Podcasting Step By Step

We are human. We’re emotional beings, and sometimes we get swept up in the heat of the moment and our words don’t always line up with our intentions.   Before we podcast about it or tweet about it or email our list, pouring out our emotions. Pause. Write it out for yourself. Then reflect. Is this how you want people to see you? Is this reflective of your brand? Of your show’s goal? Of how you want to serve your audience?    How is your audience feeling right now, and how do you want them to feel after they listen to your show? How do you want them to feel when they think about you 10 years from now?   These feelings are your legacy. They are your brand.  Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration.  We can chat together in the comments and I have fab bonuses for paid subscribers. Or, you can read new posts for free.Live Without Borders S

Steve Stewart started listening to podcasts while driving around for his job as an internal auditor for the fast food chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. More than a salvation from boredom, Steve loved that he could learn from podcasts while he was at the wheel. Eventually he started his own show: Money Plan SOS and became known as THE podcast guy at FinCon, a conference “helping financial influencers and brands create better content, reach their audience, and make more money.” Soon, people from this conference started asking Steve for help with podcast editing, thus launching a podcast editing career Steve  fell in love with. In this episode, Steve talks about how he nurtured his podcast niche to build the podcast editing career of his dreams. Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration.  We can chat together in the comments and I have fab

The first time I attended a podcast conference, I left feeling kind of ‘meh. Don’t think I need to do this again.’    I realized later that I didn’t really think about what I wanted to get out of the podcast conference before I went. I knew I wanted to attend sessions and meet fellow podcasters, but I didn’t have a plan (I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of gal).    So...I asked my friend Steve Stewart, podcast editor extraordinaire and conference lover, to come on Podcasting Step by Step to discuss how we can get our money’s worth out of conferences, and not leave feeling like we’ve wasted our time.    Steve is hosting the first Podcast Editors Conference March 6! *** Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.    I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you

Special request: The podcast media host Blubrry is looking for nominees for Favorite Woman Podcaster.   I would love to spread the word about Podcasting Step by Step so I can help more people podcast.    If you feel I’ve helped you and I’m one of your favorite podcasters, I would appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, if you’d nominate me, Sarah Mikutel. Nominations close March 7, so you might as well head over there now before you forget :)   Go here

As someone who has podcasted from hostels, hotels, and bare-bones medieval apartments, I’m proof that you can record a quality podcast from anywhere. Want to take your show on the road? On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I walk you though my 5-step plan for recording while traveling.   Visit sarahmikutel.com for show notes, including on-the-road podcast equipment recommendations.   *** Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.    I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start

Today, you’ll learn how to create ads that people actually want to listen to, and that will motivate your listeners to buy. Because if you want to keep that sponsor you landed, you have to be able to demonstrate that you’re converting for them.   In this episode, my friend Lisa Orkin of Lisa Orkin Creative breaks down her storytelling formula for audio ads. You’ll learn how to: craft ads that keep people hooked  talk about benefits sound engaging and not scripted   Through her company Radio Ranch, Lisa has produced thousands of podcast and radio ads. She is also a podcaster and her latest show is called Project Woo Woo, which you’ll hear about.    I love Lisa’s playfulness and positive vibe. You’re going to get a ton of value out of this episode. Now onto my conversation with Lisa.    *** Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.   Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn

In March, I will be speaking at Podfest in Orlando, Florida,. I would love to see you there — and, you have the opportunity to attend the conference for free!! I’m giving away two tickets to Podcasting Step by Step listeners.   Enter to win by 4 p.m. (EST) Feb. 5, 2020   *** Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.   Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.    I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interview people who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. You’ll learn

The most profitable way to make money through podcasting, for most people, is to promote your own products and services on your show, and what’s a better business than an online course?   I’m an online learning addict. I love taking courses online and even created my own: Podcast Launch Academy.    My guest today is going to teach you how you can start your own online course, which you can use to sponsor your podcast.   Natalie Sisson is the author of the bestselling book The Suitcase Entrepreneur and The Freedom Plan. She’s also founder of the live training program: Launch Your Damn Course Accelerator, which begins it’s next round Jan. 27, 2020.   I interviewed Natalie about online courses for the Postcard Academy podcast, but thought you’d get a ton of value from it, because, as I said, being your own podcast sponsor and promoting your own business is a lot more financially rewarding than having other companies sponsor you.   Another reason that I love online courses is that they’re the best way to support

