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In two years, I grew my podcast to 1 million downloads and over $100,000 in sponsorship revenue.
I've gotten to interview creators like @TomFrankly, @JamesClear, @herfirst100K, and @AliAbdaal.
It's been life-changing.
Here are my top 20 lessons for new podcasters: 🧵
I've gotten to interview creators like @TomFrankly, @JamesClear, @herfirst100K, and @AliAbdaal.
It's been life-changing.
Here are my top 20 lessons for new podcasters: 🧵
1. Your first episode matters.
Month after month, one of my most popular episodes is episode one with @ThisIsSethsBlog.
Why?
Because new listeners STILL go back to episode one when they hear about your show. Make it something you'll be proud of years from now.
Month after month, one of my most popular episodes is episode one with @ThisIsSethsBlog.
Why?
Because new listeners STILL go back to episode one when they hear about your show. Make it something you'll be proud of years from now.
2. You need people to hit play the first time.
You want subscribers. But the toughest part of the battle is getting people to click play for the first time.
And if they aren't hooked quickly, then they're probably gone.
That first play is so critical.
You want subscribers. But the toughest part of the battle is getting people to click play for the first time.
And if they aren't hooked quickly, then they're probably gone.
That first play is so critical.
3. We need shorter podcasts.
You don't need to assume your podcast should be 30-60 minutes.
Since it's so hard to get people to hit play the first time, making the investment of time smaller helps your case.
Sub-15 (even sub-10-minute) shows are great for getting started.
You don't need to assume your podcast should be 30-60 minutes.
Since it's so hard to get people to hit play the first time, making the investment of time smaller helps your case.
Sub-15 (even sub-10-minute) shows are great for getting started.
4. You can do a solo show.
You don't NEED to interview guests.
You don't NEED a cohost.
You can make a compelling show with just you, your research, and your story. In fact, these shows are easier to schedule, plan, and control the quality of.
You don't NEED to interview guests.
You don't NEED a cohost.
You can make a compelling show with just you, your research, and your story. In fact, these shows are easier to schedule, plan, and control the quality of.
5. Audio quality matters.
Of course YOU should have a good mic.
But you need your guest audio to sound great too. And consistent volume matters.
Preferences:
External mic > corded headphones with a mic > computer microphone > Bluetooth headphones > headsets.
Headsets suck.
Of course YOU should have a good mic.
But you need your guest audio to sound great too. And consistent volume matters.
Preferences:
External mic > corded headphones with a mic > computer microphone > Bluetooth headphones > headsets.
Headsets suck.
6. Cut out everything that doesn't add value.
Even if you don't want a short show, aim to make your long show as short as possible.
Huh?
What I mean is, cut out anything that doesn't add value to the listener.
If you won't regret it being excluded later, cut it out today.
Even if you don't want a short show, aim to make your long show as short as possible.
Huh?
What I mean is, cut out anything that doesn't add value to the listener.
If you won't regret it being excluded later, cut it out today.
7. Don't ask the guest to introduce themselves.
Unless your guest is an egomaniac, they're going to be modest. This doesn't help you, them, or the listener!
The listener wants to know WHY they should care. YOU should set that stage.
Brag about the guest so they don't have to.
Unless your guest is an egomaniac, they're going to be modest. This doesn't help you, them, or the listener!
The listener wants to know WHY they should care. YOU should set that stage.
Brag about the guest so they don't have to.
8. Script your intros.
Since you're going to introduce your guests, you might as well do it outside of the interview recording.
And if you're going to do that, you should script it to keep it tight.
Remember – you want every second to matter.
Since you're going to introduce your guests, you might as well do it outside of the interview recording.
And if you're going to do that, you should script it to keep it tight.
Remember – you want every second to matter.
9. Plan for ads from the beginning.
If you want this show to be sustainable, plan for ads from the beginning. It's a bummer when shows add a ton of ads later on, but if you've ALWAYS had ad spots, people just expect it.
If you don't have sponsors, promote your own stuff.
If you want this show to be sustainable, plan for ads from the beginning. It's a bummer when shows add a ton of ads later on, but if you've ALWAYS had ad spots, people just expect it.
If you don't have sponsors, promote your own stuff.
10. Get ahead of schedule.
The most stressful thing is feeling like you're constantly working under deadlines.
If you're doing a solo show, record a bunch of episodes before you begin publishing. If you're doing interviews, get ahead so that you're protected from cancelations.
The most stressful thing is feeling like you're constantly working under deadlines.
If you're doing a solo show, record a bunch of episodes before you begin publishing. If you're doing interviews, get ahead so that you're protected from cancelations.
11. Audio shows don't build an audience.
In 2022 (and 2023) there is a TON of choice in audio and almost no organic discoverability.
