How to Start a Podcast

How to Start a Podcast: The Definitive Guide for 2023

This guide is everything you need to know about how to start a podcast.

It covers everything, from basics like, “How do podcasts work?” to choosing gear, publishing, and building an audience of rabid fans.

After reading this guide, you will know how to start a podcast that gets noticed.

About the Authors:

Jon Nastor is the creator and host of HTE, which has received 4.8 million downloads, since its launch in 2014.

Jerod launched The Assembly Call, a postgame show about Indiana University basketball, in 2011. With no existing audience, he and two co-hosts built a massive following.

What makes a good podcast?

It’s not a sexy voice, a good microphone, or flashy editing. Those things might help you sound good. But none of that matters unless you build a podcast on a foundation of remarkable content.

The content makes the podcast.

Whatever your reason for wanting to learn how to start a podcast – whether it’s a creative project, social enterprise, or to sell courses online – you need to provide valuable content.

Where can you be valuable?

Choose a topic area in which you can provide an incredible amount of value for your audience.

You should have more than a basic degree of knowledge, experience, or passion in your subject area.

starting a podcast expertise

That’s not saying you have to be an expert. You will dig deeper and learn as you grow your podcast, but you have to start with some value to offer.

For example, I started HTE after running businesses for many years. I knew how to be an entrepreneur, but I wasn’t a millionaire startup founder. That being said, I had plenty of first-hand experience facing the challenges of starting and growing a business.

Of course, the real value to listeners is from the guest interviews on my show. I was able to leverage my experience in online business to attract some incredible guests early on.

I knew the right questions to ask – because I struggled with the same doubts and fears.

The intersection of interest and passion

Another important factor is your interest and passion for the topic. Podcasting is not easy. Keeping up a podcast long enough to build a meaningful audience is even harder.

Building an audience is like building a relationship with your listeners over time. In any relationship, you have to show up consistently and put in the effort.

So it’s critical that you have enough motivation to put in the work over the long-term.

iu basketball podcast

Jerod’s first podcast is about his first love: college basketball. Not just college basketball, but specifically, the team at Indiana University he has supported most of his life.

He will never stop caring about Hoosier games, so he will not stop podcasting on The Assembly Call as long as there are Hoosier fans to listen.

If you still can’t decide on a topic idea, ask yourself this:

Where can I really shine?

Consider this: there are more than 525,000 podcasts on Apple Podcasts.

That means there is not a lot of room for uninspired, regurgitated content to get noticed.

Your podcast can be informative, inspiring, or entertaining (sometimes even all three). But if it’s the same as 50 other podcasts about the same topic, nobody will listen. And without listeners, there’s no reason to learn how to start a podcast.

knock your podcast out of the park

I’m not telling you this to discourage you, but rather to encourage you only to consider topics where you can really knock it out of the park.

Your audience should be able to hear your excitement loud and clear and know you are creating something special.

If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one.

I get it, you want a ton of people to listen to your podcast. We all do. But first, you must define who, specifically, you will be addressing.

Bear in mind that listeners are looking for direct, one-to-one relationships.

As a listener, we want to have the feeling the host is only talking to us. We don’t want to be part of a crowd of 20,000 downloads. We want to feel special. We crave connection.

To create that feeling with your listeners, you have to know exactly who they are and target them correctly. That’s why you have to define one specific person who represents your whole audience.

Download the Audience of One Worksheet Now

The key insights about your audience – their fears, hopes, likes, and dislikes – will give you a stronger direction for creating the content they want to engage with.

Don’t go wide, go deep.

Every detail you know about your intended audience will help inform how you present your message.

Remember, every time you record an episode, write an email, or create anything to attract an audience, it has to be directed specifically to this one person.

Here are some questions about your ideal listener to get you started:

  • Where do they live?
  • How old are they?
  • Did they go to college?
  • Do they drive a car, take the subway, or cycle?
  • Coffee or tea?
  • Why are they listening to podcasts on your topic?
  • Where are they listening to your podcast?
  • What do they value?
  • What do they fear?

It is impossible to create a good show while directing it to no one -– you need to focus. Figuring out for yourself who your audience is will guide you in the right direction.

Now it’s your turn to sit down and develop your audience of one.

Get this: according to a recent Fast Company article from April of 2018, there are more than 525,000 active shows on Apple Podcasts, with more than 18.5 million episodes available.

Don’t let these numbers knock the wind out of your podcast sails.

In fact, all this noise presents an opportunity if you know how to clearly communicate your U.S.P. — your Unique Show Positioning.

