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Should You Start Your Own Podcast?

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Podcasts have replaced radio for most people under 40. You probably listen to a few yourself. And maybe you've wondered if you should start one.

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Here's the reality: 464 million people listen to podcasts worldwide. The industry is worth over $4 billion. But there are also $3 million podcasts competing for attention, and 80% of them die before episode 10. Most creators quit before they see any results.

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So what separates the podcasts that survive from the ones that don't? It's not expensive equipment or a big marketing budget. It comes down to five things: genuine interest, consistent commitment, social media presence, basic tech skills, and having something worth saying.

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This blog post breaks down each one. By the end, you'll know if you're ready to start your own podcast.

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You Use Social Media

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You don't need to be an influencer. But you should be comfortable on at least one platform.

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Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube. Pick one or two that make sense for your topic and audience. To learn how to match your platform choice with your audience’s behavior, see Understanding Your Audience: Key Insights for Tailoring Your Marketing Strategy.

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Why does this matter? Because that's how most people will find your podcast. Especially at the start when you have no audience.

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Social media is free promotion. You share clips, quotes, or episode announcements. You engage with listeners. You join relevant groups and communities.

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If you hate social media or refuse to use it, podcasting becomes ten times harder.

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You Can Stick to a Schedule

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Most successful podcasts publish weekly. Some go daily. Very few make it with monthly episodes.

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Before you start, ask yourself: can I realistically produce an episode every week?

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Think about your actual life. Your job. Your family. Your other commitments. Recording is just part of it. You also need time to plan, edit, and promote each episode.

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If you can't commit to a regular schedule, you'll struggle to build an audience. Listeners want consistency. They want to know when the next episode drops.

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Missing weeks here and there is fine. Everyone has emergencies. But if you can't maintain a general rhythm, it's going to be hard to keep people interested.

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What It Actually Takes to Start Your Own Podcast

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Let's be honest about the work involved.

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Time commitment: A 30-minute episode can take 3-5 hours to produce. That includes prep, recording, editing, and publishing. Some people spend even more.

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Money: You can start cheap. A decent USB microphone costs $50-100. Free editing software exists. But quality often requires investment. Better equipment, hosting platforms, maybe a producer down the line.

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Consistency: This is where most people fail. Listeners want regular content. Weekly is standard. Can you commit to that for months, maybe years?

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The Benefits

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If you stick with it, podcasting offers real advantages.

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You build credibility in your field. People who listen to 30 minutes of your voice feel like they know you. That's powerful for business or personal branding.

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You create connections. Interviews open doors. Listeners become friends, clients, or collaborators.

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You improve your communication skills. Recording yourself forces you to articulate ideas clearly.

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The Downsides

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Growth is slow. Most podcasts take 6-12 months to build even a small audience.

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Monetization is tough. You typically need thousands of downloads per episode before sponsors care. That can take years.

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The market is crowded. Standing out requires either a unique angle or exceptional execution. Preferably both.

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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Start Your Own Podcast

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Before you buy that microphone, think through these:

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1. Do you have something specific to say? "I want to talk about business" isn't enough. "I want to interview founders who failed before they succeeded" works better.

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2. Can you commit to a schedule? Be realistic. Starting strong and disappearing after a month hurts more than never starting.

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3. Do you enjoy the process? If you hate editing audio or prepping interview questions, you'll burn out fast.

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4. Are you okay with talking to yourself at first? Because for months, your audience might be your mom and two friends.

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When It Makes Sense

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Start a podcast if:

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• You have expertise worth sharing regularly
• You're building a business and need content marketing
• You genuinely enjoy creating audio content
• You're in it for the long game
• You have stories or conversations people actually want to hear

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When It Doesn't Makes Sense

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Skip it if:

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• You're chasing quick money
• You can't commit 3+ hours weekly
• You're only doing it because "everyone has a podcast"
• You don't have a clear topic or audience
• You expect overnight success

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Want to Explore Podcasting Without the Commitment?

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Guest on other people's podcasts first. You'll learn how it works without the production burden. If you'd like to explore how we can support you, feel free to book a discovery call with our team.

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Final Thoughts

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Podcasting isn't for everyone, and that's okay. It demands time, consistency, and genuine passion for the medium. Most shows fail not because of bad content, but because creators underestimate the commitment required.

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But if you have expertise worth sharing, stories people want to hear, and the discipline to show up week after week, podcasting can be transformative. It builds authority, creates meaningful connections, and opens doors that wouldn't exist otherwise.

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The question isn't whether the podcast industry is growing - it clearly is. The question is whether you're ready to invest months or years before seeing results. Whether you can handle talking to a tiny audience while you build something bigger. Whether you genuinely enjoy the process, not just the idea of being a podcaster.

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If you answered yes to those questions, start planning your first episode. If you hesitated, maybe guest on other people's shows first. Test the waters without the full commitment. Start small. See if you like it. Adjust as you go.

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Either way, don't start a podcast because it seems easy or trendy. Start because you have something to say and the determination to see it through. That's what separates the 20% who make it past episode 10 from everyone else.

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