10 Golden Rules to Follow when Launching your Own Podcast
Now with over 200 podcast episodes!
Safe to say, I have learned a thing or two about how to start and grow a successful podcast.
10 Golden Rules to Follow when launching your own podcast | The Visionary Method
If you’re reading this blog post, you are probably thinking about launching a podcast or you have already started working on your podcast behind-the-scenes, and are on the hunt for some tips to help you launch it!
First, let me say that I am so excited for you!
Starting a podcast has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling endeavors I’ve ever embarked on, and I have a sneaky feeling it’s going to be a catalyst for growth and fulfillment in your life, too!
I have been hosting and producing my podcast, Visionary Life for many years at this point, publishing over 200 episodes (that’s 4 years of epic conversations, and counting!).
Not only have I built a great community around the show, but I’ve also been able to learn from the best Canadian Business Owners, Visionary Entrepreneurs and Expert Marketers on the planet!
Here are some of the guests I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing on Visionary Life:
Jana Webb – Founder of JOGA
Connor Carrick – NHL Defenseman and Host of The Curious Competitor Podcast
Jennifer Zhang – Founder of the YouTube channel, JENerationDIY
Alex Wilson – Copywriter and Marketing Strategist at Fook Communications
In each episode, we deep dive into topics like:
The success and growth strategies of Successful Business Owners
The highs & lows that are inevitable on the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship
The daily rituals and habits needed to succeed in today’s world
& so much more...
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I truly cannot believe that I get to use this as part of my own Marketing Strategy and that I get to call it work!
And during this rewarding journey, I’ve definitely learned a thing or two (or 10!) on how-to start and manage a successful podcast.
Get ready, because this blog post is FULL with incredible goodies.
10 Golden Rules to Follow when Launching your Own Podcast
Rule # 1 – KNOW THE POTENTIAL
Did you know that 43% of the North American population listens to spoken word audio daily (that includes podcasts, meditations, sleep stories, etc.)?
And that percentage growth of listener numbers went up 180% from 2019 to 2020 (and is on track to double from 2020-2021). Aka…there is no shortage of ears because people are hungry for content through different mediums!
On top of that, 63% of listeners have bought a product they heard advertised on a podcast (you can even promote your own products!)
There are so many opportunities that are available to you that can benefit yourself and your business, including the incredible opportunity to build trust with your listeners and eventually sell to them.
Rule # 2 – KNOW YOUR WHY AND YOUR VISION
As with any new project, if you are lacking the vision and haven’t solidified “why” you are doing what you are doing – it will be that much harder to push through when things start to get tough.
And in the case of podcasts, if you aren’t clear on why you’re hosting the show, you’ll end up alongside a high percentage of podcasters who quit after just 10 episodes.
I suggest that you ask yourself these questions to help you gain clarity over your Why and Vision:
Why do you have this little nudge to start a show?
What is the podcast going to be a vehicle for and how will it lead you to your big vision
What is the impact you want to create?
Rule # 3 – KNOW WHO IT’S FOR AND WHO IT’S NOT
One of the first things I teach within The Visionary Method™ is how to clearly describe your Dream Client (aka the person who will be attracted to your work).
The same applies for podcasts! You should be able to describe the qualities of your DREAM LISTENER before you launch the show, so that you can ensure you’re creating content that will resonate with them.
Here are some prompts to get started:
What will your Dream Listener LOVE about your show?
What do they NOT LOVE about other shows?
Who will absolutely hate your show?
What tone of voice do they want you to speak in?
What kind of stories are you telling?
Rule # 4 – KNOW YOUR CONTENT PLAN
What’s the format of your show?
Have you decided whether you’ll conduct interviews or do solo episodes?
Do you know how often you’ll be releasing a new episode?
I don’t want you to be guessing so let’s decide on a structure for your podcast right away?
Start by thinking about what podcasts you like listening to and what kind of podcast is your dream listener will enjoy...
Take a moment to go through the list below and choose how you would like to format your podcast:
Short vs. Long episodes
Interviews vs. Solo vs. Co-host
In person recordings vs. Zoom or Skype
Weekly vs. Every other week vs. 2x weekly
Scripted vs. Casual/Go with the flow
Fun vs. Serious
Ads vs. Ad-free
Rule # 5 – KNOW YOUR CONSISTENCY AND FREQUENCY – Be Realistic!
