During the past few months, we’ve been forced to shift many aspects of our lives and work to digital alternatives. So how do we reach customers, clients, and colleagues in a growing digital world? Creating a podcast makes it easy to share information and allow listeners to access it almost anywhere!
Why start a podcast?
Podcasting has seen rapid growth in recent years, and for good reason! Insert a statistic on how many people listen to podcasts and for how long/how many times a week. So, what’s all the hype about? Here are some reasons why podcasting is a good idea for you and your business!
Easy way to teach, learn, and engage.
Anyone can start a podcast based on something that interests them, whether it’s a hobby, entertainment, work, or anything in-between! With a low cost to start and the ability to reach people when they are performing other activities (such as driving) or simply listening, podcasting is a great way to make your voice heard and to start a conversation! Podcasting allows you to reach individuals in different geographies, making it especially useful during these times of social distancing, and while we transition into our new normal.
Everyone has something to share.
Everyone has a unique voice and perspective. For example, whether you’re a top executive or an intern, your perspective is important and there are thousands of people out there who can relate! Finding your niche will help narrow down a theme for your podcast. Building your content around this singular theme will help both you and your audience grow and learn from each other and can even make you a trusted voice within your niche!
Great way to build an audience and community.
Over time, listeners will find your podcast and share it with others who find the information helpful. As your audience grows, so do your opportunities! Bringing guests onto the podcast helps start new conversations and provide even more useful information to you and your listeners. Creating a community of individuals that are interested in your subject matter allows for connections to be made, and potential business opportunities in the future!
How do I launch a podcast?
Let’s get started! So, you’ve decided to take the leap and start your very own podcast, now it’s time to find out how!
Keep it simple.
The best advice we can give to somebody looking to start a podcast is to do just that, START! Don’t overthink the little things in the beginning. Find a quiet room and use whatever resources you have to start recording! A cellphone or a simple recorder is all you’ll need to record audio, and only simple editing is needed. Uploading to places like Soundcloud and social media sites is easy and free! And for just a few dollars a month, a service like Libsyn will host your podcasts and allow you to share on popular platforms like iTunes and Spotify.
Links to hosting sites:
Be patient. Find your voice.
Take the time to practice and learn as you go. Set aside time each week to grow your voice. Your podcast’s format, structure, and content may not be perfect on the first try but will improve as you gain more experience. Another important factor is to choose a topic that you are truly passionate and knowledgeable about, so you enjoy the process. Make a list of all the topics you are passionate and knowledgeable about. Do some of the topics fall under a broader topic? Or is each unique? Try to organize your thoughts on topics and subtopics so you can see the progression of podcasts. Each time you sit down to record, make a list with some talking points to keep the conversation on track and jot down any notes that’ll be helpful for future episodes.
Grow your brand over time.
Finally, it’s important to grow and develop your podcast over time. As you begin to find your stride, you can build a brand around your podcast including things like a name, personality, music, logo, social media accounts, etc. A brand helps identify your podcast and gives it credibility to both new and existing listeners. Investing in some quality microphones will also help make your content sound more professional and posting your podcast on multiple platforms will help spread awareness and find potential listeners!
Great (budget-friendly) microphone options:
It’s important to continually learn and grow in both our lives and careers, and podcasting is one more way to keep the conversation going! Now that you’ve learned the how and why of starting a podcast, there’s no better time to get started!
Feel free to contact Cody Schuler, AE2S Communications Digital Marketing Specialist, if you would like more personalized assistance in launching your podcast.