Podcasts are one of the biggest and fastest-growing forms of media in the world today, with millions of episodes covering topics from entertainment to business to education and everything in between. Anyone can start a podcast, whether you’re using a professional studio, recording from home, or even just using your phone. With so many options to choose from, sometimes the biggest question when thinking of starting your own podcast is “Where do I start?”

The first thing you need to create a successful podcast isn’t a fancy microphone, or professional editing software, or a silky-smooth voice. It’s an idea. Have something that you’re passionate about and that you love to talk about on a regular basis. Something that you have a unique perspective on that you can share with your listeners. Sure, sound quality is important and it helps if you have a good speaking voice, but your listeners are interested in your content first and foremost. A podcast could have clean, professional audio with music, sound effects, and a host with the voice of an angel, but people won’t want to listen if the topic isn’t interesting, and especially if the host isn’t passionate about whatever it is they’re talking about. Start with a good idea that you can present in an engaging way, and the rest will follow. After you have a general concept or idea for your podcast, start mapping out a general timeline for how your show will flow from start to finish. Have a guideline so it doesn’t get cluttered with awkward silence or a lack of smooth transitions to the next topic. This will ensure your audience is engaged throughout the podcast.

It’s also important to note that if you choose to have more than one host for your show, your cohost(s) should be someone you know you have good chemistry with so that you can have a natural flow to your conversations. It’s also a good idea to have someone who’s just as passionate about your topic, but whose thoughts, opinions, and experiences differ from yours so that you can both bring something unique to the conversation.

From there, it’s up to you to choose how you want to record your podcast, and the options are endless. Do you want to record a video podcast or stick to audio? Record it in a studio or do it from home? Buy expensive equipment or do it on a shoestring budget? In future blog posts, I’ll review some of the professional equipment we use in our studio here at Farran Media, as well as review some basic mics you can use from home or on the go. Just know that when it comes to podcasting, the means to make it happen are at your disposal as long as you have something to say.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need some guidance or help! We are more than just a podcast recording studio–we partner with small to large podcasters to handle everything involved with the podcasting process.