Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin - Podcast for Podcasters about Podcasting

Are you planning your search engine optimization strategy based off of tangible data in your business? Today we're exploring how Google Search Console can help you strategically plan your content.

Listen in as I share how to set up Google Search Console, my favorite features of the tool, and how I use the data within it to create a better SEO strategy for my website content.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Install Google Analytics (1:13)

Installing Google Search Console (1:29)

- Head over to

- Login with Google Account

- Add Property

- Enter URL

- Verify Your Website with Google Analytics Tracking ID

Actively Tracking Data (1:57)

Using Google Search Console (2:14)

- Submitting my sitemap

- Monitor usability and errors

- Review my site’s search performance

Submitting Your Sitemap (2:33)

Generating Your Sitemap (2:47)

Monitor Usability & Errors (2:54)

Keyword Planning Based on Performance (4:33)

Search Console > Performance > Queries

Google Search Console Data from gaffincreative.com: Q1 2021 (4:53)

# of times gaffincreative.com showed up in Google Searches: 12,900

# of times gaffincreative.com was clicked on from Google Searches: 295

Top Keywords/Phrases: Photography Studio Rental, Chattanooga Headshot Photographer, Photography Studios near me

Google Search Console Data for Podcast Keywords from gaffincreative.com: Last 28 Days (5:39)

Podcast Budget Template: 40 searches, 8 impressions, 2 clicks

Royalty Free Music for Podcasts: 1900 searches, 393 impressions, 1 click

Keyword Planning with Google Search Console (7:15)

- List a few of the top clicks/impressions that I’m performing under

- List a few of the top searched works that I’m showing up under

Strategizing Content Around Keywords & Data (8:02)

- How can I built better content around these keywords or phrases?

- What related searches are people making that I can build even more content around? (that’s where the Keywords Everywhere tool I mentioned comes into play)

Haylee's Exercise Example (8:42)

Top Photography Keyword: Chattanooga Headshot Photographer

Potential Keywords to Work Towards: Chattanooga photographer, Photographers in chattanooga, Chattanooga commercial photographer, Photography chattanooga, tn, Headshot studio chattanooga

Destination Photographer Example (10:20)

The Woman I’m cheering for This Week (12:41)

Jess Ekstrom:

Author of Chasing the Bright Side

CEO of Headbands of Hope

Host of Business on the Bright Side

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

010: Beginner's Guide to SEO

Blog Posts Mentioned in this Episode:

Music

Links

gaffincreative.com/podcast-production

instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Google Search Console

yoast.com

keywordseverywhere.com

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/011

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you showing up when people search for your services on Google? If not, it's likely due to a lack of optimization on your website for search engines.

Join me as I walk through a beginner's guide to search engine optimization (SEO) in this episode and help you optimize your website for search engines. Listen in as I give examples and share a couple of my favorite tools for beginners.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? (1:29)

My Background with SEO (1:47)

Potential Leads from SEO (2:19)

SEO Data from gaffincreative.com: Q1 2021 (2:29)

# of times gaffincreative.com showed up in Google Searches: 12,900

# of times gaffincreative.com was clicked on from Google Searches: 295

Top Keywords/Phrases: Photography Studio Rental, Chattanooga Headshot Photographer, Photography Studios near me

SEO:Search Engine Optimization (5;35)

Metadata: The text based components of your website that communicate with Google (5:44)

What are your potential clients searching for on Google?

Metadata: Title, Description, Alt-Text, Headers, etc. (7:00)

Title: The text that shows up in blue on google. (7:15)

Description: The text that shows up under the title and tells the reader (and Google) what your content is about. (7:22)

Alt-Text: The text that describes your images. (7:33)

Keyword/Key Phrase: The primary word or phrase that you're trying to rank for. This component is used in your seo tool as a reference or indicator of how well you've optimized your page for it. (7:42)

Haylee's Headshot Example: (8:33)

gaffincreative.com/headshots

keyword/phrase: headshot photographer or chattanooga headshot photographer

Title: Headshots for Professionals in Chattanooga, TN | Gaffin Creative

Description: Headshots and branding photos are an important visual element to your personal brand! Enter Haylee Gaffin—a Chattanooga headshot & branding photographer!

What are your potential clients searching for or asking?

