As an entrepreneur, you are continually looking for ways to reach your audience and grow your audience so that your message can be heard, and you can help as many people solve a problem as you can. Podcasting is a great way to reach those audiences.
The popularity of podcasting has blown up during the pandemic. With more people looking for that human connection outside of their homes while in lockdown, podcasting has been great for people to tune in. People who listen to podcasts are searching for a solution to their problem, so chances are if they are tuning into yours, you can help them. Podcasting offers an excellent opportunity for a potential client to get to know you, like you, and trust you.
Heather Parady
Becci Leigh Photography
Heather Parady, the host of the Unconventional Leaders podcast, wants entrepreneurs to be aware of podcasting benefits and be realistic with their expectations of what a podcast can do for you and your business. Building an audience and gaining popularity on your podcast is slow growth. The average podcast racks up 141 downloads in the first 30 days. But she encourages you to hang in there, as your audience will grow, and you will have the opportunity to impact more lives.
There are great ways to work on growing your listenership. You can attract new listeners by guesting on other podcasts to speak to what you are an expert in and help their audience. You can also have guests join you on your podcast to attract their audience to you as well. The trick is to ensure the audiences are aligned and a right fit for each other.
Regardless of the slow growth rate that podcasts have, Heather encourages you to start that podcast. She wants you to go into the podcast with realistic expectations.
Heather’s top tips on why you should start a podcast for your business:
1. There are ways to monetize the podcast
Just by reaching out to your audience through podcasting, you are building a relationship with your clients. Podcasting is how people get to know you, like you and trust you. When that relationship gets developed, then it’s a great way to sell your offerings to them. They will see the value that your offers bring them through podcasting, but it takes time to grow those relationships.
Ways to monetize your podcast are becoming increasingly popular. You can promote your offerings on your podcast, you can do affiliate marketing with your podcast, and you can seek sponsorships. Starting a podcast will not get you rich quick, as sponsorships typically pay approximately $18 per 1,000 downloads. A great alternative is to promote affiliates and your products and programs as well.
2. Gives you authority
As a podcaster, you put your stake in the ground and speak to the subject you choose. That helps you build the authority around you. It helps your listeners understand why you are the expert on this subject and why they should listen to you. Getting in someone’s ear like that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a great honor to capture someone’s attention for the length of your podcast. Even if you down feel that you have a small audience of, say, 30 listeners. That’s good. Imagine having a room filled with 30 people who came out to hear you talk. That’s impressive.
3. Great way to get education from your guests
When you are podcasting, you get the opportunity to learn from guests that you might not otherwise have had that opportunity. Interviewing guests is a great way to get a free 30-minute interaction with someone you can learn and grow from.
4. Builds your network
Podcasters talk and connect; they refer guests and build their network with many other entrepreneurs. Having that type of network creates your business in various areas where you can reach out when you need help from others.
The bottom line is when you have a podcast, your unique voice and personality will scale better than trying to be someone that you are not. People are connecting with you when they listen to your podcast, so you need to be authentic. Your vulnerability will shine through and promote that human connection that we as people desire.
