{"id":370,"date":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internship.infoskaters.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/08\/podcasting-for-business-growth-how-i-built-a-7-figure-business-while-staying-true-to-myself\/"},"modified":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","slug":"podcasting-for-business-growth-how-i-built-a-7-figure-business-while-staying-true-to-myself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internship.infoskaters.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/08\/podcasting-for-business-growth-how-i-built-a-7-figure-business-while-staying-true-to-myself\/","title":{"rendered":"Podcasting for Business Growth: How I Built a 7-Figure Business While Staying True to Myself"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Creator Columns<\/strong>, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator<\/a> voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.<\/p>\n

Sometimes people start podcasts out of curiosity, the need to flex a creative muscle, or the drive to tell their story. But what happens after that initial experiment can be powerful: podcasting<\/a> can create transformative business growth and consistent profit.<\/p>\n

When people refer to podcasts as a \u2018hobby\u2019, they\u2019re missing so much about what they can do for the entrepreneur, creative, side-hustler, storyteller, and ideator. In fact, podcasts generated over $2 billion in ad revenue<\/a> in 2023 alone.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The power of podcasting is certainly not lost on me. What started with a nudge and a microphone from my older brother became an outlet for me during a very lonely season of entrepreneurship. It has also turned into the #1 thing I\u2019m known for, The Goal Digger Podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n

I pressed that \u2018record\u2019 button from the front seat of my car in my garage (so no one could hear the dogs barking in the house) and published my first few episodes. I felt like I was throwing a silly idea into the ether and hoping at least one person would listen to it. I didn\u2019t even consider the ways it would help grow and support my business.<\/p>\n

110+ million downloads over 800+ episodes later, I\u2019ve witnessed just what consistent podcasting can really<\/em> do.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive into the journey of what it looks like to go from that initial spark of curiosity and the publishing of your first few episodes to building a 7-figure business with podcasting.<\/p>\n

A quick spoiler here: This won\u2019t require burnout. It also doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll have to shift who you are, what you do, or become a totally different human to see success.<\/p>\n

Podcasting for Business Growth: How I Built a 7-Figure Business While Staying True to Myself<\/h2>\n

The Beginning of the Podcast Journey<\/h3>\n

Even though I was in the thick of running my photography business while getting my digital marketing business off the ground, I was apprehensive about starting a podcast. I joked about how no one wanted to hear my voice or learn from me!<\/p>\n

But I couldn\u2019t shake my curiosity. Then my brother gave me his old microphone and I felt like all my excuses had finally run out. What did I have to lose? So, I <\/em>started scared<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

I wouldn\u2019t consider myself tech-savvy, so in those first few episodes, I ditched the pro microphone and used my iPhone headphones and my reliable Midwest phone voice, following a light outline I\u2019d jotted down for myself with about six different rewrites. I was worried I would run out of things to say.<\/p>\n

Even after I finished recording, I couldn\u2019t bring myself to listen to it. I promised myself I would try. I didn\u2019t want myself<\/em> to get in the way of that.<\/p>\n

From there, I started recording in my coat closet (a nice step up from the car), learning my own flow and comfort behind the microphone. I challenged myself to start asking for audience questions on my Instagram and inviting them to come subscribe to the show with growing confidence.<\/p>\n

I sought out podcast guests and stayed consistent with my posting schedule. Eventually, I found a rhythm, building my show into what Goal Digger is today.<\/p>\n\n

It can be hard to know where you <\/strong>start<\/em><\/strong> with your own podcast. <\/strong>I felt a little lost in all the details when I first started too. I stressed about nailing the right intro and sign-off for longer than I\u2019d like to admit.<\/p>\n

Instead of copying anyone else\u2019s exact approach, what will help your podcast be something you like doing for 100 or 1000 episodes is to make sure it aligns with you<\/em>. And remember, you can change everything <\/em>as you learn and grow. You\u2019ll evolve (I sure did), so don\u2019t pressure yourself to get it right on episode one.<\/p>\n

Staying Authentic in a Sea of Noise<\/h3>\n

One thing that has stayed fairly unchanged from the beginning for me was who I wanted to <\/strong>be<\/em><\/strong> as a podcaster. <\/strong>I was determined to be me. I didn\u2019t want fluff or a show that felt like a time-waster. And I wanted my listeners to always know they were getting a genuine reflection of my personality and values. I have never shied away from the real talk.<\/p>\n

