CONTENTS
Vocal for local series has been an initiative by The Champa Tree to support Indian and homegrown brands. We showcase works by entrepreneurs across categories to enable them to promote their services/products. Today we have an outstanding achiever, a woman entrepreneur who explores a new dimension to the world of content through her amazing podcast. Maitri Verma tells us her experience in running a podcast and answers the questions about how to start a podcast and handling the roles of a content creator and a mother.
“Let me tell you how to start a podcast…”
Little Fixes was a startup podcast established in December 2019. Podcast, an unheard concept up until now is an audio lifestyle magazine and our’s particularly targeting women in general. Since childhood, women are told that there is a certain way to be a woman. We tend to believe these limiting ideas and live our lives according to them without realizing it. It’s essential to unlearn such thoughts and go after anything we desire. With my podcast, I aim to help women in living fuller life by fixing small aspects of their lives. We talk about physical fitness, mental health, beauty, career, entrepreneurship, parenting, early childhood education, relationships, and social media tips among other topics relevant to women. Little Fixes Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Apart from being a podcaster, I am a social media marketer, blogger, wife, and mom to a 4-year-old girl.
The secrets behind running a successful podcast
Before I tell you about running a successful podcast, let me share a bit about what it takes to understand the audio medium, above all, how to start a podcast.
A podcast is an audio file that is available online and you can download it to your phone or to a computer to listen to it. It is like radio but on-demand as you can listen to the content whenever you want. While there may be tons of podcasts out there, its origin dates back to the 1980s.
Did you know? The word podcasting seems to have been derived from Apple’s ‘iPod’ and the word ‘Broadcast’.
Podcasts are great for gaining knowledge passively when you are working out, driving, or cooking because you don’t have to look at a screen to read or watch a video. Podcast listeners are increasing all over the world and India being the second largest population has tremendous potential for growth. Moreover, due to its potential of being the ‘next big content platform’, creating a podcast will be the BIG marketing business prospect.
All this makes podcast startup a wonderful medium to get your message across to people anywhere in the world. Whether you are an individual who has something to share or a brand who wants to grow their business, a podcast can help you serve more people. The best part is that creating a podcast is easy and doesn’t require monetary investment if you don’t want to. You do need to invest time to provide value to your listeners so let’s see how to start a podcast of your own.
It’s all about going after ONE theme
Decide what you want to talk about. While creating a podcast, stick to something you are passionate about and not something which is trending. Whether you have a solo podcast or do interviews, you need to be clear on what kind of content you want to offer. Stick to your theme in every episode while creating a podcast or you might confuse your audience.
Who is meant to listen to you?
“The primary answer to your how to start a podcast would mean you go back to the drawing board and define the profile of your ideal listener,” says Maitri.
Who will benefit from your message? “It sounds easy to say that you want every single soul in the world to listen to you, but your coffee mug will be different from mine. Yet, they are both serving the same purpose, if you know what I mean?”
Pick a niche and serve people accordingly. You got to gauge engaged listeners. 10 engaged listeners are always better than 1000 random people.
It’s all in the name
A podcast startup should have a name that clearly tells what your show is about. A keyword-driven name that is easy to read and understand serves the purpose. But there are exceptions like if your podcast is about your life, naming it by your name makes sense. Write a nice tagline for your show which clearly defines what your startup podcast is about especially when the name doesn’t clarify everything.
Plan the content well
Yes, plan before creating a podcast or you might feel frustrated later. You don’t have to figure out nitty gritty but have an idea of what your first 10 episodes will be about.
Decide your schedule
You can release an episode every day or have a weekly or monthly schedule. Whatever frequency you pick, have something you can stick to rather than going off schedule after some time. Many people start with frequent releases but give up soon because they can’t keep up. It’s better to have a fortnightly podcast rather than a daily show which ends after 10 episodes.
Market it well
The most important point to take care of when you try to know how to start a podcast would be marketing. Having your startup podcast is exciting but don’t focus all your efforts only on creating a podcast. Promote it on social media and in your network so that your message reaches the people who need it. Lack of promotions is a waste of your valuable work.
