Have bother arising with podcast episode concepts? On this visitor put up, Alban Brooke of Buzzsprout shares 4 nice suggestions that can assist you discover compelling episode matters.
Creativity is difficult work. Whether or not you launch a brand new podcast episode each week or as soon as a month, arising with constantly high-quality episode concepts can really feel like quite a lot of strain.
This demand for constant content material is likely one of the main gamers within the “podfade” phenomenon and a difficult side of being an impartial podcaster.
On this article, we’ll…
- share 101+ examples of podcast matters,
- lay the muse for excellent content material,
- present sensible strategies for arising with new podcast episode concepts,
- and description methods to domesticate creativity all through your podcasting journey.
Although, earlier than we dig in…
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Contents
101 Podcast Subject Concepts
Beginning your course of to assume up podcast concepts can really feel intimidating, however don’t fear; you’ve got quite a lot of choices. Get your concepts flowing with these 101 matters to speak about on a podcast.
1. Studying a brand new ability
When brainstorming what to speak about on a podcast, why not file your self studying a brand new ability you’ve been wanting to select up?
Begin a podcast about your journey studying to play the piano, paint, or sew—the listing goes on.
2. Occasions/teams
Contemplate making a podcast about particular occasions or teams, resembling:
- Native or nationwide political teams
- Sporting occasions or festivals
- Marathoners, bikers
Good podcast subject concepts will usually align with your personal pursuits, permitting your enthusiasm to maintain you motivated. So, choose an occasion or group that speaks to you.
3. Ebook critiques and summaries
Are you an avid reader? Let individuals know what you consider your newest picks with full critiques.
Or, for the individuals who don’t have time to learn the books themselves, put your storytelling expertise to the check with participating summaries.
4. Ebook suggestions
Equally, should you like books, you most likely have quite a lot of suggestions.
You could possibly focus the podcast on a particular style, do completely different genres for various segments, or take calls out of your listeners and provides suggestions primarily based on their pursuits.
5. Sports activities
If sports activities are extra your factor, make a podcast recapping final evening’s sport, discussing business information, speaking about your favourite gamers, and extra.
Don’t be afraid to seek out an angle; you would talk about odd or underrated sports activities solely or go the sports activities enterprise route.
6. Individuals who know nothing about sports activities
For one more inventive twist on a sports activities podcast, you would invite individuals who know nothing a few sport to attempt to clarify it, narrate the massive sport, or carry little youngsters on to commentate.
7. Location-based
Folks spend quite a lot of time in areas just like the health club, espresso retailers, and many others., so why not go tremendous area of interest and goal them straight? Create a podcast devoted to a particular place that individuals frequent to assist them go their time there.
8. Time-based
Use your podcast to accompany individuals via the seasons, holidays, bedtimes, morning hours earlier than work, and many others.
You could possibly create a spooky-themed podcast through the month of October or a New Years’ self-help/resolutions-themed podcast. Or, if you wish to go at a extra common tempo, you would do a nightly bedtime story podcast.
9. How-to
A how-to podcast may be as common or targeted as you’d prefer it to be. You could possibly focus all the podcast educating your listeners do one thing from begin to end, make every episode a brand new subject fully, or take a broader targeted subject, like getting a job, with related episodes like “ make a killer cowl letter.”
10. Preparation
A preparation podcast is sort of a how-to podcast however with a preparatory focus. Talk about issues like making ready for school functions, making ready for an enormous race, and even simply put together for social gatherings.
11. Film and TV overview
When you’re somebody who all the time catches new film releases, give individuals the thumbs up or down on whether or not they need to examine them out too.
Or, give TV present recaps and critiques after every episode airs, providing your opinions and speculating what’s going to occur subsequent.
12. All issues cinema
For the cinephiles, begin a podcast on all issues films. You could possibly do your podcast on the historical past of cinema, on a particular movie motion, or humorously cowl all of the worst films you’ll find.
13. POV
What higher approach to give your podcast a singular aptitude than by showcasing a preferred story from a brand new perspective?
Take a present’s season, a film, a novel, and many others., and undergo the story from every character’s (or an sudden favourite’s) standpoint.
14. Comedy
When you’ve all the time been praised in your humorousness, give a comedy podcast a go. Inform humorous tales, carry out comedy sketches, or discuss present occasions with a touch of your successful humor.
15. Journey suggestions and proposals
Tons of individuals like to journey, making it probably the greatest matters for a podcast.
Give nice touring suggestions and proposals, discuss journey gear, and extra.
Don’t be afraid to select a distinct segment; you would do a luxurious or funds theme, an outside tour theme, or some mixture of themes.
