Want to start a podcast? With over 546.7 million active listeners, there’s never been a better time to join.
“But how do you make a podcast?” It all starts with a solid concept. Then you need to focus on the technical details, like choosing the right equipment and learning how to edit audio.
All of these steps will help you create engaging content, highlight your expertise, and build your audience and personal brand—all through storytelling.
Without further ado, let’s dive into how to podcast in 2025.
content:
- How to Start a Podcast with a Massive Audience in 2025
-
- Understand Why You Should Start a Podcast
-
- Figure out who your podcast listeners are
-
- Choose the Right Topic for Your Podcast
-
- Planning Your Podcast
-
- Choose a name for your podcast
-
- Find the right equipment for your podcast
-
- Produce your first podcast
-
- Editing for a Better Podcast
-
- Choosing a Podcast Hosting Platform
-
- Share your podcast with the world
-
- Check Your Podcast Performance
-
- Make Money with Podcasts
-
- Starting a Podcast: Summary
- FAQs on how to make a podcast
- How do beginners start podcasting?
- What does it take to start a podcast?
- How do I start a podcast without an audience?
- Can Anyone Start a Podcast for Free?
- How long should a podcast be?
- How do I record a podcast?
How to Start a Podcast with a Massive Audience in 2025
1. Understand why you want to start a podcast
Why do you want to start this project? This is the first question you should ask yourself when thinking about how to start a podcast.
Do you want to share your passion? Do you want to enhance your personal brand? Or maybe you want to make money with your podcast?
When creating a podcast, you need to be clear about your purpose. This doesn’t have to be your first project as a content creator.
Even big-name celebrities are starting podcasts to try out new ideas or content formats. Take Remi Cruz, for example. She started Pretty Basic Podcast as a fresh take on her main channel, MissRemiAshten, which is more focused on cooking and lifestyle.
In short, your goal could be to educate, entertain, build your personal brand, or make money. But don’t jump to conclusions. Look for data that supports your goal.
2. Figure out who your podcast audience is
You've defined your goals? Great. Now, how do you create a podcast? The next step is to think about who will listen. If there are no listeners, it will be hard to achieve the goals you set.
You can’t guess who your potential audience is, right? So, you need to do some research, starting with demographics .
Find out information like their age, gender, location, and education level. If necessary, you might even want to know their income level. But it all depends on your goals and the type of content you’re creating.
For example, since 66% of podcast listeners have a college degree and earn about $75,000 per year, you can change your content to focus more on information to better connect with them.
Don’t just focus on demographics, explore psychographics too . Understand their interests, struggles, values, and lifestyles.
Also, if you have different types of listeners, you can create a persona . This is a profile that describes your audience, including their age, interests, and even some made-up names.
3. Choose the right topic for your podcast
The next step in creating a podcast is to choose a topic. Yes, this is important because it can determine your success or failure.
Basically, you need to find a sweet spot between your own passion and your audience’s interest in the topic of your podcast.
Being yourself is great because it makes you unique. But it can be hard to attract an audience. On the other hand, if you chase trends, you might gain some attention, but you may lose your unique voice.
Also, don't make it too broad, but don't make it too narrow either. For example, if you love games, you can cover all game news, but don't just focus on indie games that have a smaller fan base.
So, let's talk. Let's talk about the new Grand Theft Auto VI coming out in 2025, or let's dive into why Disco Elysium is one of the best games of all time.
Since 22% of podcast listeners in the US like comedy, why not add some humor to your content? This will make your content stand out and be more engaging.
4. Plan your podcast
You can't just pick a topic and hit the record button. So how do you make a good podcast? First, be clear about your goals.
They don't have to be rigid, but using the SMART approach can help. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound . Why do you need this approach?
You can then check whether you are meeting your download, unique listener or subscriber targets. You can also focus on financial goals such as sponsorship revenue or membership growth.
After that, be sure to think about the structure of your podcast. Will you be the host, have someone co-host, or invite guests for interviews?
If you like sharing your own stories, a personal podcast is a great option, but if you want to share expert insights, an interview is the best option.
The next step in starting a podcast is to determine your content strategy. Decide whether you want to be deep-dive, light-hearted, or a mix of both. Some podcasts are best suited for 15-minute shows, while others are better suited for hour-long interviews.
You also need to decide how often you want to publish your podcast. You can choose to publish weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Many successful podcasts typically publish a new episode every 5 to 7 days.
5. Choose a name for your podcast
If you knew your podcast was going to be a big hit, what would you name it?
Well, if you’re still searching for the best name, take your time. It’s important to find a name that feels right. It’s a crucial step in starting a podcast. You want a name that you’re proud of, right?
So, think of some words that capture your podcast identity or your chosen topic. The goal is to come up with a unique podcast name that reflects your personal brand.
Well, how about "99% Invisible"? That's great. How about "Pod Save America," "Snap Judgment," or "Comedy Bang! Bang!"?
