How to Start a Podcast in 2025? A Complete Guide for Beginners

Do you want to become a popular podcaster in 2025? Get to know everything about podcasts and how to earn money from them with the help of Spotify for Creators.

Podcasts can be an exciting, invigorating, and entertaining medium to share ideas, thoughts, opinions, humor, and live conversations with global audiences. It has gained huge popularity in the last few years. Podcasts offer a slice of life that is enjoyable for all kinds of listeners and in recent days, there have been a huge amount of listeners on Spotify who enjoy listening to podcasts more than music. The podcasters or the hosts of the show who organize the podcast are gaining much attention and earnings with the help of podcasts which influencing many other creators to embark on a journey of podcasting.

2025 seems to be a fruitful year to start podcasting as there is huge demand in the market. There are over 400 million Spotify users who listen to podcasts and it can help to earn a handsome amount of revenue for the creators. If you are also planning to start a podcast this year, here is complete guideline to initiate your Podcast journey with proper knowledge and the right steps.

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a collection of audio and video files based on conversations among different people from dynamic industries. Podcasts are available for the audiences episode-wise as usually, a podcast can bring many people for interviewing and it can stretch up to many episodes. There is no point in hosting only one episode or one show as audiences love continuity, something that can keep them hooked. Based on the creator’s idea, a podcast can be arranged in many ways, such as,

  • A single person or the host talking on the microphone and interacting with the audience while talking on niche or various topics.

   • It can be a video podcast that does not only depend on audio.

  • It can be an interview between two people or a group of five friends talking on various topics.

   • Podcast can range to dynamic topics to offer the audiences a diversified taste of different topics, it can be serious, cerebral, sarcastic, humorous, influential, quirky and sometimes a bit of everything.

The simplest form of a podcast is an idea and a voice to bring that idea to life. Listeners have enjoyed the audio podcast form that they can easily listen to while working or even driving. But now, Spotify has introduced its video podcast format which is engaging users visually.

Also Read: The Top 5 Spotify Podcasts of 2024 that the World Cannot Stop Listening!

Is a Video Podcast different?

Video podcast involves audio and visuals which allows for engaging more audiences. Spotify is currently a potential podcast hub with over 250,000 video podcasts and the demand for it is quite high. More than 170 million global users are watching podcasts on Spotify and it helped creators gain a huge amount of fans. With the help of Spotify for Creators, you can easily upload your video podcast episodes and audiences will enjoy it wherever they go.

What is Spotify for Creators?

 Spotify for Creators is a free platform that helps creators distribute their content, gain attention, grow, and make money based on their shows. It offers powerful tools and features to connect with the fans and also offers analytics on the performance of the podcast. It is an essential tool for podcasters that can help to make your podcast more popular with effective fan engagement and promotion. Spotify for Creators is absolutely free and any creator can use it regardless of any expensive subscription plan. It helps to instill growth and paves the way for revenue. If you are looking forward to becoming a popular podcaster, Spotify for Creators is a must!

Why Should You Start a Podcast?

Podcasting is a creative idea that anyone can cultivate and a podcaster does not require a lot of talent or money; they just need an idea and voice that can resonate with the mass audiences. Whether you want to use your voice to express, create, educate, or inform; podcast is the best way to do it all. Nowadays, creators are making more audio and video stories which are consumed by millions of global users. Podcasting can help you reach more audiences in a more authentic, organic, and creative way. Besides, podcasting is also a good hustle to generate ample revenue while creating a demand in the market.

How to start your journey of Podcast?

While it can appear a little overwhelming to many, starting a podcast is not as complex as you might think. Following a proper foundation along with the right strategies and tools can help you pave your way ahead. Here are the 10 essential steps that you need to follow to become a professional podcaster.

    1. Opt for a Podcast Topic 

The market is filled with numerous podcasts with different titles and based on different topics. If you are looking forward to hosting a podcast, first you will need a topic to work on. While you might think that opting for a unique topic will make your podcast stand out; it is not always true. Question yourself what you like to talk about? Is it sports? Or movies? Or the current affairs? Also, focus on your emotions while talking about these topics. Are you happy or excited or is it something that makes you very emotional?  The conversations that take place in your podcast should be able to resonate with your target audiences or evoke certain emotions. You can also check the trending podcast topics for inspiration.

  • Focus on ‘why’ you want to start a podcast in the first place. Is it because you want to connect with people or do you want to share ideas? Because you cannot do podcasts only for money. You have to give audiences something solid before start making money.

