In today’s episode we’re discussing the differences between private vs public podcasts and which one is the best fit for you and your business.
A private podcast is one that is only accessible to a specific group of people, typically through a password-protected feed or a closed network. To gain access to the feed, people will need to either purchase or opt into your email list to get access.
A public podcast, on the other hand, is freely available to anyone with access to the internet and can be found on popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Benefits of a Private Podcast
Control over audience: With a private podcast, you have the ability to control who can listen to your content, which can be useful if you want to share information with a specific group of people, such as employees of a company or members of a closed community.
Privacy and security: Private podcasts can offer a higher level of security and privacy compared to public podcasts, which can be useful if you are sharing sensitive information. For example, if you’re using it as a part of your team or client onboarding process.
Tailored content: A private podcast allows you to create tailored content for a specific audience, which allows you to address specific concerns or interests of your listeners.
Feedback: You can get more specific feedback on your content and audience engagement, which can be useful for fine-tuning your content.
Monetization: You can monetize your private podcast by charging subscribers a monthly or annual fee to access your content or have it as a part of a course or membership instead of a standalone product.
In my opinion, private podcasts are great for lead generation, using audio in your online courses/memberships for easier accessibility, honing in on a specific topic, and offering a pop up style podcast to sell your offers.
Benefits of a Public Podcast
Wider audience: Public podcasts can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, which allows you to reach a larger audience and potentially gain more listeners.
Increased visibility: Public podcasts can be found on popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, which increases visibility and makes it easier for people to discover your content.
Networking opportunities: Having a public podcast can open up networking opportunities, as it allows you to connect with other podcasters and industry professionals.
Monetization opportunities: Public podcasts can generate revenue through advertising, sponsorships, and other monetization methods once you reach a certain download threshold.
Brand building: Public podcasts can be a great way to establish your brand, build a community around your content, and increase your personal or professional credibility.
Cost-effective: A public podcast can be a cost-effective way to reach a wide audience, as it requires minimal start-up costs.
In my opinion, public podcasts are great for fostering community, building the know, like, and trust factor with your audience, warming up your audience to become buyers, and networking.
So I’d love to know, which type of podcast are you considering? I think there’s a time and place for both. I utilize both options – private podcasts for my courses and membership in addition to pop up podcasts on specific topics for selling my products and services and then public podcasts for brand awareness and warming up my audience.