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Here, we evaluate a recent article in Forbes.com, authored by Marian Esanu. The article will deal with podcasting within the entrepreneurial or other small business environment as a worthwhile initiative.
The value for small businesses or startups or entrepreneurs to look into adding podcasting to their firms is given in the first part of the article: “Podcasting is a disruptive technology that has found acceptance in the present-day global digital market. …. And, if used correctly, podcasting can give your business a major boost by ensuring better customer and market reach, showcasing your industry expertise and forming extensive networks.”
And you can go to the web site for this Forbes.com article by this link at “How to start a podcast for your business”
After praising the benefits to a business that podcasting can deliver, then Marian goes into his view of the steps needed to create and publish podcasts, hoping that they could be successful:
(1) Choose Your Niche Or Topic And Commit To It
(2) Understand your audience and set the format
(3) Set up and test your podcasting equipment
(4) Use hosting and podcast streaming platforms
(5) Plan and record your episodes
(6) Edit episodes and publish
(7) Increase reach through a business website or blog
Now, for this podcaster of over 14 years experience with podasting, screencasting and being a podcast consultant, an evaluation of this article is that it can be of some value for the very beginning neophyte who has heard about podcasting, and who is considering it (because someone told that individual that the business needs a podcast) at this time. Although he would not know anything about it, this article is so general, that it begs the question “OK, I get what the article says. But where do I go from here and who can be my mentor, so that I do it correctly and not waste either time, money or other business resources?”
And this is where the next step is important. Yes, there are several people who say that they have the end-all and be-all of podcast instruction, resources to begin and have a podcast up and running in just a few weeks — some of them even announcing a “challenge.”
With my experience, I have seen these training programs, tutorials and courses come and go. My recommendation is to go with someone who has been there from the beginning, with a background in training and instruction, and who can explain info and details into plain language with great analogies that are easy to understand — oh, yes, and a good sense of humor can deliver education with training and entertainment (or what is commonly referred to as EDUTAINMENT).
And there is one name that stands above the rest — that is Dave Jackson of The School of Podcasting. His tutorials are available, as are his courses. You can take them entirely, or you can select modules a la carte. And you have options for group webinars and Q-and-A sessions, facebook groups, additional free weekly video podcast sessions (like Ask the Podcast Coach) where you can get your questions answered, whether you are part of his School of Podcasting program or not. As Dave mentions in his intro to his podcast show, you have the option of viewing outdated YouTube videos and making errors, or you can follow him and get into podcasting the right way, as he will steer you in the right direction for the present. And I am familiar with Dave’s programs, as I was a member of the School of podcasting for 3 years.
And once you have your podcast up and running, what then?
Well, for this podcaster, once you have several episodes published and are going in the right direction, you can take your podcasting from ordinary to “amazing” levels by being part of a membership site. The Podcasters Society membership site is one that I would wholly recommend. For your business, it would be a great investment to make sure that you are improving the quality of your show, as well as the quality of your workflow, and even the quality of your monetization. But remember, this membership site is ONLY for those who have already learned how to create and publish a podcast show and episodes, but who now want to take their podcasts to the next level. Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast is the podcaster who runs Podcasters Society, and he is excellent in explaining, great at preparation and research, and he has helped others at this stage of their podcasting journey. I know, because I was a part of his membership site when it first launched — and the value of this site for the podcasters has grown since then tremendously.
So, as far as this article goes, it is very basic and gives the simple steps in a very simple manner. But, as they say, “the devil is in the details.” And podcasters, as creatives, will want to get the best instruction and the greatest resources (both free and fee-based) to create a good business podcast and monetize the show in whatever way makes good sense for the entrepreneur — either by sponsorship or podcast consulting or downloads or subscribers or selling the firm’s own products. And if you want to get an idea of monetization, check out Dave Jackson’s book and podcast show called More Podcast Money.
I just wish that I had a resource like that when I created my podcast for my business over a decade ago.
Finally, I think we shall see more of these very basic and too-general articles and instructions delivered in the near future, as more people start to podcast and then consider themselves to be the instructional experts, and possibly not realize that there are others who have been on this journey long before them and can deliver what the neophyte needs with a much richer experience.
Thank you for your attention.
About the author of the article: Founder of High End Client Acquisition Show, Marian helps online coaches and leaders become omnipresent and create automated sales machines.
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