Podcasting Archives - Elizabeth McCravy

5 Tips for Better Podcast Interviews (That Actually Grow Your Show) with Akua Konadu

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Today we have another lovely guest training on the podcast, this time with Akua Konadu. Akua and I met a few years ago when we were both speaking at the Creative Educator Conference. She’s the host of two incredible podcasts, which you’ll hear her talk about as she introduces herself. When I was planning these guest trainings (originally for my maternity leave, though I’ve been airing them more sporadically now), Akua immediately came to mind as someone who could offer such a valuable perspective on interviewing as a podcast host and hosting better podcast interviews. She is a truly strong interviewer, and storytelling is something she teaches in her business — so she lives and breathes this stuff.

If you’ve started a podcast and have done even a handful of interviews, you know interviewing is a real skill. It’s not as simple as reading questions you wrote ahead of time. It’s a conversation. And it can feel overwhelming at first, and sometimes, it can feel like you’re asking a question but already thinking ahead to the next one and not fully hearing their answer. There are a lot of little pitfalls like that that new (and even seasoned!) podcasters can fall into.

Akua is here to help you avoid those traps and grow your show by becoming a better interviewer. She’s sharing five powerful tips for better podcast interviews, plus some storytelling strategies that are absolute gold. Storytelling is her specialty, and you’ll really hear that shine through.

So whether you’re brand new to podcasting or you’ve been interviewing guests for years, these are the kinds of things we can all easily miss. I know you’re going to learn so much from her.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

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Hello, hello! I am so excited to be tapping into the Breakthrough Brand Podcast this week. My name is Akua Konadu, and I'm a host of not one, but two podcasts. Number one, the Unbreakable Business Podcast, powered by HoneyBook, where we lean into the untold stories of entrepreneurship. And then my other podcast, which is all about life, Here’s the Tea with Akua, where we are all about making uncomfortable conversations more comfortable.

So as somebody with two podcasts, I have done countless interviews, and it has been such an incredible and really fun experience, and we have seen a lot of success. I’m really excited today to be talking with you all about how to become more strategic with interviewing. As I have learned about myself, I’ve naturally fallen into the podcasting realm, but what I’ve learned is that interviewing is definitely a skill.

As you lean more into that journey, it’s really about refining these skills and exercising that muscle so that you feel more confident in your interviews, but also so that your interviews make a major impact that will actually grow your show. I’m really excited to share some tips with you that I think have been so phenomenal for me in my podcast journey and have really made a difference in my growth. That’s what we’re going to dive into.

So here are some interview tips that are going to lead to breakthrough conversations. Are you ready? Let’s get into it.

1. You Need To Research Your Guest & Prep Like a Pro

My number one tip is to research your guest. You want to prepare like a pro. Now, prepping for everybody can really depend on your personality. For example, if you are type A, maybe you are somebody that’s really thorough, you like to have a lot of questions laid out. It really just depends on your personality and the goal of your show.

For me, I am not like that. I’m actually type B. Most of my interviews, naturally, I have winged, but I have prepped in a way that has allowed me to really kind of just wing my episodes. I’ll have questions, but naturally, depending on their answer, I’ll end up not using my questions.

Here are some examples of how I prep for my shows.

First, what is the main goal of your show?

Really go back and revisit that. For me, with my personality and for both of my shows, the underlying goal is I love to have really raw, real, unfiltered conversations. So I know that about myself and that’s the main goal of the show.

I also do a really deep dive into getting to know the guest.

I listen to past interviews, number one, see how they do on video, see how they do in interviews in general, but also to really get a good feel for their personality and how they answer questions. We do deep dives into their social. I’ll try to go and find some really old social media posts where they’ve shared little hints of their story but maybe haven’t fully emphasized it.Then I think, “Okay, we can lean into that.” I Google them, read articles if they’ve been featured in anything—really taking that time to get to know who they are as an individual and also who they are as a business owner. That prep is super helpful.

In my prep documents, we always have their bio, of course, but I’ll also have an outline. And then, if there are any notes where I’m like, “Ooh, I really want to lean into this specific piece of their story,” I’ll bring it up.

An example of this in action

So, for example, we had an episode on the Unbreakable Business Podcast with a woman who’s a PR expert. That is mainly what she is known for. If you Google her name, it’s PR. If you Google interviews, it’s all about PR. That’s great, that’s what we wanted her on the show for, but I wanted to come at it from a more unique angle, where people are either able to learn something completely different from what she generally talks about with PR, or we can tie more of her personal journey into that.

So we dug deep into her social media and found this really random social media post where she was featured in a magazine at nine years old and we opened with that. That was immediately the hook of the episode: asking her about that specific moment when she found out she was in this magazine and how she got into the magazine. I knew we’d be able to capture our listener’s attention right away by bringing that up.

On top of that, when you catch them a little bit off guard like that, it lets down the guest’s nervousness, and then you start to see the real person—who they are, not the more buttoned-up interviewee. I get to see them as their whole person and their humanity, and that’s why I research in the way that I do.

2. Lead with Curiosity, Not Control

The next tip that I want to share is to lead with curiosity, not control. Like I said before, I’m a type B, so no conversation is ever the same. Always stay open to where the conversation naturally flows.

Even if you’re someone who’s like, “Okay, I can’t do that, Akua,” maybe just start with one question, and then depending on their answer, let that lead into another question or a follow-up. Really stay flexible, because one thing that I don’t enjoy as a listener of a show is when it’s just very “interview-y.” I really want it to be a conversation.

So come in with strong openers and direction—just not with super rigid questions. Because sometimes when you ask rigid questions, they’ll just give you one straightforward answer and that’s it. And of course, it’s okay if you ask follow-ups, but I want to see them as an individual. I want them to share as much as they can that’s relevant to the question.

That’s what I do: I lead with curiosity and really follow the conversation. A lot of the time I’m like, “Ooh, I really like what this person just said here, let’s lean more into that,” and I’ll take the conversation in a different direction. And that’s okay, because that will honestly lead to a much richer, deeper conversation that can truly go very far.

Let those emotional moments really land before jumping into the next question or the next topic. Really give that person the space to share whatever it is that they’re feeling or whatever it is they want to share. And then, if you want to know more about it, lead in with curiosity—because then you get to know more about the person, and that helps your audience get to know more about them as well.

Tips from a Storytelling Strategist

If you don’t know this, I’m a storytelling strategist. I love helping business owners lean more into their story and lean more into their gifts to actually create content that aligns with who they are, connects with their audience, and makes it easier for them to sell their products and services. So it would be unjust for me not to share any storytelling tips with you.

These are some storytelling tips I use to really pull out depth in interviews because, again, that’s what I’m looking for: untold stories of entrepreneurship, making uncomfortable conversations more comfortable. So you really have to focus on stories.

Instead of having people share a story that starts at the very beginning, I always ask a question that’s in the moment. So instead of saying, “What’s your advice for somebody starting out?” or “How did you get started in your business?” I’ll say, “Can you share with me a time in your business where you felt like you were going to give up?” or something like that.

It forces them to be in a moment, like what I said earlier, where they’re now placing themselves back in that situation (how they felt, what they were thinking), and that’s what they’re going to share.

That is what I always, always want to do: how can I bring out the emotions and the transformation? That’s what I love to talk about and really lean into as I’m doing these interviews. The way I do that, like I said, is by inviting them into a question that starts in the moment and isn’t very generic. Because when they answer a question that starts in the moment, they’ll remember something else that’s been stored away in their brain and think, “Oh my gosh, I want to talk about this as well.”

And again, it just leads to such a beautiful flow of the conversation. That’s something that has been really impactful for me as a storytelling strategist—really starting in that moment.

3. Make It Feel Like a Conversation

If you’ve been podcasting for a while, this is likely not new to you. But what I love so much is when guests ask me as the host questions as well. There have been times I’ve had episodes that absolutely caught me off guard, but those have led to some of my best-performing episodes because it feels like a conversation. It’s not just a one-way conversation. It’s not just me asking the question and them replying.

When they’re also asking me questions, or I give my reaction and add to the conversation, that makes such a big difference. It makes it feel so much more natural and so much more meaningful.

So remember that you, as the interviewer, are also a person who can equally contribute to the interview you’re giving. Because again, it starts to naturally turn into that conversation where, when you’re giving that feedback, it will prompt that person to either ask you a question or also add more to the conversation, where it feels like two friends who are just chatting it up.

I mean, I’ve had guests where it was my first time meeting them, and some people would think that I actually have a relationship with this person, but I really don’t. That really helps lower the person’s defenses (like their nervousness, if that’s how they’re feeling).

4. Don’t Get Caught Up In “Insider Talk” Or Jargon

Remember to ask those clarifying questions. For example, on the Unbreakable Business Podcast, we obviously focus more on service providers, B2C. We had a guest come on the show who’s mainly B2B. And so he was saying lingo and things that may not be completely relevant, or maybe people working in the B2C realm may not know. So I made sure to stop and then give people that additional context, and then he continued to go on.

Anytime I knew there was going to be a gap in what he was saying, where our audience might not understand, I would always follow up or pause him in the middle while he was sharing his answer, where I could tell he was going to take a second. You can tell, when you’re giving the interview, where you’re like, “Ooh, I can interject here,” because I could tell he was about to give a pause.

So then I said, “Okay, just some added context,” and then I would share that. And he would be like, “Yes, yep, absolutely,” and then he would continue on with the story, so it was really easy for our listeners to follow along with what he was sharing.

Don’t be afraid to ask those clarifying questions. Don’t be afraid to just take a pause and say to them, “I just want to make sure that our listeners understand here,” and then lay it out for them so they understand, and then the person can pick up where they left off.

I always do that, and it has made such a great difference, because I want to make sure that every single person listening to the show really does feel like they got something out of it.

So always lead with that clarity. If you have to pause, that’s okay. If you have to ask them clarifying questions, that’s okay. If you need to have them stop for a second, that’s okay too. As you interview more and really exercise those skills, it’ll become a lot more natural to you.

5. Have a Really Clear CTA (Call-to-Action)

Make sure to end strong. Have a really clear CTA. I know it’s simple, but it’s just so important.

I really like to have guests hold themselves accountable, whether it’s asking them questions for reflection, or saying, “If you remember one thing from today…” And I always say, “Head to my socials so we can continue this conversation.” I absolutely love that. I think it’s super helpful.

Leave listeners with clarity and not just with the content. That’s where you can ask for reviews, or I’ve seen some people do a quick episode recap at the end. Whatever it is, don’t just leave them with the content—leave them with some form of action they can take.

So those are all of my tips that have really made such a big difference and have led to breakthrough conversations on the podcast. Thank you all for tuning in.

Advice from a Storytelling Strategist for Better Podcast Interviews

As a storytelling strategist, what has helped me become such a strong interviewer is really understanding what my storytelling style is. I have a quiz called “What Is Your Storytelling Style?” This quiz is personalized to your type and gives you incredible tips, resources, and podcast episodes to listen to that reflect your storytelling style.

I really want to encourage you to take that quiz because it’s going to help you figure out what your natural strengths are, especially as an interviewer, and help you learn how to use them more intentionally.

You can connect with me at @akuakonadu_ on Instagram. I love chatting in the DMs. My website is here and you can also find me on the Unbreakable Business Podcast, powered by HoneyBook. We have new episodes that come out on Wednesdays.

Links Mentioned:

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Thanks to our blog sponsor, Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)!

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My family has been CHM members for over 5 years, and their maternity care shared all expenses for all 3 of my children’s births—from c-section to home birth. They even shared costs for key parts of prep and postpartum care, like pelvic floor physical therapy and lactation consulting.

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I can’t recommend Christian Healthcare Ministries enough! It’s more than financial help—it’s also spiritual support when you need it most.

Learn more here! And if you’d like to hear our full story, check out episode 305 of The Breakthrough Brand Podcast, where Adam and I dive into our experience with CHM.

The post 5 Tips for Better Podcast Interviews (That Actually Grow Your Show) with Akua Konadu appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

Can You Make Money From a New Podcast? The Money Conversation Every Podcaster Should Have

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 14 minutes

Can you make money from a new podcast? Can you make money from any podcast? Most people start a podcast with no real idea of how, or even if they’ll ever make money from it. Then they’re surprised when it isn’t profitable later on.

Knowing your long-term monetization strategy from the start changes everything: how you structure your episodes, what calls to action you use, and ultimately who your audience becomes. So I want to encourage you to think about and plan for this before you start your podcast.

But if you’ve already launched your show and you’re within those first 20 episodes, or even if you’ve been podcasting for a while and you’re thinking, “Elizabeth, I’ve been doing this for some time, but I’m not making any money and I don’t know why” this episode is for you too.

We’re going to work on a plan to make money from your podcast now—better late than never.

I also want to say this: your podcast doesn’t have to be profitable from day one. It’s also completely fine to start a podcast as a hobby with no plans to make money from it. You just need to be clear with yourself that that’s your intention.

So in this short episode, from one podcaster who’s been doing this for a long time to another, I’m sharing how to make a simple money plan for your show before you start it.

This comes from someone who’s produced over 320 episodes and who created this kind of plan before ever hitting record. I had a clear vision of how the show would generate income from day one and I’m still here, six years later, loving podcasting. I think that early planning made all the difference.

So let’s dive in.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

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Search for episode 324!

All right, guys—let’s have the money conversation that every podcaster needs to have.

You don’t need to make money from your show on day one. It’s great if you do, but it’s not a requirement. What is important is knowing where you’re headed. You need a game plan—a vision and strategy that guides you as you record episodes, launch your show, create marketing assets, and build your email list.

You should have clear steps in place to move you toward monetization. Ask yourself: How will I bring people from the podcast app into my world (whatever that world looks like)?

This kind of planning doesn’t have to take hours, but it can completely change how you show up for your podcast and how you show up for it.

The idea of making money from your podcast is something I’m really passionate about, because it’s something I’ve done successfully in my own business. My podcast is a huge asset—it allows me to sell my own products, earn through affiliate marketing, and partner with sponsors. It’s not a financial burden dragging my business down; it’s something that lifts it up. And beyond that, it’s genuinely fun for me.

I feel so strongly about this because I see so many podcasters give up. They shut their shows down or switch to a paid-membership-only model because they’re thinking, “I love doing this, but I’m not making any money. What’s the point?”

That’s why, in my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, I put a big emphasis on monetization. Most podcasting courses only include one or two quick videos on making money, and then they move on. The main focus tends to be: Get the show live. Launch it. Submit it to Apple and Spotify.

And while that’s important, it’s also a huge mistake to stop there, because monetization matters just as much.

When I first created my course, about a year ago now, I made sure monetization wasn’t an afterthought. I noticed it was missing from so many other programs, and I wanted to change that. If you’re putting in the time to record, edit, market, and publish your show, you deserve to see a return on that effort.

So in Podcast Success Blueprint, there’s an entire module dedicated to this topic, called Make Money Podcasting. In that module, I go really deep to help you think strategically about the financial side of your show. So if that sounds interesting to you, definitely check out my podcast course here.

But for now, I want to guide you through three steps to get clarity on your money plan for your podcast. Once we go through them, I’ll also share a few reflection questions to help you think through this even more. I’d encourage you to grab a journal or open a blank Google Doc afterward and brainstorm your answers.

Step One: Decide on Your Goal

The first question to ask yourself is:

Is your podcast a marketing tool for your business, a community builder, or a standalone business?

Most podcasts fit primarily into one of these categories—sometimes there’s overlap, but usually one serves as the foundation. So, let me explain some of those with a few examples to help you think about which category is right for you.

Using your podcast as a marketing tool

My own podcast is a marketing tool for an already existing business. This is probably the most common type of podcast, and it’s also the category that most of my podcast students fall into.

An example of this would be a show that serves as a marketing tool for a business that already exists. That business could sell literally anything—it could be selling courses, websites and design services, or even physical products. It could really be anything, but the key is that the podcast is a marketing tool for that business.

Using your podcast as a community

A community podcast is often what you see when you think of an influencer who has a show. These are usually interview-heavy podcasts that revolve around a specific niche or interest. In this case, you’re probably not selling your own products—at least not yet. Maybe you’ll do that eventually but for now, the monetization usually comes from ads and affiliate marketing. These types of shows tend to be very ad-driven.

Using your podcast as a standalone business

Then there’s the standalone business model. This is where the podcast itself is the foundation of the business. The business starts because the podcast starts. You may eventually add other offers, but the podcast is essentially the product—the source of the business. Often, the name of the podcast and the name of the business are the same.

Basically, figuring out which of these three categories you fall into will help you determine what role your show plays in your overall business strategy.

And again, you don’t have to overthink this one. Is your podcast a marketing tool, a community builder, or a standalone business? You probably already know which one it is.

Like I said, the marketing tool model is the most common—but I’ll share this: I actually have another podcast and business idea that’s been on my heart and mind, something I plan to start in the next few years. I’ll keep the details a secret for now, but when I think about that idea, because I’ve already done this step of planning, it definitely falls into the standalone business category, where the podcast itself would be the foundation of the business.

The podcast you’re listening to right now, though, is a marketing tool for my current business.

So anyway, get clear on which one of those you are and what your goal is for your show.

Step Two: Pick Your Monetization Model

This is a big one. Your monetization model represents what you’re working toward, even if it’s not what’s happening in your first few episodes. From day one, you’re planting seeds that align with your long-term income strategy. This is your vision for how your show will eventually make money.

In my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, I teach sixteen different ways to monetize a podcast. They fall into a few larger categories, and the great thing is, you can absolutely use multiple models at once—I do that myself on this show.

So don’t feel boxed into one path. For example, if you’ve identified your podcast as a community builder, you don’t have to stick to one monetization method forever. Each season of your show, or each phase of your business, can use different strategies.

There are so many ways to earn from your podcast, but to get your ideas flowing, here are three that I personally use:

Selling your own offers
Sponsorships
Affiliate marketing

Now, think about your show’s vision. Which of these makes sense from day one? Which might you grow into over time?

When I say “from day one,” I don’t mean you have to be making money right away—it just means you’re laying the groundwork for that goal in your first few episodes.

If your podcast is a marketing tool for an existing business, selling your own offers is a great place to start. Mention your products or services naturally and consistently. It can be part of your early content strategy.

If you don’t yet have offers but plan to create them, you might begin by focusing on email list growth. That way, when your product or service is ready, you already have an engaged audience to sell to.

If you already have a strong following or great industry connections, sponsorships might make sense early on. Maybe you expect your show to gain traction quickly or have potential partners in mind—great, that’s an opportunity.

And finally, affiliate marketing. This is one I recommend for everyone. It’s simple to implement and works naturally within your content. I go into detail on how to do this inside Podcast Success Blueprint, but it’s one of the easiest, most flexible ways to start generating income as your audience grows.

If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing and you’re thinking, “I’ve heard of it, but what exactly is it?”—let me explain.

Affiliate marketing is similar to sponsorships in that you’re promoting another company, but it’s different because there’s no formal contract or upfront payment involved. Instead of a company paying you a set amount to mention them, you share a special link or coupon code that’s tied to you as an affiliate.

When someone makes a purchase or signs up through your link, you earn a commission. In other words, you only make money when the company makes money. It’s a win-win: they gain a new customer, and you get paid for driving that sale.

I absolutely love affiliate marketing, and I think every podcaster should use it in some way.

Now, just to help you visualize how all of this works in practice, let me walk you through how I’m personally using all three monetization methods—selling my own offers, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing—in this very episode.

You’ve probably noticed that while I’m teaching and sharing valuable content, I’ve also naturally woven in references that support my business financially. None of it (hopefully!) feels pushy or distracting—it’s just part of how the episode flows.

So, here’s how I’m doing each one:

Promoting my own products

I’ve mentioned my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, several times throughout this episode. That’s intentional. It fits naturally with the topic, and it’s something I truly believe helps my audience.

When you host your own show, don’t shy away from mentioning your expertise or your offers. If you’re teaching on a topic, it only makes sense to let listeners know how they can go deeper with you—whether that’s through a course, a service, or a product. You’re serving them by giving them the next step.

Sponsorships

If you’re listening to this episode within about two months of its release, I’m currently in the middle of a sponsorship partnership with a company I absolutely love: Christian Healthcare Ministries. I’ve partnered with them three times now on multi-month sponsorships, and it’s been such a great fit for both sides.

So, let’s talk more about that sponsorship. Christian Healthcare Ministries is amazing—they’re actually the company my family uses for our healthcare. We’re a family of five, and they’ve been such a great fit for us.

Right now, I have a multi-month partnership with them that includes not only podcast ads but also some social media content and other promotional elements.

That’s something I want you to think about, too: podcast sponsorships don’t have to be limited to just an ad read. You can create deals that include more deliverables and bring extra value to both you and the company.

If you’re listening to this episode close to its release, you’ve probably heard that ad—or maybe you’ll hear it later in the episode. I use dynamic ad insertion, which is a method I highly recommend and also teach inside my course. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to handle podcast ads in 2025, 2026, and beyond.

Affiliate Marketing

Now, for the third monetization method: affiliate marketing.

I haven’t mentioned any affiliate links in this specific episode yet, but when it makes sense, I do. I try to keep it natural and relevant and not push it. If there’s a product or service I genuinely use and love, I’ll mention it and share my affiliate link or discount code.

Inside Podcast Success Blueprint, I teach how to set up an affiliate system that makes this process simple—so you always have your links and codes ready and can easily share them in your episodes.

If you go back and listen to other episodes of my show, you’ll hear me weave in affiliate mentions organically. I also use pre-recorded ads that point listeners to my Tools and Resources page—a page on my website where I list all the companies I’m an affiliate for, along with any special discounts or codes my listeners can use.

So there you have it, three monetization methods, all demonstrated right here in this episode:

And remember, those are just the beginning. There are many more creative and niche ways to monetize, which I cover in detail inside my course.

So, before you even hit record, take some time to map out a general monetization plan. Ask yourself:

What can I aim toward long-term?
Is there an affiliate I could mention early on?
Is there one of my own products that fits naturally into this topic?
Could I offer a freebie in this episode that helps me collect email addresses from day one?

Thinking about these things in advance helps you record those early episodes with purpose and direction.

Now, even though I don’t think you should put too much pressure on your early episodes, it’s still worth being intentional with them. Here’s why: when your show is new and doesn’t have many episodes yet, people often go back and start listening from episode one—even if your show doesn’t need to be heard in order.

That means those early episodes can end up being some of your most-listened-to over time. So it’s a great opportunity to start implementing your monetization ideas right from the beginning.

And if that thought feels intimidating—like, “Oh my gosh, what if someone listens to my first episode a year from now, and I’ve gotten so much better since then?”—don’t stress. You can always replace the audio later. Keep the episode in the feed, but upload an updated version whenever you’re ready.

I just really want to encourage you to think about these things early on because it will help your show grow with purpose from the very beginning.

Step Three: Map Your Funnel

Now, “mapping your funnel” might sound a little more complex than it really is. At its core, it’s just about asking:

How will a listener who just found your podcast go deeper with you?

What’s the journey from point A (your show) to point B, C, or D, where they buy from you or connect with you in another meaningful way?

That’s all a funnel really is: a guided path that connects your podcast audience to the rest of your business.

I actually think this part is really fun—it’s like building a web. You have all these different “hubs” in your business, and your goal is to connect them so that people move naturally between them.

