This series is all about showcasing Libsyn podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!
Q & A with Darlene from Inspired Entrepreneur’s Guide Podcast
When did you start podcasting?
I started podcasting in May, 2008.
Why did you start podcasting?
At the time, I was looking for different ways to market myself online and do something completely different than what others were doing in my industry (Virtual Assistance).
I decided to give podcasting a try. Embarrassingly enough, my first episode was recorded on a Playstation 1 USB microphone!
The following year, my first podcast, A Virtual Perception, was nominated for a Podcast Award in the best business category and then once more in 2010.
I did not win either time. But it was a huge honor. I am or maybe better yet, I can be painfully shy, podcasting opened so many doors for me. It boosted my confidence and I formed (and continue to do so) long-lasting friendships with my podcast guests. Not to mention that it did help with my business marketing.
People found me because of my podcast. What started on a whim as a business tool turned into something more. A love for podcasting was born.
What’s your show about?
My current show, The Inspired Entrepreneur’s Guide, aims to inspire want-to-be entrepreneurs to take that first step in starting their business or motivate veteran entrepreneurs that may be in a funk to do something about it.
It’s based on an e-book I wrote (by the same name), that encourages the reader to stop dreaming, to believe in themselves and just do it! My podcast features inspiring interviews with entrepreneurs who share their stories and offer expert advice.
Inspired Entrepreneur’s Guide is the podcast that encourages listeners to stop dreaming and start doing.
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
To record interviews I use Skype with Pamela Recorder or sometimes a conference call-line.
I have a mixer and Heil PR40 Microphone for recording my segments. I use Audacity to edit and export. Then upload to Auphonic to normalize, level sounds. Once the entire podcast is produced, I upload to Libsyn to host the file. Then, I embed the audio file into my Squarespace website.
How have you promoted your podcast?
I promote my podcast via social networks and banner ads, currently. In the past I’ve also placed ads promoting the show in industry related magazines, being featured in newsletters, etc.
I plan on continuing to follow those same methods with Inspired Entrepreneur’s Guide, as it worked very well for me with podcast numero uno!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Oh gosh, where do I even begin?
I seriously began my podcasting career by flying by the seat of my pants. I had no idea what I was doing.
Despite this fact, I picked up a sponsor within a week of launching. I did not have any social networking plans, a real logo. Nada. In addition, I knew absolutely nothing about stats or tracking!
Back in 2008, I hosted my audio files on my website. Ack! I did not know of Libsyn at the time. I did not have any true way to track downloads, subscribers, users, etc.
I didn’t even have or consider a plan to do so. It eventually became an issue when I decided I wanted to open my show to some more sponsorship.
Faced with creating a media kit, I had to do a complete re-shuffle a year into my podcast – this was after my show was already nominated once for a Podcast Award.
I can’t even imagine what stats I missed out on reporting over that first year. Now, whenever I launch a podcast, tracking stats and going through my complete setup from start to finish is the first thing I consider.
I have a checklist. It’s super important to have a plan from the get go – website, branding, host, plan for tracking stats and more. Live and learn!
If you happen to have been sitting on your behind and dreaming your days away, longing for what you wish you could do, then at least subscribe to The Inspired Entrepreneur’s Guide Podcast!
Just in case you don’t wanna subscribe right away you could subscribe to launch notifications and news about to show over here.
Did you start back in the day and have decided to start again and do it differently? We’d LOVE to host your podcast!