Eight questions you should answer before starting a podcast

Eight questions you should answer before starting a podcast

Starting a podcast offers a unique platform to connect with a global audience. However, diving into the world of podcasting requires more than just a microphone, a few hours and a topic. To set yourself and team up for success, it's crucial to reflect on some essential questions that can guide your process. In this post, we'll explore the eight key questions you should answer before starting a podcast for your brand or business, helping you lay a solid foundation and ensuring your podcast stands out in the digital landscape.

If you’re considering hiring production services to create a podcast, start by answering the next eight questions.  

1.How much time do you have to invest?

The time investment required to produce a podcast can vary depending on various factors such as the complexity of your project, your level of experience, and the extent of research needed. Evaluate your own resources, including time commitments for recording, editing, and promoting your podcast. 

2.How much effort do you want to put into the podcast?

Determining the level of effort you want to dedicate to your podcast is a critical step in the planning process. Are you aiming for a casual passion project or a professional production? Will you be managing every aspect of the podcast yourself, or do you plan to delegate tasks to a team? Consider the time and energy required for content creation, recording, editing, and promotion. Are you willing to invest significant effort into building a loyal audience, engaging with listeners, and continuously improving your podcast's quality? Additionally, think about your long-term commitment to the podcast. Are you prepared to invest the necessary effort to sustain it over time, or is it a short-term project? 

3.How many internal staffers do you have to spare?

Brands often have internal marketing teams who support their creative efforts internally while partnering with production companies or agencies on bigger projects. Or if you’re running a business, you may have dedicated staff members assigned to content or marketing who could help with this new podcast. How many of these staffers are available? If your team is already at capacity or you’re a solopreneur then you need to consider that a podcast will require your constant time and attention, how much time do you have to spare each week? If it’s less than 10 hours you definitely need to hire a producer to take on the bulk of the work. 

4.What is the level of production you are looking for?

Determining the level of production you're aiming for in your podcast is crucial for budgeting effectively. Are you envisioning a polished, highly-produced show with professional sound quality, intricate editing, and immersive storytelling elements? If so, you'll need to work with experienced producers, audio engineers, editors, and possibly even script writers or voice actors. Maybe you want to create a video interview podcast where you host different people each episode. For this you will need tech support as well as research, production and editing. If you're leaning towards a more casual, conversational audio-only show between two regular hosts, you might be comfortable with minimal production. In this case, your budget may focus more on investing in quality recording equipment and post production (editing) services. Consider your target audience, content goals, and the overall vibe you want to convey. 

5.How far along are you in the development of your podcast?

When it comes to podcast budgeting, understanding your current stage of development is crucial for making informed financial decisions. Are you just starting out with an idea but need to work through strategy and concept? Or have you already launched your podcast and are now looking to refine and expand your production? Assessing your progress in the development process will help you determine which budgetary considerations are most relevant to your situation. For those in the early stages, budgeting may involve allocating resources for essential equipment, hosting services, and initial marketing efforts to build awareness. Alternatively, if you've already launched your podcast, you may be looking to invest in upgrades to enhance audio quality, expand your reach through targeted advertising or collaborations, or explore monetization opportunities. 

6.What are your goals for the podcast?

Defining your goals for the podcast is a fundamental aspect of budgeting effectively. Consider what you hope to achieve with your podcast—is it to entertain, educate, inspire, or inform your audience? Are you aiming to grow a loyal listener base, generate revenue through sponsorships or advertising, or establish your brand as an authority? Identifying your goals will help you determine where to allocate your budgetary resources. For example, if your primary goal is audience growth, you might prioritize marketing and promotional efforts. If revenue generation is your focus, you might invest in monetization strategies such as sponsorships or merchandise sales. Additionally, consider your long-term goals for the podcast—are you looking to launch additional shows, expand into live events, or collaborate with other creators? By clarifying your goals upfront, you can tailor your budget to support your podcasting objectives and maximize your chances of success.

7.What are your expectations for the podcast?

These expectations serve as the guiding light that shapes every financial decision you make, ensuring your resources are allocated in a manner that aligns with your overarching goals. Consider what you envision for your podcast—are you aiming for widespread popularity and acclaim, or is your goal more modest, focusing on cultivating a dedicated niche audience? Do you envision a highly-polished show with intricate editing and sound design, or are you comfortable with a more casual, conversational format? Another thing that helps is finding shows that you would like to emulate and use them as examples for a producer to help you build that budget. 

8.Do you want to record video so your podcast can be watched on YouTube? 

The term podcasting has evolved over recent years to include video shows people make and publish on YouTube. Gone are the days when a podcast exclusively lived in the audio format, therefore as content creators, we now have the option to record video episodes for our podcasts that can be published for different types of audiences. This requires extra work, but it doesn’t always have to be expensive. The levels of complexity, style and format will impact the cost of adding video to your podcast. 

Now you’re ready for the next step and create a budget for your podcast.

Hi, I’m Maribel! If you landed here it’s because you are probably someone who values knowledge and experience. My team and I offer full-service production services for people and brands who want to create engaging content. You can learn more about me and check out our recent projects here, or you can contact us here.