Podcasts are all the rage right now. From celebrities to small businesses, it seems like everyone is starting a podcast. No matter your niche, podcasts are an incredible way to gain visibility, flex your expertise, and attract more business.

So, if podcasts are great for business, why doesn’t everyone have one? The reality is that people don’t know where to start. There are many steps involved in launching a podcast, and without the proper knowledge, the process can be murky.

However, with the right plan, it’s not only possible to launch a podcast, but it’s possible to launch a podcast quickly. Keep reading to learn how to launch a podcast in 6 weeks or less.

Week 1: Figure out what type of podcast you want

• Create your goals
• Decide what you’ll be talking about
• Figure out the format: i.e., solo episodes, guests, short or long form, or a combination

First, you need to decide what type of podcast you want to have. Will you have solo episodes or guests? Is the podcast short form, long form, or a combination? These are all things you need to know from the start. To best figure out what type of podcast you want to have, figure out your target audience. For instance, an audience of college students will want to listen to a different type of podcast than parents of teenagers.

Another important step to take during week 1 is to identify your goals. Create a goal-setting spreadsheet and write them down. You can split them into months, quarters, or whatever works best for you and your business. This will also help to measure success and make adjustments moving forward.

Week 2: Name your podcast and create a podcast brief

• Name your podcast
• Create a podcast brief
• Pitch to ideal guests
• Set up your website & social media accounts

Get ready to name your podcast! Naming can be tricky and might take more time than expected, so start brainstorming and see what sticks. Next, create a podcast brief, or a summary of your podcast. Reach out to your ideal guests, using your podcast brief to grab their attention. Finally, set up your website and social media accounts.

Week 3: Record a teaser and three episodes

• Record and edit a teaser and three episodes

Now that you have laid the groundwork, it’s time to record! While recording, let what you have to say flow naturally. You can always edit what you don’t like. Record at least three episodes; this will give you enough content to edit a teaser. After three episodes, you will also have insight into how long it takes to record each episode and what to expect during the recording process overall. The most important thing to remember during the recording stage is to have fun! If your listeners can tell you’re enjoying yourself speaking, they will enjoy listening!

Week 4: Set up your podcast hosting platforms

• Choose your podcast hosting platform
• Submit to various hosts

There are multiple platforms where you can host your podcast. Some popular examples include Spotify, Apple Music, Player FM, Google Podcasts, and Sticher, to name just a few. The more platforms your podcast is on, the more discoverable your podcast will be.

Week 5: Write show notes, set up social media posts, and launch!

• Write out show notes and transcripts
• Launch your podcast
• Set up audiograms and social media posts

It’s launch week! Write your show notes and transcripts, then upload your podcasts to your selected hosting platforms. Additionally, pull content from different episodes to set up audiograms and social media posts. The more content you grab, the easier it will be to promote your podcast later. Finally, it’s time to launch your podcast!

Week 6: Promote! Promote! Promote!

• Promote your podcast

Congratulations; you’ve launched your podcast! Now that it’s live, this is the time to promote, promote, promote. Promotion for your podcast can occur via social media, your email newsletter, and anywhere else you have a following.

Following this checklist will give you the steps to launch a podcast in 6 weeks or less. It will be a fast-paced few weeks, but it’s more than possible. Are you looking for more help launching your podcast? Sign up for a free discovery call to see how we can help run your business.