6 Rules for Effective Podcasts

You will get the most promotional value from your podcast if your subscribers listen on a regular basis and find value in the information that you give them. They are more likely to listen if the information is short and to the point. Here are some tips.

With a podcast, you aren’t trying to fill a given slot of airtime. Because your listeners will be listening from the beginning and have the ability to replay, you can be very concise and efficient with your material.

To keep your listener engaged on a regular basis, you want to pass to them useful information without a lot of fluff. You also want to keep the podcast short to minimize download time.

1. Get to the Point.

You should be able to state who you are and what the nature of the podcast is in 30 seconds or so. A long rambling description of why you are doing this and what you hope to do in the future is probably interesting to you only.

2. Summarize What’s Coming

Briefly, let your listeners know up front what topics will be covered in this podcast so they can determine if the material has value for them.

3. Consistent Format

Keep your format consistent from podcast to podcast . That means the same open and close music, same introduction and same structure of the program.

4. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Long rambling podcasts are plentiful on the net, but the mark of amateurs and hobbyists. Like any other audio information product, work from a good outline and write out important information that you are likely to forget.

Edit your podcast so that it flows well and sounds professional.

5. Keep Advertising to a Minimum

If you want your listeners to come back on a regular basis, the podcast shouldn’t sound like an infomercial. If you’ve targeted your niche well, however, your subscribers will be interested in hearing about products and services that are related to that niche.

6. Structure It Like A News Article

Start with the most important information first, and work your way down to the least important information. That means your web address should be contained in the opening.