Should I publish a book or start a podcast to expand my reach?
Deciding whether to publish a book or start a podcast to expand your reach depends on a few key factors, namely, your strengths, resources, and goals. Here's how you can weigh your options, drawing from my own experiences juggling different mediums.
1. Assess Your Strengths: - Writing: If you're a strong writer and enjoy weaving narratives or conveying complex ideas clearly through text, a book might be a better fit. Writing "The Corporate Dropout" allowed me to lay down structured insights that could stand the test of time. - Speaking: If you’re comfortable speaking and enjoy engaging with others through conversation, a podcast could be an excellent avenue. Podcasting allows for dynamic interaction, and you don’t have to carry the burden of content creation alone with interviews and co-hosts.
2. Consider Your Resources: - Time: Writing a book is a marathon that requires upfront investment in both time and energy. It provides a sense of accomplishment once completed, but it needs a dedicated period for writing, editing, and revision. On the other hand, a podcast is more of a continuous commitment. You’ll need to consistently produce episodes, which requires ongoing time management. - Financial Investment: Consider the costs. Publishing a book might involve expenses like an editor, designer, and potentially self-publishing fees, whereas podcasting could require investing in quality microphones and hosting services.
3. Align with Your Goals: - Long-term Authority: Books often build authority and can become a solid piece of your personal brand over time. It’s a tangible product that can open doors, like speaking gigs or consulting opportunities. - Ongoing Engagement: Podcasts create a direct and personal connection with your audience. They're great for building a community and fostering ongoing engagement. The episodic nature allows for topical flexibility and adapting content based on feedback.
4. Examine the Messy Middle: - Sometimes the journey to deciding is unclear, much like when I transitioned from engineering to creative work. The process is iterative. You might start one and pivot if it doesn't feel right—remember, it's perfectly normal to adjust your path.
Actionable Advice: - Prototype: Try writing a series of blog posts (as a mini-book project) or recording a few sample podcast episodes. This will help you gauge what resonates more with your skills and enthusiasm. - Feedback Loop: Share these prototypes with a small circle for feedback. Are people asking for more written content, or do they prefer audio insights from you?
Ultimately, the medium you choose should align with how you most naturally express your ideas and connect with your audience. Success isn’t defined by the medium itself but by how it feels right for you and your mission to serve your audience. If you find joy in the process, that’s the path you should pursue.