How Can You Reach Success As A First-Time Podcaster?
The consensus on podcasts is all-around positive. Recently, they have started to gain more and more popularity, as they fit right into the cracks of our busy schedules. Therefore, it's no wonder that more and more eLearning professionals are employing podcasts to reach a wider audience and increase the profitability of their products. However, taking an idea for a podcast and turning it into an effective marketing tool takes time and preparation. If you are serious about launching your own podcast, read on to discover 11 insider tips that will make your first eLearning podcast a hit.
11 Steps To Set Up Your First eLearning Podcast For Success
1. Define The Purpose Of Your Podcast
Why do you want to start an eLearning podcast? Is it to market your company and attract more leads? Or are you an eLearning expert who wants to share your expertise with the world? Perhaps it is both or another reason altogether. In any case, you must know why you do it, as this decision will affect your future choices. For example, if you're looking to build industry authority, you will probably want to share success stories and standout case studies. In that case, your podcast will follow a monologue or storytelling style to better share information and create a connection with the audience.
2. Know Your Audience
Speaking of the audience, who will this podcast be directed to? One thing is certain: they are interested in eLearning in one way or another, but that's not enough. It's important to identify your audience persona to understand how they think and feel, the problems they face, and the topics that interest them. Getting existing clients and company followers to listen to your first podcast might be easy. But offering them valuable content that will convince them to come back is what will pave the way for success. So, start by conducting a survey to determine the top subjects, products, and technologies they are interested in.
3. Research Your Content
Once you have a list of potential topics for the first ten episodes or so, it's time to start researching. People will be listening to your eLearning podcast to gain access to insights and information that will add value to their professional lives. Therefore, you can't rely on the knowledge you already have. Research your topics and find the latest advancements in the field and changes that are expected in the future. If a topic is not your area of expertise, you can enlist the help of another expert and even invite them to participate in your podcast. This way, you will be certain that you are offering your audience meaningful and impactful content.
4. Find Your Unique Voice
All you can do is be yourself, and at the end of the day, that's who your listeners are tuning in to hear. Try to find your unique voice, style, and opinion, one that will set you apart from the others. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and open up to your audience. Besides, podcasts are not articles or webinars that are supposed to be strictly informational. Podcasting offers a safe space where you can share valuable information while also weaving in personal stories or anecdotes that will entertain your listeners and help them create a connection with your brand.
5. Create An Attractive Brand
Podcasts are an extension of your organization's brand and should be viewed as such. For this reason, you must carry the main aspects of your overall brand, such as colors, values, and messaging, and add a few captivating elements. For example, come up with an eye-catching title that's original and easy to remember. Your podcast's artwork must be intriguing while also communicating the subject. Finally, write a concise and engaging podcast description to attract as many listeners as possible. And don't forget to add relevant keywords in the description to ensure your podcast appears in the right category and is easy to find.
6. Plan Out Your First Episode
Planning is something you must be doing for all episodes, not just the first. However, when preparing your first eLearning podcast episode, there are more decisions to be made. For one, you need to create an intro and outro. The former introduces the podcast, its host, and the topic in a compelling way, while the latter thanks the listeners and perhaps prompts them to a certain action, such as visiting your website or leaving a rating or comment. Moreover, you must plan out the actual content to make sure you're not babbling or getting sidetracked. Although we don't suggest scripting the podcast, you should certainly follow a bullet outline to ensure you stay on topic.
7. Buy Recording Equipment
Podcasts don't require high-end equipment or building a full-on studio. Some podcasters even use their smartphones. However, since this is professional content, we recommend you invest in something a little more sophisticated than that. What you need to record a podcast of decent quality are headphones, a microphone, a computer, and sound recording and editing software. There is a wide price range for each one of these tools, but it's best to keep it simple. Buy equipment that works well and is not overly complicated, especially if you're an amateur podcaster. If necessary, you can upgrade your equipment later on or add a camera to produce video content as well.
8. Explore Sound Editing
As we mentioned previously, podcasting equipment includes a sound editing solution. And that is because no matter how much you practice, you will need to edit your content for mistakes, long pauses, repetitions, and so on. So, it's crucial you familiarize yourself with your software of choice. Even if you have a team or expert to help you with sound editing, some basic knowledge on the software is necessary. It will give you a general idea of the ideal recording conditions and teach you things like not speaking too close to the microphone and maintaining a steady volume.
9. Rehearse Before Recording
A factor that carries great importance when it comes to the success of your first eLearning podcast is how naturally it flows. Listeners will probably not come back for the second episode if the first one left them confused or overwhelmed. For this reason, make sure to rehearse before recording your first episode. Practice in front of the mirror or record a demo episode to make sure that you sound natural and confident. Try out a couple of different intros and have a few of your colleagues listen to them. Gather feedback to figure out if you need to sound more enthusiastic or speak a little slower.
10. Decide On A Schedule
Consistency is key when trying to foster a loyal audience. You can't expect your listeners to take you seriously if you promise weekly episodes and end up uploading once a month. Still, many first-time podcasters make this mistake because they underestimate how much time it takes to record and edit a podcast episode. To solve this issue, record a few episodes in advance so that you can set a realistic timeline that fits with the rest of your tasks and responsibilities. Having a few episodes on standby will also give you the time to work out the intricacies of promoting your podcast and coming up with new ideas without falling behind.
11. Plan Out Your Marketing Strategy
Promoting your eLearning podcast must start before uploading the first episode. Blast your new endeavor on your social media to let your audience know something new and exciting is coming. Share the first topic you will be talking about and perhaps ask them to submit questions you can answer in later episodes. Fostering interactivity will get them more interested in tuning in. Make sure to urge them to visit the platform that will host your podcast and subscribe so that they are immediately informed when the podcast is uploaded. Once you start uploading, share additional content taken from your episodes, such as brief clips, to keep your audience interested and attract more listeners.
Conclusion
Launching a podcast is undoubtedly the right move if you want to promote your eLearning business. Podcasts can help you build a connection with your audience, enhance your online presence, and establish industry authority. However, if this is something you have never done before, you will definitely need some help getting started. You can take the stress out of hosting your podcast by partnering up with eLI. There's no need to worry about planning out your episodes, mastering editing software, or promoting the launch, as we handle all of that for you.
