This is not a debate between scientific theories and interpretations of evidence; it's about your approach toward expectations and efforts in growing your podcast.
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In science, the theory of special creation postulates that the Bible's record of history is true—that God created everything in intentional acts over a short period of time (6 literal days) about 6,000 years ago. The theory of evolution postulates that life makes upward, beneficial changes over long periods of time, influenced by surroundings.
Regardless of which theory you accept in science, I'll explain why I think you should take a “creationist” approach to your podcast.
Evolution: letting stuff happen on its own
Many podcasters start with big expectations: making money, growing an audience, expending little effort, etc. They are, in a sense, applying the theory of evolution to their podcast. That is, they're putting out content and expecting it to grow on its own.
Certainly, there is a little bit of truth to the iconic line from The Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” Someone will find your content somehow. Relying solely on this passive model will not return the results that most podcasters want.
Look at everything you want in podcasting and challenge yourself to stop being passive.
- Are you waiting for feedback?
- Are you waiting to get featured in iTunes' New & Noteworthy?
- Are you waiting for an audience to find you?
- Are you waiting for sponsors to contact you?
If this is your approach, you could be waiting for a long time, just like the theory of evolution requires millions of years.
Creation: intentionally working within a plan
Reaching success (however you define it) takes intentional effort. Look at all of the successful podcasts and you'll see plenty of hard work behind them: hard work building a platform before launching the podcast, hard work marketing the podcast, hard work making the podcast great, and more.
Sometimes, we can be working hard but without a plan. Thus, we end up wasting time and effort doing things that may not even help us.
Thus, instead of waiting for good stuff to happen on its own, do the work yourself to make it happen!
- Are you waiting for feedback? Inspire conversation!
- Are you waiting to get featured in iTunes' New & Noteworthy? Market your podcast yourself as if Apple will do nothing for you!
- Are you waiting for an audience to find you? Strengthen the relationships with your existing audience, equip them to promote your podcast, and go find a new audience to reach!
- Are you waiting for sponsors to contact you? Go find relevant companies and initiate the sponsorship conversation with them!
No, this doesn't mean it will take you only 6 literal days to reach success. But when you intentionally work in the right parts of your podcast, following some kind of plan, you will see positive results!
Where should you be focusing effort?
Depending on your goals, you may need to focus your work in different areas of your podcast. First, consider the four cornerstones of a great podcast:
- Content—what you share
- Presentation—how you share the message
- Production—how you edit and design the whole “product”
- Promotion—how you market and grow
- (Optional) Monetization—how you profit
Because each of these cornerstones build on each other, the area you think needs work may be only a surface symptom of a deeper problem. For example, if you're not monetizing well, then maybe you need to focus more on promotion and growing your audience. You could also be overloaded with editing, when improving your presentation would make production easier.
Thus, where you focus effort depends on your own needs and situation. What's most important is that you do the work instead of waiting for stuff to happen.
This is the kind of stuff we dig deep into with Podcasters' Society™—helping you grow your podcast from average to amazing.™
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This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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Haha now that’s an eye-catching title! 🙂
Yup! 🙂
lol At first I was kind of aggravated about the way you put the show title together. But then I realized that 1)this is your show and 2)you didn’t go controversial. I had a couple more episodes in line, but I listened to this one first “to get it over with”, but I’m glad I listened. This is probably the first time that I’m on the creation side of things. Great episode, sir.
LOL. Thanks, Chris!
Maybe I should’ve said, “Be a Content-Creationist.” 😛
It’s fine. I think the title did what it was supposed to do 😉
I meant that I was admiring my brilliance just now in “Content-Creationists.” 😛
‘Intelligent design’ works for me. This is on my list of must listens.
Really this is very important post for the podcast users and i hope they can find their success if they can follow this post for solve their problems. So i thank you for share this idea with us.