I have loved online learning for a long time, so I envisioned every episode of my podcast as an opportunity for my listeners to learn. Charting out my episode outlines was a lot like planning a free masterclass every week. I wanted the experts on my show to shine and be seen for who they really are, too.<\/p>\n

Eventually, I realized I wanted to share my own thoughts and insights, so I launched solo shows. I have expanded from sharing primarily about digital marketing and business to opening up about other aspects of my life, like seasons of navigating burnout, pivoting the business, motherhood, and loss.<\/p>\n

I wanted to have a better connection with my listeners (since a podcast can feel one-sided almost always.) So, I launched a Facebook group for my podcast listeners called Goal Digger Insiders<\/a>. That group is nearly 65,000 listeners strong.<\/p>\n

My community comes together to not only talk about what they\u2019re learning through the podcast, but they\u2019re also a huge resource for each other. Through years of feedback and the usual internet playground of friends and critics, I learned how to find a balance between listening to what my audience wanted more of and staying true to my voice and vision.<\/p>\n

Building a Podcasting Flow for Sustainable Business Success<\/h3>\n

As a busy entrepreneur, I knew I didn\u2019t want podcasting to become a tangled, logistical mess. I craved a creative outlet, not a dreaded commitment every week.<\/p>\n

Creating a process that fit into the flow of my week and worked well with my energy and schedule became a quick priority. I knew that juggling recording, scheduling guests, publishing episodes, social posting, and everything else could quickly burn me out.<\/p>\n

While my podcast started with just me, I eventually added one team member. This helped me keep the system I built running, evolving, and feeling like a fun challenge for us through the seasons.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only ever been just two people running it: me and my podcast producer who\u2019s literally managing the entire show. It\u2019s never been a big crew or a complicated production. I get to show up, talk into a mic, meet amazing people, and we get to share those episodes with the world. That was and still is the goal and that\u2019s why I created a simple system for us to follow.<\/p>\n

Podcasting for Business Growth and Evolution<\/h3>\n

While my core vision for Goal Digger hasn\u2019t changed over time, almost everything else has<\/em>. From our posting frequency to the kind of people I seek out as show guests to our branding, intro and outro, and the topics we cover!<\/p>\n

Rather than big, sweeping changes, we adapt in small ways as we go. I don\u2019t want to get stuck in a rut for so long that we fear change, so instead, we make it a habit to check in and make constant little tweaks to keep ourselves agile. On top of that, the small changes keep the work we\u2019re doing feeling fresh and exciting!<\/p>\n

Stay open to feedback<\/strong>, whether that\u2019s internally with your team, from your listenership, or even your gut telling you something isn\u2019t quite right. The way your show needs to evolve might not always be obvious or come from the latest podcasting stats. Your show might need to change in ways that are wholly unique to you. Maybe you\u2019ll be the first person ever to do what you do in your podcast!<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exciting, but you won\u2019t learn what that is if you don\u2019t listen<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And in that process, don\u2019t be afraid to try that new thing. Podcasting is and will always be primarily experimental. Trying new things is central to the kind of art form that podcasting is. If that new thing doesn’t work, I would still count that as a success for trying, learning, and pivoting.<\/p>\n

Avoiding Burnout and Maintaining Balance<\/h3>\n

Most of the 800+ episodes of Goal Digger were recorded in my messy closet. I didn\u2019t hit episode 100 and invest in a studio or pressure myself to change just because \u2018that\u2019s what success looks like.\u2019 I felt the success of my podcast through the data and impact on my listeners.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t want to waste energy trying to make my show look<\/em> successful<\/em> when I\u2019d rather funnel it into the episodes and conversations themselves. My energy is a valuable resource and I want to spend it where it really counts.<\/p>\n

While I love my podcast, it is still just one facet of my business as a whole, so it truly cannot take up all of my time. That\u2019s why creating a system is so important.<\/p>\n

