Comments? 888-563-3228 Today is episode 614 of the School of podcasting and we are talking about the most important question a new podcaster should answer before they start. We also have a cool resource for royalty free music. I also share my thought in podcast sponsor markets.  The Three Questions I Ask Every Podcast Client 2:29 Tyler Primavera asked me, "I discovered your SOP and ATPC shows and I really appreciate them! I'm slowly working my way through them, sorry to hear about Bernie the cat. I really want to start a podcast in veterinary school (starting in the fall), but I'm afraid of the time commitment. I really think podcasting is a great idea (I wrote in depth about it here at my blog https://wp.me/p9MJTj-1U), but I'm afraid of the commitment. How do I decide to podcast or not? Thank you for your time, Tyler" 1. Why Do You Want to Podcast? If you can't answer this, then don't spend a dime on any equipment. To this Tyler says Through my podcast, I hope to speak (and live) the message that personal well-being is an absolute must during veterinary school, and that no vet student is ever truly alone. He also says: I want my podcast to improve the lives of veterinary students first, and the veterinary field second. I want to do my little part in tackling the big problem of veterinary mental maladies. 2. How Will You Know if It is Successful? While I realize this can change. By answering this question as a consultant I can steer the podcast in the right direction. I can shape the call to action, etc. I can also see if the topic is in alignment with the goal of the show (cause that is not always the case). 3. What are You Going to Quit Doing to Make Time For Your Podcast? This is my main point of this episode. Unless you have a large budget and are farming this out, your podcast s going take more time than you think. While I normally say use a four to one rule (a one hour podcast will take four hours to create start to finish), that number could easily be five to one when you're new. With this in mind, unless you have a time machine there are still only 24 hours in a day. Most of us do not start a podcast because we are sitting around watching Dr. Phil and being bored. It is typically quite the opposite. In the article Tyler says this, "Right now, I have plenty of time to make a podcast, because I am not in veterinary school. How will I be able to attend school for 40 hours a week, study, workout, maintain a long distance relationship, and do a podcast? I have no idea. But supposedly, if there is a will, there is a way." This is not always true Chances are you are going to be likely giving up something.  Will it be:   TV Video games Sleep Family time Exercise Work other hobbies   If you have no margin in your life, then you are going to have to stop doing something to make time for podcasting. This is not an opinion, it is a fact that there are only 24 hours in a day.   The Three Things You Need to Podcast I've mentioned this before. You need your attitude, your health, and support of your family. When you stop sleeping, you health fails which may lead to a bad attitude. If you don't have the support of your family, then that also kills your attitude (and the stress can lead to health issues). If you don't have the right attitude, it may come across the microphone, and overall kill the motivation to put out great content.   With this in mind, what are you going to give up to podcast? When I was in my 20's I was on a few bowling leagues. I gave up time watching TV (but I was with my family). When I was in a band, I gave up time with my family to go to practice. Being in a band also made me give up sleep as I often didn't get home until 3 am. Podcasting is no different, so when you are excited to start a podcast you need to look at the amount of margin in your life and see if you have the time to create a podcast, or the budget to farm it out. Where I Will Be This Week 16:03 Cincinnati Podcasters Meetup on 4/18 Podfecta Podca