From The Joe Rogan Experience to Questlove Supreme, the rise of podcasts looks certain to stay. So why not find out how they can help your music career?
Have you been paying attention to popular culture in the last five to seven years? If so, there’s no doubt you’ve noticed just how quickly podcasts have taken centre stage in mainstream conversations. While huge hitters such as the Joe Rogan Experience attract high profile guests and no uncertain amount of discussion, even political in nature. Podcasts are by no means relegated to those with a large following.
In fact, they can be used as an important tool to grow a following, and to do so with confidence. First, you have to be assured that you have something to say. There are many podcasts out there run by people who are filling time in hopes of fishing for an audience.
In a way, this is fantastic, because the tools to reach people and benefit from democratically-generated support is still relatively new. No longer do we need large publishing platforms to have a voice, a status quo that musicians have struggled with for some time.
Popularity & Potential Reach
The podcasts you could choose from in 2020 are no longer relegated to those that had a platform supporting them. Perhaps the most famous comedic podcasts run by Ricky Gervais, Steven Merchant and Karl Pilkington were sponsored by the beginnings of Audible and The Guardian, and so even then, publishing was a concern.
However, now shows that have relatively little overheads except for time and the effort of editing can reach an audience of potentially millions. Furthermore, this shows no signs of slowing down. People will always need to commute, and travel, and go for walks around the neighbourhood to stay fit. While it seems that on-demand screen content provides the bulk of entertainment in the modern-day, audio-only listening alternatives are stronger than they’ve ever been.
Even industry-supporting services such as Mixcloud, Soundcloud, Mixmag, Beatport and more all offer their own podcasts. If you have something to say, and you know how to market yourself, you’re almost certain to find listeners.
Why Podcast?
You may be wondering why this would be a good avenue to follow in the first place.
Music Community
Well, nothing brings people together like music. Additionally, discussing music, rating it, speaking of its history and art, charting experiences you have been through - it all adds to the communal nature of sharing and enjoying this wonderful creative form. If you like getting involved in communities and want to enhance your music career, check out Cosound!
Builds an Audience
For those looking to express their creativity, talents and interests, and ultimately use this as a funnel to build their platform, the potential is near limitless. Podcasts can connect you to people who are like-minded, and interested in what you have to say. They can help you find an audience.
They may even be listened to by those looking to sign talent or book shows. If you reach an audience to the point where you have even a small amount of influence, you can also use this to promote potential shows much like comedians do their tour dates. Who’s to say that you can’t also bring on other talent in your industry on as guests?
Collaboration
Podcasts are rarely a solo effort. They are a dialogue that bring people together, ask a range of different voices to contribute, and may even come to some conclusions. You can use this as a means to discuss your thoughts on a genre, your grips with certain trends, or deep-dive into creative processes you know and love. For instance, you may decide publish an episode completely raving about the creative genius James Murphy, of LCD Soundsystem fame. That’s the beauty of running a podcast - it’s a deeply personal space you can share with the world.
What’s Out There Now?
Take a second to read ‘The 10 Best Music Podcasts You Need To Hear’ by uDiscoverMusic. It’s a great article and will inspire you for sure!
What Are The Essential Elements Of Good Podcasting Content?
Of course, not all podcasting content is alike, and so if you really do wish to get started, it’s worth doing things right. This is especially true if you’re running a podcast discussing the finer details of the music industry, and wish to promote your competence in that space.
Get The Right Gear
Worthwhile microphones, such as the Rhode series or the Shure SM7B, can help you achieve crystal clear audio quality ideal for spoken voice, affording you a warm, rich sound. A separate space you set up with soundproofing foam can help you eliminate echo, and will give your guests somewhere comfortable to sit and discuss topics with you. This guide for selecting the right microphone should help you out!
Your Passions
Perhaps the most essential component here is to talk about what interests you. Don’t use this as a platform to cheaply promote your shows or productions without subtlety. It’s important to really be passionate about that which you’re talking through. Use this as a means to help get your own views calibrated about what the state of the industry is, how you’d change it, or how you’d love to contribute to it.
Don’t think you need to solve all of the industries’ problems, or wax lyrical about deep philosophies that inspire your music. It’s fine to run a fan podcast, even. People will notice how passionate you are, and will want to listen to you by virtue of that. This is where real podcasting magic lies.
Technical Considerations & Advice
It’s important to consider how to properly publish and promote your podcast. Dedicated social media profiles are a great place to start, because they are free and help you network with other shows just like yours. Furthermore, publishing via a platform such as iTunes (which will hold strict limitations on your content - read the manuals provided), will give your show an air of legitimacy, and moreover, will help it show up in official feeds. This will be seen as much more trustworthy than simply sending people a .mp3 file through a Dropbox or Google Drive.
Finally, good branding is important. What is it about your genre you love so much? What defines you as a musician? A solid name, solid branding and an interesting introduction with segments that help keep the pace of the show moving - that’s good listening.
Conclusion
With this advice, we hope you can feel primed to move forward and consider the use of podcasts in order to promote your overall presence, and maybe even your music career. Not a bad place to start.
