Cindy Witteman of the Little Give & Is Manifesting Bullshit Podcasts: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Very Successful Podcast
Define Your Niche Clearly: Clearly define your podcast’s niche to stand out. For instance, when I started a podcast centered around empowering single parents, the specificity of the focus attracted a dedicated audience with a shared interest.
As part of my series of interviews about “5 things you need to know to create a very successful podcast”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cindy Witteman.
Residing in San Antonio, Texas, Cindy Witteman is a versatile individual, serving as a Business Owner, 3x International Best-Selling Author, and Host of the “Little Give” TV Show. Acknowledged with the 2023 Trailblazer Award, she also hosts the “Is Manifesting Bullshit Podcast,” embodies roles as an Entrepreneur, Life, and Confidence Coach, and engages as a Speaker. Alongside these pursuits, Cindy indulges in beekeeping and holds the position of Founder/CEO of Driving Single Parents Inc., a nonprofit she established in 2017.
Transitioning from a single parent to a proud stepmom in a blended family with six kids, one grandson, and two granddaughters, Cindy’s life is a harmonious blend of travel, family time, and a mission to inspire positivity. Driven by a passion for giving back, she founded Driving Single Parents Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, approaching its seventh-year milestone. Through the unwavering dedication of the team, this organization has furnished reliable vehicles to numerous single-parent families without cost, empowering them to surmount challenges and turn their struggles into tales of triumph.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit of your “personal backstory? What is your background and what eventually brought you to this particular career path?
My career path found purpose after exploring various avenues, leading me to discover a passion for helping others succeed and become CEOs of their own lives.
A little extra detail — Based in San Antonio, Texas, I am a parent to six children, including two bonus kids, and a grandparent with three grandchildren and another on the way. My early life was financially challenging, marked by a lack of basic necessities. Marrying young exposed me to domestic violence, but I emerged from that situation, embracing single parenthood.
Today, I proudly carry the titles of a 3-time international best-selling author, the Founder and CEO of a nonprofit, a TV and podcast host, a business owner, a life and confidence coach, and even a beekeeper. My journey propels my passion for giving back and supporting others.
Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?
One of the most fascinating experiences since I started podcasting was when I had the opportunity to interview an unexpected guest who shared a remarkable personal journey. This individual’s story resonated deeply with our audience, sparking meaningful conversations and connections. It highlighted the incredible power of storytelling and the unexpected surprises that unfold in the podcasting world, enriching both my own experience and the lives of our listeners.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Certainly! In my early days, I once mistakenly scheduled a podcast interview with the wrong guest. It led to a rather amusing and unexpected conversation with someone entirely unrelated to the intended topic. While initially flustered, we decided to embrace the situation and turn it into a lighthearted episode. The lesson learned was the importance of flexibility and maintaining a sense of humor in the face of mistakes. It taught me that sometimes, the unplanned moments can bring unexpected joy and connection to both myself and the audience.
How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?
I started “Little Give Podcast” in March 2023 and have aired 4 seasons so far.
I started “Is Manifesting Bullshit Podcast” 6 Months ago and have aired 20 episodes.
What are the main takeaways, lessons or messages that you want your listeners to walk away with after listening to your show?
Little Give — I want the audience to see every little give makes and impact and to inspire them to giveback in their own community.
Is Manifesting Bullshit — To show that the power is within you. You can choose a better existence.
In your opinion what makes your podcast binge-listenable? What do you think makes your podcast unique from the others in your category? What do you think is special about you as a host, your guests, or your content?
I believe the binge-listenable quality of my podcast stems from the genuine and diverse stories shared by compelling guests. Our unique angle in the category is the emphasis on real, personal journeys that resonate with listeners. As a host, my commitment to authenticity and creating a welcoming atmosphere contributes to the podcast’s appeal. The special blend of relatable content, engaging guests, and an authentic hosting style sets our podcast apart, making it a compelling and binge-worthy experience.
Doing something on a consistent basis is not easy. Podcasting every work-day, or even every week can be monotonous. What would you recommend to others about how to maintain discipline and consistency? What would you recommend to others about how to avoid burnout?
Maintaining discipline and consistency in podcasting requires a balance. Set realistic schedules, plan content ahead, and embrace variety to keep things fresh. Incorporate block recording to prevent burnout; self-care is crucial. Delegate tasks when possible, and don’t hesitate to seek support. Creating a sustainable routine and being attuned to your mental well-being will contribute to both consistency and longevity in podcasting.
What resources do you get your inspiration for materials from?
I feed off my guests. None of my recordings are scripted. I simply ask genuine questions that come up for me during the recording. I feel like If I have a question, the audience probably has the same one or something close to it.
Ok fantastic. Let’s now shift to the main questions of our discussion. Is there someone in the podcasting world who you think is a great model for how to run a really fantastic podcast? What are the ingredients that make that podcast so successful?
Craig Siegel — His podcast is a powerhouse of motivation. I believe his podcast is so successful because he brings guests on that are motivational an experts in their field with a purpose driven mission.
You are a very successful podcaster yourself. Can you share with our readers the five things you need to know to create an extremely successful podcast? (Please share a story or example for each, if you can.)
