How will you actually create and deliver your great program?

I’ll tell you the simplest way to get started is to just do it… call Creative Identity Group and we’ll help you out.

Now, I have some pricey equipment in my home studio that allows me to capture telephone interviews and better manage the sound and volume quality. You don’t have to spend a fortune to start Podcasting.

To create a smooth sounding radio program you (or someone that you hire) will take the audios that you create and edit them together along with some professionally produced introductions and segues, maybe some background music and commmericals - then re-load the finished audio into your website for brodcast.

Isn’t it nice to know that you can get started right away? Even if just to practice and get comfortable with your voice and style.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

If you’re creating a show to highlight your own skills and services, you will probably want to keep the focus on you.

For other show ideas, you will add variety and expand your reach by inviting others to contribute content on an occassional or regular basis.

I didn’t start out that way, it actually developed slowly over time. When I realized that having a committed team of high quality experts means that there is about 15 minutes of ready to go content for every show - I made permanent arrangements.

Here’s a very valuable tip for the new show host: Don’t make any commitments when it comes to sharing your show time with anyone else.

Listen, this is your baby we’re talking about. It’s your show idea and you want to make sure that it carries the flavor you intended. The last thing you want is to end up feeling like you have to use someone’s bad or just plain boring content just because you have a hasty promise.

When someone approaches you with an idea for your show, stick to this reply: “My show is about (fill in the blank) and if you can show me how your idea connects with my target market, I would love to give it some consideration.”

Always, always turn the responsibility for making it fit back on the person who is asking. It’s not your job to make their ideas work for your show, it’s the other way around. If they can’t convince you that it’s a good fit - it doesn’t stand much of a chance of appealing to your precious listeners.

This goes for guests and possible expert contributers alike. Stand tough and make sure that every show is one that you will be proud of.

A last thought, don’t get bogged down in trying to craft the perfect format. You will likely find that you will want to change some things that you do in response to listener feedback, so the sooner that you can get your show on the air, the sooner that you’ll get this great feedback

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

Sit down and start to jot down your ideas for individual show topics. Give yourself about a half hour and you should be able to identify at least a dozen different topics. If you can’t - you may be in trouble.

Now don’t get scared… first of all there are no rules about how often you have to publish a show.

You can choose to publish a new show a couple of times each week or only once every other week. It really is up to you.
Just get on a schedule and try to stick to it. Whatever you choose, be sure to let your listeners know how often to expect to have something new to listen to - and be ready to hear pleas for more!

If you’re going to opt for weekly - you should have a pretty good size list of topic ideas to work with. If you’re going monthly, you’ll have lots of time between shows to develop your ideas.

Now, how long will your show be? Listener’s attention spans are short - especially online, so I do advise my students to consider their choice about length carefully. Some podcast programs are only ten minutes in length, easy for the listener to consume on a coffee break. There is no right or wrong, just a personal choice.

Ask yourself what your potential listeners are like. Are they on the move? Do they travel a lot? I love to have plenty to listen to in the car when I’m on the road so I like longer programs.

When you know how often you will publish and how long each show will be - you can start to plan out your content.

See you tomorrow with my thoughts on that!

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

Maybe you already know exactly what kind of internet radio you want to create, but just in case you don’t, I have some suggestions

The whole arena of internet radio and podcast is still taking baby steps. The door is wide open to just about any topic that you would like to cover - but some will have a greater chance of success than others.

Here are my current picks for hot new internet radio shows that someone ought to create:

• Weddings, bridal planning, etc.
• Pregnancy, 9 months of anticipation!
• Marriage - Keeping the home fires burning
• Single life - Being content, searching for Mr/Miss Right,online dating
• Traveling America
• Traveling Europe (or Asia or South America… keep it specific!)
• Cruise Enthusiasts
• I could go on with a hundred other ideas, but I think this should get your creative juices flowing.

The idea is to pick a highly focused topic - and stick to it.

This is incredibly important for a mulitude of reasons. Here’s a hint though… think of your favorite radio show.

Can you say in one sentence what that show is about? You should be able to. That’s an excellent sign that the show has a defined focus. You know what it is about and what you can expect from day to day or week to week. It is why you keep coming back - because you like the topics!

Now imagine a show that defies a one sentence description.

They probably ramble over a variety of topics in an attempt to be all things to all people. When you try to reach all people - you end up reaching no people.

I would love to hear your show ideas Let me know your thoughts.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

I’ve realized in the last two years that selling ads is just one reason to launch a show. One of many great reasons!

The internet is all about content and we know that the key to reaching our target marketing is to provide them with interesting, original content. So we create websites, write articles, create blogs, write newsletters, etc.

Taking our content and sharing it via an internet radio show or podcast is a natural next step for anyone who wants to reach others with their message.

Probably the number one reason for starting a new show that I hear from my coaching clients is to establish their position as an expert in their field - and it works.

People have a tendency to believe what they hear and they grow to trust those who they hear from often.

Anyone who provides coaching or consulting would be a natural for internet radio. They can model what they do for their listeners, creating a warm market of interested prospects that they can further market their services to.

Not all hosts are motivated by profit. Some create shows to promote an interest or cause that they are passionate about. Others are just having fun talking about a hobby.

The good news for all of us is that it is possible, more today then ever before, to get started with very little
up front or ongoing expenses.

Whatever your reason, internet radio and podcasting provides you with a new way to reach the people you want to reach online.

I know that some of you are intersted in hosting a show but really don’t have a clue what kind of program to create.
Tomorrow I’ll share some great ideas - maybe a few will appeal to you.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group