52. One Year of Go Get Great: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting A Podcast
- Brittany Miller
- Apr 2, 2024
- 16 min read
Updated: Nov 29
Join me in celebrating one year of Go Get Great!
When I first thought about starting a podcast, I imagined a quick setup, a microphone, a catchy name, and then—boom—listeners. That mental image was pretty, well, optimistic. After a year of running Go Get Great, I’ve learned that starting a podcast is doable and not nearly as technically scary as I feared, but it’s also a long-term creative commitment with a surprising number of moving parts. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, this post will walk you through everything I wish I’d known before I launched: the practical steps, the real time commitment, what to plan for, how to find guests, how podcasts can help your SEO, what numbers matter, and how to make the whole thing sustainable for a small business owner juggling other priorities.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
How I structure an episode—and why format matters when starting a podcast
How I repurpose podcast content (and why you should plan for this when starting a podcast)
How to get people to listen: marketing tips I learned the hard way
What analytics actually matter when you’re starting a podcast
Monetization: when starting a podcast becomes a revenue channel
Final thoughts on starting a podcast (my encouragement to you)
Why I Decided to Start a Podcast (and why you might too)
I’m a person who loves the written word. For years, I built my business around social media, email marketing, and blog content. So the idea of starting a podcast felt foreign — and honestly a little intimidating. But one day, while chatting with a friend at McDonald’s and watching our kids play, I decided to just try it. I gave myself a six-month trial period: if I didn’t like it, I’d stop. Well, six months turned into a year, and I’ve learned more than I expected.
If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, you’re probably doing it for a few of the same reasons I did: to build authority, to create content that can be repurposed across channels, to grow an audience that trusts you, and to experiment with a medium that lets you share longer, deeper conversations than social posts or short videos typically allow. Connection wise, podcasts can feel intimate—people invite you into their ears and into their routines. That intimacy builds a different kind of relationship than a post or a reel does. But it also requires consistency, strategy, and a willingness to show up week after week.
The biggest misconception about starting a podcast
When I tell people about starting a podcast, the first question is almost always: “Isn’t that super complicated?” I thought setup would be the biggest hurdle too. Turns out, it’s not. The technical setup is relatively simple: choose a name, pick a hosting platform, get a microphone, and publish your first episode. You can have everything set up and a first episode published in a week if you focus.
Where the real complexity lies is in the ongoing work. After you get past the initial setup, maintaining the show—planning episodes, recording, editing, posting, promoting—takes steady time and mental energy. If you’re starting a podcast and expecting setup to be the hard part, be prepared to be surprised. The hard part is running it consistently over months and years.
What the actual time investment looks like
One of the clearest lessons from my first year is this: starting a podcast is like taking on a second mini-business. That doesn’t mean it can’t be worth it, but it does mean it takes time. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what production looked like for me:
Recording time: I tend to record longer episodes—often 45 minutes to an hour—especially when I have guests. A solo episode might be shorter, but I usually take time to include useful takeaways and practical steps.
Prep time: I write outlines and questions, gather resources, and plan my talking points. If I don’t prepare, conversations wander off-topic and the episode loses structure. Prep can take 30–90 minutes depending on the episode.
Editing and post-production: I don’t do this part myself—my partner Grayson handles most editing—but it still consumes time. For a one-hour raw recording, the editing, clipping, and post work usually take him 2–3 hours.
Repurposing and promotion: Creating social media clips, pull quotes, show notes, blog posts, and email copy to promote the episode is where another chunk of time goes. That could be another 1–3 hours depending on how detailed I get.
Admin tasks: Scheduling guests, sending them prep emails, managing episode files, and handling technical uploads all add up. This is not glamorous, but it’s necessary.
All told, if I didn’t have support, I would easily spend 3–5 hours per week on my podcast. With Grayson’s help, it’s less on my plate, but still a meaningful weekly commitment. If you’re starting a podcast and plan to do everything alone, be honest about whether you can carve out that time consistently.
