Thinking About Starting a Podcast? Here's What I Wish More People Knew Before They Began

I've been making audio for a long time. Before Melting It, I spent years in broadcast at the BBC. I've sat behind mixing desks, I've been in booths, I've recorded in the backs of cars and in function rooms that sound like the inside of a biscuit tin. I know what good audio sounds like, and — more importantly — I know what stops people from making it.

Podcasts have exploded. Everyone's got one or wants one. But there's a gap between 'I've got a podcast' and 'I've got a podcast people actually listen to', and that gap is almost entirely down to production quality and consistency. Let me try to bridge it a bit.

The question nobody asks first

Before you think about microphones or platforms or episode lengths, you need to answer one question: what is this for?

Not in a vague 'we want to raise brand awareness' way. Specifically: who is listening, what do they get from every episode, and why would they come back? If you can't answer that in two sentences, you're not ready to record yet — and that's fine. Figuring it out now is much cheaper than figuring it out after you've paid for a studio and recorded six episodes in the wrong direction.

On microphones and equipment

Yes, a better microphone helps. No, it doesn't solve everything. I've heard podcasts recorded on decent equipment that sound terrible because the room is wrong, the levels are all over the place, or the presenter is six inches too far from the mic. And I've heard podcasts that sound great because someone paid attention to the basics.

The basics: a quiet room with some soft furnishings to reduce echo. A mic that's close to your mouth. Consistent levels. That's most of it. The rest is craft.

What we actually do

At Melting It, we work with clients at every stage of the podcast process. Some come to us with a fully formed concept and just want someone to handle the recording and edit. Some come to us with a vague idea and need help shaping it into something viable. Both are fine starting points.

We record, edit, mix, add music and sound design, handle the production of episode artwork, and can help with distribution strategy. We do remote recording sessions for guests who aren't in the same room — which, post-2020, is basically everyone.

I've hosted podcasts for Manchester United — Inside Carrington goes out weekly and is listened to by supporters all over the world. I know what it takes to make audio that people choose to spend time with. That knowledge goes into everything we produce for clients.

The consistency problem

This is where most podcasts die. Not from lack of ambition or quality — from inconsistency. They launch with a burst of energy, put out four or five episodes, then life gets in the way and the feed goes quiet. Listeners don't come back from that easily.

Having a production partner helps. When the recording, editing, and publishing is handled by someone else, the barrier to staying consistent drops significantly. You show up, do the conversation, and we do the rest.

How much does it cost?

It varies enormously. A simple solo podcast with minimal editing is a different proposition from a multi-guest production with music, chapters, transcripts, and video versions for YouTube. We'll always have a transparent conversation about what you actually need versus what you think you need — sometimes they're very different things.

If you're thinking about starting something, or you've got a podcast that's stalled and needs a proper home, get in touch. I'm genuinely happy to have a no-obligation chat about what's possible.

Liam