TPU41 – Using a Podcast to Further Build Your Professional Career with Girish from Mission Shunya

Episode41

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[00:00:00] Girish:I use podcasting as a way to reach out to anyone, global leaders or anyone who is in a position of good power or influence anywhere in the world. You tell them that you are doing such a thing. And if you build credibility for a few years, doing like 50 plus episodes in the space, and you tell that you want to talk to him.

[00:00:24] Exploring an opportunity for him to be a guest on your podcast. You write a short note and connect either on email, LinkedIn or anything. You can use this as a platform to tap into those resources anywhere in the world. If you're also trying to build a professional career in a sector where you want to build a network.

[00:00:39] This is ideal. And why I tell that is again, because the sector is very small, is the closely knit,

[00:00:47] Dilip: welcome to the podcasting university, looking for help on starting your own podcast. Then this is the place to be. We will help you with everything from selecting your topic to promoting and monetizing [00:01:00] your podcast in the simplest language possible.

[00:01:03] Listen to other podcasters. Who've been through the grind and learn from them. As we interviewed them every week, you can find more details on the podcasting university.com.

[00:01:21] Hello, and welcome to the podcasting university. This is Dilip your host. And we are into episode 41 and the last one for this year. Now, since it is a last episode for this year, I thought, why not bring in a guest who has a podcast in a very narrow niche and who can talk to us about his podcasting experience and journey.

[00:01:44] And what better way to do it than to talk about a podcast that is about sharing information about zero carbon economy, clean tech and so on. So in this episode, I have Girish on the show. Girish, [00:02:00] who is a host of mission Shunya, which is a podcast about zero carbon economy. Girish is clean tech evangelist with a decade of experience in clean tech and has been into podcasting since 2017.

[00:02:14] His personal mission is to be a catalyst in the transition to a zero carbon economy, or in other words, mission Shunya. He collaborates with people and businesses to develop and implement products and solutions that align with this mission of his. He has implemented a lot of projects in solar power, energy storage, and electric mobility, a Chavening Scholar, and a master's graduate from the university of Cambridge.

[00:02:43] He's also the recipient of the Economic Times young leader award for 2019. So let us welcome Girish sivakumar from the mission Shunya podcast onto the podcasting university. Hi Girish, welcome to the podcasting university.

[00:02:59] Girish: Hello [00:03:00] Dilip. Glad to be on your show. In fact, I should say for podcasters like me, you are like a role model to look up to, and especially the shows that you've been producing and it's wonderful to be on your show.

[00:03:11] It's actually a privilege for me. So thanks for having me on your show.

[00:03:14] Dilip: Thanks Girish I know that it's been quite some time that we've spoken after our podcasters meet. So I was looking forward to this conversation and, looking forward to, some interesting conversation around mission Shunya. So I think

[00:03:27] Just to get started

[00:03:28] off first, even before we get into the podcast, we would like to know a little more about girish.

[00:03:36] What does it that

[00:03:38] you do other than podcasting and how did mission Shunya happen and why specifically podcasts?

[00:03:45] Girish: Sure Dilip. So basically I am from Bangalore Southern part of India, for people who are not familiar with this city. And I grew up here. I did my bachelor's here and I've been here for most part of my life apart from the few [00:04:00] years that I've been outside.

[00:04:01] And then all in all Bangalore Bangalorean and an engineer, engineer graduate. And that's like a typical profile. But the, the change actually happened once I graduated and I was looking for career options and that's when I started picking up my other interest. What was I really interested about?

[00:04:19] What was a passionate about and putting this together I found a job in clean tech particularly solar power project development in 2011. That's when I started work in the domain. That time in 2011, the sector was kind of very nascent stage. If I were to put it that way, then it started. So large-scale solar power projects started coming up, then energy storage, electric mobility.

[00:04:45] So in the last 10 years I've been through this journey building my career and, and this last 10 years has defined me in the other side, as well as a professional, a person who's been working in the clean tech space. So this guy has something to offer or rather, [00:05:00] I felt the need to talk about my experience.

[00:05:02] So, yeah, until then, until now, proper Bangalorean apart from podcasting. I, in recent years, juggling a career and some other activity has been only podcasting, but otherwise active with a few social community sports, and other things that keep me engaged.

