How do you validate a podcast?
Validating a regular product seems straightforward, you just talk to users, build an mvp, etc.
But how do you 'validate' a podcast idea? Do you even validate it, or do you just make it and see what happens?
Validating a regular product seems straightforward, you just talk to users, build an mvp, etc.
But how do you 'validate' a podcast idea? Do you even validate it, or do you just make it and see what happens?
I always liked Tim Ferriss' approach to it: simply try 6 episodes and see whether it's something 1) you enjoy doing, 2) guests seem to enjoy, but most importantly 3) the audience enjoys.
Commit yourself to 6, and see how well you're doing. Buy a decent microphone and software to edit the podcast. Have a go at it and see what you can improve for the next episode.
Validation with your podcast is the same as validation with your product: are people interacting with it, and in what way? Metrics you should focus on are:
So in the end, just like with a product, you validate it by making it and seeing what happens. I don't believe it's just one of those, I think it's both.
I think my biggest concern about just diving into it is that I don't want to let down my guests. I don't want them to come on my show, then have almost no one listen to the episode, then abandon the podcast in a few months because of a lack of traction.
But I think there's clearly no other way to know than to try. And the fact that those guests are willing to come on is like a vote of confidence.
Thank you for the solid tips!
Interesting question and something I'm working on, because I ran into the same questions when I started planning my own Podcast 😀
With so many podcasts out there, and many more starting each month, you can't assume if I record it they will listen 🤣 Even if there are similar podcasts out there, how will you reach the listeners, you do run into the same questions as when building an app.
Currently the best way to validate is to have an audience already (email list, social media, etc) and ask them. If you get enough interest from your existing audience then it's probably a good idea.
If you don't have an audience already, building an audience for the podcast before you record it is the best way to validate the idea.
True story, it looks like there's a podcast for everything. I came up with a name for a potential podcast, then searched that name, and not only did the podcast already exist, but it was the exact same idea 🤯
Always a good idea. I don't have much of an audience, but my podcast idea is social/cultural and not some specific niche like entrepreneurs, so the potential audience is everyone. So in my case I can probably just ask friends and people I know.
In my opinion, products where there is a proven demand don't need validation.
If I had to open a restaurant, I wouldn't need to validate the fact that people eat out. It's my job then to offer a good atmosphere and food, but the demand is there.
I would say that the same goes for podcasting. If there are people out there with podcasts that target the same topic, there will demand for your too and then it's all up to you to develop your unique style and make it also compelling.
This is a really interesting perspective that I haven't heard much when it comes to online products. Wonder if this could apply to SaaS tools as well. e.g There's tons of "Form Builders" and people need to make forms, so you probably don't need to validate that people need a form builder. It's the other stuff like marketing, sales, product differentiation that will matter.
This kind of logic applies to every market where the product is the main risk.
In other words, all the markets where there is a proven demand and your success depend on your ability to satisfy their requirements.
A common mistake that I see is that people confuse the number of competitors with the competition, when it is usually the opposite.
Think of social media, there are 5 (?) main platforms but the competition is huge.
Think of lead generation tools, there are literally hundreds of companies, but the none of the players involved is so good that it can get a significant market share, which makes the competition lower.
Clearly, with digital products whose marginal is zero or close to zero and can be used from everywhere, it is harder to than with a retail store, where location by itself is a differentiating factor and the people that they are able to serve are limited, but yes, at the end of the day, for any kind of product where there is proven demand, it's on your product and sales to win the customer.
I'd say just go with it! No need for fancy equipment right away, try
to spread the word, release a couple of episodes and see if people subscribe and come back.
It's probably going to be a ton of fun and even if the traction isn't there in the beginning, I wouldn't worry too much (as long as this is supposed to be fun and not generate $$ quickly).
I think for a podcast to get some traffic it takes quite some work. Most importantly being consistent and over time having a certain (sound) quality.
Seeing other podcasts in the same area of interest is probably a good sign because you know there are listeners interested in the topic.
What I did.
No fancy equipment. anchor.fm and my phone mic.
Recorded 8 hour-long episodes.
designed kick-a$$ artwork to go with it
Used headliner to do videos and did a promo video
Pushed it out. ( still coming in December)
Here's what you underestimate. Podcasts have a huge network effect. each guest has a network. 1x that network also has a network 2x so organically you could spread without even doing fancy marketing. Finally, if no one listened I'll still be doing the podcats as I learn so much from my guests.
Actually my podcast started because I use to have an hour-long catch-up calls with other founders and in the end we always said. Men, this should have been recorded, other founders will get a lot of value from this. So the podcast was born. Like with anything you do, just have fun and enjoy it. If you have an audience of 30 people. that's enough to keep you going.
Yeah I'm probably going to just try it out and see what happens. It just seems like making a podcast takes a lot of work between finding guests, recording, editing, marketing etc. Which is all fine, and would be fun, but it would be nice if there was a way to test the validity before diving into the potentially wrong thing.
And I feel like I wouldn't want to waste a guest's time with something that people aren't going to end up listening to.
But I suppose the guest would know that they're kind of taking a chance with it as well, and the fact that they even want to come on is some kind of validation.
This sounds like a great mindset to have about it.
I also say try it out, see how it flows. then can you improve, change, pivot subject matter to better suit your listeners. Ask for feedback from friends or family if you do not have an audience. If you enjoy making podcasts, maybe consider it a hobby to alleviate the burden of a job or potential monetization model. Goodluck!
Yeah I think podcasts are fun. Well, recording them is fun, editing not so much 🙈