how to write a business plan podcast

Read Article

How to write a podcast business plan (w/ example template), a podcast business plan outlines your show’s goals, purpose, and future direction. here’s 8 things to include when you write one, with an example template to follow..

Louise Forster

Launch a podcast & amplify your brand.

So you’ve decided to launch a podcast for your business. Great. But now what?

Well, before you jump head-first into writing your show’s first script , or setting up a flurry of social accounts for it, it’s important to put together an effective podcast business plan. Rushing the process will cause mistakes (probably not very far) down the line, so taking some time to think through your strategy, ambitions, and overall goals is key to giving your show longevity.

Below is everything you need to know about writing a podcast business plan, why you should do so, and what to include.

Podcast Production on Easy Mode? 🤔🎙️

Streamline your shows and sound professional with Cue. From concept to distribution, choose your next podcasting partner.

Why Should You Make a Podcast Business Plan?

You wouldn’t embark on a cross-country road trip without a sat nav or Google Maps to hand. Well, starting a podcast without a solid business plan isn’t a good idea either.

Your podcast business plan not only gives you direction, it also sets out all your targets, milestones, and realistic expectations.

There are many pros to putting together a podcast business plan. The main one being it’s a great way of mapping everything out. And by everything, we mean your content strategy, budget, marketing plan, and how you plan on sustaining your show in general. They’re also great learning tools, and can give you a much better understanding of your show’s target audience. So, why are you creating your podcast? And who’s your ideal listener?

Good podcasts with a business plan will have a much higher chance of being commercially successful than the ones without. Brands will be much more inclined to work with you if you can provide them with some in-depth insight into your show. That goes for securing funding, sponsorships, and partnerships.

Evo Terra, host of Podcast Pontifications , spoke to us over at Podcast.co about the importance of defining a business plan for your show. He said :

“If you expect to get thousands of listeners by simply releasing your podcast to the world, you’re going to be disappointed. So my advice is to be realistic in your expectations. You’ll need to engage in traditional content marketing tactics to build and grow your audience. It’s all in the detail, and the planning.”

8 Things to Include in Your Podcast Business Plan

Ready to put pen to paper? We’ve pulled out 8 elements that every good podcast business plan should include. Remember the more personalised your plan is, the better.

1. An Overview of Your Podcast

Start by noting down what your show’s about, the idea behind it, and what value you think it’ll give listeners. Getting your initial thoughts down on paper can give you a much clearer vision of your overall values. You might also want to add in any future goals or milestones you’d like to hit. 1000 downloads in the first 12 months? Booking a certain guest? Reach for the stars.

2. Who Your Competitors Are & What Works for Them

It goes without saying there are already a lot of podcasts out there. Researching your competitors and working them into your business plan will make it much easier to map out what listeners want to hear, and what’s already been covered. Who are the top players in your show’s field? And which ones do you take inspiration from? You don’t want to simply replicate another show’s style or concept. So, where will you fit in? And what angle or perspective can you offer that others can’t? Once you’ve outlined what's currently performing well in your niche, you’ll be able to define why your podcast vision is relevant, necessary, and unique.

3. Who Your Target Audience Is

Getting clear on your target audience early on means you can adapt your language, tone, and overall strategy to speak to the right people directly. Failing to do so can result in unclear messaging, and you run the risk of producing a show that doesn’t really resonate with anyone.

We’d recommend doing as much research as you can to get into the mindset of the desired listener . Good points to think about are:

• What are they doing in their spare time?
• Do they have any hobbies or interests?
• Why do they listen to podcasts?
• Why are they interested in your show’s topic?
• What value are they looking for from a podcast?

Once you’ve got a strong understanding of the above points, you’ll find it much easier to define your target audience in your business plan.

4. An Outline of Your Budget & Time Spent

Being realistic about your production budget, overall finances, and available resource is important. Before you start planning your first episode, you need to sit down and work out your available budget, and how much time you and your team can dedicate to a podcast. A simple way of doing this is to make a spreadsheet of all initial costs (like equipment ) and time investments, and go from there.

Once you’ve got an idea of the above, you’ll then need to work out any production or hosting costs. Add them to your spreadsheet. This will give you a rough idea of what you’ll be paying in both time and money to produce each episode. You can then plan out your marketing strategy, what it’ll cost to action, and how much time it’ll take. Having all this documented in a spreadsheet allows you to determine whether your podcast is both financially viable and practically feasible. If not, it’s time to go back and make some changes to the format to save time, or reduce some of the other projected costs to save money.

5. Details of Anyone Working On Your Podcast

This one’s easy. Is there anyone else working on your podcast? If it’s just you, don’t worry about this section. But you might have a co-host, or a couple of people you outsource certain production tasks to, like editing. If so, make a list of who’s doing what, and add it to your podcast business plan. Defining roles from the get-go gives everyone a clear vision of their part to play, making for a much smoother process.

6. A Marketing Plan

How are you going to promote your show? And how are you going to drive listeners to it? You might want to think about creating a website, writing a blog, a monthly newsletter , or just promoting content through social media .

Have a think about which advertising avenues you want to venture down, too. This will depend on the size of your budget, of course. So, if you’ve not got a big wad of cash to spend on it, building and pushing an online presence might be the better option (it’s predominantly free). If you do have a marketing budget to work with, there’s more you’ll be able to do. This could be anything from pamphlet distribution to billboard campaigns, or implementing QR codes. Make sure you cross-check the costs of your desired marketing strategies with your budget. What does it realistically allow for? Including this in your business plan will keep you in line, and help to stop any unattainable spending.

If you need some podcast marketing inspiration, check out our article here .

7. Decide on a Publishing Schedule

How often are you planning on releasing new episodes? Monthly? Weekly? Again, mapping out your content schedule will really benefit your show. Not having a consistent editorial calendar can appear disorganised, and listeners will be expecting some form of regularity from you. Publishing whenever you feel like it will have a negative impact on your download numbers over time.

8. Monetization Methods & What Products You’re Selling

The last thing to factor into your business plan is how you’re going to make money from your show. So, add in details of any sponsorship deals , brand partnerships, advertisements, or affiliate links you want to secure. If you’re a smaller show, you probably won’t be able to get these monetary wins straight away. You’ll need to build a listenership of a certain size before bigger brands and hefty sponsorship deals make their way into your inbox. Even so, it’s worth including them in your business plan. It will motivate you to keep going, and it’s always good to set out any long-term aspirations.

If your show really takes off, you might be in a position to explore other monetization avenues. Like merch, for example. Bear in mind that it takes a lot of time and effort to reach this point, and you’ll need to have a strong relationship with listeners for them to want to buy your products. If you think this might be possible for your show at some point, include it in your business plan.

Example Podcast Business Plan Template

There’s no one way when it comes to formatting your podcast business plan. It’s you who will be using it, so try to find the right method for you. That being said, try to use simple language where you can. There’s no need to use overly-complicated, boring jargon.

Make sure you take the time to keep it updated, too. As your podcast grows, you’ll likely want to set yourself new goals, or make minor tweaks to your already existing ones. We’d recommend checking in with it and making sure it’s reflective of your show’s current situation every quarter or so.

Feel free to use our template below to build a podcast business plan for your own show.

And that’s a wrap on everything you should include in your podcast business plan. Planning out the entire future of your podcast might feel a bit daunting at first, but it’s definitely worthwhile. It’s never set in stone either, so feel free to tweak it whenever you see fit.

Remember that launching a podcast is supposed to be exciting, so have fun with it. The real hard work comes next…

Join The #1 Podcast Community 🥇

With more than 70,000 members, MatchMaker.fm is the largest online community connecting podcasters & guests.

And it's free to join!

Join the conversation

Recommended articles:, create a podcast, the complete list of podcasting do's and don’ts.

Successful podcasts come in lots of different formats and styles. But there are some fundamental...

By Jamie Ashbrook | 26/02/2020

Reach the world

Podcast marketing: 10 ways to get more listeners.

10 of the most effective podcast marketing strategies, outlined in detail and wrapped up in...

By Anya Logue | 10/12/2020

How to Start a Business Podcast That Converts

Before you start a business podcast, you need to clearly define who your ideal listener...

By Mike Cunsolo | 08/01/2020

Podcasting news and insights. Direct to your inbox 🤩

Want the latest news, tech tutorials, and marketing guides? Join our newsletter, your resource for everything you need to know to run your own podcast.

Thanks for subscribing!

We've just sent you an email, please follow the instructions to confirm your details., start your podcast today..., ready to turbocharge your podcast all of this & more included as standard:, organise multiple podcasts, invite & manage collaborators, unlimited episodes & listeners, custom podcast page + embeddable player, auto transcription - convert audio to text, turn episodes into videos with audiograms, distribution to apple podcasts, spotify, & google, plus reliable analytics, private podcasts, & more, all with friendly support when you need it, create your account.

Free 14 day trial. Cancel any time.

Almost there!

We've sent you an email. please click the link to activate your account., have multiple podcasts or need lots of users.

Our Network plans make it easy to manage multiple podcasts and users under one roof. Invite others, set permissions, and control who has access to what. Launch or migrate your network in minutes.

Sign-up to PodCraft Perspectives

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan (& Why You Should!)

I’ll admit, business planning isn’t sexy. But when it comes to your podcast, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared. 

Writing a podcast business plan will not only help you prepare but outline where you see yourself heading in the future. Many podcasters get started without taking this step, but if you want to set yourself up for success, I highly recommend it.

Why Do We Need a Podcast Business Plan?

Plenty of podcasts start without a business plan, so what makes yours so different? Can’t you just start and see where podcasting leads you?

Podcasting is just like any other business venture you’ll undertake. It takes time, money and resources to get it done. Even if your end goal isn’t to run a million-dollar podcast and you simply want to have fun, driving down podcast highway with no destination in sight will get old very fast.

A podcast business plan can help you avoid that. Or at least make that journey more meaningful by adding goals, targets and milestones. Generally speaking, business plans help you in three big areas:

1. Better Understand What You’re Doing

Creating a podcast business plan before you get started can help you to better understand what you’re doing before you get too deep into it. There’s a lot more to podcasting than simply uploading a new episode . 

Taking the time to plan before you start recording helps you think beyond listener numbers , episode titles and equipment . It gives you the chance to dig into what already exists, who you plan to make your podcast for, where you’re going to fit in and how you’re planning on growing.

2. Increase Your Chances Of Success

Success in podcasting varies depending on your end goals, which makes planning all that much more important. You need to identify what success looks like to you and how you’re going to get there.

Starting anything new is a challenge but I truly believe that a plan makes it significantly easier. It gives you a place to go and provides a roadmap to get there. There will be days that you really need that.

3. Get Funding (If You Need It)

I’ll start out by saying that not every podcaster seeks external funding. But with the rise of podcasting as a business function and the podcast-as-a-business model, external funding is becoming more popular. Funding means you need funders—whether that be through a financial institution or private investors. 

When funders decide whether or not to support you, they look to your business plan to measure the probability of success. They want to know how you’re going to spend money and make it back.

If you’re creating a podcast for a large organization, creating a business plan can help secure buy-in from your corporate overlords. I’ve pitched podcasts inside major companies before and, in a lot of cases, the higher-ups don’t know enough about podcasting to see the value. Putting in a little work and effort goes a long way.

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan

Writing a podcast business plan is easier than you think. It’ll take some time and research. But the more work you put into it now, the easier it will be to create, manage and maintain your podcast in the future.

But before you get started, you need to decide who will see your plan when it’s done. In many cases, this will simply be you and possibly those that are helping you. But if you’re looking for funding or to build a corporate podcast, don’t skip over the “extras for the corporate overlords” section. You’ll need it. 

Podcast Overview

The overview is exactly what it sounds like. It covers the who, what, where, when and why of your podcast. You’ll want to write up:

• A quick overview of what your show is about and how it’s presented
• Outline the hosts, producers and other personnel involved
• Create the mission, values and goals of the podcast

This overview does not have to go into detail. You simply want the reader to get a quick sense of the podcast before they dig into the plan.

Overview of the Podcasting Space

In any other business plan, I would call this section the “competitor” section but in podcasting that’s the wrong word. There will be shows out there like yours that you need to differentiate yourself from but you don’t necessarily have to compete for the audience—there’s enough space for all of you.

You want to dig into the research on this one and figure out what already exists in your podcasting niche . Your big goal is to answer the following questions:

• Who are the top players in your niche? Why? Where do they find their audience?
• Who is your podcasting inspiration? Who do you aim to be like?
• Where do you fit into the mix?

You want to be honest with yourself on these ones, chances are you’ll be the only one who looks at your plan.

Helpful Resource: Podcast Stats – The Very Latest Industry Facts & Trends

Target Audience

The whole “if you put something out there, the people will come” theory is a lie. There are A LOT of options out there, it’s a bad call to not put any thought into your audience because you assume they’ll find you.

You want to create a target audience that you’ll be creating your podcast for. This should be more defined than men and women between 18 and 40 —you want to know what your audience is into, what attracts them to a podcast and what will encourage them to engage .

You can’t grow your audience if you don’t know who they are. This section of your podcast business plan is really where your growth starts. 

Our free  Podcast Planner tool  will help you a lot, here. It just takes a few minutes to fill out, and will set you up with your own personalised program!

You can absolutely create a podcast with no budget whatsoever. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Eventually, your podcast will cost you money and here’s where you figure out how much that is.

Some of the line-items that are included in a podcast budget are:

• Hosting platforms
• Editing and production
• Marketing collateral and activities
• Website design and hosting

Building a budget will help put the costs of podcasting into perspective and decide whether or not you need to add monetization to your “to do” list.

The personnel (or “management” section in a traditional plan) outlines who does what for the podcast. You want to identify the following roles and responsibilities:

• Audio engineer (editor)
• Operations manager

And anything else that your podcast might need. 

It’s possible that one or two people might fill all of these roles in the beginning but if you plan to expand your personnel later, this is a great place to start thinking about how that will happen later.

Related Article

In This Episode and Other Podcast Marketing Crimes

Want to grow your audience? Make sure you aren’t committing these podcast marketing crimes. If you are, find the solutions here.   Find out more »

Marketing and Growth Plan

Whether you’re podcasting for money or fun, you’ll want your podcast to grow. This is where your marketing plan comes in. You’ll want to outline what activities you’re going to take on a regular basis and where you’ll find your audience.

Make sure that you outline all of the different channels you’ll be using (for example, I have a website, blog and social media accounts related to my podcasts), how often you’ll be utilizing the channels and what the overall brand looks like. You’ll also want to decide whether you’re going to do paid advertising .

Monetization and Products

With your budget created it might become clear that doing at least a little bit of monetization is in your best interest. Some popular monetization channels for podcasts include:

• Affiliate marketing
• Sponsorship, ads and partnerships
• Digital product sales
• Physical product sales

How to Set Up a Podcast Sales Funnel

Set up your podcast sales funnel, to increase engagement with your audience, and convince them to buy your products or services. Here’s how.   Find out more »

Outline what kind of monetization you’re going to do in your podcast business plan, give some kind of idea when you’re planning on starting this and decide how you’ll make it happen.  

Podcast Business Plan Extras for the Corporate Overloads

The following sections of the podcast business plan are specifically for those seeking funding or trying to appeal to an internal corporate audience. If you’re simply making the plan for yourself, you’re most likely safe to ditch them.

Industry and Market Analysis

When appeasing the corporate overlords, you’ll want to make sure that you do some solid research on the podcasting industry and market as a whole . This way you can outline what the organization can get out of podcasting.

Make sure to outline the different podcasts that are put out by similar large organizations, and outline how they help their brands grow , acquire new customers and anything else that will help give you street cred. 

Funding Requirements

When requesting funding, you need to make your ask specific. Tell your funders how much money you’ll need and for how long. You’ll want to clearly outline how that money will be used and how long it will take you to pay them back. 

Organization, Management and Approvals

While you talked about management in the personnel section, you need to outline how the podcast fits into the organization. Who is overseeing your activities, what kind of approval and oversight do they have and what you’ll need from other members of the organization.

Executive Summary

The executive summary of any business plan lays out the entire plan on one page. It summarizes everything that a reader will dig into on subsequent pages so they know what they’re getting into.

If you are submitting this plan to a funder or an organization you need this section. If it’s just for you skip it completely. The executive summary should be the last thing you write, but it’ll be displayed on the first page of the business plan.

Putting Your Podcast Business Plan Together

Creating a podcast business plan seems like a monstrous task that sucks the fun out of podcasting. But from personal experience, I can tell you that it actually breathes life into your project and gives you the confidence boost you might be waiting for.

This plan does not have to be complex. Use simple language and don’t overcomplicate it—you’re starting a podcast not launching a rocket to Mars. Most importantly, take some time to have fun with it.

Your next read

Survey Finds Only 1 in 4 Indies Monetize Their Podcast

We use cookies!

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking “Accept All,” you consent to store on your device all the technologies described in our Cookie Policy.

Privacy Overview

Podbean Blog

News & Tips to Start a Podcast and Promote a Podcast

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan

The rise in technology has created thousands of jobs that didn’t exist in the 20th century. Over 30 years ago, who would have thought you could quit your nine-to-five job and make a living talking about the things you love? For many, podcasting has transitioned into a full-time job.

If you’re taking the next step in your podcasting journey and transitioning from hobby to career, you’ll need a podcast business plan. While business plans aren’t the most exciting thing to write, they ensure that you have the best chance at success. 

This post will outline how to write a business plan for a podcast so you can grow your podcast business . 

Do you need a podcast business plan? 

The simple answer is yes. Any podcaster who’s been in the podcasting space for a while will tell you that it’s best to develop a business plan for podcast success. Planning helps you know what you have to do and when.

If you want to take your show seriously and make money from it, then, like any other business venture, it’s best to have a plan in place. Even if you’re not planning to become the next Joe Rogan (a famous podcaster and comedian), having a plan allows you to enjoy the process and avoid making it unnecessarily laborious. 

A business plan is like using a recipe when baking a cake – you know exactly what you need ahead of time. 

Here’s an overview of how to write up a business plan for your podcast: 

• Mission statement 
• Know your audience 
• Establish your team
• Work out your budget 
• Create a content calendar 
• Create a marketing plan 
• Think about monetization 

The main reasons to have a plan are to understand the purpose of your podcast and increase your chances of success. Read below for the breakdown of each of these steps.  

1. Mission statement – Identify the why

Before you start designing merch and organizing giveaways, identify your mission statement or the “why” behind your podcast. Podcasting is no small undertaking, so identifying your reason for starting your podcast business will be the fire that pushes you forward when things get difficult. 

Be honest with yourself so you can define what success really means to you. If you want to build a content strategy for an existing customer base, you may not be as interested in monetization as you are in developing a strong listenership. 

If you want to become famous, however, you’ll have to follow the pros and figure out how to build your brand to that level. 

2. Know your target audience 

You can’t please everyone. This is especially true with podcasting due to the niche nature of the medium. A business plan for a podcast will help you determine who your ideal listener is and how you can reach them through your content. 

In a consumer-driven industry, the best brands are user-centric. Figure out what your target audience needs and use your content to solve that need. 

3. Establish your team and divvy up roles

Now that you know the mission and your audience, it’s time to assemble your team. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was it built by a single person. Identify your podcasting team and determine what each person will be responsible for.  

If you are working alone, that’s perfectly fine! While it will be more work for one person, it’s definitely possible. If that’s the case, try outsourcing some of the work to take some weight off your shoulders. Play to your strengths and consider finding a partner or hiring a freelancer to help with your less skilled areas. 

4. Work out your budget 

Any business plan will require a budget, and a podcast business plan is no different. If you don’t already have a podcast budget , create one. Podcasting is not as expensive as filmmaking, but it will take some financial resources to get started and keep going. 

Spreadsheets are a great tool that many entrepreneurs (podcasters and otherwise) use to keep track of their resources. Your spreadsheet can include some necessary expenses. These can include: 

• Equipment 
• Hosting network fees 
• Marketing costs
• Paying personnel or freelancers 

Podcasts are a lot of work, so remember to budget your time in addition to money. On a separate page, log the amount of time you can allot to things like recording, editing and publishing episodes. Be sure to factor in your marketing needs, like running your website and social media pages. 

5. Create a content calendar 

Develop a content calendar as part of your business plan for podcast success and peace of mind. A calendar will help you plan your content creation and posting schedule in advance so you can execute it one day at a time. 

Continuing with the recipe analogy, a content calendar is like laying out all of your ingredients in front of you and pre-measuring them so you can simply add things as needed. 

Here you can plan the release schedule, also determine if your content themes will coincide with holidays or remain universal.  

6. Create a marketing plan 

Your podcast business plan needs a marketing strategy. How will you market your podcast as a product or service and get the word out to your audience? Determine what methods you want to use and when you want to launch them. You can integrate this as part of your content creation plan. 

Having a presence on the right platforms or channels will promote your show within your niche and establish your brand authority. Some common marketing strategies include creating a podcast website to centralize the information from your business or email marketing campaigns to directly connect your audience. 

7. Think about monetization 

Even if you’re just starting out, if you’re hoping to eventually develop your show into a career, consider monetization. 

Every business plan should always note the expenses and potential income streams. Podcast monetization can help your show sustain itself and even generate a profit. Check that your hosting network has applicable monetization features, as not all do. 

With Podbean, podcasters can choose from a variety of monetization features, including the ads marketplace and paid content.  

Conclusion 

If you want to turn your podcasting hobby into a business, it’s best to have a plan. Without one, the process will become stressful at best and unsuccessful at worst. A business plan is the best way you can grow your podcast. 

The right network can make or break your business. That’s why hobbyists and professional podcasters alike choose Podbean. Podcasting takes work, but Podbean makes podcasting simple. 

Start your free trial today. 

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

4 comments on “ How to Write a Podcast Business Plan ”

It emphasizes the importance of crafting a podcast business plan as a strategic roadmap for success, offering practical steps and insights for both beginners and aspiring career podcasters. The conclusion underscores the significance of a well-thought-out plan and introduces Podbean as a pivotal partner in simplifying the podcasting journey.

This is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to professionalize their podcasting hobby. The step-by-step guide is clear and comprehensive, covering everything from mission statements to budgeting and marketing plans. It’s like having a roadmap for success in podcasting, similar to how an IQ test measures and guides one’s intellectual development. The emphasis on understanding your audience and creating a content calendar is particularly useful. This article is a must-read for aspiring podcasters who want to turn their passion into a profitable venture.

What a beautiful sharing. It gives me some useful tips for writing a podcast business plan.

Pingback: The Ultimate Guide to Making Money from your Podcast

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from Podbean Blog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Launching a Podcast

Why and How to Write a Podcast Business Plan

Last updated May 9, 2023

If you intend to treat your podcast like a business, it’s important to create a podcast business plan. This document is a key resource; a roadmap that will set your show up for success, even if you don’t plan to turn your show into a media empire. 

Many podcasters dive in without bothering with this step, but we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to put your plan on paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect (it’s not like you’re sending it off to potential investors), but it should exist as a document somewhere you can consult. 

In this article, we explain why a business plan is important. Then we show you how to write your own podcast business plan .

Read to start your own podcast? Learn the nitty-gritty details of starting your own show in our comprehensive guide. Learn how to start a podcast .

Why You Need a Podcast Business Plan

Before we get into the practical steps of designing your own podcast business plan, let’s talk about why you should write one. Many podcasts launch successfully without one, so you may be wondering why it’s necessary at all. 

It helps you understand what you’re doing

A podcast business plan is an opportunity to put all of your ideas and tasks down on paper. It helps you understand what you need to do before you dive in. Ultimately, this improves your efficiency and the likelihood that you will follow through.

It increase your odds of success

Just like you wouldn’t embark on a road trip without a map, a plan for your podcasting adventure increases the chance of being successful. Most importantly, a plan helps you identify what success looks like so you can keep your eye on it.

It helps you treat your show like a business

In order to run a successful business, you have to carefully consider your numbers. What is your earning potential? How much will you spend? How will you monetize your show ? Answering these questions will help you think critically about your show’s success as a business.,

If you ever need to raise funding for your show (perhaps to launch a marketing initiative or elevate your production value), any lender, financier, or investor will absolutely want to see a podcast business plan. They will use this document to evaluate your show’s potential for success. 

It helps you bring on new team members

If at any point you intend to recruit more people for your show, a podcast business plan will reassure them that you take the show seriously. It will also help them understand your long-term plan so they can make a good decision to join you. 

Need help getting your podcast off the ground?

With Castos’ Podcast Launch Service, our team of professional audio engineers, show note writers, and marketing pros work with you to create marketing assets, map out episodes, and make sure your podcast is set up for success.

Enter your information to request a free consultation.

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan

Writing a podcast business plan isn’t much different than creating a traditional business plan . You don’t have to write a 50-page book or slideshow. In fact, getting too deep will probably slow you down, so just jot down a few sentences or bullet points for each of the following sections. You can always elaborate and revise your plan in the future (and you should). 

Let’s go through the fundamental sections of a podcast business plan. Your plan definitely needs these components, but you may need others depending on the needs of your show. (For instance, if there’s a charity component to your model, you’ll want to include a section that explains how that works.)

Podcast overview

The first section of your podcast business plan is pretty simple: a quick overview of your show and how you will present it. List the hosts, producers, and anyone else who is involved. If you have a mission statement or value statement, add that as well.

Furthermore, this is a great place to include some goals for your show as well. What do you hope to achieve? How many listeners do you intend to capture and by when? Are there any special guests you hope to bring on?

Like we said earlier, you don’t have to go into much detail. Just outline the main points.

Your specific niche

It’s a good idea to include some notes about the space in which you will be podcasting. For example, if you plan to create a podcast about football, what other shows are popular in the football niche? How will your show be similar and how would you differentiate yourself?

Learn more about choosing a niche: How to Find the Perfect Podcast Niche (8 Considerations)

Budget/expenses

While it’s possible to create a podcast without spending a penny , we recommend spending a bit on professional tools, like headphones and a podcasting microphone . Make a basic list of any podcasting equipment , tools, or services you need and how much they will cost. This section is also a good exercise to help you keep your expenses in line.

Amplify Podcast Network has a simple podcast budget template to help you get started.

Podcasting studio

“ Podcast studio ” might be too generous a phrase, but you’ll want to talk a bit about the space you’ll use to record your episodes . This is important because your recording space can make or break your show, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience editing. Jot some notes about the type of space you’ll use and what you need to buy to make it effective.

Learn more about building a recording space: Podcast Studio Setup: How to Create a Great Podcast Recording Room

Publishing schedule/workflow

Use this section of your podcast business plan to describe your specific workflow. How often will you publish episodes? What format will you use? Will you create seasons or publish continuously? Will your content be evergreen or timely? 

It is also a good opportunity to consider how the people on your team (if any) will contribute to the workflow. For instance, who is responsible for publishing the episode once it’s complete? Who will distribute your marketing assets, such as social media posts and emails?

DLearn more about creating a podcast workflow: How to Create Your Own Podcast Workflow

Target audience

Your podcast isn’t for everyone, so it’s important to define the specific audience. Understanding who will listen to your show will help you go after them later. Spend some time performing a bit of market research . What do you listeners want in podcast content ? What would make them rave about your show? What kinds of problems do they have?

Spend a few minutes putting together a profile for your ideal listener . Here’s an example. You don’t have to make yours this fancy, but you should include similar information.

It’s okay if you don’t have a lot of information for this section. You may not know much about your target audience yet. You should expect to come back to this section in the future and update it as you learn more about your listeners.

Team/personnel

In a business plan for any other kind of business, this section would be called “management.” It outlines who is involved in the show, their responsibilities, and their salaries and/or equity in the operation. Depending on the size of your show, this might include a half dozen people, such as producer, host(s), audio engineer, marketers, etc.

If you’re a one man operation at the moment, you can skip this section of your podcast business plan. 

Learn more about building a team: How to Build a Podcast Team

Marketing strategy

In this section of your podcast business, outline your promotion strategy for growing your show. How will you acquire listeners? How will you keep them engaged? How will you encourage them to tell their friends about your show?

Make sure strategy addresses the following topics:

• Submitting your show to podcast directories
• Convincing listeners to leave ratings and reviews
• Building a podcast website
• Growing traffic to your website
• Investing in paid advertising
• Building a social community
• Getting active on social media
• Joining a podcast network (in the future)

Most importantly, make sure to list the actionable steps you will take every day, week, and month to promote your show. 

Learn more about podcast marketing: How To Promote A Podcast: The Ultimate Podcast Promotion and Podcast Marketing Guide

Monetization strategy

You may be far away from monetizing your show , but it’s important to have some idea as to how you’ll monetize it in the future. This will help you make some good decisions early. For instance, if you plan to sell merchandise at some point, you might opt for a podcast website that includes a shopping cart. 

Learn more about podcast monetization: How Do Podcasts Make Money? Try These 20 Strategies To Monetize Your Show

A Podcast Business Plan is a Living Document

You have a lot of things to do in order to set up your podcast, so creating a podcast business plan might seem like a tedious, unnecessary task. It’s not fun. It feels like work. However, you should consider your business plan as a launching off point for your show. Use the plan to guide all of your other decisions.

Like we’ve said several times, you don’t have to overcomplicate this plan. Keep things simple. Use basic language. The document is mostly for you. Few people will ever read it.

But most importantly, revisit the document every few months – or at least once a year – and give it some updates based on your show’s progress. Let your podcast business plan be a living document that evolves with your show, always a bit ahead so you have something guiding your growth. 

Did you create a podcast business plan for your show? What was your experience?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

More from castos.

Podcast Call to Action: How to Entice Your Listeners to Take Action

One of the most important parts of recording a podcast episode is your podcast call to action. This simple component – which often takes the form of just a few …

August 17, 2023

How to Plan a Podcast Season

In this article, we explain seasonal podcasting, the types of podcasts they are suited for, and how to plan a podcast season of your own. 

July 28, 2023

4-Person Podcast Setup: Equipment Needs and Tips for Success

Need help with your 4-person podcast setup? Learn why what equipment you need for a group podcast and how to be successful. 

July 24, 2023

10 min read

Castos runs entirely on renewable energy .

Dear Media Blog

How to write a business plan for a podcast.

It’s hard to believe that some of the most popular podcasts out there started as just a fun and exciting hobby. But it’s true! And as it turns out, podcasting can be a super lucrative business. 

What does every business need? A well-formulated business plan! A business plan is basically required for anyone who is ready to treat podcasting as their full-time gig. It can show you where your channel stands today and help you outline where it is heading. AND, it can help you keep track of goals , targets, milestones, business strategies, and so much more. 

A good-quality business plan will make your podcasting journey more meaningful, less stressful, and ultimately, increase your odds of success. So, let’s go over how to write a business plan for your podcast. We’ve also included a podcast business plan template that will help you organize all your information & get you started on the right track! 

Determine your WHY.

The first step to writing a business plan for your podcast is to create your mission statement. Why are you starting a podcast ? What are you most passionate about? Which niche will your podcast fall into? And what are your long-term goals? Before writing your script or recording your first episode, make sure podcasting is something you could actually see yourself doing as a business owner. 

Explore your chosen niche. 

Second, take some time to explore your chosen niche. Your niche is whatever “category” your podcast will fall into. Examples include, but are not limited to, food, beauty & makeup, news and current events, reality TV, and parenting. Here at Dear Media , we host a variety of shows that fall within a variety of different niches. If you need a little niche inspo, check out our shows page . 

Exploring your chosen niche is important for a couple of reasons. First, to ensure that you’ll be able to create enough content in your niche and that it’s what you’re really passionate about. You don’t want to be five episodes in when you realize there’s nothing left to talk about and all your passion is gone. It’s also a good idea to research other podcasts in your niche and explore their content. This will help you determine what works (and what doesn’t work) in your niche. 

Identify your ideal listener.

When you sit down to record your podcast, who are you talking to? In other words, who is your target audience? A key step in the creation of your business plan is to create a profile (or profiles) of your ideal listener. Once you’ve developed a clear picture of who you’re targeting, you can better gear your content towards this audience. 

Ask yourself these questions as you construct your listener profile(s): Are they male or female? How old are they? What are their interests? Their likes and dislikes? Which social media platform do they utilize the most? What topics are they most interested in? Then, use these answers to construct comprehensive profiles of your main audiences. 

Create an overview of your podcast. 

Next, create an overview or executive summary of your podcast. Include the type of podcast ( solo , co-host, or interview), your mission statement, your niche, your ideal listener, and a brief description of what your podcast will have to offer. The executive summary is basically a summary of your plan. It’s something you can use to keep yourself on track and remind you of your long-term goals. It’s also something you can use when pitching your podcast to a sponsor or ad network, or when hiring potential employees. 

Create a budget that works for you.