[00:05:22] Dilip: Oh, great. Okay. And so where did this idea for mission Shunya, come from and why did you specifically pick podcasting for, such a topic.

[00:05:32] Girish: Yes. So when I started in 20 10, 11, the sector was very new. When I used to tell people that I work for solar project development, people used to ask me, are you going to put water heaters on rooftops? I kind of told no, that is not, that is not what I'm going to do. We are building large scale power plants that will send power to big power stations and things around that.

[00:05:52] That is when I realized people generally are not aware. So I started blogging. I started posting about my experience of going to remote parts and writing [00:06:00] about the experience of building Pope projects. So that's when the blog got started and being in Bangalore, commuting to office day in, day out, you wanted to make sure of the optimum time other travel time is utilized well.

[00:06:12] So that's when I started to listen to podcast. So a couple of hours of travel journeys, and I was also traveling outside of Bangalore for work. So I started to listen to audio content. So I was really interested in podcasting. I was following a lot of good shows and naturally, while, growing up in school college, I was interested in debates, public speaking.

[00:06:33] So I thought, okay, why not build a medium around talking? I just want to share in your experience in this platform, I didn't get right time until like a few years later after I did my master's and then started working in another firm where my boss was also interested in podcasts. So he used to follow some popular shows as well.

[00:06:53] Then we said, okay, why not talking about clean tech. There is no one in India in 20 15, 16, who was [00:07:00] talking about energy, clean energy and so on. So we got together and we said, okay, I can do this. I can do the thing. He had a good name in the industry. So he would get the policymakers, big technocrats on the show.

[00:07:14] Then that, that was the first time I actually started a podcast that was emerging tech radio. It still happens to be the first podcast in clean tech in India. It's still running. After that, that was a very niche segment because that was even niche in the sense clean tech is very narrow. The sector is very small.

[00:07:35] That was even particularly focused on getting the big picture leaders, the leaders of the industry, the policy experts from government and others to talk on the show about what are the upcoming policies in clean tech and so on. Then I felt okay, that is not reaching a bigger audience. Like for example, The same question.

[00:07:55] Like when I meet people they ask is solar power really cheap? Can I use it when the power [00:08:00] goes off? Are electric vehicles really good? Can I buy them now. And so on. So I felt the entire objective of communicating. This message is not yet done. So I have to change the narrative. I have to mix the narrative and ensure that the message reaches a wider audience.

[00:08:18] So then Mission Shunya launched. I launched the mission Shunyaseparately, spinning off from my earlier podcast. So this was my second podcast. And here I said, let me talk to the common person, like whatever he wants to hear. And when I talk about this, I should be telling about the big picture also, and also all small stories from people who have made a small difference.

[00:08:41] So the end of the conversation. Yeah. The listener has something as a key takeaway. Like for example, he either learns about the new technology or what I call like a best practice that he can pick for a sustainable lifestyle or general questions on what's happening in the industry. So that is when Mission Shunya happened.

[00:08:58] And yes, now it's [00:09:00] about 70 episodes and. Close to three years in the run.

[00:09:04] Dilip: So the other podcast, which is emerging tech radio,

[00:09:07] Girish: that's still running, right? Yes. It's still running. And my previous boss, he still continues to get the big picture speakers, the leaders and policymakers, and he still gets them on the show.

[00:09:17] Dilip: Okay. So you're not part of that podcast, is it?

[00:09:20] Girish: Nope. Again, as I said, because of the time constraint. I can only do a little, I can do justice to only one show.

[00:09:28] Dilip: That is why I asked that because if you were in both, then I really want to understand how you were managing your time with all of these shows and your, your full-time job.

[00:09:40] So that's primarily

[00:09:41] why I asked that question. So

[00:09:43] Girish. I understand that you are already into the topic. You were already into a profile, which basically had clean tech and carbon footprint and everything you were talking, you were, already into that topic a lot,

[00:09:57] but for you to launch a

[00:09:59] podcast, [00:10:00] Even if it is emerging tech radio for you to think about a podcast and some listeners. Was there some hint that you got in terms of maybe, you would have spoken to people or you would have understood that there is already a group of individuals who are willing to listen to this topic on a radio.

