How to build a profitable podcast.
In this post, you'll LEARN what makes an EXCELLENT podcast WORTH listening to...
Have you ever wondered what makes a good podcast worth listening to? From the style of content to the speakers on air, a variety of factors contribute to how 'good' a podcast is.
Today, the podcast market has become saturated worldwide, with millions of shows available to stream at the listener's discretion. The difficulty is that it makes new podcasts hard to stand out. That's why it's so important to nail your content and audience from the start so that you're addressing their needs in a way that is unique and different from other podcasts. Basically, it’s a matter of learning how to create a unique podcast identity. Popular podcast topics of today include celebrity interviews, life advice, Q&As, business - the list goes on.
Remember, your audience may have a challenge to overcome, a problem to solve, or a subject they want to know more about - that is where you, as the host, come in. Hosts must also hone their craft, as presentation skills are equally important.
If you're keen to learn from the experts, you're in the right place. These are the most popular podcasts in the UK right now.
Entrepreneur, author, and businessman Steven Bartlett sits with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers. He and his guests embark on a journey of untold truths, unlearned lessons, and important insights worth sharing. This podcast has grown from strength to strength since launching in 2017, focusing on demonstrating rawness and honesty. Some of Steven's top-rated guests include Liam Payne, Matt Hancock, and Gymshark's CEO, Ben Francis.
Former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell, and Cabinet Minister, Rory Stewart, come together in The Rest is Politics - a podcast that delves into Westminster as we know it as it provides listeners with an insider's view on politics in the UK and around the world.
Imagine if your dad wrote a dirty book. Most people would disregard it, burn it even, but not Jamie Morton. James Cooper and Alice Levine join Jamie in this laugh-out-loud, award-winning podcast as he reads a chapter each week to fans worldwide. It's funny, it's relatable, and we learn more about Jamie's dad than we bargained for.
No Such Thing as a Fish is an award-winning podcast produced and presented by the researchers behind the BBC panel game QI. The "QI Elves" discuss their favorite fact they have come across that week. Since its launch, the podcast has lured over 700,000 subscribers. In 2014, it was named by Apple as the "Best New Podcast" that year.
My Therapist Ghosted Me is the result of host Joanne's therapist doing just that! From ignoring her calls to refusing to answer the door at the clinic, she experienced it all. However, Joanne decided that enough was enough, which is where My Therapist Ghosted Me was born. In this podcast, Joanne teams up with her close friend, Vogue, to give 100% unqualified but equally upfront and honest advice on various issues that many struggle with.
Ever wanted to relive a memory through food? Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite special guests into their restaurant to choose their favorite three-course meal. Guests can then discuss their evocative memories associated with that specific dish. Since launching in 2018, the podcast has been nominated for the 2019 British Podcast Awards in the Best Entertainment category.
Three of the UK's top journalists, Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel, and Lewis Goodall, host this daily news podcast where they tell you why everything is happening the way it is. This podcast is filled with astute analysis of daily news with in-depth explanations. You may even find yourself cracking a smile now and again!
Hosted by American comedian, presenter, and UFC commentator, Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience brings in UFC fighters, rappers, and other non-political figures to discover untold truths and share stories of life. Whilst the podcast launched in 2009, by 2015, it was one of the world's most popular podcasts. An interviewer like Rogan is what makes a good podcast. His calm, unbiased questioning and his ability to not interrupt are the exact reasons why such a huge audience enjoys listening to his material.
Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook attempt to interrogate the past and de-tangle the present in this popular historic podcast. The historians discuss any historical matter you can think of from the birth of modernity, Julius Caesar, and more. This podcast should be on your list if you want to take a trip back in time and make history 'relatable'.
Parenting isn't easy, but it is full of wonder. From late nights to dirty nappies, this podcast highlights the ups and downs of parenting in its finest form. Join Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe twice a week as they share their parenting woes and chat with celebrity parents about how they're coping.
