The Secret to Podcast Success: Action Goals

Today, I want to talk about a topic that’s crucial for your podcast’s success: goal setting. Specifically, I want to talk about why the goals you set for your podcast’s growth and monetisation might actually be holding you back.

Common podcast goals

Many podcasters have the same goals: hitting those magical numbers like 10,000 downloads per episode or making six or seven figures in revenue. Sound familiar?

Why having goals isn’t enough

Here’s a thought: having goals doesn’t really set you apart. Think of it like this: every athlete in the Olympics aims to win a gold medal, but only a few actually achieve it. So, what makes the difference? It’s not the goal itself but the actions taken to reach it.

My journey to starting my own podcast

Let me share a personal story. I’ve wanted to start my own podcast for over a year but didn’t feel confident enough to do it. Instead of beating myself up for not having launched it yet, I focused on taking small steps to build my confidence. I joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking skills, worked with a TV host to boost my on-camera presence, and started appearing on social media, even though it sometimes took me ten tries to record a single video. Over time, these small actions have significantly boosted my confidence, and now I’m almost ready to launch my own podcast.

Applying this to your podcast goals

The same principle applies to your podcast. If you focus solely on getting 10,000 downloads per episode, you’re likely to feel disappointed every time you check your stats and see you’re not there yet. This disappointment can make you want to give up.

Instead, shift your focus to action-based goals. For example, aim to get featured on ten other podcast feeds every month. Celebrate each small win along the way. This approach keeps you motivated and builds momentum.

The power of action goals

When you set action goals, you’re more likely to stay positive and persistent. For instance, if your goal is to appear on ten other podcasts each month, every appearance is a win. This boosts your motivation, making it more likely that you’ll continue taking the actions necessary to grow your audience.

Believe in the process

The key is to believe that these actions will eventually lead to your desired results. It might not happen overnight, but consistent effort will pay off. Trust that getting featured on other podcasts, posting regularly on social media, or whatever actions you choose will grow your audience over time.

Enjoy the journey

By focusing on action goals, you’ll find more joy in the journey. Instead of feeling like a failure until you hit that big number, you’ll have numerous small victories to celebrate. This makes the whole process much more enjoyable and sustainable.

So, dream big! Have those big goals, but don’t let them overshadow the importance of the actions needed to achieve them. Set action goals, celebrate the small wins, and enjoy the ride. Remember, it’s the journey that counts, not just the destination.