► Tell us about you and your podcast
Noah Labhart, I'm a startup founder, CTO and podcast host of Code Story. I've been the tech industry for 15 years, and in the startup world for 5. I'm the Founder & CEO of Touchtap.com, C0-Founder & CTO of Veryableops.com and Host of codestory.co. More about me @ noahlabhart.com
Code Story brings you in-depth interviews with tech visionaries, digging into the critical moments of what it takes to change an industry, and build (and lead) a team that has your back. The show is a window into the digital startup world. In their own words, tech veterans share what it feels like to create a world class product, how to recover from critical mistakes, and how to scale your solution for the masses.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I am a regular podcast listener. One of my favorite podcats is How I Built This with Guy Raz. After listening to How I Built This for some time, I realized that tech people could really benefit from having a show that was like HIBT, but bent towards tech startups (great stories, great production, narrative style). So Code Story was born.
Initial goals were to make it happen and see where it went. I released the first episode in June of this year, and we are 17 episode in. First episode took several months to release, as I was trying to do everything myself. With a team built around the show, we are able to release weekly episodes now - and have most of Season 2 already recorded.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
We release shows each week on Monday. Episodes take a week or so to edit, review the edits, record the sponsor blurb and get approval from our guest. I find time to do this because it aligns with my professional goals, and its fun for me to do in my free time.
Sponsorships have come from my professional network, and from using Podcorn. All in all, I spend around $800 a month for podcasting, funded myself.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Financially, I don't gain much from podcasting. I hope that changes in the future, but for now, we are pretty much breaking even (Yay!). First sponsorship was through a professional connection, who worked for a company I use regular for dev hiring. Downloads per month are around 5,000 and growing. Podcasting benefits me with career networking, learning about other CTO/Co-Founder stories and trials, and is decent self branding as a tech professional.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I Squadcaster and Logic Pro X. My mics are ATR2100 and I use a Scarlett Preamp. My editor uses ProTools, and I use clipgain.io for my clips. We use Google Drive and DropBox for file sharing/collaboration. I use Transistor.fm for podcast hosting.
I mainly find guests through LinkedIn, my professional network and through the vendors I use at Veryable. I prep each episode by posting it in Transistor, my website, my email list and social media. Still working on how best to do this.
I interview remotely, using Squadcaster.
► How do you market your show?
The show is on every major podcast directory. I use social media to promote, primarily LinkedIn. Primary acquisition sources are the web and Apple podcasts.
Marketing channels are email, social and SEO web right now. Still trying to figure out the formula for this, but right now, I'm focused on creating amazing, evergreen content.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
I would tell podcasters to just start... you won't have it all figured out when you come out of the gate, but like anything, start and make adjustments as you go. I've changed hosts, I've changed my site, changed my format, etc. - and I will probably change more things as I go. Also, make friends with people in the industry (other hosts, people that make podcasting tools, podcasting networks, editors, etc. - everyone is willing to help).
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can learn more about me at noahlabhart.com, check out the show at codestory.co. You can support the show at patreon.com/codestory. If you want to learn more, you can email me at podcast@codestory.co.