What is a podcast format? When you choose to do a podcast you need to decide how you will configure your episodes. Your podcast format is the way you’ll present your information to your listener in each episode.
Below I will tell you about the 6 most common forms and give an example of a show with that format.
Solo Show.
You are the sole voice on your show. Your listeners will tune in each week to hear your take on whatever topic you’ve chosen in your niche.
Pros: Simple to create
Cons: Be careful not to speak in a mono-tone your listeners may get bored and not return
Solo shows I’m enjoying at the moment are: Affirmation Pod. I have been a loyal listener for years!!
Interview
You talk to a different person in each episode. You ask questions and take them through a story that will either educate and/or entertain your audience.
Pros. A popular format that is easy to set up. A great tool to conduct interviews remotely is Squadcast. I wrote a how – to use guide here . If you want to try Squadcast you can sign up here. (Please read my affiliate statement at the bottom of this article.
Cons: Finding the right guests can take a little time, asking incisive questions is a skill that improves with time. Your first few interviews might be a little rough in terms of technique, it will get better.
Roundtable : You host a discussion on a topic and debate it with a group of people
Example Sips of Truth
Documentary. Also called non-fiction storytelling, with this format, you will be telling a story that is based on facts.
Think about the sentence this film was based on real events, this bring us to the docu-drama
Docu-drama: A fact-based podcast mixed with elements of storytelling. Best example SERIAL
Audio Drama A fiction story telling podcast
A podcast I’ve discovered recently that’s got 200, 000,000 downloads and is addictive We’re Alive
Hybrid : A mix of the formats above. The most common mix is interviews and solo-shows.
Why you need to choose a style and how to do it
Choosing a format will help you create your content. Putting your ideas into a consistent format each week/fortnight/month will help you create structure around your podcast efforts.
When you know what you need to do for each episode you will be able to create elements of your podcast in advance like your quick fire round if you do interviews or your different calls to action. Need some help with these?
Would you rather have a visual for all this info ?
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