The traditional media landscape, and even the internet landscape, is dominated by podcasting. So much that it has been described as “The New Soundtrack of the Internet. Podcasts have a very specific audience and are inevitably tailored to attract this audience. They have their own set of rules which should be followed when considering Podcast production. Here are some factors to consider before starting your next dream project when it comes to podcasting:
- What type of content do you want for your show? This will significantly determine how many episodes you need for a season or what kind of guests you should invite to the show.
- Where will you host the show? Will it be produced in-house (your studio or remote), or will you use a “cloud” platform like Podcast One, Libsyn, Blubrry, or another provider?
- How often can you release new episodes? Aiming for 5-10 episodes a week is always a good idea. This way, the listener gets enough content in their podcast feed, and the podcast becomes embedded in their lives rather than only being an interest occasionally.
- What type of equipment do you need to record your show? Consider upgrading your current audio recording setup. If you’re using a smartphone, most models today have a respectable enough microphone on board to record a podcast.
- How will you get exposure to your show? If you’re creating a podcast for your company, start sharing with friends and family before launching a paid campaign. If you want to start your own podcast network, work on that before creating a podcast for it.
- What kind of monetization strategy can I use now? The monetizing podcast is a huge topic, so we will only dive into it briefly here. However, several great posts have been written on the subject, like this one by Pat Flynn and Podcaster News.
- What will I do when my first few episodes don’t get any downloads? This is very common in podcasting. Most people will only start listening to new shows after being promoted extensively on social media or getting good search engine traffic. Remember that your audience is out there and will listen eventually.
- How many episodes before I can start charging? If you’re looking for a recurring revenue stream, it’s best to ask for the money after the listener has gotten a few episodes. Depending on your strategy and show length, you can charge for a season pass on an a la carte basis or by the month.
- What is my podcast going to sound like? Will it be a talking head, or will it be heavily produced with music and sound effects? How much you want the production to take away from the content is up to you.
- What about promotion? The best promotion for your Podcast productionis social media, so spend most of your time getting likes, shares, and followers. Ensure you get an RSS feed for your show so others can easily subscribe. Consider getting a podcasting host like Libsyn who offers built-in discovery tools like a “New and Noteworthy” list.
Conclusion
That’s all the factors to consider when venturing into podcast production. Keep this information manageable, however. The best way is to try it out and see what works for you!
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