If you like listening to podcasts, the odds are you’ve dreamt of starting your own one day. Luckily, starting a podcast with no audience doesn’t have to be a pipedream; anyone can start a podcast and start making money doing something they love.
The podcast industry continues to grow every year, as more people prefer listening to podcasts instead of reading the news or a story. If you want to start a podcast with no audience, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can start a podcast with no audience this year. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Choose a Podcast Topic
To start a podcast, you need something to talk about. Sure, you can start a podcast and talk about anything you want, but it’s typically best to be able to become an expert voice on a topic you enjoy.
Before you pick a podcast topic, you should know what people are listening to.
First off, people listen to podcasts to learn about a topic. For example, there are true crime podcasts for people to learn about crime. Luckily, you don’t have to be a detective to talk about crime, but you do need to have some background that makes you a qualified source to start building trust with your audience.
No matter what you choose to podcast about, you should have good knowledge about the niche. Of course, the best place to start is with your passions. For example, if you’re someone who has always enjoyed skateboarding, your podcast might be about skateboarding.
And here are some costly legal mistakes to avoid when starting a podcast with no audience or any other digital business:
2. Choose a Podcast Title
Just like a popular blog, podcasts need titles for your audience and fans to identify you.
A title can help someone looking for a podcast determine what your podcast is about. You should put thought into the title of your podcast so your listeners can easily find you. Always choose a title your target audience will recognize. You should also consider how your audience will find you.
For example, if your video is about true crime, consider what someone will type into search engines like Google. Someone looking for a new true-crime podcast to listen to will most likely type “true-crime podcast” into Google to find one, and hopefully, your podcast will show up.
Your title should also be recognizable on social media and allow you to use a handle that’s simple and easy to remember.
Here are considerations when naming your podcast:
Cleverness
A title should be catchy and understandable. Being too clever could mean people can’t decipher what your podcast is about. However, not being clever enough might make your podcast seem boring.
Descriptiveness
Your podcast title should be descriptive enough that someone knows what your podcast will be about without having to listen to it.
Your Name
If you have a large following before starting a podcast, you can simply use your name to title your podcast.
This method only works for individuals who have some type of fame, including social media fame. If your name is recognizable and enough people are searching for it on Google, then your name could be a great title for your podcast.
3. Write a Description
To have a successful podcast, you should be able to accurately describe what your podcast is about and why people should listen to it.
You’ll have to write a description for your podcast to help people learn more about what you’ll be talking about on your show.
A good description will entice and convince listeners to tune into your podcast, while a bad description might scare potential listeners away. If your description isn’t clear, then you might lose potential listeners who can’t determine what the podcast is about from the title or description.
4. Plan Your Podcast Episodes
When thinking about starting a podcast with no money, one of the most important steps is to plan your podcast episodes ahead of time!
Planning your episodes ensures you always have a topic covered on your podcast.
Once your podcast takes off, planning can also help you determine which sponsors are right for which episodes and schedule interviews with experts ahead of time.
All podcasts must be preplanned to ensure the quality of your show is consistent. For example, if you make a special episode about health and wellness you may look into having Tru Niagen as your sponsor, or if you are having an episode that is a continuation of your last, find a company that best fits your niche.
When planning episodes, you can choose between several different podcast formats, including:
Interviews
Many podcasts include interviews with other industry experts by introducing listeners to someone who has interesting insight into the topic. Interview-style podcasts don’t have to be scripted, but it’s a good idea to write down your questions.
Current Events
Many successful podcasts cover current events about the topic they’re covering. You can include any news you feel is relevant to your listeners.
Multi-hosts
By inviting someone else on your show to be a second host, you can offer free-flowing conversation throughout your podcast. Ask another industry expert or someone who also has a podcast to come on your show now and then to help you host.
Pro Tip: Before inviting guests on your podcast, make sure they sign this Media release form, which allows YOU to freely use their name, photos, audios, and videos legally on your podcast and business marketing! Otherwise, you risk losing lots of money in legal violations. Learn more in this blog post.
5. Get a Hosting Provider
Now that you’ve planned well enough to start your podcast with no audience or money, you’ll need a hosting provider that makes your podcast visible online.
A hosting company allows you to store files and provide listeners with access to your podcast so they can download and subscribe. Here’s the hosting company that I personally use and love!
Hosting platforms have different features, but they all allow you to store audio files and charge using a subscription fee.