The smart, strategic positioning of your show is what will allow you to cut through the noise and build an audience of connected listeners.

This chapter is all about how to start a podcast that gets noticed.

What is podcast positioning?

Positioning refers to the place a brand occupies in the mind of customers, and how it is distinguished from competitors.

In order to position products or brands, companies may:

  • Emphasize distinguishing features
  • Create a specific image, appealing to a target market
  • Fill an unoccupied niche in the market

You can see each of these positioning strategies at work in vehicle marketing.

Instantly-recognizable vehicles like the Mini Cooper or the VW Beetle have a unique shape designed to stand out from other compact cars.

Subaru commercials in recent years started featuring couples with dogs out adventuring. Their strategy was aimed specifically at attracting young, childless, city-dwelling couples. We discuss this in detail in how to write sales pages that convert.

Tesla was built to fill an unoccupied niche in the electric vehicle market. Luxury and high performance were emphasized over affordability and environmental impact.

What is a podcast’s positioning?

A podcast’s positioning is the place a show occupies in the minds of your audience. It’s all about how your podcast is different from others within your niche.

Positioning can involve almost every element of your show, including the name, format, music, and style of language. It also affects every decision you make about the content that surrounds and supports the show, like your website and artwork.

how to start a podcast with positioning

Why does positioning matter for podcasts?

To build a loyal audience, think about the journey a new listener must take:

  • Attraction: They listen to your show for the first time.
  • Retention: They are entertained, educated, or inspired enough to return.
  • Conversion: They receive enough value over time to become regular listeners, join your email list, or further engage with your brand.

Positioning makes a difference in all three steps.

With unique positioning, you will attract more first-time listeners. With unique hooks, you will keep them coming back. When your content is consistently valuable, listeners will dig deeper – your relationship can go beyond subscribing to the podcast.

What is your show’s Unique Show Positioning?

Chapter 1 is about choosing a topic based on you – your enthusiasm, credibility, and authority.

Chapter 2 is about identifying your audience.

Now it’s time to bring these two concepts together.

Your show’s USP is an intersection of you, your audience, and the elements of your show.

What kind of content does your audience want or need? For example:

  • Podcasters need advice on podcasting.
  • New parents need advice on parenting.
  • People trying to get fit need exercise advice.

Which format is best for the content and your audience?

  • If your audience needs practical information, a story based format is not ideal.
  • If your audience wants entertainment, a lecture format won’t work.

How can YOU create the best content to fulfill these wants and needs?

  • Authenticity:What are you bringing to your audience that’s irreplaceable? Let your personality shine through.
  • Usefulness:Will you educate, entertain, or inspire?
  • Sustainability: What can you produce consistently, over a long enough period of time to build an audience?

Finally, how is your show different from others on the same topic?

For example, HTE episodes are shorter than other interview-based entrepreneur podcasts. The interview questions focus on mindset more than hands-on tactics. And every episode includes a “hack,” which is a key takeaway from the interview.

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank to help you get your positioning down to a single sentence you can use to guide your positioning as you go forward:

Unlike most shows about

my show is

which means

Once you’ve used positioning to create the foundation of your podcast, you can use it in every decision that comes next.

If you want to learn more about podcast positioning, check out our Showrunner Podcast Positioning Course!

We like to call choosing your podcast format “the Wild West of podcasting.” Basically, anything goes, as long as you find a unique angle and push the boundaries.

However, don’t forget this is just a start. Don’t get stuck if you can’t think of something completely unique. Take a look at our list of side hustle ideas to get your juices flowing!

Just go for it.

It is crucial to find a way to make people listen to your show until the end. Podcasts experience the same problem as blog posts and videos: people get distracted and move on. You really don’t want that to happen. Check out our definitive guide to starting a blog.

Four most common podcast formats

At this stage, you need to get started and know that your show will evolve thanks to the feedback you get. And you will get feedback, trust me – even if you don’t ask for it. 😉

So what format should you use? There are several options to choose from.

  • Interview Show This is the most popular format right now and includes HTE. There are several reasons for its popularity: Larger audience. You can leverage your guests’ audiences to grow your show. Ease of creation. Your guest creates most of the content during the interview. Authority by association. When you interview enough “experts,” you become one yourself.
  • News and Current Events Show Focus on sports, politics, technology, etc. Virtually non-stop fresh content to This format turns you into an aggregator of content.
  • Q&A Show This format works with listener-generated questions. Topics are chosen by your audience. Short and easy to produce. Great for SEO, as the topics are actual questions your audience asked.
  • Expert-Based Podcast This type of show can position you as a market expert. Content-based and typically a monologue. Great for repurposing popular blog content. Can be used as a lead generator for courses or products.
If you get stuck, do this…

If you’re struggling to come up with a unique format, think about shows you like and then think about your market and ask yourself these questions:

  • Is there a show you like with a format that isn’t currently being delivered in your
  • Could you make that format work for your topic and audience?

