The three things you need to know when starting a podcast
The world of podcasting is a GREAT avenue for you to take for your business. It is a great platform to use to broadcast your value, educational content and your message. But what are the things you need to know when you are starting a podcast? Let’s explore the THREE things!
This article is inspired from the incredible podcast episode with Jemimah Ashleigh from The Visibility Lab, who came on to share her knowledge all about podcasting! Jemimah really knows what she is talking about, she was the co-founder of The Business Experiment, a VERY successful podcast in Australia on all things business “the good, the bad and the ugly” in 2017.
Starting a podcast
Are you thinking about starting a podcast? Here is my first tip for you.
Why?
What is your purpose? Is it to educate your audience around XYZ, is it to be another income stream for you (this doesn’t mean direct money, but will you be promoting your business on the podcast?). Is it to connect and collaborate with different entrepreneurs as part of influencer marketing?
Or is it because you LOVE the idea of using your voice to bring your business to life online?
Is it ALL of those things? Great! Okay once you have asked yourself WHY (because it is important to have a purpose), now it is time to get down to all of the things you need to think about.
Let me break it down for you…
I did speak about this in another podcast and blog “The basic tools you can use to create content”. But let me do the old “Control+V” and list it here!
“Everyone always gets scared of creating a podcast because they worry, they don’t have all the amazing equipment, trust me you don’t need it!! Here is what you need:
Headphones or a mic to record
You can even use your phone if you like! For the first 1.5 years of my podcasting journey, I was using Apple headphone. But when I did invest, it was in the Rode NT-USB mini (it was only like $159).
Editing platform
When I first started, I was using Audacity, which is free to download and easy to use!! You can also use GarageBand (Apple users), which is also free! You can get tutorials on YouTube on how to edit podcasts on them! You can also record directly into these platforms!
Overlay sound
For your introduction and outro! Seriously you can get this for free too! I use YouTube Music to download a free sound! The hardest part is finding one you will not get sick of!! Or of course, you can buy one pretty cheap on Audio Jungle.
Podcast image
Again, CANVA will be your best friend as an entrepreneur!!
Host platform
Of course, you want it on all the big streaming platforms, but you need to host it first!! My recommendation? Anchor!! With Anchor, they push it out to all the podcast streaming platforms with one click! So easy and their metrics are in-depth so you can measure your listeners etc.! Plus, it is FREEEE!!
Metrics
For more metrics on how your podcast is tracking, you can also check out Chartable! It tells you where your podcast ranks in charts like Apple Podcasts etc. They send you a weekly email!”
What I DIDN’T add in here was a few other things:
YOU need to plan out your episodes (the structure, more on this soon)
YOU need to plan where you will market your podcast! How will you share it??? Will you use graphics and video snippets on your socials? I use Canva (again) to make mine.
With my podcast, it is used to stem ALL of my content across my social media, my email marketing AND this blog! Think about how it will work in your content strategy! This is something I talk about in my monthly content marketing strategy workshops!
The three things you need to know when starting a podcast
Alright so as the title promised, here are the three things you need to know when starting a podcast!!
1. Find your niche
Yes okay, your podcast might be on “sports” as Jemimah used as an example on the show, BUT what about sports? Is it sports played in your city? Niche it down more!! OR find something that makes your podcast unique. It ensures you are reaching and aligned audience!! Have a think about how you can niche it down! You don’t have to go that dramatic, but it will ensure you are reaching the right market - and that you publish more than the average 17 episodes people only create when they start a podcast.
2. If you don’t know it, Google is your bestie
Can I tell you what I did when I started my first podcast? I legit set myself a challenge. Every day for 30 days I researched something on how to create a podcast. I wrote it all down in my phone (see below some of the screenshots). So, by the end of the 30 days, all I had to do is hit RECORD! And as Jemimah said, you are never really going to feel like doing it. There is not a better time than NOW!! So, make a start, set yourself a challenge to do work on it every day for 30 days. On the 30th day, YOU HIT RECORD. But anyway, moral of the story, Google will tell you exactly how to do it! If you need more accountability, I have a podcast “get started guide” in my Content Templates offering!