How I structure an episode—and why format matters when starting a podcast
When I launched, I relied heavily on interviews because I wasn't sure what I could say for a solo episode. Interview episodes are great because they’re easy to produce and offer fresh perspectives, bput I learned that relying solely on guest interviews can make it harder to showcase your services or your voice. Over time I shifted to an alternating cadence: one solo episode, one guest episode. That strategy helps people get to know me while still leveraging the value guests bring.
Here are a few format choices to consider when starting a podcast:
Interview-only: Great for building credibility quickly and sharing diverse voices, but can make self-promotion trickier.
Solo-only: Easier to manage scheduling-wise and perfect for teaching, but you’ll need content ideas each episode.
Hybrid (my approach): Alternating solo and interview episodes gives you the best of both worlds: consistent teaching and relationship-building with guests.
Short-form vs long-form: Episodes can be 10–20 minutes or 60+ minutes. Longer episodes are great for deep dives; shorter episodes are easier to produce and easier for listeners to fit into their schedules.
When you’re starting a podcast, decide your format early. It will make planning easier and help you find the rhythms that fit your life and audience.
Finding guests: easier than you might think
If the thought of finding guests makes you nervous, breathe easy. In my experience, asking is the simplest and most effective strategy. A direct, friendly message—“Would you like to be a guest on my podcast?”—gets a lot of yeses. People love the exposure, and podcast interviews are mutually beneficial marketing opportunities.
Strategies that worked for me when starting a podcast and booking guests:
Direct outreach: DM folks in your network, send personalized emails, and be clear about what you want to talk about and what value the episode will bring to their audience.
Guest application or booking form: Once you get traction, a simple booking form saves time and organizes scheduling info and topics in advance.
Leverage communities: Post in Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or niche forums asking for guests with expertise in certain topics.
Repurpose your clients: Your clients can be fantastic guests because they already know your work and their appearance can spotlight both of your businesses.
Guest swaps: Offer to be a guest on someone else’s show in exchange for them appearing on yours—win-win promotion.
Podcast guesting services: you can use online services like Podmatch to connect with podcast hosts looking for guests.
Don’t overthink guest outreach when starting a podcast. Most people are flattered and willing to help, especially if you’re clear about time, expectations, and what they’ll get out of the episode.
How I repurpose podcast content (and why you should plan for this when starting a podcast)
One of the most valuable parts of starting a podcast is the amount of content you can repurpose. A single hour-long episode yields:
Short audio clips for social media
Quote graphics for Instagram and Pinterest
Transcriptions or blog posts for SEO
An email newsletter featuring highlights and linking to the episode
Make a plan for repurposing when you’re starting a podcast and it can be the majority of your marketing plan. Record with repurposing in mind: ask guests for short, quotable answers, and note timestamps where content is especially shareable so you or your editor can easily clip it later. The more you bake repurposing into your workflow, the more mileage you’ll get from each episode without reinventing the wheel.
Editing and post-production: what I outsource and why
Let’s be honest: editing is tedious. I record and then hand everything over to Grayson, who edits, pulls clips, and prepares social media assets. For us, outsourcing editing was a game-changer in freeing up my time for client work and strategic growth. If you’re starting a podcast, consider whether you want to learn editing software or hire someone (like us 😉). Editing takes time and a specific skill set—cleaning up pauses, removing background noise, adding music, and leveling audio. If you want a polished sounding show, editing is worth the investment.
If you plan to outsource, think about:
Turnaround times (how long will editing take?)
Deliverables (Do you want full edits, social clips, show notes, time codes?)
Costs (editing services vary; weigh this against your budget)
When I was starting a podcast, I underestimated how much the quality of editing affects perceived credibility. Invest in editing if you want your show to reflect the professionalism of your brand.
How to get people to listen: marketing tips I learned the hard way
Traffic doesn’t just appear because you launched a podcast. Starting a podcast means committing to marketing it, the same way you’d market a course or a product. Here are the tactics that helped me grow, slowly but steadily:
Email marketing: Sending an episode to your email list consistently creates predictable spikes in listens. I notice a clear uptick every time I send an episode email.
Social promotion: Share short clips, pull quotes, and video snippets on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. People need multiple touchpoints before they’ll subscribe.
