Which Podcast Format To Choose For Your B2B Podcast

You’ve made the decision. You’re going to launch a B2B podcast.

You’ve got the concept down (broadly), maybe you’ve even sketched out a few episode ideas. You might have your hosts lined up, and your equipment ready to go. But before you hit record, there’s one critical decision left to make—one that could make or break your podcast’s success.

Which format will you choose?

This isn’t just a creative choice; it’s a strategic one that will shape your content, define your brand’s voice, and determine how your audience connects with you. Whether you’re looking to position yourself as a thought leader, build deep connections with your audience, or deliver actionable insights, the format you choose will be the backbone of your podcast.

So, let’s get into it.

Why Selecting a Podcast Structure Early is Crucial

Building a loyal audience hinges on consistency:

• Consistency in the subjects you cover.
  
  
• Consistency in the visual style of any associated content, like blog photos.
  
  
• Consistency in how often you release new episodes.

For podcasts, it’s especially important to keep your show’s format consistent. Deciding on a podcast structure from the outset provides a clear roadmap for your content creation and helps you consistently deliver engaging material.

Here are three compelling reasons to choose your podcast style early on:

1. Align Your Format with Your Goals: Having a clear purpose will help you stay committed to your podcast. For example, if your goal is to reach new audiences, you might want to interview different guests each week who can share your podcast with their followers.
   
   
2. Manageable Workload: If your topic or format is too narrow, you might struggle to produce new episodes regularly. Conversely, if it’s too broad, you might find it hard to contribute meaningfully. Finding the right balance is key.
   
   
3. Attracting and Retaining Listeners: A well-defined and interesting format can help you attract new listeners and keep them coming back.

Seven Most Popular Types of Podcast Formats

We’re big fans of not reinventing the wheel each time you sit down to create something. So, instead of trying to think of some never-been-done-before podcast style, it’s usually best to choose a tried and true format that you can apply your personal twist to.

Here are the pros and cons of some of the most popular podcast formats:

1. Interview Podcasts

When you think of a podcast, the interview format is probably one of the first that comes to mind. Interviews with guests are arguably the most common podcast format, with a consistent host (or hosts) talking to a new guest each week. While guests and topics can vary, there’s always a theme that ties them together.

Pros:

• As the conversation flows, minimal editing will be needed.
• You won’t run out of things to say on a topic, as each guest will bring their own perspective on your niche or genre.
• If guests share the podcast with their followers, you can expand your audience.

Cons:

• You’ll need to put in the work of emailing and arranging new guests and recording on their schedules. And, of course, you’ll be at the mercy of internet connections if you’re interviewing via Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Riverside.
• There is already an abundance of interview podcast format shows. You’ll need to think of a unique spin or niche to make yours stand out.

Juicy Tip: One of the keys to a standout interview podcast is the preparation of an Interview Sheet. This document helps structure the conversation, ensuring you cover all critical points while allowing flexibility for spontaneous insights. This not only keeps the conversation focused but also helps in achieving a high-quality episode every time.

Best For: Businesses looking to build relationships and establish authority within their industry by featuring thought leaders

2. Conversational (Co-Hosted) Format

Conversational podcasts have a couple of hosts that spend each episode taking on a topic. It feels like a casual discussion between friends and is the preferred format for an ever-growing list of celebrities.

Pros:

• Less structure means less time spent planning. You’ll just need a brief outline of what you want to discuss in the episode.
• There is always someone to bounce off of if you run out of things to say.
• It’s a relaxed format that can make your audience feel like they know the hosts more personally.
• Co-hosts can ask each other questions to clarify topics for themselves and the listeners.
• Each host brings their own perspective and ideas to make episodes well-rounded.

Cons:

• To keep your audience engaged and coming back for more, you’ll need to get creative and specific with the topics you discuss.
• Depending on where your co-host is located, you may have to deal with recording separately and editing the tracks together. And just like with interview shows, you’ll be at the mercy of internet connections when you talk over Zoom!
• Hosts need to have good conversational chemistry, so you will need to choose your co-host wisely.
• It can be hard to structure the podcast to ensure each co-host gets equal speaking time.

