Last year, I followed a path still uncharted in my life by becoming a podcaster. I had always listened to podcasts with a sense of admiration, appreciating the insightfulness and intimacy that these platforms offer. I knew with certainty that starting one was something I had to do one day. However, due to, as that oft-quoted statement goes… unforeseen circumstances, one day came sooner than my procrastinating self expected. I had lost my job, which gave me a lot of free time so with a whole lot of trepidation and unrealistic expectations, I embarked on my podcast journey. Capture The Thought was thus born. I won’t purport to have the most listened-to podcast in the world and there are some things I’m still figuring out but I have learned so much. I also come across aspiring podcasters who want to understand this medium more. So here is what I have learned so far;
Know why you are doing it
Don’t start a podcast for the sake of starting a podcast. This is probably one of the worst things you could do. As with many things in life, you need to understand why you are doing it and what you’re hoping to achieve from it. Some of the questions you need to ask yourself should include;
What am I trying to say/express/share?
Why do I need to say/express/share this?
What do I want my listeners to gain from it?
Why do I think podcasting is the best medium for this?
The answers to these questions feed into the vision and mission of your podcast. They will also keep you motivated when the process gets difficult which, unless you’re a podcasting sage, it undoubtedly will.
Get over yourself and do it
There is no better way to start a podcast than starting a podcast. Many aspiring podcasters’ eyes glaze wistfully as they long for that faraway country called, “when I am ready.” Readiness is not a feeling, it is intention. My only regret about starting my podcast is not doing it sooner. There is no denying that podcasting can seem quite intimidating or daunting to the inexperienced. You’re opening a part of yourself to the world which can be terrifying but if you hang in there it can also be incredibly rewarding. Taking small steps can lead to one episode, and taking even more small steps can lead to ten, so why not take the first step today?
To yourself be true
The word “authenticity” is probably one of the most over-used of the twenty-first century, however, we can’t avoid the fact that audiences are quite astute at detecting inauthentic content. Authenticity in podcasting begins by choosing a subject area that is close to your heart and extends to the tone. This doesn’t negate the need for compelling delivery. By all means, be creative but do so with honesty and genuineness. One thing that I have always been adamant about as a producer and presenter was that I wanted the show to be true to itself and I wanted to be true to myself. Anyone who knows me personally will readily admit that I’m not exactly a colourful personality. I’m vehemently opposed to the notion that a show and its presenters should be loud and bombastic to be engaging. The authentic and the impressive can co-exist.
Be prepared to play the long game
This is honestly still an area that I struggle with. Anyone who is looking for overnight fame and success should not get into podcasting. It often takes longer than you hope to build up a sizeable audience. I recall the founder and presenter of an insanely popular podcaster saying during an interview that it took 5 years for his podcast to blow up. As a young, eager podcaster anxiety arose within me when I heard that but I’m now a year in and I understand exactly what he meant. Granted, some podcasts achieve success in a relatively short space of time but if you’re not an established brand, or backed by one, and don’t have a lot of resources at your disposal, particularly those of the green variety, you may need to practice patience.
You can only get better
Your first episodes are always going to be your worst. If you listen to the first few episodes of Capture the Thought, the sound quality leaves much to be desired (pro tip: don’t record in a room with hard surfaces) and I was quite unsure as a presenter. I’m proud to say that I have improved with time. I’m also not afraid to admit that there is still more room for improvement. The key is to remind yourself that your podcast can be better and find out how. Use the resources you have the best way you can even if there may be few and not considered premium quality. Always be open to constructive criticism from your listeners and don’t let discouragement paralyse you. Also be concerned about every detail, from curating the episode topics to editing. Note that paying attention to every detail is not the same as doing everything. It simply means committing to delivering good quality content to your listeners.
Finally, one great thing about podcast platforms is that they are relatively accessible to both audiences and content creatives. It doesn’t take much to start a podcast nor does it take much to listen to it. Sometimes the biggest barriers we face are ourselves and our limiting beliefs. Be courageous, and take that step.