3. Have a good structure for your show
Before you hit record, have a structure around your show! Some good ways to do it is…
Introduction with music
Recap of your life (life updates/weekly update - this is for a business/personal branding podcast)
Tell your audience what you are going to talk about
Talk about it - top tips etc.
Then recap what was spoken about
Do the same if you have a guest on OR you can do it like this:
Introduction with music
Recap of your life (life updates/weekly update - this is for a business/personal branding podcast)
Give off the top tips (like “Number 1 is XYZ - Marketing Schoodo this great)
Sum up the tips
You might also add other segments, Jemimah talks about how she did it in her podcast!
So, what do you think? Starting a podcast sounds easier now right?!
Guests on the podcast
Depending on how you want to structure and plan your podcast, you might have guests on your show! Now, here is a piece of advice I would give.
Don’t think the old “they are in my field so I can’t have them on the show, we have a similar audience”, WRONG!! Collaboration is always key, we all need to work together!!
So how do you get people on your show? Ask them!! Just telling them why you want them on. Here is some dialogue I’ve used before.
“I’d love to get you on the show because I love how you do XYZ and I think my audience would really benefit from having you on my show”.
Of course, you want to add more to this, but this is a great starting point! Also, a voice note, or video message is WAY more personal! Usually, I will ask them on Instagram! Send them a nice personalised voice note.
Once they have been on the show it is always good to share the show with your guest so they can share it with their audience and also make sure you tag them when you share it on your social media!!
Some other things you might want to do include:
Have a form for them to fill out before joining so you have all their links, headshots and bio
Have questions already planned and sent so they know what you want to talk about (or at least set the intention with them)
It is all about creating a good experience from being on your show but also giving them the opportunity for them to share it with their audience!
Promoting your podcast
Of course, you want to think about how you will promote your podcast! But the one thing I will say with this is, PROMOTE IT EVERYWHERE!!
Have a strategy around how and where you will repurpose your podcast!! Here is how I do it…
Podcast key theme is replicated in my social media content (at least 80% of it in the week)
It is the theme for my weekly blog post
Is featured in my email marketing for the week
Is shared directly to my Instagram stories in sound bite form
Follow me on any social media platform and watch how it is repeated throughout the week! Of course, also tag the person you had as a guest every time you talk about the podcast!!
Also, encourage others to promote it too! Ask them on your show, in your show notes and all that good stuff!! Remember, just because you see all of your content, doesn’t mean others do!!
Being a guest on a podcast
Alright, so for me, this is a WHOLE other topic!
BUT, as Jemimah said, it is important to explain what value you will give to the podcaster’s audience!!! That is the objective, not just “I want to be on the show”. It should be “I have knowledge of XYZ, which I think your audience will get great value from because of XYZ”.
It is always good to do your research!
Here is a simple guide:
Search podcast shows you could join (search the keyword into podcasting apps and then once you have found one, look at the “shows similar” section
Listen to some episodes (make sure you can offer something different)
Follow that person on Instagram or any other social media and engage with them
Craft a thoughtful and tailored pitch
It is all about finding the podcasts that are right for you and the podcaster’s audience! Don’t just pitch for the sake of it! Of course, Jemimah can help with this too!!!
Final thoughts
Yes, the podcasting market is becoming saturated, but it isn’t too late to join! The main thing you need to ask yourself is, why am I doing this? And how can I add value that is different and niche!!
The world of podcasting is an amazing space for knowledge building, connection building and business growth!!! You just need to have a plan and at the end of the day, it will never be a good time to start, but the time is right now!!
Make sure you:
Niche down
Google what you don’t know
Plan out your structure
Collaborate with others, be on podcasts and have people come on your podcast! It is all a fun experience, enjoy it!!! Yes, there is some work in it, but eventually, you can outsource the admin and just show up, record and publish!!