To Make A Successful Podcast, Start With Two Essentials Questions

According to Apple, there are now over 400,000 podcast titles out there. Last I looked there were 35 on the subject of woodworking and over 40 on Fly Fishing. So, as you think about selecting a topic and leaping in to develop your own podcast, here are some critical questions which jump ahead of which mic to use.

Good product design always starts with the end user in mind. I didn't know I needed a new blender, but Ninja made a great case. Same goes with podcasting. If your podcast doesn't provide something of value right from the start, people won't listen.

Content that resonates with listeners successfully answers these 7 key litmus test questions:

• Why this podcast?
• Why this podcast now?
• People click on podcasts with an expectation:
  • What will they learn?
  • How will it make them feel?
  • Will they laugh?

• What makes this podcast different/unique?
• What makes this podcast better than others in the category?
• Who is the target listener?
• How will the podcast be discovered?

Seven questions too daunting? Let's make it even easier and start the podcast quest with these two questions:

• Who is going to listen to the podcast?
• Why should they listen?

Many broadcasters are now looking to get into podcasting. We applaud that. We have too many conversations, however, without solid answers to these core questions and thus, the chance of success in a proverbial "sea of podcasts" is rightly limited.