Podcasts have been growing in popularity since its inception during 2005. They are fun, easy ways to pass time and divulge into what feels like an intimate conversation between yourself and who you are listening to. Podcasts can be informative, educational, comedical, inspiring, or whatever you, the podcast maker, want it to be. It gives an opportunity for others to hear your perspective on different topics and what expertise you have to offer for listeners.
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Benefits of Podcasts
Making a podcast for you business can be extremely beneficial. As a podcaster, you can use your platform to influence and capitalize on the product or service you offer. Making a podcast allows for listeners to acknowledge and reciprocate that you are a leader in your field and an expert in what you are discussing.
It allows for you to collaborate with other business professionals who you might have never thought to have a relationship with. Thus, it opens doors for new opportunities or business ventures that you and your guest might discuss during a podcast session. Allowing for growth for your business and whoever you decide to bring on the show.
Most importantly, discussed a little above, it defines you as an expert in your discipline. Making the effort to research and delve into topics within your podcast shows listeners that you are someone they can trust for information and advice; whether that be health, products, politics, or the economy. By displaying you have the ability to research and discuss different topics during a podcast, your listeners will be able to trust you as a reliable source of knowledge.
Now that we have established the potential benefits of podcasts, we want to also share how you, as a business owner, could go about cultivating your own podcast show. Utilizing these tips and tricks will aid you in the start of your journey into podcasting.
- Basics
- Finding Your Niche
- Format
- Defining Your Style
- Length
- Recording and Editing
- Mac vs PC
- Launching and Promotion
Using these tips will allow you to have a smooth transition into the making of your new podcast. If you’re a beginner to podcasting, you should also check out this on how to start a podcast.
The Basics:
Finding Your Niche
One of the first things that needs to be decided upon before beginning your podcast is your niche. It is important to realize that in order to appeal to a broad audience, the niche you chose must also be broad. A good rule to follow is to find the median between a broader subject and one that you may be a specialist in, but only few would be attracted to.
Look at the competition. What are other people within your field podcasting about? Do you think there is a gap you could fill with your podcast? Questions like these are meant to provoke thought and give you insight into what your podcast could potentially be about.
Format
Podcasts have grown exponentially and so have the different styles that come with it. Currently, there are three main types of podcasts; solo shows, co hosted shows, and interview-style podcasts. Solo shows, like the name suggests, involve a singular person talking directly to an audience. Co-hosted podcasts involve two or more people, and lastly, interview-style podcasts involve bringing in guests to be interviewed and discuss different topics with.
Defining Your Style
Podcasts are no place for teleprompters. Be authentic and be yourself. Most podcasts are targeted to be conversational content. Being yourself is an important part of what attracts an audience that you want. Conforming to what you think people may want to hear is never the right move, and will lead to more people disliking your podcast rather than listening to it. In order to be interesting you must be interested. Showing enthusiasm about your topic of discussion allows for your audience to also feel engulfed in the conversation and will be sure to draw their attention.
Length
Podcasts grew in popularity because of its quick ability to deliver entertainment on the go. The average podcast length ranges from about 25 to 45 minutes. This is a good time stamp because on average it is about the same length as many people’s commute. People traveling to and from places listen to podcasts in order to get a quick dose of information. It is up to you as the podcaster though, do you want a podcast that will do a deep dive into a topic for 3 hours, or do you want a shorter podcast where people can listen on the go?
Recording and Editing
Due to the growing popularity of podcasts, there are now many different options when it comes to how to record and how to edit your show. In order to get started, you will need audio software to record and edit. Apple products such as laptops or tablets usually come preloaded with Garageband. It is a free and easy-to-use software that allows you to have professional-level studio editing software at your fingertips. There are many different youtube tutorials on how to utilize the software for podcast recording and we suggest going through different videos and practicing to get a better understanding.
For PC users, Adobe Audition is a very similar software to Garageband however requires a monthly subscription. Another option is Alitu, a podcast maker tool that helps develop episodes by automatically editing and publishing your shows for you.
Launch and Promotion
Now that you have established what you want for your podcast and have a few episodes ready to be published, it is time to generate buzz. Announce the launch in advance to your business network via different platforms such as email and social media. You want people to be waiting and anticipating the arrival of your podcast, this will create buzz and build an audience before you even launch your first episode.
