As a new online coach, there are a million and one ways to build and nurture your audience. And with the popularity of podcasts skyrocketing and your innate knack for storytelling – you decide to dive in headfirst and start your own podcast.
So, you buy that fancy microphone and set it up in your cozy home office, ready to start podcasting. Your voice echoes through the room as you record your first episode – raw, honest, captivating.
But then comes the silence… The daunting reality of starting from scratch hits hard; there’s no one on the other side yet.
Two burning questions nag at you:
How do I get podcast listeners?
How do I build a loyal audience?
Fear not! Building a successful podcast might feel like climbing Mount Everest now. But remember – even successful podcasters like Joe Rogan started with zero listeners!
Starting a podcast without an audience isn’t just possible—it’s common!
In this post, we’ll share:
- Why start a podcast for your coaching business?
- How to start a podcast with no audience
- Podcast ideas for coaches new to podcasting
- How to start promoting your podcast if you have no audience
Why Start a Podcast For Your Coaching Business?
You may be asking, “Why should I even bother starting a podcast?”
Well, here’s the deal:
Podcasts are an incredible way to grow your coaching business.
Forbes estimates that podcast listeners will exceed 160 million this year. Millions of potential clients could stumble upon your content and connect with you!
1. Tap into the power of personal connections
People are missing connections. We’re in the middle of a loneliness epidemic, and simply listening to someone’s voice can make another person feel less alone and build a meaningful connection, even without speaking to one another.
Your voice can carry much more emotion and personality than written text alone. When people hear your stories or advice straight from the horse’s mouth (that’s you.), they feel like they know you better – which makes them more likely to trust and hire you as their coach.
2. A tool for thought leadership
Becoming a thought leader in any field requires visibility and credibility – both things that having a regular podcast can provide.
Talk about topics related to your niche in each episode; answer questions common among those seeking help; interview experts relevant to what you teach—these are but some ways listeners perceive value in tuning into what you have going on. The resulting reputation then helps position you as an expert within the industry, attracting potential clients along the way.
3. Use podcasting as a marketing strategy
If done right, podcasts serve as standalone products and promotional tools—for example, using them as platforms announcing new programs or courses being launched.
You can even get clients on the show to share their success stories, which works wonders for word-of-mouth marketing.
4. Network in your niche
Inviting guests to your podcast is great content and a fantastic networking opportunity. It allows you to build relationships with other coaches and thought leaders in your field, who might refer clients or collaborate with you down the line.
It also gets you in front of their audience, which is incredibly valuable.
All these reasons make starting a podcast for your coaching business an absolute no-brainer. Now, let’s move on to how exactly you can do it without any audience.
How To Start a Podcast With No Audience
While you may not have a podcast audience yet, don’t forget about your existing audience. If you’re an online coach, your first order of business may not be starting a podcast, so you likely have a target audience in mind and a network to tap into.
Here’s what you can do, step-by-step, to start your podcast with no podcast listeners!
1. Pick your podcast niche
When you start a podcast, you need to start with finding your niche, just as you would any business.
Your podcast niche makes it simple for your audience to find and connect with you. There are a few different factors, including:
- Your podcast genre: As a coach, this may be self-help.
- Your target listener demographic: Age, location, interests, profession, marital status, parenting status, etc.
- What topics you want to discuss: Parenting, marriage, entrepreneurship, travel, self-discovery, spirituality, finance – the sky is the limit. Ensure it relates to your coaching business!
A good way to start this is to look at the current clear niche you have for your business. Analyze your client list and your social media followers’ demographics and use that to guide your podcast niche creation!
2. Focus on quality content creation
Approach podcasting the same way as you approach content creation on your top platforms. Provide value and engaging topics you know will serve.
Each and every episode should solve problems or provide new insights for listeners.
Let’s look at Joel Erway’s Sold With Webinars podcast. All of the episode topics below are valuable topics that people who want to use webinars will find helpful:
3. Select the right podcasting equipment
No need to splurge on gear. Start with the essentials and upgrade as you sign sponsors and clients!
How many podcasters started recording on their iPhones in their closets? A lot.
Here’s what to start with:
- Microphone: Invest in a good-quality microphone to capture clear and professional-sounding audio. USB microphones are often a good choice for beginners as they are easy to set up and use. However, consider an XLR microphone for better audio quality and flexibility if you plan to upgrade.
- Headphones: A pair of closed-back headphones is essential for real-time audio monitoring. This helps you catch any background noise, audio issues, or interference during recording. It also allows you to assess the audio quality and adjust it as needed.
- Podcast Editing Software: You can either Google podcast editing software options or browse options like Audacity or Garage Band, which are free options, or Adobe Audition. Descript is an AI-driven option that’s relatively cheap, too.
4. Plan your episodes
A clear podcast format helps keep things organized. Plus, it lets potential and new listeners know what to expect, as you can outline it in your show notes more easily.
Each episode should have an introduction, main content segment, and conclusion where you wrap up key points discussed in the episode. If relevant, invite people to book a call or join your email list!
5. Name your podcast
A catchy name can draw people in. Your title must reflect what your show is about so potential listeners know if they’re interested right away!
Some examples of catchy coaching podcasts I like include:
- Be Everywhere With Ads by Laurel Portie
- ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
- The Mind Leadership Podcast by Jennifer Bitner and Dwayne Smith
Struggling? Leverage A.I. tools to help you brainstorm. Then, put it out to your social media followers to see which one they like best.
6. Create eye-catching podcast cover art
Your new podcast cover art represents your brand at first glance. So, make sure it looks professional while capturing the essence of what you are trying to convey through audio format.