The podcast boom has contributed to not just a growing market of podcasts in the UK, but worldwide too. The interesting thing about podcasts is that you don't need a fancy studio to make your podcast a hit - you just need a microphone, a quiet space, and great content. That's it! Some of the world's most popular English-speaking podcasts were born and bred this way before finding worldwide success. These include The Joe Rogan Experience, as mentioned earlier, Crime Junkie, Call Her Daddy, and On Purpose by Jay Shetty. Most, if not all, of these podcasts, are founded on real-life stories and feature a variety of guest speakers, from celebrities and influencers to leading experts. For example, Jay Shetty's On Purpose has featured guests from Khloe Kardashian up to Alicia Keys. Shetty aims to inspire people to find purpose and make wisdom go viral with the help of some of the world's most insightful figures. Keen to know more? We've collated the world's Top 10 English-speaking podcasts below:
1. The Joe Rogan Experience - Hosted by Joe Rogan
2. Crime Junkie - Hosted by Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat
3. Call Her Daddy - Hosted by Alexandra Cooper
4. My Favourite Murder - Hosted by Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
5. The Ben Shapiro Show - Hosted by Benjamin Shapiro
6. The Daily - Hosted by Michael Barbaro
7. Office Ladies - Hosted by Angela Kinsey & Jenna Fischer
8. Pod Save America - Hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett & Thomas Vietor
9. Stuff You Should Know - Hosted by Charles Bryant & Josh Clark
10. Morbid: A True Crime Podcast - Hosted by: Ashleigh Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Now that we've dug deeper into podcasts, it's time to compare this to streaming. Like podcasts, streaming is a valuable tool for business, education, and entertainment. Currently, the most advanced live streaming technology allows video to be transmitted and received in real time with little to no latency.
The main difference between podcasting and live streaming is that podcasts are usually pre-recorded, whilst live streams are recorded and broadcast in real-time.
So, what are the advantages of each format? Well, podcasts give you more flexibility in terms of planning. You can plan your content week by week and record and edit each episode as much as needed if something needs to be corrected.
Live streaming, on the other hand, is a little bit more tedious. Technology isn't always on our side, meaning sometimes the live stream might not go to plan. You can experience anything from glitching to frozen screens. Also, the conversation typically could be more planned and structured - you may get questions from people watching that divert you from topic to topic, which can demonstrate a good sense of versatility whilst enabling you to show off your hosting skills. Live streams are typically more honest and raw as they capture those 'off the cuff' moments you might not have necessarily planned for. Audiences value this a lot as it shows vulnerability and show that you're relatable.
For those who aren't necessarily 'presenters', many people choose to showcase their talent on live streams through hobbies such as gaming. Streaming while gaming is typically done through large video streaming communities such as Twitch, where viewers can watch the host playing in real time. It is also common for casino gamers to live stream themselves trying their luck at the latest slots in the UK, new live casino games, and more. The list goes on! Live streaming is an accessible tool for many people across various industries, which is why it is deemed so popular.
Non-English-speaking podcasts are popular too! There are many different podcasts on the cards, from how to learn a foreign language to podcasts on business, life advice, and more. Here are ten of the most popular podcasts across various international countries:
Starting your very own podcast can be challenging. Still, with the right content and the suitable craft, you can make it into something worthwhile that is valued and listened to by thousands, if not millions, worldwide. Remember, you need to know who your audience is before committing to a certain topic. What are their pain points? What resolution do they need? What struggles are they facing? And most importantly, how can you help them? Once you've determined your target audience, identify competitors in your field to get a sense of what's popular and not. Then, set some objectives (these can be SMART objectives). For example, how many podcasts do you want to create per week or month? How long will each episode be? How many views are you aiming for? Then, you can start planning which channels to market your podcast and develop your content plan further from there. Remember, a good podcast focuses on planning and quality. In contrast, a bad podcast will feel rushed and not very thought out. Ensure you hit the ground running, and your first episode hits those sweet spots.
Podcasting has become a worldwide media nowadays, with many people being able to find interesting conversations on a plethora of subjects. As one can see from our list, podcasts range from topics of history to intellectual conversations, gastronomy, and anything under the sun. What is even more clear is that one does not have to stick only to the most well-known podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience. We implore you to use this list as a starting point, but then do your research to find new podcasts which suit your interests and style of conversation. The more you listen, the more you understand what makes a good podcast!