16. Journey storytelling
Permit listeners to journey together with you thru your storytelling. Narrate your experiences, give humorous anecdotes, and supply vivid descriptions of the locations you go and the individuals you meet.
17. Journey interviews
Make a podcast the place you interview the individuals you meet in your travels; ask their opinions on the town they reside in, suggestions, and any fascinating info they could have.
Or, invite vacationers to come back and doc their journey experiences in your podcast with out even leaving your property.
18. Expats
When you’re an expat, you’re accustomed to how daunting it may be for these simply getting began. Share your expat story, the steps others can comply with, and supply recommendation.
You’ll be able to create a neighborhood in your new dwelling nation by inviting different expats to share their tales and encourage others too.
19. Style
When you’re recognized in your style in vogue, share your opinions or recommendation via a podcast.
Subjects for podcasts within the vogue area of interest are intensive, too; you’ll be able to discuss styling suggestions, the place to buy, fashions, designers, humorous crimson carpet mishaps, or runway critiques.
20. Magnificence
Likewise, podcast concepts within the magnificence business are countless.
Make a podcast about magnificence model information, holy grail merchandise, merchandise to keep away from, curly hair suggestions, or handle widespread pores and skin issues.
21. Politics
There’s all the time one thing to speak about with politics; share your ideas on present occasions, invite fascinating audio system, and talk about the newest information from a political standpoint.
22. Pets
When you’re an animal lover, contemplate beginning a podcast on pets. Pet-lovers will certainly tune in should you present them worthwhile pet care info, information, and interviews from consultants.
23. Wild animals
Equally, should you’re enthusiastic about animals, make a podcast giving information about wild animals and the place to seek out them. Interview individuals who have labored with wildlife and have them inform their tales.
24. Historical past
You’ve obtained 1000’s of years of recognized human historical past to select from, making historical past one of the expansive matters for podcasts.
And should you’re already a historical past buff, you’re (at the least) one step forward. Select an period you like to analysis and discuss, and do exactly that.
25. Road interviews with strangers
Love speaking to anybody about something? Interview strangers on the road on varied matters. Listed here are a few podcast subject concepts you would strive:
- Ask strangers their tackle present occasions.
- Have your present’s listeners submit matters to interview strangers about.
- Interview individuals at mundane locations, like outdoors the DMV.
26. Tech
The great thing about a tech podcast is that the tech business is likely one of the quickest transferring round—you’ll by no means run out of podcast episode concepts.
Maintain individuals up-to-date on new merchandise and developments, safety points, or tech how-tos.
27. True crime
It’s no secret that true crime is likely one of the hottest podcast concepts. Folks love to take a position and seek for the reality behind an fascinating subject.
Discover a thriller and do some digging; interview individuals of curiosity, analysis information, and make speculations from there.
28. Legislation
Need to put your regulation diploma to a different use? Begin a authorized podcast. Discuss odd or fascinating legal guidelines, inform individuals on legal guidelines they need to know, or talk about authorized ethics.
29. Movie star information and gossip
There’s no scarcity of celebrities, they usually’re all the time as much as one thing. Give individuals the gossip.
Report the newest movie star information, speculate the behind-the-scenes context, and snag some interviews.
30. The highest 10
Folks like to rank and see issues ranked. Give them one thing to speak about with prime ten lists for something and every little thing. You’ll be able to rank musicians from Canada, TV adverts, animes, and far, far more.
31. Dealing with fears
Ever needed to place your fears behind you? Make a podcast to share your journey.
Take issues a step at a time; give your story, delve into the psychology behind the concern, invite specialists, and encourage others as you’re employed to beat it as soon as and for all.
32. Nature
For the individuals who reside within the metropolis or don’t usually discover themselves outdoors, you would begin a podcast that describes every little thing you see out in nature, amplifying the pure outside sounds for a serene impact.
33. Time-crunch
For individuals who simply don’t have the time or consideration span to take a seat via a protracted podcast, give them some fast information, brief tales, or extraordinarily condensed how-tos.
Our free guidelines and video information that can assist you begin your podcast
You get a start-to-launch guidelines to be sure you do not miss a step, and it features a free, three-day video sequence to stroll you thru setup.
The Important Free Guidelines for Planning and Beginning Your Podcast
The Podcast Cheat Sheet is an in depth guidelines that helps you handle the setup of your podcast.
Entry SPI’s free enterprise toolkit library
Along with the Affiliate Advertising and marketing Cheat Sheet, you will additionally get entry to the free useful resource library, filled with different cheat sheets, movies, and challenges that can assist you develop your small business. Be sure you try the useful resource known as The best way to Begin a Podcast, Step by Step.
