What are the most popular podcast topics and how you can choose one?
Whether you’re just getting started in terms of podcasting or you are already an experienced professional, it might be tricky to come up with catchy podcast topics for your listeners. As a rule of thumb, podcasters should focus on their passions and expertise to deliver valuable and inspiring content.
In our previous post, we went over different ways in which podcasters can monetize their shows and episodes. This type of content is consumed by an increasing number of listeners around the world. To make sure that you stay on track, this article will cover the most demanded topics in terms of podcast consumption. Keep in mind that a good topic means nothing if the host is not passionate and enthusiastic while sharing it with others.
Before jumping into podcast topics, let’s go over some critical questions that you as a podcaster must ask yourself before making a final decision.
Who is your audience?
Remember! You are NOT creating content for you, instead you are doing it for your audience!
Even if it’s very important to create podcasts based on your passions and expertise, we are human beings and we can always adapt. Where possible, tap into unclaimed data regarding your listeners, such as demographics and interests. They might have a challenge to overcome that you didn’t know about. If that is the case, you can now do your research and act as a healer through your podcasts. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find out new topics that interest you based on your listeners’ needs.
What interests you?
If your audience is interested in a podcast idea in which you are not, there’s a good chance of burning out and losing listeners. For this reason, ask yourself how much do you care about a podcast idea?
Like other podcasters, you most likely have a job and other life responsibilities, meaning that you create content in your spare time. If you spend your free time on topics that don’t align with your goals and perspectives, it won’t last long until you realize it’s not worth continuing. Therefore, be aware that in the beginning you have absolute control over your prospective listeners. Your first podcast topic will bring together an audience that it’s worth creating content for in the future.
How can you stand out from other podcasters out there?
The reason why top podcasts on major platforms such as Apple Podcasts or Google Play have such an impact is because they are unique. To find your differentiator and stand out from other podcasters, try to narrow down a broad topic. If you are passionate about marketing, don’t talk about it in general. Instead, refine it to ‘eCommerce marketing on Shopify’ or anything else that aligns with your interests.
Now that we’ve covered some questions to ask yourself before deciding on a podcast topic, let’s go over some untapped ideas to get you started.
1. Discuss your favorite topic
You must have a favorite book series, TV show or movie series. If that’s the case, it might be a great starting point. You should be able to comment on plot twists and provide your listeners with personal views.
2. True crime
Just as dark tourism creates a real hype among travelers, podcasts covering true crime stories seem to be very demanded by listeners. Major podcasting platforms often have 3 podcasts about murder mysteries in their top charts.
In 2014, Serial started this true crime podcasting trend and it hasn’t dipped in popularity since. Numbers from 2018 show that it reached an impressive number of 340 million downloads.
3. Chat shows
Usually, these types of shows have multiple hosts with episodes including discussions on various topics. In chat shows, hosts tend to be influential people with strong personalities and beliefs. They are easy to listen and record, lasting for about 30 minutes to one hour.
4. Global news
In the past 20 years, the way in which we consume news has drastically changed. Newspapers got replaced by the internet and keeping up to date is more accessible than ever. More recently, news podcasts increased in popularity and number of listeners. In response, BBC developed their own news podcast station, the so-called Global News.
5. Sports
Among various forms of sports media, podcasts are one of the most unique ways to deliver such content. Ranging from motivational content for gym addicts to inviting famous athletes as hosts, podcasts finally have a saying in the sports world. The Totally Football Show is UK’s leading football podcast with over 60 million listens and counting.
6. Food
We all have our favorite dish, don’t we? There is no shortage in terms of food podcasts. Restaurant reviews, new recipes and even weird cooking challenges are available on different platforms. A show about fast food and chain restaurant called Doughboys is perhaps the most successful food podcast out there!
7. Paranormal
Compared with ‘true crime’ podcasts, paranormal podcasts talk about things that may or may not have happened. It seems that an increasing number of listeners are eager to hear mysterious stories related to unexplained disappearances, alien encounters, and everything in between.
All in all, the most important thing to remember before deciding on your next podcast topic is to ask yourself if you are truly interested and passionate about what you are sharing with your listeners. If you make sure that you enjoy it, good results will certainly come along the way!
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Article written by .
Mike Dragan is the cofounder and CEO of Oveit and works daily on providing better tools for live experiences. Mike has a background in computer science and loves building digital products.