Launching a podcast for your Chicago business, from the first call to episode one
You know your market and your people. What you might not have yet are answers to the other questions. Who’s the show for? What’s it called? How does it get on Spotify?
Our podcast launch program covers all of it for Chicago companies, online. We’ll start with strategy, then build a trailer, your first episodes, and a plan for the 90 days after launch.
What should a Chicago team settle before launch?
Anyone can publish an episode. The choices you make first decide whether the show lasts.
Chicago companies don’t all talk to the same people. A manufacturer might want to reach plant managers, while an insurance agency is talking to families and local employers. A health system could be answering what patients ask most.
One show can’t serve all of them at once. So we start by choosing the first audience, then work out a name and a format that match it.
Last comes the schedule. You’ll want an episode structure your team can repeat, so the tenth episode feels as easy as the first.
What do you get when you launch with us?
A new show needs four things, and we handle each one.
Strategy
Who it’s for, and why they’ll tune in.
- Audience definition and positioning
- A review of shows already in your space
- Show name, format, and episode structure
Brand and trailer
Look and sound like you’ve done this before.
- Cover art, music, and intro
- A produced trailer episode
- Templated social assets for launch
Production
Your first episodes, done properly.
- Recording support, editing, mixing, and mastering
- Video production and YouTube-ready cuts
- Short clips and audiograms, meaning audio over a still image with light animation
Launch and growth
Live everywhere, with a plan for what’s next.
- Hosting with analytics
- Listings on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and 20+ directories
- A launch-week plan and a 90-day growth roadmap
Why does a show suit the Chicago workday?
Chicago runs on trains, plants, and freight. A show that plays on a phone can meet people where they are.
Time on a train is hands-free time, and plenty of Chicago jobs happen on a floor or a route, away from a desk. That suits audio.
It’s market context, not a forecast. It can’t tell you how any single show will perform.
What does the 12-week plan look like?
Every launch follows five stages. Your timeline depends on how fast approvals move.
| When | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Strategy | We define the audience, position the show, and settle the name, format, and episode structure. |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Brand assets | Cover art, music, intro, and the trailer script come together and go to you for approval. |
| Weeks 4 to 7 | First episodes | We record and produce your first episodes. |
| Weeks 7 to 10 | Launch | The trailer and first episodes go live on every major platform, with your launch-week plan running. |
| Through week 12 | Optimize | We review the first numbers, adjust what isn’t landing, and hand you a written 90-day roadmap. |
You bring the expertise. We handle the rest.
You show up. We do the heavy lifting.
Your team knows the business and the people it serves. We’ll plan the show around that, and you’ve got the final say.
- You: show up to record and approve the creative
- You: bring the on-mic host and pick your guests
- You: keep your own stakeholders in the loop
- Us: plan every episode and set up your guest booking workflow
- Us: build the brand, trailer, and launch assets
- Us: edit, publish, and distribute
- Us: review the first numbers and plan what’s next
What can a launch promise?
A launch can promise a show that’s well planned, well made, and easy to find. It can’t promise a hit, and we’d be wary of anyone who does.
We plan for the first 90 days and look at the numbers with you. If you’re unsure you’re ready, the podcast readiness assessment is a quick way to find out.
We serve Chicago companies online, so there’s no office to visit. A video call and a shared folder do the job, and we’re easy to reach.
What happens once the show is live?
Most launches turn into a longer partnership. You choose the pieces you want.
Not sure what you’ll need? The cost calculator asks ten questions and gives a monthly range.
Questions from Chicago teams
Do you have an office in Chicago?
No. We serve Chicago companies online, and the whole launch works from your laptop. A call is the best way to start.
How long does it take to launch a podcast?
Usually 8 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch day. The biggest variable is how quickly your team reviews the strategy, artwork, and first episodes.
Does a launch include a trailer?
Yes. Every launch includes a produced trailer episode, plus listings on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and 20+ other directories, set up and submitted for you.
Is the launch a one-off, or do we need a retainer?
Most launches lead into a 6 to 12 month production partnership, because that’s when a show finds its rhythm. We also offer select standalone services, so ask on the call.
Can you promise our podcast will be a hit?
No. What we can offer is a show that’s well planned, well made, and easy to find, plus an honest read on what’s working once it’s live.
What do we need to start?
A topic you know well, a host who’s comfortable on a mic, and one to two hours per episode. We’ll recommend recording gear and handle the rest, from editing to distribution.
Let’s plan your launch
Bring a rough idea of the show and who you want to reach. We’ll talk through what a launch would look like and what it would take.