You might have just discovered your format and your unique show positioning. 😉

Once you’ve decided on the format, you still have an important question to answer: how long should your show be?

First of all, you have to always think about your audience of one. The show isn’t for you. The show is for your listener. So make sure you’re creating content they want to consume.

how to choose a format for podcastThe place where your show is being consumed is of huge importance in terms of the show length.

If people listen to your show on the way to work, like they do with HTE, then you shouldn’t exceed 25.4 minutes – the average commute time in the US.

The most important thing is to leave your audience wanting more. If a podcast ends in a concise way, it will make people curious for the next episode.

Always leave your audience wanting more.
What it comes down to

Your format will make sure your audience knows what to expect, gets comfortable listening, and remembers your show.

That is absolutely what you want to achieve, so make your show just as long as it needs to be and always leave your audience wanting more.

Don’t get too hung up on naming your podcast. Find something original and unique, and remember it can always be changed.

The biggest thing we want to hit home here is to not get stuck.

You don’t want to start using the naming process as a procrastination point. It’s more important to launch at this point than it is to come up with a perfect name.

A great name should be three things:

  • Original and unique. You don’t want to infringe on someone else’s trademark, so make sure you are original enough not to be confused with another show.
  • Descriptive. People look for podcasts on their mobile phone, so you only have a split second to grab their attention and show them your show is of interest to them.
  • Easy to pronounce and spell. People look for podcasts on their mobile phone, so you only have a split second to grab their attention and show them your show is of interest to them.

Actually, the only thing that truly matters when you name your show is this question: is the domain name available?

You are going to need a website for your podcast. A place where you can post show notes and interact with your audience. In case you’re unfamiliar with the terms, a domain is simply the address of a website.

As you start to think about how to market a podcast, consider the domain of your website a big part of your brand identity.

The last thing you want is to come up with the perfect name, get completely married to it, and only then find out the domain name is no longer available.

This is what you should do:
  • Use Instant Domain Search when you’re brainstorming for new names. This tool immediately tells you if a name or variations to that name are available.
  • Once you have found an available domain, do a Google search to see if your name is used by another podcast or blog.
  • Buy a domain on Hover (use this link to get 10% OFF your first domain purchase). Don’t wait too long, as you can never be sure how long the domain will be available.
  • Use a .com domain or a .fm domain, which is a great alternative for a podcasting URL.

Now, go find a name you’re happy with and get on with the show!

Podcast Recording Equipment

The beautiful thing about starting a podcast in 2022 is the ability to be extremely creative with recording and editing. Even five years ago, technology hadn’t evolved as it has now.

There is an infinite number of combinations and possibilities, depending on your budget and technical ability. Whether you need a home podcast setup, or you have a dedicated studio space, you only need a few pieces of gear.

What do you need to start a podcast?

Here’s a list of essential gear, and how it all works together:

  • A good microphone
  • An adjustable boom stand to hold the microphone (desk-mounted)
  • Choose either an audio recording device:

    Plug your microphone into the device Record your voiceUpload the audio files to your computer for editing

  • Or an audio interface

    Plug your microphone into the interfacePlug the interface into your computerRecord audio files directly to your computer

If you choose an interview format, there is a little more to consider.

The sound quality from interview guests calling in is largely outside of your control. The microphone they use, their internet connection, and background noise will impact the audio quality.

That doesn’t mean the sound of your voice has to vary. Remember, you are building a relationship with listeners, and familiarity helps build affinity.

Record your voice with your own podcast recording equipment, so you sound consistent and get high-quality audio files to work with.

Here’s how to do it:
  • Record your voice with your podcast gear.
  • Record the interview with call recording in Skype or Zoom.
  • Import both audio files for editing (Chapter 7 is all about choosing the best app).

Jon has recorded all 400+ interviews using Ecamm’s Call Recorder with Skype.

Jerod and Jon use Zoom to record their Showrunner podcast episodes.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options for microphones, boom stands, and recording devices on the market.

To help you choose the best podcast equipment for your budget, check out what Jon and Jerod use.