Determining Content Keywords: (12:38)

1. Talk to your potential clients about what they want to know.

2. Use Keywords Everywhere tool.

How I Titled Today's Episode (13:14)

Initial Title: 5 Things to Look for in Your Website's SEO (0 monthly searches)

Second Variation: Optimizing My Website for Search Engines (30/month)

Third Variation: Beginner's Guide to SEO (440/month)

Final Title: Beginner's Guide to SEO: Optimizing Your Website for Search Engines

Optimizing My Clients' Ongoing Blog Posts and Podcast Episodes (14:31)

Women I’m cheering for This Week (12:41)

Myrna Daramy

Join us for Tech Translation Thursday, on 4/22 at 7PM EST

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

009: 3 Ways to Get Out of a Content Creation Rut

Blog Posts Mentioned in this Episode:

Three Reasons You Need to Transcribe Your Podcast

Links

gaffincreative.com/podcast-production

instagram.com/hayleegaffin

yoast.com

keywordseverywhere.com

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/010.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creating content for your business can feel like a full time job. while content creation is one of the hottest marketing tools around (and probably isn't going away anytime soon), it's extremely time consuming.

To me, the benefits outweigh the workload, as it is the key to driving value to your existing and potential customers without actually having to market to them and advertise to them. Today I'm sharing three ways you can get out of a content creation rut, come up with new content ideas, and better manage the amount of content you're creating in your business.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Content Creation as a Marketing Strategy (1:10)

Content I Produce on a Weekly Basis (1:55)

- a weekly podcast episode, 

- a weekly blog post about podcasting 

- a weekly newsletter

- two Instagram accounts 

- one Facebook page

- one Facebook group

If you're not enjoying the content you're creating, you're not putting forth your best effort, which leads to less valuable content.

What questions are potential clients asking you?

What resources are potential clients looking for?

Content Planning Exercise (6:36)

Think of one question you're often asked, now think through 5 additional topics related to that question that you could make a resource from.

Haylee's Content Planning Example:

The Question: What should I consider before I launch a podcast?

The Solution Content: Episode 006: What to Consider Before You Launch a Podcast

Supporting Episode: Episode 007: How Much Does It Cost to Make a Podcast?

Supporting Downloadable: Podcast Budget Worksheet

Supporting Blog Post 1: Podcast Equipment for Beginners

Supporting Blog Post 2: Where You Can License Royalty Free Music

Supporting Blog Post 3: Three Reasons You Need to Transcribe Your Podcast

Content I Manage:

- Podcast Episodes

- Social Media Posting on @hayleegaffin

- Weekly Newsletter

Content I Outsource:

- Podcast Blog Content - gaffincreative.com/podcast-production

- Social Media Posting on @gaffincreativestudio

- Pinterest Planning & Scheduling for Blog Content - pinterest.com/gaffincreative

Recap (11:52)

Women I’m cheering for This Week (12:41)

Victoria

Amanda Warfield - amandawarfield.com/content

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

006: Episode 006: What to Consider Before You Launch a Podcast

007: Episode 007: How Much Does It Cost to Make a Podcast?

Blog Posts Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcast Equipment for Beginners

Where You Can License Royalty Free Music

Three Reasons You Need to Transcribe Your Podcast

Links

gaffincreative.com/podcast-production

instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/009.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you consistently paying yourself the money you deserve as a business owner? Determining how much to pay yourself and how frequently, can be a daunting task.

I'm sharing how I've approached paying myself consistently for the last three and a half years! I'm also sharing how I pay myself in slow seasons, plan paid vacations, and give myself bonuses!

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Disclaimer (1:27)

Choose What Works Best for You to Pay Yourself (1:41)

Separate Your Business & Personal Finances (2:05)

What We'll Cover in this Episode (2:36)

1. Setting goals in your business
2. Budgeting for your own paycheck
3. Maintaining a consistent paycheck in both slow and busy seasons
4. Paying yourself for taking vacations.
5. Rewarding yourself with bonuses.

Setting Goals in your Business (2:54)

Budgeting for Your Own Paycheck (3:29)

Determine your business expenses.

Determine how much you want to make.

Defining A Yearly Salary (4:40)

- How much do I need to pay my bills?

- How much do I want to save/invest?

- How much do I want to splurge?

Then add tax.

Actually Paying Yourself (5:52)

Consistent Paychecks Makes Calculating Taxes Easier (6:16)

Don't Touch Extra Income Every Month (6:44)

Paying Yourself in Slow Seasons (7:20)

Paying Yourself to Take Vacations (9:56)

Rewarding Yourself with Bonuses (11:20)

Setting a Buffer Amount in Your Business Bank Account (12:10)

Women I’m cheering for This Week (13:41)

wallsgroupcpas.com

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

001: gaffincreative.com/001

003: gaffincreative.com/003

Links

instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Quickbooks Self-Employed

Review the Transcript at gaffincreative.com/008

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You're ready to launch a podcast, but how much have you budgeted for it? Podcasting isn't free and I'm here to tell you just how much you should be ready to spend when you start a podcast!

