March 7, 2024 • 63 mins
If you're feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt and fear of failure in your podcasting journey, then you are not alone! You may find yourself constantly comparing your work to others and feeling like you'll never measure up. Instead of seeing growth and progress, you may be stuck in a cycle of frustration and disappointment, wondering if you have what it takes to succeed. But there is a way to break free from this mindset and achieve the confidence and success you desire.
My special guest is Ahmad
Ahmad is a seasoned professional in the podcasting industry, bringing extensive experience and insights to the table. With a strong focus on community building, coaching, and the significance of consistent quality and collaboration, his expertise offers valuable guidance for aspiring independent podcasters. Through his journey, Ahmad provides practical advice on overcoming self-doubt and achieving success in the competitive podcasting landscape. His contributions to LaQuita's Toolbox serve as an essential resource for podcasters looking to navigate the challenges of the industry and make meaningful strides towards their goals.
"Follow the framework, baby. Follow the framework."
Mastering the mindset for podcasting success
Adopting the right mindset is pivotal in achieving podcasting success. Navigating through self-doubt, fear, and procrastination often poses challenges for aspiring podcasters. Thus, shifting the focus from apprehension to action, understanding the value of the task, and recognizing personal growth potential can dramatically transform one's podcasting journey.
Unlocking the power of consistency
Consistency is often underestimated but is critical in podcasting, from releasing episodes regularly to maintaining the quality of content. Unlike popular belief, podcasting is not just setting up a mic and recording; it requires significant dedication and strategic planning. Therefore, mastering the art of being consistent can tremendously boost one's success in the podcasting world.
The underestimated value of tasks
Every aspect of podcasting, from developing a persona to choosing the release day, plays a significant role in creating a successful podcast. These tasks, although seemingly mundane, constitute the overall podcast experience for listeners. Thus, understanding and appreciating the value of these tasks, instead of considering them as mere chores, can significantly improve a podcaster's journey towards success.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:05 - Welcome and Introduction to Podcasting
00:01:56 - Sponsorship and Faith-Based Content
00:07:17 - Overcoming Procrastination and Self-Doubt
00:15:47 - Building Community and Podcast Success
00:18:49 - Importance of Consistency and Professional Help
00:20:35 - Quality, Collaboration, and Financial Investment
00:24:30 - Overcoming Financial Barriers and Self-Education
00:32:31 - Importance of Honest Feedback and Management
00:35:49 - Managing Expectations and Individual Abilities
00:36:32 - Adjusting Expectations
00:37:00 - Holding Clients Accountable
00:39:30 - Unique Podcasting Experiences
00:47:24 - Starting a Successful Podcast
00:53:40 - Building Community and Relationships
00:54:34 - Podfest Community and Support
00:55:58 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Support
00:56:57 - Utilizing Tools and Networking
01:00:48 - Growth and Delegation
01:02:52 - Done for You Podcasting and Marketing
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
1.Surrendering to God's Will: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Make a...
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Laquita Schoolbox, where we
(00:09):
deliver relevant content in the form of
tools that impact entrepreneurs, elevate
personal and professionally. Good is only
until greater is envisioned. You know,
there's a other level. We discuss the tool
to get you there. Lean in as Laquita, her
(00:33):
guests present you with strategy and
insight for unlocking your full potential
to realize your bold dream. Welcome back
to another amazing episode of Laquita's
Toolbox. I am your host, Laquita Manley
and it is fabulous day in the Lord on
today. You know what I say, today is the
day that the Lord is made. Let us rejoice
(00:55):
and be glad in it. Amen. And that is
exactly what we are doing on today. I miss
the very special guest that I have in
studio with today and different reasons
and hopefully prayerful about all of those
reasons in this particular interview. But
before we jump in and invite Mr. Rashad,
(01:19):
let me take a moment. Thank our sponsors
at Covenant Press. They are a faith based
christian apparel and accessory shop where
we as believers shop online for clothing
and necessities that allow us to express
the love of Jesus Christ. Go out to
www.covenantpress.com again,
(01:42):
www.covenantpress.com shop until you drop
click off those pop ups too quickly
because they contain valuable discount
codes that can be used at checkout
discounts on your purchases with Covenant
Press. Hey, hey, Rashad producer. Come on
(02:03):
now. The studio here, that's what I used
to say back in the day in my pre Christ
life. But we're going down even more. And
not just talk about overall, but because
you are a podcast producer, we're going to
talk about that in terms podcasting, how
(02:26):
to be successful. And I'm going to be a
little cheeky people. I know y'all been
like shy. What are y'all talking about?
This. Episode about? First of all, I'm
gonna let Amar introduce and we're going
to talk to today to my audience, you
podcaster, or you're thinking about coming
(02:48):
a podcaster. The good stuff is just
getting started. Don't leave now. The good
stuff is just getting started about the
journey to get to a place where you are a
successful independent podcaster. Let me
put that a successful independent
(03:09):
podcaster. But go ahead. And for those
that might who you are, introduce yourself
because the party we in here like we in
here so people know who you are and what
you do. My name is Amar Shaw and I. Am a
(03:32):
producer at my producer. Our website is
Myproducer biz. We create audio and video
content for coaches those in the self
development, we say so like your
therapist, psychologist. One that mentors.
(03:53):
If you're trying to help someone with self
help, acceptance, avoiding imposter
syndrome, just any type of self
development. We like working with those
individuals and we also work small
businesses and large businesses as well.
We acquired businesses such as we provided
(04:16):
some pulmonary medical facility here in
Dallas. We provided some consultation,
working with juneteenth museum, providing
assistance with them. Laura. And also. So
companies and small companies as well. And
(04:38):
working with. Ahmad is the truth. Who is?
I mean. Not that one. I'm sorry. But I
tell you, what he has to say has far more
(04:59):
value what that brother has to say.
Industry. You are an expert in a total
industry. Be no Laquist toolbox. Mr. Shad
and his team at my produce produced Laquis
Toolbox for quite some time, actually. He
(05:19):
helped me get started and that was about
it now. And it's so funny it wasn't. We go
way back. Because people often tell me
like, oh, liquidity, it looks so easy. You
do like I could get folks. And they can
(05:42):
tell you it was. Not like podcasting is a
great tool, but it is a lot of work. And
the biggest work is the mindset. That was
one of the things that Ahmad helped me.
You could be great in a whole lot of
things and very confident in a whole lot
of things. But when you step into
(06:02):
something different, I can't speak for
nobody else. I can just speak for me, step
into something different. Even though I
know direction that God is pushing me to
go, I still have some apprehension and
overcoming that apprehension. I remember
the first time you talked to me about what
is your Persona going to be if you only
(06:23):
running through my head when you said
that. What's he talking about? What do you
mean? My avatar on the mic. Right. Me to
process, truly hard for me to process and
then developing what my outro was going to
(06:44):
be, picking the music. What's the best day
to put podcast out? These different
technical bits that you have to go through
to develop a great podcast, putting
together a trailer. So different things
and these are things that we don't put a
lot of thought into. Hey, I want to be on
(07:06):
a podcast. You can just grab the mic and
go to talking sort of, but it's more into
know more about that. Yeah. So one thing
that, by the way, I just really do
appreciate journey, Laquita, because when
we first started, it's six months before
(07:29):
you and I really kind. Of got the rumor to
the. Time to meet, right. And to be
honest, a lot of podcasters. So you're not
the only one. Majority of the podcasters I
work with, they kind of have that
apprehension or maybe thinking a little
(07:51):
bit more. So I've now made of the program.
Because working with over 150 podcasters
over. The last years, you start to figure.
Out, okay, why are podcasters going
through. What you went through? And I
(08:12):
didn't know that. So I was trying to
understand what you were going through.
Now I have a better understanding for you.
But for a lot of podcasts, or. People who
want a podcast, they deal with a lot of
(08:32):
doubt and a lot of self reflection. And it
all ties into reflection is good, but it
ties into self doubt, and that self doubt
ties into fear. And what I realized is it
comes from procrastination. And then when
I did some more. Research on what
(08:54):
procrastination really is, procrastination
free, you all from procrastination is not
laziness. At all. So when I realized it
comes from procrastination and it's not
laziness, you don't. Have to feel bad.
It's not a negative thing. We all thought
procrastination is negative, but really
what procrastination is, you're not seeing
(09:17):
the true value of what the task is
greater, something else. That's really
what that is. When you were going through
what you were going through, you were
like, through self reflection. And I think
the self reflection was you valued more
reflecting than actually acting out what
(09:40):
we did. So you were just putting a higher.
Value on that question. And a lot of
people, before they. Start podcasting, and
we call it delay. It creates delay. And
it's like, what is you get from pondering,
(10:00):
being in pondering, to a state of action,
right. For podcasting, this is just for
anyone who has a dream, dreams, what do we
do? We ponder our dream. And what we're
doing is we're finding comfort and value
in just thinking about it and just
(10:23):
thinking. We don't see the value in the
action. In the action. Yeah. That is what
I've discovered is what creates
procrastination. I don't see it as a
negative. Thing because the self
reflection is necessary. I think the
pondering is necessary. I tell podcasters
(10:44):
now, laquita, I say, hey, that's part of
the creation process. It really is. I
don't think one who's created anything
that we see, a painting, music, a business
thing that someone didn't really think
about at first. Scripture talks about
that. You need to count the cost. Yes. I
(11:08):
think part of improving on who we are is
self acceptance. Right. So it's like first
accept that you are going to ponder and
that you're going to find value in
pondering. I think if we accept that as
part of the creation process, I think that
helps you get to the part of creating out
(11:31):
what you're pondering much sooner. That's
what I've noticed over the last. Year and
a half. Like telling podcasters, hey, you
know what? Yeah. It's going to take you
some time. To really think about that.
Take the time about it and then I give
you, hey, I give you a week, take the time
(11:51):
to think about it. And then the other part
is to help get you from pondering to
action is like saying, hey, whatever you
don't finish, get on the phone with me and
we'll finish it together. That's good. I
wasn't doing that with you two. Years ago,
two and a half years. Ago and doing that
(12:13):
with you. I've learned to do that because
I know that part of the creation process.
