We live in a world where everyone is too busy to sit down and read a book–or watch a video for long. People now prefer to download podcasts and audiobooks and listen to them as they engage in other activities. Podcasting is one of the tools brands and people use to reach their target audiences and pass a marketing message or an opinion about a particular topic.
According to statistics, there were more than 48 million podcast episodes on the internet as of April 2021. This figure continues to grow by the day. But creating a podcast is more than recording yourself talking about a topic. Podcast listeners want compelling content they can connect with. Use these four tips to create engaging podcast episodes that’ll leave your audience yearning for more.
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Do it Out of Passion
You can only exude confidence and authority when talking about things you know and are passionate about. A good podcaster can evoke emotions with their choice of words, voice tone, and touching storyline. That’s exactly what listeners look for in a podcast.
Do some soul searching to determine if your desire to start a podcast is driven by passion or you’re in it for the money. Passion will also drive you to churn out content more consistently. If you find yourself struggling with content, or if your content doesn’t seem to engage the audience, re-evaluate everything before it’s too late.
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Know Your Audience
Your podcast episodes can’t appeal to everyone. Know the needs of your target audience and pick a niche that aligns with those needs. Think of it as holding a real-life conversation with people. Picture yourself talking to a group of close friends. What will you say? What tone will you use?
You’re more relaxed when talking to family or friends. You know the right words to use and the jokes and stories to tell. Take time to know your audience. You’ll gain more confidence and talk with enthusiasm—as if you’re talking to close friends.
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Use Visuals
Podcasting is an audio-centric platform. But this doesn’t mean you can’t use visuals to promote your content. You can create a great website or use striking images on your social media pages that draw attention.
For instance, if your podcast episodes are about cars, you can use an attention-grabbing vehicle showroom image on the podcast cover. Invoke the power of novelty and activate listeners’ brains in a different way. It’s similar to the trick marketers use to get people to click on ads. However, do it moderately to maintain brand consistency.
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Invite Experts to Share Their Opinion
Every podcast niche has experts. They know the ins and outs of their industry and make an excellent addition to your episodes. Some are popular and your listeners will listen to your podcast just to hear what they have to say.
However, to get the most out of an expert guest, go for a less known expert with intriguing insight to share. Research them beforehand to ensure you ask the right questions when you finally host them.