From Instagram to YouTube and Facebook to TikTok – you’re probably sick of hearing you need to put yourself out there.
With so many channels available – it can be really hard to even know where to start marketing your freelance services these days.
Despite all this, it’s hard to argue that starting your own podcast won’t help your freelance business.
As a freelancer, you already wear a lot of hats and you need to be protective over your time and how you spend it.
With client work, the constant search for new clients, and other admin tasks – starting and maintaining a podcast is likely to be way down your priorities list.
But, having your own podcast can be a great asset and tool to help you grow your business and stand out from others on the market.
Equally – and this is really important – thanks to amazing software and tools like Descript, it’s easier than quicker than ever before to record and edit high-quality podcasts.
There are also loads of great platforms to host and promote your podcast.
We will look at how to start a freelancer podcast, how to promote it, how to get guests, and how to do it consistently in other articles, but for now, let’s focus on the solid reasons why you should seriously consider investing your precious time and energy into starting a podcast in the first place.
Table of contents:
Five reasons to start a podcast as a freelancer:
1. To build authority in your industry
One of the easiest ways to start getting clients to come to you, instead of you having to seek them out and approach them, is to establish yourself as an expert and authority in your industry.
There are many ways you can do that – and starting your own podcast is definitely one of them.
Podcasting can be a great way to boost your authority online. If you are bringing on industry experts who have valuable insights and knowledge to share on your podcast, both you and your listeners are staying up to date with the latest trends and news.
But, this is the best part – because you are hosting the podcast where industry experts are sharing the value, listeners will start connecting you and with your guests.
So if you consistently bring on guests with engaging and valuable things to share, it won’t take long until your podcast – and you as a host – become a go-to resource for the latest industry wisdom.
2. To grow your network
Many freelancers start a podcast only for this reason alone – because it enables them to meet like-minded freelancers from all over the world, and create valuable connections.
Other podcasters are not your competition. They are potential collaborators who have the same goal as you – to create episodes worth a listen. That’s why you won’t find difficulties creating connections and opportunities to collaborate with others, as long as it adds value to both of your podcasts.
Also, podcasting allows you to connect with other people who you can choose to interview and “pick their brains” without feeling guilty about it!
3. To create a passive income source
Earning money from your podcast is possible, but this reason should usually be way down your list of priorities.
Just like with any other form of passive income, it’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s not really going to be passive.
To actually start seeing money coming in, you need to invest a lot of time and energy into your podcast. But it is doable, especially if you stick with it and build your podcast over time.
So how can you monetise your podcast?
The simple way is through sponsorships and paid collaborations.
As your audience of listeners grows, it becomes a real asset.
You will be in a position where you can choose to reach out to brands and companies that have the same target audience as you do and arrange paid collaborations with them.
You might include a straight ad, or promote their product/service as part of the episode. Of course, it’s really important here that all brands and companies you are promoting are relevant to your audience, and that you don’t turn your entire episode into an ad.
Another way to monetise your podcast is by receiving support from your listeners.
There are many websites like Patreon, Ko-fi, Buy me a coffee that make this easy to do. These platforms allow you to create exclusive content for your supporters and build and nurture direct, personal relationships with them, to keep your fan base growing.
4. To increase exposure for your business
Being a podcast host means you have to put yourself out there in order to grow your audience, and to attract interesting and respected experts from your industry to be your guests.
Many creative freelancers are introverts by nature, and they struggle with self-promotion and putting themselves in the spotlight.
But you have to be willing to be uncomfortable and get outside your comfort zone quite often – and hosting your own podcast can really help you embrace this and practice building your self-promotion muscle.
Even if you create only one season of your podcast, the entire experience of hosting a podcast, interviewing other people, promoting episodes will help you build confidence and become “comfortable with being uncomfortable” – which is a trait all successful freelancers have in common.
In addition, podcasts can be a great, sustainable marketing channel that you are in complete control of. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should turn it into a show about your business – the priority is to give your audience value and a reason to keep coming back to listen to your episodes.
So think about the content and ideas they will find interesting.
But don’t hesitate to promote your services. Plan episodes strategically and include self-promotion when suitable to avoid it sounding salesy or awkward.
5. To find new clients and business opportunities
Podcasting can also bring a lot of PR opportunities – including speaking gigs. All of this can help you grow your business exposure further and strengthen your authority and your reach.
If you’re interviewing relevant experts – chances are some of them will host their own podcasts or run their own events. So it’s very likely that you’ll receive invitations to appear before their audiences.
If you can talk in an engaging way about different topics on your show, opportunities like speaking at conferences, webinars and workshops guests can easily start to flow your way.
Use Descript to start a podcast as a freelancer
Descript is an amazing time-saving tool that you can use to record and edit a podcast episode.
The way it works is very simple – when you upload your audio recordings, Descript transcribes them into text. Then you can easily edit the transcription of your audio like a normal Word document.
But here’s the best part – this also edits the audio! So by editing the transcription, you are also editing an entire podcast episode!
They offer a free trial, so you can test it out yourself with no commitments – but I’m sure you are going to love it as much as we are!
Have you started a podcast already? Leave us a link in the comments below so we can check it out!
Until next time,
Maja
Related articles:
Starting a Freelance Podcast is easier than you think
15 effective and free ways to spread the word about your freelance business – even if you are an introvert!
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