In the ever-evolving world of podcasting, few stories are as compelling as that of Kevin Chemidlin, the mastermind behind the successful podcast "Grow The Show." Recently, Kevin joined Harry Duran on the Podcast Junkies to share his journey from a corporate job to becoming a full-time podcaster and entrepreneur.
From Corporate to Creator: The Leap of Faith
Kevin's story begins with a familiar narrative: the dissatisfaction with the 9-to-5 grind. Despite a lucrative position at Cigna, Kevin felt the entrepreneurial itch. He dabbled in various side hustles, from a music recording studio to app development, but it wasn't until he stumbled upon the world of podcasting that he found his true calling.
Philly Who: The Birth of a Podcast
Kevin launched his first podcast, "Philly Who," in 2018, focusing on successful Philadelphians' stories. Initially committed to in-person interviews, Kevin built a studio and created a deeply engaging show. However, the arrival of COVID-19 forced a pivot to remote operations, a change that would lead to significant growth and a new direction.
The Pivot to Grow The Show
As Kevin transitioned to remote work, he noticed a gap in the market: podcasters needed help growing and monetizing their shows. Leveraging his experience with "Philly Who," Kevin launched "Grow The Show," a podcast and coaching program designed to help podcasters succeed.
Lessons Learned: Quality, Participation, and Monetization
Throughout his podcasting career, Kevin learned three critical lessons:
- Quality and Consistency Are Just the Beginning: A great podcast requires more than just hitting the publish button. It demands active marketing and audience engagement.
- Participation Over Promotion: Growth comes from meaningful participation in communities, not from self-promotion.
- Monetization Through Audience Action: A podcast is monetized when the audience is influenced to make purchases, whether through direct sales or sponsorships.
The Challenges of Scaling Up
Despite the success, scaling up brought its challenges. In an ambitious move, Kevin expanded his offerings and team, only to face the harsh realities of overextension. This led to a period of reflection and downsizing, ultimately returning to a solopreneur model to recalibrate and focus on delivering value.
Grow The Show Live: The Next Chapter
Now, Kevin is excited to announce "Grow The Show Live," a five-day summit designed for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to leverage podcasting for growth. The event promises to cover content creation, growth strategies, and conversion tactics, all tailored to help podcasters turn their passion into profit.
Conclusion: The Resilient Podcaster
Kevin Chemidlin's story is one of resilience, innovation, and the power of podcasting. His journey from "Philly Who" to "Grow The Show" is a testament to the potential of the medium and the importance of adaptability in the face of change. For those looking to follow in his footsteps, "Grow The Show Live" might just be the perfect starting point.
For more information on the summit and to join Kevin on this exciting journey, visit growtheshowlive.com/harry and take the first step towards podcasting success.
