Starting a podcast begins with a clear purpose and a thoughtful plan. Whether your goal is to communicate research, document cultural heritage, or host expert conversations, defining your concept early will guide every step that follows.
Before choosing equipment or writing scripts, identify why you want to create a podcast.
Common goals include:
Sharing research findings with a wider audience
Conducting interviews with scholars or practitioners
Providing educational content for students or the public
Highlighting library collections, exhibitions, or archival materials
Building a community around a specific topic
💡 A strong purpose helps maintain consistency and makes your podcast meaningful for listeners
Understanding who your audience is will shape your tone, structure, and content depth.
Ask yourself:
Are they researchers, students, or general listeners?
How familiar are they with your topic?
What type of storytelling style would engage them?
Select a format that matches both your goal and your available resources.
Common formats:
Interview: Conversations with guests; great for expert and research content
Solo/Narration: Host-led episodes with scripted storytelling
Panel Discussion: Multiple experts discussing a topic
Documentary/Storytelling: Edited segments, narration, archival audio
Hybrid: Mix of interviews, narration, and field recordings
💡 Tip: Your format can evolve. Start simple and expand as you gain experience.
A clear episode structure helps your content stay organized and engaging.
Typical structure:
Intro music + welcome
Short summary of the episode
Main conversation/story
Key takeaways
Closing remarks + outro
Keep episodes within a consistent duration (e.g., 10–20 min or 30–45 min).
A content plan ensures sustainability, one of the biggest challenges in podcasting.
Include:
Episode list with topics
Potential guests
Recording schedule
Release calendar
Use simple tools like Google Sheets, Notion, or Trello.
💡 Planning 2–3 episodes ahead prevents interruptions and keeps listeners engaged.
Even if you prefer organic conversations, preparing a light outline keeps the flow natural but focused.
You may include:
Essential questions
Keywords or themes
Transition prompts
A backup list of topics if the conversation slows
Branding affects how listeners remember your podcast.
Think about:
Podcast title
Cover art
Intro/outro style
Tone (formal, conversational, academic, friendly)
This is especially important for institutional podcasts.