For example:

You want the person who listens to your podcast to join your email list.
You want the person who found you through a freebie or blog post to start listening to your podcast.
You want your social media followers to check out both your show and your offers.

It’s all about creating flow between the different entry points into your business so people can engage with you in multiple ways.

There are a lot of ways to structure this, and the best approach will depend on your podcast’s purpose and the way your brain works. Inside my course, I teach a few different funnel models that fit various show types and business goals.

How I’m Putting This Into Practice For A Future Podcast

And, as I mentioned earlier, I have another business idea I plan to start in the future—one where the podcast itself will be the foundation of the business. Funny enough, when I was outlining this episode, I pulled out my business journal (tapping it right here next to me!) and started sketching out how that funnel might look for that future project.

I actually have my journal open right now, and I was looking at an entry dated April 9th of this year. That’s when I did exactly what I’m talking about here: mapping out funnel ideas for a new podcast concept I’ve been dreaming up.

Now, I’m nowhere close to starting this business. I don’t even have a name for it yet—no start date, no launch plan. It’s just an idea I’ve been imagining and developing in my head. But I went ahead and did this “map your funnel” step as part of my broader planning process.

In that journal entry, I wrote out that the foundation of this future business would be free podcast content. Then I listed three specific ways I’d want to monetize that podcast directly. I also mapped out how I’d use email marketing from day one to start building toward those monetization goals—even though, realistically, some of those offers won’t exist when the show first launches.

I even brainstormed potential products that could come later, once the podcast audience is established.

That’s what I mean by mapping out your funnel. Depending on how your brain works, this process might look a little different for you.

You could literally draw arrows like:

Someone discovers you through your podcast → They hear a call to action in an episode that sends them to your website → From there, they book a discovery call or purchase a product, and now they’re a client or customer.

This step is so valuable. You deserve for your podcast to be something you love doing, but also something that contributes to your business, not something that drains it. Ideally, it should function as a marketing tool and a business asset, not an expense.

And I can tell you from experience: I did this same exercise when I started this podcast back in early 2018. I had a clear vision for how a listener could go from hearing an episode to taking action—whether that meant reaching out to hire me as their website designer or purchasing one of my website templates. Those were my offers at the time, and that clarity made all the difference.

So, that’s your third and final step: map out your funnel.

Answer These Questions To Help You Answer "Can I Make Money From a New Podcast?"

Now, I want to encourage you: grab a notebook, open a Google Doc, whatever works best for you, and take a few minutes to brainstorm your monetization plan right now. Think about your goals, your audience, and how your show can naturally lead people deeper into your business.

So here are some reflection questions to go along with the three steps I shared. Use these to guide your brainstorming:

What is your podcast?

Is it a marketing tool for your business, a community builder, or a standalone business? Define this clearly so you can start viewing your show through that specific lens.

What are different ways you can make money from your show?

Dream big here. Maybe right now you’re thinking, “I could never land a major multi-month sponsor.” But what would it look like to work toward that goal? Start mapping out steps in that direction.

How can you move people from point A to point B?

Point A is your podcast—where listeners discover you. Point B is where they become a customer or client. What tools, conversations, or content could help bridge that gap? Think about things like episode ideas, calls to action, or email opt-ins that could guide that journey.

When do you want to start monetizing?

Is it from episode one? After ten episodes? Or maybe never—because it’s purely a hobby for you? Be honest with yourself about your goals.

What can you do right now to build a foundation for monetization?

Even if you’re not ready to sell anything, what’s one small thing you can do from episode one, like starting an email list, to set yourself up for future success?

Write out your answers, and let yourself dream. See where those ideas take you.

And before we wrap up, I just want to say, as someone who’s been podcasting for a long time and genuinely loves it, it’s still such a joy for me. Right now, I’m sitting here recording during my baby’s nap time, and I truly love this work. I want that same experience for you.

Podcasting can be fun, impactful, and deeply rewarding. It lets you connect with people in a unique way, but I know one of the biggest reasons people give up, even when they love it, is because it’s not making money. That’s exactly why I want to help you change that.

If you want to go deeper into how to build a podcast that grows both your business and your income, check out Podcast Success Blueprint. I’d love to have you in the course community, where I teach everything about growing and monetizing your show.

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Thanks to our blog sponsor, Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)!

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Learn more here! And if you’d like to hear our full story, check out episode 305 of The Breakthrough Brand Podcast, where Adam and I dive into our experience with CHM.

The post Can You Make Money From a New Podcast? The Money Conversation Every Podcaster Should Have appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

YouTube Vs. Podcasting: Should You Start a Youtube Channel or Podcast? 6 Myths Debunked (with Receipts!)

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 15 minutes

Today’s topic (YouTube vs. Podcasting) is a fun one and a question you may have asked yourself: YouTube vs. podcast? Which should you choose? Is YouTube better than podcasting? Or is podcasting better than having a YouTube channel?

As I record this, I’ve been a podcaster for six years and three months, with 311 episodes under my belt. So, I have a lot of experience with podcasting. But I’m also very familiar with YouTube. And honestly, I’ll start by saying this: both are absolutely amazing ways to create content and grow your business.

So let’s begin with that—both platforms are great. I’m not here to throw rocks at YouTube just because I host a podcast. In this episode, I'm going to bust some common myths about podcasting vs. YouTube and I’ll share some statistics and help you figure out which platform might be the best fit for you especially if you're thinking, “This year, I want a new way to create content and grow my business.”

In this episode, we'll explore which platform aligns better with your personality and business model. Because again, I truly believe both have a place (and they may even work beautifully together in your business).

Whether you're deciding which one to start, or you already have a podcast or a YouTube channel, this episode will give you more data and clarity to support your choice.

I’m really excited about this. Let’s dive in.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 311!

Okay, so—is YouTube better than podcasting, or is podcasting better than YouTube?

The truth is, it really depends on who you ask. And honestly, there’s a lot of content out there bashing one or the other. For example, you’ll easily find people saying, “Don’t start a podcast—it’s a waste of time. It only serves your existing audience and doesn’t help you grow.” Okay... people are going to say that.

On the flip side, there are people who say, “Don’t bother with YouTube. It’s expensive, time-consuming to produce videos, you’re probably not great on camera anyway, and the platform’s oversaturated.”

So yes, there are strong opinions on both sides. But here’s what I want to say:

If you ever hear someone claim there’s only one right way to do something in business, they’re probably trying to sell you something that teaches that “one way.”

And look, I do have a podcasting course, and yes, I’d love for you to join it. But I’m also not going to stand here and say that podcasting is the only way to grow your business. That’s just not true.

That said, I’ve obviously chosen podcasting as my main platform. I also have a YouTube channel where my podcast episodes get uploaded. We’ll talk more about that later. The reason I chose podcasting has a lot to do with my personality, how I like to consume content, the kind of content I create, and where I believe my ideal audience is hanging out—which, in my case, is on podcasts.

But let me be clear: I don’t hate YouTube. You’re not going to hear me throwing shade at YouTube in this episode. I have business friends who’ve seen amazing success on their channels, and when someone tells me they’re starting a YouTube channel, I’m genuinely excited for them. I’m the first to say, “Yes! Go you! I can’t wait to subscribe and cheer you on.”

It doesn't have to be this “us vs. them” situation—like YouTube creators over here and podcasters over there, facing off in some kind of content battle.

I personally use YouTube all the time—just not for business content. I watch workout videos there, and my oldest son’s favorite shows are all on YouTube Kids. In fact, we even subscribe to YouTube Premium so he can watch without ads.

So yeah, I use YouTube—but not for business learning. Still, I know plenty of people do.

So if you’re thinking, “I want to start a podcast or a YouTube channel, but I’m not sure which one is right for me,” this episode is for you.

I’ve got six myths to bust, and then we’ll go over some key factors to help you decide which platform is best for you—your personality, your goals, your business model, and the kind of content you want to create.

Because yes, both are amazing options. But that doesn’t mean they’re both the right fit for you.

Myth #1: Podcasts Aren’t Searchable, But YouTube Is

You’ve probably heard this one before—people saying that it’s hard to get discovered through podcasts, but YouTube? Oh, that’s where the visibility magic happens. And just so you know, every myth I’m sharing in this episode is something I’ve heard, taught, or seen presented as a fact in online business circles—they're not made up. But this one? It’s simply not true anymore.

Let’s bust it: Podcasts are searchable.

Now, to be fair, this used to be more true. I’d say maybe 8 to 10 years ago, podcasts were harder to search and discover. But that’s changed significantly. Podcast searchability has improved even more in just the six years I’ve been podcasting.

Today, when someone searches for keywords in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, the search engines inside those apps are working hard to surface relevant episodes. And it's not just the episode titles that show up in search. Results are also based on your episode transcripts and show notes, which are either auto-generated by the platform or uploaded by the creator.

So you’ve got:

Your episode title working for you,
Your show notes working for you,
And now, literally what you say in your episode is searchable.

That’s a big deal! And again, this is a newer development. Apple and Spotify both now generate transcripts automatically (though you can upload your own if you prefer). Personally, I just let them auto-generate mine—and even that’s working great.

These platforms are improving all the time, because podcasting is huge and continuing to grow. Companies like Apple and Spotify are investing heavily in making podcast discovery better.

Now, it’s hard to find exact numbers on how much they’re spending, but here’s one stat I found while researching: As of October last year, Spotify has spent over $1 billion acquiring shows—like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy. (We’ll actually talk about how those shows impacted the presidential election later in this episode)

Apple, while not buying shows, is investing in improving their software and adding features like paid subscriptions for podcasts (integrated right into the Apple ecosystem).

So, if someone tells you that podcasting isn’t searchable—they’re just wrong.

Both YouTube and podcasts are searchable. And here’s something else people often overlook: podcast episodes are also searchable on Google and other search engines, even if you don’t blog about them.

Now, I’m a big fan of blogging your podcast episodes—especially for SEO. And if you want to learn how to do that, I teach it in my program Podcast Success Blueprint. But even without blogging, Apple and Spotify can still show up in Google search results.

So, for example, you might Google a business topic and find a specific episode or show from Apple Podcasts or Spotify right there on the first page. That happens all the time.

Of course, you can also blog your episodes for added visibility and search value. But again—podcasts are searchable, period. And so is YouTube. This isn’t about saying podcasting has better search than YouTube. I’m just saying that both platforms have strong and growing search capabilities.

One thing I would love to see in the future—and maybe Apple and Spotify are already working on it—is the ability to search within a specific podcast show. So, for instance, you could go to The Breakthrough Brand Podcast page and search just that library for a certain topic. How great would that be?

Anyway, that’s myth number one:
“Podcasts aren’t searchable.” Totally false.

Myth #2: Everyone Has a Podcast So There’s More Room For Growth on YouTube

Alright, let’s move on to myth number two:
“Everybody has a podcast, but YouTube still has room for growth.”

This one’s fascinating to me. First of all, let’s be clear: both YouTube and podcasting are popular. Neither is some hidden, undiscovered gem—which is why we’re even comparing them in the first place. There are a ton of content creators on both platforms, and they’re both massive in terms of reach and influence.

But here’s the myth-busting truth: podcasting actually has less competition than YouTube.

Now of course, it depends on your specific niche. But generally speaking, research shows that while there are about 2 million podcasts in existence (with around 48 million episodes), there are over 37 million YouTube channels. And those channels are pumping out more than 500 hours of video content every single minute. That’s a huge difference.

So yes, there’s more competition on YouTube. You’re competing for clicks, views, and search results in a much more crowded space. That’s something worth considering as you choose the right platform for you.

Myth #3: Podcasting is Too Expensive

This myth comes up a lot—and it’s one I love busting, because it’s simply not true for most people. In fact, if we’re comparing the two, starting a podcast is often less expensive than starting a YouTube channel.

Of course, it depends somewhat on your situation and what kind of business you have. If you already have video gear for YouTube, great! That might lower your costs. But for most people just starting out, you’ll spend less getting a podcast off the ground.

Here’s an example: You can start a successful podcast for under $100 total in equipment. Not per item—total. And it’s all stuff you can buy on Amazon.

To do well on YouTube, though, especially if you’re planning to be on camera, you’ll typically need:

A quality video camera
Good lighting
A tripod
A mic (which you’ll need for podcasting too)

Plus, one of the big advantages of podcasting is that it’s audio-focused—so you can keep things simple. For example, I love that I don’t need to set up lighting or get camera-ready every time I record. Right now, I’m sitting in my office, in my comfy, very-pregnant-girl outfit, feeling relaxed with my notes in front of me. It just works.

Even if you do choose to include video with your podcast—like recording interviews on a tool like Riverside—the expectations for video quality are different. If you're posting a video podcast episode, people are usually more forgiving of lower production value than they would be with a standalone YouTube tutorial.

So again, podcasting doesn’t have to be expensive—and it’s often much simpler to produce.

Myth #4: YouTube Content Keeps Working When You Stop Uploading, But Podcast Content Doesn’t

This is another common belief, and it’s just not true.

I recently took a three-month break from releasing new episodes, and I saw firsthand how podcast content continues to deliver value even while you're not actively producing. I’ll share more on that in the next section.

I know three months isn’t a super long break, but during that time, I was still seeing growth in my business and a steady stream of podcast downloads. Of course, not as many as I would see if I were actively publishing new episodes—because a new release typically generates a spike—but even older episodes from two, three, or four years ago were still getting listens.

So yes, podcast content continues to work for you, even when you're not creating anything new. It brings in new listeners, new subscribers, and even new customers long after the episodes first air. For example, during that break, I had a few older episodes getting over 800 downloads in a single week—and those were episodes I hadn’t touched in years.

I think that’s really cool. Sometimes I’ll look at my analytics and see that a totally random episode from three years ago was the most-downloaded that week. And it gets me thinking… how can I create more content like that?

These episodes are still being consumed in a few different ways. Some people are discovering them directly in their podcast app. They see the title, it feels relevant, and they hit play (regardless of the episode’s age). That’s where those 800-download weeks come from.

Other people are finding the episodes through related blog posts. They search something on Google, land on your blog, and read content that’s tied to the episode. That’s another way your podcast keeps working without you lifting a finger.

I want to be fair here and say that YouTube works the same way. Older YouTube videos can absolutely continue to get views and engagement for years after they’re uploaded. So if someone tells you YouTube content has long-term impact but podcasting doesn’t, that’s just not true. Both platforms can keep working for your business even when you're not actively publishing.

And this is something I talk about a lot when people come to me saying,

"Elizabeth, I want to start a podcast, but six years? 300 episodes? That feels overwhelming."

Or maybe even just one year of weekly episodes feels like too much.

Here’s what I tell them: Don’t think about forever.

Just start with six episodes. That’s it.

Commit to six. That’s a solid starting point. And from there, maybe you get to 20 and realize you want a break, or maybe you keep going. Either way, even just six well-made episodes can make a meaningful impact on your business. They can help new people find you, learn from you, and buy from you—long after those episodes are published.

So don’t worry about how long you’ll be podcasting. Just start. Create a small body of work that can grow over time and continue serving your audience, even when you're not creating new content.

Myth #5: YouTube is Better For SEO

So yes, podcasting works. It’s valuable. And you don’t need to treat it like a lifelong commitment in order for it to be worth your time.

Let’s move on to myth number five:

“YouTube is probably just better for SEO, right?”

“Better for SEO” is tricky to define because it really depends on the content. You can create something that never ranks if the content isn’t good or if the SEO isn’t handled correctly. But here’s the truth—both YouTube and podcasts can be excellent for SEO and for getting discovered by new audiences.

Personally, my podcast has landed me on the first page of Google search results for all kinds of keywords. That includes both blog posts based on podcast episodes and the episodes themselves ranking directly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

For example, someone might search "how to start a book club" and my podcast episode shows up near the top. They click, listen, and that could be the start of them becoming part of my audience. That’s how podcast SEO works when it’s done right.

I teach all of this in Podcast Success Blueprint, my signature podcasting course. I’m really passionate about SEO and we cover a lot of strategies specific to helping your podcast reach the right people.

Now, I do want to acknowledge that Google owns YouTube, which is important. But that doesn’t mean Google only prioritizes YouTube in search. Google also indexes podcast content and knows how valuable it is. So, the takeaway here is that both platforms support strong SEO, and you can succeed with either.

Myth #6: You Have To Pick Between Youtube and Podcasting

Now, you might want to choose a lead platform, especially if you're repurposing one piece of content across both places. But as a business owner, you're absolutely allowed to do both—many people do.

In fact, one of the biggest trends on YouTube right now is podcasts being uploaded to the platform. YouTube now offers podcast support where your audio episodes can be auto-published from your RSS feed. I personally do this.

Another option is recording video podcasts (where people can watch you and your guest speaking on camera) or you can just upload audio with a visual element.

Either way, it gives your podcast extra discoverability on YouTube, in addition to the podcast apps and Google.

Or maybe you're doing the reverse: YouTube is your main platform, and you upload the audio to a podcast feed. Just keep in mind that if your content is very visual (like tutorials) listeners might miss out without the video. In those cases, you could include a blog post with supporting visuals and link to that from the podcast.

Some creators also choose to create unique content for both platforms. That’s more work, but totally doable. For instance, I have YouTube tutorials around Showit that don’t make sense as podcast episodes because they’re screen shares. But most of my podcast episodes work just fine without visuals.

And if you’re thinking, “Elizabeth, I don’t have the time or bandwidth to do both,” that’s completely okay. You don’t have to. When I first started my podcast, I wasn’t on YouTube either. That came later, and it’s still optional. The point is—you don’t have to pick one and exclude the other forever. There’s room for flexibility and growth.

So that’s the end of the myth busting. Now it’s about figuring out what works for you.

Whether you go all-in on podcasting, choose YouTube as your main platform, or decide to do both, it really comes down to how you prefer to create and consume content, and where your audience spends time.

As you listened to these myths, what stood out to you? Did any point make you lean more in one direction?

Podcasting is incredibly powerful, and I could go on for days about all the reasons I love it. One thing I especially love is the intimacy of the medium. You’re with someone as they go about their day—maybe while they’re driving, working out, folding laundry, or doing tasks in their business. It’s a unique way to build trust. And that kind of connection is much harder to create on YouTube.

Podcasting is Now Considered New Media

Now that we've busted some of the most common Youtube vs. Podcasting myths, I want to go back to something I mentioned briefly earlier: Podcasting is now considered new media. It’s a format that has real influence.

In fact, it played a huge role in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Even though I don’t talk politics on my show, I found that fascinating. It really showed how deeply trusted podcasting has become.

Here’s a quote from Steve Johnston, former COO of Flex Point Media:

“2024 will be remembered as the podcast election—not because podcasts are new, but because it was the first time presidential nominees and their running mates leveraged podcasts in a meaningful way.”

No matter where you fall politically, it’s really fascinating to see podcasting become such a major platform in public life. This shift in how media is consumed is important.

If you missed it during the 2024 election season, here’s what happened: Trump appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, and JD Vance, his running mate, did as well. Vice President Harris went on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. These are two of the biggest podcasts in the world, both owned by Spotify. Earlier I mentioned Spotify investing over $1 billion into acquiring shows—these are examples of that investment.

Trump also did 14 major podcast interviews and live streams, including appearances on platforms like Twitch. That shows just how seriously political campaigns are taking podcasting as a form of media.

Podcasting is widely considered part of the “new media.” If you Google the term, you’ll see how it’s come to represent a trusted alternative to traditional outlets. In 2024, many voters chose to listen to Harris and Vance on podcasts during their daily routines (on commutes or while running errands) instead of watching scheduled debates on Fox or CNN.

This shift is a big deal. Even now in 2025, you’re seeing podcasters invited to the White House more frequently. It’s a sign that this medium continues to grow in influence and reach.

Now let’s shift to helping you decide which platform is best for you.

How To Decide If YouTube vs. Podcasting Is Right For Your Business?

Here are a few key questions to ask yourself:

1. Which platform do you use more personally?

Do you find yourself watching YouTube videos daily, or are you someone who refreshes your podcast app to catch the latest episodes? We tend to create content most effectively on the platforms we consume. If you never use YouTube, for example, it may feel awkward or unfamiliar to create content there. But if you’re a regular podcast listener, starting your own show might come more naturally.

2. Is your content visual?

Take a look at the ideas you’ve been jotting down. Are they highly visual? If your content relies heavily on visuals, YouTube might be a better fit. Podcasting, while powerful, isn’t the best medium for tutorials or content where visuals are essential to the message.

3. Do you enjoy being on camera?

Creating video content often means being face-to-camera. Do you feel confident in that setting? Or does the idea of showing up on video regularly feel like too much? With podcasting, you can record in your closet with messy hair, no makeup, and zero pressure to look polished. YouTube usually requires more setup and time to prepare.

Both platforms take getting used to. Your first podcast episode might be clunky. Your first YouTube video might be awkward. That’s okay. But knowing whether you’re more comfortable speaking on camera versus just using your voice can help you decide where to start.

4. Where is your audience?

This is huge. Who are you trying to reach and where are they spending time?

If your audience is mostly listening to podcasts while commuting or doing chores, podcasting makes sense. If they’re watching tutorials or lifestyle content on YouTube, then that might be your best route. You can even survey your audience directly by posting in Facebook groups or your email list and ask where people consume content.

Different topics and different types of content work better on different platforms.

Why I Chose To Prioritize My Podcast Over My YouTube Channel

Now that we've talked about YouTube vs. Podcasting, here are some personal reasons I love podcasting (and why I’ve stuck with it for years).

First, you can record in complete comfort. Seriously. Messy bun, no bra, sitting in your closet. No lights, no makeup, no set. That makes it so much easier to fit podcasting into your business and your life.

I do what I call “self-editing” while I record. I’ll pause, rephrase, or catch my breath when I need to (especially now that I’m very pregnant and get winded more easily). It’s flexible and forgiving, and that fits my personality well. If that sounds like you too, podcasting might be the better fit.

Second, podcasting is fairly straightforward. You don’t need to learn platform-specific tricks, trends, or video editing to get noticed. There’s less “algorithm hacking” and more focus on creating meaningful content.

Podcasting is more straightforward than learning YouTube, in my opinion. It’s also typically cheaper and easier to record a podcast episode than it is to light, film, produce, and edit a YouTube video. Especially for someone like me who doesn’t have a background in video or photography, podcasting is far more accessible.

Another thing I love—listening to a podcast episode is simply easier for most people than sitting down to watch a YouTube video. Podcast content is on-the-go. People can multitask while they listen, and you’re more likely to see higher listen-through rates, even for episodes where the listener might not be sure they’re fully interested in the topic. If they like your show, they’ll still press play.

That kind of ongoing engagement is powerful. Podcasting is also an extremely intimate form of marketing. Your voice goes with your listener throughout their day (into their car, on their walk, during chores) and that creates a real connection.

A podcast can put new eyes (and ears) on your business and help establish your credibility. Even if you're wondering, "Who am I to start a podcast?" I promise, once you begin and feel that momentum, you’ll see how powerful it is. You'll start building authority and trust with your audience.

Podcasting also opens up new ways to make money. And honestly, that’s something a lot of podcast courses don’t focus enough on. In my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, I have an entire module dedicated to this, called “Make Money Podcasting.” There's even a downloadable PDF called the Make Money Podcasting Playbook, which walks you through creative monetization strategies (many of which you may not have considered!).

