7 Podcasting Secrets Every Lawyer Should Know

I started the Legal Marketing Made Easy Podcast just about three months ago. I did it for several reasons. First, I wanted to see just how easy/difficult it is to put together a podcast. Second, I wanted to see if I had the “voice” to make it work. Finally, I wanted to see if podcasting is something that I actually enjoyed doing.

It turns out that podcasting is relatively easy to do, once you get the hang of it. I do have the voice (at least I think I do – you be the judge!), and I really do enjoy producing a podcast.

In the next phase of my podcasting journey, I’m getting ready to start a podcast for my law firm’s divorce website. In case you are thinking that this podcast thing is too hard, or won’t work, or isn’t worth the effort, I’m going to use Legal Marketing Made Easy as a platform to share my journey starting a podcast for my law firm.

But first, here are 7 podcasting secrets every lawyer should know:

1. In all likelihood, you already have all the equipment you need to get your podcast up and running within a couple of hours. One of the big mental obstacles that I ran into when first starting my podcast was that I thought I needed a “studio” and lots of expensive equipment to get my podcast going. Turns out that isn’t true. You can use the microphone that is probably already built into your computer, record the podcast on audacity or Garageband, and you are rolling. For about $29, you can purchase this Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset on Amazon and sound as good as any professional.
2. Podcasting allows you to build an intimate relationship with your audience. This is one of the things that I really love about podcasting. Podcasting is unique from many other forms of media in that it allows you to develop an extremely intimate and personal relationship with your audience. The listener can hear your voice, your enthusiasm, your emotion – and they will connect with that. When someone listens to your podcast, they engage with you directly, one-on-one, for 5-10 minutes or longer, depending on how long you choose to make your podcast. You can record a podcast once that will get listened to hundreds or even thousands of times. For lawyers whose time is limited, this is one of the most important reasons to do a podcast.
3. Podcasting is a convenient and automated way for your prospective clients to hear from you on a regular basis. If someone finds a podcast they like, they will commonly subscribe to it. When you publish a new episode, they will automatically receive that episode on their iPhone, computer, tablet, whatever device they use to listen to the podcast. New episodes are automatically added without any additional effort from you or the listener. This is a great way to leverage your time and marketing efforts so that you can keep talking to (literally) your audience on a regular basis.
4. People can listen to your podcast on the go. If you have a series of topics that you can cover in 5-10 minutes each, your listener can load those up on their phone and listen during their daily commute, while exercising, or even while doing the dishes. Blogs and video don’t allow for that level of multitasking.
5. Podcasting is still a relatively new medium. Every single lawyer I’ve talked to about being a guest on the Legal Marketing Made Easy Podcast has mentioned to me that podcasting is a great idea, and something they should do in their law practice. The fact of the matter is, no lawyers are podcasting. The market is wide open for you to reach out and become the recognized leader and expert in your niche practice area. There was a time when blogs were new and novel – now everyone has one. As of the writing of this post, podcasting is still so new that virtually no lawyers have one. You could be the first one in your market.
6. Podcasting is an extremely inexpensive form of legal marketing – and it is so subtle that most people will not even see it as advertising. It will cost you $15 per month to host your podcast on Libsyn – that’s it. As you get more established, you can hire someone to do some fancy artwork for your show, and you may want to have someone record a nice intro with music, but these perks are not necessary when you are just getting started. Later on you may want to upgrade to a fancier mic, headphones, maybe even purchase a mixer. But none of that is necessary to get your podcast started.
7. Podcasting will allow you to leverage and build your relationships with referral sources. Once you have a podcast going, you can start inviting guests to your podcast to talk about their practices. This is a great way to reach out and connect with other professionals that service your ideal clients. Again, no other lawyers are doing this – so it is a huge advantage to you right now.

The time is definitely right to start a podcast for your law firm. No lawyers are podcasting right now, and it is inexpensive and personal way to reach your potential clients.

Are you interested in starting a podcast? I would love to hear from you. Please take a minute to fill out my short survey to let me know what you would like to see more of from Legal Marketing Made Easy.

Do you already have a podcast? Any other comments that you would like to share? Feel free to post below.