A Podcast In Progress #01: The Process Before Creating Your Platform

I'm finally back writing for The Intentional Insights Blog :) 

Between work, homework, and every other type of personal work...writing blog posts bi-weekly was a challenge, to say the least--but I'm happy to announce I've got some stuff queued up! I am so excited to get back to growing the blog more (especially since it's spring) the podcast-in-progress series is a labor of love I'm excited to share.

For those who don't know (or follow The Intentional Intern Podcast's socials, which you definitely should), A Podcast is Progress is a new video series where I'll be discussing the behind-the-scenes of what goes into building, revamping, and sustaining The Intentional Intern Podcast. There is so much that goes into podcasting that people don't get to see, and I'm fully committed to sharing how the magic happens as a one-woman show currently on a student salary. Today's blog post is in alignment with the video series pilot: Creating a plan before the podcast platform. So I'll talk about finding your WHY as a podcaster and translating that why into value for others, with a side of personal storytelling as well lol. 

Creating A Plan For the Platform: Your Why & UVP

One thing about me--I've always been the type that likes to be fully prepared before doing ANYTHING. The podcast was no different--but it was a much smaller dream. Originally, I was a resident assistant (RA) who just wanted to make spaces for students like myself to get their names out there during a time that seemed possible--COVID. There were no resources to turn to for guidance--no one knew how to navigate the job search as a student going through a global panorama, so I made one myself. The first step in creating a podcast before actually doing it is drilling down on WHY you want to do it.

My why comes from wanting to identify, motivate, and elevate early-career students because I didn't have that opportunity during the first two years of college. (I already was going in as a sophomore--time was TICKING.) Now, I am to highlight students with little to no resume experience because that was ME. 

So when you're thinking of your WHY, be as reflective and as intentional as possible--this builds so much for your podcast's success to help you create the pod's brand, impact, and overall success.

Key Questions I Asked Besides "Why Did I Want to Have A Podcast":

"What impact do I want my podcast to have?" 

"Is my why now going to be sustainable later?"

The same questions you would ask yourself before buying a new product are the same ones people would ask about your podcast before listening. This isn't just about WHY the product is being created, but what makes it better than competitors. With your why figured out, you can build on that second part--why is this podcast different. To answer this, you'll use your why to develop a unique value proposition (UVP)--your secret sauce if you will!

The Intentional Intern podcast is unique in several ways! Students are encouraged to hyperlink their episodes to their resumes for two reasons: It gives them a unique media form that can help them express more about themselves than they could in an interview with recruiters and it can help them level out the playing field with other competition. Recruiters' first question is always "Tell Me About Yourself", and these podcast episodes answer that and more. These episodes allow them to get insight into who these students are, what they'd like to achieve, and how they're working to achieve it--extremely helpful information to have when selecting candidates.

Once you combine your why and the unique perspective or value that your podcast can bring, you're all set to start building goals and identifying your ideal listener (which is covered in the first episode of Podcast in Progress)! The first episode came out last week, and you can watch it now! I'll make sure to update this with any new information that I think of throughout the process (including a new book I'm looking forward to buying around podcasting)! 

Check out the Podcast In Progress Pilot on Instagram & LinkedIn