What I learned recording 200 podcasts [PMP #200]

Today I’m recording my 200th podcast episode. I started my podcast back in 2015 when I was still working full-time and I was trying to “make it” creating content and starting an internet business.

A lot has changed in that time but the podcast is one thing that’s remained pretty consistent. While the podcast numbers remain pretty steady, I enjoy showing up each week and sharing a thought or idea that may benefit a few people.

For this episode, I’d like to share a few of the lessons I’ve learned over the course of recording 200 episodes. Enjoy!

Don’t want to read this post? Listen to the podcast below:

1. The value of consistency

Whenever I get asked about the advice I’d give to someone starting a business from scratch, ‘consistency’ is a keyword I really like to use.

You’ve probably heard me (and others) share similar advice in the past but it really does make a difference. No matter what you’re trying to do, if you can show up every day/week to perform and deliver, you will reach your goal eventually.

When I started my podcast in May 2015 I had very few listeners and my business was barely even a thing. I made $95.57 that month, the same month that I started my podcast. At that time, I was still a year and a half away from making enough to justify quitting my job and running my business full-time.

When you start something, it takes a long time to get going. To build momentum. To see any progress. And this is why most people quit. But when you're consistent, you’re able to persist along that long, flat growth curve until you finally reach the point where the curve starts to incline.

And it’s not just about being consistent for my audience. I do it for myself as well. To this day, the podcast isn’t even a vital part of my business. I don't need to make this podcast to get clients or generate revenue. But I enjoy the process. I enjoy the consistency and the discipline it takes to produce something each week. Some weeks I have no idea what to produce. And this blog/podcast forces me to tap into my creative brain and come up with something valuable to say.

2. Don’t worry about the numbers

As I mentioned above, my podcast is not a smash hit. I’m pretty far from Joe Rogan status and that’s okay… I don’t make this podcast with the goal of growing huge numbers.

As I’ve shared before, one of the reasons I make the podcast is because it doesn’t take much effort. Each week I write a blog post (like the one you’re reading now) and that’s the part that takes most work. Once the podcast is done, it doesn’t take much extra effort to turn on the microphone and turn that same piece of content into a podcast episode

I’ve dabbled in sponsorships in the past but right now, I don’t have any advertisers on the show. So this keeps the process very easy to manage.

If I wanted, I could put a lot more effort into marketing and growing the show. I know this is something I could do better. But to be honest, I’m happy with the level I’m at right now. Growing the show would be cool but it doesn't bother me. I make the show because it’s fun, because it allows me to learn new technologies and because I like repurposing my content to be consumed in multiple ways.

So my takeaway here is that you don’t always have to do something to hit big numbers. You can choose to do something for whatever reason makes sense to you.

3. ‘Good enough’ is better than ‘not at all’

‘Good enough’ is better than ‘not at all’Click To Tweet

Customers of my How to become a “virtual consultant” program often ask me about how to start a YouTube channel, blog or podcast. A lot of people procrastinate from producing content because what they have to say or the quality of their content might not be good enough.

Let me make one thing clear. If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel, podcast or blog, your first piece of content is probably going to suck. And that’s okay.

When I look back at some of the early videos I make or podcasts I recorded, I physically cringe. The lighting is terrible, I was using my built-in MacBook camera and the whole thing screamed ‘amateur’.

But I don’t know a single creator that hasn’t had this same experience. It’s part of the process. In fact, it’s a right of passage.

Even now, I sometimes look at the things I produce and question whether they’re good enough. We can always do better.

The only way to improve is to be consistent (as mentioned before) and learn from every piece of content you create. The process will get easier, faster and the quality will improve. As long as you make a start, even if you think your content sucks, this is better than not starting at all.

I hope you find this useful. As always, please comment below with any thoughts, feedback or questions!