Why Start a Podcast? The Power of Audio Content in 2025
Whether you are a business or an individual, if you want to get out your message or share your passion, podcasting is a great way to connect with others.
Podcasting is one of the most popular forms of media today. With more than 31% of people listening to podcasts every week, this form of media continues to grow. Millions of podcasts exist around the world, covering nearly every language, and hundreds of thousands of topics.
Podcasts are a very personal medium. People listen to podcasts and feel a connection with hosts and guests that they don't have through radio or TV. And the ability to listen on demand makes podcasts the medium of choice for spoken word content. You can listen to podcasts at home, when driving, when working out, or anywhere you want. All you need is a phone and headphones.
So why create a podcast in 2025? Here are some reasons why podcasting might be exactly what you need to share your message or your enthusiasm.
What a podcast can do for you
Starting a podcast could be a way to talk with a friend or two about something that interests you, a tool to promote a business, or a way to make money through sponsorship and advertising. Each of these types of podcasts has very different goals and methods.
It's hard for anyone who isn't already an influencer, or who doesn't have a substantial platform on social media or the internet, to create a podcast that will earn much money. This type of podcast is more like a professionally produced radio or TV show. In most cases, podcasts of this type are video or hybrid (video and audio) podcasts, and require a well-equipped studio to record.
But anyone can start recording a podcast about an interest or passion. All you need is a microphone and a computer (and a podcast host, such as Fireside, to distribute the podcast). Maybe you're interested in collecting something or you have a passion for a niche form of arts and crafts. Maybe you like music, movies, or books. Or perhaps you have a favorite sports team or an under-appreciated sport. Any of these can be a topic for a podcast, and you may want to produce this sort of podcast just because it's enjoyable.
A podcast can be a great way for a business to communicate with existing and potential customers. You can use a podcast to talk about your business and what it does, provide content to users of your product, and keep people up to date on the latest trends in your industry. For example, if you make products used in cooking, you could create a podcast to discuss recipes and techniques that use your products. Or if you're a software developer, a podcast about how people use your app or service can provide added value to users. When people search for podcasts on these topics, they might find yours and discover your products or services.
Defining your podcast's purpose
When starting a podcast, your first task is to define the purpose of the podcast. Is it just to spend time talking with a friend or two, or are there financial goals?
There are multiple ways you can earn money from a podcast: listener support through platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi, affiliate marketing, partnerships with brands whose products fit with your podcast topic, dynamic ad insertion, subscriptions, or merchandise such as t-shirts and stickers. You need to reach a critical mass to make more than a small amount of money from a podcast; you won't be able to sell ads if you don't have a lot of listeners. But asking for listener support could cover your costs, and leave you with some extra money.
If the podcast is for a business, then you need to work with your marketing department to determine the podcast's goals and what themes and topics should be covered. If you're a local business tapped into your city's zeitgeist and want to build something to get more customers, talking about your city and its activities may be enough to get listeners interested.
Identifying your podcast’s target audience
If your podcast is about a niche topic - a well-known but not famous author, an indie band, or a TV series that was broadcast in the 90s - then your audience is the small, but potentially hardcore fans of that niche. It's important to find where people who share this interest get information on that topic. It could be on blogs, Reddit, Facebook, fandom sites, or other online resources. Over time, your podcast could create a dedicated community around these shared interests or niche topics.
For a business podcast, one of the first places to look for your audience is among your customers. Do you have a mailing list? Let everyone know about your new podcast. You may want to use advertising on Google, Facebook, Reddit, or other sites, to get the word out about the podcast. Use social media to talk about your podcast, get influencers who create content about your brand to mention it, and promote it on your website. More listeners may lead to more customers and sales.
Starting a podcast can provide a great way to connect with others, share your expertise, grow your brand, and even generate income, all while enjoying creative freedom. People want to hear authentic voices talking about topics they know well. Whether you create a podcast for personal expression or to grow your brand, podcasting is one of the most impactful mediums today.
Ready to Share Your Voice?
Fireside.fm has you covered. Whether you’re looking to spark a niche community, grow a brand, or just have fun talking about what you love, podcasting is a powerful way to make genuine connections. We streamline everything from hosting your episodes to distributing them on major platforms—so you can focus on what really matters: telling your story.
Sign up today to launch your podcast and join a thriving community of creators!