Starting a kick butt podcast is no easy gig.
Podcasting is a fantastic way, however, to deliver consumable content to the right audience in a way they prefer (audio) and via media easy to consume, where, when, and how they want.
A strong addition to your marketing mix, podcasts give you an opportunity to build your audience by merely talking to people. It’s a relevant way to connect, allowing your audience to get to know you.
John Lee Dumas who built his Entrepreneur on Fire Podcast with nothing but an idea to offer new content every single day, says prove your podcast concept by identifying three things.
Here’s JLD’s (as he’s known) Proof of Concept tips for finding your podcast topic or show idea to help you ignite your audio fire:
- Ask yourself how you can “do it differently” as a podcaster.
- Add your USP or Unique Service Proposition …for audio, Pat Flynn calls this “your hook.” HINT: Think about finding a unique spin to add to, or bring something completely new, to a topic.
- Add your personality. Yesssss.
Make Nice With the Mic
Speaking of personality, Jay Acunzo of the Unthinkable Podcast, suggests in this CMI post, you ask this one question before starting a podcast:
“Are you any good on a microphone?”
Besides that, Jay talks about a lot of interesting and valuable techniques you can use in how you deliver your show content, using things like “signposting” to emphasize a point or the use of silent pauses for effect. Take your audience on a journey with you, Jay points out, because you want them to want to come back for more. Operating the mic is a big thing!
Convince and Convert, in a recent Conex Podcast (on the topic podcasting 101) agrees and says, “entertain if you can.” The advice they give for finding your perfect podcast topic is to determine these two things, first:
a.) Do you have something to say? (To add to the discussion on your subject matter.)
b.) Are you enthusiastic and passionate about your topic?
Content is Content
Content is content. So, like anything you produce, taking an audience-first approach is the golden key. Offer consistently valuable content in what you deliver with your podcasting channel to win listeners.
Hey, I think my own content formula, CARE, fits here as a reminder for crafting unique, original, quality work:
Current
Accurate
Rare
Exciting
In David Siteman Garland’s Rise to the Top Podcast, he talks podcasting with Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income) and boy did I take notes! Pat’s big tips for finding your audio content key:
- Podcast what’s proven. What this means is you need to determine if your topic is viable. And, in truth, the more popular and more podcasts on a topic, the better it is as an indicator of a big audience. Also, Pat stresses for you to use questions, analytics information, etc. to help guide you. Try to pre-determine if your topic/subject-matter is in demand in the market.
- Add stories. No matter your industry, stories add context and creates a listening experience to a point where people are glued.
- Check out other popular podcasts. Listen to other shows to discover gaps you can fill, borrow ideas, and find new topics for your show.
- Add value to your podcast by answering questions.
- Interview guests in a fun and conversational style. Show enthusiasm which is easy when you’re curious or have a genuine interest in the person and topic. Try asking unique questions other than what’s typically expected and, attempt to go deeper by asking open-ended questions. Try to draw out a story starting with a phrase like, “tell me about a time when…”
- For each episode, create a one minute hook. Pull people in by hinting at the benefits in listening and preview the show’s direction to pique curiosity.
Hooks Help You Get Heard
A hook is an opening or introduction where your goal is to give people a reason to pay attention, a provocative invitation to listen.
Pat and David both use this technique on their mega-successful podcasts. They also suggest, especially for interview episodes, you create this hot intro only after listening to your guest’s answers. This way, you are sure to pull the juiciest tidbit into your enticing hook!
Other tips for your hook include remembering to keep it you-oriented, using loops (or open-ended stories) to tease guests into listening on, and prompting interest by having a unique twist, slant, or angle in your hook. Entertaining is okay but creating curiosity is even better so stay benefits-oriented so people can’t wait to listen.
John Lee Dumas hints at finding a hook for your show topic, in general, by figuring out your sweet spot. He says examine both your passion and your expertise to see where they intersect to develop your place in podcasting.
Of course, there’s one more component to throw into your premier mix, to heighten your chance for sweet success. I know you know what I’m going to say next, but this in some ways is the hardest part, right? Ahhh, of course, I’m talking about finding your audience.
