Let’s launch your podcast! Learn the basics in this article that covers these topics:
- Podcasting “one hit wonder”? No way!
- The foundation of every great podcast: planning
- How to execute your podcast pre-launch
- Launch Day!
- What to do post-launch
- Why podcasting is a smart strategy for you
Starting a podcast is an exciting opportunity for you to share a passion for your topic and your unique expertise with a wide audience. Realistically, a lot more goes into a successful podcast than just a great idea. Think of the whole podcasting process as a marathon that starts with a sprint…
Don’t Be a (Podcasting) One-Hit Wonder!
Typically, you only launch once, so the aim is to make the biggest impact possible. After all, you don’t want to be a “one hit wonder”! Your goal should be to attract and “hook” the right audience that will keep coming back (and share your great podcast with their friends and colleagues).
Every podcast requires careful planning and execution. We’ll walk you through the essential steps to launching a podcast below.
Of course, everything is done with an eye on who your ideal audience is and what the purpose of your podcast will be.
Podcast Pre-Launch Planning: The Basics
1. Equipment & Set-Up
What’s the foundation of a great podcast? If you said high-quality equipment and a conducive recording environment, you’re right!
- Invest in a good microphone to ensure clear audio.
- Including video? Consider setting up a studio with good soundproofing and appealing aesthetics.
2. Technical Planning
Decide on the technical aspects of your podcast:
- Recording Method: Will your podcast be audio-only, or also feature video?
- Format: Will you be conducting interviews with others, going solo, or a mix of both?
- Episode Frequency and Length: Determine how often you’ll release episodes and what their typical length will be.
To give your podcast the best chance of reaching a wide audience, set up your podcast on various directories, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, and Bullhorn. Also think about creating a YouTube channel and a dedicated website or landing page for your podcast.
3. Production & Creative Aspects
Don’t leave out the creative elements of your podcast:
- Intro & Outro: Choose music and voiceovers for your podcast’s introduction and conclusion.
- Transcripts or Show Notes: Offering these can enhance accessibility and benefit SEO.
- Editing: Choose whether you’ll edit the episodes yourself using software, or hire a professional.
- Artwork: Create compelling channel and episode artwork to attract potential listeners.
Execute Your Podcast Pre-Launch 
Now that you’ve got clarity on the many details, it’s time to prepare for your official podcast launch. Once you’ve answered all the questions above, we suggest that you pre-record at least 3 episodes before an official launch.
Countdown! Before the Launch
Planning your podcast launch is similar to planning the podcast itself. Focus on strategically creating an experience that will captivate your ideal audience from the very start.
For a deep dive, we recommend our article: Ready, Set, LAUNCH! The Blueprint Every Coach Needs.
- Consider kicking off with a trailer audio or video.
- Review your episode schedule – which episodes will make the best impact early on in your podcast promotions?
- Will you launch with 1 (or more) episodes already live, so that your new audience has a few topics to choose from?
- Rev up your audience with teaser posts. They can start 2 weeks before your big launch day.
- Mention exciting guests or engaging topics.
- Hint at branding or the meaning & purpose of your podcast.
Have all your promotional content ready for use by you and any guests well in advance, including: social media posts, email announcements, and any content that your guests might share.
Finally, it’s Here! Launch Day!
On the day of the launch, clear your schedule. You can pre-schedule announcements; just be sure to also actively engage with potential listeners through social media, emails, and direct messages.
Remember these 6 essentials:
- Send out email and social media announcements
- Consider a few paid social media ads
- Share details in social media groups
- Invite listeners via social media messages
- Thank guests for their involvement!
What to do After Your Podcast Launches
- Remember, Say Thanks! Publicly thank guests & anyone who helped promote the launch.
- Share highlights from the launch, like feedback or testimonials, and stats/#’s to keep up momentum.
- Tease about upcoming episodes to keep engagement fresh and active.
Sustain your podcast’s growth with ongoing promos:
- Announce each new episode via email and social.
- Tag each guest in episode posts.
- Publish each episode with a transcript or show notes on your website and YouTube, in addition to all the podcast directories.
- Choose hot topics to occasionally send advertising traffic to, for increased visibility.
Podcasting is a Powerful Strategy
By now, you can see how true our analogy was: that a podcast is a marathon that begins with a sprint. The goal is not only to make a significant initial impact, but also to attract and retain a loyal audience.
Done right, a podcast is a powerful strategy that can help deepen engagement with your audience, build your brand, and even monetize your content.
With thoughtful planning and smart execution, you can establish a strong foundation for long-term success.
For more detailed information on podcasting and launching strategies, check out our previous posts on how to start your own podcast, launch planning and strategic launch sequence.
From expert tips and step-by-step guidance to full podcast launch support, we’ve got you covered! Schedule a complimentary consultation today to see how we can make your podcast dreams a reality.
