How to become a full time podcaster.
Hey Pod Pals!
This newsletter was lovingly curated (without the use of any AI) in real time on Thursday morning at 9:03 am CST.
It feels weird to be writing from home once again (instead of a coffee shop)....and I'm a little late on getting started.
Regardless....the cold brew coffee is being absorbed and I'm excited to dispense some knowledge!
Before we dive into this week's topic.... ⤵️
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This week we are going to talk about how to become a full time podcaster.
When I launched my first health podcast back in 2015 my #1 goal was to figure out how to grow an audience, generate income, replace my income as a fitness facility owner, and then go full time as a content creator.
Based on my not so extensive research...I was ball-parking that this would take about 18 months........and five YEARS later it actually happened...LOL!
What I didn't realize is that I had two HUGE disadvantages that I need to work through in order to reach my goal:
1. I had to learn how to be a content creator.
2. I had to learn how to create and sell online offers (and do all of the other online business stuff like build an email list, etc.)
Then we sprinkle in the fact that I was at Triple Zero Status:
❌ Zero social media followers
❌ Zero podcast listeners
❌ Zero email list subscribers
So, what I figured would take 18 months actually took 5 years....but I would gladly do it all again to get to where I am now!
That being said....I want YOU to get there faster!
So with this newsletter deep dive I wanted to provide a checklist of the action steps that I wish I had taken and the order in which I should've taken them.
Every content creator's journey is unique, so just use this as a roadmap and take alternate routes as it makes sense for you to do so.
Here's my Five Phase Full Time Podcaster Checklist:
*Before we dive into the checklist here's my loose definition of what it means to me to be a "full time podcaster".
👉 Someone who leverages their podcast content to generate enough revenue (via sponsors, getting clients, or both) and is able to replace their income from their regular job.
With my checklist I'm focusing on the "getting clients/online business" monetization strategy.
Phase One: Launch and Learn
The mantra for this phase is: Ready, FIRE, Aim!
✅ Learn how to produce WEEKLY content.
It's time to just put your head down, press record, and get reps in.
Every week you should press TWO buttons:
Record & Publish....this is the way!
✅ Start to form your content creation routines.
As you get your weekly content reps in, you should also start looking for opportunities to make the entire routine as efficient as possible.
When I first started I had to block off 30 minutes on my calendar every Tuesday afternoon to create my content. This was a set (and non negotiable) appointment.
Phase Two: Podcast Growth Basics
Your content creation routine is in place....now let's pull a few growth levers!
✅ Start using my 72 hour marketing window for new episode promotion.
You should now have the mental energy to actually promote each episode you put out.
I recommend creating and dispensing FIVE unique promotional assets for each episode within the first 72 hours of an episode going live.
✅ Start finding social media focus platforms.
Currently, I'm really hating the whole concept of "be everywhere" on social media....I've got a major RANT coming out on my podcast about this in a few weeks...stay tuned.
In this phase I want you to start looking for signs of life on social media like:
😎 People are engaging with your content.
😎 Your follower count is steadily increasing.
😎 You getting DM's or emails from people who say they found you on that social platform.
This is a good time to start shifting your focus to the 1-2 platforms that you are getting good vibes from.
✅ Start networking with other podcasters.
When I first started out as a content creator it felt like nobody in my family/friend circle believed in what I was trying to do.
It's really important to find a group of like minded content creators that are on the same journey as you are.
Phase Three: Monetization Basics
You are creating regular content....and it's not too bad at this point. You are also seeing some audience growth.
Now let's talk about MONEY!
✅ Double down on establishing expert positioning with your content.
I want 2/3 of your content to feature YOU as the expert. This means solo episodes and/or coaching episodes.
✅ Develop a Start Anytime Offer.
You are going to have listeners reach out about working with you....make sure you have something that you can sell them!
Inside my Online Business Academy for Podcasters I teach you how to create a very simple 14-90 day consulting offer that you can have up and running within a few hours....no online course needed!
✅ Have a single CTA strategy on your podcast.
Stop distracting your audience with dozens of calls to action on your show. Dial in on ONE per episode.
Pro Tip: Start with a CTA to invite your audience to do a discovery call with you to talk about working together.
✅ Develop your Discovery Call skills.
This is another one of those skill sets that will get a lot better as you get more practice.