[00:10:22] So was there something like that, that you encountered. Did you do some kind of a, well, maybe a small research. How did you get to know that there was an audience for this topic?

[00:10:31] Girish: Well, that's a very good and interesting question. So, like I said, when we launched with my old boss, emerging tech radio both of us were in a, a good network of people.

[00:10:41] So we were because clean tech sector, even today is a smaller group of professional network, although it is growing year on year. So 20 15, 16, it was small. And since I've been in the space, right, from the early days, although there are many experts and seniors in the industry. So you bump into almost the same [00:11:00] kind of people in almost all places.

[00:11:02] And since it's an emerging field, there are a lot of conferences talk shows and other things that happen in the physical world. So this is pre COVID, of course, when it got started. And when you go there, You will bump into similar kind of like-minded people who are again, industry veterans, they kind of come back and say like, yeah, we discussed this from Europe.

[00:11:21] We discussed the story from America. We said, India, this is the time for India to embrace that technology and so on. So everyone had a similar line of thought and all these experts were also aligned with what's happening globally in the clean tech space. So they wanted to bring that story and they used to communicate the same story in conferences, media.

[00:11:41] Or articles and everything. So yeah, we should communicate the story. And globally in Europe and America, the podcasting for clean tech was emerging or it was in a mature phase and people said like, we should have something like that in India. They all, there was always a need for such a show where people felt, yeah, we have to talk [00:12:00] to a different kind of mass where people want to listen to this on the go industry leaders should get to know about the latest thing that's happening from around the world.

[00:12:10] And we found it easier. I should say, like to find people who wanted to be on the podcast or people say like, yeah, I've been talking about this in the conference. And there are a lot of people who come back and ask me the question. So podcasting. Yeah. People can listen to it at their leisure. So this is a medium.

[00:12:26] I think there are a lot of people who will be interested to listen. Although even then we realize that this sector, that subset of people who are going to listen, we're just going to be the professionals in the industry. And a few people who had allied interests, like someone who wanted to get into clean.

[00:12:42] Or someone who was doing something allied to the business, we knew that was a narrow audience. And unfortunately it continues to be that majority of the listeners even today is under the narrow subsection, but it is increasing. So again, the origination was like people. [00:13:00] Having something to say they knew they were listeners also in the allied industries who would listen.

[00:13:06] And yes, it's again from global traction that it was happening from, in Europe, America. So it could happen in India. That was the approach.

[00:13:15] Dilip: And considering that the topic is a very focused topic. Somebody who has interest is definitely going to get hold of whatever information they can get, in podcasting, in the form of a podcast and the form of a blog articles.

[00:13:31] So I think you had that focused niche already. They out there to listen to you. So Conceiving the idea and launching the podcast wouldn't have taken a lot of thought, but I'm sure getting that first few audience

[00:13:46] would have, would have

[00:13:47] required some effort.

[00:13:48] So when you launched your podcast, how did you reach out to your first audience? What did you do to get your first listeners, as in, did you just launched and let the distribution networks do the promotion or did you do something on your own

[00:13:59] Girish: Yes Dilip, [00:14:00] for this. I'll answer it in two fronts. The first podcast, when we launched the company already had a good amount of industry leaders in its newsletters and mailing lists.

[00:14:10] So then the first podcast emerging tech radio was launched. Although the sector was niche, we still had like a few thousand older email list so that people would get it in their mailing list. And it could reach, as I said, the same set of people. In the second one, since I was doing a little bit of differentiation, I had to work on that.

[00:14:30] So in my early episodes, I got small time entrepreneurs who were doing something different. It was all together in the sustainability realm so everyone were talking about sustainability, doing sustainability and things like that. So these people already created an impact in this space. So, for example, I tell the story again, there is a company called reimagined.

[00:14:52] Again, it's a Bangalore based company that does upcycling. It takes the waste from the society and makes products out of it. [00:15:00] So this company has a good brand following, and there is another company that takes flower waste and then produces agarbattis . So all these kinds of companies, I got them on my podcast, so they already had an audience who are following their work.