Jon’s Podcast Gear

Here’s the podcast setup Jon uses to record HTE:

Jerod’s Podcast Gear

Jerod is definitely not what anyone would consider “technologically savvy,” especially when it comes to gear.

Fortunately, he’s had a number of business partners and co-workers who are into this stuff and have helped him acquire some really good equipment that allows him to capture good audio.

Here’s what Jerod used when he was getting started:

He has since upgraded to the Heil PR40 like Jonny – but only after he felt like he’d earned the right to upgrade by publishing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 podcast episodes when you factor in all of his many shows.

Recording and editing Your Podcast

Now that you’ve set up your gear, the next step is to record and edit your first episode.

Most podcasts have a few segments that need to be pieced together:

  • Intro music
  • An introduction by the host(s)
  • Music leading into the main content
  • One or more segments of content (interviews or featured topics)
  • Transitional music between segments
  • Ads or messages from a sponsor (once you enough listeners)
  • Closing (including a call to action such as leaving a review, or visiting your website)
  • Outro music

Decide how you will arrange your content, and what different segments you will include. It’s up to you how creative you want to get in putting together your episodes.

Think about the best way to work with your content, and how best to appeal to your audience. This is when your U.S.P. is really helpful.

Another thing to keep in mind is to keep it consistent. People like knowing what to expect in each episode. You can use your first episode as a podcast template by replacing the featured segments each time you record.

You can always change the order and add or remove segments later on. When you have a few episodes under your belt, you will have some feedback from your audience to know what works and what doesn’t.

The best podcast software for audio editing

To create a finished episode, you will use digital audio editing software. Once you’ve put all the pieces of audio together, you will export a single audio file for publishing.

Making a podcast at home – or anywhere – is now easier (and cheaper) than ever. The technology has come a long way, and there are many digital audio editing applications on the market.

how to start a podcast audio gear
You don’t need all the bells and whistles that a professional audio engineer might use for music or video production. In fact, it’s not necessary to spend any money at all on a podcast recording app.

The free options have everything you need to produce quality audio (plus extra stuff you will never need to use).

If recording and editing audio is new to you, don’t worry, it was for us too when we started. Those sound waves looked weird and scary at first, but you can watch a few tutorials on sites like Lynda, Skillshare, or even YouTube to get started.

Here are some of the best podcast software options you can choose from:
  • GarageBand: You can make a podcast on Mac with free software already installed in your operating system.
  • Audacity: The best way to record a podcast for free in Windows. Audacity is free and open-source and has all the features you will need.
  • Don’t get too hung up on sound quality. Make it good enough, and launch. You will get better as you learn and practice. With interviews, you won’t have much control over the quality on the other end of that call. Your guest will sound different, and that’s ok. Do your best to make it easy on the ears, and move on.
  • Outsource editing to a sound engineering freelancer An experienced sound editor can tweak your audio files to reduce background noise, make you sound better, and save you time. Check out Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance sites.
  • Don’t use music you aren’t licensed to use.
Showrunner tip

Here are some sources for royalty-free music:

Recording podcast interviews

Interview-based podcasts may seem like casual conversations. Don’t be fooled — magic doesn’t happen effortlessly. It takes practice to become a great interviewer.

When you’re starting out, there are some best practices you can follow to create the most meaningful conversations on your podcast.

  • Do your homework The conversations you have with guests can sound spontaneous and off-the-cuff only when you’ve done the work to prepare.Your first job as the interviewer is to quickly and effectively put your guest at ease. You want them to feel comfortable opening up and sharing the compelling details of their story.When you are speaking for the first time, over an internet connection, you don’t have a lot of time to build a relationship. Researching your guest before the interview will help you build familiarity and confidence right from the start.Your guest will be more comfortable opening up when they are confident that you know your stuff.
  • Ask the right questionsYour interview questions should be crafted in a way that requires more than a one-word answer.If there’s any possibility for a yes or no answer, the conversation is over before anything interesting is said.Ask questions that require a deeper look, a description, or reflection. This not only makes for a deeper conversation but allows your guests to shine and provides value for your listeners.

Try asking:

  • What was it like?
  • How did that feel?
  • Why did you ___ ?
During the time your guests are answering, be fully present. Try not to be reading your notes, and thinking about what to say next.

Use pauses in the conversation to create more space for your guest to speak more. When your guest is finished answering a question, you will feel pressure to break the silence right away.

This is natural – awkward silences are uncomfortable. Your guest will be feeling the same pressure.