In fact, in this one episode you’re listening to right now, I’m using three or four different methods I teach in that module to monetize the show. It's real, it's effective, and it's something I love sharing with my students.

Join Podcast Success Blueprint

If you’re feeling ready and podcasting seems like the right path for you, I’d love for you to join Podcast Success Blueprint. It’s open for enrollment now, and it’s a course I’m really proud of. I poured so much into creating it, and it’s been such a joy helping students inside the program.

We’ve got an active Facebook community, live Q&A calls, and lots of resources. Whether you're just getting started or already have a podcast that you want to scale and systematize, this course is for you. I cover how to get support, hire a team, streamline your workflow, and how to actually make money with your show.

If you’re still deciding between YouTube and podcasting, I want you to know:

There is no wrong decision.

Both are amazing ways to grow your business. It all comes down to what fits your personality, your audience, your content style, and your season of life.

You all know I’m passionate about building a business that fits your life, not the other way around. So choose what works for you right now. You can always evolve.

Links Mentioned:

Get My FREE List of Podcast Equipment Here (For Under $100)

Articles about how podcasting influenced the election here and here

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Listen to the Breakthrough Brand Podcast

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The post YouTube Vs. Podcasting: Should You Start a Youtube Channel or Podcast? 6 Myths Debunked (with Receipts!) appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Podcast in 2025 (8 Things You MUST Do!)

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 22 minutes

In celebration of 300 podcast episodes—which actually happened a few weeks ago—this is episode 302. I used that episode to announce that baby number three is on the way, which was really special. But today, I want to celebrate 300 episodes by sharing advice and tips for those considering starting a podcast in 2025. Or, if you already have a podcast like I do, I’ll be giving you behind-the-scenes insights—many of which I rarely hear others talk about—on how to truly grow and monetize your show.

This episode is packed with things I never hear other podcasters discuss, and it's relevant whether you're brand new to podcasting, thinking about starting a show but unsure if you should, or already an established podcaster wanting to stay on top of trends. If you're wondering what’s working for 2025, I’ll touch on that too because I personally love keeping up with podcasting trends. Let’s dive in!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 302!

Okay, to start, I have eight tips to share with you today—but this first one is more like a bonus tip. So, after 300 episodes (technically 302 now) and countless hours of talking into a mic in different spaces—from our apartment guest room when I first started to various home offices over the years—I can confidently say that starting this podcast was one of the best decisions I ever made.

That leads me to my first quick piece of advice: just start. Give it a try. One thing people don’t always consider when starting something in business is that it’s okay to quit. If you start a podcast, commit to a set timeframe—whatever makes sense for your life and business. Maybe that's 10 episodes. If you decide you hate it, you can stop. No one will judge you. But at least you’ll have learned something from the experience, and you can move on with clarity.

For me, when I started almost six years ago, I had so many nerves and so much anticipation. I kept thinking, Who am I to do this? Who am I to teach business to people? But I did it—and I’m so glad I did.

Podcasting has truly been one of the most fulfilling parts of my business. I get to help people in a tangible way, providing valuable content for free, while still earning money through affiliates, sponsors, and sales generated by listeners of the show. It's a win-win, and honestly, a lot of people don’t realize how powerful podcasting can be. Over the years, I’ve received so many heartfelt messages from listeners sharing how this podcast has impacted them—and each one makes the journey worth it. If you’ve ever sent me a message like that, please know how much I appreciate you and your support.

Beyond that, podcasting has also helped me grow as a teacher, a communicator, and a business owner. It builds confidence, improves speaking skills, and is just so much fun.

Starting a Podcast in 2025

I launched my show in 2019, and the podcasting landscape was completely different back then. Some of the opportunities available today didn’t even exist. So, in this episode, I’m not just sharing general podcasting advice—I’m giving you my best insights on what I would do if I were starting a podcast in 2025, not what I would have done in 2019.

If I were starting a brand-new podcast from scratch, here’s exactly what I would do. Podcasting is constantly evolving, so it doesn’t really matter what I would have done differently in 2019. What matters is what I would do right now in 2025—whether it’s launching a new show or making adjustments to my current one based on where the industry is heading.

Ironically, the inspiration for this episode comes from the fact that I’ve actually considered starting another podcast. Not stopping this show—but creating a completely new one on a different topic. Funny enough, the day before I announced my pregnancy with baby number three, I did a “guess what the big announcement is” post, and so many of you guessed the exact type of podcast I’ve been thinking about starting.

I still have this idea on my heart, and I do think I’ll launch it at some point—but probably not in 2025. Maybe I’ll surprise myself, who knows? But with a new baby on the way and two kids already, I’m not sure I have the capacity to run two shows this year. Still, it was wild to see how many of you guessed the exact topic I was considering!

So, I’ve been channeling all my thoughts into this episode. If I were starting a new podcast today, what would I do differently? What would I keep the same? What strategies would I implement from day one? These are the things I’ve been thinking about, and I’m sharing them with you today.

1. Get Really Niche With Your Podcast’s Topic and Who the Audience Is

First up on the list of starting a podcast in 2025: Get really niche with your podcast topic and audience.

I know that sounds basic, but hear me out—it's actually less obvious than you might think.

To start, I don’t believe podcasting is oversaturated. That’s something people say a lot, and maybe you’ve even felt it yourself while considering starting a show. But in reality, podcasting is growing every year. More and more people are listening to podcasts, and audio as a medium is gaining massive popularity—just look at how audiobooks have exploded.

For example—and this is totally random, not even in my notes—but take Harry Potter. They’re redoing the entire series as a full-production audio experience. Many audiobooks are following that trend. Audio is big, and podcasting is very much part of that growth.

As of 2025, global podcast listenership is projected to reach 584 million, a significant jump from 2024. In the U.S. alone, 135 million people are expected to be regular podcast listeners, with 47% of Americans over the age of 12 tuning in regularly. So yes, a lot of people are listening to podcasts—including you, since you're here!

That said, while there are a lot of podcasts, that doesn’t mean it’s oversaturated. But it does mean that starting a generic podcast won’t set you up for success.

Here’s what many people selling podcast courses won’t tell you: Niche podcasts perform extremely well. They’re more bingeable because they attract the right audience—people who become obsessed with your show and listen to every episode. Compare that to a broad, unfocused podcast where some episodes appeal to one group, others to another, and no single audience is fully invested. The more specific your niche, the easier it is to build a loyal following.

In my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, I teach a few lessons on finding your niche.

When podcasting was new, people could start broad, build an audience, and then niche down over time. But that’s not the case anymore. Just like when online courses first became popular 15 years ago, people could sell mediocre courses and still make money. Now? If your course isn’t good, it won’t sell. Same with podcasting—you need to be intentional.

Here are some examples:

Don’t just start a generic mom podcast. Instead, start a podcast for part-time, work-from-home moms with multiple kids and a business who share your faith.
Don’t just start a finance podcast. Start a podcast about finances for small business owners who don’t love numbers but want to make more money.

See the difference?

We’ll dive into this more in another tip, but the key takeaway is: Get niche. Then get even more niche. If narrowing down feels scary, remember—your niche doesn’t mean every episode has to fit into a tiny box. Think of your niche like your listener’s interests. Your content should be relevant to them, but you can still mix in personal episodes or broader topics.

For example, when I announced my pregnancy a few weeks ago, I knew not everyone would be interested—and that’s okay! You can have episodes like that while still running a highly targeted podcast.

2. Before You Title the Show, Record an Episode, or Anything Else…. Make a List of Potential Episode Topics

I truly believe that one of the biggest keys to a successful podcast is simply having a bank of ideas. Too many people jump into podcasting without a clear sense of what they want to talk about or who they want to interview.

They assume they’ll figure it out as they go—as long as they have a general concept. Instead, they spend all their time obsessing over the podcast name, cover art, and logistics, thinking those are the most important steps.

But honestly? That’s not where you need to focus. You’ll probably change your cover art at some point anyway. What truly matters is what you’re going to talk about.

I’m not saying you need to have 300 episode ideas upfront before starting a podcast in 2025, but I recommend starting a note on your phone today—especially if you’re serious about launching a podcast. Use your phone (not a physical notebook) because it allows you to capture ideas anytime, anywhere.

Jot down solo episode ideas.
List potential interview guests.
Think of specific topics you’d love to discuss with guests.

Keep adding to this list over time. This process will also help you refine your niche (which we talked about in Tip #1) and give you clarity on your show’s title, branding, and overall direction.

For example, that new podcast idea I mentioned earlier—the one that’s been on my heart? I don’t know if 2025 is the year I’ll start it, but I already have 31 episode concepts saved in my notes. So far, they’re all solo episodes or ones I’d record with my husband, Adam, but I might add interviews later.

For example, last night, while taking a shower, I had an idea for a really specific episode. As soon as I got out, I grabbed my phone, wrote down the title, and even outlined seven bullet points of what I’d cover. You can go as deep as that or just jot down the episode title—it’s up to you.

This step will also give you confidence. When you see that you already have months’ worth of content ideas, starting a podcast feels a lot less overwhelming.

To put it in perspective:

If you release one episode per week and take two holiday breaks, that’s 50 episodes per year.
With 31 ideas already, I’m more than halfway there.
If you release episodes biweekly or in seasons, 30 ideas could easily cover a whole year.

This simple practice makes a huge difference in helping you feel prepared and confident about your podcast. But I want to also want to say—I didn’t come up with all 31 ideas in one sitting. They’ve slowly built up over months of thinking about this show. When I first started brainstorming, I probably came up with five ideas right away and then kept adding to the list as new topics came to mind.

So don’t put pressure on yourself to sit down and come up with 30+ topics all at once. Just start your list, and let it grow naturally.

That’s Tip #2—before you worry about recording, naming your show, or designing cover art, start building your episode list.

3. Decide How You’re Going to Make Money From Your Podcast

As someone who loves helping people make money from podcasting, this is one of my personal favorite tips for starting a podcast in 2025. It’s also a big focus of my course, Podcast Success Blueprint.

Now, let me start by saying—it’s totally okay to start a podcast as a hobby with zero plans to make money from it. But it’s important to be intentional about that decision. You don’t want to end up with a non-monetized show by accident when your real goal was to generate income.

That’s why I don’t recommend going into podcasting with a hobby mindset. Podcasting is something you can monetize, and if you’re going to put in the effort, why not make money from it?

That said, you don’t have to start monetizing from episode one. In fact, I actually don’t recommend running ads or sponsorships from day one—especially if you’re starting with a smaller audience. But you should have a long-term plan for how you want to monetize your show.

In Podcast Success Blueprint, I teach seven ways to make money from podcasting—including strategies that most people don’t talk about. These aren’t the typical surface-level monetization tips you find in free content. In fact, many podcast courses don’t even cover monetization in depth.

Most podcasting courses focus on technical setup—how to record, how to distribute your show—but they barely touch on how to make money.

For example, one of the top podcasting courses out there (a well-known one in our industry) has only a 12-minute video on monetization. That’s it. Just 12 minutes in an entire course.

When I saw that, I realized there was a huge gap—people weren’t talking about how to actually monetize a podcast. And yet, for most people who start a show, making money is one of their biggest goals. That’s why I made monetization a major focus of Podcast Success Blueprint.

The course includes an entire module with 9–10 lessons dedicated to monetization, covering everything from sponsorships to affiliate marketing to selling your own products.

To give you a quick overview (without spoiling everything in the course), here are two broad ways you can monetize your show:

Selling your own products. Maybe you have a course, membership, digital templates, or something else you want listeners to buy. Your podcast can serve as a natural way to promote those offers.
Sponsorships & ads. Instead of selling your own products, you can generate income by partnering with advertisers who pay to be featured on your show.

You can also combine both strategies—which is what I personally do.

Monetizing Your Podcast Without Having a Business

If I were to start that new podcast I mentioned earlier, it wouldn’t be a business podcast—so it wouldn’t be directly tied to my current products. I might occasionally mention my business, but I wouldn’t create a new product just to monetize that show.

Instead, my monetization strategy would be:

Staying very niche to attract advertisers.
Securing sponsors to generate revenue.
Earning affiliate income by promoting relevant products.
Managing my own sponsorship deals instead of going through a network (at least in the beginning).

Long-term, I’d consider joining a podcast network to have ad deals managed for me—but there are pros and cons to that approach. Keeping everything in-house allows you to take a bigger cut of the revenue. Right now, I personally manage all of my own sponsorship deals, contracts, and negotiations, which I also teach inside Podcast Success Blueprint.

So, my biggest advice? Have a monetization game plan before starting a podcast in 2025.

Think about:

When you want to start pursuing sponsors.
What affiliates or partnerships you want to explore.
Whether you’ll sell your own products.

There are so many different ways to approach monetization, and I can’t cover them all in this episode because it’s such a huge topic. But I highly recommend thinking about it before launching your podcast.

4. Don’t Just Do a Generic Interview Based Show

I know this one might be a little controversial for starting a podcast in 2025. Some of you may disagree with me, but I genuinely believe that a simple “Tell me your story” type of interview isn’t enough to make your podcast stand out and grow.

Even if you manage to book high-profile guests—big-name authors, industry leaders, people with millions of followers—it won’t guarantee success if your interviews are just following their media kit.

Take the classic book tour scenario: An author is making the rounds on podcasts to promote their new book. You land them as a guest, and your episode airs the same week as dozens of others featuring that exact guest.

And guess what? Every episode has almost the same title, the same questions, and the same talking points.

Yes, it’s exciting to book a big guest. But that alone won’t grow your podcast.

Now, let me be clear—interview-based shows can be incredibly successful. I personally listen to and love many of them. But standing out takes more than just getting guests. It requires:

Being a great interviewer.
Asking fresh, insightful questions.
Going beyond the obvious talking points.

If you want to interview well-known guests, don’t just stick to their media talking points. Be different.

Ask yourself:

What would my audience actually want to ask this guest?
What’s a question this person has never been asked before?
How can I make this conversation fresh and valuable?

As a host, you need to think like an investigator for your audience. Be willing to ask tougher questions—the ones that make a guest pause and say, “Wow, no one’s ever asked me that before.”

Too often, podcasters just rehash the same questions their guest has already answered a hundred times. That doesn’t make for a compelling interview.

So, if you want your podcast to stand out, get creative with your angles, refine your interviewing skills, and don’t be afraid to go deeper.

Here’s a pro tip: One of the best ways to improve as an interviewer? Listen to great interviewers.

There are plenty of other strategies, and I actually teach a full lesson on interviewing inside Podcast Success Blueprint. But I want to share one simple tip right now that can instantly improve your interviews:

Stop constantly filling the gaps while your guest is talking.

A common mistake I hear on so many podcasts is the host constantly reacting while the guest speaks:

Guest: “So I was really struggling with that decision...”

Host: “Yeah... Oh, totally. Uh-huh. Right. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Mmm. Yeah.”

You might think you’re being engaged, but in reality, it:

Interrupts the flow of the conversation.
Makes the guest feel rushed.
Creates a distracting, poor listening experience.

If you realize you do this, consider having your editor remove your audio track during the guest’s speaking portions. This will make the episode sound cleaner, more professional, and easier to listen to.

It’s Hard to Stand Out With Interviews

I was recently listening to Pat Flynn’s podcast, Smart Passive Income, and he had a new episode about changes he’s making to his show. I’ll link to it in the blog post for this episode if you want to check it out.

If you’re not familiar, Smart Passive Income is a massive podcast in the business space—truly an OG in the industry. I believe it’s been around for about 15 years (I could be wrong on that, but it’s been a long time).

What fascinated me was hearing him talk about what used to work for his show but doesn’t work as well now—which aligns so much with what I already had outlined for this episode, especially regarding interview-based podcasts.

One of the biggest changes they’re making? Shifting away from interviews.

Why? Because, as I mentioned earlier, it’s hard to stand out with interviews.

For Pat and his team, when they analyzed their downloads, the most popular episodes were mostly solo episodes.

Pat has a very strong personal brand, and for a while, they were actually trying to pivot away from that—to make Smart Passive Income more of a media company rather than just “Pat Flynn.” This is something I see a lot of personal brand entrepreneurs attempt, but more often than not, they end up circling back to their original personal brand strategy because that’s what made their business successful in the first place.

Now, Pat is leaning back into his personal brand, sharing more about what’s working in his business, and focusing less on tons of interviews.

What really struck me was when he said—paraphrasing here—that back in the early days of his podcast, when he booked an author as a guest, it felt huge because he might be the only podcaster who had that author on to talk about their book.

But now? That same author is doing a massive media blitz, appearing on every major podcast the week their book launches.

I know for me, when I see a big book launch happening and the same guest appearing everywhere, I might listen to one episode. But I only pick the interview that:

Has the most interesting title.
Is hosted by the person I think will ask the best questions.

And I think that’s probably how most listeners decide, too.

Pat essentially said, I’m not playing that game anymore.

Instead, he’s focusing on:

His personal brand and unique insights.
More original, engaging guests.
Less emphasis on just getting big names.

5. Put an Email Freebie Within Your First 5 Episodes

This is huge for starting a podcast in 2025. Start growing an email list of your listeners—even if you have no idea what you’re going to email them about. Even if you don’t plan on sending weekly emails, don’t have products to sell, or don’t have sponsors yet—still do it.

Create a freebie that relates to either:

Your overall podcast topic (so you can mention it in almost every episode).
A specific episode from your first five.

You can do either approach—or both! It really depends on your show and your audience. Both can be super effective, and in Podcast Success Blueprint, I actually teach how to decide which type of freebie makes the most sense for you.

Here’s an example:

One of my favorite podcasts, The Essential Birth Podcast, is hosted by Stephanie King. She’s been on my show before, and I’ve also been on hers. Her podcast is called Pregnancy and Birth Made Easy, and she has multiple freebies.

But one freebie she’s been pitching from her show since nearly day one is a guide on exercises to do during pregnancy to prepare for birth. It’s a perfect fit because her podcast is about birth, and her audience is pregnant women.

So she’ll say something like:

"Here are three simple exercises you can do every day to prepare for birth. I won’t go into all the details here, but you can grab my free guide to walk you through them."

It’s so engaging and easy to mention in every episode. Plus, it naturally leads into her paid birth course, creating a really smart monetization system.

Now, let me share an example from my own podcast.

I have a lot of episodes that include a freebie that goes with that specific episode.

For example, I did an episode on weekly Slack questions to ask your team, and the freebie was a copy-and-paste template with step-by-step instructions and screenshots from Slack, so listeners could set it up themselves.

So in this case, the freebie directly builds on the episode content, but it can also stand alone as a useful resource, which I love.

Now, let me be honest—if I could go back and do things differently, I would have included a freebie in my very first episode.

When I started my podcast in 2019, I didn’t have a freebie in my first episode—or even in my first few episodes. My fifth episode was the first one to have a freebie, and ironically, it was a freebie about freebies.

That guide is still really popular on my website today. I’ve redesigned it and improved it over time, but I wish I had started including lead magnets even earlier.

Here’s why:

A lot of people go back and binge early episodes when they find a show they love. Even if you have 300+ episodes, you’d be shocked at how many people scroll all the way back to episode one. So it’s really smart to have strong lead magnets in those early episodes to start building your email list right away.

6. Use Dynamic Ad Insertion Instead of Baked in Ads

Now, I know this is a more advanced topic, and if it sounds confusing, don’t worry—I teach extensively on baked-in vs. dynamic ads inside Podcast Success Blueprint. I love talking about this because I think it’s such a fascinating part of podcasting.

This is something I’m really excited to coach some of my students on this year—helping them decide what makes sense for their business and even guiding them through switching from baked-in to dynamic ads.

I’ve used both baked-in and dynamic ads, and I think both have their place. But if I were starting a show in 2025, I would 100% use dynamic ads only.

So, if you’re unfamiliar, dynamic ad insertion (DAI) is the term you’ll see used. Let me quickly explain the difference.

Baked-in ads are when the ad is permanently recorded into the episode audio itself. So, if someone listens to Episode 3 five years later, they’ll hear the same ad—even if the offer no longer exists, the product isn’t available, or the sponsor’s deal is long over.

For example, you might have an ad promoting a Black Friday sale, and then that sale is long gone, but the ad is still there. If you want to remove or update it, you’d have to manually edit the episode, re-export the audio, and re-upload it.

For advertisers, this means if they sponsor five episodes, their ad stays on those five episodes forever.

Dynamic ads, on the other hand, are great if you have—or plan to have—a large catalog of episodes.

With dynamic ads:

The ad gets inserted onto every episode automatically.
You can set it to run for a limited time—like a week, a month, or 90 days.
Once the campaign ends, the ad is automatically removed.
You can sell sponsorship deals based on total plays (e.g., once an ad reaches 20,000 plays, it’s removed).

For example, if you listen to Episode 1 of my podcast today, you’ll hear my current sponsors—not an outdated ad from 2019.

Personally, I love using dynamic ads because it’s a better deal for advertisers and a better setup for me since people still listen to old episodes.

When pitching sponsors, I can say: "Your ad will appear on every single episode—not just the ones released during our agreement."

That means even an older episode that ranks well in SEO will still have their ad, which is way more valuable than a baked-in placement on just a handful of episodes.

Dynamic ads weren’t really a thing when I started my podcast in 2019. Maybe some big shows had them, but it wasn’t something people were talking about. Baked-in ads were the only way to do it.

And even now, dynamic ads still aren’t super common. If you’ve never heard of them, that’s probably why—many podcast hosts don’t even offer them yet.

For me, the biggest reason it took so long to switch to dynamic ads was because my original podcast host didn’t support them.

That’s why I now highly recommend Buzzsprout for podcast hosting. I switched to Buzzsprout at the end of 2023 (after using my old host for years), and one of my main reasons was so I could start using dynamic ads.

If you’re just starting a podcast, I recommend starting with Buzzsprout from day one.

You can get a free month through my affiliate link here.

And if you already have a podcast and you’re thinking, “Wow, dynamic ads sound way better,” you can switch hosts.

I had over 240 episodes when I switched, and it felt so overwhelming—but honestly, it was way easier than I expected.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Well, Elizabeth, I don’t plan on having sponsors,” I just want to say—you can still use dynamic ads for other things.

You can use them to:

Promote your own products or courses.
Announce a sale or special offer.
Grow your email list by advertising a freebie or lead magnet.

Podcast listeners expect to hear ads, so why not use that ad space to your advantage? That’s something I go deep into in Podcast Success Blueprint.

Most podcasting courses don’t cover advertising in depth—but I do, because I’ve personally managed all my own sponsorship deals from the very beginning.

I handle:

Negotiating prices with sponsors.
Writing and reviewing contracts.
Creating ad scripts and managing relationships with advertisers.

I’ve had a lot of experience—mostly good, but some not-so-good—and I love sharing my real-world insights on what works, what doesn’t, and what mistakes to avoid.

7. Get On YouTube

In July 2022, YouTube launched a podcast feature that didn’t exist before. This is another example of how podcasting is constantly shifting. But when starting a podcast in 2025? It's a bigger deal.

Back when I started my show, if you wanted to put your podcast on YouTube, you had two options:

Upload the audio with a static image (which was super common).
Film a video version and upload that separately from the audio podcast.

If you’ve been in the podcasting space for a while, you probably remember this—before podcasting became so video-focused, people would promote episodes on Instagram Stories or posts using a photo of themselves and their guest with little animated audio waves.

