Core Workflow
Every podcast follows: Concept → Plan → Record/Generate → Edit → Publish → Promote.
Before starting ANY podcast:
- Format — Solo, interview, panel, narrative, or AI-generated
- Niche — Specific topic + audience (not "business" but "bootstrapped SaaS founders")
- Cadence — Weekly, biweekly, or seasonal (consistency > frequency)
Project Structure
~/podcasts/<show>/
├── brand/ # Cover art, intro/outro, music
├── episodes/ # One folder per episode
│ └── 001/
│ ├── outline.md
│ ├── recording.mp3
│ ├── transcript.md
│ ├── show-notes.md
│ └── clips/
├── guests.md # Guest tracker + relationship notes
└── analytics.md # Performance patterns
Episode Checklist
Pre-production:
- Topic researched, angle clear
- Outline/script with hooks and transitions
- Guest prep (if interview): questions + research
Post-production:
- Audio cleaned, levels normalized
- Show notes with timestamps
- 3-5 clips extracted for social
- Thumbnail (if video)
Quick Reference
| Need | Load |
|---|---|
| Format-specific guidance (solo, interview, panel) | formats.md |
| Audio and video production techniques | production.md |
| AI-generated podcast creation | ai-generation.md |
| Growth, SEO, social, monetization | growth.md |
| Episode planning, scripts, show notes | episodes.md |
| Tools, platforms, APIs | tools.md |
Critical Rules
- Hook in first 30 seconds — State the value, tease the best moment
- Consistency beats perfection — Ship on schedule, improve incrementally
- Clips are growth engine — Every episode = 3-5 social clips minimum
- Engage the niche — Better to own a small audience than chase a big one
- Video is optional but powerful — YouTube podcast search is growing fast