Why Would Anyone Do A Live Podcast? Here Are 5 Surprisingly Good Reasons

Look, we need to talk about podcasts. They're everywhere. You can't escape them. Everyone with a microphone and an opinion thinks they're the next big thing. And you know what? The industry keeps growing! It's projected to be a $94.88 billion industry by 2028. That's billion with a B! It's pretty remarkable how much people are willing to invest in people talking into microphones.

But here's the thing - despite this abundance of content, it's somehow still not too late to start a podcast. I know, I know, it doesn't make perfect sense. You'd think with over 2 million new podcasts appearing in the last 7 years alone, we'd have reached maximum podcast density. But apparently not.

So if you're going to join this circus, you might as well do something to stand out. That's where live podcasting comes in. It's like radio, except people choose to listen to it. Voluntarily! Can you believe that?

WHAT IS LIVE PODCASTING? A RECIPE FOR SPONTANEOUS CONTENT

Live podcasting is exactly what it sounds like - you're recording and broadcasting in real-time with an audience watching. No editing. No second takes. Just you, speaking off the cuff, with people witnessing every moment of authentic conversation.

Everything has to be prepared beforehand. Your equipment, your talking points, your notes, all ready to go before you hit that record button. One technical glitch and you're in a predicament. Your internet cuts out? Pretty challenging! Your guest's microphone fails? Quite inconvenient!

Why would anyone choose this format with all its potential surprises? Well, apparently there are benefits. Let's get into them, shall we?

5 WAYS LIVE PODCASTING CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS (AND WHY THEY MAKE SENSE)

1. YOU CAN BUILD AN ENGAGED AUDIENCE (WHO WILL RESPOND TO YOUR EVERY WORD)

With a live podcast, you can interact directly with listeners in real-time. Can you imagine? People typing in questions, and you having to answer them on the spot without Googling first? It's quite the social experiment.

But here's the interesting part - people actually like this. They enjoy feeling included. They want to be part of the conversation. When you read their comments aloud during the episode, they feel valued. Who knew validation could be so straightforward?

This participation creates discussions online among listeners, which builds a community around your podcast. And a community means loyal listeners who'll come back episode after episode, even when you have that off week where you're slightly unprepared and find yourself discussing your neighbor's surprisingly loud air conditioning unit.

2. YOU CAN SHARE INFORMATION MORE QUICKLY (BEFORE YOU HAVE TIME TO RECONSIDER)

Since there's no post-production process, you can immediately share information with your audience. Have a time-sensitive announcement? Boom - it's out there. No waiting around for your editor to fix all those "ums" and "ahs."

Of course, this means you'd better double-check your facts beforehand. It would be quite awkward to announce the wrong date for your big sale and have to issue a correction later. Can you imagine that conversation? "Sorry folks, turns out I misread my calendar. The sale starts Tuesday, not Thursday. These things happen!"

3. YOU CAN GENERATE EXCITEMENT (OR AT LEAST MILD INTEREST)

Live podcasting is apparently great for introducing new products or broadcasting events. Your audience can hear the raw, unfiltered excitement in your voice.

Now, I personally find excessive enthusiasm a bit much, but if you can express genuine interest, your audience might actually get excited too. It's contagious, like a yawn or the common cold.

When you're describing your new product line without a script, that authentic reaction comes through. Whether it's genuine enthusiasm or a moment of "Oh wait, what were those other features again?" - it's all there for the listeners to hear.

4. YOU CAN ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS AN INDUSTRY EXPERT (IF YOU ACTUALLY ARE ONE)

There are three ways to establish yourself as an expert through your podcast:

Define your expertise

Make it specific and niche. Don't just say you're a "marketing expert." What kind of marketing? For what industry? Get specific or perhaps consider a different approach.

Add value through branding

Talk about things that matter to you and your brand. If you sell eco-friendly products, discuss sustainability. If you sell umbrellas, talk about why rain is underrated. Connect it back to what you do.

Highlight your mastery

Use real examples from your experience. Nobody wants to hear purely theoretical concepts. They want stories. "This one time, we tried this campaign and it didn't quite go as planned" is much more interesting than "Studies show that engagement rates vary based on content type."

5. YOU CAN REPURPOSE YOUR PODCAST CONTENT (BECAUSE WHO HAS TIME TO CREATE NEW STUFF?)

Creating content takes time and resources. It's exhausting. So why not squeeze every last drop of value from what you've already made?

Take that hour-long podcast and turn it into:

• Blog posts (like the one you're reading now)
• Behind-the-scenes video clips
• Social media graphics with quotes that sound profound out of context

This increases your SEO value and drives traffic to your channels. It's like making a meal and then eating the leftovers for a week. Efficient, if not particularly exciting.

IS LIVE PODCASTING WORTH THE EXTRA EFFORT?

Live podcasting gives you a competitive edge in this content-rich market. Yes, it requires preparation. Yes, there are several things that could be challenging. But when it works, it works remarkably well.

You'll build an engaged community, share information quickly, generate interest, establish expertise, and get multiple content pieces from a single recording. That's pretty good for an hour of sitting in front of a microphone trying to remember your talking points.

If you're thinking about starting a live podcast but aren't sure where to begin, give us a shout at Winsome Marketing. We can help you launch a podcast that builds your authority while making the process much more manageable.

After all, if you're going to try something new, you might as well do it right.