In recent years, podcasts have exploded in popularity as a medium for sharing stories, knowledge, and discussions on virtually any topic imaginable. Whether you’re passionate about true crime, entrepreneurship, history, or gardening, there’s a podcast out there for you—and perhaps there’s one waiting to be created by you. Starting a podcast from the very bottom can be a very intimidating task, especially when you don’t have an existing audience. But hey, it is both exciting and challenging, as it requires effective promotion, thoughtful content, and tactical planning. It also requires building listenership over time.
In this blog, we will explore step-by-step how to start a podcast with no audience.
Why start a podcast?
Before starting a podcast, one must know why they want to start the podcast. Once you find your motivation for starting a podcast, half the work is already done. Podcasts have become a powerful medium for storytelling, education, and making communities around your interests. Choose whatever you are passionate about and podcast about it in your unique way.
Should you start a podcast with no audience?
We understand why you might be reluctant to start a podcast from scratch. But the beauty of podcasting is that anyone and everyone can get involved. From the outside looking in, it can seem like an intimidating or exclusive space. But the truth is that with tools like Riverside, even beginners can start producing high-quality podcasts with little to no experience.
So the answer is, why not? Even if you don’t have an audience yet, the key is consistent output, effective marketing, promotion and outreach, and high-quality podcast content. With these three things, you’ll build up a loyal listener base in no time.
Suggested Read: How to be a Social Media Influencer
Learn How to start a Podcast with No audience
Step 1: Know your niche and audience
Before launching your podcast, it’s crucial to define your niche and target audience. Choose something unique, so that the competition is less and you stand out. Ask yourself this question – Who are you creating content for? Define your target audience and tailor your episodes accordingly.
Step 2: Plan your episodes and strategy
After your niche is decided, the next step is to decide on the format (interviews, solo monologues, panel discussions) of your podcast. Remember the format that suits best your content and audience preferences. Once your format is decided start working on the script and make an outline of each episode that will follow, this will help maintain consistency and keep the listeners engaged. Planning your future episodes can help you put off pressure in the upcoming time.
Step 3: Time to set up equipment
Once the outline is decided, it is time to set up the equipment. Always invest in good quality equipment so that they are more durable and the quality of the podcasts is top-notch, engaging more listeners. Invest in a good-quality microphone, so that you get clear audio. Use headphones to monitor your audio quality while recording. Finally, choose recording software that is suitable for your needs. This could be Audacity GarageBand, or whatever suits your preferences the most.
Step 4: Let’s record it
Next, just hit the record! Yes, you are now all set to start creating your podcasts. Your first few episodes are crucial. Make them reflect you’re your podcast’s style. Your first impressions matter. Be consistent on your podcast, cause consistency is the key. Stick to a regular posting schedule. It helps build listeners’ trust and interest. One more important thing to keep in mind is deciding the length of the podcast. Remember it should not be long enough to bore the audience, or short enough. Try out some AI Voice generator if you want.
Once you have recorded your podcast. The next step is to edit it. Editing requires cleaning up your recordings to remove pauses, mistakes, and background noise. Also create a distinctive intro and outro for branding purposes, which should be common in all your podcasts.
Step 5: Launch and promote your Podcast
Before launching your episode, listen to each episode to ensure audio clarity and content quality. Now you are ready to post. It is now time to choose your hosting services, it could be platforms like Libsyn, Podbean, or Anchor. fm and then distribute it to major podcast directories (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts). Your hosting platform will provide an RSS feed that you will submit to directories for syndication.
Step 6: Engage & Analyze
Congratulations! You have now launched your podcast. Now it is time to build your audience and benefit from platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to promote your podcast. Pro tip – Collaborate with guests who can share your episodes with their audiences, helping to expand your reach. Keep in mind to respond to listener feedback and engage with them through social media or mail.
The next step is to track your analytics. Monitor download numbers, listener demographics, and engagement metrics provided by your hosting platform. Now use these analytics to your benefit. Understand them to resonate with your audience and adjust your content accordingly. If you are using YouTube for it, then you can try YouTube analytics tools and also get the benefits of AI video generator tools.
Very last step: Persistence and patience
You are all set for your success now.
