How I Launched the Handshakin' Podcast in 3 Days at Podcast Movement 2016

I heard about this conference from my friend Jessica Rhodes, a speaker and sponsor, when considering spinning off a podcast from my video series.  She gave me a promo code, I purchased a ticket, and didn't think about it again until July 5th when I flew from Denver, CO to Chicago for the conference...

Listen to Episode 1

After arriving with my friend Mike Kilcoyne, who brought his Microphone, we met up with Jessica who also had a Mic. Hmph... How convenient, the entire setup I would need to record podcast episodes is right here.  But, I wasn't really thinking about that seriously yet.

Keynote speakers included many people I had looked up to for years: John Lee Dumas, Pat Flynn, Andrew Warner, and many more.

My video series gives entrepreneurs actionable networking tips, but our services are done-for-you and designed to blow up your personal brand.

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I thought to myself, "If I could pull off interviewing Founders about 1 quick personal branding time at the conference, I'd have a great excuse (and purpose) to meet key contacts and also all the people and resources I'd need to learn how to launch a podcast are surely here."

I mentioned it to a few friends and new contacts.  They thought it was ambitious, and a great idea. 

By the end of Day 1, I was all in:  Let's do it!

I found myself at Jessica's booth (her company Interview Connections sponsored the conference), with a recording station ready to go.  I interviewed Jessica, a friend and sales guru Andy Paul, and then key contact Corey Coates.  

Corey owns a company called Podfly.net where they take care of everything I needed as a new podcaster.  

The editing, the show notes, and anything else I could think of.  Everything I needed to actually record and launch a podcast AT the conference.

Corey was pumped about the idea of launching a podcast at the conference and Podfly helped me edit the first 3 episodes that same night, making them ready to publish!!

Epic. But what's the takeaway for you?

I would answer the how-to question with one very important mindset:
The fact that it won't be perfect.  

Just before publishing episode 1, my friend Mike recorded the voice over we squeezed that in before the interview.  

It made it a little redudant since I also introduce the episode a little bit.  Go listen here to see what I'm talking about.  But whatever, it's not going to be perfect.

Other examples of it not being perfect:

• I was willing to publish it on Soundcloud, since iTunes takes several days to turn around approvals.  
• I was willing to launch without cover art, because I couldn't get that done at the conference. 
• I was willing to pay Podfly to edit it how they see fit, trusting their judgment as new contacts.
• I didn't use the highest end microphone and recorded all the episodes at a noisy conference.

But look at the plus side of being so adamant:

• I was able to meet Podfly and others that wanted to help for free of charge or for a discounted fee.
• I had a purpose when talking to John Lee Dumas, Pat Flynn, and Andrew Warner, without just saying 'your talk was great!' like everyone else.
• I proved my ability to execute to the entire conference by moving quickly and getting it done--perfect or not.
• I had a new tool to promote our service HandBrander.

As entrepreneurs, there's always a million things telling us to 'wait' or 'it's not ready yet.'

I even feel this feeling before clicking publish on this blog post because I am sending you to the Soundcloud page instead of waiting until we are fully published and 'up and running' on iTunes.

It doesn't have to be perfect.  It just has to get done.

Your Action Item:  If you have something like a book that 'just needs a little bit more tweaking' but you know that you've been trying to publish it for a while,.go ahead and publish it today.  

Yea, put something out there that you're not 100% comfortable with, and know that you're trying your best.  It's supposed to be scary to put yourself out there, that's why most people don't.  Pull the trigger today.

If you're not focused on making big milestones in your life because you're not ready, please listen to my podcast.  All of the entrepreneurs there weren't 100% ready when they launched.  Listen to episode 1.

Listen to Episode 1