Thinking of Having Your own Podcast? Four questions to ask Yourself

As well as brand recognition and exposure, having a podcast of your own can bring some unique benefits to your business. These include gaining trust and influence, engagement with a focused community of enthusiastic listeners and establishing your business as a trusted advisor, leader and expert in your industry.
Here are four questions to ask yourself to see if podcasting could be a good fit for you in your marketing and communication strategy.
## 1. Are you passionate and enthusiastic about what you do?
The most crucial things you need if you want to produce a podcast are *passion* and *enthusiasm*. You've probably heard the phrase, *"Content is king"*, well your passion plays a very big role in coming up with that content and powering your podcast.
I know the you-gotta-have-a-passion thing has been done to death, but it's very important. Your passion is like an energy boiling up inside of you - yearning for expression. It's a story, an inspiration for many unsuspecting others, coiled like a spring, potentialised and ready to be unleashed via a podcast series. I'm going to make a bold statement, but I believe it to be true. Podcasting your passion is 10,000 times easier than podcasting anything else.
## 2. Are you a giver?
It's a common mistake to try to create an audio advert for your business. You need to create content that is *useful* and *interesting* to those who share your passion. Do not be afraid to give out information and knowledge. The more you give the more you'll get back, often from unexpected sources. It may sound trite but it's true. Cast you're loaves upon the water and some of them will come back as tuna baguettes (insert your favourite filling here).
## 3. Can you get comfortable in front of a microphone?
Although enthusiasm is important, don't be put off if you're not sure about getting in front of the microphone or you hate the sound of your own voice. These things can be overcome with practice - and that's the great thing - you can practice as many time as you wish before you *go live*.
To make things easier, can you find an enthusiastic co-host or guest that shares your passion? Having listened to thousands of podcasts, I strongly believe that this style of show with two presenters or an interview scenario, is one of the best. Some of the best podcasts I listen to, have the host interview other experts in their field.
## 4. Are you patient?
Given time, you can develop a large and growing fan base from your own podcast. Gaining a following from a podcast will not happen overnight. However, when it takes shape a strong listener base is a powerful thing. Think about it, you have the ears of all those people on an ongoing regular basis. They'll grow to trust you, see you as a thought leader, and tell others. Our popular [Internet Marketing podcast](http://www.internetmarketingpodcast.org), for example, gets a lot of kudos and many warm enquiries for the client.
[Andy White](mailto:andy@wireworldmedia.co.uk) is an author, podcast producer and a podcasting trainer and coach, and producer of the popular Internet Marketing podcast. He helps individuals and businesses of all sizes get started in podcasting. He is also writing a [book on podcasting](http://podcastingunleashedthebook.com).

As well as brand recognition and exposure, having a podcast of your own can bring some unique benefits to your business. These include gaining trust and influence, engagement with a focused community of enthusiastic listeners and establishing your business as a trusted advisor, leader and expert in your industry.

Here are four questions to ask yourself to see if podcasting could be a good fit for you in your marketing and communication strategy.

1. Are you passionate and enthusiastic about what you do?

The most crucial things you need if you want to produce a podcast are *passion* and *enthusiasm*. You've probably heard the phrase, "Content is king", well your passion plays a very big role in coming up with that content and powering your podcast.

I know the you-gotta-have-a-passion thing has been done to death, but it's very important. Your passion is like an energy boiling up inside of you - yearning for expression. It's a story, an inspiration for many unsuspecting others, coiled like a spring, potentialised and ready to be unleashed via a podcast series. I'm going to make a bold statement, but I believe it to be true. Podcasting your passion is 10,000 times easier than podcasting anything else.

2. Are you a giver?

It's a common mistake to try to create an audio advert for your business. You need to create content that is *useful* and *interesting* to those who share your passion. Do not be afraid to give out information and knowledge. The more you give the more you'll get back, often from unexpected sources. It may sound trite but it's true. Cast you're loaves upon the water and some of them will come back as tuna baguettes (insert your favourite filling here).

3. Can you get comfortable in front of a microphone?

Although enthusiasm is important, don't be put off if you're not sure about getting in front of the microphone or you hate the sound of your own voice. These things can be overcome with practice - and that's the great thing - you can practice as many time as you wish before you *go live*.

To make things easier, can you find an enthusiastic co-host or guest that shares your passion? Having listened to thousands of podcasts, I strongly believe that this style of show with two presenters or an interview scenario, is one of the best. Some of the best podcasts I listen to, have the host interview other experts in their field.

4. Are you patient?

Given time, you can develop a large and growing fan base from your own podcast. Gaining a following from a podcast will not happen overnight. However, when it takes shape a strong listener base is a powerful thing. Think about it, you have the ears of all those people on an ongoing regular basis. They'll grow to trust you, see you as a thought leader, and tell others. Our popular [Internet Marketing podcast](http://www.internetmarketingpodcast.org), for example, gets a lot of kudos and many warm enquiries for the client.

[Andy White](mailto:andy@wireworldmedia.co.uk) is an author, podcast producer and a podcasting trainer and coach, and producer of the popular Internet Marketing podcast. He helps individuals and businesses of all sizes get started in podcasting. He is also writing a [book on podcasting](http://podcastingunleashedthebook.com).