Latest #VirtualPaul Posts

Stop Podcasting for Fun: Start Podcasting to Serve

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re podcasting because it’s fun or because everyone else is doing it, you’re doing it wrong. Sure, podcasting can be enjoyable, and yes, it’s a booming medium. But those aren’t reasons to hit record. The real reason to podcast? To serve your audience. To give them something they actually need. Anything less, and you’re wasting their time—and yours.

The First Rule of Podcasting: Serve Your Audience

This isn’t just my opinion—it’s one of my Laws of Podcasting. The First Rule of Podcasting is simple: Serve Your Audience. Before you even think about recording, you need to know how your podcast will serve your listeners. What value are you bringing? What problems are you solving? If you can’t answer those questions, stop. Don’t record. Don’t publish. Figure out how you’re going to serve your audience first.

Here’s why this matters: your audience isn’t tuning in for you. They’re tuning in for what you can do for them. They’re looking for solutions, insights, entertainment—something that makes their life better. If your podcast isn’t delivering that, they’ll move on. And they won’t come back.

Why Podcasting for Fun or FOMO Doesn’t Work

Let’s break down why podcasting for the wrong reasons is a recipe for failure:

  1. It’s Unsustainable: Podcasting takes time, effort, and consistency. If you’re only doing it because it’s fun, you’ll burn out the moment it stops being fun—which, trust me, will happen.
  2. It’s Unfocused: When you’re podcasting for yourself, your content becomes about you—not your audience. And that’s a problem. Your audience doesn’t care about your whims or your ego. They care about value.
  3. It’s Forgettable: There are millions of podcasts out there. If yours doesn’t serve a specific audience with specific needs, it’ll get lost in the noise. Fun isn’t enough to make you stand out.

How to Podcast with Purpose

If you’re serious about creating a podcast that matters, here’s how to do it:

  1. Know Your Audience: Who are they? What do they care about? What problems are they trying to solve? The more you understand your audience, the better you can serve them.
  2. Define Your Purpose: What do you want your podcast to do? Educate? Entertain? Inspire? Be clear about your goals and align every episode with them. (See Law #1: Know What You Want Your Podcast to Do Before You Record Your First Second.)
  3. Focus on Value: Every episode should deliver something your audience needs. Whether it’s actionable advice, a fresh perspective, or a good laugh, make sure it’s worth their time.
  4. Be Consistent: Serving your audience isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing commitment. Show up regularly, deliver value consistently, and build trust over time.

The Bottom Line

Podcasting isn’t about you. It’s not about fun, fame, or following trends. It’s about your audience. It’s about serving them, solving their problems, and making their lives better. If you can do that, you’ll create a podcast that resonates, grows, and makes an impact. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

At The Podcast Partnership, we help creators like you build podcasts that serve, engage, and deliver results. Ready to create a podcast with purpose? Let’s chat.