Putting your voice out on the airwaves is always going to be tinged with a hint of anxiety, even for the extroverts among us. When podcaster and entrepreneur, James Tucker spoke at 2016’s We Are Podcast conference, he had some prominent advice for those worried about launching.
He addressed the audience with one question, “What is the single greatest challenge you have that’s preventing you from getting your podcast off the ground right now?”
The crowd didn’t disappoint. Here are some of the key concerns they had and the expert solutions, so you can get podcasting with confidence today.
I Can’t Find The Time
We all seem to be short on time these days. It doesn’t matter what you do. Those short 24 hours seem to zip by, no matter how great your diary planning skills are. But, as James so rightly points out “You and Beyoncé have the same amount of time in the day.”
A good time-saving hack is to not do everything yourself. It can be hard to let go of control but trust us, it works. There are three points to getting something done efficiently, automate, delegate or just say no.
If there are systems that can do it for you then incorporate them into your working model. Send those short tasks out to people who can get the job done quickly, and if your plate is steadily piling up with those dreaded ‘to-do’s,’ just remember, you’re allowed to refuse any more.
Set yourself a Launch Goal
You might say you’re going to launch a podcast, but have you actually set a date of when you’re launching? James says a good way to ensure your podcast gets out into the world quickly is to set a launch date.
Tell everyone around you that you have a podcast on the way, “then you look like an arse if you don’t meet that deadline,” says James. Using this tactic solidifies your podcast aspirations in your mind, and gives you a target to shoot for, rather than just letting it rattle around in your head.
What If My Content Sucks?
Guess what, you don’t know what you don’t know. This whole podcasting lark is somewhat of a massive learning curve for everyone, and I mean everyone.
If you have a deep-set fear that you’re going to produce terrible content in the beginning, you’re not alone. “Hey podcasters,” James calls out to the packed conference room full of podcasters, “Your first three podcasts, they were the best ones you ever did weren’t they? Aren’t they the ones you’re proud of?” Silence.
So, taking this silent indicator into consideration you should just accept the fact that the first few podcast episodes you create will be the worst ones you ever do, but that’s okay because the only way is up. Consider it your grace period to learn and improve.
Share Your Podcasting Fears and Worries
There is a whole community of podcasters out there that have exactly the same worries and questions as you do. But, did you know there are those who know the answers too?
Sharing your worries, fears, concerns or ideas is the perfect way to help develop your skills and take out the loneliness factor in your podcasting journey. Get yourself some conspirators by joining podcasting groups, networking or creating your own space to discuss concerns.
“They say that entrepreneurship is such a lonely journey, podcasting is such a lonely journey. I call bullshit. I think it’s only a lonely journey if you allow it to be. If you sit in your room in your pyjamas and never get out and talk to anybody else, that’s your problem.”
So, get talking and become connected.
Keep Audio Equipment Simple
Let’s face it, there is so much tech out there and getting your head around how it all works can induce a podcasting headache. You don’t know what wire goes where, which mic to use, how to record over Skype – the list can seem endless.
So, what happens if you don’t have 14 high calibre lapel mics? Well, James suggests you record “On a bloody iPhone, the factory of the 21st century.” Before you recoil in horror at the prospect, you can actually get some great sounding audio through your mobile phone.
James recounts a podcast he recently recorded. During the interview, “I pulled out my little flip phone and he looked horrified and shocked at the whole thing, but it was awesome. The interview came out really well and at the end of it he was really stoked.”
Your phone can be your equipment. As James says, you can absolutely go fast and dirty, you just need to get the audio down.
There are podcasters out there that make it all look easy, but often they have a great team around them. If this isn’t your bag and you’re intending to go solo, just remember you don’t have to make it hard for yourself.
Stick to your release date no matter what, accept that your content will suck in the beginning, ask questions, share fears and above all just get recording!
To hear James’s talk at We Are Podcast, click here.
Author: Ronsley Vaz
Ronsley is the founder & chief day dreamer at AMPLIFY. He is an author, speaker & serial entrepreneur.
He has a Masters’ degree in Software Engineering and an MBA in Psychology and Leadership. He is known as the creator of We Are Podcast – the first Podcasting Conference in the Southern Hemisphere, and the host of The Bond Appetit Podcast and Should I Start a Podcast. He has an audience of over 3 million in 133 countries.