Fairy Tales to Modern Tales.
Using archetypes to plan your podcast.
My Brave New Girls podcast draws on the Heroic journeys of women who have triumphed over adversity and found courage along the way. They are Warriors for the world, working out ways to help others and the planet, as they fight from their own corner. Many of them are Sages and have written books to dig deep into the issues for society and the environment. The Heroes, Warriors and Sages appeal to my listeners who are facing challenges in their own journey but also care about how to live better lives for themselves and create a better world for the everyone.
Integrating archetypes into the process of creating a podcast for your personal and business brand can provide a deeper level of engagement with your audience, especially in a guest format show. Archetypes, as defined by psychologist Carl Jung, are universal, archaic symbols and images that derive from the collective unconscious. They are the psychic counterpart of instinct. In the context of podcasting, archetypes can be used to shape the content, format, and marketing of your show, making it more relatable and engaging to your specific audience.
Identify Your Core Audience Archetype: First, identify the primary archetype that resonates with your intended audience. Are they seekers of knowledge (Sage)? Are they looking for inspiration (Hero)? Or perhaps they are in search of community and belonging (Everyman/woman)? Understanding this will help you tailor your content to their intrinsic motivations and interests.
Align Your Expertise with Archetypal Themes: Match your expertise and experiences with the themes of the chosen archetype. For example, if your audience aligns with the Creator archetype, focus on episodes that inspire creativity, provide tools for self-expression, or discuss innovative ideas. This alignment ensures that your content resonates deeply with your listeners.
Guest Selection and Archetypes: When selecting guests, consider how their experiences and expertise align with the chosen archetype. For instance, if your audience archetype is the Hero, invite guests who have overcome significant challenges or have inspiring success stories. This not only maintains thematic consistency but also adds credibility and depth to your podcast
Narrative Structure and Archetype Integration: Structure your episodes in a way that reflects the journey of the archetype. For the Sage archetype, this might mean a format that starts with a question or a mystery and leads to a deep-dive discussion, culminating in a resolution or insight. This narrative structure helps in creating a more immersive and engaging experience for the listeners.
Marketing Your Podcast with Archetypal Imagery: Use archetypal imagery and language in your marketing materials. For example, if your podcast aligns with the Explorer archetype, use imagery of journeys, maps, and uncharted territories in your visuals and adopt a tone of curiosity and adventure in your descriptions.
Creating an Archetypal Brand Identity: Your podcast’s brand should reflect the chosen archetype. This includes the name of your podcast, logo design, and overall aesthetic. Consistency in branding helps in building a strong connection with your audience.
Feedback and Adaptation: Finally, pay attention to feedback from your listeners. Are the archetypal themes resonating with them? Are there aspects of the archetype that you haven’t explored yet? Adapt and evolve your podcast based on this feedback to keep it relevant and engaging.
In conclusion, leveraging archetypes in podcasting is about creating a deeper connection with your audience by tapping into universal themes and narratives. By aligning your content, guests, narrative structure, and marketing with an archetype that resonates with your audience, you can create a podcast that is not only informative and entertaining but also deeply engaging on a psychological level. Remember, the key is consistency and alignment with your chosen archetype, ensuring that every aspect of your podcast reflects and appeals to the core values and interests of your listeners.
Identify Your Archetypal Brand Identity:
Understand the archetypal identity of your brand. Are you the Creator, the Sage, or perhaps the Caregiver? This archetype should reflect the core values and mission of your personal and business brand.
Understand Your Audience's Archetype: Just as you identify your own brand archetype, also consider the archetype that your target audience resonates with. This understanding will guide you in tailoring your content to their preferences and needs.
Select a Theme Aligned with Your Archetype: Choose a podcast theme that aligns with your archetypal identity. For instance, if your brand archetype is the Explorer, focus on themes of discovery and adventure.
Craft a Unique Value Proposition Through an Archetypal Lens: Your podcast should offer something unique, seen through the lens of your archetype. If you are the Hero archetype, your UVP might focus on overcoming challenges or achieving success against odds.
Plan Content That Resonates with Archetypal Themes: Structure your episodes around narratives and topics that reflect your chosen archetype. For example, if your archetype is the Sage, your content should focus on sharing knowledge, wisdom, and insights.
Incorporate Archetypal Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques that reflect your archetype in your podcast. This could include personal stories, case studies, or guest interviews that embody the qualities of your archetype.
Design Consistent Archetypal Branding: Your podcast’s branding elements (like logo, music, and tone) should reflect your archetypal identity. This consistency helps in creating a strong and memorable brand presence.
Promote Using Archetypal Imagery and Language: Use language and imagery in your marketing that resonate with your brand archetype. This will attract listeners who identify with or are intrigued by these archetypal themes.
Engage with Listeners Through an Archetypal Framework: Engage with your audience in a manner that reflects your archetype. For instance, if your archetype is the Caregiver, focus on nurturing a community and providing support through your interactions.
Evaluate and Adapt with Archetype in Mind: Regularly assess the reception of your podcast and be willing to adapt. Keep your archetype in mind when making adjustments to ensure that changes are still aligned with your core brand identity.
By incorporating archetypes into each step of your podcast creation, you tap into deeper psychological connections with your audience. This not only helps in differentiating your podcast but also ensures that it resonates more profoundly with your listeners, creating a loyal and engaged community.
Main Archetypes:
The Caregiver: Nurturing and compassionate, the Caregiver is devoted to caring for others. This archetype is often associated with maternal figures but is not limited to them.
The Sage: The Sage seeks truth and understanding, often acting as a source of wisdom or as an advisor. This archetype is traditionally seen as gender-neutral or male, but it is equally applicable to women.
The Explorer: Independent and adventurous, the Explorer is always seeking new experiences and self-discovery. Traditionally seen as a male archetype, it is increasingly represented by women.
The Ruler: The Ruler archetype craves control and order, often being seen in leadership roles. While historically associated with male figures, many women effectively embody this archetype.
The Creator: Imaginative and artistic, the Creator is driven to bring new ideas into the world. This archetype transcends gender and can be embodied by anyone with a creative spirit.
The Warrior: Traditionally a male archetype, the Warrior represents strength, courage, and determination. Today, it's understood that women can be just as strong and fierce as their male counterparts.
The Magician: The Magician is transformative and visionary, often working towards turning dreams into reality. This archetype is not gender-specific and is embraced by women in many fields.
The Lover: The Lover is passionate and committed, often associated with desire and personal connections. This archetype, though sometimes seen in a romantic or feminine light, can be personified by any gender.
The Rebel: Also known as the Outlaw or Revolutionary, this archetype challenges the status quo and fights for change. Historically male-dominated, it is now equally embraced by women.
The Hero: The Hero is brave and self-sacrificing, often on a quest to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. While traditionally a male archetype, many women in history and fiction embody this role.
The Orphan/Regular Person: Seeking belonging and alignment with others, this archetype is down-to-earth and empathetic, not tied to any specific gender.
The Jester: Fun-loving and light-hearted, the Jester enjoys making people laugh and sees the value in play. This archetype, used to be seen as male, is now universally applicable.
Each of these archetypes can manifest in myriad ways, regardless of gender, reflecting a range of human experiences and characteristics.
PS. Download my free podcast planning workbook- it gets you exactly where you need to be to start a podcast that reflects you, your expertise and your unique perspective.
PPS. Watch my masterclass - it’s a free intro to podcast guesting that will get you started on your brand storytelling journey. Dare to share, and your people will find you.
PPPS. Read my book Dare to Share- a step-by-step guide to podcast guesting
