What’s a Podcast?
An audio broadcast, typically a series of broadcasts, that’s available over the Internet for either streaming to computers and mobile devices. The broadcasts can also be downloaded as an audio file by the listener.
Subscribers to your podcast can receive automatic instalments as you publish them.
Despite being initiated by Apple when releasing the iPod in 2001. Hence the name “Pod”cast. You can now publish your audio files on multiple platforms, some of which still refer to the word Pod in a generic sense.
If you wish to share your expertise or opinion with the world this is a great way to do it.
Who’s it for?
- Anyone with information to share
- Anyone who loves explaining in a fun fashion
- Anyone with a passion to share
Skills
- Good knowledge of a topic
- Ability to articulate
- Ability to entertain
- Ability to use recording software
- Good interviewing skills is a bonus
Start Up
Get some decent recording equipment. It doesn’t have to be mega expensive, but there’s nothing worse than listening to poor audio. It ruins the whole experience even if your content is great.
Get prepared by writing out scripts that can guide you. Don’t follow them to the tee because it needs to sound natural. Rather, use them as bullet points to send you off on points of discussion.
Mapping out a number of episodes to give yourself some structure moving forward will help.
Once you feel comfortable with your recording quality and your content its time to begin dripping out episodes once a week on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
How You Make Your Income
You need either a product or a sponsor in the backend of your business.
Don’t bash people over the head with it because you’re there to deliver value. If the Podcast delivers stand-alone value your listeners will view you as an authority on your subject. Once you’ve achieved your listeners will be open to purchasing associated products.
You can find a sponsor, mention them during your broadcast or place a commercial to earn more.
If your content is high quality, or you do an in-depth session on a subject, you can also sell episodes.
To understand how to find or create products to monetize your Podcast check out the Long Spinners or the Plus area.