Did you know that you could start a podcast with minimal investment? Well you totally can! But first, you’ll need to create a budget that works for you. This goes for your monetary investment and your time investment. Not only will you need to budget for investments in technology and personnel, but also the time you might spend away from home and/or your job. Especially if you’re starting a podcast as a side hustle . 

For tips on how to start a business with low investment, click here ! 

Invest in the right equipment. 

Choosing and investing in the right podcasting equipment is probably the most daunting task on this list. And it’s no wonder why, considering the equipment you choose will be based on both your budget and your needs. No matter how much capital you have set aside for equipment, there are some key pieces of equipment you’ll need right out the gate. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything you need to start a podcast . 

Need help researching and finding the equipment that’s right for you? Check out these articles:

• How to Setup a Podcast Studio
• 10 Best Podcast Recording Software
• 8 Best Audio Mixers for Podcasts
• 10 Best Cameras for Podcasting

Develop your editorial calendar. 

In this competitive podcasting industry, consistency is key. This is why developing an editorial calendar is so important when it comes to the success of your podcast. Most successful podcasts release 1-2 podcasts, each and every week. That’s a lot of content to research, create, record, edit, and release on a regular basis! So, in order to help you stay on track and keep the content flowing, you’ll need to create a comprehensive weekly calendar of events, and STICK TO IT! 

Your editorial calendar should include your podcast topics, as well as the due dates for all your deliverables. Deliverables might include recording dates, editing dates, publishing dates, and so on. Your calendar should also include who is responsible for each deliverable, especially if you have more than one person on your podcasting team. We recommend using a tool like Trello , Asana , or Google Calendar to organize your schedule. 

Create your marketing plan.

Now it’s time to decide how you’ll promote your show. How will you draw those listeners in and grow your podcast ? There are tons of ways to promote your podcast, from building email lists and booking relevant guests, to supercharging your SEO strategy and asking for reviews. For a list of 20 ways to promote your podcast, click here ! 

When it comes to podcasts, however, the most popular and effective marketing strategy is via social media. Depending on your chosen niche, the majority of your followers will most likely be found on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, or Twitter. Establishing your brand on social media will not only help you reach tons more potential listeners, but it will also increase your audience engagement and credibility within your niche. 

Consider monetization strategies. 

How will your podcast make money? This is the million-dollar question on almost every podcaster’s mind. Turns out, there are tons of ways you can make some serious cash via podcasting. Think merch, premium content, ads & sponsors, affiliate links, and so on. Need some more money making inspo? Check out our list of 12 ways to make money podcasting . 

Hire some help (if needed). 

Does the whole podcast producing process seem super overwhelming? Would you rather just do all the talking and let someone else handle the behind-the-scenes stuff? That’s totally normal! If this sounds like you, don’t be afraid to hire some help. Instead of struggling to do everything yourself, consider hiring a marketing manager, a podcast producer , an audio engineer, or writer/editor. After all, teamwork makes the dream work, right? 

Create a plan for your podcast today! 

Creating your podcast is one thing. Turning it into a successful business is another. But, starting a podcast doesn’t have to be hard, especially with Dear Media in your corner. We’ve got you covered on everything from how to launch and monetize your show to podcast marketing and script writing. Your dreams of creating a podcast business are right around the corner, so let’s get to it!

For more on all things podcasting, head on over to the Dear Media Blog . And, as always, feel free to drop all your questions and comments below! 

Podcast Business Plan Template

Podcast name: , mission statement: , niche/competitor research:.

Who are your competitors? What do they do well (and not so well)? What can you offer that they can’t? 

Target Audience:

Who is your ideal listener? Create a listener profile including your listeners ideal gender, age, occupation, likes, dislikes, hobbies, interests, social media preference, etc. 

Podcast Overview: 

Give a brief description of your podcast and what it will have to offer. You can include your niche, topic ideas, guest/interview ideas, and a list of goals. 

Create a comprehensive monetary budget. Note any start-up fees, equipment costs, hosting costs, studio costs, and marketing costs. You may also want to create a time budget, where you decide how much time you have available to devote to podcasting, in addition to other time-consuming activities. 

Make a list of necessary equipment and their costs. Here, you can also include equipment research and price comparisons.

Create your editorial calendar. When will you release episodes? How often? Decide which tool you will use for organization and start adding your topics and due dates. 

Marketing Strategies:

How will you promote your podcast? List your marketing strategies. Examples include email lists, social media, word of mouth, being a guest on another podcast, inviting a relevant guest to your podcast , and so on. 

Monetization Strategies: 

How will you monetize your podcast? List your monetization strategies. Examples include ads and sponsors, selling merch or premium content, affiliate links, etc. 

How will you manage your team? Define individual roles, responsibilities, and deliverables. 

Your submission has been successfully sent!

• arrow_back Home
• keyboard_arrow_right Business

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan for Beginners

• Who is your target audience?
• How do they listen to podcasts?
• What kind of content will appeal to them?
• How can your podcast stand out from competing shows?
• How often will you release new episodes?
• Do you have the resources (like time or funding) necessary to launch this venture?

What Goes Into a Podcasting Business Plan?

A podcasting business plan should include the following components.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a high-level overview of the entire business plan. You can use it to quickly catch your reader’s attention, as well as to highlight key takeaways and provide a helpful overview of the rest of the business plan.

Problem/Opportunity Analysis

What is the problem that your podcast is solving, or what opportunity is it pursuing? What podcasts are out there in your niche? What are some ways you can differentiate your podcast from the rest? – Competitive Analysis – How will you stand out from the other podcasts in your niche? What are your strengths? Are there any weaknesses that you need to address? What can you learn from the other podcasts in your niche?

Host/Audience/Sponsor/Advertiser/Feedback Analysis

Who will be involved in the podcast? What is their motivation? Where will your podcast be hosted? Who are your potential sponsors? Will you monetize your podcast and if so, how? What feedback will you receive from your audience?

Content/Format/Marketing Strategy

What is the title and format of your podcast? What topics will you cover? How often will you release new episodes? How will you promote your podcast? What will your ongoing marketing strategy look like?

How to Write a Great Podcasting Business Plan

Below are some tips for writing a great podcasting business plan.

Get the basics out of the way; Before you dive into writing your business plan, make sure you have the basics taken care of, like having a good idea for a podcast, knowing enough about the podcasting industry, and having a good grasp of your hosting and publishing options.

Ask yourself the right questions; To write a great podcasting business plan, you’ll need to ask yourself the right questions.

• What problem is your podcast trying to solve?
• What’s your show’s format?
• What are your show’s strengths?
• What are your show’s weaknesses?
• What are the opportunities that exist in your niche?

Be detailed and thorough; A good business plan is detailed and thorough. Thoroughly outline your podcast, its format, its goals, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its opportunities.

Build an Audience Before Launching Your Show

One of the most important parts of any podcast’s lifecycle is the “build” stage. This is the time when you’re collecting an audience, testing and optimizing your show, and preparing to launch your podcast. Depending on the type of show you plan to create, you should start building your audience before you even launch your podcast. If you’re launching a new show on a familiar topic, consider repurposing content for other platforms (like your personal website or social media channels) so that you can build an audience in advance. You don’t necessarily have to have an audience of millions to start a podcast. You just need to have a few people who are interested in what you have to say and are willing to lend you their ears.

Decide Where You’ll Host (And How You’ll Make Money)

Deciding where to host your podcast is important as it determines your show’s reach and accessibility. When it comes to hosting, you have two options: self-hosting and using a third-party hosting service.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a hosting service, like the number of downloads you’re expecting, the level of support you need, the amount you’re willing to spend, and the bandwidth you’re willing to use. You’ll also need to decide how you’ll make money. There are many ways to monetize a podcast, including accepting guest sponsors, running ads, selling merchandise, or asking listeners to become patrons (a.k.a. “subscribers” or “members”).

Determine the Topics and Format of Your Show

When deciding the topics and format of your show, it’s important to consider your audience and your hosting options, as well as your show’s strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the type of podcast you plan to create, you will have different options for choosing topics, formats, and types of episodes.

Audio or Video

Do you plan on making your podcast audio-only, video-only, or both? Audio-only podcasts are simpler to produce, while video podcasts are more complex.

Length of Episodes

How long will each episode be? Most podcasts are between 20 and 60 minutes in length, but there is some flexibility here.

Frequency of Episodes

How often will you publish new episodes? Many shows publish episodes weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Podcasting is a great way to build an audience, grow your brand, and earn money. To successfully launch a podcast, you’ll need to create a business plan that helps you consider the basics, asks the right questions, and thoroughly details your podcast’s hosting options, topics, format, and frequency of publishing new episodes. That might sound like a lot, but it’s worth the effort. Once you’ve created a podcast, you’ll have an amazing experience, earn a loyal following, and earn some income to boot.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of podcasting with gusto, and you’ll be well on your way to making a name for yourself in the world of audio content.

Stay up to date with our news, ideas and updates

Independent… Not Corporate Podcast Better

Connect With Us

PodOps Media © 2024 All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

• App Marketing

Podcast Business Plan: What Is It, Models, Examples & How To Write It

What is a podcast business plan, benefits of having podcast business plan, podcast overview, overview of the podcasting space, target audience, marketing and growth plan, monetization and products, podcast business model and template example, do you need a business plan for a podcast, how much does it cost to start a podcast business, how much money can you make from a podcast.

Although business planning isn’t attractive, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared for your podcast business plan. In addition to helping you be ready, creating a podcast business plan outlines your long-term goals. Many podcasters get started without doing this step, but if you want to set yourself up for success, we strongly advise it.

We have compiled some great information about how to get started with creating your podcast plan into this article, so if you want to find out more please continue to read on.

For the most part, one is described as an excellent tool to organize your thoughts and ideas. The term “everything” here refers to your show’s content approach, budget, and marketing strategy, as well as your long-term goals. Your show’s audience can be better understood through these surveys, which can be excellent teaching aids as well.

Why is Podcast Business Plan Important & Their Benefits?

What distinguishes your podcast from the countless others that have launched without a solid business plan? You might always start small and see where it takes you.

Like any other commercial endeavor, podcasting is no different. It requires a lot of time, money, and resources to accomplish. Drive along podcast highway with no destination in mind and you’ll grow bored quickly.

Even if your goal isn’t to make a million dollars and you just want to have fun. You can steer clear of this by creating a podcast business plan. By adding goals, ambitions, and milestones to the path you’re on, you can at least make it more meaningful.

• Become more acquainted with your work
• Boost your chances of getting what you want
• Learn how to get funding

How to Write a Podcast Business Plan

Everything about the overview is as described. Your podcasts who, what, where, when, and why are all addressed in this section. The following is something you’ll want to include in your report: a brief description of your show’s subject matter and presentation style, a list of the hosts, producers, and others who will be contributing to this project and lastly the podcast’s vision, mission, and values.

It is not necessary to go into great detail in this review. Before diving into the details, you want the reader to acquire a rapid impression of the podcast.

If I were writing a business plan for something else, I’d call this section the “competitor” section, but that’s incorrect for podcasting. There are going to be a lot of other shows like yours out there, and you’ll need to differentiate yourself from them, but you don’t necessarily have to compete for the audience.

Putting something out there and expecting people to flock to it is a myth. Because there are so many options out there, it’s a bad idea to believe that your audience will find you on their own.

Your podcast’s target audience should be defined before you begin recording. You want to know more about your audience than just the men and women in the defined age range, for example you want to know what interests them, what draws them to podcasts, and what motivates them to participate.

If you don’t know your audience, it’s impossible to expand your reach. It’s in this portion of your business plan that you’ll see the most progress in your podcasting career.

A podcast can be produced with or without a budget. Don’t assume that because you can, you should. Here’s where you figure out how much your podcast will cost you in the long run.

When it comes to planning a podcast, the personnel (or “leadership” part) lays out who does what.

Even though you may just need one or two individuals in the beginning to perform all of these jobs (producer, sound guy, writer…), this is a wonderful area to begin planning for the future expansion of your staff.

You’ll want your podcast to expand, whether you’re doing it for money or just for enjoyment. At this point, it’s time to put your marketing strategy to the test. You’ll need to spell out the frequent activities you want to engage in, as well as the locations where you expect to locate your target audience.

Consider how often you’ll use each channel and how your total brand will be represented (for example, I have podcast-related websites, blogs, and social media accounts). Another consideration is whether or not you’ll use sponsored advertising.

Once you’ve established a spending plan, it may become apparent that monetization, even if it’s only a small amount, is in your best interest. Podcasts can be made money in a variety of ways, including:

• Affiliate marketing, a way to make money by linking your site to other ones,
• Ads, sponsorships, and collaborations
• Merch Sales of digital and branded goods and so on

When it comes to putting together a podcast business plan, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Since you’ll be the one putting it to use, pick a method that works best for you. As a result, if possible, utilize plain language in your writing. Overly convoluted and dull jargon should not be used.

Take the time to keep it current as well. As your podcast grows, you’ll probably want to create new objectives or make alterations to the ones you already have. Every three to four months, take a look at it to make sure it still reflects your show’s current state of affairs.

In general, your podcast business plan template must include your budget, team, marketing and monetization plan, target audience and general podcast overview.

Enter into Shoutem app builder and start creating your app!

Podcast Business Plan FAQ

The first step in starting or expanding your podcast is developing a business plan. An effective business strategy will aid in securing funding for your podcast and planning for its long-term success.

A podcast can be created for less than $200 if you have a computer and can afford to buy a microphone and editing software. However, launching a podcast might cost several thousand dollars if you want to use high-end equipment.

In affiliate sales, you can expect to generate between $500 and $900 every episode if your podcast has roughly 10,000 downloads per episode. But this is very personable and dependent on your audience, if you have a bigger following you can do sponsorships, where different brands will pay you just for mentioning them in your episodes and you can also sell your merchandise, which can bring you a lot of revenue.

Additional resources:

• Mobile app building platform
• Make a mobile app (guide)
• Convert the website into a mobile app
• Use of data analytics in mobile apps
• Marketing strategies for radio stations
• Marketing strategies for colleges
• Marketing strategies for private schools
• Marketing strategies for schools
• Marketing strategies for churches
• Marketing strategies for live streams
• Marketing strategies for podcasts

Related Articles

Customer Loyalty: What is & How to Build + Examples

Marketing & strategies to promote your shopify mobile app.

63 Unique Mobile App Ideas for Your New App | Shoutem

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Podcast Business Plan

Start your own podcast business plan

The CuriosityCast

Value proposition.

The CuriosityCast is a captivating and thought-provoking podcast that explores a wide range of topics, including science, history, culture, and technology. Our commitment to in-depth research, engaging storytelling, and diverse perspectives ensures a unique and enriching listening experience.

The Problem

Listeners often struggle to find high-quality podcast content that is both intellectually stimulating and entertaining, offering fresh perspectives on a variety of subjects.

The Solution

The CuriosityCast addresses this challenge by providing engaging and well-researched content, featuring expert guests, and fostering thought-provoking discussions. We explore diverse topics and share captivating stories, ensuring a fulfilling listening experience for our audience.

Target Market

Our target market includes intellectually curious individuals seeking enriching, informative, and entertaining podcast content. We cater to those who value diverse perspectives, in-depth research, and intriguing storytelling.

Competitors and Differentiation

Key competitors include other educational and informative podcasts. The CuriosityCast differentiates itself through:

• A commitment to thorough research and fact-checking
• Engaging storytelling that sparks curiosity
• Expert guest selection and insightful discussions

Our team is passionate about creating high-quality content that educates, entertains, and inspires. We have a diverse range of expertise, enabling us to explore a wide array of subjects and deliver captivating stories that resonate with our audience.

Funding Needs

We are seeking an initial investment of $20,000 to cover equipment, marketing, and production costs. This investment will help us grow our audience, attract sponsorships, and maintain high-quality production standards.

Sales Channels

Our primary sales channels include podcast streaming platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, as well as our website, where listeners can directly access and download episodes.

Marketing Activities

To attract listeners and build brand awareness, we will:

• Engage with our target audience on social media platforms, sharing episode highlights and updates.
• Collaborate with other podcasters and influencers to cross-promote content.
• Optimize our podcast for search and discovery on podcast platforms.
• Offer exclusive content and bonus episodes for subscribers.

Financial Projections

• Year 1: $30,000 (from sponsorships and listener contributions)
• Year 2: $60,000
• Year 3: $100,000
• Year 1: $25,000 (includes equipment, marketing, and production costs)
• Year 1: $5,000

Expenses/Costs

• Year 2: $35,000
• Year 3: $45,000
• Year 2: $25,000
• Year 3: $55,000
• Secure initial investment and establish the podcast’s brand identity.
• Launch the podcast and release the first season of episodes.
• Reach 10,000 unique listeners within the first six months.
• Attract sponsorships and listener contributions to support the podcast’s growth.
• Continuously refine our content and production quality based on audience feedback.

Key Team and Roles

• Host: Leads the podcast, conducts research, and engages in discussions with guests.
• Producer: Oversees production, manages recording sessions, and ensures high-quality audio.
• Marketing Specialist: Promotes the podcast, engages with the audience on social media, and explores collaboration opportunities.
• Audio Editor: Handles post-production, including editing, mixing, and sound design.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

Podcast Business Plan – A How-to Guide!

Learn to Start a Podcast

Sign up for a FREE email course on how to start a high converting podcast from scratch

Even if you don’t plan on monetizing your show it is a good idea to have a podcast business plan. You could call it Podcast Outcome Plan if you don’t like the word business.

This page features some affiliate links which means purchases made through some links will provide a small commission to PodcastHero.com

Whatever you call it, going through the planning process and having a business plan will make you better prepared and set you up for success.

🔻 Take the POLL below 🔻

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

YOUR TOTAL POINTS 0

Writing a Podcasters’ Business Plan

🎙️ a step by step guide..

• ❔ Why would I need a Podcast Business Plan?

✍🏻 How to write a business plan for your podcast?

🎤 podcast executive summary.

• Podcast Management Team

Podcast SWOT analysis

Competitive analysis, 💻 podcast operations plan, 💰podcast budget, 💳 where will you spend money on podcasting, create a time budget for your podcast, tips for saving time on your podcast production workflow:, 🧩podcast human resources management, 📈 podcast marketing plan, 📊 differentiation analysis, 🎯 target audience (customer analysis), who is your ideal listener, define your ideal avatar., industry analysis, other marketing considerations:, should you join a podcast network, first impression – album art (must be great), color pallete, account-based marketing, other podcast marketing strategies, 💸 podcast profit plan, 🤑 there are a ton of ways to make money podcasting, a final word on business planning for podcasters.

💡 Having a plan is a good idea when you start doing anything new.

Being intentional about your focus and your efforts will bring you better results.

Take some time to go through the planning process for your podcast so you don’t fall into any podcasting pitfalls. There are a lot of mistakes that can be avoided simply by figuring out what you are doing first.

Having a written podcast plan will show you where you are, related to where you want to be.

A podcast business plan is just a snapshot of where your podcast is today and what your growth plan is for the next few years. It should explain your goals and milestones and your strategy for achieving them. The podcast business plan also needs to provide market research to support your stated goals.

Don’t forget to update your Podcast Business Plan regularly! This podcast business plan is a living document and as your podcast evolves and grows over time so should your planning document.

❔ Why would I need to Plan My Podcast with a Business Plan?

If you have goals associated with your podcast then you need a podcast business plan.

Podcasting without a ‘ podcast business plan ‘ is like driving in a strange city without a map.

You wouldn’t get into the car and drive somewhere you have never been without using a map or navigation app, would you? You could, but the trip might be more frustrating, take longer and you might feel like turning around and driving home!

Remember that most podcasts podfade by the 7th episode!

If you identify your goals, objectives, and milestones and the steps required to achieve them then you will enjoy your podcast journey without the frustration and roadblocks that other podcasters face.

The podcast planning process will help you clarify why you are starting a podcast? Who is your target listener? What are you going to be selling? And will your content attract the right listener?

Having a podcast business plan will increase your chance of your show being congruent with what you want to achieve.

Without a plan, you might end up climbing a ladder that is leaning on the wrong wall.

If you have a written podcast business plan then you can refer to it if you feel lost or off track.

A podcast business plan can help you get funding from investors, can help you crowdfund your show, and even help you get sponsors.

When people are looking to invest in your podcast the fact that you have a podcast business plan will give them more confidence to back you.

Use the KISS principle 💋 – Keep It Super Simple

Don’t overcomplicate this process. Use conversational language and don’t use jargon or try to sound too professional. This is a podcast, not a major corporate undertaking.

It isn’t hard to write a business plan for your podcast. You will need to invest some time to think about your show and who the show will serve. The more energy you put into this process the easier it will be to produce, promote and profit from your podcast in the future.

Remember the Four P’s of Podcasting – Planning, Production, Promotion, and Profit.

Planning comes FIRST.

The goal of the summary is to quickly capture the reader’s attention and generate interest in the podcast.

Do this even if you aren’t going to show the podcast business plan to anyone. It is ok if this business plan is only for you. Put in the work and write as if you will be presenting it to others.

The executive summary is just a quick overview of your podcast. It answers the quick questions any potential podcast partner would want to know.

• What qualifications do you have in the niche?
• What is your history with this topic?
• What skills, expertise, and characteristics give you an advantage?
• List all your strengths and don’t be humble.
• virtual assistant?
• Define your Avatar (briefly)

Demographics

• Why the content matches the audience?
• Summarize your idea about the show
• Topic, format, and call to actions
• Evergreen or Timely content?
• List all the podcast directories you will be listed in.
• If you are going to exclude a directory (say why?)
• What day of the week do you plan to publish the show?
• What frequency will the show be published? Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, Daily?
• What inspired you to want to start this show?
• What is the ultimate goal of the show?
• What is your Podcast’s Unique Selling Proposition?
• If you curse or include adult-themed content you are required to mark your show explicit.

📝 Remember if you even mark one episode as explicit your show will be removed from the India Apple Podcasts directory and more than a dozen other countries.

Include your mission, values, and purpose of the podcast at the end of the summary.

It is important to also state why the show is important to you! Write your mission statement for the show. The values and purpose of the podcast are important and should be easy to understand so anyone reading will know what your show stands for.

And also document all the milestones you want to achieve over time.

The executive summary should be a short and engaging read.

Management Team

If you and your co-host (and others on your team) have a good background in successful ventures then highlight these in your podcast business plan. A strong team is essential to building any successful venture. If you have experience running other successful shows then don’t hold back that information.

If your team has no experience or expertise then you could start an advisory board for your show. And “borrow” the credibility of others who are willing to put their name on your project.

📝 Having a great podcast business plan will also help you attract good people to your team!

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats.

Strengths – What are the strengths that will help make your show successful?

Weaknesses – What weaknesses may be holding you back?

Opportunities – What opportunities can you explore in the niche?

Threats – What threatens the viability of your show?

Who are the competing podcasts in the niche?

Write down how many active shows you will be competing with. Don’t worry if you find similar shows because unless your show is super-niche there will be other shows. Actually, I’d be more worried if there were no shows in your niche because that could imply there is no market for your topic.

Other podcasts in your niche are direct competitors but in many cases, they can be allies in your podcasting journey. Podcasting is not like broadcast media where you are competing for an audience in the same time slot. Podcasting is time-shifted media and can be listened to at any time on demand.

But of course, people only have a limited time to listen to podcasts so there is competition.

There are also indirect competitors like radio shows, TV, streaming media, and Youtube shows which compete for your listener’s content consumption time.

For each direct competitor, look at their strengths, and weaknesses and compare your shows strengths and weaknesses to see where the opportunities are to improve.

What is working for the successful podcasters in your niche?

The worst thing you can do is copy the top podcaster in your niche. You will be seen as a copy cat and there is no way you can be better at being them than they already are. If you are going to copy anything copy the processes and work ethic they have. The key to success in podcasting is to find YOUR OWN secret sauce. You can’t succeed by stealing another podcaster’s secret sauce.

📝 Remember to think about these questions from a listener’s point of view.

Once you start actually doing the work of planning, producing, and promoting your podcast episodes you will have to follow a podcast production and promotion workflow.

In this section of the Podcast Business Plan, you will list the equipment you will use, the workflow you will follow, and the standard operating procedures for each workflow. Remember, this plan is a living document and you will update it as your workflow improves and becomes more efficient or when you add more podcasting tools to your arsenal.

To choose the Podcast Equipment, Podcast Software, and all the other things you will need in your podcast production workflow you will first need to know what your budget is and acquire the tools that fit within it.

Any business plan will include a budget as well as a cash flow statement and financial projections.

With a podcast business plan, you will focus mainly on the budget.

How much money are you going to invest to start your podcast?

It is possible to start podcasting for almost FREE .

But you will have an easier, more enjoyable experience if you spend some money on good gear and reliable services.

• Podcast Equipment
• Podcast Studio (acoustic treatment)
• Podcast Media Hosting
• Graphic Design
• Podcast Editor Services
• Podcast Production Services
• Podcast Marketing
• Website Design and web hosting
• Social Media marketing
• Paid Advertising
• Podcast Editing Software
• Marketing and Productivity Software

Where will you spend your time on your podcast?

• If you have lots of money and little time – spending money will save you time on your podcast.
• If you have lots of time but little money – spending more time on your podcast will save you money.

One of the big causes of podfading is that new podcasters drastically underestimate the amount of time it takes to make a good podcast.

If you are a new podcaster you will need to budget a lot of time for your show at first. Much more time than you probably first realize.

Create a practice episode and see how long it takes you to produce it from start to finish.

Record the time it takes to plan the episode, source the reference material, write the script (or outline), record the show, edit the show, process the audio, write the show notes and produce the episode art and social media images and to publish and start the promotion.

Once you know how long it takes you to get through one episode you can figure out if you will need to outsource some of this work to save time.

You can also decide to reduce your podcast publishing frequency if you won’t have time to complete a full episode each week.

📝 NOTE: a professional podcast network like Gimlet or NPR can have up to 30 or more people working on ONE podcast at a time.

As an indie podcaster, you usually start out with just one person doing all the work (or two if you have a co-host).

Create an editorial calendar

Using an editorial calendar can help you to plan out multiple podcast episodes in advance and know what stage each episode is in the production workflow.

There are a lot of great tools that can help with this and most of them are free ( or freemium ).

I like Notion because I can develop my own system (without knowing any code) that is custom to my needs and how I like to work. Notion has a free plan which so far works for me.

I’m working on a Podcast Business Plan and a Podcast Production Workflow Template for Notion right now. If you use Notion you may be interested in this template.

If you want the template (once complete) then Register for the Notion Template by completing the survey at the end of this article.

I used to use Trello to manage my content production workflow and it is a great option too.

Trello is a KanBan (and more) style project management software that makes it easy to create pipelines and workflows for any project. It isn’t as flexible as Notion but the learning curve is a little flatter.

And if you use WordPress for your podcast website there is a good plugin called Editorial Calendar that allows you to plan and schedule multiple posts and track your progress and even assign tasks to your team (if you have one).

Will you podcast in seasons?

Some podcasts produce their shows in seasons. In the same way that a TV Show is produced in seasons, you can release your show in podcast seasons. This will give you a break in between to let you catch your breath or get a head start on the next season.

A final word on Podcast Budgets

One of the benefits of spending time on writing a podcast budget is you get to evaluate many options on where you can spend money on your show and which solutions will best meet your needs.

Writing out a podcast budget for both time and money will help you to realize the costs associated with the different aspects of the podcasting workflow and where any money that comes in will flow in order to improve and grow the show.

This is especially important if you have a Co-host(s) who is a partner in the ownership of the show. A Podcast Business Plan and a written podcast partnership agreement are crucial. Once money starts flowing there has to be an agreement in advance on who gets what and if and how the money gets re-invested in the show.

This is the section of the podcast business plan where you outline the work that needs to be done and who is going to do it.

Even if you are the only person involved in your show it is a good idea to do a thorough job here.

In the book, The E-Myth , by Michael Gerber , he says that it is very important to outline all the functions of your business and create an organizational chart displaying each function. Do this even if you are putting your own name onto each of the org chart boxes!

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

$Click the button below to verify the price.

Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It If you are starting a podcast and want to run it as a business this is a must-read.

You are the CEO, the Podcast Host, the Podcast Editor, the Podcast Producer, the Research Team, the Community Manager, the Marketing Director… you get the idea!

Each function will have a Podcast Standard Operating Procedure (PSOP) attached to it.

As you get better at podcasting and refine your workflow, update the PSOPs to reflect your current standard as to how the work gets done.

Now you will have an employee manual for each business function of your podcast.

When it comes time to outsource one of the operational functions you just replace your name with your new personnel and train them using the established PSOP.

And if you document all the work for each role on the Podcast Standard Operating Procedures (PSOP) then you will have more content for your podcast operations plan .

In this section of the podcast marketing plan , you want to explore the niche in more detail than you did in the podcast executive summary.

What other shows are in the niche that will be competing for your listeners’ time?

List all the shows in your niche and comment on their format, style, credibility in the space, the podcast album art quality, and overall appeal of these shows.

What are the most popular shows in your niche?

Which shows in the niche are the most popular? Write a brief analysis as to why you believe these shows are successful. What is different about them than the less popular shows.

Where does your show fit into the niche?

Describe how your show will fit into the mix of other shows. What will you bring to the table that others are currently not?

Will you produce content competitors don’t?

Do you have access to credible interview guests in the niche? Do you have a particular skill set that is in demand in the niche? Will you offer a different format or style of the show than the others?

Will you have more audience engagement?

Will you build a more engaging audience than your competitors ?

What tools will you use to generate audience engagement?

How will you get your audience to raise their hands and identify themselves.?

Podcast listening is anonymous meaning you have no (legal) way of knowing who is listening unless they volunteer to identify themselves either by signing up for your email list or engaging with you through comments, voice mail feedback, or social media mentions.

What is your plan to get to know your audience?

You can use lead magnets, quizzes, surveys, polls, and freebies to entice your listeners to raise their hands and go from anonymous to known listeners.

One of my favorite engagement tools is Smart Quiz Builder . This is a WordPress Plugin and it allows you to generate quizzes, surveys, polls, calculators, and lead magnets for your listeners.

I highly recommend it .

Your target audience is a group of people that are ideal listeners to your show. They are also your potential customers when you monetize the show.

In order to attract the audience, you will need to PROMOTE your show.

In the movie, Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner’s character was told, “ if you build it they will come “.

This has become a meme now but the truth is if you produce a podcast they will NOT come automatically.

You have to promote the show and build an audience over a period of time.

If you do a good job of targetting the right listener and understand their needs this will be much easier.

If you truly understand your audience you will speak their language and they will feel like they know you right from the beginning because you are one of them .

• Geographic location
• Education level

Psychographics

• Spirituality
• Family values
• Individual rights vs societal responsibility
• Environment
• religious beliefs
• glass half full or half empty
• marital status
• Agreeableness
• Conscientiousness
• Neuroticism
• Extroversion

An Avatar is the one person who is your ideal listener . You need to describe this person in detail.

• What do they do for fun?
• What hobbies or sports do they play?
• Do they listen to a lot of other podcasts?
• What made them interested in your topic?
• How old are they? Are they Male, Female, or another gender?

You should know everything about this fictional person that represents exactly who you want to speak to through your show. When you prepare your content, present the material, and promote the show you will be thinking of only this one person .

Of course, other people who aren’t exact matches to your Avatar will end up listening to (and enjoying) your content. But you should be extremely focused on who you are speaking to while on the mic.

You can not grow the right audience if you don’t know who they are, and what they want, and then give it to them!

📝 NOTE: The audience (potential customers) you choose will have a huge impact on the type of podcast you run. If you are selling high-end, done-for-you services then you don’t want to create a podcast that teaches DIY content. Why? because then you will attract people that want to do it themselves and these people will be cheap and will not want to spend a lot of money on your high-end service.

Provide a brief summary of the podcast industry. Listener demographics and growth of the general podcast space. It is a good idea to have a good understanding of the space so you can present the opportunity to invest in your show through sponsorships, joint ventures, or fundraising.

Knowing the niche industry will help you develop a better marketing strategy as well.

Also, provide a brief summary of the niche industry of your show. If your show is in the travel industry then write about the growth in travel and increased interest in tourism. Research the numbers and present the data in a persuasive way.

Marketing plans usually include Product, Price, Place, and Promotion .

For podcasting, the Product isn’t usually the show (unless the audience is large enough). In most cases, the product is what you are selling. Either your own product or service or someone else’s. Price is what are you charging for the products you are selling. The place is the reach of your show. Promotion is how you will get the word out.

Describe where you will find your audience.

Where do your ideal listeners hang out online and how can you participate there?

If your show appeals to professionals then maybe the best place to find a pool of potential listeners is on LinkedIn or maybe some Facebook groups for the profession. The key is to focus your efforts on where your ideal listeners are hanging out online.