I set boundaries around how and when I would record my show. I prioritized rest while carving out focused time to batch-record our episodes. I look at one month at a time and lean into what feels exciting for me in that month so that our content feels fresh, alive, and relevant to the time the episodes are being aired.<\/p>\n

Protecting my energy means I get to sit down and be in the right headspace every single time I hit the \u2018record\u2019 button. I feel present for my show guests and our conversations get to be genuine rather than rushed or jumbled. I am able to be mentally on track for my solo shows, which keeps me engaged. The more engaged I can be, the more confident I feel about every episode that goes live.<\/p>\n

My passion for podcasting can be protected and fostered by good boundaries around my time and energy. I get to show up, pour out, and walk away knowing we\u2019re creating something we\u2019re proud of every time.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not burdened or pressured by trying to do all the things<\/em>, which is actually what has allowed me to turn my podcasting idea into a major, profit-driving branch of my business. Boundaries are<\/em> what make room for success.<\/p>\n

Monetizing Your Podcast: Thinking Beyond Sponsorships<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to assume that sponsorships are the main way podcasts can profit, especially since as listeners, we\u2019re used to hearing a barrage of ads (depending on the podcast.)<\/p>\n

Sponsors are important and effective but don\u2019t have to be the only<\/em> way a podcast can monetize. I\u2019ve tested and tried several dozen ways of bringing in income through the podcast, and a handful have risen to the top as my trusted monetization strategies.<\/p>\n

You can leverage your podcast into a multitude of profit-generating channels.<\/p>\n

Talk about your own business offers (paid or free)<\/a> to turn your listeners into buyers, or at least email subscribers<\/a> you can sell to later.<\/p>\n

You can use affiliate links and codes<\/a> to generate income by talking about products and services you\u2019ve tested and love.<\/p>\n

You can launch a membership<\/a> or Patreon community where you share unique content that your listeners and fans can\u2019t get anywhere else.<\/p>\n

When it comes to monetizing, I recommend weaving two or more of these methods together so that the effort that goes into every episode has a multi-level payoff for you in the long run.<\/p>\n

As you build long-term consistency with your show, you\u2019re not just keeping your listeners happy, but you\u2019re establishing credibility, too. When other opportunities come knocking, you\u2019ll have your podcast to help show what you\u2019re really about.<\/p>\n

Your expertise can literally <\/em>speak for itself when you\u2019ve been leveraging it for hundreds of episodes over multiple years.<\/p>\n

Podcast Success Happens One Episode at a Time<\/h2>\n

Every time I sit down at my desk on a podcast recording day, I smile thinking about how I almost didn\u2019t start this show. I laugh because I can\u2019t believe I get to do this<\/em> as a job. I\u2019m relieved that this not only turned out to be a creative outlet for so many years but that it also became a chart-topping show.<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t have happened if I didn\u2019t publish episode 1. And then 2. And then 3. And it would\u2019ve fizzled out long before I saw success if I hadn\u2019t chosen to stay true to myself and my vision the whole way through!<\/p>\n

While the road may look long, I can say that all these years of podcasting felt far too quick. I often feel like I blink and we\u2019re another 100 episodes along, celebrating yet another milestone.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re at the starting line (or merely in the curious phase) of your own podcast, remember to keep celebrating your own milestones. That might mean buying your first microphone, finishing your first episode, getting your first review, or having your first podcast guest.<\/p>\n

Building your show to a 7-figure success or whatever \u2018success\u2019 authentically looks like for you takes time. It takes doing it<\/em> scared<\/em> sometimes. It takes commitment to the consistency. It takes protecting your boundaries, time, and energy so that you can keep moving forward.<\/p>\n

It means being intentional with who you work with, how you plan your \u2018system\u2019 for podcasting, and how you evolve. And it takes getting smart with how you layer your monetization so that your podcast can fuel your business \u2026 or become<\/em> your business.<\/p>\n

Can I help you turn your podcasting curiosity or existing show into podcast success<\/em> (with your own definition of success leading the way?)<\/p>\n

Check out my free podcasting masterclass, Podcasting 101: How to Start, Record, and Profit from Your Show<\/a>.<\/strong> In this free masterclass, I’ll show you how to start, grow, and monetize your show \u2014 no fancy tech or massive audience needed \u2014 so you can turn your passion into a powerful platform!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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