161: Q+A for a Student Asking for Podcasting and Business Advice

What are the benefits of Podcasting at a personal and business level?

First, a little information…

A Senior at Cal State Fullerton in the Business Marketing program named Miles reached out recently. He said he was doing a research project that focuses on Podcasting and the benefits it can have on both a personal and business level.

So, I recorded my answers to his 14 questions right after I got home from vacation with my husband in New Zealand in November 2018 and sent them back to him.

I believe what I said can help not just Miles and whoever he shares his project with, but all of you who are thinking about podcasting.

I am sharing this with you now because in 2019 I want to do more 'repurposing' of content. Where I create something valuable and share it in more than one places and in more than one form.

In my own journey, I started this podcast before writing books, but that is just one way to do it. If you already have a book or book plan, why not use your content for BOTH?

If you have a course, why not turn it into a podcast and a book?

If you have a step by step process you take your clients through, why not turn it into a course, podcast, and a book?

Food for thought.

Okay, let's dive into the 14 questions and advice for Mr. Miles!

1. What is the main goal of your podcast?

• A multipurpose tool, connection, communication

2. What are the difficulties of podcasting?

• A lot of moving pieces
• Basic microphone (ATR2100 and foam pop filter) $60-$70 Amazon
• (p.s. This was recorded BEFORE I found my new podcast audio editor who I love, so what I mentioned in this answer has been fixed!)

3. Do you edit your own podcasts?

• Edit your own in the beginning, to learn
• Hire out to someone who enjoys it

4. How did you choose your hosting company?

• Libsyn.com (use promo code "LAURA" you get this month and next month free)
• Buzzsprout

5. What parts of the podcasting process do you wish could be done for you?

• All parts, except talking parts and speaking my voice

6. Do you use your podcast to help with Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing?

• CopyThatPops.com/100 - great episode with Andy Steven and SEO
• Outsourcing SEO

7. In regards to producing content, what are the pain points you feel?

• Number 1: not enough time
• Finding a team that is detail oriented with audio and writing

8. Have you considered starting a blog using your podcast material?

• I have a blog and have considered taking blog articles and repurposing them into podcast material
• Taking podcast and repurposing them into books
• Show notes of the podcast

9. What do you think about advertising within podcasts?

• Don't mind too much, value their opinion
• I have not done advertising on my podcast

10. Do you use podcasting to help build your brand? How so?

• EVERYTHING I do builds my brand

11. How much should setting up a quality podcast cost?

• As low as $200/year
• Zoom
• Ecamm recorder for Skype

12. How much should each episode cost you?

• Outsource cost for audio ($3-10/hr) and show notes ($20-30/show)

13. What are 3 things any of your top competitors are doing better than you (in regards to podcasting)?

• Clear on niche
• Putting my head done and doing my work

14. What is your favorite aspect of podcasting?

• The people, podcasters rock!

Hope this was a helpful Q&A session for you! Getting started in the podcast 'world' doesn't have to be hard or costly, you just have to start!