How To Get Started On Your Podcast

December 16, 2015
Communications

In last week's article, we discussed why retail RDs may want to add podcasting to their healthy living programs. Today, we'll discuss key considerations in starting to podcast and simple tips you need to know before getting started. 

Episode format: How will you structure your podcast? What format will your content take? Here are some ideas:

Interview
Solo
More than one host
Round table discussion
Or a combination of the above ideas

Duration: Think about how long you want each of your episodes to last. Be consistent so that your listeners know what to expect. If your podcast is 20 minutes every episode, and your listeners are used to that, it will be easy for them to time their listening with their daily commute, while working out, etc.

Podcast name: Listeners should be able to guess what the podcast is about from the name alone. In addition, most podcasts include a short description along with the podcast name. This helps with optimizing search on platforms like iTunes. 

Cover art (minimum 1400x1400, maximum 3000x3000 pixels): Make it great, and make sure to use words and images that are large enough to be clearly legible at thumbnail size. Take a look at some of the popular podcast artwork on iTunes and use it as a guide. 

Podcast category/subcategory: Choose the category that best suits your podcast’s topic, which will most likely be “health.” Having the correct topic with help with searchability.

Podcast description: You definitely want to make this field very descriptive. Describe your subject matter, media format, episode schedule, and other relevant information. In addition, make a list of the most relevant search terms for your podcast and build them into your description. This is going to help with the SEO your podcast listing on websites such as iTunes.   

Podcast rating: Will your podcast be clean? As retail RD, most likely so!

Ads: Talk with your management team about having ads on your podcast, or weekly sponsored food picks. Because the connection with listeners is much stronger than a blog or video, listeners are much more likely to buy products if they’ve heard them on a podcast as reported by Midroll. Keep note of the items or products you talk about weekly to track sales in-store. Since podcasts can be listened to at any time, you might see sales increase for weeks or months after posting your show. 

Marketing Your Podcast: Sharing your podcast with your shoppers is best done through online content. Include links to your podcast on your company’s website, newsletter, and social media sites. And after every episode is posted, make sure to share on social media. Having the podcast link on all of the online content will make it easy for shoppers to listen in with just one click. In store signage with the podcast name, so shoppers can easily search and connect, is also a good marketing strategy. 

For more detailed information on podcasts click here and here.