Getting Out of Your Own Way: Finding the Courage to Podcast

Hey, it’s Dave Jackson. In this episode, I’m talking directly to those of you who want to start a podcast but feel paralyzed by fear, perfectionism, or that nagging voice telling you you’re not good enough. I share my personal tips for getting your content out of your head and into the world—without letting things like criticism or imperfect editing stop you.I start by reflecting on a post I saw on Reddit, where someone struggled with overthinking, fear of criticism, and worrying about making mistakes. This resonated with me because I've definitely felt the same way. I break down how I personally organize my thoughts: writing a blog post, reading it several times to get the overall message, and then distilling it into bullet points I riff on while recording—just like I’m talking to a friend across the desk.Do People Care About Ums?I address the big question: do people actually care if you ramble, or if your audio isn’t perfect? The truth is, people only care if you waste their time. An “um” here or there isn’t the problem—what matters is not losing their attention or making the show all about you with no lesson or value.It Doesn't Have to Be PerfectI also highlight the importance of starting small and being okay with imperfection. Your first episode won’t be as good as your tenth, and that’s totally normal. Focus on your audience and what they need to hear, rather than dwelling on your own fears. When your need to serve outweighs your fear of looking silly, you'll finally press record and publish.I Have A ColdI even recorded this episode while I had a cold—proof that you don’t have to be perfect to provide value! If you need feedback, consider joining a listener party at the School of Podcasting, where you can get constructive, uplifting advice on your episode before going live.If you want help or someone to listen to your work, visit schoolofpodcasting.com and use the coupon code "listener" for a discount. Thanks for joining me, and remember: don’t let perfectionism keep you from creating a truly great podcast. I’d love to see what happens when we work together.My WorkFlowThis is what works for me.:Write a blog.This helps me figure out what I'm trying to say and how I want people to feel.Read Your blog Three times.This helps you get it into your brain. Not to memorize, but to "get the gist of it." Do not cheat. read the whole thing from top to bottom three times.Boil it down to bullet pointsThis is the map to attempt to keep you on trackPress Record and Talk To Your FriendMuch like a phone call, press record and talk to the invisible person on the other side of your desk and "riff" on your bullet points.EditAnything that went off the rails too much, edit out. That starts with knowing who you are talking to.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

I'm back from Podfest, and today, I want to talk about a strategy that gets way more attention than it needs: When to publish your podcast episodes.Recently, while browsing Reddit, I spotted a question about the best time to post — specifically, whether 5:00 pm is a good time. The person wanted to launch a podcast focused on creepy stories and thought evening uploads would create the right mood. However, most advice online suggested otherwise, which led them to ask if evening uploads are uncommon, and whether others have succeeded with that schedule.The Magic of time ShiftingHere’s what I’ve learned over the years: I personally follow at least 30 podcasts, but only two of them matter to me in terms of their schedule, and that’s because they’re news shows. For those, I want the latest information right away. For everything else, it doesn’t matter when the episode drops. Thanks to apps like Pocket Casts, new episodes go to the top of my list, and I listen whenever I want.That’s one of the biggest perks of podcasting—it’s all about convenience for the listener. Most people aren’t refreshing their phone, waiting for your episode to appear. So you don’t need to obsess over the perfect release time, unless you have a news show or something that’s truly time-sensitive.Going the Extra MileIf you want to do a little extra homework, you could check out podcasts similar to yours. See when they publish, create a spreadsheet to spot days with less competition, and pick a time that works for you. But ultimately, the most important factor is finding a schedule that fits your life and allows you to be consistent.For example, I have one show I catch on Fridays just because that aligns with my grocery shopping routine—but that’s rare for most podcasts I listen to. Unless it’s a news-based format, when you publish has far less impact than you might think.So my advice: Don’t get hung up on the specifics. Pick a time that works for you, stick to it, and focus on delivering great content. Consistency in both schedule and quality matters far more than the exact day or hour you hit publish.Get Your Podcast Questions AnsweredIf you have more questions about podcasting, come join me at schoolofpodcasting.com. We’ve got step-by-step tutorials, an amazing community, and hours of consulting to help you succeed. I’m Dave Jackson, and I’m here to help you on your podcasting journey!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

