Developing Your Podcast Idea

If you are going to create a decent podcast, you will need to have a creative podcast idea. That sounds a little dumb. It seems like everyone has an idea for a podcast. Still, not all that many people have a developed podcast idea. What do I mean by that? Let me tell you about my experience.

I work with a lot with new podcasters. I help people create intros and outros. I offer guidance on equipment, hosting, recording, and editing. I even do full podcast editing and production. Often when people come to me for help getting started, they aren't really ready to start. Here is how I can tell. It's a simple request. I say, "Tell me about your podcast." Sometimes this goes really well. But, I think that more than not, this is when people realize that they have more development work to do. Often I get answers like, "It's about parenting." There is nothing wrong with that, but if that is all you have, you might have some work to do.

Pitch Your Podcast Idea

Creating an elevator pitch is a great way to test your creative podcast idea. Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels

I am a big fan of the "elevator pitch." In case you haven't heard of that, it is simply a short description of an idea that can be shared very quickly, like in the time you have while riding in an elevator. It can be used for anything from landing meetings with investors, getting your boss to sign off on a project, or even finding a job. I have tried to master it over the years, knowing that people are so busy and overwhelmed that I may only have moments to get their attention.

You may be wondering why you need to pitch your podcast. You may never need to, though I pitch mine as often as possible to get more listeners. There is another purpose of the elevator pitch. It can be used as an exercise to ensure that your idea is fully developed. Ideas that are not really thought through are tough to pitch quickly. To explain something concisely, you really need to own it.

I had a boss once who wanted my elevator pitch on ideas, not because he was in a hurry but because he wanted to be sure I had really thought it all the way through. If I couldn't explain it compellingly in a couple of minutes, he would tell me to come back when I could. If I could explain concisely, he might spend a couple of hours helping me develop it more since he knew I already owned the idea.

I don't know that I have ever written down the pitch for The Pro Voice Guy Podcast. It is pretty much the same as for this blog.

The Pro Voice Guy Podcast is a podcast about podcasts. It is designed to help people start their first podcast and people who want to improve their podcast, even if they don't have any related skills or experience. We cover everything from microphones, software, hosting services, intro, outros, and how to make everything sound good. 

Developing Your Idea

Developing your creative podcast idea. Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels

Now, you try. If you have trouble creating such a pitch, don't worry. You may just need to spend more time developing your idea. When I am trying to help people develop their creative podcast idea, I tend to ask questions.

Here are the questions to answer when developing your podcast idea:

1. What is your podcast about?

2. What are some of the specific topics you will cover?

3. Who is it for? In other words, who do you think would or should listen to it.

4. Where will your content come from? In other words, is this something you are an expert in? Will you be doing research? Will you interview guests who are experts?

5. What sorts of things will you definitely not cover on the show?

You can feel free to stop reading here, but I went ahead and answered those questions for my podcast. I thought it might jog your own thinking to see an example. You may be able to see how this could lead to my elevator pitch. My answers aren't perfect. Also, I am pretty sure they have changed since I started the show. But, here goes:

1. What is your podcast about? Podcasting. How to start and improve a podcast.

2. What are some of the specific topics you will cover? Equipment, software, hosting service, recording space, vocal delivery, editing, and processing.

3. Who is it for? In other words, who do you think would or should listen to it. People who are new to podcasting and people who feel they want to improve their shows' quality.

4. Where will your content come from? In other words, is this something you are an expert in? Will you be doing research? Will you interview guests who are experts? From my knowledge and experience and my daily interactions with podcasters and helping them find answers to their questions. Research is an ongoing part of my job and is reflected in the show.

5. What sorts of things will you definitely not cover on the show? It is hard to say anything "definitely." For instance, I would say marketing, except I did cover it once. But, for sure, booking guests. I don't know anything about that. I mostly stay away from the "soft skills" of podcasting and stick to the technology and techniques.

Your turn. Answer those questions and see if you can write your elevator pitch. In the next post, we will use what we have learned to make a plan to get started and keep moving forward.