How to Start A Podcast In 2025 [Ultimate Guide]

Don’t start a podcast to make quick money or BY thinking you have no other way to make money online; you would rather try to start a podcast to monetize it.

Getting the initial audience to the show is not only hard; it is super hard, and it takes years of hard work to build a monetizable audience for the show.

Quick note: There are just over 2 million podcast shows running by different people but over 600 million blogs! But still, blogging is the best way to make money faster if you know the tactics.

If you are like me, then start a podcast to build a personal brand. In this complete guide, I will walk through the step-by-step process of starting a brand new podcast in 2025. Before I start, here are some basics:

What is a Podcast?

Well, A podcast is a form of audio file distributed on the internet through podcast directories for listening. The best thing about a podcast is that it can be consumed passively, meaning it doesn’t require our full attention to the content like video content on youtube. You can listen to a podcast on the go and even while you are in the office.

More than 50% of the US population aged over 12 listen to a podcast every month, and the numbers are rising. However, The research shows that the people who listen to podcasts spend at least 5 hours every week.

Buzzsprout research tells us that more than 30% of podcast listeners use apple podcasts to listen to their favorite shows.

Why should you start a podcast? Well, Podcasting is great for building a brand on the internet. By starting a podcast, you can easily reach a new segment audience who will be your loyal friend on the web. Plus, it’s the best way to establish yourself as an authority of content around the topic in the world.

What You need Before Starting A Podcast ?

USB/XLR Microphone

Getting a USB microphone is the first requirement to start a podcast. Unless you want to use the anchor mobile app to record a podcast, you must have a microphone to record your voice. You can only consider the anchor mobile app to record a podcast if you want to record a solo podcast: meaning you will be the only one talking on the show. But if you want professional sound quality, today or tomorrow, you will need a professional-quality USB/XLR microphone to record podcast episodes.

Audio-Technica ATR2100 is one of the best USB microphones for podcasters. However, you can start with a Blue Yeti USB microphone also. Both of them use plug-and-play systems to record your voices. You just need to connect the USB cables to the laptop to start recording.

Getting an XLR microphone is another microphone option you have in hand. If you want best of the best sound quality, you want a Shure SM7B dynamic microphone to record a podcast. Quick note: the Shure SM7B mic requires an audio mixer to connect to the computers.

Laptop

The laptop is the essential device to have to start a podcast in 2025. Most of you already have one: In case you haven’t one: Get the apple MacBook 13″.It is required because you will edit your podcast on the laptop using podcast editing software.

Podcast Hosting

You need a podcast host to host your mp3 files to start a podcast. Here is the list of the popular podcast hosting company in 2025.

• Buzzsprout
• Spreaker
• RSS.com
• Podbean
• Transistor.
• Simplecast.
• Captivate.
• Castos.
• Podcastics.
• Fusebox.
• Podcast Websites.
• Audioboom.
• Soundcloud
• Resonate Hosting
• Simplecast
• bCast
• Blubrry
• PodServe.fm
• Podiant
• PodcastGIANT
• Backtracks
• Libsyn
• Megaphone
• Whooshkaa
• Fireside
• Pippa
• RedCircle
• Anchor
• Podcasts.com
• Squarespace
• OmnyStudio
• Podcast Blastoff
• Zencast.fm
• Acast
• Pinecast
• PodOmatic
• ShoutEngine
• Podigee

Buzzsprout is one of the best easy-to-use podcast hosts for beginners. You can start with them for free and upload up to 2 hours of recording each month.

If you don’t like the hourly-based podcast hosting pricing models, then you would love Transistor podcast hosting platforms. Sign for Transistor here.

To Start A Podcast In 2025

There are a few things you will plan ahead when starting a podcast. Don’t spend too much time on planning because it’s all about recording podcast episodes and publishing on to podcast hosts, and submitting them to podcast listening platforms. In short, podcasting is all about execution, not thinking and pondering about it. Just get a podcast notebook and list a couple of things ahead to start the show. Let’s dive into the process of creating a show in 2025.

Choose A Podcast Topic to Talk About:

Your podcast topic would be based on a specific topic or niche that you have a little bit of experience on. Lets take an example:I run “The Obeydul Haque Experience” podcast to build my brand on the internet, where I talk about podcasting,SEO, link building, digital marketing, make money online niche.In my podcast, I can talk about any topic under the sun because its under my name.I suggest going with this Format [The +Your name+Experience ].