Offline Marketing Opportunities

Are there offline marketing opportunities for your podcast?

• Conferences
• Cocktail Parties
• Charity Events
• Print Media
• Business Cards for your show?

What marketing activities are you going to do regularly?

Map out what activities you will do regularly. I’ve heard some digital marketers say that they spend 20% of their time creating content and 80% of their time promoting it. I find this a little extreme but the point is taken. You will need to spend a good portion of your time promoting the show.

What services are you going to use to help automate these activities?

There are a lot of social media, email marketing automation, and CRM tools that can help you to reach people more efficiently. I like Publer , Fluent CRM , Nimble CRM among others.

Define what channels you will be using for marketing?

Will you build a website for your show or just use an automatically generated page from your podcast media hosting company ? Will you publish your content and interact with people on LinkedIn? Will you be active on Clubhouse? Will you run a Facebook group? Will you build a Youtube Channel to promote your podcast? Will you use Twitter or Instagram as your primary social channel? There is no right or wrong answer here.

↪️ Pick the social channels that appeal to you most and where your Avatar is most likely to be.

Distribution – Submit to all directories

Unless you have a good reason not to then submit your show to all the podcast directories that are available. The exception to this rule is never to pay to be in a podcast directory. The paid podcast directories are not worth it.

The main podcast directories include Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, and more. A full list of directories can be found over at Podcast 411.

Ratings and reviews

Despite what you probably heard over and over again on a lot of the shows that you listen to, podcast ratings and reviews don’t increase your exposure on Apple Podcasts . They do give you social proof which is a great thing to have and can be used in your marketing materials and social media posts to help convince others that your show is worth listening to.

Podcast Website

Will you build your own podcast website or use the generic, automatically generated podcast page that your podcast media host provides.

You can do more with a fully functional website but when you first start out you may decide to wait until later because the media host podcast pages are half decent.

If you build your own website there are a lot of options. WordPress is a popular platform and has plugins that support podcasting. Podpages is a platform designed specifically for podcasters.

Growing traffic to the podcast website:

• Guest podcasting
• social media community
• social media interaction
• Paid Traffic

Don’t sign away the rights to your show unless you feel the compensation is worth losing control of your show. There are different types of podcast networks ranging from a podcast federation where member podcasters own their own shows but agree to promote other network members’ shows and networks like Gimlet where the shows are owned 100% by them. Be very careful about joining a podcast network as the benefits are not always greater than the cost.

The very first thing a potential listener will see when browsing a podcast directory is your podcast album art. Make sure it is eye-catching and professional. High-quality album art is very important and unless you are a graphic artist you may want to outsource this.

The Podcast Design Co is a great option if you don’t have the skills to design your own album art.

Check out this article for Podcast Album Art specifications and requirements .

Picking some brand colors for your podcast is a good idea. There are some good sites that can help you pick colors that go well together and then you will use these colors for your album art, website, and social media graphics.

If you are starting a podcast that will be promoting an existing business you own then you may want to consider an account-based marketing strategy.

Account-Based Marketing is a strategy that Business to Business podcasters utilize to build relationships with decision-makers in target accounts.

You will need to list all the target accounts and the decision-makers within them.

Then contact the target clients and schedule them to be interviewed on your podcast.

The idea is that it is easier to get a podcast interview than to schedule a sales call.

Then after a relationship is established you can talk business.

You don’t have to have an Account-Based Marketing strategy in all your episodes. You can have different podcast episode strategies that you cycle through.

Each episode should have a purpose. What is the call to action you want people to follow after listening? We just went over the Account-Based Marketing Strategy but there are others you can implement.

• Revenue Generation – promoting specific products on an episode
• Awareness – letting your audience know about a new area of business your company is in.
• Goodwill – presenting information on charity work or community activities you are engaged in.
• Email list building – enticing listeners to sign up for the newsletter
• Word of mouth marketing – asking listeners to share the show.

Now that you have worked through a good portion of the Podcast Business Plan you probably realize that this podcast thing takes a lot of your time, and energy and costs money!

So now it is time to plan how you are going to make money from your podcast.

But don’t spend too much time here because you can’t monetize a podcast until you have built an audience. Remember the 4 P’s of Podcasting – Planning, Production, Promotion, Profit .

Profit is the last of the 4 P’s and you have to get the other 3 P’s right first or you won’t have an audience to sell anything to.

So focus most of your time on making your show the best it can be. Then focus some time on promoting your show. Then you will be able to work on the final P (profit).

Having said all of that it is good to have an idea of what the monetization options are so that you can plan your target listener properly. And you can keep these podcast monetization methods in the back of your mind as you build your show.

• Sponsorships and Advertising
• Affiliate Marketing
• Joint Venture Partnerships
• Coffee Mugs
• Cell phone cases
• Bumper Stickers
• Baseball caps
• Online Courses
• Membership site
• Paid Webinar
• Virtual Summit
• Active Campaign
• Name Hero Webhosting
• Private Label Rights (PLR)
• Premium Podcast Feed
• Paypal button
• Podbean Patron
• Buy Me a Coffee dot com
• Kickstarter
• Professional services (accounting, etc)
• Promoting an existing business

Pick the monetization methods that are best suited for your show.

Decide what podcast monetization and when you will implement them.

Remember before you start to Profit from your podcast you have to build an audience.

Again >>> Profit is the last P in the Four P’s of Podcasting .

A traditional business plan includes a financial projection with cash flow analysis on a monthly and quarterly basis. But for an independent podcaster, I don’t think it is necessary to create financial statements when you write your first draft. Remember this will be a living document and once your show is successful you can add an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Until then, just a brief summary of your intended monetization method will suffice.

Enter the Quiz Title

As you can see it will take some time and effort to write out a powerful podcast business plan. If you choose to use a tool like Notion to write out your plan I can help you as I am building a template right now. You can sign up to be the first to know when it is available.

But even using Notion can take some time to set up your system and tweak it to your way of working. Even using a template can be time-consuming.

So I am recommending that you check out UpMetrics Podcast Business Plan Template . Not only do they have a template you can use to build out your own Podcast Business Plan but their software walks you through each step of the process.

This makes it easier and saves you a lot of time. So for the investment in their service, you will have more time to produce more content or grow the show.

I hope you enjoyed this article and I wish you the best of luck in creating your Podcast Business Plan and launching a podcast that achieves the goals you set for yourself.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Benjamin Franklin

Andrew McGivern is a podcaster, blogger and mobile tech guy. Father of three awesome little ones. Interested in Social Media Marketing, New Media and Podcasting, Technology, Natural Health and Green Energy.

Add your thoughts

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: fourteen + eight =

>> Subscibe for podcasting news, equipment reviews and industry updates.

• Sample Business Plans
• Retail, Consumers & E-commerce

Podcast Business Plan

Hours in the traffic or listening along as you work, podcasts are popular for everything from entertainment to education.

And due to the convenience, this form of content offers podcasts, and audio content is bound to grow in popularity in the future as well.

And if you are someone who can speak with the right tempo and have in-depth knowledge about a subject, then you might have thought of having your podcast.

If yes, then all you would need is quality content and a podcast business plan .

Industry Overview

The podcast industry stood at a market value of 11.46 billion dollars in 2020 and is growing at a rapid rate. The biggest benefit of the industry is that it is a growing market and has space for newcomers as people continue to adopt podcasts as a form of content consumption.

The main reason for the growth is the convenience it offers and how it allows people to get content from any subject while they go on about their other activities.

Another major benefit is the ease of setup and less requirement of finances, especially when you are just getting started.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

Things to Consider Before Writing a Podcast Business Plan

Know your audience.

Knowing your audience is primary to having a successful podcast. Try to figure out what your audience wants to listen to, what are their questions, what are their challenges, how can you help solve them, etc.

It helps you create effective content that your audience wants to listen to and also creates something that adds value to their lives. Hence, as soon as you figure out your niche, try to find out what questions your audience has on that subject.

Choose the right platform

The right platform which attracts the audience in your niche is essential to the success of your podcast. The right content on the wrong platform is a sure-shot recipe for disaster. Hence, it is essential to do your research and pick the right platform to ensure that your efforts don’t go to waste.

Get the right equipment

The right equipment can make all the difference for your podcast. And as it is the main primary cost of your business, make sure that you get the best equipment to help you get started on the right foot. Bad sound quality and other disturbances can act as a major turn-off for your audience. Hence, invest in the right equipment to avoid that.

Figure out what your audience would get out of your podcasts

Asking the question “why” is important to help you create the right content for your audience, and also to help you stay on track as your podcast grows. Hence, it is important to ask yourself why you want to start the podcast and what people would get out of it before getting started.

Chalking out Your Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new Podcast Business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample podcast business plan created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new podcast business, spend as much time as you can reading through some samples of entertainment-related business plans .

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for, and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample podcast business plan for you to get a good idea about what a perfect Podcast Business Plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Podcast Business Plan Outline

This is the standard podcast business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Promotion of fixed mindsets at schools.
• Work-Place Related Mental Health Conditions
• Strategically Devised Courses by Mindcast
• Solution Features
• Short-Term (1 -3 Years)
• Long Term (3-5 years)
• Mission statement
• Unique Selling Proposition
• Mindcast – 3-Year Financial Highlights
• Company Ownership/Legal Entity
• Interior Operating Facilities
• Hours of Operation
• Startup summary
• Learning How to Learn
• Coaching Educators
• Mental Health Development
• Emotional Well-Being at Workplace
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
• Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT
• Market segmentation
• Market Trends
• Target Market Segment
• Mindset Works
• Competitive Advantage
• SWOT analysis
• Target Market Strategy
• Market Size
• Positioning Statement
• Online Marketing Channels
• Offline Marketing Channels
• Pricing strategy
• Organization Chart
• Management Team
• Hiring plan
• Important Assumptions
• Break-even analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample podcast business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your podcast business plan pdf or doc file. It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Download a sample podcast business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free podcast business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your podcast business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

Related Posts

Publishing Company Business Plan

Dance Stuido Business Plan

AI-powered Business Plan Generators

Business Plan Writing Steps

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

• 400+ Business plan templates & examples
• AI Assistance & step by step guidance
• 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

How to write a business plan for a podcast

Table of Contents

Why do you need a business plan?

What do you need to include, podcast overview, how are you different, target audience, monetisation, merchandising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, how can you manage your finances with countingup.

Podcasts are a thriving industry, and more people are listening every year . If you’re looking to start your own podcast, you should come up with a dedicated business plan to help you succeed.

In this article, we’re going to answer:

Writing a business plan is like planning your journey before you get in a car. You might still end up in a good place by deciding things as you go, but you can end up making a lot of wrong turns. 

It’s also possible to lose momentum and get bored if you don’t know where you’re headed — especially if success is more challenging than you first thought.

A good business plan offers guidance and goals. It can include milestones and help you visualise exactly what you want to achieve. Having one can be the difference between a successful podcast and a failed one.

This is just a brief look into why you want to set up a podcast. We’ll go into more detail later on in the business plan. The main points you want to include in your overview are:

• What your show is about.
• The people involved (hosts, producers, etc).
• Your mission, and what you want to help your business achieve by making a podcast. 

For a typical business plan, you’d need to do more specific competitor research. When making your own podcast though, the landscape is competitive in a different way. Some listeners subscribe to multiple podcasts in their niche, but tend to be loyal when they find a podcast that they enjoy. It can be tough to break through the podcasts already out there, so try listening and comparing popular podcasts in your niche. You can then use this research to help structure and develop your podcasts’ format into one that sets you apart. 

To do that, you’ll need to figure out a few things:

• Who is leading your niche, and why?
• Are you using a similar format to other podcasting shows?

Just like knowing who’s in your niche, you need to know the type of audience you’re appealing to. If you begin your show with no idea of who you want to enjoy it, you can end up coming across as awkward and directionless. 

Instead, define your target audience . Try to make it as specific as possible, because the clearer your vision is, the better you’ll be able to relate to your ideal listener. Some questions you may wish to ask yourself are:

• Are they male or female?
• How old are they? (Be specific to five to ten years)
• What sort of job do they work? 
• Are they single, in a relationship, part of a family?
• Why do they want to listen to my podcast?
• What are their political ideologies?

When it comes to making a show about something people like, you want to think about who they are inside as well as outside. If you can figure out what makes your audience tick, you can end up greatly improving your chances of success. After all, the more you develop your ideal, the better response you can receive. 

How much will your podcast cost, and how much are you willing to spend? You’ll need to buy various equipment (such as a microphone and audio processing software), as well as decide on which site will host your podcast. Plan out your costs (set-up and ongoing) ahead of time, and you’ll know roughly how much you have to work with. 

This section refers to everyone who could be working with you. If you’re doing everything yourself, that’s absolutely fine — though you should still outline individual roles and what it takes to complete them effectively. If your podcast becomes a hit, you may have to bring other people on board to help you manage it.

Some initial roles you should think about are:

• Writer (who will script or generate ideas for the show)
• Host (who will be speaking on the show)
• Sound editor (who will fix up the sound before it’s published)
• Producer (who will manage the podcast, and keep it on schedule)
• Promoter (who will decide how the show gets advertised)

Your marketing strategy outlines how you want people to find out about your podcast , the channels you’ll use to upload, and how often you’ll post a new episode. Will you upload to popular services like Spotify or Soundcloud ? These are all things you should plan ahead of time.  

If you intend to make any money from your podcasts, you’ll need to set up some monetisation methods. With these set up, instead of costing you money, your podcast will start paying for itself.

Some ways you can fund your podcast are:

It’s common for podcasts to start selling merchandise connected to their show. Possible ‘merch’ could be t-shirts or mugs with related designs printed across them. The specific merch you decide to make available depends entirely on your show and your audience. You may even find that potential designs or quotes arise naturally during your show.

One popular method of making your podcast profitable is by using affiliate marketing. If you’ve ever seen a host mention using a link or discount code for another website, that is an example of affiliate marketing.

Every time that link or code is used, it is registered as coming from the podcast. The amount of traffic your podcast sends to the site determines how much you get paid. Depending on who you affiliate with, this could be a flat rate or percentage of a sale. 

When you make money through a sponsorship, you’re effectively being paid to promote a specific product or company. This could involve talking about it naturally during your podcast, or dedicating a specific ‘ad break’ section to it. 

If you choose to make your money through sponsorships, you may need an established fanbase of a certain size. The larger this fanbase is, the more lucrative your sponsorship could be. If you are growing quickly, you can always try to negotiate a better deal.

And your business plan is done. You may find, as you grow and develop your podcast, that some things need adjusting — that’s to be expected. You should regularly update your business plan to give your podcast the best chance of success.

If you do start making money from your podcast, you’ll need to track and report it for your taxes. If you haven’t done this before, it can be a very confusing process. To make it easier, we recommend using accounting software like the Countingup app.

Countingup is a bank account with built-in accounting software to give you the best overview of your money. With its automatic categorisation feature and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatibility, it can make reporting your taxes a breeze. 

Start your free three-month trial here .

• Counting Up on Facebook
• Counting Up on Twitter
• Counting Up on LinkedIn

Related Resources

Bookkeeping and accounting tips for hairdressers.

As a self-employed hairdresser or salon owner, bookkeeping and accounting can be hard

What expenses can you claim as a childminder?

Being a childminder can be a great way to earn extra income or

How to get more clients as a freelance makeup artist

Whether you’re a professional makeup artist, a bridal makeup artist or a student

How to start a supported living business

Starting a supported living business is a challenging, but incredibly rewarding, way to

How To Start A Vending Machine Business In The UK

Starting a business is a great way to become your own boss and

How to start a dog daycare business

If you think dogs are a treat to be around, you’re not alone.

How to start a babysitting business

If you love spending time with children and offer to babysit for family,

How to start a cat sitting business

Did you know that 24% of the UK population own a cat? That’s

Money laundering regulations for estate agents

In December 2020, the government issued the National risk assessment of money laundering

How to sell jewellery designs to companies 

Do you enjoy creating unique jewellery designs? If so, you might want to

How to become a self-employed labourer

Do you enjoy working with your hands and like the idea of being

How to start a home-based recording studio

With the advancement of technology, recording music at a professional level from home

How and Why to Write a Podcast Business Plan

The podcast industry is growing rapidly, and its significant benefit is that it is a growing market and has a lot of space for newcomers. The main reason for the podcast industry's growth is the convenience it offers and the flexibility it provides to people to listen to the content they are interested in while doing other activities. Another advantage is less requirement of finances, especially if you are just starting, and the ease of setup. Many podcast producers start it as a hobby, and others treat it as a business. Regardless of what purpose you have at the start, you should create a podcast business plan if you decide to turn your podcast into a business. We will explain why you need to have a podcast business plan before your start and how to create it with our helpful steps below.

Why do you need to have a podcast business plan?

It will help you to understand what y ou are going to do..

A podcast business plan will allow you to put down on the paper all your tasks and ideas on paper. It will help you understand what you need to know and do before starting. Ultimately, it will serve as a guide throughout your daily work.

It will increase chances for success.

Like before going on a trip, you will explore the map and plan your travel. A podcast business plan will be your map for your podcast adventure and increase your chances of successfully reaching your goal.

It will help you to treat your production as a business.

If you plan to do a business, you should consider all your numbers and steps, your earning potential, your spending, your monetization, team members, etc. So, your podcast business plan will give the answers to all those questions. In case if you need a sponsor for your show, any investor would like to see your podcast business plan and use it to evaluate the potential of your show for success.

How to create a proper podcast business plan?

1. understand the reason for your podcasting..

Every successful business plan should have a mission statement. This is the reason for starting your show. Think about why you want to spread your show. Do you want to solve a problem, educate, entertain, or other goals? What is the value you want to offer to your listeners? This will help you to understand yourself, about your goals of notoriety and money. Do you want to become a famous podcaster, have a good business, or it’s just a hobby?

2. Get clear on your audience.

You won’t create a podcast that is intended for everyone, it’s simply not possible. You should think about the right audience who will need to listen to your shows. It is important for your podcast business plan , as it will make it easy to develop and market your product to your right audience. You need to know who they are and what products and services they are interested in.

3. Choose the right platform.

The right content on the wrong platform won’t work right. You should do research and choose the right platform which will attract your audience and ensure that your efforts are not in vain.

4. Pick up the right equipment.

The next point of your podcast business plan should be for the right equipment purchase, as it will make all the difference for your shows. As it is the primary cost of your business, you should ensure to get the best equipment to start with. Bad sound quality and other obstacles can have a destructive and significant impact on your shows and disappoint your listeners. Hence, study the market and get the right equipment for your budget to avoid failures in the future.

5. Understand your budget

One of the most essential points of your podcast business plan will be the budget arrangement. In case you have decided to produce a high-quality podcast, you should consider the expenses. It is preferable to obtain professional tools like headphones and microphones. Make a basic list of the necessary podcast equipment, services, tools and calculate the costs. You could also find funders for your podcasting, and they will request budget planning. If you are creating a podcast for a large organization, a podcast business plan with detailed expense planning will be mandatory. While creating your budget planning you should include:

-- Recording equipment list (computer, microphone, headphones, audio recorder, and accessories) -- Editing Software (Pro tools DAW subscription, external effect plugin) -- Public costs (Domain name, website hosting, transcription, hosting service subscription ) -- Promotion Cots (business cards, stickers, pins, ads, etc.) -- Personnel Costs (a host, producer, graphic designer, editor, sound engineers, etc.).

6. Marketing plan

The next important point of your podcast business plan will be your podcast marketing strategy. Prepare a promotion plan for your podcast growth, audience enlargement, and sharing your podcast on larger platforms . Prepare an action plan for:

-- Building a podcast website -- Submitting your episodes to podcast directories -- Convincing listeners to subscribe and leave ratings -- Growing your website traffic -- Investing in paid advertising -- Building your podcast community on social media -- Joining  a podcast network

The essential part of all this is to make sure that you follow the steps mentioned in your podcast business plan on daily basis to promote your show according to it.

7. Monetization strategy

At first, you may be far from thinking about monetizing your show, but for the future, it will become one of your action points and you should develop the right strategy on how to monetize your show. When you set your budget, it will become clear what kind of monetization strategy you need to choose. The popular monetization channels for podcasting are: -- Affiliate marketing -- Merch -- Digital product sales -- Physical product sales -- Sponsorship, ads, and partnerships

A proper podcast business plan will help you to reach your goals of turning your podcast into a successful business. We hope our tips and guides will help you on your way.

You might also like

The Secret Recipe For The Best Podcast Trailer

The Complete Guide: How Much Does Podcasting Cost?

Why and How You Should Create a Podcast if You're Starting a Business

The Best Podcasts for Women

Browse posts by popular tags.

How to Create a Podcast Business Plan

There comes a moment when you need to decide if your podcast will be a business venture, or a hobby.

Many people start a podcast as a hobby and then later turn it into a business, while others treat their podcast as a business right from the start.

Regardless of which way you choose to go, when you decide to turn your podcast into a business, you’ll need to create a podcast business plan .

What Belongs in a Podcast Business Plan?

When you first hear the phrase podcast business plan, it’s easy to get intimidated. 

The good news you can create a podcast business plan by answering, defining or creating the following: 

• Determine your reason for podcasting
• Get clear on your ideal listener
• Consider monetization strategies
• Develop an editorial calendar
• Create a marketing plan

You can open Word, a Google Doc or grab a pen and paper and fill up a single page with all of these elements. 

By sticking with just these basic elements, you can get laser focused on what you need to do to make your business plan a reality.

1. Determine your reason for podcasting

Every good business plan needs a mission statement. This is your reason for creating your show.

Consider why you want to spread your message. Are you solving a problem? Spreading knowledge? What value are you offering the world?

This is also a good time to be honest with yourself about your goals of money and notoriety.

For example, are you hoping to get famous as a podcaster? If so, that’s okay – but you need to have this goal defined so you can backwards engineer how to get there.

2. Get clear on your ideal listener

You don’t want to try and create a podcast that is for everyone because it simply doesn’t exist. Instead, think about the one perfect person that needs to be listening to your show.

The reason this is so important for your podcast business plan is because it makes it easier to market and develop products for your audience to purchase. You need to know who they are, what they want, and what products and services they will get value from.

3. Consider monetization strategies

Start thinking about how you will monetize your podcasting efforts. Begin by looking at all the ways to make money podcasting .

Again, don’t overcomplicate this in the beginning. The idea of the podcaster business plan is to focus on the basics.

There is no rule that says you can’t be profitable from the beginning, but you will need to plan out how you will achieve this goal.

Think about which monetization strategies will be the most appropriate for you at first. If you need cashflow fast, you will need to plan for that too. For example, selling affiliate products before developing your own may yield returns quickly to fuel your ongoing business efforts.

Selling services is also a much faster way to monetize than building a listenership first. A healthy sized fanbase is usually necessary for things like bigger sponsorships and large amounts of donations via platforms like Patreon .

4. Develop an editorial calendar

To make quick work of the tasks ahead of you, an editorial calendar will act as the map on your journey. It ensures you always have something to record, edit, and release on a consistent basis.

Think about things like:

• How often you will release episodes
• Whether you will have seasons with scheduled hiatuses or release episodes consistently
• If your goal is to be evergreen or timely
• If you choose timely – you will need to consider the holidays and quarterly themes going on at the time of release. You will also need to keep track of current events 

After you map out a basic editorial calendar, you can then plan how you will batch and scale to manage your podcast workflow , and schedule as much of your work as possible ahead of time.

5. Create a marketing plan

Finally, you should think about how you will market your podcasting business . 

The goal of this element of the podcast business plan is to create a rough and basic idea of how you will get the word out about the show to get started.

Ask yourself:

• Do I need to launch my website before the podcast is released, or should I launch the site before I monetize (if you are already podcasting)?
• How will I drive people to my show?
• Blog posts optimized with keywords?
• Podcast directories?
• Social media?
• Email list?
• Guest podcasting?
• Where are my listeners hanging out already?

Time to Draft Your Podcast Business Plan

Creating a business plan for your podcast is fun and you’re going to do great! Remember, this is just the beginning with the sole purpose of getting you focused on your first steps towards becoming profitable.

Once you make your first dollar, or even your first $1,000, you can always update your plan as your grow and set new goals. By starting with your plan, you’ll be moving towards your goal of turning your show into a legitimate business.

Your New Podcast Starts Here

With RSS.com, you’ll get all the features you need to easily upload episodes, distribute your show to Spotify & Apple Podcasts, promote your show, build an audience and make money podcasting.

More to explore

or Search by Topic

Editing | Grow your Podcast | How-to | Make Money Podcasting | Podcast Directories & Apps | Podcast Equipment | Press Releases | Promotions & Discounts | Recording | RSS Feed | Tips for Podcasters

Start Podcasting with RSS.com

Easily start a podcast, upload episodes and build an engaged audience.

Table of Contents

How to Start a Podcast: Complete Step-by-Step Guide [2024]

Launching a podcast can feel overwhelming if you're doing it by yourself, but you don't have to do it alone.

Since 2009, Buzzsprout has helped over 300,000 podcasters launch their podcast, and we've used everything we've learned to create this guide.

We broke this guide into 10 easy steps that give you everything you need to confidently create, launch, and grow a great podcast!

Table of Contents

How to Start a Podcast in 10 Steps

• Free Podcast Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

• Develop a podcast concept
• Choose your podcast format
• Setup podcast equipment
• Choose your podcast software
• Record your first episode
• Edit your audio
• Create podcast artwork
• Set up podcast hosting
• Get listed in podcast directories
• Launch and grow your show

1. Develop a podcast concept

Choosing the right podcast concept for your new podcast is a big part of attracting the right listeners and staying committed to your show.

Follow these tips to narrow your niche and clarify your message.

Define your goals

Why do you want to start a podcast? It’s important to know your why, even if it’s to have fun with friends.

Some good reasons for starting a podcast are:

• to generate leads for a business
• be recognized as an industry leader
• share an important message

Podcasting has a lot of benefits for brands and businesses, but it’s important to be realistic about your goals.

While some podcasters shoot to fame, most have a small target audience that they build over time.

Pick a podcast theme or topic

You should feel excited to regularly discuss and research your podcast topic . The more you enjoy your topic, the less likely you'll experience podfade .

Once you have some ideas, do some market research to survey the competition in your genre.

Search your show's topic in Apple Podcasts . Listen to a few episodes and ask yourself what you could do differently.

There’s always a unique angle or perspective to offer.

To test out your own podcast concept, try to come up with ten episode ideas. If ideas don’t come easily, you might want to change topics.

Make it specific

When you zero in on a niche, you attract a more specific and engaged audience. Podcasts that appeal to a broad audience can end up reaching fewer people.

People are also more likely to recommend a niche podcast to a friend than a generic one.

To make your podcast niche, focus on a sub-category or sub-demographic.

Drill down on what makes your podcast different. What unique perspective can you bring to your podcast’s topic?

EXAMPLES OF FINDING A NICHE

• Mental health → Mental health for lawyers
• Drones → Drone racing
• Nutrition → Nutrition for diabetics
• Personality tests → Enneagram in the workplace
• Business → How to start a nonprofit

Name your podcast

Your podcast name is a core part of your brand. It makes a strong first impression on listeners and sets the tone for your podcast.

Here's Apple's advice on how to name your podcast:

Podcast names should have the following characteristics:

• specific and succinct
• similar to your business name or brand

Once you have a title in mind, run it through a podcast name checker to ensure the social media accounts and domains are available. You also don't want to use someone else's podcast name.

Don't create podcast artwork , yet. You'll tweak your podcast concept before you release your episodes, and you don't want to have to redo your artwork.

2. Choose your podcast format

Your format should complement your podcast and feel sustainable.

Ask yourself what gives you energy. Do you love connecting with podcast guests, or do you feel your best going solo?

If you choose to have cohosts, try to keep your group small. Podcasting with more than two or three people makes scheduling a challenge.

Keep in mind that some shows require more production than others. For instance, fiction podcasts usually require more editing than interview podcasts.

These are some common podcast formats :

• interview podcasts
• cohosted podcasts
• scripted non-fiction
• educational podcasts
• scripted fiction

Optimal podcast episode length

Make your episodes as long as they need to be and no longer.

Some podcasts are less than five minutes long, and others have episodes the length of a short audiobook. Here are the most common episode durations:

• less than 10 minutes (14%)
• 10—20 minutes (15%)
• 20—40 minutes (31%)
• 40—60 minutes (22%)
• Over 60 minutes (7%)

Podcast publishing schedule

Podcasting can be a full-time job or something you do on the side. You might decide to publish daily or every two years like Serial.

We recommend publishing once a week to develop a connection with listeners and create the habit of producing consistent content. These are the most common publishing frequencies:

• 0—2 days (7%)
• 3—7 days (36%)
• 8—14 days (39%)
• 15—29 days (17%)
• Over 30 days (1%)

3. Setup podcast recording equipment

You don’t have to buy expensive equipment to have good audio. Lots of popular podcasts have a basic setup.

Let’s review what to look for in a podcast microphone. Then, we’ll make our top podcast equipment recommendations.

Best podcast microphones

A good podcast mic enhances your audio quality and makes editing easier. Less background noise in your recording means less editing on the backend.

Here are a few to consider before getting your first podcast mic . Our top recommendation is the Samson Q2U which you can buy on Amazon for about $70.

Dynamic or condenser

Dynamic microphones work best for podcasting. They pick up lower frequencies and have less sensitivity. This means you’ll have less background noise to edit out later.

Condenser mics have more sensitivity and pick up a wider range of frequencies. Sensitivity is good for recording music but isn’t ideal for spoken word.

Podcast mics have two types of connections: XLR or USB .

XLR mics give you maximum flexibility. There are a lot of XLR mics to choose from, and they usually have a long life. But XLR mics require an interface or mixer to hook up. This can get expensive for beginners.

USB microphones are less expensive and plug directly into your computer. You can also run it through an interface if you record with multiple people.

USB mics are affordable, practical, and sound great. This mic is the best option for the majority of podcasters.

TOP MIC RECOMMENDATIONS :

• Samson Q2U | $70
• Podmic | $100
• Shure SM7B | $400

Example podcast setups

1. One-person setup ($70)

• Any headphones you already have

2. Two-person setup ($400)

• Samson Q2U | $70 (x2)
• Audio Technica M20x | $50 (x2)
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 | $160

3. Three-to-four-person setup ($960—$1,080)

• Samson Q2U | $70 (x3 or 4)
• Audio Technica M20x | $50 (x3 or 4)
• RODECaster Pro | $600

At $200, the Zoom P4 is a cost-conscious replacement for the RODECaster Pro.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES:

• RODE PSA1 Boom Arm | $120
• Shock mount | $35-50
• Foam ball or pop filter | $6—$10

RELATED YOUTUBE VIDEOS

• Best Podcast Setups for Beginners
• Rodecaster Pro - The Ultimate Podcast Mixer?!
• Zoom PodTrak P4 Review and Audio Test

4. Choose your podcast software

Once you've recorded your podcast, it's time to make edits. This is where you can structure your episode and optimize audio.

Fortunately, podcast editing software is often affordable. There are even some high-quality, free podcast editing tools.

Remote recording software

If you frequently do remote interviews, you'll need software specifically for long-distance recordings .

1. Riverside.fm

• Cost: $9+ per month
• Studio-quality recordings

Riverside allows you to record local audio and video, even if you don't have a great internet connection.

Users can take listener call-ins, livestream to social media, and edit videos within a browser. Files continuously upload to the cloud during recording, so you never lose your work.

2. SquadCast

• Cost: $10+ per month

SquadCast makes it easy to set up a remote podcast interview and capture high-quality, lossless audio.

Squadcast's sound quality is much better because it records local WAV files to each person’s computer. The initial setup is more complicated than Zooom, but this tutorial can help.

• Cost: Free - $15/month
• Average recording quality
• Most guests have experience with Zoom

Zoom is a go-to remote recording tool with average audio quality. And most people already know how to use it.

The app’s default features compress audio, but you can improve the audio by using the best settings for Zoom recordings .

Don't use Skype to record your podcast. Skype calls are typically much more compressed and of lower quality than the other options.

Editing software

1. GarageBand | Free

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Compatibility: Mac and iOS

GarageBand comes pre-installed on most Apple computers. If you don't have it, you can easily download it for free. We think GarageBand is a more intuitive interface than Audacity.

GarageBand is not available on Windows computers or Android phones. This tutorial can help you learn how to navigate the workspace.

2. Audacity | Free

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Compatibility: Mac, Windows, and Linux

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor with pro-level features. This DAW is more than enough for most podcasters to produce great episodes.

Audacity has a steeper learning curve than GarageBand, but we have many Audacity tutorials to help you navigate the platform.

