Why should you start podketing your expertise?
Yes, you’ve never heard that word.
Because I made that up.
Let me quickly tell you the meaning.
Podketing is the sum-total of two words — podcast and marketing.
If you’re not doing a podcast and you’re a freelance writer, you’re losing out!
Why?
I’ll tell you all about that and more.
But first, let’s talk about what is a podcast.
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a recording of audio/video information. It can be an interview of an expert or a rant from someone.
No matter what it is, a podcast is a great way you can market your expertise.
I will also tell you how you can start a podcast at the end.
But before that let’s get into the meat of the article and understand why you should start podketing your expertise?
Why you should start podketing your expertise?
I will quickly give you 6 straight reasons! You may not like them, at least some of them. But even if you like 1 and feel inspired to start your podcast, we both win.
Reason#1: Podcast doesn’t have a bad name
Like direct pitches have.
If you directly send a pitch to someone and on the first pitch you ask a stranger to buy, guess what they will do?
They will just delete your email from their inbox.
Cool, right?
Now the customers/clients have all the power.
They can choose to delete or hit reply.
But for that, you need to send multiple emails and do a hell lot of work.
I’m not saying that’s not worthy, but there’s an alternative!
And that is podcasting.
Just start a podcast and provide good information about your niche.
If you’re scared, just write it out and read. Reading the script wouldn’t sound professional, but getting started is more important than getting started perfectly.
Let’s get to the next reason.
Reason#2: Podcast is easy
Writing email isn’t easy.
Cold calling isn’t easy.
Podcasting is easy.
All you need is a smartphone and you’re good to go.
I’ll tell you how you can use a smartphone and start a podcast at the end of this article, but for now, just know that you can do that.
Just think about a good name of your podcast, choose a good topic in your niche, write a script, and hit record.
You would be good to go.
Reason#3: Podcasting will improve your communication (oral)
Yes.
As freelance writers, we typically mumble and jumble words when we speak.
I do.
Since our heads are always filled with ideas, sometimes they overlap and whenever we speak, the ideas get intertwined and we give a feeling to the world that we’re not a good communicator.
Wrong, totally, wrong.
When you start podcasting, you would see that you would improve your communication.
A quick tip: Just slow down while communicating. It’s not that you don’t have fluency. You’re just too fast while expressing your ideas.
Did you like my tip?
I loved it, don’t you?
Let’s get to the next reason.
Reason#4: The reach of podcasting is much wider
As a freelance writer, when you look at your location, you feel — “Oh suck! No-one is ready to hire a freelance writer, they only want a full-time content writer.”
I don’t get that.
Many companies also post their jobs on LinkedIn — “We only require a full-time writer (freelancers, please stay away)!”
They may think that by hiring full-time, they’re saving a lot, but they aren’t.
(You can ask how, but this article is not for that!)
Back to this article.
When you start doing podcasting, your reach increases multi-fold.
You can then market to a worldwide audience and can get clients from all over the world, not only from your location.
Reason#5: You become more confident
In India, freelance writing is seen as an unreal job.
When I started freelancing, my well-meaning relatives thought I am unemployed.
Back then, I used to get furious and wanted to convince what I do.
Now, I laugh at them inside and I tell them that “I’m happily unemployed. But this pays me quite well than any REAL job.”
As you work your way up in your freelance career, you become more confident.
But back of the mind, you would have doubt lurking in.
If you start a podcast, your confidence will get sky-rocketed.
Here’s why.
You would interview new people every week or every month.
You will prepare yourself a lot.
And you will feel — going the extra mile is great actually.
How do I know? I started podcasting. I’m doing it again with Initium.
Note: We will soon tell you the why and how about Initium Podcast.
But before that, let’s get to the last reason.
This is a big one.
Reason#6: You would be able to connect with pundits of your industry
And that’s a golden move.
Think about this.
If all the pundits in your industry know you or your expertise, what that will do for your freelance career?
It will just magnify your presence and make you a known name in the industry.
And everyone wins.
Bonus reason#7: Creating value in the marketplace
I kept this for last.
I knew I would talk about it.
But I kept it as a bonus for reading it to this extent.
I appreciate you. So it goes.
Podcasting will help you create great value in the marketplace.
You give, give, give, and then you would know the power of giving.
Podcasting and marketing have one thing in common and it’s giving.
By doing podketing, you multiply the possibility, your possibility, and the possibility for everyone around you.
So, you now know why you should start podketing?
It’s time to talk about the “how” part.
Here’s how.
How should you start a podcast right away?
It’s so easy.
And I will tell you everything.
But it has two versions. You choose yours. And I will also tell you the benefits and drawbacks of both the versions.
First the short version.
The short version of podcasting
Step-1: Buy a smartphone if you don’t have one already.
Step-2: Download this app — https://anchor.fm/
Step-3: Buy a headphone (local or branded you decide).
Step-4: Start recording your podcast.
I started with this version of podcasting a few months ago. I recorded two podcasts. More than 30 people listened to my podcast. I loved the feeling, but back in my mind, I was unhappy. Because I wasn’t giving them what I wanted to, i.e. quality. So, I don’t recommend this version of podcasting.
But if you don’t have the means or budget for the longer version of podcasting, start with this one. The most important thing is just to start. Everything else you will figure out later.
The long version of podcasting
This is the long version because it would take you more money, more effort, more research, and more time.
Step-1: Buy a good quality microphone. Don’t forget to buy a stand, a pop-up filter.
Step-2: Buy an audio interface. It will give you a quality output.
Step-3: Use your laptop to download an audio-recording software.
Step-4: Record your podcast.
Step-5: Edit the podcast on your audio-recording software.
Step-6: Upload it to your anchor app (download it here https://anchor.fm/)
Step-7: Remember, if you are interviewing someone, use a good quality headphone so that whenever you’re taking the interview, the voice-quality of the person doesn’t get hampered. (Note: I’m talking about calling the person directly if you don’t have a studio where you can invite the guest).
This version is very long. It took me many months. And I took all the steps that I asked you to take. I’m also learning audio-editing (of course learning by myself) to produce great quality output.
Conclusion
Starting a podcast is easy.
I showed you how.
And told you why.
The question is — Will you start podketing your expertise?
If yes, great! You are the one that I truly admire.
If no, comment here — why it’s not a good idea for you to start podketing your expertise!
I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Before I leave you all, let me tell you one thing — “Until you truly put yourself forward, you won’t drive in the result you deserve.”
Decide what you deserve.
And make a ruckus.
Love ya all.