6. Make a Podcast Recording
Once you’re ready to start your podcast, it’s time to start recording. You can create a script to follow or allow for free-flowing conversation, depending on the format you’ve chosen.
Of course, you should also be prepared with the right recording equipment, including:
7. Publish Your Episode
Once you’ve recorded an episode, you’ll need to publish it after you’ve edited it how you want. To publish your podcast, you have to convert it to MP3 and tag it with metadata, including your podcast name, logo, and description. If your podcast has a website, you should also include the URL.
When you’re ready to officially publish your podcast, you’ll upload it to the hosting service you chose. The hosting provider links your podcast with directories, including iTunes.
8. Submit the Podcast to Directories
Once your podcast is published, you’ll select a directory where listeners can find and listen to podcasts. You’ll need to post an RSS feed link that you’ll receive from the hosting service to any directories you choose.
9. Leverage Social Media
If you’re passionate about a particular topic and want to share your knowledge with the world, starting a podcast is a great way to do it. But what if you don’t have an audience? How can you get started and grow your show?
If you have an existing social media following, use it to promote your podcast. Share your episodes on your personal page and in relevant groups, and make sure to include a link to your show’s website or iTunes page.
This is a great way to get the word out and attract new listeners. Make sure to also share the new podcast episode with your email list.
Final Thoughts on Starting a Podcast With No Audience
Honestly, one of the best things about starting a podcast is that there’s no audience in the beginning! That means you can focus completely on creating high-quality content, without worrying about what your listeners think.
This allows you to really experiment with different types of content and styles, helping you to find out what resonates most with your target audience.
Just remember to consistently promote your podcast and engage with your listeners, so that you can gradually build an audience over time. With the right approach, starting a podcast with no audience can be a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your niche and reach more people.
HERE ARE THE TOP BUSINESS TOOLS AND RESOURCES THAT YOU’LL NEED FOR STARTING A PODCAST
- AI writing tool to write podcast descriptions, and blog posts 10x faster, create social media content, videos, and any kind of content to save time!
- This all-in-one business platform you’ll need to run your podcasting business online
- Guest Blogger Agreement to publish guest posts on your website legally and avoid any copyright infringement, Media release agreement to be able to use other people’s photos, videos, audio, and any other content legally, Privacy policy on your website to ensure your blog’s legal compliance, Disclaimer to limit your legal liability, Terms and Conditions to set your blog rules and regulations! Get all of these templates at a discounted rate in one of my best-selling VIP legal bundle here.
- Free SEO Masterclass to learn how to optimize your blog posts for SEO to rank on Google. You can also buy this awesome bundle of ebooks instead if you prefer ebooks over video training.
- If you’d like your podcast to rank on the first page of Google then I highly recommend this amazing tool.
- Learn how to get traffic to your blog through Google web stories here.
- Millionaire blogger’s secrets here and tons of valuable resources.
- How to start your blogging business and make money online
- How to make money from affiliate marketing
- How to manage your business finances? Use this tool to stay organized.
Let me know if you have any questions, and comment below to let me know which podcasting tip appealed to you.
And here are 7 must-have legal contract templates for your podcasting business (and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel):
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- Hosting a giveaway? Learn all about Sweepstakes Rules and grab your Sweepstakes Terms and Conditions template here
- Are you accepting guest posts on your website? Learn how to protect yourself!
- What other legal contracts should you have? Check these 16 DIY Legal Templates
- Want to use someone’s photos, testimonials, or videos legally? You need this Media Release Agreement.
- Want to start your own affiliate program or already have one? Protect yourself with an Affiliate Agreement
- 50 Bloggers Like You Reveal Why Free Legal Templates DON’T Protect Your Online Business
- Protect Your Business Secrets With a Confidentiality Agreement
- Looking to hire a freelancer or provide freelance services of your own? This is the Freelance Contract You Need!
- Everything You Need to Know About Blog Disclosures and Disclaimers (with Examples)
Don’t forget to join my awesome Facebook group with over 7,000 incredible entrepreneurs to be part of a community in your blogging journey to share personal experiences and get professional blogging help.
You’ll be welcomed into this supportive group with bloggers, business owners, and go-getters. Plus, you’ll get helpful legal, blogging, and business tips for free.
Guest Writer:
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
I love podcasting better than blogging
That’s great!