Podcasting has become nothing short of a phenomenon in recent years. And it is no longer restricted to celebrities and professional media teams. Businesses are using them to achieve great things too.
This is a contributed post. Please refer to my disclosure for more information.
Whether starting a new business, reaching out to new audiences, or adding some fresh energy to the brand doesn’t matter. Podcasting is a fantastic tool, but only when use it in the right way. Here’s how:
#1. Invest in good podcasting equipment
It doesn’t matter how valuable your words are if they are muffled. Once upon a time, you could have produced a low-quality product. Listeners can now access thousands of hours of content at their fingertips. So, you need your content to meet certain quality standards. Thankfully, it is now possible to find podcasting kits at an affordable price. As long as you have a laptop and a dedicated space where you can avoid background noise, you won’t go far wrong.
If nothing else, it will allow you to record your episodes with confidence.
#2. Invest in your intro and stings
As a business owner, you already know how quickly people start to judge companies. Therefore, hiring a voice over artist to record your intro will get your podcast off to a great start. Similarly, an outro is the last thing they will hear, which is why a memorable one can serve you well. Depending on the length of your episodes, you may want stings or jingles included too. However, you can probably add some of these – as well as sponsorships – over time.
The intro and outro will set the tone. In turn, it’ll encourage you to do better with your content.
#3. Work on your hosting skills
Many business owners will host their own podcasts or get a confident member of the team to do this. After all, this is the best way to establish your authoritative voice and ensure that the content is accurate and professional. Still, you will need to make your content entertaining, even when it’s more informative in style than many podcasts. Completing a few runs with your co-host is advised.
It is also important to consider your guest list at this stage. Starting with a guest you already know adds comfort.
#4. Plan Your Content
Your content will be heavily influenced by your industry, niche, and brand voice. Either way, you should certainly take the time to plan your content. A running order, key questions or topics, and pre-written points are all key. It’ll give you confidence, aid the structure, and make life a lot easier for the editor. This is especially true when looking for a tight podcast each week.
Over time, you may find that this evolves and you can take a more casual approach to planning. For now, though, consistency is king.
#5. Promote Your Podcast
Once your mixing team has completed the podcast cut, you’ll be ready to post it online. All the major music platforms will allow you to do this with ease. Still, with such a large online collection, moist people won’t find you by luck. Using social media, your website, and other channels will be key. Of course, if you can gain any press coverage, that will aid the cause too.
Creating a great podcast will fill you with pride. Still, getting listeners is the only way it’ll actively help your business. Do not forget it.