Is pondering, is the pondering. You have
to procrastinate. I like that. I like put
some things in perspective because
especially depending upon the personality
of the individual that you're dealing
(12:35):
with. And for me, my personality is I. Am
a person that tries to do. Different
things at once. It's like you have to push
the button. But at the same time, I'm also
a person does a lot of thinking, a lot of
thinking, a lot of reflecting, because
(12:55):
when I show up, I want to show up as the
best version. What is that best version of
myself. In type of platform? What am I
going to talk about, who my audience? How
do I want them to see me for me? And I
think a lot of people, especially now, and
it should have always been that we show up
(13:18):
authentically ourselves, right? And that
because I have a business podcast and I
have a lot of things going. I'm a very
devout Christian with a whole lot of kids
and some grandkids. Like how can I
incorporate all of that? How can queer
show up? As in the business space where
(13:42):
I'm. Talking about personal development,
it is a. Business because we get the tips
and the tools toolbox in the end. But how
can my christian faith in who as a
military spouse and retired military
spouse and mom and grandmother show up and
add value outside of the football, the
church? Like that was the thing that kept.
(14:04):
Blowing over in my mind. It's like I don't
want to seem like I trying to be two
different people. I'm one way here in this
podcasting space, and I'm the other way
over in space. I know, can I just be me.
In space and that really think a lot and
(14:24):
overthink to a degree, because you're
right. It took us six months, y'all,
months of me paying money to be stuck in
my head. It was like, remember I called
you. And. I said, yeah, I'm going to drop
(14:45):
you. Yeah. Get it together. Remember that
part? Get it together, girl. Get it. But
it was in love, though, because. We have
developed, because we spoke about
everything else. Everything. And that's
about having a coach. Like, now that my
(15:08):
podcast network, there are clients that
have that, oh, yeah, you can go. It's a
diy thing that you can go and do yourself
out, and there's tons of people that do
it. But what is your end goal? And so for
me, I understood the value of a coach,
especially having a. Coach who was going
(15:28):
to tell me. The truth and polite, as my
grandmother say, polite fire under my
behind. And that's what you did, put that.
Polite fire under my behind. And it keep
me, and it made me put action to all notes
that. I had been taking. Right on.
Laquita. Today, podcast ranks top 2.5%
(15:53):
globally. In the past year. Because we
started working together in 2021. That is
when the far can. Well, we started in
2020. Really? We did. The podcast did not
come out to. 2021, and it was because I
was of 2020 stuck in my head. Right. And
(16:14):
could not move forward. And I needed that
extra kick. Yeah. And that's why it's so
important to build community. From the
beginning, you were all about community
building, community building of the
podcasters. Having that podcast producer,
that was one that I wanted. Two, because
(16:36):
I'm a speaker and a coach. There were a
lot of intricacies about. Podcasting that
I had. No, I came to podcasting, live
streaming, live streaming once a week.
That was self managed by me and Victor
enough. It wasn't the same as podcast. And
having that conversation with you, I. Was
like, oh, that's work. I don't have time
(16:57):
for that. Do that. Yeah, but I don't have
time for that. I just really down the time
in my day to batch record episode, right.
Then all the other go with it. And so
that's what I share with. My son, and I
can share with them the things that you
(17:19):
share with me. Right. See that? I can show
you how to this and go ahead. And I'm
happy with you from time to time, if
that's what you or you can be a part of.
This community and we help you get this
out together, reach a bigger audience. I
remember I was trying to go. Through my
(17:40):
email before for this episode, trying to
see how many downloads I had, you guys,
before I transitioned to a different
platform. I couldn't. So I think a good
guessed first year. Well, first two
(18:03):
seasons I believe. With you guys. But I
want to say it was. Over 10,000 downloads
that I had within that first year. A lot.
I couldn't have done that as a podcaster.
(18:23):
When am I told me I had to have. But the
thing is just for this can still follow
us, right? You pondered then you had
community, right? So that helps you feed
(18:46):
procrastination is community. That's what
you had. And then you were also
consistent, but before the consistency,
but you also brought in a professional. I
think that's the other part. Many
podcasters in space do not have a
(19:06):
professional helping. Almost 80% of
podcasters doing it by. Themselves through
a free platform. They are. Unable to
surpass three, five episodes and they
quit. So if you are talking to the
(19:30):
audience right now, if you are seeking to
create a podcast or anything over your
dream, you're not getting a mentor or a
coach or someone who is professional. You
can delegate something to 99% chance of
your rate. You're not going to make it.
(19:51):
You're not going to make it. If not tapped
into someone or individual. Who can take
you to the next. Step, you just won't make
it. Won't do it. There's one business on
earth that doesn't have employees and
partnerships. Yeah, so very true. There
(20:15):
are a ton of free ways to podcast. You
could podcast from your phone, your
tablet, because love what you said,
consistency, quality would be two and
partnership and collaboration for me to
make it be successful in podcasting. But
(20:36):
the quality could come. Even at number
three, quality doesn't even have to be
number two, because to get the quality,
you're going to have to have the currency
get the quality. But if number one, number
two will come, and number two is a
tendency to almost always produce
(20:57):
currency. Collaboration almost always
produces an income flow, monetization flow
to where now I can up my game, I can't
upgrade because I did not start out with
that. You all see me with, right? And I
don't recommend everyone starting with. A
short mv seven microphone. You don't want
(21:20):
to start with that first. Start with the
mv seven off the game. You want to start
with something. Just in case you find out
you can't be consistent. You don't waste
your money because you have a mic arm, you
have all the equipment. And when I first
(21:42):
started, we started. With the bare
minimum. Bare minimum. Because bare bones.
Imagine if you had started off with all
that, all the equipment you have now. When
you and I first started, I don't think you
continued because you probably would have
been wasted money. It would have been a
negative experience. Very negative
(22:03):
experience. Negative experience. I hope
you all need to be taking notes. If taking
notes, stop what you're doing right now,
get the right wit and write on, rewind
this podcast and go back, start taking
some copious notes. Because podcasting to
(22:24):
me is like any other where you see
business gurus on social media making it
seem like it's so easy. All you got to do
is a ten step program. And if you follow
these ten steps. What'S going to happen?
(22:45):
No, it may be ten steps. Like we've gave
you three steps. It is taking me. Mid year
2020 to today, in 2023 of the year. You
all. To get. I am in those three steps.
(23:09):
And some of the steps fluctuate like I'm
out of each one of the steps at any given
time. So having a professional on your
team in your network somewhere like, okay,
to your point, we do need the
professionals. But I do also understand at
the. Time when I had the idea to have a
(23:31):
podcast, didn't have the finance. To bring
in the professional. So then groups, there
are groups, there are people you can
follow like the. Self educate and build
yourself up to. The point where when I
initially talked to Ahmad, heard about his
(23:52):
packages and myself said, girl, sat down,
you better. The consistency is being able
to consistently. Afford your tools in
order to make. This happen the way you
want it to happen. So that me to self
(24:15):
educate for a while. It required me to
continue to do what I was doing before in
order to earn the coins needed to be able
to consistently afford the tools I. Knew I
needed in order to be. Successful as an
independent podcaster. And I'm going to
keep saying independent. Podcasters
because one of the things just, I'm going
(24:36):
to drop this right here. Leave it in the
atmosphere. You do what you want to do. Of
our favorite youtubers and podcasters at
this point in their journey are no longer
independent. They have collaborated with
some major networks that help keep in the
million and 2 million and 5 million down a
(24:58):
little secret. And it's not a big secret
like. Something that we overlook. They
tell us when we find out who sponsors and
stuff are, they tell us the whole time,
but we're not understanding language. So
you don't realize they're no longer the
podcast. I want to say I was in. A class
one time, and the guy who was teaching a
(25:19):
class had went to another master class or
something like that, that Mr. Beast did.
And if I remember correctly, Joey told us
that class. One of the things that Mr.
Beast, and for those of you don't know,
Mr. Beast, google him. Then you Mr. Beast,
right. He's an amazing YouTube podcaster.
(25:40):
Mr. Beast can spend several thousand
dollars to get one episode out, but he's
going to recoup that. Put it in
perspective, and that's what. Ahmad is
talking to us today. Put it in perspective
of how you. Don'T want to start out big.
You want to start out little, start small.
(26:01):
And if you have to do it without a
professional, well, first of all, I
provide free one on one podcast training.
So if you're interested in doing that,
make sure you reach out to Laquita. So
that she can give you my. Email address,
put her name in the subject line. Just
(26:23):
send me an email. I want free podcast
training, but I. Give free one cash
training because I know I've learned that
many podcasters have a financial barrier.
And I currently price uniquely to that
situation now. Right. Not only am I
(26:45):
pricing it uniquely. To that situation,
but now I also help recoup the funds that
you invest in. I even have a program to
help. You make money back. So that way you
podcast with us. So we have that program
now. We totally understand because
(27:07):
podcasters are really making money, and
we're fighting against that actively and
going forward. Any new pastor with us. Who
have. Already podcasting now, it's hard to
kind. Of get them to change their mind.
Back to the, to the new program, but it's
open to them as well. But every podcaster
(27:27):
comes in with us, it is ingrained. We'll
be podcasting for free with us for that.
So that's what makes different is you
podcast with us. The goal is to podcast
for free. And we set you up for that. And
we have a program for that. But the point
that I want to. Make is if you need to
(27:48):
self educate, then what you want to do. Is
as you're learning through groups, you.
Still want to separate yourself because
you have this thing, whereas the blind,
right? Yeah. So unless you're already
unique and you already beat on your own,
like Laquita. You beat on your own drum
anyway. Because you already business owner
(28:10):
and you had different businesses, real
estate, you hired people and teams. So
when you got into podcasting, you brought
the wealth of your business to podcasting.
So that's why you was able to. Self
educate, apply, and then. But not everyone
thinks like that. So this is my
(28:30):
recommendation. What you have to do is
you. Go in these groups, you read up on
everything, right? It takes 20 hours to
learn a new skill. 20 hours. 20 hours.
