DON'T START A PODCAST BEFORE WATCHING THIS

podcasting

11 Nov 202107:26

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Pat Flynn, a veteran podcaster with over 12 years of experience, shares five crucial tips for aspiring podcasters. He emphasizes the importance of defining a specific audience, planning 20-30 episodes in advance to avoid 'pod fade', engaging with potential listeners to refine the show's focus, and using the right technology for recording and distribution. Pat also encourages overcoming the fear of starting and highlights the potential benefits of podcasting, such as building relationships and opening new opportunities.

Takeaways

🎙️ Understand Your Audience: Define who your podcast is for to avoid creating content that appeals to everyone but resonates with no one.
📝 Plan Ahead: Develop a list of 20-30 episode ideas to prevent running out of content and to maintain a consistent schedule.
🗣️ Engage with Your Target Audience: Join conversations and communities to understand what your audience wants to hear and who they would like as guests.
💡 Pitch Your Idea: Practice explaining your podcast concept to others to refine your messaging and positioning before you start recording.
🛠️ Simplify Tech Aspects: Utilize platforms like Buzzsprout to handle the technical aspects of podcasting, making it easier to upload and distribute your episodes.
🔊 Invest in Quality Audio: Ensure your audio quality is professional by using services that offer automatic audio mastering.
🚀 Overcome Fear: Push through the fear of starting and put your voice out there, as the benefits of podcasting far outweigh the initial discomfort.
📈 Learn and Improve: Accept that your first episodes might not be perfect and use each one as a learning opportunity to improve.
🔗 Build Relationships: Podcasting can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities that might not have been possible otherwise.
💼 Potential for Business Growth: A podcast can serve as a platform for business expansion and additional revenue streams.

Q & A

Who is Pat Flynn and what is his experience with podcasting?
-Pat Flynn is a podcaster with over 12 years of experience and has recorded over 1700 episodes with a total of 75 million downloads across several different shows.
What is the first thing Pat suggests to consider before starting a podcast?
-Pat suggests understanding who the show is for, emphasizing the importance of targeting a specific audience rather than trying to create content for everyone.
Why is it important to niche down when starting a podcast?
-Nicheing down helps to cut through the noise and competition, making it easier to connect with the target audience and provide content that resonates with their specific needs and interests.
How many episode ideas does Pat recommend having before starting to record a podcast?
-Pat recommends having 20 to 30 episode ideas prepared to avoid running out of content and experiencing 'pod fade'.
What is 'pod fade' and how can having episode ideas in advance help prevent it?
-'Pod fade' is a phenomenon where podcasters lose motivation and stop producing new episodes due to lack of content ideas or planning. Having a backlog of episode ideas can help maintain momentum and prevent this.
Why should you pitch your podcast idea to others before recording?
-Pitching your podcast idea helps refine your message, understand how to best position your show, and ensures that you can clearly communicate the value of your podcast to potential listeners.
What is Buzzsprout and why does Pat Flynn recommend it?
-Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform that simplifies the process of uploading and distributing podcasts to various directories. Pat Flynn recommends it for its ease of use, affordable pricing, and features like automatic audio mastering.
What is the 'magic mastering' feature offered by Buzzsprout?
-Magic mastering is a feature that automatically adjusts the audio levels of uploaded files to ensure consistent volume and quality, making the final podcast sound professional without requiring audio engineering skills.
What advice does Pat give about overcoming the fear of starting a podcast?
-Pat advises to not let fear stop you from hitting record and publishing. He shares his own experience of delaying his first episode due to fear, and encourages embracing the learning process and the potential benefits of podcasting.
What resources does Pat Flynn offer for those interested in podcasting?
-Pat Flynn offers resources including tutorials and a link to his website, where he has helped tens of thousands of people with podcasting, and he also mentions having the number one podcasting tutorial on YouTube.
What is the significance of the phrase 'You got to be a disaster before you become the master' in the context of starting a podcast?
-This phrase, attributed to Johnny Dumas, suggests that it's okay to start with imperfections and make mistakes when beginning a podcast. It emphasizes the importance of starting and learning from the experience to eventually become proficient.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Starting a Podcast: Key Considerations

In this paragraph, Pat Flynn, a seasoned podcaster with over 12 years of experience, advises aspiring podcasters to watch the entire video before starting their podcasting journey. Pat shares five crucial tips to ensure success in podcasting. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the target audience, suggesting that a podcast should cater to a specific group rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Pat warns against creating a show that is too general, as it might not resonate with any particular audience. He also stresses the need to engage with the target audience to understand their needs and preferences. Pat encourages potential podcasters to think about their show's content, including topics and guests, before recording begins. He advises creating a list of 20 to 30 episode ideas to avoid running out of content and to maintain consistency in the podcast's theme and quality. Pat's advice is aimed at helping new podcasters avoid common pitfalls and to build a strong foundation for their podcast.

