Do you have a knack for making people laugh and want to share your comedic talent with the world? Starting a funny podcast is a great way to do just that. However, with so many comedy podcasts out there, it can be hard to make your show stand out. In this blog, we’ll show you how to get started with your funny podcast, and share our top tips for creating a successful show that makes listeners laugh out loud.
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Before you start creating your funny podcast, you need to define your goal. What is the main goal or purpose of your podcast? Do you want to provide comedy sketches and improv, share humorous stories and anecdotes, or interview comedians and entertainers?
Knowing your goal will help you to focus on creating relevant and engaging content for your target audience. It will also help you to differentiate your podcast from others in the crowded and competitive podcast space.
Identifying your target audience is crucial for the success of your podcast. Who are you creating this podcast for? Is it for fans of comedy and humor, comedians, or people who love to laugh?
Knowing your audience will help you to create content that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for more.
Choosing the right topic is critical for your podcast. It should align with your goal and target audience. You can focus on specific topics such as comedy sketches, satire, or improv. You can also explore niche topics like parody, stand-up, or funny interviews.
Your podcast cadence and format will depend on your goal and topic. You can choose to release weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly episodes. You can also choose between solo episodes, multiple hosts, or remote interviews. Whatever format you choose, make sure that it aligns with your goal and resonates with your target audience.
Podcast
a. Quality Microphone
Headphones or earphones are essential for monitoring your audio while recording and editing. It will help you to detect any background noise, distortion, or echo in your audio. You can choose from wired or wireless headphones/earphones, depending on your preference.
c. Interface or Mixer for in-person (optional)
An interface or mixer is necessary if you’re recording in-person with multiple microphones. It will allow you to control the levels and mix your audio before recording. Some popular interfaces and mixers for podcasting are the Focusrite Scarlett, Behringer Xenyx, and Zoom H6.
d. Pop Filter (optional)
A pop filter is an optional accessory that can reduce plosives or popping sounds in your audio. It’s especially useful if you’re recording close to your microphone. You can choose from foam or metal pop filters, depending on your preference.
e. Mic Stand (optional)
A mic stand is an optional accessory that can be used to hold your microphone in place during recording. This can help to prevent unwanted noise caused by holding the microphone in your hand or placing it on a table or desk.
Tips:
- Consider investing in a shock mount for your microphone to further reduce unwanted noise.
Podcast
Now that you have your equipment ready, it’s time to start producing creatives for your podcast. This includes writing a podcast description, trailer script, intro and outro script, common questions, and designing artwork.
a. Write a Podcast Description
Your podcast description is a short summary of what your show is all about. It should be engaging and informative, and it should give potential listeners a good idea of what they can expect from your show. Keep in mind that this description will be the first thing that people see when they come across your podcast on various podcast platforms, so make it count.
b. Write Trailer Script
A trailer is a short audio clip that gives listeners a sneak peek of what your podcast is all about. It’s usually around 1-2 minutes long and should be captivating enough to convince people to follow/subscribe to your show.
c. Write Intro and Outro Script
The intro and outro of your podcast are important elements that can help to establish your brand and create a memorable listening experience. Your intro should introduce your show, set the tone for the episode, and introduce you and any co-hosts or guests. Your outro should wrap up the episode, thank your listeners for tuning in, and encourage them to subscribe to your show.
d. Write Podcast Questions
If you plan on conducting interviews or having guests on your show, it’s a good idea to come up with a list of common questions that you can ask them. This will help to ensure that you get the information you need and that your episodes stay on track. Find a list of podcast questions here.
e. Design Artwork
Design an eye-catching artwork that represents your show. This is a critical step in gaining new listeners. Artwork that stands out and grabs the listener’s attention will give you the best chance of gaining new listeners, especially when starting a new show. People do evaluate a podcast by its cover, so use a platform like to design a memorable artwork.
f. Create Templates for Branding and Promo Content
Creating templates for branding and promo content can help to save you time and ensure consistency across all of your marketing materials. This can include things like quote cards, social media graphics, episode artwork, audiograms and promo images. Select brand colors and font before launch to maintain consistent branding across the web. and are useful for creating quote cards and audiograms, while is useful for writing show notes. Establishing templates from the beginning will save time in the long run.
g. Buy Music
Music can help to set the tone for your podcast and engage listeners, so make sure to select a song related to your topic. You can buy great quality songs from PremiumBeat, the best part it’s a one-time purchase and offers a wide variety of songs. Just pick a song you like, grab the standard license, and take advantage of any discounts available. Use it for your trailer, intro, and outro of your podcast.
