Whether you’re into unsolved mysteries, investment banking or anything in between, there’s a podcast for that. Wide coverage of topics and convenient delivery of information have led to a significant uptick in the medium’s popularity – more than half of Americans consumed podcasts in the past year.
All this to be said, podcasting is quickly becoming a great tool for communicators.
Depending on your message, a podcast isn’t always the best way to get the word out. Be sure to ask yourself whether this platform is right for you or your client before jumping in. If you’re still considering launching a podcast, here are a few things to keep in mind.
What Do You Bring to the Table?
In two sentences or less, you should be able to encapsulate the point of your podcast. This statement of purpose will determine the identity of your series and act as your guidepost during content creation. Each episode may cover a different topic, but they should all tie back to this primary message.
As you begin to lay your framework, consider the role your series will play within the existing conversation. Are there similar podcasts being produced by competitors in your field? If so, how will you set yourself apart? You should be able to identify what your series offers that listeners cannot find elsewhere.
Who Are You Talking To?
As communicators, we understand that identifying your target audience is an essential step to successful outreach in any form. When it comes to podcasting, this sentiment is even more critical because you need to make sure your audience comes back for more.
Presenting your listeners with something of value in each installment is the only way to build a consistent following. Whether you are promoting thought leadership to professionals in your field, offering tangible resources to your membership base or simply providing entertainment to consumers, your content should always be for the benefit of your audience.
Putting Pen to Paper
Now that you have determined the voice of your podcast, you can begin the drafting process. Start by identifying a list of potential topics to cover over the course of your series. Once you have selected your first topic, outline discussion questions and key points to be discussed in the episode. Each installment should follow a standard structure – consider the following example:
- Introduce host and podcast statement of purpose
- Present the topic of the day
- Welcome guests or subject matter experts
- Dive into discussion/Q&A
- Wrap up discussion, thanking guests and audience before signing off
If you want to take your podcast to the next level, include outside experts as frequently as possible. Interviewing a thought leader provides another perspective and in-depth insight into a topic. Secondary voices also allow for a true conversation, which is considerably more engaging than a monologue.
Production Prep
After outlining your upcoming conversations, ensure you possess the right resources to bring your series to life. A few logistical concerns you will need to cover off on before production include:
- Equipment; depending on your budget, there are a number of avenues to build a studio that’s right for you.
- Software; while there are countless options for studio recording software, many computers come equipped with operating systems that have everything you need to edit a podcast episode.
- Production engineer; make sure there is someone on your team with basic audio editing skills or outsource someone who can fill this role.
- Media host; for a small subscription cost, a media host will upload your podcast to all major streaming platforms and directly to the ears of your listeners.
To those who are new to the process, launching a podcast may seem daunting or complicated, but it’s quite manageable with the right guidance. Online insights make it very easy to build your understanding of podcast production, and the FrazierHeiby team is available to help you find answers and get started.
If you believe that a podcast is right for your business, the resources are at your fingertips to make this effective tool work for you – and there’s no better time to stake your corner of the conversation.