Firstly, is it too late to start a podcast? The answer is a resounding no. While there are certainly a lot of podcasts out there, there is still plenty of room for new shows. The podcast industry is still growing and evolving, and there are many untapped niches and topics that you could explore.
Since the pandemic, we are in somewhat of a podcast gold rush. While lots of podcasts were created during the pandemic, there were even more people who started to listen to podcasts for entertainment and information. This means that despite there already being so many podcasts to compete with, there are even more listeners than ever before. While Covid-19 has largely become a memory, podcasts and their audience of listeners has continued to grow. This growth shows no signs of slowing down soon, so there is still plenty of time to get involved.
Of course, starting a successful podcast takes more than just having a good idea. There are a lot of factors that go into making a show that people will want to listen to. Here are some tips for starting a podcast that stands out from the crowd:
Find Your Niche
One of the keys to podcast success is finding your niche. With so many podcasts out there, you do need to have a clear focus that sets your show apart. This could mean focusing on a specific topic or genre, or it could mean having a unique perspective or voice. The more specific you can be, the better. For example, instead of starting a general sports podcast, you could focus on a specific sport or team. This will help you attract a dedicated audience that is interested in the same things you are. VOXPOD’s team are always willing to bounce ideas with you, or even help hone in on your niche and your message. Having worked with such a large volume of podcasts, we can help you decide what your unique voice should consist of, should you want to stand out from the crowd.
Invest in Quality Equipment
While plenty of podcasts get by with a laptop and a pair of microphones, the overall production quality is poor. Far too many podcasts sacrifice listeners because their audio levels are too variable or because background noise interferes with a clean recording signal. While you don’t need to spend a ton of money on equipment to start a podcast, it’s important to have quality gear that will give your show a professional sound. Alternatively you can take some of the stress out of the technical side of podcast production and use a professional recording studio like VOXPOD. For each session you are provided with one of our engineers who is trained to get the most out of our PreSonus PD-70 microphones and Sony Alpha 6300 cameras. From there we can give you a professional audio and/or video mix to put out into the world. Poor audio quality can turn listeners off, so it’s worth investing some money to make sure your show sounds great.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to podcasting. You need to have a regular schedule for publishing new episodes and stick to it. This will help you build an audience and keep them coming back for more. Whether you choose to release new episodes weekly, biweekly, or monthly, make sure you stick to your schedule and let your listeners know when to expect new content. Top tip: we recommend that if your show does not rely on staying up to date with current affairs/sport, that you try to record your shows in batches. If you have five or six episodes ready to go at any time, you provide yourself with a comfortable buffer period to chase down that next guest or even take some time off.
Engage with Your Audience
One of the great things about podcasting is that it allows you to build a community around your show. You can engage with your listeners through social media, email, or even in-person events. Make sure you respond to comments and feedback and ask for input from your audience. This will help you build a loyal following and create a show that your listeners love. You can even try incorporating listeners into your show, setting aside a segment to answer their questions. Some shows even have spin-off episodes exclusively dedicated to audience interaction and commenting on reactions to the previous show. If you wish to both monetize the show and reward your most loyal listeners, you might consider creating a Patreon page, where you post exclusive content to those fans who support you most.
Promote Your Show
Finally, it’s important to promote your show if you want it to be successful. This means using social media like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, email, and other channels to get the word out about your podcast. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other podcasters or influencers in your niche and ask if they would be willing to promote your show. The more exposure you can get for your podcast, the more likely it is that people will discover it and start listening.
If you ever catch yourself wondering if you have missed the boat, you haven’t, there is still plenty of time to get your podcast up and running. However, there is a lot more competition, if you want your podcast to succeed we hope that these tips will help you find your niche and your audience. Once you have your idea, we are always here to help you take the production to the next level.