PTs: To podcast, or not to podcast?
These days, everyone has a podcast.
As a personal trainer / online coach, is it the right strategy for your business?
The STCfit Learning podcast is almost 150 episodes deep. Since introducing the “ecosystem mindset” to our content creation, there has been a sharp increase in our “I listened to your podcast and now I want to buy” responses from clients.
What’s the “ecosystem mindset”?
It’s the idea that you share content across a range of mediums and platforms.
Think: images and videos on Instagram, videos on YouTube, content in Facebook groups, and blogs on your website or platforms like Medium.
This way, you are reaching people from all angles. The theory is that once someone has encountered you and consumed 7 total hours of content, they will be so purchase-ready that your sales process is a breeze.
Your podcast can form part of your ecosystem. However, recording “radio shows”, which is essentially what podcasts are, isn’t for everyone.
Here are some of the reasons why you would podcast, and why you might skip this strategy as a personal trainer.
Pros of a personal trainer podcast:
Exposure: you have the potential to reach a global audience
You get to practice talking, presenting and getting comfortable with it
Access to guests, which can lead to exciting new partnerships and ventures
You can be a guest on other people’s podcasts, and/or vice versa, and trade audiences
You are establishing yourself as a voice of authority
Motivates you to keep researching and learning so you can share up-to-date content
Relatively cheap strategy (more on that soon)
Fantastic resource to share with your existing clients, and keep them engaged
You can record whenever you want, or scrap the idea at any time
Cons of a personal trainer podcast:
Creating podcasts can be time-consuming (record, edit, creating snippets for social media, etc.)
Can be hard to be noticed in a crowded market
Technical skills required for high quality
You may not feel comfortable speaking into a microphone
The process may not deliver the return on investment you want
It can be difficult to remain consistent
So, still not sure if you should take this road?
Our advice for most personal trainers who want to build their exposure, is to get yourself on someone else's podcast before you create your own. As hosts, we’ll always consider bringing someone on the podcast who can deliver value to our listeners. The advantage is you get to practice, watch and see how things are done.
The caveat, as mentioned above, is that you need to be able to provide clear value to not only your own audience, but the host’s as well.
To get on a podcast, contact the host with the following:
Your offer: I’d like to be on your podcast because…
Who you are: Who you are, who you work with, your skillsets
Your topics: List a few topics you know you can deliver huge value on
Reference: Ahow evidence of your proficiency (YouTube, articles, other podcasts etc)
Add value: What can you offer the listener to sweeten the deal (a free resource of some kind)
Why: What's your real why? And how is being on the podcast going to help you achieve it?
Podcasting tips
So, want to give it a go?
You will need some recording software and a good quality microphone at the minimum.
There are also plenty of podcast studios for hire but you can just as easily work at your own desk in a quiet room.
We’d recommend starting around the $200 pricepoint for a microphone such as the Blue Microphones ‘Yeti’. Paired with its own stand, or a scissor-style clamp-on arm with a pop shield/filter, and you’re good to go.
In terms of production / software, there is plenty of software you can use depending on your preferences.
Take a look here for ideas: https://www.investopedia.com/best-podcast-software-5086826.
The next challenge is coming up with ideas. Of course, you should already have plenty after coming up with 100 pain points for your clients.
Practice makes perfect with podcasting.
Don’t write entire scripts, just make notes for yourself and try to stick to a relatively defined time limit for each subject or question. If you find yourself stuttering or getting confused, it’s easy to edit those bits out. Just go back to where you felt comfortable and start over.
Choose a nice little music ‘sting’ for the beginning and end of your podcast, preferably with a voiceover intro and outro, so your audience recognises it.
Don’t forget to promote it!
Go about it the same way as you would, promoting your newest post, blog or video.
