Summary: Today I am looking at the mental skills that you use in podcasting. I takes focus, dedication, patience, and passion. I discuss how losing focus can steal you passion, and destroy your attitude. Because of Podcasting... I got a Job [1:30] I spoke about this on the Power of Podcasting (http://powerofpodcasting.com/2009/08/podcasting-helped-me-land-a-job/)podcast (which is no "podfaded" with those stories now being told here). I was up for a job at a local Cleveland University, and when I mentioned that I was a podcaster it gave me an edge over the other candidates. I explained how we could create a podcast for the college spotlighting news on the University, as well as tips on being a better student. They loved the idea. I got hired, but sadly they never implemented the idea (and moved me into admissions - so I found a new job), What's Coming Future Episodes[4:09] I will be reviewing the Seismic audio mixers, and I will be interviewing people who started podcasting in 2004. Stay tuned! Dealing with Your Podcast "Competition" In the latest episode (http://podcastanswerman.com/322/) of Podcast Answer Man Cliff Ravenscraft (someone I consider a friend) explains how he is making six figures as a podcast consulting. Cliff is my friend, but obviously we are both compete for students looking how to podcast. For the record so are Daniel J Lewis (http://www.theaudacitytopodcast.com), Ray Ortega (http://www.thepodcastersstudio.com), and many other podcasters who podcast about podcasting (http://www.podcastsaboutpodcasting.com). When someone has success you can either rejoice or get down as your ego flies out of control. You might feel angry, hurt, rejected, sad, etc. You're self esteem might take a hit. You might fall into one of those "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'll just go eat worms" moods. You get down. So we focused on our negative emotions, and I then ask you a very important question (answer: they don't) Obsessing on your competition does not help you create a better podcast. What Helps You Grow Your Podcast Audience? [9:32] 1. "Driveway Content" - Content that is so awesome that when you audience who is traveling home listening to you in the car will sit in the driveway to hear the end of the podcast rather then go in and be with their family. 2. The Best Audio Quality (or video) you can afford. As I write this my favorite microphone is the Audio Technica 2100 (http://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/2100) 3. A consistent schedule (it shows you are reliable - which leads to people relying on your show). A Negative Attitude: 1. Steels your focus. You are not looking for "driveway" content". You are obsessed on your stats, etc. 2. Steels your passion 3. Doesn't grow your audience. Your Competition Might Have Different Goals You may be trying to do what your competition is doing, but you don't know where they want to go? Your goals may not be going where you want to go? So if you do what they do, you may not end up where you want to be. A Common Ingredient I Noticed in Full Time Podcasters Cliff Ravenscraft (http://www.podcastanswermancom), Jaime Tardy (http://www.theeventualmilloinaire.com), Jason Van Orden (http://www.internetbusiness mastery.com), and John Lee Dumas (http://schoolofpodcasting.com/how-john-lee-dumas-earns-18000-a-month-with-his-podcast/) had little to no debt when they made the switch to doing podcasting full time. With this in mind, comparing yourself to your fellow podcasters may not be fair as they have different circumstances. They may have the ability to work more hours. They may live in a location where they have access to resources. You may be comparing yourself to a situation that is NOTHING like yours. You with this in mind, its not a bad idea to listen to your competition. You can "check in" with them. Don't obsess on them. Instead obsess on making good content. The Positive Approach of Handling Your Podcast Competition
