In recent years, podcasts have exploded in popularity, with millions of people tuning in every day to listen to their favourite shows. But podcasts aren’t just a fun form of entertainment – they also offer numerous benefits for businesses. In this post, we’ll explore why every business should have a podcast and the many advantages that audio content can offer. We have our very own podcast here at the Rebel Business School, the Rebel Entrepreneur Podcast is here to help you build and business without getting into debt. It’s a great place to start if you are looking to get into the world of business.
Building a Loyal Audience
Building a loyal audience is one of the most significant benefits of having a podcast for your business. Podcasts offer a unique opportunity to connect with your audience on a personal level, which can lead to the creation of a dedicated and engaged community of listeners.
Unlike other forms of content, such as blog posts or social media updates, podcasts allow you to deliver consistent, high-quality content that listeners can tune into every week. This regular interaction creates a sense of connection and familiarity between the host and the listener, which can foster a strong relationship over time.
In addition to regular interaction, podcasts also provide an intimate listening experience that can be more immersive and engaging than other forms of content. Unlike videos or articles that require the viewer or reader to be actively engaged, podcasts can be consumed while driving, working out, or doing other activities. This means that your audience can listen to your show while they go about their day, which can lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable listening experience.
Furthermore, when listeners find a show they love, they are often more likely to become loyal fans who tune in every week and share the show with others. This word-of-mouth marketing can be incredibly powerful, as it can help you attract new listeners who may not have been aware of your brand before.
Building a loyal audience takes time and effort, but the benefits can be significant. By creating a podcast that is relevant, informative, and entertaining, you can build relationships with your audience, establish trust, and ultimately grow your business. Whether you’re looking to increase brand awareness, establish thought leadership, or simply connect with your customers on a personal level, a podcast can be a valuable tool for building a loyal and engaged audience.
You could also take this a step further and start an email subscription list, where people sign up and get updates from your business. This way you can stay in touch better. People tend to open emails more than any other form of communication so it’s defiantly worth it.
Establishing Thought Leadership
Establishing thought leadership is another significant benefit of having a podcast for your business. By sharing your expertise and insights on a regular basis, you can position yourself and your business as an authority in your industry. There are tonnes of podcasts for different types of industries for example, The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett has quickly become a well-established podcast in the business industry.
As a host of a podcast, you have a platform to share your knowledge, experience, and insights with your audience. This can help you to establish credibility and authority in your industry, and position your business as a trusted source of information.
By consistently delivering high-quality content that is relevant and valuable to your audience, you can build a reputation as an expert in your field. This can lead to increased visibility, credibility, and new business opportunities, as people look to you for guidance and advice.
Podcasts can also provide an opportunity to network with other experts in your industry, as you can invite guests to appear on your show and share their own insights and experiences. This can help to expand your own knowledge and expertise, and can also lead to new business relationships and partnerships.
In addition to the benefits of establishing thought leadership for your business, there are also personal benefits to becoming a recognized expert in your field. This can include increased confidence and self-esteem, as well as a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction from sharing your knowledge and helping others.
Increasing Brand Awareness
Increasing brand awareness is one of the key benefits of having a podcast for your business. With the growing popularity of podcasts, there are more and more opportunities to reach a wider audience and build awareness for your brand.
By consistently producing high-quality content, your podcast can become a valuable tool for promoting your brand and reaching new audiences. Through your podcast, you can share your company’s mission, values, and unique selling proposition, as well as offer insights and knowledge related to your industry. Over time, your listeners will become familiar with your brand and its offerings, increasing the likelihood of them becoming customers.
Podcasts also provide an opportunity to reach new audiences who may not be aware of your brand. As listeners discover and share your podcast with others, your reach can grow exponentially, reaching new potential customers and expanding your brand’s presence.
Another way that podcasts can help increase brand awareness is by providing a more personal and engaging experience than other forms of content. Through your voice and the tone of your podcast, you can establish a more emotional connection with your listeners, helping to build a relationship between them and your brand. This emotional connection can also increase the likelihood of your listeners sharing your podcast with others, further increasing your reach and brand awareness.
