Launching a Podcast? Here’s What to Know Before You Hit Record
So, you’re ready to start a podcast—maybe you’re passionate about a niche topic, looking to build a personal brand, or just love talking with people. Whatever the reason, starting a podcast is a powerful way to reach audiences and share your voice. But before you jump in, there are a few things to know to make your show a success right from the start.
At The 80s and 90s Uncensored, we’ve seen our share of podcasting wins and hurdles. Here’s what we’ve learned from producing over 200 episodes to help you avoid some common mistakes and kick off a podcast with purpose.
1. Define Your “Why” and Find Your Niche
What’s the purpose of your podcast? Take time to answer this question. When we started The 80s and 90s Uncensored, our aim was to explore and celebrate the culture of those decades while sharing our unique perspective as co-hosts and friends. By narrowing your focus to a specific theme, you’re more likely to attract listeners who share a similar interest and keep coming back for more.
While it can be tempting to dive into a "talk-about-anything" style podcast, unless you have unique celebrity status or a professional-level knack for humor (and, let’s be honest, most of us have neither), an open-form, "everything and nothing" podcast can be hard to make compelling. For most people, especially those starting out, a focused approach is the best way to gain traction.
Listeners seek podcasts for specific reasons—maybe they want to learn something new, dive into a shared interest, or escape with engaging stories. So, if your concept is just “two dudes with beers talking about whatever comes to mind,” you may be better off heading to a tavern and sparing yourself the time and effort of podcasting. After all, without a clear focus, your only audience might be…well, you!
Instead, start with a specific theme or unique angle that can grow over time. Narrowing in on a particular interest or perspective gives you the best shot at building a dedicated listener base and creating a show worth tuning in to.
Action Tip: Write down your main goal and niche topic. Whenever you feel off-track, come back to this purpose to keep your content focused.
2. Plan Out Your Episodes (But Stay Flexible)
Planning is key to creating great podcast episodes, especially if you’re just starting out. Outlining your episodes in advance—knowing the key points, segments, or stories you want to discuss—will help your recording process go smoothly. Researching beforehand also builds your credibility and gives you the confidence to speak naturally about your topic.
On The 80s and 90s Uncensored, we dive deep into iconic cultural moments, balancing structure with spontaneous conversation. This blend keeps our episodes fresh and engaging. In fact, we often spend twice as long researching as we do recording. For us, the prep work is part of the fun, allowing us to learn new things and become amateur experts on each topic.
Action Tip: Create a rough episode outline, or “roadmap,” with main points and questions. This will keep you focused and ensure you cover everything without sticking rigidly to a script.
3. Invest in Good Audio Quality (But Don’t Go Overboard)
Audio quality is essential in podcasting, but you don’t need a high-end studio to start. Many new podcasters make the mistake of overinvesting in equipment before they even know the direction of their show. Begin with a good, affordable microphone and pick up some basic editing skills to elevate your sound quality without a major upfront cost.
When we launched The 80s and 90s Uncensored, I used my son’s Xbox microphone—a decision both he and I still regret! Those early episodes suffer from poor sound quality, and if I’d listened to Milo sooner, I’d have gotten a decent mic right away. Eventually, I bought a Tonor USB podcast microphone for around $35, and it was absolutely worth it. If you’re serious about podcasting, a small investment like this makes all the difference.
Action Tip: Start with an affordable, high-quality microphone and try editing software like Audacity (free) or GarageBand (Mac) to enhance your audio.
4. Edit Thoughtfully—But Don’t Overdo It
Editing is crucial for making your podcast sound professional, but it can easily turn into a time sink. Strive for a natural feel instead of perfection; small stumbles and laughs add authenticity, while over-editing can strip away the human touch.
On The 80s and 90s Uncensored, we focus on editing for clarity and pacing, while keeping in the natural exchanges that bring out our personalities. Let’s face it, anyone trying to edit out all my quirks would need a full-time job! These genuine interactions are part of what makes our show fun and relatable. Listeners value authenticity, so find a balance that reflects your style.
Action Tip: During editing, focus on removing dead air, loud breaths, and background noise rather than trying to make it flawless.
This tutorial by Milo Denison from Forty Frames Learning will walk you through how to edit a podcast in Audacity from importing to exporting the final export.
5. Establish a Release Schedule You Can Stick To
Consistency is key to podcasting success. Decide on a realistic publishing schedule that you can maintain based on your capacity to record, edit, and promote. It’s better to start with a manageable monthly or biweekly release than to burn out with a weekly schedule from the start.
On The 80s and 90s Uncensored, we’ve built trust with our audience by sticking to a regular schedule. Our episodes, each around 25 minutes (the length of a classic sitcom), drop every Monday morning—and have for almost four years. Our listeners know they can count on that Monday time with us, and it’s been essential in building a loyal following.
Action Tip: Choose a schedule that fits your lifestyle. Once you’ve found your rhythm with a few episodes, you can always adjust your frequency if needed.
Check out this Apple Podcast review of a listener who appreciates our consistency and staying on topic.
6. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Promotion
Even the best podcast content needs promotion to reach its audience. Share your episodes on social media, in relevant communities, and encourage your guests to help spread the word. At Fervorfish, we guide new podcasters with promotion strategies beyond simple links, such as soundbites, teaser videos, and active community engagement to maximize visibility.
Having a dedicated website with a custom URL is also invaluable. Many podcast platforms like Podbean and Buzzsprout offer built-in website options, or you can use platforms like Squarespace, which also supports podcast distribution. A website allows you to build your brand and attract listeners through blog posts and SEO. Our site, the80sand90s.com, features articles on 80s and 90s nostalgia, introducing readers to our podcast along the way.
Action Tip: Create short, shareable clips or quotes from your episodes, and post them across social channels to spark interest and attract new listeners.
Channel trailer for The 80s and 90s Overlooked, our show for movie reviews from the 80s and 90s that you might have overlooked.
7. Connect with Other Podcasters
One of the best ways to grow in podcasting is by collaborating with other hosts. Networking and guesting on other podcasts can introduce you to new audiences and help build valuable relationships within the podcasting community. On The 80s and 90s Uncensored, we love collaborating with other retro and nostalgia podcasts, which opens doors for cross-promotion and adds fresh voices and perspectives to our content.
We’ve especially enjoyed working with podcasters like Amy from The Pop Culture Retrospective Podcast and Katie from Retromade. These collaborations have helped foster a retro-nostalgia podcast community—a kind of informal podcast network that’s all about shared fun and mutual support.
Also, check out podcast meet-ups or events in your area. They’re an enjoyable way to connect with other podcasters, often held in fun places like breweries.
Action Tip: Join podcasting communities (like Pod Chums) to find others with similar interests. Seek guest spots or invite others on your show for mutual promotion.
Check out these fun pics of Milo and Jamie at a podcasting event in Seattle. They got to drink beer and hang with other podcasters. Jamie won headphones in a raffle!
8. Embrace Authenticity and Keep Improving
Your first episodes might not be perfect, and that’s okay. Podcasting is a skill you’ll build over time. Embrace the learning process, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and always look for ways to improve. Podcasting is about connecting with your audience, so let your authentic self come through and have fun with the process. Ultimately, that’s the most important thing about podcasting: Having fun!
Starting a podcast is exciting and challenging, but with preparation and purpose, you can create something meaningful. If you’re ready to take the plunge, remember these tips to help make your podcast journey smoother and more successful. And if you’re looking for support with production or promotion, reach out to Fervorfish—we’re here to help you bring your podcast vision to life!