3. Descript | $10+ per month

• Compatibility: Mac and Windows

Descript is an all-in-one editing tool that lets you record, transcribe, mix, and edit your audio files like you would a text document.

Descript can automatically remove filler words and dub over a phrase with text-to-speech voice cloning.

This Descript tutorial shows how to use the video and screen recording feature and the in-browser editing suite.

4. Hindenburg Pro | $12 per month

Hindenburg is a pro-level audio editing software designed specifically for podcasters and journalists.

The workspace features simple tools made for spoken word and automated options to streamline your workflow. This Hindenburg walkthrough gives you an idea of the workspace.

Alternatives :

• Adobe Audition

Other podcast software

These tools aren’t required but can improve your workflow and help optimize your content.

1. Cohost AI | Starting at $10 per month Buzzsprout's Cohost AI tool will allow you to use AI to build out the details of your episodes. We have built Cohost AI into Buzzsprout to make your upload process easier and more streamlined, allowing you to focus more on your episode content.

While your episode is processing, Cohost AI will be handling the details. Cohost AI will give you episode title ideas, draft an episode description, define chapters, transcribe your episode, write some social content, and even draft a blog post!

Then, you can use that content to build out the rest of your episode details.

2. Magic Mastering | $6 per month

Magic Mastering automatically levels out and optimizes your audio file, like an Instagram filter for your podcast.

This tool helps simplify your workflow and guarantees your podcast meets industry best practices.

3. Audio Hijack | $64 one-time fee

Audio Hijack lets you record audio from any website or application and save it as an audio file.

Audio Hijack is an excellent option for livestreaming with Twitch, StreamYard, or Facebook Live.

• Best Podcast Recording & Editing Software
• How to Record Long-Distance Podcast Interviews

5. Record your first episode

Recording your episode requires a little preparation on the front end. Follow these three steps to set yourself up for success.

1. Write a podcast outline

Rambling is one of the most common mistakes new podcasters make, and the best way to fight this tendency is by writing a podcast script or outline .

Even taking a few minutes to jot down a list of bullet points will dramatically improve the flow of your episode.

If you're working with a cohost, share the outline with them so you can work on it together.

2. Pick a good place to record

If possible, record in a quiet room with lots of furniture, curtains, rugs, or carpet.

Noise bounces off of hard, flat surfaces, so eliminate these where you can. You can also sound treat your space with foam panels on the walls.

3. Set up your recording equipment and software

Connect your mic to your computer or audio recording device.

If you have a USB mic, plug the cable into your computer’s USB port. If you have multiple hosts, run each mic through an audio interface and plug the interface into the computer.

If you have an XLR mic, connect its cable to a USB interface or an external audio recording device like the Podtrak P4.

Once plugged in, go to your audio editing software settings and select your audio input.

Microphone technique

Position your mouth 2" to 4" away from the microphone for the cleanest sound, but the optimal distance may vary based on your microphone.

If you notice too many plosives or harsh sibilance in your recordings, the simplest solution is to move off-axis from the microphone.

Set your mic up to the side, angled slightly toward your mouth. This adjustment prevents bursts of air from hitting the capsule and results in more natural audio.

Record test track

Try recording yourself talking at a consistent volume at several different positions. Then, listen to the recording to see which position gave you the best audio quality.

Don't worry about mistakes, stammers, or silence. You can make your edits in the next step.

6. Edit your audio

Podcast editing is primarily for cleaning up the audio and making basic changes to the structure. Try to keep the process simple. If you focus too much on production, you'll get overwhelmed.

Follow these four tips to streamline your editing workflow.

1. Create an engaging intro and outro

Your podcast intro tells your audience what you’re about, and the value your podcast brings. When done well, your intro hooks listeners and convinces them to stick around for the whole episode.

You can get royalty-free music for no cost or purchase your show's intro music through one of these resources:

• Soundstripe
• Audio Jungle
• Storyblocks

2. Edit for content, then distractions

Edit for content on your first pass and work on noise issues or other distractions on your second go-around.

If you focus on noise issues too early, you might polish sections you remove later on. Focus on getting the content right first, then double back to fix audio issues.

3. Fade between tracks to remove unwanted noise

When you cut sections of audio, you can sometimes get little pops or clicks in the finished product.

Use the fade tool at the beginning and end of clips if you run into those issues.

4. Create a punch-list

If you don't want to listen to an entire episode multiple times, create a list of audio distractions to check during your second pass.

This list can save time and ensure you don’t miss anything.

• How to Edit a Podcast in Audacity
• How to Edit a Podcast in GarageBand

Export audio file

After you edit your podcast, export it as a .WAV file. Buzzsprout will automatically add ID3 tags and convert your file to the correct file format.

If you use another podcast hosting platform like Anchor , you'll need to export your file in the format your hosting site recommends.

Don't worry about ID3 tags . Buzzsprout will add the correct ID3 tags to your audio files automatically.

7. Create podcast artwork

Your podcast cover art is the first thing potential listeners see on Apple Podcasts or social media.

Good artwork implies quality content, and 62% of new listeners are more likely to listen to a podcast if they like its cover art.

Your podcast artwork should follow these technical specifications based on Apple’s Podcast Artwork Requirements :

• square Image (3000 x 3000 pixels)
• resolution of 72 dpi
• PNG or JPEG file types
• colorspace RGB

5 Tips to make your podcast artwork stand out

Follow these five tips to make artwork that stands out in podcast directories and attracts new listeners.

• Visually communicate the subject of the podcast. Potential listeners should know what your podcast is about just by looking at your artwork. Too much symbolism or ambiguity can turn people away.
• Design for a variety of sizes. You will use your artwork across several mediums and platforms, so it must look good even at 55 x 55 pixels.
• Don’t use too many words or fonts. Don't use more than four words on your cover art, and make sure it's legible even in small sizes. You should also limit yourself to two complementary fonts.
• Avoid podcast imagery. Just as movie covers don't have pictures of DVDs and TV sets, your podcast cover art shouldn't show podcasting equipment. You don’t need to remind people that they’re listening to a podcast!
• Use consistent branding. Your podcast artwork is a part of your overall branding. Feel free to make subtle changes to artwork to fit various layouts and pages, but the imagery should stay consistent.

Tools to design your podcast artwork

Buzzsprout's canva integration.

Buzzsprout's Canva integration allows you to create your own podcast cover within your Buzzsprout account.

Choose from 250,000+ templates, edit the template to match your podcast brand, and click Send to Buzzsprout .

Using this tool automatically guarantees that your cover art meets spec requirements for every podcast app.

Adobe Create Cloud Express

Adobe Creative Cloud Express (previously Adobe Spark) is a free service similar to Canva.

Create a free account and browse a catalog of templates, text styles, and color pallets to design your unique podcast logo. When you’re done, download your file as a .jpg or .png.

Fiverr is a more affordable way to outsource your artwork. Prices vary based on the experience of the designer.

Make sure you pick a designer with examples of good artwork in their portfolio.

99Designs lets you run a contest where designers compete to create the best design. Designers submit their ideas based on your guidelines, and you pick your favorite!

You can use this link for $20 off any contest.

8. Set up podcast hosting

A podcast hosting service like Buzzsprout stores your audio files and distributes them to podcast platforms so listeners can find your show in directories like Apple Podcasts.

You can try Buzzsprout free for 90 days to see how you like it. Then, follow these steps to set up your account!

Fill out your podcast information

Go to Podcast Info inside Buzzsprout to fill in your podcast title, artwork, and description. This information helps you appear in search engine queries.

Your podcast description is where you tell listeners what they can expect from your content. It’s also a good place to use keywords to draw people’s attention.

If you have a business podcast, use related words and phrases so readers know your content is relevant to them.

Upload podcast artwork

Upload your podcast artwork into the designated field.

You can upload pre-made artwork or use click the Canva button to create your cover art within the dashboard.

Pick a podcast category

This is where you pick which category your podcast appears in Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes).

Pick the category that best fits your podcast. You can always change this later.

You can also pick a subcategory to narrow your niche. It's better to be at the top of a subcategory than further down a general category.

Upload your first episode

Drag and drop your file into the dashboard and then schedule when you want it to go live.

Individual episodes have their own metadata, including an episode title, and can even have their own episode artwork.

Write podcast show notes

Your Episode Description is where you can write your show notes .

These notes show up with your episode in podcast apps and next to your episode on your podcast website. Quality show notes can help with your SEO and overall accessibility.

Try to include these things in your show notes:

• helpful links
• ancillary information
• contact information
• short summary of the episode

Most major apps support formatting within your episode notes, but not all do. Keep that in mind when you format your episode description text.

Bonus features in Buzzsprout

Now that you have the basics done, you can check out these extras to optimize your podcast.

Buzzsprout customizable website

Every podcast should have a website where your podcast lives. All Buzzsprout podcasters can create a free customizable website where you can keep your transcripts and episodes and have more information on your podcast and hosts.

You can set up this website within Buzzsprout and put it on your own domain. This site is primarily for podcast listening, transcripts, and show notes.

Transcripts

Transcripts help with your accessibility. Some people just prefer to read rather than listen to your content.

Within Buzzsprout, you can transcribe your episodes using Cohost AI , using a third-party transcription service, or transcribe it yourself. When the transcription is added, we’ll distribute it to every directory that supports the feature.

• Magic Mastering

It’s challenging to fine-tune your audio. Magic Mastering levels out your audio, removes background noises, and makes voices sound full.

Once you have an account, you can try out this feature for free on one episode!

Visual Soundbites

Visual Soundbites are video clips of your audio animated with your podcast artwork image and waveform.

These soundbites are a great way to promote on social media and stand out in someone’s feed. Posts with a visual component get an average of seven times the engagement.

• Setting up your podcast in Buzzsprout
• Buzzsprout Feature Playlist

9. Get listed in podcast directories

Podcast directories, like Apple Podcasts , are a centralized place for podcast listeners to find new shows.

Getting listed in the top podcast directories is a critical part of your podcast marketing strategy. Most of your new listeners will find your podcast through these directories.

Here are the steps for getting listed in the top three major podcast directories.

Submit podcast to Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is the world's number one podcast directory, accounting for 37.4% of all podcast downloads.

Here’s how to get into Apple Podcasts :

• Log in to Buzzsprout
• Go to the Directories tab
• Click Get Listed under Apple Podcasts
• Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect
• Click Validate
• Click Submit

It can take up to 24 hours for a podcast to be approved, as Apple does a human review of every new podcast. You'll receive an email once your show is approved.

Submit podcast to Spotify

Spotify launched its directory in 2018 and is now the second-largest podcast directory, with  26.8%  of all podcast downloads.

Here's how to get listed on Spotify :

• Login to Buzzsprout
• Select Get Listed under Spotify
• Select Submit Podcast to Spotify

Once you submit your podcast to Spotify, it should be listed almost immediately.

Submit podcast to Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts makes your podcast visible in Google web searches and on Android phones. This directory accounts for  2.4%  of all podcast downloads and works differently from its competitors.

Rather than submitting your podcast to a directory, you just make sure Google can crawl your podcast website.

You can manually submit your podcast RSS feed to Google to help speed up the process.

All Buzzsprout websites are compatible with Google Podcasts. Most podcasters see their episodes show up in Google results in a couple of weeks.

If you use another podcast platform, check out this article on how to get a podcast into Google Podcasts.

Other podcast directories

Once you get listed in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, your podcast is in front of 95%+ of all podcast listeners.

Submit to these smaller directories to further broaden your reach:

• Podcast Index
• Amazon Music and Audible
• iHeartRadio
• TuneIn Radio
• Listen Notes

10. Launch and grow your show

When it’s time to launch your podcast, you have two options. Choose whichever one feels best to you.

Strategy #1: The grand opening

A grand opening is when you build hype for your show before its launch. This is the approach used by most podcasters with an existing following.

Pick a launch date a few weeks away and reach out to people who might be interested.

You can pay for ads, submit to Apple Podcasts’ New and Noteworthy , or reach out to publications.

Strategy #2: The soft open

A soft open is more discreet. With this method, you publish episodes as if people are listening, but wait to promote your episodes.

This strategy lets you get comfortable, iron out kinks, and overcome imposter syndrome.

When you see your podcast succeed in a lower-pressure environment, promoting it more confidently is easier.

Imposter syndrome

A lot of podcasters feel like a fraud when they first start. Maybe you dislike your voice or feel inadequate to speak on your topic.

It’s easy to sideline yourself, but you have a valuable perspective to offer. Know that this is a normal phase of podcasting that gets easier.

7 Marketing tips to grow your listenership

It takes time to get the word out about your podcast. Follow these five steps to build a successful podcast marketing strategy.

1. Share your podcast with friends and family

Share your podcast with loved ones and ask for feedback. You can get their honest opinions and have them leave your first reviews on Apple Podcasts.

2. Create a Buzzsprout Ad

You can grow your listenership by running a podcast promo with Buzzsprout Ads. Podcast promos are more effective than traditional ads since they target the right audience for your show.

When you create a Buzzsprout podcast promo you:

• target people who listen to podcasts
• find listeners already interested in your podcast's topic
• reach 5,000 listeners for just $100

When listeners click on your ad, they’ll be taken to your podcast page, where they can subscribe to your show and get notified of new episodes.

3. Post episodes on social media

Sharing podcast content on social media helps you build a connection with your listeners that can be hard to achieve over just audio.

You can create Visual Soundbites for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, boost tweets on Twitter, and post content on LinkedIn. If you do this right, you could pick up ten new listeners over your first few episodes.

If you’re comfortable filming yourself, we’ve seen multiple podcasts go viral after posting original content to TikTok.

4. Join groups and forums

Providing value on forums like Reddit, Quora, or Facebook groups helps direct people to your podcast.

Respond to relevant, recent questions you can confidently answer. Include a link to one episode to direct your podcast traffic.

Aim to post one or two answers like this for each new episode.

5. Cross-promote with other creators

Cross-promotion lets you partner with other podcasters and promote each other’s shows.

This marketing method lets you get your podcast in front of a new audience.

You can contact fellow creators on Podchaser or find hosts' contact information on their websites or social media.

6. Overcast Ads

The Overcast podcast app runs ads exclusively for podcasting. In our experience, we get 100 new subscribers each ad cycle. This is an excellent way to get your first 100 subscribers if you have the money.

7. Create a call to action

A call to action (CTA) is one thing you ask your listeners to do after listening to an episode, and it can be a powerful way to reach your podcasting goals. You can ask listeners to:

• subscribe to your show and leave a review
• download a lead magnet
• sign up for your email newsletter, etc.

Just make sure to limit yourself to one CTA per episode so you don’t overwhelm your listeners.

Free resources

If you encounter any issues during your launch or have questions while podcasting, consult these Buzzsprout resources.

• Buzzsprout Podcast Community on Facebook
• Buzzsprout Blog and YouTube channel
• Buzzsprout’s support team: [email protected]

Celebrate your launch!

If you've made it this far and are ready to publish your episode, we encourage you to submit it soon and celebrate your accomplishment.

Launching your first podcast is an achievement, so congratulations from the entire Buzzsprout team! We can't wait to see how far your podcast takes you.

Alban Brooke

Alban Brooke is the Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout and the co-host of Buzzcast . Have any questions about this guide? Reach out on Twitter .

How much does it cost to start a podcast?

The cost of starting a podcast varies depending on the quality of the podcast equipment you purchase. If you already have a computer and start with more affordable options, you can spend $60-100 on a microphone and headphones. If you purchase an audio interface, podcast recording software, and higher-quality gear, you can spend over $1,000.

Do podcasters make money?

Yes, podcasters can make money through various direct and indirect monetization methods, including sponsorships, paid subscriptions, selling physical products, and online courses. However, the amount earned depends on factors such as the size and engagement of the audience, as well as the chosen monetization strategies. Nonetheless, with proper planning and execution, podcasting can be a lucrative venture.

How do I start a podcast with no experience?

Starting a podcast without experience requires a solid marketing strategy to attract new listeners. The best podcast marketing channels include social media, getting listed in directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, optimizing new episodes for SEO, and publishing consistently.

How to Plan a Podcast: The Ultimate Guide for Podcasters

Starting a podcast can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be overwhelming. Especially if you're unsure where to begin.

From choosing a topic to selecting the right equipment, there are many factors to consider when planning a podcast. The good news is you can make the process easier with preparation and research from reliable sources. In this article, we'll explore the key elements of how to plan a podcast. 

So get ready, as we’ll cover everything from defining your target audience and selecting a niche, to choosing the right equipment and best marketing strategies . So let's get started. 

How to Plan a Podcast in 10 Easy Steps 

Here are 10 essential steps to planning and launching your podcast. 

1. Niching Down & Picking a Podcast Topic 

The beginning of the creative process starts with a topic . When choosing a topic for your podcast, there are several things you should consider, which includes a lot of time spent researching your idea and seeing whether you can create something unique. Here are the key questions you should ask yourself when picking a podcast topic:

What Are You Passionate About? 

To identify your niche, you should first consider your interests, skills, and experiences. What topics do you enjoy talking or learning about? Or, what topics do you have a lot of knowledge or experience in?

It's not necessary to be an expert in your chosen topic. However, what is crucial is having a genuine passion for it. For example, suppose you're interested in launching a podcast about the business journeys of female entrepreneurs . As the host, you don’t have to be a female entrepreneur yourself. But you do need to have a deep interest in this topic.

Podcasting can be time-consuming and demanding, and choosing a topic you're truly passionate about is a good idea. If you don't have a love for your topic, it's likely you'll become bored and lose motivation, which will be reflected in the quality of your podcast. ‍

What Is Your Podcast Category?

Once you have an idea, the second step is researching what’s already out there. Identify your category, and niche it down. 

Apple Podcasts and other directories use categories and subcategories to arrange podcasts by topic, making it easier for listeners to find new shows relevant to their interests. There are 19 overall categories, and 15 of these are broken down into subcategories. Many directories even allow new podcasters to choose more than one category to define their shows.

This is a great starting point for any podcaster. Pick the relevant category for your topic, then narrow it down. For example, if “Education” is the primary category, "Language Learning" is the sub-category (shown below), and the niche would be “learning how to speak fluent English.”

Now you’ve identified all this, it’s time to do some sleuthing. Go into the relevant categories and look at what types of podcasts are available related to that specific topic. Now ask yourself, how are you (or will you be) different?

How Are You Different?

If we keep using the language learning example, you’ll probably notice there are hundreds, if not thousands, of podcasts about learning fluent English. So how are you going to stand out? Will you interview interesting guests? Teach a specific English dialect? Focus on corporate English?

Regardless of your topic, hundreds of podcasts probably talk about something similar. The trick is to find any gaps in the market for you and your podcast to fill. 

This step is particularly important if you plan on making money with your podcast . If it’s just a hobby, you have more freedom to wing it. But if you want to potentially transform it into a business, nailing your unique selling proposition is key here. One thing to be mindful of is niching down too much. A clear focus is critical, but so is a large enough potential audience to sustain your podcast. If you niche down too much, you might not have enough people interested in your topic to support your show.

Quick Tip: Relying on general interest in a show usually only works if you have an established following, or you’re a celebrity. For example, Armchair Expert , a podcast about the “messiness of being human,” would probably be too broad of a topic if a non-celebrity hosted it. But with Dax Sheppard as host and a slew of celebrity guests, the concept works.

2. Identifying Your Target Audience

Once you clearly understand your niche and topic, the next step is identifying your target audience . So, the group of people that will make up the core of your loyal and engaged listenership . You want to identify your avid podcast listener, so who is he or she?

Your target audience can’t be everyone. Although you probably want to reach as many listeners as possible, trying to appeal to everyone can backfire. It can lead to vague and un-engaging podcast content that doesn’t resonate with anyone. It’s important to be specific and intentional about who your target audience is , and how you can best serve them through your podcast.

Quick Tip: Just because you have a specific target audience in mind doesn't mean others outside that group won’t listen to your content. Understanding your ideal listener and mapping out their characteristics provides a roadmap that can guide you in podcast branding, marketing, monetization, and more.

Identifying Demographics & Psychographics

Demographics refers to tangible characteristics such as age, gender, location, education, and income. Psychographics refers to intangible characteristics such as values, attitudes, interests, and lifestyle.

Collecting all this data might be tricky, especially if you haven't launched your show yet. As a result, especially in the beginning, it’s mostly based on guessing and speculation. You can also gather data by conducting surveys and looking at your competition and their audience.

Once you launch your podcast, you can do things to engage with your existing audience, or use tools like social media insights or Google Analytics to gain a deeper understanding of your audience and their behaviour.

Understanding Your Listener’s Pain Points

‍ Pain points refer to your target audience's problems, challenges, or frustrations. By understanding your listener's pain points, you can create content that addresses their specific needs and provides solutions or insights.

Let’s go back to the example of the podcast that teaches English as a second language. Let’s say you’ve decided to narrow it down by focusing on teaching business English. Not only that, but you’re focusing on advanced English, specifically for anyone looking to complete an advanced International English language qualification.

Here, the pain point is easy to identify. Your ideal listener's main frustration is probably that there aren’t enough podcasts focusing on this topic. They want to:

a) Learn advanced English, but also

b) Understand how to pass these types of qualifications

As a result, maybe this podcast will have two different formats . One format would be focused on teaching advanced English, and the other would be an interview show to prepare people for these exams. This is a fictitious example, but you get the gist.

Quick Tip: Remember that nothing is set in stone. Your target audience may evolve as your podcast grows. Don't be afraid to change and adjust your focus to better serve your audience and their needs.

3. Organising Your Podcast’s Structure

Once you understand your target audience and the topics you'll cover, the next step is organising your podcast’s structure. This includes identifying your podcast name, description, keywords, and format. We’ve broken this down into 5 key steps.

So, how do you choose the right podcast name for your show? There are several things to consider.

First, it needs to be short and sweet. This name will be everywhere, including on your podcast cover art. Making it short also means it will be legible, regardless of the size of your artwork .  The other two primary considerations include conveying the tone of your podcast, and considering searchability.

If you’re leaning towards a name that’s creative, vague, or uses a play on words, consider this: the podcast title is usually the first introduction many listeners have to a show. If the name is vague and provides little to no context on the podcast's topic, most people won’t take the extra step to learn more - they’ll scroll past. These types of names are great if you already have an established audience, a large marketing budget, or you’re a celebrity.

The best name is always descriptive and lays it all out on the table. A descriptive podcast name can help it stand out and be easily recognisable to your target audience. It also has a higher chance of appearing in search results, making it easier for your ideal listener to find your show. 

For example, if you search for “small business” in Apple Podcasts, the first shows that pop up have names like Business Made Simple , Small Business Gurus, Promote Yourself to CEO, and How I Built My Small Business. Can you see a recurring theme here? Looking at what's already out there is a great way to find inspiration.

If you’re still stuck on finding the perfect name, several name generators can help jump-start your creativity. We’ve included some examples below:

• Riverside’s Podcast Name Generator 
• Spotify’s Podcast Name Generator

Quick Tip: Show titles should be no longer than 255 characters. But aim for less. Pacific Content crunched the data of 600,000+ podcasts and found that half of all podcast titles are between 14 and 29 characters.

2. Description  

Your description should provide a clear and concise overview of what listeners can expect from your podcast. This is where keywords are essential, as inserting them in your description can help increase your visibility in search results and directories.

Think like a listener. What are some of the words or phrases they would use to search for a solution to their pain point? A great example of this is the description of the Goal Digger Podcast. Although a little long, the description includes a mix of keywords, phrases, and questions.

Along with keywords, make sure your description is concise, clear, and attention-grabbing. Your first sentence is the first thing people see, so it needs to pique their interest enough for them to click it. Once they do that, the rest of the description must highlight your USP. What sets your podcast apart from others in your niche? Highlighting this in your description will help attract listeners specifically interested in your show.

5 Well-Crafted Podcast Description Examples to Follow

Your podcast episode structure will depend on your goals, target audience, and the type of content you'll be producing. Some common formats include interview style, solo-host , roundtable discussion, and narrative storytelling .

A clear and consistent podcast format is essential for building a brand identity, attracting a loyal audience, and improving discoverability. A well-defined format enhances credibility, facilitates content creation, and drives engagement with listeners.

While limiting yourself to a single podcast format is unnecessary, consistency is key. Consider incorporating a blend of formats, such as alternating between solo-hosted episodes and interviews. However, avoid frequent format changes as it can confuse your audience and impact the growth of your show.

4. Episode Length

How long will your specific episode be? Will you opt for shorter episodes or longer episodes? Or, maybe do a mix of both?

The average podcast episode length is 36 minutes and 34 seconds.

The key is to understand your audience's preferences and the type of content you're delivering. By selecting the appropriate length of your episodes, you can optimise engagement and ensure your podcast caters to the diverse needs and interests of your listeners. Read more in the below article:

How Long Should a Podcast Episode Be? (2022 Data)

5. Choosing a Release Schedule

If you’re serious about podcasting, a consistent release schedule is critical. Fans like to know when new episodes will be available. Choose a schedule you can stick to, whether weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. If you can't commit to regular releases, consider doing seasons instead.

In the end, organising your podcast structure gives you a clear roadmap for creating your show and reaching your target audience. This will help you build a strong brand and increase your visibility in the crowded world of podcasting.

4. Securing the Necessary Equipment

To create quality content, invest in the right equipment. This includes a microphone , headphones , recording software , and other accessories. The equipment you choose will depend on your budget, and the content you'll produce. Consider factors such as sound quality, ease of use, and compatibility with your recording software.

A good podcast must sound professional, but if you’re just starting out, focus on getting the basics. Hold off on making any significant investments until you start earning money or decide this is something you want to pursue. Podfade is a real thing, and it would be a shame to invest a lot of money in something you lose interest in after a couple of months.

And as always, remember that even the most advanced equipment can't make up for lacklustre content. The quality of your information and message should always be the priority over audio quality. Your audience will value engaging and informative content over technical sound perfection.

5. Brainstorming Content & Planning Ahead

So, what is podfade? It’s a term used when a podcaster loses motivation, becomes less consistent in their production schedule, or fails to provide engaging content that keeps listeners interested. Usually, this results in the sudden stop of episodes being published without warning.

Getting bored, running out of ideas, burning out, or feeling like you don’t have time all lead to podfade. And the best way to counter this is by strategic content planning. A thorough plan includes brainstorming ideas for episodes, creating a list of topics, and researching guests. Also, make sure to map out the individual elements of your episodes, like the intro, questions, and wrap-up.

There are several great resources that can help, including the Podcast Planner created by Add Saucedo , which also includes a free online course. The planner has a content composer, conversation triggers, to-do lists, an editorial calendar, a monthly podcast calendar, an interview composer, and more. And if you’re looking for a project management tool, look no further than Asana, Trello, or Google Drive.

Quick Tip : The easiest way to avoid podfade is to record at least 4 or more episodes before launching, and always have at least a month’s worth of episodes recorded at any given time. This will give you a solid foundation to work from, and reduce the pressure of constantly having to develop new content.

6. Creating an Intro, Outro, & Trailer

As you brainstorm, plan, and record episodes, you should start thinking about publishing a trailer and finalising your podcast intro and outro. 

Podcast Trailer

A trailer is a short audio clip that previews your show and persuades people to tune in and subscribe. By publishing a trailer, you can promote your own podcast before its official launch and generate interest in advance. It’s also a great way of ensuring your new show is available on all pod-catchers before the first episode drops. Some directories like Apple Podcasts or Spotify take time to accept new podcasts onto their platforms. 

‍ A good podcast trailer should be brief, and answer the following important points:

• Who you are
• What your podcast is called
• What it's about
• Why people should listen
• And, where they can find it

‍ Aim for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and script your trailer before recording. Once recorded, add music to enhance the trailer's impact and make it ready for publishing.

P odcast Intro & Outro  

The intro sets the tone for your show and gives new listeners an idea of what they can expect, while the outro wraps up the episode and provides information on how to connect with you. Here's some advice on creating a good intro and outro:

• Keep it short and to the point
• Use high-quality audio files and copy-right free music
• Make it consistent with the tone and style of your show
• Include a brief overview of the episode's topic

As a rule of thumb, don't let your intros exceed 5 minutes in length.

• Thank listeners for tuning in
• Include a clear call to action, such as asking listeners to subscribe or follow you on social media
• Signpost to where listeners can find more information about your show or host
• End with a memorable and impactful statement or quote

Check out this generic podcast outro template:

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post about it on social media, or leave a rating and review. To catch all the latest from me, you can follow me on Instagram @YourUserName and on Twitter @YourUserName - Thanks again, and I’ll see you next time!

By creating a strong intro and outro, you'll be able to establish your brand, engage your audience, and create a memorable and professional podcast experience.

7. Recording & Editing Episodes

To turn your new ideas into a reality, you'll need recording software. The type of software you choose will depend on the format of your show.

A basic recording tool will suffice if you plan to record solo, or have in-person interviews. However, if you plan to conduct remote interviews with guests, you'll need software to record both sides of the conversation, including audio and video .

Recording Your Episode

There are many free and paid tools out there that can help with this part of the podcasting process. Tools include PodCastle , Audacity , GarageBand , Zoom , Riverside.fm , and Squadcast .

Which tool you choose depends on your needs and budget. If you’re recording remotely, choose a tool that records separate tracks. Here are some best practices on improving your sound quality during recordings:

• Invest in quality recording equipment
• Choose a quiet and well-lit location to record the episode
• Use a pop filter to reduce plosives and unwanted noise
• Keep your microphone at an appropriate distance from your mouth
• Record in a room with good acoustics
• Avoid recording in a room with too much echo or reverb, as this can negatively impact the sound quality
• Test your recording equipment and environment in advance to identify any potential issues, and make adjustments before you start
• Be aware of  ​​“umm’s” and “ahh’s”, or other filler words

10 of the Best Podcast Recording Software Options in 2022

Quick Tip: Do you need a podcast script ? It depends. Instead of writing a word-for-word script, you can create talking points or a general outline that covers the main points in Google docs.

Post-Production 

You can edit your episodes at no cost using Audacity or GarageBand (Mac users only). However, these tools are general-purpose, and not specifically designed for podcast editing. As a result, they can be frustrating to use, especially for beginners. Two specific paid platforms you can use instead include Alitu and Descript . 

Here at Cue Podcasts , we offer all-in-one podcast production packages for brands and businesses wanting to share their stories, reach new audiences, and spark interesting conversations. To speak to a member of our team about your project, click here .

Quick tip: Always export episodes as MP3 files to avoid compatibility issues. For speech-drive podcasts, use 64 kbps (mono) for speech-driven podcasts featuring sound effects; opt for 128 or 192 kbps (stereo).

8. Finding a Podcast Hosting Platform

A hosting platform allows you to upload and store your podcast episodes, making them accessible to listeners through various directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Our sister company, Podcast.co , is an excellent choice and caters to podcasters of all levels. It offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it simple for users to upload, manage, and distribute their episodes in just one click. Explore the full list of features here .

9. Creating a Marketing Strategy

An effective marketing plan will help you reach a wider audience, increase your listenership, and make your podcast stand out. Here are some key points to include in your marketing strategy:

• Social media: Create a profile for your podcast on various social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn , and TikTok. If you’re short on time, just start with one (ideally, the one your target audience hangs out on).
• Website or blog: Develop a dedicated website or blog where you can share show notes , transcripts , blog posts, and additional resources. This can also serve as a hub for your podcast's branding, and help search engines find your content.
• Email list: Start building an email list by collecting subscribers on your website or blog. Regularly send out email newsletters with episode updates, exclusive content, and upcoming events to keep subscribers engaged.
• Collaboration and networking: Partner with other podcasters, influencers, or industry experts to tap into their audience and expand your reach. Participate in podcasting communities, attend events, and join online forums to connect with potential listeners and industry peers.
• Press and PR: Contact relevant media outlets, bloggers, and journalists to cover your podcast. Draft a compelling press release and pitch your podcast story to get featured in articles or interviews.
• Cross-promotion: Collaborate with other podcasters to promote each other's shows. Swap podcast trailers, mention each other's podcasts during episodes, or guest on each other's shows to mutually grow your audiences. MatchMaker.fm is a free, online platform connecting 60,000+ podcasters and guests. Sign up here .

By implementing these strategies before you publish your first episode, you can set the stage for a successful podcast launch and build a strong foundation for growth.

10. Hit Publish & Monitor Your Analytics

It’s finally time to hit the publish button on your first episode. But the hard work doesn’t stop there.

It’s essential to consistently analyse and monitor your podcast's data. Keep track of listener statistics, episode performance, evolution stats, marketing effectiveness, and listener feedback. Compare your show’s performance with industry benchmarks and competitor podcasts, and don't be afraid to experiment with different content types, formats, or marketing techniques.