[00:15:14] So. And when I got the people, the founders from that company talk about how they ended up in the sustainability field and the impact of their work. And so on through the podcast, they again had like a few thousand people following their social media and. The people who listen to their shows kind of stuck to the episodes.

[00:15:34] They said like, wow, okay, this, whatever these guys are doing is under the broader scope of sustainability and it's having a positive impact on the planet. So subsequently that kind of audience started to build. So again, small time entrepreneurs who had like a following, I tapped into their network and it kind of built on,

[00:15:55] Dilip: So which means to some extent, the guests that you brought on the show also [00:16:00] helped build that audience network.

[00:16:02] Girish: Yes, it definitely helps. And like in any show, like, especially for someone starting in a very niche field, if you have like a person who's already established or who already has a good fan following, it definitely helps. But the same network effect applies in a different way. Like for example, now with 70 episodes on the playlist, if you have one good episode, with a well-known guest I'm sure listeners will go back and say, okay, I like this episode, let's see what this guy has done in his past.

[00:16:33] And then they will end up listening to a few more shows and that cascading happens.

[00:16:37] Dilip: So when you decide on these guests, now because you are already in that industry, to some extent you will be able to get people that, you know, because there is that inne r network that you would have for easier to get onto the show, talk to them and, those have been your initial listeners, but how did you find the new guests and how did you convince them to come on the show and talk about a specific [00:17:00] topic

[00:17:00] Girish: Again, very good question, because I'll be very honest here. For me

[00:17:05] podcasting is a medium in which I learn about new things. And since this emerging space globally. So I take this podcast as a medium to reach out to anyone in the planet who's working on sustainability. And since I work in the professional side, I work on business development. So it kind of comes natural to me that I take this Liberty to reach out to anyone in

[00:17:29] the professional setting. And I use podcast as a medium saying like, Hey, I am so-and-so from India. And I do this podcast. It covers all stories related to the zero carbon transition. And I feel your work aligns to the theme of the podcast. So this could be someone who's a industry leader. Who has like 30 years of experience and who publishes or rights in major art major publications, or also speaks another podcast, or it could be some emerging startup that comes up with a very groundbreaking [00:18:00] idea and received like a few million dollars funding.

[00:18:03] So since I know this kind of news from the industry, I take this Liberty to write and reach out to them. One good thing that I found, like since I've hit this number of episodes and I've been doing it consistently, people look at the playlist and say like, okay, this guy is serious and he's done it consistently for a few years now.

[00:18:20] So it definitely adds to the thing, but otherwise early on, it was definitely a challenge in reaching out and the other effect of the first guest who actually enjoyed being on your podcast, then they again tell the like-minded entrepreneurs or startup founders saying like, Hey, I was on this show.

[00:18:38] I think you should also speak to him and see if you have something that you can share on the podcast. So there is this referral network also that happens guests. Introducing. And they come on the show. And lastly, I am sure even you would have found this and because you've been in the space for a long time, longer time than me, that there are a lot of companies from globally [00:19:00] who kind of introduce guests to podcasts.

[00:19:03] I'm sure agencies come and say like, Hey, we are a PR agency for so and so would you mind talking to them. So that is a different way. And of course there I do the filtering and like sometimes the guests that they bring on is really valuable, but other times it doesn't definitely align with things. So a small set of guests also come from the PR agency, but then there I do my profiling and say like, does a person's work really have.

[00:19:30] Positive correlation to the podcast theme. If yes, I proceed have an intro chat. What else? I say like, no thanks. But you can talk to some other podcasts that might be relevant.

[00:19:39] Dilip: Okay. Yeah. That's something that I was about to come on to. So there could be a specific guest that you would have identified, but then what is that.

[00:19:50] The relevant topic or the topic of importance that you want to converse with that guest in that specific episode is something that you will only be able to figure [00:20:00] out after you've understood what that guest is doing, some of his work. So is there some kind of research that you do on these. To understand what is it that I need to ask them?

[00:20:09] What is it that I'm going to discuss with them in the show?

[00:20:11] Girish: Yes, that's definitely, like I mentioned briefly earlier, so learning is one thing that I look forward to any conversation. And if I found that the person is doing something unique, I read about their work. And I think like, what is it that I know in that business of his and what is it that I personally don't know?