I actually subscribed to a software that created those audiograms, and while I don’t use it that way anymore, that was how podcasts were uploaded to YouTube.

At that time, if you wanted your podcast on YouTube, you either:

Uploaded an image with the audio playing over it.
Recorded both a video and audio version and uploaded them separately.

I’ve done all of that at this point. Early on, I even tested uploading episodes with just an image and the audio—and plenty of shows still do it that way.

But if you’re still doing it that way, you need to switch to YouTube Podcasts.

With YouTube Podcasts, you can now connect your RSS feed directly to YouTube—just like you do with Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This means your episodes will automatically appear on YouTube as still videos (your podcast cover art + the audio) without you having to manually upload anything.

And yes, people actually discover podcasts this way.

At a bare minimum, you need to be on YouTube in today’s podcasting landscape. This helps new audiences find your show because YouTube is an extremely powerful search engine.

If I were starting a podcast this year, I would not only connect my RSS feed to YouTube but also seriously consider filming every episode and uploading it as a video.

This can be a great discovery tool, especially depending on your niche.

If you do this, though, it’s important that your content works both for YouTube viewers and audio-only podcast listeners. That’s a skill that takes practice—not everyone does it well.

Some podcasters focus too much on video and say things like: "Hey, for my YouTube audience, look at this!"

Meanwhile, their audio listeners have no clue what they’re referencing.

Since I come from a podcasting-first background (not YouTube), I would personally focus on the podcast listener first. That means avoiding things that alienate audio listeners—like constantly referencing things that can only be seen on video.

Maybe you do that occasionally, but it shouldn’t be in every episode. You want the experience to feel seamless for both YouTube viewers and podcast listeners.

And honestly, not everyone should do video. If you enjoy being on camera and can create a good-quality video setup, it could absolutely be worth it.

For me personally, I know this would be a huge adjustment because I’m so used to podcasting without video.

Right now, when I record solo episodes:

I’m in comfy clothes.
I don’t have my makeup done.
I have my computer and notes in front of me.

Filming every episode would require a totally different setup and approach. That said, depending on your niche, it might be worth figuring out.

You’d want to research:

Are there a lot of podcasts in your niche on YouTube?
How are other people doing it?
Would your audience prefer video content?

Podcasting and YouTube are both powerful platforms, and one of the great things about podcasting is that you can do both—with your podcast being primary and YouTube as a secondary platform.

Of course, YouTube on its own is a great platform if you want to create video-first content. If you feel drawn to that, go for it! YouTube is great for tutorials or content that requires visuals.

But what’s cool about podcasting is that you can create content that is audio-first while still putting it on YouTube—and people will actually watch.

Younger generations, in particular, love watching podcast interviews rather than just listening.

For example, our nanny is here two days a week, and during nap time, she often watches podcast interviews on YouTube.

I once asked her, “Why do you watch them instead of just listening?”

And she told me she loves seeing the guests and their reactions.

There aren’t any extra visuals—just the interview itself—but she still prefers to watch it instead of just listening.

8. Spend Energy/Focus on Audio Quality and Production Quality.

I truly believe the fastest way to kill a podcast is to have:

Horrible audio quality.
A host who overuses filler words.
Poor post-production.

You could have the best guest or be saying something incredibly valuable, but if your listeners can’t hear you properly—or if the audio is so distracting that they don’t want to listen—then it doesn’t matter.

I honestly believe that if your audio quality is bad, you’re wasting your time—even if your content is amazing.

That’s why starting with good audio, improving your production quality, and focusing on how you speak is so important when starting a podcast in 2025.

To help with this, I have a free guide that walks you through what equipment to buy for great audio. All for less than $100!

I know when you’re just starting out, it can be hard to figure out what to buy. You might search on Amazon and end up buying a mic that doesn’t even work with your computer.

Inside Podcast Success Blueprint, I also teach how to reduce filler words and become a more eloquent speaker—which improves your content dramatically.

But honestly, so much of speaking well comes down to practice.

If you listen to my early episodes, you might notice that I talk a little differently than I do now. I probably sound more confident and clearer today than I did back then—and that’s because podcasting is a skill that improves over time.

Don’t just read a script word-for-word. If you could see me right now—though I don’t record video for my podcast—you’d notice I’m using hand gestures as I talk. I’m speaking naturally as if I’m talking directly to you. That changes my tone, voice inflection, and energy. I smile and laugh when it makes sense, which also impacts how my voice sounds.

That’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in how engaging your podcast feels.

When it comes to audio and production, these are preventable issues that you can fix from day one. Good audio and production quality don’t have to cost a fortune—but they do require intentionality.

Join Me Inside Podcast Success Blueprint To Grow Your Podcast in 2025

If you’re starting a show or you already have a podcast, and you found these tips helpful, I cannot encourage you enough to invest in Podcast Success Blueprint this year. If you're starting a podcast in 2025, it truly has everything you need.

The course is open now, and you can head here to learn more.

This course covers everything—from the basics of starting a podcast the right way to advanced strategies for growth and monetization.

It walks you through:

How to choose the right equipment and set up your recording.
How to upload your episodes so they appear on Apple, Spotify, and all platforms.
How to launch your podcast successfully—including your artwork, intro, and outro music.

That’s just the first few modules of the course.

Beyond that, I also teach:

How to monetize your podcast.
How to be a great interviewer—there’s an entire module just on interviewing!
How to record great solo episodes—including structuring, outlining, and making them more engaging.

There’s even a special video lesson where you can watch me record a solo episode start to finish—I literally hired a professional videographer for this, so it’s high-quality, step-by-step guidance.

The course also includes:

Marketing strategies—how to grow your audience.
How to create an intentional marketing web that starts with your podcast.
Advertising & sponsorships—how to land and manage sponsors successfully.

There’s so much more, and you can check out the full list of everything inside the course on the sales page. It also includes tons of downloads, templates, and resources to help guide you every step of the way.

I’m so proud of this course, and I’m also proud of the amazing community inside it. It’s such a great group of podcasters, and I’d love for you to be part of it.

Links Mentioned:

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Listen to the Breakthrough Brand Podcast

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Join Booked Out Designer

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3 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Hit Record On My First Podcast Episode

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Are you a new podcaster? Or maybe you’re thinking about starting a podcast but maybe you’re hung up on the logistics? Is it on your list for 2025 marketing goals? Whatever your situation is, if you’re thinking about starting a podcast (or are still in the early stages), this episode is for you! I’m sharing my top tips for new podcasters based on my 5.5 years (289 shows later!) of podcasting. Basically, these are the things I wish I knew before I hit record on my very first podcast episode.

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1. Invest In Good Audio Quality

This is a mistake I see too many new podcasters make. You think — I don’t want to invest money in equipment if this thing doesn’t take off. Or maybe you think, “I’ll buy a mic AFTER I get through my first 10 or so episodes.” While I totally see where you’re coming from, that’s a bad plan. Because the truth is, if your audio is bad, it doesn't matter how good the content is, people won’t want to listen.

So, you’re essentially shooting yourself in the foot before you even get started.

Plus, I’d add that I think some people have a false perception that podcast equipment is really expensive and confusing to use. I actually think I thought that when I started too. I don’t consider myself a techy person. But my mic that I started my show with (and still use today) was around $60 and it’s WONDERFUL. My whole equipment set up is under $100 total (you can find what I use in this free podcast equipment guide here!).

So, even if you’re not “all in” on your show but you have decided to start it, invest in your audio quality. And say you do “quit the show” (I hope you don’t, but if that happens)... then you can use the mic for other things in your business, like being a guest on a podcast, guest speaking, making your meetings with clients higher quality, YouTube videos, etc. It’s never going to be a bad investment (especially at $60).

2. Get over how you sound, and get it out there!

Just about every new podcaster is self conscious about their voice and how they sound. You’ll likely say “um” more, need to start over often, may talk in a weird cadence or sound like you’re reading a script. That’s very normal, especially in the beginning. You do not need to have a perfect radio voice to have a successful podcast, and your voice confidence will grow over time!

For example, in Podcast Success Blueprint, I have a whole lesson all about developing your “podcast voice” that will definitely help you if you’re a new (or even established) podcaster.

I think your delivery does matter, but it is something that truly grows over time and with practice! In fact, to show you what I mean, I shared a few seconds of my very first episode. So if you want to find out what I sounded like 280+ episodes ago, you’ll have to tune in!

To be fair, I also sound a lot younger there and was less confident on things. But it’s still something to know that you will get better over time! But something I’ve seen podcasters do is record and re-record and re-record their first few episodes and over-edit them and stress over them forever and then never launch.

I get it. It’s intimidating. But just get it out there. You likely won't love how you sound in your first few episodes, you might make some mistakes, and that’s ok!

A little bonus tip: I also recommend launching your show with THREE episodes at once ideally too to get people some content to binge all at once, and this gives you three tries.

From there, record the first episode (01) LAST in your lineup of recordings! Often, episode 1 feels really intimidating and is often your personal story to some extent, which is harder to record, so do it last and release the first three together.

3. Do podcasting YOUR WAY, with your unique spin, perspective, and voice.

This one is more mindset than actionable, but trust me, you need this tip.

You likely are starting a podcast because you’re someone who enjoys listening to podcasts. I was! I was a huge podcast fan. I just want to encourage you, in order to really develop your own unique perspective and podcast voice, to consider stopping listening or reducing listening to whatever shows that are within your exact niche, at least a little bit as you're starting your show.

Why?! Because it gives you fewer thoughts in your mind about what everyone else is saying in your space and instead just leaves you with what you’re learning, who you want to interview, etc.

This doesn’t mean you have to stop all together or you never look at anything that person does, but you’re removing distractions.

Further to this point: don’t make a podcast that is just like everyone else’s. Don’t be afraid to share your UNIQUE perspective. Podcasting is a personal brand business by default, and people are coming to hear you speak (or interview). So interview the way you want, share your thoughts on things the way you want, and don’t feel like your content has to be the same as everyone else’s.

Some people believe podcasting is oversaturated. It’s totally not. You can quote me on that.

I truly believe audio is the medium of the now and the future. I would even just point to, and you can kind of do a quick Google search on this, but how big audiobooks have grown and are continuing to grow. As an example, Harry Potter, that whole book series is being rerecorded in a new audiobook. There's always been an audiobook for it, but they're rerecording it with a full cast and all the bells and whistles of music and making it like a fully immersive audio experience. My point is, that audiobooks are growing, and podcasts are continuing to grow too. And as podcasts continue to grow, more and more people of all ages are discovering the wonders of listening to podcasts.

Plus, the cool thing too, is that Podcast SEO is always growing and improving making it easier and easier for people to find you STRAIGHT FROM YOUR PODCAST. You don’t need an audience already to have a successful show. With the right topics, getting niche, sharing your own perspective, and focusing on things like great audio… people can find you straight on their podcast app, start listening, and then come to you for other things - like purchases!

Tips for New Podcasters

Don’t forget to grab my FREE podcast equipment guide with everything you need to start your show. Plus. if you want a course to take you step-by-step through the process of starting your own podcast, you need to join Podcast Success Blueprint. I share tips like what I just talked to you about in this episode and SO MUCH MORE.

It really is an A to Z of getting your show off the ground and then not only getting it launched but also making quality content, being a good interviewer, recording great solo episodes, monetizing your podcast through things like ads, and promoting your own content, how to market your show—the list goes on and on! There's also a Facebook group with it to get support from myself and other community members in that way. I’d love to support you inside!

Links Mentioned:

Join Podcast Success Blueprint

Grab my FREE Podcast Equipment Guide

Shop Showit Website Templates

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Listen to the Breakthrough Brand Podcast

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2.3 Million Podcast Downloads Later: How This Mama Built Her Dream Business with an Online Course and Podcast with Stephanie King of My Essential Birth

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Today, I’m bringing on Stephanie King from My Essential Birth to the podcast. Stephanie has been instrumental in my pregnancy and birth journey with both of my boys. I discovered her online course and podcast early in my first pregnancy and have been a dedicated listener ever since. Her content, courses, and guidance have been invaluable. It's amazing how our paths crossed through social media, and we've since collaborated in a number of ways. Today, I'm excited to dive into a topic she doesn't often discuss: her business smarts and the journey behind My Essential Birth podcast. Welcome, Stephanie!

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Who is Stephanie King?

My name is Stephanie King, and I am a childbirth educator and doula, but I’m also an online course creator. I have a top-rated podcast for birth called Pregnancy and Birth Made Easy, and then my company, or the name of my birth course, is My Essential Birth. It’s online birth education, and I get to serve women all over the world doing that. I’m also a mom of five and I’m really active in my church, a follower of Christ. Faith is a big part of my journey as well.

When you were teaching in-person classes, how did people find you?

I attended every birth-related event, made cards, and networked extensively. I would go to birth centers, attend any birth meetings, and show up at La Leche Leagues so that people could tell their friends. If there were homeschool meetings nearby where kids got together for playgroups, I talked about it there. I went to any kind of birth get-together, including showings of "The Business of Being Born." It was a lot of showing up, making cards, and talking to people. Once I established a presence, word-of-mouth referrals also helped. It was a mix of networking and providing a great experience that kept people coming.

When you and your former business partner decided to take your education online, what was your process? Did you create the course first or start the podcast?

We created the course first, which I don't recommend now. We had no audience when we launched, which was a hard lesson. Our vision was clear and the production quality was high, but without an audience, it didn't sell initially. After the course, we started the podcast, which helped build our audience. It took a while, but eventually, we started making enough sales to cover our expenses.

Initially, our vision was very clear, and we wanted to ensure the quality of the content and the video was top-notch. We also went into a lot of debt over that, which I highly recommend you do not do. We did all the things that you could do wrong. We did that the wrong way. We launched it and nobody was interested in what we had because they didn’t know about it. We beta tested and did discounts but had no social media following. Then we started the birth course six months later. We had taken out all of that debt, probably at least $20,000 in debt for creating the course, which is so silly.

At that point, we were using debt to pay debt hoping that the birth course was going to start selling. When that didn’t happen, I was ready to quit. I prayed about it and had a clear answer to keep going. By August, we finally made enough sales to cover the debt payment and then always made enough sales to cover the debt and then some from that point. You should not have to go into debt to create, it's not that you don’t make sacrifices, but you do not have to go into debt to create a business. We didn’t have to do that professional video and all of these things. We could have built it up slowly. We should have also built our social media while creating the course.

If you were to redo it, would you start the podcast first and then make the course filmed with slides at home and record it yourself? Or would you still do the professional recording the first time, but just start with the podcast first?

I think it depends on where your budget is at. I could see it going either way, but I think it makes complete sense that while you are just getting started to not have to spend a bunch of money in the beginning. Start some kind of social following, whether you're going to choose Instagram, a blog, or a podcast, whatever you're going to use to start your email list and nurture them every week. Create the content while you're doing it and do something that is cheap and accessible and also full of really great content. Then when you have money coming in, you can put some into re-recording with a better camera or hire somebody.

There are lessons to be learned once you start recording too. Part of the reason it cost us so much is that the first time we recorded, we didn't know what we were doing. We did a pretty good job, but we missed things and had to hire them again for a second day, and then two rounds of editing. It gets expensive.

How do you approach updating your course content? Knowing you spend a lot of money on the production.

Initially, I felt intimidated about updating our professionally done course. Now, I've invested in equipment to record updates at home, allowing more flexibility. This setup helps me to make necessary updates without the high costs of professional studio time. So now, instead of hiring someone to come in and professionally do this, I set up a nice, clean, and pretty space at home with good lighting, cameras, and sound equipment. I spent about $6,000 on this setup, which allows me to record high-quality content at home and send it to an editor. This way, I can make updates as needed without the hefty price tag.

Spoiler alert for our listeners: Stephanie has had over 1,500 students and 2.29 million podcast downloads! What tips do you have for growing an online course and podcast listener base?

Understanding your ideal customer is key but also make your content fun, interesting, and informative. I've used a podcast headline analyzer to improve titles and make sure they’ll capture attention. Your first few episodes might feel awkward, but keep going. Also, engaging your audience through testimonials and consistent, quality content helps build a loyal following.

When we started, we recorded three episodes, and the first one was so bad we couldn't put it up. The second one referred to the first, so we had to figure out how to engage our audience from the start.

The headline analyzer helps with that by suggesting improvements to make titles more personal and engaging. It's important to keep your audience in mind and make your content relatable. And make sure you are showing up in search!

Having someone to host with me initially made the podcast more engaging, like friends talking about birth at a table. When I switched to solo episodes, I had to pretend I was talking to a friend to keep that personal touch.

Knowing your ideal customer and speaking directly to them helps create content that resonates. It's also about understanding their pain points and addressing those in your episodes. As you get more comfortable, it becomes easier to create valuable content.

EM: Yeah, I feel like I followed your customer journey in the way you would hope: I listened to your podcast, downloaded your freebie, got your emails, and ultimately purchased the course.

Why did you choose NOT to monetize your show with ads and promote your own stuff instead?

Yeah, I was going back and forth with that. In fact, I think it was probably about this time last year when I was considering maybe putting some sponsors on and/or adding some affiliate revenue streams. But I realized, honestly, just crunching the numbers and looking at what made sense financially, but also for my listeners and thinking about what's going to benefit them the most, I just didn’t want to do ads.

How do you target new listeners at the exact right time? Because there is only a short window between when someone’s pregnant and when they’re ready for your birth course or postpartum course.

The nice thing about that (pregnancy and women being involved in that experience in their life) is they really go searching within those nine months. They are searching for everything. They want to learn all the things. How big is my baby this week? Why do I have this symptom? Some people dive in right away with the first baby, and I absolutely love that, but a lot of times it really is those second babies. So a lot of my first-time moms, it's like they're finding me around 30-32 weeks, I'll have people jump into the course at 35-37 weeks, and it's because it's like we've ignored it long enough and now all of a sudden it's like, oh yeah, baby has to come out.

Because of this, every six to nine weeks, I have new people looking at my stuff. Which in turn, gives me an opportunity to reuse content more often, put it into a new light, say it a little bit differently, or something like that. When you get started with podcasting, I don't know if you felt this way, but I was like, oh my gosh, I'm six episodes in and I feel like I've shared everything. Now we're coming up to 300 episodes at this point, and I feel like I have new things to say all the time. I know my ideal client and I speak directly to her.

How do you convert podcast listeners into course customers without being too salesy?

Now, I incorporate testimonials and birth stories from course students in the podcast. If someone shares their birth story in our Facebook group, and we think it will be impactful, we will reach out and invite them to share their experience on the podcast. I also use dynamic ads through Buzzsprout during key promotional periods.

On top of that, I mention the course naturally within the content, emphasizing its value and how it complements the free content. For instance, when I share a birth story, I ask the students how they prepared, highlighting how the course helped them. I feel like this naturally showcases the course's value without being overly salesy.

How do you balance giving away valuable content on your podcast while ensuring people still see the value in your paid courses? Have you ever been concerned that you're giving away too much on your show?

I used to worry about giving away too much, but I realized the value of having everything organized in a course format. People appreciate the structured learning a course offers. Occasionally, someone might feel they've learned enough from the podcast alone, but the majority find immense value in the course's structure.

It's like this: you can get a lot of information from free resources, but the course provides a step-by-step, organized approach that’s hard to replicate through podcasts alone. Plus, I include bonuses and exclusive content in the course that aren't available anywhere else. So, while the podcast is valuable, the course offers a deeper dive into the topics.

You had only one main lead magnet for a long time. Can you explain your email marketing strategy for moving people from the freebie to the course?

Our welcome sequence has changed over time. Initially, it spanned several weeks, but now it’s a week-long series with daily emails and videos. This sequence introduces our content and leads to weekly emails that tie into our podcast topics. We also share more freebies to keep people engaged and provide value. For example, we have hospital tour questions, questions to ask your provider, and the "Find it and Flip it" exercise.

When guests have higher profiles, they will also often provide branded PDFs for our email list. This benefits both of us as it promotes their work and helps us grow our email list. It's a win-win because the guest gets exposure, and we get to offer valuable content to our audience. We've had great success with this, and it helps keep our email list growing with engaged subscribers.

Lastly, how do you balance motherhood and your business, especially with homeschooling? What tips do you have for other moms in similar situations who might want an online course and podcast business?

It varies by season. Right now, I'm working a lot because it's summer and I have the time. During the school year, I scale back to focus on homeschooling. Flexibility is key. Having a strong support system, like my virtual assistants, allows me to adjust my workload as needed.

With four teenagers and one almost-teen, life is busy. We recently adopted two of our nieces, so the dynamics have changed, but we’re managing. My business allows me to be present for my family while still working. Some weeks, I can work just a few hours, and others, I dive deep into projects. It's all about finding that balance and prioritizing what's important.

Connect With Stephanie

You can listen to my podcast, "Pregnancy and Birth Made Easy," on any podcast platform. You can also find my website here or come find me on Instagram here!

Links Mentioned:

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Podcast Equipment Guide: The 5 Pieces of Equipment You Need + How to Start Your Podcast for $90!

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:00:40 +0000

Reading Time: 8 minutes

I've been producing The Breakthrough Brand podcast for over 5 years now, and let me tell you, it's become one of my absolute favorite parts of my business! Funny enough, I was re-listening to an old podcast episode to prepare myself for a speaking engagement earlier this week (at the time of recording), and I literally talked about how much JOY podcasting was bringing me 20 episodes in. Now 260 episodes later? That’s STILL true for me.

If you're even remotely considering starting a podcast this year, I cannot recommend it enough! But something that often hangs people up when starting a podcast is: what do I really need? What equipment should I buy?

Then you hear about things like audio equalizers, mixers, audio interfaces, headphone amplifiers, acoustic treatments, and cables, and it becomes harder and harder to figure out what you need. But here’s the truth: I do not use fancy equipment! So if you want someone to just TELL YOU what to use (instead of sharing all about the 1,000+ options there are out there), then this is the episode for you!

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Search for episode 263!

Like I said, I am not a fancy equipment girlie on this podcast. I use the same exact podcast equipment today as I did when I started my show in early 2019. I haven’t even replaced anything, it all just still works great!

I use the world’s cheapest headphones that I love. And my mic is incredible, but also really affordable (and no it’s not a blue Yeti everyone else recommends). And I’d say I have pretty great audio quality on this show! So let’s talk about the podcast equipment I recommend and use today!

And guess what? You can grab all the exact links (with some discounts!) and see my recommendations for recording your show in this FREE guide right here.

1. The Best Podcast Equipment Microphone

You need a microphone, for obvious reasons. Yes, you could record your show with your airpods or something, but the truth is that audio quality greatly impacts the success of a show. You don’t want to have great content that people can’t comfortably listen to.

That being said, good does not mean it has to have a high cost. The mic I am using right now to record I have used for all 5 YEARS of my show is just $49 on Amazon. It’s very affordable (and no - it’s not a blue Yeti… in my opinion they pick up way too much background noise). The brand I use is Audio-Technica and you can get the exact link in my guide here.

2. Microphone Stand or Boom Arm

Next, you need either a mic stand or a boom arm that attaches to your desk! You don’t need both, and lots of mics already come with a simple stand, but sometimes a boom arm is helpful! A boom arm is what attaches to your desk and they look really cool. You see a lot of people, especially if you watch YouTube, people doing just face to camera, with these. It looks like an arm extending off of your desk. Boom arms are nice because you can adjust very specifically where the mic is without your desk needing to change height (or needing to put a book under your microphone or anything like that). We don't want to have to hold our mic like we're singing in front of an audience.

