The Power of Podcasting and Where It’s Headed: Interview with Ejay Cruz

Ejay Cruz is a registered nurse turned entrepreneur from Eastvale, California who decided to take up a new venture in podcasting. What started as a passion project quickly evolved into an impactful platform, reaching over 43+ countries and ranking Top 100 podcasts on iTunes in its category within only one year of launching. With a global reach and unceasing audience growth, he realized there is a much bigger purpose now with the impact his podcast “The Parables” (@theparablespodcast on IG) is making.

Podcasting is an adaptation of blogging and still in its infancy. Previously known as “audio blogging,” it began to catch hold in 2004 and since has seen exponential growth. Yet, the platform still doesn’t match up to other media channels. Currently, there are an estimated 500 million blogs out there, as well as an estimated 500 million YouTube channels. With only an estimated 1 million podcasts however, the media platform shows it is still in its pre-mature stages and is popularizing at a fast rate.

Why Ejay Encourages you to start your own Podcast?

Ejay encourages all entrepreneurs, businesses, and brands to start their own podcast as soon as possible. As the new kid on the block in broadcast media, podcasting is an innovative platform to gain exposure and stay relevant in today’s competitive market.

It is also a great networking vehicle, allowing you to reach, access, and collaborate with other high profile individuals. Being a podcast host establishes you as an authoritative figure, a sense of importance and immediate access to get in touch with other people, similar to a speaker or an author.  

Recording podcast content can also be beneficial in terms of content creation. Recordings can be multi-purposed as not only audio content but video content (videocasting or video podcasting) as well. Perhaps the most powerful asset is the leveraging of audiences. If your podcasts include guest features, you can leverage your guests’ audience whether it is a high profile entrepreneur or maybe just a starter in the game, you can never go wrong with more exposure and awareness.

His Opinion on the Importance of Collaborations:

Collaborations are vital in any market and podcasting is a great incubator to create them. Let it be genuine. Be selective with who you feature on your show. You should want to only collaborate with others that add value and contribute to your show, audience and boost listenership.

Pay attention, everyone is starting one! From major brands to top talent influencers and celebrities, they are all flooding the space because they understand how lucrative it can be for their personal brand or business. Now is the perfect time to start one yourself and not get left behind.

What is the Future of Podcasting?

Podcasting is still under-monetized compared to other forms of media, but that is changing really fast. As a digital marketing content hub, there is a rise in innovative methods to monetize including ad market places, sponsorships, premium content, and affiliate marketing to name a few.

“People always ask me if podcasting is paying for the time invested in it. I tell everyone YES, but not in the form of cash (yet). Instead, in the form of exposure, relevancy, relationships, networking, and experience,” Ejay stated.

As podcasting continues to popularize and grow its listener base, big companies and venture capitalists will continue to put a lot of money towards this space as the industry continues to reach new heights.

Hopefully not anytime soon or anything major, but the platform will begin to see attempts of regulation in some shape or form similar to other media distribution platforms like the internet, radio, and TV. But because the platform is so innovative and multi-versed, I don’t see it making a significant impact on the creator. 

Some Tips Ejay would Like to Share with You:

1. If you’re thinking about launching your own podcast, stop thinking and get to it right away. Now is the time!
2. Establish what you want your podcast to be about and who your target audience is.
3. Utilize its power: network and use it as a content hub.
4. This may not make sense but… it’s not easy yet it’s not hard either. It takes time and consistency but can also be simplified and systemized.
5.  Do it right the first time. This is your brand, your business. I invested in good mics and it has rewarded me post production-wise. Remember, if you put out poor quality content, what does that say about your efforts? Your brand? Your business? 

If you would like more information you can contact Ejay at ejaycruz10@gmail.com or @itsejaycruz on Instagram.