Producing a podcast series is a great way to share your content and promote your small business. When they first started gaining popularity on the web, podcasts were usually audio-only but nowadays, video podcasts are also prevalent. While there are no fixed rules when it comes to making a great podcast, here are a couple of tips to guide you:
Production quality matters.
If you’ve ever watched a podcast with bad video or audio, you know how frustrating it can be. A podcast with poor production runs the risk of losing audience members because it requires too much effort to follow. Never give your audience a reason to tune out. Make sure you use a microphone, keep your camera movements steady, and shoot in a well-lit space.
Also, take care with post-production: edit out uninteresting parts, cut away to slides, b-roll and screen captures, get creative and add (non-copyrighted) music, titling and animation, etc. Try to be consistent with your podcast format so that your audience knows what to expect and your production looks professional.
Make sure your podcast looks and sounds great not only on desktop computers but on phones and devices as well.
Be helpful.
You will have difficulty attracting an audience if your podcast is laden with blatant advertising. Make the objective of your podcast to help your target audience. Offer advice that positions you as an expert in your industry.
Leave them wanting more.
Try not to let your podcast run too long, as you may risk losing an audience that doesn’t have the patience or time to sit through the whole thing. A runtime of 30 to 45 minutes is safe, but if you go longer, just make sure you are compelling. Have a clear objective for your podcast, plan out what you’re going to say, don’t ramble, and get to your points quickly.
Ask for the follow. Ask for the share.
Make it clear to your audience that if they found your teachings useful, then you would be grateful if they would subscribe to your podcast series or follow you on social media. Make it easy for them to share your content with others so that you can organically grow your audience.
Be yourself.
Don’t feel like you have to be anything other than yourself. Your transparency will resonate with your audience. Resist the temptation to over-script; know what you’re going to say, and speak freely. If you feel nervous about “performing,” remind yourself that you’re an expert and you know your material.
Provide a written transcript.
Providing a written transcript of your audio or video podcast may seem redundant at first, but it is actually quite beneficial. Sometimes, your audience may find it more convenient to read your podcast. Or they might like reading the transcript as they listen to your podcast because that is how they prefer to absorb information. And there are some people who are always going to prefer reading text to listening or watching content. Finally, providing a written transcript of your podcast will be good for your Search Engine Optimization (SEO), so it pays to provide one.
Branding!
Know your audience. Know what kind of content your audience wants. Make sure that your podcasts reflect the values of your brand. In other words, you must know your brand before you launch a podcast series in order to attract people who could potentially buy from you.
Need a hand with your business’ brand? Call Kim Speed at Purple Moon Creative today!
