WOW! Podcast Concepts That Demand Attention by Pat Rullo
As an experienced podcaster, you may find yourself looking for new ways to stand out from the crowd and take your show to the next level. While traditional advice often focuses on audio quality, content creation, and marketing strategies, here are some unusual tips that can help propel your podcast to greater heights. I endorse each of these ideas because I’ve done them all!
Experiment with Unique Formats: Sometimes, switching up your podcast format can reignite the interest of your listeners. Consider experimenting with unconventional formats such as live shows, improvised or scripted storytelling, panel discussions, or even creating a fictional podcast series. Embrace creativity and think outside the box, allowing your audience to experience something fresh and exciting. I’ve included more specifics below.
Collaborate with Other Podcasters: Collaborating with other podcasters can help you tap into new audiences and bring fresh perspectives to your show. Find podcasters within your niche or related fields and propose opportunities for mutual collaboration. This can involve guest appearances, co-hosting episodes, or participating in joint events, such as live recordings or live streams. Combining resources and engaging in cross-promotion can expand your reach and gain valuable insights from other experienced podcasters.
Incorporate Listener Participation: Invite your audience to actively participate in your podcast episodes. This can be as simple as collecting listener questions or comments via social media or creating dedicated segments where listeners can call in to share their opinions or experiences. By involving your audience directly, you create a stronger sense of community and provide unique and engaging content that sets your show apart. You can do this live or pre-record and edit later for a more polished segment.
Use Sound Effects: Give your podcast a spontaneous twist by playing a sound effect as a bed or lead-in to a segment. One summer, I had a particularly high-profile group of guests. These were very serious scientists, physicians, microbiologists, researchers, and hospital CEO’s. I would do two interviews with them. The first was the traditional question and answer, and the second was a segment I called Grill the Guest. During this segment, my goal was to learn and share more about the guest as a real person rather than what they did to improve patient safety. The questions were designed to elicit short personal answers. I inserted a sound effect of steaks grilling and sizzling between my question and their answer. This was a favorite with the audience. And surprisingly, to this day, many of those guests still laugh and bring up those Grill the Guest segments with me.
Interview Yourself: I did this once when a guest canceled at the last moment. I started the show with the usual open, and when it was time for the guest segment, I really built up my amazing guest … and she is Pat Rullo! Welcome to the show, Pat. Well, thank you, Pat. It’s a pleasure to be you, I mean ‘with’ you. My audience got a kick out of it. You don’t want to do this often, but it was a fun way to share some personal insights that I had not shared before. It’s kind of quirky and brave, but heck, it’s your show.
Interactive Live Episodes: Host interactive live episodes by breaking the barrier between podcasting and live events. Choose a venue where you can have a live audience and invite them to participate in various activities such as games, Q&A sessions, or even challenges related to your podcast’s theme. Incorporate live calls, listener challenges, or even live-streamed episodes where listeners can participate in the show. These interactive elements create a sense of community and make your podcast a more immersive experience. I hosted many live patient safety speaking events and always brought my microphone and recorder to the venues. After the presentations, I would ask for participants to share something they learned from the presentation they didn’t know previously. Back at the studio, I would edit each mini conversation, add music, and share on my show calling the segment, Taking it to the Streets. It was a fun episode and a sneaky way to include some speaking event testimonials!
Fictional Audio Drama: Create a fictional audio drama mini-series within your podcast. Craft a captivating story with distinct characters, plot twists, and cliffhangers. By delving into a fictional narrative, you can captivate your audience and keep them eagerly awaiting the next episode. This is a fantastic way to showcase your storytelling skills and engage your listeners in a new and exciting way. I created several of these radio dramas, which are a lot of work. I used ambulance sirens, hospital beeps, and silly snippets from commercials … It was a memorable way to create patient safety situations and solutions. It harkened my older audience to remember old-timey radio. So fun!
Surprise Pop Culture References: Integrate surprise pop culture references throughout your episodes. Drop subtle or not-so-subtle references to films, TV shows, books, or memes that are relevant to your audience. This will keep your podcast light-hearted and entertaining and create a connection with your listeners who share a passion for those references.
Absurd Segment Titles: Catchy segment titles can entice your audience to listen further. Consider incorporating absurd and intriguing segment titles that make listeners curious to uncover what lies within. These titles can be nonsensical or playfully bizarre, inviting your audience to explore uncharted territory. Don’t be afraid to let your creativity run wild! One of my best weekly segments was a game I played using some of the producers at the radio station as my props. The segment was ‘Fear the Wheelchair,’ where the wheelchair represented all the possible vectors for cross-contamination. The segment was complete with its own music and sound effects. I would ask an infection prevention-based question, and they would share their answers. A lot of silliness ensued, adding some levity to an otherwise serious topic. Another similar segment was called Is It a Shock or Crock? In this segment, I would give a bizarre statement regarding healthcare, and my guests decided if it was a true statement (a Shock) or a false one (a Crock). Most often, the statement was true, adding to the realization of the shocking state of healthcare.
Unusual Advertisements: Instead of the typical ads, consider creating unconventional advertisements that resonate with your podcast’s theme. Think outside the box and collaborate with sponsors open to taking risks. Whether it’s a humorous jingle, a quirky testimonial, or a fictional product, these unusual advertisements can captivate your listeners and keep them engaged. Occasionally, I would create a fictional sarcastic product, similar to the television drug ads that bombard us incessantly, such as a cure-all drug, complete with a laundry list of hilarious side effects. Talk about an opportunity for sound effects!
Fictional Storytelling: Weaving fictional narratives into your podcast can transport your audience to a different world and captivate their imagination. Create fictional stories that intertwine with real-life scenarios or stand-alone tales. Engaging your listeners with intriguing and bizarre narratives will keep them returning for more. One of my best characters was ‘me,’ using a bold and high-pitched New York accent, pretending to be RoShell from Dr. Very Busy’s office. Often, RoShell would show up unannounced to play Fear the Wheelchair, Shock or Crock, or to make a point from her experience as a nurse in Dr. Very Busy’s office. For years, most of my audience suspected it was me, but they didn’t know for sure. And I never admitted it!
Incorporating unconventional elements into your podcast can set it apart and demand attention. Remember to maintain a balance and ensure the weirdness enhances and complements your overall content. So, step out of the ordinary, let your imagination roam wild, and create a podcast that becomes an unforgettable wow experience for your listeners.
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