Welcome to the Business Podcast Roadmap!
We have been producing and launching podcasts since 2013, working on hundreds of shows with millions of downloads collectively.
Throughout this time, we have come to realize that businesses that are looking to start a podcast and use podcasting as part of their platform, tend to run into the same challenges and problems.
What has become very clear to us, is that there is a roadmap with five stages that all of these shows go through.
They tend to start with the same momentum and excitement, and eventually end up hitting the same bumps along their journey.
Our mission as an organization is to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators out there, have the biggest impact that they can.
We want to help these folks share their message and build a community around their brand.
In this series, our goal is to walk you through this five-stage business podcast roadmap, share the pieces where people often get stuck and help you to work through the emotions that are associated with these sticking points.
It’s not uncommon for individuals to become intimidated, overwhelmed, or frustrated when in the creation process of their show.
We want to help you prepare for that and work through it effectively.
For each of these five stages, there are predictable feelings that we find folks have, there are problems and challenges that they get stuck on, and there are very easy solutions to keep them moving forward so that they can have the impact that they’re looking to have.
So, let’s jump into the first stage: https://bit.ly/3w3EgrX
You’ve made it!
You have all of the pieces together to launch your podcast.
But now you’re beginning to wonder… are you ready to launch your show to the world?
And if you do decide to launch your podcast, how do you know it is going to have a good reception?
In this episode, we will be going over two ways to know you’re ready to launch your podcast.
You can read the full blog post for this video here: https://bit.ly/3PaNRXl
You’ve recorded your first few episodes, edited them, and added your intros and outros.
You’ve finished the hard part and you are probably feeling incredibly excited - as you should be!
The next step is publishing your podcast to a podcast directory, so listeners and subscribers can find it.
Getting your show onto directories such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts requires you to have an RSS feed.
In fact, your RSS feed is an essential part of getting your show out there.
How do you go about doing this?
You must first choose and submit your show to a hosting service.
Let’s dive into what this entails.
You can read the full blog post for this video here: https://bit.ly/3iIXEHZ
Many people get stuck on the idea that their podcast launch has to be as big as a book launch or a product launch.
They get overwhelmed with the thought that if they don’t gain traction right away then they are in big trouble.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Most podcasts get started with a smaller audience and snowball growth over time.
You have to have the initial audience to start building the momentum for a show so that it can grow into something bigger.
However, if you don’t have that initial audience, then it can be hard for the show to start building its own momentum.
So, how do you get that initial audience?
Let’s take a look.
You can find show notes and resources here: http://bit.ly/3AXp2Ix
If podcasts are created to be consumed audibly, what is the benefit of spending time creating show notes for your website?
We get this question from many of our Podcast Launch clients and the answer is simple:
Writing engaging podcast show notes can be a great way to add value to your existing and potential listeners.
In fact, podcast show notes are a vital part of publishing new episodes.
You can find show notes and resources here: https://bit.ly/3VSNVhr
“What podcast hosting service should I use for my show?”
This is a common question when podcasters are just starting out because of the number of options available.
Podcasting has become a big deal and it feels as though there is a new podcast hosting service available every single day.
Because of the amount of new technology constantly coming out, this information can become outdated quite quickly so it is important to review the newer services as they become available.
With that being said, there are several evergreen tips you can use to choose your hosting service, which we will be sharing today, as well as our current top podcast hosting services.
You can read the full blog post for this episode here: https://bit.ly/3CFIV70
Podcast intros and outros give your podcast a unique twist and can really raise the production value of your show.
How professional should they sound?
What should I say to encourage listeners to keep listening?
These are questions we get asked all of the time and generally speaking, there is much more flexibility here than you may think.
Your podcast intros and outros can be anything you want them to be as long as they set the scene for your audience.
When new listener tunes in to your show, they want to know what your podcast is going to do for them.
How can your show help them solve a problem, answer a question, or entertain them somehow?
If you are certain that your intro and outros can answer that, then you will be on your way to creating great content.
You can find resources and more here: https://cashflowpodcasting.com/podcast-intro-outro/
Podcast music can be a tough decision for many podcasters, new and seasoned.
In podcasting, it is always about the story you are telling.
So, although it can feel overwhelming with the amount of choice that is available online, it is important to remember that your podcast music should be designed to support that story.
You will be setting the tone of the experience that you want the listener to have.
With this being said, there is one major thing to be aware of.
Most music that you hear is copyrighted.
It is essential that you check that you have the right to use the music you want to use.
So where do you find podcast music that you can use?
And how do you choose from which sample is right for your show?
You can find resources for this episode here: https://cashflowpodcasting.com/podcast-music/
Podcast artwork is one of the most important pieces of your podcast’s brand.
It is generally the first thing someone will see when searching for new podcasts, so it is essential that it emulates what your show is about.
Although podcasting is almost an entirely auditory experience, your cover art is like a visual first impression for your show.
When it comes to podcast artwork, there are a few things that make all the difference.
It needs to be clean, clear, simple and match your brand.
Ready to find out more?
You can read the full blog post for this episode here: https://bit.ly/3f3jJ1X
Finding a name that encompasses everything you want your show to be about can be intimidating.
You’ve worked hard to develop the idea for your show and you want a title that will intrigue people while also staying on brand.
So, where do you even begin with picking the perfect podcast name?
After working with hundreds of podcasters we’ve discovered what makes a good title and what does not.
We’ve also uncovered a great method for finding what will work for your show.
Let’s dive in.
You can read the full blog post for this episode here: https://bit.ly/3BESwf1
When folks begin the process of putting together a podcast, they’re initially really excited.
However, many of these people eventually hit a point of overwhelm.
And it isn’t surprising that they reach this point.
Between choosing music, artwork, voice actors, themes and more, there are a lot of tactical things that go into a podcast launch.
But creating a successful podcast launch isn’t as scary as it might seem.
Let’s break down what these stages are. Start with strategic planning.
Get crystal clear on where you’re going, what your goals are, and most importantly, why you’re putting this podcast together.
Once you’ve got these things nailed down and you have a strategic game plan mapped out, then you can start to put together the initial elements of the podcast.
This may include artwork, the title, intros and outros, and all of those pieces.
The next step is recording your first batch of episodes.
Pro Tip: For a successful podcast launch, we recommend launching with three episodes when you first go live.
This way you’re giving new listeners a chance to get to know you straight from day one.
After this, get your show submitted to podcast platforms and directories (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Google, etc.).
Having your show on these platforms is how your initial core group of listeners is going to find your show.
The final step is getting into the rhythm of creating content on a consistent basis.
Having a consistent, predictable process for recording and releasing content is a huge win for you and your audience.
You can read the full blog post for this episode here: https://bit.ly/3xjPPwO
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