The Truth About Starting a Podcast: It’s Harder Than You Think (But Worth It)

Starting a podcast sounds fun, right? You’ve got a microphone, a few ideas, maybe a guest or two lined up—what could possibly go wrong? Well, here’s the brutal truth: starting a podcast is harder than you think. It’s not just about hitting “record” and uploading the final product. It’s about building something that people will actually care about, and that takes time, effort, and a whole lot of consistency.

But here’s the thing—it’s worth it. A podcast is more than just a hobby. It’s a powerful tool to differentiate your brand, share your passions, and build genuine relationships with your audience. So, if you’re ready for the long haul, here’s what you need to know about the challenges and why, despite them, podcasting is one of the best investments you can make for your brand.

1. It’s Not Just Talking—It’s Creating Real Value

Let’s get one thing straight: Nobody cares about your podcast unless you’re offering something of value. This is the first hard truth. Whether that value comes in the form of entertainment, education, or inspiration, your podcast needs to stand out in an increasingly crowded space. The best way to do that? Be honest, passionate, and open with your audience.

Your podcast gives you the opportunity to share your passions, have meaningful discussions, and dive into topics you genuinely care about. If you’re not creating content that you’d actually listen to, why would anyone else? This is where most people go wrong—they start a podcast because it sounds like a fun trend, but they don’t bring authenticity or value to the table.

Ask yourself:

• What do I care about?

• What stories or perspectives can I bring to the conversation?

• How can I add value to my listeners’ lives?

  
  

Your podcast is your platform to build trust with your audience, and that starts with being real. People can sense when you’re just phoning it in.

2. The Format Matters—More Than You Think

One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when starting a podcast is its format. This isn’t just about how long each episode will be (although that’s important too), but about how you’ll structure your show from start to finish.

Will your podcast be:

• A solo show where you share your expertise and insights?

• A guest-based interview format where you bring on thought leaders and experts?

• A panel discussion where you and co-hosts debate different topics?

  
  

The format you choose should align with the kind of content you’re passionate about, as well as what your audience is looking for. But here’s the tricky part—consistency is key. Once you commit to a format, stick with it. Your audience needs to know what to expect every time they hit “play.” Changing your format too often can confuse listeners and make it harder to build a loyal audience.

3. The Challenge of Consistency (And Why It’s Critical)

The second hardest part about starting a podcast? Consistency. It’s easy to get excited in the beginning—recording the first few episodes feels fresh and new. But after a few weeks (or months), life happens. Schedules get busy, you hit a creative wall, or maybe you just lose momentum.

But here’s the thing—consistency is the key to growth. No one builds an audience overnight. Podcasts that succeed in the long run are the ones that show up regularly and provide value every single episode. Even if your first few episodes don’t get many downloads, the people who do listen will come back if you’re consistent.

It’s not just about publishing every week or month; it’s about maintaining quality over time. This can be exhausting, and it’s where many podcasters fail. But remember: your goal isn’t to go viral on day one—it’s to build a loyal, engaged audience over time. Slow and steady wins the podcasting race.

4. The Audio vs. Video Dilemma

So, you’ve got your format figured out, you’re ready to commit to consistency, and now you face another question: Audio, video, or both? In today’s multimedia world, more podcasts are adding video components, especially with the growing popularity of YouTube podcasts.

Here’s what to consider:

• Audio-Only Podcasts: Easier to produce, lower budget, and great for listeners who want to consume content on the go. This works well for more conversational, radio-style shows.

• Video Podcasts: These give your audience a visual connection and can be more engaging, especially on platforms like YouTube. A video podcast can humanize your brand and differentiate your show from the sea of audio-only content.

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The good news? Both Apple Podcasts and Spotify now support video podcasts, giving you more opportunities to reach and engage audiences on multiple platforms. This means your podcast can have an even greater reach, with video enhancing the visual appeal on top platforms while your audio reaches listeners who prefer tuning in on the go.

If you have the resources, video podcasts can be a game-changer. They open up another level of connection with your audience and allow you to share clips across social media, driving more engagement. But remember, video production adds more complexity and time to your workflow—so think carefully before committing.

5. The Payoff: Building Trust and Differentiating Your Brand

Here’s where it gets good. Yes, podcasting is hard. Yes, it’s time-consuming. And yes, it takes longer than you think to see results. But the long-term benefits are invaluable.

• Differentiation: There are millions of brands and businesses out there, but only a fraction are creating meaningful content. Your podcast, if done right, can set you apart from competitors by giving you a unique voice and platform to share your message.

• Humanizing Your Brand: A podcast gives your audience a chance to know the real you. It’s a chance to be open, vulnerable, and share your passions. When people feel connected to you, they’ll trust your brand—and trust leads to loyalty.

• Trust Building: Authenticity breeds trust, and trust breeds loyal customers. When your audience feels like they know you, they’re more likely to buy from you, recommend you, and stick around for the long haul.

  
  

6. Where to Share Your Podcast (Hint: Everywhere)

Once your podcast is ready, don’t make the mistake of limiting your distribution. It’s not enough to just upload to one platform and hope for the best. You need to make your podcast easy to find, and that means sharing it everywhere.

Here’s how to maximize your reach:

• YouTube: Even if your podcast is audio-only, uploading it to YouTube opens up a massive audience. Add timestamps and visual elements to make the experience more engaging.

• Podcast Directories: Make sure your podcast is available on all the major directories—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Both Apple and Spotify now support video podcasts, which allows for even more engagement across multiple formats.

• Social Media Clips: One of the best ways to drive listeners to your podcast is by sharing teaser clips on social media. Pull out the most engaging 30-second or 1-minute moments and use them to hook new listeners on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

  
  

Conclusion: It’s Worth It—But Only If You’re All In

Starting a podcast is hard. There’s no sugarcoating that. It takes time, energy, and a lot of late nights figuring out the details. But the reward? It’s worth it.

A podcast isn’t just another content channel—it’s a way to differentiate your brand, humanize your message, and build long-term relationships with your audience. And the best part? The more honest, passionate, and open you are, the more your audience will trust you.

So, if you’re serious about starting a podcast, make sure you’re in it for the long haul. Show up consistently, create content you’re passionate about, and always think about how you’re adding value. Do that, and the rewards will come.