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How to Start a True Crime Podcast in 2025

By Jason Alafgani

Podcasting
How to Start a True Crime Podcast in 2025

True crime continues to captivate listeners worldwide, but starting a podcast in this genre demands strategic planning, high-quality production, and consistent engagement. This guide dives deep into creating a successful true crime podcast, leveraging the latest AI tools like Jellypod to streamline everything from research to post-production and monetization.

Step 1: Choose a Unique Angle for Your True Crime Podcast

True crime covers a broad spectrum of stories, from notorious cases to lesser-known local crimes. To stand out, identify a unique angle or sub-niche that resonates with a specific listener base. Here are some engaging niche ideas:

  • Unsolved Cold Cases: Build intrigue with open-ended mysteries and highlight cases needing justice.
  • Wrongful Convictions: Dive into stories where the justice system may have failed.
  • Famous Heists and Robberies: Fascinate listeners with tales of elaborate heists and the masterminds behind them.
  • Historical Crimes: Explore older cases to connect history with true crime, appealing to historical enthusiasts.

By focusing on a sub-niche, you can attract a dedicated audience while bringing fresh perspectives to the genre. Use Google Trends to explore popular topics and Jellypod’s AI-powered insights to uncover trending themes.

Step 2: Research and Structure Your Content with AI Assistance

Research is the backbone of a credible true crime podcast. Authentic storytelling requires diving deep into police records, court documents, news archives, and first-person accounts. However, this can be time-consuming. Here’s how to efficiently gather reliable information:

  • Case Files and Official Records: Use Jellypod’s AI to categorize key documents and data quickly, saving hours of manual organization.
  • Story Structure Templates: Jellypod provides narrative structure templates designed for true crime, helping you structure each episode with a captivating intro, rising tension, climax, and resolution.
  • Visual Aids and Maps: Integrate historical photos, evidence diagrams, and case maps that listeners can access on a companion website or social media, making your podcast more immersive.

Pro Tip: AI tools can analyze listener feedback on episode pacing, allowing you to adjust future episodes for maximum engagement.

Step 3: Setting the Tone and Style for Your Podcast

Your podcast’s tone and storytelling style can set it apart in a crowded genre. Here’s how to establish a memorable style:

  • Choose Your Tone: Decide whether your approach will be serious, empathetic, or conversational, based on your audience’s preferences.
  • Experiment with Sound Design: Create atmospheric soundscapes—like suspenseful music or ambient sounds—to elevate the listener experience.
  • Use Jellypod’s Tone Analysis: With AI tools, analyze which tones and pacing resonate best with your audience. Jellypod’s voice modulation features even let you enhance emotional moments, keeping listeners captivated.

Example: A historical crime podcast might use a formal tone with orchestral music, while a wrongful convictions podcast could adopt a compassionate, interview-driven style.

Step 4: Equipment Setup for Professional-Quality Sound

Investing in the right equipment is essential for producing a professional-sounding podcast. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Microphones:
    • Shure SM7B – Professional and widely used in the true crime genre for its clarity and warmth.
    • Audio-Technica ATR2100x – A versatile choice that works well in most environments.
  • Headphones:
    • Sony MDR-7506 – Known for comfort and clarity, essential for hearing every detail during editing.
  • Recording and Editing Software:
    • Audacity – Free and easy to use for basic editing.
    • Adobe Audition – Professional software with advanced noise reduction and equalization.
    • Jellypod’s AI-Enhanced Tools – Jellypod integrates with your editing software, providing automatic noise reduction, filler-word removal, and audio leveling, making production faster and more consistent.

Soundproofing Tips: Use pop filters, foam panels, and shock mounts to reduce background noise. If you record in noisy locations, consider a Zoom H6 recorder for high-quality, on-site interviews.

Step 5: Consistent Production and Release Schedule

Consistency is crucial for audience retention in the true crime genre, where suspense builds over time. Stick to a regular publishing schedule, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

  • Create a Content Calendar: Plan episodes around significant dates or events relevant to your cases.
  • Automate with Jellypod: Jellypod’s AI can handle scheduling and even optimize your release times based on listener engagement patterns, ensuring maximum reach and listener retention.

Step 6: Podcast Promotion and Audience Growth

Promoting your podcast effectively is key to building an engaged audience. Use a mix of social media, SEO, and cross-promotion to grow your reach:

  • SEO for True Crime Podcasts: Use targeted keywords in episode titles and descriptions. For example, “Unsolved Cold Case from the 1990s” or “The Most Infamous Heists in History” are both SEO-friendly and intriguing.
  • Social Media Campaigns: Share episode previews, historical photos, and case updates on Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok.
  • Email Marketing and Newsletters: Build an email list to keep fans updated on upcoming episodes, case updates, and bonus content.

Pro Tip: Use Jellypod’s automated promotion features to republish episodes on YouTube and generate shareable snippets for social media, helping you reach new listeners with minimal effort.

Step 7: Monetization Strategies

True crime podcasts often attract highly engaged audiences, making them ideal for monetization. Here are several ways to generate revenue:

  • Sponsorships and Ads: Partner with brands that align with your theme. Jellypod’s AI can suggest ideal ad placement within episodes for maximum listener engagement.
  • Patreon and Listener Donations: Offer exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes details, to supporters on platforms like Patreon.
  • Merchandise Sales: Design and sell branded merchandise, from T-shirts to mugs, featuring your podcast logo or case details.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Promote books, documentaries, or tools related to true crime through affiliate links.

Jellypod’s analytics dashboard tracks listener engagement and helps identify which monetization strategies resonate best with your audience, allowing you to refine your approach for higher returns.

Conclusion: Launch Your True Crime Podcast with AI-Powered Efficiency

Starting a successful true crime podcast requires careful research, structured storytelling, and consistent production. By leveraging AI-powered tools like Jellypod, you can streamline every part of the process, from research and structuring to promotion and monetization.

Whether you're diving into cold cases or historical crimes, Jellypod equips you with the tools needed to create high-quality, engaging content without the technical hassle. Embrace your unique perspective, stay consistent, and captivate your audience with stories that make an impact.

Ready to streamline your podcast production? Try Jellypod to plan, produce, and publish your true crime podcast with ease—leaving you more time to focus on storytelling.