You can also think of this as the kind of “format” you choose. The type of podcast you produce (an interview show with guests, a chat between hosts, a serialized investigation, etc.) needs to fit your original concept. Don’t be afraid to keep the show simple and personal if that’s what the topic demands. By the same token, don’t squash your ambition: if your story is complex, tell it with multiple characters over several episodes.
Type
Format, category & style
Tips & Tricks
You need to decide on a format. Is it a roundtable discussion, a narrative documentary, an explainer, a fictional story, recycled radio or a series of simple interviews? This will determine how you’ll choose the categories for your podcast on directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify that will help people discover your work. Research three podcasts that do innovative things with format, music, hosts or tone. Use these examples as a springboard. Borrow ideas from others who do good things, but make your podcast unique and your very own.Burning Question
What type of show do I like personally? It will help if the podcast you’re creating is in the same genre as ones you love to listen to. It will mean you know what kind of competition there is in the space and how your show can fill any gaps.Common Mistake
Staying traditional. Try going in new directions. A radio drama (even if only a few minutes in length) can be a unique and exciting way to convey information to your listeners. If an experiment doesn’t work, it’s not the end of the world.Links
- Article: How to Plan a Podcast: From Concept to Launch
- Article: 8 podcast formats to consider for your show
- Article: Formats & Types of Podcast Explained – 10 Examples Plus Pros and Cons
TIPS from OUR Network
- Think about production time your chosen format will require.
- Play to your strengths: are you a great interviewer? skilled at sound design? a born storyteller?
- Ask yourself: What adjectives would you use to describe it? (informative, humorous, explanatory, etc.) [Kateri Jochum]