👋Hey there Podcaster!
Building an engaged audience isn’t about luck—it’s about clarity, strategy, and perseverance. This week, learn how TikTok creator David Griffiths grew to over a million followers by mastering his platform, focusing his message, and staying consistent, even during tough times. Plus, dive into the Podcasting Morning Chat highlights for actionable tips on embracing criticism, building confidence, and turning your audience into a thriving community.
📚 Want Success? Put in the Work!
When it comes to building an engaged audience, there’s no magic wand to wave. Success isn’t about luck or some mysterious algorithmic blessing—it’s about strategy. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with David Griffiths, a digital creator who has grown his social media following to over a million followers! David’s journey is packed with lessons for content creators at any stage, and I’m excited to share three big lessons from our conversation.
🧘Clarity Is King
David stressed something that’s easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the hustle of creating content: clarity. Before you ever hit “publish,” you need to know exactly who you’re serving and how you’re going to help them.
Without clarity, creators often find themselves spinning their wheels, trying to please everyone, and eventually burning out.
David shared how he used to experiment with multiple types of content, but it wasn’t until he nailed down his purpose that his audience began to grow. Whether it’s encouraging people through prayer or helping them find inspiration in tough times, David’s laser focus ensures his message connects deeply with the right people.
For your own content journey, ask yourself: Who am I serving? and What value am I bringing to their lives? That clarity will guide every decision you make.
🧑🏫 Master the Culture of the Platform
Each social media platform has its own vibe, its own culture. David explained that one of the keys to his success on TikTok was taking time to understand its audience and trends. When he first started, he wasn’t posting random videos and hoping for the best. Instead, he studied what was working for others, broke down those elements, and crafted his own versions—always staying true to himself.
For example, David noticed that short, 7-second videos were crucial for TikTok’s algorithm. He even experimented with the psychology of trust by filming full-body shots to make himself more relatable. It’s this level of detail—combined with an understanding of what resonates—that allowed him to grow from 100 followers to over a million.
The takeaway here? Do your homework. Spend time observing the top creators in your niche. What are they doing that works? How can you put your own spin on those strategies?
💪Commit to the Process
If you’ve ever experienced a dry spell in your creative journey, you’re not alone. David’s story is full of periods where engagement dropped or growth stalled. What’s inspiring is how he handled it. Instead of giving up, he leaned into the process. He celebrated small wins and stayed consistent, knowing that every experiment brought him closer to understanding his audience and himself.
David shared one of my favorite nuggets of wisdom: Celebrate every win, no matter how small. Did you gain one new follower today? Did someone leave a thoughtful comment on your post? Those little moments matter and it’s important to stop and recognize those moments. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, David kept himself motivated and ready for the breakthroughs when they came.
So, if your engagement numbers look stagnant or growth feels slow, remember this: Success takes time. Keep creating, keep learning, and stay consistent. Your perseverance will pay off.
👋Parting Wisdom
Content creation isn’t easy, but it’s worth it when you’re intentional and strategic. As David said, it’s all about studying what works, putting your unique spin on it, and staying committed to the journey—even when results aren’t immediate.
If you’re feeling stuck, start by asking yourself these three questions:
➡️ Am I clear about who I’m serving?
➡️ Have I studied the platform’s culture?
➡️ Am I committed to showing up, even during dry spells?
The answers could be the breakthrough you need. And hey, don’t forget to celebrate your wins along the way—you’ve earned it.
What’s been your biggest challenge in growing your audience? Join the conversation on LinkedIn.
🥳 DMV Meetup Recap
This past Wednesday night’s DMV Podcaster Meetup was a huge success, and I’m still buzzing from the incredible energy in the room! We connected with like-minded creators, shared stories, and built on the foundation of what makes our podcasting community thrive: collaboration and authentic relationships.
Tips to Start Building Your Podcast Community:
📈Start Small, Stay Consistent
Communities don’t happen overnight. Begin with one person at a time and nurture those connections. As I said last night, “You don’t need 50 people to make an event worthwhile—just a group of like-minded individuals to connect with.”
👫Be Authentic and Show Up
People can sense authenticity. Show up as your true self, and let your passion for your craft guide your interactions. When you’re present and engaging, others will naturally gravitate toward your energy.
📅Create Opportunities to Connect
Whether it’s a virtual meet-up, a quick Q&A on social media, or an in-person event, bring people together. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect—our event came together in just three weeks, and the connections we made were priceless.
