Starting a Podcast? 5 Rules of Thumb to Know if You’re Ready!

Hey Friend!

Are you scared to start a podcast or wondering if podcasting could even work for you? Are you afraid no one would listen, that you wouldn’t know what to talk about… or maybe that you are safer just staying where you are?

Then this one is FOR YOU.

Today, I dig into 5 rules of thumb to help you know if it’s YOUR TIME. These are simple guidelines to help you get clear on the next steps and find the conviction to do the thing.

Pause me, pray. Grab a notebook and pen, and then let’s have a moment, sis.

I pray this blesses you.

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION:

(00:00):
Hello, friends! Welcome to another episode of the podcast! I am so excited that you are here with me today because we’re gonna be talking about five simple rules of thumb to know if you are ready to start a podcast.

This is for those of you who are, I’m scared, I don’t know, Stef.

(00:18):
I’ve thought about it. I’ve heard you share it. It sounds good, but I just still don’t know. And I’m still feeling really insecure. So I went through and I came up with five things that are going to tell you that now is the absolute time.

(00:35):
So we’re gonna be going through those. And before we do, I do wanna let you know, I wanna let you in on a little secret.

(00:42):
So in just, let’s see 1, 2, 3, four short days, I’m gonna be having a super incredible spring flash sale for you, guys, on Clarify Your Calling and Podcast Pro University, you’re gonna be able to save 20% off of any Stefanie Gass course.

(01:03):
This is gonna be for 48 hours only. I just wanted to give you a heads up that that’s coming in just a few short days. So you could figure out a way to make it happen.

(01:12):
If it’s been on your heart to get clarity on your calling so you could start that online business, you need the five-tier brand map built out from my Clarify Your Calling course, you really wanna know within the next 30 days.

What the heck you’ve been created to do so you can go out and use it to build that business, to get started with a know what you’re building, be super clear on your title, your tagline, your content pillars, et cetera.

(01:40):
Or you are clear, you’ve been through Clarify Your Calling and you’re ready to start the podcast. Well, this is the time to do it because PPU is going to be 20% off for 48 hours only. Where do you find out the details? Right here, on this podcast.

(01:57):
Also, if you’re on my email list, you’re gonna be the first to know, and you, guys can get on my email list at stefaniegass.com. And of course, head back here to the show on the 17th, to hear all the details and to grab your coupon code.

(03:12):
All right. So I know how it feels to be scared to start a new thing. Y’all, I just got back from Call Her Blessed.

That was our retreat that we did, my friend Chelsi and I, and we had 17 women there. And y’all, I was scared outta my mind 90% of the time.

(03:28):
It was so scary to do something that you’ve never done before. You don’t know how if it’s gonna work, if people are gonna like it. You don’t know if people are gonna listen.

(03:40):
You don’t know if people are gonna laugh at you, if they’re gonna be like, this is the worst podcast ever.

All these thoughts and fears are swirling around in your mind and in your heart and everything is telling you that it would just be easier to not do the thing, right?

(03:57):
It would just be so much easier to stay where you are and keep building the way that you’ve been taught that you should build.

But what I have so intensely discovered, believe me, after three and a half years of doing this business and after 10 and a half years of being a full-time entrepreneur.

Is that any time I am called to something that the fear is almost just a mask for excited anticipation of the unknown.

(04:30):
Now, we’re always gonna be scared of things that we don’t know.

We’re always gonna be afraid of things that we don’t know the outcome to every single time.

But until we do the thing, there’s no other way to push through the limiting beliefs about ourselves or the could I, should I, and everything that goes along with it.

(04:52):
So what I’m here to tell you is, it’s okay to be scared to start your podcast and to still start it. It’s actually normal. It’s actually expected.

And every single one of the people who have started a show that I have helped go through that process was also scared.

(05:12):
Every single one was nervous the first time that they clicked record, including me. So if we can do it, if all of my students can do it over 650 students can go through PPU and launch their shows so can you.

So now that we’ve gotten through the “I’m scared, Stef”, that conversation, PS fear is a liar.

(05:42):
Fear is not from God. So we have to keep that in mind as well. I just wanna have a heart to heart with you around if it’s time for you. So here are five rules of thumb to know if you’re actually ready.

(05:54):
And the answer’s not gonna be yes for all of you and that’s okay. Or maybe the answer’s gonna be, oh man, I should have done that a year ago for some of you. And that’s okay too.

(06:05):
So number one, the first way to know if you are ready to start a podcast is you’re sick of social media. You’re very tired of trying to build or start business using Instagram, using Facebook or TikTok or Twitter, or whatever the heck you are.

(06:27):
I don’t even know all the new ones cuz I’m old, but you’re tired of it. It’s the same game over and over again. And you feel like you can’t win no matter what you do, you don’t grow that much. There’s no conversion.

(06:42):
And it’s a game that you have to pay to play. It’s also a game that you have to hustle harder in order to get any visibility at all.

You spend hours coming up with content or editing reels and they just don’t end up making you any money.

