How to Start a Podcast Interview Show

Want to start a podcast where you interview people? It's a great time to do it! Podcasts are super popular. It’s a fantastic way to share cool talks and connect with interesting folks. This guide will walk you through it. From the very first idea to getting your podcast out there and even more. We'll make sure your podcast stands out from the crowd.

I. Setting Things Up: What's Your Podcast About?

Before you mess with microphones, you need to figure out what your podcast is really about. What's your niche? Who are you talking to? What's the big idea?

A. Finding Your Niche and Who You're Talking To

What will you talk about on your interview show? Think about what you love, what you know, and what other podcasts are already doing. Love tech? Business? Maybe something super specific like old-timey radios or growing tomatoes? Pick something specific! That way, you'll attract real fans who care about what you're saying.

Who do you want to listen? What are they into? What problems do they have? Make your podcast just for them. This makes success way more likely. If you focus, you can become the expert in that area!

B. Making a Theme and How Your Show Will Run

Your podcast's theme is the main idea that connects all your talks. Make it clear. Stick to it. Imagine your podcast is about starting a business. You could talk about:

• tough parts of starting up
• stories from people who made it
• new stuff happening in business

How will your interviews go? Will you ask questions and get answers? Maybe add fun stuff like quick questions, stories, or even questions from listeners? Try different things to see what you and your guests like best. How long should it be? Short and sweet for busy people? Or long and detailed for people who really want to learn? Stick to a format! People like knowing what to expect.

C. Naming Your Podcast and Making it Look Good

Your podcast's name is the first thing people see. Pick something:

• easy to remember
• related to what you talk about
• easy to say and spell

Don't pick something boring or confusing. Your branding is your logo, the artwork, and how everything looks. Make it professional. Make it match your podcast's vibe and who you're talking to. Maybe hire a designer to make a logo and artwork. Really important. Keep your branding the same everywhere: on your website, social media, and where people listen to your podcast.

II. Getting the Right Gear: What You'll Need

Good sound is key. Get the right stuff so your podcast sounds professional.

A. Microphones and Recording Stuff

A good microphone is the most important thing. You could get a USB mic or an XLR mic with a thing called an audio interface. USB mics are cheaper and easier to use. XLR mics sound better but are more complicated.

If your room isn't quiet, get a dynamic microphone. They don't pick up as much background noise. If you're in a quiet place, a condenser microphone is great. It picks up everything. Don't forget a microphone stand, a pop filter (to stop popping sounds), and a shock mount (to stop vibrations). These things help a lot.

B. Audio Editing Software (DAW)

You need software to edit your recordings. It's called a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Some popular ones are:

• Audacity (free!)
• GarageBand (free if you have a Mac)
• Adobe Audition (you have to pay)

Learn how to do basic editing:

• getting rid of noise
• making the sound even
• compressing the audio
• mastering (making it sound its best)

Play around with effects and stuff to make your podcast sound amazing. Most DAWs have tutorials to help you learn.

C. Podcast Hosting Platform

You need a place to store your podcast files and send them to places like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Some popular ones are:

• Libsyn
• Buzzsprout
• Podbean
• Anchor (free!)

Pick one that has enough space, doesn't cost too much, and is easy to use. Make sure it sends your podcast to all the places you want it to go. Anchor, for example, is super easy to use. But some other platforms have cooler features.

III. Making Great Interviews: How to Do It

Your interviews are what will make or break your podcast. Prepare, ask good questions, and listen!

A. Finding and Booking Guests

Find people who are good for your podcast. Research them: what they've done, what they know, and what they've said in other interviews. Ask them to be on your show! Tell them why it's good for them. Tell them what your podcast is about, how it works, and who listens. Use places like LinkedIn and Twitter to find guests. Offer them something good, like promoting their work on your podcast.

B. Writing Good Questions

Write a list of questions that will get interesting answers. Don't ask boring questions that you can just Google. Ask questions that make your guests tell stories and share their thoughts. Change your questions for each guest. Maybe send them the questions ahead of time so they can think about them.

