A few weeks ago, I recorded a solo episode in the brand-new Saigon Podcast Studio. It was a bit of a milestone for me—no guest, no help, just me, a mic, and your questions.
When my friend, Chelsea Gallica, visited me at the new Saigon Podcast Studio, she told me she wanted to start her own podcast, and her questions inspired me to record this episode.
In the blog, I’m sharing those questions and answers, based on my own experience since I started podcasting in 2019.
What are the podcasting terms I need to get familiar with?
This was the first question Chelsea asked, and it’s a good one. Even people who already have a podcast sometimes get these terms mixed up.
The main thing you need to understand is the difference between a host and a directory.
- A host is where your podcast lives. It’s the website you use to upload your episodes. Some examples are Buzzsprout, Podbean, Captivate, and Spotify for Podcasters.
- A directory is where people listen to your podcast. That’s places like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or YouTube Music.
So when you upload your episode to your host (like Buzzsprout), it sends it out to all the directories through something called an RSS feed.
Another term people ask about is the difference between a download and a listen. They mean basically the same thing. A download is counted when someone hits play, even if they stream the episode. That’s just how the system works from the early days of podcasting.
One more thing: engagement. This means how long people actually listen to your episode. You can check this on platforms like Apple Podcast Connect or Spotify for Podcasters. It’s super helpful to know if people are dropping off after 5 minutes or sticking around to the end.
What do I need to learn as someone who wants to host a podcast?
Honestly? So much. But also… not that much. You learn as you go. That’s what happened with me.
In the beginning, I just wanted to make something fun. I Googled a few things, picked a host (Buzzsprout), and hit record. Over time, I picked up skills around editing, promoting, and improving my hosting.
You don’t need to know everything to start. The biggest mistake I see is people waiting until they feel “ready.” You’ll never feel fully ready. Just start.
One important decision early on: audio or video?
- Audio is easier, simpler, and faster. You can record in your PJs and edit mistakes easily.
- Video is great, but it takes more time, equipment, and energy. I love video now, but it adds a lot to the workload.
Do I need to train my voice or rest my voice before an episode?
This one surprised me—no one had ever asked it before. Honestly, no, you don’t need to train or rest your voice unless you’re recording a lot or shouting over traffic like I used to.
It’s good to stay hydrated, and maybe do some breathing exercises if you want, but don’t overthink it. If you’re just recording one or two episodes a week, you’ll be fine.
Who do you imagine you’re speaking to when you’re recording?
This is one of my favourite things to talk about. When I first started, I imagined talking to everyone. But that’s not how people listen to podcasts.
Most people are alone when they listen—on the bus, doing dishes, at the gym. So now, I always imagine I’m speaking to just one person.
This makes your tone more natural and helps build a deeper connection. I even suggest creating a listener persona—think about their age, where they live, what they care about, and what they want from your podcast. Talk directly to them, like you’re having a conversation over coffee.
How do you get comfortable doing a recording or feeling confident to share?
You just do it. That’s the honest truth.
The first few times will feel weird. You might hate your voice. You might mess up. That’s all part of the process.
For me, I used to love that no one could see me—I could be in my jammies, no haircut, no pressure. But once I added video, it brought a whole new layer of discomfort. Still, I got used to it.
So don’t worry if you feel awkward at first. Everyone does. Keep recording and you’ll get better. If editing your own voice makes you cringe, you can always hire someone to do it for you.
What are the apps or tools that you’d recommend becoming familiar with?
There are a lot of tools out there, but here are my two favourites:
- Buzzsprout – This is the host I’ve used since 2019. It’s easy to use, reliable, and gives you good analytics. You can try others like Podbean or Captivate, but I always come back to Buzzsprout.
- Descript – This changed my life. It’s an editing tool that lets you edit audio and video like a Word doc. You can cut out “ums,” remove silences, and even clone your voice if you want to fix a mistake. There’s a learning curve, but it’s worth it.
If you want to edit your podcast yourself, learn Descript. If you want to save time, let someone else handle it (like my team at Seven Million Bikes Podcasts).
How much time should I dedicate to a podcast?
This one is big—and I wish more people talked about it honestly.
A weekly podcast episode takes about 8 to 10 hours from start to finish. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Planning or preparing: 1 hour
- Recording: 1 hour
- Editing: 3–4 hours
- Writing show notes, uploading, creating graphics: 1–2 hours
- Promoting the episode: 1–2 hours
That’s a full workday.
If you’re working full-time or have a family, this can get overwhelming fast. And that’s why I created Seven Million Bikes Podcasts—to take most of that work off your plate.
Can my podcast make any money?
Yes, it can. But should that be your goal? Not at first.
Most podcasts don’t make money. And that’s okay. Mine didn’t either for a long time. The best way to use your podcast is to promote something else you already do.
If you have a business or service, podcasting can be a great way to build trust and grow your audience. That’s where the real value is.
Sponsorships and merch can come later. But if you go in expecting to make money fast, you’ll probably be disappointed.
I’ve said it before: podcasting is a long game. But if you love it, it’s worth it.
I’ve learned everything I know from trial, error and a lot of Googling. And now, through Seven Million Bikes, I help others skip the stress and podcast smarter.
If any of these questions are on your mind, I hope this helped clear things up. And if you’re ready to start your podcast or want help making it easier, reach out to me. I’d love to work with you.