(07:00):
At the end of the day, your bank account still looks pretty broke and you’re tired of that. So that’s the first thing to know like, Hey, I’m sick of trying to scale and build a business on somebody else’s terms.

(07:14):
And I’m really tired of hustling and showing up all the time. I want something that’s gonna be more evergreen. I want something that’s gonna work for me even when I’m not posting something 24 7.

(07:30):
Number two is you want to own your content? I think one of the biggest lessons that building a business that somebody else owned taught me after spending five years in the network marketing industry, was that something can be gone literally overnight that you do not own.

(07:53):
And I really learned my lesson the hard way I had all of my eggs in one basket. I only built my business on social media. So there was also that, and I didn’t own anything. I hadn’t built a personal brand anywhere that I owned.

(08:11):
And it left me absolutely broke all the money was gone, but it also left me starting over.

If I would’ve been smart and I would’ve been own owning my own content, even though I was building someone else’s business, those people could have still been in my audience.

(08:30):
They could have still known, trusted and loved me regardless of what I was going to do in the future.

And they would’ve come and moved over with me into whatever, my lives that I was teaching about conquering your fear as a working mom and all those pieces.

(08:46):
But I didn’t own my leads because I didn’t own my content. So, you know the importance of owning your own content and you believe that social media is not the way to do it and you’re open , you’re like, I think it might be podcasting.

(09:01):
I think having this other platform in the way that Stef teaches could be the way for me to really create this authenticity and trust with my people without having it live on someone else’s platform.

(09:17):
Number three, you love the idea of audio versus video. One of the biggest yes moments for me was after realizing, trying so hard to make video work. I really did, I was on social, I started a Youtube channel, you, guys, are welcome to go laugh at that anytime you please.

(09:38):
I was doing lives often in my Facebook group and it was just really not me. Just get weird on video. I feel like I’m performing in a way or being awkward. Hate putting on my makeup just for a video.

I really don’t enjoy that. And I also had little kids at the time, they were pretty little.

(10:06):
And so it was just unrealistic to be able to go live or do a video without getting interrupted. And I couldn’t pause it. I had to start all over or I had to edit a video, which takes literally hours. So, no thank you.

(10:21):
And this concept of podcasting for me was, oh man, I can show up and talk into this microphone. And right now, I am wearing my Kim K little comfies outfit. I have my slippers on and actually peeling off my fake nails as I talk to you.

(10:41):
I mean, truth bombs. My dog is laying next to me over here. And my kids are at soccer practice with their dad. This is life.

If I had to do a video right now, I’d have to be like putting on my makeup, changing my clothes, making sure the room is perfect.

(10:59):
I just wanted to record an authentic episode for you about starting a podcast. I came in here and I pressed record.

And if I wanted to go get a drink or I had to go to the restroom or my kids were home and they needed something, I would literally click pause. It’s that simple.

(11:14):
I’d come back, click record again and get started. So I love the idea of audio for myself. It just sounded so much easier and such a better fit for me. I’ve also realized that audio, it just allows me to really be me.

(11:31):
I can talk to you, guys, in a way that I don’t feel comfortable talking to you on video. There’s another level of vulnerability that it allows me to step into. And I don’t know what that is, but I’m super here for it.

(11:47):
Number four, your listener, your future listener, can you imagine? Somebody’s gonna listen to you do this. It’s so fun. Your listener, your future avatar listens to podcasts.

So as I thought about you, guys, my Lolas and I thought about starting the show.

(12:10):
I realized y’all are not up on YouTube tutorials, 24/7. You all are not reading a blog. You’re trying to do laundry and listen to a podcast.

You’re trying to do dishes and have your phone playing a podcast. You are listening to something as you are on a commute.

(12:30):
And so podcasting not only is better for me, but it’s actually better for you too. And that was this beautiful moment of oh, this is like a win-win. We’re having a ‘winner, winnner chicken dinner’ moment right now. She loves it. And I love it.

(12:51):
And then the fifth and final rule of thumb is that you do have direction on clarity.

I did not say you have absolute clarity on what you would do and what you would say and what your first 30 episodes would be and what your titles would be of your show.

(13:12):
No, I said, do you have a direction? All we need is a dream in your heart. That is all we need for you to get started. Why? Because I teach you guys how to take direction and turn it into something very tactical and tangible.

(13:33):
Cause Clarify Your Calling actually goes through and helps you build out the five tier brand map that is going to become your podcast. We go through title, we go through tagline of the show.

We go through the description of the show, the pillars, who’s gonna listen.

(13:54):
You actually walk away from that course with over 30 podcast topics, titles, and topics that you can start with. And you just come on over and plug that straight into Podcast Pro University, and you’re ready to go.

(14:08):
So what I want you to do if you’re like, I don’t know if I have direction, with your pen and paper right now, I want you to think if you could talk about anything on your future podcast, what would it be? I want you to write that down.

(14:26):
Next one, if you could help solve a problem on your podcast, what would you do? What would you talk about that solved a problem? How could you help someone else get a win? Write that down.

