No matter your podcast topic, there's probably a conference, expo, live show, concert, rally, or some other kind of live event around that niche. And besides the topic you cover, there are live events specifically about podcasting!
I think live events can be of great value and opportunity to you and your podcast. It comes down to four benefits I'm about to share with you. Keep in mind that any one of these benefits could be reason enough to attend, but the more events you can find in the overlap of these four things, the better that event could be for you!
More episodes about getting the most from live events.
- 7 tips for effective blog/podcast cards
- How to Get the Most from Podcasting and Social-Media Conferences
- Avoid These Mistakes If You Go to Events
- 9 Tips for How to Grow Your Audience by Attending Social-Media Events
1. Grow your knowledge [01:26]
The obvious first benefit is that live events are a great place to grow your knowledge. That could be knowledge about your industry, learning about new trends, discovering resources in your niche, or learning how to refine your own craft—even learning to be a better podcaster!
I think the most important way to grow your knowledge at events is to take notes and then translate those notes into actionable steps.
For example, I often speak about podcast SEO (search-engine optimization). In such a session, I would present lots of advice, demonstrations, and techniques that you could try to write down. But merely collecting the information won't make your podcast more findable. Instead, you should take what you learn and apply it. Decide out what you need to do first and set aside the time to do it with your podcast as soon as possible! Otherwise, it's like all that knowledge goes in one hear and out the other instead of coming through your hands and voice.
2. Grow your content [02:56]
Podcasters are content-creators. We're telling stories, sharing interesting guests, educating, inspiring, having fun, and more. As such, a live event could be a great place to help you make more content!
For example, I've attended events, such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show, and Podcast Movement—sometimes with the specific goals of creating content while I was there! It's often been on-floor video interviews with exhibitors (that's how I met Deirdre Shen from Capsho!), but also sometimes bringing a simple audio recording device to record other attendees answers to a question that I could then share on my podcast (like I did when I asked podcasters at Podcast Movement 2016 to share creative ways they solved podcasting problems).
Trying to grow your content at a live event can be complicated because of the equipment needs and all the planning it takes. But it can be a lot of fun and especially leading to many more opportunities!
And that brings me to my next point!
3. Grow your network [05:43]
People are the greatest value at any event! I've been to countless events where I've invested more time talking to people in the hallways and on the expo floor than I spent learning in sessions. This is so valuable because you can usually get a “virtual ticket” to watch or listen to the sessions later (and I always recommend that upgrade!), but you can't meet the people so easily after returning home.
Growing your network isn't about becoming a business-card ninja, but about really making connections with other people. Here's my challenge to you (and what I try to do myself!): for any business card you request or are given, look it over, ask questions based on it, and—this is most important—write something about that person or your conversation with them. It could be as simple as what you talked about. For example, I still remember when I met Dustin Stout at Social Media Marketing World and I wrote on his card that his wife watches Once Upon a Time, the TV show I used to podcast about. And now, Dustin is the creator and head of Magai, my favorite AI toolbox. Dustin has also become a very special friend as I've gotten to know him and be encouraged and challenged by him through a small mastermind group I host.
But even better than writing only about your conversation would be to write an action you need to take. That could be connecting that person with someone else, checking out a resource they recommended, or some way you want to follow up with them.
And for any podcast/business card you want to give someone else, write something on it for them! It could be an episode you think they would like, someone else they should meet, or something you recommend.
Even without business cards, you can still do this kind of memorable networking through the conference apps, or simply by quickly sending each other messages through your preferred channel.
4. Grow your podcast [09:47]
Lastly, live events also give you the opportunity to reach a bigger audience and grow your own podcast. But unlike my first three points, this one is most effective if you go to the right events.
For example, Podcast Movement and Podfest are my favorite conferences about podcasting. But unless you also have a podcast about podcasting, don't expect to grow your audience much by mingling among your fellow podcasting peers.
This is where you should focus on the niche you serve. If you have a dog-breeding podcast, you could go to dog shows and hand out flyers about your podcast as you meet people you think would be interested. You could even sponsor the event to get extra attention on what you do. Or combine a few of these top-level benefits and consider trying to create content while you're there, and that could open all kinds of opportunities to promote your podcast as others see the energy happening around you.
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Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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