We all want to make it as easy as possible for people to discover our podcasts. So how can we make sure the search engines find us? How can we “optimize our podcasts?”    My guest today says that when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), we should be less concerned about the robots and more focused on people.    I’m speaking with Daniel J. Lewis, host of the Audacity to Podcast, on how we can integrate SEO tactics into our content in a human-centric way to serve and grow our audiences.    If you’re unsure what SEO tactics are, no worries, we will break this down for you in today’s episode. But essentially, SEO when done right, increases your visibility and gets your content in front of the right people.    Daniel is founder of the online course SEO for Podcasters, as well as the online community Podcaster’s Society, which is open to all podcasters after they’ve published their first episode.   *** Visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.   Ready to start your own show? Download m

Life is all fun and games when people are five-starring your podcast all over the place. But what happens when someone one-stars your show or leaves you a bad review in Apple Podcasts? Well, it feels bad, of course. But we can transform that negative energy from random haters into something that benefits us. Learn how in this episode (sarahmikutel.com for show notes) *** Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.   Ready to start your own show? Download my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.    I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. If you’d like to learn more about me, you can check out my other podcast, Postcard Academy travel podcast. This travel podcast is for the ‘experiences not things’ kind of person who believes travel goes deeper than a fantastic meal (though that is pretty great). Every week, I interv

Podcasting is a fantastic way to grow our brands and businesses, but you can podcast just for fun. In fact, no matter what the goal of your podcast is, podcasting shouldn’t feel like a burden, but it can if we fall out of alignment about our podcast’s purpose and start going through the motions of what we’re ‘supposed to do.’    My guest today has been podcasting as a form of self expression and discovery for years, and she shares experiences that can help us feel more comfortable exploring who we are and getting over the perfectionist roadblocks that hold us back.   Karly Nimmo has several successful podcasts under her belt, including Karlosophies. She’s a serial entrepreneur, a rebel, mad creator, connector and communicator who helps people stop playing the role of who they think they need to be, and express who they REALLY are to the world. And she does this through both podcast and life coaching, or guidance as she likes to say.   Karly recently ended one of her podcasts, Make Some Noise, after she felt l

How often do you listen to podcasts? Are you what Edison Research calls a ‘super listener?’ That is someone who listens to five or more hours of podcasts every week.    I definitely fall into that category. I listen to podcasts when I’m falling asleep, when I wake up, when I’m cooking, and almost always when I’m walking out the door. Are you the same way?   Is this healthy? The perfect way to always be learning? Or are we overdoing it, leaving no empty space for our minds to rest?   Something happened this summer that made me question my habits and how I interact with and experience the world. I recorded an audio diary about it, which I’ll share with you here.   But spoiler: We need to be more present in this world. More attuned to nature and each other, and that means sometimes we have to take off our headphones. *** You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!   Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast.   Ready to start your own show? Download my free gui

’Tis the season for gift ideas for podcasters. You’ll see lots of suggestions for mics and mixers, and while these are fun — who doesn’t love unwrapping something new and shiny during the holidays — I want to give you something even more valuable.     In a special episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I asked some of my favorite podcasters to share an audio gift with you: Their best podcasting advice.   I asked them to answer this question: “What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started out? What have you learned that’s made all the difference?”    Whether you’ve been podcasting for years, or haven’t launched yet, I know you will hear something in this episode that can improve your show and increase your love for podcasting.  From marketing to mindset, we’ve packed a lot in here.   Huge thanks to the podcasters who shared such brilliant words of wisdom in this episode. I subscribe to, and recommend, all of their shows, and encourage you to check them out. Links to their shows can be found

In case you haven’t heard, telling listeners to rate and review your podcast won’t help new people discover your show. And now get ready for some more podcast myth-busting with Rob Walch, Vice President of Podcaster Relations at Libsyn.   Rob joins me on Podcasting Step by Step to answer burning questions, including:  How many episodes should I launch with?  How long should my episodes be? How do I get into New and Noteworthy?  and so much more!   Fun fact: Rob hosted the first podcast about podcasting (Podcast411) and has been podcasting for 15 years.   If you haven’t launched your show yet and are looking for a podcast media host, I recommend Rob’s company, Libsyn. If you’d like to get the rest of this month free AND next month free, you can use my promo code POSTCARD when you sign up.Become a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and global exploration.  W

