Learning to podcast isn’t just about technical skills; it’s a journey that offers a multitude of benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore the myriad advantages of this skillset.
Amplify Your Voice
One of the most significant benefits of learning to podcast is the ability to amplify your voice. In a world filled with noise, podcasting offers a platform where your thoughts and ideas can be heard by a global audience. Whether you’re passionate about a niche hobby, a social cause or sharing your unique perspective on life, podcasting allows you to broadcast your message far and wide.
Develop Communication Skills
Effective communication is a crucial life skill and podcasting is an excellent way to hone it. As a podcaster, you learn to articulate your thoughts clearly, engage with your audience and convey your message with confidence and finesse. You also develop active listening skills which are invaluable in both personal and professional relationships.
Build Confidence
Speaking in front of a microphone can be intimidating at first but with practice, it becomes second nature. Learning to podcast boosts your confidence not only in podcasting but also in everyday life. The ability to express yourself eloquently and connect with an audience can translate into improved self-assurance in various situations, from public speaking to job interviews.
Enhanced Storytelling Abilities
Humans are the storytelling species. Podcasting is inherently a storytelling medium. Ipso facto, humans were born to podcast! Ok, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch but there’s something to it. Whether you’re narrating personal experiences, sharing informative content or conducting interviews, your storytelling skills are refined through the furnace of doing. This skill is not only valuable for podcasting but also for captivating audiences in other contexts, such as writing, public speaking and marketing.
Connect with a Global Audience
Unlike traditional forms of media, podcasts have a global reach. By learning to podcast, you can connect with listeners from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This allows you to broaden your horizons, gain new perspectives and foster a sense of community with people from around the world who share your interests. Unlike other media, podcasting ages well. My first show originally named World Organic News and later rebranded as ChangeUnderground still has individual listens of episodes from 2018.
Fostering Personal Growth
Podcasting often involves delving into topics you’re passionate about which can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. As you research, create content and engage with your audience, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your interests and values. This self-awareness can be a catalyst for personal growth and fulfilment. Indeed, I started to podcast as a way of getting my own thinking clear. Hearing myself, out loud, say the things I’d been thinking showed up the paradoxes in that thinking and allowed me to self correct. Podcasting doesn’t just impact your listeners, although it certainly does that, it impacts you.
Expanding Your Skill Set
Podcasting requires a range of skills, including audio recording, editing, marketing and content creation. Learning these skills can open up new career opportunities or enhance your existing skill set. For instance, audio editing skills gained through podcasting can be valuable in the music industry or audio production. Indeed editing is editing in an electronic setting. Once the nuances of video editing software are mastered, the process is essentially the same. Take you the bits you don’t want, leave the bits you do. Video compared audio might be described as three D to two D but the principles hold across both media.
Networking and Collaboration
Podcasting provides opportunities to network with like-minded individuals and experts in your field. You can invite guests to your show, collaborate on projects and attend podcasting events and conferences. These connections can lead to valuable relationships and open doors to exciting opportunities. Even the occasional word from a listener can lead to greater things. The effects of podcast/podcasts ripple out across time and space.
Monetization Possibilities
While not the primary motivation for many podcasters, there are monetization possibilities in podcasting. As your audience grows, you can explore options like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, merchandise sales and even listener support through platforms like Patreon. I’ll delve much more deeply into this in episode 10 of this current season. I do realise I said there’d be 9 episodes this season in my episode but the possibilities keep expanding. At this stage I’m looking at a 12 to 13 episode season, so yes, episode 10 will cover monetization options and learning how to monetize your podcast can turn your passion into a sustainable income source.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Your podcast episodes are like digital time capsules, accessible to future generations. As I said earlier, people are still listening to some of my episodes from half a decade ago. Irrespective of whether you’re sharing personal stories, insights or knowledge, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. Your words and experiences can inspire, educate and entertain people long after you’ve recorded your episodes. Not quite the same as carving graffiti onto an ancient pyramid as soldiers from the Romans to the ANZACs did in Egypt but still a mark to show you were here!
Stress Relief and Creativity Outlet
Podcasting can also be a therapeutic and creative outlet. It allows you to express yourself freely and creatively which can be a stress-reliever and a source of joy. The act of podcasting itself can be a fulfilling and enjoyable hobby, contributing to your overall well-being. The host I use, Libsyn, put out a show “Thanks Podcasting”. It’s the personal stories of podcasters and how the medium changed, saved, helped and/or impacted their lives. A couple of episodes deal with individuals with mental health issues for whom podcasting with its routines and processes assisted in their recovery. This is something not to be sneezed at.
Sharing Your Passion
Perhaps the most rewarding benefit of learning to podcast is the opportunity to share your passion with others. Whether it’s discussing your favourite books, sharing travel stories or advocating for a cause you care deeply about, podcasting allows you to connect with an audience who shares your enthusiasm. It’s a big wonderful world out there, despite what goes in it from time to time, and there are others like you looking to connect. I have my own personal views and beliefs which I do not publish in this or the ChangeUnderground shows and individuals coalesce around the themes, podcasting for disability services and regenerative gardening/farming. We connect across the globe over a common interest and share our humanity. We don’t look for differences but what unites us across these areas of endeavour. Podcasting does this like no other medium.
In conclusion, learning to podcast offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the realm of audio production. It empowers you to amplify your voice, develop communication skills, build confidence, enhance storytelling abilities, connect with a global audience, foster personal growth, expand your skill set, network, explore monetization possibilities, leave a lasting legacy, relieve stress and share your passion. If you’ve ever considered starting a podcast, now is the perfect time to drop me a line, email address is in the notes, and let me know what you’re looking to learn and how you’d prefer to do so.
The next episode, #3 in season 9 is all about Amplifying Your Voice!
If you’ve found some value in this episode, please tell a friend who might be interested. This really is the best way you can help this show spread the word and such referrals are deeply appreciated, thanks.