When I first started podcast consulting, I was convinced I could provide help to almost anyone in their podcasting journey. But over the years, I've realized that the clients I enjoy working with the most and who tend to seek me out most frequently are Creative Independent Podcasters.
And many of them don't even know they fall into that category — which makes sense, considering when most people hear, "I'm a podcaster," perhaps the idea of a tech bro talking head is the first image that comes to mind.
And while that unfortunate stereotype isn't far off from what some podcasters aspire to be, that didn't seem to be my client base or who I was writing about podcasting for.
Last year I sat down and decided to get really, truly clear on who I was writing and curating my blog and newsletter for and I listed all the adjectives I could to describe how I pictured my readers to embody. The ones that stood out the most and what I felt directly called to my purpose in podcasting was Creative & Independent.
So that's who I picture whenever I sit down to work on my newsletter or blog.
I’d like to think anyone who’s had the idea for a podcast that keeps nagging at them has the potential to be a Creative Independent Podcaster. I also believe that anyone who feels they can use their voice to help another human can be a Creative Independent Podcaster. I believe anyone who doesn’t mind hitting the ground running and enjoying the process of learning from their mistakes in order to hone their skills has what it takes to be a Creative Independent Podcaster.
You might be a Creative Independent Podcast if you take pride in your ability to learn to lean into your natural strengths, knowing they’ll work better for you long-term than any “get-rich-quick-or-burnout-trying” solutions you see from marketing bros and podcasting snake oil salespeople.
Creative doesn’t necessarily mean you know how to create some sick graphics in Canva or that you know how to cater your content to the will of whatever algorithm of your social media app of choice. Independent doesn’t mean you’ll refuse any type of sponsorship/advertising or refuse to consider joining a network. And Podcaster doesn’t even have to mean you’ve bought your microphone yet.
I related to being a Creative Independent Podcaster from the beginning of my own journey because I found podcasting to be one of the best open spaces for me to express myself creatively, even if I wasn’t on the mic or in the editing studio.
I’ve been able to hear stories I would never have heard before — AND FOR FREE, have I mentioned that awesome part?
Sometimes it disheartens me when I step into a classroom to talk about podcasting with students or into a conference room to give a Podcasting 101 talk and the very first question about 75% of the time is, “How do you make money with podcasting?”
Sigh.
And that sigh isn’t because I don’t like the idea of monetizing your podcast.
“As a podcasting mentor and consultant for Creative Independent Podcasters, my job is to help adjust your podcasting mindset so you’re less wrapped up in the numbers (they’ll drive you batty after too long, I promise) and help you get more focused on creative expression and reaching your podcasting goals — and if that includes monetization, that’s a perfectly valid goal!”
Maybe I’m becoming more cynical in my later-podcasting years, but I’m starting to get the idea that people think getting behind a microphone; building an audience; creating the marketing/branding assets and/or finding a competent team to do so; continuing to show up with consistent energy and giving your audience at least 90% of the best version of yourself on a regular basis in order to continue to build and nurture that following; understanding the technical components and how to get your podcast on podcast apps is easy. And getting a sponsor is going to be the part they need to worry about the most.
Here’s the great thing about being a Creative Independent Podcaster. You’re all those things first. You’re creating something that only you can put out into the world using YOUR voice, YOUR style, YOUR expertise, YOUR storytelling.
When it comes to independence, my clients sometimes ask me questions like, “How long should my show be? What should my call to action be?” There’s never a hard-and-fast rule for an answer. I find I’m constantly reminding them, “It’s YOUR show. What does YOUR audience want? And be sure to take into consideration what YOU have the capacity to do and show up for.”
I sometimes get the feeling people sign up for a Strategy Session hoping I’ll say something like, “Wow, that’s a swell idea for a podcast and you’re the perfect host! Get ready, kid, I can make you a STAR!”
But really, as a podcasting mentor and consultant for Creative Independent Podcasters, my job is to help adjust your podcasting mindset so you’re less wrapped up in the numbers (they’ll drive you batty after too long, I promise) and help you get more focused on creative expression and reaching your podcasting goals — and if that includes monetization, that's a perfectly valid goal!
I’ve worked with hundreds of creative independent podcasters, edited thousands of hours of podcasts since starting E Podcast Productions in 2018, and I'm the creator and host of the Webby-nominated podcast-turned-book, The Story Behind. I've seen first-hand the power of indie podcasters and what they can create when they let go of the idea there's just *one* right way to podcast.
I’ve watched over the years as big money and developers came into podcasting in full force (some with their beer and puppies) and many, many, MANY promises of “We’re going to be the Netflix of Podcasting!"
(Call me when a service comes along that will deliver CDs of my podcast to my mom who still doesn't know how to listen to it otherwise. Then maybe they can call themselves the "Netflix for Podcasting .")
But those who've stuck around know that it's not necessarily about finding or being the "next new thing," but it's more like a garden where everyone can make space to grow as themselves and enjoy the process of creating their own creative independent path.
If that sounds like you, I invite you to join my monthly newsletter mailing list. Once a month you'll receive my newsletter filled with creative inspiration, timesaving tips, and resources to help you on your podcasting journey, direct from your friendly neighborhood podcast editor/podcasting mentor and consultant.
And as always, Happy Podcasting! 🙂
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