Technical aspects
- You can record and launch your podcast with your phone and there are many apps that offer this service for free. So, if you don’t have a budget, you can still have a podcast. For better production quality, you can use a mic and a laptop. There is no limit to all the equipment you can buy for your podcast but invest wisely.
- Once you have recorded, edit the episode and upload it to your podcast host. Make it available on as many podcast directories as you can. Some popular directories are Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Gaana among others.
- Now you know how to start a podcast but for running a startup podcast successfully, you need to stay consistent and you will see success over time. Don’t obsess over numbers; aim to provide value and listeners will come.
What’s one advice you would give to budding local businesses?
I would suggest the same thing I tell everyone- You don’t have to measure up to anyone. Your work is unique and deserves recognition. Stop waiting for perfection, start what you want to. Grow and learn as you go.
Maitri Verma has uninhibitedly shared her secrets of how to start a podcast and run it successfully. If you have the ideas and unrelenting resolve, don’t hold back and start your podcast today.
Podcasts is so in nowadays, and I have been planning to start one myself. after reading this I feel so motivated to try making make now. Thanks for sharing it
I have been planning to start my podcast for such a long time and was just waiting for the perfect motivation. I am sure after reading this post I have made my resolve stronger and will get on to doing it soon
Podcast is trending a lot nowadays your post would be really helpful for everyone who wants to learn more about it
Maitri has shared an interesting insight on how to start your own podcast. I too have been contemplating on this too. As of now I’ve spoken as a guest speaker for 4 podcast episodes of a channel and it was an awesome experience.
I listen to podcasts too and find them quite engaging and interesting. Have been toying with starting one myself and this post gave me lot of relevant information for it.
Podcasts are becoming quite popular nowadays and a lot of people out there want to try out this new medium to share their voice and ideas. This post will be really helpful for them. Thanks for sharing!
Maitri has brilliant points about starting a podcast, we are also keen for podcasting and we know it takes lots of effort. Shall take her advice and build content around the theme.
My teenage daughter started her podcast and now she is in a dilemma about how to continue. This post helped me to understand and I will guide her for sure.
I have always thought of starting a Podcast channel but have been confused about getting it right from the beginning. This post was quite helpful in few of my doubts. Thanks Maitri & Vaishali.
I think podcast is a fast growing medium and the future is definitely this .I had so many wrong conceptions about podcasts but you have cleared many of them, thanks !
I always wanted to learn Podcasting and you have given such clear insights into starting one. I will take the leap soon. Thank you for all the infomation.
I suddenly feel I’ve taken up too much and need to slow down a bit. I record some podcasts whenever I create a poem. That’s something I don’t really put into my blogs.
I’ve known Maitri through Instagram and her podcasting journey is definitely inspiring. Putting time and effort in any work is equally important for it to succeed. Great share!
I completely agree with Maitri. Being a podcaster, I agree to all the points she has mentioned. Starting and running a podcast successfully and consistently is very important. Generating content that interests the listeners is the key. I have two podcast shows in English and Hindi as I am loving the experience.
This is a very insightful post by Maitri. I really appreciate that you are sharing such wonderful tips for your readers.
This is very informative article.. Every points mentioned is very helpful for new beginners .
Loved reading this and would share with others too. I am not into this right now but these tips are important for beginners . Nice and well explained.
I’m a great fan of podcasts. Just plug in ear buds and listen freely whenever you have time. Thank for all these wonderful tips.
The value you have added to this article is absolutely fantastic. I handle all these segments very closely..So I must say it’s a proper guide for any beginners.
Well, the content shares valuable details about how to start podcasts. I am not into this Podcast world yet but with time I may be a part of it
Nice and insightful details for people wanting to start podcasts. I just listen to them though😊 but I wnjoyed reading this👍
yes podcasting is latest trend and its gaining immense popularity nowadays. I also had a plan to start one for myself but marketing is the tricky aspect that makes me nervous. after reading this interview feeling inspired and will give it a second thought for sure.