ARN’s Ciaran Davis: “Everybody thinks they can do a podcast, but it’s really hard work”

ARN CEO Ciaran Davis makes no bones about it: Podcasting is a difficult area to crack.

You only have to do a quick Google search to be bombarded with advice on how to build your podcast and monetise it, from crafting a catchy title to social media strategies and making your artwork stand out from the crowd.

Since launching in February 2020, ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network has become something of a holy grail for budding podcast creators.

But when it comes to making a successful podcast, Davis says PASSION is key.

In an interview with our sister publication Radioinfo, Davis says making a great podcast isn’t as easy as it might look.

“Everybody thinks they can do a podcast, particularly maybe after a beer or two on Saturday night,” he says.

“But it is really, really hard work.”

His advice? Don’t spread yourself too thin.

“Find whatever content you are passionate about and really focus on that.”

“The successful podcasts are ones who obviously have an interest in the content that they’ve started making, are passionate about it and knowledgeable, yes, but also have the ability to be entertaining as well.”

Patience counts for plenty, though, and Davis’s advice is to hang in there.

“Keep going, because at the end of the day, you know, it takes a while to build up the audience.”

“But as we’ve seen, there are successful podcasts out there now that can make some money.”