Ultra.
If you’re looking to start a podcast or rebrand one you’ve already got going, you’ve come to the right place. Before we look at some good ideas for podcast topics, we just want to make sure you’re aware of the numerous benefits that come with live streaming your podcast. For example, with Streamlabs Desktop you can go live to places like Twitch, YouTube, and Trovo and record your podcast at the same time. Afterwards, you can upload the saved recording to various podcast platforms for increased exposure (and revenue!).
First, let’s look at the different types of podcast styles so you can decide which one is right for you (or you could go wild and do a bit of each—the choice is yours). To read more about podcasting for beginners, check out our post on how to start a podcast.
Types of Podcasts
Multiple Hosts
A very common and popular podcast type, you might be familiar with multiple host podcasts. Two or more hosts make for a more fast-paced podcast, with lots of chatter, banter, and laughs. Multiple host podcasts are also popular for streaming, as viewers enjoy watching the hosts interact. If your co-hosts are in different locations, you can use Streamlabs Collab Cam to show their cameras your stream.
Solo Host
Solo host podcasts are also popular. Sometimes, a solo host will bring on different guests to interview. Other times, the podcast will be informational or educational, with the host offering their commentary or instructions. For streaming, this style of podcast has good potential for success, particularly if the streamer reads the chat and interacts with viewers.
Storytelling
Perhaps the most unique form of podcasting, storytelling podcasts often involve sound effects or music. Each podcast can be part of a continuing story or one-off episodes. Though this type of podcast might be harder to stream, you can get creative with animations, costumes, and more.
How to Choose Your Podcast Topic
Ideally, your podcast should focus on a specific niche—a highly detailed segment of the market. Once you find your niche, try to scale it down every further. For example, “DIY” is a good topic but it is much too broad. A podcast focusing on a specific type of DIY, say, sustainable or recycled DIY, will stand out from the crowd better than general DIY.
To figure out your ideal podcast topic or niche, have a look at the following questions.
What are you passionate about?
Is there a topic you could research and talk about for hours on end without getting sick of it? Many creators make content about topics they enjoy so that their job or side hustle feels more like a hobby and less like work. While there is something to be said for focusing on popular content that will attract listeners, a topic you’re passionate about has greater potential to inspire and keep you making steady content.
What are you knowledgeable about?
Many new content creators feel unsure of themselves when asked about topics they’re knowledgeable about. The truth is, each of us has unique experiences and knowledge that we can share with the world. Even minor facets of your life, like where you grew up or how many siblings you have, can be interesting to people from different walks of life. You don’t have to be a PhD to create content on a certain subject, you simply need to make engaging, interesting content.
What does your audience want to listen to?
A smart way to start a successful podcast is to find out what people want to listen to. Furthermore, a high demand for a certain type of podcast that doesn’t have a lot of available content can be very lucrative. For example, there was a wildly successful true crime YouTube channel that only uploaded videos every 3-6 months. As a result, a number of similar YouTube channels quickly sprouted in order to give viewers the true crime content they were craving. Many of these channels amassed hundreds of thousands of followers in a matter of weeks.
Podcast Ideas
Informative/Educational
- How-to
- Self-help
- Business
- Technology
- Advice
- Health/Fitness
- Q&A
Documentary
- Deep dive
- Expose
- Interview
- Story-telling
- A day in the life
- Behind the scenes
- History
Review
- Try it
- Unboxing
- Product testing
- Top 10 list
- Movie critic
- Book club
Entertainment
- Playing games
- Improv
- Comedy
- ASMR
- Sports
- Beauty
- Fashion
- Guided meditation
- Tarot readings
- Pop culture
- Audio drama
If you didn’t see an idea that sparked your interest, you can check out this post on 20 podcast topics. Once you’ve got your podcast going, you’ll want to learn how to grow and monetize. We have a great post on how to make money from a podcast. Both Talk Studio and Streamlabs Desktop are perfect tools for streaming or recording your podcast, with Talk Studio being a lightweight, browser-based program and Streamlabs Desktop being more suited to high quality productions. Since both tools are free, why not try them both to see which one you prefer?
Additionally, editing your podcast is super easy when using Streamlabs Podcast Editor, a browser-based editor that empowers you to effortlessly fine-tune podcast content. From adding in elements like subtitles and image overlays to editing out pauses via the transcription, Podcast Editor makes editing your podcast simple and straightforward. Learn more about using Podcast Editor to edit and refine your podcast recordings in our handy guide.
Streaming your podcast is a great way to expand your audience by reaching both listeners and viewers. Whether you’re solo hosting a podcast or a part of a team, we hope this article has given you lots of ideas to choose from. Good luck with your podcast and be sure to check out our other articles for more advice, ideas, and inspiration.