34. You
So, you’re attempting to determine what to speak about on a podcast… why not discuss you? When you really feel you’ve got one thing to share, your distinctive experiences and views, you would possibly discover that many individuals will relate.
35. Instructional
Are you an professional on a subject or need to study it your self? Do a load of analysis or spherical up the knowledge you already know into bite-size items to show others.
36. Language studying
Give individuals a hand studying your native language, or one other language you already know fluently, with a language studying podcast! Share vocab and grammar suggestions, errors to keep away from, and cultural tidbits.
37. Views by the technology
Every technology tends to view issues a bit in a different way than the one earlier than them; begin a podcast evaluating and contrasting views from all completely different generations.
38. Performing
When you’re an skilled actor, youthful actors may gain advantage from listening to about your insights, the challenges you’ve confronted, auditioning tales, and many others.
Or, you would possibly flip to interview different actors on their experiences and begin a dialogue from there.
39. Native foodie
Are you actually into your native meals scene (or wanting an excuse to be)? Begin a podcast taking listeners to eating places, cafes, and meals vehicles round your metropolis.
Conduct some interviews, discuss in regards to the locations, and overview the meals itself to create a full expertise.
40. Family chores
Everyone has to do chores—at times, anyway. Contemplate making a podcast the place you discuss family chores and hacks.
You could possibly discuss all issues chores, file your self doing all of your chores and have individuals guess what you’re doing, or just give suggestions and hacks.
41. Advertising and marketing
Little doubt, the advertising business is extremely in style; when you’ve got some perception or experience from working within the business, or discover advertising knowledge and traits fascinating, make an informative podcast about it.
42. HR
Begin a podcast about what it takes to be in HR: the abilities individuals want, the recruitment course of, and difficulties they could face.
43. Dwell occasions
Go to reside occasions solo or with a good friend and chat about it—present fascinating, in-depth protection with a full overview. Interview individuals on the occasion and get their ideas too.
44. Enterprise
Know a factor or two about operating a enterprise? An increasing number of individuals are curious to start out their very own and will use some perception and actionable recommendation, so begin a podcast with all of the enterprise know-how.
45. Medical
When you’re a well being skilled, why not begin a podcast in your area? Reply questions, discuss fascinating medical situations or talk about medical insurance policies.
46. Music
Does your life revolve round music? Make a podcast that dives into the lives of your favourite bands, discusses the business, or provides your native indie bands a highlight.
47. Self-Assist
Make a podcast to assist others on their self-improvement journey. Talk about matters like focus, stress, melancholy, and extra. Present instruments and data to assist overcome private struggles and share inspirational tales.
48. ASMR
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and many individuals discover it enjoyable to hearken to. Whisper to your listeners on quite a lot of matters, offering them a chilled expertise or sleep assist.
49. Freelance
Whether or not you’re a freelancing beginner or professional, invite individuals alongside in your freelance journey with a podcast. Share your experiences, recommendation on get shoppers, enterprise and group suggestions, and extra.
50. Investing
If investing is your factor, make a podcast discussing technique, market information, and giving your finest “this isn’t monetary recommendation” speculations.
Go for a penny inventory, REIT, tech, or one other area of interest to make your podcast a go-to place for particular matters.
51. Adverts
Adverts—love ‘em or hate ‘em, they usually give us one thing to speak about. Rank the worst of the worst or the very best adverts on the market, or present some evaluation and business perception.
52. Informal recommendation
Everyone wants a bit recommendation generally. Let listeners name in, share what they want recommendation on, and provides the recommendation your self or carry another person in to assist.
53. Quote of the day
Share a quote every day; this could possibly be enterprise, motivational, or literary quotes for individuals to start out their mornings with. Analyze and dive into the quotes, and let individuals know the place they will learn extra.
54. Blogs and running a blog
Running a blog continues to be prevalent throughout the web. Nonetheless, it may be surprisingly tough to seek out good ones. Make a podcast that covers the very best blogs in a number of niches.
Alternatively, create a podcast that helps bloggers get began with suggestions and different useful info.
55. Cooking/baking
There are quite a lot of completely different choices for a culinary or baking podcast; you can provide recipes, give attention to the tradition behind dishes, discuss meals science, create peaceable ASMR baking sounds, and the listing goes on.
56. Wedding ceremony
When you love weddings or are a marriage professional, share what you already know for all of the newlyweds-to-be.
Or, share your finest humorous, dramatic, or candy tales—principally, the podcast model of a 00’s romcom.
