Is Podcasting a Hobby or Potential Career for You?
Author: Dayana Preval
Podcasting is replacing the world of radio as we know it. Everyone wants a taste of podcasting and rightfully so. As a podcast listener, it’s a great way to find topics that relate to you. As a podcaster, it’s a good way to get your message out there, connect with people, and expand your brand. Like with any other trend, new podcasts are being created every day. The more I learn and create as a podcaster; I am learning that there is a difference between podcasting as a hobby and a career. Either one is fine, but I think if you’re someone who is considering creating a podcast or currently has a podcast to distinguish where you fall. This way, you can shift your focus. Is podcasting something you want to do for fun or for life?
Let’s dig into this. Podcasting has so many layers and its time-consuming. This isn’t to scare you away, but it’s the truth. The final product doesn’t happen overnight. As a podcaster, you are a journalist. Your audience values your perspective and trusting you to educate them. This is why they come back weekly! On top of that, if you don’t have a team, you are the team. You’re the editor, researcher, host, and marketer. Think about where you are in your podcast journey. Do you enjoy listening to podcasts, the process, hosting, or the final product?
I was on a hiatus for months because I had lost my why. I had fallen into the hype of social media and comparing myself that I forgot that the platform I created only exists because of me. I had to step away to figure out if the time and energy was worth it. In the end, it was worth it because I found that there was still a need for millennial representation. I listened to old episodes and read comments on social media to remind me that this podcast isn’t just for giggles. This is my digital library. I am documenting history through audio. I am sharing the experiences that my generation face daily. To me, that was enough to distinguish that podcasting isn’t a hobby. Even while I was away from podcasting, I became a contributing writer for Blk Pod Collective, so that I was still in the “know” of the industry.
Here are some questions to consider, if you’re still on the fence about a hobby versus a career in podcasting.
Do you see yourself podcasting in a few years?
Where do you see your podcast in the years to come?
Are you interested in other roles developing in podcasting?
Do you enjoy being on the Mic or the production elements more?
Are there other platforms you can use to express and navigate your creativity?
My best advice is to keep it real with yourself and your audience. Don’t fake the funk. In the end, if you feel like having a podcast is too much you can always feature on other podcasts. Find other ways to get involved in the podcasting industry. On the other hand, if you see podcasting as a career it doesn’t hurt to create a plan/vision for your podcast for years to come, so you don’t lose sight of your vision. Think about ways you want your podcast to evolve and how you can add value to podcasters to come after you.