Like anything else in life or business (can you see a theme here?), consistency breeds results and frequency breeds trust.
If you don’t think you can keep up with weekly uploads, do bi-weekly episodes. In fact, bi-weekly episodes can even help build anticipation and excitement within your audience as they wait for that next episode drop.
Finding what works best with your current schedule and giving your audience an episode at the same time each time is a guaranteed way to help you stay on track and build loyalty.
Rule # 6 – START SIMPLE
Simplicity is your best friend, when launching your show.
In order to keep things simple to begin, make sure you have all of these assets in place before you launch...
Choose a name of your show, design some Cover Art, write a Description
Record 3 Episodes
Episode 1 can be an introduction to the show (5 minutes sharing what the show will be about & what the listener can expect)
Episode 2 can be your first full length episode (interview or training)
Episode 3 can be your second full length episode
Pick a Platform
Start with Anchor (a free podcasting platform) or another Hosting Site like Blubrry (the one I use)
Edit your own episodes and choose music
Use Audacity for editing (free program)
Buy music from Audiojungle (or find other royalty-free music)
These are the only items you need, in order to launch!
Rule # 7 – KNOW YOUR PROMO PLAN
Once you’ve recorded your first 3 episodes, you need to find your listeners!
This is a crucial step because if you don’t take the time to promote your podcast and get it out there -
Ask yourself: What are 3 ways you can promote your podcast and get visible with your Dream Listener?
Here are some examples of promotional efforts:
Make an Instagram post
Send an email to your list
Tag guests who were in the episode
Tell 5 people (at work, at your hockey league, anywhere!)
Rule # 8 – GIVE IT ONE YEAR
A podcast is a long-term investment into your business. It’s going to take time to build, so be patient with yourself.
Even if you’re not seeing the downloads skyrocket, pay attention to the other positive side effects that come with uploading consistently:
Connections to new people and guests
People sharing your content
Gives you something to talk about/promote on your social media channels
Practice your public speaking!
People pitching to you (all of the sudden, everyone will want to be a guest on your show!)
Rule # 9 – HOST YOUR SHOW IN SEASONS
Grouping your episodes into seasons and taking breaks in-between seasons will provide you with several benefits.
Taking 2-4 week breaks twice a year can not only help you prevent burnout, but it gives you the opportunity to reflect on the show and find ways to improve it.
Here are some examples of what you can reflect on and improve for your podcast:
Writing a new intro
Creating new cover art
How is the Sales Funnel working? Does it need to be changed?
Consider chatting with your listeners
Coming back to a new season can also give you the perfect occasion to re-launch and create extra excitement for your podcast that wouldn’t necessarily be there if you kept uploading straight through without season breaks.
Make the return special by incorporating a giveaway or even including a discount code to your product or service for your podcast audience only!
Rule # 10 – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING/NETWORKING
A podcast can give you access to (almost) anyone. Start a “dream guest list” and write down the names of people who you would love to have on the show, even if it feels impossible to get in touch with them right now.
I’ve had a lot of people say “no” when I request them on the show, but I’ve also gotten a surprising amount of “yes!” which have blown me away.
I’ve chatted with NHL Hockey Players, Best-Selling Authors, TedX Speakers, and the CEO’s of million dollar brands.
When requesting a guest on your show, do something different when you ask them for their time: send a video note, slide into their DM’s with an audio message, or snap a photo of you with their product or service…
The most creative request usually wins!
There you have it...
I hope these 10 Golden Rules to Follow when Launching your own Podcast inspires you to take action on your Visionary goals and make them into a reality.
I would absolutely love to know if this blog post today helped you in any way. Send me a DM to my Instagram and let me know if you have started your podcast!
P.s.
I love podcasting SO much that I even started another podcast!
The Marketing Hotline is a new show for small business owners who feel LOST and OVERWHELMED when it comes to creating a Marketing Plan for their business.
My co-host and I take your burning marketing-related questions and do our best to help you become a Master Marketer.
Tune in, here >> https://visionarymarketingcourse.com/podcast
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