“What the secrets of successful podcasts?” is a question I get asked a lot. And, in a recent conversation with Jules Galloway, a naturopath and podcaster based in Byron Bay, Australia. I asked her about her podcast journey, why she got started and how it’s changed her business. What Jules shared with me made me realise just how can my business use a podcast, or anyone else’s for that matter.
As Jules discussed her journey, she spoke about how having a podcast has made her more effective and confident when it comes to networking. Now, not only does she have the courage to go speak to those in her industry whom she admires, but she’s able to offer them something as well – an interview on her podcast. Not only do most of these people say yes to her request, but they also invite her to be on their podcast as well.
For some people, podcasts are one of the most powerful ways to get your message out to the masses. They can give you purpose behind your work and allow you to take part in ground-breaking, even life-changing, conversations. Podcasts are a way to not only get in front of an audience, but they also make it possible to create relationships. Relationships with the people you interview, benefiting you in countless ways down the road.
While podcasting gives many people the opportunity to network, growing their audience and their industry connections, it’s not right for everyone. Below is a list of the three secrets of successful podcasters to help give you an idea if podcasting is right for you and your business.
1. Successful podcasters love making their podcast
Making a podcast shouldn’t feel like an obligation or a task. Successful podcasts are created by people who really love the process of interviewing others. Or speaking to an audience. Jules talks about her podcast, Shiny Healthy You. She spoke about how deciding to create a podcast really felt “self-indulgent.” She said that she “never felt like she was grinding it out”. And that the interviews left her feeling alive and filled with energy.
For Jules, making a podcast allows her to do more of what she loves. This detail is evident in her finished product. It is one of the reasons her show is becoming successful. Her audience can tell that she loves her work and she is able to be consistent doing it.
2. One of the secrets of successful podcasts is creating personal conversations
One of the secrets of successful podcasts is making the listener feel like they are being let in to a personal conversation. These conversations, ones they normally wouldn’t be privileged to hearing, provide them with insight, information, and compelling stories. When interviewing guests, or even when speaking just by themselves, successful podcasters know what it takes to create this intimate environment.
They aren’t afraid to ask personal questions, listen respectfully to their guests, and share stories that, while maybe uncomfortable or difficult, can potentially help others. Jules, for example, talks about the power of sharing her personal story via podcast, saying that doing so allowed her to own her story. Giving guests the opportunity to do the same is as powerful for them as it is for the audience who is listening.
3. Successful podcasters find ways to delegate other work
As a naturopath, Jules understands the importance of taking care of yourself, something that many entrepreneurs and business owners neglect. There is only so much you can do in a day. And only so many days where you can deplete your body without paying a hefty price. Podcasters need to maintain a schedule. They need to find ways to delegate other work. Using Virtual Assistants and members of their team to take over specific tasks. This allows them to focus on doing what they love without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Sustaining a podcast, like any business, takes time. And time is something you only have a finite amount of.
So, how do the secrets of successful podcasts help you? Podcasting is an incredibly powerful tool. I helps to build your business and your network. But it’s important to think about what the process entails before you commit. Take a cue from Jules and do some trial interviews before launching. What does it really feel like to do these interviews? Does it leave you feeling alive and energised? Or drained and exhausted?
Remember, successful podcasters all have one thing in common: they absolutely love what they do.
Author: Ronsley Vaz
Ronsley is the founder & chief day dreamer at AMPLIFY. He is an author, speaker & serial entrepreneur.
He has a Masters’ degree in Software Engineering and an MBA in Psychology and Leadership. He is known as the creator of We Are Podcast – the first Podcasting Conference in the Southern Hemisphere, and the host of The Bond Appetit Podcast and Should I Start a Podcast. He has an audience of over 3 million in 133 countries.
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