If you want to start a podcast, don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Follow these 6 steps and you can launch a podcast in 30 days.

The first thing you need to remember is patients.

FISH

Download numbers are is like a fishing stories. The fish in the story is always bigger than the actual fish.

Many podcasters twist the numbers and inflate their stats to make their downloads look better.

A podcaster might say, “I am getting 3,000 downloads.” That could be true.

It could also be true that our podcaster is doing a daily show that gets 100 downloads with each episode. When added together, the show had 3,000 downloads total last month.

The statistic is true, yet a bit misleading.

Here is the truth. The median number of downloads for an episode is 121.

Yes, not 1,210. One hundred twenty one.

First, a math refresher before the details. To calculate the median, you stack up all of the numbers smallest to largest. The one right in the middle is the median number.

This means 50% are higher and 50% are lower than the median number. It is the middle.

“The Feed” is the official podcast of podcast audio host Libsyn. Each month on the show, VP of Podcast Relations for Libsyn Rob Walch presents the actual numbers.

This data is based on active shows hosted on Libsyn released in the month of March 2021. Downloads are measured to the end of April 2021.

For the month of March 2021, according to Rob, the median number of downloads for an episode of an active podcast on Libsyn is 121 downloads.

This means if your podcast is getting 121 downloads, you are doing better than half of actively published podcasts on Libsyn.

For perspective, only 6.2% of the active shows are getting over 5,000 downloads during that period.

Getting 1,000 per episode would put you in the top 20%.

2,800 downloads would make you better than 90% of the active podcasts.

Only 5% of active shows get more than 6,600 downloads per episode.

Next time you compare yourself to another show, keep these numbers in mind.

6 STEPS TO START A PODCAST

There are 6 steps to launch your podcast. Those are purpose, program, platform, produce, promote, and profit.

Let’s take each of these one by one.

PURPOSE

Define your why. Without a strong why, it will be difficult to find the motivation to produce every week.

PROGRAM

Define your topic. Make sure it is something you can talk about for hours on end.

PLATFORM

What will be the structure of your podcast? You can choose interview, solo show, multiple hosts, magazine style or a variety of these. Then, develop a show clock.

PRODUCE

Record your show. Use Audacity (free) or Hindenburg (paid). Record your interviews with Zoom. Edit the audio, and export it as an .mp3. Post it on your audio host and website for your potential clients to enjoy.

PROMOTE

Don’t believe if you build it they will come. It doesn’t happen that way. Tell everyone about it. Find ways to get in front of new listeners.

PROFIT

Build a system to monetize your podcast. Use your podcast to build authority and relationships. Send your listeners to your e-mail list and nurture the relationship even further. Be sure you have something to sell.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The other important piece you need is an accountability partner. You’ve been wanting to start a podcast, but haven’t pulled the trigger.

Anne joined me in my Podcast Fast Blueprint program. She said she wanted to start a podcast for a long time. She just never pulled the trigger.

After going through the program and launching her show in 30 days, she finally accomplished her goal.

She said the program was so helpful. Anne just needed someone pushing her to get it across the line.

That is the power of accountability. Sometimes we have a desire to do something. We just need that accountability partner to help push us to get it done.

That’s what Podcast Fast Blueprint can do for you. Are you ready to launch your show? Would you like to see if Podcast Fast Blueprint makes sense for you?

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.