When starting a podcast, ensure that you want to create and publish at least 100+ podcast episodes on the podcast.

And always, Your podcast topic should be based on the topic you know best about.In my podcast, I cannot talk about healthcare, even if i want to, because i don’t have any knowledge on this topic.

Decide Your Podcast Show Format

In the planning phase of starting a podcast, you should decide whether you want to run a solo podcast or a multiple-host podcast.

There are a few podcasting formats you can follow,these are:

1)Solo podcast

2)interview-style podcast format

3)Conversational or co-hosted podcast format

4)Non-fictional storytelling podcast format

5) Self-made podcast format

However, I follow the #5 on podcasting format on my podcast.But if you have friends or business partners or co- workers who want to start a podcast, you can start a conversational podcast.

Once you have a co-host on your podcast,it will be an engaging podcast because both of them will share your thoughts on a specific topic. Plus,A co-host can be very helpful for keeping things on track, and most importantly, you can easily split the amounts of tasks such as podcast editing, promoting, and more.

Just one thing, You have to make sure that both of you are committed to a long-term podcasting journey, and it will help you schedule from the very beginning as both of you will know when and where you will be recording the podcast each week.

Name The Podcast Show:

If you want to run a solo podcast like mine, you would love to follow[The+Your name+Experience].But if you want to start a conversational or storytelling podcast, you should decide on the name of your podcast ahead.

To get some podcast name ideas, you can search on google by the term[“podcast name ideas”] or look at my top apple podcast charts to see various podcasts show names.

After all, Putting your name on the podcast show will give you a lot more flexibility, and you can talk about anything you want on your show.Have a look to this podcast: Unsolicited Advice with Ashley and Taryne

Podcast style, Format, and Length

You will find some “experts” telling you that Your podcast show must have a certain length to be a perfect podcast. This is just Bullshit. 

You will find hundreds of 5 minutes podcasts and 6-hour podcasts on apple podcasts, and it doesn’t matter long your podcast is. What matters is how long people are listening to the show. If you are interesting, people will listen for more than hours, but if you arent, they will leave within seconds.

Just make sure if your podcast is interesting enough to listen to. Next, lets talk about podcast style.

In 2025, podcasters tend to follow the interview-style podcast, and it’s getting more and more popular.

However, You can easily run solo podcasting and interview-style podcasting simultaneously on the same show.so it’s totally up to you.

Here is an example of how the Podcast Episode Format should be;

• Teaser
• Intro Music
• Welcome
• Ad Spot
• Interview
• Call To Action 
• Outro Music

You can easily get creative on this part. Check out this royalty-free music list post to learn more about music selection for your podcast show.

Design Podcast Cover Art

Your podcast cover art is the first thing people will notice when listening to a podcast episode. Plus, Podcast distribution platforms such as- Apple podcasts require to have a podcast cover art to list your show on the platforms.

You can easily design your own a podcast cover art using graphic design software like canva.

But If you have a little bit of budget for your podcast cover art, I will recommend 99 Designs to get yours created. When you post a job a 99 designs, people will submit designs to earn your job.

Get Intro/Outro Music For Podcast

Music Radio Creative is a fantastic place to get high-quality voiceovers and podcast intros. Having a third party introduce you on your podcast takes your brand perceived value up a notch; it can be easily a great way to stand out when starting a podcast.

Premiumbeat is my favorite place for podcast music. It’s easy to find, and you will get the full license of your purchased music, and they offer a bunch of different styles. Take a look at my post on royalty-free music to find more options. You don’t need an unlimited subscription-style music service –Just get a song or two.

Record Your First Podcast Episodes

Recording your first podcast episode is the most challenging task to start a podcast; in this section, I will talk you through the process of recording a podcast episode in 2025.

Get a USB microphone.

I have been told you earlier that you need a microphone to record a podcast. Take a look at podcast starter kit post to get more ideas.

The sound quality is one of the most crucial factors for podcasting. However, It doesn’t cost you lots of money to get a good quality podcasting microphone. 

I personally use Shure SM7B to record my podcast,as it is a little bit pricey, I will recommend starting your podcasting journey with Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB or Blue Yeti usb microphone. 

The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB has both USB and XLR connections, allowing you to upgrade your podcast recording equipment without needing a new mic.

Interview Guests

Interviewing other persons in your industry is one of the best ways to get the podcast episodes recorded. And if you want to do an interview-style podcast show, then it’s time to shortlist the people you want on your podcast and start reaching out to them. 

