This week on the podcast, I’m sharing one of my favorite topics, 8 great reasons to start a podcast. While this episode is a solocast, I’ve shared this information in various other formats: webinars, as a guest instructor in other courses, and in my own podcasting class, Jump Start Your Podcast. And, I think it’s a great perspective for anyone who is considering starting your own show, especially if you are a a service provider of any type (coach, doctor, VA, or someone who works supporting others).
I’ve found that there are a handful of reasons that you should start a podcast if you are considering it. Here are the top eight reasons you should start a podcast.
1. It Helps You Get Super Clear on Your Niche
Laying the groundwork for the show goes hand in hand with defining the nature of the show, and the topic that you want to spend (a lot of) time with. In marketing speak, the topic needs to be “campaign-able,” meaning it should be something that is vast enough for you to spend time exploring, but narrow enough that the audience understands what the container is for it.
For you to start a show, you’ll want to spend time with that niche. What is it?
What do people interested in that niche want to hear more about?
How can you serve the population that is interested in that niche?
And, what is the crossover between your WORK and how you can provide service to that group of people?
2. Find and/or Develop Your Online Voice
For many, it is much easier to ease into their “voice” when they are actually speaking (as opposed to writing.) It’s a natural way of communicating, and it’s easy to use it. I find that many of us who are service providers are an excellent fit for being a podcast host because you and I are working in a field where interacting with others is part of what we are already comfortable doing.
A few other considerations around becoming a podcaster:
One thing I like to ask people when they are considering a podcast is “Are you an ‘external processor’?”.
(Do you like to work through things verbally, with another person? Do you “talk it out” as opposed to thinking it through on your own?)
Have you enjoyed doing drama or speaking in the past? (in some ways this is much easier as you don’t see your audience).
For me, I found my true voice and comfort with being on air several months in. I could feel myself easing in to my personality with guests, and then it extended in to my doing what I call solocasts. The interesting thing to me is that I also use that voice now in blogging, and in writing my weekly newsletter.
3. Become More Confident in Your Speaking & Presenting
Once you’ve edited yourself a couple of times, you’ll be very aware of your verbal tics and catch yourself doing them, You’ll hear the “ums” and “ahhhhs,” and notice your speech patterns. And once you notice those things, you’ll also start self-editing as you speak.
The other confidence building aspect of being a podcaster is that pitching and interviewing VIPs is life changing & a huge confidence booster. After having a big name person in whatever industry you’re in say yes, and then actually having a full conversation with them? Your confidence will increase in your art, and in what you do.
If you are in a field like coaching or consulting, you’ll notice that you are more in tune with how you say things and become a better active listener.
4. Up Your “Know, Trust, Like” Factor with Potential Clients
Podcasting offers a way for potential clients to “get to know you” by listening in on conversations and hearing your point of view on topics. I know many podcast listeners who say they feel that they know a podcaster. They listen to them in the car, while gardening, while cooking or doing other work around the home. These are spaces and places that are personal to the listener. And, there’s no other media that invites and allows a person (like you, the host), into a person’s routine the way that podcasting does, because podcasting is “portable.”
5. Marketing Stops Being “Icky”
Before I started a podcast, I will admit that I found marketing to be kind of “icky.” It didn’t feel natural, and it often felt forced.
Here’s the cool thing about podcasts. Once your show is live, it provides weekly inspiration of stories you’re excited to share across social media. You have something you want to talk about and share, and it comes from a place of authentic excitement. Add to it that similar to having guest posts on your blog or site, guests are excited to share their conversation with you.
All of that points to marketing, and reaching new potential clients, in a way that is organic and feels natural. It’s exciting when the ick factor is gone.
6. Expand Your Skillset As You Interview Experts
If you have an interview show, you will be lining up conversations with experts and learning more about the field they represent by:
This adds to your continuing education on a topic, and allows you to share what you learn with others. You’ll also find that when you expand your knowledge in your show, you’ll have new things to share with your client base.
7. You Have an Important Message to Share with the World
As a service based business owner or blogger, you’re likely already focused on a mission. You’ve discovered your “Why” and want to share it with the world, and make an impact. Podcasting offers you a platform to share this, and leave a mark, and find other like minded individuals that also share your point of view.
8. Naturally Grow Your Network
In addition to learning with each guest, you also make several kinds of connections:
Professional connections with other experts in your field (or your podcast’s area of focus) allows the following things to happen:
Already in the midst of creating a show? You’ll get a free month of hosting from Liberated Syndication (Libsyn), using my (affiliate) code: JOY.