“If you found value in this episode, please leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts, it helps people discover the show.”   You hear that call to action at the end of so many podcasts, but do ratings and reviews really help people discover our show? On Podcasting Step by Step, I dig into the truth behind podcast ratings and reviews.    But first, if you haven’t launched your show yet and are looking for a podcast media host, I recommend Libsyn. That’s where I host this show, and they’re offering my listeners a special deal. If you’d like to get the rest of this month free AND next month free, use my promo code POSTCARD when you sign up with Libsyn.    if you’ve been getting a lot of value out of this podcast, and have listened to more than three episodes, please leave me a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. :DBecome a member of the Live Without Borders Community ❤️Let’s continue the conversation. Head on over to my blog on Substack for more on how to thrive through better communication, Stoicism, and glo

You might be wondering, “Is anyone listening to podcasts over Christmas? Will my show suffer if I don’t put out an episode on Thanksgiving?”   Yes, people are still listening to podcasts during the holidays. And because so many podcasters do take holiday breaks, if you publish an episode, it will have more space to shine.    But your show won’t suffer if you take a week off, and this might actually be a good idea.   To minimize stress, make a plan now about how you want to tackle podcasting during the holidays. In this episode, I give you five options to consider. (sarahmikutel.com for show notes).    *** You're invited to join the Podcasting Step by Step Facebook Group!   Also, visit sarahmikutel.com for more resources on how to podcast, including my free guide: “8 Mistakes New Podcasters Make and How to Fix Them.”    Looking for a podcast media host? Use my Libsyn affiliate code POSTCARD to get the rest of this month for free and next month free.    I’m your podcast launch consultant, Sarah Mikutel. I

*** Podcast Launch Academy is open for enrollment for a limited time *** If you’ve been wanting to start a podcast for awhile and are sick of struggling to figure it out on your own…   I invite you to join Podcast Launch Academy.    This online course will help you confidently launch your first podcast without the tech headache, overwhelm, or ‘where do I even start’ worries.   But it’s not just an online course. Podcast Launch Academy is an experience.    Because if you join this first class — which will close its doors at 11:59 p.m. EST on November 26, you’ll also get 2 months of free group coaching and mentorship from me.    Every week for seven weeks, you’ll get a new online session with video tutorials and action items that build upon each other. You’ll do your online work, and then later in the week, as a group, we’ll meet in our virtual classroom for coaching, Q&A, and workshops. And if you can’t make a live session, you can catch the recording.    By the end of Podcast Launch Academy, you’ll have 

You are cordially invited to a free, live podcast masterclass that I’m hosting next week

Last night I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Speak Up Storytelling, hosted by Matthew Dicks, who you heard on the How to Tell Better Stories on Your Podcast episode of this show, and he revealed a very hilarious secret. Hilarious now, but the story he told was something that he buried for a really long time (it involves an orange thong, awkward dancing, and McDonalds).   Matthew has won many many storytelling championships, authored several books, including Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling. And he’s got a new novel out: Twenty-one Truths About Love.   I asked Matthew if I could share his secret story with you and he said yes. I’m sharing it not only because listening to him is always a masterclass in great storytelling, but because I also want you to hear his commentary on how doing this thing that scared him set him free, he offers some really powerful realizations and takeaways.    We don’t have to reveal our deepest secrets or great

I'll jump right to the good stuff: This week I'm running a special giveaway. The prize? One lucky entrant will win access to Podcast Launch Academy, which will open its doors later in November. If you’ve been wanting to start a podcast for awhile, but fear of getting it wrong is keeping you silent, you are not going to want to miss this.    Enter to win a spot in Podcast Launch Academy.   This online course is the roadmap you’ve been waiting for to walk you through the exact steps you need to plan, launch, and grow a podcast that builds your brand and influence, connects you to your community, and shares your message with the world.    Now, I could have offered you a more generic prize, like an Amazon gift card, but anyone can offer you that. I know how important podcasting is to you, and I want my prize to be really beneficial to you. That’s what makes a great giveaway: Offering something really special that’s ideal for your ideal listener.    On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I’ll talk