Take about 4 hours a day. And you embed
yourself on everything. You learn about
podcasting for a full week, 4 hours a day,
2 hours. A day for ten days. Whatever you
(28:50):
need to do after that, and you have these
skills, what you. Want to do after that is
you. Want to study broadcasters. This is
your second best way of getting
professional is by studying and
implementing what you like about the
(29:12):
broadcasters that you attract you. So I
used to, and I might. Have done this with
you, I would. Say, hey, go listen to Oprah
or go check broadcasters. I used to do
that early career, right. Because I needed
you to emulate what professionals do and
(29:35):
start to emulate it. And you start seeing
what they're doing. You're like, wow,
okay, God is teaching. Makes sense. Like,
he's not saying stuff out of his ear. I'm
a Christian. Out of his fourth point of
contact. Yeah, it is what that meant. I
(29:57):
was like, just not right, sir. Yeah, I'm
just out of family. But that's what I'm
saying is like. Because when I say, hey,
create a program. Let's do these segments,
and I start. Talking to you like this. You
were saying it. I was like. Then I'm like,
(30:19):
okay, who's your favorite? Who's your
favorite whatever. Morning show. Whatever.
Like, if it's like, Wendy Williams at. The
time, she was out or something like that.
Listen, watch the Kelly Clark. Or when
Ellen DeGeneres was out, I'm. Like, hey,
those were talk shows. Those were
considered talk shows. I would pay
(30:40):
attention to the energy and the vibe. And
I remember one, I had a. Podcaster, and
she was talking and just talked like. She
was like, hi, my name is so and so. And I
would say, hey, look, I. Said, you're
going to have to raise your voice. Raise
that energy. Yeah. I said, if you were to
stand next to anyone in my industry, if
(31:02):
you stood next to them, you would. Because
the way that they talk on. The microphone,
you would think that they're. Yelling.
Several times with that, too. When I
upload, especially in my season, that was
a big struggle for me, was inflection. You
(31:26):
were like, can you turn that up louder?
Like, put it on your mouth, Laquita. Yes.
You remember. Yes. At that moment, I
needed you to kiss the microphone. I was
like kiss. Know because it. Takes time for
(31:48):
you to get confident. To talk on the
microphone and get to the point. Like
right now you have the microphone. At the
35 degree where you're able to speak. So
that way the air blows off. Away from the
phone, but it's able. To pick it up. So
you take advice. Even the way that your
microphone is. Angled is exactly where
it's supposed to be. Water. All of that
(32:17):
stuff matters. This is the key because I
tell. Everyone, if you podcast with me, I
always say, welcome to the industry
because. I'm going to treat you and talk.
To you the way that I was spoken to and
how I was trained in the broadcast. But
I'm a tone it down. I'm going to be a
little bit nicer. But I did threaten you
(32:37):
because I love you that much. I saw you.
Some people, I do. Kind of have a little
bit hard. My personality needed that
because if you. In my hand, you would
still probably be. I said, you got the. It
makes no sense for you to not do this. I
(33:01):
got frustrated with me and you with your
progress. I needed. Professional. I think
that's another thing. And you've said like
Natalie, we together even in the situation
where I probably wouldn't. And I have been
(33:22):
the lot of people, but we'll talk about
that. It was frustrating. And I've had
some. Clients like that want your money
like that. When you're picking a coach,
picking up to work with, make sure you
and. That professional, you all don't have
(33:43):
to. Be best friends, but at least you all
do need to have relationship to where you
get on like they understand. You, you
understand them. And you can actually
receive the criticisms that you need to
receive because that word criticism or
critique and no, it's not negative. He
(34:07):
critiqued me and what he said to hear
because I'm going to say, especially to
people who are successful, to people who
are you rarely to tell. You the truth
about yourself. Let me say that I rarely
get. That are willing to tell me the.
(34:29):
Truth about myself because they don't want
to offend me. They want to be in my face.
And this is not bragging or anything like
that. Because in your walk of life,
everybody has a circle. Your circle that
tends to be people. People don't want to
really tell you the truth. Your true
friends will look you in your eye, you the
(34:49):
truth and tell. You to pick up. Let's go
get a soda. You need your be able to do
that too. The professional that you're
working with know. That in your next
session, you're going. To work that out
and you're going. To show them some
progress at the next session. That was the
other thing that I really. You checked my
progress. If I told you I was going. To
(35:11):
have something done by x, y and z, you
that, can you get that done? I will get a
text message. When I got that text, I'm
standing on my head. They're like this
cat, jesus, he is up. And my husband, very
(35:32):
good guy. Exactly. Full opposite of me. I
like him because he knew I was getting on.
Yeah, I like him. The thing is. And you're
a coach. So you know you can't do that
(35:52):
one. You know who you can do that. With
because there's some people that you want
to be honest like that, but you can't
because you know they can't handle it.
Some people you want to be honest really
don't have it within them to even do it.
(36:14):
Anyway. I'm throwing my pearls to pig. So
what I hear you say right there is
management. You expect out of a person
what they have the ability to give, even.
Though it's like, man, I wish you. Could
give me more. You already know that
(36:34):
particular client give you more. So you've
adjusted the expectation, your own
expectation, and you're working with them,
their expectations, because sometimes we
don't realize they. Have met our cap and
that's all we have. I've bumped into some
of my clients. Where I'm like, hey, this
(36:54):
is legitimately the best you can do at
this stage. At this stage, I will back up.
I have a pastor that he's clearly ready
for the next step, but he just won't do
it. Just not do it. He just won't do it.
And I'm like, man, you're ready for next
step. But I just know, let me just back
(37:16):
up. Because if I tell him that hard.
Truth, then I can lose a client,
obviously. But even worse than that, maybe
I might break that person's spirit if I go
too hard. Some people you can go hard. It
motivates that spirit. Like, for me, you
can go hard on me. I'm going to be
(37:39):
butthurt. At first. I didn't like when you
said it, it wasn't wrong. I've had clients
hold me accountable. I remember one time
you told me. You got on me, let's talk
about. You getting on me because super
(38:01):
busy. At some point, the tables had
turned. And you started killing it, right?
And then you was like, look, you're going
to need to start delegating need. To go
get you a virtual assistant. You need to
start doing this because. You got to
continue x, y, and z, because armor was
(38:22):
cracked, right? Yeah. I have a virtual
assistant today because of you. It was
like. Because it was you and another
podcast named Ralph. I kept hearing from
other pastors, the. Ones who I loved, and.
(38:42):
They go in. It's like, because if you know
you. Can say the truth to somebody, you.
Know who you really appreciate. We had
this relationship over several months or
whatever. It was over a year, man. It was
over now. So you're like, look, ahmad, I
like. You, and I need to delegate. So it
(39:04):
was like you were like two other podcasts.
But I know you around. Sure. And today I
have Liz. She's my only awesome. Yes, she
is. Liz, if you listen to this. Say, she's
so kind, she's like, no, none. Of you all
get my nerves. She is the best. She is.
(39:29):
Would not be where I am today. For Liz,
she's like, she holds me. Down, she gives
me ideas. She reaches out to everyone. So
some of those reminder text and. Emails
came from her. Yeah. That's the beauty of
it. In this podcasting journey, we develop
(39:49):
skill sets, we hone in. Important thing to
me, I know that. I wouldn't develop the
consistency and the confidence needed if
it wasn't for the community that was
brought to the table with you, with
Victor, my first podcast intro. Because
(40:10):
when I was directly a result of Ahmad,
because I 100% brain cramp, you all had
overwhelmed me to the. Point where I was
like, well, I. Am just not going to have.
Because I don't know how to do this. Yeah.
Part. We hear that a lot. I work with
podcasts again. I do this free, right? So
(40:33):
they'll come in and I have a survey. I'll
say, like, hey, what are the. Reasons why
not launch a podcast? Like I said, some of
them will say, like, procrastination or
impostor syndrome, or. Exactly what you
said. It's like, I don't think that. I
(40:56):
don't think I'm valuable enough. I don't
think I have a good. I'm worthy. And it's
like every single person is created by
God. Yes. And that means you have
something within you that is unique to
you. And as you go through life, you.
(41:16):
Create your own unique experiences. So you
have something to say. No one's story is
going to be exactly the same. Just like
everyone's fingerprint identical. Like, if
God was to name, your name would be
written braille on your fingertips. Yeah,
(41:39):
there might be another Laquita. But
there's not another person named whatever.
Your name is in Braille. Embrail. Yeah.
God has a unique name for you. Yeah. And
you can look at it and. You have a voice,
you have a. Story, you have something to
say. So everyone can create a podcast.
Yes. Everyone can. Yes. There's so many
(42:03):
other things we're going. To have to come
and do part. Two so we can get some more.
Into the part two pleasure. So much we
could talk about of podcasting. Everybody
can do a podcast. A lot of people not
(42:24):
podcasting need to be podcasting. And I
remember a statistic because you were on.
Were you a guest with me and. Victor first
or with me and Adina? I can't remember. I
think I was a guest with you, and I think
it was with were. And you quoted us some
(42:48):
as it related to african american
podcasters and african american people of
color in the podcasting space. And I can't
remember statistic was. But I remember the
thought and initial. When you said it, my
first thought was, wow, that few people.
(43:10):
And then, wow, that much potential. This
podcasting space is still. People will
say, oh, podcasting is flooded. It's
really not. No, it's not. Because if it
is, 2.5 million podcasts out there right
(43:30):
now, 1% of them are active. Something like
that. Yeah. One to 2% of them are active.
And even out of that one to 2% that's
active, only a fraction of those are what
would be considered by the industry
successful, whether they are monetizing or
(43:51):
have a huge reach. Correct. What are their
downloads? What is the consistency of
their audience? Is their audience engaged?
When you said, I'm in the top 2.5% in my
genre, that sounds great. But what does
(44:14):
that really mean? Things like that? That's
what I want to talk about on the next
episode. Yeah, we really get into that
because we're competing against
celebrities. Yes. And if we were
celebrities, then just us, where we are. I
(44:34):
feel like podcasting should be
categorically rated. Right. You need to be
able to see where do you rank among people
with your experience level. Yeah, like
they have the film festivals and then they
have exactly. Coachella and different,
like, big names showing up, rocking. But
(44:57):
then in independent film festivals, the
smaller independent film festivals, it's
more equally. The playing field is more
equal. Correct. So then you'll know how
well you really are doing. And then that
helps with sponsorships and advertisements
and stuff like that. Because now they're
saying like, okay, out of everyone that's
(45:18):
in your space. Maybe you are in the top
five, maybe you're dominating so high, but
they're grouping all podcasters together,
and that's just not a legitimate to
measure metric. I like that. Not a legit
(45:38):
metric because people who have several
million dollars pushing their podcast.
