Everyone has a podcast, print journalists, tv anchors, comedians, the guy who cuts my hair, even fictional characters like Ron Burgundy. If you’re not already doing a podcast, or two, or three, you certainly will be soon. 

Unlike most people who get into it though, having a radio broadcasting background equips us with all the tools needed to create a successful podcast. They just need to be tweaked slightly to apply to this different, but similar media. 

We SHOULD NOT fall into the trap of abandoning all our principals and good broadcasting habits because we have been given the blank canvas of this long-form, seemingly wide-open platform. More than likely we are still reaching the same kind of listener, so many of the same rules apply. 

Identify the hook in the first topic for each podcast and set the hook early in each show. Skip the long pre-produced intro, that we’ve all hopefully gotten away from on terrestrial radio, and get right to the hook. If it’s a team podcast also leave out the pointless “How are you doing” chit-chat. 

Remember to stay listener focused. It’s even more of a commitment to download and listen to a podcast then to listen terrestrially so we can’t make it all about us. The goal is to find relatable, relevant topics by asking ourselves that all important question, “Does the listener care about this?” 

We should be purposeful and strategic with everything we talk about so that we never waste our listener’s time. Just because there’s no hard limit on how long we can talk in a podcast doesn’t give us the leeway to wander, wing it and fill time. It’s still vital that we are concise with our words, make well thought out, or researched points, and edit out unnecessary words and descriptors that don’t really add anything. 

Take the out. When that great line happens, whether organic or planned, we need to seize that opportunity and move on to the next topic or angle similar to how we use that moment to fire off the next song or go into a break terrestrially. Talking past that out by reiterating something and making the same point several times is just as deadly to a podcast as it is to an on-air show. 

Tease upcoming content within the show and in upcoming podcasts. The competition for attention is incredibly fierce. So, once we’ve gotten over the hoop of getting someone to sample our podcast, we want to keep them listening throughout and to additional episodes with great teases. 

Build that relationship slowly. The whole point of a radio personality doing a podcast is to reach a new, broader audience. So, just like when we start a new on-air show, we have to ease into that relationship and move through each phase slowly over time. We have to be careful not to overshare too early and drive them away. Just like in a relationship, it’s best to wait a little while before we let them see all of our crazy quirks. 

Finally, there is nothing more important to the development of an on-air show than regular, consistent air-checking. Air-checking is just as crucial when podcasting, so find yourself a good coach and get professional feedback early and often. While many of the same radio rules apply, podcasting is a new skill and learning any new skill is easier with outside input.

For more helpful tips, download a copy of my new eBook 7 Habits of High Performing Radio Personalities.

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