By Caitlynne Youmans
After many years of dips and highs, podcasts are booming yet again. Now, in the era marked by the resurgence of podcasts, is the perfect time to grow your agribusiness by investing in your very own podcast. There is so much to research before you drop hundreds of, potentially unnecessary, dollars on equipment or a podcasting platform. Have no fear, as we have compiled the most fertile guide to agriculture podcasting here!
WHAT IS YOUR NICHE?
Successful podcasts generally fit under the umbrella of genres such as true crime, lifestyle, science, comedy, pop culture, etc. For an agricultural podcast, the umbrella you fit under would be agriculture, but narrowing down your focus enhances the listener experience. Finding a niche topic to base each episode around can help you in the content design process. If you are having a hard time deciding on your topic, consider the following questions:
- What unique knowledge or expertise do I bring to the table?
- What agricultural commodities or products do I produce?
- Who will benefit most by tuning into my podcast?
Picture your podcast as a carefully tended crop; choosing the right niche ensures a bountiful harvest of engaged listeners.
LISTEN IN TO OTHER AGRICULTURE PODCASTS
We have all heard that if you are passionate about something, there is a podcast out there about it. However, that might not always be the case for sectors within agriculture. Take a stroll through the digital fields of podcast platforms (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music) to discover what’s already growing in your agricultural niche. Listen to these existing podcasts within your sector, taking note of their successes and shortcomings. Identify the gaps in content that your podcast can fill and pay attention to different hosting styles – whether it’s expert interviews, roundtable discussions, or another unique format.
Two of our favorite podcasts to listen to are:
- Science by the Slice, produced by our partners at the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education
- Our co-founder, Dr. Baker, is featured in this episode as she highlights the importance of having a robust cybersecurity plan for agribusinesses.
- Streaming Science
- This episode is focused on AI in agriculture, and how it can be leveraged in podcasting!
CONSISTENT CONTENT
Listeners often prefer podcasts that are consistent in areas like episode length, how often episodes are shared, and the style of hosting. Being consistent so your listeners know what to expect can help you with content brainstorming. Content should be researched and planned well in advance. Here are some things to consider when brainstorming content for your agricultural podcast:
- What will your “seasons” be? Tailor your content length to your audience’s preferences – short and sweet for commutes into town, or longer episodes for those endless tractor-riding afternoons.
- Consider your podcast’s audience to help determine how long episodes should be. If your goal is for people to listen to this on their commute to work, maybe you should strive for 20-30-minute episodes. Or, if your goal is for listeners to enjoy during long days on their tractors, maybe your episodes will be 45-60 minutes in length.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
Truthfully, to be a podcaster all you need is a computer and a microphone. However, to sow the best soundwaves, invest in your hardware and software. Listeners want their podcasts to have clean audio without loud scratches or background noise. Having quality equipment and editing software can alleviate some of these audio issues that turn away listeners.
Hardware to consider:
- Professional-grade microphone (e.g., Blue Yeti, Shure SM7B)
- Pop filter and shock mount for clear sound
Software (for editing) to consider:
- Audacity (free and user-friendly)
- Adobe Audition (professional editing capabilities)
- GarageBand (ideal for Mac users)
Podcast feeds to consider:
Just as you strive for quality farm products to sell from your brand, your podcast should strive for that same level of quality as well.
PRO-TIPS TO AGRICULTURE PODCASTING
Guest Appearances: There are two benefits to guests appearing on other agriculture podcasts. If you have not started your own yet, this gives you helpful insight on what it takes to plan, set-up, record, edit, and promote an episode. The other benefit to guests appearing is increasing your podcast’s visibility on other agriculture podcasts. This not only increases your listener reach but also provides insights into different hosting styles and topics.
Commercial Breaks: If, after reading through this guide, you realize that hosting a podcast isn’t your cup of tea, explore opportunities to advertise your business through commercial breaks on other agriculture podcasts. This strategic move can enhance your brand’s visibility within the agricultural community.
Marketing: Your podcast is on its way to becoming a bountiful harvest, but it won’t yield its full potential without proper promotion. Grow your online presence through your farm’s existing social media platforms. Share behind-the-scenes snippets, episode teasers, and engage with your audience directly! Also, using your farm’s website as a landing page for listeners is a great idea to keep all your podcast information in one spot. Create a dedicated space where visitors can easily access episodes, show notes, and additional content. Finally, cultivate authentic relationships with other agricultural businesses or influencers to cross-promote your podcast. As you tend to these promotional fields, watch your podcast blossom into a thriving part of the agricultural community.
As you embark on your podcasting journey, remember that this guide is just the basics. If you want to learn more about promoting your agribusiness beyond podcasting, check out all our resources available here! Happy podcasting and may your newly sowed soundwaves resonate far and wide.
Caitlynne Youmans, the author of this blog post, is a current student enrolled in the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. She is currently participating in Dr. Jamie Loizzo’s class, Advanced Agricultural Communication Production Podcasting to Increase Science Literacy, where she explores cutting-edge methods to enhance scientific understanding through podcasting. Dr. Loizzo is also the Founder of Streaming Science, a student-driven platform dedicated to promoting science literacy.