But you can also just choose to use your mic stand. So most microphones come with a simple stand that is just included. My $50 mic actually comes with a stand, and ironically, I have never bought a boom arm even at this point. I'm so used to just using my mic stand. It works really well. That said, most mic stands are not an adjustable height, so that’s something to keep in mind too.

My Adjustable Desk Set Up

In case you are curious about my desk set up, I have an adjustable sit stand desk. I wish I could say I stood at it a lot more than I do, but I do adjust it multiple times a day. I have pre-programmed heights, and I have one height that's my podcasting height. I also have one height that's my laptop typing height, and I have another one that's my video recording and zoom meeting coaching calls height. This makes it really easy to get myself set up and my mic stand ends up being the perfect height when I’m ready to record.

3. Pop filter or Windscreen

Next, you need a pop filter or windscreen. This is something that covers your mic and improves audio quality. Again, you need one or the other, not both. The reason you need one of these is because most podcast microphones pick up too much background noise without using one.

I personally use a windscreen, which covers your mic completely. Alternatively, a pop filter is what sits in front of the microphone. Windscreens are what we think of with a microphone a celebrity might use in a concert… while pop filters sit in front of your microphone without actually being directly on it. I feel like pop filters are more commonly associated with podcasting, but I’d argue windscreens can be better for video so that your face isn’t blocked. EITHER will work though!

4. Headphones

You need headphones to hear yourself as you record, which might sound weird. That's something I teach inside the Podcast Success Blueprint. You need to hear yourself as you record, but also to hear your guest as you are interviewing them. This is going to improve interview audio quality for sure, because it ensures your mic is not picking up what's coming out of your computer hearing them. So I would say it's a must for interviews.

That said, a lot of people would say it's not a must for solo episodes but I disagree. Again, I go deep into this in Podcast Success Blueprint when I teach how to establish your podcasting voice, but hearing yourself on solo episodes improves your own skills as a podcaster because it changes the way you literally speak when you're hearing that direct feedback through audio monitoring.

AirPods do not work well for this because there's often a delay when it's Bluetooth. At least that's been my experience.

Anyway, I do all my solo episodes this way and I teach you exactly how to do this. There's actually a behind the scenes video in Podcast Success Blueprint that I just love where I hired a videographer, and we filmed me recording a solo episode, start to finish. I show you the exact tech setup (from plugging everything in, bringing my notes up, bringing my recording software up, all of that good stuff). Then I show you how I pause and self edit while listening to myself.

The headphones I use are $18 from Amazon. So you can see again, some of the best podcast equipment is not that expensive.

5. Computer with Video Capabilities (or a webcam)

I almost didn’t include this, because again, this is the one that I said that you already have, but you need a computer. Your computer does not have to be a desktop computer or any specific brand of computer. I’ve used my MacBook to record my podcast and have the entire time I've had my business.

Plus, if you are doing video interviews or you are using video for your solo episodes to put somewhere like YouTube or to create clips from, you need your computer to have video capabilities, which is funny to say because most computers have a webcam now and a great one at that. But if yours doesn’t, you can also purchase a webcam or additional video equipment that you plug into your computer and connect. I don't do any of that. I just use the built-in webcam that comes with my laptop.

I have a lot of podcast friends that are way more into video than me though, and are using really cool technology with that that can get more expensive. And if you do feel like your computer's video quality is not that great, again, buying a webcam can help a lot with improving that.

6. USB Converter for Computer (maybe)

If you go with a USB mic, which is what mine is, and you have a newer computer, you may not have a specific USB drive anymore. So you’ll need to buy an adapter. The adapter I use is $18, and I actually use that adapter for lots of other things because I do have a lot of USB things, like my external hard drive, for example, that I use to store extra course videos on and family photos and things like that. My particular USB adapter also has a spot for a camera memory card (so make sure to get my free best podcast equipment guide for the link!).

Choosing Your Best Podcast Equipment

As you just heard, I don't use a mixer, I don't use audio interface, headphone amplifiers, acoustic treatments, cables, and things like that. I'm not saying this is the only way to podcast. So if you're listening to this and you're like, wait, I heard this other person say XYZ and I want to buy that way, do it.

What I'm trying to show you is that you CAN have fabulous audio quality and a great show that is fulfilling to you and earns you money in your business without having to buy thousands of dollars worth of equipment. You don’t have to record in a studio. I didn't even say this, but I actually record my podcast in my home office and have the whole time. I don't go to a studio or anything like that.

I actually cover how to improve your audio quality based on the room you're in inside Podcast Success Blueprint, because that is something that can be really challenging, right? Things like hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and stuff like that can actually make your audio quality worse. I cover all that in the course, but you're in charge of it.

But if you do want a simple setup that'll cost you around $100 or less (minus things like the computer that you already have), you can get the links of everything I use inside my best podcasting equipment guide here.

Are You Looking to Start a Podcast in 2024?

Now that you know exactly what equipment you might need, you might be wondering:

What do I do with the equipment?
How do I make strategic solo episodes?
How do I make strategic interviews?
How do I organize my podcast?
How do I ultimately make money for my podcast so that it's not an expensive hobby of my business?

If you're wondering any of those kinds of things, you need my course Podcast Success Blueprint. It covers a TON, from helping you start your show and also exactly how you can scale it. Inside, I have podcasters in all different stages, from brand new to established podcast hosts inside. Plus, there is my “Idea to Launch Roadmap”, which is going to guide you through starting your podcast in just FOUR weeks, okay? It's a super detailed PDF guide that you can print out, but it gives you stuff to do every single day for four weeks (don’t worry - I give you a few catch up days!).

If you need some more encouragement, I actually got a really sweet DM a few days ago from someone who just joined Podcast Success Blueprint that I want to read to you guys because she actually was on the fence about joining because she was worried it was just the stuff you can Google and just the step-by-step of like, okay, buy this thing, do this thing, record this way. I told her that that is NOT what it id, it's really strategic, and it's not just stuff you're going to find at Google. It's not your average podcast course. Here's what she said when she got inside:

This isn't just a how to podcast course. This is a full on simplify and streamline your business content marketing course. That's why I want a podcast. I'm so happy I bought this. And yes, please screenshot this testimonial and use it because I mean it.

That's what my goal is with this course. It's going to help you streamline your business, simplify your content marketing using podcasting, and ultimately make more money in your business, create more impact, all of that kind of good stuff. Sign up now!

Links Mentioned:

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3 Advanced Podcasting Tips That Will Boost Your Downloads, Save You Time, and Make More Money

Elizabeth McCravy — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Today, I’m sharing three advanced podcasting tips - one for show growth, one for boosting efficiency, and one for making money for your podcast. Sounds pretty good right? It was SO hard to narrow it down to just one tip from each category because I really do have SO many that I share inside Podcast Success Blueprint (which the doors are officially open to, if you’re reading this in real time, until February 2nd!).

If podcasting is one of your goals for 2024, or you already have a show that you want advanced podcasting tips for growing your show (and seeing real results from it), this is the course for you.

The truth is that this course became far more advanced and extensive than I had originally planned. I don't hold back when I'm teaching. Podcast Success Blueprint ended up becoming a true “A to Z” of starting, running, and scaling a successful podcast. It is a nine module course with over 75 total lessons in it. It’s definitely not your average podcast course.

From what I've seen out there, there are so many podcast courses literally just focusing on getting your show launched and then they leave you hanging after that. This isn’t that. Podcast Success Blueprint is designed to teach you how to really scale to make money from your show.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

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Search for episode 252!

1. Growth Tip: Write SEO-Friendly Episode Titles

Great episode titles help you get found by cold audiences, meaning people aren’t familiar with you or your podcast yet, because they get in front of people who are searching for things related to your episode topic somewhere like Apple, Spotify or Google.

By writing really amazing titles (and putting effort and energy into this), you get to rank and then they can download your episode, listen, and then KEEP LISTENING to future episodes after they love the one they first found!

This is actually a big way I have personally grown my podcast. I’m big into SEO on my website, as you know, but I’m also into podcast SEO.

3 advanced podcasting tips for making your podcast titles SEO friendly

1. Say what the episode is about and why people need it

I know that seems obvious, but I see this mistake all the time on podcasts that I love and listen to regularly. Too often titles fall flat because it’s just WHAT and not WHY it matters. So take your podcast titles a step further with a why.

2. Group keywords together

To explain this one, if my search term I’m hoping to rank for is “Showit Website Templates” and the title concept is “Showit website template hacks” then I want to group those words together.

To see this in action, a title like “5 Hacks to Make Customizing Your Showit Website Template Easier” is perfect. Whereas, “Showit Hacks for Customizing Your Website Template” is less ideal because we’re breaking up the key phrase we want to be found for.

3. Come up with more than one title idea!

Typically, your first title is not going to be the best one. So for me, I will have what I call my “working title” that's basically what I know the episode's going to be about. For example, I have a working title for this exact episode I'm recording right now, but I'm going to stretch my brain to try to come up with a different title and just see if there is anything better that we could use besides this first one.

There’s a lesson inside Podcast Success Blueprint that’s about 15 minutes long where we go DEEP into crafting show titles where people can’t help but listen. There’s also a lesson on writing strategic show notes to rank for SEO and really engage your audience well. You know I’m passionate about SEO and it really is a great way to help your show grow.

2. Efficiency Tip: Create a Shared iCloud Folder With Your Podcast Team Where All Your Graphics/Videos Go.

This one is one of the easier advanced podcasting tips but a true game changer if you have people who work with you on your show. If you don’t have a team, this is still something that I think would be really helpful though!

Basically, all you need to do is create an iCloud folder that has you and anyone else on your podcast team who might need the graphics and videos from episodes. Make it so you can all access and add to it. Then, whenever the person who makes the graphics for your episodes creates them, they’ll add them to this folder. This makes it so easy when it’s time for you as the host to share about them!

I should say - this is not the ONLY place you should be storing your graphics. But that’s a whole other conversation. I should note here too — efficiency tips and organizational stuff is a big focus of Podcast Success Blueprint. I am an organization type of gal. I love systems. I love strategy. I love making complex things that are too time consuming become more effective. I’m teaching both quick tips like this one and much BIGGER strategies that will help you completely overhaul the way you run your podcast so that you finally feel on top of things when it comes to the many, many moving parts in running a podcast.

Personally, my podcast last year was the number one revenue generator in my business (in terms of referring people to buy things from me). It was also the most fun thing, so it felt low stress, and a lot of that is due to really good systems.

3. Money Making Tip: Create Strategic Outros To Go At The End of Your Episodes That Sell Your Products or Promote Your Freebies

I have about a million money making tips for your podcast (in fact, this module is one of the biggest in the whole course). I teach 16 total ways to make money for your podcast inside Podcast Success Blueprint, covering everything from how to align your launch schedule with your podcast content to how to make money from affiliate marketing on your show (and so much more).

BUT - this final one of the advanced podcasting tips, on creating a few different strategic outros, is an easy one that you need to be doing ASAP. I personally have 2-4 options that I choose and change out depending on what the episode’s topic was. For example, this episode will have an outro promoting Podcast Success Blueprint.

These are pre-recorded, so this strategy is really “set it and forget it”. Now, does everyone listen to the end? NOPE. But engaging those listeners who do go all the way to the end is so worth it and so important! This is not something to skip. Especially because it’s easy.

Again, this is a small strategy among many strategies that I share in the course about how to make money podcasting. You also get a “make money podcasting” playbook, in addition to the module that goes over everything that serves as a “cheat sheet” so you don’t miss anything!

Let’s Recap These Three Advanced Podcasting Tips

As I recap these, think about which one you want to try on your podcast. Or, if you are a new podcaster, which one might be a big focus for you as you get rolling.

Growth Tip: Write SEO-Friendly Episode Titles
Efficiency Tip: Create a Shared iCloud Folder With Your Team Where All Your Graphics Go
Money Making Tip: Use Strategic Outros (More Than One!) That Sell Something

I hope this gives you just a tiny, tiny glimpse into the course (like a half a percent glimpse) that shows you that Podcast Success Blueprint isn't just for beginners. So if you're a beginner, great, I'm going to teach you how to do the “beginner stuff” like getting your show going from the start. But overall, this IS a more advanced course, which I'm really proud of. So if you feel like you've got the basics of podcasting down, but you're not really seeing results from it or it's taking a lot of your time, this course is for you! Even if you've already done another course on podcasting where you learned the basics.

Links Mentioned:

Join Podcast Success Blueprint Now!

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Become a Booked Out Designer

Shop Showit Website Templates

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

The post 3 Advanced Podcasting Tips That Will Boost Your Downloads, Save You Time, and Make More Money appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

3 Easy Hacks To Grow Your Show With Podcast Guests

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Even on mainly solo podcasts like mine, podcast guests are so important, not only for your show growth, but also just for giving your audience someone else's perspective. Not to mention - it gives you a break from being the brains behind all the content in your business. Podcast guest interviews are also a fun and exciting way to meet other people, network, make strong connections, and potentially even make lifelong friendships through people you meet.

On top of all that, podcast interviews can also help your audience grow exponentially on your podcast. But here’s the problem. You as the host are stoked. You love it and you (obviously) hope your guests will share when it airs. But then you look at their social media, their email marketing, wherever, and you see that not only did they not post about the episode themselves, but then maybe they're not even re-sharing what you've posted.

And then you wonder:

Did they dislike the interview?
Did they just get too busy?
Did I not help them enough?

Besides any disappointment you might feel, the bigger thing that's worth noting here is that guest interviews are a way to grow your show BECAUSE when your guest shares, you're getting your podcast and your business in front of that guest audience.

So when they don't share, that disappointment is natural. Plus, in some ways, it makes the episode less effective for you from a marketing perspective. In today's episode, I'm going to share three hacks for how to get your podcast guests to actually share about the episode when they air, so that you are not the only one promoting things. You want them to be promoting it alongside you. This way, you can make these guest episodes work harder for your business, so that you see more results on your podcast.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 251!

Before I get to these three hacks that I'm so excited to share with you, I want to say this is stuff I actually teach in my course Podcast Success Blueprint, and good news - It is opening next week. Podcast Success Blueprint will be open to the public for you to join starting on Monday, January 29th. So mark your calendar. I've actually already had around 65 people in the program who are already taking the course and getting results. It’s been so fun to see!

Here’s what Gabriela, a student inside Podcast Success Blueprint, has to say!

Thank you for really peeling back the layers of how you successfully podcast and delivering such value. I've been in the course creation world for some time and I've seen hundreds of courses and most are fluff, not yours. I give it five stars and recommend it to anyone wanting to start or improve their podcast. Podcast Success Blueprint is one of the most well thought out and meaty courses I've taken, and it propels immediate action.

My podcast is the one thing I’ve been consistently doing in my business for years that has led to:

More templates and course sales
More email subscribers
Over $280,000 in affiliate revenue
Opportunities to speak on stages and guest on massive podcasts
More confidence in myself as a business owner

That’s right. The Breakthrough Brand Podcast has become my number one lead source, driver of affiliate revenue, my “SEO-Secret,” and the center of the effective content marketing web I’ve built over the years.

And now I’m sharing everything (if you’ve ever learned from me, you know I don’t hold back on anything!) I know about building a successful, streamlined, sustainable podcast.

I started creating Podcast Success Blueprint as a mini-course (LOL), but it quickly grew into a robust, value-packed course that truly covers EVERYTHING you need to know to start, produce, market, and monetize your podcast!

Get on the waitlist now!

1. Make quality graphics/videos that work with their branding

You have to give them something to share. I know this seems obvious, but too often, we don’t provide any assets and instead just expect the guest to willingly share when we say to without giving them anything to share. You want to make it as easy on them as possible, and even more specifically I usually will mold my graphics to fit their branding colors a little, especially if it’s super different from my own brand colors.

In my opinion, this also typically makes the graphics just look better overall because if they give you photos of them where they are wearing brown and blue, but then your brand colors are hot pink and yellow fonts, it’s not going to look good. PLUS - it makes them more likely to share because they don’t have to change anything to make it work.

I also think we’re in a time in the world where video content is so key for podcast interviews. Giving your guests a quality short video where they are presented as an expert being interviewed by you is amazing, and will likely make them want to share. I love it when I am on someone else's podcast, and they give me this really cool strong video that's showing me teaching on something that I care about, and again, is setting me up as an expert. It makes me very likely to want to share that

You can do this easier than you might think. I used to do these for IGTVs back when that was a thing, and it took so long. We were using professional video editing software (two different ones!), and then adding text that we were physically typing onto the video. I also had to pay super close attention during interviews to what time-stamp things were said that I wanted into clips.

Using Riverside for Podcast Video Content

Now, it’s so much easier. I record interviews on Riverside, a podcasting software. During recordings, whenever my guest says something that I feel is super impactful, I mark it with a clip marker in Riverside. Typically, I end up with 10 to 15 clip markers per interview. I also keep a note on paper about specific markers, like the one at 26 minutes, which might be particularly good for future use. My podcast editor then selects some clips too. So we have a LOT of video content for each episode and I can share multiple clips with my guest.

On top of that, Riverside now has a feature called Magic Clips, which uses AI to select clips and automatically create everything for you. You can add text to the video, rearrange, cut, and correct transcription captions for accuracy, including fixing misspellings. It’s such a time saver. If that’s something you want to try, use code ELIZABETH for a discount on your subscription.

And just as a reminder, why do we want our guests to share? Because when they share to their Instagram stories, collaborate with you on a reel, post about it themselves, share to their whole email list, you are getting your podcast in front of their audience. Then, you’ll be getting new listeners who are coming to your show to hear that guest, but then will hopefully stick around and keep listening to all your episodes. Eventually, they might even buy from you! It's a whole cycle that is so worth pursuing.

2. Share those graphics with your guest in advance of the episode airing

Next, you need to share those graphics and videos in advance. Your guest probably doesn’t know when it’ll air )or if you told them an estimated date, it’s unlikely they marked it on their calendar). As a podcast host, often we do interviews that don’t air for weeks or months… so you need to tell your guest this is coming!

I’ve been a guest on many shows, so I feel pretty confident in saying that too often podcast hosts just email the day of the airing. Or worse, they just share and want you to repost it. That’s really not enough lead time to really work it into your promotion strategy.

What I teach (and do) in Podcast Success Blueprint is email the guest one week prior to the airing date, and share everything they need to know (with graphics provided). At the same time we do this, we also schedule in advance another email to go out to them on the day the episode goes live. We also ASK them to share!

In Podcast Success Blueprint, I give you exact examples of how to do this and the steps in the process so you know what to say and so there’s no confusion! For us and other Podcast Success Blueprint students using my processes, this really does just become a part of your podcast process that you or a team member will do. When it’s part of your process, it won’t be skipped, and that really helps the episode get promoted.

3. DM Your Guests the Day Of With The Graphics!

I think this is literally one of my favorite podcast hacks, but on the day that it airs, you want to DM the guest with the graphics and videos on Instagram (or wherever you're hoping the guests will share). You don’t have to DM all of them, but this makes it nice and quick for them to post! I usually say something along the lines of, “I wanted to go ahead and send you these so you can easily just save them to your phone and post them on Instagram if you want. I'd love to see you share about it.”

On top of that, I'll often even tell the guests, I'm going to post a reel about this at noon today, and I'm going to invite you to collaborate on it. It really just makes for a nice touch point and a reminder on the podcast air date. It makes it a lot less work for them.

Also, always tag them in everything so they can choose what to re-share (and what they don't want to) from what you've posted. If you're using Instagram stories to do this, you could actually tag them and then drag it off the screen and it still works. So if you're thinking, I don't want their handle on every single graphic, you can make it really small and then drag it off the screen and it still counts as a tag. That's another thing I feel like people often miss. Sometimes I go on shows myself and the host of the podcast has posted a bunch of great videos of them talking about the episode, but they don't tag me in any of them. I wish I would have been able to share them!

That's where we really bring this back to the first tip of doing things in their branding. When I'm inviting a guest to collaborate on the reel, for example, I will try to make sure that the reel cover is something that I think they would like to show up on their feed. The collaboration means that this reel that you've created is going to go on their profile permanently, so they need to like the way it looks.

Growing your podcast by having podcast guests share about the episode

So that’s it! Three hacks to get your podcast guests to actually share (and you can tell I actually shared more than three in all of that because again, there's a whole lesson in Podcast Success Blueprint on this).

Here’s a quick recap of the three hacks that will encourage your podcast guests to share:

Make quality graphic and videos (and make them work with their branding)
Share the graphics and videos with your guests IN ADVANCE of the episode airing
DM your guests the day of with the graphics and videos (and invite them to collaborate on what you share!)

I love interviews and while I don’t do a TON of interviews, but when I do, I do them really intentionally with a lot of strategy and research behind them. I teach all that in detail in Podcast Success Blueprint so if you are someone who already has a podcast and things are going well but the guest interviews are getting to me, or the systems are hard and it's taking too much time, or you’re ready to learn how to get help with a team, I teach ALL of that inside. It really is an advanced podcast course. I would love to see you inside!

Links Mentioned:

Get on the waitlist for Podcast Success Blueprint!

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Become a Booked Out Designer

Shop Showit Website Templates (Use Code BBPODCAST for 10% off)

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

The post 3 Easy Hacks To Grow Your Show With Podcast Guests appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

4 REAL Fears You Might Have About Starting a Podcast (+ My Honest Thoughts About Whether Podcasting is Right for You)

Elizabeth McCravy — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 06:00:07 +0000

Reading Time: 13 minutes

As you think about starting a podcast, you might have hesitations and questions like: do I have time for it? Who am I to start a podcast? Do I have anything to say that people would actually want to hear? Is the tech going to overwhelm me too much? Will I even enjoy podcasting? What if I quit and people see me as a failure? How will people even find my podcast? Am I articulate enough to do a voice only medium? Am I making the right choice on the tech I'm considering buying and the hosting platform I'm choosing? There are a lot of questions that come up!

On top of the questions, you might have thoughts like: I'm afraid no one will listen and I'll be embarrassed. I'm afraid people will judge me thinking that I think I'm someone special to do this. I have too much imposter syndrome to start. Or maybe you feel like you’re not good at talking because of an accent or English not being your first language. You might also be thinking things like: I'm worried about the time it takes. As a busy mom, I'm worried I'll overthink everything and never get content out there or want to delete every episode after I record it. Maybe you're overwhelmed by making the right choices if you're going to invest your time into doing that.

Okay - that was a lot BUT these are actually all real people's hesitations around starting a podcast (that came straight from the people who filled out my interest survey for my new podcast course). And these are also some of the things I personally felt when I started my own podcast four and a half years ago. So before we dive in, just know that you’re not alone! It was interesting for me to see how many of you had the same fears around starting a podcast, and I want to speak candidly about them today! I’m going to start with some encouragement, and then keep reading because I’m going to share some practical ways to conquer your fears below!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 239!

The Podcast Success Blueprint is Open for Enrollment!

If you're reading this live, my new course Podcast Success Blueprint is now open for enrollment! Join now as a founding member and get exclusive limited-time discounts and bonuses. This is the second time I'm doing a beta launch for a course and just ask anyone who joined Booked Out Designer during the 2021 beta launch – it was an amazing decision for their business.

