Starting a podcast show might seem like a great idea, but truth be told, it’s a lot of work. Between finding the right guests (those your audience wants to hear from), the time it takes to do the interview, edit, upload each episode to the various platforms, and planning and implementing promotions, there is more to the process than most people realize.
For listeners and viewers, it’s simply a matter of tuning into shows you like. To the featured expert, your greatest job (in addition to being someone a host wants to interview) is to give the kind of interview the host is thrilled about and the listeners and viewers enjoy what you shared. It also helps if you proactively promote shows you are featured on.
For the host, there are other considerations which I discuss later in this post. But first, let’s talk about your position as a featured expert on shows you appear on.
Borrowed Credibility
Recently, I was interviewed by Chuck Carroll, host of The Exam Room. What I didn’t know at the time of the interview was that Chuck was going to strategically position my interview along side two of the greatest influencers in the Plant 
Based arena; Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Michael Greger.
To not do all I can to promote the episode would be a huge mistake. There are a couple reasons for this.
One, the interview was incredibly content filled. Two, to be positioned with these two powerhouse doctors allows for what is referred to as “borrowed credibility.” Simply put, when your name and expertise is positioned with esteemed experts, others assume you too, are a high level expert. It’s a win/win/win for all concerned.
Of course, key to all of this is to be the expert others perceive you to be. There’s no smoke and mirrors allowed with borrowed credibility. People do see through that.
Spin Off Interviews
When I first began my professional speaking career in 1994, one of my mentors told me, “The more you speak, the more you speak.” What this means is, when people hear you speak, you create more opportunity for other speaking engagements.
It’s the same with podcast interviews. The more shows you appear on, the more opportunity seems to come out of the woodwork.
When done right, it’s possible to get spin off interviews based on the fact hosts from other shows will be listening in. Hosts are constantly on the lookout for engaging guests. As with anything, the more experience you have, the better you become.
Imagine having hundreds of interviews to your credit. It would be almost impossible not to be incredibly skilled when you have this kind of experience.
After all, you become very comfortable and seasoned as a featured expert. Be consistent with your appearances and you will not want for opportunity. It will come knocking at your door.
Big Challenge for Hosts
For the host, one of the greatest risks is doing what is referred to as podfading. When you podfade it means you stop your podcast without planning to stop it. Often it’s because you didn’t realize how much work was involved and you run out of ideas, energy or both. You don’t want to do the work anymore and just stop producing episodes.
Brent Basham, one of the founders of Poddit (www.poddit.net) explains in detail what podfading is and how to avoid it.
One of the best ways to avoid podfading is to host a show you’re passionate about. Is the theme of your show one you get excited about? If not, you may need to rethink your show.
For example, my new show, Plant Based Eating for Health, is one I’m not only passionate about, the topic is closely related to my lifestyle as a plant based eater and vegan. It aligns perfectly with my values and my spiritual beliefs as they relate to not harming or killing animals. Barely three months old, the show is picking up steam…fast.
In my latest episode, True Compassion Means NO Harm to Animals, I share my thoughts on what it means to not eat ANY animal products. Now that the episode is live, it’s time to let my community know about this.
Listeners Prevent a Host from Fading Away
In reality, most hosts would not podfade if they had a listenership/viewership for their show. It’s one thing to do a show for a dozen or so people and something completely different when your audience is in the hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands and beyond.
Building a following doesn’t happen overnight. It happens over time by consistently producing great content, finding the right guests and putting effort into promotions.
I know… because just three months into my show, Plant Based Eating for Health, is increasing in episode downloads. Each month the numbers are increasing steadily. Rather than try to get huge numbers from the start, the plan is to consistently post episodes (one per week), promote each episode, interview guests who my listeners and viewers want to see and hear and stick with it.
Building a successful podcast show is like running a marathon. The process is not over and done with in one or two training days. There are many aspects to a positive outcome.
Stay the Course
To assure your success as a show host, see the process in the long-term. Commit from the start to do what you need to on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to interview top-notch guests, market your show and episodes and realize, podcasting allows you to change the world one listener at a time en masse.