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h. Produce Trailer and the Intro & Outro
Once you have all of your creatives ready, it’s time to start producing your trailer and intro and outro segments. You can use software like GarageBand or Audacity to record and edit these segments. Apply audio enhancements like EQ, compression, leveling, audio repair, LUFS for standard loudness, and mixing & mastering to enhance the quality of your audio.
5. Setup Host & Socials for Your Funny Podcast
Now that you have all of your creatives and equipment ready, it’s time to choose a podcast host and set up your social media accounts.
a. Choose a Podcast Host
There are many podcast hosting platforms to choose from, including , and . If budget is a concern, is a cost-free option. For additional features, opt for a paid platform like or . Choose a platform that suits your budget and offers the features you need.
b. Upload Trailer to Setup Host
Once you have produced your podcast episode, publish it on your hosting platform. It’s easy to upload your audio files and add all the necessary metadata, such as the episode title, description, and cover art. Once you have submitted your episode, it will typically take a few hours to a day for it to be approved and listed on major podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others.
c. Submit Manually to Speed Up
To get your show listed on leading platforms quickly, manually submit your trailer to , and others. Note that it can take up to 2 weeks for some platforms to list your show, so submit at least 3-4 weeks before launch.
d. Create Social Media Accounts
Create social media accounts on the platforms your target audience uses. Especially Instagram Reels, , and YouTube Shorts, as they give the greatest exposure without additional cost. Well-crafted Twitter threads and LinkedIn posts also perform really. Facebook groups or Reddit can also be great places to share your show and build a community.
e. Create a Website (optional)
Selling a product/service? A website can help you guide listeners to your offer. Additionally, publishing show notes, and transcripts, and repurposing episodes into search-friendly blog posts, can help get organic traffic from search engines like Google. Platforms like , , or can help you create your website (though this may be time-consuming). Outsource the task to a freelancer or agency like ours to maximize your podcast efforts.
Tip:
- Submit your podcast to all directories
6. Record and Edit Your FunnyPodcast
Once you have everything ready, it’s time to record and edit the episodes. Here are the steps:
a. Record your episode
Before recording, assemble the necessary equipment, test it, and follow the scripts/questions you created. Record your episode in a quiet, low-noise room. If remote, use or , and if in-person use or . is an option but can reduce quality and lead to lags. For both in-person and remote, record separate tracks for each person. If there are drift issues in remote recording, these can usually be fixed during editing and post-production.
b. Edit your episode
Edit your podcast episode with or . Both are free and can be used to reduce noise, add intros/outros, music, and adjust volume levels. Paid options like and are available, but sometimes their AI editing can be unreliable. If you’re looking for a smoother editing experience, outsource the task to a freelancer or agency like .
Tips:
- Record in a quiet environment
- Use headphones during recording
- Bend the mic slightly to avoid plosives
- Hook listeners at the beginning
7. Post and Promote Your Funny Podcast
Now that your podcast episode is edited, it’s time to upload and promote it and get the word out to your potential listeners. Here are some ways to promote your funny podcast:
a. Upload your episode
After editing, upload your episode to your podcast host. The host will distribute on major platforms like Apple Podcast, Spotify, and others. You can also schedule episodes and track download numbers from your host.
b. Promote your episode
Marketing is as important as making the show. I’ve listed some of the most effective ways to promote a podcast with free and paid options:
Share on social media (free): Promote your new episode on your social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can create graphics, videos, or audiograms to grab people’s attention and direct them to your podcast episode.
Create short-form videos (free): Create multiple short-form clips for Reels, Tiktok, and YouTube Shorts. Ensure to add a call to action at the end of the video such as “Listen to Full Episode – Link in bio” and use to list your show links.
Consider Podcast SEO (free): Optimize your podcast titles, descriptions, and transcripts for podcast apps and search engines to increase your podcast’s visibility in search results. Use to optimize for podcast SEO.
Guest appearances(free/paid): Reach out to other podcasters or funny bloggers in your niche and ask if you can come on their show as a guest. This is a great way to reach a new audience and to your podcast website.
Leverage your network (free): Let your friends, family, and colleagues know about your podcast and ask them to share it with their network. Even though they may not be your target audience, but it’s worth sharing the word.
Repurpose (free): Turn your podcast episode into a search-friendly blog post, show notes, and transcript for each episode. Post them on your website to attract visitors from Google.
Collaborations/Podswap (free): Reach out to other podcasters in your niche and collaborate on a cross-promotion strategy. Use to find shows to partner with.:** Work with other influencers, athletes, or coaches in your niche to promote each other’s content. This can be a great way to cross-promote and reach a new audience.
Do a giveaway (paid): To get listed in section, create a contest with a call to action to subscribe and leave a review, then apply through Apple’s placement form once you see a spike in reviews. This method has been successful for indie and larger podcasts. Retaining listeners depends on the quality of the content and production.