Let me give you a quick scoop on what the course is all about if you haven't heard me talk about it yet.

The Podcast Success Blueprint is a comprehensive course designed to equip you with all you need to start, scale, and streamline your podcast like a pro. My goal is to help you transform your podcast into a powerful, profitable marketing tool that brings you joy and fulfillment without draining all your time and energy.

This eight-module course covers everything from beginner essentials to advanced scaling strategies. Topics include starting your podcast, choosing your niche and show purpose, mastering the technical aspects, organizing for success (with optional ClickUp and Notion templates), solo episodes, interviews, podcast marketing, post-production, and monetization. If you missed last week's episode, be sure to check it out for insights on monetizing your podcast. We also delve into building a podcast support team and there is even a bonus module on being a guest on other shows.

As a founding member, you'll have the opportunity to purchase the course before it's completed. With early purchase, you'll enjoy significant price savings and two group coaching calls with me. Join me inside now!

Thinking about starting a podcast? It’s okay if it feels scary

When you start a podcast, you are creating your own stage, which is a big deal and can be intimidating. Consider this: besides YouTube, there's no other content creation that requires you to put yourself out there as consistently as podcasting. Plus, your podcast may eventually end up on platforms like YouTube or other video formats. So it is a big deal.

You're not just sharing your thoughts on a reel or in an Instagram post. You are not just writing them in an email or blog post. It goes beyond that. You're bringing your voice to an audience who wants to listen. You have no control over who consistently tunes in to your show, regardless of your desired consistency. This makes podcasting a bigger deal than posting on Instagram or starting a blog. It's okay if podcasting feels intimidating and like a huge undertaking. You're essentially building your own stage, which can be scary. You might worry if anyone will listen, disagree with you, or stop liking you. Those fears are valid. I’ve had them too!

Here’s the thing: I do believe that in order to grow your business, you have to create your own stage.

Your stage can be you recording yourself on your phone for an Instagram story. It can be YouTube, it can be blogging, it can be a consistent email newsletter. It can also be something like a podcast. No matter what you choose, you cannot hide forever in your business and expect your business to also grow.

And I may be biased, but I truly believe podcasting is one of the best platforms for business growth and sustainability. It's easier than YouTube and more engaging than writing a blog. Listeners develop a personal connection as they take you with them wherever they go. It's a powerful way to connect.

Facing Imposter Syndrome? Here’s My Story

I felt really embarrassed telling my business owner friends, and even my non-business owner friends, that I wanted to start a podcast back in 2018. If you’re feeling that way, I’m just like you. I procrastinated starting because I felt so intimidated by it. I thought podcasting was only for big names like Jenna Kutcher, Amy Porterfield, or NPR. I mean, who was I to think I could do it too?

But looking back, there were a few things that helped me overcome that imposter syndrome. And I think they could help you too so I want to share them today!

1. I Practiced Recording Episodes

One thing I did was write down all my episode ideas before I even started my show. It gave me the confidence to believe that I had something to say. I remember going to a mastermind retreat in Florida, and on the drive there, I recorded some episode ideas using the voice notes app on my phone. It was like I was pretending to record a podcast. Of course, I didn't air it that way, but it helped me gain the confidence that I had something worth sharing.

2. I Asked Friends for their Opinion

Another thing I did was ask some trusted business friends for their thoughts on my podcast idea. That being said, ideas can be fragile when they are new, so it's okay if you don’t feel ready to share yet. Sarah Blakely, whom you know I love if you listen to the podcast regularly, didn't share her Spanx idea with anyone for a while because she wanted to protect it from unintended negative comments. If you feel your idea is fragile, be selective about who you share it with and when. That being said, I did personally ask the opinions of specific friends, and the response was mostly positive, at least as far as I remember.

3. I Bought my Equipment

One of the memorable experiences I had in the beginning was when I went on a business retreat with my friend Jenna to an Airbnb near Nashville in 2018. We were both new podcasters at the time. During the retreat, I brought my equipment, including my laptop and microphone. Initially, I hadn't planned on recording any episodes during the retreat, but Jenna pointed out that I had my microphone and already had three episodes outlined. She convinced me to take advantage of the opportunity and record them. I can vividly visualize it now - sitting in front of a window in my Airbnb room, recording episodes while Jenna was in another room doing her own thing. Having her there, encouraging me and reassuring me that I had what it takes, meant a lot.

4. I Got Comfortable With the Idea Not Working Out

The last thing that really helped with my imposter syndrome was developing self-trust and being comfortable with the idea that not everything I try will work out, and that's okay. There have been instances in my business where things didn't go as planned, and initially, I struggled with accepting that. But when I started my podcast, it was a turning point for me. I had to trust myself and believe that it was a good idea, even if it didn't turn out as I hoped. Starting my podcast was a huge, huge, HUGE growth experience for me, and a big part of me learning to trust myself as I was growing my business.

The Result Might Just Be Worth the Imposter Syndrome, the Time Commitment and the Risk of Starting a Podcast.

Before we address your specific fears, I want to encourage you one last time. The potential outcome of overcoming imposter syndrome, managing the time commitment, and taking the risk of starting a podcast might just be worth it. The only way to find out is to give it a try. I've had conversations with many of you on Instagram who feel the desire to start a podcast, but struggle with imposter syndrome and have legitimate concerns about the time and risk.

Personally, my podcast has had a profound impact on me, not just professionally, but also by teaching me to trust myself and boosting my confidence. It has transformed me as a person emotionally, spiritually, and as a business owner. The bottom line is, unless you give it a shot, you won't know.

Do You Feel Drawn to Podcasting?

So I've shared this story before on the podcast, but before I had one, I used to consistently blog for years. I actually recorded my blog posts with just my Apple headphones, no microphone or anything. Sometimes, even when I was walking outside, the audio quality wasn't great. But I would record my blogs and put them on SoundCloud, then embed them into my written posts. I found myself wanting to use my own voice and share more than what I had typed out. Especially for longer blog posts, I wanted people to be able to listen instead of just reading. So, podcasting drew me in even before I started. It was the desire to talk, not just write.

Another thing that has happened, and still happens to this day, is that I listen to other shows and think they're amazing. I don't mean that I dislike any particular show, but I find inspiration to add my own thoughts to the conversation. I would hear something and want to further discuss it, or I would think of a different way to express an idea. Sometimes I would hear something and think, "Oh, I could do an episode on that topic," and envision how I would present it.

So those were things that were happening in my mind all the time as someone who was listening to podcasts but did not have one. If you're experiencing any of these thoughts too, you might be drawn to podcasting too.

Now, let’s address those specific fears and how to conquer them!

1. You are afraid that you won’t enjoy podcasting or won’t have time to do it forever (and then you’ll be embarrassed if you quit)

The first fear is that you won't enjoy podcasting or have the time to commit to it long-term. You may feel embarrassed if you start a podcast and eventually have to stop, especially after making a big deal about its launch. While that’s normal to think about, let's discuss these concerns. Firstly, it's important to realize that podcasting doesn't have to be a lifelong commitment. In fact, you probably won’t be podcasting for the rest of your life! But if you have a desire for it, believe it can benefit your business, and feel the call to make it work, then give it a try. Otherwise, you'll never know. Just like starting a business, podcasting requires taking a leap and giving it a shot.

And something I really love, which I'll be teaching in my course, is the concept of the six-episode commitment. This is something Tim Ferriss teaches. When I first heard him talk about it, I thought, "Yes, more people need to see it this way." So, record six episodes, release them weekly or at any frequency you prefer, and then decide. Decide if you like it, analyze what you don't like, and figure out how to make it work better for you. Let go of the idea that it's a forever commitment.

And I also want to mention that in my new course, I teach strategies to help you enjoy podcasting. I address the common challenges and show you how to find relevant topics within your niche. We overcome the obstacles that may hinder your enthusiasm.

Lastly, sometimes investing in a podcasting course, joining a podcasting group, or starting with the purchase of equipment can help you feel more committed and motivated to get started. Personally, buying my microphone made me feel like I was really taking action and I felt excited about it. It helped me with getting started and I want to encourage you to do the same. I’d love to see you inside the Podcast Success Blueprint.

2. You’re worried you’ll make the “wrong decision” on something early on and it’ll be a mess to “fix” later.

The one thing you need to know about your podcast and if you've been in business for a while, you probably already know this: every decision is changeable. If you get a mic you don't like, get another one. If you start on a podcast hosting platform you don't like, switch. You can change show formats and will likely redo your intro (and even your artwork) at some point. Change is completely normal (and inevitable), so don't stress over every decision.

I also want to mention the importance of finding a reliable resource that provides clear guidance instead of overwhelming you with a bunch of options to research on your own. This can be especially helpful if you're feeling overwhelmed with all the initial steps, such as choosing a microphone or a hosting platform for your podcast. In my podcast course, I share specific details about the equipment I use, including the microphone, headphones, recording softwares for solo or interview episodes, hosting platform, and how I organize everything. I'm not saying that you have to use the same equipment as me, but I want to show you what has worked for me throughout my podcasting journey. Interestingly enough, I haven't changed my equipment in the last 4.5 years and the best part is that it is all affordable! You can set up your equipment for under a hundred dollars, and the software I use to record solo episodes is free and likely already installed on your computer.

To tell you a little BTS - I'm currently in the process of changing my podcast host after four and a half years. It's important to remember that change is normal. Whether it's changing your artwork, intro, or even your show name, it's okay. Don't be afraid of making the “wrong” decision because it's not a mess to fix. Things change over time in business, and being comfortable with that and rolling with it is key. You may make a decision that you want to fix later, and that's alright. Hopefully you join me inside Podcast Success Blueprint and will all the resources I'm sharing and the specifics of it all will help you overcome some of that too!

3. You have so much imposter syndrome and are just truly afraid of what people will think and that no one will listen.

Alright here's the third thing you've got to overcome. I know you may be experiencing impostor syndrome and fear that nobody will listen or value your opinion on what you want to talk about. This fear may be holding you back, making you doubt your abilities. It's important to remember that many other people feel this way too. In my podcasting survey, impostor syndrome and lack of confidence were one of the biggest things mentioned. But let me assure you, you are drawn to podcasting for a reason, it’s not an accident. I know firsthand that it has the potential to transform your business. So go ahead and give it a try! If you feel called to it, trust that it's not by accident, and there's no harm in exploring something new.

I want to mention that podcast growth usually takes time. You may not get hundreds of downloads on your first episode, and that's totally fine. If 15 people listen, that's still 15 real people that you've reached.

We often forget that if you gather all the people who downloaded your episode in one place, it would be a crowded room. Depending on the room's size, your show could have a stadium-sized audience every episode or a cozy dinner party number of listeners. Either way, these are people who are actively listening and learning from you, and taking you along with them during their day, which is incredible. That's why podcasting can be a powerful tool for growing your business, whether it's a service-based or product-based business. It allows you to showcase what you do and really connect with potential customers.

4. You’re afraid you won’t have the time or money to keep it going because you’re very busy and stretched thin in your business and life already.

When I started my podcast, I also launched my template shop. At the time I thought, "I have so many other things I want to do." The idea of doing something every week indefinitely was overwhelming. It's a major commitment to take on. So first, let's address the financial aspect of podcasting, and then we'll discuss the time commitment.

The Financial Commitment of Podcasting

When it comes to expenses, you need to be strategic. Don't start a podcast just because it sounds fun. You probably don't have time for that in your business. Instead, set goals for your podcast, such as audience and business growth. Personally, I don't believe you need to immediately have a product or service to sell when you start your show. But you should think about something you can sell, that's yours, early on in your podcasting pursuit.

Basically, I believe it's important to have a clear strategy for monetizing your podcast and turning it into a source of income. This doesn't necessarily mean adding paid ads right away, especially if your show is still building an audience. Instead, focus on aligning your content with your offerings and finding ways to convert listeners into buyers over time. Consider the journey someone takes when they discover your podcast, listen to it, and how you can guide them towards becoming a customer or client. Having a well-thought-out plan in place will make the financial aspect more feasible.

Additionally, things like hosting might not be as expensive as you think it is (it’s usually like $10-$15/month) you don't need a massive team right from the start (or never if you don’t want!). You can begin with just yourself or with the help of an editor. In Podcast Success Blueprint, I discuss the different roles you can have on your team, their expected costs, and how they collaborate. You can gradually expand your team as your show grows, without it being a significant financial burden. But you don’t “need” a team!

The Time Commitment of Podcasting

Next, let's quickly discuss the importance of systems in podcasting. If you feel pressed for time and already stretched thin in your business, I understand. Personally, I run my business in part-time hours and still manage to produce a weekly podcast. Here's what I want you to know: to ensure sustainability, you need reliable systems in place. Podcasting doesn't have to consume all your time, unless you allow it to.

Some weeks I don't work on my podcast at all (apart from promoting episodes and appreciating listeners like you!). Other weeks, I dedicate time to recording several episodes at once. It's not a daily commitment, even though your audience might tune in daily. The key is having effective systems that align with your life and can adapt as your show grows. In Podcast Success Blueprint, one of the things I’m most excited to guide you in is implementing podcasting systems that make sense for you, whether you work solo or with a team. Systems and templates will be a major focus in this course!

Are you ready to start and scale your podcast?

If I haven't said it clearly enough, let me reiterate: if you have a dream and desire to start a podcast, you absolutely have what it takes. It's worth trying and can be incredibly fulfilling. It’s one of my favorite things I do in my business. I know firsthand how a podcast can boost your confidence, instill self-trust, and take your business to new heights. Read to start (and scale) your podcast? I would love to see you join me inside the Podcast Success Blueprint!

Links Mentioned:

Join the Beta Round of the Podcast Success Blueprint Now!

Shop All of My Showit Website Templates (use code BBPODCAST for 10% off!)

Not Sure Which Template is Right For You? Take The Quiz!

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Join me inside Booked Out Designer

The post 4 REAL Fears You Might Have About Starting a Podcast (+ My Honest Thoughts About Whether Podcasting is Right for You) appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

3 Real Ways to Actually Make Money from Your Podcast

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Most podcasters aren't earning as much as they could from their show. In fact, I imagine many smaller podcasts aren't making any money at all, which is one of the reasons so many podcasters quit. Making money from podcasting goes beyond just getting sponsors to put ads on the show (although that’s often the first thing people think of, right?). While sponsorships can bring in revenue, especially for larger podcasts, relying solely on this can lead to a continuous hunt for new sponsors who may not pay as much as hoped. For smaller podcasts with less than a thousand downloads per episode, expecting more than a hundred dollars per ad spot is often unrealistic (and I might be being generous here). Today, I want to share three real ways to ACTUALLY make money from your podcast.

Before we dive in, let me just say this: I believe sponsors are a legitimate and great way to monetize your podcast. While I also include sponsors in my own podcast, I want you, as a podcaster or someone considering starting a podcast, to know that there are alternative ways to generate income.

In today's episode, we will explore three different methods, including sponsorships, to make money from your podcast. I will share my thoughts on sponsorships, but I want to emphasize that you can make money from your podcast without having a huge audience. As we go through these methods, I believe at least one will be new to you, and you likely have not tried at least two of them on your own show.

Once you finish reading (or listening), I also want to encourage you to take action on one of these methods that resonates with you. Or if you are a new podcaster, consider implementing all three right from the start!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 237!

Podcast Success Blueprint

Want to dive even deeper into making money from your podcast? In my course, I cover a ton of different ways to make money from your podcast, with a focus on creating a big impact, generating more sales, and expanding your platform. While podcasting is enjoyable, it does require financial and time investment, so it's important to not just focus on downloads and chart rankings, but also on how your podcast connects with your business and makes a meaningful impact.

In this episode, I’m sharing THREE ways to make money through your podcast but there are actually TEN ways I make money through my show that I discuss in detail in Podcast Success Blueprint.

Why podcasting? Podcasting is a great way to make money in your business as a form of content marketing

Podcasting is a great way to directly generate income for your business. It's a form of content marketing that offers a more intimate connection with your audience compared to traditional methods like email marketing (people are listening to you as a part of their day!). By creating your own podcast, you not only have your own stage but also open doors to other opportunities such as speaking engagements and collaborations with other podcasts and people. It's a powerful tool for audience growth and expanding your reach on platforms like Instagram and through your email list (podcasting is a big part of how I grew my Instagram and email list!). The impact of podcasting goes beyond one avenue - it's a multifaceted approach that yields a ton of benefits. Whether you have a show or not, I’d love to see you inside the course here!

Now, let’s talk about three ways to make money from your podcast!

1. Traditional Ads Through Sponsorships

This is the one most people think of, but it's not necessarily the easiest to do or the most financially smart thing if you're a brand new podcaster or a smaller show.

For me, I love getting sponsorships, but it's actually not my personal favorite way to monetize my show. Here's the thing: if you have products or services to sell, which I understand not all podcasters do, but many of you listening are small business owners like me with something to offer. So, if given the choice, wouldn't you prefer to promote your own stuff rather than someone else's? And let's not forget, most of the time, your own offers provide higher value and generate more revenue per customer compared to what a sponsor would pay for each episode. It’s likely a better ROI for you to sell your OWN products or services instead.

With that said, I do want to share some things to consider if you are going to pursue paid sponsors for your show. As someone who has had sponsors on my show, there are a few different ways they can come about. Sometimes, you pursue the sponsor, and you're in the driver's seat, making the contract and setting the terms. Other times, sponsors come to you with their own contract and terms. I've experienced both scenarios, each with its own merits. Regardless of how it comes about, think about your goals and what packages you want to offer.

If there's one takeaway from this episode, it's highly recommended to avoid selling one-off episode ads. Instead, consider offering packages where sponsors can purchase a set number of episodes or opt for 90 days of dynamic ads across all episodes.

Dynamic ads are especially beneficial for podcasts with a larger catalog. When ads are dynamic, they are temporarily baked into the episodes within a specified timeframe, automatically including all episodes in the catalog.

On the other hand, you can opt for permanently baked-in ads where you record an ad and bake it into five episodes in a row, for example, and those stay in the episode forever.

Going through a network for your ads

When considering monetizing your podcast, you have two options to consider. Will you rely on a network to connect you with sponsors, or will you take charge by pitching and negotiating your own contracts? Joining a podcast network means they may place ads for you, but you might not have control over the content. There are pros and cons to either option.

Choosing ad placements for your podcast

You also need to consider the available slots for your podcast ads and which parts you want to sell. Don’t forget - you can also advertise your own products, which we'll do next.

In my opinion, it's important to find a balance between placing sponsors in the best spot and promoting your own stuff. Consider how many ads you can realistically include per episode too. This may vary based on episode length, but you need to be cautious not to overwhelm listeners with excessive ads. You need to avoid becoming one of those podcasts that receive negative reviews due to ads taking up a significant portion of the episode. Yes, podcasting is a free thing we're putting out there, but there's still an expectation that we're not going to advertise to someone the entire time they're listening. People do get mad!

Final Thoughts on Working with Advertisers

I also recommend having a media kit that you can send as a PDF or as a page on your website, both ways work. This will help when you pitch your show to sponsors. On this page, include reviews that highlight why sponsors should pick you. My media kit personally has strong reviews where people say they never miss an episode and listen all the way through, which is what sponsors want to hear. You can also include your audience demographics, downloads, and listener data. That's crucial because sponsors won't support you without it.

Next consider the other platforms where you have an audience and will potentially promote this sponsor. That’s one of the great aspects of podcasting - it's not just about your podcast downloads or audience; it's about your entire network and business. In my case, the sponsor will be featured in a dedicated section of my blog post as well as mentioned in the episode. For each sponsored episode, there will be a designated area on the blog. In your packages, you can also include mentioning your sponsor on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and others. A package can be created to include a 90-day baked-in promotion, sponsor mention in the show notes and on the blog in the five most recent episodes, as well as Instagram stories and TikTok videos talking about their product. You really do have the flexibility to design a package that offers high value to your sponsor.

Lastly, you’ll want to include your package options in the media kit and clearly outline what's included. Avoid doing one-off deals as they aren't worthwhile for either of you. For the advertiser, multiple episodes and more opportunities for people to hear about them (and build trust). It also benefits you by reducing the workload with the same ad each time. In my course, I dive deep into this topic, as it's one I'm passionate about. I'll also cover how to create effective ad reads that are seamless and engaging, ensuring that listeners actually pay attention to the ads so that your advertisers see an ROI. This is important for ongoing relationships!

2. Ads for Your Own Products

Here's what I'll say: If you're not currently doing ads for sponsors on your podcast, that's totally okay. I don't do it much myself. However, at the very least, you should consider doing ads for your own stuff, or even better, do both, which is what I personally prefer.

You don't have to include an ad in every single episode. In fact, it may not make sense in every episode of your podcast. There are some episodes where you talk enough about your products that an additional ad slot may not be necessary. Nevertheless, using an ad slot to talk about your own relevant products and services can be a great opportunity to make money from your podcast. Making ads listenable for people is important, and a big part of that is making sure that it feels relevant.

Especially if you have a multifaceted business with different products and services for different target audiences or stages of your business, it's important for the ads to align with the episode content. For instance, if I'm talking about website tips for non-designers in an episode, I might do an ad for my templates. You’ll also find that I like to get specific with my ads. If you want examples, just listen to some episodes and hear how the ads are integrated.

One approach I've enjoyed this year is being intentional about taking an interesting angle on my own product ads instead of just talking about the product itself. For example, instead of saying "I sell shop website templates, here's what they are," I relate a specific template to the episode content.

While you don’t need to record a custom ad for every episode, I'm actually personally a big fan of custom ads if you have time for it. I think they convert better when you're able to say, “Hey, I know we were just listening to so-and-so talk about this, and that relates to this product.” It's so powerful that way and makes people less likely to skip it.

Don’t forget to advertise your freebies too!

You also promote your freebies on your podcast instead of directly advertising products, which is something I love. I didn’t talk about it in this episode, but in my podcast course I’m going to be sharing how to “sell” a freebie and create a funnel so that the selling happens there.

Ultimately, don't be afraid to make the ask. We often forget to do that and instead just focus on providing amazing free content. But then we forget to tell people how they can work with us. Just remember, people who listen to your podcast are at different stages of finding you.

Your episode 55 might be the first one they've ever listened to. They liked the title and found your voice engaging, but they don't really know what you sell or who you are. So, it's important to remind them and let them know what it looks like to take the next step with you.

You can include ads for your own products, especially in post-roll. It may seem like most people don't listen to it, but it's worth a try. Remember, there are people on the other side of the mic who want to know more about you (whether that’s 50 people or 1000 people right now).

3. Promoting Companies That You Are An Affiliate For

Now, the third method I want to share to earn real money from your podcast is by promoting affiliate companies. Unlike traditional ads, you can directly share affiliate links and codes with your podcast audience without needing official sponsorship or permission. Personally, I did the math and I have generated over $270,000 in affiliate marketing revenue in the past three years alone. This figure doesn't even include revenue from my podcast's first year in 2019 so it might be more like $300-$350K since I started my show. The podcast has been a major contributor to these earnings, not to mention the additional benefits of accessing free things as an affiliate (ie. not paying for Instacart when people use my link). That number only includes actual cash that came into my bank account!

Affiliate links can be great because you aren’t saying, “this podcast is sponsored by ___”, you’re saying, “here are three ways I'm making my life easier as a busy mom”. And then in some of those ways, you're mentioning an affiliate link.

