Start a podcast

Settle the idea Day 0
- Write a one-sentence pitch for the show
- Describe your ideal listener in three lines
- Review 5 podcasts in your topic and note what you would change
- Choose a format: solo, co-host or interview
- Decide an episode length and a release day
- Draft a list of 10 episode ideas
Name and branding Day 7
- Shortlist 5 possible show names
- Search each name in Apple Podcasts and Spotify for clashes
- Check the domain and social handles for your favourite name
- Choose the final show name
- Write a show description of two or three sentences
- Make square cover art
Equipment and space Day 14
- Choose a USB microphone within your budget
- Buy closed-back headphones
- Pick recording and editing software
- Choose the quietest room and add soft furnishings
- Record a 2-minute test and listen back on headphones
Record your launch episodes Day 21
- Outline episode 1 with an opening, three points and a close
- Outline episodes 2 and 3
- Record episode 1
- Edit episode 1: trim mistakes and level the volume
- Record and edit episodes 2 and 3
- Add a short intro and outro line to each episode
- Export each episode as an MP3 and name the files
- Write the title and show notes for each episode
Hosting and directories Day 42
- Compare 3 podcast hosting services
- Create a hosting account and enter the show details
- Upload the cover art and your 3 episodes
- Copy your RSS feed address
- Submit the feed to Apple Podcasts
- Submit the feed to Spotify
- Submit the feed to one more directory of your choice
- Confirm each directory shows your show
Launch Day 56
- Ask 5 people to listen and leave an honest rating
- Write a launch post that links to the show
- Schedule episode 1 to 3 to go live together
- Publish the launch post on your usual channels
- Message 5 relevant people or shows to tell them about it
Keep it going Day 63
- Schedule a weekly slot for recording and editing
- Record the next 4 episodes in one batch
- Review your download stats after 30 days
- Decide whether to carry on, change format or pause

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About this plan

This plan takes you from a loose idea to a podcast that is live in Apple Podcasts and Spotify, with three episodes published together at launch. It is built for a solo creator working in spare hours, so each step is small enough to finish in one sitting.

The order matters. Settle who the show is for before you buy equipment, and record several episodes before you pick a host, so launch day is not a scramble. Prices, file specifications and directory rules change, so the notes point you to the official pages rather than quoting figures.

Copy it into Tatask and the phases are dated from today. Stretch the dates if you only have weekends.

What's in this plan

See every step

Settle the idea (day 0)
- Write a one-sentence pitch for the show
  Use the form: 'A show about for '. If it takes a paragraph, the idea is not tight enough yet.
- Describe your ideal listener in three lines
- Review 5 podcasts in your topic and note what you would change
  Look at length, pacing and how each one opens. You are looking for a gap, not something to copy.
- Choose a format: solo, co-host or interview
- Decide an episode length and a release day
- Draft a list of 10 episode ideas
  Ten ideas shows whether the topic can last past the first month.
  
  Paste this into an AI assistant to get started.
  Prompt to copy
```
I am starting a podcast about <topic> for <listener>. Suggest 15 episode ideas, mixing beginner and deeper topics. Do not invent facts or statistics about the topic.
```
Name and branding (day 7)
- Shortlist 5 possible show names
- Search each name in Apple Podcasts and Spotify for clashes
- Check the domain and social handles for your favourite name
- Choose the final show name
- Write a show description of two or three sentences
  Lead with what the listener gets. Directories show roughly the first lines in search results.
- Make square cover art
  Check the current size and file rules in Apple Podcasts for Creators before you export.
Equipment and space (day 14)
- Choose a USB microphone within your budget
  A USB dynamic mic is a simple start. You can upgrade later once you know what you need.
- Buy closed-back headphones
- Pick recording and editing software
  Free options such as Audacity or GarageBand are enough to begin with.
- Choose the quietest room and add soft furnishings
  Rugs, curtains and a duvet cut echo more than most gadgets do.
- Record a 2-minute test and listen back on headphones
Record your launch episodes (day 21)
- Outline episode 1 with an opening, three points and a close
- Outline episodes 2 and 3
- Record episode 1
  Do a full take without stopping. Mark mistakes with a clap or a pause and cut them in editing.
- Edit episode 1: trim mistakes and level the volume
- Record and edit episodes 2 and 3
- Add a short intro and outro line to each episode
- Export each episode as an MP3 and name the files
- Write the title and show notes for each episode
Hosting and directories (day 42)
- Compare 3 podcast hosting services
  Compare current pricing, storage limits and stats on each host's own site. Check before you pay.
- Create a hosting account and enter the show details
- Upload the cover art and your 3 episodes
- Copy your RSS feed address
- Submit the feed to Apple Podcasts
  Use Apple Podcasts for Creators. Review can take a few days, so allow time.
- Submit the feed to Spotify
  Use Spotify for Creators.
- Submit the feed to one more directory of your choice
- Confirm each directory shows your show
Launch (day 56)
- Ask 5 people to listen and leave an honest rating
- Write a launch post that links to the show
- Schedule episode 1 to 3 to go live together
  Releasing three at once lets new listeners binge and gives directories more to index.
- Publish the launch post on your usual channels
- Message 5 relevant people or shows to tell them about it
Keep it going (day 63)
- Schedule a weekly slot for recording and editing
- Record the next 4 episodes in one batch
- Review your download stats after 30 days
  Look at which episode gets the most plays and which drop-offs happen. Use that to plan the next batch.
- Decide whether to carry on, change format or pause

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