Podcasting is a great way to build a community, share your messaging, and build a brand.
I’ve done podcast launch consulting, editing, and recently helped launch and produce The Buzzer Podcast. Podcasting is a great way to connect with people, so you’ll want to think through how you’re going to build a community and an audience.
Some things to think about:
- Come up with a creative name and figure out your branding for the podcast.
- Consider the kind of podcast you’re going to do – will it just be you talking? Will you interview people? Will your guests be interview subjects or co-hosts?
- Consider your target audience – How will you reach them? How will you keep them engaged?
- Don’t expect immediate viral success – Building your listenership takes time. Give yourself at least 15-20 episodes to evaluate whether you should continue.
- Ask yourself if podcasting makes sense for what you’re trying to accomplish.
The Tools:
To start podcasting you need a few things: A microphone, Editing software, a syndicator, and a basic website.
Here’s a list of tools that I suggest for people starting out with podcasting:
- Microphone – Blue Yeti USB Microphone ($104)
- Recording Software (with remote guest recording) – ZenCastr (Free, with paid upgrades)
- Editing software – Audacity (Free)
- Podcast Hosting – BuzzSprout (Free, with paid plans based on hours of content)
Getting started:
You’ve got your concept, branding, and have all the equipment and software ready to go. What now?
Record in batches
You’ll want to release your episodes on a consistent basis. This helps keep your audience engaged and looking for your podcast on that schedule. For most people, a podcast isn’t their full-time gig, so it can be difficult to keep up with that schedule, especially if you’re doing a weekly podcast. Record at least 3-5 episodes before pushing publish on your podcast host. This way, you have a bit of runway if you get busy.
Show Notes
You’ll want to write some good show notes that entice people to listen and give people access to resources you’ve talked about in the episode, in written form. This also helps you with SEO and gaining more traction to your podcast.
