Jessica Cordova Kramer(opens in a brand new tab) is the CEO and co-founder of award-winning podcast community Lemonada Media(opens in a brand new tab). She can also be the chief producer of 1 Lemonada’s new reveals Being Trans(opens in a brand new tab), a podcast that makes use of a daring new reality-style format to observe the lives of 4 trans individuals in Los Angeles.
“We began Being Trans, as a result of it is one of the vital misunderstood and complicated problems with our time and there was a large curiosity from our viewers,” says Cordova Kramer, “specifically feeling and studying one thing that was not like their very own private expertise and realizing that they have been oftentimes parenting kids who have been having complicated gender questions or mates or members of the family.”
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For Cordova Kramer, podcasting is a strong medium for reveals like Being Trans. It could possibly journey with you all through your day, there is no digital camera concerned (which permits individuals to open up), and the trail to producing a narrative that feels pressing is way simpler than say, making a documentary. Lastly, the intimacy of audio permits the listener to immersive themselves in another person’s world.
If you happen to’ve been bitten by the podcast bug, you realize this wholeheartedly. However it may be formidable to get began. Don’t be concerned, Cordova Kramer has some concepts. Since co-founding Lemonada with Stephanie Wittels Wachs(opens in a brand new tab) in 2019, the community has produced 22 reveals, so it is protected to say Cordova Kramer is aware of what she’s speaking about. Here is her recommendation on tips on how to begin a podcast.
1. Know that your voice issues.
These days it looks as if everybody has a podcast. However Cordova Kramer would not suppose that is a nasty factor.
“Everybody says there’s too many podcasts, however there usually are not too many podcasts. There isn’t any such factor as an excessive amount of content material,” says Cordova Kramer. “Your bizarre quirky factor might be another person’s bizarre, quirky factor. So for those who’re enthusiastic about it, go do it.”
2. You do not really need a lot to get began
It may be intimidating for those who’ve seen veteran podcasters recording in a state-of-the-art studio, however lately you do not want fancy gear to make a professional-sounding podcast. “There’s merchandise on the market like SoundCloud(opens in a brand new tab) and Zencastr(opens in a brand new tab) which might be very easy and accessible,” says Cordova Kramer. “And you are able to do proper out of your laptop computer and speak to somebody who’s throughout the globe with out tons of pricey gear simply to get a proof of idea going.”
“There’s simply a lot of methods you will get into the sport fairly shortly.”
When you get your podcast off the bottom, you’ll be able to take into consideration investing in good gear. If it is a easy speak present format you won’t ever want greater than a pc and modifying software program. “There’s simply a lot of methods you will get into the sport fairly shortly.”
3. Maintain the scope manageable.
Do not mistake entering into the sport shortly for overcommitting to a brand new venture that hasn’t been examined but. “I at all times inform individuals to strive it first and see if it has legs for a weekly podcast.” Cordova Kramer suggests making six episodes and see the way it goes. You may discover {that a} weekly tempo is just too demanding, or get to episode 5 and understand you don’t have anything left to speak about.
“If you happen to get to episode 5, and you are like, ‘Man, I may discuss this for the remainder of my life,’ nice, do it,” says Cordova Kramer. “However set your self up for achievement and never ‘I’m going to do that podcast for the remainder of eternity,’ as a result of you do not know what it is gonna really feel like.”
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4. Monetize from the start.
So that you survived making six episodes and also you need to maintain going. That is solely half the battle, as a result of now it’s important to get your podcast on the market. “See for those who can accomplice with somebody who’s keen on the identical message that you’re and see for those who can offset the prices of the gear and distributing it in a roundabout way,” says Cordova Kramer.
“It will not be an enormous moneymaker from the beginning, however fascinated with the way you may monetize it, or a minimum of offset prices early will help it really feel extra sustainable over time.”
5. Put money into advertising and marketing.
With a view to monetize, you want to market your podcast, however in an effort to market your podcast, you want cash. Principally monetization and advertising and marketing want simultaneous consideration, so it’s kind of of a chicken-or-the-egg state of affairs. However as an alternative of selling/monetization as competing elements, take into consideration them as a part of the larger goal which is getting individuals to take heed to your podcast.
“We actually take into consideration the whole expertise that somebody may need discovering the present,” says Cordova Kramer. “We take into consideration the artwork, does it make sense? Does the title make sense? Is it going to inform individuals what the present is about? After they click on the artwork? Does the outline make sense? Does it pull them in? What issues is it fixing for individuals? Or what curiosity is it piquing for individuals?”
“We actually take into consideration the whole expertise that somebody may need discovering the present.”
Different points to consider are episode descriptions for search engine marketing and tips on how to categorize the podcast for discovery. You probably have a comedy podcast, the comedy class is notoriously aggressive, so perhaps put it in arts the place it may be discovered extra simply.
6. Assume strategically about promotion timing.
As soon as you have established a rock-solid model identification you’ll be able to promote your present by means of channels that align together with your pursuits. Cordova Kramer says to reap the benefits of promo instruments on platforms like Apple and Spotify which might be “great and are actually in search of attention-grabbing, numerous content material.”
She additionally recommends fascinated with thematic occasions of the yr. “You probably have a Filipino meals podcast, for instance, Asian American Historical past Month is a superb time to attempt to get some promotion,” says Cordova Kramer. “That is in Could, so that you need to begin in March or February to get some curiosity in your present.”
“Somebody who already listens to podcasts is the almost certainly particular person to go and take heed to a brand new podcast.”
One other option to promote your present is thru cross promotion with comparable podcasts. Cordova Kramer says it may very well be something from an off-the-cuff shout-out to an ad-swap, which is a extra formal settlement to play one another’s trailer or excerpt.
Cross promotion is tremendous efficient and is one thing that Cordova Kramer nonetheless makes use of immediately, as a result of “audio converts to audio,” she says. “Somebody who already listens to podcasts is the almost certainly particular person to go and take heed to a brand new podcast.”
7. Discover your individuals.
The fantastic thing about podcasts is that there are at all times going to be individuals who join together with your bizarre thought and people are those that you want to search out. “Discover your individuals, take into consideration your your core listener and exit from there. And simply do not be discouraged. It is a very nice medium, and it is it’s extremely forgiving.”
There are tons of nice sources to help you in your podcast journey. Listed here are a few of Cordova Kramer’s favorites:
Originally posted 2022-06-02 09:00:18.