Podcasts seem to be everywhere these days. It’s very likely that most of your friends each follow a few of them and religiously tune in each week or month to listen to the latest episode. They come in all sizes, running from twenty minutes to over an hour, and there’s a variety of topics discussed. From the most well-known to niches, there’s something for everyone’s taste. However, when you have a podcast yourself, it’s not all fun, games and relaxation. You find yourself in a rather competitive internet space, one whose competitiveness is only growing due to the expanding appeal of podcasts among the general public.
It’s not easy becoming a successful podcaster. There’s also no guaranteed recipe for favorable results, which is something you should keep in mind before rushing to follow in the exact footsteps of a famous webcaster. What worked for them may not necessarily work for you, so you should try to make your own way out there. Here are some of the most valuable factors to remember that’ll help you reach for the stars.
Provide valuable content
It’s the most important aspect of your work, which should guide all aspects of the decision-making when it comes to your show. You don’t want your listeners to tune in for something subpar. You wouldn’t listen to something that doesn’t stand up to your expectations either. If a podcaster whose insights you once enjoyed suddenly dropped the bar, your support for them would probably cease. It’s the same in your case. This is why you must make sure you give podcasting your all.
Make sure you are passionate about the subject you’re going to talk about, as well as well-informed. People don’t want to listen to the same information they already know or dull platitudes that have already been repeated hundreds of times before you came around. If someone listens to a podcast, it means they’re passionate about the topic. They want someone that can teach them something new, offer a novel perspective, and maybe even get them interested and involved in a related subject. Hey, a good podcaster can really achieve it all.
If you offer consistent value, you won’t only form a loyal fanbase of listeners (which is incredible and will feel very rewarding), but you will also notice that more and more people are drawn in to listen to you. That’s because listeners tend to stick together, and your fans will spread the word to others that they should check out your work. Nothing is more effective or provides surer results than a friend’s recommendation.
Keep things fresh
You would get bored of listening to the same stuff over and over, too, right? The best way to keep people entertained is to be fun, engaging, and always ready to dish something new. Generally speaking, this shouldn’t be very difficult to do since enjoying the niche you create in means you’re always eager to analyze it from all possible angles. However, as time passes, things can become a little stale unless you give them that extra boost every now and then. Attention spans are getting shorter, and with heaps and piles of content available at everyone’s disposal, it can be difficult to avoid being replaced. If your content is part of an industry that is constantly changing, evolving and innovating, such as video games or fashion, you’ll never have a shortage of material to use. You may actually struggle to fit everything you want to talk about in your designated time frame.
However, if you’re focusing on something that doesn’t hold as much traction with the general public, you run the risk of becoming repetitive and seeing your numbers dwindle. One of the best ways to avoid that is by getting guests on the show. If you feel like you need time to replenish your creative energies, new people coming in are the perfect way to keep the podcast going. Make sure to create an environment where they feel free to express their ideas. You can hold a casual conversation or style the podcast like an interview if your visitor recently authored a book, for example, or if they’re a famous fellow podcaster.
Create a pleasant atmosphere
Podcasts are for relaxation. They are ideal for many people to unwind after a long day. Because of that, it’s important to keep that in mind and create a relaxed, calm atmosphere. If this is more challenging to achieve (for example, if you’re discussing politics or similar topics that create polarizing views), you might be worried about losing a good portion of your fanbase over your opinions. However, it is possible to create good discussion online and leave space for differing viewpoints.
Another way to create a good vibe is by choosing a podcast intro that fits right in with the message you’re delivering. Music is important and can elicit many feelings and emotions in the listener. But the introduction is particularly important as it helps set the whole mood for the discussion. You can have your pick and choose from various options, ranging from atmospheric piano tunes to soft ambiance music and even confident and motivating tracks. Whether you’re looking for something more upbeat and lifting or would instead opt for something dreamy and floaty, there’s bound to be something that makes your podcast better.
Request support
If you want to see your audience grow, it’s a good idea to encourage current listeners to share your work with others who might be interested. You may be worried that this can seem overly self-promotional, but the truth is that given the hectic schedules most people live nowadays, it can be easy to forget things. Even if someone is a devoted fan of yours, they may still omit to recommend your podcast to friends or family simply because they had other things on their mind. But when you make it a point of reminding your audience to share at the end of each episode, you increase the likelihood that at least some, if not most of them, will convince some other podcast lover to give you a try.
It’s not easy to succeed in podcasting, given the constant growth of this internet segment. But if you’re giving it your consistent effort and putting in the work, you’re bound to see the results before long.
