Let's Start a Podcast! - A Step-By-Step Guide to Launching Your Show On Any Budget

Why Listeners Quit Your Podcast (And Exactly How to Fix It)

You could have a brilliant idea, a genuine passion, and content worth hearing. and still lose listeners by episode two. Not because your show is bad. Because of a handful of totally avoidable habits that drive audiences absolutely crazy — and most podcasters never even realize they're doing them. In this episode, we're calling out the five biggest listener pet peeves, one of which almost every podcaster is guilty of right now. More importantly, we're giving you the exact fixes so you never have to wonder why people aren't coming back. Some of these will surprise you. One of them might sting a little. All of them are fixable today. Hit play. Your listeners will thank you. * Auphonic.com [https://auphonic.com] — the audio cleanup tool mentioned in the episode * Descript [https://get.descript.com/tbrkkp6wsi07] — transcription and editing tool referenced in the episode * Let's Start a Podcast (the book) — grab it for $5.99 at the link below and get the full quick-reference chart that goes with this episode Want to go deeper? Let's Start a Podcast — the book — walks you through everything we cover on this show and then some. Hosting, distribution, gear, directories, cover art, and more. all in one place, with checklists and direct links to every tool we recommend. It's $5.99 and it's built to get you launched fast. 👉 Grab your copy here (https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720) [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720]

What Is RSS and Why Does Your Podcast Depend on It?

You record once. You upload once. And then your episode shows up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and dozens of other apps automatically. In this episode, Will breaks down exactly how that happens... including the three-letter acronym that makes it all work, what a podcast host actually does, how to choose the right one, and why submitting to directories is a one-time setup, not an ongoing chore. Will also covers what you need ready before you hit submit, why a dedicated podcast website is worth the extra step, and the one backup habit that could save your entire back catalog. Simple, practical, and everything you need to get your show out into the world. Want to go deeper? Let's Start a Podcast — the book — walks you through everything we cover on this show and then some. Hosting, distribution, gear, directories, cover art, and more. all in one place, with checklists and direct links to every tool we recommend. It's $5.99 and it's built to get you launched fast. 👉 Grab your copy here (https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720) [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720]

The Only Gear You Actually Need to Launch Your Podcast

Everyone thinks they need a fancy microphone before they can launch a podcast. Spoiler: they don't. In this episode, Will breaks down the only three things you actually need to start recording, and explains why your phone might already have all of them. You'll learn what your recording environment is doing to your audio (and how a closet full of clothes might be your secret weapon), why buying gear for problems you don't have yet is the fastest way to stay stuck, and how to build your setup gradually as your show grows. Whether you're working with zero budget or ready to invest a little, this episode gives you a clear, no-overwhelm path from "aspiring podcaster" to actual podcaster. Ready to just hit record? Let's go. Want the full gear breakdown without the two a.m. Googling spiral? Will's book, Let's Start a Podcast, has every recommendation, every budget level, and direct links to the exact equipment he uses. Grab it in the show notes for about six bucks: https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720 [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720] Want to go deeper? Let's Start a Podcast — the book — walks you through everything we cover on this show and then some. Hosting, distribution, gear, directories, cover art, and more. all in one place, with checklists and direct links to every tool we recommend. It's $5.99 and it's built to get you launched fast. 👉 Grab your copy here (https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720) [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720]

What's In a Name? How to Name Your Podcast

The right name clicks. The perfect name sticks. In this episode, we break down exactly how to name your show so it gets found, gets remembered, and builds a brand worth growing. Episode Overview You might already have a name floating around. Maybe it's a brilliant pun, maybe you're stuck in blank-page paralysis, or maybe you just want to call it "The Podcast" and move on. Whatever your situation, this episode walks you through the four qualities that make a great podcast name, the common traps to avoid, a brainstorming framework to get unstuck, and a smart subtitle strategy to round it all out. What You'll Learn * The four essential qualities of a great podcast name. * The most common naming mistakes and how to sidestep them. * A three-list brainstorming exercise to spark ideas. * How to use a subtitle strategically for clarity, SEO, and emotional punch. * Tools to check name availability before you fall in love with one that's already taken. Bonus Tools Mentioned * Namecheckr.com — Check name availability across domains and social platforms simultaneously. * Spotify and Apple Podcasts — Search your name directly to see what already exists. * AI chatbots — Ask for variations or alternatives when your perfect name is already taken. Up Next: Episode 7 We're talking gear. And I know what you're thinking. "Oh great, another podcaster about to tell me I need to spend $500 before I record a single word." Nope. Not even close. We're talking about what you actually need, what you absolutely don't, and why your phone might be the best microphone you own right now. That's next time on Let's Start a Podcast. Don't miss it. Want to go deeper? Let's Start a Podcast — the book — walks you through everything we cover on this show and then some. Hosting, distribution, gear, directories, cover art, and more. all in one place, with checklists and direct links to every tool we recommend. It's $5.99 and it's built to get you launched fast. 👉 Grab your copy here (https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720) [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720]

Simple Design Pro Tips for Your Podcast Format

Think you're ready to hit record? Not so fast. In this lesson, Will shares the simple but game-changing format decisions that separate podcasts that last from ones that fizzle out. You'll learn the one structural choice that takes the pressure off from day one, plus a recording habit that will save you when life gets hectic. Will also reveals the three-word exercise that can instantly sharpen the identity of your show. And if you've ever felt like your episodes feel a little flat or repetitive, Will has a creative fix for that too. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a clear framework for building a show that feels intentional, sustainable, and totally yours. Up next: What actually makes a podcast name powerful and findable. don't pick yours until you watch it. Want to go deeper? Let's Start a Podcast — the book — walks you through everything we cover on this show and then some. Hosting, distribution, gear, directories, cover art, and more. all in one place, with checklists and direct links to every tool we recommend. It's $5.99 and it's built to get you launched fast. 👉 Grab your copy here (https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720) [https://ko-fi.com/s/780b686720]