By consistently monitoring and analysing your data, you can make informed decisions that will help your podcast grow and evolve. Embrace a data-driven approach, and never stop learning from your audience and the industry as a whole. This ongoing analysis will allow you to refine your podcast strategy and keep your content fresh and engaging for listeners.

Final Thoughts: How to Plan a Podcast

The entire process of planning a podcast involves a lot of work and many different steps. Although it may seem overwhelming, many of the most popular shows out there have completed these exact steps.

As you plan and execute your podcast, always prioritise your listeners' needs and preferences. Stay open to feedback and adapt your podcast based on the insights you gather. With a solid plan in place and a focus on continuous improvement, your podcast has the potential to grow, engage listeners, and leave a lasting impact.

If you’re a bigger brand with a production budget to work with, you might decide to partner up with a production agency. An agency will handle everything from the initial concepting stage, right down to promotion and distribution. That’s exactly what we offer here at Cue Podcasts . You can check out our showreel below:

The latest from Cue

15 of the Best Sports Podcasts for UK Listeners to Tune Into

Cue Podcasts Partners With Tech Open Air for Pop-Up Studio & Industry Interviews

9 Key Podcast Statistics & Trends for 2024 (US & UK Data)

Have a project or partnership in mind here's your cue., stay on cue..

Join our carefully curated newsletter packed with insights, tips and resources to help shape and share your stories.

Podcast planning 101: plan, manage and succeed!

Written by adam hayes.

Last updated on 12th June 2024

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve an existing podcast, this podcast planning guide has got you covered. We’ll provide tips, templates, and tools to make podcast planning easy and efficient.

By the end, you’ll have a rock-solid plan to launch and manage your podcast. You’ll know how to ideate, organize content, and keep things on track week after week. Podcast planning doesn’t have to be painful – in fact, it can be fun!

Let’s get started mapping out your podcast empire. With some upfront planning and organisation, you can produce great episodes consistently. Your listeners will thank you!

Planning a podcast 

You’ve probably heard it a million times over: ‘ When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. ’

Some of the most successful podcasts follow the flow of a very natural-sounding conversation. But that doesn’t mean that there was no planning involved. 

Before you get started, you’ll need to plan out a couple of different aspects of your podcast to make sure you set yourself up for the best chance of success…

1. Find a niche

Before you even think about starting your own podcast, you need to research what’s already out there. 

Listen to other podcasts in your industry, find out what’s popular, and see if there’s a gap in the market for you. 

For example, if you work in the video game industry then you could just type ‘video games’ into a podcast app, listen to the most popular ones, and see if there’s anything missing that you could offer. 

The same applies to any industry. 

This research is important for striking the balance between a popular subject and an over-saturated one. 

After gathering some ideas, you can do even further research to make sure you’re going down the right path. After all, a podcast is a huge investment of time and money so you need to be sure you’re putting your best foot forward! 

By using a survey software like SurveyMonkey , you can target real podcast listeners and ask them what they like to listen to. 

With SurveyMonkey, you can build your own custom survey in minutes and then push it out to your ideal listeners using the SurveyMonkey Audience tool. 

You can target respondents by demographics such as age, gender, interests, and more. And there is even an option to specifically target podcast users:

It’s important to note that, while it’s free to get started and play around with SurveyMonkey, it’s not free to push your survey out to targeted respondents. There is a cost of usually a couple of dollars or pounds per respondent (depending on how detailed your target audience is). 

2. Episode format

After finding a topic to focus on, you need to consider your episode format. There are many different ways to format your podcast.

You need to consider things like: 

This can also be determined through market research. You could create surveys around episode length and the ideal number of hosts, and also pair that with the evidence you find from current popular podcasts in your niche. 

3. Music and art creation

Once you’ve got the practical stuff out of the way, it’s time to move onto the bells and whistles. 

Eye-catching cover art will encourage new listeners to click on your podcast, and an amazing soundtrack will get them excited to listen to each new episode. 

It’s easy to find designers on platforms like Dribbble or Fiverr . You can list a job opening and let designers come to you, or you can search through their work and approach a designer you feel would be right for the job. 

Just type a keyword into the search bar, and scroll through: 

You can do a similar thing when looking for music. Sites like AudioJungle feature tons of royalty-free music tracks that can be yours for a one-off fee. 

There is a category called ‘ Logo Idents ’ that’s great for short intros and outros: 

4. Equipment you’ll need

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll need some equipment. 

The obvious things to put on your shopping list are:

The great thing about podcasting is that it can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Of course, for better sound quality you can add more technical equipment to that list, like a pop filter (for noise protection) and soundproofing for the room you’re recording in. 

When it comes to microphones and headphones, big retailers like Amazon should be able to tell you which is best for your budget. 

For editing software, there are a couple of favourites among podcasters: 

Audacity (for those on a budget – it’s completely free)

Descript (great for adding transcriptions – more on that later)

Adobe Audition (pricey, but worth it if you’re investing a lot of time into podcasting)

Day-to-day project management 

To keep your podcast running along smoothly, you’ll need to plan and manage each episode in advance. 

This can seem a little daunting at first – especially when you have to juggle booking guests, researching, recording, editing, and promoting – but a good project management tool should make this a lot easier. 

At Project.co we have a free podcast planning template that includes everything you need to keep a tight production schedule. 

The Tasks feature helps you to keep track of all of your episodes. You can organise tasks in a List view, a Calendar view, or with a Kanban view: 

The Kanban feature allows you to break your tasks up into different stages, for example ‘Ready to Record’ and ‘Needs Editing’. And you can easily move your episodes along the funnel by dragging them and dropping them into the correct column. 

With the People feature, you can add your guests and co-hosts to your projects, and chat to them via the Discussions tab. 

This allows you to keep all podcast-specific communication central, so that you never need to wade through tons of emails to find the information you’re looking for. 

With each project you also have the ability to share documents with your guests and co-hosts. 

The Embeds feature can be used to share internal documents that can be collaborated on, such as Show Notes. 

And the Files feature is great for sharing information with guests, such as a list of questions that you’ll be asking.

The Notes section, meanwhile, would be a great place to keep track of important information.  

To run a successful podcast you need to spin lots of different plates at once, and a project management tool can help you keep hold of all of these plates – so that you don’t break any! 

Launching your podcast

Okay, it’s time for things to get exciting! Once you’ve recorded an episode of your podcast (or a couple, if you want to get ahead of your schedule) it’s time to prepare for your launch. 

The first thing you need to do is find a hosting site that you can upload your podcast to. If you’re already invested in video marketing , then you’ll already know a little bit about finding hosts. 

There’s an overwhelming number of hosts to choose from, and it’s up to you to find the one that best suits your requirements. To help you whittle it down, here’s a great objective list post: 31 Best Podcast Hosting Sites .

Submitting to Apple Podcasts

After finding a host and uploading your episode(s), you’ll need to submit your show to Apple Podcasts . If you’re an avid podcast listener then you’ll know how important it is for your show to be on Apple Podcasts. In fact, most shows are advertised with a variation of the following phrase: 

This is because the majority of listeners (52%) are using Apple Podcasts to listen to their favourite shows, with Spotify (19%) coming next, followed by Stitcher (4.6%), and a jumble of other platforms (21%). 

Luckily, it isn’t too difficult to submit your show to Apple Podcasts. You’ll just need to create an Apple ID (if you don’t have one already) and make sure that your podcast meets the requirements.  

Typically, your podcast host will have made sure you’ve covered all of these requirements. But here is a full list, just in case: Apple Podcast Requirements .

From there, you’ll need to submit your RSS feed. This can usually be found through your host, so the location of this will depend on the service you are using. 

After submitting your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, all you need to do is wait for approval. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks – something to keep in mind when you’re promoting your podcast.

Promoting your podcast

The final piece of the puzzle when it comes to launching your podcast is promotion. As with any marketing content, promotion is key . 

When that first episode is out, be sure to promote your podcast anywhere and everywhere that you can: social media, email newsletters, blogs – the more eyes (and ears!) you can hit, the better! 

This is super important because Apple (and many other podcast platforms) show trending podcasts based on downloads and likes, so if you can get into this section you’ll see a huge spike in downloads.

Podcasting: 5 tips for success

1. use a project management tool.

Project management is so incredibly important for the success of any podcast. In order to keep a stream of well-made episodes coming out on a regular basis, you need to plan everything out in advance – and a project management tool can help you do that. 

2. Test what works

Don’t expect to strike gold on the first try – instead, ask your listeners for their feedback. Social media is a great platform for communicating with your audience and finding out what works and what doesn’t. 

Why not create polls that ask listeners important questions about the show? 

Here are some examples: 

Then, when you find a method that works – stick with it. If you find your listeners dwindling in the future then you can always go back to the drawing board and make some changes. You are in control!  

3. Get transcriptions

By transcribing every episode of your podcast, you give search engines something to ‘read’ so that they can rank your web page for certain keywords – improving your SEO and giving your podcast more visibility online. 

But don’t worry, you don’t need to transcribe the episodes yourself! There are some handy tools that can do it for you. 

Descript , the audio editing software mentioned above, also has a transcription tool. And Scribie is another popular choice among podcasters, as is Rev .

4. Focus on sound quality

You could have the most important information to share, but if your audio quality is terrible then no one is going to listen! 

Make sure you regularly test your audio and update your equipment. If your listenership grows then consider investing more money into better microphones and soundproofing. 

5. Build a community

The best podcasts are those that build a community with their listeners. If you want people to keep coming back and listening to your show then you need to interact with them.

Chat to them on social media: 

Give them shoutouts on the show and ask for their opinion. 

This kind of interaction and community-building is not only important for growing the popularity of your podcast, but it can also help you monetise it. 

When listeners feel like part of a community, they’re more likely to buy merchandise that represents that community: 

Final Thoughts

Getting started with podcasting can seem like a daunting task, but once you break it down into manageable chunks it gets easier! 

With our podcast planning template , you’ll have everything you need to get off to a running start – and it’s completely free! 

⭐️ All your work in one place

🗓 Never miss a deadline

🗂 Never lose a file

🏅 Simple for your clients

⚡️ Powerful for your team

Create your FREE account

Browse by... View All Features

Make Money Podcasting Generate real revenue from your show.

Build My Brand Build a scalable, growing brand around your podcast.

Grow an Audience Grow a loyal, scalable audience around your podcast.

Build a Community It’s not just about downloads, build an engaging following.

Start a Podcast Network More opportunities in greater numbers.

Internal Communication for My Business Keep your team informed.

Start a Podcast Everything you need to start a successful podcast.

Start Another Podcast Create and host multiple podcasts on one account.

Start a Podcast for My Members Members-only content.

Save Production Time Save time & effort in your podcasting workflow.

Save Money on Podcasting Save money & cut costs in your podcasting workflow.

Interview Podcast Book guests, manage interviews & more.

Solo Podcast Your own thoughts and message made easy with Captivate.

Co-hosted You and your co-host growing your podcast with ease.

News Podcast Keep your listeners up-to-date with frequent feed updates.

Bitesized/Short-form Grow your short-form podcast quickly and easily.

Storytelling Unlimited episodes and time to tell powerful stories.

Client Podcasts Intuitive dashboard for unlimited podcasts, networks and teams.

Internal Podcast Private podcasting for business and organisations.

Private Member Podcasts Member-only content, powerful access and security features.

The Technology The simplest podcasting platform makes the tech easy.

Finding the Time Our industry-leading workflow tools - built to optimize time.

My Podcast Failing Helpful personal support, accountability and education.

Not Knowing What to Talk About Safe guidance & help.

What Format to Produce Catering for all content and format types.

Imposter Syndrome Support and help from our community members.

Staying Accountable Accountability & support available 24/7.

Security of the Platform State of the art tech stack coupled with multi-factor auth.

Moving My Podcast Our simple-to-use, quick import tool has you covered.

Getting Good Support Meet our widely praised, multi-time zone support team.

Missing Features Existing industry-leading tools plus innovative roadmap.

Paying for Extra Downloads or Storage Honest, clear podcast pricing.

Paying for Extra Features The most advanced tools available to everyone.

Feeling Overwhelmed Support from our personal team, plus our free education.

Lack of Community Active Facebook Groups with podcasters of all levels.

Being Hard to Cancel Transparent cancellation process if Captivate isn’t for you.

Entrepreneur Building your next big thing? Use a podcast to grow it!

YouTuber Professional podcasting tools for experienced creators.

Influencer Expand your brand to audio influence with a podcast.

Small Business Grow your small business with a highly-focused podcast.

Content Marketer Expand your marketing with a profitable audio channel.

Content Creator Be where your fans are with a powerful audio presence.

Missing Features Is your host moving too slowly for your growth needs?

Cost of Hosting Hosting getting a little expensive where you are now?

Getting Support Struggling to get the right support from the right people?

Feeling Silly When Asking Questions Feeling undervalued?

Stability of the Platform Too much downtime with your current host? Too many bugs?

Giving My Team Access Paying for extra team member seats or struggling with access?

A Poor Interface Working on an interface from the noughties?

Lack of Frequent Updates Tired of every other podcaster having new features but you?

Lack of Industry Innovation Working with a host that thinks "innovation" is a feature?

Not Enough Monetization Opportunities Struggling to make money?

No Education to Help Me Left on your own to struggle through growth ideas?

Lack of Integrations Hoping to optimize your workflow but being left behind?

Giving My Clients Access Consultant or agency? Client access should be easy.

Monetization

Simple User Interface

Private Podcasting

Memberships & Tipping

IAB Analytics

Podcasting 2.0

Marketing Tools

Captivate Websites

Team Access

Research & Planning

Cost Saving

Captivate Player

Podcast Migration

Workflow Tools

Mass Distribution

Guest Interview Booking

Dynamic Ads & Content

Dynamic Show Notes

• Struggling to Launch Your Podcast?
• Free Podcasting Course
• How to Start a Podcast
• Help Centre Get help and support
• YouTube How-tos and advice
• Status Check the website status
• Changelog New features and upgrades
• Affiliate Programme Make money with Captivate
• Captivate Insider Behind the scenes podcast
• 2.0 Podcasting 2.0 New RSS Enhancements
• For Publishers

How to Write the Perfect Podcast Script (plus Examples & Templates)

In this article...

Subscribe now for new and educational podcasting stuff

Thank you for subscribing to Captivate’s podcasting newsletter. Please check your inbox for confirmation.

Share this article

Think of a podcast script like a roadmap to guide you from the start to the finish of your episode when recording. They can be as detailed as you like, and if done well can help with the flow, structure and direction of your podcast episodes.

Podcast scripts are used by both new and experienced podcasters, and not only help with the flow, structure and direction but also to avoid situations where your mind goes blank and you end up repeating yourself or don’t quite know what to say next.

Podcast Intro Script Easy-To-Implement Template

Download Podcast Intro Script Template right now, for free!

" * " indicates required fields

100% secure. We never share your email

What are podcast scripts?

Scripts vary in everything from length to density to content depending on the podcaster, but in essence they’re all the same – a list of topics and ideas you want to communicate to your listeners in a given episode, with added facts, research and reminders of certain things you want to mention: your intro, main body, outro, call to actions etc.

Scripts allow you to refresh your memory at a glance and illustrate how your points build off one another to make your episode sound cohesive. There’s nothing worse than listening back to your episode and realising you missed a link between two ideas!

Should you use podcast scripts?

In short: it depends.

We’re sorry but there is no definitive answer when it comes to whether you should or shouldn’t use a podcast script. It all depends on you as a podcaster and the type of podcast you have eg solo, cohost, interview etc.

Some podcasters worry that scripting their episode will remove spontaneity and chemistry between themselves and their guests, but you don’t have to write down every word if you don’t want to – a basic outline will do the job for most people.

There are benefits to using a script: you can go pretty in detail for your intro and outro – if these are the same for each episode, it builds familiarity with your audience. They come to expect your podcast name, tagline and your calls to action, so ensuring they’re there in the script means you’ll get them right every time.

Here’s an example:

“ Hello and welcome to [show name] , I’m your host [your name] . [Show tagline/catphrase]. Today we’ll be talking to [guest name] about [topic]. If you’re a fan of the show, please do remember to [call to action: follow on socials, leave a review etc.].”

Check out this video where our MD Mark Asquith goes into a little more detail about where or not you should use a podcast script:

Are podcast shows usually scripted?

The absolute majority of podcasts will have a script in some form. This varies on the preference of the podcast creator: some prefer a few brief bullet points, whereas others like to have their whole episode scripted out down to the last detail.

There’s no right or wrong way to script your show, it’s just preference – if you’re good at improvising and enjoy going off on a few tangents, stick to simple notes, but if you tend to crumble under the pressure of a live mic you’d be better suited to scripting out the finer details.

One way or the other, you’re better off with some kind of script!

How long are podcast scripts?

The length of a podcast script depends entirely on the show itself, the episode and the preferences of the podcast creator. For a half hour episode, some creators will have pages of dense text to read verbatim, whereas others will have half a side of A4 with some bullet points to riff off. It’s just what works for you!

What to include in a podcast script

As mentioned above, we think it’s best to fully script out your podcast intro and outro each time, so you hit on all the required points and achieve consistency throughout your body of work.

How to start your podcast (what to include in your intro )

• Your podcast name
• Your podcast tagline or catchphrase
• Your episode number and title
• The name(s) of any guests
• The name and details of your sponsors, if you have them
• What this episode is about
• Your Calls To Action (CTA) – seasoned podcast listeners might skip your intro and outro so make sure that you include your most important CTA in the middle of your podcast episode.

Starting a podcast script example

“Hello and welcome to the [PODCAST NAME], I am your host [NAME]. Thanks for tuning in [TAGLINE or CATCHPHRASE]. This is [EPISODE NUMBER] and the title of today’s episode is [TITLE]. I am pleased to be joined by [GUEST], [GUEST BIO]. This episode is about [TOPIC]. Before we crack on with today’s episode just a reminder of how you can support the podcast [CTA].”

What to include in your main script body

This is where we like to leave it more to your discretion as again it depends on you as a podcaster and the format of your show. Whether you’re just writing a few notes or scripting the whole episode, you need to include:

• The ideas or topics you’re discussing in the episode
• Some indication of these ideas build upon one another and link together
• Try to think of questions you would have as a listener and answer these
• Think about the structure and flow of your episode eg what is the end goal, what do you want listeners to take away from listening? What subtopics are you going to cover, do they flow naturally?
• Make sure to not repeat yourself – make new valid points and then move on to your next point

How to end your podcast (what to include in your outro )

• Summarise what you have spoken about in your episode
• Thank your listeners for tuning in
• Let them know when to expect new episodes
• Your CTA again – this could be asking them to follow or subscribe, follow you on social media, download a resource etc.
• Include your show notable eg a notable thing about your podcast. This is not your show title, tagline, intro or outro music, it’s something else listeners remember about your show. The best way to do this is by having a catch phrase – sounds cheesy but it works! Mark’s podcast, Excellence Expected, taught business founders how to achieve success. His catchphrase (which he ended every episode with) is as follows, “the more you expect from yourself the more you will excel.” 

People got so familiar with it that when he had guests on his show, they would finish his catchphrase!

Ending a podcast script example

“That’s all we have time for! Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode. Today we covered [SUMMARISE]. We’ll be back, in fact you can expect new episodes every [DAY] [TIME]. Quick reminder again of how you can support the podcast [CTA]. [SHOW NOTABLE]. Take care everyone, and until next time!”

Podcast script outline template

Let’s take a look at what would go into the perfect podcast script, something which hits everything necessary to prime your episode for audience connection and growth.

• Intro music – some podcasts play the intro music later in the episode eg after the introduction. Intro music should play for a maximum of 10 seconds before listeners hear the content. Listeners have tuned in to listen to you, not your music.
• Introduction – name and what the show is, who you are and what you’re talking about in this episode. You can also say your tagline and if you have guests, this is where you’d introduce them.
• Call To Action(s) (CTA(s)) – these could be internal eg download lead magnets, leave a review on Podchaser, follow the podcast on social etc and external eg if you have a third-party sponsor or have an affiliate agreement.
• Stinger – A stinger or bumper is a short piece of music that can be used in between podcast segments.
• First discussion point – introduce it with background and context, making sure listeners can follow along. Build your points up like a narrative, with Who , What , Where and When first and then into the deeper, more nuanced stuff when listeners have a grip on the basics.
• Second stinger
• Second discussion point
• Third stinger
• CTA(s) – a reminder of the earlier CTA(s).
• Third, fourth, fifth points etc (depending on how long your show is), using stingers in between.
• Outro – this is your podcast episode wrap-up and the key takeaways from this week’s episode. Remind listeners to check your show notes for additional resources and links. Thank any guests you had this week and your listeners for tuning in. Tease what listeners can expect from the next episode.
• Outro music

How do you write a podcast script?

Now you know what to include in your intro, main body of the episode and outro, you should have some idea of how to write your podcast script. Remember, it can be as detailed as you like. Do what feels the most comfortable for you.

For example if speaking and podcasting is new to you, maybe having a detailed script will help. Just a word of caution – listen back to yourself and make sure it still sounds natural and not like you’re reading off the page.

However, if you are more comfortable with speaking and podcasting, you don’t necessarily need to go into much detail. Just have enough detail so you know the flow, direction and what you want to say and when. Also helps you to not forget certain things to mention.

If you would like more assistance in writing your podcast scripts continue reading as for examples and templates to use.

Another article we think you'd like...

How to Record a Podcast: 8 Tips for A Great Sounding Show

Reading Time: 10 minutes Recording a podcast is a huge milestone! Here are our best tips, techniques, software and equipment recommendations for recording a podcast remotely, solo or with multiple people.

Podcast script tips for beginners

1. write how you would speak.

The point of your podcast is to get your voice out there. The problem is, a lot of people see writing as a more “formal” medium than speaking, so when it comes time to write out a podcast script, they end up going for a more businesslike, professional tone than they would usually like to.

Keep it nice and conversational, flowing and easy – more like a chat with a friend than an email to a stranger. This may sound obvious, but make sure to keep it in mind when you put pen to paper. Whether you’re a hobbyist doing a podcast for fun or a small business wanting to attract more customers, this will help you to build a genuine connection with your audience.

2. Give context

If you’re writing a more minimal, bullet-point style script, make sure your notes actually mean something to you when you read them back. People often write their scripts a few days in advance, so make sure you’re making coherent notes that will actually be useful to you when you’re trying to read them on mic.

3. Allow yourself some space

Your podcast script should guide and help you, not confine you. Give yourself the space within your script to elaborate, riff on an idea, tell a little anecdote. Your podcast should be fun, not rigid and uniform. This tip applies especially to those writing out their script verbatim, but it’s one to keep in mind for everyone.

4. Use segue phrases

To make the flow of your episode more natural, it’s a good idea to use little phrases that pivot the conversation naturally from one topic to another. This will help avoid anything feeling rushed – it’s super simple to do, just something like:

“Okay, now we’ve covered the tensions at the Abbey Road sessions, George’s feeling undervalued and John and Paul’s differing musical visions, let’s talk about the day that The Beatles actually split up”.

Key script segments

Let’s look at some of the key elements that should feature in any podcast script.

This one’s pretty self explanatory – your introduction should cover what your podcast is about, who you are and a nice little catch phrase you say every time. It should then go into what this episode will cover.

A nice transitional phrase to move you from one area of discussion to another in a natural way.

A CTA, or Call To Action, is something you’re asking listeners to do. Common ones are to sign up to an email list, leave a positive review or follow you on social media.

4. Sponsor message

Essentially an advertisement – if you’re sponsored by a product or service, this is where you tell your listeners about it.

5. Subtopics or key talking points

Separate your main episode topic into subtopics or key talking points. This will help to give your episode structure, and make sue you don’t miss any key elements.

6. Key takeaway(s)

Remind listeners what they have learnt listening to this week’s episode, and give them key takeaways. Articles have conclusions, podcast episodes should be the same. Summarize what you have discussed.

You should wrap up every podcast episode, and remind listeners of the podcast they have been listening too, and your (the host’s) name. Thank listeners and any guests you have, and don’t forget to tell people to check out the episode show notes for any links or resources.

Short podcast script example

Here’s a short podcast script example for you to use or get inspiration from:

[Opening Music]

Host: Welcome to [PODCAST NAME], the podcast that [PODCAST DESCRIPTION]. I’m your host, [HOST NAME], and in today’s episode, we’ll be [EPISODE TOPIC & DESCRIPTION].

[Transition Music]

Host: I am excited to talk about [EPISODE TOPIC]. [EPISODE TOPIC] is important because [EXPLAIN WHY], and after listening to this episode you will [BENEFITS]. This week we have a great guest joining us to talk about [EPISODE TOPIC]. Our guest is [GUEST NAME] who [GUEST BIO].

Host: Thanks for you joining the podcast [GUEST NAME].

Guest: It’s an absolute pleasure, thanks for asking me to join you, and I can’t wait to talk about [EPISODE TOPIC]

[MAIN PODCAST CONTENT] – host asks the guest a series of questions and follow-up questions, and responds to answers.

Host: We’re going to take a short break, join us for part 2 where [GUEST NAME] will be discussing X, Y and Z.

Podcast Transcripts: Why and How to Transcribe Your Podcast

Reading Time: 5 minutes A podcast transcript is an essential tool for making your podcast more accessible and driving your SEO efforts. Captivate makes it easy to upload, import and add transcripts to your podcast episode – here’s how!

Host: Welcome back for part 2, [GUEST NAME] let’s dive straight back in.

Guest: I can’t wait to discuss more about [EPISODE TOPIC].

[MAIN PODCAST CONTENT] – host asks the guest a series of questions, and follow-up questions, and responds to answers.

Host: Sadly, [GUEST NAME] we have run out of time. Thanks so much for an excellent podcast episode, it has been really interesting and great to chat with you in detail about [EPISODE TOPIC].

Guest: Thank you for having me, it’s been awesome to join you for an episode of [PODCAST NAME]. Hopefully what has been discussed today is helpful for your listeners.

Host: And that is a wrap! Sadly we’re at the end of another [PODCAST NAME] episode. Thanks for listening, and I really hope you enjoyed this week’s episode. The main takeaway for me was [MAIN TAKEAWAY]. Check out the episode show notes as there’ll be links to resources about today’s topic, and [GUEST NAME] social media links. Don’t forget that you can [CTA 1] and [CTA 2]. Again link in the show notes for more information. We publish new episodes every [PODCAST RELEASE SCHEDULE]. Until next time [PODCAST TAGLINE].

Podcast script real-life example

Ok, enough explanations – let’s look at some real life examples. We’re going to be using the script used for our own podcast, Captivate Insider . Let’s take a look at Episode 26:

Here’s the intro script Garry used:

Hello there and welcome to Captivate Insider. This is episode 26, I hope you are keeping well and safe and that you are smashing through your podcast goals for 2022 so far. 

My name is Garry, I’m the Head of Design here at Captivate and I’m your host. Each week I’ll take you behind the scenes of what’s going on here at Captivate, talk about some industry news and give you some tips and pointers to make sure that your podcast is rocking and rolling.

This week, I’m joined by Danny who heads up our User Experience and Support team. He’s been on the show before and this week, Danny and I are going to be talking about how to grow and retain your listenership by keeping them engaged.

Notice how this part is nicely scripted out to ensure all the main points (podcast name, host name, episode number and topic, guest name) are hit? 

Here are Garry’s notes for the main part of the episode:

Questions/Discussion Points

• Back in episode 6, we spoke about how we approach and view user experience here at Captivate from a high level. Does your view of our user experience values (timely response, openness, quality communication etc) remain the same even when dealing with those difficult user problems?
• We pride ourselves on being open and honest when dealing with user issues, the reasons and the benefits of that approach are obvious, but is it a challenge to keep that mindset “topped up”?
• In today’s world, users know a lot more than ever before. Some users are experts in the industry and really know their onions with podcasting, others are at the other end of the scale and maybe just starting their journey into podcasting. How do you find approaching the users along that scale of expert to newbie?
• On the subject of honesty, openness etc, we have a great role model in that area – our MD Mark is a big advocate of “honesty is the best policy” – he led from the front recently as we started to notice some areas for improvement needed in our analytics and a couple of other places in the platform, reaching out personally to our users and addressing the subject on our recent Q&A live stream. Does that give you the confidence to approach any issue?
• We’re an inclusive team at Captivate, how does your exposure to the platform and features, along with maintaining the Captivate Insider newsletter, help get users the correct information and help?
• We don’t get it all the time and we certainly don’t expect it but when users compliment you on a job well done, does that make life in user experience that bit easier to navigate on a daily basis?
• For others working in user experience or good old “customer service”, either within our industry or elsewhere and are listening to this episode, can you give us a few tips on how to maintain a high level of quality through honesty and openness?

Given that Garry had a guest, Danny, he wrote down all the questions he was going to ask on the episode and shared them with him. He then used these questions as a base for the podcast, which kept the conversation moving and was loose enough to allow for any tangents and new ideas that may arise during the course of a discussion like this one.

This is probably the best way to script a podcast episode with multiple people, as it ensures the conversation doesn’t lull while also allowing a natural conversation between the two speakers.

Garry’s outro.

Being a seasoned podcaster, Garry didn’t script his outro – he knew he needed to simply thank the audience, and his guest and hit the podcast’s main CTA, which is to get people to try Captivate. Let’s take a look at a transcript to see how he did that:

Thank you very much again to Danny for taking the time to chat with me and part with some experienced views and thank you for listening to another episode of Captivate Insider.

If you’re not using Captivate yet to power your podcast, you can do that with a free trial. Just head over to captivate.fm/signup, pop your deets in there and sign up to everything, nothing is locked behind a pay wall or anything. Get full access to all of our features for seven days, kick the tyres, see what you think, and I’m sure you’ll be impressed so you can get your podcast up and running in no time and get it to where you want it to be .

If you’ve got a podcast somewhere else if you’ve got it hosted with another hosting company, that’s all good but if you’ve been thinking about having a bit of a change up and you wanna look at another host, then it’s really quick and easy to import your podcast into Captivate. And again, you have everything available to you for free for seven days. So go and check that out at captivate.fm/signup and give that a go.

Until next week and episode 27, take care of yourselves and happy podcasting.

He kept it loose, conversational and friendly. By the time you’re getting to your podcast outro, especially if you’re a more experienced podcaster, you’ll likely be in the zone, so it’s less essential to script out verbatim than your intro.

If you’re newer or less confident behind the mic, though – script it out! There’s no shame in having it to fall back on.

Free podcast script templates

Script for a solo show.

[Intro music]

Hi and welcome to _____, I’m _____. This is episode ___, and we’ll be discussing ___. If you’re a fan of the show, please do follow us on ____.

[This is the first point you’re going to discuss in your episode. Make sure it’s all clear and relevant!]

Transition into…

[Ideas should build on one another, each feeling like a natural continuation of the previous one, building on concepts explained earlier on.]

[Break during the episode which includes your most important CTA OR a message from your sponsors]

Ideas 3, 4, 5…:

[Just repeat the process until your episode topic is covered to the degree you wish to go to.]

[Conclude what you have spoken about] And that’s it! Thanks so much for listening, this show really wouldn’t be possible without you. If you’re a fan of the show, please leave a review on Podchaser (or similar CTA) – the link is in the show notes.

Until our next podcast episode remember [podcast notable].

[ Outro music ]

Script with a Co-Host

Co Host  1: Hi and welcome to _____, I’m _____. 

Co Host  2: And I’m _____. This is episode ___, and we’ll be discussing ___. If you’re a fan of the show, please do follow us on ____.

Co Host 1: Now let’s get into it!

Co Host 1: [Conclude what you have spoken about] And that’s it! Thanks so much for listening, this show really wouldn’t be possible without you. If you’re a fan of the show, please leave a review on Podchaser (or similar CTA) – the link is in the show notes.

Co host 2: Thanks, [ Co Host 11 ], and thanks to everyone listening at home. Until our next episode, remember [podcast notable].

[Outro music]

Interview style script

Host: Hi and welcome to _____, I’m _____. I’m joined today by [ Guest ], an expert in _____ to discuss _____. Hello, [ Guest ], and thank you for joining me today!

Guest : Thanks [ Host ], very happy to be here.

Host: Awesome! Let’s get right into it. First, though, if you are a fan of this podcast, please do follow the show on ____!

Question 1:

[This is the first question you’re going to ask your guest. Start with background info, more basic stuff, and then build up to their more specific knowledge]

[ Important! You should be reactive as an interviewer – respond to guests’ answers and allow the conversation to build off of their responses. Don’t just blindly read off your questions, it’s not engaging for listeners. Keep the conversation flowing but also be mindful of not straying too far off course, keep control of your interview by bringing your guest(s) back into your planned questions.]

