Do you know you want to launch a podcast but just not sure when the right time should be?
That’s what today’s episode is all about.
Before we get into today’s topic, I want to remind you that I have a free private podcast series that helps set you up for success with a podcast launch. It goes over all of the things that you need to think about before you get started…equipment, during the launch, and when the right time to launch is. So it will go a little bit more in depth, as well as what we’re talking about today.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO LAUNCH A PODCAST
I want to let you know when the best time to launch a podcast is if you’ve been waiting, or wanting, to launch a podcast. Are you holding back because you just don’t know if you’re ready? I’ve been there.
Even though I help launch shows, I still fell into this category with my podcast. So I wanted to go over a few points just to maybe help you decide, or plan out, or make that decision of when you feel like the best time to start is.
SET A GOAL FOR YOUR PODCAST LAUNCH
The first point I want to make is that you really do have to have a goal for your podcast.
Some of the things that you probably need to consider:
- Do you have a business?
- Do you have something that you are trying to share, provide, guide, teach, or sell?
- Do you have content ready to share for people? You will need to have content, or a purpose, for wanting people to listen to your show.
Now, there are people who have “talk shows” or “hobby shows,” but you still have to be able to have a strategy for the content you want to provide. Even talk shows have talking points, or they go on the show with an idea of what they’re going to say.
Make sure that you have a clear goal. What do your listeners want to hear? If they have no idea what they’re going to get, chances are they might not stick around. So make sure that goal has a purpose.
You don’t want to be all over the place to the point listeners don’t know what they are coming to your show to get.
WHO ARE YOUR IDEAL LISTENERS?
Another thing you want to think about is: who are your ideal listeners? Who are these people that you’re trying to reach?
Do you have a service or a product you want to talk about?
You want to be able to know who you can provide this information to. What is going to bring your listeners in?
Be cognizant of who your ideal listeners are so that you have that content to provide to them.
Obviously, you’re not going to be teaching moms how to fix cars. Well, that might actually be a good topic, but you get the point.
DO YOU HAVE THE TIME TO LAUNCH A PODCAST?
The third point I wanted to make is, do you have the time? As a podcast manager, one of my goals is to point out how much a podcast can help your business, but you also have to make sure that you have the time to do it.
Launching a podcast does take time. Depending on if you are going to DIY or outsource, your podcast might have a little bit of a different view of this. Some can launch very quickly, but whether or not it will succeed, you never know.
I am a firm believer that you have to have that strategy for your launch to make sure that all of the parts and the pieces of your show are in place before you are ready to put your show out there.
If you’re going to DIY your show, you need to make sure that you have your host, the recording and editing software, and set up your recording space…you want to make sure that your audio is going to sound good.
You need to be able to create show notes and episode description, so that listeners know what that episode is going to be about.
You’ll want to create graphics to promote your show.
I recommend a four to six week launch period, depending on how dedicated your time is. Again, some people can launch quicke, but they also probably planned ahead of time.
I don’t recommend saying, ”I’m going to start a show”, and getting it up and running in the next few days. You will want to prepare, or you’re just setting yourself up for what is called pod fade, which eventually, you just fade. That’s essentially what it means. You just fade out because you’ve run out of ideas.
If you would like to outsource your podcast, which is something that people come to me for, we plan and strategize your show together. We get it all set up for you.
Podcast managers walk you through the process. Basically, you get down to the point where you record and you hand it all over to a podcast manager, and they handle the rest from there depending on the pieces that you are willing to outsource.
So regardless, it is recommended that you take that time to get it all planned out. But again, if everything is in place, and you have the time to map it all out and record, you can definitely do it sooner than four to six weeks. Just make sure that everything is mapped out so that you are set up for success for ongoing beyond the launch.
Some people think they are going to launch a podcast, and they don’t think beyond just getting it started. When you’re moving past that launch period, depending on how many episodes you release (I usually recommend releasing two to three episodes at your launch to give listeners a better idea of what you are going to be providing in your podcast), it can take about 30 minutes to record an episode. Of course it could be less or more depending on how long your episode is. If you have guests, I would plan 45 minutes to an hour, because you’re going to do some talking before and after your episodes.
The time it takes will also depend on if you’re going to be releasing weekly episodes or bi-weekly episodes. Just remember to stay consistent.
If your budget doesn’t allow you to outsource, and you will go the DIY route, you will need to also remember that you have to have time to edit the episodes and create all the assets that go with each episode. Editing an episode can take anywhere from two to five times longer than it did to record it. So the length of your episode is going to determine how long it takes to edit. Make sure that you have the time to get this all done.
Again, if you’re outsourcing, all I require my clients to do is come up with the content, record the episode, and I’llI take care of the rest.
Overall, you just want to remember that you will be:
- planning your content
- recording
- editing, depending on how much editing you want to do
- uploading it to a podcast host
- promote using graphics or however you choose to do so
ARE YOU ABLE TO PROVIDE VALUE
Another point I want to make to see if you’re ready, or when you could be ready to launch a podcast is, are you able to provide value to your audience?
You want to be able to give your audience takeaways, or moments that they can relate to you. You’re trying to build that like, know, and trust factor. Make sure that you provide value.
ARE YOU READY TO LAUNCH A PODCAT?
If you have all of those pieces in place, you are probably ready to start a podcast!
Think about these things:
Do you have a goal?
Do you know who your ideal listeners are?
Do you know who you’re going to be talking to?
Do you know that you have the time that you can devote to either recording and outsourcing, or recording and doing the editing pieces that go with it?
And can you provide value to your listeners?
If you said yes to those things. You’re ready. Let’s start a podcast!
If you ever have any questions. If you need help starting a podcast, again, you can go back to my free resource which is a private podcast series that walks you through the steps of launching a podcast.
Reach out to me if you have any questions, if you just had an idea and you want to know if that’s something that you should move forward with, you can always book a free discovery call and we can talk about it.
I’m here for you. Feel free to contact me on Instagram. I always love to chat in the DMS. I’ll see you next time.
IF YOU MISSED THE LAST EPISODE:
Different Ways to Come Up With Content for a Podcast
RESOURCES:
Free Private Podcast Launch Guide – listen to 6 short episodes to find out if launching a podcast is what your business needs. I walk you through the steps of what it takes to start a podcast, from the prep to equipment to recording.
CONNECT WITH ALLISON:
MORE ABOUT PODCAST WITH PURPOSE:
How would you feel if you could put social media aside, and speak to your audience in a way that resonates with them? Podcasting can give you that and so much more!
Do you envision having a podcast as part of your business? Would you love to know the ins and outs of what it takes to have a podcast? How can it affect your business and YOU? Maybe you’ve considered a podcast, but you don’t know where to start, or how to keep up with all of the tasks.
Welcome to Podcasting With Purpose/Hello Podcaster! Your host, Allison Nitsch, is a former teacher turned podcast manager, on a mission to support entrepreneurs with launching and managing their own show/podcast.
With this podcast you will learn how having your own show can help bring more eyes on your business, find out if podcasting is for you, and give you some strategic steps to getting a show out and into the ears of those who need it.