In this episode, I tackled a common issue solo podcasters face: what do you do when you need to reference a stat, date, or chart on the fly while recording while on a LIVE STREAM? I discussed some typical options: pausing to Google it (which can break your momentum), guessing (and risk sounding uninformed), or flagging it for post-production fixes (which adds editing time).But I pointed out a missed option: coming prepared! If you do your research ahead of time, you can minimize disruptions when recording. However, I know that's not always possible—especially when recording live. For example, on my weekly live show, Ask the Podcast Coach, I answer spontaneous questions from the chat room, so I can't always be ready with every fact.When recording solo and I have a slip-up, I simply pause a few seconds to create a clear space in the audio. That pause makes it easy to spot and edit later. It’s a technique I use on all my solo recordings.For my live show, Ask the Podcast Coach (askthepodcastcoach.com/live), I prepare as much as possible, but also rely on interacting with the chat. If I need to look something up, I'll edit the audio version but leave the video as-is since YouTube doesn't allow file replacement.I also mentioned that preparation helps explain visuals for audio listeners, guiding them through what’s happening on screen. More planning always means less editing afterwards; if you wing it, expect more cleanup.Running a live show is a juggling act—managing the sound, levels, chat room, and next questions. Thankfully, I have a co-host to help. If you're on your own, consider whether going live is the best option given your current workflow.Finally, I shared some advice: practice any new tech or process before going live. Don't try something for the first time in front of an audience!Websites mentioned:Ask the Podcast CoachSchool of PodcastingIf you want help not “wetting your pants” on your first try, check out the School of Podcasting where you get access to me for consulting, a supportive community, and step-by-step courses.Thanks for listening—I'm here to help podcasters succeed!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

In this episode, I reveal the reality that starting a podcast—just like starting something challenging, like football—comes with a few bruises. I share how, no matter what you do, you can’t please everyone, and that's perfectly okay.I recount my own experience growing up, relating how being comfortable with myself, regardless of whether people liked me, set me up to handle audience feedback as a podcaster. I mention how, as a musician and fan, I observed that fans often love a band when they’re small and scrappy but sometimes move on once the band becomes more polished and successful. I explain that podcasting is much the same: as your show grows and improves, you might lose some early fans but connect with new ones too.I tell the story of my friend, Jim Harold, who hosts the Paranormal Podcast. Despite working hard to improve his studio, add video, and upgrade his setup, some listeners complained it looked “too professional,” even though most of us strive to look and sound our best. I also mention the experiences of YouTubers Colin and Samir, who received harsh comments as their show became more successful.Handling FeedbackI reassure you that it’s normal for people to not like changes—or even to just not like you and your show. The key is to remember your target audience; if constructive feedback comes from them and makes sense, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, it’s okay to ignore the noise.I discuss how feedback—from the right people—offers a huge opportunity to improve. But at the same time, any change you make (adding a co-host, new music, more episodes) will always please some and upset others. Most importantly, you’ve got to enjoy making your podcast, because if you don’t, you’ll likely burn out and quit.Thanks for joining me! If you’d like help with your podcasting journey, visit schoolofpodcasting.com/join and use coupon code LISTENR to save on your subscription.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Making your podcast better isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about engaging your audience right from the start. Think about the great sitcoms we all know and love—Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers. They all had something to grab our attention immediately. It’s like when you tune in to see what hilarious thing Jerry is going to say or how Joey is going to mess up this time. The key takeaway? Hook your listeners before you hit them with the ads.You Monetize an AudienceSure, we all need to make a buck, but drowning your audience in pre-roll ads will probably send them clicking away faster than you can say 'next episode.' Instead, sprinkle in the ads after you've given them a reason to stay. This way, they’re invested enough to endure a few promos. After all, nobody tuned in to hear about a new brand of socks—they came for the laughs or the insights. So, start strong, keep it relevant, and remember: nobody's Joe Rogan, so don’t act like you can throw endless ads at your audience and keep them around. They’ll just take a hard pass and move on to something more entertaining.How Many is Too Many Ads?On the flip side, let’s chat about ads. We all know they’re a necessary evil in the podcasting world, but there’s a fine line between making a living and making your audience feel like they’re watching a commercial marathon.Take a look at the Hallmark Channel—32% of their airtime is ads when I watched one of their Christmas movies.. That’s not just a little excessive; that’s a full-on assault on our patience.Aim for around 10% ad time in your episodes. If you’re doing an hour-long show, 6 to 10 minutes of ads sprinkled throughout isn’t too much to ask. But please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t start your show with a three-minute ad block. You’ll have listeners fast-forwarding to the good stuff and wondering if they accidentally clicked on a commercial instead of a podcast.Remember, the best way to monetize is to sell your own stuff or create premium content. It’s way easier to get one person to buy a coffee than to chase thousands of downloads.So, to wrap it up, if you want to keep your podcast thriving and your audience engaged, think like a sitcom writer. Get them hooked, keep the ads reasonable, and leverage your unique content to build a loyal audience.I’m Dave Jackson, your podcast consultant, and I’ve been helping podcasters find their voice for over 20 years. Join me at schoolofpodcasting.com to take your show from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’!Links referenced in this episode:profitfromyourpodcast.comschoolofpodcasting.comMentioned in this episode:Want to Podcast But Not Sure Where To Start?I've got you covered with a FREE Podcast Launch Checklist that walks you through the whole process IN THE RIGHT ORDER. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklistPodcast Launch ChecklistThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

