4 Non-Negotiables for Beginning a Profitable Podcast

Andrea Heuston, an Entrepreneurs’ Group (EO) member of the US West Bridge chapter, is a speaker coach to leaders at Fortune 100 firms, a best-selling writer, and CEO of Artitudes, a full-service design agency specializing in govt shows, branding, and visible advertising and marketing. We requested Andrea, host of Lead Like a Girl podcast, about her technique for launching a profitable podcast. This is what she shared.

My podcast lately celebrated its 100-episode milestone.

In simply over two years, my Lead Like a Girl podcast scaled to turn into a significant income supply and in the end reworked my enterprise. I’ve had the chance to talk with numerous high ladies leaders, generate new enterprise leads, and encourage an viewers I may by no means have dreamed of–all as a result of an article of mine went viral.

I hadn’t anticipated to amass 8.1 million impressions after I sat down to write down about feminine management. I used to be merely making an attempt to supply the girl chief’s perspective. However when my LinkedIn article grew to become one of many high 10 most-read information gadgets on the web that yr, one factor was clear:

Individuals needed to listen to from empowered feminine leaders who had been altering the world. I had the ability to scale these voices, and I knew a podcast may present the proper stage.

But, I nonetheless had my doubts:

• How would I deal with the technical setup?
• May I decide to a long-term venture like this whereas I ran a enterprise?
• Who was I to talk on this material, actually?

Now, 100 episodes later, impostor syndrome has but to recede. Regardless of that, I’ve nonetheless managed to construct a stage for ladies throughout the globe. Past its success and enterprise progress, probably the most rewarding side of all is that the podcast has turn into an integral a part of the way in which I stay out my mission.

Listed below are 4 key steps I’ve discovered about launching a profitable podcast with the ability to maneuver audiences:

“Those that stand for nothing fall for something.”

Alexander Hamilton mentioned it, and I’ve discovered {that a} proverbial “stake within the floor” is essential to launching a compelling podcast.

Earlier than launching, determine your huge purpose–the mission you stand for. An even bigger goal will assist maintain your podcast even when it begins to occupy treasured calendar slots. When power and motivation wane, your authentic goal (the rationale why you probably did this factor within the first place) will at all times get you again on observe.

Lead era can’t be your solely motivator. To transcend the noise of the crowded podcast market and encourage individuals in an actual approach, audiences must know what you stand for. The energy of your stage is dependent upon it.

Each profitable podcast employs its personal distinctive fashion, tone, and angle–all of which assist it stand out in a sea of comparable exhibits.

Discovering your good “fashion” would not occur in a single day; usually, it develops over time. But the very best factor I ever did was what most hesitate to confess: I listened to different superb podcasts, famous the issues they do very well, replicated them–and made them higher.

Be clear on the way you need to sound, the way you need your viewers and company to really feel, and what distinctive worth proposition you convey to the desk. For those who can nail down these parts prematurely, you may be the toughest act to observe.

The extra streamlined and replicable the construction of your podcast is, the simpler it turns into to execute and the faster it should scale.

Mine is predictable: Friends know what inquiries to count on, and audiences respect the consistency.

It additionally goes past the episode itself. I’ve discovered to be structured with the analysis I do earlier than recording any interview. Normally, I am going to spend one to 3 hours on analysis per visitor, however I would dedicate extra time if, for instance, I need to learn a ebook they’ve written.

From an awesome workflow together with your modifying companion (the workforce I take advantage of, Rise 25, are phenomenal at offering done-for-you podcasting companies) to how new episodes are shared on social media, I like to recommend you process-out all the things. My construction helps take away the burden of creating a thousand small choices so I can truly benefit from the podcasting expertise.

Whereas a proper construction is necessary, nothing issues greater than authenticity.

Asking your visitor questions on the fly usually results in probably the most revealing answers–and audiences respect candid moments over robotic self-discipline.

Flubbing traces, technical fails, forgetting a thought mid-sentence–I’ve made all of the errors. I spent my earliest episodes fretting over re-recording errors to seem “good.” At the moment, I’ve discovered that it is in these slip-up moments that we’re usually extra relatable to our audiences and company.

I encourage you to decide on authenticity over perfection each single time.

From new enterprise alternatives and purchasers, boosted entrepreneurial credibility, and significant connections, my podcasting journey has been extremely rewarding.