Podcasting has grown from a niche hobby to a popular medium. In fact, there are over 3.5 million podcasts available, and around 55 percent of the US population listens to a podcast on a monthly basis. So, it’s understandable that you’d want to join this growing community, but how do you get started?
This guide on podcasting for beginners will walk you through everything, from choosing your topic and recording your first episode to publishing and promoting your show. Whether you want to share your ideas, build a brand, or connect with like-minded individuals, you’ll be able to get your voice out into the world.
So, here are the podcast basics you need to know, along with advanced tips to help you grow your show.
What Is Podcasting?
Podcasting is a form of digital audio broadcasting. Think of it like on-demand radio, but with more advanced planning and well-researched subjects.
Typically, creators produce audio episodes centered around a specific theme or topic. Listeners can subscribe to a podcast and stream episodes through platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music.
Podcasting is a powerful platform for storytelling, teaching, and marketing. It also helps you build relationships with your audience. Listeners get to know your voice, your ideas, and your personality.
One of the reasons podcasting has become so popular among creators is that it’s accessible. You don’t need a professional studio or expensive gear to get started. With just a basic microphone, free editing software, and a quiet room, you can create high-quality audio content.
Moreover, it gives you a lot of flexibility. For instance, you can release episodes on your schedule, experiment with different formats (Q&As, guest interviews, etc), and adapt your style as you grow.
What’s New for Beginners in 2025
Before you record, it helps to understand a few shifts shaping podcasting in 2025:
- AI assistance: Creators use AI to draft outlines, suggest titles, clean audio, generate transcripts, and personalize recommendations. Treat AI as an assistant, not a replacement for your voice.
- Video-first options: Many shows publish an audio feed and a video version on platforms like YouTube and YouTube Music. If you have the capacity, video boosts discovery and clips for social.
- Micro-episodes: Short, niche episodes under 10 minutes work well for busy listeners. Consider a mix of shorts and deeper dives.
- Live and interactive: Live streams, listener Q&As, and community spaces help build loyalty.
- Subscriptions and memberships: Premium feeds, ad-free versions, bonus episodes, and community perks are becoming common even for smaller shows.
The fundamentals below still apply. These trends simply expand your options.
Podcast Basics: What You Need to Get Started
Before we look at how to create your podcast, let’s discuss some prerequisites.
Choosing a Topic and Format
Your podcast should have a clear and focused concept. When choosing your topic, think about subjects you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in.
You’ll also want to consider your audience. What are they interested in? What problems can you help them solve?
So, try to align your personal interests with listener demand.
Once you decide on a topic or niche, you’ll need to choose your format. Some beginners prefer solo episodes, where they speak directly to the audience, but you might also opt for interviews, co-hosted shows, or narrative storytelling.
Each format has its pros and cons, so choose the option that you’re most comfortable with. Ideally, the format will complement your strengths and fit the tone of your show.
Decide early whether you’ll publish audio-only or audio plus video. Video can increase reach, but it adds production time. You can also test micro-episodes alongside longer episodes to learn what your audience prefers.
Branding Your Podcast: Name, Cover Art, and Description
Your podcast’s name is often the first impression you’ll make. So, it should be descriptive, memorable, and aligned with your topic. Try to include a relevant keyword (like “finance”, “comedy”, or “parenting”) so that listeners will immediately know what your podcast is about.
Your podcast artwork is also important. This is what appears in directories and on social media, so you’ll want to design a cover that stands out at thumbnail size.
You’ll also need a well-crafted podcast description that explains what your show is about, who it’s for, and what listeners can expect.
Together, these elements help you create a strong brand identity that attracts the right audience.
Starting a Podcast 101: From Recording to Publishing
Next in this podcasting for beginners guide, let’s look at how to produce and publish your podcast episodes.
Planning Your First Episodes
It’s worth spending some time mapping out your first few episodes. Create outlines for the topics you want to cover, jot down key talking points, and decide on an episode length.
