How To Start A Podcast In 2026: A Step-By-Step Guide

In the event you’re on the lookout for a information that walks you thru begin a podcast, you are completely in the best place…

Beginning a podcast is not troublesome, however there are a selection of steps you will have to undergo as a way to get it launched.

On this podcasting tutorial, we’ll stroll you thru each step of the method:

• Selecting a subject & identify
• Present and episode format
• Cowl artwork creation
• Intro & outro music
• Gear choice
• Audio recording & enhancing
• Submission to Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Promotion suggestions

And far more…

Podcasting is a a lot much less crowded and aggressive house than running a blog, making now the proper time to get began.

As of September 2026, there are simply over 2 million podcasts, however over 600 million blogs!

In case you are questioning, I’ve helped hundreds of individuals begin a podcast within the final a number of years and have began a couple of reveals in numerous industries myself.

Seeking to begin a podcast shortly? Join with Buzzsprout, add your audio recordsdata, and undergo Apple & Spotify.

Let’s get began:

Planning

That is the preliminary (usually missed) stage to make a podcast. You will need to spend a great period of time right here earlier than you progress on.

Be happy to get out a pocket book or a whiteboard so you can begin planning your podcast like a professional.

Select A Matter

You need your podcast to be targeted on a selected matter or area of interest.

Attempt to slender it right down to one thing you may talk about for a lot of episodes (100+) however that is not so broad that you simply will not enchantment to your potential viewers.

For instance, as a substitute of getting an “out of doors” podcast, discuss mountain climbing – or much more particular, like mountain climbing 14ers.

You possibly can at all times develop your matter later as you get extra common.

Essential: see the part about selecting a reputation to be sure to do not restrict your self.

Choose A Co-host (optionally available)

Do you might have a good friend, enterprise accomplice, or coworker that you simply need to co-host with?

It may be a lot simpler to start out podcasting you probably have a co-host.

You’ll naturally have a extra participating dialog if you happen to each share your factors of view on a subject. It will also be useful to have somebody to maintain issues on monitor.

Plus, you may break up further duties of enhancing, selling, and extra.

There will be downsides although.

You will need to ensure that each of you’re dedicated to it for the long run. And it helps to set a schedule from the start so you recognize when you may be recording each week.

There aren’t guidelines right here although. In case your co-host drops off, you can nonetheless proceed the podcast with out them. Or you can begin solo and add a co-host later.

The necessary factor is to only get began.. so let’s select a reputation:

Select A Identify

In the event you have a look at the high Apple Podcasts charts, you will see a wide range of completely different names.

Some are descriptive of what the present is about, whereas others do not imply a lot.

I am truly going to seemingly contradict what I stated earlier: You need to decide on a identify that’s broader than your matter.

Utilizing the mountain climbing instance earlier, if we select “The 14er Forged” as our identify, what occurs once we need to discuss backpacking & ultralight tenting too?

As a substitute, select a reputation that may allow you to develop if you happen to determine to later. Possibly “Mountain Adventures (Above & Beneath 14K ft)” would work because it offers a touch to mountain climbing 14ers however offers you the choice to speak about every kind of stuff if you need.

I simply got here up with that as I used to be penning this, I am positive you can do higher!

Motion Step: Buy a website identify (opens in a brand new tab) on your podcast.

An alternative choice is to get a free area identify with a Bluehost internet hosting plan. You possibly can search proper right here on this web page – attempt it out!

I even have some extra recommendations on selecting a website identify right here if you need.

Present Format

Size

You will discover quite a lot of “consultants” declare that sure lengths are good for podcasts. The issue is that is simply BS.

You do not want a 28-minute podcast as a result of that is the typical driving time. Or below an hour as a result of individuals cannot concentrate longer than that.

There are 5 minutes podcasts and there are 6-hour podcasts. Discover no matter works for you and run with it!

What I might attempt to keep away from is making it longer than it must be since you went off-topic for quarter-hour.

