How To Choose A Right Podcast Format

Starting a podcast in the right format is a perfect way to build a community around your passion and a great way to monetize your passions.

If you have decided to start producing a podcast, the first thing you should choose is the correct format. Each podcast format has its pros and cons, and you should study them, no matter if you intend to produce a one-person show, guest interview, conversational or educational podcast. Your podcast format and workload will impact the audience's reaction, so it should meet your goals. Your podcast content will be planned and structured based on your podcast format. Most of the podcasts adhere to a particular format during the whole show, which will guide the listeners to the next episode, knowing what will be next and when to expect. Keeping the same podcast format will facilitate the producer’s work, learn how to schedule the invitations, plan the right content for each episode, keep pace with your workload, and get experienced in doing your podcast. In the wide variety of podcasts and different formats, you should choose one that meets your goals, will keep up with your workload, and keep the consistency of your preferred podcast format to have a larger audience. To have a clear picture of each podcast format and to make your right choice, we revealed the most popular podcast formats below:

Interview Podcasts

Thinking about a podcast, the interview podcast format will come to your mind first, as it is the most popular format. It is a conversation between the host and a guest who will vary for each episode. Inviting different guests, who will talk on various topics or around the same subject, is always more effective and exciting.  This podcast format is commonly used as it gives an opportunity to new hosts to try podcasting with the help of guests and don’t have to talk all by themselves. Less editing will be needed for a conversational flow. Also, if your guest has followers, your audience will be larger. At the same time, it is a kind of art to keep a conversation on a high level, and most journalists spend years to practice their interview skills. Also, you will need to plan a new guest visit each week and arrange it according to their schedule. The most popular interview podcasts are Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, The Griefcast with Cariad Lloyd, etc.

Solo (Monologue) Podcast Format

Just in the way it sounds, the solo podcast format is done solo by the host without any guests or co-hosts. You will talk about a specific topic all by yourself and need just a good microphone, computer, choose the right app for recording and editing it. It is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to present their goods or solutions, going deep into details that expect their clients. It is also constructive for content creators that are specific to a particular topic. For example, a football fan can do a weekly round-up of world activities. Popular solo podcasts are The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers, Flash Forward, the Lazy Genius Podcast, etc.

Co-hosted podcasts

This podcast format has two or more hosts who have the same interests and views, and it flows like a friendly conversation or a casual discussion around different topics. This is the most preferred podcast format for celebrities. It’s a relaxed format that lets the audience feel like they are in the same studio with the hosts and discussing the same thing they are interested in. The hosts bring up their ideas and viewpoints to make the episodes more interesting. In the case of celebrity shows, the listener gets closer to the celebrities and listens to their mind flow. For arranging a co-hosted show, you will need a wisely selected co-host who will keep up the conversation on the suitable mode. Popular co-hosted podcasts are Levitate with Ryan Nell., WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, Lex Fridman Podcast, and more.

Narrative podcasts

This podcast format covers non-fiction storytelling, starting with a true crime story, which is very popular now, ending with business or daily news. For this type of podcast, you need to spend your time in different locations to face a story you are searching for in your podcast. One should possess narrative skills and storytelling because the focus is on presenting the story. Also, you should train your editing skills to have fine audio. So, if you are passionate about exploring your town or cities, food, or whatever you like and talk about it to your audience, this podcast format is what you need. Popular storytelling podcasts are Serial, Revisionist History, The Other Stories, etc.

Podcast theatre

If you are a fiction lover, this podcast format is for you. Radio play or fiction narrative has its unique audience, and you can use this format to tell a fiction story in different episodes. This podcast format may be addictive. One can tell a story in a way that it can't be read in a book or shown on TV. This format demands hard work for creating a story, and you should have actor narrative skills or hire such actors to make the audience feel like they are in a theatre. Popular podcasts are American Theatre, LA Theatre Bites, etc.

Video Podcasts

If you combine your audio content with a video, you will have a video podcast. This podcast format is for producers who like to get in touch with their audience. You can share your video podcast to YouTube or different podcasting platforms and enlarge your audience. Popular video podcasts Drunken Peasants, Getting Doug With High, etc.

Educational podcasts

This podcast format is like the interview podcast, but the goal is to teach different topics. No matter which podcast format you choose, producing a podcast is great creative work that one should do passionately.

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