Podcasting for Small Business

In Episode 3 of Podcasting for Small Business's companion podcast, Ray Sidney-Smith and Steve Orr unpack Chapter 3 of the book and explore one of the most underestimated elements of podcast success: show structure and programming.Rather than focusing on content topics themselves, this episode looks at the container that holds your content—format, consistency, hosting decisions, length, and cadence. Ray and Steve discuss why structure creates familiarity for listeners, how it supports business goals, and why programming choices are strategic decisions rather than creative afterthoughts.The conversation also goes behind the scenes of the book’s creation, including debates about formats that didn’t make it into the chapter (such as narrative podcasts), why visual tools like broadcast clocks were included, and how practical constraints shape real-world podcasting for small business owners.In this episode, you’ll hear about: - What “programming” means in the context of podcasting - Why consistency helps listeners build your show into their routines - Common podcast formats and how to choose the right one for your business - Why some formats (like narrative podcasts) weren’t included in the book - How hosting decisions affect brand voice, authority, and sustainability - The relationship between episode length, cadence, and listener expectations - Realistic time commitments behind producing a podcast episodeThis episode helps listeners think more intentionally about how their podcast is designed—before worrying about topics, scripts, or promotion—and sets the stage for the chapters that follow.📘 Podcasting for Small Business: The Essential Blueprint to Launch Your PodcastAvailable now in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover:https://www.amazon.com/Podcasting-Small-Business-Essential-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B0G4HJS7D4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforsmallbusiness.substack.com

In Episode 2 of the Podcasting for Small Business's companion podcast, Ray Sidney-Smith and Steve Orr dive into Chapter 2 of their book and explore how podcasting fits into a broader content marketing strategy for small businesses.📘 Podcasting for Small Business: The Essential Blueprint to Launch Your PodcastAvailable now in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover:https://www.amazon.com/Podcasting-Small-Business-Essential-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B0G4HJS7D4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforsmallbusiness.substack.com

Welcome to the companion podcast to Podcasting for Small Business. In this first episode, co-authors Ray Sidney-Smith and Steve Orr introduce the podcast series and the newly released book, Podcasting for Small Business: The Essential Blueprint to Launch Your Podcast.Ray and Steve share the origin story of the book, how their complementary backgrounds in small business strategy and broadcasting came together, and why they felt there was a need for a practical, business-focused guide to podcasting. This episode sets the tone for the series, which is designed to complement the book with behind-the-scenes conversations, added context, and lessons learned that didn’t make it onto the page.They also discuss common concerns small business owners have about podcasting—competition, time, and return on investment—and explain why consistency, authenticity, and audio-first thinking still make podcasting one of the most powerful marketing tools available today.In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Why Ray and Steve decided to write Podcasting for Small Business together - How podcasting helps small businesses build trust, visibility, and authority - The real challenges small business owners face when starting a podcast - Why podcasting is an audio-first medium—and why that matters - How podcasting strengthens communication, systems, and thought leadershipThis episode lays the foundation for the rest of the series and explains why podcasting remains a durable, accessible, and human way for small businesses to connect with their audiences.📘 Podcasting for Small Business is available now in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover:https://www.amazon.com/Podcasting-Small-Business-Essential-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B0G4HJS7D4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcastingforsmallbusiness.substack.com