These are all great names, but they’re already taken. So you’ll just have to look to the podcast channels above for inspiration on what to name your own podcast.
You can use alliteration, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, puns, etc. You can also decide to use one word, two words, or even a sentence.
6. Find the right equipment for your podcast
What do you need to start a podcast? You’ll need the right podcasting equipment, yes. And since podcasts are all about conversation, good audio quality is essential.
So, let’s start with the microphone . If you have a cheap gaming microphone like the Razer Seiren Mini, or a live streaming microphone like the HyperX QuadCast S, you’re all set. USB microphones are plug-and-play and easy to use.
Don't forget to bring a pop filter. It will reduce those annoying pops. Also, you can buy a mic stand, which will keep your mic stable and at the right height.
If you want something simpler, a clip-on microphone that attaches to your phone like the Rode SmartLav+ is a great option for beginners.
There’s a lot more to it. You’ll need a pair of headphones to check your audio, and a powerful computer to record and edit. You’ll also want to invest in podcasting software, and if you’re doing a video podcast, make sure it supports that, too.
Consider investing in an audio interface or mixer. This will give you more control over volume and improve the quality of your recordings, which is great for interviews or co-hosting shows.
7. Produce your first podcast
“Let’s do the podcast!” It’s great to be excited, but the last thing you want is to record the show and forget what you were going to say.
Many new podcasters face this challenge, so preparing a script or outline can help the chat go smoothly.
A podcast script is a written guide that outlines the content and structure of each episode. There are several key parts to a podcast script:
- Opening Music – This is the catchy opening tune or sound that signals that your podcast is about to begin.
- Welcome Introduction – Here you can introduce yourself and give a brief overview of what this episode is about.
- Snippets – These are the main messages you’ll share throughout the episode.
- Transitions – These smooth transitions help you move from one clip to the next.
- Conclusion – Summarize the main points covered.
- Outro – This is the closing music that marks the end of the episode.
If you already have your podcast script ready, that’s a great start. However, don’t forget about sound quality. Before recording, do a quick sound check to make sure your equipment is capable of recording clear sound.
Don’t forget to practice your speaking. You don’t want to stumble or slur your words. A lot of people take this for granted when it comes to podcasting.
You can easily record your podcast using recording software like Audacity, or if you prefer, consider a podcast platform like Anchor, which lets you record podcasts directly from your phone.
8. Edit better podcasts
It's normal to make mistakes while recording your podcast, but it's better to fix them during the editing process than to pause and start over. So, always edit your podcast before uploading it.
This is the standard way to start a podcast. Unless you like a raw, unpolished vibe. But even if you like that vibe, skipping editing can make your work look less than professional.
So how do you create a well-edited podcast? First, listen to the entire recording. As you listen, take note of any mistakes or awkward pauses.
You can categorize them into categories such as information errors, ambiguities, background noise, or timing issues. Once you have marked these points, open up your audio editing software and trim off the excess parts.
Don't forget to improve the sound quality. Tools like WavePad Audio Editor are great for adjusting volume and removing background noise. If you experience sound skipping, use an equalizer to smooth it out.
However, editing isn’t just about fixing mistakes, it’s about improving the overall experience of your podcast. Don’t forget to add an intro and outro that showcase your unique style.
9. Choose a podcast hosting platform
You're ready to upload your podcast, but where should you put it? That's where a podcast hosting platform comes in handy.
This is the home of your podcast show, where you will share it with your listeners. So choose carefully. This is a crucial step in starting a podcast.
Don’t let all your hard work go to waste. You’ve planned, recorded, and edited your podcast, so make sure your podcast gets the attention it deserves and choose a reliable hosting service.
Do you prefer Apple Podcasts or Spotify? They each have their pros and cons. Apple Podcasts is great for connecting with other Apple users, while Spotify offers more customization options.
If you're new to podcasting, Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor) is a good choice. It's free and supports multiple platforms. In addition, its layout is very user-friendly.
You might also want to check out Buzzsprout, Podbean, or even Amazon Prime Music. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a podcast hosting platform:
- Storage Limits
- Easy to use
- Distribution Options
- Pricing
- Analysis capabilities
- Customer Support
Read : How to upload podcasts to Spotify
10. Share your podcast with the world
You can't just upload your podcast and hope that people will listen. That's not the way to go. You need to tell people about your channel and every new episode you release.
So, promoting your podcast is an important step in the development of a podcast. Even Joe Rogan uses social media to let everyone know when he has a new show.
When it comes to promotion, you have two main options: organic and paid. Organic promotion uses social media, email newsletters, and other methods to slowly build an audience.
Paid marketing, on the other hand, places ads on platforms like Facebook and Google to spread your message quickly, but if you’re just starting out, this may not be the right approach for you.
Not only that, you can choose to promote alone or in partnership . Solo promotion means you handle all marketing on your own. In partnership promotion, you work with others to reach a wider audience.
