Podcasts are hotter than ever. In fact, over a quarter of Americans identify as weekly podcast listeners. Among those weekly listeners, each one consumes an average of eight podcasts per week. As more and more podcasts become available, it is likely that this type of media consumption will continue to grow in popularity. 

In this post, we are going to give you the inside scoop on how to podcast like a pro. We’ll share ten podcasting best practices and tips for creators who are looking to start, improve, or grow their podcasts.

Let’s get started by reviewing what classifies as a podcast and why you should start one in 2023.

Table of Contents

• What is a Podcast?

• Why Start a Podcast?

• 10 Podcasting Best Practices and Tips

• Podcast on Maestro 

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a type of content that is delivered over the internet. Typically, podcasts are long-form audio clips that follow a style similar to radio talk shows. 

The purpose of a podcast can be to provide value to an audience, generate revenue, or both. Podcasts can be used to discuss hot topics, tell stories, debate issues, and more, and they can be monetized in many ways

Some podcasts are hosted by individuals, and others are hosted by duos or small groups. It is common for podcast hosts to bring guest hosts on to their show, as well.

A lot of podcasts are audio-only, but many podcasts are accompanied by videos. We will discuss the value of using video with podcasts later in this post.

Why Start a Podcast?

There are many reasons why someone might start a podcast. Passion is among the top driving forces. Many people start podcasts because they are very interested or well-versed

As we mentioned, podcasting is on the rise. The podcasting industry is expected to grow to a value of $4 billion by 2024. It’s possible to tap into this massive growth by starting a show of your own. 

Another reason to start a podcast is to create premium experiences for your core audience. Let’s say you have a particularly loyal segment of your fanbase. Create a podcast to give them an inside look at your life, your business, or whatever else you create content about.

10 Podcasting Best Practices and Tips

Now that we’ve reviewed the whats and whys of podcasting, let’s turn our attention to the hows. Here are ten podcasting best practices you can follow to level up your podcast game.

1. Choose a Topic Wisely

The desire to start a podcast usually sparks from a special interest or passion. If that’s how you got started, choosing a topic should come naturally. Pick something that you feel like you could speak endlessly about.

Choosing a topic that doesn’t interest you but you think will interest others is not a good idea.

Once you start a podcast within a specific niche, it’s wise to stick it. If you jump all over the place with topics that don’t align with your typical content, listeners will likely become uninterested. For example, if you have a health and wellness podcast, don’t shift gears to talk about classic cars or debate whether or not there is life on Mars.

2. Study Other Podcasts

A good way to learn the art of podcasting is to check out the podcasts of the top creators in your industry. Take some time to listen to other podcasts that are ranking high on the charts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcasting platforms.

As you study other podcasts, notice the stylistic elements and layouts. Pay attention to what they’re doing right and what you believe you could improve upon. However, do not copy anything verbatim. Simply use the other shows as inspiration.

3. Know Your Audience

It is very important to know your audience when podcasting so that you can form boundaries and guidelines for the content you create. This may sound restrictive, but by setting these parameters, you can stay focused on your target audience in every episode that you produce.

For example, if your audience is receptive to cursing and explicit language, embrace that. However, if your audience tends to be more conservative or modest, keep it clean. 

When you’re creating this type of content, your personality tends to attract your audience. If you are authentic, it’s less about curating the experience and more about upholding the standards that you’ve set for your brand.

4. Incorporate Video

As we briefly mentioned, some podcasters include videos for their podcast episodes. This gives your audience visuals to let them feel like they’re in the studio.

This can be as simple as setting up a camera to film as you record your episode in the studio. Another option is to use a multiple-camera setup to capture different angles for more advanced production.

5. Try Live Podcasting

Live podcasting can be a fun way to create more interactive content. This has a similar effect to traditional call-in radio shows where hosts can take comments or questions from listeners.

Some live podcasts are simply broadcasted in real-time, and others are recorded in-person front of a live audience. Which direction you take will likely depend on your audience size and the resources you have available to you.

6. Partner with a Network

Did you know that there are different media networks that will sponsor different online content creators, including podcasters?

Of course, partnering in a network requires sharing some of the control over and ownership of your podcast, but the benefits can outweigh the sacrifices. Network partnerships typically come with funding. Plus, being linked to a network’s platform can help drive more traffic to your podcast.

7. Invest in Professional Equipment

The equipment you use will impact the results of your podcast. That’s why it’s important to invest in professional podcasting equipment. 

This includes high-quality microphones, microphone mounts, studio headphones, and an audio interface. If you are using video with your podcast, you’ll need a live streaming camera, as well.

8. Create a Dedicated Website

While it’s wise to share your podcast on a variety of popular platforms, it is a good idea to have a branded “home base” where fans can learn more about you and your show.

Not only is this great for building a brand, but it is great for those who want to growth-hack their other online profiles or monetize with affiliate marketing. You can link your website to all of your socials, and create pages with links to products or sites that you discuss on your show.

9. Invest in Production

A little bit of editing and production expertise can go a long way when it comes to creating a podcast. We recommend learning the basics of podcast production yourself, or if you have the resources, consider hiring a production specialist. 

Professional production is great if you want to create and implement a standard introduction, insert ads, or simply elevate the quality of your podcast.

10. Be Consistent

Consistency is absolutely key when it comes to building a successful podcast. That’s why it’s important to create a consistent podcast schedule and stick to it. 

Some creators break their podcasts into seasons. This could look like releasing a series of twenty weekly episodes and then taking a month-long break before releasing another series of twenty episodes. This is great for those who want to commit to consistency but also want a scheduled break.

Start Podcasting on Maestro 

Maestro is the perfect platform for those who want to start an exclusive talk show or grow their existing podcast. Our streaming platform supports both live and on-demand video streaming. Audio-only streaming is available, as well.

What makes Maestro unique is that we offer a variety of tools to make your podcast episodes engaging and interactive. These tools are especially valuable for live podcasts. Additionally, we offer a slew of video monetization tools, so you generate revenue from your show.

Are you ready to launch your podcast on Maestro? Sign up today to start podcasting for free.

Join our Discord server to learn more tips and tricks for streaming on Maestro.