Podcasts can also be a valuable tool for driving traffic to your website and social media channels. By promoting your website and social media handles on your podcast, you can direct listeners to your other digital platforms, increasing the visibility of your brand across various channels.
Creating Engaging Content
Creating engaging content is another important benefit of having a podcast for your business. Unlike other forms of content, such as blog posts or social media updates, podcasts provide an immersive and intimate listening experience that can capture the attention of your audience for extended periods. By delivering high-quality content that is informative, entertaining, and relevant, you can keep your listeners engaged and build a strong relationship with them over time. Engaging content can also help to differentiate your brand from competitors and create a unique brand identity that resonates with your audience. Overall, creating engaging content is essential for building a loyal and dedicated audience, increasing brand awareness, and ultimately growing your business.
Reaching a Highly Engaged Audience
Reaching a highly engaged audience is another significant benefit of having a podcast for your business. Podcast listeners tend to be a highly engaged and dedicated audience, who are actively seeking out content related to their interests and passions. In a survey done by the PressGazette, they found that out of 19,000 people asked 61% said they had listened to a podcast in the last year. So if you are not using this form of media you’re missing out on a large potential audience.
Through your podcast, you have the opportunity to connect with this engaged audience and build a relationship with them over time. By consistently delivering high-quality content that is relevant and valuable, you can establish yourself as a trusted source of information and build a loyal following of listeners.
Podcasts also provide a unique opportunity to reach listeners during otherwise idle or passive moments, such as during commutes or while performing routine tasks. This means that your podcast can reach a captive audience who are actively seeking out content to fill their time, rather than simply scrolling through social media feeds or browsing the web.
By reaching a highly engaged audience, you can also increase the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Because podcast listeners tend to be passionate about their interests, they are more likely to share and recommend content that they enjoy to others, leading to increased word-of-mouth marketing and greater organic reach.
Resources for starting your own podcast in the UK
You don’t need a lot of money to be a tech-savvy person to start your own podcast. You only really need a few pieces of equipment and software to get started, luckily we have all the resources you need in a handy list here.
Sure, here’s a simple step-by-step list of how to start a podcast:
- Identify your podcast’s topic and niche: Choose a topic that you’re passionate about and that will be interesting to your target audience. Determine your podcast’s niche and identify your target audience.
- Choose a name and branding for your podcast: Choose a name and create a logo and branding that reflects your podcast’s topic and niche. A great place to create a logo for free is Canva.
- Purchase necessary equipment: Invest in a good-quality microphone and headphones to record high-quality audio. Popular USB mics include Blue Yeti (best USB microphone overall) JLab Talk (best mic for under £100) Blue Snowball iCE (best USB mic on a budget). These mics are recommended by Shopify but feel free to do your own research. Buying second-hand mics online is fairly is a good way to start on a budget.
- Record and edit your first episode: Write a script and record your first episode. Edit the audio to remove mistakes and background noise.
- Choose a hosting platform: Choose a podcast hosting platform to upload your audio files and distribute your podcast to major directories. This is an optional step, you don’t really need a website but it will help with your overall branding. You can skip this step if you plan on using Spotify or other similar websites.
- Submit your podcast to directories: Submit your podcast to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
- Promote your podcast: Promote your podcast through social media, email marketing, and other channels to increase your reach and grow your audience.
- Publish new episodes regularly: Create a content schedule and publish new episodes on a regular basis to keep your audience engaged.
- Engage with your audience: Engage with your audience by responding to comments and feedback and incorporating listener questions and feedback into your episodes.
In conclusion, every business should consider having a podcast. With the ability to build a loyal audience, establish thought leadership, increase brand awareness, create engaging content, and reach a highly engaged audience, podcasts offer numerous benefits for businesses. By creating a show that is relevant, informative, and entertaining, you can attract new listeners, build relationships with your audience, and ultimately grow your business.