Offering an insider’s look at the world of podcasting, Reece Muir, Crescendo Studio’s Production Manager, shares his top tips and tricks for creating a successful podcast that listeners can’t wait to get into.
Why make a podcast?
Podcasting is on the rise as a new form of communication that bucks the trend of multi-screen, short clips, and short attention spans. If you want to cut through the noise of prime time advertising to engage with new audiences in a new way, and on their terms at the time they want to listen (at the gym, in the car, at bedtime), consider podcasting as a new channel in your marketing mix.
What are the top three considerations before you start?
Audience: Like all good marketing plans, who are you talking to? Who will want to listen to your podcast and why? Is it entertaining or informative? Are the guests the drawcard, is it a hot topic, or is your host a big personality/influencer with a bucket load of fans and followers? Considering these questions before you start, will help guide you in the right direction.
Competitor Analysis: How is your podcast different from other podcasts that already exist? We’ve all heard Mark Twain’s quote ‘There’s no such thing as a new idea’ and most ‘new ideas’ have already been done. It’s essential to do your research. Know who is in your lane, what they do great and how they can do better. This will help you to find your niche and create a relevant podcast that your audience want to listen to.
Length: Does it need to be 20, 30, or 40 minutes? The length of your podcast is important depending on your genre; informative, wellbeing, comedy etc. Sometimes it’s a short, sharp, high-energy host giving listeners hot tips and other times it is more important to let thought-provoking conversations flow naturally. You will establish the right balance for your style of podcast.
Biggest mistakes people make?
There are lots of things that can tip a well-intended podcast into a doozy. Here are a few areas that we tend to come across more often:
Over scripting: While it’s great to have a couple of key messages to hook your audience, pushing these too much can make your podcast sound like an infomercial that could potentially have a reverse effect and switch them off.
Poor sound quality: Whether it’s music or talk-shows, we want to hear the best audio production for our listening pleasure. It’s so important to ensure that your recording environment is quiet with minimal external sound and disturbances. A soundproof booth is advised wherever possible.
Incorrect facts: Mentioning facts and stats but getting them wrong or citing an author or artist but not getting their name right. Do your homework and have your key facts, figures and names prepped and ready.
How do you start?
If you’re keen to launch a new podcasting project or give an existing project a boost to get it off the ground, come and have a chat with Crescendo Studio. We can help develop your ideas before you begin, talk you through the process and offer professional end-to-end podcast services.
Book a free consultation today by emailing [email protected]
This article was originally published in the March/April 2023 issue of NZ Marketing. Click here to subscribe.
