On the occasion of #InternationalPodcastDay, I wanted to write an updated article to reflect some top tips to create your own podcast in your very own voice. Perhaps you are a communication professional or a charity or an entrepreneur, looking to spread the message about your cause to an interested audience. You may be looking to extend your channels through the medium of podcasting or to find a platform to share your worldview. There are 383 million podcast listeners globally (21 million in UK, 100 million in US) so don’t wait, jump right into the world of podcasting.
I wrote Part #1 of So you want to podcast after I completed a 2 week podcasting course with Sonder Radio and had created my first pilot episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast. That was almost a year ago.
Since then, I launched the #MeettheMancunian #podcast Seasons 1, 2 and 3 in 2022 and have a bit more experience with podcasting although I am still learning about the medium. So, I am sharing my top tips here.
- Passion for your topic: Spend some time on your own or with a friend really thinking about the topic for your podcast. Figure if you have a real passion for your topic before you start. It will keep you focused and make sure you keep at it even when there are challenges or competing priorities. The Meet the Mancunian podcast features Manchester residents making social impact and is helping me learn about the social impact sector and my new adopted city. I have a real passion for purpose-led organisations and hence that’s the focus I chose.
- Ask for help and support: Podcasters are really helpful people. Most hosts / producers will take time to help and offer advice and do try to pay it forward. Consider joining a podcasting community (https:// twitter.com/micspodcastclub) or just reach out to an individual host and ask for their top tips and watch outs.
- Invest in good audio tech: Invest in the best mic, headphones and quiet space you can afford but you can also make do. Spend time on editing your podcast and remove filler words, unnecessary dialogue or monologue. I only invested in a Blue Yeti mike when I was recording Season 3. I used to record on Zoom but moved to Zencastr which is a medium made for podcasts.
- Learn and experiment: Think of every episode or season as your canvas to experiment. Learn something new, listen to podcasts and hear experts talk about podcasts, get real life tips from podcasters you know. I try to think about small tweaks and introductions that can make my podcast better. As an example, something simple like using the theme of the podcast episode rather than the name of the organisation on the episode creatives makes it a better experience for my listener.
- Be bold: I have a belief that the universe is listening and you get what you ask for. Be bold, ask for guests to promote the podcast or introduce you to other possible guests. Don’t be afraid to pitch yourself to a platform which could promote your podcast. For eg, The Meet the Mancunian was featured on BBC Upload the very first week it was published (Ep 1, Season 1). When I heard last month that new podcasting radio channel Grow UK was launching. I reached out to list my podcasts and now I have a twice weekly show with them. Think what’s the worst that will happen and be brave.
I hope these tips and experiences were useful and encourage you to plunge into the wonderful world of podcasting.
I am always happy to meet other aspiring, newbie and experienced podcasters. Send me a LinkedIn message or leave a comment here if you would like to have a virtual coffee.
