Before you WhatsApp your well-off mate and promise he’s bankrolling the next Serial, figure out if similar ideas are already in the market. If they are, consider the value of another podcast tackling the same issue. How is your perspective different? How does your voice enhance and extend the discussion?

What is your podcast about? Who is your ideal audience? What is your podcast trying to achieve? Two or three sentences maximum for each. It’s called an elevator pitch – if I’m out of the elevator, I’m not listening.

In two or three sentences, outline what each episode of the first season will be about. Include details such as your podcast length, ideal hosts, any guests as well as your amplification strategy: How would you amplify the series on social media? Do you have an existing channel with a following or do you need to start a new account?

You have your pitch, your guests, your episodes and a strategy to amplify it on socials. So, is your idea good enough to get off the ground? Ask your straight-talking friends and, if you’re serious about the concept, I’d seek counsel from a mentor too.

If their answer is a resounding yes – or, equally valid, your nervous heart tells you this is a chance worth taking – then it’s time for:

Consider how often the hosts will be available – for example, your sister-in-law, the brilliant neurosurgeon, probably can’t carve out an hour a week to chat. Do you have time to record interviews, to edit, to write show notes and create your social media promos on Canva? Do you have any budget for audio production to edit it all together or will you be leaning on YouTube tutorials and Audacity?

Next, buy a podcast microphone. Personally, I use the RØDE NT-USB Mini (it’s about $125) and record my interviews over Zoom. You can also use a voice memo on your smartphone and then use Adobe Podcast AI enhancer. It’s fancy!