Correct. They're skewing the curve. Yeah.
And that's how it is. Here's majority of
the podcasters are here, and then here's
you. It's a straight jump. You're in this
(46:00):
space with these podcasters, and then
there's another jump to where the
millionaire podcasters are. Right. It's
not like a nice curve. It's more like,
there you go. Come on now. It's not all
(46:21):
whatever how that looked like, you know
what I'm saying? And I think it's like
that right now. I'll make the excuse of
it's like that right now because it is
new. Like podcasting has been around a
long time, but it hasn't been well
utilized. Made it more utilized. Correct.
(46:42):
Because of COVID you had a whole lot more
people entered the industry, but to your
point, you had a lot of people to leave
the industry as well. Once more, normal
got back and too, one of the things we
talk about is the actual legwork required
to make an independent podcast successful.
How do you find your audience? How do you
(47:02):
keep your audience engaged? All of those
things that are required. And we're not
talking equipment. We probably won't even
ever talk equipment in these two episodes
because it's kind. Of, equipment is the
easiest thing to look up and research.
Yeah, it is. That is the easiest thing to
do, and that's what most podcasters do.
(47:24):
They jump straight to the equipment. But I
go against the gurus and I say, do not buy
equipment. Educate yourself first and try
to podcast just through your phone. And
just how do you feel and learn the
structure of creating a show, become
comfortable talking on your show. Those
are the things that are more important
(47:46):
first, which is what I provide for free
now that I help you do those things at no
cost to help create that comfort level. So
that way, whether you want to continue to
podcast with me as your producer or you
want to self produce or go to anyone, go
somewhere else, at least you would have
had that foundation. And that's my goal,
(48:07):
is to help bring in more quality hosts
into the space, because it's horrible. 85%
of podcasters, man, sound like, no
offense, but it sound like trash, ash, and
just being real in love that you really
should work on your delivery before you
(48:31):
start buying all of the equipment. Buying
all the equipment. You got to figure out
who you are in the podcasting space,
right? Because you as a person, you are
great as a person. You have talent, you
have a story, everything that cannot be
taught. You have to make a podcast great.
(48:53):
We just need to work on the framework, and
then after the framework, then we just
need to pull out that gift. We need to
pull out that voice. Absolutely. And some
people have it better than others, but
everyone can have it if they choose to
(49:14):
want it to be pulled out. So bless you,
Laquita. Wow. The audio listeners are
like, what was that? Yeah, we'll edit that
out. But for you, Laquita, what makes you
(49:42):
phenomenal is the fact that you apply.
That's what I've always saw in you. Even
though through the six months. It. Wasn'T
that we still didn't work on the podcast,
which is why my hope was still there,
(50:04):
because I know we kind of over exaggerated
how the relationship was that was just for
entertainment purposes. Little shock
value. But we still talked about the show,
and we brainstormed a lot, and I just
(50:24):
think that's just what we did. And this is
why now I do that part free now. But we
just brainstormed. So there was always
something moving forward towards you
starting to record and whatnot, even
though it was just maybe like small
(50:45):
increments. But for the most part, we
still did move forward. It was like, I
would call it product research. Like
before major company rolls out a new
product. Right. There's a lot of legwork
and brainstorming and creative sessions
that take place prior to. It's a part of
(51:07):
the product development. Right. So I feel
like you probably got to me a little too
soon, if I think about it. Probably I was
still in the idea phase in my head, and I
didn't have enough bones to bring to you
to put the skeleton together. Right.
Because I think that the coaching. Because
your coaching business, I think you were
(51:28):
still developing that part as well, right?
Yeah, I was still developing my courses
together. There was a lot of things I was
still putting together from that, and I
didn't want to do a podcast on real
estate. I already had everything together
for real estate, but I already spent 18
months at that time. Vic and I were 18
(51:50):
months in and already doing a live
specific to real estate. So I didn't want
the podcast to be specific to real estate
because I was already doing that. Got you.
I wanted the podcast to be something that
was more reflective of my journey and
helping people in their personal
(52:11):
development. Because I believe that our
personal development directly reflects our
success in business. And that's what I
want the podcast, that's what I want
Laquita's toolbox to be. Get me the tools.
Teach me how to use the tools so that I
can grow personally and professionally.
And those of y'all that love that intro,
(52:31):
Amad wrote it right, and he pulled one out
of his back pocket. I was like, whoa,
that's so nice. Yeah. Writing is important
in the know. Writing it because initially
(52:53):
I spoke the. Blessed me with the gift. He
got a voiceover artist that I know and
love, and I just love that version so much
better. He's phenomenal Collins. So
listen, y'all, it's so many things that we
(53:14):
could talk about as it relates to
podcasts, but I really love this
conversation today because we delved into
the important bits. Let's give people a
clear picture of what it looks like to
start as an independent podcaster and talk
about the emotional hills that you'll
(53:34):
climb in this journey to get it started
and to keep it going. What kind of
relationships we need to have and
community we need to develop in order to
maintain the consistency, in order to
maintain the learning. I'll give a shout
out to Podfest. Because they are a great
group. Yeah, great group. Unfortunately, I
(53:57):
won't get to podfest this year. I was at
the meetup in Austin and I was supposed to
come to Podfest and Capshovian live. But
the day that all of everything starts,
because Capchovian live starts first, I
will be out of country. No, I won't be out
(54:19):
of country. I'll be out of state with my
husband at a different event. So I'm going
to miss it. But you all are going. And
those are the kind of things like, those
are the things that you want to be a part
of. That's an example. They're an amazing
group of individuals with Podfest that you
(54:41):
might want to tap in. And a lot of stuff
is free. Yeah, a lot of it is. And Chris
has a really good conference. The co
founder of Podfest, I had the pleasure of
connecting with him and meeting and
speaking with him at length. Actually, we
had a Zoom call, and he really cares about
(55:03):
the podcaster to the point where he wants
to get to know you by name, where
everybody knows your name. He's like the
cheers of. So. So he really cares. And his
partner Andrew is really great as well.
Had a chance to connect with him via email
(55:24):
several times. I had a podcast ticket that
was given to me for free and I ended up
giving it to someone and I didn't know if
I was able to transfer my free ticket. And
they was like, oh, yeah, we'll honor that.
So a lot of companies don't do that.
Something free, that's like, no, if you
don't go, you can't transfer it. So they
were able to transfer it to someone else
(55:45):
who's going to be able to go in my place.
But, laquida, if you ever get a chance to
go back to, have you been to pop fest at
all? I've been to it virtually. Crazy
thing for this year, for January. I had a
pretext this year, and a lot of people
don't know, but at the end of last year,
October, November, December through
(56:08):
January, I had a breast cancer scare,
actually. No way. Are you kidding? No. And
because you taught me to batch create,
that's how my podcast was still going
because I was literally in and out of
doctors between Colleen and. But, you
know, the Lord is faithful. So my free
(56:29):
ticket was given to me by a great guy that
I met on LinkedIn, Enrique Gonzalez. He
gave me a free ticket to Podfest. So with
that happening, I couldn't go to Podfest
in person because I had all of those
medical things going. Podfest, the virtual
(56:50):
event was in spring of this year, and I
went and it was phenomenal. I learned so
much. That's how I actually found out
about a tool that I use called capsho. And
they don't sponsor this, but they're an
amazing group who are a part of Podfest.
(57:11):
And capture was awesome. So I got to meet
them on the virtual stage in Podfest. I
use their system. It is phenomenal. And
actually, Deidre and Bona moved to Austin.
They live in Austin. So when the podfest
meetup was just a couple of months ago in
(57:32):
Austin, they shot me an email, said, hey,
you're coming up to Austin to meet up.
Initially I wasn't, but me and my son were
like, ok, yeah, I'm a go. And they were
like, ok, we'll meet you. You know,
they're from Australia originally. So I'm
like, they're going to live. Zoom in. So
Chris was there, walks Deidre and Bona.
(57:53):
Deidre, I hadn't really spoken to, but
Bona, I had spoken to her a lot, right?
I'm looking at her, she's looking at me,
and we're smiling like, I did not know you
guys moved to Austin. But getting to talk
to them at. Length, being on Deidre show
and talking about my journey as a podcast,
how I use their tool to help with my SEO,
(58:14):
generating organic traffic and stuff. It
is so great to be a part of a community.
There's some people with yourself and your
team and then meeting some other people
who were a part of Podfest. Like Enrique
was a speaker at Podfest last year or this
(58:34):
year, January 2023. He was a speaker on
one of the panels at Podfest. He and I
knew each other. He introduced me to the
Podfest community and that helped to
increase my consistency. It helped me to
have a better understanding of all the ins
and outs of podcasting and so many
different things. So, yeah, podcast is a
(58:57):
great community to be a part of. Really
is. I think podcast will continue to grow.
I think they're celebrating ten years.
Yes. So I'm disappointed that I won't be
able to go, but I have other arrangements
that I have to attend to. But that's the
benefit of a founder. You can pass
(59:17):
something on to someone else and they can
go on your behalf. Laquita, I now have
seven individuals on my team now. That is
awesome. And we're growing. I'm looking
for number eight this year in 2024. Yeah.
My goal is to give someone my spot. So I
(59:40):
want someone to handle the onboarding of
the podcasters so that way I can focus
more on our enterprise business. Matter of
fact, I just got my 8th person. Now that I
think about it, it'll be official next
year. But we're onboarding a person who's
going to be our enterprise solutions
architect, who will be helping us to
(01:00:02):
acquire enterprise businesses who need
podcasting services. Right? So we're going
to go for the big fish out in the blue
ocean right now. They're already yours,
sir. Laquita, it is so interesting that
when you and I met, it was just me and one
(01:00:25):
other person. When we first it was me and
Kevin, and now we're seven strong. So that
advice of delegation I took. That.
Hopefully we hit our goals of helping a
(01:00:47):
lot of podcasters next year. So anyone
who's listening who wants free help,
because that's what we want to do, is just
want to help you out for free and just
kind of help you with the foundation and
then anyone who continues to podcast with
us, the goal is for you to podcast with us
for free, continuously. We want you to cut
(01:01:08):
your cost or have it pay for itself. That
is exactly the program that we have right
now going in 2024. And we have about 16
new podcasters that we're onboarding next
year. Hopefully all of them will be
podcasting at no cost. At no cost. Yeah,
they just got to follow the framework.