[00:20:29] So then I say, okay, don't know this, and this is what I know. So I should combine both of those in the podcastif we do, and I will write to the guest and mostly most of the times I'll have a intro chat and I'll say, this is what I am doing. This is what I think you're doing. And this is the theme that we can cover because it has not, it has not been covered in the podcast.

[00:20:52] Or we have not covered that in detail, or it has been like few years, a few episodes since we did this. So I'll get into that kind of conversation. [00:21:00] And if there is an alignment there. Yes, but of course there have been few guests who were a little adamant on that they would like to talk only about that. But I said like, I have already spoken about it in my earlier podcasts, so I don't think it will be good if I do that again.

[00:21:15] So I can do it say six months down the line we find for that. So there have been guest who have obliged to that as well. So because sustainability is a big field. Everything that emerges on clean technologies is something could be replicable. For example, someone who's doing an electric vehicle startup.

[00:21:35] There are many startups who come. I mean, there are a lot of guests I know in the space, but I don't have like multiple stories on EVs, like consecutively. I say like, okay, maybe six months down the line. I can cover the topic from a different angle of the ecosystem, but not immediately. So there are some guests, I kind of keep it in my list of people.

[00:21:53] I want to talk in the future. Just because I've covered it now. I will not do it until like few months down the line.

[00:21:59] Dilip: Okay. [00:22:00] So which means there is some, amount of screening that you're doing in terms of what does it topic that you want to cover in a specific episode, right?

[00:22:05] Girish: Yes. Yes. And also there is another reason why I do the screening because I am also professionally working in an organization.

[00:22:12] Right. I mean, although they are given the Liberty of all the organizations that I've worked have given me the Liberty, because I positively try to influence the market and create awareness. So I also do personal screening so that there is no conflict of interest or something. SoI don't try to vouch for an idea, or every opinion is clear of any biases.

[00:22:32] So I'll make that very clear.

[00:22:35] Dilip: Okay. No, that's, that's a good point on that. I think that is an important aspect as well, considering you're doing both of these things, you're working in the same field and your podcast is also in the same field, so yeah, it makes sense.

[00:22:47] Girish: Yes. So I just have to, my only intent is to create a bigger market for everyone.

[00:22:51] Like, if there are more consumers were willing to adopt, then there is more business for people like us. That's it. And of course I never tend to bias anyone's [00:23:00] opinion in any way. So I said like, okay, this is the opinion of the guests. Not, not mine, but I know the sector is big so that everyone has their opinion.

[00:23:07] That's it.

[00:23:09] Dilip: And I've seen that some of your episodes. All of them are not guest interviews, necessarily, there are some episodes where you've been, sharing important information. So those episodes, do you usually keep it just so that you can sandwich it in between some of these interviews, so that interviews don't sound to be too monotonous.

[00:23:28] Or is it something that, that you do on a need basis? How do you plan your shows?

[00:23:34] Girish: Yeah. As you rightly pointed out, some episodes that I do is mostly around a particular event. Like for example, some event happens and I think that is an important event happening in the realm of climate tech or sustainability in general.

[00:23:49] That's very relevant at the time of release, but generally. As a podcast producer, you will be aware like if you want to have a podcast on particular time and finding a guest will be like very [00:24:00] tough and collaborating and doing that, I tried it multiple times in time, aligning people with a particular release data and then say like, we'll do that.

[00:24:09] It doesn't happen. So I basically told like few major events that's happening in the next few months or say, and think like, even if I don't get a guest for that episode, I should be well prepared to kind of produce that on my own. And what is it that I need to kind of tell differently for that? Like for example, the recent ones has been around cop 26.

[00:24:30] Yeah. Cop 26, the annual conference on climate change here, this event happens over a two week period and it will be right if I do it just before the event and just after the event and in the two weeks it's tough for me to align an expert and ask him to talk about analyze that event and then.

[00:24:48] give it to me in a conversation. I would rather say like follow the event and then probably summarize it from my own views of what were the major takeaways and then do it. [00:25:00] So that is something, it is mainly because of the major events that happened in the space. Otherwise, I generally prefer conversations because people generally like to have multiple voices on the show.

