The three founding members of Crate Media, a media agency and podcast production company, provide their take on the podcasting space—from what it takes to create a successful podcast to the common challenges and misconceptions that cause many to get stuck.
3. The Podcasting Industry
May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates 3
• Podcasting started with “indie” roots.
• iPhones and Apple Podcasts eased accessibility and development,
creating explosion from both a listenership and creation perspective.
• Now it’s gained popularity and covers a broader range of topics, each
with their own niches.
• As the market grows, competition to win listeners is increasing.
• Podcasting beckons an entrepreneurial mindset; you have the
freedom to drive your show in any direction, but that comes with
great responsibility.
4. Podcasting Myths
• Due to the accessibility of tools and publishing platforms, it’s
easy to make a podcast.
– The truth: yes, it’s easy to start, but to grow takes skill and strategy.
• You can make lots of money from podcasting.
– The truth: very few shows have made any significant profit, especially when
starting off.
• Publishing as often as possible is the best way to grow your
podcast.
– The truth: If your quality is poor or inconsistent, frequency is irrelevant.
4May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
7. Start with a Strategy
• With the perception that building
a successful podcast is easy,
many don’t think to put a strategy
behind it.
• But like any other business
venture, you need to start out
with a plan: a clear purpose for
being and a vision for where you
want to go.
7May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
8. Define Your Purpose
• You should not start a show
because you have “a great podcast
voice.” There should be a
meaningful reason for starting
your podcast.
• Your show should be based on:
– Your own passions
– Sharing knowledge or entertaining
– Helping people and delivering value
• If you can’t find a deeper meaning
for your podcast, re-think your
mission.
8May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
10. Don’t Fixate on Revenue
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• Don’t make generating revenue the purpose of your show.
• Building relationships with potential listeners should come first.
• When you do monetize, don’t think you are limited to ads. There
are various ways you can get income, ex:
– Donations
– Partnerships
– Speaking events
– Products & Affiliate Marketing
May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
13. Quality Above All
• Podcast content is evergreen –
anyone can listen to any episode
you’ve published at any time
• Make sure every episode reflects
your best work and never publish
just to publish.
13May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
15. Create Authentic Experiences
• As a host, be yourself and be true
to your audience.
“ What people want to hear is who
you are, your personality, how you
talk to these people. And they really
want to feel like they connect, and
they know who is hosting the show
that they're listening to.”
15May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
- CODY BOYCE
17. Be Patient & Evolve Over Time
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• Don’t be rigid in your publishing style and expect your show to
evolve.
• Test-and-learn: adjust over time to build an audience that truly
connects with your story.
• This is both a short-term and long-term process.
– Short term: you have instant feedback on every episode that you can use to
improve the next one.
– Long-term: you learn what content your audience likes best and the best way
to deliver it.
May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
18. Prioritize Consistency
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• Consistency is far more important than frequency.
– A monthly show that publishes on Mondays at 10 am is better off than a
weekly show that publishes “whenever.”
– Manage expectations. Audiences like a downloading routine.
• Consistency in quality is most important.
– Don’t sacrifice the quality of an episode for the sake of publishing at an exact
time and date.
May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
20. Outsource Whenever Necessary
• Delegate and minimize unwanted
tasks. Do not make your show a
burden to yourself.
• If there are certain parts of
producing a podcast that you do
not enjoy, then remove the tasks
from your own to-do list so you
never lose your joy or passion in
creating the show.
11May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
21. Predictions for the Future
• Podcasting is making its way into
the corporate sphere.
– It’s important for big brands who
produce shows to keep the intimate
storytelling style of podcasting;
commercialization will cause the
medium, and perhaps the industry, to
lose its appeal.
20May 2019 Building a Successful Podcast with Crate Media | Flywheel Associates
23. Tune in to STRATEGIC MOMENTUM PODCAST to hear from more guests like Crate Media!
About Crate Media
Crate Media, formerly Podcast Masters, was
founded in 2015 by Cody Boyce. The
company offers services in podcast audio
production and editing, video production,
writing, design, promotion, and strategy.
Resources:
● Crate Media Website
● Connect with Ben Gregson
● Connect with Hayden Lee
● Connect with Cody Boyce