If you’re ready to be nominated for employee of the month, or possibly employee of the year, it’s time to suggest that your company start a podcast. There’s nary a company in existence that wouldn’t benefit from starting its own podcast. Whether you sell a product, offer a service, or anything in between, there’s no downside to promoting your brand on your own terms and own time.
ON PITCH
You may clearly see the value of a podcast for your company, but getting the rest of your team on board might take a little more convincing. The higher-ups could be concerned that this would take time away from the tasks you already have. Or, they may not truly understand how their brand fits within a podcasting format.
Crafting a convincing pitch involves not only mapping out the format and episode details, but also demonstrating that podcasting is a low-time commitment, yet high-impact means to raise brand awareness. Point out the benefits of crafting your company’s message and making that message available 24 hours a day for possibly years to come.
A podcast can be about more than just a company’s message; it can also be a fun way to bring a staff together. You likely have coworkers that would love to work on the company podcast, which could potentially boost morale and foster an even greater sense of teamwork.
LOW COST, HIGH RETURN
As many of Blubrry’s previous articles have already covered, podcast listenership is increasing with each passing day. Sure, many people listen to the chart-topping podcasts, but niche podcasts have incredibly loyal listeners.
A podcast gear startup kit can be purchased nearly anywhere and be setup in any quiet space. The only other recurring cost is your hosting site, which should be Blubrry so we can help you grow with your show!
After those costs, it’s truly up to you and your team what kind of bells and whistles, if any, are needed to help customers find your message and content. Your team can release episodes at whatever rate works for your workflow. Adding special episodes for product releases, holiday sales or any sort of special news may be another way to add value to your podcast, without having to add anything to what has already been spent.
THE MARVELOUS MARKETING DEPARTMENT
If your company has a marketing department, odds are they already have money earmarked for advertising and innovative ways to promote the brand. Approaching the marketing department with your podcast idea is a great place to start.
HOOK A HOST
Some industries have influential people within their field who are looking to diversify their image. Perhaps you work in design and there’s an artist you’ve been dying to connect with. Why not contact that artist to see if they might want to host the show on behalf of your company? Approaching a like-minded, industry-known host can further broaden the potential for the company’s podcast reach and be mutually beneficial for both sides.
RECORD TODAY, PODCAST FOREVER
No matter what gear or episode format you choose, once your episodes are posted, they are out there for as long as your company wants them to be. You can have an episode detailing the benefits of a specific aspect of your brand and you only had to record and produce it once. The upfront effort could pay off for your business for years to come.
LISTEN IN NEXT WEEK…
No longer do you have to wait for larger media outlets to tell the world what your business is all about. Your team can craft the message you want your customers to know about your company and you can release that message on your timeline, and on your terms. There isn’t another advertising medium available to businesses of all shapes and sizes quite as powerful as podcasting.
Written by: Tara Jean O’Brien
Tara Jean O’Brien has been a writer, actor, improviser, podcaster, and stand-up for nearly 800 years. When not producing, editing, and hosting her podcast, Single Vs. Married, or co-hosting, Cinema Craptaculus Presents: B-sides, she also writers on Medium and recently found a floor safe hidden in her coat closet.