Today, I want to share some tips on how to build your MLM Business with podcasting. One of my friends, Robert, and I were talking about podcasting last night and he asked me for some tips about how to do it. I figured other people would be interested in the same topic so I decided to put the information into a blog post.
Podcasting is a fairly new business building strategy for network marketers and as of 2015 it’s pretty much a competition free zone. That’s one of the things I love about it. It’s also pretty easy to do, if you don’t over complicate things.
If I had to define podcasting in my own words, I would call it an “internet radio show.” Basically, you talk about a specific subject for anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes. Sometimes you might interview people. You might even talk about 3-4 different things in one episode.
Some podcasts are really fancy with music. Other podcasts don’t have any music at all. Some podcasts have two to three different hosts. Others simply have one host. Some have advertisements and others don’t. Your options are endless and you can do whatever you want to do to match your own personality and style.
What I Do with My Podcasts
My goal is to do short and simple podcasts that are 5-10 minutes long. My niche is network marketing. I focus on providing training tips to network marketers. There’s no bullshit, no fluff and no fillers. I don’t interview anyone. Nothing is scripted. Nothing is edited. There is no music. There are no interviews. There are no advertisements. I keep it on point and on topic, because that’s my style.
I’m not telling you that you need to do your podcasts the same way I do. I am simply saying that my style of podcasting matches my personality. I suggest you do something that matches your style.
I also chose this style of podcasting (short and simple) because it doesn’t take much of my time. I can do one podcast daily with ease. Nothing needs to be revised, edited or redone. I don’t need to find people to interview. Best of all, it only takes me about 10 to 20 minutes a day.
Tools and Services You Need to Start Your Own Podcast
Here are the tools you need to get started with your own podcast.
1. Audacity – This is a free software program that you can download onto your computer. It lets you record your show and edit it. It’s pretty easy to use and doesn’t require much technical expertise. Learn more.
2. A Good Microphone – I use a headset with a microphone that plugs into my USB drive on my laptop computer. Ideally, you want something that is good quality and produces a clear sound. Here is one that I recommend.
3. Cover art – You will want some cover art for your show. You can see the image of my cover art (to the left) as an example. I got mine done on Fiverr for just $5. Depending upon which service you use to host your podcasts, they will tell you the dimensions you need for your cover art. Search for Fiverr.com for podcasting artwork.
4. Service to Host Your Podcast – I’m not sure what all of your options are out there, but I personally use Sound Cloud. Their service is free initially until you get up to a certain amount of shows/downloads. I’m past that limit now and I only pay $15 per month for unlimited space/downloads. I consider it a bargain. Learn more about Sound Cloud.
5. Create an iTunes Account – If you plan on having your podcasts on iTunes for people to download for free, take a few minutes and have someone set up an iTunes account for you. You will need to synchronize your iTunes and Sound Cloud account. I didn’t know how to do this myself so I spent $20 and had someone on elance.com do it for me. Learn more about iTunes.
6. Domain – You will want your own domain for your podcast. Go to GoDaddy and register a domain with the name of your show. It will cost you about $12 per year.
How to Get Started
1. Pick a Niche
The first and most important step before you begin podcasting is to pick a niche for your podcast. The more specific and targeted your niche the better. You could pick network marketing as a niche, but I think there are much better alternatives.
I think your niche should focus on what your products can do. Sample niches might include making money from home, weight loss tips, beauty tips, skin care tips, etc. I have a few examples below to help you think through the process.
If your MLM Company sells weight loss products:
- Weight Loss Tips for Seniors
- Weight Loss Tips for Women
- Weight Loss Tips for Men
- Weight Loss School
If your MLM Company sells beauty products:
- How to Look and Feel Beautiful
- How to Look Beautiful on a Budget
- Beauty Tips for Women in their 20’s
- Make Up Tips for Professionals
if your MLM Company sells skin care products:
- Anti-Aging Tips for Women
- How to Look and Feel Beautiful
- How to Take Care of Your Skin
2. Pick a Theme
The next process is to pick your theme. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How long will each episode be?
- What is the structure, format and layout for each episode?
- What will the opening and closing be?
- Will I have music or not?
- Will I have advertisements on not?
- Will I interview others and have other hosts or do everything myself?
I suggest you create a master template and think through these things before you ever launch your first episode.
3. Brainstorm At Least 100 Ideas to Podcast About
Before you ever record your first podcast, try to come up with ideas for at least 100 episodes. Create an Excel Spreadsheet with ideas. Do some keyword research online to come up with ideas. Look at popular YouTube videos in your niche for ideas. The options are endless. The last thing you want to do is run out of ideas after you’ve done 10-20 podcasts.
