Before we started Pod Shark Media, we ran a residential cleaning company for ten years. Our business mentor kept telling us the same thing: start creating content and launch a podcast.
We shrugged him off for a long time. A podcast? For a cleaning company? It felt like something for celebrities and comedians, not for people answering phones and managing a team.
Eventually, we gave in. Here’s what happened, and how to decide whether a podcast makes sense for your business.
Key takeaways
- One episode of our own podcast led to $43,000 in new business.
- Results took time: about six months before leads came in consistently.
- For a local business, a podcast builds trust, relationships, and a week of content from one conversation.
- It’s a strong fit if your customers need to trust you before they buy.
What actually happened when we started
01
Ten years running a cleaning company
Our mentor kept telling us to create content and launch a podcast. We kept putting it off.
02
We gave in
We started posting on Instagram and launched a podcast. At first, nothing happened.
03
About six months in
We kept showing up anyway, and social media started bringing us new leads consistently.
04
One episode, $43,000
A single episode of our own show led to $43,000 in new business.
05
We had to pause
It worked so well we paused our content until we could hire enough people to serve the new customers. Then we ramped it back up.
06
2021: Pod Shark Media
Other business owners asked us to build a show for them. Today we’ve produced more than 500 podcast episodes.
$43,000
in new business from a single episode of our own podcast.
Why a podcast works for a local business
A podcast isn’t about becoming famous or topping the charts. For a local service business, it does three practical things.
1. It builds trust before the first call
When someone listens to you talk for 20 minutes, they get to know how you think, how you treat people, and what you know. By the time they call, they already trust you. That’s very hard to do in a 15-second ad.
2. It builds relationships with the right people
Your guests can be other business owners, referral partners, community leaders, or happy clients. Every episode is a reason to sit down with someone you want to know better, and most guests share the episode with their own audience.
3. It creates a week of content from one conversation
One recorded conversation can feed your marketing for days. (If posting consistently is the struggle, read how often a service business should post.)
One podcast episode
Becomes
Video clipsShort reels for social
Quote graphicsBranded posts
Blog postA search-friendly article
EmailA note to your list
Is a podcast right for your business?
A podcast is a great fit if:
- People need to trust you before they buy. Think financial advisors, real estate agents, coaches, contractors, health and wellness providers, and other service businesses where a sale starts with a relationship.
- You (or someone on your team) likes to talk. You don’t need to be polished. You do need to be willing to have a real conversation.
- You can commit for at least six months. Our own results took about that long to show up.
- You have more to say than fits in a social post. If customers ask questions that take ten minutes to answer properly, that’s a podcast.
When to wait
It’s probably not the right move yet if you can’t commit to a regular schedule, or if you’re expecting results in the first month.
What it actually takes
The part that stops most business owners isn’t the recording. It’s everything around it.
Your part
- Show up and record, in person or remote
- Bring your expertise and your stories
- Invite guests you want to know better
The work behind every episode
- Launch plan, cover art, intro and music
- Editing, mastering, show notes and transcripts
- Publishing everywhere and clipping for social
That second column is where a lot of owners get stuck. With our podcast production service, you show up and record. We handle everything after that, from the first strategy session to weekly editing and repurposed clips.
How to start your first podcast
01
Pick one audience
Who do you most want listening? Homeowners in your area? Other business owners? Your ideal client should be obvious from the show’s name and description.
02
Choose a simple format
Interviews are easiest for most business owners, because your guest carries half the conversation.
03
List your first ten guests or topics
If you can’t fill ten, keep thinking before you launch.
04
Pick a schedule you can keep
Weekly is ideal. Every other week is fine. What matters is that you don’t stop.
05
Plan for the long game
Give it at least six months before you judge the results.
Quick answers
How long does it take a podcast to bring in business?
For us, it took about six months of consistent effort before leads came in steadily. Plan for the long game.
Do I need a studio to record?
No. You can record in person or remotely. What matters most is a regular schedule and good editing.
How much of my time does a podcast take?
If production is handled for you, your main job is showing up to record each episode. The editing, publishing and clips can all be done by a production team.
The bottom line
Is a podcast worth it for a local business? It won’t happen overnight, and it isn’t right for everyone. But if your business runs on trust and relationships, a podcast might be the most valuable marketing you ever do.
Thinking about launching a show? Book a free strategy call and we’ll tell you honestly whether a podcast makes sense for your business, whether you work with us or not.
