Types of Podcast Formats: Which One Is Right for You?

February 23 2022 - Did you know that the first podcast was created in the early 2000s? While it started out slow, podcasts have basically dominated the media landscape for years, and you may have thought to yourself "Can I do that, too?"

While there are many podcast formats to choose from, you'll have to figure out which appeals to you most. Do you want to be someone that writes and edits things to talk about by yourself? Do you want to have a loose, flowing conversation with new guests each episode?

Keep reading as we explore the different types of podcast formats out there so you can find the right format for you.

Storytelling Podcast

A storytelling podcast will often give the listener information about a specific event or set of events. For instance, many history, news, or educational podcasts are done in this format.

You will usually need a lot of pre-planning and preparation for this type of format, especially if you go the non-fiction route. You'll also need to do plenty of research, which may take a lot of time, to get ready for bringing your stories to life.

Co-Hosted or Solo Podcast

Generally, these are more relaxed podcasts where you or you and others talk about whatever you'd like! This could be a storytelling or interview podcast, for example, but it's more likely to be a conversational podcast in which you talk about interesting topics.

You can post for podcasting jobs to find a co-host, but it's likely better to work with someone that you know (and like). This way, you'll have a better idea of how well you'll get along and bounce off one another.

This may sound like the best format for podcast newbies, but keep in mind that your chemistry matters.

You need chemistry with the audience and with any co-hosts you choose to seem appealing. If you're by yourself, you'll have to carry the whole conversation on your own, which may not be the right choice for everyone.

Interview Podcast

An interview podcast is one of the more successful podcast formats, especially if you have the opportunity to interview people that bring new insights to popular topics. For instance, many celebrities team up with friends to interview other celebrities about movies, television, music, and more, which appeals to a large audience.

Although you might not be a celebrity with access to other celebrities, you can still bring a lot to the table here if you come up with interesting and compelling guests for your show. This takes a lot of outreach work, however, which can be difficult if you don't have a large network to pull from.

Theater Podcast

One of the arguably more interesting podcast audio format options is theater. Back in the 1940s, radio dramas were one of the most popular types of entertainment in the world before the invention of the television.

Theater podcasts are similar to radio dramas in that the listener hears a "production" rather than watching it on TV or movie platforms.

It's a less-saturated format overall, but this doesn't mean it's necessarily easy to break into. You'll need to find voice talent, coordinate the content, and make sure it runs smoothly for the listener. Remember that you don't have visual support to back up the content, which can make this tough.

Try One (or More) of These Podcast Formats

While some of these podcast formats require a little more preparation than others, they all have an audience that will enjoy the content.

If you want to get even more creative inspiration, check out the rest of our blog for other podcasting tips to help you get started.

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