How to Start a Podcast in 2026
School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast
Define Your Why and Audience
Dave explains why knowing your podcast's why and defining a specific target audience prevents burnout and guides planning.
If you want a podcast launch checklist I have one available here. This show is intended for beginners to podcasting. If you already have one, this may be one to skip (or you will hear things you should've thought about but didn't).
Here are the steps I covered.
- Pick Your Topic
- Decide if you're podcasting solo or with cohost(s).
- Pick how you will podcast.
- Pick where will you podcast?
- Choose how you will measure your success
- Pick a name. Naming tools from Podpage and Buzzsprout.
- Buy the Hardware
- Buy/Find Software
- Purchase web hosting
- Domain Name ( Ilke Namecheap)
- Graphics
- Intro Music. (optional)
- Media Hosting (for your mp3 files)
- Record Your Content
- Edit Your Content
- Upload your media
- Write Your Show Notes
- Click Publish
- Make Sure your Feed is Valid
- Publish to Apple, Spotify, and all other directories.
- Tell everyone you know to follow the show on the same day
Here’s a handy list of every website and URL I mentioned in this episode, so you can find the resources and recommendations I talked about:
School of Podcasting:
https://schoolofpodcasting.com
Podpage:
(And check out https://trypodpage.com for a quick start!)
Buzzsprout:
Captivate:
Blubrry:
RSS.com:
Castfeed Validator:
Namecheap (my favorite for domains):
CoolerWebsites (my GoDaddy reseller):
PodcastBranding Co (for professionally designed artwork):
Canva (for DIY podcast artwork):
Transistor’s artwork preview tool:
https://transistor.fm/preview/
TuneReel (for music licensing):
Suno/Suno AI Music (for AI-generated music):
https://supportthisshow.com/suno
Hollyland (wireless microphones):
https://geni.us/hollyland-larkm2s
Rode (microphones and lavalier mics):
Elgato (Facecam, key light, and stream deck):
GVM (lighting kits):
Neewer (affordable lighting):
Camo (turns your phone into a webcam):
Turn Your Phone into a Web Cam
Streamlight (monitor-to-light software):
Turn your monitor into a light (Windows only)
Hindenburg (audio editing software):
Audacity (free audio editor):
Adobe Podcast (audio editing):
Alitu (online audio editing tool):
Descript (audio/video editing):
Riverside (remote recording & video editing):
Squadcast (remote recording):
ECAMM Live (Mac live streaming & recording):
EV Mux (live streaming):
Streamyard (live streaming):
Camtasia (video editing):
https://techsmith.com/video-editor.html
Tela (online video hosting & editing):
DaVinci Resolve (free video editor):
https://blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
Audio Outperforms Video 15 to 1 (Rob Walch Talk)
https://youtu.be/jqWNXW0gMs4?si=ITLHr2cAqIsjTBds&t=715
Takeaways:
- Starting a podcast is simple but can be a real pain in the neck.
- You gotta know your 'why' for podcasting, or you'll just quit when it gets tough.
- Finding your target audience is crucial, don't just say 'everyone' because that's not helpful.
- Investing in good audio equipment is key, because bad sound makes people leave fast.
- Audio is the most important element of video
Mentioned in this episode:
Want to Make Some Money with Your Podcast?
Pick up any book on podcast monetization, and you will find 90 percent of it only covers how to launch a podcast. If you already have a podcast, you have that information; you’re ready for the next step. Profit from Your Podcast provides top strategies and real-life examples of podcast monetization. This book is more than what to do. It also tells you how to do it. Go to www.profitfromyourpodcast.com/book
Live Appearances
I'd love to see you at these events. If you're going to be attending please let me know so we can meetup. For more information go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/where
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