The Fun Startup Podcast

Innovators Can Laugh is for aspiring entrepreneurs who don’t have a clear roadmap and want to understand how fun, and difficult, the path to successful innovation can be. Unlike ordinary entrepreneurial related podcast, Eric Melchor is the only American host who interviews fresh faces of European entrepreneurship and innovation. The cultural aspect is unique (along with the guests’ accents) but the content around building a startup is universally viable. You can listen to new episodes every Thursday.
 

After moving to Romania where I didn't know anyone, I thought it would be great to network with other startups. So, the idea of interviewing European startup founders was born.

I started the podcast in May of 2021 and the first episode was released soon after.
 

Had I known how much time and effort it took to create and distribute a podcast, I likely would not have launched one!

I release an episode every Thursday. Even with a process in place, it takes me 6-8 hours per episode. Since I have a day job, I have to work on my podcast in the early hours before work and on the weekends.

I spend around $250 a month and fund this myself. Most of this goes to my editor and a virtual assistant who helps with the distribution.
 

I have yet to take any sponsorships, but would like to some day.

Podcasting has helped me a number of ways including:

- developing new friendships (many of the guests I've interviewed I now see on a regular basis)
- has led to partner collaborations with my company
- has opened doors and new career opportunities
- has given me another identity
 

I find most of my guests through referrals and cold outreach via LinkedIn. Some tools I use:

- Squarespace scheduling - once a guest books a date, he/she then receives a drip email sequence (confirmation, 2x reminder) that includes details about the show
- Bonjoro - two days before the recording, I'll send the guest a personal video letting them know I am excited to chat with them. This helps break the ice before we get on the call and do the recording.
- Riverside for the recording
- Recording goes to editor (use Asana for workflow and save files in Google Drive)
- Edited recording is then placed in Descript. I use Descript to filter out the filler words and create clips for the show.
- I write up a summary of the show along with copy for social posts and provide this to my VA
- My VA creates the podcast cover art and releases the show on Buzzsprout. She then schedules social posts promoting the show on Insta, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
- On day of release, I send out a newsletter promoting the show and post it on LinkedIn and Twitter.
- I provide the guest a swipe file that he/she can use to promote the show
 

Across all social channels. We use SocialBee to schedule posts. I also use a newsletter.
 

I think my first 30 shows suck. Just like anything, to get good at your craft takes time. I suggest forming a podcast peer group (4-5 people) and meet twice a month. Discuss different topics on each call. Goal is to learn from each other. I did this and have learned little tips and tricks that I would not have discovered on my own.
 

Can check out my podcast at https://www.innovatorscanlaugh.com.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMZz4aC1lhYDlwvoOrpsUZg
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@innovatorscanlaugh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melchor_Eric