Podcasts 101 BY LEE NELSON
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t the end of the lengthy home buying process, LaToya Wilson’s clients told her she should do a podcast because others would love to hear her expertise which helped them find their dream home. “At first, I didn’t believe them. Then as I started seeing how the world was changing, I said the information that I do have might just help someone else,” said Wilson, Realtor® with EXP Realty Inc., Montclair.
Podcast.” He started in online business in 2012 with a blog called CrowdCrux, all about how to successfully raise money with a crowdfunding campaign. Since then, he has written seven books, created online courses, and worked with entrepreneurs around the world. When he started his own podcast, he didn’t have a clue about audio work and felt very introverted. “I had no idea what I was doing, and it showed,” said Briggman.
She began her own podcast in April called “Your New Jersey Realtor®” with LaToya Wilson with episodes such as introducing herself, discussing the current market in New Jersey from a buyer’s perspective, and covering a few other subjects so far.
He admits the first few episodes his voice sounded like a robot. But by continuing the process and learning from his mistakes, he grew his skills, and his podcast grew followers—just as he says Realtors® can do if they decide to take on this new medium.
Wilson isn’t the only Realtor® or businessperson using podcasts to reach out to a new audience. Adding podcasts to your marketing arsenal could make a big impact by letting people know who you are, showing your proficiencies in a very crowded field of agents, and making yourself relatable to those who might be in the market for a Realtor®.
Steps to Making Your Podcast
“Everyone has a story or advice to share,” said Joy Pratcher, founder of One of One Productions, in Fort Lee. She created the podcast studio for others to record. When starting her own podcast entitled Unexpected Success, she was having trouble finding locations to conduct interviews. “I had a feeling that podcasts would be popular, but I couldn’t have imagined they would become as big as they are today. It’s a major explosion, which is a great thing,” said Pratcher.
Podcasts Grow Exponentially Why would a Realtor® want to bother creating a podcast? This medium only started in the early 2000s and continues to grow. According to PodcastHosting.org, more than 2 million podcasts are available with over 48 million episodes, and that was just as of July 2021. In the United States alone, 50 percent of all homes are podcast fans, while 155 million of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast, and 104 million listen to podcasts at least every month. The biggest mistake people make developing a podcast is “not starting,” said Salvador Briggman, author of the book, “Podcasting for Beginners: Start, Grow and Monetize Your 24 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | September/October 2021
Briggman suggests this process to get started: 1. Dedicate to doing at least 25 episodes. “The first ones will suck, so just commit to getting through them,” said Briggman. Set a date you will start. Treat it like a real estate development project. 2. Decide on your logistics. Will you be interviewing people in person or virtually? Will you have a co-host? What will be the frequency of your episodes? 3. Assemble your tools and team if you plan on having help. Delegate work and responsibilities. Will you be editing them yourself or get help? Who will schedule the podcasts to go out? Who will book guests? Create podcast cover art? Who will you get to host the podcasts? 4. Pick your equipment such as microphone and recording and editing software if needed. “You don’t need a fancy setup. Just get started and improve as you go,” said Briggman. 5. Start recording. “This will get you out of your head and get you to start taking some action,” said Briggman. For topics to talk about, Pratcher suggests covering the housing boom, buyer’s market, seller’s market, geographical hot spots, neighborhoods on the radar, commercial real estate, good investment areas for flipping houses, and any other issue the Realtor® considers themselves an expert. “Sharing stories and advice has more impact that people realize. Podcasts help Realtors® and professionals get their name out there. That can’t hurt.”
