140 What’s a Podcast Coach (and Why Should You Hire One)?

Hello, I’m a podcast coach. A what? A Podcast Coach.

Well, what the hell is a podcast coach?

This conversation doesn’t happen as much now as it used to but that doesn’t mean people aren’t wondering about it. And if they’re podcasters, they are often also thinking, ‘Do I need a podcast coach?’ (And sometimes they should be thinking that, but they aren’t) Well since you asked (or didn’t but wanted to), let me break it down for you.    What is a Podcast Coach (or Podcast Coaching)? On the surface, it’s pretty simple… someone who coaches people how to podcast.  BUT, there are a lot of podcast coaches out there and they aren’t all the same. And, because there is no official ‘podcast coach certification’, pretty much anyone can call themselves a podcast coach.    The way I see it, podcast coaches fall into three types:

1. The Online Course Creator. This podcast coach has taken their knowledge and poured it into a digital course that you can go through at your own pace. This is a totally hands off coach. You pay to access their knowledge and then you figure the rest out on your own. 
2. The Group Coach. This podcast coach either runs a mastermind for a group of podcasters OR they have an online course that they support with some level of group coaching. This means you will have a DIY aspect but also some support from the coach in a group setting. 
3. The Personal Podcast Coach. This type of coach works directly with you one-on-one. They listen to your show and give you specific feedback and guidance. Or, they help you develop your show in a custom way. 

  In case you are wondering, I am type #3. I work directly with my clients to help them develop or improve their podcast using my decades of radio experience and my decade of podcast experience. I also help them with their tech set-up, their performance, and develop a marketing strategy for their podcast so that they get maximum results. That’s the benefit of working with a personal podcast coach.  I’m not here to say one is better than another, but if you’re thinking about hiring a podcast coach, you should know the differences.  Should you hire a podcast coach? Do you need a podcast coach?    Maybe.    Take into consideration that there’s a lot that goes into making a great podcast. You need to consider:

• The tech, including the hardware, the software, editing and uploading.
• The producing, including the format, structure, producing, lining up guests and interviewing.
• The performance and presentation. 
• The marketing, including the show notes and strategy.

  If you’re not paying attention to all of these elements and you don’t have lots of time and energy to learn about them, then you need a podcast coach.  Another reason to hire a podcast coach, especially if you haven’t launched your podcast yet, is to make sure your podcast doesn’t do more harm than good for your brand. You need to make sure that everything that you’re doing on your show is aligned with what you’re doing in other areas of business and marketing. If you’re an individual with a service-based business, a consultant, coach, or a personal brand, this is vital. As a business owner, you know how important it is when you launch something new, you consider your ROI and your ROE (your return on effort). And, you know, taking the time at the beginning, to do things right with total clarity around your show concept, is really important. If you have not started your podcast yet and you want to make sure you do it right but you don’t want it to take you forever then, yes you should hire a coach. If you have started a podcast and it’s not doing anything for you, then yes, you should hire a coach. 

Basically, if you have expectations of your podcast beyond it just existing, AND you don’t have the time or know-how to try a whole bunch of new things, then you should hire a coach.

Which kind of coach you should hire depends on what the podcast means to you. Are you investing your time and energy into a podcast so that you see direct results in your business? Then you need to hire a coach that is going to work directly with you.  Or, are you investing your time and energy into a podcast because you love being a podcaster and it’s a cool hobby? Then you can hire a coach that matches what your hobby is worth to you in terms of time and money.   

How to Pick the Right Podcast Coach

So, now that you know what a podcast coach is and that you want a podcast coach in your corner, what should you do before hiring one? I recommend that you do your homework. Read the reviews. Listen to their show and the shows that they’ve worked on.   Find the coach that you feel confident is going to help you reach your goals. A person who jives with you and you like their personality. A coach whose program, system or time frame makes sense to you.  Be careful of any coaches who promise you things like huge download numbers or fame and fortune in a few months. Podcasting is a long game.  So if you find yourself thinking about starting a podcast for your business or if your existing podcast isn’t performing the way you want it to. And you’re tired of guessing about what to talk about, the guests you should have on, or how to market your show and thinking you’re just wasting time and money putting out another episode then, you might want to hire a podcast coach.  And, if you’re going to be working with them one on one, make sure you talk to them directly. Any coach worth their salt will happily have a chat with you. And you can start with me. I offer a free 15-minute coaching call just so I can give you some guidance and give you a free sample of what it’s like to work with me. Because let’s face it, I’m not everyone’s cup of tea! But I might be yours.  So, click here to book your free 15 minute coaching call.  Listen to more 5-minute episodes, explore my resources and check out my coaching packages at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/   Or Contact me here:  https://podcastperformancecoach.com/contact   Tim Wohlberg Podcast Coach