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The world of podcasting is noisier than ever, by far in all the years that I’ve been in the industry.
More people are starting podcasts, which is so great to see. More people are quitting podcasts though, and that’s disheartening. And the advice? It’s everywhere, often contradictory, and quite frankly, overwhelming!
But there’s one thing I’ve seen in successful, sustainable podcasts that keeps them recording for the long term.
I call it your podcasting anchor.
What Is Your Podcasting Anchor?
Your anchor is your “why.”
It’s what keeps you grounded when things get hard. And trust me, things will get hard.
Downloads will be lower than you hoped. You’ll be too tired to record. Life will get busy. The algorithm will change. Someone will leave a bad review. You’ll go through personal stuff that makes you question why you’re even doing this somedays…
Without an anchor, you’ll drift, and drifting in podcasting usually means quitting.
Two Quotes That Inspired This Episode
The first is from Zach Mercurio:
“What you do in your life is only ever as good as why you do it.”
Read that again (and again!) because it’s everything.
The second is from Jenn Morgan, host of the We’re In One podcast, our client who joined me for a chat about her experiences in podcasting on Episode 9. She said:
“Always stick with your intention of why you started your podcast. Don’t listen to the outside noise and what everybody else thinks you should be doing.”
I could end this post right here. If you just keep that one quote from Jenn in mind and refer to it often, you’d be all set!
The Problem: Podcasts Without a Why
I’ve worked with people over the years who didn’t have a clear why. And despite good intentions, podcasting never worked and for a very good reason, looking back.
Story 1: The Three Friends
Years ago, three friends reached out to work with us. I asked my standard question: “Why a podcast?”
The answer? “We thought it would be cool if we had a podcast together.”
Okay. “What will you be talking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe current events, funny stuff that happens in our life, things like that.”
They didn’t have a clear why. And it faded out. I think they made it two episodes and never released another one (no judgment here for anyone doing this type of podcast)!
Story 2: The Coach Who Was Told She “Should”
Another time, someone booked a call with me. I asked, “Why do you want to have a podcast?” (I spoke about this one before on the show).
She was honest: “My coach told me I need to have a podcast.”
I could sense she wasn’t into it. So I asked, “Do you want to do a podcast?”
“Well, I’m not really keen on it. I don’t want to record, and I’m not sure what I’d talk about. It’s just not for me.”
I recommended she not start a podcast at that time. Because without a real why, it would just be another thing on her to-do list that she’d resent.
What Your Why Is NOT
Your why is not:
- “I want to grow my business” (that’s a goal, not a why)
- “I want to be famous” (that’s an outcome, not a why)
- “Someone told me I should” (that’s external pressure, not a why)
What Your Why IS
Your why is:
- What problem are you solving?
- What story needs to be told?
- Who are you helping, and why does it matter to them and to you?
- What would you talk about even if no one was listening?
Your why doesn’t have to be world-changing. It just has to be real.
My Own Anchor
I’m not bringing world peace to the masses by doing this show every second Thursday. But to me, and hopefully some of you, it matters!
I want to give back to podcasters and to anyone who wants to start a podcast. I want to motivate them that they can do it, educate them along the way, and simplify the process for them.
And recently, I went through a transition period in my own life. There were days I didn’t feel like recording. But I’d batched episodes and scheduled them ahead of time, and my why kept me grounded during this time.
My why is what got me back on the horse.
Your Permission Slip
If it helps, condense your why into a short sentence. Something you can return to when things get tough.
For me, it’s: “It’s YOUR show and there are NO RULES.”
I say it multiple times per episode – and yes, I probably sound like a broken record I say it so much. It keeps me on track though when I’m recording and in between shows. It’s my anchor.
What’s yours?
The Bottom Line
If you don’t have a why, it’s going to be really hard to keep going.
So before you launch, or if you’re struggling right now, ask yourself: Why am I really doing this?
Remember, your answer doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real.
And if you’re ready to launch your podcast or need help with your current show, head over to podassist.com and book a call. Let’s talk about what it would look like to build a podcast that’s sustainable, purposeful, and actually enjoyable.
Remember—it’s YOUR show and there are NO RULES!