INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents
Podcasts fascinate me…I admit it! I think they serve a purpose in this mobile world we live in today where people are traveling to and fro from work, enjoying their free time, or just want to multi-task…
You can also reach the world using podcasts, once you have a following and are providing a series of podcasts, your name and reputation will grow…
Today I want to have a look at some of the best podcasts that are available to us today, ones that have a good following and offer great content right now.
You can check them out for yourself and see if they offer any value for you. and get some ideas for your own podcasts! I do think there is a place for them in your world and for your podcasts as well with your follower world!
Let’s get started!
MY 5 FAVORITES AND ALSO SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR PODCASTS TODAY
This American Life
I love the variety of subjects covered in this podcast and have been an avid listener for a number of years…Ira Glass is the host and it really is one of the few must-haves in the world of podcasting.
This podcast blends together a trio of threads: First, there ate investigative reporting elements, then there is an education aspect, finally they do in-depth storytelling weekly.
For each episode, they generally will combine multiple mini-stories which all follow a central theme…There are occasions when the entire episode is dedicated to a single theme and story, and if this the case, generally it is warranted based on the content.
The Flop House
This podcast series is very funny. Part of the reason may be the stars of the show, Elliot Kalan (he is the former head writer of The Daily Show) and also Dan McCoy (a Daily Show staff writer) as well as Stuart Wellington, an extremely funny man in his own right.
This podcast has been around for over 7 years, and it remains one of the BEST in my opinion….I look forward to each new episode…
The discussion generally centers around bad movies, and there is plenty of ammunition in such movies that the three fully use in their schtick.
They add in their own improv to the missteps discussed, and the recipe provides a hoot for everyone. Definitely good for the funny bone!
Sawbones
They are an interesting duo and their self-described “Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine” is what they do on this podcast. Hosts Justin and Dr. McElroy make comedy out of a mixture of tragedy and time.
Medical science unfortunately filled with lots of tragedy, and a mix of learning new things and laughing at ourselves is a part of what they bring to the table for listeners.
They also do a great job of explaining very complex topics in a manner that even I can understand. Justin plays the dummy while the good doctor informs him and us all.
The podcast subject may seem a bit morbid at first glance, but these two turn what could be the boring into the fascinating….A definite two thumbs up from me!
Jordan, Jesse, Go!
This is a story of two friends…Friends who have joined to create something special that we all can enjoy through their podcasts. Their bond is obvious as you listen to their spiel, and it works really well for them…
Listening to the two of them is like hearing a conversation that you might have with an old friend. A funny conversation. They play off one another well, and the comedy flows incessantly, albeit in a low-keyed manner.
Many of the segments center around living in LA, and shortly after starting to listen you start feeling like you too are in the “Industry” life. They make it easy…and entertaining…
They also have featured guests from film and TV, music, and stand-up somehow you feel like you are on the inside of a place where the action is…
Highly entertaining stuff!
and finally, my # 1 favorite…
A Prairie Home Companion
OK, I have to say that the reason this is my favorite is that I am originally from Minnesota, the base of this live show and weekly broadcast…
It truly epitomizes the very nature of the mid-western culture you will find if you ever get to that corner of the world, and it is a variety show that never ceases to entertain.
It has been around for over 40 years and I have listened as much as possible to each episode during that time (kinda dates me, I know)…It is a radio show of an actual live show they put on…
They have broadcast the episodes far from their roots over those years – Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Iceland and every one of the 50 states…
During each episode away from the home station in Minnesota, they will highlight the most important characteristics of the location, and throw in dashes of humor regularly…
You will find them on most public radio stations, and of course, snippets can be found on many podcast sites for your pleasure…
The original host, Garrison Keilor, is retiring this year, so it is open to judgment on the direction the show takes…The new host is from California, so I expect the format to change and maybe some of the jokes as well…
Until I see some kind of degradation, however, this will remain my number one…
OK, these favorites give you an idea of how varied and how many formats are working for people and for listeners…Now we can bring this back in for your own use with your online marketing business…
WHY THESE PODCASTS ARE WORKING AND IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU PROGRAM
I have an interest myself in putting a podcast program together, and I am sure many of you do as well…
Why?
They can draw in massive audiences and grow you business and reputaTion if they are entertaining, provide valuable content, and are tied into the rest of your online business.