Question 2:

[Questions should build on one another, each feeling like a natural continuation of the previous one, building on concepts explained earlier on.]

Questions 3, 4, 5…:

Host: And that’s it! Thanks so much for listening, and thank you to [ Guest ] for joining me today, make sure to check out their ____ which is releasing soon

Guest: Thanks, It’s been great to be here.

Host: Where can people find and connect with you?

Guest: Connect with me on… 

Host: Until our next episode remember [podcast notable] – [podcast tagline] .

How to nail your podcast script

Like anything, you probably won’t get your script perfect the first time. If you’re not used to it, you may sound a bit clunky or you may fluff up reading off the page.

But don’t worry: keep at it! Ask for feedback from listeners and friends and experiment with what works for you. If you find reading a full script hard, try an episode with just notes, and vice versa.

Pro tip: Try including your CTA in your intro for a few episodes and record how many listeners actually commit to it. Then try the next few episodes with that same CTA in the outro – that way you can work out where it generates the most engagement.

You can use Captivate’s Attribution Links to track how many times a given link is clicked, meaning you can empirically see which placement is best.

This is called split testing, and is super common in the marketing world!

Captivate features that will help you to nail your scripts

Of course, we’re all podcasters ourselves, and we know it’s not easy to get that script perfect. With that in mind, we’ve designed our features to help you with this!

Episode Planning

Our amazing Episode Planning features allow you to create an episode script within Captivate, collecting Research Links to tie in to your episode along the way.

Once you’ve planned out your episode within the Captivate Dashboard, keep that script in front of you while recording your episode in your DAW. Then, once your episode is recorded, you can upload the mp3 file and attach it directly to the episode idea to turn it into a live podcast episode.

Player Customization

When you’re reading out your Calls to Action, it won’t be a big ask for your listeners – you can include quick links to your social media apps and directory links directly within the embeddable Captivate player!

Increasing the ease of a CTA makes it more likely that your listeners will actually do it – all you’re asking them to do here is click on something already on their screen!

Podcast script FAQs

• Should I include keywords?

Yes, if you have done keyword research for your podcast episode (and we recommend everyone does this) definitely include the keywords in your script. This is a great way to ensure that you are mentioning phrases in your episode that people are actually searching for in search engines like Google. 

Google has been transcribing and indexing podcasts since 2019, so doing this increases the chances of your podcast episode being shown to people when they search for relevant terms.

Word of caution – be careful with adding keywords as you still want your podcast episodes to sound natural, plus keyword stuffing just doesn’t work. It annoys both people and Google.

Read more about podcast SEO . 

• Should I keep it simple?

For first time scripters, it’s certainly a good idea to try just bullet points first – many find a full script too constricting at first. Simple bullet points of all the ideas you want to hit are a great place to start!

• Do I need to do a dry run?

Consensus is split on this one – if it’s a solo show, a dry run certainly wouldn’t hurt, but it could kill the chemistry if you’re working with another presenter or an interviewee. You don’t want it to sound like you’re going through the motions, and listeners will be able to tell if you’re really excited about something and having the conversation for the first time.

• Check out the transcripts of other podcasts, as this is a quick and easy way to see what kind of scripts other shows are using.
• Ask your friends! See if any of your podcaster friends will share their scripts for previous episodes so you can see how they built up their episodes.
• Use the templates in this article – we’d love to know if our templates helped you create your scripts! Let us know on Twitter.
• Ask in our Facebook group : there is a massive community of Captivate podcasters at your fingertips, sharing expertise and questions, with daily interaction from the Captivate team, too!

Pro tips for podcast scripts

• Avoid saying ‘Subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts’!

We hear a lot of podcasters say something along the lines of ‘subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts’. Not giving listeners an easy action to complete is asking too much of them, as you are leaving it up to them to go and find your show in their preferred app and then click subscribe or follow.

If you use Captivate you can send people to your single promotional link . This is a URL (www.domain.com/listen) that you can mention when recording and include in your show notes, and has links to your show in all major podcast playing platforms. It’s easy for people to remember, so they are more likely to do what you ask them. 

• Don’t over do it with CTAs – it’s good to have a range, but stick to one or two per episode. 

The more CTAs you include in your podcast episode, the less likely people are going to take action. It’s good to test out a range across your episodes, but when recording a specific episode stick to one or two.

The more times a listener is reminded of one action, the more likely they are to do it. There’s a well known rule in marketing that consumers have to be exposed to a message or idea at least 7 times before they take an action. If you ask people to do too many things they will easily forget and not end up doing what you want them to. 

If you are a Captivate user you can use Captivate’s Attribution Links to track the efficacy of your different CTAs, to see which ones perform best.

• Use notables

A show notable is something memorable about your show – not your name, art or music, more of a catch-phrase. It’s something that will spring to mind for listeners whenever your show is mentioned, and it’s great for building familiarity with your audience.

A great example is from one of my personal favourite shows, ‘ Philosophize This ’. It has the super simple notable of “ Thank you for wanting to know more today than you did yesterday ”.

• Mention that it’s free to follow or subscribe – some people think that you have to pay to follow or subscribe to podcasts . Easy way to combat this is to mention that it’s free to subscribe and follow, whether that’s in your notes, during recording or in your social media posts.

Scripting out your episode will make sure it’s the best it can be, with nothing forgotten in the urgency of recording. Just as every podcast is unique, the way each podcaster writes out a script will be unique, too – whatever works for you is just as valid as the next person’s. 

Did you find this article helpful? Check out, ‘ Write an Engaging Podcast Description that Turns Scrollers into Listeners ‘.

Get the Newsletter

Subscribe now for more articles like this and other podcasting goodness.

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

Start Free Trial

Create and distribute unlimited podcasts , enjoy advanced analytics , monetize your podcast and promote your show using the easiest-to-use podcast hosting in the world.

Next Article

8 quick ways to build a community using your podcast.

We'd love your thoughts

What do you think to this article?

We'd love to know what you think of this article, please share your thoughts with us below.

Subscribe now for new podcasting news and education

Related articles.

Podcast Headphones 2023 Guide – 6 Best Headphones for Podcasting

How to Find the Ideal Podcast Episode Length for Your Show

How to Record a Podcast Remotely 2024 Guide – Remote Podcast Setup

13 Best Podcast Recording Software 2023 (including remote) – Reviewed by Podcasters

How to Write the Perfect Podcast Intro Script: Hook and Engage Listeners

Podcast Microphones: 3 Best Choices for Beginners on a Budget

Chosen to educate on podcasting by....

How to Write a Podcast Marketing Plan + Template

In this article, we will help you with your podcast marketing strategy and show you what should be included in each component of your podcast marketing plan.

Download our Ultimate Marketing Plan Template here

What is a Podcast Marketing Plan?

A podcast marketing plan is a guide that outlines the steps you need to take to launch and promote your podcast. Your marketing plan will help you identify your target market, establish marketing goals and objectives, choose and test for the most effective marketing strategies, and track your results over time.

Your podcast marketing plan should answer the following questions:

• Who is your target audience?
• What are your objectives?
• What strategies will you use to reach your target audience?
• What tactics will you use to promote your podcast?
• When will you execute each task?
• How will you measure the success of your marketing efforts?

You need to determine which channels will be most effective for reaching your target audience. There are many options available, including social media, email marketing, and paid advertising. You’ll need to experiment with different channels to determine which ones work best for you.

You also need to set a budget for your marketing efforts. Marketing can be expensive, so it’s important to set a realistic budget that you can stick to.

Why You Need a Marketing Plan For a Podcast

Creating a podcast marketing plan is the first step to launching and promoting your podcast.

A podcast marketing plan is essential because it:

• Helps you focus your efforts
• Allows you to track your progress
• Enables you to measure your success
• Gives you a roadmap for promoting your podcast

A podcast marketing plan will help you save time and money by ensuring that you’re only spending your time and money on marketing activities that will actually produce results.

Marketing Plan Basics

A typical podcast marketing plan includes the following components:

• Executive Summary : The executive summary is a brief overview of your marketing plan. It should include your USP, target market, distribution strategy, and financial projections.
• Target Market Segments : Who are you trying to reach with your marketing? Be as specific as possible when defining your target market.
• Unique Selling Proposition (USP) : What makes you different from other podcasts? Your USP will be the foundation of your marketing messages.
• Pricing and Positioning Strategy : How will you price your podcast? What position do you want it to occupy in the market?
• Distribution Strategy : Where will you distribute your podcast? Will you submit it to iTunes, Stitcher, or another directory?
• Offers : What freebies or bonuses will you offer to entice people to listen to your podcast?
• Marketing Materials : What collateral (e.g. images, blog posts, email copy) will you create to promote your podcast?
• Promotions Strategy : How will you promote your podcast? Will you run ads, use social media, or participate in joint ventures?
• Digital Marketing Plan : What online marketing activities will you undertake to promote your podcast? This could include SEO, content marketing, or email marketing.
• Conversion, Referral, and Retention Strategy : How will you encourage people to listen to your podcast? What strategies will you use to keep them listening?
• Financial Projections : What are your expected profits and losses? When do you expect to break even?

Finish Your Podcast Marketing Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your podcast marketing plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Marketing Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Write a Podcast Marketing Plan

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what a podcast marketing plan is and why you need one, let’s take a look at how to write one. Here are the essential components of a marketing plan to promote your podcast.

Executive Summary

Although the first section of your podcast marketing plan, it should be the final section of your marketing plan that is written.

In two or three pages, summarize all of the information you have presented in the other sections and include a summary version of any graphs or charts you have included.

You should also include your marketing goals, objectives, and success metrics for the first year of operations.

Target Market Segments

In this section, you will identify your target market segments. Begin by defining your ideal customer. Who are they? What are their demographics? What are their needs and wants?

Once you have defined your ideal customer, you can begin to segment them into smaller groups. For example, you might segment them by age, location, or income level.

As you segment your target market, be sure to keep your unique selling proposition (USP) in mind. Your USP is what sets you apart from other podcasts and will be a key element in determining which segments you target.

You can use this information to create targeted marketing campaigns that will speak to each segment’s specific needs.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your USP is the one thing that sets you apart from other podcasts. It’s what makes you unique and gives you an advantage over your competition.

When crafting your USP, be sure to keep your target market in mind. What needs do they have that are not being met by other podcasts?

Once you have identified your USP, be sure to incorporate it into all of your marketing materials. Your USP should be the foundation of your marketing messages.

Pricing and Positioning Strategy

In this section, you will determine how you will price your podcast and what position you want it to occupy in the market.

Your pricing strategy will be determined by your production costs, target market, and distribution strategy. For example, if you are targeting a niche market, you may be able to charge more for your podcast than if you were targeting a mass market.

Your positioning strategy will be determined by your USP. What position do you want your podcast to occupy in the market? How does your podcast compare to other podcasts in terms of quality, content, or production value?

Distribution Strategy

In this section, you will determine how you will distribute your podcast. Will you submit it to iTunes, Stitcher, or another directory?

You should also consider creating a website for your podcast and submitting it to directories that list podcasts.

Additionally, you may want to distribute your podcast through social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter.

In this section, you will determine what freebies or bonuses you will offer to entice people to listen to your podcast.

For example, you might offer a free eBook or report to listeners who subscribe to your podcast.

You can also use this section to promote any paid products or services you offer that are related to your podcast.

Marketing Materials

In this section, you will develop the marketing materials you will need to promote your podcast. This includes your logo, website, social media accounts, and print collateral.

Be sure to include a call-to-action (CTA) in all of your marketing materials. A CTA is an instruction that tells people what they should do next. For example, your CTA might be to visit your website or subscribe to your podcast.

Promotions Strategy

In this section, you will develop a promotions strategy for your podcast. This includes identifying the channels you will use to promote your podcast and developing creative ways to get people to listen.

Some promotion ideas include submitting your podcast to directories, conducting interviews with other podcasters, or running a contest.

Digital Marketing Plan

In this section, you will develop a digital marketing plan for your podcast. This includes creating a website, building an email list, and using social media to promote your podcast.

Your website should be used to drive traffic to your podcast and help people learn more about it. Be sure to include a CTA on your website that tells people how they can subscribe to your podcast.

Your email list can be used to promote new episodes of your podcast and drive traffic to your website. Be sure to include a CTA in your emails that tells people how they can listen to your podcast.

You can use social media to promote your podcast by sharing links to new episodes, conducting interviews with other podcasters, or running contests.

Conversion, Referral and Retention Strategy

In this section, you will determine how you will convert listeners into subscribers, how you will referral listeners to your podcast, and how you will retain subscribers.

Your conversion strategy should focus on making it easy for people to subscribe to your podcast. You can do this by providing a link to your podcast on your website and in your emails.

Your referral strategy should focus on getting people to recommend your podcast to their friends. You can do this by providing a CTA on your website and in your emails that tells people how they can share your podcast with their friends.

Your retention strategy should focus on keeping people subscribed to your podcast. You can do this by providing new and interesting content, conducting interviews with interesting guests, or running contests.

Financial Projections

In this section, you will develop financial projections for your podcast. This includes estimating your production costs, marketing expenses, and potential revenue.

Be sure to include a break-even analysis in this section so you can determine when your podcast will become profitable.

How to Finish Your Podcast Marketing Plan in 1 Day!

Common podcast marketing strategies.

For most podcasters, there are several traditional and digital marketing strategies that are effective for promoting a show. You don’t need to use all of these strategies, but you should select a few that will work best for you and your audience.

Some common podcast marketing strategies include:

1. Create a Website

Your podcast should have its own website where people can go to learn more about the show. Your website can be used to drive traffic to your podcast and help people learn more about it. Be sure to include a call-to-action (CTA) on your website that tells people how they can subscribe to your podcast.

2. Build an Email List

An email list can be used to promote new episodes of your podcast and drive traffic to your website. Be sure to include a CTA in your emails that tells people how they can listen to your podcast.

3. Use Social Media

4. submit your podcast to directories.

Submitting your podcast to directories is a great way to get exposure for your show. Some popular directories include iTunes, Audible, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

5. Conduct Interviews with Other Podcasters

Conducting interviews with other podcasters is a great way to promote your show and get exposure to new audiences. Be sure to promote the interview on your website and social media channels.

6. Run a Contest

Running a contest is a great way to promote your podcast and get people talking about it. You can give away prizes like t-shirts, mugs, or even an annual subscription to your show.

7. Create Video Teasers

Creating video teasers is a great way to promotion your podcast and get people excited about it. You can post the videos on your website, social media channels, or even YouTube.

8. Write Blog Posts

Writing blog posts is a great way to generate exposure for your podcast and help people learn more about it. Be sure to include a CTA in your blog posts that tells people how they can subscribe to your podcast.

9. Speak at Events

Speaking at events is a great way to generate exposure for your podcast and meet new people. You can promote your podcast at the event by handing out flyers or business cards.

10. Advertise

Advertising is a great way to generate exposure for your podcast and get people talking about it. You can place ads in magazines, newspapers, or online. Be sure to target your ads so they are seen by people who are interested in your topic.

These are just a few of the many marketing strategies that you can use to promote your podcast. Choose a few that you feel will be most effective for your show and your audience.

When creating your marketing plan, be sure to include a budget for each of the strategies that you intend to use. This will help you track your progress and ensure that you are not overspending on your marketing efforts.

Once you have created your marketing plan, implement it and start generating new leads for your business. Be sure to track your progress and revise your plan as needed. The most important thing is to get started and keep moving forward.

Sample Marketing Plan for a Podcast

Example – the politics of power: a us political podcast.

The Politics of Power is a US political podcast that covers the latest news and events happening in Washington DC. The show is hosted by two former Capitol Hill staffers who offer analysis and commentary on the current political landscape.

Each week, the hosts cover a different topic related to American politics and invite guests to join in on the discussion. Guests have included members of Congress, political pundits, and policy experts. The show has been featured in The Washington Post, Politico, and Roll Call.

The Politics of Power is a weekly podcast that airs on Thursdays at 9:00pm EST. New episodes are available for download on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play Music.

In this marketing plan, we will outline our strategies for promoting The Politics of Power podcast. We will also provide a budget and timeline for our marketing efforts.

Our goal is to increase listener awareness of The Politics of Power and generate new leads for the show.

The Politics of Power is a weekly podcast that covers the latest political news and events happening in Washington DC. The show is positioned as the go-to source for listeners who want to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the nation’s capital.

In terms of marketing, we will use a mix of online and offline channels to promote the show. Online, we will use social media, email marketing, and targeted ads. Offline, we will distribute promotional materials at political events and conferences. We will also partner with local and national media outlets to get our show featured in their publications.

Our goal is to convert listeners into subscribers and retain them as active fans of The Politics of Power.

Our target market is adults aged 25-54 who are interested in US politics and current affairs. This includes people who vote in national elections, follow the news, and participate in the political process.

Demographics

The following is a breakdown of our target market by demographics:

• Gender: Male/Female
• Location: US
• Income: $50,000+
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Interests: US politics, current affairs, news, voting

The Politics of Power is the only podcast that offers in-depth analysis and commentary on the latest political news and events happening in Washington DC. Our show is hosted by two former Capitol Hill staffers who have insider knowledge of how the political system works.

We offer listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really going on in Washington. In addition, we invite guests from all sides of the political spectrum to join in on our discussions. This allows us to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues being covered.

The Politics of Power is a free podcast that is available for download on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play Music.

We position our show as the go-to source for listeners who want to stay up-to-date on the latest political news and events happening in Washington DC.

In addition to our regular release schedule, we also make our episodes available through our website and social media channels.

The Politics of Power offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the US political system. In addition, we provide in-depth analysis and commentary on the latest news and events happening in Washington DC.

We also offer a variety of bonus content for our listeners, including exclusive interviews, Q&As, and live recordings.

The following is a list of marketing materials that we will use to promote The Politics of Power podcast:

• Website banner
• Social media posts
• Email newsletter
• Press release
• Promotional flyer

The Politics of Power will promote its podcast through a variety of online and offline channels.

Online, we will use social media, email marketing, and targeted ads to reach our target market. We will also work with influencers in our space to help promote our show.

Offline, we will distribute promotional materials at political events and conferences. We will also partner with local and national media outlets to get our show featured in their publications.

The following is a digital marketing plan for The Politics of Power:

Social Media

We will use social media to promote The Politics of Power podcast. We will post daily on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. In addition, we will run targeted ads on Facebook and Twitter.

Email Marketing

We will send weekly email newsletters to our subscribers. These newsletters will feature the latest episode of our show, as well as exclusive bonus content.

We will drive traffic to our website through SEO, social media, and targeted ads. Once on our website, visitors will be able to listen to episodes of our show, read blog posts, and sign up for our email newsletter.

Influencer Marketing

We will work with influencers in our space to help promote The Politics of Power. This includes conducting interviews, guest appearances, and giveaways.

The following are a few ways that we will convert listeners into subscribers and retain them as active fans of The Politics of Power:

• Asking listeners to subscribe to our show on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play Music
• Offering exclusive bonus content for subscribers
• Conducting giveaways and contests for listeners
• Sending weekly email newsletters to subscribers featuring the latest episode of our show, as well as exclusive bonus content.

The following is a breakdown of our expected expenses for The Politics of Power podcast:

• Recording equipment – $1,000
• Editing software – $500
• Website hosting – $100/month
• Podcast hosting – $20/month
• Promotional materials – $500
• Marketing costs – $1,000/month

Podcast planning: Everything you need to plan your episodes

What type of content do you primarily create?

A podcast has lots of moving parts. Each episode needs to be researched, scripted, recorded, and edited—and that’s just the workflow for a single episode. Scale that up to a weekly show and you wouldn’t be alone in losing track of everything.

Podcast planning helps keep you on track. With a process that tells you exactly what needs to be done when, you’ll stop yourself from missing publishing dates—or worse, shipping new episodes that you’re not truly happy with because you didn't give yourself enough time to work on them. 

This guide is here to solve that problem. We’ll share a simple workflow to help you start podcast planning, complete with tips on how to prepare new episodes you’re truly proud of. 

Why you should plan your podcast

To some creators, planning is an unnecessary task. Going from idea to execution in record time is what sets you apart from other creators, right? Not necessarily. Here are the biggest benefits of planning a podcast production in advance: 

• Create better content. With proper planning, you’ll have a script to work from so you know exactly what to cover in your podcast. This includes additional research that corroborates your point—be that statistics, listener stories, or research. All of this contributes to a more informative and educational podcast. 
• Publish new episodes consistently. Successful podcasts have a regular publishing schedule. Listeners know when to come back and tune into a new episode. It’s easy to do that if you plan the content in advance. You’ll have each episode recorded, edited, and scheduled, ready for launch day. 
• Make your recording time more productive. You’re about to sit down and hit the “record” button on your new episode. You’ve made mental notes of what you want to talk about, but midway through you go off on a tangent and lose a listener’s attention. Planning solves that problem. You’ll have a script ready beforehand—a list of talking points to keep you on track.

🎙 Get started today: How to start your first podcast

How to plan a podcast episode: 9 steps

Step 1. choose a project management tool.

The easiest way to plan a podcast is to get your ideas out of your head and somewhere you can physically see them. Pen and paper are good starting points, but they mean you need to carry your notepad wherever you go. 

Project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Notion act as a digital roadmap that lets you customize a podcast planning template and see the following details at a glance:

• Episode status (i.e. “ready to record” or “needs editing”)
• Publishing dates
• Future podcast ideas 

Trello, in particular, is popular among beginner podcasters because it’s free and easy to use. Just create columns that correspond to each step in your workflow, create a new card for each episode, and use the subtask feature to track your progress. 

You can even sync Trello with Google Docs to add your podcast scripts and sponsor messages to the project planner. 

Step 2. Choose a podcast topic

Once you’ve got your project management tool setup, it’s time to start populating it with data. Begin by brainstorming potential podcast topics . Each of these should tie back to your niche. If you’re hosting a movie podcast , for example, topics might include: 

• Deep dive on how Barbie influenced pop culture
• Saltburn review
• The best movies of the year

Remember: every podcast episode on your shortlist of ideas should resonate with your target audience. If you’re unsure on what to talk about or find yourself in a creative lull, survey your audience to ask what they want to hear. Their answers make for excellent podcast topics. 

⚡️ Name your show: 60 podcast name ideas (and how to create your own)

Step 3. Do research

Now you’ve got a rough idea of what your next podcast episode will look like, spend some time researching your topic. 

This isn’t just important for shows that are known for in-depth journalistic style episodes. Even if you’re giving a brief summary of a topic that an interview guest is going to go in-depth on, extra research shows you’ve put effort into your show. That helps you stand head and shoulders above your competition. 

Let’s put that into practice and say you’re the host of a podcast that focuses on women’s health. Which of the following shows do you think would be more engaging for your listeners?

• A 20-minute episode that shares your acne story
• A 30-minute episode that shares your acne story, statistics on how many women suffer with acne, and quotes from doctors who specialize in skincare 

Chances are, you’d pick option two. It gives the listener a more unbiased and three-dimensional view on the topic—two signs of a successful podcast. 

Step 4. Find and contact potential guests

Not all podcasts have guests. If you’ve chosen an interview-style podcast format , spend some time researching potential guests—those with real-life experiences on the topic you’re talking about or experts in the field. You can do this by:

• Searching LinkedIn
• Looking for news articles on the topic you’d like to cover
• Asking your audience who they’d like to hear from 

Once you’ve got your list, contact each potential podcast guest to see if they’d be interested in joining you for a special episode. 

“I use a template I created for Gmail that allows me to fill in the time and day of the interview as well as instructions and talking points,” says Melissa Vera, host of Chats from the Blog Cabin . “I just go in and personalize the email when I send out all the information, which saves a ton of time.”

Alternative, tools like Calendly help guests choose a date and time that works for both you and your co-hosts. Preconfigure your availability and send the link to your guests. They’ll be able to book a slot that works for you—without the back-and-forth email thread. 

⚡️ Pro tip: You don’t have to settle for Zoom when recording podcasts with guests. SquadCast allows you to invite guests and record your show in both audio and video from a web browser. As soon as you close the session, you can hit “Edit in Descript,” and the recording will open in Descript, ready for you to edit. 

‎ Step 5. Write a podcast script 

A podcast script is a document that details what you’ll talk about in each episode. This doesn’t have to be anything lengthy—a podcast outline can just be a few talking points that you jot into a Google Doc prior to recording. 

Here’s what a podcast script template should include in its most basic form:

• Podcast intro. Prime the listener for what they’re about to hear. This could include a brief summary of the show, what you’ll talk about, and a quick introduction to you (or any other co-hosts). 
• Sponsor message. Brands pay big bucks to sponsor podcasts—especially if you can offer the pre-roll slot. Jot down who your sponsor is, the words they’ve requested you say, and their call-to-action. 
• Talking points. Bullet point the things you plan to talk about in your episode. Try to spread your research out into each point to build a more balanced listening experience. 
• Call to action. What should someone do now they’ve listened to your podcast episode? Whether it’s subscribing in Apple Podcasts or sharing it with a friend, tell them to do so at this stage in your podcast script.
• Podcast outro. Spend the final few seconds of each episode wrapping up the things you talked about. Some creators even share when the next episode will drop to get listeners excited. 

🎧 Bookmark this: 12 places to find podcast intro and outro music

Step 6. Set a date and time for recording

At this stage, you’ve completed the pre-production process. You have everything you need to start recording your show. The only thing left to do is hit “record.”

If productivity is a problem, some creators find it useful to set a date and time for the recording. When I’m recording the Peak Freelance podcast, for example, my co-host and I get a date in the diary at least one week in advance. It gives us enough time to prepare and when we have a self-imposed deadline, we’re less likely to put it off. 

Step 7. Create an editing workflow

Although you’ve recorded your show, you’re still not quite at the finish line. There’s still a bit more work to be done before your perfectly-planned episode gets released into the wild—starting with editing.

It’s unlikely that you’ll have a perfectly polished podcast episode when you finish recording. You or your co-hosts might’ve used filler words like “um” or “you know.” It’s something most of us do without realizing, but it has the potential to influence a listener’s perception of you. (Studies have shown that using filler words impacts people’s perception of your preparedness and efficacy.) 

Descript’s podcast editing tool can take care of that for you. Click the Filler Word Removal option and remove unwanted fluff from your episode within minutes. 

To save even more time, Descript can also help you:

• Edit your podcast like you’d edit a Google Doc
• Make audio high-quality in post-production with Studio Sound
• Choose from a built-in library of background music and sound effects

Step 8. Schedule your episode in advance

You’ve done the hard work of planning your episode. Don’t let yourself fall at the last hurdle by forgetting to set it live on your planned day of publication. 

You’ll need a podcast hosting platform to publish your show in a directory like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosting services like Buzzsprout, Podbean, and Acast give you an RSS feed link that automatically syndicates new episodes to podcast directories—and most give you the option to schedule new episodes in advance. 

Before you upload the audio file to your podcast hosting platform , spend some time preparing the show notes. The description beneath each episode shouldn’t be a word-for-word transcript of your episode. Instead, use it as a way to get people engaged. Happy Place , for example, pulls on a pain point its target audiences share: imposter syndrome. 

🎨 Start designing: How to design podcast cover art

Step 9. Schedule social media promotion

Podcast planning doesn’t end once your new episode goes live. You can have the greatest show in the world, but you’ll have a hard time building an audience and attracting new listeners if nobody knows that it exists.

Pick the best bits from your podcast and use them as teasers that get followers interested. Social media scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can help you promote new episodes when they go live. You could also schedule posts for the near future to maximize the value of your content library and prevent old episodes from dying in your archive. 

“One of the keys to podcasting is to be consistent and to be present. Scheduling posts for the two week initial run of every episode is key to make sure your followers know what the latest episode is about and how they can listen and follow the show.” – Don  Voltaire, host of Work From Home Forever  

⚡️ Pro tip: Save time promoting new episodes with Social Post Writer —a tool that comes standard with all Descript plans. It uses artificial intelligence to summarize your episode and write tweets, Instagram captions, and LinkedIn posts for you in record speed.

Elevate your podcasting game with Descript

Whether it’s your first or 100th episode, planning your show in advance can streamline the process and help you ship new episodes faster. The key is assembling a toolstack that helps you, not hinders you.

Descript’s podcast suite is the preferred tool for thousands of the world’s top podcasters. With it, you can: 

• Record remote podcasts with co-hosts or guests
• Turn bog-standard sound into high-quality audio after recording 
• Get automated transcripts with <95% accuracy 
• Easily export audio files in your preferred file format 
• Repurpose your recording into social media posts and short-form video clips  

Some of the world’s top shows—including Planet Money, The Take, and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend—use Descript to power their podcast. Join them for free today. 

‎ Podcast planning FAQs

How do you structure a podcast plan.

• Introduction
• Pre-roll ad
• First segment
• Mid-roll ad 
• Second segment
• Post-roll ad 

What are the 5 elements of a good podcast?

• Topics that appeal to your target audience
• Interesting audio—like background music or sound effects
• Authenticity from the host 
• Calls-to-action, such as “subscribe to the show” 
• Regular publishing schedule

How do I plan a new podcast episode?

• Find a project management tool 
• Choose a podcast topic
• Do your research
• Find and contact potential guests
• Write a podcast script
• Set a date and time for recording 
• Create an editing workflow
• Schedule your episode in advance 
• Schedule social media promotion

Related articles

Featured articles:

Descript tutorial for beginners: 6 steps to get started

Hit the ground running with this Descript tutorial. Import, edit, and publish your audio or video project with the intuitive text-based editor.

30 faceless YouTube channel ideas for anonymous engagement

Discover 30 faceless YouTube channel ideas to drive engagement and make money without showing your face.

How much do YouTubers make? See real-world examples

There's no single answer to how much YouTubers make. But whatever your channel size, this article will give you a good idea of what to expect.

How to start a podcast on Spotify: 7 easy steps

Find everything you need to launch a successful podcast on Spotify, from setup to publishing.

For Business

How to create an internal company podcast to keep employees connected

Learn how to boost company culture and improve communication with an internal podcast in this step-by-step guide.

How to use Descript: Tips & tricks to speed up your editing workflow

Descript makes audio & video editing easier, but even experts may not know how to use Descript to its full potential. Here are 7 tips to help.

Articles you might find interesting

Video resolution 101: What it is and how it impacts video quality

Our comprehensive guide to video resolution. Learn how it impacts your video quality, the types you need to know, and why it matters when it’s time to create stunning videos.

Product Updates

How to make a tutorial video: Show, don’t tell

Want to learn how to make a tutorial video online? Here are the key things you should know.

Join millions of creators who already have a head start.

Get free recording and editing tips, and resources delivered to your inbox.

Related articles:

Share this article

How to Write a Business Plan Podcast

#scribendiinc

Establishing a business is a complex process. It should start with a detailed business plan. This podcast will cover such issues as the business profile, contacts, financing, marketing, and even bankruptcy plans, all of which are important for a successful business.

Have You Read?

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

Related Posts

How to Write a Business Pitch

How to Write a Business Plan

Organizing Information for Business Writing

Upload your file(s) so we can calculate your word count, or enter your word count manually.

We will also recommend a service based on the file(s) you upload.

English is not my first language. I need English editing and proofreading so that I sound like a native speaker.

I need to have my journal article, dissertation, or term paper edited and proofread, or I need help with an admissions essay or proposal.

I have a novel, manuscript, play, or ebook. I need editing, copy editing, proofreading, a critique of my work, or a query package.

I need editing and proofreading for my white papers, reports, manuals, press releases, marketing materials, and other business documents.

I need to have my essay, project, assignment, or term paper edited and proofread.

I want to sound professional and to get hired. I have a resume, letter, email, or personal document that I need to have edited and proofread.

 Prices include your personal % discount.

 Prices include % sales tax ( ).

START YOUR ECOMMERCE BUSINESS FOR JUST $1

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

A magazine for young entrepreneurs

The best advice in entrepreneurship

Subscribe for exclusive access, how to write a business plan (tips, templates, examples).

Written by Jesse Sumrak | May 14, 2023

Comments -->

Get real-time frameworks, tools, and inspiration to start and build your business. Subscribe here

Business plans might seem like an old-school stiff-collared practice, but they deserve a place in the startup realm, too. It’s probably not going to be the frame-worthy document you hang in the office—yet, it may one day be deserving of the privilege.

Whether you’re looking to win the heart of an angel investor or convince a bank to lend you money, you’ll need a business plan. And not just any ol’ notes and scribble on the back of a pizza box or napkin—you’ll need a professional, standardized report.

Bah. Sounds like homework, right?

Yes. Yes, it does.

However, just like bookkeeping, loan applications, and 404 redirects, business plans are an essential step in cementing your business foundation.

Don’t worry. We’ll show you how to write a business plan without boring you to tears. We’ve jam-packed this article with all the business plan examples, templates, and tips you need to take your non-existent proposal from concept to completion.

