‘Time is of the essence.’ How many times have you heard that? You could even say it’s so cliché. Still, you can’t deny the fact that time is a precious commodity (especially in these fast-paced times). One of the main reasons why podcasts are becoming so popular these days is because they are an efficient way to deliver a message to an audience.
Recent research revealed that most people listen to podcasts while doing other activities, like driving or exercising. This makes them quite easy to consume. For most people, a podcast offers something to do while doing something else; for example, washing, cooking or babysitting. Someone might learn something new while taking out the trash or catching up on the latest celebrity gossip while out for a run!
Compared to TV, which takes up a lot of your time and doesn’t leave much room for multitasking, podcasts are flexible. Ideally, podcasting can serve as a distraction from mundane activities like traveling or waiting at the doctor’s office. People are no longer slaves to radio or television schedules. Listeners now call the shots and can listen to what they want, where they want, and when they want. And that’s amazing!
Many people, just like you, have created new careers and income streams by entering the world of podcasts. Research also shows that 50% of people have listened to at least one podcast. In this article, you’ll discover three reasons why podcasting is the new kid on the block.
Versatility
Now it’s easier than ever to share your ideas, thoughts, or visions with the world through podcasts. After all, it is arguably the number one media outlet on the planet right now. All the listener has to do is download your podcast to their phone and then listen to it whenever they want. They can fast forward, rewind or play episodes as many times as they want.
While there are different types of podcasts, the goal is generally the same: to communicate with an audience. The final goals or results may vary a bit. They can be any of the following:
· Motivate or inspire.
Educate, for example: Explain how to do a specific task, like baking a cake.
· Tell a story, which can be fictional or real.
· Promote or sell a product.
· Share an idea or perspective.
· Provide advice.
· Make a cause or issue known.
· Entertain or provide laughter.
The variety of topics that can be discussed allows everyone to find something that interests them. It is up to you to find a niche and create your content around that niche.
It requires very little to get started.
You literally only need a cell phone to get started. So no, you don’t need to hire a fancy producer, or have a state-of-the-art recording studio. People don’t listen to a podcast because the sound is of the highest quality. However, they will listen if the content is good and speaks to their heart or stirs some kind of emotion. Therefore, one of your main goals as a podcaster should be to focus on preparing good quality content. Pay attention to details such as: Title, structure, schedule and edition.
Although it’s not required, editing your podcast will most likely be a task you do. This will allow you to clean up your recordings, making them sound more professional. You don’t have to be a techie or professional to edit your podcasts. There are quite a few free editing software programs available for use that will help you achieve this feat quickly and easily.
Once you’ve recorded a couple of episodes and you’re sure you want to continue podcasting, you may want to invest in some higher quality equipment. For podcasters, the technology is now available and allows a novice to produce high-quality podcast episodes on a very low budget. If you surveyed the majority of podcasters and asked the question, “How did you get started?” most would probably tell you that they started in their garage, basement, bedroom, or living room talking on a computer or smartphone!
can be profitable
Research has shown that 45% of podcast listeners have a monthly income of $75,000 or more. Done right, a podcast can be very profitable as it is not expensive to start. Once you’ve started, there is a chance to attract sponsors within your niche through promoting the products and services of others. The presenter could read short commercials during the program. This approach is considered authentic and intimate because it is not perceived as a disruption to regular programming. Rather it is seen as information from a familiar and reliable source. This is the most common way to monetize your podcast.
As a host, you can also create your own products that can be offered to your listeners. You have loyal subscribers who trust you. If you develop a product that fills a need for your listeners, some will want access to this type of additional resource. This is a great way to grow a coaching or consulting business.
Also, you can offer premium episodes of your show for sale. Maybe a lighthearted conversation you had with an interviewee or videos of you recording an episode. You can also repurpose your content by transcribing your audio, formatting it into a book, and offering it for sale on Amazon and other distributors.
You can also repurpose your content and create a YouTube version of your show. This is quite easy to achieve. You can simply use a tripod to record videos of yourself during recording sessions, use Zoom or any other video recording app. Basically, burn once and reuse multiple times.
The possibilities are limitless when it comes to podcasts, with more people listening to podcasts than ever before. Subsequently, there are numerous benefits to be gained from having your own podcast.
1. It is time efficient.
2. They are easy to create.
3. They can be profitable.
4. They can be quite easily consumed by end users.
These are just a few of the reasons why Podcasting has grown in popularity in the last decade.
While there are many reasons podcasts are popular these days, don’t assume you’ll add to the mix and instantly have loyal listeners or subscribers. It will take time to build your audience. But if you never start, you’ll never have an audience.
Yes, you can make money from podcasts, but first you’ll need to do your due diligence and create quality content that’s valuable to an ever-growing group of listeners. Once you’ve done that, the sky’s the limit!