This is a terrific picture from Pop Up Podcasting that reveals “simple, good, or lengthy – choose two”:

Type

Interview reveals are common, however that does not imply you must do one.

You are able to do solo (or co-hosted) reveals half the time and interview reveals the opposite half.

One massive good thing about doing interviews is that they assist a ton with getting new listeners – particularly if you happen to make it simple on your visitor to share with pre-written templates and graphics.

Episode Format

So what does a particular episode sound like? I wrote this put up about podcast intros, but it surely has a bunch of examples of various episode codecs for common podcasts.

This is one instance:

• Teaser
• Intro Music
• Welcome
• Advert Spot
• Interview
• Name To Motion (“Overview us on iTunes!”)
• Outro Music

Get artistic with this half.

Completely different segments make it simpler to share small clips on social media too.

However keep in mind that for each episode you set out, you'll have each repeat listeners and new listeners so you need to attempt to communicate to each of them.

Preparation

Now that you have written down your matter, format(s), and secured a website identify, we'll have to get a couple of issues ready forward of launch…

Create Cowl Artwork

Your cowl artwork is the primary impression most individuals will see as they flick through Apple Podcasts or their favourite podcast app.

It is may also be the picture somebody sees once you share your present on social media.

Buzzsprout has written a superb article about designing cowl artwork, so I might positively begin there.

When you've got slightly little bit of a funds, I extremely suggest 99 Designs to get yours created.

You will get lots of of various designers to supply a draft – then you may select those you wish to have them additional refined.

Get A Skilled Intro (Non-compulsory)

Music Radio Artistic is one of the best place to get professional-quality voiceovers and intros.

Having a third-party introduce you simply takes your perceived worth up a notch, which is an effective way to face out when first beginning a podcast.

Select Intro Music

I am a giant fan of PremiumBeat for podcast music.

It is simple to go looking, you get a full license, and so they have a bunch of various types.

Check out this put up on royalty-free music for extra choices.

Most individuals do not want an infinite subscription-style music service – only a tune or two.

Get A Microphone

Audio high quality is necessary but it surely would not must value a ton to get a great high quality microphone for podcasting. One of the vital common podcasting microphones is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB.

It is each a USB microphone and has an XLR connection which helps you to improve your recording tools with no need a brand new mic.

I like to recommend looking at our podcast starter equipment put up for extra choices right here, particularly if you happen to plan on having a co-host or two.

Podcast Visitors

In case you are doing an interview present, now could be the time to get an inventory collectively of who you need in your podcast.

Then begin reaching out to them.

It could assist to make use of a service like Acuity Scheduling so individuals can e-book proper in your calendar when it is handy for you.

This protects the headache of going forwards and backwards understanding a gathering time – and means you may give attention to getting extra company!

Plus you may ask them for sure data like their Skype username or an intro you may learn once they schedule with you.

To file your interviews once you're not in-person (or in case your co-host would not file in the identical room with you) I exploit and suggest Iris.

Recording & Modifying

Alitu (The Straightforward Method)

If you have not used enhancing software program earlier than, even easy actions in GarageBand or Audacity will be fairly intimidating.

It is comprehensible: audio manufacturing is totally stuffed with jargon!

If that’s the case, then Alitu may be the best way to go.

It is a ‘podcast making' instrument that automates a whole lot of the complicated technical components, and virtually builds your episode for you. It is all based mostly proper inside your browser, so no software program to obtain, and it really works on any laptop linked to the web.

It's constructed to be tremendous easy to make use of and does just about all the things:

• Takes care of audio cleanup
• Permits you to add music
• Helps you piece collectively your audio segments
• Has direct publishing of your episodes.

All it's worthwhile to do is add your recordings, and use the fool-proof podcast-specific editor to take out any massive errors. Alitu does the remainder!

Even higher, Alitu features a library of music and jingles which you need to use as your theme tune, or as transitions between segments.

