The popularity of podcasts is steadily increasing. Between 2015 and 2019, the industry grew by 70 percent in Australia. Podcasts are convenient for hosts and audiences. For hosts, the ability to just show up and talk is an easy way to get their voice out into the world. And for podcast audiences, the flexibility and convenience of audio fits neatly into daily commutes, workouts, or housework.
Creating a great podcast can add value to your business. You can communicate powerful ideas, connect more deeply with your customers and clients, create trust and loyalty, and attract a new audience. When done right, podcasts can be an excellent way to grow your business. But podcasts aren’t for everyone. So, when should you create a podcast?
Should you create a podcast?
There are some common misconceptions about podcasts. Everyone can have a podcast, but not everyone should have a podcast. If you’re considering whether or not to start a podcast, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Do you have interesting and unique ideas to share with the world?
Do you have the time to maintain a regular upload schedule?
Do you have the means to record and edit podcasts?
Are you prepared to put in time and effort without immediate results?
Are you prepared to deal with the challenges of maintaining a podcast?
Do you have the time to let directories and your networks know about your podcast?
Do you have a good reason to create a podcast (e.g. do you have a desire to educate or start important conversations)?
If you’re not able to answer “yes” to all of those questions, you might want to consider whether a podcast is right for you or your business. If you can answer “yes” to all of the above, you’ll still need to make sure you’re prepared.
What you need to keep in mind when creating a podcast
In some ways, podcasting can be easy. They can take less time than creating blog posts and deliver content in a convenient way. All you really have to do is set aside time to talk into a microphone and share your thoughts. But you still need to make sure that you keep the following in mind:
You’ll need to create or source branding materials like podcast artwork, a catchy name, and theme music.
You’ll need to pick a format and frequency that works for you. How long should your episodes be and how often can you upload?
Do you need help with your podcast? Make sure you budget for equipment, software, and professional assistance.
Do you know what topics you want to talk about and what guests you want to bring onto your show? It can be good to plan this out ahead of time.
Podcasts aren’t a quick fix
If you succeed at making a high-quality podcast, you’ll be able to further establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, promote your products and services, and gain new customers. But just like any other area of business or marketing, it takes time and effort to achieve those results. So even though podcasts aren’t for everyone, they might be for you if you’re willing to put in the time and see what happens.
Digital Bridge is a web design, development, and management company based in Fitzroy, Melbourne. We can help you with your digital business. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at hello@digitalbridge.com.au or give us a call at +613 8658 2434.