In today's episode, I'm breaking down what it looks like to pay for a podcast, from basic start up pricing to outsourcing the graphics, production, and pretty much everything outside of hitting the record button. Listen in as we walk through the things I encourage my clients to consider in their podcast budget and make sure you download my free Podcast Budget Worksheet!

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Download the Podcast Budget Worksheet:

gaffincreative.com/podcastbudget

Listen to Last Week's Episode:

gaffincreative.com/006

Podcast Startup Expenses: (1:50)

- Podcastig Gear

- Royalty Free Music

- Podcast Hosting

Podcasting Gear Budget: $155 (2:13)

Microphone - $99

Foam Windscreen - $2.99

XLR to USB C Cabel - $39.99

Microphone Stand - $10

See my blog post for podcast equipment for beginners.

Royalty Free Music: $49 (3:16)

Premium Beat

See my blog post for Royalty Free Music.

Hosting: $180/year (4:05)

Acast

Libsyn

Podcast Startup Expenses Total: $385 (5:21)

Other Podcast Expenses (5:34)

- Website Building + Hosting

- Podcast Producer

- Graphic Designer

- Recording Platforms

- Transcriptions

- Gift Giving

Website Hosting and Design (6:13)

Hosting: $180/year

Design: Based on your designer and needs.

Download the Podcast Budget Worksheet: (7:29)

gaffincreative.com/podcastbudget

Podcast Producer: $150-300/episode (8:11)

Graphic Design: Based on designer (10:17)

Graphic Elements You'll Need: (10:38)

- Wordmark

- Podcast Cover Art

- Podcast Episode Graphic Template (solo and guest)

- Multiple Social Media Graphic Templates

Recording Platform: Free - $240 (12:17)

- Garageband

- Audacity

- Zencaster

- Riverside FM

- Zoom

Transcribing Audio (13:01)

See my blog post for Why You Should Transcribe Your Podcast Audio.

Transcription Services: (13:25)

Rev - $1.25/minute

Otter.io - $99/year

Guest Gifting: Based on your preference.(14:17)

Three Women I’m cheering for This Week (16:15)

Ryn Loren

Sarah Ann

Tikedra

Blog Posts Mentioned in this Episode:

Podcast Equipment for Beginners

Where You Can License Royalty Free Music

Three Reasons You Need to Transcribe Your Podcast

Download the Podcast Budget Worksheet:

gaffincreative.com/podcastbudget

Review the Transcript at gaffincreative.com/007

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last year, we’ve seen an explosive rise in the podcast industry. You likely know a few people who've launched them and thought about the possibility of launching one yourself.

In today's episode, I'm sharing a few things you should consider before you launch a podcast! Listen in to get my thoughts on prepping for a podcast and the process I walk my clients through prior to working with me!

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

My Inquiry Workflow (1:22)

What is the goal of your podcast? (2:02)

Potential Podcast Goals (2:23)

• Positioning yourself as an expert in your field
• Content marketing your business through podcast episodes and driving listeners to your services.
• Selling products or goods that are relevant to topics you want to cover
• Networking with other industry experts as guests on your show
• Growing your audience on podcast and social media
• Adding value to your existing audience
• Financial gain from sponsorships

Measuring Your Goals (2:52)

Consider Your Budget (3:56)

Startup Expenses: $200 (4:09)

• Podcasting Gear
• Royalty Free Music
• Hosting

Optional Expenses: (4:41)

• Website Build & Hosting for your show notes
• Hiring Podcast Consultant & Producer
• Hiring Graphic Designer for Assets and Promotional Materials
• Transcription Services for Accessibility
• And Guest gifting

How much time do you have/want to dedicate to your podcast? (5:13)

What do you want to call your podcast? (7:29)

Podcast Naming Exercise (7:52)

• Get out a piece of paper
• Write out words you associate with your primary topics
• Write out words you’d associate with your brand
• Write down catchy or special phrases to you
• Write down any and all titles
• Underline all of the words that stand out to you the most. 
• If there are any new phrases that come to mind after that exercise, write them down
• Go back through with a different color pen and circle your top three-five choices.
• Look up those title options on Apple podcast app and see if anyone else is using it. 
• Send the remaining titles to your close friends to vote on their favorite.
• Finally, consider their feedback, but choose the one that resonates with you.