(01:01:29):
Follow the framework, baby. Follow the
framework. You have to get back on my
calendar, get another time, lock it in so
we can go in and deep dive into some of
the intricacies of the actual. What makes
a podcast function? I want to talk about
that too, because I love the podcasting
(01:01:50):
dream. I love everything about it. And I
want to encourage more people into the
space that can be successful. But you know
me, I like to be realistic up front. Be
realistic up front so people can properly
plan. Because when we properly plan, then
that leads to success. And we don't want
people to come in thinking is, oh, you
(01:02:13):
just do one, two, three, and boom, why
don't I have any downloads? It's a little
bit more than that. So set you up for
success. A little bit more than that.
Yeah, you're going to have to. That's the
other part. So, yeah, I'll talk to you
when we come back about how we have a
marketing program now for our podcast done
for you. So we have done for you
(01:02:33):
podcasting and now we have coming up a
done for you marketing for your podcast.
Awesome. Yeah. All you do is talk. We
work. That's the goal. We don't want any
work. Just let it go. That's awesome.
(01:02:53):
Thank you so much for coming to the
podcast today. You're amazing. I can't
wait for part two. It's going to be
phenomenal. Look, you all, if you have not
subscribed to the podcast, hit that
subscribe button on your favorite podcast
listening platform so that you can receive
notifications when my podcast drops every
(01:03:13):
Tuesday. New episodes come out every
Tuesday. You don't want to miss it. But
until next time, I'm your host, Laquita
Monley. You guys be great and have an
amazing, amazing rest of your day. Take
Welcome to Laquita Schoolbox, where we
(00:09):
deliver relevant content in the form of
tools that impact entrepreneurs, elevate
personal and professionally. Good is only
until greater is envisioned. You know,
there's a other level. We discuss the tool
to get you there. Lean in as Laquita, her
(00:33):
guests present you with strategy and
insight for unlocking your full potential
to realize your bold dream. Welcome back
to another amazing episode of Laquita's
Toolbox. I am your host, Laquita Manley
and it is fabulous day in the Lord on
today. You know what I say, today is the
day that the Lord is made. Let us rejoice
(00:55):
and be glad in it. Amen. And that is
exactly what we are doing on today. I miss
the very special guest that I have in
studio with today and different reasons
and hopefully prayerful about all of those
reasons in this particular interview. But
before we jump in and invite Mr. Rashad,
(01:19):
let me take a moment. Thank our sponsors
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Press. Hey, hey, Rashad producer. Come on
(02:03):
now. The studio here, that's what I used
to say back in the day in my pre Christ
life. But we're going down even more. And
not just talk about overall, but because
you are a podcast producer, we're going to
talk about that in terms podcasting, how
(02:26):
to be successful. And I'm going to be a
little cheeky people. I know y'all been
like shy. What are y'all talking about?
This. Episode about? First of all, I'm
gonna let Amar introduce and we're going
to talk to today to my audience, you
podcaster, or you're thinking about coming
(02:48):
a podcaster. The good stuff is just
getting started. Don't leave now. The good
stuff is just getting started about the
journey to get to a place where you are a
successful independent podcaster. Let me
put that a successful independent
(03:09):
podcaster. But go ahead. And for those
that might who you are, introduce yourself
because the party we in here like we in
here so people know who you are and what
you do. My name is Amar Shaw and I. Am a
(03:32):
producer at my producer. Our website is
Myproducer biz. We create audio and video
content for coaches those in the self
development, we say so like your
therapist, psychologist. One that mentors.
(03:53):
If you're trying to help someone with self
help, acceptance, avoiding imposter
syndrome, just any type of self
development. We like working with those
individuals and we also work small
businesses and large businesses as well.
We acquired businesses such as we provided
(04:16):
some pulmonary medical facility here in
Dallas. We provided some consultation,
working with juneteenth museum, providing
assistance with them. Laura. And also. So
companies and small companies as well. And
(04:38):
working with. Ahmad is the truth. Who is?
I mean. Not that one. I'm sorry. But I
tell you, what he has to say has far more
(04:59):
value what that brother has to say.
Industry. You are an expert in a total
industry. Be no Laquist toolbox. Mr. Shad
and his team at my produce produced Laquis
Toolbox for quite some time, actually. He
(05:19):
helped me get started and that was about
it now. And it's so funny it wasn't. We go
way back. Because people often tell me
like, oh, liquidity, it looks so easy. You
do like I could get folks. And they can
(05:42):
tell you it was. Not like podcasting is a
great tool, but it is a lot of work. And
the biggest work is the mindset. That was
one of the things that Ahmad helped me.
You could be great in a whole lot of
things and very confident in a whole lot
of things. But when you step into
(06:02):
something different, I can't speak for
nobody else. I can just speak for me, step
into something different. Even though I
know direction that God is pushing me to
go, I still have some apprehension and
overcoming that apprehension. I remember
the first time you talked to me about what
is your Persona going to be if you only
(06:23):
running through my head when you said
that. What's he talking about? What do you
mean? My avatar on the mic. Right. Me to
process, truly hard for me to process and
then developing what my outro was going to
(06:44):
be, picking the music. What's the best day
to put podcast out? These different
technical bits that you have to go through
to develop a great podcast, putting
together a trailer. So different things
and these are things that we don't put a
lot of thought into. Hey, I want to be on
(07:06):
a podcast. You can just grab the mic and
go to talking sort of, but it's more into
know more about that. Yeah. So one thing
that, by the way, I just really do
appreciate journey, Laquita, because when
we first started, it's six months before
(07:29):
you and I really kind. Of got the rumor to
the. Time to meet, right. And to be
honest, a lot of podcasters. So you're not
the only one. Majority of the podcasters I
work with, they kind of have that
apprehension or maybe thinking a little
(07:51):
bit more. So I've now made of the program.
Because working with over 150 podcasters
over. The last years, you start to figure.
Out, okay, why are podcasters going
through. What you went through? And I
(08:12):
didn't know that. So I was trying to
understand what you were going through.
Now I have a better understanding for you.
But for a lot of podcasts, or. People who
want a podcast, they deal with a lot of
(08:32):
doubt and a lot of self reflection. And it
all ties into reflection is good, but it
ties into self doubt, and that self doubt
ties into fear. And what I realized is it
comes from procrastination. And then when
I did some more. Research on what
(08:54):
procrastination really is, procrastination
free, you all from procrastination is not
laziness. At all. So when I realized it
comes from procrastination and it's not
laziness, you don't. Have to feel bad.
It's not a negative thing. We all thought
procrastination is negative, but really
what procrastination is, you're not seeing
(09:17):
the true value of what the task is
greater, something else. That's really
what that is. When you were going through
what you were going through, you were
like, through self reflection. And I think
the self reflection was you valued more
reflecting than actually acting out what
(09:40):
we did. So you were just putting a higher.
Value on that question. And a lot of
people, before they. Start podcasting, and
we call it delay. It creates delay. And
it's like, what is you get from pondering,
(10:00):
being in pondering, to a state of action,
right. For podcasting, this is just for
anyone who has a dream, dreams, what do we
do? We ponder our dream. And what we're
doing is we're finding comfort and value
in just thinking about it and just
(10:23):
thinking. We don't see the value in the
action. In the action. Yeah. That is what
I've discovered is what creates
procrastination. I don't see it as a
negative. Thing because the self
reflection is necessary. I think the
pondering is necessary. I tell podcasters
(10:44):
now, laquita, I say, hey, that's part of
the creation process. It really is. I
don't think one who's created anything
that we see, a painting, music, a business
thing that someone didn't really think
about at first. Scripture talks about
that. You need to count the cost. Yes. I
(11:08):
think part of improving on who we are is
self acceptance. Right. So it's like first
accept that you are going to ponder and
that you're going to find value in
pondering. I think if we accept that as
part of the creation process, I think that
helps you get to the part of creating out
(11:31):
what you're pondering much sooner. That's
what I've noticed over the last. Year and
a half. Like telling podcasters, hey, you
know what? Yeah. It's going to take you
some time. To really think about that.
Take the time about it and then I give
you, hey, I give you a week, take the time
(11:51):
to think about it. And then the other part
is to help get you from pondering to
action is like saying, hey, whatever you
don't finish, get on the phone with me and
we'll finish it together. That's good. I
wasn't doing that with you two. Years ago,
two and a half years. Ago and doing that
(12:13):
with you. I've learned to do that because
I know that part of the creation process.
Is pondering, is the pondering. You have
to procrastinate. I like that. I like put
some things in perspective because
especially depending upon the personality
of the individual that you're dealing
(12:35):
with. And for me, my personality is I. Am
a person that tries to do. Different
things at once. It's like you have to push
the button. But at the same time, I'm also
a person does a lot of thinking, a lot of
thinking, a lot of reflecting, because
(12:55):
when I show up, I want to show up as the
best version. What is that best version of
myself. In type of platform? What am I
going to talk about, who my audience? How
do I want them to see me for me? And I
think a lot of people, especially now, and
it should have always been that we show up
(13:18):
authentically ourselves, right? And that
because I have a business podcast and I
have a lot of things going. I'm a very
devout Christian with a whole lot of kids
and some grandkids. Like how can I
incorporate all of that? How can queer
show up? As in the business space where
(13:42):
I'm. Talking about personal development,
it is a. Business because we get the tips
and the tools toolbox in the end. But how
can my christian faith in who as a
military spouse and retired military
spouse and mom and grandmother show up and
add value outside of the football, the
church? Like that was the thing that kept.
(14:04):
Blowing over in my mind. It's like I don't
want to seem like I trying to be two
different people. I'm one way here in this
podcasting space, and I'm the other way
over in space. I know, can I just be me.
In space and that really think a lot and
(14:24):
overthink to a degree, because you're
right. It took us six months, y'all,
months of me paying money to be stuck in
my head. It was like, remember I called
you. And. I said, yeah, I'm going to drop
(14:45):
you. Yeah. Get it together. Remember that
part? Get it together, girl. Get it. But
it was in love, though, because. We have
developed, because we spoke about
everything else. Everything. And that's
about having a coach. Like, now that my
(15:08):
podcast network, there are clients that
have that, oh, yeah, you can go. It's a
diy thing that you can go and do yourself
out, and there's tons of people that do
it. But what is your end goal? And so for
me, I understood the value of a coach,
especially having a. Coach who was going
(15:28):
to tell me. The truth and polite, as my
grandmother say, polite fire under my
behind. And that's what you did, put that.
