Our top ten tips for podcasting

Podcasting used to be a mere hobby, carried out by the occasional Youtuber to a few limited subscribers. Now, the use of podcasting in business has grown exponentially. It’s estimated around 4.2 million people listen to podcasts each week in the UK. The ability to choose what you want to listen to and when, has been a real incentive for people to opt in to following a podcast channel. Clearly, podcasting makes a difference and is arguably one of the best ways to connect with your community in a more authentic and organised way. As mentioned in our previous blog, Scott Media’s ‘PR no BS’ podcast has reached over 7,000 downloads. This is why we believe podcasting is now an essential tool needed in PR. Thankfully, you don’t need a professional studio or years of broadcasting experience to get started. With the right approach and mindset, anyone can create a podcast worth listening to. We’ve created a list of top ten tips to help you create a successful podcast community:

Tip 1) Be clear about why you want to do a podcast.
Before you record, be clear about your intentions. You can’t create something meaningful for people without knowing why you want to do it. What do you want to share with the world? What do you feel isn’t spoken about enough? What podcast would make sense for your business? People buy from people, so make sure to show your audience who you are.

Tip 2) Do some research on other podcasts covering your subject.
Listen to other podcasts to get a feel for them. Decide which ones you like and why. Be clear on who you’re speaking to. You want your podcast to stand out, and this also avoids any awkward conversations later on. 

Tip 3) Choose a name carefully.
You want your podcast to be different to others but not too niche that nobody can find you or limit the guests you can have on it.

Tip 4) Choose a format and stick with it.
Interview-style, chatty conversations, co-host chats, storytelling – there’s no right or wrong format to use but consistency helps your audience to know what to expect. 

Tip 5) Plan your episodes properly.
This doesn’t have to take a long time. You don’t need to write an essay. Just think about the structure. Who is going to be in this week’s podcast and why? Who will be in next week’s podcast and why? If you want to script or rehearse some things to help you get started, then do it.

Tip 6) Keep intros short and gripping.
You want to grab the audience’s attention straight away. Remember, most people’s attention span is very short, so get them hooked from the beginning. Get to the point, say things clearly and don’t waffle!

Tip 7) Have good sound quality.
A podcast is all about sound so your sound does have to be good. It can’t be muffled or crackling. It’s also important to be aware of background noise. Try to find somewhere quiet and organise your room to be like a studio, if you can. Any background sounds can divert attention and lose the listener. 

Tip 8) It doesn’t have to have expensive visuals; it can be done on your phone!
Don’t obsess over expensive equipment. It’s not necessary. A decent microphone, headphones and a quiet room can make a real difference to sound quality. Focus on this.

Tip 9) Be yourself.
People connect with people. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Equally, it’s good to listen to other podcasts to get an idea of what you’re looking for but don’t try to replicate someone else completely. Authenticity is key.

Tip 10) Commit and be consistent.
Whether you post weekly, fortnightly or monthly etc. try to stick to a regular schedule. This creates predictability for the listeners and a sense of safety. They know by subscribing to you they will be notified of the next episode. It also helps to build trust and keep your audience engaged.

Finally, progress not perfection. Many people don’t take the first steps towards trying something new out of fear. What will people think? At the end of the day, we miss 100% of the opportunities we don’t take. Everything is a learning journey, and it doesn’t have to be perfect straight away but make sure you don’t procrastinate. Get started. Often the first step is the hardest one. 

To listen to PR Not BS head to www.scottmedia.uk/podcast