But know this building an audience takes time. Just stay committed to consistently producing quality content. Recognize and celebrate small victories that come along the way and stay motivated. Always stay updated on topics related to your niche, and podcasting trends. Always stay informed through podcasts, blogs, and online communities.
Starting a podcast with no audience requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Remember, every successful podcast begins with a single episode. By focusing on your passion, creating valuable content, and actively engaging with your audience, you can embark on a rewarding journey of podcasting, even if you’re starting from scratch. So, grab your microphone, hit record, and share your unique voice with the world. Happy podcasting!
How booking guests can improve your show
Being a host is one of the ideal ways of ensuring that you get new content to post for the listenership as shall be discussed later. Having guests on your show enriches your episodes by exposing your viewers to other voices, resources, opinions, and tips.
Choosing the right influencers introduces your show to the listeners and it gains credibility hence establishing a good reputation in the show genre. Also, the interview is done with other podcasters with listeners in the same niche as your guest; hence, the guest’s audience will be informed of the interview, listen to the episode, and follow.
Common mistakes to avoid while podcasting
- Launching a podcast without a plan. Know who you’re talking to and what you plan to share with them.
- Accidentally copying another show’s name or premise. Do your research to make sure your idea isn’t already taken. If it is, pivot or adjust as needed to stay original.
- Winging it. Research your topic; create quality outlines; practice your delivery, and cut unnecessary content from the final track
- Not editing your recording. Sound quality is vital to gaining a captivated audience; they’ll tune out if it doesn’t sound professional.
- Copying what other podcasters are doing. What works for one show won’t necessarily work for another.
- Comparing yourself to established shows. Podcasting success is rooted in quality and consistency over time. Put in the effort now and you’ll eventually join the ranks of established shows.
Conclusion
Starting a podcast with no audience may not be the best way to go; however, it should not be a problem since you can start and grow the show on your own. In this way, you establish the values of your podcast, produce interesting material, and interact with listeners, which will help your podcast get more popular.
Therefore, it is important to understand and remember that building an audience on any platform also takes time and consistency. Concentrate on bringing good content, marketing your podcast channel and stay Connected to your audience. For those of you who are considering getting into the podosphere, this is a reminder that nothing is impossible in this world if you dedicate yourself and make an effort to make your podcast a reality.
Happy podcasting!
FAQs
1. How long does it take to start a podcast?
It takes anything between a few weeks and a few months to start a podcast. It will rather depend on the speed with which you are willing to define your concept, chart out your content, start shooting and/or recording episodes, and start editing, as well as the time it may take to sort out the technicalities involved. In general, it is important to identify that a great deal of time should be devoted to planning and preparation to achieve a proper and successful start.
2. How much capital is required to start a podcast?
Starting a podcast does not require a lot of capital not to talk of a huge capital as some people may think. A lot of budding podcasters start their show with low-cost recording gear and freeware applications. Over time, you can invest back into better equipment, making the actual product even better, and into the actual promotion of the product, making people more aware of it.
3. What frequency of uploading new episodes can I apply?
Consistency is key. Choose a possible rhythm of your release – weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly and make sure you keep to that rhythm. Routine is important because; everyone develops a certain expectation and those who are stuck with the program are retained.
4. How to spread the word out there for my podcast?
Share the podcast with the audience on social networks, cooperate with other pod owners, and use SEO techniques. Using share triggers and a call to action to request your audience to share also assists with visibility.
5. How to develop a listener’s base?
Social media marketing is a known effective marketing strategy to target potential listeners and grow our podcasts, collaborate with other podcasters, SEO optimization, and directly interact with the listeners. Promotions, free holidays, and offering something that the audience would need and use are also effective ways that can be used.
6. Is there any way to make money from a podcast without having a huge listenership?
It remains somewhat easier to make money online with a large following, though it is not impossible to do so with a small Audience. Paying close attention to the number of listeners, you can try to make money on contextual advertising, product sales, or crowdfunding through Patreon.
7. What should I do when individuals are rude and give me criticism?
Rejection is as much a part of the podcasting process as is creating a podcast. On the subject of communication, it can be used constructively to enhance the quality of content being passed across. Do not let your emotions get the best of you and take things professionally. Be polite to the listeners, and those few people who will have complaints and valid observations, always try to provide a solution to their issues.