57. Day journey
Take listeners with you thru your steps to plan and go on day journeys. Invite some mates or household and let the conversations move.
You could possibly additionally let viewers choose or guess the place you go so as to add further engagement.
58. Philosophy
If sitting underneath apple timber or questioning the absurdity of life sounds extra such as you, begin a philosophy podcast. Talk about one or a number of philosophical colleges, interview main thinkers, and have wholesome debates.
59. A climbing/tenting
Make a podcast about all issues climbing and tenting; discuss gear, tales, and recommendation. Take listeners together with you for a peaceable or thrilling expertise.
60. Astrology
When you’re an astrologer or just into astrology, contemplate doing a podcast all about it. Analyze the beginning charts of well-known individuals, your listeners, or go deeper into the philosophy of astrology.
61. DIY
Everyone desires to know do issues themselves, so educate them how with a DIY podcast. You’ll be able to give attention to themes like group, repairing garments, or DIY crafts.
62. Social media
Everybody and their mother is on social media, so contemplate taking benefit with a social media-themed podcast. You could possibly talk about social media firms, hashtag traits, influencers, advertising, and extra.
63. Musical devices
Invite listeners to study new devices with you, share your data on an instrument(s), or educate individuals play.
64. Climate
Who says speaking in regards to the climate must be boring. Make a podcast going in-depth in regards to the climate. Talk about excessive or nice climate, science, forecasting, and put together for sure climate situations.
65. Adrenaline junkies
Take listeners alongside on brave outside actions like skydiving, bungee leaping, paragliding, and extra.
66. Crusing
Make a podcast taking listeners out to sea with you, element your sightings and experiences, or give academic how-tos.
Our free guidelines and video information that can assist you begin your podcast
You get a start-to-launch guidelines to be sure you do not miss a step, and it features a free, three-day video sequence to stroll you thru setup.
The Important Free Guidelines for Planning and Beginning Your Podcast
The Podcast Cheat Sheet is an in depth guidelines that helps you handle the setup of your podcast.
Entry SPI’s free enterprise toolkit library
Along with the Affiliate Advertising and marketing Cheat Sheet, you will additionally get entry to the free useful resource library, filled with different cheat sheets, movies, and challenges that can assist you develop your small business. Be sure you try the useful resource known as The best way to Begin a Podcast, Step by Step.
67. On the highway
At all times on the highway? Begin a podcast narrating your experiences on the highway, whether or not you’re simply driving round for enjoyable, for work, otherwise you reside on the go.
68. Paranormal
Increase some hairs discussing paranormal phenomena. Invite individuals to share their shut encounters, narrate ghost tales, and share your personal spooky sightings.
69. Vitamin and weight reduction
Make a podcast serving to others with all issues diet and weight reduction. Share the science, useful instruments and data, meal concepts, meals to keep away from, and extra.
70. House enchancment
With some dwelling enchancment data in your software belt, begin a podcast about all issues dwelling renovation and restore, dwelling design, and common dwelling DIYs.
71. Gameshow
Get individuals concerned along with your very personal gameshow podcast with tons of enjoyable segments.
For some gameshow podcast section concepts, do one section with a basic sport (e.g., trivia), one other the place you are taking that basic however add an excessive twist, or strive making your personal whacky sport for a section.
72. Improv
What are some issues to speak about on a podcast for improv? The great thing about this one is that you just don’t should plan a lot forward. Begin with any random subject and put your improv expertise to the check from there. Contemplate inviting your listeners to hitch within the enjoyable.
73. Artwork
There’s no scarcity of fine podcast matters for an art-themed podcast. Discuss artwork idea, artwork historical past, the fashionable business, or place a highlight on underrated or minority artists.
74 Feminism
Make a podcast discussing present occasions and matters from a feminist perspective, discuss idea, and invite activists and authors on to your present.
75. Taxi/Uber driver interview
Many people are accustomed to the chit-chat you make with Uber and cab drivers—however what should you took the dialog a bit deeper. Make a podcast interviewing drivers about their story and their experiences.
76. Thriller
Maintain individuals guessing; create a podcast with a secret theme and conceal clues inside tales that seemingly don’t have any rhyme or motive. Wait till the ultimate episode of the season to disclose the theme and award listeners that obtained it proper.
77. Human rights
Take a extra critical tone along with your podcast and talk about human rights. Cowl elements of the world in violation of those rights—in want of assist—and create consciousness with choices to assist out.
78. Gaming
To attraction to all of the players on the market, you would make a podcast a few particular sport you’re keen on, overview a number of video games, cowl new releases, discuss traits, and a lot extra.
