Balance February 18 - 15

R E C O R D A N D P L AY

t he manual

So you want to be a...

podcaster
An entertaining hobby, but can you make a living from it?

L
career toolkit
TRAINING

Formal training isn't necessary,
but practice makes perfect.

COST

You can get by with a simple
USB recording device and a
computer, but £100 will buy you
a decent microphone, editing
software and pop filters, which
will improve quality.

TIMELINE

It could take just a few hours
but if you plan on building
a business, commit to at least
18 months to learn the ropes
and grow your audience.

ast year 112 million people listened to podcasts in
the US alone. The medium of the moment, thanks
to shows like Serial and My Dad Made A Porno, the
channel is enjoying a golden age. Predicted to grow by a further
20% this year, the market shows no signs of slowing, but with
hundreds of homegrown broadcasters taking to the airwaves
to share their stories, how do you get your voice heard and is
podcasting a viable career path?
Although it has cemented itself as a legitimate business
model, attracting real money from sponsorships and advertising
(the market generated more than $220 million in 2017) for the
majority, it remains very much a pastime or side hustle.
An opportunity to share passions, get creative and make a real
difference, podcasting is ideal for those looking to complement
their existing careers. For PTs, nutritionists and health coaches,
creating an engaging and informative podcast series can help
increase influence and cultivate a loyal following.
But, while establishing a stand-alone business isn't the norm,
earning a full-time living is possible. Check out the iTunes
Top 40 chart to see which podcasts are performing best right
now. Take notes on their branding, episode-length, how the
content is presented, and how they promote their sponsors.
Getting started is the hardest part but putting a unique
spin on a relatable topic will get you noticed. High-quality
and consistent content is what grows an audience, and an
understanding of revenue streams will help to build a business.
And if it's a little rough around the edges, don't stress about it
- listeners appreciate authenticity.

POINT OF VIEW

RESOURCES

SUCCESS COACH

FAQ

LAUREN ARMES
The founder of Welltodo,
Lauren helps people build
incredible businesses
and careers in the
wellness industry

Q.

I've produced a couple
of podcast episodes and
want to start distributing
them. What happens now?
You'll need to find a
hosting platform. Sound
Cloud offers a free monthly
plan, but Libsyn and
PodBean offer added
services like YouTube
integration and video
podcasting for those looking
to be both seen and heard.

A.

Q.
A.

How can I start earning
money from my podcast.
The easiest way is
through advertising and
sponsorship deals. In the
long-term, use your
podcast to drive sales of
your products and services.

WORDS: LAURA HILL ILLUSTRATION: RAMI NIEMI

Head to YouTube. It's all there.

GOOD READ

Have a listen to Beyond The
To-Do List by Erik Fisher, a
podcast on creating a podcast.

CONSIDER THIS

To make sure your audience
can find your podcast easily,
create a name and cover
image that says just what it is.

Hollie Grant, 31
South London
Strong Not Skinny
'Through my line of
work I was meeting
incredible, strong,
successful women with
amazing advice to offer,
which I felt others
needed to hear. A
podcast was the best
way to spread their
messages and allow
those around the world
access and insight into
important topics.'

Mat, Fred & Seb
Wimbledon
The 3 DumbBells
'Our advice would be
to find the right
team for your podcast.
There are times we
forget the microphone
is on and it feels like
we're just having a
laugh with mates
while talking about
fitness. We think
that's why our
podcast has been
so successful.'

Laura Thomas PhD,
RNutr, 31
East London
Don't Salt My Game
'I started my podcast as
a place to talk about
online nutrition BS
with other qualified
people. The podcast
really helped launch my
business; I've connected
with so many other
professionals and built a
supportive network of
people who are working
towards the same goals.'

BA LA N CE February 2018

Q.

I want to get involved in
podcasting without giving
up my job. Are there any
other routes to entry?
Podcasting is now
viewed as a huge marketing
opportunity. Create a plan
to show your boss why it
should be incorporated
into your current role.

A.

Visit welltodoglobal.com
for business and career
opportunities in wellness

15
http://www.welltodoglobal.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance February 18
