“The power of podcasting is pretty remarkable. It is such an amazing way to mobilize
fans. It’s almost like they’re part of your family. They probably listen to you more than they listen to their own families. I know that’s true for me. So there is a real bond there.” — Scott Aukerman
Podcasts are all the rage. Every time I turn around, someone is starting a podcast. And the reasons they do are almost as varied as the podcasts topics themselves! This is an exciting time for content creators, business owners, people who love to talk — like me, and anyone who has a message to share with the world — and in a big way!
I remember in the mid 2000s when podcasting first came to my attention. I learned about audio equipment, began making some recordings and learned about the technical details of podcasting. Things seemed to fade into the background since that time, and then, in 2013, I noticed, once again, a tremendous resurgence in the topic.
For many podcast producers, they’re finding this medium to be the perfect way to reach large audiences that they couldn’t otherwise. This strategy is helping them share their unique message with the world — and literally! Podcasting is allowing them to build their lists, sell products and services, and most importantly, to connect listeners with the information and insight they crave!
Let’s say you want to start a podcast? What do you talk about? How do you create content listeners will love? Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Idea #1: Focus on subjects you know well. When you’re comfortable with the topic, it’s easier to relax which means it will be easier for your passion to shine through. Your history with the topic is most certainly filled with interesting experiences and stories which you can share with your listening audience! Telling stories is what makes what we have to say all the more compelling!
And, never think everyone already knows what you have to say about your topic. Even if 10 people had a podcast on the same subject, you can rest assured that each host will bring their own stories, experiences and special unique spin to the fore. It’s statistically impossible to be exactly like someone else — so don’t worry about it. 🙂
Idea #2: Talk about subjects you’re passionate about. If you’re not passionate about your topic, it’s going to be hard to build a successful podcast around it. You may know a lot about a lot of things, however your level of interest around them likely varies.
To carry you through weeks, months and even years of podcast production, make sure you love what you’re doing. And, certainly, you can change direction as you move forward. When getting started, and if you truly want podcasting to be interesting to you and your listeners, select a topic around which you share a high level of interest and passion.
Idea #3: Line up guest experts who are knowledgeable and passionate, too. This is fun and easy to do. Connect with people you learned from. What books did you read? Contact the authors. What TV shows, radio shows, or podcasts on your topic have you listened to? Try to connect with the hosts. What other experts have you learned from? Who else do you know who has a similar interest in the topic?
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Keep in mind that not everyone you invite will necessarily jump at the invitation, however, with the right approach, you can experience much success! As your podcast grows in popularity, others will naturally seek you out requesting to be a guest. I promise it will get easier over time!
Idea #4: Focus on asking questions your audience would ask. Schedule one hour to write down as many questions as you can about your topic. They don’t have to be complex to be good questions. Also, when interviewing guests, you can either draft a set of similar questions that you ask of every guest, or better yet, have them submit their own interview questions. I do it both ways depending on the topic. For my TV show, I typically have a set of questions, however, I do allow the interview to naturally unfold. For my law radio show, I either give them questions or ask them to submit them depending on the topic and how much I already know about it.
Idea #5: Draft an outline of what you want to cover in each podcast episode. While I never suggest writing out and reading a script as it will sound inauthentic, it can be helpful to have some notes to remind of key points. The quantity and detail will likely vary depending on what you’re talking about and who you’re interviewing. Quotes, statistics and anything else that might not easily be remembered are good to include. Also, depending on the day and how nervous and/or tired you may be, it may be helpful to have a script handy of your into and outro. You always want to make sure these are strong parts of your show!
These are just a few tips when it comes to creating content for your podcast. If you’re ready to learn more about podcasting, check out this new product I recently discovered. You might find it helpful to get started > http://taraloves.me/podcastprodigy
It’s only $37.00 and well worth. It’s a great way to find out more about this topic. The product was created by Rachel Rofe who is a highly successful business woman. I’ve purchased several of her products over the years. So, if you’re thinking about starting a podcast, click here > http://taraloves.me/podcastprodigy
This article is copyrighted © 2015 by Tara Kachaturoff and is protected by Federal Copyright law. All rights reserved in all media.
