Influential Voices of Authority How To Turn Podcast Topics Into Creative Content – Episode 110
Before we dive in, here is the link to the Podcast Review Show I mentioned.
You can turn your clever podcast topics into creative content by answering a few easy questions.
Developing your overall podcast strategy involves determining how you will uniquely address each topic on your show. Whether you are presenting information, answering questions or interviewing guests, there are many ways to address each topic.
So many podcasters follow the herd. They create interview shows that sound like every other igniting interview show.
You do not need to do it the same way every other podcast does it. Be unique. Find the way that will stand out.
If you are interviewing, do you really need to ask the same questions that every other podcast asks? When you actually listen to the answers coming from your guest, you will be surprised by the new questions you can discover.
Play a game. Do a contest. Get your guests to tell stories. Different stories than every other show. “How did your mom influence you?” “What was your first business?” “When did you know you wanted to be an artist as a career?” “What is a unique talent you have that few people know?”
Here is a tip many people forget. This is show business. You are here to entertain. Create compelling entertainment?
How do you do make it engaging?
First, you know where you want to go and what you hope to accomplish. Then, you map out how to get there. Don't just wing it.
Do you think the actors in “Modern Family” or “The Walking Dead” ad lib their lines? Of course not. Do you find it less entertaining when they follow the script? Of course not. There is no reason you cannot add a little show biz to your show.
Just be sure to always be true to the show.
9 QUESTIONS
There are nine questions on the Podcast Talent Coach Topic Development Worksheet that will help you transform your podcast topic into creative content.
RELEVANT?
How is your topic relevant to your niche?
This question will help you begin to shape your topic. If we can determine why your niche needs to know this material and how it fits into the overall concept of the show, we can make sure it fits the show.
I love hockey. However, hockey isn't relevant to this particular podcast niche unless I'm discussing a hockey podcast. There is no relevancy.
WHO CARES?
How are you going to make your audience care about this topic? What is in it for your listener? If we can determine why they would care, we can begin in their world.
Every listeners asks, “What's in it for me?” Care about your listener first. You will be well on your way to engaging content.
SOURCE
What is the source of the topic? Does the source matter with regard to the context and credibility of the information?
There are times when the source will help shape the context of your story. Other times, the source was simply the spark to the idea and doesn't really matter.
We discussed it a bit last week. If I read a story about the correlation between bars and churches and it sparks the topic of “everyone wants to constantly change the rules”, the source really adds nothing to the context.
If I read a Gallup report covering the President's approval rating which leads me to the discussion of where it is trending, the source adds context. It also adds credibility.
INTRIGUE
What do you find intriguing about the topic?
We have discussed this before. If you want to be interesting, be interested. You are only interested when you find topics that are intriguing to you. Determine what parts of the topic pique your interest. If you creates a spark in you, it is likely that it will do the same in your listener.
EMOTION
What emotion do you hope to stir?
Content is always most powerful when you stir emotion. You can make money when you sell things people need. You can get rich when you sell things people want. Why? Wants come from an emotional place.
Find ways to get your audience emotionally involved in your content.
CONTEXT
In what context will your story be set?
Determine how you will approach each topic. Will you play audio examples? Will you play voice messages from your listeners? Are you going to read e-mail? Maybe there is a guest contributor. Determine each approach before the show begins.
Add some context by making the topic personal. Drugs mean different things when you add context. Are we talking criminals or pharmacists? That is context.
JOURNEY
Where will you take the topic? In other words, what is your point?
This is like your headline. It is the one thing you want to drive home about this particular topics. With this episode, I want you to understand there are defined steps you can take to create shape your content.
Your point (or intriguing introduction) is where your episode will begin. Take time to define it.
DETAILS
What details will you include in your episode?
Vivid details make your stories come to life. Find great words and details that make visions dance in the theater of the mind.
YOUR ONE THING
What is the one thing you hope listeners will remember about this episode?
Your “one thing” goes hand-in-hand with your point. The one thing you want to drive home to your listener is very similar to the one thing you want them to remember.
My point here is the fact there are steps you can take. What I want you to remember is that you can do it, and the steps are easy to understand. The point is the “what” and the one thing is the “why”.
Start with your intriguing introduction. Lead with the headline. Then, shape the content to support your point with some passionate “why”.
I'd love to help you with your podcast. Post any questions or comments you might have, or e-mail me at Erik@PodcastTalentCoach.com.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let's turn your information into engaging entertainment.
Let's turn your information into engaging entertainment.