I started my podcast in early 2020 without any plan or strategy. I wanted to start a podcast months before I actually started. Finally, I gathered some information on how to start a podcast, I bought a cheap microphone and started recording.
Before we start, you can check out my podcast, called The La Ivana Podcast, here or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) + on my YouTube channel at the same name.
8 lessons I’ve learned from podcasting
1) consistency doesn’t mean taking action every single day
When you want to start a podcast, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the advice you read online.
Such as:
– have a schedule for uploading your podcast episodes
– decide in advance when you’re going to record and upload new episodes
– upload new episodes at least once a week
– stay consistent!
But consistency doesn’t mean uploading a new episode every Monday. It doesn’t mean sticking to your schedule and making sure you’re not missing anything.
One of the lessons I’ve learned from podcasting is that when it comes to podcasting, what counts is consistency over time.
It’s okay if you miss an upload. It’s okay to take a break.
Since I started my podcast, in early 2020, I’ve taken a few breaks.
It doesn’t mean anything in the long term if you take two weeks off or a month off to take care of other aspects of life.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to never miss an upload. It’s consistency over time that matters.
2) it’s okay to change things up on your podcast
I’m a pure Quad Right Manifesting Generator with a lot of openness in my Human Design chart – and my podcast perfectly reflects that.
I’ve had quite a few pivots since starting my podcast.
It started as a personal growth podcast. Then I decided to start talking about travel. Then I added Human Design. Next, I decided to talk about building a coaching business. And then I came back to personal growth.
Why did I pivot so many times?
Because I wanted to enjoy podcasting.
You won’t enjoy podcasting if you’re talking about topics you think you should talk about. Topics that are trending but you don’t have any interest in. Or topics that others want you to talk about but you’re so bored of repeating the same thing every Monday.
You can always change things up. Whether it is your niche, your cover art, description, or even your podcast name (been there, done that).
Another one of the lessons I’ve learned from podcasting is that you need to allow yourself and your podcast to evolve.
3) there is no such thing as a perfect podcast
“If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”
― Leo Tolstoy
I know. We all look at our favorite podcasts and think to ourselves:
– Wow, their cover art is so perfect!
– How did they come up with the name for their podcast?? It’s so cool!
– I love their intro and the music they use. Aah, it’s perfect.
– Everything they do is so professional!
Comparing yourself to other successful podcasters with years of experience only makes you feel worried that what you create won’t be as good.
And what do we do when we’re afraid and worried? Nothing. We avoid any action because when you don’t do anything – you can’t fail.
But one of the lessons I’ve learned from podcasting is that no matter how perfect our favorite podcasts seem, perfection just doesn’t exist.
Instead of holding yourself back and avoiding taking action, just start where you are.
I changed my cover art more than 5 times. It’s okay.
Don’t let perfectionism hold you back from starting.
If you’re looking for a podcast hosting platform, I’d highly recommend Buzzsprout. I’ve been with them since the very beginning and can’t recommend them enough.
If you choose Buzzsprout following this link, it lets Buzzsprout know I sent you AND it gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan.
Read next:
3 Signs Of Self-Sabotage: Are You Sabotaging Your Own Success?
7 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Failure
4) you’re allowed to create your own rules for your podcast
When I started my podcast, I read all sorts of advice. Advice that said that you need to have an intro and outro. I spent hours creating an intro and outro only to later find out that there are many successful podcasts that don’t have an intro and outro.
Or advice that said that you need to pick a day to upload and stick to it. What? You can, but it’s not necessary. And you can always change it.
When it comes to podcasting, there are absolutely no rules to follow.
Instead, create rules that make sense for you.
SAVE FOR LATER 🙂
5) you’ll get better with practice
When I started my podcast, I used to have a lot of notes in front of me when I was recording my episodes.
I wanted to make sure I covered everything and that I didn’t go off-topic.
I also wasn’t sure what kind of voice I wanted to use. (It’s a real thing!)
Should I use an excited and energizing voice and start my episodes saying ‘’What’s up guys?! Welcome to my podcast!!’’
Or should I talk calmer and slower?
My authentic voice and my confidence only grew and developed over time.
And that’s what inevitably happens whenever you get outside your comfort zone and start something new.
You’ll get better and better at it every day.
6) negative comments are just not worth your time
I share my podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, as well. Recently, I got an anonymous comment saying ‘’You sound like a bot’’
I didn’t answer anything to that comment because it’s just not worth my time.
A few things I learned from that comment itself that I want to include on today’s list of lessons I’ve learned from podcasting:
7) you’ll never receive a negative comment from someone who is successful and satisfied with their life
Happy people just don’t have time to go around and leave negative comments.
And they don’t want to. They know how much effort it takes to succeed and, if anything, they would only congratulate you for taking action towards your goals.
Read next:
3 Powerful Ways for Dealing with Negative Comments
8) you can’t water yourself down out of fear of what someone else might say
Your audience needs you.
Even if you have no audience right now. There are people in this world who need to hear exactly what you want to share on your podcast.
Focus on those people. Not on judgmental people who are not your ideal audience.
If someone doesn’t agree with what you’re saying, that’s completely okay.
Share what you’re excited about and you’ll enjoy podcasting so much more.
Until the next time,
Ivana
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
lessons learned from podcasting podcasting tips start a podcast
I’m a fellow podcaster and needed to see this. Thank you!
I have been contemplating starting a podcast for even a YouTube channel within the next year so these tips are super helpful. Your mentioning of receiving negative comments hits home because I have been recently thinking about how the more I put myself out there the more I am opening up myself to criticism online which is something I’ve never experienced. I will need to work to remember that negative comments are more about that person than me. But I’m sure it’s still hard to read! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Great things to learn and I’ve been thinking to start a podcast but never started yet. This will be good to have in mind. Thank you for sharing!
Great tips and what a quote to remember about people who are happy with their lives!
This is such a great pot! I love the part about comparing yourself to other podcasters – it’s all too easy to do, but doesn’t have any benefits. Thank you for your tips and advice!