#12 - How to Attract Your Ideal Audience with a Podcast + Workbook & Checklist

Thirty years ago, one of the best ways for businesses to connect with customers was in their cars, due to the ubiquity of people listening to their radio on the way to and from work. In the classic spirit of "everything old is new again," we're now living in a time where people are consuming "radio" shows similarly: The only difference is the medium!

Like radio, there are podcasts out there for any topic, but at a much larger scale. Also, like radio, listening to podcasts is free, so if you're wondering what goes into creating a podcast so you can get your voice out there, this is the episode for you!

In these 21 minutes, I'll discuss the prep work that you can expect to produce a show, best practices, what to consider if you intend on hosting guests, and more. Here is an overview of the main points of this week's show:

Necessary Equipment: One of the most critical components is a high-quality microphone, and you can do this for less investment than you may think. A pop filter is inexpensive and will further improve your audio. Finally, audio editing software to put your show together is available for all budgets.

The Details: Beyond the audio, you will also want to have professional-looking graphics to make your show stand out in podcast directories, written show notes (like these!) to describe each episode, and a plan for marketing and sharing your show to give it as much traction as possible.

Prepping the Podcast: Before you turn on that mic, you want to know what you're going to say. Depending on your comfort level and style of show you aim to produce, you could write a script or simply wing it. I prefer the script method, but as long as you have a plan, you will be prepared!

Recording: There are many factors to consider when recording, key among them is getting used to speaking indirectly to an audience you can't see, and ensuring a proper work area. You'll want your devices on silent, and notifications off if possible to minimize distractions, especially anything that may make a sound. Even more important is making sure the room you're recording in won't produce echoes and is free from background noise and interruptions.

Keeping on Schedule: As a small business owner, you already have recurring tasks that take up your time, but you need to keep in mind that regularly-released content is a vital part of marketing. Planning your upcoming podcasts and even recording ahead of time can keep you on track.

Guests: Regardless of your industry, there are bound to be people that would be a good fit as a podcast guest. You could invite someone on for a straightforward conversation about a topic, or make the show about the guest and interview them about their field of experience. One bonus here is that you can both benefit from each other's audiences and cross-promote your show.

Sponsors: If you listen to podcasts, you have undoubtedly heard "sponsored by" messages (just like those radio shows again!). While you may not be able to get a large company as a sponsor early on, it's still worth looking into smaller companies. Sponsors can boost your credibility along with your income.

Recycling Content: In episode 11 of my podcast, I discussed the benefits of recycling content for different purposes, such as repurposing parts of an audio podcast for a written blog, or parts of that blog as a newsletter. Getting the most mileage out of anything you create will save you a ton of time.

Creating New Content: Offering additional content with a podcast can also help encourage people to listen. For instance, in my links below, you can download my brand-new free guide, "Getting Started with Podcasting!"

View complete details on my blog post!

Links for this episode:

Free Download: The Complete Guide to Starting Your Own Podcast - Workbook + ChecklistPortfolioDigital Marketing Made Simple Podcast Community on Facebook

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