Podcasting is a great way to reach an audience, to tell them something, teach them, or share stories with them, basically. But let’s just get it out in the open right now: it can be kind of overwhelming to come up with podcast episode ideas. Of course, whether one is just starting out with hosting a podcast or an accomplished podcaster, having some plan or strategy for brainstorming interesting topics will make a huge difference. With that said, here are some simple tips that will help you create captivating episodes time after time.
Know your audience
The key to great podcast episode ideas is to know who’s listening. To start off, ask yourself about:
- The topics they care about
- What problems your podcast solve for them
- What stories or information will keep them coming back.
So, engage your followers on social media, through polls, or email newsletters on subjects they would want to hear.
Use your personal experience
Your unique experiences and perspective make your podcast stand out. Reflect on those moments in your life that really taught you something, made you laugh, or maybe even inspired you. By sharing such stories, you will create a personal connection with your audience.
Follow the trends in your niche to find podcast episode ideas
Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s trending in your podcast’s niche. It might be reading blogs, news sites, or other podcasts to find out what is currently popular. You can also use tools like Google Trends or social media hashtags to help you identify hot topics that your listeners might be interested in.
Interview guests
Interesting guests on your podcast are one of the ways to make episodes different. They bring new ideas or stories that will surely be loved by your audience. Working with them will also allow you to build up a big audience base.
Answer common questions
Another effective strategy is to consider the kind of questions your audience would ask about your niche. You should make your content useful and shareable by answering commonly asked questions.
Experiment with formats
From time to time, change things up by experimenting with different episode formats. For example, you can do solo episodes, interviews, panel discussions, or even storytelling. Experimenting keeps things fresh for you and also your listeners.
Create a content calendar filled with podcast episode ideas
Planning ahead can save you a lot of stress. Create for yourself a content calendar so that you can keep an overview of your ideas, and you’ll always prepare for upcoming episodes. Consistency is key to keeping the podcast growing.
Inspiration from everyday life
Ideas are everywhere, for example, sometimes it’s a conversation, other times it’s a book or simply that random thought running across your mind. Writing them down in a notebook or using a note-taking application will help you catch these ideas as they strike. This will, in turn, inspire you toward a constant source of podcast episodes.
Conclusion
Coming up with podcast episode ideas doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, through regular brainstorming, properly planning in advance, and keeping an eye out for trends, you will never run out of great things to share with your audience. With these tips applied, you’re well on your way to creating a podcast that your audience will truly love.
But the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself as you’re doing it. So, keep experimenting, and keep creating!