141: Why you should NOT compare yourself or your podcast to Joe Rogan

https://podcastfasttrack.com/Let's talk a bit about Joe Rogan...Joe is an American comedian, podcaster, actor, television host, and mixed martial arts commentatorJoe is 53 years old (one month younger than yours truly)The Joe Rogan Experience is a talk-show / interview format (like most of the podcastosphere it seems)He's been publishing his podcast (and YouTube versions) for over 10.5 yearsHe typically publishes 3 or more episodes per week > average episode length is just over 2 hours 30 minutesAs of October 2020 his show "The Joe Rogan Experience" has published just over 1700 episodesThat's 4,360 hours of content > if you listened non-stop, 24/7 it would take you 182 days to listen to all of it (at normal speed)As of April 2019 > 190 million downloads per monthHe's increased his publications year over year, but 2020 it appears that he'll actually publish less than he has been in previous yearsNot bad for a guy who started out entirely independent (like you and me)The most recent hype - SpotifyThe podcast-o-sphere is all abuzz with the news that Joe just signed a multi-year deal with Spotify estimated to be worth $100M. That's one of the largest licensing agreements in podcast history.But there are some not-so-good things in the deal that many of us Indie podcasters wouldn't be too keen about...His show can ONLY be found on SpotifyPaying members have no-adsNon-paying members have ads (Spotify generated, presumably)In sPITE of all that, it's Easy to say...Wow, it must be nice to be Joe Rogan! But think that through...The dude has paid his duesHe has done the work requiredHe has earned every cent (though there is a way I think he could be making more AND keeping full control of where his show is distributed - watch for an upcoming episode about that)Though we can argue about the lasting value he provides his audience, he's clearly hit on a format and personality mix that is entertaining to his demographicWhy you should NOT compare yourself to JoeYou haven't been at it as longYou haven't published as frequentlyYou haven't build the audience he hasYou haven't had the same opportunitiesYou are likely podcasting for a different reason than Joe (serving an audience, providing help, building a clientele, selling books/courses, etc.)You have differing gifts, personality, abilities, etc. that make your show and approach intrinsically different than hisThere is a LOT more to successful podcasting than a big deal like Joe signedPeople helpedSpecific needs metPain relievedWorld-view and mindsets challengedChanged livesWhat SHOULD you do?Get clear on YOUR purpose (What are you podcasting FOR?)Get clear on your audience (Who are you trying to serve)Figure out where they are (online and in real life)Figure out how to get your message to them (creative, diligent, tireless work)Be willing to pay the priceListen to this episode to get all the deets about these things and more!Subscribe to Podcastification here!