10 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Podcast
Thinking about starting a podcast but not sure if it’s the right step for you? I’ve learned that podcasting can be a fantastic way to grow your business, connect with your audience, and establish yourself as an expert in your field. But it's not without its challenges.
In this post, I'm sharing 10 essential tips I've learned from my own podcasting journey. I'll cover five mistakes I made when starting my podcast, "Inside Google Ads," and five things I got right. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or a podcasting newbie, I hope these insights will help you launch and grow a successful podcast - or decide NOT to launch a podcast and focus on other marketing efforts instead.
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting a Podcast
Dropping Your Podcast Without a Trailer
Before you launch your first episode, create a short trailer to generate excitement and allow people to subscribe in advance. This will help you hit the ground running on launch day. Ask me how I know…
Not Marketing in Advance
Don't wait until launch day to start promoting your podcast. Build anticipation by teasing content and encouraging early subscriptions.
Having a Long Intro
Keep your intro short and sweet. Get to the point quickly and hook your listeners from the start.
Not Tracking Website Traffic
Use UTM parameters in your episode description links to track how much traffic your podcast is driving to your website. This valuable data can help you measure your podcast's ROI.
Having Guests (If Your Goal is to Grow Your Business)
While having guests can be fun, it can also be a lot of work. If your primary goal is to grow your business, focus on solo episodes where you can showcase your expertise and promote your offers.
5 Things To Do For A Successful Podcast
Solo Weekly Episodes
A solo weekly format allows you to consistently share your expertise and build a loyal audience.
A Clear Premise
Define your target audience and what your podcast will offer them. This will help you create content that resonates and attracts the right listeners.
A Tight but Flexible Format
Establish a format that's predictable yet flexible enough to accommodate a variety of topics within your expertise.
Answering Questions in Every Episode
Focus on solving your audience's problems and answering their burning questions. This will keep them coming back for more.
Studying Up and Planning
Learn from podcasting experts, create a content calendar, and establish processes to streamline your workflow. I recommend Episodes 143-154 of Grow The Show by Kevin Chemidlin and The Podcast to Amplify Show by Rosemarie Callender.
What I’ve Learned From My First 5,000 Downloads
Podcasting can be a powerful tool for business growth, but it requires planning and effort.
Avoid the mistakes I made like launching without a trailer, neglecting pre-launch marketing, and having overly long intros.
Instead, focus on creating valuable content that answers your audience's questions and showcases your expertise. Be sure you establish efficient processes to manage your podcast production and promotion, so you don’t burn out.
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