Leah Bryant [00:00:04]:
Hello, hello, and welcome to the very first episode of the Podcasting Problem Solver. So excited for this. This has been the works for a long time. But who am I? I'm your host, Leah Bryant, full time podcast producer, growth coach, and founder of Leah Bryant Co, where we help entrepreneurs and personal brands launch binge worthy podcasts without the stress or tech meltdowns. So if you've ever said, I wanna start a podcast, but I don't know where to begin, or I have a podcast. I'm not seeing any growth. I don't know what's working, what's not working. It feels stagnant.

Leah Bryant [00:00:43]:
What do I do? Well, friend, this show was made for you. And today, we're kicking it off with a big picture overview of what it actually takes to start a podcast, and more importantly, how to start the right way, especially if you're a business owner who wants your show to work for them, not just add to the content chaos. So I've worked with 6 and 7 figure business owners who came in with Mike still in the box, tons of questions, and no idea what an RSS feed even was. And that's okay. Because you know why? They launched killer shows anyway. So today, I wanna walk you through the first real steps of starting your podcast. Not the ones that involve expensive gear or editing software, but the ones that set the foundation for a show that's strategic, sustainable, and positioned to actually support your business. Because here's the truth.

Leah Bryant [00:01:47]:
Podcasting isn't about sounding cool. It's about showing up consistently and strategically and making sure that every episode is aligned with your voice, your values, and your offers. And the best shows? Well, they're not just fun to listen to. They're useful. They speak directly to the people they're trying to help. They reflect their unique point of view, and they quietly build trust, belief, and connection that leads to clients saying, gosh. I've been binging your podcast, and I'm ready to work with you. That's why I created the seamless podcast launch framework.

Leah Bryant [00:02:32]:
It's a launch road map that covers the four phases every successful podcast needs, And it stands for strategy, execution, attraction, and momentum. But don't worry. I'll be weaving this framework into episodes all throughout the show, so get ready. It's your secret weapon for building a podcast that's more than just a content dump. Alright. So before we get into microphones or editing tools, or should I do solo interviews? You've got to get clear on the why behind your podcast. This is a piece where I spend the most time with clients and that I suggest for others to do. Because when you have a very clear and strategic plan, it works out, and you'll see why.

Leah Bryant [00:03:20]:
But first, I want you to ask yourself, why do I wanna start a podcast right now? Then I want you to think, write it down. And then I want you to ask yourself, what do I want the show to do for me or my business? Next, who do I want to help entertain or connect with? Because your answers to those questions will shape the entire foundation of your podcast, from your show concept and messaging to the title and artwork your ideal listeners will see when they're scrolling Apple or Spotify. So first impressions absolutely matter. And if your podcast doesn't clearly speak to the problems your audience already knows they have, they're just gonna scroll right past it. So what I want you to do is think about what's attractive to them. What would make your ideal client stop, click, and say, wait. This sounds like it's for me. That's the beginning of an engaged listener journey and the end of feeling like you're podcasting into the void.

Leah Bryant [00:04:27]:
So you may be asking, okay, Leah, but what do I actually need to start? Well, let's demystify those basics. K. So to launch your podcast, you're going to need one, a clear topic and niche. So think about what you talk about and who you're talking to. Number two, a show name and format. So format is like solos, interviews, co hosted round tables. Number three is your cover art. Simple, branded, and clear.

Leah Bryant [00:05:02]:
Number four is a recorded trailer, which I like to keep around one to three minutes. It's kind of like your why is she listening intro. And then number five is a few initial episodes to launch with. Three is a great place to start. I don't recommend launching with any less than three. So you might be sitting there saying, okay, Leah. This is great, but what don't I need? What you don't need ready? Fancy tech, polished perfection, or a massive audience. But what you do need, clear message, thoughtful plan, and a way to consistently offer value that makes your listeners come back for more.

Leah Bryant [00:05:42]:
One of the biggest mistakes that I see is when people are launching on a whim. They don't have a plan, no promo, no clarity on how the podcast connects to their business, and then they wonder why no one's listening or why are they burning out after, like, six episodes. Your podcast should fit into your overall marketing ecosystem. That's where the seamless framework comes back in. Remember, strategy, that is your niche, audience, goals, all mapped out. And then as execution, that's your tech, your production, your batching, and launch day. And then attraction is SEO, social media, and repurposing. And then momentum is staying consistent with your content and goals.

Leah Bryant [00:06:35]:
This is also where we start baking in your sales messaging because your podcast is one of the most powerful ways to show people what you believe, how you work, who you help, and what makes your process different. Because the more you speak directly to those things, the more your podcast starts building by your belief and doing the heavy lifting of client attraction for you. So let me tell you about one of my clients. I like to include some client stories in each episode because I think it helps show that, you know, we all start somewhere and we can all grow from there. But let me tell you about this one client. So she came to me with a podcast I have been running for, let's say, six months. The episodes, they were solid. The guests were great, but you know what? Something wasn't clicking.

Leah Bryant [00:07:27]:
She felt more like a host just asking questions than the expert she actually was. So after I did an audit and we tried to do some of her goals that she wanted for her show, We were able to rebrand her entire show, name, positioning, content strategy. We shifted the focus from interviews about others to conversations that highlighted her thought leadership and built authority in her space. And now, she's confidently stepping into her expert role, her show's gaining momentum, and is actually driving business growth, not just the downloads. And that's the power of podcasting when it's done with intention. If you've been sitting on your podcast idea wondering if now is the right time, guess what? It is. You don't need to be perfect. You just need a plan.

Leah Bryant [00:08:20]:
And if you're ready for that plan, guess what? I've got something for you. I wouldn't leave you hanging. So I've got a podcast launch roadmap with a private podcast. That's like having me in your pocket, coaching you through the steps. And it's the exact step by step process that I use to help business owners plan and launch a podcast that supports their brand, builds authority, and attracts leads. But don't worry, because if you're not quite ready to dive into that and want to keep learning, then you most definitely wanna join my free newsletter. Because there, I'm gonna share weekly tips, behind the scene lessons, and smart strategies to help you launch and grow a binge worthy show. So that's a wrap on today's episode of The Podcasting Problem Solver.

Leah Bryant [00:09:05]:
Whether you're scribbling down ideas for your next recording or finally feeling brave enough to hit publish, I want you to remember, your voice matters, and your podcast can absolutely work for your business. If this episode gave you a little clarity or a big breakthrough, I would love to know, and I would love for you to follow the show. If you have a podcast question you want me to answer on the show, then click the link in the episode description or head on over to my Instagram DMs at Leah Bryant underscore co, and I will answer those and feature you on an upcoming episode. And if you wanna remain anonymous, that's completely fine too. And, hey, if you're ready to launch or maybe relaunch your show with strategy and support, check out the description for free resources and ways that we can work together. Until next time, keep showing up, keep sharing your story, keep it seamless, and keep solving one podcast problem at a time. Thanks for being here, and I'll see you next week.