Start an Ecommerce Podcast in 6 Steps

Starting an ecommerce podcast offers many benefits, including the ability to position yourself as an industry leader and keep up on the latest trends in the business. An ecommerce podcast can also help you reach a new target customer and drive traffic to your website by using customer nurturing techniques that educate and entertain the customer.Starting an ecommerce podcast takes some work, but with strategy planning and preparation, you can get your channel up and running, then monetize site visitors once they arrive. Start an ecommerce podcast with the following steps:

Select an Ecommerce Topic

While the overall theme is ecommerce, it’s important to determine the specific topics you’ll cover in your podcast.Some brands may also choose a niche. Choosing a niche has its own pros and cons, including the fact that you may have a smaller target audience, but it can also make it easier to align yourself as an expert. You’re also likely to have less competition with a niche market, which can be helpful when first starting out. Consider your goals and what specific products you want to market. You might also consider the position of expertise you want to take. A few common ecommerce topics include:

• ecommerce trends (or anticipated trends) in the market.
• Brand-specific reports of top ecommerce businesses.
• Success stories in building and running an ecommerce brand.
• Ecommerce challenges, including cart abandonment or SEO.
• Email marketing techniques.
• Conversion optimization tips.
• Achieving freedom through entrepreneurship.
• Highlighting specific ecommerce products.

This is also a good time to define what success looks like to you. Ask yourself what you hope to get out of an ecommerce podcast.Think of your interests and hobbies. It can also help to consider the types of guests you might invite to be a part of your podcast. Consider your goals, your targeted audience, what sets you apart from your competitors, and how you’ll monetize your brand. If you already have an established ecommerce business, you may already have a buyer persona, or a few different personas, depending on the number of items you sell. The goal of an ecommerce podcast is to turn that buyer persona into a listening persona.

Plan Your Content

It can be beneficial to plan out the first few episodes of your content. This includes the structure and format of your podcasts. Some podcasters may design their show around a collection of topics, but having a central theme can help to keep things on brand.Some podcasters use interviews, whereas others may be the sole presenter for all podcast episodes. Others may invite guest presenters each week. This depends on your preferences and goals of the ecommerce podcast. Consider the ideal length and structure of your content here, as well.The most common types of podcasts include conversations, educational topics, or guest interviews. It can also be helpful to outline the first 10 episodes of your podcast, including the topics you want to cover and any guests you may work with for each one. If you need inspiration, consider listening to some of the top ecommerce podcasts already established.Whatever topic(s) you choose, create authenticity and engagement. Podcasts are a great way to not only reach new customers for your ecommerce business but also to do it on a deeper level. Choose a topic that you have a good degree of experience and interest in, and that you can commit to creating regular podcasts that offer value and encourage engagement.

Choose a Platform for the Podcast

You’ll need to decide where to share your content. This can be important to decide early on as different platforms reach different audiences. A few important factors to consider when choosing the best platform include:

• Hosting capabilities: Some podcasters may choose to upload their podcast content directly to their website. Others may decide that a podcast hosting platform is more user-friendly.
• Price: Establish a budget ahead of time to determine which hosting option is best for your brand.
• Customization options: Decide how important specific editing tools are to you when creating podcasts.
• Target audience: By now, you should have a good idea of your target audience. Find out where your ideal customer or listener is most likely to discover your ecommerce podcast.

You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a platform for your podcast, with a few of the top being Podbean, BuzzSprout, Blubrry, or Transistor. After choosing a platform, you’ll need to name and summarize your podcast. As potential listeners browse channels, they may pay attention to things like the title, channel name, or description to decide if the podcast can offer them value.

Reach Out to Influencers

Inviting guests or working with already known leaders or influencers in your industry is a great way to boost followers. Make a list of leaders in not only your industry but industries that also closely align with yours. Influencer podcasters have a lot to offer, including endorsements and the ability to reach niche parts of your business. Influencers’ audiences also help you increase customers and sales for your ecommerce shop.You can learn more about leaders by listening to podcasts in your ecommerce industry. Then, create an outreach strategy that determines how you’ll reach them, what you have to offer them, and what you hope to achieve from working with influencers.In addition to featuring guests on your podcast, you can also reach out to other podcasts and participate as a guest. This allows you to reach a new target market and demonstrate your expertise in the industry.

Schedule Time & Space for Recording

Once you have an idea of your podcast topics and platform, it’s time to schedule some time and space for recording. Some people have a home setup suitable for recording podcasts, whereas others may need to book a recording space. Scheduling out your podcast recordings each week is a great way to stay accountable and to be consistent with content. In order to build a brand following, it’s important to continue providing listeners with content that is consistent and valuable. In addition to scheduling time for recording the podcast, it can also be helpful to schedule when your podcasts will go live.If you prefer to record your podcast in a professional studio, you can search for podcast studios in your area. Most book by the hour and usually include all the equipment you’ll need. It is possible to record a podcast at home, but you’ll want to choose a quiet room that is free of distractions. You will also want to test out the recording software ahead of time, plus get a pair of good headphones and a microphone.

Upload and Share Content

A successful brand strategy includes multiple platforms, which gives you the opportunity to reach potential customers in different markets and phases of the buying cycle. The great thing about podcasts is that you can repurpose them. Podcasts are a type of long-form content that can be beneficial for SEO, blog posts, and even website content.Dividing and repurposing your content to work on other platforms can help you bring traffic to your podcast, and ultimately, your website. Turn the podcast into a full transcript and publish it as a blog post. Pull a few key quotes from the content discussed in the podcast, and then use these on your social media accounts. Share clips of the podcast to your website, social media channels, or even to an email subscription list. Encourage followers to share the podcast with others who may also benefit.Once you begin to increase traffic to your website, you can find ways to monetize it. An ecommerce podcast can also be a second source of income for some.Creating a podcast is the first step toward increasing traffic to your website. The next is to monetize traffic from your podcast. Contact Ampry today for your free personalized strategy call that can help you convert visitors into buyers.