Paid ads: I experimented with Facebook ads to promote episodes and grew my audience more quickly during those campaigns. Paid promotion can fast-track growth when you have a clear target audience.
Cross-promotion: Ask guests to promote their episode to their network. A guest who shares an episode can bring meaningful new listeners to your show.
Podcast SEO: Optimize episode titles and show notes for keywords. Podcast directories and Google can surface episodes if you make them easy to search for.
When you’re starting a podcast, think of each episode as another content asset in your marketing mix. The promotion is what turns episodes into audience growth, not just the act of publishing.
Using podcast content to improve your website SEO
Podcasts can help your SEO—but only if you use them strategically. I switched my site to feature episode blog posts with full show notes and transcriptions because I wanted to build SEO-driven pages around each episode. That required more work than just embedding audio, but the trade-off is that each episode becomes its own URL and potential search entry point.
Some practical SEO tactics to use when starting a podcast:
Create a blog post for each episode with a descriptive title that includes the episode topic and your keyword (if relevant).
Include a full transcription or detailed show notes. Search engines need text to index—audio alone won’t cut it.
Optimize meta titles and descriptions for each episode page.
Use internal linking to related blog posts, services, or resources to keep visitors on your site and increase authority.
Pin episodes to Pinterest or other platforms that can generate referral traffic.
The reality is, podcasting alone won’t magically flood your site with traffic. But as part of a consistent SEO and content strategy, it can be a valuable pillar that accumulates momentum over time. Check out this blog post to learn more about blogging SEO.
What analytics actually matter when you’re starting a podcast
Numbers can be frustrating. I learned that not all analytics are created equal, and some podcast platforms give more reliable data than others. I had a period where Apple Analytics stopped reporting correctly, which was confusing and stressful. If you’re starting a podcast, pick a reliable host and tracking platform and be consistent about where you look for metrics.
Here are the metrics I watch and why:
Downloads/listens per episode: The basic measure of how many people engage with an episode. Track trends over time more than obsession over a single number.
Listener retention: How long people listen within the episode. High drop-off rates can indicate your content or episode length needs adjustment.
Subscriber growth: Slow and steady growth in subscribers is a better signal than a one-off spike from paid ads.
Traffic to episode pages: If you post episodes as blog posts, track page views and time on page. This gives you direct website impact from the podcast.
Actionable conversions: Signups, downloads, or purchases linked to an episode are the clearest indicators that your podcast is driving business results.
When starting a podcast, set realistic benchmarks. Early on, expect small numbers. For me, a few dozen engaged listeners per episode was a realistic starting point. Focus on improving those numbers consistently by refining topics, format, and promotion.
Monetization: when starting a podcast becomes a revenue channel
I launched my podcast without expecting it to generate immediate revenue. Over time, I started noticing clients who found me because of episodes. That indirect revenue is real, but it’s not instant. If you want a podcast to be a direct revenue channel, be strategic:
Create episodes that lead into a specific offer (course, coaching, service).
Use solo episodes to teach something valuable and finish with a clear call to action.
Build an email list through episode bonuses and incentives so you can market offers to engaged listeners.
Consider sponsorships and ad reads once you have a consistent audience—this often requires significant download numbers.
Starting a podcast can help with sales and lead generation, but it’s usually a medium- to long-term play. Be patient and intentional about how each episode supports your business goals.
Common mistakes I made (so you don’t have to repeat them)
Here are a few tangible mistakes I made when starting a podcast and how I fixed them:
Underestimating promotion: I assumed episodes would find listeners organically. They don’t. Promote every episode via email, social, and paid ads when possible.
Not sending guests prep info consistently: I often forgot to email guests with questions and podcast style notes. Now I keep a template so every guest knows what to expect.
Ignoring SEO initially: Embedding audio alone didn’t help organic search. I switched to creating episode blog posts and started seeing better long-term growth.
Being inconsistent about format: I experimented a lot early on. Now I stick to a predictable cadence so listeners know what to expect.
