How to build a profitable podcast.
Follow these 5 easy steps to structure your podcast and be ahead of the game!
Podcast 101: How to Structure Your Podcast in 5 Easy Steps
Since 2014, podcasts have steadily been on the rise. Unsurprisingly, the number of podcast listeners has reached more than 464.7 million listeners.
Whether it's the entertainment of having something to listen to on the way to work or the nostalgia of family surrounding the radio and listening to programs together, podcasts have made a splash in the online world and are here to stay.
If you have thought about starting a podcast but aren't sure where to begin, this guide is just for you. In this article, we will see how to structure your podcast in 5 easy to implement steps.
Before we dive into how to structure your podcast, let's look into what you will need to start your podcast.
Starting a podcast is not one of the most expensive endeavors and can be done with some simple tech additions to what you probably have on hand. As long as you have a microphone and some recording software , you will be set to start your podcast.
You must learn how to podcast, but thankfully that comes with studying and just simply, experience.
In 2023, there are more than 5 million podcasts with more than 70 million episodes. Studies also show that as of early 2023, 75% of Americans ages 12 and older have listened to online audio in the past month. The truth is podcasts are anywhere and everywhere now, which makes having a new podcast harder and harder to stand out.
Thankfully, with the right amount of dedication and spirit, you will be able to set your podcast apart from everyone else's. Creating unique content is a significant part of having a good podcast, and consistency is key.
Being committed is also one of the main factors behind success. If you have trouble following a project through completion, you can work with task management software to really help you stay on top of creating and marketing your podcast.
Building your own step-by-step guide template may also be helpful on the days when you feel especially uninspired. Simply knowing what needs to be done and following it every step of the way will help beat any block you may feel on a down day.
The main thing, however, is to not give up and simply work hard at creating content that appeals to your listeners. Sometimes that may come with some trial and error, but being committed to your podcast content will certainly show and make your podcast stand out.
Consistency is critical, especially when structuring your podcast. You want every podcast to have similar guidelines, so knowing how you want to structure your podcast is a big part of your success.
Let's look at how to structure your podcast in 5 simple steps.
Having a podcast format is one of the first things you should establish. You want listeners to become used to the different segments in your podcast and when you should expect them.
There are three main parts that every podcast should have:
Intro – A standard introduction at the beginning of every podcast. It should not be too long, but just enough to give listeners an idea of who you are and what you will cover in that podcast episode. Adding a catchy tagline on what you will be talking about will certainly compel listeners to listen to your full episode.
Main Content – This will be the bulk of your podcast, where you cover the topics in that episode.
Outro – This is the final portion of your podcast, where you conclude the podcast episode, say goodbye, and include a call to action.
Although each podcast episode will vary from one to the other, every episode should have the structured format above to provide consistency to your listeners.
When deciding how to structure your podcast, you should define the main topics you will cover. According to Edison Research, the top five podcast genres are true crime, comedy, news, science, and history. So, staying within one of those themes will undoubtedly garner interest in your podcast.
Whether you decide to create a podcast to cover local news and events, baking tips, relationship advice, or even a murder mystery podcast, you want most episodes to fall within your scope of expertise so you can provide tailored reports to your listeners.
If you are in HR, for example, you may want to focus on employee engagement or types of employee recognition. If you love to travel, your content could be focused on the best places to eat in such and such city or whatever other information you would like to provide. Be sure to choose themes you are passionate about because that passion will shine through to your listeners.
Knowing what you are going to talk about is a key part of every episode. You definitely don't want to just start recording and assume you know what you will say.
Although creating a script sounds like a good idea, you may want to avoid that so you can let your personality shine through and be sincere on your topic of choice. This is where having a podcast outline for your main content comes into play.
By structuring your podcast's main content with an outline, you will know what areas you need to cover and an estimate of how much time you have to cover each portion.
Here's an example of what a basic podcast outline may look like:
A great intro and outro will help you structure your podcast well and attract new listeners. An introduction is the first thing any new listeners will hear on your podcast, so you want to create something friendly and engaging that is certain to stand out from the rest.
On the other hand, an outro is the last thing a podcast listener will hear on your episode, so you definitely want to make it something your listeners will remember.
Obviously, intros and outros are equally important. Although some may vary day to day, a great tip is to have your intro and outros pre-recorded so you can easily drop it into your episode and ensure consistency.
Consider using Bcast's audio insert feature so you can easily add your intro and outro to each episode.
The final part of every podcast episode should include a call to action of some kind. Use this opportunity on your podcast's outro to invite listeners to subscribe to your podcast and recommend it to friends.
If you would like to add an additional layer, consider adding a QR code with a QR code generator so listeners can scan and follow your social media.
Never miss out on the opportunity to market yourself, so be sure to include a call to action in every podcast episode.
Creating a podcast can be hard work. With the right ratios of passion and dedication, however, you will overcome podcast challenges and succeed in your podcast adventure.
Keep your audience in mind for every podcast episode you create and structure. Make sure that you ask yourself what your listeners will take away from that episode and if you were successful in getting your main ideas across.
Take great care to market yourself and share your podcast across your social media accounts. As you work so hard to create great content, you want to ensure you reach your listeners. Consider expanding your listener reach by working with other podcasters to promote each other's show – this is a win-win for both of you!
Whatever and however you decide to structure your podcast, remember that consistency and dedication are the key factors behind every successful podcast. Once you have defined those, you will be ready to go conquer the world through your podcasts!
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