5 Podcasting Trends in 2025 Every Business Owner Needs to Know

If you’re a business owner and still wondering whether you should start a podcast, let me make it simple for you: YES. Podcasting isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful tool to build trust, connect with your audience, showcase what makes your business unique AND increase revenue.

But here’s the thing: podcasting is constantly evolving. What worked a few years ago might not be enough anymore. With new technologies, changing listener habits, and fresh ways to monetise, 2025 is full of opportunities for businesses ready to embrace this growing medium.

Whether you want to connect with a niche audience, strengthen your brand, or create a new revenue stream, understanding this year’s podcasting trends will help you stand out.

These are the trends I’m seeing shape the future of podcasting and how they can help your business thrive.

1. Listeners Crave Real Connections

It’s no secret that audiences are seeking more personal, authentic connections in an increasingly digital and sometimes impersonal world. Podcasts have become a perfect platform for fostering these connections. Listeners want to feel like they’re sitting in the room with you, hearing your story, learning your insights, and connecting with your personality.

Evidence:

• A 2024 study by Edison Research found that 76% of podcast listeners feel a personal connection to their favourite hosts, a bond that builds loyalty and trust.
• Research by Baird Media highlights that authenticity in podcasting strengthens these relationships, with 81% of listeners favouring hosts who share personal stories and experiences.

Why This Helps Your Business:

• Loyal Customers: People buy from those they know, like, and trust. A podcast lets you become that trusted voice.
• Stand Out: By being real and relatable, you differentiate your brand in a crowded market.
• Humanise Your Brand: A podcast allows you to step away from corporate speak and let your personality shine.

Pro Tip: Create segments where you share behind-the-scenes insights into your business or answer questions directly from your audience. Let them get to know the person behind the brand.

2. Sound Quality is Everything

Let’s face it—bad audio is an instant dealbreaker. No one wants to listen to echoey, muffled, or scratchy recordings, no matter how brilliant the content is. In 2025, sound quality isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential for keeping listeners engaged and maintaining a professional image.

Evidence:

• A Podcasters United survey revealed that 67% of listeners would stop listening to a podcast with poor sound quality, even if the content itself was valuable.
• A 2023 Spotify study showed that podcasts with high production values achieved 30% better engagement rates.

Why This Matters for Your Business:

• Credibility: Great audio makes you sound professional and trustworthy. Poor audio can make your business seem less serious.
• Engagement: If it’s a struggle to hear or understand your podcast, listeners won’t stick around.
• Competitive Edge: High-quality audio helps you stand out in a market where subpar production is common.

Pro Tip: Invest in a good microphone (like the Shure MV7 or Rode PodMic) and use editing tools like Audacity or Adobe Audition to polish your sound. (Or outsource to us at Wavemakers Audio ??)

3. The Power of Niches

Forget trying to appeal to everyone. The future of podcasting is all about niches. Whether it’s targeting tech-savvy parents, urban gardeners, or first-time entrepreneurs, niche podcasts allow you to connect deeply with a specific audience.

Evidence:

• According to Buzzsprout, niche podcasts enjoy 20% higher retention rates because their content resonates so strongly with their audience.
• Research from Podnews shows that advertisers are willing to pay a premium for niche podcasts because they deliver highly targeted audiences.

Why This Works for Your Business:

• Attract the Right Audience: When you focus on a niche, you attract listeners who are already interested in your offering.
• Establish Expertise: A podcast tailored to a niche allows you to showcase your specialised knowledge.
• Build Community: Niche audiences tend to be more engaged and loyal, making them easier to convert into customers.

Pro Tip: Focus your podcast on solving a specific problem or exploring a unique topic that aligns with your business.

4. Video Content as a Promotional Powerhouse

Podcasts may be an audio-first medium, but incorporating video content is becoming essential for promoting your episodes. In 2025, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn are driving podcast discovery through short, engaging video clips. These teasers attract audiences to your full episodes, extending your podcast’s reach.

Evidence:

• Increased Video Consumption: Time spent with video content on Spotify increased by 48% year-over-year, primarily driven by video podcasts. Gen Z leads this growth, spending 136% more time with video on Spotify year-over-year (Spotify Insights).
• Higher Engagement Rates: Social video generates 1,200% more shares than text and image content combined, making it one of the most effective tools for promoting your podcast (HubSpot Report).

How This Helps Your Business:

• Boost Episode Discoverability: Short video clips highlighting your episodes can attract new listeners who might not discover your podcast otherwise.
• Increase Engagement: Visual content grabs attention more quickly, especially on social platforms favouring short-form videos.
• Amplify Your Brand: Branded video content adds a professional polish, making your podcast stand out.

Pro Tip: Create 30–60 second clips featuring key takeaways, humorous moments, or powerful quotes from your episodes. Add captions for accessibility and post them on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to attract new listeners.

5. Subscription Models Open New Revenue Streams

Podcasts aren’t just a way to market your business—they can directly generate revenue. Subscription models are booming in 2025, with listeners willing to pay for exclusive content, ad-free episodes, and bonus materials.

Evidence:

• Apple Podcasts reported a 60% increase in subscription-based revenue in 2024.
• A Patreon report found that podcasters offering paid tiers earn 3x more than those relying solely on ads.

Why This Matters for Your Business:

• Steady Income: Subscriptions provide a consistent revenue stream.
• Upsell Opportunities: Offer premium content that ties directly to your products or services.
• Reward Loyal Listeners: Give your most engaged fans more value, and they’ll stick with you for the long haul.

Pro Tip: Start by building an audience with free episodes, then introduce a paid tier for exclusive content once your listenership grows.

Ready to Start Your Podcast?

So, there you have it - the trends that are shaping podcasting in 2025. From building real connections with your audience to using video and carving out a niche, podcasting has evolved into one of the most powerful tools for businesses to stand out and grow. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start, this is it.

The trends I'm seeing aren’t just shaping the podcasting industry - they’re creating real opportunities for businesses to grow, engage, and thrive. The best part? You don’t need a huge budget or a massive team to get started. You just need to take the first step.

Let’s talk about your podcast idea. Whether you’re brainstorming your first episode or figuring out how podcasting fits into your business strategy, I can help. Book a call with me, and we’ll map out how to create a podcast that connects with your audience and drives results.