Newsletter/Email marketing (free/paid): Promote your show via large newsletters related to your show and/or create a newsletter of your own. Collect email addresses from your audience and send frequent helpful updates and your latest episodes. If you already have an email list, send an email to your subscribers announcing your new episode and encouraging them to tune in.
Podcast app advertising (paid): If you have a budget for marketing, you can run paid ads on platforms like , , , and . They are very effective as per a study. This can help you reach a larger audience and grow your podcast faster.
Avoid traditional ads (paid): Avoid running ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google, many podcasters have tried them and seen very little to no results. Even if you try, make sure your targeting is very specific. If getting more listeners is your goal, this may not be a good option.
Tips:
- Promote your podcast more than once
- Begin with one/two marketing methods, and slowly try them all
- Try different promotion strategies to find your best fit.
- Use a single call-to-action per episode, such as “Listen now” or “Subscribe to our podcast”.
- Use analytics to track the effectiveness of your promotions and make adjustments accordingly.
8. Monitor and Improve Your Funny Podcast
Once you have launched your funny podcast and started promoting it, it’s important to monitor its performance and continually improve it. Here are some tips for monitoring and improving your funny podcast:
Track downloads and retention rate: Use your hosting platform’s analytics to track how many people are downloading and listening to your podcast episodes. Pay attention to your retention rate, which measures how long people are listening to each episode. If you see a drop in retention rate, it may be a sign that your content needs improvement.
Check reviews: Monitor your podcast’s reviews on major platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify (yes, now Spotify also allows users to leave feedback) and respond to any feedback or criticism you receive. Use this feedback to make improvements to your content and format.
Improve: Continually look for ways to improve your podcast, whether it’s through better audio quality, more engaging content, or more effective promotion strategies. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.
9. Be Consistent with Your Funny Podcast
One of the keys to building a successful funny podcast is consistency. Your listeners should know when to expect new episodes and what to expect from each episode. Here are some tips for being consistent with your funny podcast:
Set a schedule: Decide on a regular schedule for releasing new episodes, such as once a week or twice a month. Stick to this schedule as much as possible, so your listeners know when to expect new content.
Plan ahead: Use a planning tool like a Notion, GSheets or notebook to plan out your upcoming episodes and topics. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you have enough content to release on your regular schedule.
Commitment: Be committed to your podcast and make it a priority. This means making sure that you are releasing new episodes on a regular schedule, whether that be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency is key when it comes to building an audience and keeping them engaged.
It can be helpful to create a content calendar or a production schedule to help you stay organized and on track. This will allow you to plan out your episodes in advance and make sure that you have everything you need to produce each episode before its scheduled release date.
Additionally, it’s important to be open to feedback from your listeners and to use that feedback to improve your podcast. Whether it’s through reviews on Apple Podcasts or comments on social media, take the time to listen to what your audience is saying and make adjustments accordingly.
FAQ for Starting a funny Podcast
a. How much does it cost to start a funny podcast?
The cost of starting a funny podcast can vary depending on the quality of the equipment you choose, the type of hosting platform you use, and the amount of money you invest in marketing and promotion. In general, you can start a basic podcast for as little as $100 to $200, but more professional setups with higher-quality equipment can cost upwards of $500 or more.
b. How do you start a funny podcast for beginners?
Starting a funny podcast for beginners involves several key steps, including defining your podcast goal, planning and preparing your podcast, getting equipment, producing creatives, setting up hosting and socials, recording and editing your podcast, and posting and promoting it to your audience. Following a step-by-step guide or taking a free podcasting course can be helpful for beginners who want to learn more about the process.
c. Do podcasts make money?
Yes, podcasts can make money through a variety of channels, including advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. However, it’s important to keep in mind that building a successful podcast and monetizing it takes time and effort.
d. Can I start a funny podcast for free?
Yes, it is possible to start a funny podcast for free using platforms like Anchor or even by uploading your episodes to YouTube. However, keep in mind that free hosting platforms often come with limitations and may not offer the same level of control and customization as paid hosting options. Additionally, investing in high-quality equipment and marketing efforts can help you grow your audience and monetize your podcast more effectively.
10. Conclusion
Starting a funny podcast can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it takes time, effort, and commitment to succeed. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a high-quality podcast that resonates with your audience and establishes you as a thought leader in the funny community. Remember to stay consistent, be creative, and have fun throughout the process. With hard work and dedication, your funny podcast can be a valuable resource for fans and enthusiasts alike. So, grab your mic, hit record, and start your podcast journey today!
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Happy podcasting 🎤!
