How to start a podcast

a step-by-step guide

Jun 24, 2025

The podcast industry is thriving in 2025, with over 4.42 million podcasts and 584.1 million listeners worldwide, making it a significant part of the global media landscape.

These numbers can be daunting for anyone considering starting a podcast. If you're considering starting one, this guide will help you launch your podcast in 7 easy steps.

Let’s dive in.

1. Define your goals

Before you jump into podcasting, take a step back. Get clear on why you want to start a podcast.

A lot of people start a podcast just because they think it’s fun, or because everyone else seems to have one. But if you don’t know why you’re doing it, you can easily lose motivation after a few episodes.

So ask yourself:

Is it to express your ideas?
To generate leads for your business?
Is it to generate revenue?
To connect with people?

Because your reason and goals will help you keep going, even when you don’t feel like it. So, don’t just start a podcast before defining why you want to.

Written by Lavanya J

2. Pick a podcast theme or topic

There is a lot of competition out there as the podcasting industry is booming. But there is always a unique perspective one can offer.

Choose a topic that you can talk about for hours. Listen to podcasts on topics of your interest and list down what you could do differently.

Get specific

Once you decide on your topic or a theme, aligning it with your goals and target audience is important.

This is what you can do:

Do market research on your topic, make a list of your competitors, and see what you could do to stand out.

Note: Keep in mind that if there are a lot of podcasters talking about the same topic, then there is a demand for it.

Research your audience. Define your ideal listeners and understand their needs, pain points, and preferences.

Name your podcast

Your podcast name is your first impression on your audience; it needs to stick.

But spending days coming up with a perfect name is not the right way. Instead, name your podcast that will either be:

Relevant to your topic, like “The Dropouts Podcast,” which interviews college or high school dropouts.

Relates to you or your target audience, like “While She’s Napping” podcast started by a couple while their baby is asleep.

Relevant to your goals, like product or company name, if your goal is to generate leads for your business.

Keep it short, concise, and easy to read. You are ready to give your podcast a personality.

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3. Choose your podcast format

Before you record or find what equipment you need, you need to know what kind of podcast you want to make. Your podcast sets the expectation for listeners. It sets the tone and what your listeners can expect when they hit play.

There is no one-size-fits-all format. Choose based on your style, target audience, your goals, and your interests.

Here are some of the common formats:

Solo podcasts: Need in-depth knowledge on the topic, but best if you prefer talking alone and want to establish authority in your chosen topic.
Interview podcasts: Offer diverse content if you love engaging with other people who are experts in their field.
Conversational podcasts: They are when you want to sit with your friends and have a conversation on your chosen topic, mostly unscripted.
Storytelling podcasts: As the name suggests, they are best if you want to tell stories, either real or fictional.
Educational podcasts: Where you talk informatively about a topic you have expertise in.

4. Set up your equipment

You don’t need a professional setup or a studio to start with. But a little planning here can make your podcast sound like one from day one.

Start simple and upgrade later. Let’s look at what equipment you will need and why:

Equipment

Microphone: There are different types of podcast microphones( from XLR to USB). You can start completely free from your phone, or if you have a budget, you can buy a good microphone online for better quality.
Using headphones: Helps you catch background noise and hear yourself clearly, especially if you are not doing it solo. Make sure to use good-quality headphones.
Camera: If you are venturing into video podcasting, buying a DSLR camera or webcam of good quality is recommended.

5. Record your first episode

It’s recording day, your gear is ready, and the mic is set. You hit record, but suddenly, you find yourself stuck. Why is that?

Even if you are familiar with your topic, it’s crucial to have an outline for your episode. This will guide you on what to say.

Instead of writing a full script, create an outline for your podcast.

List the key topics in your chosen niche or questions you want to cover.
Arrange them logically, so you are not jumping all over the place.
If you are not doing it solo, share it with your co-hosts or guests and discuss it.

This way, you will sound prepared but still natural.

Microphone technique

Follow these basic steps to sound clearer in your podcast:

Place your microphone 2 to 4 inches away from your mouth for a clean and clear sound.
But it will depend on what kind of microphone you are using. So experiment and see what works best for you.
Use a filter if possible.

Recording and editing software

To make your podcast look and sound good on YouTube, you need the right tools for recording and editing.

Audacity is a free app you can use to record and edit audio on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Riverside lets you record podcasts and video calls from different locations, and the quality looks and sounds really good.
For remote podcasts, you can also use Zoom, which has a free plan and is easy to use.
Descript – Easy video editing tool to trim, subtitle, or polish your YouTube episodes.

Pro Tip: Good sound and clear video help people stay and watch. Use headphones while recording to cut background noise, and try to sit somewhere quiet with good lighting, like near a window or a lamp.

6. Podcast branding

Your design is the first thing your listeners will see. These days, 60% of people avoid brands with logos that look weird or unattractive, even if the reviews are good. That’s how important design is for your podcast business.

Here are some questions to consider when creating an attractive and appealing artwork for your podcast:

How can I design a logo that is both easy to understand and simple?
What color palette resonates with my podcast niche?
What elements and images best represent my podcast?

3 tips to make your podcast artwork stand out:

Don’t use too many fonts for words: Limit your use of fonts to two for design consistency.
Design for a variety of sizes: As different platforms and directories require different specifications. Make sure it looks good, no matter its size.
Consistent branding: Use the same colors, elements, and images to make your brand easily recognizable.

Another tip is to use high-quality images and test your designs on different devices to ensure they will look good. Once your visuals are locked in, share your podcast with everyone.

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7. Podcast hosting

Once you have recorded and edited your first episode, the next step is to upload it to your YouTube channel. This is where your audience will find and watch your content.

Pro tip: Make sure your video and audio are clear, and your title, thumbnail, and description are well-crafted. They matter just as much as the content.

If you're looking for tools to help with scheduling uploads, managing your channel, or checking performance:

YouTube Studio lets you upload, schedule, and track the performance of your videos.
Canva is great for making thumbnails quickly.
Descript can help you edit videos if you want to polish things further.

If you ever decide to put your podcast on audio platforms like Spotify, you’ll need a hosting service. But for YouTube-only, uploading directly works just fine.

Bonus tip

Be consistent to build a connection with your audience. Set a weekly posting schedule for your podcast. As it grows, analyze your metrics to see what your listeners like best.

By following these straightforward steps, you will be able to upload your very first episode smoothly without any stress.

Final words

With this detailed guide, you now know how to start your very first podcast without much hassle.

And if you ever need help with editing or getting your podcast seen on YouTube, Trimmelry is here to support you. We handle the behind-the-scenes stuff so you can stay focused on creating.

Thanks for reading the blog, book a client breakthrough call with team Trimmerly.