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Sometimes people start podcasts out of curiosity, a need to showcase their creativity, or an urge to tell their story. But what happens after that first experiment can be powerful: Podcasting can lead to transformative business growth and consistent profits.
When people call podcasts a “hobby,” they miss so much about what they can do for entrepreneurs, creatives, side hustlers, storytellers, and idea generators. In fact, podcasts generated over $2 billion in advertising revenue in 2023 alone.
The power of podcasting is certainly not lost on me. What started with a push and a microphone from my older brother became an outlet for me during a very lonely time of entrepreneurship. It has also become the number 1 thing I am known for. The Goal Digger Podcast.
I hit the record button from the front seat of my car in my garage (so no one would hear the dogs barking in the house) and released my first few episodes. It felt like I was throwing a silly idea into the ether and hoping at least someone would hear it. I didn’t even think about how it would help grow and support my business.
More than 110 million downloads and more than 800 episodes later, I’ve seen what consistent podcasting can do Really Do.
Let’s dive into the journey of what it looks like to go from that initial spark of curiosity and publishing your first episodes to building a seven-figure business with podcasting.
Here’s a quick spoiler: This doesn’t require burnout. Nor does it mean that you have to change who you are, what you do, or become a completely different person in order to succeed.
Podcasting for Business Growth: How I Built a 7-Figure Business While Staying True to Myself
The beginning of the podcast journey
Even though I was in the middle of running my photography business while also launching my digital marketing business, I was apprehensive about starting a podcast. I joked that no one wanted to hear my voice or learn from me!
But I couldn’t shake my curiosity. Then my brother gave me his old microphone and I felt like there were finally no more excuses. What did I have to lose? So, I began to be afraid.
I wouldn’t consider myself tech-savvy, so for the first few episodes I skipped the pro microphone and instead used my iPhone headphones and my trusty Midwestern phone voice, following a simple outline that I wrote down to myself had, with about six different descriptions. I was afraid I would run out of words.
Even after I finished recording, I couldn’t bring myself to listen to it. I swore to myself that I would try. I didn’t want to I myself stand in the way of that.
From there I started recording in my dressing room (a nice step up from the car) and got to know my own flow and comfort behind the mic. I challenged myself to ask questions of the audience on my Instagram and, with growing confidence, invite them to subscribe to the show.
I looked for podcast guests and stuck to my publishing schedule. Eventually I found a rhythm and grew my show into what Goal Digger is today.
It can be difficult to know where you are start with your own podcast. I also felt a little lost in all the details at the beginning. I’ve struggled with finding the right intro and ending for longer than I’d like to admit.
Instead of copying someone else’s exact approach, you can make your podcast something you enjoy for 100 or 1000 episodes by making sure it’s consistent with them You. And remember: you can change everything as you learn and grow. You will evolve (I definitely did), so don’t put pressure on yourself to get everything right in the first episode.
Staying authentic in a sea of noise
One thing that remained pretty constant for me from the beginning was who I wanted to be Be as a podcaster. I was determined to be myself. I didn’t want fluff or a show that felt like a waste of time. And I always wanted my listeners to know that they were getting a true reflection of my personality and values. I have never shied away from the actual conversation.
I’ve long loved online learning, so I envisioned each episode of my podcast as an opportunity for my listeners to learn something. Creating my episode outlines was a lot like planning a weekly free masterclass. I wanted the experts on my show to shine and be seen for who they really are.
At some point I realized that I wanted to share my own thoughts and insights, so I started solo exhibitions. I have evolved from communicating primarily about digital marketing and business to being open about other aspects of my life, such as times overcoming burnout, refocusing business, motherhood and loss.
I wanted to have a better connection with my listeners (since a podcast can almost always feel one-sided). That’s why I have a Facebook group for my podcast listeners called ” Goal Digger Insider. This group includes almost 65,000 listeners.
Not only does my community come together to talk about what they learn through the podcast, but they are also a great resource for each other. Through years of feedback and the usual internet playground of friends and critics, I learned to find a balance between listening to what my audience wanted more and staying true to my voice and vision.
Building a podcasting flow for sustainable business success
As a busy entrepreneur, I knew podcasting wouldn’t become a logistical mess. I craved a creative outlet rather than a dreaded weekly commitment.
Creating a process that fit into the flow of my week and worked well with my energy and schedule quickly became a priority. I knew that juggling recording, scheduling guests, releasing episodes, posting on social media, and everything else could quickly exhaust me.
While my podcast initially consisted of just me, I eventually added a team member. This has helped keep the system I’ve built running, evolving, and feeling like a fun challenge for us as the seasons progress.
So far there have only been two people running it: me and my podcast producer, who literally manages the entire show. It was never a big crew or a complicated production. I get to show up, speak into a microphone, meet amazing people and we get to share these episodes with the world. That was and is the goal and that’s why I created a simple system that we can follow.
