How can you use podcasts for crisis communication?

1 Define your goals

Before you start a podcast, you need to define your goals and objectives for crisis communication. What do you want to achieve with the podcast? Who is your target audience? What message do you want to convey? How will you measure the impact of the podcast? Having clear goals will help you plan your podcast content, format, and distribution.

2 Choose your format

There are different formats you can choose for your podcast, depending on your goals and audience. For example, you can do a solo podcast, where you talk directly to your listeners and explain your situation and actions. You can also do an interview podcast, where you invite an expert, a journalist, or a stakeholder to ask you questions and have a dialogue. You can also do a panel podcast, where you have multiple guests or representatives from your brand to discuss the crisis and share different perspectives.

3 Prepare your content

Once you have chosen your format, you need to prepare your content for the podcast. You need to do your research, gather your facts, and craft your key messages. You also need to anticipate the possible questions or challenges that your audience might have, and prepare your responses. You need to be honest, transparent, and empathetic in your content, and avoid jargon, defensiveness, or blame-shifting. You also need to balance your content between addressing the crisis and highlighting your brand values and vision.

4 Record and edit your podcast

The next step is to record and edit your podcast. You need to choose a suitable platform, equipment, and software for your podcast production. You also need to consider the length, tone, and style of your podcast. You want to keep your podcast concise, engaging, and professional. You also want to edit your podcast to remove any errors, pauses, or distractions. You can also add some music, sound effects, or transitions to enhance your podcast quality.

5 Distribute and promote your podcast

After you have recorded and edited your podcast, you need to distribute and promote it to your audience. You need to choose a hosting service, a distribution channel, and a promotion strategy for your podcast. You can host your podcast on your own website, or use a third-party service that can help you reach more platforms and listeners. You can also distribute your podcast on social media, email newsletters, or press releases. You also need to promote your podcast to your audience, and encourage them to listen, share, and give feedback.

6 Monitor and evaluate your podcast

The final step is to monitor and evaluate your podcast performance and impact. You need to track and analyze the metrics and feedback from your podcast, such as downloads, listens, ratings, reviews, comments, and shares. You also need to compare your podcast results with your goals and objectives, and see if you have achieved them. You also need to learn from your podcast experience, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for your crisis communication.