World Needs More Latina Voices in Podcasting and The Demand Is There!

Why Latinas Should Start a Podcast: Data and Opportunities

I won’t get tired of saying it until the numbers increase, but:

We need more Latina voices in podcasting.

And I'm not just saying that because I'm a podcaster and podcast coach. I'm saying it because I've seen what happens when people are given a space to tell their stories in their own words. (I mean, hello, I host The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, so I see it firsthand). 

Another side note: Latinas make up less than 7% of the overall podcasters in the industry. 

But I get it, for many Latinas, the idea of starting a podcast can feel overwhelming.

Maybe you're worried about your English or your accent. 

Maybe you think you need to sound more "professional."

Maybe you don't know what microphone to buy, what podcast hosting site to use, or how you're going to find time to record when you already have a million things on your plate.

Or maybe you're asking yourself:

"Who am I to start a podcast?"

I get it.

But here's the thing: you don't have to sound like anyone else to have a successful podcast.

You can speak Spanish. You can speak English. You can speak Spanglish. You can have an accent. You can talk about your business, your culture, motherhood, immigration, money, relationships, career, or whatever else matters to you.

Your voice doesn't need to be changed to fit into podcasting.

Podcasting needs your voice exactly as it is. And the people want it! Your people!

The Growing Demand for Spanish-Language Podcasts

Spanish-speaking and bilingual creators have a huge opportunity in podcasting.

Research from Edison Research has shown that many Latino podcast listeners want more Spanish-language content. In fact, 52% of Latino podcast listeners surveyed said they would listen to more podcasts if there were more Spanish-language options available.

Think about that for a second.

People already listening to podcasts are literally saying, "Give me more content in my language." I mean, why wouldn’t they want to listen to stories in their own language?

That's an opportunity.

And it doesn't mean you have to create an entirely Spanish-language podcast.

Maybe your podcast is bilingual.

Maybe you naturally switch between English and Spanish depending on what you're talking about.

There is no rule that says your podcast has to fit neatly into one box.

And honestly, that's one of the things I love about podcasting.

You get to decide. You run the show! No producer that you have to run ideas and get approval from, because you are the boss. 

Your Story Matters More Than You Think

One reason I started The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants was to give immigrants a place to share their stories.

Not the version of their story that someone else created.

Their version. Their truth. 

And I've learned over and over again that people connect with stories because they see themselves in them.

Maybe someone listening to your podcast grew up in a household just like yours.

Maybe they were raised by immigrant parents.

Maybe they are the first person in their family trying to build a business.

Maybe they're navigating motherhood while trying to figure out who they are outside of being a mom.

Maybe they're trying to build a life that looks completely different from the one their parents had.

When you share your story, you give someone else permission to see themselves in yours.

That's the power of representation.

And I think sometimes we underestimate how important that is.

You don't have to be famous or need thousands of followers.

You don't need a fancy title behind your name.

You just need to be willing to share what you know and what you've experienced.

You Don't Need a Fancy Podcast Studio

Let's talk about one of my favorite myths:

You need expensive equipment to start a podcast.

Nope.

You really don't.

Could you eventually invest in better equipment? Absolutely.

But when you're starting, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars creating a podcast studio in your house.

I've recorded podcast episodes in my car. I've recorded when life wasn't perfect. I've figured things out as I've gone.

Because that's real life. And I’ve been doing this for almost 5 years!

Especially as a Latina mom, entrepreneur, or someone balancing a full-time job, you may not have hours to dedicate to creating the "perfect" recording environment. 

That's okay.

Start with what you have.

You can get a simple microphone, connect it to your computer or phone depending on your setup, find a relatively quiet place, and start recording.

The technical side of podcasting can definitely feel confusing at first. You have podcast hosting, RSS feeds, distribution platforms, editing, microphones, cover art, SEO...

I know. It's a lot.

But you don't need to learn everything before you start.

You just need to learn what you need for the next step.

That's one of the biggest things I teach my podcast coaching clients: simplify the process.

You Are in Control of Your Podcast

This is one of my favorite things about podcasting. You are the director.

There isn't a network executive sitting across from you deciding whether your story is worthy of being told. You don't need someone to give you permission.

You decide what your podcast is about.

You decide who you interview.

You decide how often you publish.

You decide whether you speak English, Spanish, or both.

You decide what stories you want to tell.

And you decide who gets a seat at your table.

That kind of creative freedom is powerful. 

For a long time, traditional media decided which stories were important enough to be told and which voices deserved to be heard.

Podcasting has changed that. Which is why I believe podcasting is so powerful. 

You can build your own platform.

And when you build your own table, you get to decide who you invite to sit at it.

Your Podcast Can Be More Than Just a Podcast

If you're a Latina entrepreneur, I especially want you to think beyond simply creating episodes.

Your podcast can become part of your business.

• It can help people discover you.

• Build trust with potential clients.

• Give you content for your blog, newsletter, and social media.

• Help you connect with other entrepreneurs.

• Open doors to speaking opportunities.

• Help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry.

And it can become a place where your audience gets to know the person behind the business.

You don't need to constantly convince people that you're an expert when you're consistently sharing what you know.

Your podcast becomes a visibility asset.

And that's something I think more Latina entrepreneurs should be taking advantage of. Like really take advantage of. 

So, What's Stopping You?

If you've been thinking about starting a podcast but haven't done it yet, I want you to ask yourself why. You can also take the quiz and find out ;) 

Is it because you don't know what equipment to buy?

Because you don't know what to talk about?

Because you don't think you're "expert enough"?

Because you're afraid people will judge your accent?

Because you're worried about what your family will say?

Because you don't think you have enough time?

Or maybe you're simply overwhelmed by everything you think you need to do before you can hit record.

Whatever the reason is, I want you to know that you don't have to figure it all out alone.

This is actually one of the reasons I created my podcast coaching program.

I help aspiring podcasters simplify the process of launching a podcast so they don't spend months stuck in the planning stage.

You Don't Need Permission to Start

I want you to remember this:

Your accent is not a problem to fix.

Speaking Spanglish is not unprofessional.

Being a Latina is not something you need to hide or minimize.

And your story doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

There is someone out there who needs to hear what you have to say.

Maybe they need your advice.

Maybe they need to hear your story.

Maybe they need to know they're not the only one figuring things out.

Maybe they just need to hear someone who sounds like them.

You don't have to wait until you're more successful.

You don't have to wait until you have the perfect microphone.

You don't have to wait until you have a bigger audience.

And you definitely don't need permission.

Start with what you have. Start with what you know. Start with the story that's already inside of you.

Because the podcasting world doesn't need another version of someone else's voice.

It needs yours.

And if you've been waiting for a sign to start your podcast, maybe this is it.

Con Amor, Coach Heidy