Table of Contents

What Is a Business Plan?

Tips to Make Your Small Business Plan Ironclad

How to Write a Business Plan in 6 Steps

Startup Business Plan Template

Business Plan Examples

Work on Making Your Business Plan

How to Write a Business Plan FAQs

What is a business plan why do you desperately need one.

A business plan is a roadmap that outlines:

• Who your business is, what it does, and who it serves
• Where your business is now
• Where you want it to go
• How you’re going to make it happen
• What might stop you from taking your business from Point A to Point B
• How you’ll overcome the predicted obstacles

While it’s not required when starting a business, having a business plan is helpful for a few reasons:

• Secure a Bank Loan: Before approving you for a business loan, banks will want to see that your business is legitimate and can repay the loan. They want to know how you’re going to use the loan and how you’ll make monthly payments on your debt. Lenders want to see a sound business strategy that doesn’t end in loan default.
• Win Over Investors: Like lenders, investors want to know they’re going to make a return on their investment. They need to see your business plan to have the confidence to hand you money.
• Stay Focused: It’s easy to get lost chasing the next big thing. Your business plan keeps you on track and focused on the big picture. Your business plan can prevent you from wasting time and resources on something that isn’t aligned with your business goals.

Beyond the reasoning, let’s look at what the data says:

• Simply writing a business plan can boost your average annual growth by 30%
• Entrepreneurs who create a formal business plan are 16% more likely to succeed than those who don’t
• A study looking at 65 fast-growth companies found that 71% had small business plans
• The process and output of creating a business plan have shown to improve business performance

Convinced yet? If those numbers and reasons don’t have you scrambling for pen and paper, who knows what will.

Don’t Skip: Business Startup Costs Checklist

Before we get into the nitty-gritty steps of how to write a business plan, let’s look at some high-level tips to get you started in the right direction:

Be Professional and Legit

You might be tempted to get cutesy or revolutionary with your business plan—resist the urge. While you should let your brand and creativity shine with everything you produce, business plans fall more into the realm of professional documents.

Think of your business plan the same way as your terms and conditions, employee contracts, or financial statements. You want your plan to be as uniform as possible so investors, lenders, partners, and prospective employees can find the information they need to make important decisions.

If you want to create a fun summary business plan for internal consumption, then, by all means, go right ahead. However, for the purpose of writing this external-facing document, keep it legit.

Know Your Audience

Your official business plan document is for lenders, investors, partners, and big-time prospective employees. Keep these names and faces in your mind as you draft your plan.

Think about what they might be interested in seeing, what questions they’ll ask, and what might convince (or scare) them. Cut the jargon and tailor your language so these individuals can understand.

Remember, these are busy people. They’re likely looking at hundreds of applicants and startup investments every month. Keep your business plan succinct and to the point. Include the most pertinent information and omit the sections that won’t impact their decision-making.

Invest Time Researching

You might not have answers to all the sections you should include in your business plan. Don’t skip over these!

Your audience will want:

• Detailed information about your customers
• Numbers and solid math to back up your financial claims and estimates
• Deep insights about your competitors and potential threats
• Data to support market opportunities and strategy

Your answers can’t be hypothetical or opinionated. You need research to back up your claims. If you don’t have that data yet, then invest time and money in collecting it. That information isn’t just critical for your business plan—it’s essential for owning, operating, and growing your company.

Stay Realistic

Your business may be ambitious, but reign in the enthusiasm just a teeny-tiny bit. The last thing you want to do is have an angel investor call BS and say “I’m out” before even giving you a chance.

The folks looking at your business and evaluating your plan have been around the block—they know a thing or two about fact and fiction. Your plan should be a blueprint for success. It should be the step-by-step roadmap for how you’re going from Point A to Point B.

How to Write a Business Plan—6 Essential Elements

Not every business plan looks the same, but most share a few common elements. Here’s what they typically include:

• Executive Summary
• Business Overview
• Products and Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Financial Strategy

Below, we’ll break down each of these sections in more detail.

1. Executive Summary

While your executive summary is the first page of your business plan, it’s the section you’ll write last. That’s because it summarizes your entire business plan into a succinct one-pager.

Begin with an executive summary that introduces the reader to your business and gives them an overview of what’s inside the business plan.

Your executive summary highlights key points of your plan. Consider this your elevator pitch. You want to put all your juiciest strengths and opportunities strategically in this section.

2. Business Overview

In this section, you can dive deeper into the elements of your business, including answering:

• What’s your business structure? Sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.
• Where is it located?
• Who owns the business? Does it have employees?
• What problem does it solve, and how?
• What’s your mission statement? Your mission statement briefly describes why you are in business. To write a proper mission statement, brainstorm your business’s core values and who you serve.

Don’t overlook your mission statement. This powerful sentence or paragraph could be the inspiration that drives an investor to take an interest in your business. Here are a few examples of powerful mission statements that just might give you the goosebumps:

• Patagonia: Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
• Tesla: To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
• InvisionApp : Question Assumptions. Think Deeply. Iterate as a Lifestyle. Details, Details. Design is Everywhere. Integrity.
• TED : Spread ideas.
• Warby Parker : To offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price while leading the way for socially conscious businesses.

3. Products and Services

As the owner, you know your business and the industry inside and out. However, whoever’s reading your document might not. You’re going to need to break down your products and services in minute detail.

For example, if you own a SaaS business, you’re going to need to explain how this business model works and what you’re selling.

You’ll need to include:

• What services you sell: Describe the services you provide and how these will help your target audience.
• What products you sell: Describe your products (and types if applicable) and how they will solve a need for your target and provide value.
• How much you charge: If you’re selling services, will you charge hourly, per project, retainer, or a mixture of all of these? If you’re selling products, what are the price ranges?

4. Market Analysis

Your market analysis essentially explains how your products and services address customer concerns and pain points. This section will include research and data on the state and direction of your industry and target market.

This research should reveal lucrative opportunities and how your business is uniquely positioned to seize the advantage. You’ll also want to touch on your marketing strategy and how it will (or does) work for your audience.

Include a detailed analysis of your target customers. This describes the people you serve and sell your product to. Be careful not to go too broad here—you don’t want to fall into the common entrepreneurial trap of trying to sell to everyone and thereby not differentiating yourself enough to survive the competition.

The market analysis section will include your unique value proposition. Your unique value proposition (UVP) is the thing that makes you stand out from your competitors. This is your key to success.

If you don’t have a UVP, you don’t have a way to take on competitors who are already in this space. Here’s an example of an ecommerce internet business plan outlining their competitive edge:

FireStarters’ competitive advantage is offering product lines that make a statement but won’t leave you broke. The major brands are expensive and not distinctive enough to satisfy the changing taste of our target customers. FireStarters offers products that are just ahead of the curve and so affordable that our customers will return to the website often to check out what’s new.

5. Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis examines the strengths and weaknesses of competing businesses in your market or industry. This will include direct and indirect competitors. It can also include threats and opportunities, like economic concerns or legal restraints.

The best way to sum up this section is with a classic SWOT analysis. This will explain your company’s position in relation to your competitors.

6. Financial Strategy

Your financial strategy will sum up your revenue, expenses, profit (or loss), and financial plan for the future. It’ll explain how you make money, where your cash flow goes, and how you’ll become profitable or stay profitable.

This is one of the most important sections for lenders and investors. Have you ever watched Shark Tank? They always ask about the company’s financial situation. How has it performed in the past? What’s the ongoing outlook moving forward? How does the business plan to make it happen?

Answer all of these questions in your financial strategy so that your audience doesn’t have to ask. Go ahead and include forecasts and graphs in your plan, too:

• Balance sheet: This includes your assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Profit & Loss (P&L) statement: This details your income and expenses over a given period.
• Cash flow statement: Similar to the P&L, this one will show all cash flowing into and out of the business each month.

It takes cash to change the world—lenders and investors get it. If you’re short on funding, explain how much money you’ll need and how you’ll use the capital. Where are you looking for financing? Are you looking to take out a business loan, or would you rather trade equity for capital instead?

Read More: 16 Financial Concepts Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Startup Business Plan Template (Copy/Paste Outline)

Ready to write your own business plan? Copy/paste the startup business plan template below and fill in the blanks.

Executive Summary Remember, do this last. Summarize who you are and your business plan in one page.

Business Overview Describe your business. What’s it do? Who owns it? How’s it structured? What’s the mission statement?

Products and Services Detail the products and services you offer. How do they work? What do you charge?

Market Analysis Write about the state of the market and opportunities. Use date. Describe your customers. Include your UVP.

Competitive Analysis Outline the competitors in your market and industry. Include threats and opportunities. Add a SWOT analysis of your business.

Financial Strategy Sum up your revenue, expenses, profit (or loss), and financial plan for the future. If you’re applying for a loan, include how you’ll use the funding to progress the business.

5 Frame-Worthy Business Plan Examples

Want to explore other templates and examples? We got you covered. Check out these 5 business plan examples you can use as inspiration when writing your plan:

• SBA Wooden Grain Toy Company
• SBA We Can Do It Consulting
• OrcaSmart Business Plan Sample
• Plum Business Plan Template
• PandaDoc Free Business Plan Templates

Get to Work on Making Your Business Plan

If you find you’re getting stuck on perfecting your document, opt for a simple one-page business plan —and then get to work. You can always polish up your official plan later as you learn more about your business and the industry.

Remember, business plans are not a requirement for starting a business—they’re only truly essential if a bank or investor is asking for it.

Ask others to review your business plan. Get feedback from other startups and successful business owners. They’ll likely be able to see holes in your planning or undetected opportunities—just make sure these individuals aren’t your competitors (or potential competitors).

Your business plan isn’t a one-and-done report—it’s a living, breathing document. You’ll make changes to it as you grow and evolve. When the market or your customers change, your plan will need to change to adapt.

That means when you’re finished with this exercise, it’s not time to print your plan out and stuff it in a file cabinet somewhere. No, it should sit on your desk as a day-to-day reference. Use it (and update it) as you make decisions about your product, customers, and financial plan.

Review your business plan frequently, update it routinely, and follow the path you’ve developed to the future you’re building.

Keep Learning: New Product Development Process in 8 Easy Steps

What financial information should be included in a business plan?

Be as detailed as you can without assuming too much. For example, include your expected revenue, expenses, profit, and growth for the future.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a business plan?

The most common mistake is turning your business plan into a textbook. A business plan is an internal guide and an external pitching tool. Cut the fat and only include the most relevant information to start and run your business.

Who should review my business plan before I submit it?

Co-founders, investors, or a board of advisors. Otherwise, reach out to a trusted mentor, your local chamber of commerce, or someone you know that runs a business.

Ready to Write Your Business Plan?

Don’t let creating a business plan hold you back from starting your business. Writing documents might not be your thing—that doesn’t mean your business is a bad idea.

Let us help you get started.

Join our free training to learn how to start an online side hustle in 30 days or less. We’ll provide you with a proven roadmap for how to find, validate, and pursue a profitable business idea (even if you have zero entrepreneurial experience).

Stuck on the ideas part? No problem. When you attend the masterclass, we’ll send you a free ebook with 100 of the hottest side hustle trends right now. It’s chock full of brilliant business ideas to get you up and running in the right direction.

About Jesse Sumrak

Jesse Sumrak is a writing zealot focused on creating killer content. He’s spent almost a decade writing about startup, marketing, and entrepreneurship topics, having built and sold his own post-apocalyptic fitness bootstrapped business. A writer by day and a peak bagger by night (and early early morning), you can usually find Jesse preparing for the apocalypse on a precipitous peak somewhere in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Related Posts

Amazon FBA Fees: How to Calculate What FBA Will Cost You

The Complete Guide to Getting Clients for Your Consulting Business

What’s the Most Profitable Business to Start in 2024?

9 Best Businesses You Can Start with No Money

Is Selling On Amazon Worth it? Get Your Questions Answered

8 Businesses That Make Money Right Away (In 1-3 Months or Less)

How Much To Unapologetically Charge For Public Speaking

Write the Perfect Consulting Proposal: Tools, Examples, and a Template

How to Create an Online Course That Sells in 2024

I Used this Product Launch Checklist to Start 5 Ecom Brands

How to Get Sponsored: From 0 to $50,000 in 4 Weeks

How Shay Mitchell Is Disrupting a $17B Industry

MaryRuth Ghiyam: From $700K in Debt to $100M in Revenue

His Ecommerce Funnel Generated $70M Last Year

How Do You Launch a Product?

FREE TRAINING FROM LEGIT FOUNDERS

Actionable Strategies for Starting & Growing Any Business.

Don't Miss Out! Get Instant Access to foundr+ for Just $1!

1000+ lessons. customized learning. 30,000+ strong community..

How To Start A Business In 11 Steps (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 7, 2024, 1:44pm

Table of Contents

Before you begin: get in the right mindset, 1. determine your business concept, 2. research your competitors and market, 3. create your business plan, 4. choose your business structure, 5. register your business and get licenses, 6. get your finances in order, 7. fund your business, 8. apply for business insurance, 9. get the right business tools, 10. market your business, 11. scale your business, what are the best states to start a business, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Starting a business is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you can have. But where do you begin? There are several ways to approach creating a business, along with many important considerations. To help take the guesswork out of the process and improve your chances of success, follow our comprehensive guide on how to start a business. We’ll walk you through each step of the process, from defining your business idea to registering, launching and growing your business .

Featured Partners

ZenBusiness

$0 + State Fees

Varies By State & Package

On ZenBusiness' Website

On LegalZoom's Website

Northwest Registered Agent

$39 + State Fees

On Northwest Registered Agent's Website

$0 + State Fee

On Formations' Website

The public often hears about overnight successes because they make for a great headline. However, it’s rarely that simple—they don’t see the years of dreaming, building and positioning before a big public launch. For this reason, remember to focus on your business journey and don’t measure your success against someone else’s.

Consistency Is Key

New business owners tend to feed off their motivation initially but get frustrated when that motivation wanes. This is why it’s essential to create habits and follow routines that power you through when motivation goes away.

Take the Next Step

Some business owners dive in headfirst without looking and make things up as they go along. Then, there are business owners who stay stuck in analysis paralysis and never start. Perhaps you’re a mixture of the two—and that’s right where you need to be. The best way to accomplish any business or personal goal is to write out every possible step it takes to achieve the goal. Then, order those steps by what needs to happen first. Some steps may take minutes while others take a long time. The point is to always take the next step.

Most business advice tells you to monetize what you love, but it misses two other very important elements: it needs to be profitable and something you’re good at. For example, you may love music, but how viable is your business idea if you’re not a great singer or songwriter? Maybe you love making soap and want to open a soap shop in your small town that already has three close by—it won’t be easy to corner the market when you’re creating the same product as other nearby stores.

If you don’t have a firm idea of what your business will entail, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you love to do?
• What do you hate to do?
• Can you think of something that would make those things easier?
• What are you good at?
• What do others come to you for advice about?
• If you were given ten minutes to give a five-minute speech on any topic, what would it be?
• What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but lacked resources for?

These questions can lead you to an idea for your business. If you already have an idea, they might help you expand it. Once you have your idea, measure it against whether you’re good at it and if it’s profitable.

Your business idea also doesn’t have to be the next Scrub Daddy or Squatty Potty. Instead, you can take an existing product and improve upon it. You can also sell a digital product so there’s little overhead.

What Kind of Business Should You Start?

Before you choose the type of business to start, there are some key things to consider:

• What type of funding do you have?
• How much time do you have to invest in your business?
• Do you prefer to work from home or at an office or workshop?
• What interests and passions do you have?
• Can you sell information (such as a course), rather than a product?
• What skills or expertise do you have?
• How fast do you need to scale your business?
• What kind of support do you have to start your business?
• Are you partnering with someone else?
• Does the franchise model make more sense to you?

Consider Popular Business Ideas

Not sure what business to start? Consider one of these popular business ideas:

• Start a Franchise
• Start a Blog
• Start an Online Store
• Start a Dropshipping Business
• Start a Cleaning Business
• Start a Bookkeeping Business
• Start a Clothing Business
• Start a Landscaping Business
• Start a Consulting Business
• Start a Photography Business
• Start a Vending Machine Business

Most entrepreneurs spend more time on their products than they do getting to know the competition. If you ever apply for outside funding, the potential lender or partner wants to know: what sets you (or your business idea) apart? If market analysis indicates your product or service is saturated in your area, see if you can think of a different approach. Take housekeeping, for example—rather than general cleaning services, you might specialize in homes with pets or focus on garage cleanups.

Primary Research

The first stage of any competition study is primary research, which entails obtaining data directly from potential customers rather than basing your conclusions on past data. You can use questionnaires, surveys and interviews to learn what consumers want. Surveying friends and family isn’t recommended unless they’re your target market. People who say they’d buy something and people who do are very different. The last thing you want is to take so much stock in what they say, create the product and flop when you try to sell it because all of the people who said they’d buy it don’t because the product isn’t something they’d buy.

Secondary Research

Utilize existing sources of information, such as census data, to gather information when you do secondary research. The current data may be studied, compiled and analyzed in various ways that are appropriate for your needs but it may not be as detailed as primary research.

Conduct a SWOT Analysis

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Conducting a SWOT analysis allows you to look at the facts about how your product or idea might perform if taken to market, and it can also help you make decisions about the direction of your idea. Your business idea might have some weaknesses that you hadn’t considered or there may be some opportunities to improve on a competitor’s product.

Asking pertinent questions during a SWOT analysis can help you identify and address weaknesses before they tank your new business.

A business plan is a dynamic document that serves as a roadmap for establishing a new business. This document makes it simple for potential investors, financial institutions and company management to understand and absorb. Even if you intend to self-finance, a business plan can help you flesh out your idea and spot potential problems. When writing a well-rounded business plan, include the following sections:

• Executive summary: The executive summary should be the first item in the business plan, but it should be written last. It describes the proposed new business and highlights the goals of the company and the methods to achieve them.
• Company description: The company description covers what problems your product or service solves and why your business or idea is best. For example, maybe your background is in molecular engineering, and you’ve used that background to create a new type of athletic wear—you have the proper credentials to make the best material.
• Market analysis: This section of the business plan analyzes how well a company is positioned against its competitors. The market analysis should include target market, segmentation analysis, market size, growth rate, trends and a competitive environment assessment.
• Organization and structure: Write about the type of business organization you expect, what risk management strategies you propose and who will staff the management team. What are their qualifications? Will your business be a single-member limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation ?
• Mission and goals: This section should contain a brief mission statement and detail what the business wishes to accomplish and the steps to get there. These goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, action-orientated, realistic and time-bound).
• Products or services: This section describes how your business will operate. It includes what products you’ll offer to consumers at the beginning of the business, how they compare to existing competitors, how much your products cost, who will be responsible for creating the products, how you’ll source materials and how much they cost to make.
• Background summary: This portion of the business plan is the most time-consuming to write. Compile and summarize any data, articles and research studies on trends that could positively and negatively affect your business or industry.
• Marketing plan: The marketing plan identifies the characteristics of your product or service, summarizes the SWOT analysis and analyzes competitors. It also discusses how you’ll promote your business, how much money will be spent on marketing and how long the campaign is expected to last.
• Financial plan: The financial plan is perhaps the core of the business plan because, without money, the business will not move forward. Include a proposed budget in your financial plan along with projected financial statements, such as an income statement, a balance sheet and a statement of cash flows. Usually, five years of projected financial statements are acceptable. This section is also where you should include your funding request if you’re looking for outside funding.

Learn more: Download our free simple business plan template .

Come Up With an Exit Strategy

An exit strategy is important for any business that is seeking funding because it outlines how you’ll sell the company or transfer ownership if you decide to retire or move on to other projects. An exit strategy also allows you to get the most value out of your business when it’s time to sell. There are a few different options for exiting a business, and the best option for you depends on your goals and circumstances.

The most common exit strategies are:

• Selling the business to another party
• Passing the business down to family members
• Liquidating the business assets
• Closing the doors and walking away

Develop a Scalable Business Model

As your small business grows, it’s important to have a scalable business model so that you can accommodate additional customers without incurring additional costs. A scalable business model is one that can be replicated easily to serve more customers without a significant increase in expenses.

Some common scalable business models are:

• Subscription-based businesses
• Businesses that sell digital products
• Franchise businesses
• Network marketing businesses

Start Planning for Taxes

One of the most important things to do when starting a small business is to start planning for taxes. Taxes can be complex, and there are several different types of taxes you may be liable for, including income tax, self-employment tax, sales tax and property tax. Depending on the type of business you’re operating, you may also be required to pay other taxes, such as payroll tax or unemployment tax.

Start A Limited Liability Company Online Today with ZenBusiness

Click to get started.

When structuring your business, it’s essential to consider how each structure impacts the amount of taxes you owe, daily operations and whether your personal assets are at risk.

An LLC limits your personal liability for business debts. LLCs can be owned by one or more people or companies and must include a registered agent . These owners are referred to as members.

• LLCs offer liability protection for the owners
• They’re one of the easiest business entities to set up
• You can have a single-member LLC
• You may be required to file additional paperwork with your state on a regular basis
• LLCs can’t issue stock
• You’ll need to pay annual filing fees to your state

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

An LLP is similar to an LLC but is typically used for licensed business professionals such as an attorney or accountant. These arrangements require a partnership agreement.

• Partners have limited liability for the debts and actions of the LLP
• LLPs are easy to form and don’t require much paperwork
• There’s no limit to the number of partners in an LLP
• Partners are required to actively take part in the business
• LLPs can’t issue stock
• All partners are personally liable for any malpractice claims against the business

Sole Proprietorship

If you start a solo business, you might consider a sole proprietorship . The company and the owner, for legal and tax purposes, are considered the same. The business owner assumes liability for the business. So, if the business fails, the owner is personally and financially responsible for all business debts.

• Sole proprietorships are easy to form
• There’s no need to file additional paperwork with your state
• You’re in complete control of the business
• You’re personally liable for all business debts
• It can be difficult to raise money for a sole proprietorship
• The business may have a limited lifespan

Corporation

A corporation limits your personal liability for business debts just as an LLC does. A corporation can be taxed as a C corporation (C-corp) or an S corporation (S-corp). S-corp status offers pass-through taxation to small corporations that meet certain IRS requirements. Larger companies and startups hoping to attract venture capital are usually taxed as C-corps.

• Corporations offer liability protection for the owners
• The life span of a corporation is not limited
• A corporation can have an unlimited number of shareholders
• Corporations are subject to double taxation
• They’re more expensive and complicated to set up than other business structures
• The shareholders may have limited liability

Before you decide on a business structure, discuss your situation with a small business accountant and possibly an attorney, as each business type has different tax treatments that could affect your bottom line.

Helpful Resources

• How To Set Up an LLC in 7 Steps
• How To Start a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Start a Corporation
• How To Start a Nonprofit
• How To Start a 501(c)(3)

There are several legal issues to address when starting a business after choosing the business structure. The following is a good checklist of items to consider when establishing your business:

Choose Your Business Name

Make it memorable but not too difficult. Choose the same domain name, if available, to establish your internet presence. A business name cannot be the same as another registered company in your state, nor can it infringe on another trademark or service mark that is already registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Business Name vs. DBA

There are business names, and then there are fictitious business names known as “Doing Business As” or DBA. You may need to file a DBA if you’re operating under a name that’s different from the legal name of your business. For example, “Mike’s Bike Shop” is doing business as “Mike’s Bikes.” The legal name of the business is “Mike’s Bike Shop,” and “Mike’s Bikes” is the DBA.

You may need to file a DBA with your state, county or city government offices. The benefits of a DBA include:

• It can help you open a business bank account under your business name
• A DBA can be used as a “trade name” to brand your products or services
• A DBA can be used to get a business license

Register Your Business and Obtain an EIN

You’ll officially create a corporation, LLC or other business entity by filing forms with your state’s business agency―usually the Secretary of State. As part of this process, you’ll need to choose a registered agent to accept legal documents on behalf of your business. You’ll also pay a filing fee. The state will send you a certificate that you can use to apply for licenses, a tax identification number (TIN) and business bank accounts.

Next, apply for an employer identification number (EIN) . All businesses, other than sole proprietorships with no employees, must have a federal employer identification number. Submit your application to the IRS and you’ll typically receive your number in minutes.

Get Appropriate Licenses and Permits

Legal requirements are determined by your industry and jurisdiction. Most businesses need a mixture of local, state and federal licenses to operate. Check with your local government office (and even an attorney) for licensing information tailored to your area.

• Best LLC Services
• How To Register a Business Name
• How To Register a DBA
• How To Get an EIN for an LLC
• How To Get a Business License

Start an LLC Online Today With ZenBusiness

Click on the state below to get started.

Open a Business Bank Account

Keep your business and personal finances separate. Here’s how to choose a business checking account —and why separate business accounts are essential. When you open a business bank account, you’ll need to provide your business name and your business tax identification number (EIN). This business bank account can be used for your business transactions, such as paying suppliers or invoicing customers. Most times, a bank will require a separate business bank account to issue a business loan or line of credit.

Hire a Bookkeeper or Get Accounting Software

If you sell a product, you need an inventory function in your accounting software to manage and track inventory. The software should have ledger and journal entries and the ability to generate financial statements.

Some software programs double as bookkeeping tools. These often include features such as check writing and managing receivables and payables. You can also use this software to track your income and expenses, generate invoices, run reports and calculate taxes.

There are many bookkeeping services available that can do all of this for you, and more. These services can be accessed online from any computer or mobile device and often include features such as bank reconciliation and invoicing. Check out the best accounting software for small business, or see if you want to handle the bookkeeping yourself.

Determine Your Break-Even Point

Before you fund your business, you must get an idea of your startup costs. To determine these, make a list of all the physical supplies you need, estimate the cost of any professional services you will require, determine the price of any licenses or permits required to operate and calculate the cost of office space or other real estate. Add in the costs of payroll and benefits, if applicable.

Businesses can take years to turn a profit, so it’s better to overestimate the startup costs and have too much money than too little. Many experts recommend having enough cash on hand to cover six months of operating expenses.

When you know how much you need to get started with your business, you need to know the point at which your business makes money. This figure is your break-even point.

In contrast, the contribution margin = total sales revenue – cost to make product

For example, let’s say you’re starting a small business that sells miniature birdhouses for fairy gardens. You have determined that it will cost you $500 in startup costs. Your variable costs are $0.40 per birdhouse produced, and you sell them for $1.50 each.

Let’s write these out so it’s easy to follow:

This means that you need to sell at least 456 units just to cover your costs. If you can sell more than 456 units in your first month, you will make a profit.

• The Best Business Checking Accounts
• The Best Accounting Software for Small Business
• How To Open a Bank Account

There are many different ways to fund your business—some require considerable effort, while others are easier to obtain. Two categories of funding exist: internal and external.

Internal funding includes:

• Personal savings
• Credit cards
• Funds from friends and family

If you finance the business with your own funds or with credit cards, you have to pay the debt on the credit cards and you’ve lost a chunk of your wealth if the business fails. By allowing your family members or friends to invest in your business, you are risking hard feelings and strained relationships if the company goes under. Business owners who want to minimize these risks may consider external funding.

External funding includes:

• Small business loans
• Small business grants
• Angel investors
• Venture capital
• Crowdfunding

Small businesses may have to use a combination of several sources of capital. Consider how much money is needed, how long it will take before the company can repay it and how risk-tolerant you are. No matter which source you use, plan for profit. It’s far better to take home six figures than make seven figures and only keep $80,000 of it.

Funding ideas include:

• Invoice factoring: With invoice factoring , you can sell your unpaid invoices to a third party at a discount.
• Business lines of credit: Apply for a business line of credit , which is similar to a personal line of credit. The credit limit and interest rate will be based on your business’s revenue, credit score and financial history.
• Equipment financing: If you need to purchase expensive equipment for your business, you can finance it with a loan or lease.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) microloans: Microloans are up to $50,000 loans that can be used for working capital, inventory or supplies and machinery or equipment.
• Grants: The federal government offers grants for businesses that promote innovation, export growth or are located in historically disadvantaged areas. You can also find grants through local and regional organizations.
• Crowdfunding: With crowdfunding , you can raise money from a large group of people by soliciting donations or selling equity in your company.

Choose the right funding source for your business by considering the amount of money you need, the time frame for repayment and your tolerance for risk.

• Best Small Business Loans
• Best Startup Business Loans
• Best Business Loans for Bad Credit
• Business Loan Calculator
• Average Business Loan Rates
• How To Get a Business Loan

You need to have insurance for your business , even if it’s a home-based business or you don’t have any employees. The type of insurance you need depends on your business model and what risks you face. You might need more than one type of policy, and you might need additional coverage as your business grows. In most states, workers’ compensation insurance is required by law if you have employees.

Work With an Agent To Get Insured

An insurance agent can help determine what coverages are appropriate for your business and find policies from insurers that offer the best rates. An independent insurance agent represents several different insurers, so they can shop around for the best rates and coverage options.

Basic Types of Business Insurance Coverage

• Liability insurance protects your business against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage and personal injury such as defamation or false advertising.
• Property insurance covers the physical assets of your business, including your office space, equipment and inventory.
• Business interruption insurance pays for the loss of income if your business is forced to close temporarily due to a covered event such as a natural disaster.
• Product liability insurance protects against claims that your products caused bodily injury or property damage.
• Employee practices liability insurance covers claims from employees alleging discrimination, sexual harassment or other wrongful termination.
• Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and income replacement for employees who are injured on the job.
• Best Small Business Insurance
• Best Commercial Auto Insurance
• How To Get Product Liability Insurance
• Your Guide to General Liability Insurance
• 13 Types of Small Business Insurance

Business tools can help make your life easier and make your business run more smoothly. The right tools can help you save time, automate tasks and make better decisions.

Consider the following tools in your arsenal:

• Accounting software : Track your business income and expenses, prepare financial statements and file taxes. Examples include QuickBooks and FreshBooks.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software : This will help you manage your customer relationships, track sales and marketing data and automate tasks like customer service and follow-ups. Examples include Zoho CRM and monday.com.
• Project management software : Plan, execute and track projects. It can also be used to manage employee tasks and allocate resources. Examples include Airtable and ClickUp.
• Credit card processor : This will allow you to accept credit card payments from customers. Examples include Stripe and PayPal.
• Point of sale (POS) : A system that allows you to process customer payments. Some accounting software and CRM software have POS features built-in. Examples include Clover and Lightspeed.
• Virtual private network (VPN) : Provides a secure, private connection between your computer and the internet. This is important for businesses that handle sensitive data. Examples include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
• Merchant services : When customers make a purchase, the money is deposited into your business account. You can also use merchant services to set up recurring billing or subscription payments. Examples include Square and Stripe.
• Email hosting : This allows you to create a professional email address with your own domain name. Examples include G Suite and Microsoft Office 365.

Many business owners spend so much money creating their products that there isn’t a marketing budget by the time they’ve launched. Alternatively, they’ve spent so much time developing the product that marketing is an afterthought.

Create a Website

Even if you’re a brick-and-mortar business, a web presence is essential. Creating a website doesn’t take long, either—you can have one done in as little as a weekend. You can make a standard informational website or an e-commerce site where you sell products online. If you sell products or services offline, include a page on your site where customers can find your locations and hours. Other pages to add include an “About Us” page, product or service pages, frequently asked questions (FAQs), a blog and contact information.

Optimize Your Site for SEO

After getting a website or e-commerce store, focus on optimizing it for search engines (SEO). This way, when a potential customer searches for specific keywords for your products, the search engine can point them to your site. SEO is a long-term strategy, so don’t expect a ton of traffic from search engines initially—even if you’re using all the right keywords.

Create Relevant Content

Provide quality digital content on your site that makes it easy for customers to find the correct answers to their questions. Content marketing ideas include videos, customer testimonials, blog posts and demos. Consider content marketing one of the most critical tasks on your daily to-do list. This is used in conjunction with posting on social media.

Get Listed in Online Directories

Customers use online directories like Yelp, Google My Business and Facebook to find local businesses. Some city halls and chambers of commerce have business directories too. Include your business in as many relevant directories as possible. You can also create listings for your business on specific directories that focus on your industry.

Develop a Social Media Strategy

Your potential customers are using social media every day—you need to be there too. Post content that’s interesting and relevant to your audience. Use social media to drive traffic back to your website where customers can learn more about what you do and buy your products or services.

You don’t necessarily need to be on every social media platform available. However, you should have a presence on Facebook and Instagram because they offer e-commerce features that allow you to sell directly from your social media accounts. Both of these platforms have free ad training to help you market your business.