79. Quick story/poetry
When you’re a author or only a lover of brief tales and poetry, create a podcast the place you immerse your listeners via readings of brief literature and poems.
80. Youngsters’s tales
Equally, when you’ve got sturdy spoken narrative expertise, make a podcast devoted to studying out youngsters’s tales to maintain youngsters entertained on the bus, within the automobile, or as a bedtime story.
81. Relationship
Make a podcast all about relationship; share date evening recommendation, actions, and invite listeners to share their humorous, dangerous, or candy relationship tales.
82. Relationships
When you’re considerably of a cupid or similar to to play one, supply relationship recommendation to listeners and company, or invite an expert to share their experience.
Another choice: create a podcast with {couples} video games and let individuals share their experiences and humorous anecdotes.
83. Wine
Flip your love of wine right into a full podcasting gig.
Questioning what to speak about on a podcast for wine? You could possibly talk about wine varieties and pairings, rank and overview wines, and even interview sommeliers.
84. Espresso
When you’re a espresso fanatic, share your ardour and educate individuals in regards to the world of espresso. Cowl brewing methods, bean fermentation, and all different coffee-related data.
85. Boozy
Give individuals a spot to show to once they have a glass on the finish of the day. Discuss what you’re sipping, have an off-the-cuff or vigorous chat with a visitor or listener, and overview the drink on the finish.
86. Documentary
Desirous to deep dive into an fascinating subject? Begin researching and conducting interviews for the within scoop, and make an enthralling documentary podcast.
87. A glance into an business
Take listeners behind the scenes of an business, from publishing to farming, showcasing its inside workings.
88. All issues geeky
Begin a podcast to geek out along with your listeners a few subject(s) of your selection. Create a neighborhood of dialogue round The Lord of the Rings lore, Physician Who, programming, or grammar.
89. Retirement
When you’ve retired your self or know loads about retirement, share knowledge on how individuals can set themselves up for a profitable retirement.
90. Meditation
Present peaceable meditations to assist your listeners loosen up. Your meditation podcast could possibly be as brief as 5 minutes or so long as a full evening’s sleep. Choose a targeted subject like stress, unhappiness, motivation, and many others.
91. Psychology
Create an area to debate the human thoughts and conduct; give attention to psychological well being, psychoanalyze fictional characters, or check out sure psychological phenomena.
92. AMA
Take a web page from Reddit’s ebook and create an “Ask Me Something” podcast. You’ll be able to reply questions as an business skilled, an writer, or just something about you—or something you’ve completed—that individuals would possibly need to learn about.
You could possibly additionally add this to your listing of fine podcast section concepts.
93. Habits
Need to type higher habits? Because it seems, so do lots of people. Begin a podcast the place you’ll be able to take your listeners on the journey of forming higher habits collectively.
94. Different dwelling
There are a number of completely different sorts of different dwelling on the market. You could possibly do your podcast on what it means to be a minimalist, a van-life individual, or a WWOOFer.
95. Dangerous bosses
Loads of us have had dangerous bosses, however at the least they make for good tales, proper? Yep, dangerous bosses are a podcast subject thought many can relate to, so that you received’t have any scarcity of listeners to tune in or share their tales.
96. A day within the lifetime of the profitable
We’re used to listening to the broad, obscure solutions on how profitable individuals discovered their nice success, however wouldn’t it’s good to know what they really do each day?
Interview the individuals who have all of it found out, following their day from breakfast to their nighttime routine to offer listeners up-close inspiration.
97. Highlight
Need to put a film, occasion, vacation spot, artist, or anything within the highlight? Choose one thing wonderful that’s underrated or trending to function and go in-depth with all information. The podcast episode concepts listed here are countless.
98. E-commerce store homeowners
An increasing number of individuals are moving into E-commerce. Get the within scoop from store homeowners to learn how they obtained their begin, their favourite instruments, suggestions, and extra, and share it in your podcast.
99. Mythbusting
There are quite a lot of widely-believed myths floating round; discover these myths on matters like historical past, science, diet, and many others., and reveal the reality to your listeners.
100. Information
Certain, there’s not a lot new a few information podcast, however there are a number of methods you’ll be able to swap issues up. For instance, solely talk about solely excellent news or focus solely on environmental information.
Or, check out some podcast section concepts to modify issues up, like a rapid-fire Q&A or a spherical of Mario Kart along with your visitor to maintain issues fascinating or lighten issues up.
101. Podcasting
Why not begin a podcast on podcasting? The sky is basically the restrict for podcast subject concepts right here.
