4 Years Ago I Pressed Publish… And It Changed My Business
Written by Karen Davies
There are certain moments in business that don’t feel particularly significant at the time. For me, one of those moments happened on 1st July 2022 when I pressed publish on the very first episode of my podcast.
Looking back now, it seems like such a small thing to do but at the time, it felt huge. The truth is, I nearly didn’t do it. I had every excuse imaginable…
“What if nobody listens?”
“What if I run out of things to say?”
“I don’t know enough.”
“I’ll wait until I’ve got a better microphone.”
Sound familiar?
If you’re an entrepreneur, I’d imagine you’ve had similar thoughts about something. Maybe it’s launching a podcast, starting a YouTube channel, writing a blog, creating your first digital product or launching your first micro offer. Whatever it is, we have an incredible ability to convince ourselves that we’re not quite ready.
The funny thing is looking back four years later, none of the things I worried about actually mattered.
Your first version isn’t supposed to be perfect
One of the biggest things that stopped me from starting my podcast was the pressure I put on myself to get the first episode right.
I wanted it to sound professional, I wanted people to love it and I wanted everything to be polished & professional but here’s what I’ve realised… hardly anyone listened to my first episode which is actually a good thing because it gave me the space to learn, to improve and to find my voice.
Nobody expects your first attempt to look like your hundredth and yet so many entrepreneurs delay starting because they’re comparing their beginning to someone else’s middle. The only way I got to 168 episodes was by recording episode one.
Consistency changes everything
Over the last four years, my podcast has reached listeners in 97 countries and more than 670 cities around the world. It’s generated thousands of downloads. It’s led to new clients, speaking opportunities, collaborations and conversations I never could have imagined when I first pressed publish.
Those things didn’t happen because one episode went viral, they happened because I kept showing up… week after week, episode after episode and consistency compounds. Most people underestimate what they can achieve by sticking with something long enough.
My biggest lesson wasn’t about podcasting
If you asked me what the biggest lesson from the last four years has been, it wouldn’t actually be about podcasting. It would be this build assets, not just content.
Social media is fantastic and I use it every day but social media is borrowed land… algorithms change, platforms change, reach changes.
Your podcast, your email list and your blog are different. They’re valuable assets and they continue working for your business long after you’ve created them. Someone can discover an episode I recorded years ago and still decide to join my email list or work with me today.
That’s incredibly powerful!
Your business is allowed to evolve
Last year, after 3 years of podcasting, I made another big decision… I rebranded my podcast.
Originally it was called Digitally She Does It and for a long time, it felt like the right name but as my business evolved, I realised it no longer reflected what I wanted to be known for so I changed it to Online Business Uncovered.
I’ll admit, it felt risky.
I’d spent 3 years building recognition around the original name but I finally had clarity about my audience and my message.
The result?
My reach doubled.
My listenership doubled.
That experience reminded me of something important… you don’t have to get everything right from day one. Sometimes you only gain clarity because you were willing to start.
4 years later…
As I celebrate four years of podcasting, I’m incredibly grateful I ignored the voice telling me not to begin because if I’d waited until I felt completely ready… there would have been no episode 168.
- No listeners in 97 countries
- No rebrand
- No growth
- No opportunities
- No impact
- No podcast
If there’s one thing I’d love you to take away from my journey, it’s this… don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Start with what you have and learn as you go. Refine along the way because clarity doesn’t always come before action.
More often than not… it comes because of it so, what have you been putting off because you don’t feel ready yet?
Maybe today is the day you press publish.
Ready to build a business that gives you more freedom?
If you're tired of constantly trading your time for money and you're ready to create income streams that don't rely on you being available 24/7 then I'd love to help.
Inside Sell Your Brilliance Online, I support entrepreneurs to turn their expertise into scalable offers such as online courses, memberships and digital products, while building the systems, strategies and confidence needed to grow a business that works for them.
Whether you're starting with an idea or you're ready to build and launch, you'll get the guidance, support and accountability to move forward faster.
Imagine having a business that gives you more freedom, flexibility and sustainable income without working longer hours. If that sounds like what you're looking for, come and join us.
👉 Click here to join Sell Your Brilliance Online today for just £47 per month (cancel at any time) and start building a business that works for you (not the other way around!).
Related Articles
The Hidden Cost of Selling Your Time (And How to Build a Business That Gives You More Freedom)
When most people start a business, the goal seems obvious… get your first client, then another and then another to the point where eventually, you become fully booked. For many entrepreneurs, that's the dream. A diary full of clients feels like proof that your...
The Biggest Mistake I See Entrepreneurs Make When Creating Their First Digital Product
Over the last few weeks, I've been having lots of conversations with entrepreneurs as I've been preparing for the Online Business Growth Summit. Although everyone comes from different industries, has different experiences and serves different audiences, one thing...
Why Business Growth Requires an Identity Shift Before a Strategy Shift
When most entrepreneurs think about growing their business, they immediately start looking for a new strategy. They search for a better marketing plan, a different social media platform, a new sales funnel or the latest tool that promises to make everything easier but...