How To Start a Podcast With No Audience: 8 Easy Steps

If you’re creating a podcast from scratch, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to find listeners. Thankfully, millions of people listen to episodes every year, making podcasting an accessible way for beginners to develop a community.

Read on to discover how to start a podcast with no audience and build a loyal, dedicated base of listeners.

Should I Start a Podcast With No Audience?

While having no listeners might be discouraging, it can actually lower the pressure while you’re still getting the hang of the production process. With a small or non-existent audience, you’re free to experiment and make mistakes as you develop your authentic voice. This lets you discover the style that will one day build your loyal community.

Below are some additional benefits of starting a podcast without a large audience.

Developing Skills and Technical Proficiency

While you can start a podcast with nothing but your computer and its built-in microphone, developing technical skills might take more time. Here are a few things you’ll need to learn while producing your show: 

• Write an engaging script.
• Improve your performance.
• Create an at-home filming studio.
• Use recording and editing software.
• Capture multiple audio inputs and ask guests thoughtful questions.

Developing these skills early in your podcasting journey lays the groundwork for you to confidently focus on growth later on.

Building a Strong Foundation

In addition to honing your technical skills, you need to develop a system for consistently producing episodes. Treat it like a business — plan ahead with episode ideas, set a schedule, and research both your topics and your audience. Building foundational habits in the early stages of your podcast make growth and consistency much easier down the road.

Experimenting Freely

As a beginning podcaster with a small audience, you can take chances without worrying too much about losing listeners. For instance, you could sing your own theme song or change your episode format. Those experiments may not always work out, but you won’t know until you try.

How To Start a Podcast With No Audience in 8 Steps

Here are eight key steps for turning a new podcast into something people will happily subscribe to.

1. Gather the Basics 

Start by collecting the following materials to build an at-home podcasting studio: 

• Microphone for recording
• Computer for editing
• Intuitive, all-in-one editing software like Captions

To improve your audio quality, set up in a quiet space. Sound-dampening foam will greatly reduce echo, but if you’re starting a podcast with no money, hang blankets on the walls and put down a large rug to absorb sound.

2. Define Your Niche and Audience

Before recording, identify your podcast’s focus. A clear niche keeps your content consistent and helps attract the right listeners. For example, if your show is for web developers learning to code, an episode about a guest’s favorite meals wouldn’t fit.

To find your niche, start by considering your passions and expertise. Say you’re an experienced improv actor — you could create a podcast covering improv history, techniques, and on-air games with guests. 

From there, define your audience, as this drives the type of content you create. For instance, aspiring performers might be interested in improv tips, while comedy fans would prefer to watch entertaining skits.

Clarifying your niche and audience from the start makes planning easier and sets your podcast up for success.

3. Validate Demand for Your Subject

Do some market research to see how your podcast idea fits into the field. Look for data tied to the following questions:

• Is there an audience for this topic? Check forums, social media, and search trends to gauge interest.
• Are there other podcasts covering similar subjects? Browse podcast directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• How successful are existing shows? Look at listener reviews, rankings, and episode engagement.

If you find that the market is oversaturated, think about a unique angle that will set your show apart. However, if you’re not finding any competition at all, consider whether there’s enough interest to sustain your podcast. Based on these insights, refine your idea so it’s not too niche or too broad.

4. Develop a Content Plan

Once you’ve settled on your podcast’s concept, start brainstorming episode ideas. List as many as possible, pick the strongest ones, and organize them into a release schedule you can realistically maintain. Then, begin researching and writing scripts to stay prepared.

5. Record and Edit

After drafting your scripts, it’s time to record. To stay ahead of schedule, consider taping multiple episodes at once. This gives you more flexibility with your editing timeline and lets you upload episodes on time. 

Once your shows are ready to go, use a powerful tool like Captions to polish your footage. Our Video Podcast Editor does all the heavy lifting, transforming raw recordings into professional episodes with just a few clicks. Simply choose an editing style and let AI do the rest — no technical skills needed.

6. Publish and Distribute

Several podcast hosting platforms will help you distribute your show to services like Apple and Spotify. Many of these sites are free or offer free tiers with limited services, which is perfect for a podcast that doesn’t yet have any followers. 

As your podcast grows, you might want to upgrade to a paid plan to access more premium features like advanced analytics and higher upload limits.

7. Promote Your Podcast

If you haven’t already, create social media accounts on the major platforms to share clips from your podcast. Turning long-form content into bite-sized videos gives new listeners a preview of your style, enticing them to explore more. The best way to pull out viral-worthy highlights from hours of footage is with the help of Captions’ AI Clip Maker.

8. Monetize Your Podcast

Once you build a substantial following, you may find monetization opportunities like brand partnerships and listener subscriptions. However, you don’t need a large audience to start earning — affiliate programs let you make commissions when listeners use your links to buy products. Many of these programs have no subscriber minimums, and while some require an application, others allow you to join right away.

Dos and Don’ts When Starting a Podcast With No Audience

While trying to build your podcasting community, keep the following dos and don’ts in mind.

Dos

Start Small

When you’re still learning the basics of editing and production, it’s easiest to start with small, simple projects. For instance, record solo projects first before attempting interviews, and edit short sessions before working on long ones.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key to improving your skills and building an audience. Regularly making high-quality episodes helps you develop new techniques while creating a reliable schedule that keeps listeners engaged.

Engage With Your Audience

If you want to grow your audience, don’t be afraid to talk to them. Engage with listeners by answering their questions on social media, reposting their memes, and asking for future episode ideas. You’ll earn their loyalty, which can quickly snowball into a larger following.

Don’ts

Overcomplicate Your Editing Process

While podcasts have traditionally been audio only, a growing number now use video. Reviewing footage might seem intimidating, but there’s no need to worry when you use Captions’ AI Video Editor. Our platform edits podcast recordings automatically — just choose a style and let AI do the rest.

Give Up Too Soon

Growing any online following takes patience, so have faith in what you’re doing. Early on, it might feel like no one’s listening, but that’s normal. Keep improving your content, stay consistent, and engage with your audience — momentum builds over time.

Kickstart Your Podcasts With Captions

Don’t be afraid to launch a podcast without followers. It’s easy to get started with the equipment you already have and a little bit of practice. 

Captions’ content creator tools — such as our Subtitle Generator, AI Clip Generator, and AI Video Editor — make the podcasting process even easier.

Speed up post-production and grow your audience faster with Captions.

FAQ

How Do Small Podcasts Monetize Their Content?

If your podcast has a smaller following, your best options for monetization are likely affiliate marketing, audience subscriptions, or merchandise sales. These methods can earn you some income while you’re just starting out.

How Can I Start a Podcast Without Equipment?

You can start a podcast for free with just a computer, a built-in microphone, and basic editing software. Even without a computer, a smartphone works just as well for recording. If you happen to have a standalone microphone, it’ll improve your audio quality, but it’s not a requirement.