I’ve had a pretty booked calendar over the past year attending all kinds of podcasting events. What I’ve found is that In-person networking is becoming increasingly important for business growth.
Meeting up in person creates different kinds of connections that rarely happen virtually. There’s something about real-time, real-place interactions that foster a heightened sense of relatedness. For example, I noticed during Podfest NY in February, there were often lines of people waiting to enter a breakout room, and I can’t tell you how many deals I overheard in the making in those lines! Those unplanned, idle conversations unfold in ways that just can’t be anticipated. I made connections that could lead to a number of business opportunities myself, and I find that I always do! It’s exciting and it’s also fun.
What are some ways to get out and meet people in person?
CONFERENCES
If you regularly attend podcast conferences, there are people you see again & again. because a conference will go on all day, and usually over multiple days, you have a chance to build relationships with them over time without being pressed for an agenda. For example, after a long day at the conference you might be heading to a restaurant and run into that person that you’ve been wanting to schedule a meeting with. All of a sudden you say ”Hey! Let’s get together now!” We all need to eat dinner after all! And not only do you have a nice dinner, but you get that meeting taken care of in a relaxed environment.
“Audience interaction plays a pivotal role in enhancing the communal experience of public events.”
Live events with podcasters enable direct feedback and emotional resonance, strengthening the connection between hosts and listeners.
—The Wave Podcasting
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Attend events related to your podcast’s niche. For example, if your podcast is about technology, attend tech conferences or meetups. Not only will you end up meeting prospective guests, but you’ll get industry insights straight from the people who work in the field.
UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE EVENTS
Attend lectures or seminars at local universities or colleges. These events often feature experts who could be great podcast guests. And an added bonus is that you’ll gain insights that will make content creation a breeze.
“85% of podcast listeners feel a stronger connection to hosts than to TV or radio personalities. This sense of connection can be amplified during live events or meetups, fostering deeper emotional bonds and community-driven loyalty.”
LOCAL MEETUPS
When you join or organize local meetups for podcasters in your area it can be a great way to connect with like-minded people. Since it’s local, it makes it easier to schedule regular gatherings, and even have fun exploring different venues in the neighborhood.
NETWORKING GROUPS
Join local networking groups that align with your podcast’s theme. These groups often host in-person events.
BOOK SIGNINGS AND AUTHOR EVENTS
If your podcast focuses on literature or non-fiction, attend book signings and author events to meet potential guests. You might even meet some attendees who would be interested in subscribing to your podcast.
Most of us live in a predominantly digital world. It might take some planning and investment, not to mention a willingness to step out of your comfort zone to get to in-person events, but in the end it’s likely you’ll come away with some cool new connections, creative ideas and collaborators and a smile on your face!
Let’s meet for coffee at the next event!
