1. Start in 2005
We have to admit that some of the success I have had was because I started early. The best time to start a podcast was in 2005 but the second-best time is tomorrow. There definitely was a first-mover advantage but there were some disadvantages starting in 2005.
2. Or start tomorrow
If you are starting your podcast tomorrow, congratulations, you have a lot going for you. According to Edison research:
3. Pick a niche
People listen to podcasts, but will they listen to yours? You increase the chance obviously by creating a good podcast but you increase it even more by creating something that people want, something that they are already looking for.
4. Pick a reason
You also have to decide why you are podcasting. Your niche and your reason should align. Do you want to travel more? To where? How? Do you want to have more money? Do you want to support a business you already have?
5. Pick a schedule
One of the ways you build an audience is by putting out a show on a regular schedule. All else being equal, shows that come out more often can grow more quickly, but you may notice that the Daily Travel Podcast is defunct. Putting out a show that often is hard, really really hard, crazy hard.
6. Pick a format
There is no right length or format for a podcast. As to length, a podcast is like a mini-skirt. It should be short enough to be interesting and long enough to cover everything important.
7. Work together
The best way to build an audience for a podcast is to work with other podcasters. Either to have them on your show or to pitch content for their show. Emailing lists are great, you ought to use Pr and social media, but nothing beats being interesting in the ears of people who already like podcasts and may be looking for another one.
When did the Amateur Traveler start?
The first Amateur Traveler podcast episode went out July 2nd of 2005. It did not expand into a full blog with videos, and travel photography until April of 2007.
Who should read the Amateur Traveler blog?
We try and create content that helps you do travel planning. That might be information for people starting to travel like our Travel 101 content or it might be articles on how to travel, how to save money or where to go.
Who should listen to the Amateur Traveler podcast?
The Amateur Traveler audio podcast is about travel destinations. It helps you decide where to go next. So the show is intended for travelers. We create the show targeting a North American traveler who only has 1-2 weeks of vacation, although it gets listened to by people in other countries as well.
Why did you create the podcast?
The podcast content predates the other blog content. I am a podcast junky and listen to around 70-90 podcasts. I knew I wanted to do a podcast before I knew what the podcast would be about. Then on Memorial Day in 2005 we had friends over for a BBQ and all the best stories were travel stories.
What is your background?
When I started Amateur Traveler I was working full-time as an EVP of Engineering and Operations for a Silicon Valley company that ran online communities. I still make a living in part from doing technical work but now only part-time.
Do you make any money off of things you advertise on the Amateur Traveler?
Not always, but I should. Let’s just assume that every link is an affiliate link and leave it at that. I don’t recommend products that I don’t like, so don’t ask me to.
