5 methods entrepreneurs can nonetheless win the podcast sport
With hundreds of thousands of podcasts launched into the ether yearly, it’s straightforward for entrepreneurs to consider the market is already saturated and that it’s not price any of their time or cash to create a present of their very own. Nevertheless, listenership can also be on the rise, surging to 464.7 million listeners worldwide in 2023. Inside that, the U.S. podcast listener base has grown by 40% over the previous three years, with 51% of customers saying they began listening through the previous two years. There’s nonetheless time so that you can capitalize on this progress.
Ryan Gallego believes making a podcast as an entrepreneur will show to be a worthwhile funding. Because the founding father of video advertising and marketing agency Media Pouch and totally autonomous podcast studio, Pouch6 Studios in Austin, Texas, he feels that creating success within the podcast world is about to turn into extra predictable for entrepreneurs. Gallego has been obsessive about recording methods since his teenage years and his studios have hosted influential individuals reminiscent of Chris Williamson, Codie Sanchez, and Dr. Peter Attia, all of whom have expanded their private manufacturers with podcasting. Gallego’s dream is that podcasting on the highest degree of high quality will quickly be obtainable in all places for everybody, with out all of the manufacturing prices.
For any entrepreneur enthusiastic about dabbling in podcast internet hosting, Gallego doesn’t simply consider it’s price a shot. He believes meteoric podcast success is totally predictable with the precise plan, ample understanding of podcast creation, and optimum allocation of sources. I interviewed Gallego to seek out out his prime suggestions for achievement.
1. Put your persona ahead
“The psychology behind profitable podcasting is that folks don’t hearken to manufacturers, they hearken to individuals,” explains Gallego. Entrepreneurs should relate to individuals, whether or not by means of studying social media updates or listening to a podcast episode a couple of subject they care about. “In case you’re an entrepreneur, it’s a must to share tales about your self for individuals to grasp who you might be and relate to you.” While you begin a podcast, don’t make it about your model. Don’t make it a gross sales pitch. Make it about you and the worth you deliver to an viewers.
Though it’d really feel self-indulgent in your podcast to give attention to you, listeners are looking for entrepreneur persona they will relate to. They’re looking for inspiration and idolization and you can be precisely what they’re searching for. Discover a format that brings out your persona, since you’re enthusiastic about delivering precious info on this manner. Whether or not by means of wild founding tales, sizzling takes on the insurance policies of your trade, or classes out of your journey practising what you preach; put your slant on each subject associated to your discipline. Look to personal an idea in listeners’ minds. Even when your model is extremely well-known, you’ll construct precious belief by individuals attending to know you personally. Be entrance and centre as an alternative of behind the scenes.
2. Don’t scrimp on tools
An impediment thwarting potential podcasters is the time and cash it takes to construct a correct studio. Making a podcast set with the wow issue feels close to not possible with out an audio engineering background, manufacturing expertise, or inside design expertise. Pretend it till you make it’s positively true on this planet of podcasting. The truth is, the extra skilled a podcast’s setup, the extra skilled the hosts are seen by listeners. With a number of tips, you are able to do this at dwelling. “You don’t even want a cinema digital camera, you may get away with utilizing your iPhone,” stated Gallego, including, “Go into your iPhone settings, put it on 4K, choose 30 frames per second, and put the Apple ProRes RAW on it for good measure. Then you definitely’re golden.”
However there’s extra to this than simply your digital camera. “Good entrepreneurs perceive the significance and monetary viability of outsourcing as many duties as attainable,” Gallego stated. Hiring a studio is a simple strategy to outsource manufacturing duties and tools prices, amongst varied annoyances that may include attempting to do all the things your self. Recording from dwelling feels like it will likely be nice, till the doorbell rings, the acoustics aren’t nice, and there at all times appears to be one thing higher to do. Gallego’s recommendation is to “Google podcast studios close to you and discover an choice that fits your price range and timeline.” Leverage your giant viewers to get a very good deal. In case you’re not blessed with an enormous listenership proper now, “your skilled setup will make that occur a lot quicker.”
5 methods entrepreneurs can nonetheless win the podcast sport
3. Hang around with fellow content material creators
Gallego believes that, “podcast studios will turn into a form of Soho Home for entrepreneurs.” He’s biased, however he’s acquired a degree. Entrepreneurs make offers and collaborate on tasks with individuals they’d’ve by no means met had it not been for his or her membership to entrepreneur networks. Assembly fellow entrepreneurs attempting to start out and develop their podcasts will work the identical manner, however with extra aligned targets. “Begin your present in the identical room because the podcasts and podcasters you view as being 5 to 10 steps forward of you. Community, study and innovate with these already seeing success.
“In case you’re making a podcast, you’re a content material creator.” Establish with this title and discover others who do too. Gallego needs you to brandish the label round to get forward. “Ask the studio supervisor who else is recording in your reserving day, or discover out who makes use of which studios in your space.” Then work the room. “Make an excuse to indicate up early, shake arms, and provide concepts for collaboration. Have a look at going into the studio the best way you’ll take a look at strolling a trade-show ground.”
4. Leverage AI to outproduce
Don’t sit there struggling to provide you with titles. Use the instruments now available to outproduce different reveals and construct familiarity together with your viewers. “Ask ChatGPT for the highest 5-10 video matters trending in your particular viewers, in catchy headline format.” You’ll be able to go one step additional with the precise prompts. “AskChatGPT to jot down a 30-second introduction script a couple of particular subject for a selected viewers, so that every one it’s a must to do is hit document.” Make it straightforward to fall in love with podcasting and your excessive power will carry by means of to your reveals.
Don’t cease at titles and intros. Use AI instruments to seek out spectacular company, ship outreach emails and comply with ups and summarize episodes into present notes after recording. Make shareable graphics and bite-sized quotes, discover comply with up matters for that very same visitor, and switch questions and feedback from listeners into extra content material. Use AI like your very personal podcast assistant and be amazed at what you’ll be able to produce.
5. Contemplate outsourcing podcast manufacturing
AI can care for the content material and promotion, however Gallego believes the manufacturing is finest outsourced. A rising podcast wants a system by which it constantly produces a number of types of content material, and you must, “take a look at your complete endeavour as creating content material, not recording a podcast. Nonetheless, this stems from a precious and prime quality episode. On the very least, Gallego stated, you must, “discover any individual simply beginning out within the manufacturing area and ask them to document your content material.”
In case you’re on this for the lengthy sport, it doesn’t make sense to edit your individual episodes, which might be troublesome and time consuming. To make sure prices don’t get out of hand, set your self a price range and produce an outlined batch of episodes with assist from the professionals. Examine listener numbers and suggestions to the batch earlier than, and contemplate what the improve has added by way of time saved, progress and perceived manufacturing worth. Examine and distinction to make your plan for the subsequent steps. In case you can, use that very same particular person or firm to repurpose your episode into a number of content material types, and “get pores and skin within the sport nonetheless you’ll be able to.”
Podcasts are right here to remain. Put your persona ahead, don’t scrimp on tools, community with these a number of steps forward, leverage AI to outproduce and discover trusted companions for skilled manufacturing. Stand out and keep on the reducing fringe of the trade whereas making your podcast a worthwhile funding.