What Business Category Does Your Podcast Fall Under? A Practical Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 7 min read

Podcasts are an increasingly popular medium for sharing knowledge, storytelling, and connecting with audiences. When it comes to podcasting as a business, understanding the category your podcast falls under is essential. This practical guide will help you figure out what business category your podcast is in, and provide tips on how to succeed in your niche.

Understanding Business Categories

Before we dive into determining the business category of your podcast, it's important to understand why business categories matter and what some of the common categories are.

Why Business Categories Matter

Knowing the business category your podcast falls under has several benefits:

Helps you target the right audience for your content.
Makes it easier to find potential sponsors or advertisers interested in your niche.
Provides a framework for measuring your podcast's performance against similar shows.

By understanding your podcast's business category, you'll be better equipped to strategize, grow, and monetize your show.

Common Business Categories

Although podcasts don't have a specific business category of their own, they can fall under various categories within the media or entertainment industries. Some common business categories that podcasts may belong to include:

Education: Podcasts focused on teaching, sharing expert knowledge, or skill-building.
Entertainment: Shows that aim to entertain and engage listeners with storytelling, humor, or pop culture discussions.
News: Podcasts that cover current events, politics, or investigative journalism.
Lifestyle: Shows that discuss topics related to personal growth, health, relationships, or hobbies.
Business: Podcasts covering entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, or industry trends.
Technology: Shows discussing tech innovations, gadgets, or software development.

These are just a few examples of the many business categories that podcasts can fall under, depending on the content and target audience. The next step is to identify your podcast's niche, which will help you determine its business category with more precision.

Identifying Your Podcast Niche

When it comes to understanding what business category your podcast falls under, you need to start by identifying your podcast's niche. This is the specific area of focus or topic that your podcast will cover. To find your niche, consider the following:

Finding Your Passion

Creating a podcast is a labor of love, so it's important to choose a topic or area that you're genuinely passionate about. Ask yourself:

What topics or industries are you most interested in?
What unique insights or perspectives can you bring to the table?
What kind of conversations do you enjoy having with others?

By focusing on your passions, you'll be more likely to create engaging, authentic content that resonates with your audience.

Analyzing Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is another crucial step in identifying your podcast niche. Consider:

Who is your ideal listener?
What are their interests, needs, and preferences?
How can your podcast provide value to them?

By considering your audience's wants and needs, you can tailor your content to appeal to them and keep them coming back for more.

Once you've identified your podcast niche, you can move on to the next step: matching your podcast to a business category.

Matching Your Podcast to a Business Category

Now that you have a clear understanding of your podcast's niche, it's time to determine what business category your podcast falls under. Consider the following factors:

Considering Revenue Sources

Think about how you plan to monetize your podcast. Some possible revenue sources include:

Advertising and sponsorships
Affiliate marketing
Paid memberships or subscriptions
Merchandise sales

Look for business categories that align with your chosen revenue sources, as this can help you attract the right partners and advertisers.

Evaluating Competition

Research other podcasts in your niche to get a sense of what business categories they fall under. This can help you:

Identify gaps in the market you can fill
Discover new opportunities for growth
Benchmark your podcast against similar shows

Understanding the competitive landscape can help you better position your podcast within its business category.

Positioning Your Podcast

Finally, consider how your podcast stands out from the competition. What makes it unique? What value do you provide that others don't? By highlighting your podcast's unique selling points, you can position it more effectively within its business category and attract a loyal audience.

With a clear understanding of your podcast's niche and business category, you're well on your way to creating a successful podcast that stands out in the crowded market. As you move forward, remember to stay true to your passion, audience, and unique value proposition, and you'll be well-positioned for success.