Whether or not you are an entire newbie, or an skilled podcaster trying to drastically lower down in your manufacturing time, you need to positively give Alitu a attempt. It comes with a 7-day free trial, so enroll right here and check out it out!

GarageBand (Free Choice)

I will present you use GarageBand for recording and enhancing.

Different audio enhancing software program is analogous however most have extra superior options that you do not want when getting began. Widespread choices are Adobe Audition & Audacity (each work with Mac & PC).

You may as well take a look at our full put up on podcast enhancing software program.

Create A Template

Earlier than you get began, will probably be a lot simpler if you happen to create a template that you could reuse each time you file a podcast episode.

What this implies is that you'll have your intro & outro music already positioned, house for advert spots, in addition to your tracks on your voice or an interviewee.

Take note it will look completely different relying in your episode format – create a podcast template that works for you. This is one I exploit:

I am going to simply open the template up, click on File -> Save As, and save the file as my episode identify (i.e. 008-episode-8-title).

This may even maintain any results you might have utilized to the tracks, together with compression, EQ, or the rest. I am going to present you the settings I exploit within the enhancing part beneath.

File Your First Episode (Or 3)

Solo

In the event you're simply recording a solo episode or need to file an intro to an interview you probably did, merely choose the monitor you need to file to (see the sunshine grey Podcast Audio monitor chosen above) and click on the crimson File button up high:

A number of Hosts

When you've got a number of hosts, you will have to click on Monitor -> Configure Monitor Header and test File Allow.

This offers you the choice to allow a number of tracks to file directly and you will see the File Allow button on every monitor:

You will click on that button on every monitor you need to file, then click on the large file button up high. Straightforward sufficient!

Distant Interview

Many individuals use Skype for recording distant interviews and the simplest method to truly file the audio (or video) is with Ecamm Name Recorder For Skype (Mac solely) or Pamela (for Home windows).

In order for you higher audio high quality than Skype or Zoom permit, or a method to have particular person audio recordsdata for greater than 2 individuals, providers like Iris are wonderful. They're designed for distant recording and podcast interviews.

If you end up achieved recording, you will have two separate tracks that you'll place on high of one another like this:

This additionally reveals one other template that you could be need to use. The Podcast Audio monitor is simply used for solo reveals, and the Interview tracks are solely used for interview reveals.

Edit Your Episode

There are a few issues you may simply arrange as soon as (and save in your template) that may make your podcast (and your voice) sound a lot better.

Understand that everybody's voice is completely different so there aren't completely common settings, however these could provide you with a great start line:

1. Choose the monitor you need to work with (begin along with your voice)
2. Click on an empty house within the Plug-ins field
3. Add compression by going to Dynamics -> Compressor:
4. I exploit these settings (typically I am going to add extra achieve): Mess around with them and simply click on the facility button subsequent to the compressor plugin to simply examine.
5. Subsequent we will add EQ (below EQ -> Channel EQ).
6. Listed below are my settings:

• 100 Hz: 24dB/Oct roll off, Q: 0.79
• 160 Hz: -2.5dB, Q: 2.20
• 500 Hz: -1.0dB, Q: 0.71
• 930 Hz: -0.5dB, Q: 3.20
• 3400 Hz: +0.5dB, Q: 0.71
• 5400 Hz: +2.5dB, Q: 0.71

I am not going to get into what all meaning, however if you happen to simply do one, the low-end roll-off (on the left) will likely be a great begin.

Or you may simply obtain my Podcast Vocal EQ settings right here (.pst file on Dropbox).

The final step I would suggest goes to Auphonic to use some normalization for loudness (LUFS), leveling, and filtering. It should additionally robotically add ID3 tags must you want them.

Launch!

Get A Podcast Host

I exploit and extremely suggest Buzzsprout podcast internet hosting after making an attempt many alternative firms through the years.

Plus you will get a free $20 Amazon present card after you join a paid plan!

Be happy to take a look at our full podcast internet hosting information if you wish to see different choices, however one other nice alternative for bigger manufacturers is Transistor.

