5 Reasons Why I Started My Podcast (And Why I Wish I’d Started It Earlier)

1. Self-promotion 

Guilty as charged here. This was why I originally decided to start my podcast. So that I could drop the occasional hint about my novel Jack Strong and the Red Giant and my poetry collection, Made in China (see I’m doing it right now!), and in the process sell a few books. Is that too selfish of me - to want to break free of the friend zone and advertise my wares to strangers? For my work to have a chance of taking off then I need to let the world know that it’s actually out there. Secrecy never does anyone any favors. And that’s where my podcast comes in - it gives me a platform for me to advertise my work. It might just be what I need for my writing career to finally take off. 

2. Fleshing out my biography 

Every time I send a novel to a Literary Agent I am required as part of my submission to give a brief personal biography where I document my literary history to date such as books published etc. Until now it’s been a pretty blank affair other than to give them the number of books I’ve sold (300+ in case you’re wondering!). Other than that I don’t have much to say for myself. But now I can mention that I’m doing a podcast and that I’m trying - however futile this maybe - to market myself and engage with my (potential) audience. Since there’s an exceptionally fine line between success or failure (usually the latter) in this regard, I figure a little self promotion and illustration of my technological know how wouldn’t go amiss! We will know soon enough when I submit my latest novel to the powers that be (the aforementioned Agents) and tell them all about ‘What! The Heys’. 

3. Enhance my social media skills

I’ve always been at a loss when it comes to advertising myself beyond a - please buy my book - it’s about X, Y, and Z - and it’s really good, so there - kind of thing. Hardly a marketing genius, eh? The podcast is my attempt to reverse this and learn something about social media and the technology that powers it in the process. So far I’ve learnt a ton about editing, sound, designing posters, writing blogs like this one, and making videos on Instagram to talk about upcoming guests and to give highlights of the various episodes. It’s been a steep learning curve (was it going to be anything different?) so far, but it’s been an exciting one nonetheless. And what’s more I’m getting better at it with every episode- so hooray for me!

4. Talk to great writers

The best thing about doing my podcast is having weekly conversations with some of the finest writers around. This includes Indy writers, traditionally published authors, poets, and those who also dabble with art, music, and photography. It’s been an eclectic mix so far and one that will no doubt grow as I speak to a wider spectrum of guests. What’s more I get to learn things about the craft whilst I’m doing it and appreciate writers that I might not have read previously. 

5. Learn about the publishing industry 

My podcast isn’t just restricted to authors but also publishers, editors, and literary agents (anyone really who is involved in some way or another with the publishing industry). This way I can find out what it takes to get one book over the line and into the lap of the literary Gods (read Agents and publishers here). So far all my calls for Agents and publishers to appear on my podcast have drawn a blank but fingers crossed I’m hoping that this will be rectified soon (if you’re reading this give me a call!). Any conversation that I can have in this regard can only be a positive step on the road to my (eventual!) publication.