If you’re reading this, chances are you’re intrigued by the idea. You just need someone to talk you into it. So, here are the Top 5 reasons (and benefits) for starting a podcast.
5/5
You Like Yapping
“You talk too much” is a tough pill to swallow, no matter how true it is. There’s a place for those words buried deep inside. Someone, somewhere on the planet wants to hear your voice. Countless niche audiences exist for every topic or sub-genre you can think of. According to Buzzsprout, “the United States accounts for 47.9% of podcast listeners, followed by the United Kingdom with 6.3%, and Canada with 5.0% (full lineup here).” Find your people online… and talk to them.
4/5
The Subject Expert
Have you been alive for over two decades? If so, you’re good at something. Your lived experience and education are unique in the universe. Imagine you are a Welder and decide to start a podcast. Welding is an extremely dangerous profession, which is why it’s such a niche industry. The volume of traffic for the subject genre is relatively low in the podcast market. Thus, making it easier to stand out. True crime, news, and sports are mainstays and more competitive to break into.
3/5
The Only Cost Is Time
Gone are the days when creators pay north of $500 or more for sound equipment. There are free-to-use apps like Anchor, with tools that allow you to record and edit directly from your phone. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive for high-quality audio. Find a quiet place to record and consider a microphone insulation shield. In addition to free editing programs which allow you to add filters and effects that enhance the listener experience by removing background noise.
2/5
It Pays… Sort Of
Don’t expect to supplement your income with podcast monetization when you first start. Ad payments are measured by CPM (Cost Per Mille), which means each episode has to get thousands of views for you to see a significant profit. Platforms like Podcorn connect independent podcasters with agencies and brands for sponsorships. Affiliate marketing is another option but proceed with caution and vet the programs for legitimacy.
1/5
Opportunities!
Technology is advancing at an alarming speed. In order to keep up, you’ll need something called digital real-estate. This includes blogs, monetized channels, social media handles, digital products, and email lists. A visible online presence has many benefits such as networking, public speaking, sponsors, and job offers. At the end of the day, time is money, so consider getting paid for your hard work.
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