569- What it really takes to be a PROFESSIONAL podcaster

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we examine some details in which a long-term podcaster and author of podcast books named Evo Terra delivers in his recent podcast episode of Podcast Pontifications.

In this episode from Evo Terra, we see that he defines a REAL PROFESSIONAL in terms of education, training, experience, diplomacy, communication, liaison skills, business skills and acumen, as well as organizational and leadership skills — and NOT just the ability to create a podcast show and publish some episodes that may be low quality or not.

As Evo states: “None of those examples will come as a surprise to you. We know that true professionals—doctors, musicians, writers, and yes, podcasters—all invest a significant amount of time and effort in the study of their craft. Because with very few exceptions, professionalism isn’t achieved by the piecemeal accumulation of surface-level tactics, tricks, and hacks.” (And I understood the “hacks” to be the ability to follow a script or tutorial to learn how to podcast in a very short time, without regard to the back-end and business-end of being a real professionally skilled and experienced podcaster)

In Evo’s audio episode, he mentions in the title of one section that you, as a podcaster, must go “Beyond Podcasting 101.” From his point of view, it is important not just to know the how of your trade, but the WHY, and especially the overall history, audience, business and environment in the podosphere. As he mentions, “Hacks and borrowed skills will only get you so far.”

So you may call yourself a podcast consultant — even a professional — but without the experience, education, training and other skills learned about the TRADE of podcasting, you are still considered by Evo to be just a 90-minute wonder who learned how to create a podcast show and publish one episode from a tutorial (what can be construed to be a “hack.”)

The details the skills are noted in the part of Evo’s episode when he describes how you may know that you are truly a professional podcaster:

In podcasting, copywriting skills are a necessity. Episodes notes need to be written, as does the article that accompanies the episode on a website. Don’t forget the variations on social copy!

Oh, and those social shares will need some customized graphics. And the show itself needs compelling artwork to make it attractive to new listeners. Wait! The webpage for the episode will need graphics as well. Website? Oh, right! That website needs to be built out and maintained. And the show needs to be marketed so it grows. Don’t forget liaising with other podcasters. And someone needs to figure out the business plan so the show succeeds and your idea of being a professional podcaster actually becomes a going concern and how you put food on the table. That’s a sampling of what it takes to really be a professional podcaster. A few are able to master all of it on their own. More realize their own limitations and enlist the services of others. But even then, the podcaster has an understanding of all the pieces and can step in when necessary. Because it all has to be done.“

And finally, Evo states that learning from a mentor, a role-model or thought-leader (call him what you will), you can gain the wisdom that will in time give you the edge to call yourself a podcaster. And he does this by citing the old saying:

“If I see further than others, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants.”

What I see for a professional podcaster is one who aspires to become one of the GIANTS, upon whose shoulders I could stand, and from whose experience and charisma and knowledge I can soak up (like a sponge) and then deliver to others, as they will also stand upon my shoulders.

So, we hope that you can aspire to become a GIANT in the world of professional podcasters.

Thank you for your attention.