Thinking About Starting a Podcast?
If you’ve been dreaming about starting a podcast—whether it’s a fresh idea or one that’s been marinating for months or years—this episode is for you. Steph, your Pod Savvy Guide, breaks down everything she’d do differently if she were starting her first podcast today. From overcoming fears to setting up an efficient workflow, she’s here to help you take that leap and hit publish!

Why Podcasting Can Change Your Life
Podcasting isn’t just about creating content—it’s a transformational journey. Steph reflects on her own experiences, from tackling fears about being judged to building a career as a podcast producer. She shares how interviewing inspiring guests has reshaped her perspective, helping her dream bigger and connect with people on a profound level.

Steps to Start Your Podcast (With Links!)

1. Start Simple with Riverside.fm

   • Forget about fancy gear. Use what you have—a phone, laptop, or basic webcam.
   • Download Riverside.fm at http://riverside.fm for an all-in-one recording, editing, and social media tool.
   • Pro Tip: With Riverside, you can create show notes, social clips, and export in 4K—everything you need to save time and produce professional-quality content.

2. Create a Home Studio

   • Find a quiet corner in your home or office. You don’t need a professional studio—Steph’s setup includes a folding card table and blackout curtains.
   • Recommended Gear: Desetech 4K Webcam at http://desetech.com for crisp video recording.

3. Automate Guest Booking with Calendly

   • Upgrade to the Standard Plan of Calendly at http://calendly.com to streamline scheduling and automate reminders for your guests.
   • Guests can reschedule easily, reducing no-shows and headaches.

4. Record Your First Solo Episode

   • Share your story, why you’re starting the podcast, and what listeners can expect. Keep it authentic and don’t overthink it.
   • Use this episode as a reference when reaching out to potential guests.

5. Send It to Friends and Family

   • Ask for support! Share your episode link and encourage reviews. Example text:
     “Hey, I just launched my podcast! I’d love for you to check it out and leave a 5-star review if you enjoyed it.”

6. Start Booking Guests

   • Reach out to people you admire—bloggers, professionals, even public figures. Use your Calendly link to make it seamless.

7. Publish and Promote

   • Use Spotify for Podcasters at http://podcasters.spotify.com to publish your show and leverage Riverside.fm for creating shareable social media clips.

Challenge of the Week: This week, your challenge is to record and publish your first solo episode. Follow these steps:

• Write down a few key points about why you’re starting your podcast and what listeners can expect.
• Use Riverside.fm (http://riverside.fm) to record and edit your episode.
• Share your episode link with friends and family, and ask for reviews.

By the end of the week, you’ll have taken your first big step into the podcasting world!

Your audience is waiting, and your voice is powerful. Don’t let fear or excuses hold you back. Start small, stay consistent, and remember—every podcaster begins somewhere. Take that first step today, and you’ll be amazed at the journey ahead.

Catch you next Saturday for another inspiring episode of Pod Savvy Guide!