Podcasting Isn't So Scary
There is a reason so many people are turning to podcasts for information and entertainment. Here’s how to capitalize on this growing phenomenon.
Are you looking for a way to make your business stand out among the rest, or do you just have an interest in talking about an industry that you really care about? It might be worth it to consider podcasting.
It sounds intimidating; putting your voice out there for people to listen to- but it is essentially the same as posting a blog or sending out a tweet to Twitter. In fact, more and more people are turning to podcasts to get their information as it is a great way for listeners to multitask. According to the Pew Research Center, as early as 2019, 67% of Americans 12 and older had reported listening to online radio in the past month! Listeners have the opportunity to find a podcast that they enjoy through it’s educational or entertainment value and put it on while working, driving, cooking, etc.
And, it is not a super hard platform to get into. Here are a few things to keep in mind while starting your podcast, along with some ways to make you stand out from the rest.
Have a Clear Mission
It’s important to have an understanding of what you want to do, or where you want to do. Having a clear mission in mind while starting your podcast will give you the foundation to be focused in your discussions and who you interview.
Think of an outline for a research paper. An outline gives your writing a direction, it allows you to capitalize on all of your ideas and gives room for great flow and a narrative that sticks with the reader. Having a mission for your podcast is similar to an outline. All of your podcast sessions will therefore be informative and concise, leaving your listener satisfied at the end.
Guests are Important
Having a variety of interesting guests on your show that are within the field you are discussing is a great way to bring attention to your podcast. It gives your listeners another outlet of information while also displaying that your podcast is reputable. This could be difficult for a beginning podcast, so there is nothing wrong with getting people from personal and professional networks until enough traction is built up to being interviewing bigger guests.
With that comes the notion of audio. Having good, quality audio is important to listeners and can ensure the success of a podcast. Therefore, it is best to interview in person, that way audio is at its peak performance. However, sources like Skype can be just as impressive when the recorded audio is edited in post production software to boost the quality.
Also, listen to your guests. Having a script to follow can be helpful for direction, but allow yourself and your guest to go in a different direction. This allows for more genuine conversation, and an outlet for more great information to be shared!
Find Your Niche and Focus on Your Listeners
There are tons of different styles of podcasts out there, so finding the spot you want to fit in will narrow down other podcasters to pay attention to/get inspiration from. It will also help focus your listeners to one spot.
Your listeners will be the ones who drive your podcast. Listen to their recommendations or questions to further your development!
Podcasting is all about having fun while being informative, it’s a great outlet for listeners to have and a new, exciting way to expand your brand. Enjoy the process, and listen to those things listed above and you’re well on your way to expanding into a new realm of marketing that has various outlets for improvement!
Happy podcasting!