Sometimes, it is the unexpected things that truly revolutionize your business as a female entrepreneur. You are already a star at running your business, but you may want to extend your reach and grow your brand.

The solution? Podcasts!

We bet that when you think about online marketing, podcasts are probably not the first thing that comes into your mind.

Let us look at why you should not overlook an online marketing podcast as a tool to improve sales and ramp up your online presence, among many other things.

What Is an Online Marketing Podcast?

To understand marketing podcasts, let’s find out what a podcast is.

A podcast is a series of audio episodes and spoken words focused on a specific niche or theme. Listeners subscribe to a show via an app on their phones and listen to the episodes wherever and whenever they want on their headphones, in their vehicles, or through speakers.

Unlike online radio shows, podcasts provide consumers with original content. Further, online podcasts allow you to explore novel approaches and specific niche subjects.

Even better, online podcasts can:

  • Be any length from a minute of facts to three hours of in-depth interviews
  • Be shared either daily, monthly, or seasonally, depending on the content you are offering listeners
  • Range from solo shows up to multi-person audio dramas
  • Cover any topic, some of which would never be available on the radio

Today, most podcasts are in audio format alone, but video podcasts are also available.

What’s the difference between podcasts and audio files?

At the basic level, a podcast episode and an audio file are the same. Downloading an episode from a podcast website means you are downloading an audio file.

The difference comes when you consider the subscription option for the series of audio files.

A podcast hosting service allows your listeners to subscribe to a series of your audio recordings, turning a simple audio file into a podcast. The subscription portion is done automatically by the hosting service via a technology called RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication (RSS).

Businesses such as yours are using podcasts to share information about their companies, new products, and general information related to their industry. What does this mean to you?

Why Should You Have a Podcast for Your Business?

As a woman entrepreneur, your voice needs to be on a podcast. Millions of people will listen, and they want to hear from you!

While that sounds great, you are probably wondering how you can use podcasts to promote your brand.

Here is how:

Create an authoritative presence

A podcast provides a medium through which you can share your industry expertise.

Using audio files lets you inject an air of authority, your speaking skills, and your enthusiasm into your information, qualities the written word alone lacks. Providing accurate information and ideas via regular podcasts helps establish you and your business as an authority in your niche. Customers within your industry will turn to you when they want trustworthy information. 

Establishing a connection with your audience

A presenter’s voice creates a stronger connection with a potential customer compared to them simply reading information on a website.

Broadcasting regular podcast episodes let listeners become familiar with your presentation style and voice. Such familiarity is key to having them come back for more and keeping your business in their minds.

Plus, a podcast is an opportunity to reach out to potential clients personally. They will have a better understanding of your business ethics and passion.

Podcast flexibility allows clients more leeway to how they listen to you. Traditional blogs on websites require the audience to focus on a single task, but podcast listeners can jog or drive to work while listening.

Build brand awareness

Regular podcasts around your brand help create consistency and familiarity that can make that brand a household name. Whether you are running a brick-and-mortar or home business, it is easy to integrate information about your services and products since they already relate to your podcast content.

Produce and share content simply and quickly

Podcasts are easy to produce. All you need is a computer for recording, a microphone for the audio, and software to edit audio files.

Speaking requires less time compared to writing. A 30-minute podcast session takes less than an hour from your time—including simple edits and uploading. Writing, on the other hand, may take you hours to come up with the same amount of content.

However, this does not mean you should abandon blog posts for podcasts. Instead, you can do both so you can reach diverse audiences at the same time.

How to Start a Podcast

So if you are wondering how to conduct a podcast, we collected a few tips from podcast pros that will help you get started and grow your podcast audience.

Here is a snippet of the crucial steps:

Step 1: Plan podcast name, topic, and subject

Identify who you are making the podcast for. Are you targeting businesses or marketing managers? If that’s the case, a B2B marketing podcast is a great way to establish authority while providing valuable content.

On the other hand, hobbyist podcasts are ones you create during your spare time. The subject would be something you are passionate about. For example, you could discuss how to make homes more eco-friendly.

You have three options when naming your podcast:

  1. Use a clever name so it’s easy to find when searching for information about your topic.
  2. A descriptive name is one that easily resonates with your audience and subject.
  3. You can even use your name, but still make sure to include a descriptive title. For example, “Starting Entrepreneurship with Winnie Smith.”

Step 2: Plan episode format

The next thing you need to consider is the episodes. So, what should you investigate regarding podcast episodes?

  • The length of your podcast depends on the content.
  • Create a schedule that allows you to release new episodes regularly or broadcast in seasons.
  • Choose good episode titles that are descriptive and searchable.
  • Choose whether you will do the podcast solo or with a co-host and if you will interview guests.

Step 3: Record podcast with the right gear

Now that the groundwork is done and planning is complete, it is time to get started on your first episode. However, you require:

  • Recording equipment such as a USB microphone, a computer, and access to the internet
  • Sound recording and editing software
  • A script for your show
  • A persona of the ideal customer to make your listeners feel you are talking directly to them
  • The decision on whether you will have guests or co-hosts in the same room or in other parts of the world, using Skype or Zoom and recording the conversations

Step 4: Edit your podcast

Editing involves removing mistakes, bringing different audio clips together, adding FX and music, and ensuring everything sounds great. Some tools for quality sound include leveling, an EQ, compression, and much more. 

Also, you may consider hiring someone to edit the show for you, depending on your requirements and budget.

Many podcasters add music before or after a show for that extra touch of professionalism.

Step 5: Publish to a podcast host and directories

Finally, get the podcast online and out for the world’s consumption!

However, make sure you work on:

  • Making attractive cover art to set you apart from others in the podcast directories
  • Selecting podcast hosting
  • Submitting your podcast to several directories where your listeners can find you, subscribe, and download your latest episodes

Most media hosting platforms also provide a free website where you can put up more details about the podcast and yourself.

Why You Should Use Podcast Marketing Services

Building your podcast up is time-consuming.

Your eye should always be on creating shareable, high-value content. However, you must reach the right target audience to get a return on investment from your show. The only way to do this is by running a systemized and consistent campaign.

The problem is that well-written show notes, blogs, social posts, SEO, newsletter copy, effective cross-platform delivery, and running ad campaigns can consume just as much time—if not more—as producing your podcast.

Fortunately, experts like Lyndsay Phillips’s podcasts services have proven strategies and systems that you can rely on to promote your new podcast—and get more people to find your show!

The professionals will guide you through the journey. From brainstorming to execution, podcast marketing experts have a keen eye on clarity, so your product will be compelling, authentic, and unique. Other services offered include enlisting guests willing to share interviews on their social media channels to increase your following.

Get started today, promote your podcast, and drive ROI with the experts!

See Better Results for Your Business!

The average American spends four hours and 15 minutes commuting to work daily, which means they have 255 minutes to listen to your podcast! Plus, 134 million US residents will be podcast listeners by 2022. These numbers show that the online marketing podcast golden age is right now, and it’s time women entrepreneurs take advantage of it!Have you ever felt behind on things related to technology, business, and family? Don’t you worry, A Nation of Moms discusses all contemporary technology issues affecting women, their families, and their businesses. Click here to find out more!