Is Podcasting the New Business Card?

I recently completed an interview with a guest and he said something afterwards that caught my attention. He said that he was interested in creating his own podcast, as he thought of a podcast as a great business card.

This got me thinking about the primary functions of creating your own podcast and how it fits into your business. I do think that a podcast can be a great business card, and here are some ways in which I think it can fill that function.

1. A podcast gives people a chance to get to know you.
In business we want to work with people we know, like and trust, and when people can hear your voice in a podcast, it gives them the opportunity to really get a sense of who you are and what you are about. When you meet new prospects, you can send them to your website or iTunes and ask them to listen to a few episodes of your podcast.

2. A podcast helps you meet new people. Unlike a paper business card, a podcast can actually help you meet new people! When you interview guests, you will make new friends, have the possibility of getting introduced to new prospects, and expand your reach. And since podcasts are syndicated, people will find your podcast on your own.

3. Having your own podcast is a conversation starter. Having your own podcast gives you an interested departure point for a conversation. When people see that you have your own podcast they will often want to know when and why you started it and what that experience has been like for you When you are a podcast host it creates a unique and memorable way for people to recall who you are and what you do.

4. A podcast shows that you are serious and professional. I don't mean that you are serious as in lacking a sense of humor, but rather that you took the time to start and maintain a podcast which shows that you have initiative and follow through. Just like if you saw a business card that looked like it took time and effort to create, when potential prospects can see that you have a podcast that you've maintained for some period of time, it tells them something about your character.

Of course there are additional benefits of having a podcast, some of which I've already written about and others which I'll write more about in the future, but a podcast can function as a powerful business card. It's a business card that actually goes out and gathers prospects for you (through syndication) and one where people can listen to your voice, get to know you and what you're about and demonstrates credibility. Is a podcast the new business card? I think it can be!


About Doug: Doug Foresta is a veteran podcaster producer and podcast coach who helps coaches, speakers and authors stand out and be heard through the power of podcasting. To contact Doug, or to schedule a free 30 minute Expand Your Platform coaching session email him at dougforesta@gmail.com or 413-883-5518.