   • Try to tell stories that only you can tell. Live experiences and first-hand knowledge are much more interesting than citing quotes from popular philosophers. Through podcasts, you can create a space that is authentic, vulnerable, and also entertaining. Don’t be afraid to work on similar topics as you can always share some new perspective to it that comes from individuality.

    • There is no room for small talk in a podcast. You need to opt for topics that you can talk about the whole day. Think about the long term and do not limit yourself to only certain topics. An organic conversation can be dynamic in nature and you should keep it that way.

When you have decided a topic for your podcast, you can either proceed with the similar elements or can brings some organic changes based on your audiences.

    2. Decide a Format for the Podcast

There are many kinds of podcast formats and you can choose any one from them but it is highly important that you pick the right one. Do you want to host a podcast solo or do you want to bring your friends? What are the areas you want to cover? Do you want to bring experts to talk on certain topics? Finding the answers to these questions can help you opt for the right format. Check out some popular podcast formats below,

    • The Solo Podcast – It follows a narrative-style narration where you are the sole host.

  • The Interview Podcast – In this case, you will be sitting with new guests in every episode.

  • The Roundtable Podcast – This podcast features multiple hosts and speakers at a common table where everyone can share their opinions.

   • The Fiction Podcast – In this case, you produce unique stories to share with your audiences. You can even hire different voice actors to play different roles in it.

  • The Narration Non-fiction Podcast – This podcast speaks about different topics or history based on true events. True crime and history podcasts are part of it.

  • The Reformatted Podcast – These are audio versions of a video podcast or written content.

    • The Experimental Podcast - It is an experimental format that has no rules and hosts can be creative with their ideas.

If you are not sure what to start with, you can opt for the experimental style and then gradually pick your genre and format that suits your show the best.

    3. Identify Your Target Audiences and Try to Reach Them

Your podcast is nothing without its audiences and it is your duty to reach out to your target audiences as the competitive market only keeps them hooked on what is already popular. You have to define your target audience in order to create a loyal fan base who will listen to your podcast. Make sure to consider your niche industry to find more relevant people. Look for online users who consume podcasts and other content that is similar to yours. Now, find the credible sources through which you can reach them effectively. Every podcast starts small and then gradually takes a bigger shape. Understand your target audiences and fix certain goals for your podcast to effectively reach them. Focus on getting your first 100 listeners and then, you will see the number growing gradually.

    4. Branding for Your Podcast

Your podcast must express a unique brand voice that helps it to stand out in the market. The unique brand identity includes various aspects like podcast name and description, intro theme, cover art, and many others. All these elements together can express a unique tone and character for your show. Here are a few things to keep in mind,

    • Choose a Podcast Name

While it might seem easy, opting for an attractive and relevant name for the podcast is actually tricky in a competitive market that is filled with many other podcasts. It must be memorable and appealing enough to help listeners remember and recognize your content easily. Opt for a short name that is easy to say, learn, and search on the web. Make sure to avoid the popular names in the podcasts that are overused and do not help to distinguish. Put up something that is easy to remember and also consists of something clever or quirky.

    • A Signature Intro and Outro

The intro and outro are the key elements of a podcast that help to create a lasting impression among the audience. While the intro offers the first impression and the hook of the content, the outro helps to end the podcast on a high note by engaging and connecting with the audience. You can also add some CTA to the outro which offers extra engagement and traffic.

    • Create a Podcast Trailer 

Trailers are great for creating anticipation and engaging audiences before the main product is launched in the market. A podcast trailer also does the same which is a short video to pique interest among the target audiences. Teasers offer a quick introduction to the show and highlight the most precious moments in it.

    5. Choose Equipment for Your Podcast

In order to create a fine podcast show, you need equipment and online tools that will help to set up your studio and make it more sound-friendly so that you can offer a crispy audio experience through your podcast and it goes the same way for video podcasts as well. With a simple search on Google, you can find plenty of audio-editing software that fits the needs of all kinds of creators. Spotify for Creators offers an integrated platform known as Riverside that offers AI-driven recording and editing tools. You will also need podcast microphones such as XLR to USB microphones which are also available in a wide variety. It can help to record and fine-tune audio quality.

A good pair of closed-back headphones is recommended which can help to monitor your audio recordings without any bleed. Along with shock mounts and pop filters, you will be able to get rid of vibration and distortion in audio quality. If you are willing to make a good video podcast, you will need a good DSLR camera or a webcam that is capable of recording high-quality video content. In order to get a crispy and clear video, you would need to set the light properly. Audiences will also see the room or the props in the video content. So, make sure to create an ambiance according to podcast content which emphasizes its theme and offers an aesthetic look.

