the softer cast: podcast advice for small-business owners & creatives

Sometimes I joke that half my job is giving people permission to skip a week of their podcast. So in this episode, I'm diving into the questions I hear most often as a producer:

How often should my podcast episodes release? Does it need to be every week? And what if I'm not consistent...?
 
Tune in for clear advice on the pros and cons of weekly, biweekly, and monthly release schedules. And stick around for a permission slip to take things at your own pace — even if it's rather inconsistent.

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Today’s question comes from Charelle. She’s starting her second podcast and wondering how to invite people onto the show when she doesn’t have any episodes live yet. 🤔

Tune in to hear Amelia’s advice on:

• The best guest invitation process
• How to write a guest invite email
• Ways to share your show before it’s live
• How to pitch when you do have episodes published
• The worst things a pitch can be

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Today I'm answering the question — should I host my podcast on Substack?

 
Or if you already have a show — should I move my podcast to Substack?
 
If you've been considering podcasting on Substack, you'll definitely want to tune in to learn:

• What Substack is (in case you don't know!)
• Why cost is a major factor in choosing Substack to host your podcast
• How to think about email in relationship to your show
• Why you need to consider ads & listener behavior
• How Substack streamlines listener support & paid subscriptions

And then let me know what you decide to do! Is Substack for you? Not for you? Use the info below to reach out and let me know!

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

If you’re feeling podfade, we can help! Tune in to this episode to learn six ways to avoid, heal, or come back from podcast burnout, including:

• Advice on changing your release schedule
• Tips for taking a break from your show
• How to know if you need to hire support
• Ways to get more listener support & feedback
• Why you might want to move to a seasonal schedule
• How to have more fun with your podcast

  
Big hugs to everyone experiencing podcast burnout. We’re cheering you on!
 

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Do you wish your show could be featured in Apple’s “New & Noteworthy” or Spotify’s “Episodes You Won’t Want To Miss”?

In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to be featured in Apple & Spotify, why you might want that for your show, and how to make it happen.

Listen and learn:

• The top Apple & Spotify features
• Why you might want to be featured there
• How to submit via Apple’s form & Spotify’s form
• Key elements of a great pitch

 
Tune in for a dose of pod-promo-wisdom. Then if you’re ready for more great ideas, check out our new DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization course! You can use the code SOFTERCAST10 for $10 off registration.

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Do you wish your podcast could make you money, instead of costing you money? 💵

And is that really possible if your show doesn’t have thousands of listeners?? 🤷‍♀️

In this episode, we’re talking about the three most popular methods for podcast monetization — including what audience size you’ll need for each one, and how to decide which method is right for you.

Listen and learn:

• The 3 most popular methods for podcast monetization
• How many listeners you need to get paid sponsors
• A few models for gaining paid listener support
• Why direct sales & marketing are so under-rated

 
Tune in for a dose of pod-wisdom. Then if you’re ready to bring these ideas to life, check out our new DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization course! You can use the code SOFTERCAST10 for $10 off registration.

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Do you wish your podcast had a few (or a lot) more listeners? 🧐

Well you're in luck. Today we're tackling everybody’s favorite topic — podcast growth.

In our opinion, there are two key components of podcast growth — having a great show and having a consistent marketing practice.

So in this episode, Amelia guides us through:

• How to create a podcast that always attracts new listeners
• The 3 focus areas for any strong show
• Three popular podcast marketing strategies to try

 
Tune in for a quick, practical podcast lesson. Then if you want to learn more, check out our new DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization course! You can use the code SOFTERCAST10 for $10 off registration.
 

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Happy New Year, Softer Cast fans! Today on the pod, we're tackling a question that’s been landing in our inbox a lot lately — It seems like everybody has a podcast now. Is it too late to start mine?
 
We hear this question too often, and we want to help you decide if it’s the right time to start your show. So in this quick episode, Amelia will walk you through:

• If it’s too late to start a podcast (spoiler: it's not)
• 3 guiding questions to ask before you start your show
• Where to begin when you’re ready to podcast

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Welcome back to The Softer Cast! Today we’re popping in between seasons to answer a question that's been landing in our inbox a lot lately — can I record my podcast on Zoom?

So in this episode, Amelia's exploring the pros & cons of recording on Zoom, as well as some great alternate recording platforms.

Tune in as she shares:

• The best & worst things about recording on Zoom
• Two Zoom hacks you definitely want to do if you're recording there
• Why you might want to change recording platforms
• Our recs for the best podcast recording apps

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Welcome to final episode of season one of The Softer Cast!

