8 Ways Podcasting Can Transmit Your Message Effectively

Podcasting has been around for years, but it only gained massive popularity in the last 5-6 years. To put it in perspective, in 2015, there were about 28,000 podcasts. In 2021, that number had increased over 850,000. It may sound like the market is oversaturated, but the truth is, most people start and end a new podcast before they even hit 8 episodes. 

Therefore, those who have perseverance and consistency to reach longevity may just hit their stride with the right strategy in place. While most people can’t make a living from podcasting alone, it’s a helpful addition to a communications plan to reach new people. 

One issue some have with podcasting is that they underestimate the time and fine-tuning it takes to make it work well. It’s fairly simple to set up a podcast feed these days on a platform like Buzzsprout, but what can creators do beyond that to make it worth their – and the listener’s – time? 

As someone who has been podcasting for over 3 years, produced others’ podcasts and is an avid podcast listener myself, I’ve got a few tips that will be helpful for those venturing into this space

1. Consistency. One of the best ways to launch a podcast on the right foot is by simply picking a day to publish and sticking with it. Create expectation and anticipation from the get-go so people look forward to it. It can be hard to stay on track, but having it all mapped out ultimately makes it easier for you to create a quality, lasting podcast.

2. Make the Intro Count. You have the listener’s ear fully when they are listening to your podcast. Unlike on social media or email, they don’t skip by ads or accidentally not see something. You are in their ears so say the important things you want to say right away! Bonus: Pick some awesome intro music.

3. Clean Audio. It may take some investing, but getting the right recording equipment and creating a space where audio is loud, clean and clear is 100% worth it if you want to set a great foundation for your podcast. So get the mic, wear the headphones, record in the closet if you have to, and be sure your guests (if you have them) know the rules. Additionally, get yourself a podcast editor who can eliminate background noise, long pauses or anything else that might deter from your main message.

4. Guest Template Guide. If you have guests, providing them with a templated sample of how the interview will go can be helpful. It assures them of what platform to use, how long the interview will last, and what questions to expect. You can also ask them if there is anything they want to be sure you cover so everyone is on the same page.

5. Seamless Scheduling App. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to premium with a simple app like Calendly. It seamlessly schedules with time zone changes in place and will also automatically set up a Zoom meeting. You can program it to send reminders at any time and just ensure that there are no snafus or miscommunications about the interview itself.

6. Catchy Title/Guest. One of the most important things you can do as you promote your podcast is to create a catchy title or have a big name guest on to grab attention. Like the subject line in an email, the title of your podcast episode will make all the difference. Spend time thinking about what will draw people in. What was the one thing that was the most spicy – even if you talked about other things too?

7. Make it Fun/Interesting/Educational. Ensure your topics are interesting or educational so people want to tune in. People love to learn something new, so structure your episodes in a way that is learning-conducive and offers take-aways for listeners. By creating this kind of structure, people will want to come back for more episodes in the future knowing they will walk away a little bit smarter about something they care about. 

8. Well-Done Promotion. I’ve heard it said that some people spend 90% of their time on production and 10% on promotion. Promotion is a beast, but it’s a very important part of the process. You need to have a comprehensive social media strategy that includes interesting images and audio samples. Tease people with the content and they will come download the whole episode. It can take some experimenting to know what works well, but don’t neglect this important part of your podcast work. 

There’s plenty more to learn, but those are the nuts and bolts to get you started. As a content creator for a variety of places, I think it’s important to use all the tools at hand. A podcast is the simplest way to ensure your video and audio content is used in a variety of ways. I encourage you to consider how you can incorporate podcasting into the work you are doing now. 

And if you need a new podcast to listen to, consider mine! 🙂