How Randomly Starting a Podcast Made My Career

Ah, podcasting in 2020.

* the Following article is from my regular newsletter about mental health, social anxiety, careers, and more. Click here to subscribe for free!*

I don’t know how you view podcasts but this medium has become a somewhat beloved way to pass time, especially in a population of people who have a lot to say, but no place to meaningfully say it, at a weird time of quarantine / post-quarantining.

I even remember at the start of this pandemic when...not just toilet paper and essentials were running out but even podcast microphone’s on Amazon started running out of stock!

Which is quite funny, considering I started my podcast from my iPhone and quite frankly had no idea what I was doing :)

You probably clicked on this article because you are interested in learning more about maybe how podcasting can help you or that podcast you have been thinking about starting for months...

I want to share my perspective on how starting a podcast, kind of randomly, changed my entire life, and trajectory of my career in a way that nobody told me was possible.

Starting was Random, but Growth was Intentional

I randomly started my podcast.

But my podcast didn’t randomly blow up.

My podcast blew up because I sat myself down and got honest on what I needed to do on a regular basis to market, promote, research and just work harder on my podcast.

Honestly, I wasted so many hours.

But it’s through that hard work that led me to learn how podcasting works and enabled me to work smarter and more efficiently.

Which is why people choose to learn and hire me...to not waste time and save money in the long run.

Nobody Knew Who I Was Before

There seems to be a popular yet false assumptions that you need a following, an audience, an already successful existing brand to start a podcast.

FALSE.

Of course it would help but starting a podcast could be the launch of your movement.

Each episode you create is a brick in your foundation.

If you are consistent and stick it out, you can look back on your foundation, comprised of hundreds of episodes, and each one of those is a magnet that attracts like minded people to you.

Today I have entirely used my podcast & LinkedIn to grow my career at a level I genuinely never thought was possible for myself like being featured in 7 books, writing my own book, featured on an Amazon Prime docu-series, business with amazing corporations & organizations, and even collaborating with my role models.

I could keep going with a list of accomplishments but I don’t want to bore you.

Overall, starting a podcast can be an extraordinary platform regardless if you are just starting out or an already established leader in your industry or space.

Podcast are a Hidden Underdog Platform

If you are a brand or agency you could take a million dollars and blow up an instagram account easy. Just post the right pictures with celebrities, fancy quotes and viral videos, run ads and get a million followers.

Podcasts? Not so much.

In fact, you see this happen all the time. Where a company will invest money starting a podcast as a marketing channel, and then after months watch it fail and dwindle down.

Why? Because money doesn’t make a successful podcast.

Your soul and authenticity largely decide if you will have a successful podcast.

Which means, a kid starting a podcast off his laptop in a basement, may have a shot at starting a podcast more successful than a company that just throws money but not attention at podcasting.

Power of Scaling Conversations

Do you ever think to yourself...

• If only people heard this conversation then I would make more money.
• If only people were able to sit down with me and understand “x,y,z”
• If only people could hear this tactic or strategy, it could change their lives.

Right now, as we speak, there are currently 565 digital versions (made over 565 podcast episodes) of me running around the world right now, actively being played by thousands of people around the world.

And yet, I am sitting here writing this article on LinkedIn :)

What’s the power of scaling a conversation?

You could change people’s lives. You could change your business.

I have the utmost priviledge due to the nature of my content (usually about mental health) to receive on a regular basis, heartfelt messages of those who have been in mentally poor circumstances like depression or suicidal of how my podcast has helped them!

Starting a podcast enables me to scale myself and distribute conversations, thoughts, helpful lessons to the entire world, in every single country, to thousands of different people at anytime.

Big Takeaway

• You don’t have to be Gary Vee or Oprah to start a podcast.
• You could have a brand or business or just wanting to start one.
• Podcasting is a powerful platform for people who are new to the game.
• Podcasting is the great marketing equalizer.
• Podcasting enables you to have a portable library of content.
• Podcasting opens the door for you to scale yourself and create global recognition.

How I Can Help You!

I work directly with leaders, executives, founders, coaches, authors and help them start, grow and consistently maintain authentic podcast shows that drive movements & companies.

Additionally, check out my company Growcasts for our full mastery podcast course showing you everything you need to know, execute and research to start a podcast :)

Feel free to send me an email at mark@vudream.com for more and share this with a friend!