Ona here, your friendly neighborhood Podcast Trapper!
In a world full of podcasts, you might be wondering how you can stand out. I get asked all the time - Ona, how can I create a wildly successful podcast?
The answers are so much simpler than you think.
I sat down to consider the biggest lessons I learned in the past few years since I launched Adode Media, Blk Pod Collective and hosted Blk Pod Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. I learned not just from my own experience but also from creators in the industry.
In this week’s episode of The Podcast Trapper, I’m sharing the three most important things I’ve learned as a podcaster and producer and why you can (and should) set your very own Podcast Trap.
1: Having a Large Audience Doesn’t Catapult You to Success
If you have hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, you probably think - podcasting will be easy! My Insta followers will definitely listen in. I will have hundreds of thousands of plays every week!
The thing is, that’s not automatically true.
Having a large audience on Instagram does not mean you’ll have a large audience on your podcast….just like a large following on TikTok doesn’t mean your Pinterest is gonna be poppin’. It just doesn’t work that way.
I have worked with celebrity clients who were, shall I say, pretty confident that they would have an award-winning podcast. With very little marketing or promotion involved. Um, no.
I have had to explain to them that convincing your audience to follow you and listen in does require some marketing, promotion and thoughtful effort.
(Also, another lesson from an entrepreneur, listen in: A large audience does not automatically make you more money. But that’s a trap I’ll set for a different episode.)
All of this is great news! Why? Because podcasting is the great equalizer.
I mean that. In a world full of podcasts, more money and a large following doesn’t make you a podcast prodigy. Even the celebs have to put in the work.
2: Be Your Authentic Self On Air (And Do More Solo Episodes!)
There are a lot of podcasts in the world. I don’t say this to discourage you - in fact, I think this is really exciting. The one thing that no other podcast has is you! No one else is you, and nobody else has had your experiences.
If you’re thinking of launching your own show or if you’re brand new to podcasting, do it. To start with, ask yourself some really important questions before you begin: Who am I? What is my authentic voice? When do I feel most like myself?
The answers to these questions will help you form your brand voice. Is it casual, like talking to a best friend over coffee? Do you even swear a little? Or do you keep it buttoned-up and professional?
By doing some exploration of yourself and your brand voice, you’re much more likely to connect with your audience.
Even if there are a hundred other episodes out about the topic you want to discuss, no one will talk about it quite like you will. You have a certain je ne sais quoi - be sure to tune in and listen to this episode to catch my amazing pronunciation of this phrase - and no one else has your special sauce.
You know what else this means? You should do more solo episodes!
It’s a common misconception that you’re going to be more successful because you have guests on your show. This is not true. People will start listening because they appreciate you - your voice, humor, expertise and tips. Your guests will come and go, but you will be the one constant. It’s okay and even encouraged to do more solo episodes.
Show up as your authentic self, and connect with your audience. That is the true secret to podcast success.
3: You Don’t Need Social Media to Have a Great Podcast
Let me bust a myth for y’all, and this is a big one.
Not only do you not need a large following - you do not need social media to be a successful podcaster. Period!
Clients come to me and say, how will I set a podcast trap without socials? Don’t I have to be on every platform, posting twice a day at the right times? How will my podcast ever take off if I’m not devoting all my time to Instagram?
Social media is helpful, don’t get me wrong. It is a tool for brand awareness, connection, community and education. I love social media. But if you don’t love it, don’t post out of obligation - your audience can feel that!
My tip to making social media work for you is this: Choose one social media platform that you prefer, and stick to it. Be ultra-consistent. Consistency is key. Use that one place to its full potential. Whether it’s Instagram, a Facebook group, an email newsletter or TikTok, select one and go all in. Don’t let overwhelm and the “rules” of the social media game hold you back. As long as you’re consistently connecting with your true audience, you’ll get traction.
This is all encouraging news. I’ll Tell You Why…
All of this information should encourage you to start and grow a podcast. Why? Because celebrities who are coming in with large budgets and marketing plans don’t overshadow meaningful work by independent creators!
Stories that deserve to be told are reaching the right audiences and changing lives. Our voices are being heard far and wide, because we are connecting with the right audience!
You don’t have to be on every social media platform, spending hours each day posting just because someone said you had to.
You get to be yourself, use your authentic voice and share that secret sauce.
That’s it for this week! Please leave a review for The Podcast Trapper and be sure to follow the show on Instagram for more podcasting tips.
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