101- Friday prayer
Podcasts are a series of digital audio files that a user can stream or download to a personal device. While some podcasts also include a video component, most provide audio-only episodes. Podcasts come in a variety of formats, including a single host sharing their experiences, a conversation between multiple hosts, or a traditional interview. The length of podcasts varies greatly, depending on the topic and host.
Why should you start a podcast? Pete McCool, host All About Fitness Podcast, to provide fitness education directly from the leading experts in exercise and science to help counter any misinformation. “As an educator with access to a lot of other educators, I wanted to provide insight into the kinds of conversations we were having at various events; a look at what top fitness educators find interesting.” As a health and exercise professional, providing motivation and education to your clients can increase client connection and retention, while also providing access to new clients.
Cerran Glanfield, owner of Spring Three, knows how hard it is for studio owners to build and grow their business. invented Pilates Business Podcast To provide insights and advice to studio owners and managers through easy-to-consume weekly episodes. Not only did the podcast take less time to write all of its content, but Seran discovered another bonus: “I feel like I’ve been able to build deeper relationships with my existing clients (they point to my podcast) and I love getting to talk to people from all over the world. The world around the growth of the fitness business.
Do you have a message to share? Do you want to connect with existing customers or attract new ones? Then a podcast might be just right for you.
Sadie Simpson is the host of Satisfaction Factor podcast. She has found podcasts to be the perfect complement to being a personal trainer and group fitness trainer. “It’s an extra learning opportunity and a way to connect with the people I work with because I can refer them to specific episodes for verification when certain topics come up in our sessions.”
Creating new opportunities through podcasting
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world in March 2020, many health and exercise professionals struggled with how to navigate the fitness space. McCall used this as an opportunity to network with various leaders in the fitness industry. “I’ve been able to have conversations with industry leaders like Tricia Murphy Madden, Amy Thompson and Randy Hetrick to provide some insights into how the fitness landscape is changing in response to the pandemic.
Podcasting creates new opportunities for learning, collaboration and communication. “As someone who has been working as a consultant, these conversations gave me valuable insights into the direction of the industry that I can then use as I work with many client organizations,” McCall explains.
Simpson experienced similar advantages and opportunities. “The podcast has given me the opportunity to speak publicly about topics that are important to me personally and professionally,” she explains. The audio broadcast also gave her opportunities to network. “I was able to connect with other professionals: fitness professionals, therapists, dieticians, built relationships that provided referrals across clients and opened the door to other business collaborations.”
Podcasting increases your visibility and credibility and establishes you, as a health and exercise professional, as a leader in the industry. For example, hosting a podcast can lead to writing posts, speaking, and participating in conferences.
Here are three things to think about before you start your podcast:
- Define your goal: Are you looking to increase your credibility in the field, learn from others, or network to find more speaking, writing or other opportunities in the fitness field. Take the time to define your unique point of view or niche. There is no right answer – only what is right for you.
- Decide on your show type: Do you want to create a solo show in which you share your expertise or would you rather have a group host? Are you planning to meet others in the industry, and if so, how will you communicate with potential guests?
- Schedule and Plan: Broadcasting can take a long time depending on what type of podcast you want to launch, if you’re going to do it yourself or if you have help. Regardless of the format, creating a podcast includes content planning, research, outlining, screenwriting, recording, editing, publishing, and promoting. Podcasts will only grow if you are willing to put in the time and work. As you plan, be realistic about the time you have to devote to your podcast.
Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. When getting started, use what you have and record it. You can learn over time and you will get better with continued practice. As you grow your audience, plan to invest in quality equipment, such as a microphone and editing software, as your budget allows. McCall advises sticking to the basics, focusing on developing good content and having insightful conversations with guests.
Audio broadcasting tools to get you started
Project management: asana or Trello
Episode management: air tableOr Trello or Spreadsheet
scheduling: friendly
Recording: Zoom or Riverside FM
Editing: GarageBand or Daring
Copying: the description
Hosting: Buzzspruit
Best budget microphone: Samson Technologies Q2U
For more information about podcasting, download this Quick Start Guide For health and exercise professionals.
Did you like this content and are you interested in more? Are you an ACE Certified Professional? Check out our new professional resource, ACE Pro Compass, a hub of exclusively curated business and career-related content where you can navigate the path of your choice, explore opportunities and discover tools to help build and adapt your career in health and exercise.
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