12 Essential Tips for Beginner Podcasters
As a platform that works with hundreds of content creators, we at Pody see exactly what works and what doesn't. Here are the 12 tips we share over and over again with new podcasters.
1. Define a Narrow Niche — Not "Everything"
The most common mistake beginners make is choosing too broad a topic. "A podcast about life" won't attract an audience. "A podcast about raising children ages 0–3" will. The narrower the niche, the easier it is to build a loyal following.
What to do: Choose a topic you're an expert in and passionate about. Verify there's demand — search Google, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for how many podcasts already exist in the niche. If there are 0 — there may be no demand. If there are 100+ — the niche is crowded. 5–20 competitors = perfect.
Example: Instead of "a food podcast," try "a podcast about home Mediterranean cooking" or "a podcast about plant-based nutrition for athletes."
2. Invest in Audio Quality — Not Expensive Gear
You don't need a $500 microphone to get started. A Samson Q2U (~$90) or Rode PodMic USB (~$140) are more than enough. What matters far more: record in a quiet room, sit close to the mic (6–8 inches), and check your levels before you start.
What to do: Read our guide on 7 recommended podcast microphones. If you'd rather not buy gear — record at a studio through Pody, everything included.
Stat: 82% of listeners will stop listening to a podcast with poor audio quality, even if the content is great.
3. Record 3 Episodes Before You Publish
Don't publish your first episode the day you recorded it. Record at least 3 episodes in advance — it gives you a safety buffer, lets you refine your style between episodes, and ensures you can maintain a consistent publishing schedule right from the start.
What to do: Record 3–5 episodes. Listen back, improve, then release the first 3 all at once. That way new listeners can binge when they discover you.
4. Keep a Consistent Format
Consistent length, consistent structure, consistent frequency. Listeners love knowing what to expect. If episode one is 20 minutes, the second is an hour, and the third is 8 minutes — that's confusing. Pick a format and stick to it.
What to do: Define a target length (e.g. 30–45 minutes), a structure (intro → main topic → wrap-up), and a frequency (weekly/bi-weekly). Write it down and commit to it.
Stat: Podcasts with a consistent release schedule grow their audience 40% faster than podcasts with irregular publishing.
5. Write an Outline — Not a Script
Don't read from a script — it sounds unnatural. Instead, write an outline with key points, guest questions, and subtopics. Let the conversation flow naturally within that framework.
What to do: Write 5–10 bullet points covering the topics you want to address. Add 2–3 "must-ask" questions for each guest. Give yourself the freedom to go off-script.
6. Edit Your Episodes — Even If It Takes Time
Raw recordings published without editing sound amateurish. Even basic editing — removing long silences, filler words like "um" and "uh," and background noise — makes an enormous difference. According to the data, an edited episode gets 35% more listen-throughs.
What to do: Learn basic editing in Audacity (free), or send it for editing through Pody — AI editing from $25 per episode. Read our guide on 5 recommended editing tools.
7. Create Professional Cover Art
Your cover art is the first thing people see. Amateur artwork = amateur podcast (even if it isn't). Invest $50–$130 in a designer, or use Canva with a professional template.
What to do: 3000x3000 pixels, readable text at small sizes, 2–3 strong colors. Read our guide to cover art design.
8. Distribute Across All Platforms — Not Just Spotify
Spotify is the most popular platform in Israel (47% of listens), but 53% listen elsewhere: Apple Podcasts (22%), YouTube (18%), Google Podcasts (8%), and more. If you're only on Spotify — you're missing half your potential audience.
What to do: Use a hosting platform that distributes automatically (see our comparison). Make sure your podcast is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Google, and at least 2 more platforms.
9. Promote Every Episode on Social Media
Publishing an episode is only 20% of the work — 80% is promotion. For every episode, create 3–5 short clips (Reels) for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Share quotes, insights, and questions that come up in the episode.
What to do: Order Reels through Pody — get 3–8 edited clips from every episode, ready to post on social media.
Stat: Podcasts that share Reels on social media grow their listens by an average of 60%.
10. Ask for Reviews and Ratings
Reviews on Apple Podcasts directly affect your podcast's ranking and search visibility. But most listeners won't leave a review on their own — you have to ask.
What to do: At the end of every episode, ask listeners to leave a review. Give specific instructions ("Go to Apple Podcasts, search for the podcast name, and tap Write a Review"). Consider offering an incentive (a shoutout on air, a giveaway).
11. Collaborate with Other Podcasters
Collaborating with podcasters in a similar (but not directly competing) niche is one of the most effective ways to grow. Appear as a guest on other podcasts, invite other podcasters onto yours, and do "audience swaps."
What to do: Build a list of 10 podcasts in a related niche. Reach out to hosts with a specific pitch: "I'm an expert in X, I'd love to come on as a guest and talk about Y."
12. Stay Consistent — For at Least 20 Episodes
The most important stat you need to know: 90% of podcasts stop after 3 episodes, 95% after 20. If you reach episode 20 — you're already in the top 5% of all podcasts in the world. Real growth starts there.
What to do: Commit to 20 episodes before deciding whether to continue or not. Don't look at your listen numbers in the first 10 episodes — it's too early.
Stat: The average podcast starts seeing consistent growth after episodes 15–20.
Summary: A Roadmap for the Beginner Podcaster
- Choose a narrow, specific niche
- Get a basic microphone ($90–$140) or record at a studio
- Record 3 episodes in advance
- Edit (yourself or through Pody)
- Design professional cover art
- Upload to a hosting platform and distribute
- Promote on social media with Reels
- Publish consistently, every week
- Don't stop before episode 20
Ready to get started? Here's how Pody works — from recording all the way to a finished Reel.