5 Things to Consider If You Are Starting A Podcast!

I recently posted a video about five things to consider if you choose Podcasting as your preferred form of content marketing. A lot of you guys found the video really helpful, so I decided to expand on the subject and delve a little deeper into it here!

Some of the things that I mention in this article are reasons why I've not joined the Podcasting trend, myself. I've been in content production for long enough to know that it's only worth doing it, if I can be sure to dedicate the manpower to doing it properly. Also, I used to be a band for a few years, so I have a very good understanding of what it takes to produce decent audio content. If you can't get it right, it just becomes a source of distraction and frustration.

With that in mind here are five things to consider:

1- Decide On Your Format, That Is Interview vs. Monologue: The most important part of a podcast is the content itself! Do you actually have enough to say? This brings us to the question of whether you should do interviews or have a one person monologue? Many people opt for the interview style, because it solves the problem of having enough to say.

It can also help with your marketing. Because your guests will want to share the content on their platforms, too. This makes it easier for your podcast to be found out. The downside is that there are so many interview podcasts, out there. It’s not easy to stand out.

Also, If you are starting out and don’t have a big brand name behind you, you may find it hard to get decent interviewees on board. Another issue is that if you interview less known people and the content isn’t so great, you may feel obliged to post them even if you are not entirely happy.

2- Invest In Sound Design: In terms of production, it is a lot simpler to create podcasts and the equipment and editing software is cheaper than video. But you still need to budget for a decent sound designer, unless you have the skills and the man power in house. Don't take it for granted how much time this can take.

You will be able to get freelancers on People Per Hour, Fiverr, or other such freelance listing websites to help you with this. The biggest problem with do so is that you may not be able to access the same person next time you need them so you lose consistency. If you work with random freelancers, be sure to ask them to provide you with the unedited files. That way you can always pass those on to the next person you happen to work with and maintain your format and sound identity.

3- Important Tip For Long Distance Interviews: One big advantage of Podcasts is that you don’t have to be in the same room, as your guests. You can even do the interview on the phone. This means that neither party will have to travel and less time and budget will be needed.

But if you long distance interviews, via phone or video chat, be sure to test in advance that both parties will have decent sound. Remember, there is so much content out there and podcasts are booming, at the moment.

Here is a great tip for ensuring you get decent sound quality for yourself and your guest. Say you are doing a video interview on your computer. Record yourself on another device, such as a smart phone or a Zoom H6, at the same time. Be sure to ask your guest to do the same.

After the interview, ask your guest to kindly send you their back up version which was recorded on a second device, such as their smart phone. This way you will have two versions of the interview. One version is recorded naturally which may include interferences due to poor phone or internet connection. However, in the back up versions you will have two clean versions from each party. You will probably find out that in most cases you will end up using the back up, since you will get a cleaner sound.

If you can also do the interview in person and film it, that's even better! In that case you are essentially creating a talk show which can also be used as a podcast.

4- Think About Your Podcast Promotion Strategy Before You Start: If Podcast is your only form of content, especially if it’s audio only, it can be limiting. Podcasting works much better as part of a more comprehensive content marketing strategy. It will be harder to achieve maximum reach with audio alone .

That said, there are people and companies that have made their biggest impact through Podcasting. But in most cases, it needs to be accompanied by other forms of content.

Remember, Google’s Zero Moment of Truth? People often need multiple touch points. Make podcasting one of your touch points.

5- Consider Outsourcing The Production: Unless Podcasting is your only form of content production, you may want to hire someone or an agency to help you with it. Because it can get overwhelming if you are trying to produce Podcasts, Videos and written content, all at once.

This is especially true for small companies that try to create their own content, in house, but also have to run the business and look after their clients. Don’t take it for granted, how much work the production can be.

Once you start and promise people a weekly or daily episode, you can’t not show up. Remember you are now a media brand. So just like a TV or Radio show, you need to have a schedule and stick with it.

OK guys, I hope you found these tips helpful! :) Be sure to let me know your thoughts and your experience with the subject, below! ?? If you haven't already done so, be sure to watch my documentary, "The Millennial Disruption", about how the business and marketing landscape is changing.