The One Thing Stopping You From Starting Your Podcast
“I’ve wanted to start a podcast for a while, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.”
We’ve heard this a thousand times. So many ambitious, hard-working professionals tell us they’ve wanted to start a podcast for ages, yet their shows never get published. All those important insights and priceless pearls of wisdom remain unspoken. The communities they could have built, the discussions they could have led, and the movements they could have inspired—none of it happens.
To us, that’s a tragedy. And it’s why we’re focusing this article on the ONE thing that continually stops people from starting a podcast—and what is likely stopping you, too. But before we get to that, let’s discuss why podcasting is worth your time and effort.
Why Podcasting Is One of the Most Powerful Platforms Available
Podcasting is more than just a trend—it’s an impactful communication tool that allows experts, entrepreneurs, and industry advocates to share their knowledge with a global audience. Unlike social media posts or blog articles, podcast episodes offer an immersive experience. Your audience isn’t just reading your words; they’re hearing your voice, your passion, and your expertise in real time.
With the rise of podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, getting your voice out into the world has never been easier. Countless podcast hosting platforms simplify the process, allowing you to upload audio files, distribute them across major podcast directories, and track your listener engagement.
We still remember our first client…Andrew desperately wanted to start a podcast, but he knew he didn’t have the time or knowledge of all the steps to do it properly. While he had plenty of ideas and knowledge to share, he knew that wasn’t enough.
So he asked for help, and together we developed a process to create, launch, and grow his podcast so that he could just show up as the topic expert with everything else handled. Since then, he’s built a super exclusive, highly vetted community of eCommerce business owners, which has been sold out since 2017.
Working with Andrew showed just how powerful podcasting is as a community engagement channel, and we now use the process we developed to help other industry advocates and game-changers start their shows, as well.
Yet, despite how accessible podcasting has become, many professionals still struggle to start. They overthink, procrastinate, and let their doubts keep them from hitting record. And there’s one major reason for this hesitation…
The #1 Thing Stopping You from Launching Your Podcast
The Desire to "Do It Right"
The biggest obstacle between you and your successful podcast is the desire to do it perfectly.
Cashflow Podcasting has worked with countless industry experts who get stuck because they want their podcast to be high-quality, professional, and flawless from the start. And while this is a great mindset for business success, it can be paralyzing when starting something new—especially when it comes to podcasting.
Instead of just getting started, they spend months (or even years!) stressing over:
Choosing the “perfect” podcast topic
Finding the best podcast recording setup
Deciding on the right podcast editing software
Picking the ideal podcast hosting platform
Crafting the ultimate podcast description
While all of these things matter, they shouldn’t hold you back. The key to starting a podcast is taking action and refining as you go.
Let’s break down some of the most common roadblocks that aspiring podcasters face—and how to overcome them.
Issue #1 – “I Don’t Have the Time.”
You’re busy. You have a full-time job, clients to manage, and responsibilities that already take up most of your schedule. How can you possibly find time to create a podcast?
Here’s the truth: You don’t have to do it all yourself.
The most efficient way to start a podcast without getting overwhelmed is by delegating tasks. Depending on your budget and goals, here are three ways to lighten your workload:
Use Podcast Editing Software & Automation Tools – There are many AI-powered tools that can help with audio editing, transcription, and content repurposing so you can streamline production.
Hire a Virtual Assistant (VA) – A VA can handle administrative tasks like uploading audio files to podcast platforms or managing your publishing schedule.
Work with a Podcast Production Agency – This is the best option if you want a completely hands-off experience. A production team like Cashflow Podcasting can handle podcast recording, editing, and publishing—allowing you to simply show up and record.
When Michael Kitces of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast first reached out, he was excited to start a show but worried that it would eat too much of his time.
He was incredibly busy, working a full-time job, running a popular blog and business, speaking at conferences, and spending time with his family. He didn’t have the time to figure out how to start and manage a podcast on top of everything else he had going on.
But we plugged Michael’s ideas and vision into our proven 5-step podcast process—the same process we’ve used with scores of industry advocates over the years—so all he had to do was show up and hit record. The result?
“I can say that our Financial Advisor Success podcast has been an integral part of our overall marketing strategy, which collectively has helped our businesses generate more than $4M in new revenue over the past 2 years.” — Michael Kitces
That’s what happens when you get help from the start. And since his first podcast worked so well, Michael launched a second podcast with us, too. The moral of the story? Get help at whatever level is appropriate so that your time and effort are maximized for success.
Issue #2 – “I’m Intimidated by the Tech.”
Let’s be honest—learning podcast recording equipment, podcast editing software, and hosting platforms can feel overwhelming. But the good news is you don’t need to be a tech expert to launch a podcast.
There are user-friendly podcasting tools designed to simplify the process. Instead of spending weeks researching microphones, software, and royalty-free music, here’s what you should do:
Keep Your Tech Simple:
Microphone: A quality USB mic (like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x or Shure MV7) is easy to use and delivers professional sound.
Recording Software: Use a simple tool like Riverside.fm or Zencastr for remote podcast recording. If you're recording solo, GarageBand or Audacity works great.
Editing Software: If you want to DIY, tools like Descript and Alitu make editing easy. Otherwise, outsource to a professional editor.
Hosting Platform: Choose from top podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Captivate, or Libsyn to distribute your episodes automatically.
By sticking to reliable, beginner-friendly tools, you can focus on content creation instead of getting lost in tech details.
Issue #3 – “I Want It to Succeed.”
Every aspiring podcaster wants their show to be a successful podcast, but many let this pressure stop them from even starting.
Yes, strategy matters. If you want your podcast to drive business growth, you need to approach it with intention. But overthinking strategy can lead to analysis paralysis.
How to Set Your Podcast Up for Success:
Define Your Podcast’s Purpose – Are you educating an audience? Building brand awareness? Driving sales? Having a clear goal will guide your content.
Optimize Your Podcast Description – Your podcast description should clearly explain what your show is about and why people should listen.
Choose the Right Podcast Directory – Submit your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts to reach a larger audience.
Use Royalty-Free Music – If you want a polished, professional feel, add royalty-free music for your intro and outro.
Be Consistent – The most successful podcasts release episodes on a predictable schedule. Whether it’s weekly or biweekly, consistency builds an audience.
Take Katrina Ubell of the Weight Loss for Busy Physicians Podcast for example.
Before she even began recording episodes, we followed the Podcast Principles to help her get clear on her goals and what she wanted to achieve with her podcast to figure out the best content to attract and engage people. Getting clear on the strategy before recording helped to make her podcast a huge success. (It has been downloaded over 3 million times!)
Not only has it helped her build a strong relationship with her listeners and connect with a massive audience of loyal, lifelong fans, but it has also led to her bringing on a lot more clients for her coaching program, which tends to sell out quickly whenever she opens it up.
This approach of starting with the end in mind and going into podcasting with a proven strategy sets you up for success from the beginning.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting a podcast doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated, or overwhelming. The key is to start simple, get help where needed, and take action—even if things aren’t perfect from day one.
Your audience is out there waiting for your insights, expertise, and voice. Don’t let fear or perfectionism stop you from launching your podcast.
Take the First Step:
If you’re ready to stop procrastinating and get your podcast out into the world, schedule a call with us today. We’ll help you create a successful podcast without the stress!
And if you know someone else who’s been thinking about podcasting but hasn’t taken the leap, share this post with them—they’ll thank you for the push!