6 Lessons Learned from 6 Months of Podcasting
In June of 2018 I launched the Just Go Grind Podcast and since then, through trial and error and listening to top podcasters like Pat Flynn and Tim Ferriss, I’ve learned a ton about the entire process — from podcasting equipment and software to finding guests and actually becoming a better interviewer.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own show, this article can help you overcome the apprehension and show you the way to make your podcast idea a reality.
For those wondering, and in an attempt to be as transparent as possible, I also want to share with you some numbers from my first 6 months of podcasting.
While it hasn’t always been easy, and I didn’t have much to compare to, here are a few metrics from my first 6 months (As of December 13th, 2018):
- 25 episodes released
- 1,838 downloads (According to Libsyn, the podcasting software I use)
- 372 downloads for my most popular episode
- 24 downloads for my least popular episode
The lessons I’ve learned from podcasting vary, but one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the one I’m going to share with you first.
Podcast Lesson 1 — Just Start
For years I wanted to create my own podcast, but I could never get myself to do it.
I wrote hundreds of articles the past few years and even made dozens of videos, but podcasting somehow felt too complex to me.
After going through the MBA application process, getting accepted at USC, and figuring out I wanted to focus my efforts on entrepreneurship and career change, I knew I had the angle for a podcast.
Through my own show I’d be able to interview a variety of people in business and share those insights with others, just as I had shared my own health and fitness insights for Just Go Fitness starting in 2013.
Podcasting the past 6 months has been an amazing experience, but I wish I would’ve started sooner.
If you want to start a podcast, start a podcast.
Decide on what topics you’ll discuss, get some basic equipment, and get to it.
Sure, you’ll make some mistakes along the way, but the sooner you get started, the sooner you can start experiencing the benefits that come with podcasting.
One of the tutorials I used to get started was How to Start a Podcast (2018 Tutorial) by Pat Flynn and I highly suggest you check it out.
Podcast Lesson 2 — Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
You know what’s the secret to getting guests on your show? Asking.
Obvious, I know, but it’s surprising how many people don’t ask for things in life. The ones who do are often rewarded. Just read The Third Door to see exactly what I mean.
You’ll never know if someone will be on your show if you don’t ask.
Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone you ask will say yes — many will probably say no — but you’ll get much farther if you accept that you need to ask to even have a chance.
And after you get your first guest you’ll find that one guests turns into two guests which turns into three guests and before you know it you have a plethora of interesting people to talk to.
At USC, where we have guest speakers on campus weekly, I’m always following up with the speakers I find most interesting and asking them to come on the Just Go Grind podcast. And guess what? Almost all of them have said yes.
Those have included people like Erik Huberman, the Founder and CEO of Hawke Media as well as Mikey Taylor, a former pro skateboarder turned successful entrepreneur.
My very first guest, Eddy Barrows, I found because he was a USC alumni. I met up with him once in person and by the end of our meeting asked him to come on my show. He said he’d be happy to.
Regardless of what type of show you want to start, if you’re looking for guest, you can’t be afraid to ask.
Podcast Lesson 3 — Don’t Expect Perfection
When podcasting, you’ll mess up some of the questions you want to ask.
You’ll fumble your words.
You’ll have one of those foot-in-mouth moments.
That’s okay!
You shouldn’t expect perfection when podcasting.
Yes, you’ll strive for the perfect interview, asking the best questions and having conversations that flow seamlessly, but along the way you’ll inevitably make mistakes.
One of the great things about podcasting is that you can always edit the episode afterwards. You can fix some of those mistakes and, ultimately, you’re the one who decides what gets released.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes while podcasting, but understanding that mistakes will happen has made it much easier to roll with them when they do occur and over time I’ve gotten more and more comfortable behind the mic.
Podcast Lesson 4 — Have Backups
As Jocko Willink, the retired United States Navy Seal says, “Two is one, one is none.”
I’ve had to scrap two different episodes already because of audio issues and what I’ve learned is simple — always have backup audio.
It’s more difficult to do with remote podcast interviews, but when I record episodes in person I use my Blue Yeti USB Microphone and also my phone with the VoiceRecorder app as a backup.
You’d think the phone audio wasn’t good enough, but I’ve had to use it for a couple episodes and they turned out fine. Not great, but much better than losing the audio entirely if your number one mic has issues.
Podcast Lesson 5 — Get Referrals
My friend Christina Calabrese referred so many different guests to me for my podcast by simply writing a post in a group of kickass female entrepreneurs. This was a godsend!
I’ve been able to meet and talk to so many amazing women because of Christina and I’m so thankful for her kindness.
As I’ve continued to podcast I’ve also asked other guests for referrals which, over time, will continue to deliver more amazing guests to the show.
How do you get referrals?
That goes back to podcast lesson number two — ASK!
Podcast Lesson 6 — Do Your Homework
For every single podcast episode you need to be prepared.
My process for guest preparation includes some of the following:
- Doing a Google search of their name
- Checking out their LinkedIn profiles
- Doing a YouTube search of their name
- Searching their name in Apple Podcasts and listening to past interviews they’ve done
Does this take lots of time?
Yes, but guests notice the extra effort.
I’ve had multiple guests mention something about my preparation and how they appreciated it.
All of that research also gives you more confidence going into an interview and makes for a better interview as you can ask the guest questions they may never have been asked before.
Closing
Podcasting gives you an excuse to talk to all sorts of people for extended periods of time. You get to learn from others while improving your own interviewing skills and can use the podcast to grow your brand and build a build a business.
Simply put — podcasting is amazing.
I’m so glad I finally decided to start a podcast and committed to doing it every week.
If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast, just go make it happen.
Sure, there are plenty of other podcasts around today, but who cares?
Just go.
One More Thing
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