You’ll be able to take individuals alongside by yourself podcast journey, present recommendation (tech suggestions, how-tos, and many others.), discuss podcasting business information, talk about different podcasts, and interview different podcasters.
Our free guidelines and video information that can assist you begin your podcast
You get a start-to-launch guidelines to be sure you do not miss a step, and it features a free, three-day video sequence to stroll you thru setup.
The Important Free Guidelines for Planning and Beginning Your Podcast
The Podcast Cheat Sheet is an in depth guidelines that helps you handle the setup of your podcast.
Entry SPI’s free enterprise toolkit library
Along with the Affiliate Advertising and marketing Cheat Sheet, you will additionally get entry to the free useful resource library, filled with different cheat sheets, movies, and challenges that can assist you develop your small business. Be sure you try the useful resource known as The best way to Begin a Podcast, Step by Step.
The best way to Discover Subjects for a Podcast
#1. Lay the groundwork: Know your viewers
In the end, your content material concepts will not get far with no strong understanding of your audience and what they need to hear. And the way nicely your concepts land when you select them is closely depending on getting this step proper.
So should you aren’t already clear on the viewers you need to attain, that is a vital place to start out.
Knowing your audience would not solely provide help to develop extra concepts for episodes but additionally retains you from experiencing inventive burnout. When you’re attempting to create content material for an viewers whose wants you are not accustomed to, you will run dry fairly rapidly.
So should you do not have already got learn in your viewers, begin by asking your self who you need to attain along with your content material, being as particular as you’ll be able to. What’s your audience’s age and geographic location? What are their struggles, targets, and pursuits?
Some podcasters discover it useful to create an avatar to visualise who you need to attain.
A well-defined listener demographic narrows your focus, provides you invaluable perception, and goes a great distance towards connecting you with a wealth of podcast subject concepts.
#2. Discover out what’s already been completed
Earlier than you attempt to develop concepts for episodes, it is best to survey the land to see what’s already been completed along with your podcast subject. From there, you’ve got a powerful basis for arising with your personal distinctive angle on the difficulty.
When you do not but have any concepts, researching the competitors may also help get your gears turning. And when you’ve got a obscure thought for a attainable episode, you should use this analysis to see what different creators have completed with the subject. Listed here are a few methods you can begin.
Analysis opponents & fill within the gaps
Researching episodes in your podcast’s style is a robust software for seeing what floor is already lined and what gaps nonetheless exist. The one manner you’ll be able to fill in stated gaps is to constantly control different podcasters’ content material and do one thing completely different from the remaining.
Get hold of different reveals and discover methods to reply questions higher than they have been earlier than. It’s also possible to spin a subject that is been completed a thousand instances earlier than with your personal distinctive take.
You’ll be able to go to Apple Podcasts > Browse > Classes to seek out your podcast’s style and search the highest reveals inside its class, or simply search a subject within the search bar. Looking different podcast episodes is an effective way to rapidly survey your style and see what sort of content material is on the market.
It’s also possible to run extra particular searches utilizing instruments like Listen Notes for a deeper, extra superior search. This software enables you to tailor searches to rapidly get an thought of the reveals inside your podcast’s area of interest.
Search the subject on YouTube
Much like researching the competitors on Apple Podcasts (previously iTunes) or Spotify, YouTube is an effective way to see what individuals are already doing along with your subject to be able to veer from it with your personal tackle the topic.
This technique works finest as a approach to see what’s already been completed along with your subject thought, vs. discovering new ones—though you would possibly find yourself discovering some alongside the way in which.
When you get an thought of what content material exists round a subject, you will have a way of what you are able to do to face out. From right here, you may get extra inventive utilizing instruments to assist generate particular concepts.
Our free guidelines and video information that can assist you begin your podcast
You get a start-to-launch guidelines to be sure you do not miss a step, and it features a free, three-day video sequence to stroll you thru setup.
The Important Free Guidelines for Planning and Beginning Your Podcast
The Podcast Cheat Sheet is an in depth guidelines that helps you handle the setup of your podcast.
Together with the Podcast Cheat Sheet, you will obtain a three-day e-mail sequence with Pat Flynn’s video walkthrough for establishing a podcast.
What to Count on
After you request the Podcast Cheat Sheet, you will obtain an e-mail with a hyperlink to obtain the Podcast Cheat Sheet. Over the next three days, you will obtain emails with Pat Flynn’s The best way to Begin a Podcast video sequence.
