Labeling Podcasters: Hobbyist vs. Professional

E345 · The Audacity to Podcast

44 Plays5 years ago

Do you podcast for the fun or art of it, or to build a business?

In this miniseries, I'll explore the different labels used to describe podcasters and encourage you to own your label with pride!

How are hobbyist and professional podcasters similar?

1. Hobbyists and professionals can have excellence

Neither label indicates quality levels. It's possible for hobbyists to rival “professional quality,” and it's also possible for professionals to sound like “amateur hour.”

2. Hobbyists and professionals can have passion

No one has exclusivity on passion in podcasting. Pardon the pun, but anyone can be “on fire” for anything.

3. Hobbyists and professionals can have audiences of any size

Whether a narrow niche or a broad topic, there are no upper or lower limits for hobbyists or professionals.

4. Hobbyists and professionals can “PROFIT”

Podcasting PROFIT™ is popularity, relationships, opportunities, fun, income, and tangibles. These are all attainable for hobbyists and professionals. Neither has a monopoly on success.

What is a hobbyist podcaster?

1. A hobbyist podcaster focuses on the experience

Satisfaction is often the main goal of a hobbyist podcaster, regardless of their topic. That satisfaction could come from laughing, talking about your favorite subjects, inspiring people, and more.

2. A hobbyist podcaster has few pressures

Hobbyists are often not burdened by many deadlines, expectations, bills, and such.

3. A hobbyist podcaster reserves podcasting for “nights and weekends”

Like most other hobbies, podcasting for a hobbyist is probably something they do when the more important things are done. Podcasting comes after the job, after family time, and after household responsibilities.

4. A hobbyist podcaster spends for bills or pleasure

Usually, a hobbyist is spending money on the necessities of podcasting, or simply enjoying any kind of extra income they get.

What is a professional podcaster?

1. A professional podcaster focuses on the outcome

For a professional, podcasting needs a return on their investment; it needs to grow a business or market something.

2. A professional podcaster is running a business

Like other parts of running a business, podcasting income and expenses will be tracked, reported, and deducted for budgeting and taxes.

3. A professional podcaster integrates podcasting into their strategy

Podcasting is part of the “day job” for a professional podcaster.

4. A professional podcaster invests in returns

When a professional podcaster PROFITs, they reinvest that into the business. That could be investing in people or resources to make podcasting easier or better. It could be investing into marketing to grow the podcast or business.

What are you? Are you a hobbyist podcaster, or a professional podcaster?

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