After starting a podcast and feeling the highs and the lows of it all, I wanted to share it with you! Whether you’re considering starting your own podcast, or just curious, you’ll learn through my experience one series post podcast.
Now, if you don’t already know, I have a podcast called Life’s Awkward. This is where I bring on powerful women that have really made it out for them. Not only do they share their tips on how to make your dreams reality, but they share all the awkward lessons leading up to it.
Everything isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and honestly, it’s more impactful when you really have to work for your dream. Even though I LOVE this platform and what I’ve created thus far, here are some things I learned throughout the whole process.
What’s the tea sis
I started Life’s Awkward randomly. One night I was sitting at my desk in my room and thought of a podcast name called Life’s Awkward. Back in college, I order podcasting equipment thinking I wanted to start something up post-grad, yet I never got around to it.
A year later, I dug out my equipment and got to recording. By the end of the late-night/early morning, I had everything pretty much ready to go, including the first episode. Sometimes you get those random bolts of energy where you refuse to stop work until it’s done, and done well.
The time you have to put in
At first, I was high on trying something new in marketing. Not only that, but seeing the end product of my first episode was inspiring in itself. I worked hard to reach out to new guests, record, and build out this new database for y’all to listen to. But, what I didn’t think about was how long it actually took to produce one episode.
If you account for the outline, interview, editing, writing, and promoting, it’s like a full-time job within itself. After series one, I knew I had to take a break and focus on my blog for a second to catch up. I give amazing props to those that produce this content weekly with a full-time job.
Your schedule is everything
You have to learn how to plan like a pro. And, if you’re bringing on guests you look up to, you most likely don’t want to let them down. I would constantly be researching and reaching out to potential guests ~ and not all will say yes. Once you do get a confirmation, you have to ensure you’re all set to rock and roll.
That means sending over a podcast outline for your guest to go over in time, showing up prepared for the interview, and ensure your editing the podcast in a way that brings in listeners. I used Planoly and my Google Calendars to ensure I had everything ready when promised.
Have a full marketing plan
Before you start up a podcast, get your marketing nailed down. Do you know what theme you’d like to go with? Or, do you know what your slogan will look like? Figure these out and then plan a course of action.
Some people will hire photographers to build their blog and Instagram presence, and others will recruit more team members to help edit each episode. Figure out what works for you and set a schedule for the next 2+ months so you don’t end up just releasing that one episode.
Plan ahead, SERIOUSLY
With all my platforms, I like to plan everything in advance. From my blog ideas, Instagram, and podcast. When I started my podcast, I had about 6 episodes completely completed before I told all my friends and family. This helped me set a foundation that I knew I would hold myself accountable for once releasing.
Once I released my first episode, I was already on a roll and in a routine that worked for me. All I had to do was keep it up until series one came to a wrap. So grab a pen and paper and brainstorm which podcast ideas you’d like to plan for the month.
Go easy on yourself
Gurlll, don’t be so hard on yourself. If you wait around for perfection, you’ll be waiting for years ~ especially if you’re your own critic. If I were to wait until everything was perfect for my blog or podcast, I don’t think it ever would be released. But working in it and on it, I can learn what I want to work towards, and what I already have nailed down.
Honestly, this applies to various other areas of your life, too. Most of the time, you just have to throw yourself in and figure it out. If you don’t, you may never learn. Who knows, you may be proud of the outcome.
Research, research, research
As I mentioned above, the guests you bring on are most likely those you look up to and you don’t want to let them down. Make sure you’re setting yourself up for success by doing your research, providing deliverables on time, and always following through with your promises.
I would always provide an outline about a week before the interview for the interviewer to look through and approve. About an hour or two before the meeting, I would stalk them on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Google to ensure I’m up to date with their achievements. This can impress the guest and show how much you care!
Cater to your guests
Your guest comes first. When scheduling meetings and release dates, work around their schedule. Since podcasting normally does take a few hours to carry out, this can take a large chunk out of their schedule. Technically, they don’t owe you anything.
Make this time easy and as seamless as possible for them. Provide all the directions before the meeting so you can jump right into it, and put in the hard work on the back end to make them proud. Going above and beyond could make this a pleasurable experience and grow a long-term business connection.
If y’all want to start your own podcast, I would love to hear about it! Feel free to shoot me a DM on Instagram and add your podcast name in the comments below!
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