• Best Website Builders
• How To Make a Website for Your Business
• The Best E-Commerce Platforms
• Best Blogging Platforms
• Best Web Hosting Services

To scale your business, you need to grow your customer base and revenue. This can be done by expanding your marketing efforts, improving your product or service, collaborating with other creators or adding new products or services that complement what you already offer.

Think about ways you can automate or outsource certain tasks so you can focus on scaling the business. For example, if social media marketing is taking up too much of your time, consider using a platform such as Hootsuite to help you manage your accounts more efficiently. You can also consider outsourcing the time-consumer completely.

You can also use technology to automate certain business processes, including accounting, email marketing and lead generation. Doing this will give you more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

When scaling your business, it’s important to keep an eye on your finances and make sure you’re still profitable. If you’re not making enough money to cover your costs, you need to either reduce your expenses or find ways to increase your revenue.

Build a Team

As your business grows, you’ll need to delegate tasks and put together a team of people who can help you run the day-to-day operations. This might include hiring additional staff, contractors or freelancers.

Resources for building a team include:

• Hiring platforms: To find the right candidates, hiring platforms, such as Indeed and Glassdoor, can help you post job descriptions, screen résumés and conduct video interviews.
• Job boards: Job boards such as Craigslist and Indeed allow you to post open positions for free.
• Social media: You can also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook to find potential employees.
• Freelance platforms: Using Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr can help you find talented freelancers for one-time or short-term projects. You can also outsource certain tasks, such as customer service, social media marketing or bookkeeping.

You might also consider partnering with other businesses in your industry. For example, if you’re a wedding planner, you could partner with a florist, photographer, catering company or venue. This way, you can offer your customers a one-stop shop for all their wedding needs. Another example is an e-commerce store that partners with a fulfillment center. This type of partnership can help you save money on shipping and storage costs, and it can also help you get your products to your customers faster.

To find potential partnerships, search for businesses in your industry that complement what you do. For example, if you’re a web designer, you could partner with a digital marketing agency.

You can also search for businesses that serve the same target market as you but offer different products or services. For example, if you sell women’s clothing, you could partner with a jewelry store or a hair salon.

• Best Recruiting Software
• How To Hire Employees
• Where To Post Jobs
• Best Applicant Tracking Systems

To rank the best states to start a business in 2024, Forbes Advisor analyzed 18 key metrics across five categories to determine which states are the best and worst to start a business in. Our ranking takes into consideration factors that impact businesses and their ability to succeed, such as business costs, business climate, economy, workforce and financial accessibility in each state. Check out the full report .

Starting a small business takes time, effort and perseverance. But if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be a great way to achieve your dreams and goals. Be sure to do your research, create a solid business plan and pivot along the way. Once you’re operational, don’t forget to stay focused and organized so you can continue to grow your business.

How do I start a small business with no money?

There are several funding sources for brand-new businesses and most require a business plan to secure it. These include the SBA , private grants, angel investors, crowdfunding and venture capital.

What is the best business structure?

The best business structure for your business will depend entirely on what kind of company you form, your industry and what you want to accomplish. But any successful business structure will be one that will help your company set realistic goals and follow through on set tasks.

Do I need a business credit card?

You don’t need one, but a business credit card can be helpful for new small businesses. It allows you to start building business credit, which can help you down the road when you need to take out a loan or line of credit. Additionally, business credit cards often come with rewards and perks that can save you money on business expenses.

Do I need a special license or permit to start a small business?

The answer to this question will depend on the type of business you want to start and where you’re located. Some businesses, such as restaurants, will require a special permit or license to operate. Others, such as home daycare providers, may need to register with the state.

How much does it cost to create a business?

The cost of starting a business will vary depending on the size and type of company you want to create. For example, a home-based business will be less expensive to start than a brick-and-mortar store. Additionally, the cost of starting a business will increase if you need to rent or buy commercial space, hire employees or purchase inventory. You could potentially get started for free by dropshipping or selling digital goods.

How do I get a loan for a new business?

The best way to get a loan for a new business is to approach banks or other financial institutions and provide them with a business plan and your financial history. You can also look into government-backed loans, such as those offered by the SBA. Startups may also be able to get loans from alternative lenders, including online platforms such as Kiva.

Do I need a business degree to start a business?

No, you don’t need a business degree to start a business. However, acquiring a degree in business or a related field can provide you with the understanding and ability to run an effective company. Additionally, you may want to consider taking some business courses if you don’t have a degree to learn more about starting and running a business. You can find these online and at your local Small Business Administration office.

What are some easy businesses to start?

One of the easiest businesses to start also has the lowest overhead: selling digital goods. This can include items such as e-books, online courses, audio files or software. If you have expertise in a particular area or niche, this is a great option for you. Dropshipping is also a great option because you don’t have to keep inventory. You could also buy wholesale products or create your own. Once you create your product, you can sell it through your own website or third-party platforms such as Amazon or Etsy.

What is the most profitable type of business?

There is no one answer to this question because the most profitable type of business will vary depending on a number of factors, such as your industry, location, target market and business model. However, some businesses tend to be more profitable than others, such as luxury goods, high-end services, business-to-business companies and subscription-based businesses. If you’re not sure what type of business to start, consider your strengths and interests, as well as the needs of your target market, to help you choose a profitable business idea.

• Best Registered Agent Services
• Best Trademark Registration Services
• Top LegalZoom Competitors
• Best Business Loans
• Best Business Plan Software
• ZenBusiness Review
• LegalZoom LLC Review
• Northwest Registered Agent Review
• Rocket Lawyer Review
• Inc. Authority Review
• Rocket Lawyer vs. LegalZoom
• Bizee Review (Formerly Incfile)
• Swyft Filings Review
• Harbor Compliance Review
• Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC
• LLC vs. Corporation
• LLC vs. S Corp
• LLP vs. LLC
• DBA vs. LLC
• LegalZoom vs. Incfile
• LegalZoom vs. ZenBusiness
• LegalZoom vs. Rocket Lawyer
• ZenBusiness vs. Incfile
• How to Set Up an LLC
• How to Get a Business License
• LLC Operating Agreement Template
• 501(c)(3) Application Guide
• What is a Business License?
• What is an LLC?
• What is an S Corp?
• What is a C Corp?
• What is a DBA?
• What is a Sole Proprietorship?
• What is a Registered Agent?
• How to Dissolve an LLC
• How to File a DBA
• What Are Articles Of Incorporation?
• Types Of Business Ownership

Next Up In Business

• Best Online Legal Services
• How To Write A Business Plan
• How To Start A Candle Business
• Starting An S-Corp
• LLC Vs. C-Corp
• How Much Does It Cost To Start An LLC?
• How To Start An Online Boutique
• Most Recession-Proof Businesses In 2024

Best Hawaii Registered Agent Services Of 2024

Best Arizona Registered Agent Services Of 2024

Free Mission Statement Template (With Examples)

How To Start A Print On Demand Business In 2024

HR For Small Businesses: The Ultimate Guide

How One Company Is Using AI To Transform Manufacturing

Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

How to Write a Partnership Proposal [Examples + Template]

Published: June 18, 2024

Partnerships generate $3.9 billion per year in the U.S. and supercharge the revenue of companies like Microsoft, Atlassian, and Shopify. Teaming up with another professional or company can multiply your capacity, expertise, and growth.

With so much at stake, approaching a potential partner can be intimidating. Whenever I make a business pitch, there are three items I work to perfect. First, an underlying relationship to build on. Second, a stellar verbal presentation for a pitch meeting. And third, a killer partnership proposal.

A partnership proposal is a powerful tool to showcase your professionalism and convince your potential partner why they should collaborate with you. I’ve compiled what you should include in your proposal, plus four partnership proposal templates to give you a head start.

What is a partnership proposal?

• Types of Partnership Proposals

Components of a Partnership Proposal

How to write a partnership proposal, partnership proposal template, partnership proposal examples, partnership proposal tips.

A partnership proposal is a document outlining the benefits, scope, and structure of a future collaboration between two businesses or individuals.

Most partnership collaborations begin with an idea and verbal discussions. “ Hey, here’s a crazy idea. What if we…” If you don’t know the person, start with a warm intro email or phone call first.

A partnership proposal is the next step in the process, formalizing concepts to align goals and gain buy-in. While it isn’t a legal contract, it’s often a precursor to one.

Free Business Plan Template

The essential document for starting a business -- custom built for your needs.

• Outline your idea.
• Pitch to investors.
• Secure funding.
• Get to work!

Download Free

All fields are required.

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Types of Business Partnerships

Before creating a business partnership proposal, it’s important to understand which type of partnership you want to pursue.

General Business Partnership

When two or more individuals enter a business agreement and share unlimited liability, you have a general business partnership. A proposal for a general business partnership should include the share of ownership, contributions of each partner, the distribution of profits and losses, and the terms for dissolution.

Joint Venture

A joint venture (JV) is an agreement between two companies to combine resources and expertise for a specific purpose. For instance, a global company might form a JV with a local company when bringing a product to a new country.

Limited Partnership

A limited partnership (LP) is a business partnership that includes at least one general partner and at least one limited partner. Limited partners have minimal liability and management oversight of the operations. An LP is common in single-purpose scenarios like a real estate transaction.

Limited Liability Partnership

The LLP structure is common in professional service fields such as law firms, doctor’s offices, and accounting. Similar to an LLC, a limited liability partnership (LLP) is an agreement between partners that grants them limited liability. LLP requirements vary by state.

Influencer Partnership

An influencer partnership is a limited-scope agreement between an influencer or creator and a brand to create and publish branded social media content.

Sponsorship Partnership

A sponsorship is a collaboration between businesses, nonprofits, or media companies where one company pays for access to promote their goods and services to the other company’s audience.

When I write proposals, I always aim to personalize each one and find the right balance between personable and professional. While the nuances of each partnership model vary, there are a few common elements that every partnership business proposal should have.

Executive Summary

Hook your reader’s attention with a summary explaining the partnership concept, key benefits, and a table of contents.

List each partner with their contact and background information. Specify the role each will have, and whether they are a general or limited partner. Make it visual, with photos or logos.

Goals and Objectives

All good partnerships start with shared goals. Explain your goals and dreams for the partnership, from a high-level vision to specific objectives.

Share who your audience is and any key demographics. Make sure that your audience will fit with the partner’s audience, and vice-versa. An audience is a key selling point for partners, especially with influencer or sponsorship partnerships. Some brands go as far as account mapping to identify customer overlap, but general audience data can be as effective.

Scope of Work

Next, define the scope of work and projects to be covered with the partnership. If this is for a limited-scope project like an influencer collaboration, give a precise breakdown of project steps. If this is for a general partnership, JV, or LP, list target activities and deliverables and who is responsible for each. Give timelines as appropriate.

Benefits and Challenges

If you’ve ever written a business plan, you’re likely already familiar with the SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats). Similar to this, give an abbreviated analysis of:

• Challenges that will need to be tackled.
• Benefits to the collaboration.
• Market research and industry analysis.

Legal and Financial Information

Propose terms and conditions for the partnership, like payment and revenue-sharing structures. Spell out who will own intellectual property generated by the company and how royalties will be distributed. Address how disputes or a partnership dissolution would be handled. ​​

To test this out, I wrote a general partnership proposal between a web designer and a web developer who want to team up to start a website studio. I used HubSpot’s partnership business proposal template to build a professional proposal outlining the partnership benefits and structure.

Here are the steps I took to create the proposal.

1. Outline the Benefits

To convince your partner, make the case why it’s worth them sharing their time (and profits) with you.

I started my proposal with an executive summary envisioning why the partnership would appeal to future clients. That leads into a “Benefits of Collaboration” section where I clearly outline the mutual advantages.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

16 Examples of Positioning Statements & How to Craft Your Own

Startup Due Diligence: What it Is & Why it Matters

What is a Go-to-Market Strategy? GTM Plan Template + Examples

300+ Business Name Ideas to Inspire You [+7 Brand Name Generators]

The Importance of Having a Startup Exit Strategy

10 Top Tech Startups To Watch

The Biggest Pros and Cons of Working for a Startup

15 Startup Newsletters for Entrepreneurs

12 Top Startup Consulting Firms To Improve Your Business

What Is a Startup Founder

2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business

Powerful and easy-to-use sales software that drives productivity, enables customer connection, and supports growing sales orgs

Try our Standard plan!

Find out why customers see up to 24x ROI* using the Standard plan. Cancel or downgrade to our Essentials or basic Free plans at any time.

Send up to {numOfSends} emails each month.

Free Trial available for large list sizes

$20.00 /month*

Starts at $20 per month for {contacts} contacts

* Overages apply if contact or email send limit is exceeded.

The ultimate expert-assisted platform for growth at scale

Get our most comprehensive tools to engage your audience and increase sales, with the dedicated support of experts to migrate your data, provide strategic guidance, and more—exclusive to the Premium plan.

Free trial available for large list sizes. Call +1 (800) 330-4838 or contact sales .

$350 /month*

Starts at $350 per month for {contacts} contacts

Why do we recommend Standard?

Customers on Standard see up to 24x ROI.* Start scaling faster with advanced automations and data-driven optimization.

Basic plans for smaller businesses

Get started with limited features with 50% off for 12 months on our Essentials plan. If your business has fewer than 500 contacts, try our basic Free plan.

Work with a trusted industry leader

Switch to Mailchimp with expert migration services

Minimize downtime and data gaps, import your audience, and connect your integrations. Our exclusive migration service is tailored to meet the needs of customers on our Premium plan.

Easily get started with a personalized product tour

An onboarding specialist is here to help you get started with confidence—it’s included with Standard and Premium plans.*

Not sure which plan to pick?

Let us do the hard work so that you can focus on the stuff that matters most. It will only take a couple minutes.

Rates for nonprofits and charities

Mailchimp offers a 15% discount to nonprofits and charities. To request the discount, sign up for a free account, and contact our Billing team with your username and a link to your organization’s website.

Prefer to pay as you go?

Instead of paying a monthly recurring charge, you can buy email credits as needed through our Pay As You Go plan. It's best for infrequent senders.

*Disclaimers

• #1 AI-powered email marketing platform: Based on December 2023 publicly available data on number of customers of competitors that also advertise using AI to enhance their email marketing and automation products and services.
• #1 email marketing and automation platform: Mailchimp is the #1 email marketing and automation platform based on December 2023 publicly available data on competitors' number of customers.
• SMS Marketing: SMS is available as an add-on to US or UK paid plans only. Application and agreement to terms is required before purchasing credits. Messages can only be delivered to contacts in the country selected. SMS credits are added to your account after purchase and approval. Credits are issued monthly and unused credits expire and do not roll over. MMS only available when sending to US contacts with US Standard and Premium plans. Pricing varies. See terms for details.
• Intuit Assist: Intuit Assist functionality (beta) is available to certain users with Premium, Standard and Legacy plans in select countries in English only. Access to Intuit Assist is available at no additional cost at this time. Pricing, terms, conditions, special features and service options are subject to change without notice. Availability of features and functionality varies by plan type. Features may be broadly available soon but represents no obligation and should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. For details, please view Mailchimp’s various plans and pricing.
• Custom Premium pricing: For users with more than 250,000 contacts, several plan options are available to align monthly email limits to your marketing needs. Please contact sales for further details and pricing.
• Personalized onboarding: Onboarding services differ per plan and are available for new or upgraded users with a Standard or Premium plan for the first 90 days after account creation or upgrade. Onboarding services are currently offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese for Premium plans, and in English for Standard plans.
• Premium Migration: Premium Migration Service is available for new to Mailchimp Premium plan account holders that contact Sales to sign up for Mailchimp and discuss migration needs. Services available for the first 30 days after account creation. Eligibility and agreement to terms is required. See terms for details.
• Availability of features and functionality varies by plan type. For details, view plans and pricing .
• Phone support: All calls with the Mailchimp support team are currently only available in English.
• Up to 7x more orders: Up to 7x more orders with Customer Journey Builder automations generated through users' connected stores versus when they used bulk emails for Jan 1 2022 - Jul 1 2023 period. Features and functionality of CJB varies by plan.
• Up to 141% more revenue: Up to 141% more revenue for users' connected stores using predictive segmented emails versus non-predictive segmented emails for Jan 1 2022–Jul 1 2023 period. Standard and Premium plans only.

839 episodes

A master-class in personal and professional development, ultra-athlete, wellness evangelist and bestselling author Rich Roll delves deep with the world's brightest and most thought provoking thought leaders to educate, inspire and empower you to unleash your best, most authentic self. More at: https://richroll.com

The Rich Roll Podcast Rich Roll

• 4.7 • 10.8K Ratings
• JUN 17, 2024

Can Fasting Save Your Life? The Danger Of Visceral Fat & The Incredible Benefits Of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting With Dr. Alan Goldhamer

Dr. Alan Goldhamer is a pioneering researcher, founder and director of TrueNorth Health Center, and a leading expert on water-only fasting. This conversation explores the science behind fasting and its potential to reverse chronic diseases. We examine Dr. Goldhamer’s groundbreaking research, which involves fasting patients for upwards of 40 days, their success stories, the importance of a whole-food, plant-based diet, and the challenges of integrating fasting into mainstream medical practices. Throughout our discussion, Dr. Goldhamer provides insights into the obesity epidemic, details the connection between fasting and longevity, and offers his thoughts on the future of healthcare. Dr. Goldhamer is a maverick, and this conversation is instructive for anyone seeking to optimize their health. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors:  On: Enter RichRoll10 at the checkout to get 10% OFF 👉on.com/richroll Eight Sleep: Use code RICHROLL to get $350 OFF Pod 4 Ultra 👉eightsleep.com/richroll  AG1: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs 👉drinkAG1.com/richroll  This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Listeners get 10% OFF 👉BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• 1 hr 56 min
• JUN 10, 2024

Sam Harris On Consciousness, Meditation, Misinformation, AI, & What Ails The Modern World

Sam Harris is a renowned neuroscientist, philosopher, bestselling author, and host of the wildly popular Making Sense podcast. This conversation explores the crisis of misinformation and the erosion of critical thinking in society. Sam shares his journey of understanding consciousness through meditation and psychedelics, and how recognizing the illusion of the self can lead to profound inner freedom.  We discuss the importance of reason, science, AI, and open conversations to navigate the challenges of our time and build a more rational, cooperative future. Sam's insights are thought-provoking and timely. This is a conversation not to be missed. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors:  LMNT: get a FREE Sample Pack with any drink mix purchase 👉drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL ROKA: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL 👉ROKA.com/RICHROLL Go Brewing: Use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF 👉gobrewing.com Momentous: Save up to 36% OFF your first subscription order of Protein or Creatine + 20% OFF 👉livemomentous.com/richroll Whoop: Unlock the best version of yourself 👉join.whoop.com/roll Waking Up: Get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF 👉wakingup.com/RICHROLL Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• 2 hr 49 min
• JUN 6, 2024

Roll ON: Journaling, Creativity & Process—Plus Transformative Books, Thoughts on Regenerative Agriculture & Remembering Swimming's Greatest Coach

Mr. Adam Skolnick and I are back in the saddle for Roll On—ready to unpack all that’s transpired in our worlds and beyond!  Specific topics include the creative anxieties of book publishing (Adam finished his novel!), a recent podcast kerfuffle (i.e., Ozempic), my trip to India and meeting with the Dalai Lama, heading to Paris for the Olympics, paying respect to legends lost, book recommendations, and wading into the Sage Bistro regenerative farming debate.  Let’s make up for lost time, shall we? Put us in your earholes! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Peak Design: Get 20% OFF my favorite products 👉 PeakDesign.com/RICHROLL Inside Tracker: Enjoy 10% OFF the InsideTracker Subscription and any plan 👉 insidetracker.com/richroll On: Enter RichRoll10 at the checkout to get 10% OFF your first order   👉on.com/richroll  Eight Sleep: Use code RICHROLL to get $350 OFF Pod 4 Ultra 👉eightsleep.com/richroll Squarespace: Use code RichRoll for a FREE trial + 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain 👉BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL AG1: REE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs 👉drinkAG1.com/richroll Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• JUN 3, 2024

Psychiatrist Phil Stutz Knows What’s Wrong With You & Has The Tools To Fix It

Phil Stutz is a renowned psychiatrist, author, and the protagonist in the Netflix documentary “Stutz”. This conversation explores the intersection of spirituality and Phil’s iconoclastic perspective on personal growth, which emphasizes actionable tools over traditional talk therapy. We discuss Phil’s backstory, his therapeutic philosophy, the drivers of happiness, the importance of embracing reality and uncertainty, the role of faith, finding purpose through service and action, and many other topics. Along the way, Phil expertly psychoanalyzes me. Phil is a treasure. And this conversation is a gift. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Momentous: Save up to 36% OFF your first subscription order of Protein or Creatine + 20% OFF my favorite products 👉 livemomentous.com/richroll Bon Charge: Use code RICHROLL to save 15% OFF 👉 boncharge.com Waking Up: Get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF   👉wakingup.com/RICHROLL Brain.fm: Get 30 days FREE of science-backed sound 👉brain.fm/richroll This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month by visiting 👉BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL SriMu: Get 22% OFF artisanally crafted plant-rich cheeses w/ code RRP 👉SriMu.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• 1 hr 37 min
• MAY 27, 2024

Navigate Modern Dating & Create A Healthy Love Life: Relationship Coach Matthew Hussey on Breaking Destructive Cycles, Attracting Authentic Connections & More

This week, I’m joined by Matthew Hussey, the celebrated relationship expert and bestselling author, to discuss the intricacies of modern dating and to raise standards for authentic connections. With honest truths, he addresses embracing self-worth, setting boundaries, and cultivating a mindset that attracts an equal partnership based on decency, kindness, and respect. Exploring internal fears, anxieties, and the allure of chaotic relationship dynamics, Matthew discusses unreliable instincts and recognizing red, amber, and green lights. He provides a practical roadmap for breaking destructive cycles, navigating vulnerabilities, and nurturing healthy interdependence. Additionally, we examine gender differences in dating insecurities and societal pressures. Matthew emphasizes the importance of open communication, productive arguments, and empowering your partner’s growth. Please enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Bon Charge: Use code RICHROLL to save 15% OFF 👉 boncharge.com Waking Up: Get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF   👉wakingup.com/RICHROLL Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL 👉ROKA.com/RICHROLL Go Brewing: Use code Rich Roll for 15% OFF your first purchase 👉gobrewing.com  AG1: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs 👉drinkAG1.com/richroll SriMu: Get 22% OFF artisanally crafted plant-rich cheeses w/ code RRP 👉SriMu.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• 2 hr 20 min
• MAY 23, 2024

Ozempic: Weight Loss Miracle Drug or Something Darker? Johann Hari on The Benefits & Risks

This week, I’m joined by Johann Hari, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and speaker, to explore his journey into the world of the new weight loss drug phenomenon: Ozempic. Johann shares his surprising firsthand experience injecting himself weekly with the drug for over a year, leading to dramatic weight loss but also complex side effects. We discuss the staggering potential of these “magic pills” to curb the global obesity epidemic, but also the alarming risks like thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, and muscle wasting. Johann provides a nuanced look at the bigger picture—examining the role of pharmaceutical profit, societal pressures around body image, and whether medicalizing thinness addresses root causes. His investigation stretches from the science labs of Iceland to the food culture of Japan. This discussion ultimately confronts sobering philosophical questions about the ethics of pharmaceutical shortcuts versus growth through struggle. Please enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: InsideTracker: Use code RICHROLL at checkout and enjoy 10% OFF the InsideTracker Subscription and any plan 👉insidetracker.com/richroll Seed: Use code RICHROLL25 for 25% OFF your first order  👉seed.com/RichRoll  On: 10% OFF your first order of high-performance shoes and apparel w/ code RICHROLL10 👉on.com/richroll  Momentous: Save up to 36% OFF your first subscription order of Protein or Creatine, along with 20% OFF all of my favorite products 👉livemomentous.com/richroll Squarespace: Use the offer code RichRoll to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain 👉Squarespace.com/RichRoll  Peak Design: 20% OFF thoughtfully designed carry solutions 👉PeakDesign.com/RICHROLL SriMu: Get 22% OFF artisanally crafted plant-rich cheeses w/ code RRP 👉SriMu.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

• 2 hr 11 min
• © 2012-2023 Rich Roll Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

10.8K Ratings

More ROLL ON

In the name of all things glorious, please, more Roll On shows. Once a month would be a treat and standout in the landscape of noise.

Sam Harris episode

I’m wondering why there was no pushback or interrupting in this episode like they’re normally is when someone comes on who is dogmatic. Harris being a known anti Muslim , and once again couching the Israeli genocide as a good versus evil dynamic. He goes so far as to suggest antisemitism to those who disagree. Not only does Rich not shut this spew down, he asks him to expand on it. Shameful We can do better, and we normally do on this show.

My absolute favorite podcast

Listening to Rich feels like hanging out with a good friend, who has really interesting friends. His voice puts me at ease like the Calm app. I count on Rich to deliver relevant info and I trust his opinion about the products that sponsor his show. Most notable is Rich’s vocabulary- he uses diverse and articulate language, its a real treat to learn from him.

Top Podcasts In Education

You might also like.

Election latest: Labour to win landslide and Farage to become MP for first time, poll projects

The Conservative Party is heading for its worst electoral defeat in history, falling victim to a Labour landslide, and Reform's Nigel Farage is set to become an MP for the first time, according to a major new poll of almost 20,000 people.

Tuesday 18 June 2024 22:59, UK

• General Election 2024

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Election news

• Catch up  on our rundown of the day's political news
• Tories heading for worst-ever defeat - poll
• The senior Conservatives who could lose their seats
• One of Tories' biggest 2019 donors endorses Labour
• Sky News Daily: 'We need an adult conversation about migration'

Expert analysis

• Jon Craig: Poll and defection are double trouble for Tories
• Tom Cheshire : The data behind the public's view of immigration
• Darren McCaffrey: PM's trip to luxury village shows no seat is safe

Election essentials

• Check parties' manifesto pledges:  Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

It's 10pm and here is your rundown for today's political news...

• The Conservative Party is heading for its worst electoral defeat in history , according to a poll of almost 20,000 people;
• The Ipsos poll also suggested  Nigel Farage will win Clacton from the Tories, overturning the incumbent party's huge majority there;
• It estimated  Labour could win 453 seats, while the Conservatives would take just 115, giving Sir Keir Starmer's party a 256-seat majority ;
• The result would mean  senior Tory figures such as Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Johnny Mercer and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg losing their seats ;
• Our chief political correspondent Jon Craig   said the poll is "terrible news" for the Tories;
• Meanwhile former Conservative Party donor John Caudwell has announced he is endorsing and voting for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party.
• Our weeknight politics show Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  focused on the issue of immigration, with Labour's shadow equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds saying the country needs a "clear plan" to tackle migration;
• During the panel discussion Jim Murphy, former leader of Scottish Labour, said a Labour policy that may work to reduce immigration is "dealing with the gangs in the same way you would deal with terrorists";
• And former Conservative MP Philip Dunne said the government's Rwanda scheme is a "deterrent" for illegal immigration, but said the UK and France need to cooperate more.
• In Scotland, Anas Sarwar has today launched Scottish Labour 's manifesto, with a focus on improving the future for young people in the country;
• He also confirmed that Scottish Labour is against the two-child benefit cap , despite there being no plans to scrap the measure if Labour wins the keys to Downing Street.
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was in Eastleigh, where he discussed sewage - and claimed the Tories would "fail in opposition" just as he says they have in government;
• And on a day of special coverage of the migration crisis here on Sky News, an exclusive poll suggested more Britons think immigration has had a negative impact on society than positive.

Here are some other stories you might find interesting: 

On the Sky News Daily podcast,  Niall Paterson is joined by community correspondent Becky Johnson   to discuss what voters think about elections, while economics and data editor Ed Conway digs into the statistics to reveal exactly how big an impact migration, both legal and illegal, has on the UK.

Thank you for following our live political coverage as the general election campaign continues.

Please see our 10pm bulletin for the key points of the day's news.

Join us again tomorrow from 7am for the latest political updates.

Earlier we brought you the breaking news that billionaire Tory donor John Caudwell had endorsed Labour (see 7.31pm post).

The Phones4U founder said the "failures" of the three prime ministers in government since then, alongside Labour's "transformation" under leader Sir Keir Starmer had led him to switch allegiance for the first time in his life.

You can read more about his decision  here ...

Covering a general election campaign as a journalist can largely be summed up in two words - battle bus.

Not too dissimilar to the coaches that rockstars use for their tours, battle buses are the vehicles each political party uses to transport their leaders, candidates, and advisers around the country during the election campaign.

Sky's political correspondents have each been following a different party - often joining them on the buses.

Here we take you behind the scenes on the campaign trail for the Conservatives, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats.

By Faye Brown , political reporter

Rishi Sunak's "soaring" personal wealth has come under fresh attack ahead of crucial inflation figures coming out tomorrow.

In what will be a key moment in the election campaign, the rate of inflation is expected to ease back to the Bank of England's target of 2% for the first time since spring 2021.

The figures could provide a much needed boost for the embattled prime minister, whose key offering to voters is that the economy has "turned a corner" under his leadership and they should not risk change with Labour.

But the Labour Party says this claim is "rubbished" by data showing more than half of Brits think the cost of living crisis has become worse in the last month.

The party says that Mr Sunak's wealth increased by £122m in the last year, while data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows millions of people continue to struggle.

Read more below:

More people in the UK think immigration has a negative impact on society than a positive one, according to a YouGov survey for Sky News.    

In the first general election since Brexit, all the major parties mention migration in their manifestos. 

Both the Conservatives and Labour are placing promises to tackle illegal boat crossings high on their list of promises if they get into Number 10.   

So what do voters think about immigration, and how could it affect these elections?  

Niall Paterson is joined by community correspondent Becky Johnson , who's been speaking to voters in Swindon about their views. 

Plus,  economics and data editor Ed Conway digs into the statistics to reveal exactly how big an impact migration, both legal and illegal, has on the UK.   

As we've been discussing this evening, both the Tories and Labour are promising to cut net migration levels - the number of people coming from overseas minus the number leaving.

Our political reporter Alix Culbertson has looked at their immigration policies - and those from the other main parties.

Read the full explainer here ...

The public has "probably seen through Boris Johnson" and he is no longer an asset to the Tory campaign, Jim Murphy, the former leader of Scottish Labour, says during  Sophy Ridge 's final panel discussion.

Mr Johnson has been appearing in campaign videos for a number of his Tory MP allies after reportedly being drafted in to help counter the growing threat from Reform UK.

Mr Murphy says the former prime minister was probably an asset during 2019 but now the public and Tory MPs have seen through him.

"I think the Conservatives are making the mistake that if you play the tune of 2019 it'll work for them in the same way," he adds.

"Involving Johnson at this stage suggests a campaign that has lost its sense of direction, because they're still trying to beat the Reform party rather than try to overcome Labour."

'There are MPs who like him'

Former government adviser Nimco Ali notes Mr Johnson "is popular in certain sectors of the country" and some MPs are leaning towards that.

"I would not think it's a Conservative plan to have him involved, I think it's individual MPs who like him, and he has kindly sent them those videos," she says.

That concludes our coverage of tonight's  Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  - it'll return tomorrow from 7pm. In the meantime, stick with us here for the latest general election news and analysis.

A poll we reported on earlier is "terrible news" for the Conservatives, says our chief political correspondent Jon Craig .

It's predicting a 256-seat majority for Labour - up on 453 seats and the Tories down on 115 ( see 17.51 post )

Jon says this would be "much worse than 1997", when Tony Blair took Labour back into government, and their worst result since 1906.

But 117 seats are still too close to call in the Ipsos survey, he explains.

But while polls are only a "snapshot" of a campaign, there is a clear "trend" across the various surveys we're seeing.

"They are all fairly similar," Jon says, and it's "terrible news for the Tories".

It's been "double trouble" for the Tories this evening, he adds, given their former donor John Caudwell's endorsement of the Labour Party ( see 19.31 post )

"We don't know if Mr Caudwell is actually going to give some money to the Labour Party, but he's not donating to the Tories, and he's switched his allegiance."

Sophy presses former Conservative MP Philip Dunne on whether the Conservatives think it's all over.

It comes after the prime minister spent the day campaigning in traditionally safe Tory seats in the South West.

Mr Dunne says Rishi Sunak has "been all over the place throughout this campaign".

He says the prime minister "hasn't given up" and has "made it very clear he's fighting, every waking moment, to try to retain the Conservative government and Conservative candidates all over the country".

'No huge surprise' Tory support is waning

Asked if he is worried about the future of the Conservative Party, Mr Dunne, who is not standing in this election, says all political parties in office for a prolonged period "go through sort of waves of enthusiasm and support and waning of support".

He adds: "So it's no huge surprise that the opinion polls are suggesting that our support is declining somewhat at the moment."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free