Take a look at the examples I mentioned above. Notice how they each have cover art that stands out!
7. Find a podcast-hosting platform
The hosting platform houses all your podcast files and feeds them to various directories like Apple podcasts or Spotify when someone wants to listen.
BuzzSprout is one of the popular hosting platforms you can consider. You can also check out Spotify for Podcasters.
8. Launch your podcast
Last but not least, it’s time to launch. Plan your marketing efforts with some teasers on social media and to your email list. Effective marketing is key here!
Then, release a few episodes at once so new listeners have more content to consume and get hooked on your show.
Podcast Ideas for Coaches New to Podcasting
You’ve started to create your podcast content, but how do you keep the ideas flowing?
There are a few things you can do:
- Google podcasts in your niche and see what they’re talking about.
- Go to a site like Quora or Reddit and see what conversations in your niche are trending, what questions are being asked, and address them in podcast content.
- Survey your existing audience! Send an email or do a poll for your social media followers.
- Rely on these three content silos you can come back to when you’re feeling stuck:
Solo episodes sharing your story
A great way to start is by creating solo episodes where you share insights about coaching topics that resonate with potential clients from your own lived experience and methodologies.
For example, if you’re a health and life coach for busy moms, you could explore topics like:
- Setting a morning routine that prioritizes your own mental wellbeing
- How to create balance amidst a chaotic schedule
- Finding yourself again after baby
- Body love
- Nutrition hacks for busy families
And when you get stuck, ask Chat GPT to help with a prompt like:
I’m a health and life coach for busy new moms starting a podcast. What are some episodes I can record that will be meaningful to a 35-45-year-old with two kids, a busy schedule, and a demanding career?
You’ll get ideas like:
- Mompreneur Stories: Successful Moms in Business: Feature interviews with successful mom entrepreneurs who have managed to build a career while raising a family, sharing their experiences, challenges, and advice.
- Mindfulness in Motherhood: Stress Management Strategies: Discuss mindfulness techniques and stress-relief practices that can help moms stay centered and calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
- Navigating Mom Guilt: Strategies for Overcoming Parental Self-Criticism: Address the common feelings of guilt that moms may experience and provide strategies for overcoming them.
- Parenting Partnerships: Balancing Responsibilities with Your Partner: Explore effective communication and collaboration with partners in parenting, discussing how to share responsibilities and maintain a supportive relationship.
- Financial Wellness for Moms: Budgeting and Planning: Provide practical financial tips and advice for managing a household budget, saving for the future, and achieving financial goals.
Interview-style podcast with interesting guests
Another effective method is inviting interesting guests to your show. Ideally, you want to invite podcast guests with value to offer to your target client, have experienced results from your programs, or have a complementary platform for cross-promotion opportunities.
You can also reach out to fellow podcast creators on Facebook groups like the Podcast Guest Collaboration Community. Using hashtags #beaguest and #findaguest, podcasters and business owners can connect over similar or complementary messages.
Coaching session recordings
Consider recording actual coaching sessions (with client consent, of course) and sharing them as podcast episodes. This gives potential clients a first-hand experience of what it’s like working with you, making it easier for them to envision themselves in such sessions.
Lacey Sites, owner of A Lit Up Life, hosts a podcast called LITerally with Lacey Sites.
On the show, each season is a different client. The episodes actually let listeners in on a series of coaching calls over the span of the six-month business coaching container. Through this content, listeners get to learn alongside her client, hear her coaching style in action, and witness client transformations.
Incorporating these strategies into your podcast plan will help you start your podcasting journey and establish a solid foundation for attracting and building an audience.
Remember, the key to successful podcasting is consistency – so once you get started, keep going!
How to Start Promoting Your Podcast If You Have No Audience
So, even if you don’t have a loyal following on your podcast quite yet, you likely have a pre-existing audience on social media or your email list from your coaching business.
No matter how small it may seem. Those are potential listeners – it’s your ideal target audience wrapped up in a little digital bow.
So, start there.
1. Leverage social media platforms
Social media platforms can be powerful tools for promotion. Regularly share snippets from episodes on Facebook, Instagram, or whatever your main platform may be, along with catchy captions that instantly hook potential listeners’ attention.
2. Be a guest on other podcasts
A fantastic way of getting heard by an established audience is guesting on other podcasts within your niche area.
This helps tap into their listener base, who may become interested in checking out yours as well because they enjoyed hearing from you during the interview session.
3. Launch email marketing campaigns
If you have existing clients or an email list outside of the podcasting space, why not reach them via email?
An introductory email about your new venture coupled with links directing them toward your podcast could help gain a few early listeners.
4. Ask for reviews and ratings in your podcast episodes
Gaining positive reviews and ratings on platforms such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify can increase your show’s visibility in search results, attracting more organic listeners.
At the end of each new episode, kindly request ratings and reviews. If you’re unsure where to start, listen to other podcasts and use them as inspiration to make your own script.
You can also request reviews in the episode descriptions and show notes! Have all your bases covered.
Starting a Podcast with No Audience Isn’t Impossible – You Got This
Growing a podcast audience from scratch can feel daunting, but those who have the strength to build one reap the benefits in their businesses. This is a key scaling strategy!
You are innately built to be a podcast host due to your expertise, empathy, and content as a coach. Use your podcast episodes to share your greatness.
With patience, persistence, and passion for what you do – that empty echo will soon turn into resonating voices of enthusiastic listeners who eagerly await each podcast episode!
You have everything needed within reach!
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