Launching a podcast well is about preparation, not luck. The shows that land with impact have done the work before the first episode goes live. This is the checklist we use with our clients to make sure nothing gets missed.
Pre-Launch: Branding and Setup (Items 1 to 10)
1. Finalise your podcast name and check it's not already taken on major platforms. 2. Write your show description, including keywords that your audience searches for. 3. Commission professional artwork that's legible at thumbnail size. 4. Create your sonic branding: intro music, outro music, and any transition sounds. 5. Set up your hosting platform and configure your RSS feed.
6. Submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 7. Submit to secondary platforms: Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio, and others. 8. Set up your podcast website or webpage with an embedded player and subscribe links. 9. Create social media profiles or handles for the podcast if separate from your main brand. 10. Configure analytics tracking on your hosting platform and connect any external tools.
Content: Episodes and Show Notes (Items 11 to 18)
11. Record and edit at least three episodes before launch. Never launch with just one. 12. Create a podcast trailer: sixty to ninety seconds that tells a new listener what the show is about and why they should subscribe. 13. Write show notes for every launch episode, including timestamps and links. 14. Create a compelling title for each launch episode that's searchable and intriguing.
15. Export all episodes in the correct format for your hosting platform. 16. Upload episodes and schedule publication dates. 17. Proofread all metadata: titles, descriptions, guest names, and links. 18. Test the episodes by listening on multiple devices and platforms before they go live.
Marketing: Promotion and Outreach (Items 19 to 24)
19. Draft launch announcement posts for all social platforms, tailored to each audience. 20. Create three to five short-form video or audio clips from your launch episodes. 21. Send a personal email to fifty people who you think would genuinely enjoy the show. Not a mass blast. Personal, individual messages.
22. Ask launch guests to share their episodes with their own audiences. 23. If you have a newsletter or email list, announce the launch with a direct link to subscribe. 24. Prepare a launch week social media schedule. Post daily for the first week, including clips, behind-the-scenes content, and direct asks to subscribe and review.
Technical: Analytics and Backup (Items 25 to 27)
25. Confirm that analytics are tracking correctly on your hosting platform. 26. Set up a redirect or vanity URL for easy sharing. 27. Back up all raw recordings, edited files, and artwork to a separate location. Never rely on a single copy.
The First 48 Hours
Launch day is not the finish line. It's the starting gun. In the first forty-eight hours, monitor your platforms for any technical issues. Respond to any comments or messages. Share listener feedback and early download milestones to build momentum.
Ask listeners to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Early reviews improve your visibility in the directory. A personal, direct ask works better than a generic request at the end of the episode.
And then, most importantly, start working on the next episode. The launch gets attention. Consistency keeps it.