PODCASTS ARE HOT, AGAIN

As they say everything old (or at least middle aged) is new again, and podcasts are no exception to the rule. The New York Times recently declared that the new bedtime story is … a podcast. The word podcast is a mashup of “iPod” and “broadcast,” and it has been part of our collective vernacular and entertainment cache since 2004.

And people are listening. Fifteen percent of Americans listen to a podcast weekly, according to Edison Research.

An engaging podcast can help elevate your brand and practice to new levels.

So now it’s time to get started.

It’s a good idea to listen to other podcasts from colleagues as well as pop culture podcasts to get a handle on this genre and help define your voice. In plastics, Anthony Youn, MD’s The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show is a winner. And JAMA Dermatology’s regular podcast serves up interviews with authors to help keep listeners who don’t have time to read the journal up to date and up to speed on evidence-based treatments.. Some pop culture podcast hits include S-Town, Missing Richard Simmons, Dirty John, Heaven’s Gate and Mogul.

When creating a podcast, you can choose your topic and length. These are huge pluses. Once you determine who your audience should be, you can refine the content and tone. For topics, pull ideas from your blog, the most commonly asked questions you get in practice or what you learned at a recent meeting. Interviews are fantastic podcast fodder and tend to garner lots of downloads. Consider inviting others in the health space to come and discuss the ways that plastic surgery or dermatology intersects with their specialty, whether diet or exercise. Celebrity guests or influencers are always a lure.

Podcasts can be fairly easy to produce, but expect the unexpected –namely technology hiccups especially in the beginning.

To create a podcast, you must record and edit audio. Useful recording and editing tools for Macs and/or PCs include Audacity, Logic Pro X and GarageBand. There are several blog hosting sites can also help disseminate your podcast so your voice has even wider reach.

When you do record a podcast, make sure to let your social media followers know and include mention of the podcast and a link in your newsletter and archive it on your website. Like anything else, it’s important to create a schedule and stick to it. Consider taping once monthly or at least quarterly to see if you like doing it and if it is having a positive effect on your practice.

Need help with your practice marketing? Reach out to our team for advice Anne@wendylewisco.com