5 Things I Wish I Would've Known When I Started Podcasting
From a girl who's helped launch 100+ shows and still managed to fumble the mic more than once.
When I started podcasting, I had no idea what I was doing like… truly. I was googling "what is RSS?" and thought Audacity sounded like a punk rock band. Flash forward seven years—I've helped launch over 100 shows and edit thousands of episodes, and now I'm out here waving the flag for all the newbies so you don't have to trip over the same cords I did.
So if you're dreaming about starting a podcast (or sitting on a mic you bought 18 months ago and haven't opened), here are five things I wish someone would've lovingly shouted at me from the get-go:
1. Your Title Matters. A Lot.
No pressure, but people do judge your podcast by its title. And while "The Deep Dive with Deb" might be special to you and Deb, it doesn't tell anyone what your show is about. I didn't realize how much a clear, searchable title could help people find and stick with my show. If you want listeners, make it easy for them. Cute is fun, but clarity wins.
2. You Have to Talk About It—a Lot.
I used to think, "If it's good, people will just… find it." LOL, sweet summer Jeanette. That's not how this works. You've got to be your podcast's hype girl. Tell your friends, post it on socials, and talk about it at the grocery store if you have to. You are the marketing team. (And guess what? You're great at it when you believe in what you're doing.)
3. It's Okay to Be Proud of It.
I used to downplay my show like I was embarrassed about it. "Oh, I just have a little podcast…" Girl. You're building something beautiful. Say it with your chest. You don't need millions of downloads to be proud of your work. You need the right listener to hear the right words at the right time? That's impact.
4. Batching is a Lifesaver.
If you plan to wake up Monday morning and record your Tuesday episode… please don't. Past Jeanette tried that. She was so stressed. Recording in batches and having a plan helps you stay consistent and avoid burnout. Trust me, your future self (and editor) will thank you.
5. Start Messy, But Start.
You'll overthink your mic. You'll want to rerecord your trailer seventeen times. You'll worry about background noise or sounding too awkward. But guess what? Everyone starts somewhere. Done is better than perfect. And once you hit publish, you're officially a podcaster.
If you're just getting started, I'm cheering for you. Podcasting has opened doors, created connections, and stretched me in ways I never saw coming. And if you need help figuring out your next steps, I'm your girl.
Do you need extra help?! Or would some coaching help you?