At first you will be awkward and your closing rate will probably suck....just trust the process Pod Pals!
✅ Start putting a lot more energy into building your email list.
In my opinion...my time that I invest in building my email (newsletter) list has the greatest overall ROI compared to anything else I spend my time on in my online business development (including my podcast!).
At this point you need to have a lead magnet and/or use my high value newsletter strategy to build your list.
Phase Four: Podcast Growth Advanced
It's time to put on your big boy/girl podcasting pants and grow your audience!
✅ Set a goal to be a guest on at least one podcast per month.
You need to start borrowing other people's audiences!
✅ Start doing some paid ads.
I'd suggest getting a banner ad on Overcast FM.
✅ Set a goal to speak on a live stage at least once per year.
It's time to get over your fear of public speaking (you are a content creator DAMMIT!)
Pro Tip: Find events that you want to speak at and invite the event creator to be a guest on your podcast. Make friends with them BEFORE you apply to speak at their event.
Phase Five: Business Growth Advanced
Time to make it RAIN and replace your income from your J.O.B!
✅ This is a great time to build and launch a campaign based offer.
These are time sensitive offers like what I do with my 21 Day Bootcamps.
These normally have a lower price point compared to your consulting offers or a signature offer and they can be a nice gateway offer to your greater ecosystem.
My Pod Pal Amanda Walker calls these Small Bite Offers.
✅ Build a recurring revenue offer.
You have consulting offers and campaign offers that all have endpoints.....and this leads your clients to ask "What's next coach?"
Now is a great time to create a recurring revenue stream like a membership or group coaching container.
These should be based around continued support and accountability, and they are a great place to send graduates of your other offer(s).
✅ Put in time (and invest money) into getting better as a content creator.
I set aside $10,000 per year (it's a business deduction!) just for improving my skills and learning new things.
I hire coaches, join memberships, and attend live events/masterminds.
Every year I invest this time and money into being a better podcaster, writer, and online business coach.
So there you have it Pod Pals!
This won't be a cookie cutter journey, but hopefully you can use my checklist to reach your goal MUCH faster than I did!
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🤩 Client Testimonial of the week: My client Grace Stevens has a show called Balance Your Teacher Life.
Check out what she has to say about working with me on her podcast launch:
"Adam gave me so much confidence, so many practical ideas, and helped me launch my dream podcast! His real magic lies in the intersection of knowledge, cheerleading, and candor. He will tell you what you need to hear, and he'll do it lovingly. It will be the BEST podcasting advice you ever get! I have no hesitation in recommending him."
➡️ Ready to get some help with your podcast launch, growth, or monetization strategy?
Hop on my Podcast Profit Potential Discovery Call Calendar.
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New Content & Resources for this week:
🎙️ Podcasting Business School EP 581: Why your online business needs a small bite offer. (Special guest Amanda Walker)
🚀 Podcast Launch Tips EP 72: My Optimized Podcast Logo Protocol.
💰 Podcast Monetization Tips EP 012: The Podcast Monetization Pyramid (part two).
✍🏻 SuperThread Of The Week: I've released over 1,000 podcast episodes. Here are nine things about podcast content creation that I wish I knew when I started.....
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🔬I'm doing a new VIDEO content experiment! 🤯
Thanks to everyone that provided feedback from last week's Podcast Growth Audit newsletter.
The main feedback I received is that it would be better content if it were a video...so....I'm testing this out by doing Podcast Growth Audit YouTube videos.
I just posted one yesterday and I'd love your input.
1. Check out the video where I help fix someone's podcast in about 15 minutes with a Podcast Growth Audit.
2. If you enjoy the video please hit the LIKE button and leave a comment on the video with any feedback.
3. If you want me to do a Podcast Growth Audit YouTube video of your show please fill out this Google Form.
I won't be able to do videos for everyone that fills out the form, but I am going to commit to doing at least 20 of these videos to see what happens.
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I hope that you are enjoying this weekly newsletter!
I'm really excited about some of the content I've got coming out for you on the podcast, this newsletter, and on social media!
Talk to you next week!
Your Pod Pal,
Adam
⭐️ P.S. Ready for some help with your podcast launch, growth, or with getting more clients from your podcast?⭐️
Sign up for a FREE Podcast Profit Potential Discovery Call.