Here’s why you should have an interest…
Podcasts provide a medium that is gaining in popularity, works to increase your name and brand awareness with target audiences, and you can have a lot of fun as well…
You can use the platform to pretty much promote anything that is related to the niche you cover with your podcast, you can interview well-known niche members, and you can show that you are a person of interest in that niche!
Of course, the end result is that you will grow your subscriber list, increasing the opportunities to make sales, and grow your business at a faster rate!
So the question is how do you put such a podcast channel and episodes together? What steps are involved, what do you need to watch out for? How can you increase your audience and where do you store the episodes to give them access?
What kind of subjects can you cover with your podcasts? Literally, the sky is the limit in my opinion. Anything that is of interest to your audience and is of value is open game…
Things that are basic to advanced are good subjects, and interviews or a panel discussion while taking calls is an excellent choice too if you have the capability with your equipment…
I would cover different subject areas over time, add each to the entire gallery of your podcasts, and let the audiences pick and choose.
Over time, you will have a substantial library of valuable information for your listeners, and as the word spreads, your program can become a real game changer for you…
So back to those questions on how to get started, etc…
I will answer all of these questions in the next section…
How To Put A Podcast Channel Together
There are some planning and execution steps involved, but they are not arduous or overwhelming. With a little work, you can easily have your very own podcast series up and running.
Similar to a “vlog” (like a blog except a video blog), podcasts offer you a chance to appeal on a personal level with your audience that you cannot achieve using a simple sales page, or even a video sales page…
Here are the steps to get your podcast in place:
Equipment:
Surprisingly you do not need much…A simple microphone, recording and editing tool, and maybe some intro, transition, and outro music plus a script is all you really need!
As you see that podcasting is something that you want to be involved in, you can get the microphones, the better editing software, and anything else that will upgrade your program.
Starting out my recommendation is to go low with regards to monies spent. You do not want to end up with lots of tools that will essentially do nothing for you…
Process
Obviously, you will need to plan the name and the description of your podcast, and you will want to relate it to whatever niche and market segment you want to focus on.
Plan ahead, work to get guests, do a script for each broadcast, leave some time to edit the results, and make sure that you add in content that will compel people to come back again and again…
Posting Content
You will have several options on how and where to store your podcasts, it will depend on your goal. I have an article that explains in a lot more detail what all is involved, the intent of today’s post is to introduce you to podcasting and pique your interest in exploring further!
Tips
Look and listen to see what others are doing in your niche. Is there a gap in what you see that you could fill a need for listeners? Is there a new and novel way of putting your show together or market the show, or add in your products and services unobtrusively?
Keep your eyes peeled to always innovating and keeping your audience with you. Do not be afraid to step outside the box as you create your podcasts….
Make sure that you get the word out using social media about your podcasts. The audience will build on its own over time if it adds value and is interesting. A little kick start is not a bad thing, and social media can provide this…
I have an entire free traffic post dedicated to podcasting, and many more details are provided in that tutorial. If you are interested, you can click the link below to read this and learn more…
==> FREE TRAFFIC SERIES – PODCASTING <===
CONCLUSION
Today we looked at some of the favorite podcasts today in the IM world, then went on to explain why you should consider putting one together for your own online marketing business…
To provide some guidance on how to do that, we added in a section on the steps involved with your own podcase, from start to finish. It was pointed out how easy it was…
Hopefully, your brain cells have been stimulated now to think about how and what you will talk about, and also how you can increase your business leads and sales with podcasts…
FINAL POINT
I always ask this and will do so once again today…Please if you would take a few moments rate the article above it would be appreciated (see the star rating area near the title of this post above), and let me know what your opinion is of this post…
The more stars you give (up to 5) denotes means the more you think of the post…
Next, I would ask you to share this post tutorial if you think that maybe others could use the information I have here…I have some convenient buttons here for you, so it will take but a moment, and…
Finally, please consider taking a few moments to comment on this post about podcasts…Adding your own thoughts and experiences with podcasts, how you use them, where you listen to them, etc.…
I ask these things of you because I believe It is always good when we can help each other, and each action above will do just that. We all grow together. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
Cheers!
ABOUT DAVE:
Dave has been involved in sales for 20 years with offline products and has been fortunate to have traveled the world while realizing up to $4 million USD a month in gross sales of products he promoted.
He has brought that experience to the online world and this is one of his online ventures. This site is intended to present ideas, products, tools, tips and more that will help all those seeking to make money online have success.
Subjects covered are diverse, but in totem, you can learn a lot about the things that you will need to have success with online business right here. This includes things to do and things NOT to do!
Enjoy!