Matching Your Podcast to a Business Category

Now that you've identified your podcast niche and analyzed your audience, it's time to determine what business category your podcast falls under. This will help you better understand the market and create a more focused and targeted strategy for your show. Here are some steps to help you match your podcast to the right business category:

Considering Revenue Sources

To identify the most suitable business category for your podcast, think about how you plan to generate income from your show. Common podcast revenue sources include:

Advertising and sponsorships
Affiliate marketing
Paid memberships or subscriptions
Merchandise sales

Look for business categories that align with your chosen revenue sources, as this will help you attract the right partners, sponsors, and advertisers, and ultimately grow your podcast.

Evaluating Competition

Research other podcasts in your niche to understand what business categories they fall under. This can help you in several ways:

Identify gaps in the market you can fill
Discover new opportunities for growth
Compare your podcast to similar shows and learn from their successes and challenges

By understanding the competitive landscape, you can better position your podcast within its business category and set yourself apart from the competition.

Positioning Your Podcast

Finally, think about what makes your podcast unique and how you can position it within its business category. Consider:

Your podcast's unique selling points (USPs)
The value you provide to your audience that sets you apart from competitors
How your podcast's style, format, or content differs from others in the same category

By emphasizing your podcast's unique features and value proposition, you can more effectively position it within its business category and attract a loyal listener base.

By following these steps and gaining a deeper understanding of your podcast's niche and business category, you'll be better equipped to create a successful podcast that stands out in the market. Stay focused on your passion, cater to your audience's needs, and consistently deliver unique value, and you'll be well on your way to podcast success.

Examples of Successful Podcasts

Let's take a look at some successful podcasts that have effectively matched their content to a specific business category. Learning from these examples can provide valuable insights into how you can position your own podcast for success.

Startup Podcast

The Startup Podcast, produced by Gimlet Media, falls under the business and entrepreneurship category. This podcast tells the story of starting a business from the ground up, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. The Startup Podcast effectively monetizes its content through advertising and sponsorships, which aligns with its business category.

WorkLife with Adam Grant

WorkLife with Adam Grant is a popular podcast in the self-improvement and career development category. In this show, organizational psychologist Adam Grant explores the minds of some of the world's most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. With a focus on providing actionable advice and insights, WorkLife attracts sponsorships and advertising deals relevant to its target audience of ambitious professionals.

The Indicator from Planet Money

Falling under the economics and finance category, The Indicator from Planet Money is a short, daily podcast produced by NPR. The show offers quick, informative insights into work, business, the economy, and everything else. By delivering valuable content in an easily-digestible format, The Indicator has successfully attracted sponsorships and advertising deals that resonate with its audience of busy professionals interested in economics.

These examples demonstrate how understanding your podcast's niche and business category can lead to success. By creating unique, valuable content that aligns with your chosen business category, you can attract the right partners, sponsors, and advertisers and grow your podcast's reach and impact.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

As you embark on your podcasting journey, consider these key takeaways and next steps to ensure your show's success:

Building a Solid Foundation

Identify your podcast's niche, analyze your target audience, and match your content to a specific business category. This will help you create a focused, targeted show that resonates with your listeners and attracts the right partners and sponsors.

Creating Content that Aligns

Ensure your podcast content aligns with your chosen business category by providing unique value, addressing your audience's needs, and setting yourself apart from the competition. Consistently deliver engaging, relevant content to build a loyal listener base.

Promoting Your Podcast

Effectively promote your podcast within its business category by leveraging social media, collaborating with influencers and other podcasts, and engaging with your audience. By actively promoting your show, you can grow your reach and establish your podcast as a leading voice within your business category.

By following these steps and understanding what business category your podcast falls under, you'll be well-prepared to create a successful, engaging show that stands out in the market and attracts a loyal audience. Happy podcasting!Key Takeaways and Next Steps

As you continue on your podcasting journey, keep these key takeaways and next steps in mind to ensure your show's success:

Building a Solid Foundation

Creating Content that Aligns

Promoting Your Podcast

If you're eager to start your own podcast and looking for a quick and efficient guide, don't miss the workshop '3 Steps to Launch your Podcast in One Day' by Clara Escoms. This workshop will provide you with a step-by-step process to launch your podcast successfully, all in just one day!