We have seen that there is a real increasing thirst for audio content over the past couple of years. The audiobook and podcast industry is set to continue to surge and soar in popularity.
At the start of this year, Deloitte predicted that the global market would grow by 25 per cent in 2020 to US$3.5 billion (£2.6 billion). Podcasting is a medium that is growing at an unprecedented level with audience figures that were anticipated to double in size over an 18 month period. This was accelerated by the recent pandemic.
Leading Podcast Expert
Anna Parker-Naples is a leading Podcast Expert who continues to make an impact in the male dominated field of audio and podcasting. She is the first British woman to write a book on podcasting ‘Podcast with Impact: How to Start and Launch Your Podcast Properly’ which became a best-seller globally hitting the number one spot in over 20 categories in the UK, US and Australia.
Anna has over 15 years of audio and production experience and is now one of the UK’s leading podcast launch experts, a number 1 International Podcast Host and award-winning entrepreneur who is passionate about helping others amplify their message – and bring their podcast to their people.
Male Domination
However, audio and podcasting continues to be a male dominated field and Anna continues to challenge this. According to statistics, of 480 top podcast hosts analyzed by Quartz in 2019, only one in three were women.
Anna continues to buck the trend, not only is she a number 1 International Podcast Host herself, she is also the UK’s leading podcast launch expert and has since helped other women launch over 100 successful podcasts since January this year (2020), from within her Podcast membership.
Anna has helped others amplify their message and position themselves to be featured alongside the likes of; Tony Robbins, Joe Wicks, Jay Shetty, Fearne Cotton, Marie Forleo, Amy Porterfield, Tim Ferris, Gary Vaynerchuck.
Anna shared with Woman Ready 10 top tips to successfully launching your first podcast.
Plan
The power of a podcast is in the planning stage. Who do you want to reach? What will they take away from your podcast? Decide how you want to position yourself to your listeners and within your industry.
Research
Find out the BIG podcasters in your space and go and listen to them. Look at the way they describe their shows, listen to the intros, how to they present themselves? Then go and listen to much smaller, less well-known podcasts – what differences can you spot?
Name
This is so important – make sure your podcast name lets people know what to expect. Choose a few names that you love and run polls with your audience, clients and communities where your ideal listeners might be. Go with the one that gets the most votes as you’ll already have discovered what connects most with your potential listeners.
Artwork
Seeing your artwork inside iTunes or Spotify is the first time potential listeners will come in contact with your show – ensure you draw them in and give the right impression.
Branding
The opening few seconds of your show can make or break whether a new listener stays… choose music that reflects the style and pace of your podcast – think about the opening words of your intro – make it short, punchy and to the point.
Record
Don’t get lost in tech. Purchase a microphone that is suitable for podcasting (Blue Yeti is a good place to start or a clip on lavalier microphone that attaches to your phone).
Edit
I know editing software can look scary, but I promise you – you can edit your own show more easily than you may think. Start with free software such as Audacity.
Host
You’ll need to choose a hosting platform to upload your audio tracks into. I recommend Libsyn – it’s the most popular and reliable.
Submit
Now this is the exciting bit – once you’ve got everything lined up in your host, you can submit to the major directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google. Once you’re approved, your show is immediately live!
Promote
As soon as your show is live, it’s your chance to share with everyone you know the value you’re putting out – ask people to also review your show. Keep up the focused promoting until you hit the top of the charts!
Anna works with aspiring podcasters to launch chart topping, top ranking podcasts. Through her podcast production agency and The Podcast Membership which has been home to over 100 successful podcast launches since January 2020. To find out more please visit – www.annaparkernaples.co.uk.
