31,000 monthly downloads

Launched in September, 2014

1 episode a week

 Hello! What’s your background, and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Julie Coraccio and I am an award-winning professional organizer, author and certified life coach. I am passionate about supporting people in clearing clutter in all areas of their lives, getting more organized and being more aware and mindful. Based in Raleigh, NC I work with people all over the world. I am happily married to Tony and mommy to three rescued cats Joey, Antonio and Athena.

I host the successful self help podcast Clearing the Clutter Inside & Out (CCIO) which focuses on helping people clear clutter in all areas of their lives: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic, relationships, healthy and more. Each episodes include what inspired the episode as well as take action items so listeners can move forward as soon as they finishing listening to an epoxide.

In January 2017 I crossed a million downloads. I am not famous and don’t belong to a group that rate and review each other’s podcast to increase numbers and visibility. I believe I am successful because I provide quality information and am authentic.

What was the motivation behind starting the podcast?

Prior to starting CCIO, I had an international online TV show. It was a weekly live show where I would drive to a studio. I heard something about podcasting and knew that was what I wanted to do next. I wanted something that combined all my passions and that people could really relate to.

I did three months of coaching and was taught to find my niche. If I could expand later, but really at the beginning, needed to find a unique slant on my topic. Nothing else was out there that was touching on clutter in ALL areas; more so on organizing and removing physical clutter. I am a big believer in trusting your intuition. It felt right. It also matched my background and experience.

What went into launching the initial podcast? 

What I love about podcasting is that you can start up with relatively small costs. Because I had done a live international TV show, I felt I had experience that bode well for a podcast.

I mainly do the episodes, but will occasionally interview someone. I have interviewed enough to know when someone is a good interviewer and that really comes through in your podcast. I am a planner and very organized. I plan out each step and block out time (deciding on episode, writing, recording, etc.) At the beginning, it seemed to take forever. I learned how to make and edit my intro, outro and commercials by watching a 10-year old on YouTube. Podcasting is great if you are on a budget.

I am able to do the podcast because I am organized and plan. I view it, as my way of giving back, even though I promote myself, there is a lot of quality. If someone is motivated, they will change their life listening to my podcast.

How have you attracted listeners and grown the podcast? 

I launched five episodes at once, what I do at a typical month. It grew organically from there. I really believe it is the quality of my podcast that helped fuel it’s growth.

I have a newsletter and I also share with clients. I have good SEO, do press releases and make sure the episode is also shared on my website. I believe it has grown because I am authentic and I have a niche. I did a PR. Again, I believe because I keep it real people tune in. I don’t believe in cold calling people to increase listeners. There is a debate on whether new and noteworthy is really beneficial. You have to look at how you are spending your time. ITunes isn’t the only game in town make sure your podcast is posting to other places.

I had someone I didn’t know ask to connect with me on Linked In recently. He asked me to rate and review his wife’s podcast. He was looking to get 500 reviews. I am not a fan of this. You better back it up with a great podcast if you are going to seek random reviews. I think this way of promoting tends to backfire.

I also do a video version of my podcast and post to YouTube. This has helped tremendously to grow my audience.

What’s your business model, and how have you grown your revenue with having the podcast?

I have learned that you can’t please everyone. I am more likely to check out a podcast with mainly strong reviews. Lots of keyboard warriors so I take poor reviews with a grain of salt. I will look to see where else they have reviewed.  All five stars and I tend to think your reviews are done by your mother and friends.

Be you, be authentic.

I’ve also had people who were interested in advertising really early on, but based on what it paid, it wasn’t worth it to me and it was more cost effective made more sense to promote myself. Now, if you have the success of Serial, by all means, have advertising! They will find you. Trust me.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced and obstacles you’ve overcome when it comes to running the podcast? If you had to start over, what would you do differently?

I would have started with seasons. I do a weekly plus a bonus, so that is five to six episodes a month. I had done a weekly live show for over three years without a break. I believe taking some time off will strengthen the podcast.

I would have had a pro microphone from beginning. I am mad my coaches didn’t insist on it. When I work with someone, I tell him or her this is a must. You don’t have to get the most expensive kind.

I had to except when you put yourself out there people will criticize you. I always answer my critics. Sometimes we each learn something. Don’t stop or not start because someone put you down. I had zero background in interviewing, broadcast, radio, etc. and I am successful.

I also started out interviewing and quickly moved to rarely interviewing now. I always ask people to promote; be prepared most people don’t. Check out anyone you are going to interview to see if they promote others.

All in all, in has been a great experience and I am glad I have done.

Have you found anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

Again, being me and being real and authentic has served me the most.

Being organized and planning so it’s not haphazard. I am active on a variety of social media, but put my efforts onto a few platforms. Follow your heart and your intuition or gut.

Focus your time and energy on growing your podcast, not the podcasts you view as competition. Someone might say they have a lot of downloads, but they really don’t.

What’s your advice for podcasters who are just starting out?

It is worth it to invest in a microphone. My coaches didn’t insist on it and my biggest just beginning mistake podcasting.

Ask friends and family for honest reviews, but don’t approach people you don’t know. If you belong to a group that reviews everyone and just gives out five stars, you might not be able to back it up down the road.

You are going to get a bad review. It’s okay. Move on.

Pick a subject you are passionate about. There are days you aren’t going to choose to do the podcast. If you are passionate, it will help see you through.

Where can we go to learn more?

Sign up on my website to receive your free copy of “10 Ways to Clear the Clutter Inside & Out”. You can listen my podcast on iTunes, check out my Youtube channel or connect through Facebook.