Seen as an extension of radio, podcasts have become quite popular over the past few years. Whether you're interested in sports, technology, or some other topic entirely, it's easy to see that there are shows that cater to various interests. With that said, it's important to understand how a podcast should be run. For those that are looking to get into this very field, here are some of the most important do's & don'ts that online marketing companies can provide.

DO build an idea for your podcast to revolve around. Online marketing companies across the board will agree that the best podcasts have solid ideas that they work around. For example, you may want to focus on technology if you want to discuss computer, video games, and other such topics. Fortunately, technology has such a great audience that attracting listeners will be a nonissue. This is just one of many pointers offered by names such as fishbat.com.

DON'T create episodes without understanding your audience. In order to attract, not to mention retain, your audience, you have to understand what it desires. What do they tune into your podcast to learn or discover? Are there certain topics that you should stray from so that you don't end up losing them somewhere down the road? By getting a pulse on your audience as a whole, it'll be that much easier to create content for them.

DO know the costs associated with podcasting. Recording software, a hosting platform, and a microphone will cost you, which goes without saying. Depending on how far you want to go with your podcast, you may have to spend even more. After all, the technology associated with this endeavor isn't free. Fortunately, if you know what's absolutely necessary and where to shop for affordable tools, you won't have to worry about breaking the bank.

DON'T forget to be consistent. One of the worst enemies of any podcast is extended time off. While it's normal for a show to take a week or two off, anything longer than that can result in decreased listenership. Furthermore, if you're focused on building your SEO, a lack of content can hurt your rankings. In order to make your podcast as successful as possible, a consistent output of content is recommended.