Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
Should you be thinking about starting a podcast? It’s not for everyone, but podcasting is increasingly becoming an important way for authors and speakers to connect with their audience.
Podcasts started catching on more than a decade ago, and in the last few years the proliferation of smart phones has been a game-changer. Suddenly everyone holds in their hand the ability to listen to thousands of podcasts, and the new apps make it super easy. Portability has been key to the growth—podcasts go where listeners go. More and more people are discovering the joy of listening, so now’s a good time to consider whether you might want to jump on this new(ish) medium.
Here are a few things to think about:
• Podcasting is more personal than blogging or Facebooking. Since it’s your voice rather than words on a screen or page, it’s more intimate. You’re able to convey your personality and the audience feels more connection with you.
• Podcasting is particularly effective for people with niche audiences (which can be a problem when trying to interest publishers). You may be able to find your targeted audience through podcasting, then show potential publishers that your audience exists and is eager to hear about your topic.
• Those of you who are speakers or want to get on the speaking circuit may find podcasting particularly important. Not only does it give you regular practice speaking to your audience, it’s a good way to showcase your speaking talent for those who are looking to hire speakers.
• It’s fun! A podcast done right can be a lot more fun than sitting alone writing words for Facebook or a blog.
Here are some tips if you’re thinking of starting a podcast:
• First, if you’re not listening to a variety of podcasts already, now is the time to start. Listen both within your own niche and outside of it, to hear examples of different structures, formats, and tones.
• Be intentional with the branding of your podcast. The title is important, and should be simple and clear as well as catchy. You’ll also need a logo. Make sure everything fits your larger brand as an author/speaker.
• Create content you would want to listen to, and that you’re excited to talk about. Plan content and guests for 8 to 10 episodes before you get started.
• Consider a co-host, or a rotating group of co-hosts, so that your podcast is conversation-based.
• Always have an awesome Show Notes page on your website, where you include links or further information about anything you talked about in your podcast. This is crucial for getting people from the podcast to your website.
• Understand that it will probably take you 8 to 15 episodes to work out the kinks, and to decide whether you want to continue. Give yourself the time to figure it out. Beyond that, you’ll always be learning and getting better.
• Read up online and get some good resources on starting a podcast, and then dive in! (One helpful resource is 7 Days to a Published Podcast, $99 from Kathi Lipp’s Communicator Academy.)
What are your favorite podcasts? Are you thinking of starting one yourself?
Image copyright: 1tjf / 123RF Stock Photo
Nice thought, but not for me. I used to love speaking, but now can’t get out more than a couple of words at a time before having to pause for breath or worse. (The dogs love this…they can get away with murder, and no scolding!)
* Maybe I could hire a professional to be my voice? Would that work? Anthony Hopkins, perhaps…well, I can dream, can’t I? (I am NOT going the hokey Stephen-Hawking-mechanical-voice route. No disrespect intended, but that’s a nonstarter here.)
Love the idea of Anthony Hopkins. 🙂
Andrew,
If you get Anthony Hopkins, I will go after James Earl Jones. If we landed them and worked together, we would crush it!
Jason, that sounds like a plan!
Personally, I crave solitude. I prefer to ponder words in silence. But that’s no excuse to pass on an opportunity to talk to my readers. Now would be a good time to start collecting content. Since it is trial and work-out-the-kinks, I’ll need lots of content. No doubt I’ll have tons of kinks.
* Thanks for adding this to my want-to-do list, Rachelle.
I hadn’t realized how big podcasting has become. I guess I’m not surprised. I haven’t listened to many different podcasts yet, but one I enjoy is Dr. Juli Slattery’s Authentic Intimacy. She often has a co-host and guests. It’s well thought out and pertinent to today’s culture.
*For me, the thought of starting one right now is overwhelming. I will probably consider one down the road a bit, but I don’t have the time right now.
*That being said, your post is interesting, and I appreciate the tips for starting one. 🙂
Ha! I just bought a microphone, so this is perfect timing, Rachelle. My son had a radio show when he was in college. We recorded a sample session when he visited a few days ago. What a blast! I love this medium and can’t wait to start interviewing people. I like the idea of recording a whole season before downloading. Thanks for the tips!
Do you recommend SoundCloud or Libsyn?
They’re both popular hosting companies and I don’t have a recommendation. Lots of articles online compare the two, as well as several others. Good luck!
I had an idea for a podcast, but it didn’t fit the books I am writing. So I’m brainstorming ideas that fit in what I am currently writing. I have both fiction and nonfiction projects I’m working on. The nonfiction one lends itself easily to a podcast idea, but I’d like to build up my fiction audience. Perhaps I can find something that will incorporate both.
Very helpful.
Podcast? Yet one more social media thing I’m not doing when maybe I should be. SIGH!!!
