22. Celebrate Your Podcast Wins and Plan for 2025

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Laura: Welcome to Podcasting for Business Owners. I’m Your host, Laura McRae, a podcast consultant, educator, and self confessed podcast nerd. If you’re thinking of launching a podcast or want to grow the one you have, you’re in the right place. Hold on to your headphones and let’s go.

Laura: Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Podcasting for Business Owners. I’m, um, Laura and I want to start by wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. This is the podcast that helps you share your story, lead your industry, and grow your network through podcasting. Whether you’re tuning in while wrapping presents, cooking up a feast, or taking a quiet moment for yourself, I’m so grateful you’ve chosen to spend a little time with me today. Today’s episode is all about reflection, looking back at the podcasting journey I’ve been on this year and sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I also want to take a moment to thank you for listening, supporting and connecting with me through this podcast. Your encouragement and feedback mean the world to me and have made this experience so much more rewarding. You’re the reason I love doing this. As we wind down 2024, I’ve been reflecting on some of the milestones from my, uh, podcasting journey so far. One of the biggest highlights this year was launching this podcast, Podcasting for Business owners. It’s something I’d wanted to do for so long, but finally taking that step was both exciting and nerve wracking. Seeing the positive response from all of you made every moment worth it. I’ve loved connecting with you through my newsletter. One listener told me how my tips helped her make a decision about her podcast direction. She wasn’t sure whether to rebrand her existing podcast or start a new one altogether, but after listening to the advice I shared, she felt more confident in her decision to start afresh. Another highlight has been the connections I’ve made with guests. Interviewing incredible people like Sally Prosser and Jenna Warriner, uh, gave me the chance to have meaningful one on one conversations with people I’ve admired for years. Those connections have enriched my life and grown my network in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Reflection reminds us that the small steps we take, whether it’s launching, connecting with guests, or offering advice, can create a ripple effect. Take five minutes over the holiday period to jot down your podcasting wins for the year, big or small. Whether it’s launching, connecting with a dream guest, or or getting a kind message from a listener. Celebrate those moments and let them guide your goals for the year ahead. This year has been a huge learning curve, and a few lessons stand out. For instance, I learned the power of consistency firsthand.

Laura: There were weeks when life was chaotic.

Laura: Work deadlines, family commitments, you name it. But I kept showing up for this podcast. Hearing from listeners about how much they appreciate having new episodes to look forward to was proof that consistency builds trust. I also found my voice by staying authentic. Early on, I worried about sounding professional enough because I know this accent of mine isn’t very professional. But when I stopped overthinking and just spoke from the heart, I noticed deeper connections with my audience. Finally, podcasting has shown me the power of building relationships. For example, after interviewing some of my guests, we’ve stayed connected and those relationships have become such a valuable part of my podcast journey. Showing up consistently and authentically is what creates trust and connection with your audience. If consistency feels hard, try batching your episodes. Set aside one day to plan, one to record, and another to edit. This system has, uh, saved me time and made podcasting less overwhelming. As I think about 2025, I’m setting intentions for what’s next. One thing I’m particularly proud of this year was episode 14, which was recorded live at the Learn Grow Rise event. It was such a special experience to interview incredible businesswomen in that setting and create a mash up episode that captured the energy and insights of the day. It reminded me just how powerful podcasting can be for storytelling and connection. Looking ahead, I want to do more episodes that push me out of my comfort zone and, um, bring something new to you as listeners, whether that’s trying fresh formats or recording in different settings. If you’re thinking about your own goals for your podcast in 2025, take a moment to reflect on what brought you the most joy this year. For me, it was that live episode and the chance to feature so many

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Laura: inspiring voices. Podcasting is a flexible medium. Don’t be afraid to try something new, like recording on location, experimenting with formats, or even inviting unexpected guests onto your show. If you’re considering a live mash up episode, start small. Plan one event where you can record a few short interviews, then stitch them together with your reflections. It’s a fantastic way to create engaging content that resonates with your audience. Before I go, I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, feedback and encouragement mean everything to me. Looking ahead to 2025, I’ve got some exciting episodes planned, including tips on growing your audience, building confidence as an interviewer, uh, and strategies for using your podcast as a powerful business tool. Whatever this holiday season looks like for you, I hope it’s filled with rest, connection and a little bit of magic. Have a wonderful Christmas and I’ll see you in the new year.

Laura: If you found value in this podcast, please leave. A five star rating and a review would be even better. Your support shows that this is a good show which will attract high profile guests and in turn deliver greater value to you. This podcast is produced and edited by me. Don’t waste your time on editing. Let me help you with your podcast. Cheque out the links in the show notes to get in touch.

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