Does An Audio Podcast Work For A Visual Topic?

Using Audio Podcasts To Highlight Visual Subjects?

I have a lot of friends who run a business around a creative and visual topic – textile artists, photographer, stamping & papercraft, decorative paint effects artist, jewellery designer, dressmaking tutor – quickly spring to mind. I have been chatting about podcasting with them and a very frequently asked question is… ” how can podcasting work with a visual topic like mine?”

So here are my thoughts.

Firstly YES, audio content about a visual topic DOES WORK.

If you are involved in a creative business or hobby, how often do you TALK

• With people about what you are doing & working on now?
• About what inspires you?
• About what you have learnt recently?
• About what was a disaster and laugh about it?
• About how you are developing your business
• About how you do a specific technique
• About projects & groups & exhibitions you are involved with
• About tools, equipment, materials you really love

The answer to that will be ‘all the time’. And so therefore, if you can talk & chat about all of those things …. then you can talk & chat about all of those things, record it and organise it into a podcast.

Voila! An interesting audio podcast about a visual topic.

Go & Find Some Podcasts That Are Doing A Good Job With This.

Go and take a look in iTunes for example – or any other podcast directory, you will see plenty of podcasts about photography, knitting, design, fashion, arts & crafts, sewing, and on and on. Of course, some are better than others, and this is where an interview based podcast is a great format to choose when dealing with a visual topic. Creative business owners, artists, just like every other business owner are always looking for an opportunity to highlight themselves & their work. You will not run out of guests or subject matter. And connecting with the ‘stars’ in your particular niche will be a good move to help build some credibility and traffic too.

If you focus on what you CAN talk about & even teach about, via audio, rather than stressing about what you CAN’T cover, then ideas and opportunities will present themselves to you. Importantly, find out what potential listeners are interested in hearing about on their beloved visual topic. Do this as part of the initial work when thinking about your podcast design, format, content and ‘voice / point of view.’ People who I have talked with, and podcasts that I have found & listened to, that work on an audio level for visual subjects, invariably focus on processes, inspirations, working effectively, organising, current projects, business development journey, and the personal insights and personality of the artist / guest. It’s that behind the scenes look that we all find interesting, and that feeling of getting to know the artist better. So focusing on the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ and stories works very well.

Or apply all of this and just have you as a solo podcast host, sharing your journey, your techniques, with a view to selling more of your art or ‘stuff’.

What would be the business opportunity you are seeking to develop by having your own podcast? You are probably not wanting to do it just to promote other artists and their work! Maybe you are a creativity coach, or help artists get organised, or help them with business building skills and advice, or you want to write a book, or create a course, or create a mastermind group all related around that subject – then by hosting a related podcast, you will become known in the niche area as somewhat of an expert. A podcast is also a great way to create plenty of interesting and unique content for use in other aspects of your business.

And lastly of course, don’t forget that you can include links to the visual elements too.

This helps and supports the podcast experience for the listener. It also helps the guest artist / you as the artist, by providing an opportunity to drive people towards a portfolio, website, video channel to discover more and actually SEE the work. Be inspired enough to buy it.

• So you could share pictures of work  on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest.
• Obviously in your show notes include links to the website / etsy shop / portfolio / online course / wherever.
• And feature some of it in a blog post featuring that episode, or maybe you / they have a great YouTube channel with demo’s and how-to’s.
• Or do an aftershow Blab where they / you can have a selection of work to ‘show and tell – hold up and discuss further.

Surely that’s enough ideas and inspiration?

Audio podcasts work for visual subjects. Get your thinking cap on and open up your mind to opportunities that audio can bring to you.