Podcasting is Bloody Hard But Rewarding

We’re almost at 20 episodes of the HYPEWORKS Podcast..well, 18 to be precise! Having had zero experience doing a podcast, today i’m going to share what i’ve learned so far in running the podcast.

The high level bit

Firstly, running a successful podcast requires careful planning, consistent effort, and attention to various key aspects. It’s bloody hard but rewarding. The thing that really you have to understand is the equipment doesn’t matter. Sure, Joe Rogan has got a shit hot studio and MKBHD has crispy audio, but all you need to get started is literally your iPhone, some recording software, and someone to talk to!

(Image: Trusted Reviews)

The essentials

I’ve put together a list of what I think is the questions you have to ask yourself before you record that first episode. You can watch our first episode here for example and judge for yourself if we have nailed any of these

1. Target Audience: You need to determine the main focus of your podcast and identify your target audience. Understanding who you're creating content for will help you tailor your episodes and connect with your listeners more effectively. We decided to target marketers and startups - tho we don’t strictly define or limit ourselves to this content!

2. Plan Content: This is hard - you have to plan a content strategy that aligns with your podcast's purpose and appeals to your target audience. Plan topics, themes, and episode formats in advance to maintain consistency and keep your listeners engaged. We use Google Docs to help plan the various episodes as per below:

1. Equipment and Production: While I said in the opening that you just need a iPhone and some software, in reality, you should up your game with quality equipment, especially make sure your audio quality is top-notch. Invest in a good microphone, headphones, and sound editing software to provide your listeners with a professional listening experience. Recommend a Shure M7!

2. Structure Episodes: We don’t strictly follow this but it’s important to have a intro, middle and end of some sort. After-all, people expect to follow the typical content structure they’d see in any other piece of music, film etc. Plan a clear and engaging structure for each episode. Consider including an introduction to welcome listeners, a main segment where you delve into the topic, and a conclusion to summarize key points and encourage further engagement.

1. This is bloody hard! Release Schedule: Try to stick to a regular release schedule to build anticipation and maintain your listeners' interest. Whether it's weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, be consistent with your episode releases. This helps establish a routine for your audience and encourages them to tune in regularly. We use Google Calendar and Basecamp to plan our episodes.

2. Promote Your Podcast: Quite simply, you have to promote your podcast! We primarily leverage social media platforms, our website and this blog, and guest appearances on other podcasts to reach a wider audience. It’s not rocket science, just post links to your episodes.

3. Find Guests!: We try to reach out to relevant friends, influencers, or industry professionals to get them as guests on our podcast. Their expertise and unique perspectives can add value to your content and attract new listeners who are interested in the guest's work or following. See this episode with Chad West for example, was a great pod!

4. Monitor and Analyze Metrics: We use Chartable to track our metrics. Pay attention to metrics like downloads, subscribers, listener demographics, and engagement. Analyzing this data can help you make informed decisions about your content and marketing strategies. We don’t overly care about specific metrics but it’s good to have a handle on all things numbers!

And that’s it, easy right? Wrong. It’s bloody hard. Remember, building a successful podcast takes time and effort. Stay passionate, consistent, and open to learning from your audience and fellow podcasters.

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