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

When you’re starting something new, such as a podcast, it’s easy to get hung up on the things that you don’t know. This uncertainty often leads to procrastination or anxiety around starting a show. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are common podcast planning mistakes that can be easily avoided by simply following along with this guide today. However, before jumping into these common podcast planning mistakes, it’s essential that you understand the importance of advocating for your audience. Think of your podcast as an opportunity to be a guide, coach or educator for your audience. This will truly make all of the difference.  If you adopt that mindset as you begin planning your podcast and begin using that as a metric for every decision that you make, you really can’t go wrong. That is genuinely the only piece that matters. Be a good educator and advocate for your audience and your podcast is already ahead of the rest. You can read the full blog post for this episode here: https://bit.ly/3ROgHOd

You’ve purchased a microphone and recorded your first batch of episodes. The raw unedited audio has a lot of great information, but now you need to make it sound professional. But where do you even get started with podcast editing and production? For many people, the editing side of podcasting is what stops them from ever starting in the first place. The technology seems too daunting and there is so much conflicting information on the internet it’s hard to know where to begin. This is why we’re going to keep it simple for you today. You can read the full blog post for this video here: https://bit.ly/3aPBVum

Interviewing people can feel quite daunting when you’re first starting out. How do you ensure it is going to truly hit home for the listener? What questions do you need to create for it to be impactful for the interviewee? Is it possible to make it memorable and meaningful for both the audience and the interview guest? We’ll dive into the answers to all of these questions today. Click here to read, watch and listen: https://cashflowpodcasting.com/podcast-interview/

Choosing the right podcast software for your situation can seem daunting. Many people tend to get overwhelmed at this stage because there is a lot of conflicting information and many options to choose from. So, what is going to give you great audio without being overly complicated? It comes down to the ease of use, affordability, and compatibility with your situation. In this episode, we'll break this down. You can read, watch and listen here: https://bit.ly/3P5C5fq

We get these questions all of the time: What microphone should I buy? What do I need to purchase to ensure my show sounds quality? People are generally either excited about the technology piece of podcasting or they’re terrified. Regardless of which category you fit into, we can help you find the best podcast microphone for your situation. Click here to read, watch and listen: https://bit.ly/3yq0J59

When creating and planning for your show, your podcast format is generally one of the first decisions you will have to make. We’ve spoken previously about how to map out your content to ensure you’re providing value to your audience. Your podcast format can also make a big impact on how your audience reacts and relates to your show. So, what are the options? Interview: You bring guests on to your show to discuss relevant topics.Co-Hosted: You have a partner who contributes equally to the show.Solo: You are the one and only host and you share your knowledge and expertise. But, wait, that’s not all there is to consider. You also want to understand the frequency in which you should be providing this content to your audience as well as in which form (just audio or audio and video). So, let’s dive into all of this today: https://bit.ly/39OPJ7H

How do you layout and plan the content that goes into your episodes? Do you make it up on the spot and hope for the best? Do you script everything out to ensure there is no room for errors? When planning out what you’re going to talk about on your show, we have found there is a simple content framework that you can follow that makes all the difference. By following this content framework, your listeners will be engaged, curious, and excited about what you’re creating and putting out into the world. It will allow you to get a really good flow going with your content and works regardless of what kind of show you are creating - solo, co-hosted, interview, etc. There are six parts to this framework and they do not need to go in order. These are simply pieces that you can review as you’re outlining your episode content and decide what you’re going to talk about. Click here to read, watch and listen: https://bit.ly/3NOMpZd

When creating their podcast topic ideas, folks often get stuck on one of two things: They are interested in too many things and can’t seem narrow it down to just one.They have a few ideas but they feel unsure as to whether they will have enough content to keep their show going long term. Regardless of where you are at, creating a content plan for your podcast can be imperative to the success of the show. Think of yourself as a guide for your audience. You are there to help them through uncharted territory. You’re helping them navigate these choppy waters to help them get to where they’re trying to go. In Episode 7: How to Craft an Effective Client Journey, we talked about understanding and mapping out where you’re audience is starting and where you’re going to help them go. The best way to make engaging podcast content is to consider yourself a guide and an advocate for your audience. With this in mind, it’s really hard to make content your audience won’t enjoy. If you consider yourself a guide and an advocate for your audience, then you’re always keeping your audience's best interest in mind. Click here to read, watch and listen: https://bit.ly/3NWqMpl

Now that you have your target audience defined, we can talk client journey. The customer journey helps business podcasts to create personalized experiences specific to each touch-point and channel. What are the challenges that your audience is facing?  Are there common problems that come up along their journey to success? The answers to these questions will give you a real insight into what your customers want and any parts of your product, brand or process that can help them get there. The Business Podcast Roadmap is a great example of this. This is a client journey that we have mapped out for our podcast clients at Cashflow Podcasting. We have found that when a potential client first comes to us, they have a business and offers already established. They generally know who their audience and clients are, and they have built up a bit of an audience. These prospects are generally ready to scale their business growth and build a deeper connection with their audience. This is their starting point on our client journey. The end goal for our customers is for them to have a podcast that is baked into their online marketing machine. All they have to do once they get to this point is focus on sharing their expertise and growing their authority on the subject.  Click here to read, watch and listen: https://bit.ly/3MYyqzs

Defining who your target audience is and being very specific about who your podcast is for or who your podcast serves is essential to the success of your show. “I don’t want to exclude people.” “I’m worried about limiting the growth potential of my show.” “What if my audience is too niche?” We hear these concerns all of the time when talking to potential clients. But here’s what you need to know: Niche beats general podcasting every single time. We’ve never seen a single case where a general audience podcast launches more effectively than a niche podcast. When you are looking for content, whether this is books, television shows, movies, etc., you are probably looking for something very specific to your needs. You’re looking for something that’s funny to you, entertaining to you, educational to you - the list goes on. In niche-specific podcasting, what we’re trying to do is create an audience or community, and have our content connect with and educate those folks. The more specific we can be about who those people are, the better. Click here to read, watch and listen: https://bit.ly/3wHkwLm