Know What You're Good At

Hello! My name is Deanna and I help people create great podcasts. Every Sunday I'm sharing one tactical tip to make a killer podcast. So let’s get into it!

I’m a big fan of promoting other people’s work, especially when they’re covering the aspects of podcasting that I know I’m not good at. Which is why I think it’s key to know what you’re good at and what you aren’t.

Editing? I can practically do in my sleep at this point. Marketing? That’s a major struggle for me. (If you haven’t yet, you should listen to my episode with Lauren Passell about marketing your podcast.)

The reason it’s so important to know what you’re strengths and weaknesses are is so you know where you should focus your energy. Don’t put more energy into the part you’re already good at. Let’s be honest, editing is only going to get a podcast so far. But making sure you have a great show concept and know how to get it in front of the right people is really what will help your show excel. I know this is why mine capped out at a few hundred listeners, so, you know, do as I say and not as I do and all of that.

One thing that I lost this year was that I fell out of love with the process of making podcasts because I was frustrated by the things I’m not good at. It’s a hard thing to do if you don’t love it (or if you don’t have a company backing you with a budget, let’s be honest). That’s why right now, The Podcast Life is only existing in newsletter form.

This all said, I understand if you can’t hire an editor or hire someone to help with marketing your podcast. What I would recommend in those cases, is finding the people who cover those topics, and follow them.

Also, if you can budget some money for it, hop on consultation calls. I’m always happy to talk about production/editing with anyone who needs help in that area. You can reach out to me here if you want some help.

I also know that Tink Media provides Podcast Therapy where you can get marketing advice (you’ll see me mention Tink and Lauren Passell a lot when it comes to marketing).

I know a lot of people take breaks during the holiday season (as we all should!!), but my one recommendation to you if you want to make use of the time to help improve your podcast is make a list of what you’re good at and what you need help with. Then, in the new year, you’ll have a better idea of where to focus your energy for making your show even better.

It can honestly just be watching YouTube tutorials on how to use Descript or how to make social clips for your podcast. You don’t need to spend money to learn, so just keep that in mind! I suppose maybe I should plug listening to the podcast again, too, since I did have great conversations with very smart people. So you can do that here or on YouTube.

P.S. The newsletter will be taking a break the Sunday in between Christmas and New Year’s.

If you enjoyed this newsletter and really want to level up your podcast, I’m bringing you tips from the smartest people in the podcast industry. I’m always looking for the best ways to help you grow your podcast. So be sure to subscribe and share this with a friend! And if there’s something you’d like to see covered, reply to this email.