Finding Your Podcast Niche: Why Smaller Audiences Matter
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Podcasting Today
Creating a successful podcast is increasingly challenging. As a newcomer recording from a modest apartment in a lesser-known city, standing out among the likes of Joe Rogan can feel overwhelming.
Having been in the podcasting arena for over eight years, I initially focused on music podcasts, interviewing artists about their latest releases. My aim was to emulate Zane Lowe.
Transitioning into sports podcasting has been a journey filled with learning experiences. A critical lesson learned along the way is that trying to cater to everyone is a recipe for failure.
Section 1.1: The Dangers of Broad Content
You may have encountered numerous discussions advocating for a niche focus in content creation. The reality is, attempting to appeal to a wide audience often results in alienating more listeners than you attract.
In the fall of 2020, I co-launched a sports podcast. Our initial approach was to mirror a national radio format, which turned out to be a significant misstep. Covering multiple sports—hockey, football, and baseball—proved to be overly ambitious.
Instead of honing in on specific audiences, we blended our interests without adequately targeting anyone.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Niche Focus
Despite our occasional YouTube clips garnering thousands of views, we soon realized that focusing on a niche audience could strengthen our connection with listeners.
As baseball season kicked off in 2021, I began discussing the Mets more frequently, and I noticed an uptick in engagement during this period.
Section 1.2: Embracing Specificity with New Projects
Fast forward to 2022, I debuted a new podcast called "The Only CFB Show" with another friend. This title cleverly references our respective college football allegiances—Ohio State and Michigan State.
By narrowing our focus to the rivalry and perspectives of these two teams, we aim to engage a dedicated audience of college football enthusiasts.
Chapter 2: The Power of Specialization
The first video titled "Your Podcast Sucks" discusses common pitfalls in podcasting and how to avoid them.
The second video, "How Long Does It Take to Grow Your Podcast?" explores the timeline and strategies for building an audience effectively.
To maximize your podcast's success, consider honing in on a single team or topic, as exemplified by Locked On's approach, which features dedicated podcasts for nearly every sports team, delivering consistent, short episodes each weekday.