The idea of podcasting has been floating around your mind for quite some time, but you’re always hesitating whenever you think about sitting down to record. The words perch on your tongue but seem to fizzle into the ether as soon as a microphone appears. Sound familiar?
There are a few reasons why you might be stopping yourself from starting your podcasting journey. Maybe you’re unsure what equipment would be best to use, or you’re not sure if you have time in the day to record, or maybe you’re worried that it won’t work out the way you envisioned. All of these what-ifs are what’s stopping you from podcasting. Don’t worry, though, we’re here to help you defeat the doubts!
Overwhelmed by Technology
We get it, there are dozens and dozens of equipment and software dedicated to podcasting. Of course, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is the right fit for you! Many beginner podcasters falsely believe that they need top-of-the-line recording equipment and editing software to just get started. It’s no secret that you don’t! Really, you just need a computer (or even a tablet) that’s capable of editing and a microphone that’s able to capture your voice.
You can use what’s already at your fingertips to start creating content. Plenty of podcasters, even currently well-known ones, started recording with whatever they could get their hands on. You don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars to share your voice with the world. But, if you’re looking for some recommendations, we do have a few in our blog post here (including free ones!)
Finding the Time
Time is a scarce commodity these days, so it’s understandable that it may cause some hesitancy. We always have something to do, whether that be work or relaxation, our time is valuable. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely impossible to find a bit of time in the day to dedicate to podcasting. Especially if it’s something that you’ve been wanting to do for a while!
The key to finding time is to be okay with small moments. As we covered in our blog post, How to Start Your Own Podcast, there’s more work than you might expect that goes into creating a podcast. Not only recording and editing, but planning, researching, and practicing play an essential role in crafting an amazing podcast. This isn’t meant to discourage, but rather, to help understand the small moments in your routine where you can spend time working on your podcast. During your commute, you could edit your script or practice what you want to say, or on weekends when you have a breather you could spend a few minutes editing aspects of your podcast. Sneaking time in your day to focus on your podcast can help you cross the finish line.
Nothing beats dedicated time, though. If you’re able to, then finding a set time each week to sit down and really focus will make a world of difference. Hobbies and projects require committed time in order to see the light of day. Each of us has time in our day for what we deem as important. Mark your podcast as one of those priorities!
The Perfect Fit
With a sea of other shows, it can seem intimidating to share your work. But no one else has your voice, your opinions, and your unique outlook on life. Many beginner podcasters can get stuck at this stage – what’s the right thing to talk about? There’s no magic answer for what topic to cover, but we can share a secret with you; pick something you love and just go from there.
You don’t need to find the perfect topic, the perfect artwork, the perfect words, you just need to find something you are passionate about and speak on it. Your sincerity will pour through your listeners’ speakers if you choose something you care about.
Julie Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, puts it, well, perfectly: “Perfectionism thrives on comparison and competition. It doesn’t know how to say, ‘Good try,’ or ‘Job well done.’ The critic does not believe in creative glee–or any glee at all, for that matter.” It can be all too easy to look at other podcasters and compare your work to theirs. And doing so can create quite a discouraging effect. It may even stop you from trying at all.
Fear of Failure
Perfectionism couples almost too well with the fear of failure. A major obstacle for podcasters, and many other types of creators, is the fear of failure. The fear that what they put into the world is not going to unfold in the way they want, in a way they perceive as “successful.”
However, reframing the idea of failure can combat the very idea of fear. You might have heard it said before, but it bears repeating, there is no such thing as failure. You had the courage to share your ideas with the rest of the world and that in itself is success. If what you created isn’t exactly as you had hoped, then treat it as the learning experience it is! You learned how to craft, record, edit, and market a podcast. Those are indispensable skills that can carry you on to your next project. Just because one idea didn’t work out the way you thought it would doesn’t mean the next one won’t! And even better, you have that whole experience under your belt. You’re not starting from square one anymore.
Failure is scary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re passionate about podcasting, about the topic you’ve chosen, and proud of the work you’ve done, then it’s anything but a failure!
Podcasting is a wonderful journey for those who choose to embark on it. Don’t stop yourself from being one! Challenge yourself and sign up today!
