#052

So You Want to Start a Podcast…

Read time: 6 min

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First, my apologies. This was supposed to go out yesterday, but due to a mistake (I scheduled it to go out on the wrong date 🤦‍♂️) this is now the Tuesday Morning Vetrepreneur. Only fitting for our one year anniversary.

Onto the good stuff!

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Starting a podcast can feel like a daunting task.

But it doesn't have to be.

Today, we’ll break down the essentials of podcasting into manageable steps. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of what it takes to create a show, from initial setup to promoting your episodes.

Let’s dive in.

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General Overview

Creating a podcast isn’t hard, but it does take some coordination and planning. Like anything, you need to start off with a clear purpose for what you’re doing.

What is your podcast about?

What topics will you talk about?

What should the audience expect to learn?

Who is your target audience?

What kind of format will you follow—interviews, storytelling, solo commentary.

You can’t wing this part, so be sure to spend some time here and get feedback before moving forward.

Once your foundation is set, script out how each episode is going to run. This doesn’t have to be incredibly detailed, but consistency is key in the podcast world. Make sure you have a process dialed in that your audience can familiarize themselves with.

We love to ad-lib on the Harder Not Smarter Podcast, but it took us 20+ episodes to get there.

Getting started, we always went into an episode with some sort of outline. How strictly we followed it is another question, but it's nice to have a framework to deviate from and list of questions to pivot to when the conversation slows.

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Equipment

Rule #1: Audio is everything. Video is a nicety.

The majority of your audience only listens, so focus on having crystal clear quality and fantastic content. Investing in the right equipment can significantly improve your podcast’s quality.

Start with a good microphone. USB microphones like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100 are popular choices for beginners. For premium options, consider an XLR microphone like the Shure SM7B, paired with an audio interface.

A pop filter helps reduce plosive sounds (yes, that's a word) like “p-” and “b-” words, while a shock mount minimizes vibrations. Both are inexpensive and effective tools to improve audio quality.

Recording software is also crucial. Free options like Audacity are great for beginners, while paid ones like Riverside.fm offer advanced features for more experienced users. It's what we use and it's awesome. Here's why:

(1) They have editing and AI features built in that make work on the backend much easier (e.g. editing, timestamps, show notes, social media content).

(2) Episodes are recorded locally to each persons computer—meaning, you don’t have to worry about grainy video or audio degradation like on Zoom.

Consider your recording environment as well. A quiet, echo-free space is ideal. If you’re recording at home, soft furnishings, carpets, and DIY soundproofing can help reduce unwanted noise.

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Guest Prep

Let’s be honest, the HNS Podcast would be nothing without our guests.

Each person on our show has an incredible story that needs to be told. While we plan on hosting periodic shows with just the two of us, our guests aren’t going anywhere. They add value and expertise far beyond what we could offer alone.

To make the most of guest your appearances, preparation is key. Look for individuals who align with your podcast’s theme and who have interesting stories or insights to share. Then research them. Just not too much, though!

The trick is not to over prepare. Chris Williamson from Modern Wisdom put it best by saying if you go into the interview already knowing the answers to your questions, you're not learning with the audience and you lose that sense of connection.

Know the general topics you'd like to discuss, but don't come with the answers to the test.

My biggest piece of advice is to create a Moonshot guest list and send them all a message. You'll be surprised with who says yes. That's how we landed General David Petraeus.

When you have your list, reach out with a clear, concise invitation. Don't blast them with a novel.

Then make it easy for them to schedule. We use Calendly to avoid the back and forth coordination and the built in automation to have all the information in one place.

We have an entire description of the show, what to expect, and how to prepare built into the event. We also created a series of questions to get our guest's details such as anything they want to discuss and their social media handles.

Now it's all neatly packaged onto the calendar invite.

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Recording

Prep time is over. Now it's game time.

Choose a quiet space free from interruptions.

Test your equipment beforehand to avoid technical issues.

Speak clearly and at a consistent pace.

Most of all, don’t worry about minor mistakes - the more authentic and less polished podcasts have the warmest feel.

When the guest signs on, create a comfortable environment for them. A short, pre-interview chat can help them relax and set the tone for the conversation.

During the interview, be an active listener. Follow up on interesting points and allow the conversation to flow naturally. Nobody wants to listen to another 60 Minutes episode.

Question-Answer-Question-Answer-Question-Answer… is not a great format. People want to feel like they're in the room with you, part of a conversation among friends.

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Episode Editing

The right editing can turn a good podcast into a great one. It’s where you refine the listener’s overall experience.

Start by listening through the raw recording and note any major issues—long pauses, background noise, or sections that need to be cut. Many editing softwares will do this for you, including Riverside.fm. You can literally tell it to remove any pauses greater than two, three, or four seconds and boom! they're gone.

Skynet for the win!

Consider adding an intro sequence such as an episode summary and a theme song. Be mindful of copyright laws, though; use royalty-free music or original compositions. It's all about giving your podcast a professional touch.

Finally, listen to your edited episode from start to finish to ensure the flow is natural and engaging. It might take a few rounds of editing to get it right, but it’s worth the effort.

We know this is tedious work, but it will distinguish you from the amateurs in the arena. Plus, you will quickly learn your format and style which reduces editing time dramatically.

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Promoting and Scheduling

You can have the greatest show of all time, but if no one knows about it you're just shouting into the void.

Find where your target audience hangs out and use that social platform to make some noise.

Start by considering the big three:

1. Branding
2. Scheduling
3. Collaboration

Consistent branding across your promotional materials helps establish your podcast’s identity.

Create eye-catching thumbnails and shorts/reels to promote your episodes. This is where having a production and design wizard like Kristy Nilsson behind the scenes is so important. She gives our content that pizzaz 🤌🏼 it needs to capture our audience's attention.

Scheduling regular releases keeps your audience engaged, but make sure to choose a rhythm that you can maintain—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency is key—have we said that yet?—your audience should know when to expect new episodes.

And finally, collaborate with other podcasters and influencers in your niche. Guest appearances, shout-outs, and cross-promotions can help expand your reach. We can’t overstate this enough. Podcasting is a team sport.

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Whew! There’s so much more to add here. Trying to limit this to ~1000 words was a chore, but I think we did it.

The biggest thing about podcasting is to just get started and don’t stop. Let me put it in perspective:

We’ll be dropping our tech stack, guest checklist, Calendly invite template, and some other tips and tricks inside the Vet Collective Community.

For those of you needing a hand to get your podcast started, HNS Media can help build your foundations and bring your production quality to the level you want. Schedule a free consultation call.

This week's Harder Not Smarter Podcast episode:

​EP 020 with Stuart Grazer and David Gutierrez. The hosts of the Kinetic Man Podcast, join the show to talk about the challenges of finding purpose and tribe after leaving the military. While we share a healthy dose of banter, the conversation highlights the need for connection and support, especially during military transitions. We also explore the importance of genuine friendship, creating a supportive community, and the role of entrepreneurship in veterans' lives. These two are incredible humans who genuinely want to help men succeed in life after the military.

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