How To Always Talk About Something People Will Want To Listen To

Ever read a book so good it makes you jump out of bed?

That was me last night.

I was cozied up with "The Art and Business of Online Writing" by Nicolas Cole.

I came across a gem that I couldn't ignore, so I bolted to my office to scribble it on my whiteboard.

Yeah, I know, the book's about writing. But hear me out, there's a ton that applies to us podcasters.

Honestly, I find most podcasting books kinda dull - they're always about the nuts and bolts. There's room for more books on podcasting (and I've got some ideas). But, let's park that for now.

Here's the cool part. Cole's got a chapter called "How To Always Write Something People Will Want To Read".

Now, let's twist it a bit for us, "How To Always Talk About Something People Will Want To Listen To".

Cole says there are just five types of writing on the internet.

Just five.

Here they are:

1. Actionable Guide

2. Opinion

3. Curated List

4. Story

5. Credible Talking Head

You can mix 'em up, but it's good to start with one.

Applying these to our podcasts gives us a clear picture of what we're trying to do.

Cole's advice? "Win" at online writing by making the best damn version of whatever form you're using. In podcasting terms, whatever you're doing...make it top-notch.

So, next time you're planning an episode, ask yourself "what type of podcast will this be?" The answer should be a no-brainer, and help you nail down the best way to proceed.

This idea is so simple, it's easy to miss.

If you're up for diving deeper, check out "The Art and Business of Online Writing" by Nicolas Cole. It's been sitting in my Amazon Wish List for a bit, and I'm glad I finally got to it.

Sometimes, all we need is a basic framework to house our creative ideas. And this book, it's got it in spades.

I hope you have a great weekend!

-Dylan