Looking Back at 100 Episodes

It's here. I can't believe it. Episode 100. When I launched Moving Forward in Spring of 2015 I had no idea what I was doing. No really, I had no clue. I had just recently discovered podcasts myself and by accident no less. And of course being driven in part by curiosity and ego (that little voice that says "yeah, I can do this"), I decided to launch Moving Forward. Looking back on those early episodes, I can't help but reflect on the little that went right and the lot that was cringeworthy. For all intents and purposes, there's no reason I should have made it to 100. Heck, there's no reason I should have made it to 10. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, mistakes that would only become apparent the deeper I got into this and the more it evolved over time. But that's the cool part of 100. 100 isn't simply a badge or cool social media post but a point in my journey where I realize that despite everything I did wrong in the beginning, I also learned, both from my early mistakes and from the wisdom of the incredible guests that shared their stories with me and my listeners.

Here are five big lessons I have learned from 100 episodes of Moving Forward:

1. Podcasting is a lot of work. Know this going in. It's easy to launch a podcast. The technical requirements, cost, and set-up are minimal and the barriers to entry are so low that anyone with a mic and a voice can launch one. But launching a podcast and maintaining one are two very different things. John Lee Dumas (EOFire), who I interviewed for Moving Forward's 50th episode, once said that most podcasts peter out somewhere between 10-15 episodes. And it's true. Take a look at how many podcasts are on iTunes and then see how many of them stop after barely jumping over the double-digit hump. There comes a point where it's not about how easy it was to set up but the hard work of producing, editing and maintaining a schedule over the long haul.
2. It's the ultimate relationship builder and inspiration generator. People often ask me why I do this, why do I put in all of this work. Well, just take a look at the photo in the header. Through Moving Forward, I have connected with some of the most amazing people out there. People who have overcome tremendous obstacles to accomplish incredible things in business, the arts and in their careers. I really have no business speaking to any of these amazing individuals. And yet because of this podcast, I've been able to forge relationships with many of them. Moreover, I'm learning from them. Being an entrepreneur can often be a lonely existence, one that is filled with daily disappointments and lots of doubts and insecurities. By speaking to those who have done it and are doing it, I'm creating an inspiration generator for myself and listeners who may be feeling stuck in a rut in their careers or businesses.
3. There are at least three major pitfalls you should avoid from the outset: 1) co-hosts will not necessarily make your life easier so don't have one unless you're absolutely sure it will work, 2) if you have to spell out the website on air, it's too complicated, 3) make sure your podcast has a central theme and a goal. I made mistakes in all of these areas in the very beginning. Although they sound like common sense, these three things are easier to mess up than you may realize.
4. Make your guests feel really special. Someone who is taking the time out of their busy schedule to spend 25-30 minutes on the air with you, sharing tips and best practices (what I call #knowledgebursts) for free, is doing you and your listeners a big favor. Make them feel like they're a guest in your own home. Follow-up with them, let them know when their episode will air and when it does, reach out to them and promote it heavily to your network and via social media.
5. Consistency and planning are the key to long-term success. As I'm writing this piece on episode 100, I just completed interviews for episodes 107 and 108 and am preparing for 109 next week. These won't air until March but because I juggle many other responsibilities, I have to stay several steps ahead. Too often I see podcasts that have gaps. The main reason why I'm at episode 100 and have never missed a week is because I'm constantly planning out the next several weeks, if not months, in advance. If you plan to launch a podcast, write a blog or produce any kind of digital content, being consistent and good is going to do more for your growth than being great and sporadic. And if you do have to take a break, let your audience know so they won't be left hanging.

Here's to 100 and hopefully, many more to come.

Always be moving forward,

John