And if you're not already, keep an organized bank of affiliates. It could be a spreadsheet, or it could be in your project manager like ClickUp (that's where mine is). But keep track of all the companies you affiliate with, what the deals you have with them, what the code and link are, and what the deal is for you and what the deal is for the customer.

Create Pretty Links for Your Affiliate Links

Then you want to create a short link for each affiliate using your domain name. For example, elizabethmccravy.com/instacart redirects to my affiliate link for Instacart. I have this set up for many companies like Flodesk and Showit. Having it at my domain name gives me control and ensures that even if someone types something in wrong, they will still end up on my website. This is particularly useful when you have a large catalog of podcast episodes like I do (over 230 episodes). If I mention Showit in episode 5, 6, 30, 40, or any other episode, the link will still work even if they have changed their affiliate link program because you just need to update ONE pretty link instead of all the links where it was mentioned.

I also want to add to this, when you use affiliates to make money from your podcast, it's not just limited to the episodes themselves. You can expand your earnings through your blog, social media, email list, and more. For example, if I promote an affiliate product in an episode, I'll also mention it in the corresponding blog post to increase visibility through search engine optimization. Additionally, I can leverage platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, as well as engage with my email list. The possibilities are endless!

Which one of these ways to make money from your podcast are you going to try next?

Let’s recap the three ways you can make money from your podcast (and remember, I’m covering at least ten ways to make money from your podcast in my course, so sign up here.

Traditional Ads Through Sponsorship
Creating Ads For Your Own Products
Promoting Companies You Are An Affiliate For

Podcast Success Blueprint is packed with in-depth content that you won't find on Google or in other podcast courses I've researched. We dive deep into various topics, such as solo episodes, interviews, time-saving processes for your show, templates to improve execution, hiring podcast help, podcast name selection, show distribution, artwork, SEO techniques for both episode titles and overall show visibility and the importance of monetization and marketing.

My goal is for you to leave the course feeling confident in your show, supported by our community as you grow and scale, and ultimately are able to make money from your podcast. While it's great to have a chart-topping podcast, what's even better is consistently generating sales from people who discovered you through your show. It doesn't matter how many downloads you have; this is absolutely achievable. Sign up now!

Links Mentioned:

Steal My 3 Hacks for Making Affiliate Income Easier

Shop All of My Showit Website Templates (use code BBPODCAST for 10% off!)

Not Sure Which Template is Right For You? Take The Quiz!

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Join me inside Booked Out Designer

The post 3 Real Ways to *Actually* Make Money from Your Podcast appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

Why We Need to Share Boldly in Our Faith (and How Podcasting Can Help) With Brooke Jefferson

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:18 +0000

Reading Time: 17 minutes

Today, we're talking about how you can bring your faith into your business as a Christian business owner. You may not run a ministry or a specifically Christian business, but you feel a calling to integrate your faith into your work. But - how do you do that? If you are a copywriter, photographer, designer, or online course creator, it can be hard to see how you can really infuse your faith on a daily basis into your business.

A little behind-the-scenes: this is always an interesting discussion that I often enjoy having with friends privately and frequently think about in my own life. When my friend Brooke suggested talking about this on the podcast, I was so excited to hear her perspective and I can’t wait to share all of our insights on the blog here today.

I'm chatting with Brooke Jefferson, a business coach for moms with small businesses. She's also a photographer, podcast host, and an absolute expert in helping business owners get clear on their ideal client, offers, and marketing strategy for consistent clients and sales. With her experience building multiple six-figure businesses, Brooke's passion lies in teaching other moms to do the same.

In this episode, we talk about how to infuse your faith into your businesses and feel confident when boldly sharing about it AND we also explore the ins and outs of podcasting and talk about what it takes to grow a successful podcast in 2023 (even if you feel the podcast landscape is oversaturated). We are both passionate about both which makes this a really fun two-in-one interview.

If you're interested in faith in business and/or starting/growing a podcast, this episode is for you.

Before we dive in - are you in the Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group yet? It’s free to join, and it’s where we take conversations like the one I had with Brooke today further. Pop in and ask questions, share insights, and get the inside scoop into what I’m trying lately. I’d love to see you inside!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 236!

First - Who is Brooke Jefferson?

Brooke Jefferson is a business coach for moms with small businesses and the podcast host of the Business Mamas Tell All Podcast. Brooke helps business owners get clear on their ideal client and offers and create a marketing strategy that results in consistent clients and sales. After building multiple six figure businesses, she truly enjoys teaching other moms to do the same.

Brooke is a believer, wife, and mama to two. When she's not teaching or photographing, you can find her reading a good book, hanging out with her family outside, or planning her next trip.

Why should we infuse our faith into our businesses versus just letting business be business and faith be faith?

First, I used to think the same way. I used to compartmentalize my life, thinking that marriage, motherhood, businesses, and faith should be separated into different boxes. However, I've come to realize (more and more!) that they are all intertwined and affect one another. For example, a bad mood can impact how I serve my clients. And as I've grown in my faith, integrating it into every area of my life has had a positive impact. I used to struggle with the term "Christian entrepreneur," fearing that it would alienate potential clients, but I've found that sharing my faith attracts like-minded individuals who value the same principles. So ultimately, while you might think that your faith is a completely different thing, your faith and values spill over into every aspect of life.

How do you talk about your faith in a way that's not alienating to someone who does not share the same faith?

So, this can look very different, but initially, I started by sharing small glimpses of my values and faith. In 2020, I became more bold about it. Faith has now become one of my brand pillars, something I am known for. I share it through snippets of me reading the Bible in the morning or if I listen to a church sermon or worship song then I share it. There are always one or two people who say, "I needed this today."

By sharing my faith little-by-little and eventually bringing it into my business, I gained confidence. I was initially scared and worried about alienating people or losing clients but really, it's important to remember that in business, you are always going to be attracting and repelling people. Not everyone will love you, and that's okay. Yes, you may lose followers or clients who don't resonate with the idea of faith, but remember that there are dream clients waiting to say "yes" to you.

EM: I would add that as personal brands, we are given a platform to speak about what matters to us, thanks to the Lord. Sharing our faith may not be for everyone, but if it's on your heart as part of your business, it's worth doing. I agree with what you said, Brooke. I love and respect and learn from many business owners (and friends) with different beliefs. When it comes to business, maybe someone else is into more new age and woo woo stuff, but I still feel like I can learn from them and buy from them and not have the same faith as them.

And I think many people aren't there in life. We have a lot of cancel culture vibes going on and taking sides. But for those who can get to the point of saying, "Hey, we don't have the same opinions on this, and that's fine," it's important. Remember that just because someone disagrees with you on one thing, doesn't mean they wouldn't want to buy from you or work with you in other ways.

How can we infuse our faith into our client experience?

I love this question because I believe that the options are truly limitless. If you're afraid to share your faith but want to, I want to encourage you to start small. It begins with how you treat people and your company values. In today's world, bad experiences are common, and human connection is often lost. Watching business owners bash their clients breaks my heart because this world is too small for that behavior to not get back to them.

Leading by example is important. I like to think of Mathew 5:15-16 where it says “don't hide your light. Let it shine for all. Let your good deeds glow for all to see so that they will praise your heavenly father”. You don't have to shout from the rooftops that you're a Christian, people can sense it through how you treat them. Infusing faith in your business starts with your actions, you don’t need to feel like you need to have a banner saying that you’re a Christian.

Do you have any thoughts about digital products or product based businesses where we might have less touch points with our customers?

Yeah, so I've actually been the customer in these situations, and I didn't even realize it was a Christian company necessarily. But it made me want to spend more money with them. Not that I don't spend money with non-Christian businesses, as we touched on earlier. But for me, I prefer to spend my money where people have the same values as me (and I know I’m not alone - that's how society is these days).

I've seen people go the extra mile in their thank you cards. If I order something from Etsy, they often include a personalized business card or a thank you note with a verse on it. They might even mention that they prayed over the candle for me. It's so touching! There are different ways you can do this, even if you don't have physical products. It all comes down to follow-up. Sending a letter or a handwritten card with something meaningful to share is a great example. Another way is to simply pray for your clients without them knowing. I've had mentors who offered to pray for me in person, but I know others who prayed for me in private. It makes a world of difference to me.

How can we invite God into our business and bring him intentionally into our business and even into our marketing?

So first, I want to make it clear that I am not a perfect Christian. In fact, I am probably the most imperfect person on Earth. The ideas I'm about to share are things I strive to do every day, but I don't always succeed. I believe the first step is prayer. Before giving anything else your attention, take a moment to pray, whether it's for ten seconds, two minutes, or five minutes. Connect with God, whether through journaling or simply spending time in conversation. This helps you realign yourself with His plan and stay focused throughout the day. Inviting God into your daily life is as simple as maintaining an ongoing conversation through prayer.

EM: Yeah, I love that. It can be easy to fall into a routine of doing a morning devotion, going to work, and then coming home at five. It's like we're almost putting God away during non-quiet times, which can make it hard to stay connected. But bringing God into our everyday situations, praying throughout the day, and talking to Him is so helpful. Also, as you mentioned earlier, it's important to represent God well and show up as the Christians we call ourselves. I love that.

I know many people who are building personal brands may feel nervous about sharing their faith. What advice would you give them?

My biggest advice for gaining confidence in sharing your faith is to surround yourself with people who are already doing it. Watching and listening to others have made a major impact for me. You don't have to start big; you can begin with small steps like sharing on your Instagram stories or in an email. It could be a story about leaving church or something meaningful from your day. In the beginning, I used to share a picture or boomerang from my Bible time and add a caption about what was coming up for the day. Starting small with bite-sized ways will help you gain confidence and boldness in sharing your faith.

What advice do you have for someone who's wanting to balance doing the work God calls them to, and also feeling pressure from society to work really hard and make a lot of money?

Yeah, so I got caught up in the hustle culture, chasing six figures, and feeling like a failure when things didn't happen quickly in my new businesses too. But I'm grateful that I've grounded myself and grown from where I started. It's just so different now. The biggest thing was going through a season where I questioned myself. One day, I had a breakdown and felt God ask, "Do you trust me?". I had to ask myself if I was placing more trust in Him or in sales and my bank account number.

And again, this goes so deep. To truly understand it, you would need to bring on a neuroscience coach, going all the way back to our childhood stories. But my biggest struggle in life has been feeling like I always had to take care of myself. I couldn't depend on anybody. I couldn't let a man provide for me. Doing it myself was a big part of my story.

Bringing that mentality into business and learning how to balance it is truly upside down and backwards from what the world tells you. But as a Christian, I believe in God's upside down kingdom. So you have to do things a little differently. If you're struggling with finding balance between chasing after money, hitting sales goals, and trusting God, the answer, honestly, is surrender. It may not make sense, but that's what you have to do on a daily basis.

EM: You are right it doesn't necessarily make logical sense. But once you experience the need in your business to do that and realize that your success is not all your own, it becomes a lot easier. Living in the false reality that everything is because of our own efforts makes it harder to do what you're saying. But once you recognize where your strength comes from and how God blesses your business, it can be truly helpful.

How would you encourage Christian business owners to show up bigger?

Yeah, I think we could all ask ourselves that. So, let's ask ourselves, how can I take my next step? How can I go bigger if I'm already talking about it? And for me, it's about being more bold. My biggest ask is for you to stay true to your values and not be ashamed of what you believe in. Because the world is crazy out there, guys. It's only going to get worse. The Bible preaches and teaches that persecution is a natural part of this journey because you are walking the narrow path. So, I just want to encourage you to be bold.

And on those days when it feels like people are tearing you down or you get a nasty message in your DMs (which by the way, has only happened twice in the entire 10 years I've been online), I want to encourage you guys that I'm here for that. I mean, it just doesn't happen. Maybe it's because I don't have a million followers, I don't know, but I'm prepared for that when it does happen. And on those days when you feel really lonely and you're in your own corner, know that there are many Christian business owners who are here with open arms to support you, encourage you, and cheer you on. So yeah, just be a little more bold today. That's my big ask.

EM: Yeah, and that's a good point. It's going to look different for everyone, and maybe even asking God, like, "Hey, what are you calling me to specifically?" It might look different than Elizabeth and Brooke, or different than this other business owner over here. But how is God calling you to show up in your business with your unique clients and customer situation and your unique platform too?

Before we switch gears and talk about podcasting - are you looking to upgrade your website without redesigning everything from scratch?

Hey! You can improve things without starting over. If that sounds good to you, check out my show at Add-on templates in my template shop. You'll find podcast pages, sales pages, a landing page bundle, and the all-new quiz template and speaker page template. These templates can be added to any Showit website with just a few clicks and integrated into what you're already doing.

When you make a purchase, you'll get access to tutorials where I'll show you exactly how to set everything up and customize your new pages with ease in under an hour. Head here to see all the add-ons and the full site templates now!

Can you share a little bit about your podcast journey?

I wasn't really into podcasts when I started mine. I would listen to a show here or there, and I was very new to the podcasting world. It was a year after I left the classroom when I started my podcast in 2019. No one asked for it or begged me to do it. I just felt compelled and called to start. So, I did. I began with zero audience and grew it from there. In the first three months, there were probably a maximum of 10 to 12 listens per episode. Then, I started doing guest interviews, which helped grow the audience and gain traction.

The first podcast I built was the “Book More Clients Photography podcast”. It's like your hub for all things photography, business, and marketing. I grew that show consistently, unlike anything else. If only I could be as dedicated to fitness as I am to podcasting, I would be in great shape right now. But that show is now approaching half a million downloads, which is pretty exciting to see how far it's grown.

More recently, I started a new podcast called the “Business Mamas Tell All Podcast”. The whole reason behind this show was to provide short and actionable episodes for busy moms who don't have time to listen every day. It features solo episodes with quick and practical tips, as well as interviews with other moms in business discussing their entrepreneurial journeys. I wanted to create this podcast to encourage moms and provide them with practical business strategies.

Why did you decide to start a new podcast instead of rebrand your old podcast?

Yeah, that's a great question. I really struggled with it and had to spend some time journaling, praying, and sorting through all my confusion. There are actually two reasons behind this decision.

First, as I prayed and journaled about it, I strongly felt that God was telling me to start fresh. He wanted me to clear the bench and begin anew. He promised to guide me through this new business pivot if I put my trust in Him.

Secondly, I wanted to avoid any confusion among my current listeners. Not everyone in my photography audience is female or a mom. I didn't want to do them a disservice. Although they could still benefit from the business strategy, I know my niche and my ideal client so well that I wanted both podcasts to remain valuable resources.

It basically came down to conviction and doing market research.

What did you do differently (and what did you do the same) when you started your new podcast?

The biggest mistake, or rather a learning lesson, was waiting too long to pitch an offer on the first podcast. For the entire first year and a half of the Book More Clients podcast, there wasn't a single pitch. It was all about providing free value. But now, I see selling in a different light. I understand that I serve through coaching and selling. So, on my episodes this time, I won't wait as long to make a pitch. Moreover, I'm using the first podcast as a model for building a successful one. I'm following the same structure to create this second podcast and using it as a benchmark for comparison.

You mentioned interviews really helped grow your podcasts, can you talk about that more?

I've noticed some podcasters who are willing to host anyone and everyone on their show and so I do want to caution that a little. Personally, I've always been careful about who I invite to be a guest on my podcast. Whether someone is pitching me or I'm reaching out to them, I make sure that they align with my audience. If the topic is too advanced or irrelevant to my clients or business, I decline. My podcast's success comes from mutually beneficial collaborations, where we share each other's audiences and provide valuable content that aligns with the overall theme of the show. In my opinion, it's important to be mindful of who you invite and what you discuss, as that greatly contributes to the success of the podcast.

EM: I love that! Guest interviews can be hard, in my opinion. Some people prefer only doing guest interviews because it feels easier to them, but personally, I find solo episodes easier both for planning and at first I felt interviewing people a little intimidating. It took me a while to have a guest on my podcast because I was afraid to interview someone. Everyone has different perspectives on this, but I can totally see it. I've also witnessed how interviews help grow shows on my own podcast.

What would you say to someone who wants to start a podcast but is worried it’s oversaturated?

So saturation is a topic I can riff on all day long. But here's what I'll say: podcasting is growing because there is a demand for it. If you desire to have a podcast, there's a demand for it. My biggest golden tip is to get specific about what your podcast is about and who it's for. Many people think that being broader will attract more listeners, but I invite you to use podcasting as a revenue generator in your business.

The Book More Clients podcast is the number one sales generator in my other business because I have been specific about the target audience and the topics we discuss, keeping everyone on the same page. Don't be afraid to be specific, you don't need a broad show.

Another point I want to make: don't start a podcast if you can't commit to it. Consistency is what builds trust with your audience. I want my listeners to expect a new episode from Elizabeth every Tuesday. That's the kind of anticipation you want your podcast to create. So make sure you're ready to commit before you start.

That isn’t to deter you either! It's cool that we can do incredible things like batching podcast episodes to be more strategic and consistent. Many industry peers and friends start and stop, feeling like they have to recreate the wheel and momentum each time. So, with that being said, I wanted to give that caveat. But, yes, there aren't too many podcasts out there, and you could be someone's next favorite show. Your people are out there waiting for what you have.

Elizabeth’s Thoughts on Starting a Podcast

I agree with you - there's a podcast graveyard of so many shows that have stopped after just maybe 10 or 15 episodes. And you know what? There's no shame in that. Podcasting is harder than people think. Sometimes people are like, "Oh yeah, I'll start a podcast, just record a little bit and that's it." But let me tell you, it's an investment of your time and your business finances. I mean, I'm spending probably a couple thousand dollars a month just for the production between my team and software for my podcast. And we're not even talking about the time I spend on it. It truly is work.

But you know what, don't let that intimidate you. I hope you won't be afraid to start or try it, even if they're not sure if they can fully commit. Remember that you have the flexibility to choose your podcast release frequency - be it monthly, bi-weekly, or even by seasons. My recommendation is to start with a minimum viable product concept, committing to a specific number of episodes (e.g., 10 or 6). Then only after this period, evaluate if it aligns with your business goals and schedule. If it does, then commit to a consistent schedule, whether it's every Tuesday or every other week.

My recommendation is to start with a minimum viable product concept, committing to a specific number of episodes (e.g., 10 or 6). Then only after this period, evaluate if it aligns with your business goals and schedule. If it does, then commit to a consistent schedule, whether it's every Tuesday or every other week.

In my case, I release episodes every Tuesday. However, during my postpartum phase, I had to adjust due to the added responsibilities and did every other week for a while! It worked well for me. I didn't make a big announcement or anything, just did it and thought, "Hey, you all can deal with this." I became more intentional about the episodes I put out, but consistency took a hit. It still worked, and I liked that. It's not oversaturated; there's room for you in podcasting.

With your podcast, do you batch record in advance?

So it depends on the season. My ideal schedule is to batch episodes in advance, which would be the absolute ideal situation. However, sometimes in the past I would overly batch episodes, already having them scheduled and edited, and then decide to throw in a random promotion which I then couldn’t talk about in real time on the podcast. Now about 30 days in advance works well for me, with a couple of extra episodes that are not yet edited, just in case I need to pull from something during a busy season. Other than that, it's too far and too much. And if COVID taught me anything, it's that life is no longer predictable.

Rapid Fire Questions with Brooke Jefferson

What’s an unpopular opinion about podcasting?

Okay, so here's a pet peeve of mine. I can't stand when I tune into a podcast and have to endure 15 minutes of unrelated riffing and ranting. This isn't storytelling or life updates. It's simply complaining about dinner or bad customer service. Can we get on with it? Just my personal preference, but I don't enjoy shows like that.

What are your favorite tools for podcasting?

The tools I currently use are Buzzsprout for hosting my podcast. I started with Buzzsprout and absolutely love them. It's a paid tool. Another tool I use is Fathom, it's a free AI tool. There are many tools out there, I know the one you use is Riverside which has cool production features. But for my podcast interviews and coaching clients, I use Fathom. It records the entire conversation and summarizes it better than I could. I find it helpful for planning bullet points and show notes. Recently, I discovered a new paid tool called Cast Magic. It allows you to upload your podcast or YouTube and it creates newsletters, show notes, episode titles, blog titles, and keywords. It's like having a virtual assistant for podcasting.

You just bought the Carrie template! What would you say to someone considering an Elizabeth McCravy template?

Yes. I recommend your templates all the time because when photographers switch from something like Pixie set, which is easy but not customizable, they often feel overwhelmed. But with your templates, it's easier because they come with instructions, videos, and a little course on how to use them. You provide everything they need. I also love how different each template is. You can even combine multiple templates to create your own website. I've done that a lot. I take sections from older templates, mix them with new ones, and customize it. It's amazing to see how unique each website looks. By the time this airs, my website should be done, and you can see what I did with the Carrie template.

Any last words of encouragement about sharing our faith bolding our business?

Yeah, for you, it's all about deciding how much you want to infuse your faith and being bold about it. As for me, it's been a journey. I used to share very little because I feared what people would think or say, worried about losing clients. But in the last three years, I have become super bold about expressing my faith. I'm not afraid to go against the norm or share my opinions. My advice to you is to feel encouraged that you can have a successful business while embracing your faith. In fact, I've never lost any clients due to it. I even gained a client who appreciated that I could still serve her through coaching, despite our different beliefs. So, don't let the fear of being open about your faith hold you back. You can still be successful and attract clients, regardless of their beliefs. Remember, this is just one of the enemy's tactics to taunt us. Stay strong and stand firm in your values.

Want more from Brooke Jefferson?

You can find and chat with me on Instagram! Also, don't miss out on my podcasts: "Book More Clients: Photography" for photographers and "Business Mamas Tell All" for all the mamas in business. I’d love to connect!

Links Mentioned:

Watch this episode on Youtube

Listen to Elizabeth’s Episode on Brooke’s Podcast

Scripture mentioned: Matthew 5:16

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Connect with Brooke on Instagram

Check Out Brooke’s Website

Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates

Not Sure Which Template is Right For You? Take the Quiz

The post Why We Need to Share Boldly in Our Faith (and How Podcasting Can Help) With Brooke Jefferson appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

3 Podcast Systems I Use to Save Me Time and Energy with my Show

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:10 +0000

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Should you start a podcast? Listen - I believe that podcasting can be a powerful way to grow your business. It can be enjoyable too, and then it really becomes a win-win situation. However, many podcasters struggle to achieve their business growth goals because they lack effective marketing strategies and systems. The reality of podcasting may not live up to their initial expectations, with content and production and all the steps it can quickly become overwhelming. Podcasting requires a lot of work and time, but with the right podcast systems in place, it CAN be done well. And that’s what I’m here to talk about today!

The reality is that while podcasting does have a lot of moving pieces, it's also my #1 lead generation source for my business. Podcasting and SEO are the top two ways people find me. And guess what? The great SEO on my website is primarily due to podcasting and all the blog posts I put out based on past episodes (like this one!). On top of that, even four years later, it truly is the joy of my business. If I were to drop something, it would never be this. So today, I want to talk about podcast systems that will save you time and energy while you start and grow your show. The truth is that if you're going to stick with podcasting, you need passion for it, but you also need systems in place. So let’s get into it!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 235!

