By Sherif Attar
In a world of ever-changing ambiguity and uncertainty, executives have to face two challenges: excellent performance and people development. Where many managers think those endeavours are “competing”, this author believes they are “completing”. GET DOWN TO BUSINESS argues.
Rob Jolles discusses the notion!
Between cable TV, streaming services, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WeChat, TikTok, WhatsApp, blogs, BLArticles®, and more, don’t we have enough ways to get information? I kept asking myself, “Doesn’t the world have enough sources for information?” Start a podcast? I was armed with excuses.
Excuse number one centered on the number of podcasts, and it’s a daunting number. There are 2.4 million podcasts, which would certainly suggest that my poor podcast would get buried. But I was haunted by the fact that there are over 12 million books on Amazon alone, and that didn’t stop me from writing books. Why would I not follow my podcast dream of writing a book, just because there are too many books in the world?! We write books because we have a passion to have our words heard, and a dream of being able to change a life, or maybe even the world!
Excuse number two focused more on who would actually listen. To be clear, those ridiculous numbers of books and podcasts shouldn’t really scare anyone. Recently, there was a report that less than 5 per cent of books written, sell more than 5,000 copies. Similarly in the podcast world, the majority of podcasters quit after less than ten podcasts. Within a year, by just not quitting, and working hard to record and promote, my podcast rose to the top 10 per cent of downloads, increased production and effort and we’re now in the top 3 per cent!
Excuse number three was, quite frankly, the weakest one of all; I wasn’t sure I’d be good at it. I had been interviewed so many times, I figured I’d make a mess out of hosting, and at first, I was kind of right. But due to a trusty sign that reads, “Let the guest speak,” above my screen, and some patient friends who let me get some practice interviewing them, I found my rhythm. I’m a work in progress, but like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get. Besides, who wants to get in the habit of giving up on any dream, just because you might not be good at it? Remember, you have the potential to have your words heard, and possibly change a life, or maybe even the world.
I get it now, and truly enjoy podcasting. If you have a dream to be heard, and see where those words might just take you, consider taking a shot at starting a podcast.
Here’s what’s in it for you to take a shot at it:
It Increases Mental Agility. Unlike the slow process of writing and rewriting, podcasts move in only one direction; forward and fast.
Meeting others. Other than writing, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some fascinating people whom I never would have met while writing.
Finding business. I’m a podcaster, and a writer, but I make a living as a professional speaker and coach. I won’t tell you how many podcast guests I’ve interviewed who have directly led me to future work, but I will tell you this: I’d need more than two hands to count the number.
Networking. You may not know this, but most of us are in two businesses; the one with the name on our business card, and the networking business. By engaging in conversations with publicists, support staff, guests, other podcasters who want you on their shows, and of course, listeners, it’s shocking how much faster your network grows when you conduct a podcast.
So, if podcasting has been a dream of yours, it’s time for you to look past the excuses. With about $100 you’d need to spend for equipment, and another $15 a month for services needed, you could be in the game. You never know until you try.
For questions or suggestions, please send your comments.
Sherif Attar, an independent management consultant/trainer and organisation development authority, delivers seminars in the US, Europe, Middle East and the Far East.
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