As an MSP, How Can I Start a Podcast with Minimal Effort, and What Should the Objectives Be?

You're an MSP, constantly juggling client needs and business growth. You've heard the buzz about content marketing, and maybe a little voice asks, "Should we be doing a podcast or creating videos to reach more prospects?" It probably sounds like a mountain to climb—expensive gear, complex software, endless hours of editing.

But what if it wasn't?

During a live discussion at the Channel Partners MSP Summit, Amy Slater of Innovative Events and I, Mike from Cyber Confidential, tackled this exact concern. We laid out a straightforward "quick start guide" specifically for small MSPs wanting to dip their toes into podcasting. We're talking the absolute "lowest minimum viable product" to get you started, along with clear objectives to aim for.

Forget the idea of needing a production studio. Let's break down how you can realistically start a podcast, build credibility, and connect with potential clients without derailing your core business.

Why Should a Busy MSP Even Consider a Podcast?

Before we get to the "how," let's touch on the "why." Time is your most valuable asset, so any new marketing effort needs to justify itself. Here’s the compelling case we discussed:

• Instant Credibility Boost: As I mentioned on the show, "When you tell someone that you have a podcast, they immediately sign a lot of credibility to you because they think, wow, that that's a big deal." It’s a simple way to elevate your MSP's perceived authority.
• Wider Reach & Evergreen Content: Amy rightly pointed out that podcasting can "catch a bigger audience...you get a further outreach." Plus, "you get reusable content." That one conversation can be repurposed into clips, quotes, and more.
• Authentic Connection: "Be authentic. Be yourself," Amy advised. A podcast allows the personality of your MSP to shine through, building genuine connections in a way other marketing often can't.

Your "Lowest Minimum Viable Product" Podcast: A Quick Start Guide for MSPs

Ready to get practical? Here’s the no-fluff guide to launching your MSP podcast with minimal fuss and resources, straight from our conversation:

1. Your Primary Tool? You Already Own It.‍

"Start with your phone," Amy and I both emphasized. Seriously, your smartphone camera is more than capable for starting out. As I put it bluntly on the podcast, "We have, like, $2,000 worth of camera equipment here because we we like wasting money. You can definitely do it on your phone... The video quality is not really what what's gonna stop anyone from listening. It's what you say." Focus on your message, not gear perfection.

2. The Easiest Content Strategy: Interview Your Clients (About Their Business)‍

This is a game-changer for MSPs. My top tip for "easy podcast material is to call one of your clients, invite them to your podcast...Ten minute video, like ten minute Zoom recording as the podcast, and you get them to talk about, like, what's stressing them out at work, about their business, nothing about technology or your MSP."

• Why this works so well: "Those prospects, like the other accountants or lawyers that you're talking to, will think that you know about their lives because one of their peers is telling your podcast about their life." It’s instant relatability and positions you as an MSP that truly understands the business world of your clients.

3. Recording & Distribution: Simple and Effective

• Recording: A "Zoom or Teams call" is all you need. Hit record, have the conversation.
• Distribution - Start with LinkedIn: Amy suggested, "I would be jumping on to LinkedIn." You can post the video recording directly.
• Pro Tip – Amplify with LinkedIn Live Events: I shared a useful tactic: "You can also stream prerecorded videos through a LinkedIn live event." The advantage? "LinkedIn promotes it more...It gives it a little bit more formality which makes people think, 'oh, okay. I gotta tune into the episode.'"

4. Your First Episode is Closer Than You Think

To overcome that initial hurdle, remember this: "If you record one video, that's podcast episode number one." That ten-minute Zoom call with your client? "That's an episode," I explained. The goal is to start, not to achieve perfection on day one.

What Objectives Should Your MSP Aim For with Its Podcast?

Okay, you've recorded something. What's the actual business goal?

• Attract More Ideal Clients: If you interview a happy client from the legal sector about their business challenges, other legal firms facing similar issues will find that content highly relevant and see your MSP as understanding their specific needs.
• Build Genuine Authority and Trust: By facilitating conversations about your clients' industries and challenges (not just your tech solutions), you position your MSP as a trusted advisor and a knowledgeable partner.
• Educate and Provide Value: As Amy put it, focus on content "that you're teaching them to benefit their business."
• Create Reusable Marketing Collateral: Each episode is a rich source of material for social media clips, blog post content, email newsletter snippets, and more.

Your First Step: It’s Simpler Than You Imagine

Starting a podcast for your MSP doesn’t require a massive investment or a steep learning curve. As I summed it up: "Zoom or Teams call, existing client, ask them to just dish about the things going on in their job. That's an episode."

The core message is to be authentic, focus on understanding and showcasing your clients' world, and use the simple tools already at your disposal. The credibility, connection, and potential new business you can generate make this low-effort start well worth exploring.

So, what’s holding you back?

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