We have a confession. Two years ago, we recorded an UpLaunch podcast … and that was it. We didn’t release the podcast and didn’t record anything new for two years.
What Happened?
Well, we did a few things wrong.
Our biggest mistake was starting without any plan or structure. We recorded the podcast in a hotel room while on a trip because it was a formative time in our business and it seemed like we should document our journey. We didn’t create a website or a logo or figure out how to distribute the podcast because who has time for that when you’re already running a business?
Without any structure or plan, the podcast just disappeared. Then, we spent the next two years talking ourselves out of recording another one and feeling bad about our failure to follow through. We allowed ourselves to succumb to fear and a healthy dose of impostor syndrome. We worried we weren’t good enough and that nobody would listen and convinced ourselves we didn’t have anything useful to say.
We knew the benefits of podcasts — they drive traffic, they’re a great way to promote a business, they start conversations, and they connect you with leaders in your industry — but we just couldn’t get out of our own way and pull the trigger.
It All Seemed So Overwhelming
Then this March, two years after that first episode, we decided to take action.
This time, however, we were going to do it right. We were going to come up with a name, a logo, and a website. And most importantly, we were going to distribute it to every major podcast platform.
Sounds time-consuming and expensive, right? It wasn’t.
For under $100 and about two hours of our time, we had everything we needed. Founder Fight Club was born!
4 Steps To Start Your Podcast
If you’ve been wanting to start a podcast, now is the time. And the magical part about taking action in one area of your life is that it’s contagious. Today, you start a podcast. Tomorrow, it’s a piece of content. And the next day, it’s a Facebook ad. All it takes is changing your mindset from “I can’t” to “What can I try next?”
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
All you really need is a phone. We already owned a Blue Yeticaster microphone, which costs about $200, but it’s not necessary, so we didn’t include this in our costs.
Step 2: Decide on a Name & Logo
We came up with our name, Founder Fight Club, in about a minute. Then, instead of spending a month trying to design our own logo, we used a service called Logojoy (now Looka). We gave them our podcast’s name and some colors, and they gave us about 100 different options. We found one we liked, tweaked the colors, and changed the font slightly. Within seven minutes, we had a logo that cost us $60.
Step 3: Create a Podcast-Specific Website
Once we decided on the name, we bought a domain for $3. Instead of building a custom WordPress site, we used a service called Carrd that spins up simple, pre-built, one-page websites where you can embed podcast episodes. A website with Carrd costs about $20 per year.
Step 4: Set Up Hosting & Distribution
We didn’t want to be responsible for making sure the podcast was available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify, so we used Anchor for hosting and distribution. It’s free, and you can upload your podcast and distribute it everywhere. Just download the Anchor app, hit “new episode,” and make a podcast episode from your cellphone.
On top of Anchor, we decided to use a service called Zencastr. It captures both sides of the audio on a phone call, making it perfect for call-in guests. This is optional, and it costs $20 per month with a 14-day free trial to start.
Less Than $100. Under 2 Hours.
Now it’s your turn! Stop agonizing over the reasons why you shouldn’t start a podcast, and take immediate, imperfect action today.
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