Three Women I’m cheering for This Week (13:04)

Amanda Warfield

LaShonda Brown

April Temple

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does it feel like you're being crushed by a pile of student loan debt that will never be paid off?

In this episode of Clocking In, we're discussing all things related to student loans and how I paid off my $36 thousand dollars of student loan debt in two and a half years. Listen in as I share what I did, what I'd do differently, and my advice to those currently making payments on their student loans.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

What Taking Out Loans Meant to Me (1:09)

How I Paid Off Student Loans (6:30)

1. Researched how my loan provider worked.

2. Approach Spending with a No Spend Mindset

3. Throw most of my income at the student loans (50-75%)

What I'd Do Differently to Pay Off My Loans (10:30)

1. Paid on school while I was in school.

2. Get educated on loans.

3. I wouldn’t have used the 6 month grace period.

Advice for Creating a Repayment Plan (13:19)

1. Use a loan calculator to see how much you’ll pay for your loan.

2. Find out how much interest you’re gaining per day.

3. Consider consolidation.

4. Try a no-spend month

Three Women I’m cheering for This Week (13:04)

Laylee Emadi

My Intern, Victoria

Katie Sirhan

Links:

gaffincreative.com

5 Lessons My Mom Taught Me About Money

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/005

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you figured out what success looks like for you and your life? It's likely different from other women around you, or maybe you aren't sure what it should look like. Let's talk about it!

In this episode of Clocking In, we're celebrating International Women's Day by discussing the importance of cheering on other women, especially when their idea of success differs from our own! Listen in as I share how my idea of success has changed over the years, how I've come to appreciate where other women are in their lives, and how you can start cheering for others!

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

What We’ll Cover in Today’s Episode (1:40)

Defining what success looks like to you. (2:04)

Exercise: Define Your Success (3:05)

1. What do you want right now?

2. What do I want to do or where do I want to be in one year?

3. What is one thing you can do over the next three months to move you towards that goal?

4. What do you want in 5 Years?

Allowing your idea of success to change when it needs to or when you want it to. (4:07)

My Career Background (4:41)

My Current Idea of Success (7:16)

Stop Fighting for the Approval of Others (7:50)

Stop Shaming Women Who Define their Success Differently (9:13)

Cheering on Women in Every Stage of their Lives (9:51)

Three Women I’m cheering for This Week (13:04)

Natalie Franke

My Step Sister, Jenna

Dylan of Water Bear Clay Company

Links:

gaffincreative.com

layleeemadi.com

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/004.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're quickly approaching that time of the year, when taxes begin to really stress us out. As an entrepreneur, tax time can be even more overwhelming if you're not doing to work on the front end to prep for tax time.

In this episode of Clocking In, I'm sharing the things that I do in my own business to ensure I have a smooth (and rewarding) experience at tax time.

From handling my own bookkeeping and working with a CPA to researching potential deductions and paying quarterly taxes, I'm covering it all in this quick episode!

Please note, I am not a tax professional, therefore, the content I'm sharing in this episode is just my own experience. Please consult with a local CPA to ensure you're managing your finances and taxes appropriately for your business.

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Hire a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) (1:16)

Working with an Accountant (1:47)

Use Separate Bank Accounts (2:39)

Pay yourself + Pay Yourself a Consistent Paycheck  (3:07)

a) Consistency

b) Knowing How Much You've Made at any time

c) Simplified Bookkeeping

Use Quickbooks for Bookkeeping (4:15)

Research and Understand Tax Deductions (5:01)

Pay Your Quarterly Taxes (5:32)

Consult with a CPA (7:30)

Links:

gaffincreative.com

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/003.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you thinking about starting a podcast for your business, but are stuck on how to truly use it as a tool in your business (or even your profession)?

In this episode of Clocking In, I'm sharing a few potential ways you can use a podcast to serve your audience, grow your business, and make more money. Listen in as I share a few ways that I'll be using my podcast to serve my business as well!

Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.

Set yourself up as an Industry Expert (1:39)

Grow your audience on multiple platforms. (2:38)

Grow Your Email List (2:55)

Facebook Ad Campaigns (4:02)

Network with Industry Leaders (4:55)

Sell Your Products or Services. (6:00)

1. Associate yourself with your services (6:21)

2. Sponsor your own show (7:13)

3. Create content specific to your service or product launch (8:08)

Links 

gaffincreative.com/scripting 

instagram.com/hayleegaffin

Review the transcript at gaffincreative.com/002.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.