Should Authors Start a Podcast? Here’s How to Decide

Podcasting has become a go-to marketing tool for authors — but it’s not automatically the right move for everyone. Here’s how to think through whether it fits your goals.

What a Podcast Actually Does for an Author

A podcast builds a direct, ongoing relationship with your audience between book releases. Unlike a one-time launch push, it keeps you present in readers’ lives consistently — which builds the kind of loyalty that drives future sales.

It’s a Real Time Commitment

Recording, editing, and promoting episodes consistently takes real time — more than most authors expect going in. A podcast that starts strong and goes silent after a few episodes can do more harm than good.

Guesting Beats Starting Your Own, Sometimes

If you’re not ready for a full show of your own, appearing as a guest on established podcasts in your genre or niche can deliver similar exposure with far less ongoing commitment.

Making Podcasting Work for You