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Podcasting
Podcasting involves making audio programmes, publishing them online and building an audience. You can start simply, but income is uncertain and may take time to develop.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- Make short audio shows about a subject you know.
- Record, edit and share them online.
- Listeners may find your show and come back.
- You can earn from adverts or sponsors.
- Many shows earn little or nothing at first.
Who it suits
Suits people who enjoy talking, interviewing, storytelling or explaining a subject, and who are willing to make and promote episodes consistently.
Listeners may value useful information, entertainment or stories they can enjoy while doing other things. Sponsors and advertisers may pay to reach an engaged audience, but it can take time to build one and income is not guaranteed.
Step by step
- Choose a clear subject and audience. Pick something you can discuss more than once. Write one sentence saying who the show is for and what they might enjoy or learn from it. About 30-60 minutes.
- Choose a format and plan episodes. Decide whether you will interview people, have conversations or tell a story. List a few possible episodes so you can see whether the subject will last. About 30-60 minutes.
- Start with equipment you already have. Try recording with your current device before buying anything. If you shop for a microphone, compare USB models and check that they work with your recording device. About 30 minutes to compare; longer if buying.
- Choose recording and editing software. Try free options such as Audacity or GarageBand, as listed by 1st Formations. Check that the controls work with your device and access needs before committing to a workflow. About 30-90 minutes.
- Record and listen to a short test. Make a brief test recording, then listen with headphones if comfortable. Move closer to the microphone or find a quieter space if noise distracts from your voice. About 15-30 minutes.
- Edit the episode and check permissions. Remove mistakes or long pauses if you want to, then check that you have permission to use any music or other material. Make distinctive artwork that suits podcast listings; the licensing point is also flagged by Business PathFinder. About 1-3 hours for a beginner.
- Write a clear title and description. Say what the show is about and who may enjoy it. Add a short introduction so new listeners know what they are hearing, as advised by the BBC Academy. About 30-60 minutes.
- Choose a host and publish your episode. Compare what each hosting service includes and whether its plan suits your needs. Check how to submit the show’s feed to listening apps and whether there are storage or other plan limits. About 1-2 hours.
- Promote the show and invite feedback. Share it in places where your intended listeners spend time. Thank people who listen and invite them to recommend it, following the BBC Academy. About 15-30 minutes per episode.
- Consider income options when ready. Once you have a consistent show and an audience, consider sponsorships, adverts, memberships or affiliate links. Make commercial messages clear to listeners; check the advertising guidance for the UK and Ireland in the legal section. About 1-2 hours to explore options.
Your first 15 minutes
Choose a focused subject, plan your first few episodes, record a short test and listen back before deciding what equipment or hosting you actually need.
The money
Do not set prices by assuming a certain audience size or income. Compare what is included in a sponsor offer, such as the episode placement, production work and audience fit, and agree the terms in writing; keep paid messages clearly labelled.
Example only: UK, one episode with a £150 standard-ad example listed by Business PathFinder, minus £15 for one month of Buzzsprout hosting, leaves £135 before other costs and tax; the advert figure is an example, not a typical result. <a href="https://www.businesspathfinder.co.uk/ideas/sponsored-podcast-for-smes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Business PathFinder</a> <a href="https://www.1stformations.co.uk/resources/how-to-start-podcast-business/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1st Formations</a>. Ireland, a hypothetical €50 sponsorship minus €0 for a free Spotify for Creators hosting plan leaves €50 before other costs and tax; this is an arithmetic example, not an expected income. <a href="https://www.1stformations.co.uk/resources/how-to-start-podcast-business/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">1st Formations</a>
The rules
You can generally make and publish a podcast in the UK and Ireland. Check that you have the rights to use any material, make commercial messages clear and follow any tax or data rules that apply. There is no general podcasting licence identified. If your format or activities raise a licensing question, check with the relevant body.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Tax and Self Assessment. The first £1,000 a year of gross trading income, before expenses, is covered by the trading allowance. Tell HMRC if your trading income is above that. If you need to register for Self Assessment, the deadline is 5 October after the end of the relevant tax year. GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK
- Advertising. Make sponsorships, adverts and affiliate messages easy to recognise as advertising. Label them clearly, for example with “Ad”. Advertising Standards Authority
- Music and other material. Get permission before you use music, effects or other material in an episode. You may need licences for music and audio effects. Business PathFinder
- Personal data and ICO fee. If you handle personal information, use the ICO self-assessment tool to check whether you need to pay a data protection fee. The ICO says you need to pay a fee if you advertise or market another person’s business, goods or services. You are likely to be exempt if you hold customer details only for your own accounts and transaction records. There is an exception if you process information from, or obtained from, credit reference agencies. ICO
- Young workers in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, 16–17-year-old young workers usually have limits of 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. They must not work from 10pm to 6am. Check with nidirect how the rules apply to you. nidirect
Ireland
- Tax and Revenue. If you are a PAYE worker, you generally need to register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those limits, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. If you are self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI and USC under self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October. Revenue Citizens Information
- Advertising. Clearly label commercial content, such as sponsorships or affiliate messages, with “#Ad”. The CCPC advises you to label it if in doubt. CCPC
- Music and other material. Get permission before you use music, effects or other material in an episode. You may need licences for music and audio effects. Business PathFinder
- Business name. If you trade under a name other than your own, register the business name with the CRO. Online registration costs €20. CRO
- Personal data. Irish data-protection requirements and fee rules are not covered.
- Young workers. For 14–15-year-olds, the guidance allows light work in school holidays only, with limits of 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. 15-year-olds may work up to 8 hours a week in term. Check with Citizens Information how the rules apply to you. Citizens Information
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a subject that is too broad for listeners to understand quickly.
- Buying equipment before testing what you already have.
- Using music or other material without checking permission.
- Spending too long editing instead of publishing a clear, finished episode.
- Expecting quick income or forgetting to label sponsorships and affiliate messages.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.