In today’s episode, I answer the question: “Should I use Substack for my newsletter or something like Kit (formerly Convertkit)?” I explain that Substack is a good fit for people who primarily want to share their thoughts or report news to an audience, especially writers and journalists. You can set a premium price for subscribers, though Substack takes a percentage of your earnings.SubstackSubstack is a newsletter-first publishing platform built around simple creation and monetization of written content. It lets creators publish posts that go both to an email inbox and a web page, with built-in tools for paid subscriptions and community engagement (comments, chat, Notes).Kit (formerly Converkit)Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is an email-marketing platform designed for creators who want more control over audience relationships, automation, and monetization — not just basic newsletters. It includes advanced segmentation, automation workflows, and tools for selling digital products alongside newsletters.Growing Your ListI talk about the low conversion rate for newsletter signups—typically only 3-5% of your audience might subscribe, and having a strong lead magnet helps increase that number.Personally, I use my newsletter in a hybrid way: I share my thoughts on podcasting, updates on my latest content, things that have caught my eye, and a call to check out the School of Podcasting. However, if your main goal is marketing, Substack isn’t the best choice. Tools like Kit, MailerLite, and Beehiv are better for things like automated sequences, lead magnets, and selling advertising.I also discuss how some platforms—like Riverside and Kajabi—offer podcast hosting, but I don’t recommend using services that aren’t specifically built for podcast hosting. If you’re considering a platform, always check if they offer important tools like 301 redirects for your podcast feed.Got More Questions?In summary, if you just want to inform and connect with your audience, Substack is an easy and free option. If you want to do marketing or advanced list-building, platforms like Kit or MailerLite are better suited.If you need help with any of this, don’t hesitate to reach out or join the School of Podcasting, where you’ll find step-by-step courses, consulting, and a supportive community.This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Hey there, it’s Dave Jackson, and in this episode, I'm exploring what we, as podcasters and content creators, can learn from none other than Barbra Streisand—specifically, the infamous "Streisand effect." What Does It Mean?If you've ever wondered what that term means, I break down the story behind it, starting with a 2003 lawsuit involving her Malibu home and how trying to hide something can actually make it go viral.Be Careful What You Try to "Ban"I share my own experiences dealing with promotion in podcasting, including the challenges that come with companies making big promises about starting your podcast and, yes, my mixed feelings about Spotify’s practices in the early days. I also talk about how, as much as we sometimes want to warn our audiences loudly about something, we might end up giving it more attention than it deserves.You’ll hear a few stories from my past, like the time with Podshow and an NDA, and what I've learned about arguing with trolls or competitors. Bottom line: sometimes pushing back just amplifies the thing you’re trying to keep quiet!As always, if you need help with your podcast, I’d love to work with you. Head over to schoolofpodcasting.com/start and use the coupon code “listener” for a special deal. Can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!Thanks for listening!Mentioned in this episode:Want to Podcast But Not Sure Where To Start?I've got you covered with a FREE Podcast Launch Checklist that walks you through the whole process IN THE RIGHT ORDER. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklistPodcast Launch ChecklistThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

