There are a million reasons to start a podcast, and far more than a million topics to cover in a podcast. But whether this is a passion project, a side-hustle, or just an opportunity to learn more about a topic, there are a few things to know before you get started. To help potential podcast creators, Yencil Co-Founder and CEO Gboyega Adebayo provides some of the lessons he has learned after 3 seasons of creating the Be Helpful Podcast. This blog post will walk you through the basics of creating a podcast, from choosing a topic to recording and editing your episodes, along with lessons learned by a successful podcast creator.
Choosing the right format for a podcast is an important decision. One of the major factors to consider is equipment; those who opt for an interview or discussion format will require a soundproof area and some equipment that allows them to record multiple voices at once, which can be costly. On the other hand, solo shows allow podcasters to get started with minimal equipment - just some headphones and a microphone. When making this choice, one should also think about potential partners; interviews and discussions could offer additional perspectives on the topics being explored in each episode. Ultimately, this is a personal decision that should depend on preferences and the podcast topic itself.
If you want to create an engaging talk show or podcast, it's important to find the right guests and co-hosts. Start by making a list of potential topics for your show and search for experts who can provide valuable insight into those topics. Make sure that the people you are inviting onto your show have something unique to add with their knowledge and experience. Additionally, think about inviting industry professionals for interviews, not only because they may have a wider reach than yourself but also because they can contribute more robust opinions in order to stimulate discussion among viewers. When Gboyega started the Be Helpful Podcast, which interviews successful entrepreneurs, he found that using your network and asking for introductions was the best way to secure interviews. However, as his podcast grew, people began reaching out to him to appear on the show.
When starting a podcast, Gboyega believes the most important thing is to just make one episode. After one episode you will know if this is something you are truly passionate about. Don't commit to a dozen episodes or try and make the perfect podcast on the first attempt, just record! To help you achieve success in this task, there are a plethora of audio recording and editing programs which electronically fortify the sound of your episodes and make sure that your audience can hear every word as clearly as if they were in the room themselves. Taking advantage of these tools means investing time into learning them, but they will save valuable energy down the line!
Online streaming is a great way to get your episodes out to the public, not just locally but also worldwide. By setting up an account with various sites such as YouTube or SoundCloud, you can easily post your episodes and let them reach the world stage. Also, promote your episodes by sharing them on different social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more advice on improving your work and gaining traction, check out the Be Helpful Podcast with Ken Jee, a successful Youtuber who talks about content creation and getting viewers.
If you're thinking about starting a podcast, there are a few things you need to do first. Decide on the format of your show and choose a topic that you're passionate about. Find guests or co-hosts who can contribute to your show, and record and edit your episodes. Publish your episodes online and promote them through social media and other channels. Yencil can help you get started, as they offer a Podcast Process Flow Template. Gboyega created this template after he realized how many moving pieces go in to running and podcast, and found that this template simplified the process enormously. Now go out and create!