🎥 8 Years of Podcasting Knowledge in 99 minutes | Habit Chess Newsletter


Hi Reader,

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Making this video took me down memory lane.

In 2016, I started my first podcast out of my childhood bedroom with just a $16 USB mic and a passion for learning.

No big network, no audience, just me and my curiosity.

Within a year, that small podcast led to my dream internship and job.

The guests from episodes 14 and 17 changed my career trajectory, and from there, I was hooked.

Since 2020, I've launched dozens of podcasts, including my own, and I've tested all these strategies in real time.

I made this video to share everything I’ve learned in the past 8 years of podcasting.

So that you can skip the trial and error, save thousands of dollars, and build a podcast that truly serves you, your audience, and your goals.

Whether you're an aspiring podcaster who’s overwhelmed by where to start, or you already have a show but aren't gaining traction, give this video a watch.

I know it’s long so make sure to save it for later so you can come back to it when needed.

Here are some chapter titles to see which parts of this video might be most relevant to you:

  • 00:00 Starting My Podcast Journey
  • 00:47 Lessons Learned from Podcasting
  • 01:08 Validating Your Podcast Idea
  • 02:49 Choosing Your Podcast Format
  • 04:51 The Power of Guests
  • 06:19 Making Your Guests Shine
  • 08:45 Strategies to Get Guests to Say Yes
  • 18:13 Handling Tech Troubles
  • 20:22 Solving the Distribution Problem
  • 22:34 Scaling Trust with Your Podcast
  • 24:27 Crafting Effective Titles and Descriptions
  • 28:14 Landing Famous Guests
  • 30:07 Building Relationships with Potential Guests
  • 31:08 Finding Content Audience Fit
  • 33:06 Mindset and Personality Strategies
  • 36:55 Essential Equipment for Remote Podcasting
  • 43:53 Should You Do Video?
  • 46:05 Changing Perceptions Through Podcasting
  • 50:03 Making My First Dollar Online
  • 51:19 Reflecting on Initial Failures
  • 51:50 The Power of Volume and Credibility
  • 53:04 Building a High-Quality Setup
  • 56:48 Monetization Strategies
  • 01:05:43 The Myth of Too Many Podcasts
  • 01:09:33 Function Over Form in Podcasting
  • 01:12:28 Marketing Strategies Beyond Guests
  • 01:16:23 SEO and Editing Tips
  • 01:21:17 Time Management and Workflow
  • 01:24:02 Dealing with Negative Feedback
  • 01:26:55 Scaling Your Podcast
  • 01:27:47 Personal Branding Through Podcasting
  • 01:30:29 Audience Research and Future Proofing
  • 01:36:15 Quiet Launches and Final Thoughts

Make sure to leave a comment and subscribe if you found this video useful.

It's greatly appreciated.

And feel free to reply to this email with any others that you’d like for me to make.

How I help you own your means of digital production

  • Production Plans - Done-for-you plans for YouTube, podcasts, and social.
  • Vodcast Accelerator - A step-by-step system to build a high-quality video podcast that serves you, your people, and your purpose. Comes with a Notion workspace full of 10 templates you can make yours with one click.
  • 1:1 Consulting Packages - From designing your home studio to learning how to edit yourself, I offer sprints that help you feel more in control on your content production.

In your corner,

Misbah Haque

Founder

Pod Mahal


Why am I getting this email?

You likely signed up for one of my free tools to help you build your own table with podcasting or the Habit Chess newsletter directly.

I'm Misbah Haque by the way.

In 2016, I started podcasting from my childhood bedroom with no audience or credibility.

Within a year, I landed my dream internship, dream job in the Bay Area, and was producing a show that went on to do over 1 million downloads.

In 2020, I founded Pod Mahal to help others build a body of work through podcasting.

We offer consulting to help you own your means of production, as well as done-for-you plans where all you need to do is show up and record.

I also host my own podcast, Habit Chess, where I test and execute these strategies in real-time.

I send you my Habit Chess newsletter periodically when I have something useful to share. Usually it's about skill acquisition & learning how to learn.

Thanks for giving me a few scrolls today.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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Misbah Haque

I write about high agency thinking and skill acquisition.

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