Polite fire under my behind. And it keep
me, and it made me put action to all notes
that. I had been taking. Right on.
Laquita. Today, podcast ranks top 2.5%
(15:53):
globally. In the past year. Because we
started working together in 2021. That is
when the far can. Well, we started in
2020. Really? We did. The podcast did not
come out to. 2021, and it was because I
was of 2020 stuck in my head. Right. And
(16:14):
could not move forward. And I needed that
extra kick. Yeah. And that's why it's so
important to build community. From the
beginning, you were all about community
building, community building of the
podcasters. Having that podcast producer,
that was one that I wanted. Two, because
(16:36):
I'm a speaker and a coach. There were a
lot of intricacies about. Podcasting that
I had. No, I came to podcasting, live
streaming, live streaming once a week.
That was self managed by me and Victor
enough. It wasn't the same as podcast. And
having that conversation with you, I. Was
like, oh, that's work. I don't have time
(16:57):
for that. Do that. Yeah, but I don't have
time for that. I just really down the time
in my day to batch record episode, right.
Then all the other go with it. And so
that's what I share with. My son, and I
can share with them the things that you
(17:19):
share with me. Right. See that? I can show
you how to this and go ahead. And I'm
happy with you from time to time, if
that's what you or you can be a part of.
This community and we help you get this
out together, reach a bigger audience. I
remember I was trying to go. Through my
(17:40):
email before for this episode, trying to
see how many downloads I had, you guys,
before I transitioned to a different
platform. I couldn't. So I think a good
guessed first year. Well, first two
(18:03):
seasons I believe. With you guys. But I
want to say it was. Over 10,000 downloads
that I had within that first year. A lot.
I couldn't have done that as a podcaster.
(18:23):
When am I told me I had to have. But the
thing is just for this can still follow
us, right? You pondered then you had
community, right? So that helps you feed
(18:46):
procrastination is community. That's what
you had. And then you were also
consistent, but before the consistency,
but you also brought in a professional. I
think that's the other part. Many
podcasters in space do not have a
(19:06):
professional helping. Almost 80% of
podcasters doing it by. Themselves through
a free platform. They are. Unable to
surpass three, five episodes and they
quit. So if you are talking to the
(19:30):
audience right now, if you are seeking to
create a podcast or anything over your
dream, you're not getting a mentor or a
coach or someone who is professional. You
can delegate something to 99% chance of
your rate. You're not going to make it.
(19:51):
You're not going to make it. If not tapped
into someone or individual. Who can take
you to the next. Step, you just won't make
it. Won't do it. There's one business on
earth that doesn't have employees and
partnerships. Yeah, so very true. There
(20:15):
are a ton of free ways to podcast. You
could podcast from your phone, your
tablet, because love what you said,
consistency, quality would be two and
partnership and collaboration for me to
make it be successful in podcasting. But
(20:36):
the quality could come. Even at number
three, quality doesn't even have to be
number two, because to get the quality,
you're going to have to have the currency
get the quality. But if number one, number
two will come, and number two is a
tendency to almost always produce
(20:57):
currency. Collaboration almost always
produces an income flow, monetization flow
to where now I can up my game, I can't
upgrade because I did not start out with
that. You all see me with, right? And I
don't recommend everyone starting with. A
short mv seven microphone. You don't want
(21:20):
to start with that first. Start with the
mv seven off the game. You want to start
with something. Just in case you find out
you can't be consistent. You don't waste
your money because you have a mic arm, you
have all the equipment. And when I first
(21:42):
started, we started. With the bare
minimum. Bare minimum. Because bare bones.
Imagine if you had started off with all
that, all the equipment you have now. When
you and I first started, I don't think you
continued because you probably would have
been wasted money. It would have been a
negative experience. Very negative
(22:03):
experience. Negative experience. I hope
you all need to be taking notes. If taking
notes, stop what you're doing right now,
get the right wit and write on, rewind
this podcast and go back, start taking
some copious notes. Because podcasting to
(22:24):
me is like any other where you see
business gurus on social media making it
seem like it's so easy. All you got to do
is a ten step program. And if you follow
these ten steps. What'S going to happen?
(22:45):
No, it may be ten steps. Like we've gave
you three steps. It is taking me. Mid year
2020 to today, in 2023 of the year. You
all. To get. I am in those three steps.
(23:09):
And some of the steps fluctuate like I'm
out of each one of the steps at any given
time. So having a professional on your
team in your network somewhere like, okay,
to your point, we do need the
professionals. But I do also understand at
the. Time when I had the idea to have a
(23:31):
podcast, didn't have the finance. To bring
in the professional. So then groups, there
are groups, there are people you can
follow like the. Self educate and build
yourself up to. The point where when I
initially talked to Ahmad, heard about his
(23:52):
packages and myself said, girl, sat down,
you better. The consistency is being able
to consistently. Afford your tools in
order to make. This happen the way you
want it to happen. So that me to self
(24:15):
educate for a while. It required me to
continue to do what I was doing before in
order to earn the coins needed to be able
to consistently afford the tools I. Knew I
needed in order to be. Successful as an
independent podcaster. And I'm going to
keep saying independent. Podcasters
because one of the things just, I'm going
(24:36):
to drop this right here. Leave it in the
atmosphere. You do what you want to do. Of
our favorite youtubers and podcasters at
this point in their journey are no longer
independent. They have collaborated with
some major networks that help keep in the
million and 2 million and 5 million down a
(24:58):
little secret. And it's not a big secret
like. Something that we overlook. They
tell us when we find out who sponsors and
stuff are, they tell us the whole time,
but we're not understanding language. So
you don't realize they're no longer the
podcast. I want to say I was in. A class
one time, and the guy who was teaching a
(25:19):
class had went to another master class or
something like that, that Mr. Beast did.
And if I remember correctly, Joey told us
that class. One of the things that Mr.
Beast, and for those of you don't know,
Mr. Beast, google him. Then you Mr. Beast,
right. He's an amazing YouTube podcaster.
(25:40):
Mr. Beast can spend several thousand
dollars to get one episode out, but he's
going to recoup that. Put it in
perspective, and that's what. Ahmad is
talking to us today. Put it in perspective
of how you. Don'T want to start out big.
You want to start out little, start small.
(26:01):
And if you have to do it without a
professional, well, first of all, I
provide free one on one podcast training.
So if you're interested in doing that,
make sure you reach out to Laquita. So
that she can give you my. Email address,
put her name in the subject line. Just
(26:23):
send me an email. I want free podcast
training, but I. Give free one cash
training because I know I've learned that
many podcasters have a financial barrier.
And I currently price uniquely to that
situation now. Right. Not only am I
(26:45):
pricing it uniquely. To that situation,
but now I also help recoup the funds that
you invest in. I even have a program to
help. You make money back. So that way you
podcast with us. So we have that program
now. We totally understand because
(27:07):
podcasters are really making money, and
we're fighting against that actively and
going forward. Any new pastor with us. Who
have. Already podcasting now, it's hard to
kind. Of get them to change their mind.
Back to the, to the new program, but it's
open to them as well. But every podcaster
(27:27):
comes in with us, it is ingrained. We'll
be podcasting for free with us for that.
So that's what makes different is you
podcast with us. The goal is to podcast
for free. And we set you up for that. And
we have a program for that. But the point
that I want to. Make is if you need to
(27:48):
self educate, then what you want to do. Is
as you're learning through groups, you.
Still want to separate yourself because
you have this thing, whereas the blind,
right? Yeah. So unless you're already
unique and you already beat on your own,
like Laquita. You beat on your own drum
anyway. Because you already business owner
(28:10):
and you had different businesses, real
estate, you hired people and teams. So
when you got into podcasting, you brought
the wealth of your business to podcasting.
So that's why you was able to. Self
educate, apply, and then. But not everyone
thinks like that. So this is my
(28:30):
recommendation. What you have to do is
you. Go in these groups, you read up on
everything, right? It takes 20 hours to
learn a new skill. 20 hours. 20 hours.
Take about 4 hours a day. And you embed
yourself on everything. You learn about
podcasting for a full week, 4 hours a day,
2 hours. A day for ten days. Whatever you
(28:50):
need to do after that, and you have these
skills, what you. Want to do after that is
you. Want to study broadcasters. This is
your second best way of getting
professional is by studying and
implementing what you like about the
(29:12):
broadcasters that you attract you. So I
used to, and I might. Have done this with
you, I would. Say, hey, go listen to Oprah
or go check broadcasters. I used to do
that early career, right. Because I needed
you to emulate what professionals do and
(29:35):
start to emulate it. And you start seeing
what they're doing. You're like, wow,
okay, God is teaching. Makes sense. Like,
he's not saying stuff out of his ear. I'm
a Christian. Out of his fourth point of
contact. Yeah, it is what that meant. I
(29:57):
was like, just not right, sir. Yeah, I'm
just out of family. But that's what I'm
saying is like. Because when I say, hey,
create a program. Let's do these segments,
and I start. Talking to you like this. You
were saying it. I was like. Then I'm like,
(30:19):
okay, who's your favorite? Who's your
favorite whatever. Morning show. Whatever.
Like, if it's like, Wendy Williams at. The
time, she was out or something like that.
Listen, watch the Kelly Clark. Or when
Ellen DeGeneres was out, I'm. Like, hey,
those were talk shows. Those were
considered talk shows. I would pay
(30:40):
attention to the energy and the vibe. And
I remember one, I had a. Podcaster, and
she was talking and just talked like. She
was like, hi, my name is so and so. And I
would say, hey, look, I. Said, you're
going to have to raise your voice. Raise
that energy. Yeah. I said, if you were to
stand next to anyone in my industry, if
(31:02):
you stood next to them, you would. Because
the way that they talk on. The microphone,
you would think that they're. Yelling.
Several times with that, too. When I
upload, especially in my season, that was
a big struggle for me, was inflection. You
(31:26):
were like, can you turn that up louder?
Like, put it on your mouth, Laquita. Yes.
