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Wouldn’t it be great if there were just three “magic” questions you could ask yourself and then immediately progress to producing your first podcast?
Well … yes … in a way that would be nice, but, it seems as though there are many questions on getting started and then you work through to the normal nuts and bolts questions so you can make your podcast as good as it can be technically.
Why can’t you just sit down and start talking into your microphone or recording device?
Well … the truth is … you can, but, I personally believe, if you are really serious about being a podcaster and turning out a podcast with regularity, you need to consider several things before you jump in with both feet. You need to fully consider what I call ‘the broader picture’ in this adventure called podcasting. Before you go to the all the trouble and possible expense, why not think about your full, long range, plan and intentions.
Does that mean you can’t have any fun and that everything has to be set in stone, serious and perfect from the beginning?? Of course not, it merely means that you should think further down the road than next week, (unless one more week is all you intend your podcast to be around for.)
A couple of weeks ago, I presented you with three questions you needed to ask yourself before starting a podcast. Now that you’ve had a chance to think about your real reasons for producing a podcast, here are the next three questions that would be good to consider before you actually invest your time and hard earned cash in equipment or software to make it happen.
Question one – Uniqueness
- What makes your podcast unique? Just what is it that separates yours from others and what is it that will keep you and your listeners coming back over and over again? Is it your personality? Is it the subject matter? or is it just because it is so much fun?
Question two – Niche Knowledge
- How well do you know your chosen niche subject or subjects? This goes back to the question of, “just because you know a lot doesn’t mean you know it all.” If you are an expert in your field and have lots of shortcuts, tips and general, as well as specific, knowledge then you can probably be the authority on the chosen subject. If not, you may want to consider …
Question three -Type of format
- What type of format will your podcast be? Will it be an interview type? Or possibly a monologue type? Perhaps you will just depend on your ability to express yourself with your gift of gab. Maybe you will choose a disc-jockey style with all the bells and whistles as well as with playlists. May be you will simply talk about your subject with mood setting musical underlays or adding commercials and any number of technical complexities.
Look, I’m not trying to hold you back by asking a bunch of senseless questions or beat the preparation thing into the ground. I just want to see you turn out the best podcast you can. These questions don’t in any way cramp your creativity. If anything, they will enhance your ability to accomplish your end results.
You see, I want you to accomplish your goals and not be disillusioned by the pressing demands over the long run by your continued involvement in this exciting way of communicating. I hope it is your intention to always be learning and striving for excellence with your production while at the same time having a great time and thoroughly enjoying creatively expressing yourself or your subject.
You can have a lot of fun podcasting and you can teach or inform others about your subject and also learn and hone your craft at the same time. The sky really is the limit and the only thing that can hold you back is lack of preparation and planning. Sure, there will be times when it is difficult and there will be times you may be disappointed, but, if you “take the time it takes to think it through” before you run across those times, you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
See ya next time …
Rusty
