When it comes down to it, there are essentially two tried and true ways to stand out in your niche and build a following around your podcast.
The first is to produce the same content, in the same format, for the same audience that other podcasters are already creating for… but to execute better than anyone else.
To pull this strategy off you’re likely going to need greater resources, subject matter knowledge and/or talent than your competition.
It’s a bold goal to aim for, but if you can achieve it, you stand to build a substantial audience as the go-to authority in your space.
But it’s not the only (or the easiest) option.
The second option is to aim not to produce a better show than what others are doing, but a meaningfully different one.
Consider the variables at your disposal when it comes to the construction of your show. Length, format, tone, style, topic, point of view, audience targeting, and more.
Pick one or more and deviate from the dominant approach to podcasting within your niche.
Build a show that hasn’t been seen before by the audience you’re seeking to serve and offer it to them.
The audience you build will likely be smaller, but if you bring them something new, fresh, and made specifically for them, they may be more loyal.
Besides, you don’t need hundreds of thousands of listeners to make a living off your podcast. Really you only need a few thousand, maybe even a few hundred.
Find a slice of listeners for whom you can become the best in the world and then become their everything.
Either strategy can work, but for most creators, the second is the more attainable path to success.
Whichever one you choose, it helps to know which path you’re on, so you can optimize for it.
