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**(By Jessica Kupferman) **Clearly, I started hosting my first podcast for the fame and glory of it all.
That seems like a joke, but at the time, it wasn’t. I know one thing about myself: I’m always better in person. No matter what kind of writer I am, it isn’t going be nearly as entertaining as watching me wave my arms around with dramatic flair while I explain – over-exuberantly – whatever topic is on the table.
Before podcasting, I had a Web and social media design freelance business and I was trying to figure out how to get more reach. I didn’t know how to guest post on big websites like Huffington Post, and I didn’t know how to get segments on local radio or television, nor was I doing anything that would warrant an appearance. I looked at podcasts as an avenue to pursue, but was really discouraged at what I saw.
Every small business/marketing/blogging/branding podcast was interviewing the same 7-8 people, and I wasn’t one of them. And this was exactly the reason why I wanted to stand out in the first place – to outshine this core group of always-heard-from super-preneurs who did all the speaking gigs and all the podcasts and all the guest posting. It felt really hopeless.
In the fall of 2012, my friend Anastasia invited me to come on her podcast. She was using a BlogTalkRadio account and she had a half-hour show where she discussed a topic, then introduced me, asked me about another topic, then signed out the show.
I was hooked.
It was a podcast, and a radio show, and a talk show. She sounded smart. She was in charge. She was Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Fallon and a little bit of Oprah.
After telling her what a genius she was for having a podcast, I disconnected the interview and, for the next three weeks, I couldn’t think about anything else but my upcoming podcast. What it would be called, who I would interview. I was obsessed.
None of this answers the question WHY I love to host a podcast, specifically.
The reasons I love hosting now are so different to what I loved about it then. Because then, I loved that it was completely different from what everyone else was doing. There were 2 million blogs out there, and 200,000 podcasts. It was the perfect way to stand out. And I was tired of being ignored. I was tired of being overlooked for “bigger names” with the same story they were telling, over and over again.
I knew for a FACT I was more interesting and more entertaining. And podcasting was a perfect way to prove it. I could be myself, say what I wanted, curse, ask personal and intrusive questions, and finally BREAK FREE of the “solopreneur” positivity, jargon, hustle, and repetition.
That’s why I started a podcast and why I loved it THEN. My plan worked, my podcast was a hit within my niche and my notoriety began to grow. And my career changed in ways I never dreamed it would.
Fast forward to the shows I’m hosting now. I have She Podcasts, which I’ve been co-hosting with Elsie Escobar for four, almost five years. I have Brilliant Observations, a comedy show that I’ve been co-hosting with my friend from college, Melissa Brilliant, for over a year. And I have different reasons for hosting a podcast.
I love that it gives me a voice. I’ve never been one of those people who had trouble FINDING my voice, but as I illustrated I’m much happier when someone is listening to it. For me, it’s a way to show my best skills – communication, passion, enthusiasm, knowledge – all in one shot. Being in the podcasting industry now, it’s nice to have a show where I can comment about all the amazing things that happen every day, and even nicer to talk to a friend about those things.
I love that it gives me an outlet. On my comedy show, we have a segment called “People I Hate.” Those little, tiny annoyances that bother you during the day can be exorcised and deleted from your brain for good, or at the very least, someone will commiserate with you.
I love the potential of an argument. On a podcast, anytime there’s dissention, there’s good audio. I tend to enjoy a good debate, so I like to podcast with people who are really, really different from me. This way, I learn a LOT, I teach a LOT, and the listener can enjoy the ride.
I love the fame and glory. I realize I started out joking about this, but on some level it’s true. Have you ever been at an airport and had someone turn around on the opposite escalator asking if you’re YOU? It hasn’t happened a lot, but when it does, I’m always shocked and then tickled to pieces. Podcasting has provided me with a small amount of connection – first with the business show I did, and now within the podcasting space – and it’s just enough glory to feel like there’s a strong virtual support system out there of colleagues, guests, and listeners who are there for you when you’re both celebrating and grieving life.
I love the feeling of connection. The world is a bit less lonely, knowing someone is listening on the other end. Even though many of us podcast alone, even though we always want more listeners, bigger audience, more, more, more! When you publish an episode and check to see how many people download it – and to see 10-20 people within the first hour – it makes you feel HEARD and UNDERSTOOD.
Podcasting is satisfying in a time when people can often feel ostracized, judged, afraid to speak their opinions, and emotionally exhausted by our virtual interactions. It’s nice to have a special place, space, and moment with people who appreciate you and your message, even if they don’t reach out and say so.
Jessica Kupferman is Head of Marketing for Podcast Websites and can be reached at jess@podcastwebsites.com
Comments:
Jennifer - this post perfectly captures so many things about my ‘why’ for podcasting. And even in my super-small niche, I’ve had that same thrill of someone recognizing my voice or finding out I host it, people I’ve never met. Hearing that they listen every week and can’t wait for the next episode is so satisfying. Thanks for your honesty.