5 Successful Podcasters Share the 'Golden Advice' That's Making Them Money in a Crowded Industry If you are thinking about starting a podcast, you're going to need a little help from some of the best names in the industry.

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I could talk endlessly about hotels, travel and real estate. So when Hospitality FM invited me to create an original podcast focused on exactly that, I jumped at the chance. It wasn't until after I said yes that the enormity of what I agreed to sunk in. So I asked myself, how do I create and run a successful podcast?

It's intimidating to start something new, especially when that "something" is a podcast you hope others will actually listen to. Podcasts have been around for about 20 years now, and it can seem like everyone and their cousin already has one. Plus, as a publicist, I'm used to being behind the scenes, coaching others on what (and even more importantly, what not) to say. It's a bit dizzying to think of all the virtual eyes and ears being trained on me.

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With more than 3 million podcasts currently active, it's also hard to stand out. Competition grows daily while the listener's attention span continues to shrink. And turning a profit, the leading motivation for starting a podcast in the first place can seem even more elusive.

Luckily, I now had access to Hospitality FM's roster of creators. As I began shaping my soon-to-launch show, Suite Success, I turned to five of the network's leading podcasters to uncover the single suggestion that propelled their success. If you're thinking about starting your own show, here is their golden advice.

1. Think of it as a gateway

"Don't think of it as just a podcast; think of it as a gateway to more than you could ever imagine. I started with one podcast, then two, and it eventually evolved into a full podcast network — producing, editing, and monetizing over 35 shows within the hospitality industry.

Now the network has transformed into a platform that discovers and cultivates talent and influential leaders, with multiple businesses — including a coffee brand, an advisory group, a retreat business and more. I share these details to emphasize that your show can become so much more than just a podcast. It offers the opportunity to create something far bigger than you or anyone else could ever imagine. Focus on excellent audio quality, compelling content, the art of conversation and being true to yourself. That's what will lead to success."

-Will Slickers, Founder & CEO of Hospitality.FM podcast network; Host of Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast and Co-Host of Good Morning Hospitality

2. Pay attention to your thoughts

"It may sound simple, but shifting my mindset has significantly contributed to my success. I studied the topic of neuroplasticity and learned that we have as many as 60,000 thoughts per day…and 95% of those are negative! I began to pay attention to what I was actually thinking and was able to identify the core beliefs that were holding me back. I started protecting myself when others second-guessed my choices to make sure I didn't, in turn, second-guess myself. This mindset shift has empowered me to set life-changing goals for my business and earn paychecks fueled by my passions. My podcast has been instrumental in this journey, allowing me to grow my audience and inspire them to harness their own potential for extraordinary success."

-Stacey St. John, Host of The STR Sisterhood and Founder of the STR Virtual Summit for Women

3. Be mindful of who you have as a guest

"I've always preferred to invite guests on the show who have compelling stories to tell, over chasing down guests who might have a more attractive following. It might be counterintuitive, and I see a lot of podcasters preaching that you need 'big name' guests to garner downloads, but I've found that often it's the lesser-known guests who really value the opportunity and take it more seriously.

These guests share the show with their family and friends, and they don't have active brand contracts that affect how transparent they can be in conversation. On the flip side, I've sat across from guests for whom being on a podcast is so routine you can tell the novelty of being interviewed has worn off. They're not as enthusiastic about sharing the show with their audience and tend to save their best tips for behind a paywall. Don't let the fact that you can't yet attract the big-time influencers deter you. I can attract those guests today, but I still prefer hearing the real talk about real estate from everyday investors who are just figuring it out as they go and aren't ashamed to admit it. Frankly, my listeners prefer those conversations, too."

-Natalie Palmer, Host of No Vacancy and Co-Founder of the Level Up Your Listing Summit

4. Focus on value and see the return

"The most incredible thing about podcasting is the trust flywheel you build. You garner a deeper level of trust by consistently delivering value to your audience. As a result, I often receive multiple amazing opportunities every week from avid listeners, inviting me to be a part of something they're working on — like becoming an advisor to their business in exchange for an equity stake or investing in new projects they're launching. I've even been offered jobs and consultancy roles. There's no better way to generate inbound opportunities than by hosting a podcast. And I believe the riches are in the niches, so don't overthink it. Lean into the intersection of your interests and start a show about that."

-Zach Busekrus, Host of Behind the Stays and Founder & CEO of StayWatch

5. Niche down

"I hadn't considered starting my own podcast, but I had been a guest on a number of shows in an effort to network with like-minded individuals. Hospitality.FM approached me about hosting my own show after seeing the engagement from my episodes — a real pinch-me moment. My biggest piece of advice would be to niche down. By zeroing in on the vacation rental industry, we've found our sweet spot and get to connect with an audience that truly gets it. This focus not only grew our listener base but has opened the doors to some pretty lucrative sponsorships."

-Meaghan Moylan, Host of Workflows & Espressos and Executive Director of Outpost Group