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Back to Basics: 5 Key Fundamentals of Podcasting in 2022

Since the 1980s, when the first inklings of a podcast-like broadcast came into being, to 2004, when the first official podcast was created, to 2022, with over 2.4 million podcasts in production, the key fundamentals of podcasting have shifted and formed the basics you need to make your own podcast.

The practice of podcasting has blossomed in recent years, taking the world through 2020 and beyond as people sought new ways to interact with the world and each other. Some of the fundamental needs for podcast production even shifted, as people learned to produce podcasts from their homes.

Though the podcast boom has settled, and the number of new podcasts is settling back to a steady rate, there are still new podcasts starting up, and the business of starting a podcast is something to consider for any and every brand. For anyone looking to start their own podcast in 2022, we’ll walk through the revised fundamental needs to create a podcast and find success in 2022.

2022 Podcast Predictions

In March of 2022, Conal Byrne, the CEO of iHeartMedia, wrote a piece for Forbes on four podcast predictions for 2022. Those predictions were:

The internet, in its entirety, will become a podcast

Podcasters will experiment with digital video, without losing the root of importance in radio-style podcasts

The discovery of podcasts will continue to grow, with new voices finding their place

The podcast industry will take a direct approach to tackle underrepresentation

There’s no doubt about it, these four predictions are in different stages of coming true. Altogether, they show the consistent need for new voices to break into and grow the podcast industry.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start your podcast, stop waiting. Jump in. Podcasts are a way to amplify imported voices and stories, and make the media landscape an accurate reflection of community and culture. But what do you need to join that landscape?

5 Key Podcasting Needs

The key fundamentals of podcasting cover a range of product needs, business plans, and plans for the podcast itself. You could have all the best equipment, but without the plan and a goal in mind, you won’t have the building blocks of a great podcast. Of course on the other side of that, you could have the best podcast plan, but without some rudimentary equipment you won’t get very far. The best-laid podcast plans involve a balance between the different needs.

Among these five fundamental podcasting needs, there’s a mix of mental planning, physical purchases, and podcast subject matter. While the specifics within these fundamental needs have shifted through the evolution of podcasting, the basic need for these facets has remained. Each one will also mean something slightly different for your podcast goals, but you’ll find some variation of these needs showing up in your plan.

5. A Business Plan

Every business needs a business plan. Even if you start a podcast without the express desire to turn it into a business, having a structured plan for where you want to go with your podcast will be helpful. Whether you’re crafting a business or not, the general structure of a business plan will give you guidance along the way, and prepare you for a potential podcast business in the future.

The basic needs of a business plan for podcasting include:

A general overview of what your podcast will focus on and how you will craft it

Market research on your podcast competitors, and what they have been doing that works well

A map of your target audience

A budget, covering financial needs and the time you’ll need to spend on your podcast

An employee and partner overview, covering anyone you’ll be working with

A general marketing plan

A publishing schedule, including social media publishing plans

Potential monetization methods and financial goals

While your podcast will fit each of those categories in a different way, you’ll find applicable information within each of them. The upcoming four fundamentals fit within those different business plan categories.

4. Editing Plans

Figuring out your editing plans will keep you moving after you’ve planned your podcast topic and mapped out the first episode. Editing is where the software and tech side of the podcast industry comes into play. It’s also one of the first areas where you’ll need to decide how much of the editing work you want to do, versus the outsourcing you will want to invest in.

If you want to do your own editing, you can use programs ranging from Adobe to GarageBand to put your podcast together. When you search for podcasting editing software, the options are limited only by how much you’d like to spend.

There is, however, another option. If you want a human element to your podcast production, without having to sort out all the editing plans yourself, reach out to the Mr. Thrive team. Our production services will cover your podcast needs, to free you up to plan your podcast and leave your production needs to us.

3. Branding Basics

A branding and marketing plan is your tool to share the topic of your podcast with as wide of an audience as possible. Your brand and marketing plan will take shape in your business plan, and as you build your podcast, be sure to keep your brand in mind with everything you do. Brand consistency is key to finding your target audience and building that audience into a community.

To build your brand and work with a marketing plan, some plans and community placement spaces to keep in mind are:

Social media, through posts and discussions with your community in comments

Word of mouth marketing, which is consistently one of the most effective ways to spread your brand

Paid advertising, which can give you a leg up as you build your marketing plan

Of course, working with Mr. Thrive, and making use of our multi-media approach to marketing will help you work with all these plans in a cohesive, progressive manner. You can lean on our agency’s experience to build your brand with ease.

2. Recording Equipment

Your recording equipment, and general production equipment, will be one of your main upfront financial costs. When you first start researching different items, you might wonder if you can afford to use cheaper options. While it may work for a while, in the long run, you’ll be better off investing in high-quality gear. Spending more upfront will lead to fewer unplanned expenses later on.

Some of the basic equipment you’ll need includes:

A computer

An XLR or USB microphone

A mixer

A pop filter or windscreen

A microphone stand

High-quality headphones

Acoustic treatments

A podcast hosting provider

Recording and editing software

With those items, you’ll be well-situated to start your podcast. When you shop online or head to your local tech store, you’ll see a range of price options for these items. We can’t stress it enough, spending a bit more in the beginning will save you time, money, and frustrations in the long run.

1. Your Chosen Topic

Of all the plans, items, and ideas you’ll gather for your podcast, your chosen topic is the one fundamental that brings it all together. It’s the most important place to start, to have an idea of where your podcast will go.

Your topic may change over time, and you may even find your podcasting changing to be about a completely different subject. That’s completely fine, as long as you plan any changes in detail, and stay consistent in every way you can.

You might find that a podcast produced in seasons, with different but related subjects for each season. Wherever your podcast takes you, starting with a topic you feel passionate about will lead you in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fundamentals of Podcasting

Starting a podcast can feel like quite a leap of faith. Even with the right equipment, a solid business plan, and a firm decision on the theme and topic you will cover, there’s a lot you might still have questions on. We dove into some frequently asked questions on starting a podcast. Our answers will prepare you even further to take the leap.

What Makes an Effective Podcast?

A podcast is made effective by a compelling topic and a passionate, enthusiastic host. Either of those two factors can make for a great podcast, but it’s when you combine them that you really find podcast magic. A passionate project that draws listeners in is the key force behind successful podcasts.

h4>What is the Structure of a Podcast?

The general structure of a podcast is an introduction, a body of conversation, facts, and discussion, and an outro to wrap up the conversation. In many ways, creating a podcast is similar to telling a story. The main difference is that a podcast can be an open conversation, with opportunities for the story to reflect the views of guests and audience members.

What Should a Podcast Contain?

A podcast should contain, overall and in each episode, something compelling that makes listeners want to know more. Whether a podcast is educational, based on opinions, a fictional ongoing story, or anything else you dream up, the most important factor is the drive to keep listening week after week, episode after episode.
Podcasting Fundamentals: Two Peas in a Podcast

Following the fundamentals of podcasting can help take your podcast idea from a future plan to today’s business. Mr. Thrive can help you along the way. With our agency of vocal talent, marketing experts, and podcast-producing pros, we can help you build the podcast you’ve been dreaming of. Contact us today to get started.

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