If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you’re probably aware of the dozens of avenues out there to get your message out to people. There’s social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and blogging platforms like WordPress.
In fact, you’re probably already utilizing at least one of these already.
Being active on social media is a great place to start when you’re just starting out in carving your own path.
But what’s the next step? If you’re looking to further connect with your audience, make them hungry for your content, and position yourself as an authority in your niche, the next step is easier than you might think.
For so many of the top entrepreneurs and business gurus, podcasting has countless benefits that will help improve your business and relationship with your audience.
So what is a podcast?
Simply put, a podcast is an audio recording that typically fits a theme and updates on a fixed schedule. There is an incredibly large number of podcasts out there, with topics ranging from entertainment, to life advice, to business!
A podcast can and will improve your business immensely.
If you’re serious about b
ecoming a major voice in your chosen field, podcasting is a great option for reaching a major portion of your previously untapped audience.
All the biggest names in business have a podcast, including Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income) and John Lee Dumas (EO Fire), among many others.
However, the most convincing reason to start a podcast is in the numbers.
Here’s some key statistics from Edison Research:
- Podcast listening grew 23% between 2015 and 2016
- 21% of the entire country listens to podcast (To put this number in perspective, 21% of the country uses Twitter!)
- The average podcast listener listens to 5 podcasts per week
The podcast industry is continuing to grow, and if you can become one of the 5 podcasts per week your potential audiences listens to, you’ll be profiting in no time!
Of course, creating a podcast isn’t just about making money.
It’s all about the bigger picture.
If you’re in your business for the right reasons, you probably already know that helping your audience is your primary goal.
Think of it this way: your listeners are people who could be benefitting from your content, but aren’t currently getting it.
Bringing your content to them in podcast form removes the barrier between you and them – listening to a podcast is absolutely free, and giving people to opportunity to HEAR you is a new level of connection and relationship building.
Once you develop trust and a following with this group of people, they will be another group of people to market your content to and to convert into customers.
I mentioned some of the big names in podcasting a little bit ago. Lucky for you, you don’t need to be a superstar to get started with podcasting.
As long as you follow the steps in these free resources, you’ll be on your way to starting your own profitable podcast and gaining an entirely new following.
There are many ways to leverage podcasting for your business, regardless of the industry you are in. A quick search on platforms such as iTunes and Stitcher Radio will help you to find numerous shows in your niche – meaning there is already an existing market that you can leverage.
Not only can podcasting help you to gain visibility for your business, it allows you a perfect opportunity to network with other influencers by inviting them on your show, and begin to position yourself as an expert by appearing on other shows. The podcasting community is interactive, supportive, and now is one of the best possible times to hop on the podcasting train.
At the time of writing this particular post, platforms such as iHeartRadio and Spotify have begun adding podcasts to their directories. Many new cars are equipped with Google Play or another platform that allows people to listen in the car.
If you’ve been considering starting your own podcast but haven’t made the leap yet, I want to make it as easy as possible for you. I believe in podcasting so much and want you to have the same opportunity to grow your business quickly.
Do you have any questions about podcasting? Leave your comments below!
