Podcasting has seen a surge in popularity over the past few years, leading to a crowded and competitive landscape. Some podcast genres have become particularly saturated, making it challenging for new shows to stand out and find an audience.
In this post, we'll explore the most saturated podcast genres and offer tips on how to stand out in them.
True Crime: This genre has been one of the most popular in recent years, but it's also one of the most crowded. To stand out, consider approaching the subject matter from a unique angle, such as exploring lesser-known crimes or focusing on the impact on the families of the victims. Additionally, aim to bring something new to the table, such as fresh research, exclusive interviews, or a fresh perspective.
When I was working as the crime reporter for Richland Source, my newsroom wanted to do a true-crime podcast. We knew we wanted to stand out because we were a trusted source on the subject for our county and, from a business perspective, we wanted to stand out because we wanted the project to be worth our time investment.
My co-host and I created the Chalk Murder To Me Podcast, interviewing city and regional law enforcement about solved and unsolved crimes. This allowed us to show our authority in the subject by allowing listeners to hear first-hand accounts from state prosecutors, detectives and crime scene investigators.
One of my favorite questions we asked on the show was about what a dead body smelled like after being driven in the trunk of a car from Texas to Ohio. This kind of question is not something that could only be answered by a detective on the scene.
Our podcast stood out in this saturated podcast genre because we had a creative angle, we thought about our listeners, explored local crimes that our listeners may not have known about and had exclusive interviews.
Self-Improvement/Personal Development: This genre is also popular, but it can be challenging to differentiate yourself from the multitude of similar shows. To stand out, consider focusing on a specific area of personal development, such as relationships or career development. You can also differentiate yourself by offering unique insights, tips, and strategies, and by using a unique storytelling style that sets you apart from the competition.
News and Politics: With so many news and politics podcasts out there, it can be tough to find a unique voice. To stand out, consider focusing on a specific area of interest or expertise, such as international relations or environmental policy. You can also differentiate yourself by offering a fresh perspective, such as focusing on the human stories behind the headlines or by exploring the impact of policies on real people.
With my weekly news podcast on Audible, Brutally Informed, my fellow hosts and I find interesting news stories specifically for GenZ and Millenial audiences. We follow trends like TikTok content creators and reach out to them to speak to them about issues like the water crisis in the Colorado River, or how young adults are flying to Turkey to get hair implants. For our podcast, we try and stand out by telling human-oriented stories, in new and refreshing ways that is still factual and journalistic.
Pop Culture: Pop culture is a broad genre, and it can be challenging to stand out in a crowded field. To differentiate yourself, consider focusing on a specific area of pop culture, such as movies, music, or video games. You can also stand out by offering unique insights and analysis, or by exploring the impact of pop culture on society.
Business: The business genre is also crowded, but there are ways to differentiate yourself. Consider focusing on a specific area of business, such as entrepreneurship or management. You can also stand out by offering unique insights and analysis, or by exploring the impact of business on society.
I produce a podcast called FUN AT WORK, which focuses on best practices for small businesses and their employees. Because this podcast is hosted by two HR experts, they share information about their careers and experience which helps share their authority and helps inform their audience. The show aims to stand out by finding interesting work topics that appeal to listeners and inform owners and business executives.
In addition to focusing on a specific area of interest, here are some other tips for standing out in a crowded podcast landscape:
Offer Unique Content: To stand out in a crowded genre, you need to offer something unique and valuable to your listeners. This could be unique insights, exclusive interviews, or fresh research. Aim to bring something new to the table that sets you apart from the competition.
Invest in Quality: Invest in high-quality equipment and production values. This includes investing in a good microphone, soundproofing your recording space, and editing your show for clarity and flow. Quality is key to standing out and building a loyal following.
Build Relationships: Build relationships with other podcasters, influencers, and listeners in your niche. This will help you to network and promote your show, and it will also help you to build a community of supporters around your show.
Focus on Consistency: Consistency is key to building a loyal following. Make sure to release new episodes regularly, and aim to maintain a consistent level of quality in your show.
Podcasting is a competitive landscape, and some genres are more crowded than others. To stand out in a saturated genre, consider focusing on a specific area of interest, offering unique content, investing in quality, building relationships, and focusing on consistency. By following these tips, you can differentiate yourself from the competition and build a successful podcast in a crowded market.
If you're looking to begin or improve your podcast, let's talk! NoJo Creative is always looking to help podcasters start telling their story and share their voice with the world.
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