Whether out for a run or driving down the road, often the go-to source of entertainment and information for many is listening to a podcast.
As Cattle Chat approaches the fifth anniversary of its launch in May, the beef cattle experts joined with Agriculture Today program and podcast producer Samantha Bennett to offer some advice to agriculturists who might be considering starting a podcast of their own.
“For those considering starting a podcast, the first question I would ask myself is, ‘Why do I want to start a podcast?’” Bennett said. “Creating a podcast is time-consuming, so there needs to be a clear goal in mind when deciding to start this endeavor.”
Veterinarian and original Cattle Chat podcast commentator Bob Larson advised that producers spend some time thinking about the types of topics that might be of interest to their listeners.
“Do your background research and talk to the topic experts ahead of recording so that you can let your mind have some unstructured time to think about what you want to bring to your audience,” Larson said.
Another Cattle Chat founder and contributor veterinarian Brad White said he takes notes on his phone when he has a topic idea come to mind so it is always available when planning topics for an upcoming podcast.
Along with planning ahead for the topics, veterinarian and podcaster Brian Lubbers recommends that producers have a way for their audience to connect with them.
“I really appreciate that we have a feedback mechanism with Cattle Chat where our listeners can ask us follow-up questions to things we discuss on the podcast or offer topics of discussion through our email address,” Lubbers said.
One of the challenges of starting a podcast is training one’s mind to communicate in a new way, said agricultural economist and Cattle Chat podcast original commentator Dustin Pendell.
“As a researcher, I was used to communicating to an academic audience, so my biggest challenge was learning how to talk about scientific information through this medium in a way that was beneficial for our listeners,” Pendell said.
For those considering launching a podcast, the team had the following bit of parting advice:
“You don’t need state-of-the-art equipment to get started. Just find a device that can give you decent sound quality on your budget,” Bennett said.
“Try to be adaptable as you develop your podcast and know that there will be a lot of trial and error involved in making it,” Larson said.
“Have an open mind and have fun. It isn’t going to be perfect, and you are going to make mistakes,” Pendell said.
“Take a team approach to creating your podcast where many perspectives are represented,” Lubbers said.
“There is no right time to begin. Just get started and see where it goes,” White said.
To hear the full discussion, listen to the Cattle Chat podcast online at https://ksubci.org/2023/02/17/ncba-economic-questions-starting-a-podcast/ or through your preferred streaming platform.
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