Content creation has rapidly evolved in the last couple of decades — thanks to new technology and social media, it’s easier than ever. Nowadays, you can live stream video games, vlog your daily routine and write blog posts to share your thoughts. If you want to build a media empire, your best bet may be through podcasts.
Starting a podcast is simple because you don’t need much equipment — but how do you become successful at it? Here are seven pointers you need to know.
1. Finding Your Niche
The first step is to find your niche in the podcast world. What are you passionate about? Select a topic you can discuss for hours because it makes the job much easier.
Start with a broad topic and find something specific to make episodes about. For example, an American history podcast may be too generic to carve a niche. Instead, make your podcast about a period of American history, such as the Great Depression, the Civil War or the Civil Rights Movement.
Psychology is an excellent topic to make a podcast about, but you’re more likely to generate interest by focusing on the psychology of dating, friendships or parenthood. Ideally, you’ll find something nobody else has done yet.
2. Deciding on the Name
When users scroll for podcasts, they look for something that captures their attention. How do you stand out when competitors want to grab the same listeners as you? The best way to make a first impression is to pick a creative name.
Podcast names should be short, sweet and relevant to your topic. For example, Sarah Koenig hosts “Serial,” an investigative journalism podcast. The show set records with over 340 million downloads since its 2014 debut. The show’s hard work led to its success, but its short name is easy to remember and decipher what the podcast is about.
You don’t have to come up with the name on the spot. Still, it’s best to pick a name in the development stage to help plan your podcast.
3. Planning the Content
Once you decide your niche and name, it’s time to start planning the content itself. Gather your staff to decide on formatting, episode length, season length and more. Will it be a weekly or biweekly podcast? These decisions will affect your production schedule, so choose wisely.
Some topics are easy to plan around if they have a specific date. For example, “Survivor” airs Wednesday nights, so a reaction episode should premiere immediately after the show or on Thursday morning. If your podcast has more flexibility, space your episodes out. A weekly episode is typically enough to keep listeners engaged while giving enough time between episodes.
4. Preparing Each Episode
One consideration some content creators don’t make is how much time and effort is necessary to make a good podcast. Regardless of the topic, you need to know your stuff. Your listeners are likely avid fans, so emphasize your information-gathering and fact-checking. Podcasts rely on their credibility to remain trustworthy with listeners, so be careful with your content.
The last thing you want is for your podcast to get you in legal trouble. Defamation suits can arise if you don’t have airtight facts for your scripts. For example, Dr. Chrysanthe Parker sued the “Son of a Hitman” podcast, claiming the show made defamatory statements about her. Be careful when writing the script because every word you say matters.
5. Acquiring Equipment
Podcast ideas and scripts are great, but you’ll need equipment to record your episodes. You can record podcasts on your phone, but ensuring the best quality possible for your listeners is critical. Here are three examples of less common podcasting equipment that significantly impacts your production.
Isolation Pads
Start by enhancing your podcast’s sound quality. Isolation pads are an excellent start because they control the vibrations from your speakers, making your audio much clearer.
Boom Arm
Some podcasters have a stationary microphone in front of them when speaking. However, you can capture better audio by having the mic by the side of your mouth instead. Use boom arms to support your microphone and make it easier to adjust based on who’s recording.
Ring Light
Podcasts are audio productions, but you may desire to add video for a more intimate approach. For example, you could livestream a podcast taping. In this instance, you’ll need quality lighting to ensure the viewers can see you. Podcasters often use LED ring light attachments to ensure brightness and professional-quality production.
6. Creating a Marketing Strategy
You can create the most incredible podcast in human history, but how can you prove it without listeners? Your team should significantly focus on marketing to spread the word about your quality content. Collaborate with established podcasters by having them on your podcast or appearing on their show as a guest. Create short trailers to lure listeners into listening to your podcast.
Nowadays, social media is essential to your marketing strategy. Research shows there are nearly 5 billion social media users, with experts projecting 5.85 billion by 2027. Post snippets on Tik Tok and behind-the-scenes footage on YouTube as long-form content. Twitter and Facebook are excellent for building your podcast community and engaging with your audience.
7. Emphasizing Patience
Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t expect too much too soon from your podcast. Emphasize patience and consistency with your podcast as you produce episodes. Successful podcasters find what works and fix what doesn’t with their content, marketing strategy, audio quality and more.
Some of your feedback may be negative, but you should use constructive criticism as fuel to strengthen your podcast’s quality and make it as professional as possible.
Constructing a Podcast Empire
People love podcasts because they’re easy to listen to and provide educational opportunities. If you’re interested in producing one, use these seven tips for building a high-quality podcast.
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