How to Start a Podcast (for Small Business Owners)
- Amanda Hughes
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
Ever thought about starting a podcast for your small business but have no idea where to begin?
You’re not alone. I remember being in that exact position back in February 2024, sitting at my dining table with a £30 mic from Curry's, zero experience, and an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone.
Fast-forward to now Small Business Growth Addicts is an Apple Top 30 Entrepreneurship podcast, and I’ve learned so much about what it really takes to get a podcast off the ground (and keep it going without losing your mind)
So, if you’ve been thinking about launching a show of your own, this episode walks you through how to start a podcast step-by-step — from the gear you actually need to hosting, editing, promoting, and even monetising it from day one.
Let’s dive in. ☕
Why I Started My Podcast
When I first launched Growth Addicts (now Small Business Growth Addicts) on my 40th birthday, it wasn’t a big strategic move — it was simply a way to share what I’d learned.
I’d gone from wedding florist → brand photographer → social media mentor, and everywhere I turned, small business owners were asking the same questions:
“How do you use Instagram?”
“How do you get clients from socials?”
I wanted to reach more people than I ever could through blog posts or social posts and a podcast just made sense.
And if you need proof that simple works, my incredible inspiration always Jenna Kutcher famously recorded early episodes of The Goal Digger Podcast in her car with wired phone headphones and pillows for sound absorption — and look how that turned out!
🎧 Listen Now
Tune in to hear the full conversation via your preferred podcast platform above.👆🏼
What You Really Need to Start a Podcast
You don’t need a fancy studio or thousands of pounds worth of kit. In fact, I bought my first mic and headphones from Currys for under £30 — nothing fancy, just a simple setup that did the job. Proof that you don’t need to spend big to sound professional.
I started with:
🎤 A £20–30 microphone
🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones
🪑 A quiet corner of my dining room
💻 The free Audacity app
That’s it.
Where to Host Your Podcast
This part confused me at first, so here’s the simple version:
You need a podcast hosting platform (like Buzzsprout) to upload your episodes.
That host then distributes them to all the big players — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google, etc.
I’ve used Buzzsprout since day one and honestly, it’s been flawless. You can even grab a $20 credit via the this link to get you started.
Recording & Editing (Without Losing Hours of Your Life)
These days, I record using Riverside, which captures high-quality audio and video — perfect if you want to repurpose episodes into YouTube clips or Reels later.
Editing-wise, I outsource to my lovely editor Abby, but if you’re DIY-ing, you can totally learn basic trimming and sound balancing within Riverside. You can also get 15% off a Riverside plan using my affiliate link here
⏰ Tip: Even a short 30-minute episode takes me around two hours total once you factor in setup, upload, and promotion. So plan accordingly.
Should You Monetise From the Start?
Yes — and don’t overthink it.
My very first episode had two paying sponsors. I just emailed businesses whose audiences matched mine and asked if they wanted to feature.
Since then, sponsorship has become a key revenue stream for the podcast, and I also promote my own offers within each episode.
If you’re putting the time in, you deserve to be compensated. Start small, keep it simple, and grow from there.
🎧 Listen Now
Tune in to hear the full conversation via your preferred podcast platform above.👆🏼
How to Promote Your Podcast
You don’t need a separate Instagram account for your show.
Use your existing business page and share:
🎥 Short video clips from your episodes (Riverside makes this easy)
💬 Stand-out quotes
📸 Behind-the-scenes photos
Encourage guests to share their episode too — but don’t rely solely on them. Create your own hype each week.
Final Advice for New Podcasters
✅ Get clear on your ideal listener and what’s in it for them
✅ Choose a searchable name with strong keywords
✅ Launch with a trailer + 2–3 episodes to binge
✅ Keep your audio quality consistent
✅ Promote every episode like it’s your best one yet
Most importantly, start messy. The best way to learn podcasting is by actually doing it.
If Growth Addicts can begin in the corner of my dining room and end up a Top 30 show, trust me — you can do it too.
🎧 Listen Now
Tune in to hear the full conversation via your preferred podcast platform above.👆🏼
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