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In December 2018 I embarked on a new adventure – a podcasting adventure!
Earlier on in the year, I had made the decision to drastically reduce the amount of content I made for PropelHer’s YouTube channel so I could start a podcast. I already had a YouTube channel and had been blogging for years so podcasting seemed the natural next step. It also meant that I would have the first-hand experience across the three high-value content creation platforms that my clients use.
For months I had ‘start a podcast’ on my to-do list and a wardrobe covered in post-it notes with possible names. But I just couldn’t decide on a name.
Then during a conversation with one of my business besties, Verity Brown, she said: “Why don’t we start a podcast together?”. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Starting a podcast has had its highs and its lows. Already so much has changed and evolved, but here are the things I wish I had known before I started the podcast.
SOUND QUALITY IS IMPORTANT, BUT CONTENT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
Like most aspiring podcasters I spent ages researching what was the best microphone to buy and for the first 15 episodes, I would record in the dark in a cupboard (because I’m British and don’t have a closet, which is where America independent podcasters seem to record).
Now whilst I was trying super hard to make the quality as good as possible, my co-host Verity decided to head off to India for 3 months and not take her proper podcasting mic with her. This made it very interesting for me as the podcast editor. There have been pops and constant clicks, mail gets delivered, doorbells ring, sirens drive past and how many times has the internet dropped out. However, even those episodes that I haven’t been able to clean up to the standard I would prefer have been listened to and people get on with it!
Of course, aim to be as good as you can be, but remember content matters more than quality.
HAVING A PODCAST WILL OPEN TO DOOR TO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
One of the things I didn’t expect was to get speaking opportunities off the back of the podcast. That’s the joy of a podcast – you create content and anyone in the world can listen to it. Within just months of starting the podcast, I was contacted to appear on someone’s blog and then be on a panel. This was on a topic I wouldn’t normally speak on, but they had heard a related podcast episode and thought I would be perfect.
YOU WILL BE BUILDING THE KNOW, LIKE & TRUST FACTOR WITHOUT EVEN REALISING IT
In business the know, like and trust factor is super important and what everyone is trying so hard to build. The joy of a podcast is you’ll be building the know, like and trust factor without even realising it. There is something about listening to someone that really accelerates the know, like and trust factor. Also, I think it is much easier to be more informal and add in a personal reference here and there that your listeners will really begin to feel like they know you.
THE NOVELTY WILL WEAR OFF
How many times have you come across a podcast that hasn’t posted since 2017. They have 20 something episodes and then *BAM* they disappeared into thin air. Like anything, podcasting is exciting when it is new, but you need to plan for how you will keep going when the novelty wears off – especially if your podcast hasn’t had the growth you desired.
PRESS IS AS IMPORTANT AS MARKETING
I know some people might think that this is weird coming from a marketer, but I am a big believer in the power of press. One feature in The Good Trade newsletter saw our daily downloads 10X. If you have a clear niche for your podcast take the time to think about what other publications, magazines, platforms etc have that same niche and pitch your podcast!
CONSISTENCY DOESN’T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT
When you start your podcast you should choose how often you will publish a new episode. Free and Figuring It Out (my podcast in case you didn’t know) is a weekly podcast and keeping to that schedule takes dedication, especially if you co-host or interview guests. It is always best to batch your content and have a few weeks prepped in advance.
THE PODCAST COMMUNITY IS SO SUPPORTIVE
Being a podcaster or a podcast host means you are also a content creator. Whilst I love being in numerous communities based on my title (marketer, solopreneur, female entrepreneur etc), I absolutely love being part of content creator communities. Starting a podcast has very much reminded me of when I started my YouTube channel. Everyone is on a mission to create great content that entertains, empowers or educates their audience. In many ways, it feels more about community than competition, and I love that.
A PODCAST WILL GIVE YOU MORE REASONS TO NETWORK
Having a podcast has enabled me to reach out to people who normally I wouldn’t have a reason to. It has also meant I have something to talk about in networking events. This combination has meant networking events have been more fruitful and I have more reasons to follow up as I can offer something of value, rather than connecting to pitch myself or try and sell something.
THERE YOU GO. THAT IS THE 8 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED JUST HOW MUCH PODCASTING WOULD CHANGE MY LIFE
There is no doubt that even within 6 months of starting my podcast I have seen so many benefits. Yes, it is hard at times to be adding another project into my life, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
If reading this post has made you think that you would like to start your own podcast then sign up to my mailing list. Very shortly I will be releasing my new podcasting course and all information will be shared with my email subscribers first.
JOIN MY MAILING TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT MY PODCASTING COURSE
And if you are already a podcast I would love to know if you resonated with any of the points in this blog post or maybe you had something to add. Please comment below.
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