Why You Need to Define Your Audience When Launching a Podcast

Learn how to tailor your podcast content to meet your audience's specific interests and needs, ensuring stronger engagement and relevance.

 

Background: 

A key step in creating an engaging podcast is identifying your audience. Knowing exactly who you want to reach allows you to tailor your content, making it more relevant and impactful. This step is essential for ensuring that your podcast resonates with the right people, whether you are educating, entertaining, or engaging them. 

Prerequisites: 

  • Understanding of your business audience: Ideally, you already have a broad sense of who your customers are. 
  • Content goals: Be clear on whether your podcast aims to educate, entertain, or both. 

 

Steps to Define Your Audience: 

Step 1: Understand Your Target Market 

Reflect on your existing customer base. You likely already have a general idea of who your business serves—whether that’s in healthcare, education, public sectors, or another industry. Now, ask yourself: Which specific sector or community within this larger market needs engagement? Hone in on the audience segment that stands to gain the most from your content. 

For example, if your company works with multiple industries but the healthcare sector is under-engaged, it may be beneficial to focus on creating content specifically for healthcare professionals. 

Step 2: Clarify What Your Audience Wants to Learn or Feel 

Ask critical questions to further narrow your focus: 

  • What does your audience want to learn
  • What do they want to be entertained by? 
  • What topics make them feel more connected to your brand or message? 

Consider the needs of your audience on both a practical and personal level. For example, if your audience seeks actionable insights for their business strategies, focus on providing expert tips rather than emotionally charged stories. 

Step 3: Align Content with Audience Preferences 

Once you have a clear understanding of your audience's needs and preferences, shape your podcast content accordingly. If your audience prefers practical knowledge over emotional narratives, make sure your podcast delivers useful, actionable information rather than leaning heavily on storytelling. 

However, if emotional storytelling is a way to connect with your audience, lean into that. Ensure the tone and style of your podcast reflect what will best resonate with the listeners you’re targeting. 

Conclusion: 

Defining your audience is crucial for creating content that truly resonates. By pinpointing the exact sectors or communities that need engagement, you ensure that your podcast reaches the right people with the right message. This focus not only increases engagement but also makes your podcast more targeted, relevant, and successful in achieving its goals.