The Secrets to Doing Podcasts Differently
With over 1 million podcasts across the globe, it is easy to feel lost in a sea of noise. So how do you stand out and not feel so muted? This week, I am going to share several ways to differentiate your show from the crowd.
Do it differently!
This strategy is all about setting yourself and your show apart from what others are doing. Adding your personality plus a dash of creativity drives those who appreciate your style to your show. Give these ideas a go and don’t shy away from playing off the idea to make it your own.
IDEA 1: When introducing your guests
Instead of reading the guest’s provided bio, word-for-word, create your own script so it sounds like how you naturally speak. Your audience will connect with the bio coming across as more genuine and authentic—because it's your word choices they are used to hearing. And let’s face it, if your guest has been on other podcasts the chances are their professional bio has been read numerous times before, in the exact same way. When you craft your own script from their info, your introduction will be different. It instantly becomes a stand out. This simple idea elevates your show from what the crowd is doing.
IDEA 2: Free opt-ins for episodes
Including a free opt-in for episodes is somewhat common in the self-help podcast genre but it might not be something you see in other genres—like health, education, comedy, or society and culture. A free download can be a resource list, journaling sheets, coloring pages, eBook, worksheets, etc. Rather than using your usual opt-in freebie on your website, connect your free gift it to a specific episode.
Here’s an example: if you have an episode about dog park etiquette, such as How to Properly Handle Your Dog at a Dog Park, your free download could be a listing of the top 10 best dog parks in the United States, in your state, or in your county. Once you decide what the freebie will be, next, create a call to action and landing page for this episode. Mention your free gift in your episode and include the details for subscribing on your show notes page.
Free downloads like this create engagement, show that you care and want to be communal. Additionally, these episode specific opt-ins create other avenues for growing your email list. It’s a win-win for all. And, again, since this isn’t necessarily a common practice, it’s another way to put a different spin on things.
IDEA 3: Edit your show!
Don’t be afraid to edit your show. Hire a content editor or producer to help you create a show which is concise, clear, and enjoyable for your listeners. While it is common to edit out the excessive use of crutch words, goof-ups, or pauses, there are still many shows that air their episodes “raw”—meaning they don’t edit because they want to share the full conversation. The flaw with airing raw is you may be doing yourself and your listeners a disservice by not editing redundant phrases, drawn out stories, or stumbles which are detracting from the episode.
And there you have it! Three ideas to accelerate your creative juices and introduce you to ways for doing your podcasting differently. While the maximum impact comes when you implement all three, choose at least one to starting doing this month.