But have you ever thought about starting your own podcast? If you haven’t, you might want to consider changing your mind. Here are several reasons why you should start your own podcast.
1. Stand Out When You Apply for Jobs
These days, many companies will find their inboxes flooded with hundreds—if not thousands—of applications for each opening. Gone are the days where an impressive resume alone is enough; you need to think of alternative ways to stand out.
Starting your own podcast is an excellent way to distinguish yourself from everyone else. When hiring managers can hear your voice, you add more of a personal touch. Moreover, you’ll show that you’re genuinely interested in your role and willing to think outside the box.
Plus, you’ll automatically become more memorable. Very few (if any) other applicants will have gone through the effort of starting a side project.
2. Socialize With Your Friends
Let’s say that you want to start a podcast, but have no idea about which niche you should choose. If you fall into this category, don’t worry—you can talk about literally anything you want.
Instead of worrying about pigeonholing yourself into one or two subjects, you can keep things open by starting a podcast with your friends. Each week, agree to either meet up in person or have an audio conversation somewhere online.
If you decide to start a podcast with your friends, you might find that your weekly show is the perfect way to socialize with them.
3. (Potentially) Monetize Your Content Later
You might struggle to explain what “I’m a podcaster” means when somebody asks what you do. But believe it or not, making a career from your show is an attainable long-term goal.
Many people have managed to make a living from their podcasts. Some ways they make money include sponsorship deals and fan donations. And even if you don’t make enough money from the show alone, you could add an extra revenue stream alongside your job or business ownership.
Of course, you shouldn’t get into podcasting for the money alone. Getting into such a position takes years of commitment and is by no means guaranteed. But if you’re genuinely interested in making podcasts, keep that at the back of your mind.
4. Start an Interesting Side-Project
If you don’t want to make money from podcasting, that’s fine as well. Though modern society likes to tell us that you must blindly follow your passions, not everyone wants to do that. After all, turning your creative endeavors into a job comes with numerous added pressures.
Don’t feel like you shouldn’t start a podcast because you don’t want to make money from it, though. At the very least, you can launch your show as an exciting side project. By doing so, you’ll have both a creative outlet and something to look forward to each week.
5. Learn New Skills
One benefit of picking up new hobbies is that we also learn new skills. While podcasting will, of course, teach you how to create and run a show, you’ll also indirectly pick up other handy skills.
You’ll become a better communicator, which can help in job interviews and presentations. You’ll also acquire numerous direct skills from podcasting. Running your own show will help you get better at recording audio, and could also increase your proficiency in editing software.
Podcasting will also help you write more succinctly. You could also learn how to use video platforms like YouTube, should you choose to upload your episodes there.
6. Showcase Your Expertise in a Particular Field
Demonstrating that you have knowledge in a particular field is essential for getting your peers to trust you. That applies to all walks of life, whether you’re applying to a university, searching for a full-time job, or you’re self-employed.
Podcasting helps you show that you practice what you preach in a way that your resume and cover letter alone will not. Running a podcast allows you to talk in-depth about your areas of expertise and demonstrate that you know how to research correctly.
While you can use podcasts as part of your portfolio, you might also find that people you want to collaborate with will eventually come to you.
7. Connect With Like-Minded People
If you’re interested in a niche topic, you’re probably aware of what it’s like to feel that nobody can relate to you. This is especially true if you live in a small town or far away from where the hub of your interests is.
Fortunately, the existence of technology means that connecting with people similar to us has never been easier. And creating a podcast is a great way to attract new friends who enjoy the same things that you do.
When you publish podcasts related to topics you’re interested in, you’ll naturally find listeners with similar interests. Moreover, you’ll meet others who want to collaborate with you—and with whom you can bounce ideas off.
Hop on the Mic and Have Some Fun
The popularity of podcasting is evident in how seriously both Spotify and Apple are taking the medium. There plenty of reasons to jump on the bandwagon and start creating your own unique content.
Hosting a podcast show could open the door to multiple opportunities. Beyond making it your full-time job one day, you could also meet exciting people.
At the very least, podcasting can serve as a hobby that gives you a creative outlet. Or, if you don’t like it, you can move on and find something else that interests you instead.
