The podcast industry has boomed in the last few years, and for good reason. Podcasts are easily accessible and portable. You can listen on your phone, computer, iPod, or any other audio device. Podcasts can range from general topics to niche special interests, such as how the Ari Betof Podcast focuses on consulting. Want to learn about a specific area of study, a sport, or listen to audio dramas? There’s a podcast for that.
If you’re thinking about starting your own podcast, whether for your business or as a personal project, or as a means to monetize your content, there are a few things you should consider before jumping in.
1. Audience Is Key
Who is your podcast aimed at? Knowing your audience ahead of time helps ensure that you cater the content and presentation to your ideal listener. Podcasts without a specific audience in mind tend to lose focus and fizzle out. Plus, knowing your audience helps you research how to market your podcast, what SEO keywords to use in descriptions, and popular hashtags. It also opens up the potential for inviting guest experts or hosts on your show, who can bring their audience with them.
2. Length Matters
How long can you keep someone’s attention? Do you have enough material to fill the time slot you choose? While there may be no upper limits for podcast length, because audio files are small in size, your audience’s attention span is not unlimited. Between 15-30 minutes per episode is usually a good benchmark when starting out. You have enough time to offer substantial content without running out of things to say — and you keep your listener’s attention.
3. Establish A Format
Tone and style are huge factors when planning your podcast. If your show is informational, do you stick to a selection of topics? Is the format educational or informative, or more conversational? Do you have co-hosts or guest speakers? Are there dedicated segments for different topics, like news, promotions, or personal insights?
How you structure your podcast matters, because listeners will come back expecting a similar format each time. Make sure you choose something you can sustain.
4. Sound Is King
Will you incorporate music, sound effects, or other auditory enhancements to your podcast? Because podcasts are (usually) entirely audio-based, it’s vital to have the best sounding recordings possible. Invest in good microphones and if you plan to mix and produce the episodes yourself, familiarize yourself with audio mixing best practices. Nothing distracts from a podcast faster than poor audio quality.
5. Sustainability and Scheduling
Podcasts are more than chatting into a microphone for half an hour and uploading the file to a hosting platform. Good content creation — including the recording, mixing, post-production, and uploads — takes time. A simple 15-minute podcast can take hours to produce. Consider your time commitments before you start.
How frequently do you plan to release episodes? You’ll want to have several episodes prepared before you launch, so if problems arise, you aren’t scrambling. Do you have the resources to produce a podcast every week or should it be a monthly release?
With a little planning, you can be ready for success in the podcasting world!
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