*After years of passively watching Facebook because of my clearance, I’m only just ramping that up. (I know. I’m WAY behind on this. But at least I now have more than 41 friends. Anyone here want to be one?)
*I’ve spent most of my media time on the history website based on my research for the novels. It draws people from all over the world, and I love writing the articles and sharing strange facts and recipes. It gets very few click-through sales from the website itself, but letting teachers and homeschoolers know about it does encourage many to buy without me even asking them to. Time well spent.
*I could podcast Roman topics, but I doubt that would be worth the effort, given the low rate of click-throughs. I know from much experience what’s involved in prepping a 15-min talk! I don’t live where it would be easy to find people to interview that would interest the audience for my novels.
*Still, I would love to know whether there are any numbers about how effective podcasting is at inducing people to buy an author’s books. Maybe it’s worth considering.
Carol, as with all social media, it’s not just about getting people to directly buy your books. It’s about connecting with your audience and getting them into your sales funnel. It’s one more way to reach people who might possibly, eventually, buy your books.
Sales funnel. I’ve attended several webinars on that. In theory, I know how to build one, but I think many people may be like me. I consciously visit many sites on a regular basis using bookmarks, but I seldom subscribe or give my email address.
Is that a problem many others who visit this blog have? Any ideas about how to overcome that reluctance without having something of value to give away that they have to provide an email to get?
Carol, I just tried to Friend you on Facebook, but there are lots of people with your name and I don’t know which one is you. Of course there are lots of people with my name, too. I hope we can manage to connect.
Jan, look for the Carol Ashby who graduated from the University of Idaho. You’ll see that it’s the same picture she uses on her thumbnail.
The one from Albuquerque, NM. Hope you try again!
Okay, I found you, Carol.
Thanks, Andrew.
Great post, Rachelle. You’re not kidding about it taking” 8-15 episodes to work out the kinks.” It’s worth the trouble though. I’m a podcast contributor for HopeStreamRadio(dot)com, and I love it. It was scary at first as I wondered if anyone would want to listen. Listeners have encouraged me, and now I’m hooked. It makes writing more fun because I read my posts aloud as I compose them. Plus I have the freedom to change things up while recording. I’ve figured out how to edit them too–this takes the pressure off–hugely–because I was embarrassed at how much they needed to edit my earlier ones 🙂 I enjoy listening to podcasts by various writers such as Karen & Erin on “Write From the Deep” (I love, love, love their posts). I also enjoy listening to Kathy Lipp and Michele Cushatt.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy, the podcasts you’ve posted on FB are great (as is the rest of your FB content!). I’d advise everyone in this community to request your friendship; you have so much to share!
Thank you for blessing me, dear Andrew. 🙂 I don’t know how much it shows, but I often feel like a dwarf before Goliath. But I keep showing up, and I keep collecting smooth stones to aim at whatever target God inspires me to focus on. Keep showing up, Andrew. God’s plans are “immeasurably more” than ours ever are.
It’s all about being there, Wendy. And you’re no dwarf; there have been times I have journeyed to Facebook and have found shelter behind the strong, broad back of your faith.
Awesome, great to hear about your experience so far!
Thank you, Rachelle. I’m glad I didn’t allow fear to steal the steering wheel on this one.
I love your podcasts, Wendy. I love hearing your voice. It’s like sitting and listening to you tell a story. I just love it. You are going to be so far ahead of the rest of us on this … we’ll be asking for help later on. 🙂
Thank you, Shelli and Andrew, for gifting me with your kind encouragement. I highly recommend giving podcasting a try because it matters not what you’re wearing, what your house looks like, or what time of the day you record it (sometimes I record mine late at night when the traffic is quiet and the piano keys are still). It’s all about your writing voice and your audible voice. By the way, Shelli, I adore the videos you’ve done. I’m happy to help if you need me. 🙂
I always say my favorite accessory is a microphone, but I haven’t made this leap yet. Thanks for the nudge. My toes are right at the edge of the high dive board …
Rachelle,
This has been very helpful. I will do some more research and then answer the question about starting one myself!
thanks for your thought-provoking post!
I listen to podcasts all the time and often think about what I’d call mine and who I’d interview. Joyce Meyer, Write from the Deep, Simply Joyful, and ProBlogger are a few of the many I subscribe to. I love searching my podcast app for interviews with my favorite authors and speakers. Great potential for increased discoverability for those that go for it.
Podcasting is next on my to do list and I’ve been doing a lot of research. Thanks for confirming this once again. I do feel like this is a good format for me.
I was relieved as I worked with a podcast coach to realize that you can also run in seasons so it’s not a lifetime commitment. That’s important to me as I am a professional counselor who speaks and is beginning to write more.
Sometimes I feel like by the time I get this off the ground that video is going to take over.