Lessons from a Digital Marketing Virtual Assistant who does the work:
A little while ago, I wrote a blog post about podcasts and why every VA should have them in their client toolkit. So now I want to follow up with a few ideas about how to get started with a podcast once you’ve got your client on board.
I’m actually writing this now fresh from my own recent podcast launch. Yes, I actually just started a podcast of my own. And yep – you’re probably saying, “But Emily – I thought you were anti-podcast!”. Because honestly it was low on my own priority list for a while. I like the interactive format of my social media accounts and interacting with people. But I finally took my own advice and launched my own digital media marketing podcast, Unicorns Unite!
So you’re probably here because you’re a unicorn virtual assistant or digital media marketing sidekick, and you’re ready to jump into a podcast with a client. These are the things you want to keep in mind:
Avoid the PODFADE!
So many people start podcasts with excitement, and then they fizzle out. Let’s face it – it takes a lot of time and energy to keep a podcast going. And once that initial energy and adrenaline has burned off, it can be easy to get caught in the drudgery and overwhelm.
So as a VA, you need to be proactive. Remember how Rachel Miller told us that one of her keys to success was to create a systemized batch process for everything? Well, that’s what you need to do now for the podcast.
Figure out all of the steps that need to be repeated with each podcast episode. Then, streamline and create an SOP to make it easy to reproduce. Take the burden of the little steps and details off of your client so that they can focus on the creative content piece.
Of course you have to keep in mind that you as the VA can only plan so much. Ultimately the podcast production lies in the hand of the client. You’re at their mercy – when they feel like recording, changing topics, etc. You can plan plan plan, but be ready to go with the flow and support your client’s dream.
Just remember that when multiple people are involved in a process, ie you and an editor and a team, things cannot happen at the last moment. That’s why building a strong workflow foundation will make it easier on everyone. And why a unicorn VA like you is an essential tool for any client that wants to start their own podcast.
Make sure your podcast is worth it!
Because there are a lot of podcasts out there. So many that this NY Times article says, “the phrase ‘everyone has a podcast’ has become a Twitter punch line.”
So before you launch, plan out several episodes worth of content. What will the podcast look like three months from now? What potential guests will you have? Brainstorm ideas that will help your client connect to the listener and be a valuable investment of their listeners’ time.
Sure, podcasts that go viral can be big money makers that could elevate your client’s brand. But if your client is just focused on the “me, me, me” benefits, the podcast will fail. This is about the listeners, not just about your client.
So first and foremost, make sure you’re providing value and interesting content to the listeners.
Start your client’s podcast with a bang!
Speaking of batch editing, you’ll want to launch your podcast with 3-8 episodes, ready to go. That way listeners will get hooked and will binge listen right through them.
And don’t forget to start with a quick trailer episode to introduce the host and purpose of the podcast. This is the spot you’ll send all of your potential guests and media to listen to first.
Plus, you’ll want to have your client’s YouTube account up and running so that you can connect their podcast to automatically update. Make it easy to get their content out on other platforms! There’s no sense in reinventing the wheel when you’ve already spent the time and effort to produce good stuff.
Next steps..
Obviously this is just the beginning. I haven’t even touched on the techie information you will need. That’s a whole new topic! But if you’re a VA who takes these steps, you will be ready to help your client get started with their first podcast launch.
And stay tuned for more podcast tips, tricks, and insider secrets!
While you’re at it, make sure you check out my brand new podcast, just for you. My people were asking for and I had to do it.
The whole story is in episode 1 so start there. And make sure you subscribe because each week I’ll deliver mini episodes and interviews with special guests.
I know you’ll find a lot of solid information that you can use right away. There will be so many tips and VA insider tricks each week – whether you want to learn more about podcasts or everything else digital media marketing!
Can’t wait to hear your first episode!
-Emily, Digital Media Consultant (and Virtual Assistant …)
“I WILL MAKE AN ARMY OF VAS WHO CAN HELP THESE TRIBE PEOPLE!!!”
