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 Difference

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/67da3da6-40bb-4b7d-8a72-8ac64f08ad12

2. The Power of Publicity: How to Leverage the Media to Increase Your Credibility :

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/95ff736b-2b13-40d8-ba74-8da656fba83e

3.Mastering Streaming TV for Small Business Entrepreneurs with Zondra Evans

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b945aec4-034a-4f8d-ade3-524a07233794

Connect with me here:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/laquita-s-toolbox/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559496044240163
• https://www.youtube.com/LMonleyToolbox
• https://www.laquitamonley.com/laquitastoolbox
• https:www.twitter.com/laquitamonley1

Loved this episode?

Leave us a review and rating here:

Apple Podcast: LaQuita’s Toolbox on Apple Podcasts

Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/laquitas-toolbox-1727407

Welcome to Laquita Schoolbox, where we

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

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

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,

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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%

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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,

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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,

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

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.

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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