to what you and what benefits your audience in real-world situations: Remember who your target audience is before you plan your webinar. 
  3. Always give yourself a reasonable schedule: This also includes recording multiple podcasts at once rather than a day before launch. 
  4. Leverage social media and promote your podcast everywhere: Promote. Promote. Promote.

Still not convinced about leveraging podcasts? Read our post on the effects of using podcasts in your content strategy to generate more Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs).

Matthew Ley

Matthew Ley

Matt Ley is the current President and co-founder of The Streaming Network. Starting his career in virtual events in 2007, Matt is an industry veteran that is passionate about helping customers stand out in their industry with compelling virtual events that people want to attend. The driving ambition for Matt is that virtual events are not a utility for information distribution but an opportunity for firms to create a competitive advantage. Matt is an accomplished speaker, moderator and a sought-after thought leader.

Join Us

Sign up to receive notifications on the latest in B2B Webinar and Podcast marketing, sales and growth. 

Subscribe our Podcast. The Webinar: Lessons from the Frontlines

© 2020 - The Streaming Network Webinar Software and Virtual Training Products. A Wish Collaboration company.