Podcasting for business growth and development
While my core vision for Goal Digger has remained almost unchanged over time everything else has. From our posting frequency, to the type of people I look for as show guests, to our branding, intro and outro, and the topics we cover!
Instead of making big, sweeping changes, we adapt in small steps over time. I don’t want to stay stuck in a rut for so long that we become afraid of change. So instead, we make it a habit to keep checking in and making constant small adjustments to keep ourselves agile. Plus, the small changes make the work we do feel fresh and exciting!
Stay open to feedbackbe it internally within your team, from your audience, or even from your gut feeling that something isn’t quite right. The way your show needs to evolve may not always be obvious or evident from the latest podcast statistics. Your show may need to change in a way that is unique to you. You might be the first person ever to do what you do in your podcast!
This is exciting, but if you don’t do it, you won’t learn what it is Hear.
And don’t be afraid to try something new. Podcasting is and remains primarily experimental. Trying new things is central to the art form of podcasting. If the new thing doesn’t work, I would still consider it a success of trying, learning and changing.
Avoid burnout and maintain balance
Most of Goal Digger’s 800+ episodes were recorded in my messy closet. I didn’t hit episode 100 and invest in a studio or pressure myself to change just because “that’s what success looks like.” I felt the success of my podcast through the data and the impact on my listeners.
I didn’t want to waste energy doing my show see successful when I would rather incorporate it into the episodes and conversations themselves. My energy is a valuable resource and I want to use it where it really counts.
Although I love my podcast, it is still only one aspect of my overall business and therefore cannot take up all of my time. This is why creating a system is so important.
I set boundaries on how and when I would record my show. I prioritized rest while also making dedicated time to batch record our episodes. I look at it one month at a time, based on what feels exciting to me that month, so that our content feels fresh, lively, and relevant to the time the episodes air.
When I protect my energy, I can sit down and be in the right headspace every time I hit the record button. I feel present for my show guests and our conversations become authentic instead of rushed or confused. I’m able to be mentally on track for my solo shows, which is what keeps me busy. The more engaged I can be, the more confident I feel with each episode that goes live.
My passion for podcasting can be protected and nurtured by good boundaries with my time and energy. I show up, pour something out and always walk away knowing we’re creating something we’re proud of.
We are not burdened or pressured by trying to do something all thingswhich has actually allowed me to turn my podcasting idea into a major, profitable branch of my business. Boundaries Are which creates space for success.
Monetizing your podcast: Think beyond sponsorships
It’s easy to assume that sponsorships are the main source of revenue for podcasts, especially since we as listeners are used to hearing a barrage of advertising (depending on the podcast).
Sponsors are important and effective, but they don’t have to be only How a podcast can make money. I’ve tested and tried several dozen ways to generate income from the podcast, and a handful of them have become my trusted monetization strategies.
You can use your podcast in a variety of profitable channels.
Talk about your own business offerings (paid or free) to turn your listeners into buyers, or at least send email subscribers you can later sell to.
You can use affiliate links and codes to generate income by talking about products and services you have tried and love.
You can start a membership or Patreon community where you share unique content that your listeners and fans can’t get anywhere else.
When it comes to monetization, I recommend tying two or more of these methods together so that the effort put into each episode pays off for you on multiple levels in the long run.
Building long-term consistency with your broadcast not only keeps your listeners happy, but also creates credibility. When other opportunities arise, you can use your podcast to show what you’re really about.
Your expertise can literally speak for themselves if you’ve used it for hundreds of episodes over several years.
The success of a podcast happens episode by episode
Every time I sit down at my desk on a podcast recording day, I smile and think about how I almost didn’t start this show. I laugh because I can’t believe I can do it The as a job. I’m relieved that not only was this a creative outlet for so many years, but that it also became a chart-topping show.
It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t released Episode 1. And then 2. And then 3. And it would have fizzled out long before my success if I hadn’t decided to stay true to myself and my vision all the way through!
Even though the road seems long, I can say that all these years of podcasting have felt way too fast. It often feels like I blink and it’s another 100 episodes and we’re celebrating another milestone.
If you’re at the starting line (or just in the curious phase) of your own podcast, remember to continue celebrating your own milestones. This could mean buying your first microphone, finishing your first episode, getting your first review, or having your first podcast guest.
It takes time to build your show into a seven-figure success, or whatever “success” authentically looks like to you. It takes time do it scared Sometimes. It requires commitment to consistency. You need to protect your boundaries, time and energy so you can keep moving forward.
It means making conscious decisions about who you work with, how you plan your podcasting “system,” and how you evolve. And you have to be smart about how you layer your monetization so that your podcast can boost your business… or become Your company.
Can I help you turn your podcasting curiosity or existing show into a podcast? Success (With your own definition of success as a pioneer?)
Check out my free podcasting masterclass. Podcasting 101: How to start your show, record it and profit from it. In this free masterclass, I’ll show you how to launch, grow and monetize your show – no fancy technology or large audience required – so you can turn your passion into a powerful platform!