So many podcasters. And more popping up each day. How can I be heard?

It's so easy to podcast nowadays that many of the podcasts are just plain junk. But if you want to stand out from the crowd, you must plan your podcast so that you will generate a crowd of rabid subscribers.

How can you start?

First - BRAINSTORM!

Make a list of all your favorite hobbies or interests. What do you do during your free time? What catches your fancy all season? List down the things you spend most of your money on. It may be on electronic gadgets, beer, cloths... If you like it, then chances are, someone else does too and will listen to you if your show is about it.

Here are more possibilities. Write down your favorite TV shows, movies, music, games, sports, religions, political parties, philosophies, and books. As you are writing them down, sort them into categories like 'very interesting' to 'slightly interesting' to 'may be interesting'. Don't be restricted. Anything goes.

If you are in need of inspiration, you can always visit various podcast directories. Just google 'podcast directories' and and you'll find lots to get your brain juices going.

This may help you to determine if there is an interest in your potential podcast. If there's absolutely no competition, you may be alone in your interest. BUT it's difficult to say until you actually upload a show and start promoting it.

Don't worry if there's lots of competition. What this means is that there are probably lots of potential listeners out there. Go ahead.

Download a few shows of each podcast that looks interesting, and give them a listen. Pick up their good points and bad points. Consider...

"How could I have done a better job?" "What are the things I thought should have been mentioned but was not?" "Do I agree with them or is there an Alternative view I can present?"

Some are great shows already with loyal followers so you may not want to compete with them directly. Instead, develop a complementary show to theirs. Change the format around. Have an interview show and invite them as a guest. Chances are, they'll plug you on their show and you'll get some of their fans visiting you. If they like what they hear, they may stick around.

There are lots of other stuff one can do. But if you want your podcasts to be heard for a long time to come, you must put in the effort to develop a good podcast. Bottom Line is this: do your research and develop your unique proposition before you start. That way, you won't the indistinguisable from the rest of the podcasters out them. Instead, you will stand out for being different.

After all, you podcast because you want to be heard. Let your listeners hear something fresh and alive - with your personal touch.