Not tracking the right numbers: I had reporting gaps that made decisions harder. Pick a platform and track the metrics that align with your goals.
My current podcasting strategy (what I do now)
After one year of test-and-learn, my approach is more intentional. Here’s the playbook I follow for content and consistency now that I’ve learned the hard lessons of starting a podcast:
Cadence: Alternate solo episodes and guest interviews weekly. That balance helps listeners know what to expect and gives me a chance to promote my services.
Topic planning: I plan quarterly themes tied to business launches—email marketing episodes when I’m launching an email course, for example.
Promotion: Every episode gets promoted in an email, on social media with multiple formats, and on the episode page that’s optimized for SEO.
Repurposing: I create short clips, quotes, and a blog post/transcription for each episode.
Outsourcing: I outsource editing and clip creation so I can focus on content and business growth.
If you’re starting a podcast, having a plan like this will save you from feeling scattered. You can start small and scale each part as you go.
Practical checklist for starting a podcast (step-by-step)
Here’s a straightforward checklist I wish I had when I was starting a podcast. Use it as a template you can adapt to your needs:
Pick your podcast name and confirm it’s available on social platforms and podcast directories.
Choose a hosting platform (Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Anchor, etc.).
Buy or access a reliable microphone (USB mics are great for beginners).
Decide your format: interview, solo, or hybrid; long or short-form episodes.
Create episode templates: intro, segments, call to action, and outro.
Set up a simple booking system for guests (Google Form or Calendly).
Create a guest prep email template with topics, tech tips, and expectations.
Record a few episodes before launch so you can publish consistently.
Choose your cover art and write a compelling podcast description with keywords.
Submit to directories (Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts) through your host.
Plan promotion: email template, social assets, and paid ad strategy if you plan to run ads.
Decide on post-production: who edits, clips, and uploads the episodes?
Set measurement goals and pick metrics you’ll track each month.
Starting a podcast becomes a lot more manageable when you break it down into these steps. My “Ready, Set, Podcast!” checklist was modeled on many of these items because preparation makes consistency possible. 👇🏻
How I measure success after starting a podcast
Success looks different depending on your goals. For me, success includes:
Consistent publishing cadence (I aim for weekly episodes).
Gradual growth in listeners and subscribers.
Listener engagement—emails, DMs, and social shares related to episodes.
Leads and clients who find me because of the podcast.
Personal satisfaction and enjoyment from hosting conversations I care about.
When you’re starting a podcast, define success metrics early. Are you focused on downloads, leads, SEO, or personal fulfillment? That focus will guide your content choices and promotion strategy.
Practical tips to stay consistent when starting a podcast
Consistency is the biggest challenge. Here are practical systems I use to stay on track after starting a podcast:
Batch record: When possible, record multiple episodes in a single session. It makes scheduling and editing easier.
Templates: Use episode templates for show notes, guest emails, and promotion to save time.
Outsource smartly: Hire an editor or VA for repetitive tasks so you can focus on content and strategy.
Plan ahead: Keep an episode ideas list and quarterly content themes tied to business launches.
Be realistic: If weekly is too ambitious, choose a schedule you can sustain—biweekly or monthly is fine.
How to handle fear and imposter syndrome when starting a podcast
I felt nervous in my first few episodes: careful, scripted, and more interview-constrained than I wanted to be. Over time, my voice loosened. If you’re starting a podcast and feel imposter syndrome, here are a few reminders that helped me:
People tune in for authenticity, not perfection. A conversational tone often resonates more than polished scripting.
Practice helps. The more episodes you record, the more natural and confident you’ll sound.
Invite guests whose expertise complements yours—this makes conversations richer and takes pressure off you to know everything.
Keep short-form episodes if long ones feel overwhelming at first. You can expand as confidence grows.
FAQ — Common questions I get about starting a podcast
How long does it really take to launch when starting a podcast?
Technically, you can record and publish your first episode in a week if you dedicate the time. However, preparing a few episodes, setting up hosting, creating cover art, and building a promotion plan often takes 2–4 weeks. If you’re starting a podcast while running a business, plan realistically for prep and promotion time.
