How to Succeed at Podcasting in Toronto
Here’s how to ensure that your Toronto podcast, or set of video interviews, succeeds at grabbing people’s attention enough to make them watch and engage!
Watch “How to Build a Successful Toronto Podcast” on YouTube!
1. Start with a real problem you solve
Every strong podcast begins with clarity. Think about a problem that your audience actually struggles with and lead with that right away. Within the first five seconds, mention how you’re going to solve it or share a result they can expect. This is what keeps people listening. Without a clear hook, most viewers or listeners will move on before you’ve had a chance to share your message.
2. Know your audience inside out
Before you even hit record, define exactly who you’re speaking to. Are they professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, or hobbyists? Knowing this shapes your tone, language, and even the pace of your delivery. When you know who your audience is, it becomes easier to deliver insights that feel personal. And since we’re talking about connecting with audiences, if this video is useful to you, give it a like and subscribe so you don’t miss out on more practical tips.
3. Open loops early and close them later
Curiosity is what keeps people glued to your content. At the start of your episode, ask questions or drop hints about what you’ll reveal later. These “open loops” keep listeners anticipating answers. But don’t forget the payoff—close every loop by delivering on what you teased. This builds trust and makes your content feel satisfying, rather than leaving your audience hanging.
4. Ask layered questions
The questions you ask guests can make or break your podcast. Avoid surface-level questions and instead go deeper by layering your questions. Start broad, then drill down into the details. Tease out pain points, challenges, and real insights that matter to your listeners. When you do this, you’re not only helping your guest share more valuable answers—you’re also giving your audience something they’ll remember and want to share.
5. Prepare your guests in advance
Don’t assume your guest will automatically know how to give answers that work well in both short and long formats. Before the recording, let them know you’d like them to start with shorter, snappier answers. These can be repurposed into reels or short-form clips. After that, encourage them to expand on their points for the full-length episode. This way, you get content that works across multiple platforms.
6. Use story structure
Every piece of content benefits from having a story arc. Think in terms of Hook + Loops + Tension + Payoff. Hook people in, build curiosity, introduce challenges or tension, deliver a satisfying answer, and then tease what’s next. This structure keeps conversations dynamic and makes your episodes feel like a journey rather than a loose chat.
7. Place CTAs at peak attention
Calls-to-action are most effective when your audience is fully engaged. Don’t wait until the very end when people may have already tuned out. Drop your engagement prompts—like subscribing, following, or visiting your site—at the moments of highest energy and interest. That’s when listeners are most likely to take action.
8. Record in a professional studio
You can record from anywhere—your living room, your office, or a rented space—but nothing compares to the quality you get in a professional studio. Better sound, better lighting, reliable equipment, and a producer to manage it all make the process smoother and the results more polished. That’s why we created That Toronto Podcast Studio: so creators can focus on content while we take care of the technical details. If you’d like a deeper dive into this, I’ve written a full guide that I normally sell for $5, but I’ve made it free for a limited time. You can grab it at ThatTorontoPodcastStudio.ca/SHOP.
Gear I used for this video:
