Starting a podcast can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the tech. On my podcast, “I Will Teach You to Be Rich,” I’ve learned the ins and outs of creating a show that people love. To help you start your own podcast, I’ve broken down the process into a few simple steps.
Before you hit record, it’s essential to have a clear plan. From choosing your podcast topic to understanding your audience, laying this groundwork will make the entire process smoother and help your podcast stand out.
Your first task: pick a podcast topic you love. Your enthusiasm will keep listeners hooked and keep you going for the long run. Choose something you can speak on endlessly—whether it’s personal finance, fitness, or pop culture. Just make sure it’s something that excites you and offers unique perspectives.
Now, who’s your podcast for? Who do you WANT to speak to? Are they entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, or hobbyists? For instance, if your podcast is about entrepreneurship, your audience might be aspiring entrepreneurs in their 20s and 30s, possibly with a keen interest in personal development and innovation.
Next, think about the scalability of your chosen topic. If you choose a topic like personal finance, for example, it’s broad enough to cover various sub-topics like saving, investing, budgeting, and debt management, yet specific enough to attract a targeted audience interested in financial well-being.
Before jumping in, see what other podcasters in your niche are doing. Pay attention to their content, audience interaction, and format. You don’t want to copy them, but understanding what works (and what doesn’t) can help you carve out your own space.
Your podcast’s format will shape the experience. Popular options include:
There’s no “right” length for an episode. Think about your content and your listeners. Some topics might need deep dives, while others are better kept short. Consider when and where your audience listens—on their commute, at the gym, etc.—and match your episodes to their routine.
Whether you post daily, weekly, or monthly, consistency is key. Many podcasters stick to a weekly release schedule, which gives you enough time to create quality content without overwhelming yourself or your audience.
This is the fun part! Your podcast’s name, cover art, and music all contribute to your brand identity, so make sure it represents what your podcast is all about at a glance.
Choose a name that’s memorable, easy to search, and reflects your topic. Avoid anything too long or confusing.
Your cover art should grab attention and look good in small sizes (think mobile screens). Make sure it’s consistent with the tone of your podcast.
Pick intro and outro music that matches your show’s vibe—whether it’s chill, energetic, or something else. Be sure to use royalty-free music or hire someone to create custom tunes.
You don’t need fancy equipment to start. Here’s what you’ll need:
As your podcast grows, you can upgrade your gear, but don’t overcomplicate it at the start.
Your first episode is your chance to hook your audience. Plan it out carefully. What’s your main topic? What points do you want to cover? Whether you go with a script or just an outline, make sure you stay on track and keep it engaging.
Once you’ve recorded your episode, it’s time to edit. Good editing can turn a decent episode into a great one. Here are some tips:
Editing takes practice, but it’s worth the effort to create a polished final product. When in doubt, consider outsourcing your editing to a freelance or in-house editor—after all, one of the best ways to be rich is to buy back your time.
Your episode descriptions are just as important as the content itself—they’re the first thing listeners see before hitting play. Here’s how to craft them:
Need an example? The IWT podcast is a great place to start. Check out some of our popular episodes below and study our descriptions as you go!
Your hosting platform is where your podcast lives online. It stores your episodes and distributes them to podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. When choosing a host, consider:
A good platform makes it easy to grow and manage your podcast as it scales. To start with, you can host your podcast directly on Spotify for free, then use the tool in your dashboard to make your podcast available on all platforms.
The world wants you to be vanilla...
…but you don’t have to take the same path as everyone else. How would it look if you designed a Rich Life on your own terms? Take our quiz and find out:
You’ve launched your podcast—now what? Time to promote it!
Consistent promotion will help you grow your audience and keep listeners coming back for more. Remember—every big podcaster started somewhere.
So, you’ve got a podcast, and it’s awesome. But let’s talk about turning that awesomeness into cash. Monetizing your podcast is simpler than you think. Here are some ways you can monetize:
Remember, monetization takes time, so focus on building a loyal audience first. Wondering how much you can make with your new podcast over time? Check out my post How Much do Podcasters Make (+ how mine makes me millions).
Tracking your podcast’s performance is essential to making sure you’re on the right track. Think of it as using a GPS to guide your journey.
Your podcast is an ongoing project. By keeping an eye on your performance and engaging with your listeners, you’ll keep improving and growing with every episode.
How Much do Podcasters Make (+how mine makes me millions).
It’s one of the best things I’ve published, and totally free – just tell me where to send it: