It’s no secret that podcasting is a super-tool in today’s marketing world and it has come a long way since it first started as an “audioblog” in the 80’s.
Good ol’ Wikipedia describes a podcast as an “episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player” (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast)
The word “podcasting” was formed by combining two different words – broadcasting and iPod. Apple nipped it in the bud in the early stages – lucky or strategic? Apple has made podcasts easy to find and listen to in the iTunes store and there are dozens of other apps for android users. Cars are now being equipped with media stations instead of the traditional stereo, making ‘on demand’ media the way of the future and making podcasts available to millions of users. The number of Podcast listeners has tripled in the last 9 years and 58% of listeners stream podcasts in their car whilst driving rather than listening to the radio [Source: Edison Research February 2016].
Unlike radio, a podcast is always available and never expires. Once an episode is recorded and published it is continued to be played for months and years later as new listeners discover the show.
Now that we have the technical jargon out of the way, let me explain why you should start your own podcast and give you tips and how easy it actually is to launch one.
According to Forbes, podcasts lead to better connections (Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/04/11/establish-goodwill-and-credibility-for-a-better-connection-with-your-audiences-by-using-podcasts/#79c4b25b29d4). It is a chance for you to reach a different audience, a chance to show your prospective customers who you are and what your brand or business is all about. It also gives people an opportunity to get to know you better.
Podcasts are growing and constantly gaining popularity. People are listening to podcasts on their way to or from work just to gain knowledge and keep up to date with new trends. So the best way to reach this audience is by launching your own podcast and promote it using one of the fastest growing media platforms in the world.
Here are a 5 tips that you can use to start your own podcast:
#1 Come up with a killer “Name” for your Podcast
Your podcast needs to stand out from the millions that are already published. Your title needs to be interesting and should attract the right audience. Remember to use words that help you pop up in search feeds. For Example, if you are launching a Marketing Podcast, make sure you use the word “Marketing” in your title. Same for the word Business. We call ours “Business Brain Food” and it shows up in searches when people look for Business Podcasts.
#2 Create an image that will get your listeners attention
Similar to what you need to do for your name, your image needs to stand out and be clear to someone looking for podcasts. A lot of the time, people just scroll up and down the list. Not looking at titles or descriptions but may stop if they think an image looks cool. You want people to stop at your podcast and see what it’s about.
#3 Strategy on Content
Before launching a podcast – you need some structure and a purpose. What is your podcast going to be about? Are you going to interviewing guests? Are you going to be the only one talking? Do you have topics that you have come up with to engage your audience and are they relevant to your product? Remember – consistence is key.
#4 Showstopping production
Imagine you tune into a podcast on your way home from work today and all you hear is one person talking. No music, no breaks, no offers – nothing. If I were you, I would switch of super quick.
Look for audio files to add to your podcast. It makes the show interesting to listen to and you will also have a signature song that people will associate with your podcast.
You should also get someone to do a few voiceovers for your podcast and add that to your production. It makes it much more interesting.
#5 Organise your applications
To launch a successful podcast, you need a few good applications and software to make sure the audio is good, it reaches iTunes and your website, and your audience is able to find you.
Here are some of the things you will need before you launch your podcast:
- Microphones – make sure you have good quality microphones and headsets for your recording because nothing will make your listeners lose interest quicker than a badly recorded podcast
- Audio Editing Software – you can invest in a workstation or get this bit of your podcast outsourced.
- RSS Feed – this is what you will need to syndicate your podcast. By syndicating you are publishing this on your website, iTunes, Stitcher etc.
If you have not considered launching your own podcast and using this popular medium to get your message across to customers now is a good time to consider it.