Instead of jumping in with a follow-up question, wait a few seconds. Allow space for your guest to speak. They may elaborate on their answer, or change topics, bringing the conversation to new interesting territory.

How to record a podcast interview remotely

Most of the time, podcast interviews don’t happen in person. You will be speaking to your guest through an internet connection.

Here’s how to set up a podcast interview for recording:

  • Record your voice with your own recording gear.
  • Arrange to use Skype or Zoom for the call.
  • Make sure call recording is on and running (use Ecamm for Skype on a Mac).
  • Import both audio files into your editing software to merge together.

7Chapter

Podcast Artwork

Before you launch your podcast you need to create an image that will appear in Apple Podcasts and everywhere else you publish.

The artwork is more than just a little square graphic – it’s the first impression potential listeners will have of your brand.

Good artwork has to cover some important bases.

Attracting the right people

Think back to your positioning, and consider what your audience is looking for in a podcast.

Do they want something edgy or funny? Inspirational and bright? Simple and direct?

spotify podcast directory

The image you create is your first chance to convey these qualities. Use color, font, and graphics that clearly express your U.S.P.

It’s also a good idea to take a look at other podcasts in your niche. Not only to get an idea of what is already popular but to think about how your artwork can stand apart and get noticed.

Design podcast artwork easily with free tools like Canva and Snappa.

Whether you use one of their templates or start with a blank design, make sure it fits within the recommended guidelines for podcast artwork size and format.

If you’re not confident in your design abilities, hire a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork.
Showrunner tip

Setting up a Podcast Feed

So you’ve got a finished episode, saved as an .mp3, and your artwork is ready to go.

This chapter covers how to host a podcast, and where to host a podcast so you can reach listeners.

The RSS feed is a key element for publishing podcasts.

Why? It “feeds” every new episode to all the places where people can listen to your podcast.

It allows listeners to subscribe to a podcast and automatically receive new episodes.

Your next question is probably, “What is an RSS feed?” Don’t worry — you don’t have to understand the technology.

All you need to know is how to get one, and what to do with it.

Here’s how it works:

  • Set up an account with a podcast hosting service.
  • The hosting service creates an RSS feed for your podcast.
  • Submit the RSS feed to podcast directories (iTunes, Stitcher, AudioBoom, etc.).
  • Upload and publish finished mp3 audio files to your hosting service.
  • The RSS feed automatically updates podcast directories every time you publish.

The good news is you don’t have to do everything yourself, and even free podcast hosting services will create an RSS feed for you.

However, it’s worth it to pay a small monthly fee for a fast and reliable hosting service.

The good news is you don’t have to do everything yourself, and even free podcast hosting services will create an RSS feed for you.

Libsyn, for example, hosts your podcast and provides an iTunes-compatible RSS feed. Starting from as little as $5 per month, you can upload your audio files onto Libsyn and have them published across a long list of other popular directories.

After creating your feed, always submit and ensure it’s valid with this excellent free service, FeedValidator.org
Showrunner tip

Adding Your Show to Podcast Directories

Getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts

Once you have activated your RSS feed on Libsyn, submitting your podcast is a piece of cake.

Here’s how to set up a podcast on iTunes:

Go to the Apple’s Podcast Connect and enter your Apple ID.

how to get your podcast on itunes

Then click “+” in the top right corner.

how to start a podcast on itunes

Next, you need to add your feed URL and click “validate” in the upper right corner. And if all is good with your feed, then click “submit”!

getting your podcast onto itunes

Congratulations, your podcast is now submitted to iTunes!

iTunes manually approves all podcasts, so allow 48-96 hours for approval. You should receive an email upon approval, but it doesn’t hurt to search your show’s name on iTunes periodically.

Your work on iTunes is not completely finished yet.

How to start a podcast on iTunes and kickstart your downloads

Once you have submitted your podcast, you need to put in the work to showcase it in iTunes.

New and Noteworthy used to be a ticket to 1000s of downloads. Although it won’t give you a huge kick anymore, it’s still the first section people see on iTunes, and it’s exactly where you want your podcast to be.

Don’t miss your chance to make a name for yourself and let your show take off!

This visibility will allow thousands of people on iTunes to discover your show. And that’s exactly what you want.

iTunes is the most established and well-known directory. But there are several major players you don’t want to ignore – or you’ll be missing out on potential listeners.