Thank you to everyone who came out and made it so special. A special thanks to Junaid Ahmed and Charlie Brinney for partnering with me on this and help to make our meetup so special!
😎Embrace Criticism, Build Confidence
On Tuesday’s episode of Podcasting Morning Chat, we discussed one of the most challenging aspects of being a content creator: dealing with criticism and building confidence. Creating and sharing your content is a bold act. It means putting yourself out there, opening the door to feedback from supporters and critics alike.
⚠️Criticism: It’s Inevitable and Necessary
Criticism is an inevitable part of the creative process. Whether it’s about your content, delivery, or even your appearance, feedback will come. The key is to reframe how you see it.
- Pause before reacting. Take time to process comments objectively before responding. Not all criticism requires a reply.
- Understand its value. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and improve your craft. Even less helpful comments can offer insight into how your message is received.
- Detach from emotion. It’s natural to feel defensive or hurt, but take a step back. Criticism is rarely personal. Instead, see it as a tool for refinement.
- Engage strategically. Not every comment needs a response, but thoughtful engagement can turn a critic into a collaborator or even a fan.
Example:
When a critic commented on my post about video podcasting, questioning the idea of starting simple, I paused. My initial reaction was frustration. But then I realized it was an opportunity to clarify my message and spark meaningful dialogue.
🤩Confidence: It’s Built Through Action
Confidence doesn’t come before you start; it comes from starting. Each episode you release, each video you post, builds your confidence and your skillset.
- Start where you are. You don’t need a high-end setup or professional-grade equipment to get started. Your audience cares more about your message than your fancy equipment.
- Focus on value. Worry less about looking perfect and more about providing meaningful content. Confidence grows when you know you’re delivering something valuable.
- Learn from experience. Every stumble, every awkward moment is a step forward. Over time, what felt uncomfortable becomes second nature.
- Celebrate progress. (Remember what David Griffith was talking about?) Every piece of content you create is a testament to your growth. Recognize how far you’ve come.
Example:
When I first started podcasting, I was hyper-focused on the tech, the setup, and how I sounded. But I quickly realized my audience wasn’t tuning in for perfection—they wanted authentic conversations. That shift in focus not only eased my anxiety but also made my content stronger.
🤝Embrace Both
Criticism and confidence aren’t opposites. They’re partners in your growth as a creator. Criticism pushes you to refine, while confidence encourages you to keep going.
Actionable Steps:
- Seek feedback actively. Ask trusted peers or your audience for insights.
- Develop a response plan. Decide how you’ll handle criticism before it comes.
- Keep showing up. Consistency builds both skill and confidence over time.
Remember, the more you create, the more you’ll grow—both in skill and confidence. And as for criticism? Welcome it. It means you’re being heard. (And those ‘not-so-nice’ comments they’re leaving, is only helping the algorithm notice! 😉)
🎙️Podcasting Morning Chat Highlights🌅
Welcome to your essential morning brew of ideas and insights, the “Podcasting Morning Chat” is a daily show that’s by creators, for creators. A dynamic team of experienced podcasters, entrepreneurs, and producers hosts the PMC. Each episode peels back the curtain on the art of podcasting and content creation. The conversation is a mix of insights, stories, and strategies, tailor-made to keep your content fresh, your audience engaged, and your creative spark alive.
Recorded live every weekday at 7 AM EST on Clubhouse and available via podcast at 7 AM PST, our show has become a cornerstone for podcasters worldwide, offering a unique blend of expert advice, real-world success stories, and innovative ideas. Whether you’re here to enhance your content, expand your audience, or just soak in the collective wisdom of fellow content creators, the PMC is your source for inspiration, empowerment and connection in the podcasting world.
Catch up with the latest episodes and join our global community of creators to kick-start your day with creativity, strategy, and insight.
- December 6th, 2024: Episode #204: Leveraging Creativity & Consistency for Growth with David Griffiths
- December 9th, 2024: Episode #205: Smart Tips for Video Podcasters
- December 10th, 2024: Episode #206: Overcoming Confidence Barriers in Video Podcasting
- December 11th, 2024: Episode #207: Podcast News: OpenAI’s $200 Subscription, Reels Updates, and Charts!
- December 12th, 2024: Episode #208: How to Turn Your Audience Into An Engaged Community
I’m so grateful to be connected with you and a part of your podcast journey.
All My Best,
👋Marc Ronick
