So You Want a Podcast? Broadcast Your Healing Message
What I Love About Podcasting
With my creative expression in the throat chakra as a manifesting generator, I get a lot of joy out of producing my podcast. I do all the editing, SEO optimization, writing show notes and promotion myself. I chose to do it this way so I can take my time and protect my creative passion around doing it. If I wanted it to be highly profitable in a short amount of time, I would need to be actively seeking sponsorships right now and that's just not high enough on my list of priorities but it might be on yours.
I want to share with you what I have learned about podcasting so far, what I like and what I find challenging. Just like everything in the online space, things change constantly. Adaptability as a healer goes a long way toward success! In this section, I will take you step by step through what you need to effectively create a podcast. First of all, you need a way to record yourself talking about healing or whatever important message you have to get out to the world.
Broadcast Your Voice
The first thing you need is a way to record your voice. I began using the GarageBand app on my MacBookPro laptop and I outsourced the editing and producing until I learned how to do it myself. I used a company called Upwork to get bids on podcast production and I also used Upwork to find a Wordpress savvy computer person to design the back end of my website.
I paid a lot less by using Upwork and I outsourced tasks I had absolutely no idea how to do so I could learn how to do these things and then decide if it was worth my time to add these tasks into my life.
What I want you to understand at this point in the training is this: if you are a healer with multiple certifications and trainings, your time is more valuable and you are worth so much. Make sure the new things you learn to do bring you joy and if they don't, DELEGATE and outsource through a company like UpWork. https://www.upwork.com
I also had help from a friend with a great deal of experience with UpWork who helped with vetting professionals who had reasonable rates for the tasks I needed to accomplish.
In the beginning of making your podcast, I suggest you start small and hit record on an app you can learn reasonably well, like Garage Band, if you are an Apple customer. I do not recommend using Anchor on your phone and I'll explain why later.
If you want a one stop set up that is a substantial investment on the front end but then everything is taken care of for you, I highly recommend my hosting company Blubrry. I honestly could not have started a podcast on my own if it wasn't for the team at Blubrry. They have been so great to me! They are accessible with such a connected, human touch and they will do everything from empower you to do it yourself to take care of every detail for you and I LOVE them! Check out their services here:
http://publish.blubrry.com/monetize/affiliate.php
This is my personal affiliate link above, if you choose to let Blubrry host your podcast for $20 a month.
Another excellent resource for support that isn't too big of an investment is Danielle LaPorte's online course for podcasters:
*Danielle also has some excellent coaching training programs that I really love. She was my first inspiration for taking my services online and I love her so much. I hope you enjoy being inspired by Danielle as much as I do. Check out her authenticity in the online space:
https://www.daniellelaporte.com
The Bare Necessities to Begin Your Podcast
Your going to see a lot of podcast programs that want you to pay them a lot of money to show you how to set up a podcast. The truth is, you need very little investment on the front end to start your own show. I have done it as bare bones as possible because I had other irons in the fire at the same time and I wanted the podcast to be my creative expression, on my own terms.
I'm going to list out for you what you absolutely have to spend money on and what can wait unitl you're generating some revenue.
You need:
HOSTING (I use Blubrry and it costs around $20/month for one podcast show.) Do not use free platforms like Anchor. Pay for solid hosting and own your RSS feed. You need to know right from the start what your RSS feed is and how to protect it, so read this article to find out more about hosting, too. https://blubrry.com/manual/syndicating-your-podcast-rss-feeds/own-your-podcast-rss-feed/
Here's a helpful article from my friends at Blubrry on how to start your own podcast. You can get a LOT of support from them when you pay the $20/monthly hosting fee. I suggest you start with that investment first, before buying a course in podcasting.
https://blubrry.com/manual/starting-your-show/
LAPTOP, Software & USB Mic (I started with GarageBand on my computer and then I graduated over time to better technology.) There is nothing wrong with recording your episodes on your computer. USB mics are not the greatest sound quality, but its your CONTENT that matters the most. Some of my favorite podcast shows use USB mics. Here are some recommendations for your first purchases. You do have to purchase recording software if you are not using GarageBand on an Apple device. Please note: find the latest software available in the year you begin to podcast. The most up-to-date software changes all the time, so here's the current list at the time of writing this. I will say I like LogicPro just as well as GarageBand, if you are using a Mac. I have used them both and like them.
https://www.podcastinsights.com/best-podcast-recording-software/
When it comes to microphones, I have purchased quite a few and wasted a lot of money on mics, I admit. I am going to give you a company suggestion rather than a product since it took me a long time to find the microphone that works best for my needs. If you contact Sweetwater and explain your current set up, they can make a mic recommendation for you that makes the most sense, depending on your other equipment. I actually have a real human I interact with at Sweetwater and I can even give you his direct number. His name is Josh Lively and he will care for you above and beyond what any other podcast equipment company can offer. Sweetwater changed me from an intimidated non-tech person and turned me into a gear head. Check them out:
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/best-gear-podcasting/
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT (You will need a way to spread the word and let people know what you are talking about on your show, but you do not have to have a presence on every platform out there. If you try to begin being present in every "neighborhood" you will get burnt out and there's no sense in dong that to yourself.
Pick the one social platform that feels best to you. Rock that ONE platform and be consistent with it for one year and see what happens.
BASIC WORDPRESS WEBSITE Wait unit you are up and running before investing in a fancy website or fancy equipment! You do not need to spend a lot of time on your Wordpress site, but you will need a simple Wordpress site with plug-ins for Blubrry and I can refer you to people who will help you with this!
My Podcasting Set-Up
Here's what I'm using now and I can't say enough good things about this piece of equipment that is an entire sound studio in one easy to use piece of gear:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RodecasterPro--rode-rodecaster-pro-podcast-production-studio
My advice: If you know for sure you want to do podcasting full force and with quality audio, go ahead and invest in this piece of equipment. You will not be sorry!
While you're at it, buy the microphone that goes with the mixer which is created by the same company:
This is the microphone I have and I wish I had bought a Rodecaster. I love this microphone, but it's a bit more powerful than I actually need: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM7B--shure-sm7b-cardioid-dynamic-vocal-microphone
In this little Instagram Reel, you can see how simple and low maintenance my podcast studio set up truly is, but it can sound like a huge recording studio!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CMupB6ljS_1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
And if you are ready to monetize your podcast through sponsorship, set an intention to attract affiliate companies and sponsors who are aligned with your mission and values. You can use the same process we have practiced for energetically calling in your clients. You don't have to sell out in order to make your podcast work, you can create conscious community and sacred commerce as you go!
Tim Ferris does podcast monetization better than anyone I know AND I have discovered lots of purpose driven companies through his podcasts. Here's a supportive podcast to get you started:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymiBDged-eQ
The book Sacred Commerce by Matthew and Terces Engleheart was written before the age of affiliate marketing, but I think the principles of consciousness in business apply now more than ever. This is one of my very favorite books on spirituality and money. What a beautiful way to make a living! https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Commerce-Business-Path-Awakening/dp/1556437293
Remember above all else, you are a HEALER first. Being a podcaster and content creator is way down the list when your heart has a mission to help and heal and we use all these technical tools to help the world.
0 comments