Also read : Best social media scheduling tools
11. Check your podcast performance
What’s the next step to creating a podcast that attracts a large audience? The key is to monitor your data analytics. This is also a key part of podcast production.
Think about it: You produced a great episode and did a great job promoting it. But how do you know if your audience is actually listening? How do you know if they enjoyed the episode, or what topics they enjoyed the most?
Without data, you can only guess. You have no real idea of how your podcast is performing. This isn’t ideal if you want to grow your channel and be ranked among the top podcasters.
If you don’t pay attention to your podcast’s performance, you could be in for some problems. Without tracking data, you won’t know how to improve, and you’ll end up wasting energy on podcasts that aren’t gaining traction.
So, how do you leverage data for podcasting? It starts with understanding the key metrics of your podcast hosting platform. Some of these metrics include:
- Unique Listeners – This number tells you how many unique people listened to your podcast during a specific time period. This is a great way to get an idea of your reach.
- Followers – This counts how many people have clicked the “Follow” button on your podcast. Followers are more likely to receive updates on new episodes, which means they are more engaged with your content.
- Starts — This feature tracks the number of times a user has started a particular episode. It reflects initial interest, but keep in mind that it doesn’t mean they’ll keep listening.
- Streaming - If someone listens to an episode for at least 60 seconds, it counts. This shows they are trying.
- Downloads – If you use certain hosting platforms, you can check how many times your episode has been downloaded.
- Average Listening Time – This metric shows how long, on average, listeners listen to each episode. It gives you an idea of how engaging your content is.
- Audience Insights – This gives you insights into who your audience is, including their demographics and interests. This information is extremely valuable in understanding your audience better.
Here’s how to use this information in your podcast. If an episode about a popular game gets more plays, that means your audience is interested. That can be a cue for you to create more content about that game.
If you find they're losing interest, it might be time to change things up. You may be talking too much and they may not be understanding you. So, get straight to the point.
See how many people have shared your episode or left a comment. This can help you understand what your audience likes.
12. Make Money with Podcasts
You’ve learned a lot about how to start a podcast. But there’s one more important part: making money from your podcast . So why is this so important?
As your podcast grows, so do your profit opportunities. While many people start podcasting out of passion, even more listeners can turn that passion into profit.
The numbers speak for themselves. Revenue from podcasts is growing, with the U.S. market estimated to be $2.38 billion. For creators looking to monetize, this is a huge opportunity.
So how much money can podcasters make? Take Joe Rogan, for example. He made headlines for his massive deal with Spotify, which could be worth as much as $100 million. On top of that, he also makes money from ads on YouTube and merchandise sales.
If you're wondering how to start a podcast, you should also think about how to make money. So, what are your options?
- In-app monetization – You can earn revenue from podcast platforms by selling premium content, offering exclusive episodes to subscribers, or joining ad revenue sharing programs.
- Sponsorships – You can work with brands that fit your podcast theme. With a solid listener base, you can earn up to $100 per episode from companies paying for advertising spots.
- Third-party monetization – You can make money by sharing exclusive content, selling merchandise, or accepting donations through apps like Gank . Think of it as a way to provide extra episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, and more.
Also read: How to make money as a content creator
Starting a Podcast: Summary
Starting a podcast is easier than you think, right? These 10 steps are simple, even if you’re a newbie.
But the rewards can be very good. Think $100 to $500 per episode. Of course, it won't always be easy. So putting in the work and staying consistent is key.
By sharing your unique ideas and building a loyal audience, you can make money through sponsorships, merchandise, and more through platforms like Gank.
This is your chance to turn your passion into profit. So why not join?
FAQs on how to make a podcast
How do beginners start podcasting?
We’ve talked about this before. First, think about your goals and who your audience is. This will help you choose the right topics and platforms to connect with them. Don’t forget to think about the format or strategy of your podcast!
What does it take to start a podcast?
To start a podcast, you'll need a good microphone, headphones, and recording software. You'll also need a hosting platform to share your podcast. Make sure you have a quiet recording environment and learn some basic audio editing techniques to make your podcast sound great.
How do I start a podcast without an audience?
Don’t worry. It’s normal to have no listeners in the beginning. Just focus on producing quality podcast content that fits your topic. Share your podcast on social media and consider partnering with other podcasters to attract new listeners.
Can Anyone Start a Podcast for Free?
Yes. There are platforms like Anchor where you can start a podcast for free right from your phone. But your podcast will sound better and reach more listeners if you invest in some good equipment.
How long should a podcast be?
Podcast episodes can be long or short, but are usually between 20 and 60 minutes long. The key is to keep the content engaging and to the point. Rather than worrying about airtime, focus on providing value to your listeners.
How do I record a podcast?
Just hit the record button on your podcasting platform. But don’t forget to set up your microphone correctly. Also, take the time to edit your podcast for clarity and flow before you publish it.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click through to visit us, at no extra cost to you. See how SidelinePlay is funded, why it’s important, and how you can support us.
Was this helpful?