{"id":11243,"date":"2022-07-13T09:48:11","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T13:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libsyn.com\/blog\/?p=11243"},"modified":"2024-01-08T16:14:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T21:14:13","slug":"choosing-a-podcast-format","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libsyn.com\/blog\/choosing-a-podcast-format\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a Podcast Format"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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When you start thinking about your podcast format \u2014 what kind\/style of podcast you would like to create \u2014 we recommend considering three things: established configurations, number of regular host\/s and future evolution.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In general, your podcast format should be reflective of subject and style. It should have room for you to explore all of the avenues\/subtopics that your subject matter naturally offers. For instance, if your podcast is about the ubiquitous \u201cTrue Crime,\u201d you may want to interview<\/a> people involved in a case, so it would be a natural fit for interviews and journalism. But what if you want to convey the drama\/suspense of the crime? Then, maybe you step over to narrative nonfiction when telling the story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

There are no real rules. Take the time to find the best fit for you and your subject matter.<\/span><\/p>

Popular Podcast Formats<\/b><\/h3>

Here we offer a quick review of typical formats you might try. Bear in mind that your format will also affect your <\/span>podcast equipment <\/span>and studio needs. <\/span>Agin, if you choose a comfortable format to start, you can always migrate as you get more confident!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The types of<\/span> podcast formats <\/span>are many. As with most things podcasting, there is not one way to do it.<\/span><\/p>

Choose a format that feels natural and inspiring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Some examples of popular<\/span>\u00a0podcast formats i<\/span>nclude:<\/span><\/p>

  • Interview: <\/b>questions and answers with one or more guests who have special knowledge, fame, or experience\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Panel discussion: <\/b>conversation among a group\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Journalism: <\/b>reporting on news in an area or field or covering a specific story<\/span><\/li>
  • Storytelling: <\/b>with one or more short pieces in a single episode or with a longer story told over several episodes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Narrative nonfiction: <\/b>audio documentary, typically spread over multiple episodes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Narrative fiction: <\/b>a fictional story told by one person or a cast of characters<\/span><\/li>
  • Solo commentary: <\/b>single person monologue or ad-lib\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  • Co-host show: <\/b>two or more steady hosts discussing the subject matter of the show\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

    All of these formats have their merits. But one question (regardless of format) many find themselves asking is \u201cShould I have a co-host?\u201d Often two people decide to start a podcast together, so this is a non-issue, but what if you start solo and after a while feel like maybe you could use a partner? Or have somebody in mind?<\/span><\/p>

    Be a Star or Share The Stage \u2014 The Question of a Podcast Co-Host<\/b><\/h3>

    Libsyn podcaster Ginger Campbell from Brain Science was asked what podcasting wisdom she would share with new podcasters upon her induction into the Podcasting Hall of Fame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    \u201cGet a co-host if you can. Having someone to share the load with will make podfading less likely.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>

    In essence, if you are ok with all the fame AND ALL THE WORK, keep your format solo. If you are more of a team player? Consider a co-host.<\/span><\/p>

    Tip:<\/b>\u00a0 Some solo or co-hosted podcasts have guest hosts to step in when episodes are not able to be recorded by the original host or co-host. You might want to consider who this might be early on.<\/span><\/p>

    Podcast Format Evolution<\/b><\/h3>

    It can be helpful to focus on a single format to start, to develop a tone and style that works for you. Then, try combining formats, either within a single show or across episodes.<\/span><\/p>

    Say you begin doing solo commentary with just you and a mic and a set of headphones, but then decide to invite a guest to do an interview. Six months later, maybe you\u2019re thinking you want to do an interview or panel discussion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Feel free to shake things up a bit, working your way to the more challenging many-person podcast, as well as slowly investing in the equipment you will need to host more people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Also, be sure to listen to audience feedback.<\/span><\/p>

    • What format is getting the most listeners?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Did you see a surge when you interviewed an expert in the field?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    • Was it more fun for you?\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

      Whatever you do, don\u2019t ever feel like you <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> to commit to the format you start off with. Podcasting is a marathon and sometimes, pivoting can be one of the best strategies you can implement!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      When you start thinking about your podcast format \u2014 what kind\/style of podcast you would like to create \u2014 we recommend considering three things: established configurations, number of regular host\/s and future evolution.\u00a0\u00a0 In general, your podcast format should be reflective of subject and style. It should have room for you to explore all of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":11248,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[181,29,37,1141],"tags":[1641,1239,26,1637,1081,1634,1639,1640,1638,526,1636,1642,36,1137,1635],"class_list":["post-11243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-libsyn","category-libsyn-podcasters","category-podcasting-tips","category-start-a-podcast","tag-fiction-podcast","tag-how-to-start-a-podcast","tag-interview-podcast","tag-journalism-podcast","tag-libsyn","tag-libsyn-tips","tag-narrative-podcast","tag-nonfiction-podcast","tag-panel-podcast","tag-podcast-advice","tag-podcast-co-host","tag-podcast-format","tag-podcasting-tips","tag-start-a-podcast","tag-storytelling-podcast"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t