Those who believe in the art of story-telling should not just restrict themselves to one medium. With the advancement of technology, the new trend od podcasts are sweeping the ground off the feet of story-tellers. Now you may ask – why move to podcasts? The answer to this question lies in your motive to reach a wider set of audience as you share your ideas. The plus point of podcasts is you can listen to them anywhere and anytime.
If you are excited to let your ideas float out in the world with the minimum technical support required, podcasts are your thing. So, are you enthralled to start your own podcast?
Here are 10 pro tips to help you start podcasting and grow your listener base:
1. Pick an interesting topic
Take some time to decide the topic you would want to talk about. The topic you select should be something you feel passionate about and can talk flawlessly. Do a little digging around the subject matter that interests you. Now, prepare a list of topics that you like your podcasts to be based upon. A well-structured podcast routine will guarantee the success for your podcasts.
2. Sketch an outline
Recording a podcast without drafting an outline might not be a good idea. Your original idea of speaking about a chosen topic might go haywire. An outline for the podcast is not necessarily a script. It is basically the pointers you plan to speak about in the podcast without going off-topic. Scientists believe that any listener can stay focused for a span of 22 minutes. Hence, draft an outline to stretch your podcast to a bare minimum of 22 minutes.
3. Add a personal touch
Podcasts give you a splendid chance to connect with your audience smoothly. Share your personal stories relevant to the topic in discussion. This will enable your audience to relate in a better manner and will earn you a reputation of being honest about yourself. It is always helpful to rehearse once before the final recording. This will enable you to have a rough sketch of how you are going to engage your audience for a particular episode.
4. Hone basic audio-editing skills
Investing in an audio-editor might be a fancy thought in the beginning. Therefore, learn to use some freely available online editing tools. This will allow you to enhance the quality of your audio files. When you start talking on the microphone, initially you are bound to get anxious. Hence, more editing might be required in the earlier phase. However, with practice over time, you will get comfortable in front of the mic.
5. Buy a good quality microphone
Some people might suggest that podcasts can simply be recorded on a phone and not to ‘waste’ money on recording equipment. You must understand that a podcast recorded on a phone will simply sound like a recorded call. Invest in buying a quality microphone so that your audio files require minimum editing. Recording equipment of poor quality will result in a huge disappointment. Research well and read reviews online before buying any sort of audio equipment.
6. Get your podcast cover done professionally.
You are fortunate if you have a friend who is a graphic designer by profession. Ask your friend for a favour or get professional help to get your cover image designed. While getting it designed, make sure you have a clear vision of your brand’s identity. You should also seek help from someone in the creation of an introduction for your podcast.
7. Promote your podcast
Do not forget to highlight your podcast to a minimum of two times during the session. Also, talk about your blog or your website, if you have one. This will enable your users to know the channels where they can connect with you. Another thing that you can do is to have a specific section for your followers to reach out to you. Ensure to keep your contact information crisp and easy for the listeners to remember. Additionally, share your podcast on your social media channels. This might make you anxious at first but is highly beneficial. Your near and dear ones might have a valuable opinion to offer about your work.
8. Be open to feedback
Always ask your listeners for a feedback. Podcasts which receive numerous positive reviews become popular as they surface on top of the browsing section. Another thing that you can do is highlight your podcast link in your blog. Those who read your blog can conveniently subscribe to your podcast.
9. Find a good podcasting web host
Getting your podcast ready to go live is one thing whereas hosting it on a suitable platform is another. Listeners in large numbers stream a podcast once it is live. Thus, it is crucial to ascertain that your podcast file can accommodate the given bandwidth. To let users stream your podcast without any glitches, use a dedicated service to host it. The promotion of your podcast will also depend on the web host. You also have the option to embed the link of your podcast on your blog.
10. Maintain your brand identity
Your podcast has a certain brand value attached to it. Pick a unique name for your podcast. The name should be self-explanatory and catchy to attract a wide listener base. The choice of your podcast name should not be abstract because it confuses people. Also, create attractive thumbnails for your podcast to leave a lasting visual impression on your audience.
A podcast can serve multiple purposes. It could be to garner a wider audience base to become popular or promote a business venture. As a beginner, focus on drafting your content for the podcast and allow your audience to gain clarity. Be regular while posting a podcast, weekly is a great option. By posting podcasts regularly, one can stay relevant and in-sync with their audience. With the above-mentioned pro-tips for beginner podcasters, you are now all set to start recording!
Author Bio:
MARY JONES is the co-founder & editor-in-chief at TopMyGrades which focuses on Content Marketing Strategy for clients from the Education industry in the US, Canada & UK. Mary has conducted a series of webinars for AssignmentEssayHelp. She has extensive content editing experience and has worked with MSNBC, NewsCred & Scripted. She has also authored blogs on Lifehack.org, Wn.com, Medium.com, Minds.com and many more digital publications.
