How to Get Started on Your 2026 Podcast Strategy
It’s that time of year when everyone is knee-deep in planning and budgeting. If planning your 2026 podcast strategy is still on your to-do list, here’s our rundown of where to start and what to include.
Launching a podcast for the first time? Our ultimate guide to corporate communications podcasts has everything you need, including:
Why you want to focus on a niche audience
How to create great interview questions
Why audio quality matters
And more
Already up and running? Keep reading!
Your 2026 podcast strategy starts with a review
If you haven’t already, review your metrics for the past year. Unfortunately, the data that podcast streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.) are legally allowed to share is limited to:
Number of downloads
Location
Device and browser type
The number of downloads doesn’t tell you if people listened to the podcast episode - partly, fully, or at all. So this is where you need to get creative to understand what topics and conversations captured attention.
The only way to know if someone listened all the way through (or at least fast forwarded to the end) is if you include a call-to-action. For example, you could direct listeners to a page on your website, a survey, a social media channel, etc. That’s where you can look for traffic and engagement.
Back to “number of downloads”. If you have steady download numbers, but one or two topics had far more or far fewer downloads, well, that tells you the level of interest your audience has (or doesn’t have) in those topics. Plan your content calendar for the new year accordingly!
Set up a channel on YouTube
A couple of years ago, Google announced that their search bots can scan audio and apply it to your overall search ranking. BUT, that audio has to be on YouTube.
It is worth the effort of setting up a channel on YouTube for your podcast for two reasons:
In the US, YouTube, including YouTube Music, is the most frequently used service for listening to podcasts, outpacing both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
You can’t create a “podcast channel” on YouTube. Instead, set up your channel and then create a playlist labeled as Podcast.
It’s up to you whether your podcast is audio-only or includes video. If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can publish a static card or a card with a motion graphic, like a soundwave, as the “video” for your podcast. I also encourage you to add subtitles.
You can find more information on creating a YouTube podcast here.
Build out your calendar and guest list for 2026
The earlier you start brainstorming topics and scheduling guests, the better. This is what you’ll be dealing with:
Just finding guests for each episode may be time-consuming. You need someone who is knowledgeable, eloquent, and who will show your brand and organization in a good light. (Trust me, that last point is not always guaranteed!)
However, the biggest lift for our clients is coordinating the schedules of their internal team with the guest’s calendar. The second biggest lift is nailing down show ideas and topics. You could find agreement in one staff meeting, or there could be a lot of back and forth.
You can read more about the time commitment required for podcasting here.
Coordinate with your communications and marketing teams
Depending on your organization’s size, you may have both a communications and marketing team. Make sure everyone is in the loop regarding the topics and schedule to ensure it aligns with other initiatives, like conferences you’re attending, events you’re hosting, new partnerships or product launches you have planned, etc.
Your marketing team will likely want to repurpose podcast episodes for shareable content like:
Social media posts
Blog posts
Newsletters
Downloadable assets like white papers or guides
Get approval for your podcast budget
If you’re increasing your podcast budget (or starting your first podcast), make sure you capture the full cost of it. The cost of producing a podcast depends on whether you are doing it in-house or outsourcing it.
For those DIYing their podcast, include:
The cost of proper recording equipment
An online recording platform
Transcription services
Music licensing for your intro and outro
Editing software (plus the time it’ll take to learn how to use it)
How much you are paying someone in-house to handle it (including lost productivity - unless the podcast is their full-time job)
If you’re planning to outsource podcast production to a professional, plan on around $2,000 per 30 minute episode (that’s our current price). Here’s what we do so you receive a polished podcast episode within a few days of recording:
Host a prep meeting ahead of each recording
Send headsets to every guest that is compatible with their computer
Provide intro and outro music options that fit your criteria and align with your brand
Engineer recordings and troubleshoot as needed
Send transcripts for editing
Edit the audio so it flows and ensures conversations sound natural
Is your political candidate or PAC considering a podcast?
2026 is a big election year. If you are a candidate, media consultant, or support candidates via independent expenditure (IE), a podcast could help you/them stand out and reach more people.
Read more about how podcasts support political advertising, and then reach out at info@volubilitypodcasting.com. We will get a call on the calendar to discuss the opportunities!
Make sure your podcast is ready for continued success
Planning now will save you a lot of time (see: herding cats) in the new year. Nail down your topics and guest list, coordinate with communications and marketing, create a realistic budget, and set up your YouTube channel so your podcast factors into your search ranking.
To set yourself up for success and provide your listeners with a great experience, consider working with producers and audio engineers who will provide a professional and seamless experience. If you’d like to learn more about our approach, email us at info@volubilitypodcasting.com to start the conversation.