You remember. Yes. At that moment, I
needed you to kiss the microphone. I was
like kiss. Know because it. Takes time for
(31:48):
you to get confident. To talk on the
microphone and get to the point. Like
right now you have the microphone. At the
35 degree where you're able to speak. So
that way the air blows off. Away from the
phone, but it's able. To pick it up. So
you take advice. Even the way that your
microphone is. Angled is exactly where
it's supposed to be. Water. All of that
(32:17):
stuff matters. This is the key because I
tell. Everyone, if you podcast with me, I
always say, welcome to the industry
because. I'm going to treat you and talk.
To you the way that I was spoken to and
how I was trained in the broadcast. But
I'm a tone it down. I'm going to be a
little bit nicer. But I did threaten you
(32:37):
because I love you that much. I saw you.
Some people, I do. Kind of have a little
bit hard. My personality needed that
because if you. In my hand, you would
still probably be. I said, you got the. It
makes no sense for you to not do this. I
(33:01):
got frustrated with me and you with your
progress. I needed. Professional. I think
that's another thing. And you've said like
Natalie, we together even in the situation
where I probably wouldn't. And I have been
(33:22):
the lot of people, but we'll talk about
that. It was frustrating. And I've had
some. Clients like that want your money
like that. When you're picking a coach,
picking up to work with, make sure you
and. That professional, you all don't have
(33:43):
to. Be best friends, but at least you all
do need to have relationship to where you
get on like they understand. You, you
understand them. And you can actually
receive the criticisms that you need to
receive because that word criticism or
critique and no, it's not negative. He
(34:07):
critiqued me and what he said to hear
because I'm going to say, especially to
people who are successful, to people who
are you rarely to tell. You the truth
about yourself. Let me say that I rarely
get. That are willing to tell me the.
(34:29):
Truth about myself because they don't want
to offend me. They want to be in my face.
And this is not bragging or anything like
that. Because in your walk of life,
everybody has a circle. Your circle that
tends to be people. People don't want to
really tell you the truth. Your true
friends will look you in your eye, you the
(34:49):
truth and tell. You to pick up. Let's go
get a soda. You need your be able to do
that too. The professional that you're
working with know. That in your next
session, you're going. To work that out
and you're going. To show them some
progress at the next session. That was the
other thing that I really. You checked my
progress. If I told you I was going. To
(35:11):
have something done by x, y and z, you
that, can you get that done? I will get a
text message. When I got that text, I'm
standing on my head. They're like this
cat, jesus, he is up. And my husband, very
(35:32):
good guy. Exactly. Full opposite of me. I
like him because he knew I was getting on.
Yeah, I like him. The thing is. And you're
a coach. So you know you can't do that
(35:52):
one. You know who you can do that. With
because there's some people that you want
to be honest like that, but you can't
because you know they can't handle it.
Some people you want to be honest really
don't have it within them to even do it.
(36:14):
Anyway. I'm throwing my pearls to pig. So
what I hear you say right there is
management. You expect out of a person
what they have the ability to give, even.
Though it's like, man, I wish you. Could
give me more. You already know that
(36:34):
particular client give you more. So you've
adjusted the expectation, your own
expectation, and you're working with them,
their expectations, because sometimes we
don't realize they. Have met our cap and
that's all we have. I've bumped into some
of my clients. Where I'm like, hey, this
(36:54):
is legitimately the best you can do at
this stage. At this stage, I will back up.
I have a pastor that he's clearly ready
for the next step, but he just won't do
it. Just not do it. He just won't do it.
And I'm like, man, you're ready for next
step. But I just know, let me just back
(37:16):
up. Because if I tell him that hard.
Truth, then I can lose a client,
obviously. But even worse than that, maybe
I might break that person's spirit if I go
too hard. Some people you can go hard. It
motivates that spirit. Like, for me, you
can go hard on me. I'm going to be
(37:39):
butthurt. At first. I didn't like when you
said it, it wasn't wrong. I've had clients
hold me accountable. I remember one time
you told me. You got on me, let's talk
about. You getting on me because super
(38:01):
busy. At some point, the tables had
turned. And you started killing it, right?
And then you was like, look, you're going
to need to start delegating need. To go
get you a virtual assistant. You need to
start doing this because. You got to
continue x, y, and z, because armor was
(38:22):
cracked, right? Yeah. I have a virtual
assistant today because of you. It was
like. Because it was you and another
podcast named Ralph. I kept hearing from
other pastors, the. Ones who I loved, and.
(38:42):
They go in. It's like, because if you know
you. Can say the truth to somebody, you.
Know who you really appreciate. We had
this relationship over several months or
whatever. It was over a year, man. It was
over now. So you're like, look, ahmad, I
like. You, and I need to delegate. So it
(39:04):
was like you were like two other podcasts.
But I know you around. Sure. And today I
have Liz. She's my only awesome. Yes, she
is. Liz, if you listen to this. Say, she's
so kind, she's like, no, none. Of you all
get my nerves. She is the best. She is.
(39:29):
Would not be where I am today. For Liz,
she's like, she holds me. Down, she gives
me ideas. She reaches out to everyone. So
some of those reminder text and. Emails
came from her. Yeah. That's the beauty of
it. In this podcasting journey, we develop
(39:49):
skill sets, we hone in. Important thing to
me, I know that. I wouldn't develop the
consistency and the confidence needed if
it wasn't for the community that was
brought to the table with you, with
Victor, my first podcast intro. Because
(40:10):
when I was directly a result of Ahmad,
because I 100% brain cramp, you all had
overwhelmed me to the. Point where I was
like, well, I. Am just not going to have.
Because I don't know how to do this. Yeah.
Part. We hear that a lot. I work with
podcasts again. I do this free, right? So
(40:33):
they'll come in and I have a survey. I'll
say, like, hey, what are the. Reasons why
not launch a podcast? Like I said, some of
them will say, like, procrastination or
impostor syndrome, or. Exactly what you
said. It's like, I don't think that. I
(40:56):
don't think I'm valuable enough. I don't
think I have a good. I'm worthy. And it's
like every single person is created by
God. Yes. And that means you have
something within you that is unique to
you. And as you go through life, you.
(41:16):
Create your own unique experiences. So you
have something to say. No one's story is
going to be exactly the same. Just like
everyone's fingerprint identical. Like, if
God was to name, your name would be
written braille on your fingertips. Yeah,
(41:39):
there might be another Laquita. But
there's not another person named whatever.
Your name is in Braille. Embrail. Yeah.
God has a unique name for you. Yeah. And
you can look at it and. You have a voice,
you have a. Story, you have something to
say. So everyone can create a podcast.
Yes. Everyone can. Yes. There's so many
(42:03):
other things we're going. To have to come
and do part. Two so we can get some more.
Into the part two pleasure. So much we
could talk about of podcasting. Everybody
can do a podcast. A lot of people not
(42:24):
podcasting need to be podcasting. And I
remember a statistic because you were on.
Were you a guest with me and. Victor first
or with me and Adina? I can't remember. I
think I was a guest with you, and I think
it was with were. And you quoted us some
(42:48):
as it related to african american
podcasters and african american people of
color in the podcasting space. And I can't
remember statistic was. But I remember the
thought and initial. When you said it, my
first thought was, wow, that few people.
(43:10):
And then, wow, that much potential. This
podcasting space is still. People will
say, oh, podcasting is flooded. It's
really not. No, it's not. Because if it
is, 2.5 million podcasts out there right
(43:30):
now, 1% of them are active. Something like
that. Yeah. One to 2% of them are active.
And even out of that one to 2% that's
active, only a fraction of those are what
would be considered by the industry
successful, whether they are monetizing or
(43:51):
have a huge reach. Correct. What are their
downloads? What is the consistency of
their audience? Is their audience engaged?
When you said, I'm in the top 2.5% in my
genre, that sounds great. But what does
(44:14):
that really mean? Things like that? That's
what I want to talk about on the next
episode. Yeah, we really get into that
because we're competing against
celebrities. Yes. And if we were
celebrities, then just us, where we are. I
(44:34):
feel like podcasting should be
categorically rated. Right. You need to be
able to see where do you rank among people
with your experience level. Yeah, like
they have the film festivals and then they
have exactly. Coachella and different,
like, big names showing up, rocking. But
(44:57):
then in independent film festivals, the
smaller independent film festivals, it's
more equally. The playing field is more
equal. Correct. So then you'll know how
well you really are doing. And then that
helps with sponsorships and advertisements
and stuff like that. Because now they're
saying like, okay, out of everyone that's
(45:18):
in your space. Maybe you are in the top
five, maybe you're dominating so high, but
they're grouping all podcasters together,
and that's just not a legitimate to
measure metric. I like that. Not a legit
(45:38):
metric because people who have several
million dollars pushing their podcast.
Correct. They're skewing the curve. Yeah.
And that's how it is. Here's majority of
the podcasters are here, and then here's
you. It's a straight jump. You're in this
(46:00):
space with these podcasters, and then
there's another jump to where the
millionaire podcasters are. Right. It's
not like a nice curve. It's more like,
there you go. Come on now. It's not all
(46:21):
whatever how that looked like, you know
what I'm saying? And I think it's like
that right now. I'll make the excuse of
it's like that right now because it is
new. Like podcasting has been around a
long time, but it hasn't been well
utilized. Made it more utilized. Correct.
(46:42):
Because of COVID you had a whole lot more
people entered the industry, but to your
point, you had a lot of people to leave
the industry as well. Once more, normal
got back and too, one of the things we
talk about is the actual legwork required
to make an independent podcast successful.
How do you find your audience? How do you
(47:02):
keep your audience engaged? All of those
things that are required. And we're not
talking equipment. We probably won't even
ever talk equipment in these two episodes
because it's kind. Of, equipment is the
easiest thing to look up and research.
Yeah, it is. That is the easiest thing to
do, and that's what most podcasters do.
