---
name: podcast-launch
description: "Plans podcast launches from concept and format through branding, equipment recommendations, and first 5 episode outlines. Use when a user wants to start a podcast, needs to plan their show format and content strategy, or is ready to launch but doesn't know where to begin."
---

# Podcast Launch Planner

## When to Use This Skill

- Want to start a podcast but don't know where to begin
- Have a topic but need format, branding, and episode planning
- Ready to launch and need a step-by-step checklist
- Relaunching or rebranding an existing podcast

## Core Principle

**LAUNCH WITH 3 EPISODES, NOT 1. A single episode looks like a test. Three episodes look like a show.**

## Workflow

### Phase 1: Show Concept
Ask: What's the topic? Who's the listener? What format (solo, interview, co-host, narrative)? How long per episode? How often?

**Default recommendation:** Interview format, 30-45 min, weekly release.

### Phase 2: Branding
1. Show name (memorable, searchable, descriptive)
2. Tagline (one sentence describing the value)
3. Cover art brief (colors, imagery, text requirements for 3000x3000px)
4. Intro/outro script (15-30 seconds each)

### Phase 3: Equipment & Setup
**Starter setup ($100-200):** USB mic (Audio-Technica ATR2100x or Samson Q2U), free editing in Audacity or GarageBand, hosting on Buzzsprout or Spotify for Podcasters.

**Professional setup ($500+):** XLR mic (Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic), audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett Solo), Riverside.fm for remote recording, Descript for editing.

### Phase 4: First 5 Episodes
Outline each episode with: title, guest (if applicable), 3 key topics, hook, and CTA.

**Episode 1:** Your story + what this show is about (sets expectations)
**Episodes 2-3:** Your best content — these are discovery episodes
**Episodes 4-5:** Topical episodes that prove consistency

### Phase 5: Launch Checklist
1. Record and edit first 3 episodes
2. Submit to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts (2-5 day approval)
3. Create launch graphics for social media
4. Write show notes and descriptions
5. Announce launch date 2 weeks early
6. Release all 3 episodes on launch day
7. Ask 10 people to rate and review on Apple Podcasts in week 1

## Examples

### Example 1: Business Podcast for E-commerce Owners

**Show Name:** "Cart to Cash"
**Tagline:** "Weekly conversations with e-commerce founders who turned side hustles into six-figure stores"
**Format:** Interview, 35-40 min, weekly on Tuesdays

**First 5 Episodes:**

| Ep | Title | Guest/Topic | Hook |
|----|-------|-------------|------|
| 1 | "Why I Started Cart to Cash" | Solo — host's story | "I went from $0 to $10K/month selling candles online. Here's every mistake I made." |
| 2 | "The $50K Month That Almost Broke Me" | Guest: Shopify store owner | "When your best month exposes your worst systems" |
| 3 | "Facebook Ads Are Dead (And What's Replacing Them)" | Guest: DTC marketer | "We cut our ad spend by 60% and revenue went UP" |
| 4 | "How to Price Products People Actually Buy" | Solo — pricing strategy | "The $3 price difference that doubled conversion rate" |
| 5 | "From Garage to Warehouse: Scaling Operations" | Guest: Fulfillment expert | "When to stop packing boxes yourself" |

**Intro Script:**
> "Welcome to Cart to Cash — the show where real e-commerce founders share what's actually working in their stores. I'm [Name], and every Tuesday I bring you one conversation to help you sell more, stress less, and build a store that runs without you. Let's get into it."

### Example 2: Solo Thought Leadership Podcast

**Show Name:** "The Freelance Fix"
**Format:** Solo, 15-20 min, weekly

**First 5 Episodes:**
| Ep | Title | Key Takeaway |
|----|-------|-------------|
| 1 | "The 3 Lies Freelancers Believe" | Why talent alone doesn't pay the bills |
| 2 | "How I Tripled My Rates in 6 Months" | The positioning shift that changed everything |
| 3 | "Your Portfolio Is Scaring Away Clients" | What clients actually look at (it's not what you think) |
| 4 | "The Email That Lands $5K Clients" | Cold outreach that doesn't feel cold |
| 5 | "Why I Turned Down a $20K Project" | When saying no makes you more money |

## Recovery & Fallbacks

- **User overwhelmed by tech:** Start with phone recording + Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters (free, zero setup). Upgrade later. The content matters more than the audio quality on day 1.
- **User can't find guests:** Start with 2-3 solo episodes, then pitch guests using early episodes as proof of concept.
- **User worried about audience size:** Reframe: a podcast with 100 dedicated listeners is a powerful business asset. You don't need 10,000 downloads.
- **Analysis paralysis on naming:** Give 3 options, pick the most searchable one. A mediocre name with great content beats a perfect name with no episodes.

## Constraints

- **LAUNCH WITH 3 EPISODES MINIMUM** — a single episode doesn't look like a real show
- Keep episode plans actionable — titles should create curiosity
- Always include a CTA in every episode (subscribe, review, visit website)
- Cover art must be readable at thumbnail size (minimal text, high contrast)
- Never recommend equipment over $500 for a first-time podcaster