    6. Embark on Your First Podcast Episode

The process of creating your podcast episode starts way earlier than hitting the record studio and all of the nervousness and uncertainty will be gone when you complete recording the first episode of your podcast. Producing a podcast episode involves a lot of areas, such as,

    • Pre-production

At this stage, you can plan your episode with attention details like what will you talk about, what you will ask, which guests you will be inviting, what listeners would like to hear and many others. It is recommended to create a podcast schedule for a proper planning and workflow. Make sure to prepare your script and reach potential guests. Craft a questionnaire and be prepared if you are inviting a guest.  

    • Recording 

Once you are done with your planning, it is time for podcast recording. While podcaster might host the show from anywhere whether it is the living room or the dining room; it can greatly change the audio quality. That is why an acoustically-friendly environment is important that is free of background noise as well as echoes and distortions.

    • Editing and Post-production

Once your episode is recorded, it is time for post production. You need a podcast editing software to create a crispy audio quality and video editing software for video podcast. You should edit your content based on the goal of the podcast. Make sure to keep consistency in overall appearance which you can also follow in the upcoming episodes of your podcast.

    • Description and Artwork 

Artwork and description are a must for a podcast in this digitally competitive age. It allows users to know about your podcast content and helps them to recognize among the horde of other podcasts. Utilize relevant keywords in the description and high-quality images in the artwork that help to gain more visibility from the market and improve presence on the web.

    7. Distribute Your Podcast Content

After recording a batch of episodes, or let’s say a season; you can finally share them with the world. Publish your podcast on Spotify with the help of Spotify for creators and then, on other podcast directories to help audiences find your new episode. You can easily find a podcast hosting service that can help you distribute your content. It offers a podcast RSS feed that allows gaining attention from other directories. There are over 100 million podcast listeners on Spotify and the hosting platform can help them reach effectively.

    8. Start Podcast Marketing for Promotion 

Just like music, podcasts on Spotify also need to be promoted in order to gain attention from relevant users on the platform. With the help of diversified marketing techniques, it is possible to create a buzz among niche audiences. You can utilize,

    • Content Marketing – Utilizes various forms of content like press releases, blogs, reviews, and interviews

    • Social Media Marketing – Reaches to potential users through the platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and many others.

    • Email Marketing – Utilize email and a mailing list to inform and notify users via personalized email content

    • Influencer Marketing – One of the trendiest marketing techniques that employs influencers to promote your podcast among a relevant audience base.

While each of the marketing techniques can offer you improved results, the organic DIY approaches take much time to see the results. You can also hire a professional promotional agency that can help to promote your podcast content.

    9. Grow Your Podcast Channel

Your work is not over when you have established your foundation, rather it is the beginning of your podcasting journey and now it is time to grow your channel. You can grow your channel in many ways and the growth is measure by the number of listeners, fans, popularity and generated revenue.

    • Spotify Features – There are a lot of Spotify features like ‘host recommendations’, ’Best Place to Start’, ‘Chapter’, ‘Previews’, etc that offer maximum reach for your podcast.

    • Public Interaction – If you want to retain your loyal fans, public interaction is important. Interacting with your audiences makes them feel validated and offers more traffic and engagement that you could ever imagine before.

    • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – SEO optimization is not just important but mandatory to thrive in this constantly evolving and growing podcast industry with millions of creators and billions of listeners.

You can also use analytics to determine the areas where there is still room for improvement.

    10. Monetize Content and Start Earning

The premium and paid users on Spotify are more likely to enjoy subscriber-only content where they can enjoy added perks and benefits. Similarly, there is podcast subscription which is a monetization model that allows users to have access to all kinds of content. With the help of Spotify for creators, you can easily launch a profitable subscription model where fans can enjoy exclusive content. You should leave some content with free access which audiences more curious about the other episodes. The best part is that you can control and tweak the settings for your free and paid content from a single place. You can also earn money via other means of sponsorships, merchandise sales, live events, and advertising. Select a payout method for your revenue and you will receive it at the right time.

Concluding Thoughts

2025 offers a good projection for the podcast industry as it is growing at a rapid rate with an increasing number of podcast listeners and exclusive content. If you are willing to become a popular podcast host, perhaps, this is the best time to do it. Follow the guidelines and take advice from professional podcasters before you start your journey.