1. Define Your Niche Clearly: Clearly define your podcast’s niche to stand out. For instance, when I started a podcast centered around empowering single parents, the specificity of the focus attracted a dedicated audience with a shared interest.
2. Invest in Quality Equipment and Production: Invest in good equipment and prioritize production quality. Early on, I faced technical issues that affected the podcast’s sound. Upgrading equipment and refining production processes significantly enhanced the overall listener experience.
3. Engage and Connect with Your Audience: Actively engage with your audience through social media, listener surveys, and direct feedback. By fostering a sense of community, I’ve seen increased listener loyalty and valuable insights that shape the podcast’s content.
4. Consistency is Key: Consistency in posting episodes is crucial. Establish a regular schedule and stick to it. In the early days, I experimented with posting irregularly, and the audience response was noticeably lower. Once I committed to a consistent schedule, the podcast’s growth was more substantial.
5. Adapt and Evolve: Be open to adapting and evolving your content based on audience feedback and industry trends. Early on, I hesitated to pivot the podcast’s format, fearing a negative response. However, embracing change based on constructive feedback proved to be pivotal in maintaining relevance and growth.
These lessons, learned through practical experiences, have been instrumental in building a successful podcast.
Can you share some insight from your experience about the best ways to: 1) book great guests; 2) increase listeners; 3) produce it in a professional way; 4) encourage engagement; and 5) the best way to monetize it? (Please share a story or example for each, if you can.)
1. Booking Great Guests: Cultivate relationships within your niche and industry. Networking at events or through social media can lead to valuable connections. Once, by engaging in industry forums, I secured a notable guest who brought a wealth of expertise and significantly elevated the podcast’s credibility.
2. Increasing Listeners: Leverage social media strategically. Share engaging snippets, create visually appealing promotional material, and actively interact with your audience. One memorable boost in listenership occurred when a well-timed social media campaign, accompanied by a compelling teaser, went viral, drawing in a broader audience.
3. Professional Production: Invest in quality equipment and consider professional editing services. A pivotal moment for my podcast was when I invested in a skilled editor. The improved audio quality and polished production elevated the podcast’s professionalism, garnering positive feedback and attracting more listeners.
4. Encouraging Engagement: Create a community around your podcast. Utilize platforms like Discord or dedicated social media groups to foster discussions. An engaging episode sparked a vibrant discussion within our community, leading to listeners sharing personal stories and experiences related to the podcast’s theme.
5. Monetization Strategies: Explore various monetization avenues, such as sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or listener support platforms. A successful example involved partnering with a brand aligned with the podcast’s values. This collaboration not only provided financial support but also enhanced the podcast’s overall quality through shared resources.
These insights, drawn from practical experiences, underscore the importance of strategic networking, social media engagement, professional production, community-building, and diversified monetization approaches in creating and sustaining a successful podcast.
For someone looking to start their own podcast, which equipment would you recommend that they start with?
I use Buzzsprout, a regular laptop and a Samsung Q2U microphone. That’s it!
Ok. We are almost done. :-) Because of your position and work, you are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would inspire a movement of kindness focused on fostering empathy and understanding across diverse communities. By promoting open conversations, Little Give’s, kindness, active listening, and embracing different perspectives, this movement would aim to break down barriers, reduce prejudice, and create a more inclusive and compassionate world. The ripple effect of empathy can lead to positive change, promoting harmony and cooperation among people from all walks of life.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can find me on all social media platforms with my name Cindy Witteman
https://linktr.ee/cindy.witteman
https://www.facebook.com/DrivingSingleParents/
Thank you so much for sharing your time and your excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
About The Interviewer: Jason Hartman is the Founder and CEO of Empowered Investor. Jason has been involved in several thousand real estate transactions and has owned income properties in 11 states and 17 cities. Empowered Investor helps people achieve The American Dream of financial freedom by purchasing income property in prudent markets nationwide. Jason’s Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ is a comprehensive system providing real estate investors with education, research, resources and technology to deal with all areas of their income property investment needs. Through Jason’s podcasts, educational events, referrals, mentoring and software to track your investments, investors can easily locate, finance and purchase properties in these exceptional markets with confidence and peace of mind.
Starting with very little, Jason, while still in college at the age of 19, embarked on a career in real estate. While brokering properties for clients, he was investing in his own portfolio along the way. Through creativity, persistence and hard work, he earned a number of prestigious industry awards and became a young multi-millionaire. Jason purchased a California real estate brokerage firm that was later acquired by Coldwell Banker. He combined his dedication and business talents to become a successful entrepreneur, public speaker, author, and media personality. Over the years he developed his Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ where his innovative firm educates and assists investors in acquiring prudent investments nationwide for their portfolio. Jason’s sought after educational events, speaking engagements, and his popular “Creating Wealth Podcast” inspire and empower hundreds of thousands of people in 189 countries worldwide.
While running his successful real estate and media businesses, Jason also believes that giving back to the community plays an important role in building strong personal relationships. He established The Jason Hartman Foundation in 2005 to provide financial literacy education to young adults providing the all-important real world skills not taught in school which are the key to the financial stability and success of future generations. We’re in a global monetary crisis caused by decades of misguided policies and the cycle of financial dependence has to be broken, literacy and self-reliance are a good start. Visit JasonHartman.com for free materials and resources.