Collectively, we’ll cowl:
- Selecting a microphone and the tools you could get began
- Free podcast enhancing software program and use it
- Recording suggestions and tips, together with file interviews remotely
- The best way to arrange your podcast host (the software that publishes your present)
#3. Use idea-generating instruments and methods
Creativity is not nearly ready for inspiration to strike; there are various instruments and ways you’ll be able to make use of to assist get your gears turning. Listed here are ten strategies you should use if you want some help brainstorming episode concepts.
Reply the Public
Answer the Public takes the information from over 3 billion day by day Google searches and places them into one large nicely of information—and it is a treasure trove of episode concepts for podcasters.
The software works by taking knowledge from search engines like google and yahoo like Google and amassing each phrase and query the general public asks about nearly any subject you’ll be able to think about. For example you’ve got a podcast on entrepreneurship and are contemplating doing a podcast episode on getting started. Simply enter “entrepreneurship” within the search bar (it is often finest to maintain your search to at least one or two phrases vs. a phrase or query).
The positioning breaks down your subject into questions associated to the subject, comparisons that can assist you herald different associated points, and even a listing of widespread searches for every letter of the alphabet (i.e., “entrepreneurship books,” “entrepreneurship programs,” and many others.).
“Google searches are an important dataset ever collected on the human psyche.” — US knowledge scientist Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Reply the Public provides non-paying clients one free search per day, and the excellent news is that is greater than sufficient for podcasters. One search provides you tons of of concepts per subject the primary time round and sufficient to chew on for fairly some time.
If you need limitless searches and a deeper dive into different professional options, you’ll be able to improve to the Professional plan for $99/month (and cancel anytime). Once more, this is not crucial for the overwhelming majority of podcasters, and the free model ought to do exactly superb.
Google the alphabet
In our opinion, Reply the Public is one of the best ways to get an alphabetized listing of searches in your subject. However what should you do not just like the platform, really feel stifled by the once-a-day search restrict, or simply need to do the analysis your self? You need to use the “Google the alphabet” method to entry a few of the identical info—with a bit extra footwork in your finish.
Right here’s do it. Open Google and enter your podcast’s subject. For instance, you would enter “entrepreneurship for” or just “entrepreneurship.”
Then, enter the primary letter of the alphabet after your search phrase to let Autocomplete work its magic. Different concepts robotically generate if you kind in “a,” letting you see what individuals seek for associated to your entry.
Subsequent, enter “b” and proceed going via the alphabet till you get sufficient concepts jotted down. You’ll be able to return and alter your phrase or query to get extra concepts or a barely completely different slant on the subject, and this could often get you fairly far.
Once more, Reply the Public does this for you robotically, however it may be useful to know do it your self, too.
Ask your social media followers
Social media platforms like Instagram and Fb have made it easy to run polls, take Q&As, and keep related along with your viewers’s struggles and questions.
When you aren’t already accustomed to this function, simply take an image or video in your tales, choose the “ballot” icon and place it in your put up. You’ll be able to ask questions like “What content material would you like extra of?” or “What’s one thing you surprise about however are afraid to ask?”
It’s also possible to flip the tables and run a Q&A to let your viewers ask you the questions. Working social media Q&As is an effective way to get content material concepts with little effort.
Ask your podcast viewers
If you do not have an enormous social media presence but, you’ll be able to straight ballot your podcast viewers as an alternative.
Asking questions by way of the podcast is a wonderful approach to attain your core viewers and most loyal listeners—the individuals who care most in regards to the content material you create.
One of the direct methods to get suggestions out of your viewers is by posting a survey in your present notes utilizing a software like Survey Monkey. You’ll be able to announce the survey in your episode and even present an incentive for finishing it, like a free e book, information, or cheat sheet.
Researching your subject is nice, however nothing beats getting suggestions straight out of your viewers to make use of as inspiration for future content material.
Search Reddit & Quora
Reddit and Quora are community communities that includes boards primarily based round individuals’s pursuits and exist for practically each subject possible.
These platforms are a superb manner for podcasters to get contained in the heads of the general public to get you brainstorming and assist join you with particular, area of interest questions you would not discover elsewhere.
Persevering with with the entrepreneurship instance, you’ll be able to search these communities for associated subreddits and see what sorts of questions the general public has about it.
Boards entice individuals passionate in regards to the subject, making them nice sources for locating these nitty-gritty questions and untapped matters.
As a bonus, when you’ve got an episode that solutions a query, you’ll be able to freely promote your personal podcast (within the type of a solution). So that you would possibly entice some new listeners within the course of!
