Why haven’t you launched a podcast? Step One | How Blackberry, Alicia Keys, and iPhones are changing everything

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how to make a podcast

how to make a podcast

Did I just type “Blackberry”? With iPhones and Droids having the primary market shares, the once leader, Blackberry, has moved to the backseat and maybe even the trunk. But today they announced some new global marketing strategies, including adding singer, Alicia Keys, as their Global Creative Director.  

Smartphone Upgrades are Changing Everything

With smartphone companies offering free upgrades, trade-ups, and coupons, there is going to be a huge supply of refurbished smartphones. Currently (as of January 2013) 37.6 million people download podcasts monthly. That is the equivalent to the entire state of California’s population!   

With the growth, access, and price of smartphones dropping, podcasting is going to grow into one of the predominant media sources. In fact, Amazon has launched a way to integrate e-books and audio so that you can read an e-book and then have the audio book pick up where you left off. With Whispernet you could read at home, then listen in your car, read while you’re pooping at work, and then listen while you workout. It’s crazy the time that we are living in!

Don’t miss out

 When I launched my podcast this weekend (if you haven’t checked it out, HERE IS THE LINK or here for iTunes) I had no idea the power it would have in my Search Engine Optimization (SEO). I knew I might get some new people to check out the blog, it might help with some of my affiliate links, and some private practice might be more awesome as a result of the podcast. I didn’t expect what happened last night.

I often check to see if I rank on Yahoo, Bing, or Google for key words that I target. Specifically I have been targeting counseling private practice, private practice, private practice advice, private practice consulting, and how to name a private practice.

I was accepted by iTunes and Blackberry last night. Immediately I ranked on the front page of Yahoo and Bing for the term “counseling private practice.” Also, when you type in “counseling private practice on iTunes, the only two podcasts that come up are the Practice of the Practice Podcast with Joe Sanok and the American Counseling Association podcast. Check out these screen shots!

Yahoo search for “counseling private practice”

private practice

Bing search for “counseling private practice”

bing front page private practice

iTunes search for “counseling private practice”

iTunes screenshot private practice podcast

Lastly, as you take time to launch e-books, do local radio, write for your local newspaper, and do a podcast, you will add value to who you are. As well, clients will be willing to pay more because you are seen as the expert in your field.

So to quickly review, a counseling podcast will:

1. Is one of the fastest growing ways to market, and open you up to a global and national audience

2. Increases your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) immediately

3. Adds value and the perception of expertise to yourself and your practice.

What you will need to launch your podcast

Well before you start recording, you’ll want to identify your niche. There are tons of “counseling” podcasts. What are you going to do that is different? Also, though a podcast helps with many things, ultimately you want people that will listen. Start searching around to see what others are doing, listen to some, what do you like? What do you hate?

Here are some questions to get you going:

What will be your podcast niche?

What are your goals for the podcast? More local clients? More clients nation-wide?

What keywords do you want to rank higher for?

What equipment do you already have for recording?

What equipment do I need for a podcast?

Some of these are affiliate links that help me to pay for my time on the website. Thanks in advance for using them to launch your counseling private practice podcast.

Here are the basic things you will need:

A computer | I use a Mac with GarageBand. I upgraded my older Mac with a new hard drive and RAM, Western Digital WD Scorpio Black 750 GB SATA 3 GB/s 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Internal Bulk/OEM 2.5-Inch Mobile Hard Drive

Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 667 MHz (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory (VS4GSDSKIT667D2)

A microphone | I use the Audio Technica AT2020USB Studio Condenser Microphone
. My friend Aaron Dennis from Stone Hut Studios uses this for many of his video productions. I have really liked it. I’m still learning how to do levels.

 Once you get those things set up and figured out, you can start practicing with GarageBand. In future posts we’ll talk about the nuts and bolts of recording, launching, and getting an audience!

If you are interested:

Subscribe to Joe’s Podcast in iTunes.

 

 


counseling private practice advice

Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC is the owner of Mental Wellness Counseling in Traverse City, MI. He works with counselors in private practice as a consultant, web designer, coach, and friend. He also does LLPC Supervision in Michigan. To link to Joe’s Google+ .

 Counseling Private Practice tips Photo from the Creative Commons, thank you to Robert S. Donovan