Things No One Tells You About Starting a Podcast

Starting a podcast might sound simple, but there’s a lot that goes into it if you want to make your show sustainable and keep it running for the long haul. Here are a few important things that no one tells you when you start your podcast!

•All of my podcasts:

📼 My Playlist of Podcast Videos:

🎙 Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, my step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show!

💡 And I’ve also got The Podcaster Ideabook to help you develop the perfect concept for your podcast!

⏱ Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Tip 1: Your Audience Will Be Small
1:53 - Tip 2: Don’t Think About Monetization
3:22 - Tip 3: The Magic Number
5:08 - Tip 4: Your Listeners Are Dedicated
6:57 - Tip 5: Have Your Fill of Filler Words
10:07 - Bonus Tip: Podcasting Builds Life Skills!
10:30 - Get Started Podcasting Today

———————————————————————
Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

——————————— CONNECT ———————————
Instagram & Twitter: @sodarntom

—————————— SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ——————————

——————————— MUSIC ———————————

——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————

——————————— AUDIO GEAR ———————————

—————————— LIGHTS & SUPPORTS ——————————

———————————————————————
– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck. As a lifelong A/V nerd, I’m here to help you level up the audio and video quality of your streams, podcasts, puns, and videos. I was a high school Digital Media teacher for 11 years, and I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for digital media and teaching others while having fun along the way.

New videos are uploaded every Thursday morning, and more often when possible!

•Read my Ethics Statement about objective reviews, sponsored content, and brand partnerships:

———————————————————————
#podcasting
———————————————————————

Episode 266: Things No One Tells You About Starting a Podcast

[notlukebenson]

We do a weekly comedy podcast and two things I've learned:

1. Be kind to yourself. Some weeks will feel more funny / insightful / engaging than others. But don't block yourself from putting those out (unless it's utterly unusable). Done is better than perfect.

2. Be consistent. If you've made an agreement with your audience that you'll drop an episode every Monday or every third Sunday, make sure you do. Obviously life can get in the way but do your best to honour your agreement with your audience.

[GaryCantrell]

As a 14 year podcaster who’s produced somewhere in the neighborhood of 600-700 episodes, I can say all of this is SPOT ON! People have to set the correct expectations when launching a pod and i think this video is something that everyone should watch ahead of time!

[hotlineoperator]

I’m secretly happy that this channel doesn’t have a million followers, so I’m one of the few who gets to enjoy this great advice. Again, excellent episode from RODE guy.

[GrantDeFor]

The content and production quality of this video is so high! I can't believe this hasn't been seen by more eyes.
I have been podcasting with a group for over a year. This video is exceptionally accurate!

[theoutsiderjess]

If you're a beginner Podcaster don't expect people's to listen right away it will take time and you just gotta focus on creating better content for your podcast and slowly but surely the viewers will come

[HeatherMajors]

I started a podcast a couple years ago to get comfortable with audio editing. After about 6 episodes I did get tired of it and stopped. But Tom is correct, podcasting and teaching live classes have taught me to be hyper-aware of filler words. My flaw is not so much filler words but using the same transition words when switching topics. Work in progress :)

[elreym]

All this is very true. I currently have 3 podcasts. And we’ve been going since 2018 we have a fair amount of listeners but I just REALLY LIKE DOING IT. Its a lot of hard work but I love the subject matter and I love playing with audio gear. Just have fun with it!

When people ask about the podcast their first question is “Have you made any money?”

I’m not sure some people understand that the passion for it is the main reason. Money would be nice but that’s not why I started doing it. I wanted to make podcast(s) with my friends.

[otcindustries]

All this Hits hard. I have been Hosting and Producing Outside the Cinema for over 13 years and like 800 episodes. Like 10 years ago the numbers were killer and over time as more and more Celebs and personalities started podcasting it became harder and harder to get any type of ground. we are lucky to still have a good audience and still love doing it.

[MikeNardiTV]

Love this, "don't think about monetization" applies to SOOO many things, great tips Tom!

[RobertPlank]

Wow, this video really opened my eyes! I had no idea that most podcasts stop after just 7 episodes. It makes sense though, that initial excitement can fade. I also loved the point about not getting hung up on downloads. If you have even a few dedicated listeners, that's a big deal! Plus, the filler word tip is gold. I didn't realize how much those little words could stick with you. I'm definitely going to be more aware of them in my own talking. Thanks for sharing these insights, they're super helpful!

[yellingaboutstartrek]

These tips are super helpful! One tip
I found helpful was to just focus on getting an episode out and not dwelling on it being perfect. You can get better with every episode:) Great video!

[MysticInfusion]

Great video Tom. Thank you. Aside from the very relevant points you shared, I especially appreciate your natural demeanour, the clarity of your thought stream (yes, the lack of filler words), and your enthusiasm for the subject, Keep up your great work. 👍

[RafaelReyesJr]

I thinkk the single best tip I can give anyone from my experience is to have a list of show ideas/interviews planned out. I would say have at least 10 episodes drafted out so that you will have a steady stream of content. Especially if you plan to do a weekly show.

[mad]

So many years later and I still have problems with filler words. I had gotten really good about them when I was doing a podcast and a live stream (on ustream back in the day) weekly because I had lots of practice but when my schedule got too busy and I turned hosting over to someone else, I lost some of that. Now that I’m back to doing more on the mic, I feel like I’m going through the process again but I know eventually with more practice, it’ll improve.

[paulk.dicostanzo]

This is a starkly realistic appraisal of the reality for what podcast production entails. One that I would add since you brought it up is on the public speaking point. If you’re a strong and capable public speaker going into podcasting, you automatically assume getting behind the mic (for most pre recorded, non-live shows) is merely an extension of public speaking itself. While they’re certainly related skills with obvious commonalities to be sure, they’re are also extremely different. Getting behind the mic and broadcasting - even with a co-host(s) or guest(s) - is a completely different sensation. You don’t have that rapport and connection you build with a live, in person audience. That emotional symbiotic energy between presenter and crowd is absent. Even if you have a sizable number of listeners who download your show, when recording you’re playing essentially to an empty house. That is not an easy transition to make. It doesn’t drive your performance in-show the same way.

Moreover if you’re an audio-only show, many of your tools as a strong live public speaker cannot be deployed. Your listeners cannot see your body language, they cannot identify numerous secondary physical cues of you the host that communicate a multitude of critical things. Most importantly, they cannot read your face. You’re forced to assess and further your abilities with your voice alone, master the actual story you’re telling, and hopefully enhance that in post with good sound design and overall production quality.

I love podcasting, and I will do it well into my future. But at the end of the day for you strong public speakers out there: Nothing compares with the experience of getting up before a full house. Podcasting is a whole different grind.

[Ronniezim]

I’m doing my 50th podcast episode this week. It’s been a journey! Its been so cool to see the growth, but I’d do it if no one was listening and I think that’s the key to my consistency.

[gerrydebruijn]

So happy with this episode! I wondered for the longest time, how my podcast was doing. With an average of 80 downloads in the first 7 days, not to bad :-) I never knew. 34 episodes in and thoroughly enjoying it. Admitting we had a year break…Thanks for sharing.

[ChaseMountains]

This is fast becoming my favourite channel

[mojophonic]

Omg Tom, I had no idea you did a podcast! (Probably my bad for not reading... Doh). I subbed. You can never get enough Tom Buck enthusiasm (or dad jokes)!

[KixPanganiban]

Thanks Tom. I've been following you for a while for your mic and audio equipment reviews, and then I came across this episode of yours just as I started my new podcast and your thoughts and learnings are greatly appreciated!