Make a listing of all of your concepts (good and dangerous)
Among the finest podcast concepts come from writing down all of your concepts—with out judgment or holding again. Simply list out your thoughts till you hit a delegated quantity, as an example 50. When you write 50 concepts, you will not solely get your creativity flowing, however you will doubtless give you a number of distinctive concepts you would not have considered in any other case.
When you want, you’ll be able to put aside a delegated time, say 20 minutes, to write down as many concepts as you’ll be able to on a sheet of paper or in your Notes app.
The primary takeaway right here is to not second guess your ideas, overthink, or hesitate to write down them down. And if you discover a good suggestion, you’ll be able to flesh it out utilizing an analogous method known as freewriting.
Take the thought you need to discover, and write out your stream-of-consciousness ideas. Set a timer and write every little thing that pops in your head. You will shock your self with the concepts you’ll be able to generate if you loosen up, decrease the stakes, and get your pondering mind out of the way in which.
Superior searches on Google & Twitter
Twitter may be a superb software for seeing what individuals are saying a few given subject, and a easy search in your material can yield quite a lot of useful outcomes. For much more tailor-made outcomes, you should use the superior search filters to slender your search by date, hashtags, accounts, and mentions.
You need to use Twitter’s search choice as a time capsule to view previous conversations or keep present with what’s trending.
Google additionally has an advanced search tool that allows you to tailor your search outcomes with extra actual parameters. Most individuals utilizing Google outcomes cease after the primary one or two pages, and in podcasting, utilizing the identical sources can result in quite a lot of repeated content material.
Narrowing your focus utilizing superior search instruments is essential to discovering extremely related, comparatively untapped podcast concepts.
Be part of Fb teams
Like Quora and Reddit, Fb teams function a useful discussion board the place individuals collect and talk about a given subject in additional depth.
You’ll be able to be a part of a handful of Facebook groups associated to your subject and infrequently browse the web page to see what individuals are saying. You will doubtless discover quite a lot of questions, acknowledge some widespread themes, and get nice podcast concepts from threads.
Contemplate the alternative viewpoint
Additionally known as asymmetrical pondering, learning the alternative viewpoint of a given subject is a mind-expanding observe that opens you as much as a much bigger image and may immediate extra concepts in your episodes.
It’s also possible to research alternative ways individuals method the identical subject, query, or downside. Taking in conflicting or paradoxical concepts can make clear your personal ideas on the difficulty and preserve your content material well-rounded and dynamic.
#4. Domesticate the behavior of creativity
The concepts listed above work finest as a part of a constant behavior versus a last-minute effort to develop podcast content material. Listed here are a few suggestions that can assist you domesticate the behavior of creativity and combine it into your workflow.
Schedule time to brainstorm
Developing with high quality content material concepts might be essentially the most vital side of creating a successful podcast, so it is a good suggestion to schedule time particularly devoted to content material thought technology and brainstorming.
Scheduling blocks of time, and even a whole day, solely for arising with content material helps you keep one step forward of the sport and will get you within the behavior of being inventive as an alternative of ready for inspiration to strike.
Bear in mind, as a podcast host, it is fully as much as you how often you publish new podcast episodes. You’ll be able to construct in scheduled gaps between episodes should you really feel overwhelmed on the thought of posting new content material each week.
Use a spreadsheet to remain organized
When you begin arising with podcast subject concepts, you will want an organized approach to preserve observe of all of them. Utilizing a spreadsheet actually pays off right here, and a bit group can unlock worthwhile psychological house you should use to focus in your content material.
Maintain the Podcast Episode Concepts Coming
Now you’ve got a ton of podcast concepts to get you began and the steps you could preserve the nice concepts flowing.
To recap, arising with podcast episode concepts takes a four-pronged method:
- Know your viewers
- Survey the competitors
- Use the precise analysis instruments and strategies
- Be persistent about cultivating the psychological behavior of creativity
Content material technology is an enormous a part of podcasting; whether or not you produce content material about tech or the humanities, it requires persistence and dedication.
We hope the following pointers may also help you combine the observe into your workflow in a manner that feels possible for the long run!Have not nailed down your podcast’s general idea but? Take a look at SPI Media’s complete podcasting tutorial and our weblog put up on untapped podcast ideas for extra content material inspiration and podcasting suggestions.
Alban Brooke is a former lawyer and the Head of Advertising and marketing at Buzzsprout, one of many largest podcast hosts on the planet. Since 2014, he has helped over 200,000 individuals launch their very own podcasts via Buzzsprout. He co-hosts two podcasts, How to Start a Podcast and Buzzcast. He lives in Jacksonville Seashore, Florida along with his spouse and daughter. You’ll find him on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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