Why you don't have to be an expert to have a podcast

Someone told me the other day you have to be an expert on a topic to have a podcast. I pointed out they weren't an expert on being an expert, podcasting or judging who gets to create content, so they should just shut it.

They didn't quite get the irony.

Their assertion couldn't be farther from the truth. And I hope that as you, or you company, consider podcasting as a way of connecting with an audience, you aren't encumbered by some silly idea you have to be an expert in the topic to do so. There certainly are podcasters out there who are experts in their field. But there are also people who lead their audience through an exploration of the topic because they don't know the answers, either.

And those are some damn fine podcasts.

Who's An "Expert" Anyway?

In 2009, as the world of social media marketing took shape, a debate emerged over who is or is not a social media expert. Because the field was so nascent, the truth was no one could rightfully lay claim to such a status. But marketers are opportunistic and there aren't government regulations around claims of expertise, so every consultant and their brother started pitching themselves as social media "experts."

As someone who was writing and speaking about social media marketing at the time, I was asked my thoughts on the social media expert debate. In a not so candid response on YouTube, I essentially told people to shut up and do the work and it'll all take care of itself.

Calling yourself an expert is like saying you're good in bed. You don't know that. And it's not for you to judge.

If your clients or audience learn to trust you for your insights and recommendations on a topic, then to them, you're an expert. No one else's opinion really matters. I'm positive that one or more of those so-called "experts" back then were doing good work for clients who didn't understand or want to learn how to manage their social media content. So in the client's mind, the consultant was just the "expert" they needed.

Podcasting Isn't About The Expert

Regardless of your thoughts on who is and isn't an expert, podcast is not exclusively a venue for expertise. Many podcasts are interview shows, like mine on influencer marketing or my other on creating relevance for brands through marketing and creative strategy. While I offer my opinion and commentary on various topics on both shows, the focus of the podcast is on the guest ... who is the expert. I'm just the curious person with the questions guiding the discussion.

Still, even if you didn't produce a podcast with a guest, you don't need to be an expert in order to have the right to speak your voice. What you may lack (or think you lack) in expertise, you make up for in your perspective. And that is just as valuable to an audience as any amount of experience or wisdom.

Think of all the people creating fitness content online. Are all of them licensed dietitians, physical therapists or exercise scientists? I'd venture to guess fewer than five percent of them are. Does that mean they can't help you get in shape or lose a few pounds? Not at all.

It's their perspective, attitude, energy and approach that sets them a part. For some segment of the overall fitness consumer out there, each will have some appeal and be able to grow an audience.

Don't Let Experts Hold You Back

Instead of getting caught up with whether or not you're an expert on the topic you want to podcast about, let's just change the wording a bit. I would never call myself an expert on influencer marketing (not my place to say). But I would agree I have gained a certain amount of expertise on the subject matter.

You may not feel like an expert in your respective topic. But you do have expertise there. Or at least a healthy dose of curiosity. And that makes you just as qualified to open the mic and tell people about it as anything.

If you want to start a podcast, start a podcast. If it happens to be something related to marketing, shoot me a message. The Marketing Podcast Network might be a good home for you.

If you wait until you feel like an expert in the field to start one, it'll probably be too late.