How Podcasting Builds Authentic Connections & Boosts Business Growth
Podcasting is a powerful tool for building authentic connections, overcoming imposter syndrome, and growing your brand—just start, stay consistent, and focus on delivering value.
The Power of Podcasting: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Growing Your Audience
Podcasting is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful tool for building trust, personal branding, and business growth. Yet, many aspiring podcasters hesitate due to imposter syndrome or fear of low engagement. In a recent episode of Freight Marketing Gurus, host Jennie Malafarina sat down with Jeremy Thone, co-founder of We Create Creators, to discuss how podcasting can help overcome these challenges and create lasting impact.
How to Start a Podcast with Confidence
The barrier to entry for podcasting has never been lower, yet many potential creators hesitate to take the first step. As Jeremy shared from his experience coaching newcomers:
“Don’t put too much emphasis on getting everything right in the beginning. Start sloppy if you have to.”
This approach allows creators to focus on what truly matters: showing up consistently and developing their voice.
Jeremy’s own journey began when he worked as a marketing director for a freight brokerage company. Despite being an introvert who gets camera shy, he took the leap after appearing as a guest on another show.
“I had such a good time doing that, that I started the show called Three PL Live.”
At the time, there weren’t many shows in the freight space, which opened doors to interviews with industry leaders like Craig Fuller and other prominent figures.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
One of the biggest barriers for new podcasters is imposter syndrome. Jeremy emphasizes that even successful creators like Lady Gaga and David Bowie have experienced self-doubt.
“Everyone has imposter syndrome, or not everyone, but most people have it, and if you don’t, you might be a sociopath,” he jokes.
Rather than seeing these feelings as a weakness, Jeremy suggests recognizing them as a sign that you’re pushing beyond your comfort zone and doing something meaningful.
How to Grow Your Podcast Audience Organically
Many aspiring podcasters focus on viral success or massive downloads, but Jeremy advocates for a different perspective:
“If you just help one person, or you change the path of one person, or the way they think, that’s more important.”
His show Three PL Live accumulated around 8,000 total downloads, yet led to valuable professional opportunities and connections that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Podcast Content Strategy: How to Repurpose & Maximize Reach
A key strategy for podcast growth is repurposing content across multiple platforms. Jeremy recommends:
💡 Repurpose Your Podcast Content Effectively:
- Use Premiere Pro or Opus Clip to extract short clips.
- Post on LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels for more reach.
- Add captions to make videos accessible and engaging.
This strategy extends your content’s reach and attracts new listeners to your show.
Why Storytelling is Essential for Podcast Growth
Jeremy emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in podcasting:
“People love those backstories.”
In an age where AI can generate perfect written content, the human element of podcast conversations is even more valuable.
Podcast Success: What Matters Beyond Downloads
While download numbers and subscriber counts can be important metrics, they shouldn’t be the only measure of success. Jennie shared her own experience of celebrating just 19 subscribers, demonstrating that impact isn’t always about scale.
Jeremy added that sometimes the most valuable outcomes come from the connections and opportunities that arise from consistently showing up and sharing valuable content.
Podcasting Tips: 5 Essential Strategies for Beginners
If you’re starting your podcasting journey, here are some key takeaways from Jeremy:
- Start Simple: Don’t get caught up in having perfect equipment. Start with what you have and upgrade as needed.
- Be Consistent: Whether you publish weekly, monthly, or quarterly, maintain a regular schedule that works for you.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: “I’d rather see two or three quality pieces than eight crap pieces,” Jeremy advises.
- Build Community: Engage with other podcasters in your niche and appear as a guest on their shows to expand your network.
- Share Your Journey: Don’t be afraid to show both successes and failures—authenticity helps build stronger connections with your audience.
The Power of Compound Interest in Content Creation
One of Jeremy’s most compelling insights relates to the concept of compound interest in content creation. Just as financial investments grow over time, consistent content creation leads to cumulative benefits in audience growth, opportunities, and impact.
“It’s not that one post that’s going to make a difference, or that one podcast… it’s the culmination of all the things over time that makes a big difference.”
The Future of Podcasting: Trends & Insights
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Jeremy believes podcasting will become increasingly important for businesses and individuals looking to build authentic connections.
“I think that everyone should have a podcast in the future,” he suggests, noting how it serves as a powerful tool for networking, brand building, and sharing expertise.
The Rise of Personal Branding
In today’s global economy, where remote work is increasingly common, personal branding has become more important than ever. As Jennie notes:
“People want to work with people they know and they feel comfortable with.”
Podcasting provides a unique opportunity to build these connections, allowing listeners to get to know hosts and guests on a deeper level, even without meeting in person.
Q&A: Common Podcasting Questions
❓ What is the best way to start a podcast?
Start simple: use basic equipment, focus on authentic content, and stay consistent. Over time, refine your process and improve production quality.
❓ How do I overcome imposter syndrome as a podcaster?
Recognize that imposter syndrome is normal. Reframe self-doubt as a sign of growth, and focus on helping others rather than perfection.
❓ What are the best podcasting tools for content repurposing?
Tools like Premiere Pro, Opus Clip, Descript, and Headliner help transform long-form content into engaging short-form clips for social media.
Ready to Start Your Podcast?
Podcasting isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about showing up consistently, sharing authentic stories, and building meaningful connections. Whether you’re considering starting a podcast or looking to grow your existing show, the key is to focus on providing value and staying consistent.
Ready to launch your podcast? Get expert guidance from We Create Creators. Sign up for their structured cohort program today at wecreatecreators.io.
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