Juicy Tip: Moderation is key in co-hosted podcasts. We suggest creating a topic list with specific time allocations for each host, ensuring that the conversation stays balanced and that each host gets equal speaking time.

Best For: Dynamic duos or teams who thrive on conversation, banter, and shared perspectives, making the podcast feel like an engaging, personal chat.

3. Educational Podcasts

Educational podcasts can be similar to an interview or conversational podcast, but they focus on teaching about a topic, such as growing a business or improving your painting skills. Since these podcasts can pack in a lot of info, show notes are essential to help consolidate learnings and link out to other resources.

Pros:

• High-value information will keep your audience coming back for more.
• It’s easy to create supplemental content like PDF downloads, videos, or even full courses to get your audience involved on multiple levels.
• Hosting educational podcasts can help you develop authority in a niche.

Cons:

• Some topics can be hard to teach without supporting visuals. You can direct listeners to your site for show notes, but overall your lesson should be easy to grasp through audio only.

Juicy Tip: The key to a successful educational episode is breaking down complex topics into easily digestible segments. We suggest using clear, step-by-step guides that listeners can follow along with. This not only adds value but also positions your brand as a knowledgeable and trusted resource.

Best For: Brands that offer educational products or services and want to establish themselves as industry educators.

4. Solo Podcasts

No co-host, no worries. Solo podcasting is an easy way to start since you don’t need a co-host or connections with guests. All you need is an idea, some basic recording equipment, and a free hosting platform.

Pros:

• There’s no need to schedule recording around anyone else. Make a new episode when and where it works for you!
• You’ll build a deep personal relationship with your audience since you’re the single podcast host and star of the show.
• Have the final say over what content makes the cut.

Cons:

• You have to carry the entire conversation.
• You may not have someone to share the editing workload with unless you eventually hire editors.

Juicy Tip: In solo episodes, it’s crucial to show passion and to cover topical issues. This not only keeps the audience engaged but also positions the host as a thought leader who is ahead of the curve. Moreover, scripting parts of the episode can ensure a smooth delivery while allowing the host to inject their unique personality into the content.

Best For: Brands with a strong, charismatic spokesperson who can provide in-depth knowledge and thought leadership

5. Narrative/Storytelling Format

The narrative or storytelling format focuses on telling a compelling story, often through a series of episodes. This could involve the journey of a company, the evolution of an industry, or detailed case studies that highlight successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

Pros:

• Highly Engaging: Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to captivate an audience. It naturally draws listeners in and keeps them engaged.
• Memorable Content: Stories are easier for listeners to remember and share, which can enhance word-of-mouth marketing.
• Complex Ideas Simplified: By using real-world examples, you can illustrate complex ideas in a relatable and understandable way.

Cons:

• Time-Consuming Production: Creating a high-quality narrative podcast requires significant research, scripting, and possibly even sound design.
• Requires Strong Storytelling Skills: The success of this format depends on the ability to craft and deliver a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience.

Juicy Tip: If you’re leaning towards a narrative format, we recommend focusing on real-world case studies that highlight tangible successes and challenges. This not only makes the content more relatable but also positions your podcast as a valuable resource for listeners looking to learn from real experiences in the industry.

Best For: Brands that have compelling stories to tell and want to create a deep emotional connection with their audience. This format works well for illustrating the impact of a product or service, sharing customer success stories, or exploring the history and evolution of an industry

6. Panel Discussions

Panel discussions involve a group of experts or professionals discussing a particular topic in a roundtable format. This setup fosters dynamic conversations and can be particularly engaging for audiences interested in deep, multifaceted discussions.

Pros:

• Multiple viewpoints make the conversation rich and engaging.
• Great for exploring complex topics from different angles.

Cons:

• Scheduling multiple guests can be challenging.
• The host needs strong moderation skills to keep the discussion on track.

Juicy Tip: Moderation is key in panel discussions. We suggest creating a topic list with specific time allocations for each guest, ensuring that all voices are heard without the conversation spiralling out of control.

