A successful podcast starts with an idea. But it can't be just any random topic that pops into your head (like how you should wear socks in bed).
If you need a little help coming up with creative ideas or have a vague idea but don't know if fits yet, we've got you. The key is not to find a hot, trending topic but to create something unique. Something that has never been said in a certain way before.
How does one even go about doing that? Keep reading to find the answer.
Know your goals
We all have our own reasons to start podcasting. Some want to share their story, some are looking for a creative outlet and others might just be bored at work. It’s also an excellent tool for those who love sharing what they know about their favorite topic--from cooking recipes, car and motorcycle repair tips, and even video games!
So before jumping into anything blindly, first know why you want to do it. Regardless of your reason to create a podcast though, thinking carefully beforehand about how it will benefit them personally is integral before starting this project. It will give you motivation later when things don't go according to plan.
Once you figure out your why, zoom in on topics that support your "why". For example, if you want to share your passion for cooking, you have a variety of topics to choose from like recipes, the science behind cooking, different food culture, restaurant reviews, etc. You're now ready to choose your niche aka podcast topic.
Choose a specific niche
After you have a general idea of the topics you're interested in, you can start asking these questions to zero down on a single topic:
- What makes me feel most happy?
- What subject am I passionate about?
- What topics can I speak about as an expert?
- What are subjects that people seek me out for?
- What do I do for fun?
- What topics do I enjoy talking about?
Once you find answers to these, you will be very much closer to your topic. If you want to create a podcast for possible monetization then you must also consider factors like the marketability of the topic, possible opportunities for affiliate marketing, the possibility of creating info products or training courses on the same topic, the spending capacity of your intended audience, etc. The best idea is to go with your gut and follow your own instinct.
Answer these questions
Answering these questions will help you figure out the best format for your podcast. It also lets you add your special touch to a topic that many people might talk about, making your podcast stand out. Your podcast topic is the key to figuring out these answers:
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What is the purpose of Your Podcast?
- Entertainment: Engage your audience through storytelling or humor.
- Information Sharing: Present facts, news, or updates clearly.
- Education: Share insights or teach concepts in a structured manner.
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Who is the target audience?
- Children/Teens: Incorporate content that resonates with their interests.
- Young Adults/Middle-Aged: Balance content for a diverse age range.
- Seniors: Focus on topics relevant to their experiences or current events.
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What is the role of Demographics in your content?
- Geographical Considerations: Address topics relevant to the local context.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural nuances in your content.
- Language Preferences: Consider language preferences for a broader appeal or a niche one if your content appeals to a particular audience.
Follow your passion
A podcast is a long commitment. If you're not excited about your topic, there's a really good chance that you'll burn out before accomplishing what you wanted to. Even though people may think of the process as entertainment and business moving together, without excitement for both aspects it won't work well at all.
You need to be excited about what you're creating if not the process or it’ll show in your work and potentially bumming out your listeners.
Podcasting can seem daunting because of the serious commitment that goes into it but with passion and dedication, podcasting has amazing potential as both personal projects and business ventures.
Some topic suggestions that you can choose from
- Tech - Conduct reviews and talk shows - a popular choice.
- Health and Fitness - Motivate people to a healthy lifestyle and fitness by educating or inviting experts to your shows.
- Personal Finance - Guide people with tips for better financial security.
- News - Keep your listeners informed of all the latest happenings
- Sports - Even though it's a competitive topic, you can still make a unique podcast. You can talk about sports training, tutorials, news, talk shows, etc.
- Self-love - Motivate people for a better tomorrow by cultivating self-love.
- Motivational - A very popular topic of personal interest. Large scope for affiliate marketing.
- Business - Give information on how to successfully launch a new business or a product launch.
- History - It’s a very popular topic with a large audience base as any sort of history piques people’s curiosity.
- Stories - One of the most popular niches where you can cover- investigation, thriller, crime, fiction, etc.
- Comedy - Another competitive and popular niche. Get into this if you are sure to entertain your audience. It is a difficult art to make people laugh.
- Culture - You can pick any culture and talk about it.
- Music - People love listening to music and everything related to it.
- Animals - There is no shortage of content on this topic.
- Religion & Spirituality - You can find a variety of beliefs to share and discuss.
- Politics - Stay updated with all political activities in your country and the world and share your point of view as an expert or simply share what's happening.
So, by now you know a wide spectrum of topics you can choose from and start your podcast.
Conclusion
You can make your podcast into anything you want but it's important to remember that the 3 main aspects of a successful show are:
- Your interest in a particular subject
- An audience interested in this topic.
- Your ability to put an interesting spin on an existing topic.
The best shows focus on these three key points and create content accordingly.
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