  • StitcherStitcher is a leading source for on-demand podcasts, news, and public radio.Apply as a content provider on Stitcher’s website.
  • SpotifySpotify is a subscription-based music streaming app and quickly becoming a top destination for podcasts.It’s also one of the easiest directories for submitting your podcast feed.
  • Google PodcastsBesides the obvious benefits of having a website for your podcast (promotion, monetization opportunities, and interacting with your audience), you need a website so people can find your podcast in Google search, apps, and devices.If you don’t already have a website for your podcast, get one!Google has a podcast app available for Android devices. To be included there, as well as accessible on Google Home and Google’s Assistant, you need to include a link to your podcast’s RSS feed on your website.
  • Google Play MusicGoogle Play Music is another subscription-based music and podcast app. Once you have a feed set up for Google Play Music, submit it here.

Everyone wants to find a way to monetize their show. And podcasting is definitely on our list of online business ideas.

We are definitely fans of podcast monetization, but you need to ensure that you are always focusing on your audience. Once you’ve built an audience and are ready to pursue monetization, these four methods will help you.

  • Podcast Advertising Podcast sponsorships are the most obvious one, but it’s not as easy as it may seem, especially for new podcasters just starting out. Services like MidRoll require high levels of traffic for any podcast they will work with.Jon built a relationship with a sponsor before launching HTE, and the relationship proved fruitful. He has since graduated to a variety of agencies, combined with individual sponsors, as traffic has grown big enough.The key to success with advertising is treating it like a partnership and keeping your audience in mind when you accept sponsors. When all boats rise, advertising can be a win-win-win for everyone involved.
  • Affiliate Sales Affiliate marketing is a great, simple way to get started monetizing your podcast. Yes, you have to get approved to sell as an affiliate for most products, but that is a much easier process than finding a sponsor for your show.Affiliate sales must be a win-win-win situation for your audience, the company you are promoting, and yourself.If you don’t use and stand behind a product or service, then you shouldn’t be promoting it.For example, Jerod has used affiliate sales to monetize The Assembly Call. Through Share-a-Sale, he is an affiliate of two online stores that sell gear his audience of Indiana basketball fans will love. He set up URLs that are easy to say during episodes (examples: assemblycall.com/fanatics and assemblycall.com/iustore), and he also sent alerts to his email list and Twitter followers when the stores had sales.
  • Products and ServicesUsing your podcast to promote and sell your existing products/services is a great indirect form of monetization: you are not being paid to podcast, but you have the opportunity to expose your products and services to your podcast audience.The Showrunner podcast is another example. The Showrunner podcast itself doesn’t bring in any revenue directly, but it has led to hundreds of new students for the paid Showrunner Podcasting Course.
  • Membership Sites The “logged-in experience” of a membership site is a profitable online business model that can produce both direct and indirect forms of profit from your podcast.In a direct sense, you can use your podcast to attract an audience for your paid membership site or private forum. Indirectly, you could use your podcast to build an audience and email list with a non-paid membership area.
  • ConsultingThe intimate nature of consuming podcasts makes them a natural transition into offering paid consulting services.
  • DonationsThis requires a highly engaged and loyal audience to execute successfully.Jerod didn’t start presenting the opportunity for his audience at The Assembly Call to donate until the show’s fifth season. At that point he had an audience that was hungry to help out, which is why this model has been successful for that particular show.

Which Monetization Path Is Right for Your Podcast?

This is a question only you and your audience can answer.

No matter which path you choose, make sure you never lose focus on building relationships and being human.

How to Start a Podcast: Take the Next Step

Your challenge now, should you choose to accept it, is to take everything you just learned in the preceding nine chapters and put it into action.

Some of the best shows in the history of podcasting haven’t even been heard yet … because their Showrunners have yet to hit publish on episode number one.

Are you one of those Showrunners?

  • Imagine if Jonny hadn’t launched HTE …
  • Imagine if Jerod hadn’t launched The Assembly Call …
  • Imagine if Jerod and Jonny hadn’t teamed up to launch The Showrunner, and then built the course to go along with it.

There were big risks and no guarantees for each of those three shows before they launched. And they’ve had bumps and dips along the way.

But now each show has an audience that listens to it, loves it, and is loyal to it. And there is more than just an audience that has developed around each one. A profitable business has developed around each one.

What audience is waiting to become a loyal listener to you?

What business is waiting to be built or energized because you decide to start a podcast?

The instruction in this book will get you started on the right foot. And if you want more detailed instructions, worksheets to help get you moving, coaching to keep you moving forward and answer your questions, and a community to keep you up-to-date and motivated

Join us in The Showrunner Podcasting Course.

A remarkable audience is waiting for your remarkable show. We’ll help you develop it, launch it, and run it.

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