Podcasts are growing increasingly popular, with over 5 million podcasts globally and about 464 million listeners worldwide. The latter number is predicted to reach almost 505 million by the end of the year, with over 100 million active listeners in the United States alone.
Leverage the benefits of this fast-growing industry and reach a larger audience by creating a nonprofit podcast. This guide will give you the rundown on how to get started so you can smoothly host an engaging podcast that will “wow” audiences.
There are many reasons why a nonprofit professional would want to start a nonprofit podcast. Here are the top three:
Two main groups of people create nonprofit podcasts: individuals who work at a nonprofit and individuals who work
with
nonprofits. Regardless of which you belong with, podcasting allows you to speak about the subjects you’re passionate about and reap the above benefits.
Now that you know why you should start a nonprofit podcast, let’s go over the five steps to create your podcast.
The focus of your podcast is the main, overarching topic you will be covering. This should be a subject that you’re passionate about and can discuss at length. A few topics you might consider for your nonprofit podcast include:
On top of the podcast topic, you should also decide on its format. You can choose to host the podcast alone, essentially monologuing for each episode. Or, you could co-host with another nonprofit professional.
You might also consider the interview format, where you invite a new expert to appear on each episode. For example, if your podcast is about fundraising, you would research experts in the fundraising sphere, such as authors of fundraising books,
fundraising consultants, and fundraising event planners.
After establishing the big picture of your nonprofit podcast, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of podcast planning with your content strategy. Brainstorm what your first few podcasts will be about and outline the episodes briefly. That way, you’ll have a good idea of the project timeline, such as whether the podcast will be a miniseries or take place over a longer period.
For example, if you’re talking about new developments in the nonprofit space, your first few episodes might be about:
If you’re planning to host an interview-style podcast, include experts you can invite for the episode in your outline. For instance, if you have an episode about nonprofit employee compensation, create a list of
compensation consultants to invite for valuable insights into the topic.
At this point, you’ll have dedicated quite some time to brainstorming and thinking about your podcast and should feel confident that this is a project you wish to commit to. If so, it’s time to purchase the equipment you’ll need for your podcast.
Ensure you have the following essentials:
Some podcasters offer video versions of their podcast as well as audio-only versions. If that’s the case, you’ll need video equipment and editing software. If your organization frequently hosts hybrid or virtual events,
Swaim Strategies suggests repurposing the livestreaming equipment you already have for your podcast.
It’s time to sit down and record your podcast! Here are a few tips to follow to facilitate a smooth recording session:
Additionally, don’t hesitate to take breaks! Depending on the length of your podcast episode, it may not be feasible to record it all in one sitting. Take water and snack breaks to ensure that your voice sounds good and you maintain focus.
Once you’re done recording and editing your podcast, it’s time to upload the episodes and promote them to your audience. Keep in mind the following as you do so:
Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t immediately gain the number of listeners you desire. Much like building up your nonprofit’s supporter base, growing your listeners will take time and patience. Regularly check in on metrics like unique listeners and audience growth so you can adapt your strategies as needed.
Whether you’re passionate about
corporate sponsorships or nonprofit storytelling, podcasts give you a platform to speak at length about these subjects. Take things one step at a time—start by providing well-crafted content. Then, try to carve out a niche for yourself in the nonprofit sector. With time and work, you’ll be able to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
About the Author
Samantha Swaim
Samantha Swaim has more than 20 years of event planning and fundraising expertise. She founded
Swaim Strategies, a fundraising event consultancy, in 2004, working internationally with nonprofit organizations to produce impactful events that move missions forward. Samantha is the co-author of “Planning a Successful Major Donor Event” and the founder of the annual Elevate fundraising event conference. She travels internationally to teach nonprofit professionals the tools they need to elevate their impact through events.
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