Podcasts are not only popular right now, but they’re also a great way for a business to spread its message in an engaging way. While creating a podcast is open to anyone, however, it’s not necessarily easy. You need to create a show that’s not only interesting and informative, but also attracts a loyal audience that will keep coming back.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of advice out there for podcasting newbies looking to get a show off the ground. From planning out your content to marketing your brand, here are eight tips from Forbes Coaches Council to capitalize on this trend.
1. Do Your Research
Currently, there are more than 550,000 podcasts vying for listener attention. Chances are, a number of your LinkedIn connections manage a podcast. Find them. Ask them what they did right and wrong. There is also a slew of resources via search. Just Google “How do I start a podcast?” My advice: Don’t leave marketing to chance. People can’t listen if they can’t find you. - Jeff Ikler, Quetico Career Coaching, and Consulting
2. Create A Content Calendar
Plan your content and decide how many episodes you want to publish in a month. Establish a content calendar to have a clear idea of what you need to accomplish. Follow an outline so you won’t get off topic, but don’t write a script and read it word for word. Remember, the plan should build on the brand you are creating or have created. Make sure everything you do is aligned with that in mind. - Brad Federman, F&H Solutions Group
3. Determine A Structure For Your Show And Stick To It
Organize your podcast into a show with parts and predictability so that your guests and audience know what to expect. Start with a topic, a question and a musical lead every time. Make sure you stick with the time allotted for each segment, then wrap up and end with the music or something memorable. Stay within your time bounds. Act like your podcast is a serious commercial show. - John M. O'Connor, Career Pro Inc.
4. Make Your Show About Your Listeners
Know your goal and purpose for doing a podcast. It can be a lot of work, especially if you’re interviewing guests. Your podcast is a marketing and sales tool that can softly lead prospects to work with you and your company. Find ways to make the show about the listener, providing them with a value that keeps them engaged and wanting to know more about you. - Gina Trimarco, Pivot10 Results
5. Prepare Your Show Guests As Thoroughly As Possible
I don't typically send my guests a list of the questions that will be asked, but I always provide an outline for the show with the time frame that we will spend discussing each topic. This gives them an idea of how to prepare without being too prepared, and it helps to keep us on track during the show while covering all of the desired topics. - LaKesha Womack, Womack Consulting Group
6. Get Objective Feedback On Your Speaking Abilities
Join a speakers club like Toastmasters. It gives you the opportunity to speak regularly and get empowering feedback. Bad grammar can be distracting, as are filler words like “so,” “you know” and “um.” These can be irritating to your listeners. Writing and speaking are different; be sure to practice so you know how it’s going to sound. - Frances McIntosh, Intentional Coaching LLC
7. Ask For Listener Reviews
One of the techniques that I have seen work very well with growing your podcast is asking your listeners for reviews. The podcasting market is saturated with a lot of different choices. In order to stand out and differentiate your podcast from the market noise, ask your viewers to leave reviews, no matter how small your audience. Those reviews will attract more listeners quickly. - Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group
8. Just Get Started
It’s easy for first-time podcasters to get analysis paralysis by trying to get everything perfect the first time. The truth is that your 20th podcast will be so different from your first one. You’ll learn as you go, refine your style and fine tune your theme. So get the basic equipment, shape your topic plan and record your podcasts consistently! See it as a six-month journey, and enjoy the ride. - Gabriella Goddard, Brainsparker Leadership Academy