This blog post is brought to you by our friends at Sticker Mule. I'm a BIG FAN of on-brand stickers whether they're stickers to gift your podcast listeners, customers, or clients. Sticker Mule is our team's go to spot for high-quality, custom stickers for your brand. Check them out!

The Need for Podcast Systems

I think the main reason people quit their show is because they struggle to keep up with everything. Managing your business and your podcast can be challenging, but it's definitely manageable with the right systems in place. You don't have to be the biggest podcast in the world to make your show a top lead source for you. Personally, I love creating and implementing strong systems and processes in my own business (which you’ve likely noticed if you are a longtime Breakthrough Brand listener.

Even if systems are not your strong suit, I’m going to share three specific systems that I have in my business, to help me run this show behind the scenes! These systems allow me to focus on other aspects of my business without working a full 40 hours a week. Just to give you an idea, I work about 20-25 hours a week in my business, and it has been like that for the past two years. Even before that, I wasn't working a full 40 hours, but I have still managed to create and release this show every week and do so many other business things on the side. I run a multiple six-figure business and earn a multiple six-figure salary. So, what I’m saying is: it’s all possible.

Sign Up for the Waitlist for my New Podcast Course

Now, before we move on to the content, I want to mention that I'm currently working on a course just for podcasters. It’s going to cover topics like scaling, monetizing, and growing your show to align with your business goals. I’m also going to include topics like podcast organization, recording skills, outlining skills, creating great content, and optimizing your launch. If you want to dive deeper into what this course is and who it's for, head here. On that page, you can sign up for the waitlist (I'll be doing a beta launch in mid-October with limited spots), and you can fill out the survey to let me know what you want from me in the course. It’s going to be amazing!

#1 I'm Always Generating Podcast Ideas (And Yes - This is a System)

Give me a second and I'll explain how it's a system, not just a statement. Basically, I keep ideas everywhere and constantly think of new episode ideas. It may sound overwhelming, but I promise it's not. Life experiences and random moments in your day spark ideas, which I then jot down in ClickUp. We even have an Ideas Bank area for the podcast, where they're organized into categories.

For example, "Hey, I have an idea to do a podcast about this." Then, sometimes, there's a little description section where we write, “here are the points we'd make”. So that’s in ClickUp, but the truth is that most ideas start as notes on my phone's notes app. You have to do what works best for you, but it works well for me because inspiration strikes at all hours. My best solo episode ideas or interview ideas often come when I'm not working. They come to me during a walk, in the shower, or in a meaningful conversation with a friend. They even come during my quiet time, while reading a random book, playing with Colin, running errands, or just driving in the car. Ideas rarely come to me when I'm sitting at my computer working. So, I recommend having a spot that is always with you to jot down ideas. It could be an idea for a solo episode, someone you want to interview, or a topic you want someone to interview you about on your own podcast.

I'll be honest: my note system isn't super organized. The other systems I'll mention are, but this one isn't. And you know what? I actually kinda like it that way. It feels more creative to me. It's all very searchable, and I have a separate note for every idea. That's why I say it's not very organized, but it works great for me. But seriously, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a dedicated place on your phone for your ideas. And yes, I would choose a phone over a notebook or a project management system because your phone is always with you. Your notes app is right there.

Honestly, even after 230 podcast episodes (or whatever number I'm at now), there are never moments where I need to record something and have zero inspiration for what to talk about next. And this podcast is mainly solo episodes so I think that says a lot! I don't think that's because I'm super, super special with content. I think it's a combination of the fact that I cover a lot of topics on the show, so I could talk about a variety of things that fall under the realm of business and it will all work, but also that I'm seeking inspiration in every corner in my life and then jotting ideas down. So anytime it's time for me to record something and don’t have a topic in mind, I just look at my phone.

#2 I Have a Very Robust Podcast System in my Project Management Tool

Unlike the notes app on my phone, this one is VERY organized. We have a very built out podcast system in ClickUp, and this is where the meat of the systems lie for me. It doesn’t need to be ClickUp either, before that I was on Basecamp and before that I was on Trello. It all works.

If you run a podcast, I highly recommend using a project management tool to keep your show organized. Podcasting involves a lot of moving parts, which can be overwhelming and like I said at the beginning - I think this is why most podcasters actually quit.

In our podcasting area within ClickUp, we create a main task for every episode with the episode number and title. If the episode number is not known yet, we use 0X. as a placeholder. These tasks move through different stages and areas depending on their progress. For example, is it on deck to be recorded, in progress, or in editing mode? We track if it's scheduled for release, already published, or in any other relevant stage.

In ClickUp, we also have a clear calendar view to see our podcast schedule holistically. This view helps us plan and make strategic decisions. For instance, if we notice we're talking about website design too frequently, we can switch it up by airing an interview about content creation instead. We also align our episodes with other activities we're doing, like product sales or promotions, to create a cohesive multi-platform strategy. It’s not just based on inspiration.

Each episode has a main task, with eight subtasks for interviews or four subtasks for solo shows. These subtasks further break down into 36 sub-subtasks for interviews and 17 for solo episodes. It’s a lot!

And if you're thinking, “Elizabeth, your ClickUp system for your show sounds amazing”, I would say it is. I've been using a version of this system since the beginning of my podcast, and it's become so well-organized that I no longer have to manage my show frantically. It syncs with my Apple calendar too, so I can easily see what's happening there. Everything is right there for us to see, and we can always know what needs to be done and what's happening with the show.

If this sounds helpful to you, I have exciting news about the podcasting course I'm working on. In that course, you'll receive my exact podcast system as a ClickUp template (or Notion template - if you prefer) that you can simply download or use for your own show!

If you prefer using something other than these two options, that's perfectly fine. I will provide a tutorial where I walk you through the steps, explaining their meaning so you can adapt them to your own project manager. Additionally, if many people in the course are using a different tool than ClickUp or Notion, I may create another template version to ensure everyone has alternative options. I'm really excited about including this in the course because I genuinely believe it can be a game changer and business transformation for your show.

And course, you can edit and adapt it to fit your needs and the way you and your team work. We have been using this specific ClickUp podcast system for over a year now. It has truly been perfected. It even has tasks for putting your shows on Youtube because we put our interviews there as well!

#3 We Have a Strong Podcast System for Promotion to Maximize Our Efforts

Here's something not many people mention about podcasting, but it's a key focus of this course and should be for your show too. Many podcast courses neglect effective promotion beyond the basics like making graphics and writing blog posts. Let me tell you about my show, the Breakthrough Brand podcast. It serves as the content hub for our business.

Almost everything I do marketing wise stems from the episodes that air on this show. To explain what I mean by that, each episode has:

A blog post
A YouTube video of the interview (if it was an interview)
YouTube shorts with clips from the interview
A reel with either clips from the interview or me promoting the episode
A TikTok video doing the same! This one I have not been that consistent with, but it is something I'm working on.
A Facebook post for my page (usually twice)
An engagement post in my podcast Facebook group
A LinkedIn post about the episode
Instagram stories about the episode (usually twice)
Pinterest pins about the episode (about 10 to 15 pins per episode)
An email to my list about the episode (this is something new we are trying!)
Then, with guest interviews, we create promo material for them as well!

It’s a LOT. And that doesn’t even include the social media content that is inspired by a past episode but isn’t actively promoting an episode. So when I'm making a TikTok or a reel and I'm teaching something, I might literally go to my own blog and be like, “okay, I'm trying to teach something on this topic”, let me see what I've written about on this, and then I will pick one of the points and talk about it. So you can really use it for content in a lot of ways.

Now, all those things listed, I haven’t always done all of these. Some of these are things we added just this year, and then some of those things did not even exist when I first started my show. Some things have also been removed overtime (like IGTV).

The bottom line is though, one episode becomes MANY different things. In my case, it’s 12 different pieces of content! Which is pretty insane when you think about it. But we have great systems in place where I'm basically starting the chain of events by recording the episode and then everything happens from there on a great timeline until it's done and promoted everywhere. These are the ways that this podcast becomes the number one lead gen source for my business while still being something I super, super enjoy.

So just to recap, here are three strategies you can use to enhance your podcast systems. They're part of the larger course I'm developing, but you can start implementing them today.

1. Idea Generation: Always be in the mindset of generating podcast ideas. If you're contemplating starting a podcast, begin by noting down any topic that strikes your interest in your notes app. As you accumulate these, you'll have a rich reservoir of ideas ready when you start your podcast. If your podcast will primarily feature interviews, these ideas can serve as potential discussion points with your guests.
2. Organized Workflow: We employ a comprehensive system on ClickUp for managing our podcast. It's detailed and covers all the stages of our process and you’ll need it as your show grows.
3. Promotion Strategy: We also have an effective promotion strategy to ensure we maximize the reach of each episode. Each episode goes on to be about 12 different things!

Lately, if this is interesting to you, I want to encourage you to join the waitlist for my upcoming podcast course. This course is designed for both new and seasoned podcasters. For beginners, we'll cover the basics such as distribution, defining your niche, creating captivating artwork, and selecting an engaging title. But the primary focus of the course is on advanced topics. I’ll share how to monetize your podcast and develop effective systems for creating high-quality content. You'll learn strategies for producing great solo episodes from outlining to recording, developing a unique podcast voice, keeping your voice fresh for your show, and honing your interview skills. I'll also discuss how to encourage your guests to share about their interview experience afterwards. On the marketing front, I'll share the strategies I use to maximize the impact of my own show. Additionally, we'll touch on team management, including hiring and working effectively with your podcasting team. So yeah - this course is going to be packed with valuable insights and practical tips, so if you're eager to elevate your podcasting game, make sure you join the waitlist!

Lastly, there are 2.5 million podcasts listed in Apple Podcasts, (and that's actually a slightly old stat, so it might be even more than that now), which is a ton of podcasts, but only around 450,000 podcasts are actually active. So despite the fact there's so many, only about 20% of podcasts are considered an active podcast. And again, I think that's what I want to address in my new course: I think the problem for people is not getting their podcasts live, it's not getting those first two or three episodes live, it's keeping it going and keeping it an active show so that you can actually see results from it.

I believe many podcasters tend to abandon their show due to the significant amount of work involved and the lack of immediate results. It can often feel like an uphill battle, with efforts not translating into increased sales or bookings. Furthermore, low-value sponsorship offers can make the endeavor seem unrewarding. My goal is to help you transform your podcasting journey into a profitable and enjoyable venture that significantly adds to your business revenue. If that all sounds good to you, make sure to jump on the waitlist now!

Links Mentioned:

Get on the Waitlist for my New Podcast Course!

Shop All of My Showit Website Templates (use code BBPODCAST for 10% off!)

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

Join me inside Booked Out Designer

The post 3 Podcast Systems I Use to Save Me Time and Energy with my Show appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

5 Expert Tips for Becoming an Unforgettable Podcast Guest in 2024

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 8 minutes

I’ve been a guest on MANY podcasts at this point over the last 7 years of owning my business. I still remember being absolutely terrified before my first interview. I came prepared with about 4 pages of outlined notes and had literally rehearsed answers to the questions I knew I’d be asked! Not kidding! Who can relate?

Now, YEARS later, I can go on a show and feel confident in my answers with very little preparation (in comparison, anyway!). But I still so make sure I’m always showing up for interviews prepared and trying to be a good podcast guest because truly, it matters. This person (the podcast host - whomever it is!) is allowing you to be in front of their people with your message. It’s worth thinking about ahead of time, and coming to the conversation energized and ready to SERVE!

With that in mind, today I want to share 5 strategies to help you prepare for podcast episodes (whether it’s your first interview or you just know there is always room to improve!). If you have your own show, I also share some insights into how you can HELP your guests prepare better. Stay tuned because I’m planning to do some more episodes about how to interview well too!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 217!

Before I dive in, make sure you check out my new website template add-on: The Speaker Template

Before we get to the 1st tip, I wanted to tell you that today in my website template shop, there’s a NEW template (actually, there are a couple of new templates) but the one I want to talk about today is the new Speaker template! This is an add on Showit template for speakers (and people who want to go on podcasts!), so if you are in a season of business where you are pitching yourself for podcast interviews, speaking gigs, summits, and more - this template is going to help you tremendously.

There are two speaker page designs made for pitching yourself again for podcasts or speaking gigs and there’s even a media kit design included for you to send to people once you’ve been booked. I know this is something I’ve needed in my own business so many times, so I created it with you (and me!) in mind. Check it out here!

1. Know exactly who you’re talking to prior to starting the interview.

I don’t mean the hosts or the show - I mean the listeners! When I think about podcast interviews, I think about it as the host and their guest having a conversation, and you want to sort of “bring the listeners of the podcast in” to the conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask the host if you are unsure about their listener profile either - while they may not always know (especially if it’s a newer podcast), do your best to get as familiar as possible. You don’t want to be uncertain about who you’re talking to and who the audience is.

I know I personally always send a listener profile ahead of time to our guests on the podcast because I WANT them to know who we have listening to the show so that they can tailor their responses for you guys! Quick tip for my hosts tuning in: add this to your workflow because it really does help guests prepare!

For example, if I’m going on a podcast to talk about productivity when you work from home (like I did recently on the Girl’s Night Out podcast!), I want to know:

Am I talking to other business owners who work from home (for themselves)?
Am I talking to people who may have a 9-5 working from home>
Am I talking to parents or people without kids, or both?

As another example, if you’re coming on my podcast to talk about copywriting, it would be helpful to know what types of businesses people have, what website builder they use most, how long they have been in business, whether they are more likely hiring for copywriting or DIYing? You get the picture!

We have all been there when you listen to a podcast interview on your favorite show, and it’s so obvious that the guest has no idea who the audience is at all and completely misses talking to you (the regular listener!).

If you want to be a good podcast guest, know your audience. And likewise, if you want to be a good host, prep your guest with your audience profile.

I often like to take it one step further and ask hosts, “What is the goal takeaway you want listeners to get from our conversation?”. If they have it, I always love to know what title they have in mind for the episode so I can structure my answers around it too.

2. Listen to the show before your interview (and BEFORE you pitch yourself!)

This might be the MOST important strategy on the list. In my opinion, it’s a MUST. Please never go on a show blind. Even if it’s just 1-2 episodes, dig in and get familiar with how that host interviews, what types of solo topics they’re doing, read reviews for the show, etc. Basically - do your research!

This is even MORE important when you are pitching yourself as a guest. As a podcast host myself, I can tell you that hosts can smell it from a mile away when you message saying you’re a listener but then your favorite episode is just the most recent one (and it’s bolded or highlighted because you’re just using a generic pitch template you’re sending to everyone). I could honestly do an entire episode (or even an online course) on pitching yourself, but for now, I just want to encourage you to listen to the show before you pitch. Sincerity around this comes through and it will probably help you get picked as a guest (especially on shows that are pickier with their guest selections).

Your pre-episode task list:

Listen to 1 interview
Listen to 1 solo episode
Read recent reviews
See what they’re doing on IG lately

More research will make the interview better, I promise!

3. During the interview, compliment the host or the listener base if it feels natural.

Everyone loves a compliment, right? If there’s a natural way for you to compliment the interviewer, do it. I know it may feel cheesy but it really does help lighten things up for everyone (and, again, connects you to both the audience and the host). To add to this strategy: if you listen to the show, say that too! It makes you more relatable to the listener base.

Examples of Compliments You Can Give As a Podcast Guest:

Make one of your points relate to a recent episode, content piece, or product of theirs that you enjoy
Tell them you love their podcast
If you’re a customer or student of theirs, say it. That’s a compliment in itself!
While this might not be a “compliment”, use the host's name during conversation as well!

4. Have a space on your website where hosts can see your images, links, topics you’re keen on, and your official bio all in one easy spot.

Trust me - this makes everything easier on you and on them! While each host will likely have you fill out a form with information like your bio, headshots, and topic, you can still help the host further by having all of your info in one place. I promise we don’t mind if you’re also linking to a page on your website as you’re filling out the form.

Quick tip for my podcast hosts: if you’re not asking guests to fill out a form… start! It will make your podcasting process easier. We use ClickUp for ours!

This is truly where a media page or media kit works so well (for both podcasting and speaking).

On your media page, you’ll want things like your bio, your social media links, and your headshots. Those are the musts! Beyond the essentials, here are some extra things to add to your media page:

Fast facts about you (your location, how to pronounce your first name, how long you’ve been in business, what your family looks like - you in a nutshell!)
Two options for a bio (a long version and short version)
Topics you are experts at speaking on
MULTIPLE headshot options (ideally wearing different colors so I can choose the ones that work with my brand colors best and create a VARIETY of graphics to promote the episode)
Your logos or other things they may need (like if you’re an author, add book images or if you sell a product, add product images)
Links to some of your favorite interviews, so they can get familiar with you too!

All of this is there for you in my new add-on website template for speakers. I’m calling it the speaker template, but I’ve designed it to work SO WELL for podcast guests, too! I’ve designed it to be incredibly customizable and buildable as your business grows and your needs change. You can use it with any Showit website template (whether it’s one of mine or from someone else!).

5. Share about the episode when it airs!

Share about the episode and be an advocate for their show. It’s that simple. As a host myself, I can tell you… it really stinks when the episode airs and the guest never posts or emails their audience about it. I’ve had that happen to me personally with some guests and I’ve had others that are promoting the episode just as much or even more than me!

Trust me - it makes a difference in the number of downloads and definitely will impact the relationship you have with that host. Podcasting is all about relationship building, and if your relationship with this podcast host starts with you pitching to come on their show, getting to be a guest, and then never sharing it with your audience is sure to leave a bad taste in their mouth.

If there’s a reason why you can’t share about the episode when it airs, tell them upfront. For example, as I’m recording this, my interview on the It’s About Time podcast (which is great show, by the way - Anna, the host, is amazing) aired yesterday, and I was out of town. Anna had emailed me a week before it aired, letting me know it was coming (which is a great practice as a host!) and I told her I was going to be out of the office and unplugged on the air date, but I’d share about it as soon as I was back!

A little bonus tip for Podcast hosts: Try to set your guests up well to share too! Don’t just send them a Google Drive link the day of with a graphic and hope for the best. You don’t need to give them weeks of lead time, but I would definitely recommend letting them know 3-5 days before. I’ve also started DMing my guests on the day the episode airs with a few graphics too to make it even easier to share!

Ready to be a great podcast guest?

Here’s a recap:

Know exactly who you are talking to before your interview!
Listen to the show BEFORE you interview (or pitch!)
Compliment your host and their listeners!
Have a space on your website with everything a podcast host might need!
Share about the episode when it’s live!

Don’t forget - my new speaker template was designed to make your life easier throughout the process of pitching yourself and getting on more podcast shows!

Are you part of our FREE Facebook community yet? If not, we would love to welcome you in! If you are looking to surround yourself with fellow business owners who totally "get it," this is where you'll want to be! I also share behind-the-scenes access to my business strategies, including deep dives into each podcast episode.

And of course, you can ask me any questions you have, and I'll be there to give you the answers you need. Click here to join now!

Links Mentioned:

*NEW* Grab My Speaker Template

*NEW* Check Out My New Showit Quiz Lead Magnet Template

Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group

Join me inside Booked Out Designer

Shop our Showit Website Templates

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram

The post 5 Expert Tips for Becoming an Unforgettable Podcast Guest in 2024 appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.

A Behind-The-Scenes Peek Into My Podcasting Process

Elizabeth McCravy — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Today we’ve got a podcast about podcasting. How meta! Maybe you listen to this show, and sometimes think “Hey! I’d like to do that. Teach me how to record a podcast!”. Or, maybe you have your own podcast, YouTube channel, or another type of content yourself. If you’ve ever been curious about what it’s like behind-the-scenes of one of my episodes, then this episode is for you. I’m giving you an inside look into the recording process from the starting ideas to the saved and exported file.

Even if you have no desire to start a podcast, I want to encourage you to tune into this episode because much of what I’m sharing applies to ALL forms of content creation from podcasts to blog posts and in between.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW:

Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | iHeartRadio

Search for episode 70!

PLUS! A NEW TEMPLATE JUST DROPPED!

I released 2 new website templates to my shop! And, guess what? One of them is made for podcasters! I’ve found having webpages and a blog dedicated to this show extremely valuable. You asked, I listened, and now you can have a podcast website like mine! In the new Podcast Kit template, you’ll find a podcast landing page, media kit, guest information, and more! This is a website that you can use solo or add to your already existing Showit website. There are a couple of variations so that you can get exactly what you need.

Plus, the new Jena Template matches this podcast template, so you can actually purchase both together and get a giant 17-page template with all the podcasting pages and all the normal website pages I typically offer in a template. It’s the BIGGEST template I’ve offered yet.

I want to encourage you if you’re not a podcaster, see what you can take away for any type of content creation. Even writing blog posts is going to feel similar to this!

Steps to creating a podcast episode:

1. Choose an idea

The first step to recording a podcast is choosing the topic you will talk about for that episode. I like to keep a rolling list of ideas for episodes. I have a document in Google Drive with ideas that I am ALWAYS adding too. I also have tons of notes on my phone with ideas. Sometimes ideas will randomly strike me that I think will be good to teach on later and I never want to lose them. I will type it all into my phone while pacing around my house just to get it out of my brain! But it all starts with an idea!

2. Outline the episode

For every episode, I create an outline on Google Drive. My outlines tend to be a mix of full sentences and partial sentences. Typically starting with a list is really helpful. You’ve probably noticed I tend to do list-based episodes versus big ideas! I do this because I prefer that style for solo business content. It seems to be easier to follow.

The outline is mostly for me to reference when I record a podcast episode but also our podcast manager uses the outline later in the process as well. Outlines are essential for keeping me on track! I don’t do this for interviews but for solo episodes an outline is key!

3. Record the episode

When the outline is done, then it’s time to record! Sometimes I like to record right after doing the outline, and other times I like to sit with the idea longer and revisit it before recording. If the topic is an idea I’ve been thinking about for a while, I usually record it immediately. If I’m talking about a newer concept, I will usually wait and add more to the outline later before recording.

Where do I record these episodes, you might be wondering? In my office! Nope, not in a closet like many podcasters. Our neighborhood is pretty quiet and the microphone I use doesn’t pick up much background noise, which helps!

In addition to this microphone, I also use my Apple headphones because I like to hear myself when I record a podcast episode. I recently heard Tracy Goodwin on James Wedmore’s podcast say that you tend to have more enthusiasm when speaking when you can actually hear yourself. Then you are so much more engaging than if you speak with no emotion in your voice. (PS this episode aired right after my interview on James Wendmore’s podcast. If you haven’t heard it, you should!)

For solo episodes, I record my podcast audio in GarageBand. Nothing fancy! And there’s a lot that happens post-production! My podcast editor edits out any mistakes I make or breaks, coughs, jumbled words, whatever! She adds music and introduction too. It’s not my favorite thing to listen to myself talk so I love having the weekly help with it!

For even more podcasting tips, head to episode 70 of the Breakthrough Brand Podcast!

Links Mentioned:

Podcast Kit Template

Jena Template

Shop All Templates

Hear Elizabeth on James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business Podcast

Hear Tracy Goodwin’s episode about public speaking on the Mind Your Business Podcast

Want to see my podcast landing page?

Podcast Equipment

Podcast Hosting - Libsyn Get started for free!

The post A Behind-The-Scenes Peek Into My Podcasting Process appeared first on Elizabeth McCravy.