- The Hard Truth About Starting a Podcast in 2025 (What No One Tells You)
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When I launched my first episode, I was so proud of it. I’d spent hours editing, adjusting audio levels, picking background music, and even rehearsing my intro till I could say it in my sleep. But after uploading, I refreshed the stats like 20 times that day and saw 3 plays. And two were probably me.
That’s when I realized that podcasting isn’t about instant success. It's about showing up even when nobody’s listening yet.
The first few months tested everything, my patience, my confidence, even my motivation. I’d sit in my small room at night, mic on the desk, thinking, “Who’s even gonna care about this episode?” But then I remembered why I started. I didn’t start a podcast to go viral; I started it to connect.
Once I focused on the message instead of the numbers, things started shifting. Listeners began trickling in slowly. Some even messaged me saying they listened while driving or working out. That one message, honestly, made me feel like a million bucks.
Now here’s something nobody talks about enough, consistency is brutal.
Recording when you’re tired. Editing when you’re not in the mood. Posting even when your last episode flopped. That’s the grind. But it’s also what separates the hobbyists from the real creators.
At one point, I missed two weeks of uploads because I felt burned out. When I came back, I talked openly about it on the next episode. To my surprise, that “I’m tired but still here” episode got the most downloads. People connected with that honesty.
So if you’re just starting, please don’t fake perfection. Talk about your struggles too. Podcast listeners love that rawness, they’re not looking for radio hosts; they’re looking for real voices.
Let’s also talk about gear. I started with a cheap $40 USB mic and Audacity. I used pillows around me as soundproofing (no joke). Did it sound amazing? Nah. But it worked. The truth is, your gear doesn’t matter as much as your message.
I’ve listened to podcasts with great audio but boring content and I’ve also loved shows that sounded rough but felt real. You can always upgrade later, but what you can’t fake is connection.
The Algorithm & Discoverability
This is another thing new podcasters underestimate. Unlike YouTube or TikTok, podcast platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts don’t push your content that hard. It’s not built for discovery. So you’ve gotta bring your own listeners.
How?
- Share short clips on social media (especially TikTok and Shorts, they work wonders).
- Start conversations around your topics on Reddit, Threads, or X.
- Invite small creators in your niche, they’ll likely share the episode with their own followers.
- Repurpose episodes into short blog posts or quote graphics.
One thing I learned: don’t chase huge guests. Everyone dreams of interviewing big names, but honestly, the best episodes are with people who actually care.
I once brought on a small YouTuber who was just starting out, we talked about burnout, motivation, and dealing with small wins. That episode ended up performing better than one I did with a verified influencer who barely shared it.
Small creators bring real energy. Big guests bring names, but small guests bring heart.
Monetization Reality Check
If you’re starting a podcast just for money, you’ll burn out quick. Most small podcasts don’t make a cent early on. I didn’t earn anything for almost a year. Then I started adding affiliate links, small sponsorships, and a tip jar on Buy Me a Coffee. It wasn’t much, maybe $40 a month at first, but it felt like validation that my voice had value.
What helped more than anything was networking. I joined a few podcast communities, shared my episodes, and actually listened to others’ shows. That’s when cross-promotions started happening. A friend mentioned my show in his outro once, and I saw a 25% spike in downloads overnight.
So yeah, collaboration beats competition, every single time.
If you’re planning to start a podcast in 2025, here’s my honest advice:
- Don’t wait for perfect gear. Start messy and fix things as you go.
- Consistency matters more than hype.
- Connect with your audience, not your ego.
- Don’t hide your mistakes — share them.
- Turn one episode into multiple formats (shorts, reels, tweets).
- And most importantly, keep your “why” close.
Podcasting isn’t about sounding perfect. It’s about being heard.
Question for everyone:
If you’ve already started a podcast, what’s the hardest part for you right now? And if you’re planning to start one soon, what’s holding you back?