It is important to remember that making a podcast is a learning experience. You should be open to critique and willing to listen to what your listeners have to say about your podcast. This is especially important if you plan for your listeners to be future clients or customers as well.
With these tips and tricks you will be more than prepared to create and launch your very own podcast. It is meant to be fun so do not take it too seriously or to heart if you do not get it right the first time! You should also check out this article on the best podcast equipment to get you off to the best start.
Want to watch more content on the world of business? If so, check out these articles on the best business TV shows and the best business movies.
Top Podcasts for Business Growth in 2023:
Marketing:
- “Marketing School with Neil Patel & Eric Siu”: Daily bite-sized marketing tips and strategies from industry experts Neil Patel and Eric Siu, covering everything from SEO and social media to content marketing and conversion optimization.
- “The GaryVee Audio Experience”: Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur and author, shares his insights on hustle, personal branding, and building successful businesses in the digital age.
- “Marketing Made Simple with Amy Porterfield”: Amy Porterfield, online marketing strategist, helps listeners build profitable online businesses with actionable advice on email marketing, webinars, and online courses.
Leadership:
- “The Tim Ferriss Show”: Tim Ferriss interviews world-class performers from various fields, delving into their routines, habits, and strategies for success.
- “Leadership & Loyalty”: Host Kevin Kruse interviews top CEOs and business leaders, exploring leadership principles and practices for building high-performing teams.
- “On Being with Krista Tippett”: Krista Tippett explores the big questions of meaning and purpose with renowned thinkers, authors, and artists, offering insights on leadership for a changing world.
Finance:
- “Planet Money”: NPR’s engaging podcast that makes economics and finance accessible to everyone, covering current events, financial trends, and personal finance tips.
- “InvestED with Phil Town”: Phil Town, legendary investor and author, shares his insights on value investing, wealth management, and building financial independence.
- “The Meb Faber Show”: Meb Faber, investment advisor and author, discusses investing strategies, market trends, and financial planning with leading experts and investors.
Additional Categories:
- Entrepreneurship: “How I Built This with Guy Raz”, “Startup School Radio”
- Productivity: “The Productivity Show”, “Deep Work with Cal Newport”
- Sales: “The Sales Hacker Podcast”, “Challenger Sale”
- Technology & Innovation: “Exponent”, “a16z”
Reasons why these podcasts are valuable:
- Expert insights: Get access to the knowledge and experience of leading experts and entrepreneurs in your field.
- Actionable advice: Learn practical strategies and tactics that you can implement in your own business.
- Motivation & inspiration: Stay motivated and inspired by the stories of successful individuals and businesses.
- Community & learning: Connect with other listeners and learn from their experiences and questions.
- Convenient & accessible: Listen to podcasts on your own time and schedule, whether you’re commuting, exercising, or working.
Note: This is just a small selection of the many great business podcasts available. Be sure to explore different options and find the ones that best fit your interests and needs.
Actionable Takeaways from Top Business Podcasts:
Marketing:
- Marketing School:
- Implement the “3-Second Rule” to ensure your website captures attention instantly.
- Conduct A/B testing on key elements like headlines and calls to action to optimize for conversions.
- Utilize retargeting campaigns to stay top-of-mind with potential customers.
- The GaryVee Audio Experience:
- Document your journey and share valuable content to build an audience and personal brand.
- Invest in building relationships and networking with others in your industry.
- Embrace hustle and consistent effort to achieve your business goals.
- Marketing Made Simple:
- Develop a strong email marketing strategy to nurture leads and build relationships with customers.
- Utilize webinars as a powerful tool to educate potential clients and generate leads.
- Create high-quality online courses to share your expertise and monetize your knowledge.
Leadership:
- The Tim Ferriss Show:
- Implement the “DEBT” framework (Delegate, Eliminate, Automate, Batch) to optimize your time and productivity.
- Prioritize sleep and healthy habits to maximize your mental and physical performance.
- Focus on continuous learning and acquiring new skills to stay ahead of the curve.
- Leadership & Loyalty:
- Create a clear and compelling vision for your organization to inspire and motivate your team.
- Foster a culture of trust and transparency where employees feel valued and heard.
- Recognize and reward your team’s contributions to boost morale and engagement.
- On Being:
- Cultivate a sense of curiosity and openness to learning from diverse perspectives.
- Practice self-reflection and mindfulness to better understand your values and motivations.