As a beginner, 20–30 minute episodes are a good starting point. This is long enough to provide value, but short enough to keep the editing manageable. Once you get the hang of things, you can start producing longer episodes. You can also test 5–10 minute micro-episodes to validate ideas quickly.
You might also consider scripting your episodes. This will help you stay focused and reduce rambling.
Recording Your Podcast
You’re likely wondering what recording equipment you’ll need. Well, a quality USB microphone can deliver excellent audio without requiring a complicated setup. Plug it into your computer, then open a recording program like Audacity (Windows) or GarageBand (Mac), and you’re ready to go.
It’s important that you choose a quiet, echo-free space to record your episodes.
Editing Your Audio
Once you’ve recorded your episode, you’ll need to clean it up. Editing can feel daunting, but basic tools like Audacity make the process easier for total beginners. AI-powered helpers can reduce noise, remove filler words, and generate transcripts to speed up your workflow.
Focus on removing long pauses, filler words, or mistakes. You might also add intro music or transition sounds to make your show more interesting.
Keep in mind that your goal is clarity, not perfection. Some background noise or verbal quirks are fine, and they make you more relatable!
Publishing and Hosting
Now, it’s time to upload and share your podcast. To do this, you’ll need to use a podcast hosting platform.
This is where your audio files are stored and your RSS feed is generated. Popular beginner-friendly hosts include Beamly, Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Spotify for Creators.
These hosts handle distribution for you, so that episodes will appear on all major directories. After uploading your episode and writing show notes, you can submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.
Add transcripts, show notes, and chapters
Transcripts improve accessibility and SEO. Show notes help listeners skim key takeaways and links. Chapters make longer episodes easier to navigate. See: How to create a podcast transcript and how to create great podcast show notes.
Podcast website
It’s also important to create a website for your podcast. While directories help people find your episodes, a dedicated podcast website gives you full control over your brand. It lets you publish show notes, add blog content, capture emails, and offer bonus material.
-More importantly, it helps your podcast get indexed by search engines, leading to more visibility and listeners.
More importantly, it helps your podcast get indexed by search engines like Google, leading to more visibility and listeners.
With Beamly.com, you can easily create a professional podcast website without design or coding skills. Beamly automatically syncs your podcast feed with your site, includes a customizable audio player, AI tools for transcripts and SEO, and built-in memberships for premium content with 0% platform fees. It also supports multi-show sites if you plan to run more than one podcast.
Promoting Your Podcast
To build a listener base, tell the world about the podcast. Start by sharing new episodes on social media with short clips and clear takeaways. Ask early listeners to leave reviews and ratings in their app of choice. This boosts visibility in search and recommendation algorithms.
Consider cross-promotions with similar shows, guest swaps, and audience surveys to uncover new topics. Participate in online communities related to your niche and bring value first. For video shows, publish highlights as vertical clips. Consistency is the biggest growth lever.
If you want a step-by-step plan, read: Podcast marketing strategy and use social media to grow your podcast.
Starter launch checklist
- Define your listener and value proposition.
- Choose a format, episode length, and publishing cadence.
- Record a trailer and 3 to 5 episodes as a buffer.
- Edit for clarity and loudness consistency; add music and chapters.
- Design your cover art and write your show description.
- Connect to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.
- Create your website and publish show notes and transcripts.
- Announce the launch to your email list and social channels.
- Invite feedback and iterate.
Monetization basics for beginners
You don’t need a massive audience to start earning. Begin with donations or affiliate links, then explore sponsorships, premium feeds, or memberships. With Beamly, you can offer free sign-ups and paid memberships on your site to deliver bonus episodes, ad-free listening, or community access while keeping 100 percent of your subscription revenue aside from standard payment processing fees.
Conclusion
As a creator, business owner, or industry expert, starting a podcast can help you build strong relationships with your audience. Choose a focused topic, pick a format you can sustain, and start simple. Add transcripts and show notes for accessibility and discovery, publish consistently, and give listeners a home base with a website you control.
Ready to launch? Create your podcast and website with Beamly and use the free trial to get up and running fast.