In this episode, I get into the impact of taking an extended break from podcasting and how it affects your show’s growth, audience engagement, and completion rates. Here are the main takeaways:I discuss a situation where a podcast grew to 500 downloads per episode but lost half its audience after taking a year-long break. Even with improved audio quality and more polished episodes after returning, both downloads and completion rates suffered.Consistency is key. I emphasize how taking long breaks can significantly set you back, comparing it to putting your finger in a leaky bucket – once you take it out, the water (your audience) drains away.Switching to a biweekly episode schedule can help maintain consistency if that’s all you can manage with your workload, but it may slow growth.If you notice completion rates dropping, it’s a sign something may not connect with your current content. Sometimes we’re too close to our own work, so getting outside feedback is crucial.I suggest finding a friend or colleague who matches your target audience to get honest feedback on your episodes.Numbers don’t lie! Data can reveal hard truths that help you improve.If you need help starting, growing, or monetizing your podcast, I offer consulting at School of Podcasting. Use the coupon code listener for a discount!You can also check out Podcast Hot Seat, which currently includes a Black Friday deal with a free month at the School of Podcasting.If you’re looking for feedback, growth strategies, or just a friendly ear that understands the journey – I’m here to help! Let’s see what we can accomplish together.URLs mentioned:School of Podcasting (Coupon Code: listener)Podcast Hot SeatThanks for listening! I can’t wait to help you take your podcast to the next level.Mentioned in this episode:Get Your Show GrowingI once had a typo in the name of my show. I didn't see it. I'm too close. Your show may have some things that need polish. Get an objective overview at www.podcasthostseat.com AND get a free month at the School of PodcastingPodcas Hot SeatThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

The struggle is real when you're launching a podcast aimed at answering listener questions, but you can't even get your mom to tune in. I tackle this conundrum with a blend of sarcasm and genuine advice, emphasizing that while it might feel like you're shouting into the void, there are ways to build that listener base. I suggest simple strategies like inviting friends and family to send in questions or creating fake ones to maintain the illusion of engagement. I also touch on the importance of persistence and creativity in building a connection with potential listeners. It's a lighthearted yet insightful look at the early days of podcasting, reminding us that every popular show started somewhere, often with a few awkward moments along the way.Takeaways: Launching a podcast with no listeners means you gotta get creative with listener questions. It's totally fine to pretend you have questions from imaginary friends to fill the void. Use your website to encourage questions and make it sound like you're super popular. Engage your cousin or friends to send in questions, because why not? Links referenced in this episode:podcastconsultant.comschoolofpodcasting.comLeave a Voicemail!Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Hey there, it’s Dave Jackson, and in this episode I’m revising the challenge of naming your podcast—a topic I haven’t covered since 2019! I share a simple test I use for show names: I tell people the name and ask what they think it’s about. If their answer matches my content, I know I’m on the right track.I talk about how it’s tempting to get cute with names (like “The Dugout” for a baseball show), but if you skip keywords like “baseball,” your show might not appear in searches. If you want a clever name, adding a clear tagline can help.I also cover practical tips like making sure your podcast name is easy to say and spell. I learned the hard way when I called a show “Podcast FastPass”—it was tricky to pronounce and easily confused. And be wary of names with tricky spellings or multiple possible formats (like “2” vs “two,” or double S’s).Don’t forget to check if your domain is available—I usually try for a .com, but if that’s taken, I recommend adding “show,” “radio,” or “cast” to get a unique domain. And of course, Google your proposed name to see if someone else is already using it.In this episode, I also mention two tools to help brainstorm names: one from PodPage, and a new one from Buzzsprout.Podpage Podcast Name Generatorhttps://www.podpage.com/podcast-name-generator/Buzzsprout Podcast Name Generatorhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/podcast-name-generatorNeed Help With Your Podcast?If you’re stuck on names or need help moving forward, come visit me at schoolofpodcasting.com! I’ve got tutorials, a supportive community, and consulting to help you succeed.Let’s create something great together!Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy