Let’s face it – you are stuck in a boring 9 to 5 job and you cannot wait to get out of it. You have been aching to do something worthwhile and sink your teeth into doing things that you are passionate about. Maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone.
Being a part-time freelancer and someone who’s well-versed with digital marketing, have you ever considered starting a podcast?
“Why would someone want to listen to me?”
“My voice isn’t great.”
“It’s too much work. I don’t have the time.”
Well, if that’s what you are thinking, stop right there.
Starting a podcast channel might sound intimidating but it’s not. It’s all about finding your voice and putting it out there via this immersive form of storytelling which holds massive potential.
Podcast refers to a series of on-demand audio content that users can listen to on their computers, laptops or smartphones. With 32% of Americans listening to podcasts monthly, this number is only expected to grow, largely due to the rise of smartphones and voice-recognition tools like Alexa and Siri.
In this post, we share 10 reasons why starting your own podcast channel is a great idea along with useful podcasting tips to get you going.
1. Quick to Digest
Whether one is commuting, working out or taking a jog in the park – podcasts can prove to be the perfect companion. That is the beauty of this format.
In a world where people are racing against time owing to their busy schedules, this snackable content format allows them to consume it at their own convenience and multi-task while they are at it.
What’s more, did you know that 41% of millennials have no patience for content that is too long? So, instead of writing that 2,000-word blog post that might go unnoticed, you rather make it more interesting and digestible by turning it into a podcast.
2. Easy to Create
No, you don’t have to be a technology whiz to start a podcast channel.
The first step is to find your niche and define what your podcast will be about. Once you define that, you will be able to work on a content plan and schedule.
Don’t worry if you are a one man army, you can still put up a great solo show. It all boils down to creating engaging and valuable content, consistently.
Next up is purchasing the hosting platform and right equipment to start your podcast channel.
According to Daniel Rowles, host of Digital Marketing Podcast, “focussing on audio quality is key.” He says, “Good audio quality with minimal echo and nice rounded sound makes it a lot easier to listen to a podcast.”
So, while you focus on content, don’t forget to consider the technical aspects too.
3. Develop Skill Sets
Do you feel like you are stuck in a rut? When was the last time you learnt something new?
Let podcasting change that for you. From planning and scripting to editing, interviewing and recording – podcasts involve a series of skill sets.
It’s always fulfilling to take up new challenges, learn new skills and grow in the process. So, why not step into the world of podcasting and develop your skill sets?
You will make mistakes but you will also learn from them and get better at it. So, don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from growing.
4. Reach a New Audience
It’s every content creator’s dream to widen their audience and reach out to new people and one of the ways you can do that is by experimenting with different platforms.
As per Nielsen’s Q1 2018 report, 16 million people in the US are “avid podcast fans”.
That’s huge, isn’t it?
Podcasts are enjoying growing popularity and there cannot be a better time to kickstart your own podcast channel. So, here’s your chance to reach out to a completely new audience – one that prefers podcasts to other forms of content like blogs or videos.
5. Strike a Deeper Connect
Listening to podcasts is an intimate activity. People usually listen to podcasts and other audio formats when they are alone or while they are in the midst of doing solitary tasks.
They are a powerful medium because they let you tell stories and ignite imaginations while striking a deeper connect with your listeners. Moreover, when you lend your voice to something, you are immediately able to hit a chord and appear more authentic and genuine.
What makes this medium special is that thousands of people might download your podcast but when consumed, it’s almost like you are speaking to each of them individually – interesting, isn’t it?
6. Potential to Make Money
Producing podcasts takes time, money and effort. It’s only natural for you to want to monetize your channel at some point. The good news is, there are several ways to make money from podcasting.
The most popular option is to seek advertising and sponsorship opportunities. As per John Lee Dumas, founder and host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, 30% of their monthly income comes from sponsorships.
Once you have established yourself in a particular niche, you can offer to sell your services or coach others in the field. You can also promote other products or services on your channel and make money via affiliate marketing.
However, making money from podcasts takes time. Don’t expect it to become a money making machine overnight. It will happen with consistent efforts, valuable content and tons of patience.
7. Build your Personal Brand
Podcasts are a great tool for strengthening your personal brand and establishing yourself as a credible resource.
Whether your podcast is about education, careers, motivation or anything else – the idea is to create meaningful podcasts that engage your listeners and keep them coming back for more.
Make sure you find your authentic voice and experiment with different formats such as solo-casts, interviews, podcast theatre and others to see what resonates best.
Building a personal brand is an ongoing process, and podcasting is one of the ways that can help you increase authority and build a strong brand.
8. Connect with Industry Experts
You might be putting up a solo show but that should not stop you from reaching out to influencers and industry experts and having them on your show from time to time.
It’s always beneficial to invite guest speakers to share their unique point of view and treat your listeners to fresh perspectives to keep them interested.
This is a great way to network and build long-lasting relationships with experts in the field. Not only that, you also get to tap into their audience and reach a wider set of people.
While deciding who you should invite, make sure you do your research well and call speakers who are in a similar niche and those who would appeal to your listeners too.
Examples of podcasts that do a brilliant job at conducting interviews and panel discussions are The Tim Ferris Show, The BeanCast and The Art of Manliness among others.
9. Less Competitive
Believe it or not, even though podcasting holds immense potential, it is a less competitive space to be in.
If you’re asking how less, take this – there are 2 million blog posts written every day, 500 hours of video uploaded on YouTube every minute. Compare those numbers with the fact that there are only 700,000 active podcasts.
So, if you are thinking of starting a podcast channel, get on with it right away to gain competitive advantage. You’re much better off doing something different and start a podcast channel that gets heard than start ‘just another blog’ which is bound to get lost in a sea of blogs.
10. Lots of Fun
Imagine thinking of an interesting topic, grabbing a mic and just having a great conversation – that is what podcasting essentially constitutes of.
When you are able to get rid of your inhibitions and fears, you realize podcasting can prove to be lots of fun. If you are someone who is passionate about certain topics and enjoys telling stories, this platform is for you.
Just keep your audience in the heart of everything you do, do your homework and keep the conversation going!
Conclusion
Now that you have all the reasons to start your podcast channel, would you rather do a job you detest or have your own podcast baby and wake up to do something you are passionate about?
In order to be a successful podcast host, you need to be committed to it and devote enough time. It starts with finding your niche and establishing the audience you want to cater to. Don’t get overwhelmed by the process and take it step by step.
Start by listening to other podcasts and get a hang of how they work. Once you are ready to start you own, take a look at our Podcast Launch Checklist to know how to start a podcast channel and everything you need to make it a success.
Good luck and enjoy the process!
Jeremy has been running several online businesses behind his laptop for the past 5 years and he has worked as a freelance web developer previously. A trained marketer by profession, he also has Ruby on Rails and web development knowledge. His forte lies in eCommerce, SEO and content marketing. He’s been featured on Vice, Thrive Global, YFS Magazine, Forbes and several other publications. He prefers to connect with people on LinkedIn.