05:02

🔧 Podcasting Tools and Overcoming Fear

In the second paragraph, Pat Flynn discusses the technical aspects of podcasting and recommends Buzzsprout as a user-friendly platform for uploading and distributing podcasts. He praises Buzzsprout for its ease of use, competitive pricing based on upload hours, and its 'magic mastering' feature, which automatically optimizes audio quality. Pat also shares a personal anecdote about his own hesitations and fears when starting his podcast, which he overcame by finally hitting the record button. He encourages new podcasters to face their fears and start recording, assuring them that every episode will be an opportunity to learn and improve. Pat also invites viewers to explore other resources he provides, emphasizing his passion for podcasting and his commitment to helping others succeed in this medium.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Podcasting

Podcasting refers to the process of creating audio content that is made available online for listeners. In the video, the speaker shares his extensive experience in podcasting, having recorded over 1700 episodes and gained 75 million downloads. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and audience targeting in successful podcasting.

💡Target Audience

Target audience refers to the specific group of people a podcast is designed for. The speaker stresses the importance of identifying this audience early on to ensure the content resonates with listeners. For example, he explains that creating a show meant for everyone might end up attracting no one, highlighting the need for a niche focus.

💡Niche

A niche refers to a specialized segment of the market or audience that has specific interests or needs. The speaker suggests that podcasters should focus on a niche to 'cut through the noise' of competition and build a loyal audience. He mentions that niching down is key to making a podcast stand out.

💡Pod fade

Pod fade is the term used to describe when a podcast creator loses motivation or runs out of content ideas, causing them to stop publishing episodes. The speaker warns against pod fade and advises new podcasters to plan 20-30 episodes ahead to avoid this common issue, ensuring they always have something valuable to share.

💡Pitching

Pitching refers to presenting your podcast idea to others to gauge interest and refine your concept. The speaker encourages creators to pitch their podcast ideas to friends, family, or even strangers before recording. This practice helps podcasters hone their messaging and better understand how to position their show.

💡Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform that helps podcasters distribute their content across multiple directories like Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. The speaker recommends Buzzsprout for its ease of use, affordability, and features like 'magic mastering' that automatically improves audio quality.

💡Magic Mastering

Magic Mastering is an automated audio enhancement tool offered by Buzzsprout. The speaker praises this feature for its ability to optimize podcast audio by adjusting sound levels, ensuring that episodes sound polished without requiring audio engineering skills. It makes podcasting more accessible to non-technical creators.

💡Content Hamster Wheel

The 'content hamster wheel' refers to the stressful cycle of constantly creating new content without having time to promote or enjoy it. The speaker advises podcasters to avoid this by planning episodes in advance, giving them breathing room to focus on marketing and refining their work.

💡Relationships

Relationships in the context of podcasting refer to the connections that hosts can build with their audience, guests, and other podcasters. The speaker highlights how podcasts can create meaningful interactions, open doors to new opportunities, and help hosts grow both personally and professionally.

💡Overcoming Fear

Overcoming fear is a major theme in the video, as the speaker shares his personal experience of delaying his first podcast for over a year due to self-doubt. He encourages aspiring podcasters to 'be a disaster before you become a master,' emphasizing that fear is natural, but it’s important to start regardless.

Highlights

Pat Flynn, an experienced podcaster, shares five crucial tips for starting a successful podcast.

Understand your target audience to create content that resonates with their specific needs.

Avoid creating a podcast for 'everyone' as it may end up appealing to no one.

Niche down to increase the chances of connecting with your audience and standing out from the competition.

Plan ahead by brainstorming 20 to 30 episode ideas to avoid running out of content.

Engage with your target audience to gather insights on their needs and preferences.

Pitch your podcast idea to others to refine your positioning and messaging.

Embrace the fear of starting and understand that every episode is an opportunity to improve.

Use Buzzsprout for easy podcast uploading and distribution across various platforms.

Buzzsprout's 'magic mastering' feature automatically optimizes audio quality for professional results.

Pat Flynn's affiliate link to Buzzsprout offers additional benefits for new users.

Overcome the fear of starting by recognizing the potential benefits of podcasting.

Learn and grow through the process, as every podcaster starts as a beginner.

Pat Flynn's own journey with podcasting started with hesitation but led to significant success.

Encouragement to hit record and start your podcasting journey despite initial fears.

Additional resources are available for those interested in podcasting, including Pat Flynn's tutorials.