Podcasts are digital audio files that are made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, and they are usually made in various formats.
A podcast format refers to the way a podcast content is organized and delivered to it’s audience. And it is important to choose the right format for your podcast right from the start, as your audience will expect you to be consistent in your delivery.
Choosing a podcast format is a decision you’ll have to make when planning to start your podcast.
And in this post, we’ll be looking at various types of podcast formats available so you can be able to pick the one that is just right for you.

1. Interviews
   An interview format for your podcast mean that you bring someone else on the show and interview them by asking them questions about their personal lives, experience, skill, knowledge, expertise and what have you. The advantage of this podcast format is that you can schedule guests for weeks or even months ahead of your actual recording. With this format, you get to plan ahead, select the right guest and reach out to them ahead of time. And your guests will be more than prepared to answer the questions you’ll be throwing at them because they have an idea what the questions are before hand. With this format, you steer the conversation and let your guest do most of the talking.
2. Conversation style
   Conversation can be said to occur when two or more people talk or discuss about something. And so in type of podcast format, you’ll be needing a co-host. Yourself and your co-host will then engage in a natural conversation about a given subject of interest.
   This format is good because it takes the burden of talking off a single individual, and the involvement of a co-host brings new perspectives to the discussion and also makes it more interesting for listeners.
3. Monologues
   This is a kind of podcast show where only one person does the talking.
   Here, you as the host will speak alone about a particular topic, or give a commentary on an issue or give a tutorial or offer advice on a particular subject.
   This podcast format is very simple to operate and is great for people who don’t have a hard time taking about something for a long time.
   Plus, you can even practice ahead of time and write a detailed script of what you plan to say.
4. The panel format
   This format is similar to an interview format but includes more people. Here, the panel of guests do most of the talking while the host asks questions. A person who desires to use this format has to be able to organize people so they don’t talk over one another, manage time so that each guest don’t speak longer than necessary, and work at getting guests for each episode.
5. Non-fictional storytelling
   This podcast format entails telling non-fiction stories, that is stories about real life event. You can tell stories about a past historical event, place or incident. People love stories and with this type of podcast format, you would have a loyal group of listeners. But non-fictional storytelling telling needs a lot of research to gather details about what you want to speak about, and this can be time consuming.
6. Fictional Storytelling Format
   This format involves the telling of fictional stories, that is stories that never happen in real life but originated from the creative minds of writers. Here, it can be narrated by a single individual or multiple narrators with sound effects in the background.
   You can as well read your book if you’re a writer and employ the elements of suspense, tension, and climax to tell your story.
7. Educational podcasts
   Educational podcasts format focuses on in teaching about a topic, such as sewing, gardening or improving your graphic design skills.
   These kind of podcasts needs to have links to other resources and should provide notes to help audience follow the teaching classes.

In choosing a podcast format, ensure you choose one you can stick to for consistency purposes. You also want to select a format that makes you standout from others. Keep your contents organized and your listeners will always be looking forward to your next episode.

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