(14:43):
Next one. If you could talk about something that you’ve been through, that was hard for you, but you made it through to the other side, what would that be? And then last but not least, what were you Googling two to three years ago?

(15:06):
What search terms were you looking up? What podcast episodes were you trying to find solutions to in what it is that you now teach or what it is the direction that you now are walking in? Write that down.

(15:19):
Welcome to your 32nd brainstorm that is already getting your juices flowing around what your podcast could potentially start to look like. Now, what I want you to understand is if you said yes to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, it’s your time.

(15:41):
It is absolutely your time. One thing I wish I had done was start my podcast sooner because the podcast is what truly created the breakthrough for me. It is what brought in and the first thousand people into my community.

(15:59):
It’s what brought in the first 10 K month and then 20 K month and then huge, crazy size launches and has truly built this half a million dollar business.

I was gonna say multimillion, one day, simmer it down. This incredibly fruitful business from the show.

(16:20):
And the reason is that I am able to be super authentic and vulnerable with you and you trust me. You believe that I am the person that I say I am because we hang out together for hours every single week. How do you fake that?

(16:37):
And you believe in the content that I teach you. So you want to know more about me and you ultimately work with me. And so that’s what I want for you.

Now, the work with you and the spend money with you and the coaching with you, that stuff comes later.

(16:50):
Step one. You’ll never have any of that if you don’t start the show. Starting the podcast is the thing that you must do. And so you’re gonna push through your fear today and you’re gonna say yes to this pull and this tug.

(17:03):
And if you’ve been listening to me for any amount of time, you know that I truly feel convicted, that we are called to step up to the microphone.

And share the things, the trials, the experiences, the spiritual gifts, the vocational gifts, the things that we know, or we have been gifted with, or the ministry that we have, or the servant heart that we have.

(17:25):
And to step up and share that and spread that message and be that light.

Each of you has a responsibility to come to the table with what it’s what it is that you have and bless other people, teach other people, lead other people, minister, and pour into other people, whatever it is you do, it is needed.

(17:49):
I promise you, there is room at the table for you. There is room, and I want you to pull up a chair today. It’s your time?

Now, any of the things that you’re thinking right now, I don’t know what I would talk about, I don’t know what my title would be. I don’t know would listen. I’m not sure what their points are.

(18:09):
You’re gonna learn all of that in Clarify Your Calling. And remember, in a few short days, you’re gonna get 20% off starting on the 17th. So this is gonna be very simple.

(18:21):
You’re gonna start with Clarify Your Calling and during the sale, you’re also gonna grab Podcast Pro University because the other things you’re thinking are, I don’t know how to start a podcast, I don’t know the tech, how do I record? How do I edit, grow my show, build podcast art?

(18:38):
Where do I host my show? How long should they be? What are my first 30 episodes? Guys, all of that and so much more is included in my podcasting course, Podcast Pro University.

And you can get through both of those courses in about 45 days iIf you’re really intentional.

(19:00):
60 days would probably be a realistic expectation for a lot of you. But the beauty is you can go as fast or as slow as you need to go. These are self-study, they’re on your terms, but you are not alone.

(19:14):
You also get lifetime access into my Facebook communities, where you’re able to ask questions. I go live every month and answer all of your questions.

(19:25):
You have my team in there on a daily basis, making sure that you are having success. I have an entire student success team that is working every day to be sure that you get the support that you need, that you are not confused, that you are not struggling.

(19:42):
And that you see this process all the way through. And y’all, we have had so many success stories of people, women just like you, busy mama who has this small tug, this holy spirit nudge like ‘Hey, pst! Maybe you should do that’.

(20:00):
And they’re like me, Lord? I can’t do that. I am not a speaker. You don’t need to be a speaker. I am not an entrepreneur. You can learn to be an entrepreneur.

I don’t think anyone listen to me. Guaranteed, they will. Guaranteed, you have something to offer.

(20:15):
I’m an introvert. Perfect. That’s why podcasting has your name all over it. I am an introvert too. Believe it or not, but that’s why I love this so much.

I’m an introvert who can hang out in my little office all day and live my best life over here, but I can still people.

(20:31):
And when I wanna people, I have a community and it’s so cool. And if you’re an extrovert, this works so well because you build this beautiful community and you can go deeper with them because you own the content and you own the community.

(20:44):
And you start to cultivate and nurture and really take it to the next level. So, anyways, I just wanted to talk you through that because if it’s been on your heart to podcast, I want you to know that in a couple short days, that flash sale has your name all over it.

(21:02):
So spring flash sale kicking off on the 17th of March. That is a Thursday. That is just a couple days away. You’re gonna wanna get on the email list. stefaniegass.com. You’re gonna want to shoot us an email support@stefaniegass.com.

(21:18):
Or just put it on your calendar to come listen to the episode on Thursday, grab your coupon code and say yes to podcasting. It is time for you to push through the fear and step up to the mic. God bless you, friend. I’ll see you soon.