You may as well have a look at this checklist of one of the best podcast platforms.

As soon as you have signed up, you will have to fill out some required details about your podcast (identify, description, classes, and many others.).

Add Your First Episode

In the event you use Buzzsprout, this course of is tremendous easy.

If not, it is potential it's worthwhile to mess with issues like embedding ID3 tags into your MP3. Sounds complicated and pointless – let's not try this.

You will simply have to click on the “Add” button:

and so they'll apply some magic processing to your mp3 file.

Then you definately'll have to fill out the episode title, description, abstract, publish date, and episode #.

If you wish to use Seasons, put a “1” there, in any other case depart it clean. In the event you use a whole lot of dangerous phrases, click on the express checkbox.

It may be useful to create a template on your episode description (in a separate textual content doc) to reuse for each episode – I exploit one thing like this:

Click on save and repeat this step on your preliminary launch of episodes.

It is really helpful to launch a podcast with greater than 1 episode so that individuals do not have to attend to listen to extra.

3 to five episodes is an efficient quantity to start out with.

Submit To Apple Podcasts (iTunes)

I've a separate information on submit your podcast to iTunes however inside Buzzsprout simply click on Apple Podcasts below the Directories tab and comply with the steps they've put collectively.

After that, seize your podcast RSS feed and submit it to different podcast directories too.

As you add new episodes, your host will robotically replace your RSS feed and any podcast listing you are listed on may even replace along with your new episode.

Unfold The Phrase

Use Buzzsprout's social sharing function to generate teaser movies and begin sharing!

There are different firms that may provide help to generate completely different types of audiograms, however having it constructed into your host makes it very easy to create (and it will not value you additional).

Wavve and Headliner are two wonderful decisions if you wish to create extra customized podcast movies to share.

Take a look at this text on podcast promotion to for a bunch of different advertising techniques. One of the vital impactful ones is constructing your personal web site (see subsequent step beneath).

Beneficial Steps (After Beginning A Podcast)

Your job is not achieved when you begin a podcast. Listed below are my suggestions to assist make your present extra interesting and simpler to develop:

Create A Web site

WordPress (Straightforward To Medium Issue)

Podcast internet hosting firms normally provide you with an internet site, however if you wish to be taken significantly get your self a separate WordPress host.

For newcomers, Bluehost is well the best choice (plus you will get a free area identify for the primary 12 months).

In the event you want a bit extra steerage, begin with this begin a WordPress weblog put up for the preliminary steps.

I've an inventory of wonderful WordPress plugins {that a} podcaster would want too.

And if you happen to want extra assist, I've a course known as Podcast Web site LaunchPad that walks you thru all the things.

Podcastpage (Best Methodology)

Podcastpage is an internet site builder and internet hosting all-in-one made particularly for podcasts. Type of like Wix however designed for the wants podcasters.

No coding is important. You simply select one in all their themes, customise to your liking, and optionally combine e-mail advertising or Google Analytics.

You possibly can add pages or weblog posts, customise your audio participant, and make it simple on your guests to subscribe!

It really works with any podcast internet hosting supplier and pricing is honest, beginning at $80/12 months or $8/month.

Test it out and join a free trial right here.

Get Transcriptions

Transcriptions are a superb approach for search engines like google (like Google) to “learn” your podcast episodes. Additionally they give your viewers one other method to look one thing up shortly.

You do not have to start out out with them, but it surely's one other a type of issues that may set you aside.

Buzzsprout has a built-in transcription service (on paid plans) that prices $.10/minute, however my favourite transcription service is Rev – give them a attempt.

Create Present Notes

Present notes will be transcriptions like above, a easy abstract of what you talked about, or a full weblog put up tailor-made extra towards studying than listening.

Some individuals do a mixture.

On this web site, we begin with written content material first after which create podcast episodes after.

Embed Your Episode

Seize your episode embed code and place it in your present notes web page so individuals can hear out of your web site.