Thinking of starting a podcast but not sure where to start or if you can actually make it happen? I remember this feeling well and I wish I had known my guest today, Krystal Proffitt, when I started. She has all the answers to help you start a podcast in a simple and actually doable way. She negates all the excuses and answers all your questions in this conversation.
Podcast has been a game-changer in my business (I shared more about this in episode #200) and if anyone asks me about starting a podcast I tell them two things:
Do it, start now.
Learn from Krystal Proffitt and she'll help you keep it simple and doable
Why Podcasting As An Entrepreneur
"The expectations (for podcasting) are so much lower than with blogging and YouTube." - Krystal Proffitt
YouTube feels like you have to have a fancy camera and lights and a set up since people can see what's behind you. Podcasting removes that boundary and you can even start by recording on your phone.
"I see people scared to start because they just see the Instagram worthy experience that someone has in their business or in their content and they think "but I'm not that, I can't do that" so why even get started." - Krystal Proffitt
**This was also a podcast episode (episode #201. Use the player below if you'd prefer to listen to this message.
How To Start A Podcast
Step 1: Plan your first 20 podcast episode ideas
"Sit down and plan your first 20 podcast episodes ideas. I'm not saying your full script or a whole outline. I'm talking about just ideas that you would feel comfortable talking about...they don't have to be chronological and we aren't judging these ideas." - Krystal Proffitt
Step 2: Understand how podcasting works
"You have an audio file, you upload it to a podcast host and they distribute it to Apply, Spotify and all the places. Those are the 3 things you need to know: you have an audio file, you have to have a host and then they will distribute it to all the players where people can listen." - Krystal Proffitt
Step 3: Rip off the bandaid that's stopping you (practice)
"We just have to say I'm going to do this and I'm going all in. Maybe it's recording a voice memo on your phone, not even somewhere it could be released publicly on accident. It doesn't have to be anything earth shattering or groundbreaking...but the only way to get to the other side is to go through that messy middle." - Krystal Proffitt
Go through Krystal's FREE Podcasting 5-Minute Bootcamp to learn the rest of the steps with all the details.
"I show you exactly what you have to do. It's a workflow. I walk you through from planning to publishing and marketing an episode." - Krystal Proffitt
Naming Your Podcast & Coming Up With Content Ideas
If you're struggling with the concept of creating content because you don't feel like you're the "expert" on this topic, you're not alone in this feeling. Imposter Syndrome will unfortunately be a part of your entrepreneurship journey forever but the topic will change.
You may feel like an imposter today when it comes to starting a podcast on a topic but later down your journey you'll feel like an imposter about the next thing that's taking you out of your comfort zone.
"You're normal. If you have these feelings, know 100% everybody feels this way, it's just how you find the courage and the confidence to move through that. That's the way you become a content creator." - Krystal Proffitt
So when it comes to coming up with the title and topic ideas for your podcast, focus on what you know and how you've helped others. Even if you're just starting out in your business, you've either seen results in something for yourself and/or others and that's what you can share about. You can also take questions that people have asked you and that can lead to content ideas.
"I always tell people to work with your expertise, work with your knowledge, your education, how you've helped other people get results. It's super important to not put the word expert up on a pedestal." - Krystal Proffitt
Keep Your Expectations Realistic
When it comes to podcasting it's easy to get caught up in the idea that you'll have millions of downloads quickly and that will create even more revenue in your business. While this is a great daydream, it's not realistic.
Podcasting is something that will help your business over time and therefore you need to focus on creating a strong foundation of things that work for you and keep your expectations realistic.
Downloads will be low for a while, don't get discouraged
You'll make mistakes along the way, that's okay
Things will change as you learn and that's a good thing
It's also important to know what you actually want with your podcast. Understanding what success means for you is critical because the number of downloads isn't the only metric that matters. As a matter of fact, it's likely not the metric that matters to you but it's important to go into podcasting understanding what you want to get out of it.
"I'm not going to tell you how to get a million downloads tomorrow because I don't think that you need to speak to a million people in order to have a successful podcast or have a successful business." - Krystal Proffitt
Pro Podcasting Tip:
Go into podcasting with commitment for the long-haul. Since podcasting takes time to develop, the key is to understand how you work best and what systems and processes work for you. Once you know this, podcasting turns into something that's very enjoyable for you as a content creator.
"Let's not quit on our business, let's find a way to make it fun." - Krystal Proffitt
Take Away Message / Action
Go through Krystal's Free Podcasting Bootcamp to kickstart your podcast. Don't let your excuses get in the way of something you really want to do. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast for a while now, it's time. Go for it!
And if you're looking for even more support, Krystal has a course that I highly endorse as well. So much so that if you use my affiliate link to join her course you'll receive a special bonus from me because I want you to follow through with your goal of starting a podcast.
Go to amandamckinney.com/favs to find my affiliate link for Krystal's course on podcasting.
Until next time give yourself permission to start a podcast and grace along the way. I'll talk to you soon.
About Krystal:
Krystal Proffitt is a content strategist, coach, and host of the award-winning show, The Proffitt Podcast. She specializes in helping content creators create with confidence.
Krystal teaches content strategy, repurposing, branding, and marketing through her podcast, digital courses, and YouTube channel dedicated to content creation. She also appears as a Content Expert on other YouTube channels such as Buzzsprout and Streamyard.
Krystal's Resources:
Amanda's episode on The Proffitt Podcast: https://krystalproffitt.com/redefining-content-success-amanda-mckinney/
Free Bootcamp: https://krystalproffitt.com/podcastbootcamp/
Amanda's Affiliate Link for Krystal's Course: Proffitt Podcasting: https://www.proffittpodcasting.com/a/2147557230/fwCuWFNo
Website: https://krystalproffitt.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalproffitttx/
Krystal's Book: http://thebestpodcastbook.com/
Other Resources Mentioned:
Define Success Free Resource: https://www.amandamckinney.com/success
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book
"I always tell people to work with your expertise, work with your knowledge, your education, how you've helped other people get results. It's super important to not put the word expert up on a pedestal."
- Krystal Proffitt
Start Your Podcast In 30 Days!
No more Googling all.the.things. Krystal has you covered in her Proffitt Podcasting course.
From Idea to Launch in 30 Days!
Krystal's course is trusted by many people...including Amy Porterfield of the top-rated podcast: Online Marketing Made Easy.
Let Krystal walk you step by step through the process of starting your podcast with ease.