Do I need expensive equipment when starting a podcast?
No. You can start with an affordable USB microphone and a quiet room. As you grow, you can invest in better mics, pop filters, and audio interfaces. Good editing can also significantly improve audio quality without expensive gear upfront.
Should I start with interviews or solo episodes?
Both formats work. Interviews can help you publish easily and introduce variety, while solo episodes are perfect for teaching and promoting your services. I recommend a hybrid approach—alternating solo and guest episodes—to balance audience growth and personal brand building.
How do I find guests when starting a podcast?
Start by asking people in your network, posting in relevant groups, and inviting clients or collaborators. A direct message that explains the topic and what they’ll get from the episode often works. Over time, you can add a booking form to streamline guest intake.
Will starting a podcast help my business right away?
Usually not immediately. Podcasts are a medium- to long-term marketing strategy. You might see indirect benefits (like clients finding you after an episode), but consistent publishing, promotion, and SEO integration are needed to build measurable business impact.
Can I run ads to grow my podcast when starting out?
Yes. Paid ads can accelerate audience growth if you have a clear target and a compelling value proposition. I experimented with Facebook ads and saw faster growth during campaigns. Ads are an investment—test small and iterate. If you're brand new to running ads I'd listen to this podcast first.
How should I measure progress after starting a podcast?
Track downloads per episode, subscriber growth, listener retention, website traffic to episode pages, and conversions tied to episodes (email signups or sales). Pick a few metrics to watch consistently and use them to make content and promotion decisions.
Is starting a podcast worth it for a small business?
Yes, if you have the time and a strategy. A podcast creates an owned content channel that builds trust and authority. It requires consistency and promotion, but many small businesses find it a valuable long-term asset for audience growth and lead generation.
What I’ll do differently in year two of podcasting
Looking ahead, I’m refining my approach. If you’re starting a podcast, maybe these ideas will help you too:
Plan episodes further in advance and align them with product launches and marketing campaigns.
Invest more in SEO from the beginning, publishing each episode as a detailed blog post or transcription.
Systematize guest communications with templates so nothing falls through the cracks.
Test a few paid promotion experiments with clearer conversion goals to better measure ROI.
Explore monetization pathways more intentionally—affiliate deals, sponsorships, or bundled offers for listeners.
Final thoughts on starting a podcast (my encouragement to you)
If you’re on the fence about starting a podcast, my single piece of advice is this: start small but start. The setup isn’t the scary part—it’s the commitment to showing up that really matters. Be realistic about the time you can invest. Decide what success looks like for you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help—editing, clip creation, and admin tasks can all be outsourced so you can focus on conversations and strategy.
Podcasting is a long game. Over my first year of starting a podcast, I’ve grown as a host, improved my content systems, and begun to see the ways episodes support my business. It’s been messy, fun, and incredibly educational. If you decide to start a podcast, plan for the weekly work, build a simple process, and remember why you wanted to begin in the first place: to share value, connect with people, and build something that lasts.
Thanks for spending time with me through this long reflection on starting a podcast. I hope my year of learning makes the path ahead clearer for you. If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: the technical parts of launching a show are easier than you think, but the ongoing commitment and promotion are where the real work — and the real rewards — live. Go get great, and if you do start a podcast, I’ll be cheering you on.
Want to be a guest?
If you’re interested in being on Go Get Great, I’d love to have you. The guest application is in my episode show notes and I’m always looking for thoughtful conversations about business, marketing, motherhood, and the small things that make entrepreneurship possible. Starting a podcast opened doors for me to meet incredible people—and I hope it will for you too.
Episode References
Ready, Set, Podcast! Your Step-by-Step Checklist to Launch Your Podcast Quickly & Confidently (FREE DOWNLOAD)
Come say hi!
Ready to level up your life and business taking it from good to great? Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
00:00 Intro
2:00 Looking back on a year of podcasting
3:40 Tips for podcasting pt. 1
6:00 Podcast production time
13:15 Tips for podcasting pt. 2
18:30 Marketing your podcast
25:50 Summary
27:20 Wrap up
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