556 Why I started a podcast #JapanesePodcast

Summary

In this episode, Layla from Bite Size Japanese shares the journey behind starting her podcast. She reflects on how she began with Instagram in 2020, teaching Japanese through short videos, and how her interest in teaching grew as she experienced challenges in social media. After gaining significant followers, she transitioned to podcasting in 2021, where she could share deeper content with fewer constraints. Layla discusses her love for podcasting, the positive community it has created, and her decision to focus on podcasting over other platforms. She also touches on the importance of crediting content and her evolving career.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leila's favorite season is spring because of the warmth and the renewal of nature as plants turn green.
• 😀 Leila started her podcast to share her journey and to provide an opportunity for others to learn Japanese.
• 😀 She began by creating short videos on Instagram in late 2020 to teach simple Japanese words and phrases.
• 😀 The idea to teach Japanese online stemmed from Leila's own experience of studying English through YouTube and podcasts.
• 😀 Leila initially struggled with social media, feeling overwhelmed by the rapid growth of her Instagram account to 150,000 followers.
• 😀 Short-form content like Instagram reels was challenging for Leila as she felt it was hard to express her teaching goals effectively.
• 😀 In 2021, Leila started the podcast 'The Bite Size Japanese Podcast' to share more in-depth and personal content, which she found more comfortable and fulfilling.
• 😀 The podcast allowed Leila to talk about topics she was passionate about, without the constraints of short video formats.
• 😀 Although 'Bite Size' was initially a fitting name for her Instagram account, Leila now questions if it accurately reflects her podcast's content.
• 😀 Leila feels that podcast listeners are often kinder and more supportive than followers on platforms like Instagram, where short videos are primarily for entertainment.
• 😀 Leila is now focusing entirely on her podcast and has decided to stop managing her Instagram account. She is also offering a Patreon membership to help support the podcast's growth.

Q & A

What inspired レイラ to start her Instagram account 'Bite Size Japanese'?

レイラ was inspired to start 'Bite Size Japanese' on Instagram after seeing the impact of online learning while she was studying English through YouTube and podcasts. She realized she could teach Japanese in a similar way, especially since her partner, Jack, was learning Japanese and it sparked her interest in sharing the language.

Why did レイラ decide to start a podcast in 2021?

レイラ decided to start a podcast in 2021 because she felt overwhelmed by the pressure of creating short videos on Instagram. She wanted a platform where she could share more in-depth and meaningful content without worrying about editing and the constraints of short video formats.

What challenges did レイラ face with growing her Instagram account?

レイラ faced several challenges on Instagram, including the overwhelming growth of her account, dealing with comments and messages, and struggling to create content that she felt was truly helpful for her followers. The pressure to create engaging short videos also led to doubts about the usefulness of her content.

What was the impact of the pandemic on レイラ's decision to create content online?

The pandemic, particularly during the lockdowns of 2020, influenced レイラ's decision to explore online work. She was in Australia, uncertain about her future career path, and was looking for ways to work remotely. This period of uncertainty motivated her to create content and explore online teaching opportunities.

How did the Instagram Reels feature help grow レイラ's following?

The introduction of Instagram Reels at the end of 2020 helped レイラ’s account gain rapid traction. Reels allowed even simple videos to be widely shared, resulting in a surge in followers, growing her account to around 150,000 followers within about six months.

What does レイラ enjoy most about podcasting compared to other platforms?

レイラ enjoys podcasting because it allows her to share detailed and personal thoughts without the need for heavy editing, unlike the short, highly curated videos required on Instagram. She finds podcasts more enjoyable and believes it’s a better platform for conveying useful and thoughtful information.

How has the growth of the podcast affected レイラ's other work?

The growth of her podcast has encouraged her to focus more on podcasting and less on other platforms like Instagram. She now plans to continue working on the podcast as her primary focus and has started reducing her involvement in Instagram content creation.

What are the benefits of joining レイラ's Patreon community?

Joining レイラ's Patreon community offers benefits like access to episode transcripts, lists of important words, and members-only podcast episodes. This membership helps support her work and provides exclusive content for those who want to deepen their learning.

What is the significance of the podcast's name 'The Bite Size Japanese Podcast'?

The podcast's name, 'The Bite Size Japanese Podcast,' originally came from レイラ’s Instagram account name, 'Bite Size Japanese.' However, she mentions that the name might not fit her content perfectly anymore, as her podcast episodes tend to be longer and more in-depth than 'bite-sized' content.

What advice does レイラ give about crediting her content when shared on other platforms?

レイラ encourages people to credit her content when sharing it on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. She appreciates it when people include proper attribution, such as linking to *The Bite Size Japanese Podcast*, as it helps promote her work and ensures she receives credit for her content.