Best For: Podcasts that tackle complex issues requiring diverse expert opinions.

7. Q&A Episodes

Q&A episodes involve the host answering questions submitted by listeners. This format is highly interactive and fosters a strong connection with the audience.

Pros:

• Audience Engagement: Directly addresses listener questions, enhancing audience connection.
• Less Content Pressure: The audience provides the content, reducing the need for extensive preparation.

Cons:

• Question Quality: The quality of the episode depends on the quality of the questions received.

Juicy Tip: Build a database of listener questions. By consistently encouraging listeners to submit their thoughts, you create a rich source of content that can be tapped into whenever you need to fill an episode slot. This approach not only engages your audience but also ensures that you always have fresh, relevant material to work with.

Best For: Engaging with an established audience and creating content that directly addresses their needs and interests.

8. Hybrid Formats

Hybrid formats combine elements from multiple podcast formats, such as alternating between interviews and solo commentary or mixing educational content with storytelling. This approach can keep the content varied and appealing to a broader audience.

Pros:

• Keeps the content fresh and engaging.
• Allows experimentation with different styles to see what resonates best.

Cons:

• Can be challenging to maintain a consistent brand voice across different formats.

Juicy Tip: For hybrid formats, we recommend experimenting with different combinations to see what resonates best with your audience. You might find that alternating between solo episodes and interviews keeps your content dynamic while appealing to a broader range of listeners.

Best For: Brands looking for flexibility in their content creation and who are open to experimenting with different approaches.

9. Roundup Episodes

A roundup episode typically compiles highlights or key takeaways from previous episodes, often with commentary or reflection from the host. It’s an excellent way to create content when new material is scarce or to cap off a season.

Pros:

• Engaging Content: Provides a summary of valuable content for listeners who may have missed previous episodes.
• Efficient Production: Less time-intensive as it repurposes existing content.

Cons:

• Less Original Content: May not offer new insights if listeners are already familiar with the material.

Juicy Tip: We recommend including short intros and outros from the host to frame the clips. This not only ties the content together but also adds a personal touch that makes the episode feel cohesive and intentional rather than just a collection of past content.

Best For: End-of-season episodes or when you want to create a recap of key insights.

Bonus: Reformatted or Repurposed Podcasts

If you already have a ton of video content or blog posts, consider creating audio versions of them.

Pros:

• You save a lot of time as you simply have to create an audio version of something that already exists.
• You can reach new audiences and potential customers.
• You can give more value to your existing audience.

Cons:

• Depending on the type of content it was originally, it may not be quite right as an audio version.
• Will most likely require some editing.

How to Choose the Right Podcast Format for You

Starting a podcast involves balancing your own preferences with those of your audience. In today’s crowded podcast space, differentiation is key, and your format should play a significant role in that.

Here’s how to choose your format:

• Align with Your Business Goals: Consider how the podcast fits into your broader work and what you aim to achieve. For example, if networking is a goal, an interview format might be best.
• Understand Your Audience: Survey your audience to find out what formats they prefer. This can help ensure you’re creating content that resonates with them.
• Study the Competition: Look at what others in your niche are doing. If a certain format is overused, consider choosing something different to stand out.
• Play to Your Strengths: Choose a format that aligns with what you enjoy and are good at, whether it’s solo storytelling, in-depth interviews, or casual conversations.
• Be Realistic About the Workload: Different formats require different levels of preparation, editing, and management. Choose a format that fits the time and effort you’re willing to invest.

Conclusion

By carefully selecting the right format, you’ll set your B2B podcast up for success, ensuring it resonates with your audience and aligns with your business goals. Choosing a podcast format is not just a creative decision but a strategic move that will shape the entire trajectory of your show.

• Without the right format, your content might fall flat.
• Without the right format, your audience might not connect.
• Without the right format, your podcast might struggle to gain traction.

Follow these guidelines to choose a podcast format that not only stands out but also fits seamlessly into your overall branding and content strategy.

Happy podcasting!