When it comes to reaching our podcasting goals, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and blindly follow a plan without stopping to reassess. However, it’s important to pause and evaluate our progress periodically, to make sure you’re still on the right track and going in the direction you want.
This was something Jay Clouse learned first-hand. He and his co-host had no money to invest in angel investing, so they started a podcast called Upside, which covered startup companies outside of Silicon Valley, and allowed them to meet people within the companies they were interested in.
Upside was successful, with over 200 episodes. It had momentum. However, Jay eventually decided it wasn’t quite the right fit for the direction he wanted to go in.
This can be a tough position to be in. Things are going well and look great from the outside, but something feels off.
Then what?
Jay decided to stop and reassess. He wanted to create a podcast that was more closely aligned with the new direction of his business, so he took the time to plan out another podcast that was more of a match to help him achieve his new goals. This podcast is now known as Creative Elements and is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network.
A Big Podcasting Lesson
What happened with Jay is common. Peopel change and plans change. And it’s a good example of what can happen when we take a step back and look at our situation (and progress) from time to time.
It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and keep going without considering if we’re still on the right path. And if we don’t stop and reassess, we can find ourselves stuck in a situation that no longer works for us and isn’t getting us further away from where we want to be.
This doesn’t mean that we have to completely start over every time we hit a roadblock. Fortunately, more times than not, we just need to tweak our plan or adjust our approach.
Script and Refine
A great podcast takes time to build. And the podcast you start is never the podcast you ultimately end up with.
This is something Jay learned as he was getting his Creative Elements off the ground with the help of The Podglomerate podcast network. His initial “big idea” for a podcast wasn’t what he ending up launching with.
You’ve probably been in a similar situation. Or maybe you launched with something that you tweaked later – this is also common.
The big changes:
- a tighter format and that it was more focused on the guest than on Jay’s own personal ramblings
- voiceover throughout the show to give it a more professional feel
- working from a script (rather than an outline)
By scripting and refining his podcast, Jay was able to take Creative Elements to the next level and make it a success.
Sometimes, all it takes is a few small tweaks to make a big impact.
A Compelling Story
One of the most important aspects of any project is the story behind it. The “story” is what draws people in and keeps them engaged.
But crafting a compelling story isn’t always easy. It takes practice, planning, and a lot of hard work.
Jay has a background in journalism and angel investing, which has helped him hone his storytelling skills for Creative Elements. He’s able to take three to five minute clips from an interview and craft them into a three act structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
This format is one of the things that makes Creative Elements stand out. It’s unique, yet familiar. And you can do something similar with your podcast.
Jay’s story and success with Creative Elements is a great reminder that storytelling is an important skill that can be honed and improved with practice. Whether you’re writing a podcast, a book, or a blog post, it’s important to take the time to craft a compelling story, because a compelling story is the foundation of which all great content is built upon.
Great Stories (Like Great Podcasts) Are Edited
Jay recommends being honest and objective when it comes to self-editing. It’s important to be aware of what is and isn’t necessary in order to keep the podcast interesting and engaging. Finally, he suggests setting up systems to ensure your podcast works for you, not the other way around.
Editing goes way beyond the “edits” you to for an episode. It something about your podcasting isn’t working for you, take an honest look at where you are and make the necessary changes, so that you can let it take you where you want to be.
Listen to the Interview with Jay Clouse here:
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