(47:24):
They jump straight to the equipment. But I
go against the gurus and I say, do not buy
equipment. Educate yourself first and try
to podcast just through your phone. And
just how do you feel and learn the
structure of creating a show, become
comfortable talking on your show. Those
are the things that are more important
(47:46):
first, which is what I provide for free
now that I help you do those things at no
cost to help create that comfort level. So
that way, whether you want to continue to
podcast with me as your producer or you
want to self produce or go to anyone, go
somewhere else, at least you would have
had that foundation. And that's my goal,
(48:07):
is to help bring in more quality hosts
into the space, because it's horrible. 85%
of podcasters, man, sound like, no
offense, but it sound like trash, ash, and
just being real in love that you really
should work on your delivery before you
(48:31):
start buying all of the equipment. Buying
all the equipment. You got to figure out
who you are in the podcasting space,
right? Because you as a person, you are
great as a person. You have talent, you
have a story, everything that cannot be
taught. You have to make a podcast great.
(48:53):
We just need to work on the framework, and
then after the framework, then we just
need to pull out that gift. We need to
pull out that voice. Absolutely. And some
people have it better than others, but
everyone can have it if they choose to
(49:14):
want it to be pulled out. So bless you,
Laquita. Wow. The audio listeners are
like, what was that? Yeah, we'll edit that
out. But for you, Laquita, what makes you
(49:42):
phenomenal is the fact that you apply.
That's what I've always saw in you. Even
though through the six months. It. Wasn'T
that we still didn't work on the podcast,
which is why my hope was still there,
(50:04):
because I know we kind of over exaggerated
how the relationship was that was just for
entertainment purposes. Little shock
value. But we still talked about the show,
and we brainstormed a lot, and I just
(50:24):
think that's just what we did. And this is
why now I do that part free now. But we
just brainstormed. So there was always
something moving forward towards you
starting to record and whatnot, even
though it was just maybe like small
(50:45):
increments. But for the most part, we
still did move forward. It was like, I
would call it product research. Like
before major company rolls out a new
product. Right. There's a lot of legwork
and brainstorming and creative sessions
that take place prior to. It's a part of
(51:07):
the product development. Right. So I feel
like you probably got to me a little too
soon, if I think about it. Probably I was
still in the idea phase in my head, and I
didn't have enough bones to bring to you
to put the skeleton together. Right.
Because I think that the coaching. Because
your coaching business, I think you were
(51:28):
still developing that part as well, right?
Yeah, I was still developing my courses
together. There was a lot of things I was
still putting together from that, and I
didn't want to do a podcast on real
estate. I already had everything together
for real estate, but I already spent 18
months at that time. Vic and I were 18
(51:50):
months in and already doing a live
specific to real estate. So I didn't want
the podcast to be specific to real estate
because I was already doing that. Got you.
I wanted the podcast to be something that
was more reflective of my journey and
helping people in their personal
(52:11):
development. Because I believe that our
personal development directly reflects our
success in business. And that's what I
want the podcast, that's what I want
Laquita's toolbox to be. Get me the tools.
Teach me how to use the tools so that I
can grow personally and professionally.
And those of y'all that love that intro,
(52:31):
Amad wrote it right, and he pulled one out
of his back pocket. I was like, whoa,
that's so nice. Yeah. Writing is important
in the know. Writing it because initially
(52:53):
I spoke the. Blessed me with the gift. He
got a voiceover artist that I know and
love, and I just love that version so much
better. He's phenomenal Collins. So
listen, y'all, it's so many things that we
(53:14):
could talk about as it relates to
podcasts, but I really love this
conversation today because we delved into
the important bits. Let's give people a
clear picture of what it looks like to
start as an independent podcaster and talk
about the emotional hills that you'll
(53:34):
climb in this journey to get it started
and to keep it going. What kind of
relationships we need to have and
community we need to develop in order to
maintain the consistency, in order to
maintain the learning. I'll give a shout
out to Podfest. Because they are a great
group. Yeah, great group. Unfortunately, I
(53:57):
won't get to podfest this year. I was at
the meetup in Austin and I was supposed to
come to Podfest and Capshovian live. But
the day that all of everything starts,
because Capchovian live starts first, I
will be out of country. No, I won't be out
(54:19):
of country. I'll be out of state with my
husband at a different event. So I'm going
to miss it. But you all are going. And
those are the kind of things like, those
are the things that you want to be a part
of. That's an example. They're an amazing
group of individuals with Podfest that you
(54:41):
might want to tap in. And a lot of stuff
is free. Yeah, a lot of it is. And Chris
has a really good conference. The co
founder of Podfest, I had the pleasure of
connecting with him and meeting and
speaking with him at length. Actually, we
had a Zoom call, and he really cares about
(55:03):
the podcaster to the point where he wants
to get to know you by name, where
everybody knows your name. He's like the
cheers of. So. So he really cares. And his
partner Andrew is really great as well.
Had a chance to connect with him via email
(55:24):
several times. I had a podcast ticket that
was given to me for free and I ended up
giving it to someone and I didn't know if
I was able to transfer my free ticket. And
they was like, oh, yeah, we'll honor that.
So a lot of companies don't do that.
Something free, that's like, no, if you
don't go, you can't transfer it. So they
were able to transfer it to someone else
(55:45):
who's going to be able to go in my place.
But, laquida, if you ever get a chance to
go back to, have you been to pop fest at
all? I've been to it virtually. Crazy
thing for this year, for January. I had a
pretext this year, and a lot of people
don't know, but at the end of last year,
October, November, December through
(56:08):
January, I had a breast cancer scare,
actually. No way. Are you kidding? No. And
because you taught me to batch create,
that's how my podcast was still going
because I was literally in and out of
doctors between Colleen and. But, you
know, the Lord is faithful. So my free
(56:29):
ticket was given to me by a great guy that
I met on LinkedIn, Enrique Gonzalez. He
gave me a free ticket to Podfest. So with
that happening, I couldn't go to Podfest
in person because I had all of those
medical things going. Podfest, the virtual
(56:50):
event was in spring of this year, and I
went and it was phenomenal. I learned so
much. That's how I actually found out
about a tool that I use called capsho. And
they don't sponsor this, but they're an
amazing group who are a part of Podfest.
(57:11):
And capture was awesome. So I got to meet
them on the virtual stage in Podfest. I
use their system. It is phenomenal. And
actually, Deidre and Bona moved to Austin.
They live in Austin. So when the podfest
meetup was just a couple of months ago in
(57:32):
Austin, they shot me an email, said, hey,
you're coming up to Austin to meet up.
Initially I wasn't, but me and my son were
like, ok, yeah, I'm a go. And they were
like, ok, we'll meet you. You know,
they're from Australia originally. So I'm
like, they're going to live. Zoom in. So
Chris was there, walks Deidre and Bona.
(57:53):
Deidre, I hadn't really spoken to, but
Bona, I had spoken to her a lot, right?
I'm looking at her, she's looking at me,
and we're smiling like, I did not know you
guys moved to Austin. But getting to talk
to them at. Length, being on Deidre show
and talking about my journey as a podcast,
how I use their tool to help with my SEO,
(58:14):
generating organic traffic and stuff. It
is so great to be a part of a community.
There's some people with yourself and your
team and then meeting some other people
who were a part of Podfest. Like Enrique
was a speaker at Podfest last year or this
(58:34):
year, January 2023. He was a speaker on
one of the panels at Podfest. He and I
knew each other. He introduced me to the
Podfest community and that helped to
increase my consistency. It helped me to
have a better understanding of all the ins
and outs of podcasting and so many
different things. So, yeah, podcast is a
(58:57):
great community to be a part of. Really
is. I think podcast will continue to grow.
I think they're celebrating ten years.
Yes. So I'm disappointed that I won't be
able to go, but I have other arrangements
that I have to attend to. But that's the
benefit of a founder. You can pass
(59:17):
something on to someone else and they can
go on your behalf. Laquita, I now have
seven individuals on my team now. That is
awesome. And we're growing. I'm looking
for number eight this year in 2024. Yeah.
My goal is to give someone my spot. So I
(59:40):
want someone to handle the onboarding of
the podcasters so that way I can focus
more on our enterprise business. Matter of
fact, I just got my 8th person. Now that I
think about it, it'll be official next
year. But we're onboarding a person who's
going to be our enterprise solutions
architect, who will be helping us to
(01:00:02):
acquire enterprise businesses who need
podcasting services. Right? So we're going
to go for the big fish out in the blue
ocean right now. They're already yours,
sir. Laquita, it is so interesting that
when you and I met, it was just me and one
(01:00:25):
other person. When we first it was me and
Kevin, and now we're seven strong. So that
advice of delegation I took. That.
Hopefully we hit our goals of helping a
(01:00:47):
lot of podcasters next year. So anyone
who's listening who wants free help,
because that's what we want to do, is just
want to help you out for free and just
kind of help you with the foundation and
then anyone who continues to podcast with
us, the goal is for you to podcast with us
for free, continuously. We want you to cut
(01:01:08):
your cost or have it pay for itself. That
is exactly the program that we have right
now going in 2024. And we have about 16
new podcasters that we're onboarding next
year. Hopefully all of them will be
podcasting at no cost. At no cost. Yeah,
they just got to follow the framework.
(01:01:29):
Follow the framework, baby. Follow the
framework. You have to get back on my
calendar, get another time, lock it in so
we can go in and deep dive into some of
the intricacies of the actual. What makes
a podcast function? I want to talk about
that too, because I love the podcasting
(01:01:50):
dream. I love everything about it. And I
want to encourage more people into the
space that can be successful. But you know
me, I like to be realistic up front. Be
realistic up front so people can properly
plan. Because when we properly plan, then
that leads to success. And we don't want
people to come in thinking is, oh, you
(01:02:13):
just do one, two, three, and boom, why
don't I have any downloads? It's a little
bit more than that. So set you up for
success. A little bit more than that.
Yeah, you're going to have to. That's the
other part. So, yeah, I'll talk to you
when we come back about how we have a
marketing program now for our podcast done
for you. So we have done for you
(01:02:33):
podcasting and now we have coming up a
done for you marketing for your podcast.
Awesome. Yeah. All you do is talk. We
work. That's the goal. We don't want any
work. Just let it go. That's awesome.
(01:02:53):
Thank you so much for coming to the
podcast today. You're amazing. I can't
wait for part two. It's going to be
phenomenal. Look, you all, if you have not
subscribed to the podcast, hit that
subscribe button on your favorite podcast
listening platform so that you can receive
notifications when my podcast drops every
(01:03:13):
Tuesday. New episodes come out every
Tuesday. You don't want to miss it. But
until next time, I'm your host, Laquita
Monley. You guys be great and have an
amazing, amazing rest of your day. Take
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