Podcasting took the world by storm, with an estimated 120 million listeners in the U.S. in 2021. And for a good reason, since podcasting is a unique way to connect with your existing customers and prospects. The casual conversation format of a podcast episode helps to humanize your brand and shares your company’s mission in an approachable way. Here are a few tips for starting a podcast in 2022:
Select a host: A charismatic and knowledgeable host is the basis for a successful podcast. Find someone internal or hire someone external who knows your company, can speak to your goals, and has the skills to guide a conversation effortlessly.
Get set up: It is a good idea to set your host up for success by purchasing an external microphone (you can find one on Amazon for as cheap as $30) to ensure the best audio quality. A few additional tips:
- Consider using a tool like Zoom Webinars to conserve bandwidth
- Remind the host to drink water while recording
- Closeout any desktop apps that might make noise
- Remind the host and guests to mute themselves when someone else is speaking.
Find interesting guests: As your podcast starts, it is okay to use internal guests to help your host warm-up. Make sure the guest understands that podcasts are thought leadership focused, so they don’t spend the discussion directly selling your product. Quickly diversify your guests to help keep future conversations interesting to the audience.
Create a tip sheet: A tip sheet is essential to keep the guest and host on topic throughout their conversation. A formal tip sheet should include background on your podcast, where to find past episodes, an introduction of the guest, the structure of your interviews, and the questions you plan to ask. Send the tip sheet to your guest before the interview to give them time to prepare.
Time to edit: Finding someone with experience editing audio is ideal for helping get your podcast off the ground. If you don’t have access to an audio engineer, don’t worry, as there are plenty of tools online to help you learn how to edit podcasts. Here are a few tips to help you edit your audio:
- Complete a LinkedIn Learning course to start grasping the basics.
- Download a free editing software, such as ‘Audacity,’ which is excellent for beginners.
- You can also use a podcast editing service available through your podcast hosting platform to streamline this process.
Starting a corporate podcast is an excellent addition to your current content marketing mix. Diversifying the ways your audience can engage with you provides more avenues for connection. Reach out to us or keep an eye on our blog for more tips to jump-start your podcast.
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We help financial professionals and organizations create a solid financial content marketing plan. Connect with us via social media at @freshFinance_ on Twitter and @freshFinance on LinkedIn.