This month’s episode explores how to pitch sponsors for your show — even if you don’t have a large audience.

Tune in as Amelia shares:

• Why relationships matter more than metrics
• The power of the personal endorsement
• Why right-fit is more valuable than a large audience
• How to pitch multi-channel sponsorships

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

There are a lot of ways to make a podcast. And most of them are…kind of challenging and convoluted.

But podcasting doesn’t have to be hard! So this month’s episode answers the question — what’s the most easeful podcast workflow?

Tune in as Amelia shares:

• Why everything begins with your concept & content
• How much you should prep for your recording sessions
• The easiest-to-use recording equipment
• Options for editing with ease (and why you might not need to edit anyway)
• The podcast hosting platform I recommend for maximum ease

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

You know what’s the worst? Coming up with an AMAZING name for your podcast and then realizing it’s already in use.

This month’s episode is all about what to do when the pod name of your dreams is taken. Tune in as Amelia shares:

• Legal considerations around naming your show (AKA the almighty TM)
• How to be a polite & friendly part of the podcast industry (AKA pod naming etiquette)
• Some questions to consider when repurposing a name

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Calling all our podcaster friends! This month we’re answering your biggest question — what’s the best way to grow my podcast?

Tune in as Amelia shares:

• The best CTAs for audience growth
• How guests can be good (& bad) for your show
• Why your pod should have a really great lead magnet
• How to set clear goals & realistic expectations for growth

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

We’re back with a super practical episode, pod friends! Everything you need to know about submitting your show to Apple Podcasts & Spotify (& any other directories you’d like to be listed in).

Tune in as Amelia shares:

• Whether or not you upload your episodes to Apple & Spotify (spoiler: you don’t)
• Why you need a podcast hosting platform for your show (spoiler: that’s how your eps get on Apple & Spotify)
• Her favorite podcast hosting platforms & how to choose the best one for your show
• Instructions for submitting to Apple & Spotify

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

It’s slow down season, y’all! So today’s episode is all about how to take a podcast break without sacrificing your stats in the process.

Tune in as Amelia shares:

• Why breaks are so important for podcasters
• Her two-step process for taking a break
• A hot tip for making the most of your time away

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

This one goes out to all our babes who love a good bargain. Great news, you can make a podcast for FREE!

Tune in as Amelia walks you through:

• Why it bugs her when people emphasize expensive equipment
• The two tech tools you need to launch a podcast
• How to record with those tools
• Why podcasting should be more easy & accessible

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Are you thinking of hiring a podcast editor? Pretty sure you need one? Wishing you could afford one? In today’s episode, Amelia unpacks how to know it’s time to take the leap and hire support for your podcast.
 
Tune in for Amelia’s take on:

• Two things every good podcast editor will do for you
• How to determine what kind of podcast support you need
• The one thing that motivates most people to hire an editor (spoiler: it’s burnout)
• 5 “official” signs it’s time to hire a podcast editor

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Monday, Tuesday, Podcast Day?! In today’s episode, we’re talking about what day of the week you should release your podcast. And why it might not be the same day as everyone else!

Tune in for Amelia’s take on:

• The most popular day of the week to release new episodes
• How to know when your ideal listener is most likely to listen
• Two other important factors to have in mind when you plan your release schedule

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Downloads, downloads, and more downloads. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how many downloads your podcast should have (spoiler: there’s no “right” number). Then we unpack how to read your analytics, assess your show’s progress, & set goals for where you want to go.

Tune in for Amelia’s take on:

• If you should care about downloads at all
• Which analytics are helpful to track (and which aren’t)
• How downloads relate to ads & sponsors
• Setting download goals that work for you & your show

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization

Why is everyone suddenly talking about putting their podcast on YouTube? And should you be doing that, too?

Tune in for Amelia’s take on:

• Why podcasters are pivoting to video
• What tech can make video podcasting easy
• How we put The Softer Cast on Youtube
• When you should & when you shouldn’t record video
• How to decide if video podcasting is right for you

 
FREE SUPPORT
🚀 Want to launch a podcast? Get our FREE launch toolkit today
💘 Wish your podcast was easier & more fun to make? Grab our FREE podcast audit
📱 Got a question for Amelia? Submit a voice message

COURSES & MORE
🌈 Learn to launch your own pod with — Your Podcast Is A Portal
💸 Grow your show & make more $$$ with —  DIY Podcast Marketing & Monetization