This series is all about Libsyn’s podcasters. It’s sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!
Q & A with Heather from Motherhood in Hollywood
When did you start podcasting?
I started Motherhood in Hollywood last July.
I specifically made the choice to start at the end of July so that my episode numbers would reach the halfway point at the new year.
For some reason I thought that would be a fun thing to celebrate…the halfway point of my show aligning with the New Year.
Turns out it wasn’t as much of a promotional juggernaut as I thought LOL So from now on my anniversary will be July 21st, and and I will celebrate the midpoint during the New Year.
Why did you start podcasting?
As a mom, and an actress, I really needed to find a creative outlet for my ideas and stay connected with people in my industry.
I was completely absorbed in being a mom that I forgot that I was a fun, wild creative person before she was born. I had to find a way to marry the two parts of my life that I loved so much-parenting and acting.
I’m also an Emmy Award-winning writer, but I’m a lazy writer, so talking to someone for an hour seemed like a lot less work than writing for an hour.
And that’s how podcasting won over blogging!
What’s your show about?
MIH is about my journey as an actress and mom trying to pursue my dreams in Hollywood and the incredible people I’ve met along the way.
Not just celebrities, but the non-famous folk who are working regular jobs and trying to rush to an audition on their lunch break.
Or writers stuck in a writers room all day and don’t get home to see their kids until after bedtime.
It’s a collection of people I know and people I want to know. We’ve had guests like Allison Holker from Dancing With The Stars, to Travis Oates, the voice of Piglet on Winnie the Pooh.
The show doesn’t discriminate for non-parents either. My guests are people who wants to talk about the business and tell me their story. Then let me crack some inappropriate jokes and swear a little.
That doesn’t sound too bad does it? I want to be the fun mom you see at the comedy club and want to hang out with but leaves at a reasonable hour before things get sloppy.
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
I have two AT2005’s with mic covers and I plug the USB right into my Mac.
I record in GarageBand and use earbuds to monitor the sound. It sounds simple and it really is.
But you know what? It sounds amazing!
How have you promoted your podcast?
All over the place. The donut shop, the post office, preschool, anyone who will listen.
When you have a product you believe in you want everyone to enjoy it. I post all my shows simultaneously on Libsyn, my website and Soundcloud.
I also send it to players like Stitcher and PlayerFM. I’ve been on the local Los Angeles CBS station talking about my podcast as well as written about podcasting for the Huffington Post and a few online publications.
In an industry where there are literally thousands of new podcasts popping up each week, and the ones at the top have been doing it forever, you have to find a way to make yourself stand out.
Then don’t let your listeners down. I try to introduce my listeners to new aspects of my life, but also my guests lives.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
I would have invested in more solid mics from the get go. I had two great mics in the beginning, but they were overpowering each other.
Sometimes the fanciest gadget isn’t what you need for a simple job.
I would have invested more time and money early on, on my website. I had a terrible website for the first few months of my show. It was not podcast or audio file friendly.
Transitioning to WordPress was a more difficult process than I thought it would be. i’m still learning all the bells and whistles and plugins. But I’ll get there.
If you’re in Hollywood and are feeling kinda lonely or…maybe you just want to connect and share about HOLLYWOOD BABY! Then, you need to subscribe to this podcast right now!
Looking for a creative outlet? You know podcasting is the past of least resistance. We’d love to host your media for your podcast.
