In 2016 when podcasting was still a fairly new trend, two women, Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, did something that forever changed the trajectory of their lives. They started a parenting podcast called What Fresh Hell. It took a while for them to get listeners on board, especially since most Americans were still figuring out how podcasts worked.
However, in today’s world, almost everyone has listened to a podcast and What Fresh Hellnow has over four million downloads. Sounds inspiring, doesn’t it? As a parent looking to launch a parenting podcast, this duo’s story is quite inspiring and might be all the motivation you need to get started.
Parenting is a full-time job, and modern parents need all the help they can get. Thus, from Brighterly to other educational platforms and apps, parents are now using technology to help raise their children right. As a new podcaster, you can contribute to this movement by creating a relatable podcast for other parents.
But how do you get started and ensure that your podcast is a hit? Here’s how:
Setting UpÂ
Choose a specific niche
Here’s the thing: parenting is too broad a topic to focus on. Although parenting is a niche, you’d have to get more specific than that if you’re looking to launch a successful podcast. What aspect of parenting would you like to talk about? Day-to-day activities? Parenting styles?
For instance, instead of simply talking about parenting, you can choose to narrow it down to a positive parenting podcast or a calm parenting podcast. You could also decide to focus on parenting children with special needs.
You’ll certainly find it easier to create a tribe of avid listeners by narrowing down your niche.
Picture your listeners
When it comes to creating a podcast, it’s essential to create a clear image of who you want your target audience to be. This way, you can make the right content that caters to their specific needs and preferences. Do you want your target audience to be young, first-time parents? Teen mums? Older parents whose kids are leaving the nest? It’s up to you to decide. Your target audience will determine the type of content you’ll make and the trajectory of your podcast.
Pick your format
Podcasts are like people: they come in different sizes (lengths) and personalities (formats). They can be educational, humorous, interview-style, or even involve storytelling. As a budding podcaster, it’s essential to determine what format you’ll like your podcast to take.
It all depends on what you’re comfortable with. For instance, you may decide to host your podcasts with friends in order to add variety and spice to your podcasts. On the other hand, you could simply podcast alone – just you and your mic.
Get the right equipment
The right equipment is to podcasting what the right hammer is to a carpenter. If you’re looking to create a successful podcast, you can’t record episodes with terrible feedback and white noise. As such, it’s important to invest in high-quality equipment.
As a starter, you don’t necessarily have to go all out and purchase an entire studio but you can start with the basic tools such as a high-quality microphone and headphone set.
What’s in a name?Â
Whether you’re looking to focus on parenting podcasts or any other genre, finding the right name for your podcast sets you on the path to success. It’s one of the foundational steps of branding and will let listeners know what to expect from your show. In the same vein, it could also attract new curious listeners. The more attractive your podcast title is, the more willing people would be to listen.
Recording and editing
Once you’ve set up the basics of your podcast, it’s important to focus on creating high-quality, appealing episodes. Here’s how to do this:
Choose a sound-friendly location
While most podcasts are made from the comfort of people’s homes, you can’t exactly record a podcast in just any part of your home. If your bedroom window overlooks a busy street, then you shouldn’t record your podcasts there. You certainly don’t want your listeners to hear the annoying honking of cars.
As such, it’s important to choose the quietest part of your home. This could be your kitchen, basement or even your closet. It might be uncomfortable but it’s certainly worth it. As your podcast grows, you can then invest in soundproofing or noise cancellation equipment.
Intros and outros
When setting up your podcast, it’s important to think of Intros and outros to spice up each episode. Basically, an intro is often a 15 to 30 second audio that may include music, the title of your podcast, and your name. The outro wraps up each episode and typically includes a call-to-action. Thus, you could search for royalty-free music and create an appealing intro and outro to set the tone for your podcast.
Practice first
Here’s one thing you should know: you may not exactly record your first episode without hiccups. There will be the occasional stutter, laughter or a nasty cough. To help you pull it off without hitches, you could record practice episodes first. Watch tutorials on YouTube and then practice as many times as you can.
MarketingÂ
Create a marketing plan
Ready to show your podcast to the world? If you’re trying to reach your target audience, then you’ll need to set a marketing plan in place. How do you plan on marketing your podcast? Think of the marketing channels and opportunities available to you and then strategize.
Ads, ads, ads!Â
When launching a podcast, ads are your best friend. With the right ads, you can spread the word about your podcast and attract a horde of new listeners. Try out social media ads (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc). You might also want to make guest posts on blogs to raise brand awareness.
Final ThoughtsÂ
As a new podcaster looking to create a parenting podcast, it can feel very overwhelming at first. However, with these tips above, you’re certainly on the path to success.
Good luck!