Acuity Scheduling is a Squarespace company that helps people book right on your calendar when it’s convenient for you. By using Acuity Scheduling services, you can easily focus on getting more guests! You can easily ask your guest for specific info like their Skype username.

Riverside

Want to record long-distance remote podcast interviews? Riverside is the best podcast interview software to use. When you sign up for their free plan, you can record up to 2 hours of audio and video podcasts with separate tracks every month.

Edit Your Podcast Episodes:

Editing podcast episodes is a little bit of a technical thing,If you havent used any podcast editing software like Audacity, adobe audition,garage band or logic pro X,I recommend starting with Alitu-podcast editing software.Its super easy to use and will save tons of you time in this phase.

Alitu 

If you haven’t used any podcast editing software before then, Alitu is an easy option to start with as audio production software like Audacity,garageband or logic pro x is full of jargon. Even a simple action in GarageBand or Audacity can be intimidating.

Alitu is a podcast-making tool that automates confusing technical parts of audio production software and makes podcast episodes for you. It works on your computer just through a browser; make sure You have a secured internet connection; you don’t need to download anything to use this software, and it’s completely online-based.

Choose A Podcast Hosting 

You need a place to host your recorded mp3 files to make those available on podcast directories like apple podcasts, google podcasts, or Spotify for listening to. Once you upload at least one Episode to your host, they will create a unique podcast RSS feed for you to submit to podcast listening platforms.

I have tried almost every podcast hosting company on the planet and found these 3 best options. Here are they:

• Buzzsprout -Best podcast hosting for beginners 
• Transistor-Best podcast hosting for brands
• Spreaker-Best podcast hosting and monetization 

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is the easiest to use podcast hosting platform for beginners.I hosted my first podcast with them for 90 days, completely free of cost. The free plan allows you to host 2 hours of podcast episodes/month for 90 days. 

You can always upgrade the paid plan if you need to upload more than 2 hours of podcast. Even though the paid pricing plan starts at $12/month, giving the ability to upload 3 hours of podcast episodes /per month.

When you upgrade to their paid podcast hosting plan, you get $20 amazon gift card. Don’t like the hourly-based pricing model; check out Transistor. FM. 

Transistor

Transistor is the best podcast hosting platform for brands. Companies like 

IBM, the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, and the NHL’s Golden Knights use Transistor podcast Hosting platform to host their podcast. They made podcast distribution simple and easier. Right from the dashboard,you can easily submit your podcast to apple podcasts, google podcasts, Spotify and more.

There is no free plan available to try this platform free of cost. The paid pricing plan starts at 19 /months.

Spreaker

Want to monetize your podcast fast? Then You should host your podcast with Spreaker. They are the one-stop-shop for podcast hosting, creation, distribution, and monetization. 

You can sign for their free plan and upload max 10 podcast episodes . The paid pricing plan starts at $8/month.

Upload Your 1st Podcast Episode

After you have recorded your first podcast episodes, the next step is upload your podcast to the host. Buzzsprout made the podcat uploading process simple and easier. Simply sign up for their free plan, and add some basic information about your podcast, such as-podcast name, podcast description, and podcast cover art. Visit the dashboard and click on the Upload a New Episode button and choose the file you want to host.

The next step is adding some basic information about this particular podcast episode, such as-podcast episodes title, description, summary, publish date, episode # or session #, and click on publish your podcast.

Submit Your podcast To Podcast Directories

You have uploaded your first podcast episode to your host. The next step is to collect the podcast RSS feed and submit it to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast directories.

To find the podcast RSS feed, visit the directories tab under the Buzzsprout dashboard and sign on to the podcast RSS feed section. You will see Buzzsprout created a unique podcast RSS feed for you like this one;https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1976616.rss.Now its time to copy the RSS feed and click on the directories section; you will they listed all the podcast directories in this tab along with a [submit to +podcast directory+get listed button]. Visit all the links to paste the RSS feed and submit it to all podcast listening apps.

Promote Your Show:

Buzzsrpout already has a social sharing button to share your podcast episodes with the world.Plus, there are other tools available to create a short form of your podcast to share on different social media platforms.

Headliner.com is the best tool to create short forms of podcast-called podcast audiograms to share on the internet.

Wavve is another excellent alternative to headliner.com for creating podcast audiograms.

Quick note:. The best way to promote your show is to create your own podcast website, write articles on it, and rank on a search engine like Google.