Think of audio as a tool to deepen relationships with your existing audience...it doesn't build an audience (at least not for most).
In 2022 (and 2023) there is a TON of choice in audio and almost no organic discoverability.
Think of audio as a tool to deepen relationships with your existing audience...it doesn't build an audience (at least not for most).
12. Make your podcast video-first.
If you design your show to be YouTube native, then you can benefit from the organic discoverability of the second-largest search engine in the world.
You can easily rip out the audio.
But it's hard to transform an audio show into video later.
If you design your show to be YouTube native, then you can benefit from the organic discoverability of the second-largest search engine in the world.
You can easily rip out the audio.
But it's hard to transform an audio show into video later.
13. Hire an editor.
Whether you're doing audio only or video...hire a professional.
Not only will they do a better job in a fraction of the time, but now you have all that time back for outreach, research, and planning.
Whether you're doing audio only or video...hire a professional.
Not only will they do a better job in a fraction of the time, but now you have all that time back for outreach, research, and planning.
14. Create transcripts.
These make a big difference for a lot of listeners – both in terms of accessibility and even listener preference.
I run my audio through Otter AI and then pay an assistant to do a final cleaning.
They're also helpful for website SEO!
These make a big difference for a lot of listeners – both in terms of accessibility and even listener preference.
I run my audio through Otter AI and then pay an assistant to do a final cleaning.
They're also helpful for website SEO!
15. Give your podcast its own website.
Even if you have your own personal website already, give your podcast its own website. Not only will both properties benefit from one another, but it makes your show look more legit.
I cannot recommend @PodpageHQ more highly for this.
Even if you have your own personal website already, give your podcast its own website. Not only will both properties benefit from one another, but it makes your show look more legit.
I cannot recommend @PodpageHQ more highly for this.
16. Ask for Ratings and Reviews
People will deny it, but I've always seen a spike in Apple Podcasts chart position when I get an influx of ratings and reviews.
Not only does it help chart position, but it makes your show look more legit to potential guests and new listeners.
People will deny it, but I've always seen a spike in Apple Podcasts chart position when I get an influx of ratings and reviews.
Not only does it help chart position, but it makes your show look more legit to potential guests and new listeners.
17. Reach high from the beginning.
People will tell you to get "C-Level" guests so that you can get "B-Level" guests so that you can get "A-Level" guests.
That's bullshit.
Pitch enough "A-Level" guests that one says yes. That'll make the next A-Level guest easier (on and on).
People will tell you to get "C-Level" guests so that you can get "B-Level" guests so that you can get "A-Level" guests.
That's bullshit.
Pitch enough "A-Level" guests that one says yes. That'll make the next A-Level guest easier (on and on).
18. Create a newsletter.
Podcasting is great because it's a direct-to-listener relationship...but you're also totally blind to who your listeners are.
If you create a newsletter (even if you just share behind-the-scenes of your episodes) you'll build a powerful email list.
Podcasting is great because it's a direct-to-listener relationship...but you're also totally blind to who your listeners are.
If you create a newsletter (even if you just share behind-the-scenes of your episodes) you'll build a powerful email list.
19. Cross-promote with other shows.
It's hard to grow a podcast. One of the few effective methods is cross-promoting with other shows.
Think of it like a tiny ad for another podcast instead of a product.
The hosts should promote your show to their audience and vice versa.
It's hard to grow a podcast. One of the few effective methods is cross-promoting with other shows.
Think of it like a tiny ad for another podcast instead of a product.
The hosts should promote your show to their audience and vice versa.
20. Be a guest on other podcasts.
This is another one of the few growth tactics.
If you are able to be a guest on other podcasts (that actually have listeners) then some of those listeners will check out YOUR show.
You can even do a guest swap instead of a cross promo.
This is another one of the few growth tactics.
If you are able to be a guest on other podcasts (that actually have listeners) then some of those listeners will check out YOUR show.
You can even do a guest swap instead of a cross promo.
That's it! What lessons did I miss?
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me for more advice for succeeding as a creator
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your friends
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me for more advice for succeeding as a creator
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your friends
By the way, if you haven't given Creative Elements a try yet, I've created some playlists to help get you started!
Browse episodes by:
• Best of
• Authors & Books
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Podcasters
• Community
...and more!
creativeelements.fm/playlists
Browse episodes by:
• Best of
• Authors & Books
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Podcasters
• Community
...and more!
creativeelements.fm/playlists
We've started curating playlists on YouTube too.
• YouTubers
• Newsletter Creators
• Twitter Creators, etc.
Take a look!
www.youtube.com/creativeelementsfm
• YouTubers
• Newsletter Creators
• Twitter Creators, etc.
Take a look!
www.youtube.com/creativeelementsfm
