<p>If you’re a podcaster or thinking about starting your own show, this episode with Michael Klassen will give you practical ideas for taking your podcast from idea to reality. We dig into how Michael turned six years of blog content into the 5am Podcast, and what it was like starting with no audio or video experience. You’ll hear why patience and consistency helped him grow to hundreds of daily website visitors, and the systems he uses to keep production running smoothly.</p><p>Michael shares the simple tech and workflow behind his episodes—from scheduling guests to using AI tools for titles and descriptions—and how he balances creativity with audience needs. If you’re wondering how to get more listeners, or how to make your website work for your podcast, you’ll pick up a ton. Plus, we talk about growing your audience with email (even if you haven’t started one yet) and how old articles and SEO can keep traffic coming back.</p><p>Two takeaways to listen for: how repurposing written content can be the perfect on-ramp to podcasting, and the importance of measuring (and setting) goals—even if you’re just starting out.</p><p><strong>Connect With Micheal Klassen</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://5ampodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://5ampodcast.com/</a></p><p>Twitter:<a href="https://x.com/5AMPodcast1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/5AMPodcast1</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/5am-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/5am-podcast/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>If <em>My Podcast Story</em> speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.</p><p>There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the <em>My Podcast Story</em> newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.</p><p>Sign up here: <a href="https://mypodcaststory.com/join" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mypodcaststory.com/join</a></p><p>If the stories you hear on <em>My Podcast Story</em> bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq</a></p><p>Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: <a href="https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory</a></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Behind Michael Klassen’s podcast journey<br />01:17 What the 5am Podcast aims to do<br />02:04 Turning a website into a podcast<br />03:54 Early inspiration for 5am Podcast<br />04:52 Patience and growth focus<br />06:46 Defining “more” and measuring impact<br />08:27 Crafting and planning each episode<br />10:07 Michael’s podcast production workflow<br />12:58 Tools: Calendly, Riverside, Canva, Claude<br />14:26 Using AI for SEO and descriptions<br />16:50 Publishing episodes on the website<br />18:25 What the 5am Podcast website looks like<br />20:02 Visitor experience and improving the site<br />21:18 Expectations when launching the show<br />22:54 Building an audience and email list ideas<br />24:08 Where visitors come from and analytics<br />26:37 Website traffic strategies and SEO basics<br />30:13 The power of returning visitors<br />33:57 Audio platform growth and building relationships<br />35:36 Podcast monetization and early income streams<br />37:09 Launching products and adding value<br />39:09 Expanding to radio syndication<br />41:01 How radio deals and syndication work<br />44:01 Tracking radio listenership<br />45:40 Promoting the show and cross-platform strategy<br />48:01 Consistency, content, and growth focus<br />52:04 Advice for new podcasters<br />55:21 Where to find Michael and final thoughts</p><p></p>

My Podcast Story

Wisdom

Starting a Podcast After Six Years of Doubt—Here’s How I Grew Anyway —Michael Klassen | Ep 105

OCT 17, 202556 MIN
My Podcast Story

Starting a Podcast After Six Years of Doubt—Here’s How I Grew Anyway —Michael Klassen | Ep 105

OCT 17, 202556 MIN

Description

<p>If you’re a podcaster or thinking about starting your own show, this episode with Michael Klassen will give you practical ideas for taking your podcast from idea to reality. We dig into how Michael turned six years of blog content into the 5am Podcast, and what it was like starting with no audio or video experience. You’ll hear why patience and consistency helped him grow to hundreds of daily website visitors, and the systems he uses to keep production running smoothly.</p><p>Michael shares the simple tech and workflow behind his episodes—from scheduling guests to using AI tools for titles and descriptions—and how he balances creativity with audience needs. If you’re wondering how to get more listeners, or how to make your website work for your podcast, you’ll pick up a ton. Plus, we talk about growing your audience with email (even if you haven’t started one yet) and how old articles and SEO can keep traffic coming back.</p><p>Two takeaways to listen for: how repurposing written content can be the perfect on-ramp to podcasting, and the importance of measuring (and setting) goals—even if you’re just starting out.</p><p><strong>Connect With Micheal Klassen</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://5ampodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://5ampodcast.com/</a></p><p>Twitter:<a href="https://x.com/5AMPodcast1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/5AMPodcast1</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/5am-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/5am-podcast/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>If <em>My Podcast Story</em> speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the stories shared here. Your support truly means a lot.</p><p>There’s more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the <em>My Podcast Story</em> newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show. It’s a quiet way to stay inspired between listens.</p><p>Sign up here: <a href="https://mypodcaststory.com/join" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mypodcaststory.com/join</a></p><p>If the stories you hear on <em>My Podcast Story</em> bring you inspiration, clarity, or simply a moment of connection, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue sharing the journeys of podcasters from around the world.Support the show: <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/wisdomhq</a></p><p>Want to be a guest on My Podcast Story? Send Wisdom Okonkwo a message on PodMatch, here: <a href="https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/mypodcaststory</a></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Behind Michael Klassen’s podcast journey<br />01:17 What the 5am Podcast aims to do<br />02:04 Turning a website into a podcast<br />03:54 Early inspiration for 5am Podcast<br />04:52 Patience and growth focus<br />06:46 Defining “more” and measuring impact<br />08:27 Crafting and planning each episode<br />10:07 Michael’s podcast production workflow<br />12:58 Tools: Calendly, Riverside, Canva, Claude<br />14:26 Using AI for SEO and descriptions<br />16:50 Publishing episodes on the website<br />18:25 What the 5am Podcast website looks like<br />20:02 Visitor experience and improving the site<br />21:18 Expectations when launching the show<br />22:54 Building an audience and email list ideas<br />24:08 Where visitors come from and analytics<br />26:37 Website traffic strategies and SEO basics<br />30:13 The power of returning visitors<br />33:57 Audio platform growth and building relationships<br />35:36 Podcast monetization and early income streams<br />37:09 Launching products and adding value<br />39:09 Expanding to radio syndication<br />41:01 How radio deals and syndication work<br />44:01 Tracking radio listenership<br />45:40 Promoting the show and cross-platform strategy<br />48:01 Consistency, content, and growth focus<br />52:04 Advice for new podcasters<br />55:21 Where to find Michael and final thoughts</p><p></p>