A year ago, I helped a client launch their very first podcast.
It was new territory for both of us, and while we weren’t using cutting edge technology, it worked and worked well.
Today, podcasting has become a major content piece for them, as they’ve expanded on different issue areas, and used the platform to expand their brand with new audiences.
But I admit I haven’t given podcasting much thought since then.
It’s not because I don’t see the value, it’s because I haven’t given it the time.
Perhaps I should, and maybe you should too.
Here’s why.
Recently, a friend who is feverishly brainstorming her next creative venture was inspired by this statistic: The ratio of female bloggers to female podcasters stood 7,500 to one.
Holy hell.
We all knew the blogosphere was saturated, but I was stunningly unaware of the immense opportunities inherent in this new platform (podcasting has actually been around for more than a decade—and we all remember how crazy we went when Serial debuted in 2014).
As loyal readers of Spin Sucks, you’ve likely read about the benefits of podcasting, most recently from this September article by Ally Mann, Why Podcasts Work: Five Reasons to Start One.
Since then, interest in podcasts has spiked dramatically.
In fact, podcast listening grew 23 percent from last year to today (via Convince and Convert).
Podcasting: The New Frontier for Women Bloggers
If you’re searching for a new and fun way to engage with your current audience, or to reach new ones, here are five steps to get you started and on your way.
- Consider your content. Sounds a bit obvious, but what will you talk about? Choose a broad topic and outline your podcasts like you would any other editorial calendar. Planning ahead will do wonders for your stress levels.
- Determine your speakers. Are you comfortable with the sound of your own voice (bless you, if you answered yes), and willing to be the host and moderator of this series? If not, who would be a suitable fill-in, and why? Will you bring in guest speakers to interview, diversify your offering, and generally make your show more interesting? If so, brainstorm who they will be and then get those invitations out on the double.
- Choose your platform. To produce a high-quality podcast, you’ll need a few tools: A recording device, an editing service (to reduce the number of ‘ums’ and do-overs you may encounter), and a hosting platform. There are many different options here. When I outlined a podcast launch for one of my first clients in 2014, we recorded the calls through their conferencing service (FaceTime audio is also great as it’ll link through to your computer). I then edited the files on Garage Band, and uploaded them to Libsyn. I’d call that the bootstrap version. That same client now outsources the editing to a professional, and there are tons of platforms that have emerged since. (Side note: Invest in a good microphone to keep the sound quality sharp.)
- Think about your posting schedule. Similar to how you develop a regular following on your blog by unveiling new content at the same time(s) each week, you’ll want to do the same with the podcast. The great news is that podcasting is normally a taped endeavor. You can produce a month’s worth of content in a week, and then drip it out.
- Promote the podcast. Like any good PR pro, you have the goodies, now show ‘em! Build buzz around the launch through existing channels, social media, your website, and your email list. Poll people about the types of information they want to hear, and then give them what they want in subsequent episodes.
You’ll find that you can eek out even more content from the podcasts in the form of blog re-caps, listicles, quotes, and more.
The data is clear, podcasts are on the rise and don’t appear to be stopping.
Now go forth and give the people what they want!
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