- Lead with empathy and compassion to build strong connections with others.
Finance:
- Planet Money:
- Create a budget and track your spending to gain control of your finances.
- Invest in your financial literacy and learn about different investment options.
- Diversify your portfolio to minimize risk and maximize returns.
- InvestED:
- Focus on value investing and buying stocks with strong fundamentals for long-term growth.
- Develop a patient and disciplined approach to investing and avoid chasing short-term trends.
- Seek professional advice from a financial advisor if needed.
- The Meb Faber Show:
- Understand the principles of asset allocation and diversification to build a stable portfolio.
- Consider alternative investments like real estate and commodities to hedge against inflation.
- Regularly review your portfolio and rebalance as needed to maintain your desired asset allocation.
Growing Popularity of Business Podcasts:
- 79% of Americans are aware of podcasts (Statista, 2023).
- 52% of podcast listeners have listened to podcasts focused on business, finance, investing, and economics (Jar Audio, 2023).
- The global podcast market size is expected to reach USD 94.88 billion by 2028 (Grand View Research, 2023).
- Podcast advertising revenue in the US is projected to reach USD 4.92 billion by 2024 (eMarketer, 2023).
Impact of Podcasts on Business Success:
- Organizations with branded podcasts saw 89% higher awareness, 57% higher brand consideration, 24% higher brand favorability, 14% higher purchase intent, and 12% higher memory encoding than other forms of content (LinkedIn, 2023).
- 55% of business owners listen to podcasts daily (Podpod, 2023).
- 44% of C-suite executives, VPs, and department heads who know about podcasts listen to them (LinkedIn, 2023).
- Podcast ads drive a 71% aided brand recall rate (Nielsen, 2023).
Listening Habits of Professionals and Business Owners:
- The average podcast listener in the US consumes 81 minutes per day (Edison Research, 2023).
- 40% of professionals listen to podcasts while commuting (HubSpot, 2023).
- 32% of people listen to podcasts monthly, while 22% listen at least weekly (Statista, 2023).
- The top reasons people listen to podcasts are to learn new things (58%), be entertained (57%), and relax (48%) (Edison Research, 2023).
Additional Resources:
- Statista: U.S. Podcasting Industry – statistics & facts
- Jar Audio: How Podcasts Really Impact Brands: Key Statistics You Should Know
- LinkedIn: 2023 – The Growing Popularity of Podcasts in B2B Marketing
- Podpod: Over half of business owners are daily podcast listeners, study shows
Sources
FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of listening to podcasts for business owners and professionals?
A: Listening to business podcasts can offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Learning new skills and knowledge: Podcasts provide access to expert insights and practical advice from leading entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders.
- Staying informed about industry trends: Podcasts can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in your industry.
- Improving productivity and motivation: Podcasts can be a great way to get inspired and motivated to take action on your business goals.
- Building relationships and networking: Podcasts can connect you with other people in your industry and help you build valuable relationships.
- Relaxing and de-stressing: Podcasts can be a great way to unwind and de-stress after a long day.
Q: How can I find the right podcasts for my business needs?
A: There are a few things you can do to find the right podcasts for your business needs:
- Identify your specific interests and goals. What areas of business do you want to learn more about? What are your specific goals for your business?
- Browse podcast directories and search for podcasts by topic. Popular directories include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
- Read reviews and recommendations from other business owners and professionals.
- Listen to trailers and sample episodes to see if a podcast is a good fit for you.
- Subscribe to podcasts that you enjoy and listen regularly.
Q: How can I get the most out of listening to business podcasts?
A: There are a few things you can do to get the most out of listening to business podcasts:
- Take notes while you listen. This will help you remember the key points and insights from the podcast.
- Apply the insights from the podcast to your own business. Don’t just listen to podcasts passively; take action and implement the things you learn.
- Discuss the podcasts you listen to with other people. This can help you to deepen your understanding of the material and get new perspectives.
- Join online communities and forums related to your business interests. This is a great way to connect with other people who are also passionate about learning and growing their businesses.
Conclusion
Podcasts are a powerful tool for business owners and professionals who are looking to learn, grow, and achieve their goals. With the growing popularity of podcasts and the increasing availability of high-quality content, there has never been a better time to start listening.
By taking advantage of the resources available, you can use podcasts to unlock your business potential and achieve success.
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Noha Basiony // 31st January 2024 