Podcasts are booming, but most never break through the noise. Why? Because unless a podcast is polished and professional, listeners are ready to tap right along to the next one. Aspiring podcasters often underestimate just how much effort goes into producing a professional show with a strong execution strategy behind it, and that ends up hurting the program’s success right off the bat. Remember: If it looks and sounds effortless, that’s how you know there’s a strong team just off screen and out of earshot.
So, what do you need in order to create a podcast that strengthens your brand, provides value to your desired audience, and showcases your expertise? Let’s explore.
What Goes Into Professional Podcast Development
Strategy, production, and end-to-end execution. These are the main buckets of creating an engaging podcast, but going a level deeper, you’ll see what happens each step of the way:
Step 1: Strategy
Every podcast should start with a strategic plan that includes:
- Topic selection
- Audience targeting
- Brand alignment
Step 2: Planning
A big key to podcast success is consistency, which requires planning. You’ll need to create:
- Production schedules
- Release calendars
- Promotion plans
Step 3: Structure
The next step is to structure your content in a repeatable, formulaic way so the audience knows what to expect from each show. Think about your:
- Episode formats
- Guest booking
- Storytelling frameworks
Step 4: Producing
A polished end-product requires an advanced level of precision. This is why podcasters often choose to record from a studio to eliminate any outside noise and make use of high-quality equipment. Show production requires:
- Professional recording
- EditingÂ
- Sound design
- Clipping for social media
- NOTE: if your podcast is also a video format, you’ll need a producer for visuals as well as audio.Â
Step 5: Positioning
Before you release your podcast, consider how you want to showcase it to the world. When thinking about your program’s branding and positioning, decide on:
- Show name
- Artwork (even if it’s an audio-only show, you’ll still need logos and other creative assets to promote each episode)
- Distribution strategy
All of these elements are crucial to presenting your brand, your message, and your expertise. If listeners know they can trust you to regularly deliver premium podcasts that they find valuable, then they know they can trust your company with their business.
Many podcasters make the mistake of thinking that they can go it alone or that they have enough expertise to produce a successful show, but the truth is that none of the chart-toppers get there without a team behind them.
Agency podcast teams offer years of experience across various industries and audiences. They can work with you on different formats and storytelling techniques that will resonate with your target audience. Maybe most importantly, working with a professional production team frees up your time by taking care of the details. From the strategy to guest booking to branding to making the show live and accessible, you don’t have to think about anything other than showing up, ready to talk.
Additionally, agencies can help leverage a podcast into PR exposure and other speaking opportunities. By tapping into their network, they can get your brand more exposure in your target vertical.
Ready to start a podcast?
There’s a lot that goes into making a successful, sharable podcast, but that’s part of the fun. When you make a professional recording, you feel good about how you’re representing your brand and the product you’re putting out there.
If you want to explore how to get started, email info@tpalmeragency.com to find out how our team can elevate your brand’s visibility.Â
