Podcasts are the next big thing.
They are long form and the type of clients you attract are willing to listen to what you have say for a much longer time than just a blog post. Not to mention that it is less resource intensive than a video.
This post was written to show you the process that internet marketers Neil Patel and Eric Siu goes through to record and promote their podcasts.
1. Record multiple times
Don’t assume that recording with one mic and one piece of software will go smoothly. Often times, the mic may not have been working or the software failed to record.
According to Eric, the software he uses are QuickTime (most consistent thus far), Skype (for interviews) and Ecamm Recorder.
2. Get a good microphone
Audio quality is key in a podcast. Using the microphone on your earphones that came with your phone just doesn’t cut it.
Among the most popular recommendations are the Blue Yeti or the Audio Technica ATR2100.
Match up one software to record with one microphone. Record simultaneously with multiple mics and software to have backup copies.
Have another backup copy by recording with your smartphone.
The most popular mics for smartphones are the Shure MV88 and the Rode Smartlav+.
You can use the built-in app to record.
3. Promote, promote, promote
Neil and Eric said that the most effective form of promotion for them was e-mail blasts.
But what if you are starting from scratch and you don’t have a following yet?
Solution? Start collecting emails on your website.
Besides that, there are other tools you can use while cultivating your subscriber base:
Libsyn – to track listens (maybe inaccurate because even 1 second counts as a listen) and downloads. This tool can also automate the promotion of your podcast to other platforms e.g. SoundCloud.
MeetEdgar – to promote your podcast on your social channels.
Submit your podcast to Product Hunt (it’s a platform for people to discover your product) – you would have to get people to help upvote your podcast. The most upvoted will be featured on the front page.
You can also set up an RSS-to-Email digest for all the podcasts of the week. By doing this, you automate the process of emailing your followers and removing the need to write manual messages each week.
4. Interview other popular people to be on your podcast and ask them to share it
The first half of the battle is to get popular people to be on your podcast.
Once you are able to feature them, ask them if they can share the episode with their audience. Often times, it’s okay.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Let’s say a year goes by and their episode was listened to and downloaded tens of thousands of times over.
Let them know that their episode performed very well (give them the stats) and tell them it would be really great if they can promote it to their audience again. Tell them that you just want to get them as much press as possible.
5. Don’t track downloads all the time
Often times, when you start out, you will be hung up over the amount of listens and downloads your podcast has.
But fret not.
The downloads in the beginning don’t reflect the true value of the podcast until much later.
Just focus on the feedback and the reviews you get from your existing listeners and fine tune accordingly.
Give it at 6 months to a year before your podcast starts to get traction.
In conclusion, the things to keep in mind when recording and promoting your podcasts are:
1. Record multiple times to have backup copies
2. Get a good microphone
3. Promote, promote, promote
4. Interview popular people on your podcasts and ask them to share it
5. Don’t track downloads all the time, instead focus on value.