4. Determine a Frequency
The next thing you want to do is pick a podcasting frequency. Are you going to podcast daily, once a week, twice a month, or something else? Picking a frequency and sticking with it are very important. Pick a schedule that is manageable for you. I do it daily, but I think once a week is a great option for most people.
5. Buy Your Microphone
If you haven’t done so already, order your microphone. This shouldn’t cost more than $50. Here is one I recommend.
6. Download Audacity
Your next step is to download Audacity onto your computer so you can record and edit your podcast. There are other software programs in the marketplace, but this is the only one I am familiar with.
7. Set Up Your Hosting Account
The next thing you need to do is create your hosting account. I use Sound Cloud for my hosting. Once again, there are other alternatives. I just don’t don’t know much about them and wouldn’t know what else to recommend. You’ll also want to set up your iTunes account.
8. Order Your Cover Art
Go to Fiverr.com and order your custom cover art. It’s going to cost you $5.
9. Draft Up Your Master Opening and Closing and Music
What you should do now is come up with a standardized opening and closing for each episode. If you plan on using music make sure you do not violate any copyright laws. Buy some music online that you can use (copyright/royalty free).
10. Launch Your First Show
Your first show will never ever be perfect. Don’t let that stop you. Good enough is good enough. Just do the first one. Each episode will get easier and better as you learn the ropes and get some experience.
Top 20 Podcasting Tips
Here are some of my best podcasting tips that I’ve learned mostly through trial and error.
- Be consistent and follow your schedule
- Be yourself, let your personality shine through
- Use humor when you can
- Stay on point and don’t be long winded
- Provide value to your listeners
- Keep each episode fairly consistent with previous episodes
- If you aren’t a good speaker, edit each episode before publishing it
- Get a good quality microphone
- Never ever wing it, always be prepared
- Don’t read something, make sure each episode is conversational and natural
- Have an outline or agenda for each episode
- The ideal length with one host is 20 minutes or less and 60 minutes or less with two hosts
- Don’t expect instant results, it might take a couple years to build up a large following
- Have a marketing strategy to promote your podcasts
- Buy a domain to link to your Sound Cloud or iTunes account where you can send people to
- Have a strong call to action at the end of each episode; ideally you want people to call you or visit your website to learn more
- Interview guests from time to time
- Build a list of email subscribers
- Network with other podcasters
- Keep advertisements and distractions to a minimum
Videos About Podcasting
Here are a few videos about podcasting that I thought you might enjoy.
Suggested Reading
Here are four books that will teach you more about podcasting.
# 1 Podcast Launch: A Complete Guide to Launching Your Podcast with 15 Video Tutorials! by John Lee Dumas
# 2 How to Podcast 2015: Four Simple Steps to Broadcast Your Message To The Entire Connected Planet – Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start by Paul Colligan
# 3 Podcastnomics: The Book of Podcasting … To Make You Millions by Naresh Vissa
# 4 Podcasting for Dummies by Tee Morris
Final Thoughts
There you have it folks. These are my best podcasting tips for network marketers, or anyone else looking to start their own podcast. I think anyone, in any industry or niche, could follow these tips and be successful. What do you think? If you have experience with podcasting please leave a comment below to share your experience. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Chuck Holmes
Network Marketing Professional (21+ years)
Top Recruiter & Top Rep
mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
I just wanted to mention Chuck that you are right…pod casting is the up and coming hit. I have a friend and client in Los Angeles that regularly does interview podcasts with semi famous people and it has grown quite strong. While it is different than the type of pod casts you propose, I just wanted to mention it. You can get a good idea of his style by visiting Ictus Marketing.
I believe that is a good way to develop a pod cast. Study some of the better ones out there and take ideas from them. It is the new way that is working very well. Thanks for all the tips on how to start a pod cast.
I love podcasting. Compared to video marketing it is pretty much a competition free zone.
I do think that a good brainstorm before hand is a great idea. You don’t want to be in a situation where you are feeling pressured or rushed to come up with ideas. That leads you to create a podcast that is of lesser quality because you feel the need to come up with quick content. I think having a large pile of ideas to pull from and even outlining how you’d want to cover those topics could help significantly.
I think my podcasting content will bring in more traffic than my blog content in the years to come.
Hi Chuck,
Thanks for the tips. I have never created a podcast before but I’m sure I’m going to try it soon.
And thanks for sharing what mic you’re using. I’ve been wondering what people are using to produce clear sound on Youtube. I’m using a non-USB headset. I’ll have to invest in a nice microphone just like the one you’re using.
I love podcasting. It’s a great way to build up an audience.
Thank you for all this information Chuck. It is something I have considered, but at this moment, I just don’t have the time. I will bookmark this page so that when I hit the podcasting part, I will easily know how to go about it. Thank you again.
Glad I could help, Greg.