The Three Types of Podcasters

There is a big misconception that many people believe about having their own podcast show.

 When I ask them why they do not have a show, many people tell me, “Well, you know, I just don’t have the time and attention to focus on something enough to blow it up and become a top podcaster!”

This is my biggest thing with that “excuse”. Not everybody is going to become a top podcaster. And not everybody needs to!

If that’s your goal- great! But even if you do not intend to be the next Tim Ferriss, Joe Rogan, or Gary Vaynerchuk, don’t think you shouldn’t have your own show.

Those guys are top influencers and they make great businesses out of it, but that does not have to be what everyone does with their show. 

Today, I am going to highlight three different types of podcasters. As you read, think about which one you could be.

Because once you know what type of podcaster you could be…my next advice? Yep, you know it! Start one!

Type#1: The Full-Timer

The very first one is the person who is trying to become a full-time podcaster.

Now this is what most people think of when they think about starting a show. This is the individual who wants their show to be their full focus and full source of income.

When I started my show, I fell into this category. My goal from the beginning was to be able to take my podcast show and develop it into my full-time career. 

It’s crazy to think that I’ve been able to do this now for over two years! 

Let me say this about the full-timer though. Most people who want to be in podcasting full-time, do not start out completely full-time. I was still involved with door-to-door sales to support my family.

But I had a passion for podcasting that I wanted to make my full-time career. Everything I did in the early days of my show was to get to that point.

If you are sitting there thinking that you want to be the type of podcaster that can do it full-time and do it well, check out my Podcast Profit Academy course starting with a FREE webinar you can reserve your spot for here. 

And if you are reading this thinking, “But Travis, I don’t have the ability to do this full-time and I don’t want to do anything halfway so I just won’t have a show.” 

Never fear! There are two other types of podcasters that I want to share with you!

Type #2: The Lead Generator 

So the second type of podcaster is one who wants to attract customers to their business.

I call this type of podcaster a Lead Generator, or “Lead Gen” for short. 

This podcaster is not starting a podcast as their business. They are starting their podcast to bring quality leads and customers into their business. It’s a tool.

Here’s an  example. Let’s say you are a real estate agent in Dallas, Texas. If I were you, I would start a podcast and become the local business owners real estate agent.

Meaning I would focus on local events and local activities. Interview the local business owners on my show and offer to give them exposure into their business.

Now this show realistically is not going to get nationally ranked. With a show like that, you are probably not going to get a million downloads a month. You may not even get 10,000 downloads a month, but the people who do listen are going to care about what you are doing because it is in their local area.

You are building relationships and establishing goodwill with the people that you are connecting with and bringing onto the show.

And they just might be your ideal client that you want to attract into your business. You know what they say, “The more hands that you shake, the more money you make!”

If you are a local agent, lender, marketer, or business owner, then a podcast show that centers around your local businesses and small businesses will center your value around the audience that will directly feed into your business.

Your name will be out there, and if everyone knows who you are because of your podcast, then that means more income for your company. Not through the podcast necessarily, but by way of the podcast, if that makes sense.

You will become more of a commodity because people are buying you. People are buying your time when you’re a solopreneur. They’re not just buying a product or service from you.

Even if podcasting is not what you do full-time, having a show is a great tool, a great resource, and a fantastic differentiator that allows you to be different in the marketplace. It will set you apart.

Type #3: The Network Builder

This type of podcaster is somebody that podcasts purely to build their network in their niche.

Whatever vertical or niche you are in, a podcast can be used to build a very specific network. Some podcasts genres or topics are broad, but the network builder is looking for a very distinct network.

Let’s say you are a dentist or in the healthcare industry. You know you want to be somebody in this industry and build credibility.

Building credibility and recognition in any industry takes time and can be difficult. But being able to build a network of high-profile individuals in the same industry can get you there.

And a podcast is a tool that can help make those connections.

When you are a network builder, starting a podcast is not about the number of downloads and subscribers. In fact, network builders literally do not ever look at their numbers.

The numbers don’t matter. Don’t worry about the metrics. Don’t worry about the listens. All you need to worry about, all you need to focus on is using your podcast as a tool to connect with the top people that are in your space. 

That is literally your only job as a podcast at that point.

Your main business would remain your main business. Your podcast would not even be necessarily a tool for lead gen. 

It would mainly just be a tool that would allow you to get the ear of somebody who may not give you the time of day otherwise. 

My podcast has been one of the best value adding excuses that I’ve ever had to connect with people that normally would not be able to take the time out of their busy schedule to connect with me.

But because I have a podcast, I have something that adds value. I have a platform in their niche or space, and they want to share that platform. 

If you are a dentist and want to have a solid network of the best dentists in the industry, having a podcast gives you a tool to connect with them. The purpose isn’t to generate business for your dentistry but more for the sake of having a strong network of connections in your space.

Why You Should Start Now

So stop thinking that just because some people are full-time podcasters, that means you have to become that, or you have to shoot for that. You do not have to become this top rated show in order to have it be worth starting a podcast.

 Beginning a podcast as any one of these three types of podcasters is better than doing nothing at all!

And by doing so, you are going to differentiate yourself wherever you are. The good news too is that you might just become the person that is really well-known in that space. 

So whether you look to become a full-timer, a lead gener, or a network builder, start a show about something you are passionate about, and build a platform around it.

The True Focus 

The focus of your podcast should always be content creation. A podcast is a way to add value to those around. When you add value to others, they listen, learn, and begin to build a relationship with you.

Maybe it’s not a podcast. Maybe it’s a meetup or it’s a live event. Perhaps you start a YouTube channel or an Instagram/IG TV show. You could start a Facebook show or use Facebook live in a group you form. 

Whatever it is, create some sort of content, and don’t be so focused on the fact that you may never be the top podcaster according to iTunes.

Be more focused on the fact that maybe this is the perfect way for me to attract my ideal client into my business and the perfect way or the perfect way to build a network!

Stop worrying about the numbers, and focus more on the people and the potential that this has to differentiate yourself in the marketplace to become the best of the best in your industry.

Conclusion

A podcast is a tool. When you break it down to the reason why you should start a podcast, the simple answer is that it is a valuable tool that can work for you.

The thing about tools like hammers and screwdrivers is they are only as good as the hand of the handyman that is using them.

Your podcast can be a great tool that helps you generate income, generates leads, and build your network, but it has to be done the right way.

I highly recommend having someone who has done it before help you while you build your show!

So if you have an idea, a passion, and you know what type of podcaster you want to be, check out my webinar below, and see if my podcast course could be just what you need to see your show become the best asset in your business!

Leave a comment below on what type of podcaster you are or want to be, and share this with anyone else you know who would benefit from this. 

See you next week!