C. Doing the Interview: Listen and Follow Up

When you're talking to your guest, really listen. Ask questions based on what they say. Don't just read from your list. Make them feel comfortable so they'll open up. Be aware of their time. Don't go over the agreed time. After the interview, thank them and send them the episode when it's ready. Share their work on your social media.

IV. Making it Sound Great: Editing and Production

Editing turns your raw recordings into a polished podcast.

A. Cleaning Up the Audio

Get rid of silences, "umms" and "ahhs," and background noise. Cut out anything that's not important. Make the audio clear and clean. Add music at the beginning and end, and maybe some sound effects. Make sure the volume is the same throughout the episode. Mastering makes your podcast sound good on all devices.

B. Adding Music and Sound Effects

Music at the beginning and end makes your podcast recognizable. Pick music that fits your podcast's vibe. Sound effects can make things more interesting. Be careful with copyright! There are lots of websites with free music and sound effects. You could even make your own music!

C. Writing Show Notes and Transcripts

Show notes are a summary of the episode with links to things mentioned. Transcripts are a written version of the episode. This makes your podcast accessible to more people. Show notes and transcripts also help people find your podcast on Google. You can hire someone to write them or use software that does it automatically.

V. Getting Your Podcast Out There: Promotion

Launching your podcast is just the beginning. You need to tell people about it!

A. Putting Your Podcast on Directories

Put your podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other places. Make sure your podcast information is correct: name, description, category, and artwork. Use keywords to help people find your podcast. Update your listing with new episodes. Each directory has its own rules for submitting. Follow them carefully!

B. Using Social Media

Make a social media account for your podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share new episodes, behind-the-scenes stuff, and interesting discussions. Use hashtags to reach more people. Talk to your listeners. Answer their questions. Maybe run ads on social media to promote your podcast. Work with other podcasters to promote each other's shows.

C. Talking to Your Listeners and Building a Community

Answer listener comments on your website, social media, and podcast directories. Ask them to leave reviews on Apple Podcasts. Make a forum or Facebook group for your listeners to talk to each other about your podcast. Do live Q&A sessions or online events. Offer special stuff to your loyal listeners.

VI. Making Money From Your Podcast: Monetization

You don't have to make money from your podcast. But it can help pay for things or even become a full-time job.

A. Getting Sponsors and Advertisers

Work with brands that fit your podcast. Offer them sponsorship spots during your episodes. Charge them based on how many people listen to your podcast. Always tell your listeners when someone is sponsoring your podcast. Offer different sponsorship options for different budgets. There are websites that can help you find sponsors.

B. Using Affiliate Marketing

Promote products that you like and that are good for your listeners. Put affiliate links in your show notes and on your website. You'll get a commission for every sale. Pick affiliate programs that pay well and track sales correctly. Tell your listeners that you're using affiliate links.

C. Selling Merchandise and Special Content

Make t-shirts, mugs, and other stuff with your podcast's logo. Sell them on your website. Offer special content, like bonus episodes or ad-free versions, to people who pay. Use websites like Patreon to manage your subscriptions.

VII. Seeing How You're Doing: Analytics

You need to see how your podcast is doing so you can make it better.

A. Checking Podcast Numbers

See how many people are downloading and listening to your podcast. Look at your audience's demographics. See where your podcast ranks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Use Google Analytics to see how many people visit your website. See which episodes are most popular and which ones aren't. Use this information to make your podcast better.

B. Getting Feedback From Listeners

Ask listeners to leave reviews on Apple Podcasts. Ask them what they think of your podcast. Do surveys to get more information. Talk to them on social media. Use their feedback to make your podcast better.

C. Changing Your Plan

Based on your numbers and listener feedback, see what you can improve. Try different formats, topics, and guests. Learn new things and stay up-to-date on what's happening in the podcasting world. Go to podcasting conferences and workshops to learn new skills.

Starting an interview podcast takes time and effort. But if you follow these steps, you can make a great podcast that people love. Be patient and enjoy the process!