These days, it’s easier than ever to start a podcast, but you want to be successful, you need to work at growing your audience. And the best way to do that is by making your podcast interesting and engaging to hold listeners’ attention and keep them coming back.
Here are some methods you can use to help make your podcast more interesting.
1. Make it Fun and Entertaining
In my 20+ years of broadcasting, I’ve learned one important rule: if you’re having fun, then the audience will, too.
If you’re simply going through the motions, it’s going to come across to the audience and they’ll quickly tune you out (possibly for good). On the other hand, if you’re engaged and delighted by your subject, listeners will get pulled in.
Now this doesn’t give you full license to turn into one of those wacky, over-the-top radio DJs. Be yourself! The second you try to be something other than you, it’s a recipe for disaster. When it comes to more serious topics, you can be entertaining while handling it with the proper tone, as long as you are knowledgeable on the subject. Not everything has to be lively and laughable—just look at the success of NPR.
2. Develop Topics
I know, I know. There’s a lot of really cool topics you want to discuss. But you’d be doing your listeners a disservice if you just scratch the surface. Take a deeper look into the nuances of your subject. Answer questions people might have. Offer plenty of details and explanation.
An easy way to help with this is continuing to ask the questions “why” and “how” when discussing a topic. That helps you go more in-depth in explaining that subject and allows you to show your knowledge or share an interesting opinion.
3. Talk About Yourself
If there’s one thing we’re all experts on, it’s ourselves.
Take from your personal experiences and share them on your podcast. Those experiences will help you relate with your audience on a more personal level and keep them interested. You don’t want your entire podcast to be about yourself, but it can be entertaining to share quick anecdotes from your own life that relate to the topic at-hand.
4. Answer Listener Emails
Another easy way to connect with your audience is to answer their “fan mail”. This is an easy way to generate unique content and have some fun with your listeners. People are always excited when they hear you answer a question they have and this will help keep them as a return listener.
You can easily have a short segment of your podcast answering questions. Plus, asking for questions using email and social media helps create better dialogue and interaction with your audience. So it’s a win-win situation.
5. Talk With Other Experts
Adding another personality is always welcomed, especially when it’s somebody that knows his stuff.
This can either be a regular co-host or the occasional guest host. Either way, make sure they have something to offer to the show—whether that’s a unique insight on the subject or a personality that meshes with yours.
6. Talk with Friends
Sometimes it can be tough getting an expert guest, especially if you’re just starting out. Easy enough—invite a friend or family member that brings something to the table.
Maybe you have someone in your life that is also an expert on the subject (or at least has a great personality). Another bonus: it can be easier to open up with someone you already know and it will help you get used to this whole podcasting business.
If you know someone who can add to the conversation, take advantage of that!
7. Go Back to Popular Topics
There are some topics that you will want to revisit from time to time, especially if there’s something new to discuss. Revisiting the topic allows you to add fresh insight and a different approach. It also allows newer listeners to jump into the conversation.
This doesn’t mean to simply rehash everything you said previously. Bring something new to the table, whether that’s updated information or a new guest to add perspective. There’s always different ways to attack a subject and make it interesting, especially if it’s something the audience wants to hear about.
Get Started!
Of course, knowing how to make a podcast interesting is only half of the equation. The other half is making sure it gets in the right ears.
At Podcasting Done Right, we’re your source for launching, editing, and optimizing your podcast so you can focus on what you do best. Get started today and save time while improving listener engagement.
