Podcasts are rising, and listeners are tuning in for everything from true crime to knitting tips. There are over 400 million podcast listeners worldwide, and they’ve doubled in number since 2013. Podcasts are a great way to promote your business, whether you’re an expert in the field or you want to interview someone who is. This guide covers everything you need to know about starting a successful business podcast, from picking a topic to interviewing guests.

Different Types of Podcasts

There are a few different types of podcasts out there to choose from. Some popular topics for business podcasts include:

Business discussions: a podcast where a business owner interviews experts in their field

Product reviews: this type of podcast has experts discussing the latest products and services that have been released

Industry news: this type of podcast is usually about current events in an industry, such as healthcare or finance

Business training: this type of podcast will teach listeners how to do tasks related to their business, such as programming or running a restaurant

Knowing which type of podcast you’d like to launch before recording will help keep things organized and flowing smoothly.

Getting Started

If you’re just getting started in the podcasting world, we recommend starting with a few episodes before diving headfirst into an entire season.

You’ll want to do some research and figure out how much time it will take to create each episode. Once you know how much time it’ll take, you can plan your episodes, so you don’t over-commit yourself.

You’ll also want to set up your equipment and then do a practice run of all the steps required for each episode. This will give you an idea of what needs to happen for future episodes and help you work out any kinks in your system.

At a minimum, expect your minimum shopping list to include :

• A USB or XRL microphone
• A mixing board, especially if using an XRL microphone
• A recording device, such as a handheld recorder or a computer
• Quality noise-canceling headphones or earbuds
• A pop filter

If you’re planning on having a co-host, you’ll need another microphone and pop filter. A pop filter will help your podcast sound more professional and give you more flexibility in the recording process.

Finally, if possible, we recommend that you start by interviewing someone about an interesting topic related to your industry or expertise. The goal is to get comfortable with the process and ensure everything works smoothly before launching into an entire season of solo episodes!

Developing your audience

One of the most important things to consider when developing your podcast is your audience. Who are you creating this podcast for? What are their interests? Is there a particular demographic that you want to speak to?

When it comes to business podcasts, your main goal is to create content that will be valuable for your audience. If you’re not sure who your target audience is, start by looking at the segments of people who currently follow your business on social media or attend events. That should help you find an approximate age range and gender breakdown.

It may also be helpful to conduct some market research outside of social media. Try using Google Form surveys to get feedback from potential listeners about their age, gender, income level, current employment status, and other aspects of their lives. This information will help you tailor your podcast content, so it appeals to the right people.

Setting up your podcast

If you’ve never recorded a podcast before, don’t worry! Podcasts are relatively easy to set up and produce. But first, it’s essential to choose a topic and figure out your format.

Interviewing guests

One of the best ways to generate content for your business podcast is by interviewing guests.

You’ll want to interview people who are an expert in their field. You can also interview people who are engaging or notable in some way. This way, your listeners will feel like you’re providing them with quality advice on the topic they care about most.

To start, make a list of guests you’d like to interview and figure out their availability (or lack thereof). Once you have this information, you’ll plan the best time to schedule interviews.

Next, set up an email template with fundamental questions appropriate for your podcast. When it comes time to conduct the interview, send them the template and ask them follow-up questions as needed!

Choosing the right guest for your show 

Podcasts are a great way to share your expertise, offer advice, and learn about new topics. The best podcasts are conversational and cover a variety of topics.

Whether you want to interview someone who is an expert in the field or you want to interview yourself to get feedback on how people perceive your business, podcasting is a great way to get your thoughts out there.

Picking the right guest for your show depends on what you’re trying to achieve.

If you want interviews that offer in-depth information, choosing an industry expert can be useful. This is especially true if the person has personal experience with the topic.

However, if you’re looking for feedback or opinions on your business or product, interviewing yourself might be more appropriate.

If you want to interview an expert for your show, make sure they have something new to contribute to the conversation. For example, don’t ask them every question that’s already been answered when their book or website offers similar information.

Preparing for the interview

Podcasting is much work, but it can also be fun. Before you set out to interview someone, take some time to establish the ground rules for your interview. Even if it’s just for practice, planning will help you feel more comfortable recording the day.

First, decide on the topic of your podcast. What are you going to talk about? Are you interviewing someone who is an expert in said field? Maybe you want to talk about something that happened in the news. These ideas are valid, but make sure you narrow down what topic will be most interesting for your listeners.

Next, write down any questions you have for your guest before the recording starts. It would be best if you had an idea of what topics might come up during the conversation and want to make sure they are covered before they even happen by writing them down beforehand.

Lastly, figure out how long the podcast should be—you don’t want it to go on too long or lack content! Try to keep it between 15-20 minutes, depending on what information is being shared and who your ultimate audience is.

Recording the interview

Your interviewees are the lifeblood of your business podcast. It’s natural to want to spend more time with them, but it’s important to respect their time too. Talk to your guest before the interview about what they would like to cover in the conversation. This will give you a general idea of what additional questions you should ask during the interview.

If you have a great audio recording device or smartphone, all you need is a quiet space where you can pick up the sound without distraction. But if you don’t, make sure to set up in a place that isn’t noisy and has good acoustics for recording quality sound.

When recording the podcast, it is helpful to have someone else in the room with you for feedback or if something goes wrong with the sound or recording. This person will be your “producer” when working on the podcast.

Editing the episode

Editing the episode is a process that should involve the entire team. That way, you’ll be able to get input and feedback from everyone and ensure that it will resonate with your audience.

If you’re on a budget, Audacity is a free editing tool that is well-documented; otherwise, we recommend using professional audio editing software such as Adobe Audition.

Try to cut out any long pauses, stuttering, or noticeable background noise. There is a fine line between a perfect cut and overcutting.

After each episode is edited, have your producer review them for quality control so there are no mistakes when publishing it.

Publishing a business podcast

After the episode is finished, it is time to publish!

Here are some ways to get your business podcast out there:

1. Promote your podcast on your website, Facebook groups, and in any other online areas where your customers might be.

2. Be sure to alert your existing audience of any upcoming episodes by posting blog posts, social media updates, email newsletters, and other communication with your followers.

3. Once your podcast has been published, consider guest posting on other websites and blogs. This can help you reach new audiences!

4. When people listen to your podcast, it’s essential to ask them to subscribe to avoid missing out on future episodes.

Conclusion

Podcasting is a great way to grow your business and connect with your target audience. With a bit of preparation, you can take your show from an idea to a reality.

Podcasts are a fantastic way to build your brand and reach new audiences. Whether you’re targeting a specific niche or an industry-wide audience, there’s a podcast format for you.