Should I create a private podcast?

I'm told I should do this. But, I don't know if this is right for me. Help!

This podcast requires special access!

As social media becomes more saturated, more business owners are turning to podcast creation to separate themselves from the noise that social media can create.

For many small to medium sized businesses, owners find their budgets stretched — especially when marketing dollars are limited and agency fees only trend upward.

Many business owners create a podcast to provide advice to prospecting customers, showcasing their identity in an authentic way, and allowing loyal customers to get in a bit closer with the business owner while enjoying a meaningful conversation.

Podcasting consistently at a high level is very taxing. Some of my clients work part time, freelance as an entrepreneur, write books, attend speaking engagements, and all while trying to make time for loved ones. Finding time to keep a podcast, with a high standard, going consistently sometimes near impossible (even if you do hire someone to assist you with the bulk of the behind the scenes work).

What Is a Private Podcast?

A private podcast is a podcast not open to the public.

Creating audio content, usually in episodic format, is often distributed manually:

• Through an app that requires approved access.

• Using a website that isn’t indexed by Google.

• Via a blog site like Substack that utilizes an RSS feed only to email subscribers.

• Podcast apps, such as Spotify or Apple, that allow the creation of special podcast feeds only for paid subscribers.

A bunch of audio files that are distributed to a specific group of people of the creator’s choosing.

Private Podcast Uses

There are a lot of great reasons that you may want to create a private podcast.

• You don’t want to commit to a long term podcast project

  • Create demand: Maybe your email list only gets access to your spicy private podcast for a limited time?

• Having some social clips (if you leverage video as well) to help promote your products / services

• Creating a course or learning material

• Answering new client questions (FAQ) which can be a great value add for new clients booking discovery calls

• Freebie funnel (a lot of business owners offer a free guide, template, or materials). Why not a private podcast?

• Employee training

  • A larger Canadian Financial Group leverages Podean’s Enterprise package to connect employee credentials to access the internal podcast network for employees only. Traditional learning slides can be stuffy. Why not use podcasts to have real world examples from their colleagues?

• Add extra pizzaz to your newsletters

  • Underline a specific point with your voice or a snippet of a guest answering a question you asked

How Does a Private Podcast Work?

Podcast feed technology hasn’t changed much over the 20 years that this form of audio entertainment has existed.

Traditionally speaking a podcast is distributed through an RSS feed (which is very similar to the old way of receiving updates to your favorite website collections before things like Google News came along).

This RSS Podcast feed uses very simple tags to identify an audio file, description, title, and so on. All the listener has to do is manually add / import your private podcast feed in their listening app of choice. The private podcast episodes, cover art, and information is automagically populated by the listening app.

Most modern private podcast services will offer an one-click option to create a podcast feed link. All you then have to do is provide this link to your listeners and they add this feed link to their listening app.

Where Do I Store my Private Podcast?

While there are many options to host your private podcast, let’s check out some popular options.

Substack

Blog sites, like Substack, include the ability to use different mediums to connect with audiences.

• You can create different publications that your audience can subscribe to.

• Have the ability to embed audio into your blog and then add commentary, description, and extra bits of information to help summarize the episode.

• Create a podcast feed that can be passed to subscribers with nearly one click.

• The option to monetize this private podcast is also an option as well (or even as an upsell if you wish)

Learn how to get started with setting up your private podcast with Substack.

Podcast Host

You may also use transitional podcast hosting platforms such as podbean, transistor.fm, and others.

The difference between a public podcast and a private podcast is literally not connecting with any podcast players such as Apple, Spotify, or others.

From there, you will have a podcast feed that you copy, pass to your email list, and they add import the private podcast feed into their favorite podcast player - and enjoy.

Transitor.fm

A guide on how to set-up your private podcast for non-technical folks.

Podbean

Get started guide / information about starting a private podcast.

Your Website

Services, such as Squarespace, offer the ability to create a podcast feed for your listeners (just skip the step to connect to other apps like Apple).

Create Your Private Podcast

You’ll need to make sure you have the usual podcast elements (cover art, description, title, episodes, strategy, and so on); however, I feel confident you’ll be ready to press record and create your private podcast now armed with the information needed to get started.

If you wish for help at any point, I’m available for consultation

• $50/hr includes

  • a copy of the recorded video call

  • A written summary for your records).

  Please note: I’ll contact you requesting payment in order for the appointment time be confirmed.

If you wish to record your content and hand off the rest (ahem, done for you) like ideation, strategy, episode planning, editing, production, and setting up your private podcast I’ll be happy to be your sidekick!

• A $500 fee includes

  • 1 hour of strategy/planning

  • professional audio work

    • One podcast intro

    • ten episodes (15 minutes each)

  • templates & guides

  • setting up your private podcast

  • copy of raw and edited files, licensed music via audiio.com

  • One month access to recording software

  • Digital support along the way

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Want to learn more about me?

Connect with Your Podcast Sidekick on Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn. Email is always an option too!

Happy Podcasting. :)