6 Most Popular Podcast Formats: Which Is Right for You?

With millions of diverse podcasts available across various platforms, creators and brands are constantly innovating to capture the attention of their target audience. One crucial decision for any podcaster is choosing the right format that aligns with their content and resonates with their listeners. 

With this in mind, we are exploring six of the most popular podcast formats to help you determine which one suits your brand’s style and objectives.

Interview

The interview podcast is probably the most well-known, especially in the world of branded podcasts. In this format, hosts engage in conversations with guests, experts, or personalities. These podcasts thrive on insightful discussions, diverse perspectives, and captivating storytelling.

Interview podcasts are a great opportunity to show that you are knowledgeable and connected in your field, lending your brand a sense of credibility and authority. You can feature industry leaders, influencers, or satisfied customers to create a diverse range of discussions that all add to your brand’s reputation and credibility.

Plus, this style can also open up your podcast to a larger audience as your guests will likely share their episodes with their personal audiences.

Solo or Monologue

In solo or monologue podcasts, a single host shares their thoughts, experiences, and expertise on a particular topic. This format allows for deep dives into niche subjects, personal anecdotes, and uninterrupted storytelling. Branded podcasts can leverage this format to establish thought leadership, share brand stories, and connect directly with their audience on a more personal level. 

Because it only relies on one person speaking, the solo style is one of the most flexible to work with, especially if you’re already working on your own. That being said, this does mean that all of the planning and speaking relies on you, which can get overwhelming or tiresome. 

However, by having one voice as the “face” of your brand, your audience can become more intimately connected to your brand and company, creating a deeper sense of trust and loyalty. 

Conversational or Co-Hosted

Conversational podcasts feature two or more hosts engaging in informal discussions, banter, and debates. The dynamic interaction between hosts often adds humor, spontaneity, and relatability to the content. 

With this format, it’s much easier to create a more organic conversation, which can make listeners feel as if they’re listening to two friends rather than a company. Branded podcasts can adopt this format to showcase teamwork, highlight company culture, and foster a sense of community with their audience.

Panel or Roundtable

Panel or roundtable podcasts gather a group of experts or enthusiasts to delve into various aspects of a specific topic. This group of people can shift and change between each episode, offering listeners a diverse range of viewpoints, lively debates, and in-depth analyses—making them ideal for complex or multifaceted subjects. 

Each episode in this format is unique and has the potential to reach a unique audience, even if there is the same underlying branded messaging throughout the show. Branded podcasts can utilize this format to host industry roundtables, expert panels, or customer forums, positioning the brand as a hub for knowledge and innovation.

Narrative (Fictional and Non-Fictional)

Narrative podcasts utilize storytelling to create immersive and unique audio experiences. Whether fictional dramas or true-life narratives, these podcasts captivate listeners with compelling plots, rich characters, and atmospheric audio elements. 

Now, you may be thinking that there’s no way you can turn your brand’s messaging into a narrative. However, there are many creative ways you can share your company’s story and message, as we’ve seen with General Electric’s LifeAfter/The Message. 

While this may be one of the trickier podcast formats, branded podcasts can explore narratives as a powerful tool for sharing your brand’s messaging, weaving your story and message seamlessly into engaging narratives that resonate with your target audience.

Hybrid

Hybrid podcasts blend elements from multiple formats, offering a versatile and eclectic listening experience. From combining interviews with storytelling to integrating panel discussions with solo segments, hybrid podcasts offer endless creative possibilities. 

However, you need to be careful with the hybrid format. It’s not recommended that you change up every episode’s format or try to cram in as many podcast formats as possible. Your audience needs some consistency, and you need to have a show that fits your brand and creates a positive reputation. Be sure that whatever formats you combine, they work well together and with your brand and audience.

When done carefully, branded podcasts can embrace hybrid formats to tailor their content strategy to specific campaigns, seasons, or audience preferences, maximizing engagement and brand resonance.

The podcast landscape offers a variety of formats to suit every brand’s style, objectives, and audience preferences. When crafting a branded podcast, it's essential to choose a format that not only aligns with your brand identity and messaging but also resonates with your target audience. 

Regardless of which of these most popular podcast formats you choose to work with, the key to success lies in delivering valuable, authentic, and engaging content that leaves a lasting impression on your listeners. 

At Honest Podcasts, we strive to help value-driven companies launch successful podcasts because we have the drive to help others succeed.

Connect with our team to learn how we can help you easily create strategic content that generates strong leads, develops loyal customers, and makes a positive impact.

Have an idea for a future podcast episode (or a guest in mind that you think would be a great fit)? Send us an email at hello@honestpodcasts.com. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.