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Starting a Podcast

Medium 18 items · 2 hours
testuser's avatar
testuser Published 3 days ago
Productivity

This checklist walks you through launching a podcast from concept to launch. It’s for creators, hobbyists, and small teams who want a practical, step-by-step plan to produce and publish episodes.

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  1. Define podcast purpose and target audience — State your niche, goals, and the listener you want to reach.
  2. Choose a clear show name and tagline — Pick a memorable name and short tagline that convey topic and tone.
  3. Decide format, episode length, and publishing schedule — Select solo, co-host, or interview format and a consistent cadence.
  4. Outline the first 8 episode topics and episode structure — Draft titles, key talking points, and a repeatable segment order.
  5. Choose essential equipment (microphone, headphones, pop filter) — Prefer cardioid USB or XLR mics and closed-back headphones for monitoring.
  6. Set up recording space to reduce echo and noise — Use a quiet room, soft furnishings, or portable panels to dampen reflections.
  7. Position microphone, pop filter, and test recording levels — Keep mic 4-8 inches from mouth and aim for clean peaks, not clipping.
  8. Record a short test clip and review audio quality — Listen for noise, plosives, and consistent volume across voices.
  9. Pick recording and editing software and learn basics — Options: Audacity, GarageBand, Reaper, Hindenburg; learn recording and export steps.
  10. Create cover art and episode template — Design 3000x3000 px JPG/PNG; keep title readable at small sizes.
  11. Write and record a 1–2 minute trailer episode — Introduce the show, topics, and launch date; end with a CTA.
  12. Record the first 3 full-length episodes — Batch record episodes to create buffer for consistent publishing.
  13. Edit episodes: remove noise, normalize, and add intro/outro — Aim for -14 LUFS and export MP3 128–192 kbps or host-recommended format.
  14. Choose a podcast hosting provider and set up RSS feed — Compare storage, analytics, and distribution features before subscribing.
  15. Submit podcast to Apple, Spotify, Google, and other directories — Use your RSS feed and follow each directory's submission steps.
  16. Prepare episode show notes, timestamps, and promo captions — Include links, episode summary, and keywords for discoverability.
  17. Schedule launch date, upload episodes, and promote on social — Announce trailer, share clips, and coordinate launch posts.
  18. Monitor analytics and gather listener feedback after launch — Track downloads, retention, and listener messages to iterate.
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