[00:25:11] Right.

[00:25:12] Dilip: That's right. But at the same time, while I was listening to some of your episodes, I found that there is that information that is being shared also as extremely valuable because I am not somebody who's been into that space for long. So while listening to that audience is, is very interesting.

[00:25:30] But some other times I feel that understanding some of the basics is also a little important, especially for a listener like that of me. And so I liked that episodes that you've put in between. And like, for example, even for that matter, the cop 26episode that you did, it was right on time.

[00:25:46] So it gave us some perspective on what all of that at that conferences. What happens? What does, did it, does it deliver? Is it important and things like that? So I found it extremely well, the way you [00:26:00] placed it in between. So yeah. Conversations are always, something that is, that is interesting.

[00:26:05] And this is also something that I found really interesting, but I will come to the interviewing and the questionnaire part in a little bit, but first, what I want to understand is now when you started off, how did start off. Understanding how to get started with the podcast, the podcast setup.

[00:26:20] And also, how did you start off?

[00:26:21] Girish: The first thing is obviously people look up on the internet and find things, but the best thing for me, was to attend sessions involving experts like you in Bangalore, and thanks to people like you, who had this community setup in Bangalore, who were already doing it for a few years and.

[00:26:39] Yeah, those sessions actually helped. So the first time when I launched it was mostly researching on the equipment. The other podcasters from US sharing their experience. But when I launched it the second time, I was already in the space and I met with people like you. So that experience actually helped me in kind of identifying the right [00:27:00] platform that I could post a show.

[00:27:02] And what are the equipments that I can have and the formatting, they editing and other things. So that was more useful because. Listening to experts like you talk about that experience actually helped. So that, that's why I kind of say like the second time was easier than the first, the first was all listening, thinking about what people did in the us or Europe and launching a podcast.

[00:27:24] But the second time it was easier from getting views from experts like you.

[00:27:29] Dilip: And what was the first setup like what does a microphone.

[00:27:32] Girish: One, one thing was consistent in both the setups was ATR 2100 because it's a USB microphone and the quality was very good. So that was something that that's the only major investment from monetary perspective.

[00:27:46] Of course the time value of money is a different thing, but that was the one major investment that I did on both fronts. And, but apart from that editing tools is a freeware for, at both ends, but of course, experts, like you have pointed out to other paid [00:28:00] versions, but I have not invested the time and money and kind of exploring that.

[00:28:04] So this is something that I found it useful since for a few years, even before I started at podcasting. So I continued to do that. And the other thing was about hosting platforms so that they, your inputs in kind of choosing the right hosting platform was, it was different. Earlier I just went with a foreign brand, but then, I mean, there are a lot of options in India as well for hosting services.

[00:28:26] So that was good value add in the second time.

[00:28:29] Dilip: So coming back to your guests and your interviewing format. So when you've shortlisted a guest, do you send them

[00:28:37] a list

[00:28:37] of questions that you're asking? You kind of abide by that as saying that this is a, these are the questions that I want to ask, or is it impromptu, like, for example, during the conversation, you get to hear something which is an interesting topic, and then you get a little bit deeper into it.

[00:28:56] So how does that conversation happen and what does the format of interviewing questionnaire.

[00:29:00] Girish: [00:29:00] Yes. To kind of help the guests feel comfortable on what the narrative or the flow of the conversation could be. I send some basic prompts, I'll say, like these are the basic outlines or these are the kinds of topics I wish to cover in the conversation.

[00:29:17] It is not definitely going to be in the same flow, but it will be a free flowing conversation. But I will ensure that we touch upon all these parameters in our conversation, how it happens. I mean, it's just a free flowing conversation. So based on your response and my question, it will happen that way, but we will cover all these topics. placeholders is what I will basically send them in a few points.

[00:29:37] But other than that, it's a free flowing conversation. But of course I'll be a little cautious about the time. I will say 30 to 40 minutes is ideal because I'll give them that reference because even, they have some idea board saying like, okay, he's given me these placeholders. So I will haveto ensure that we cover all of that in that timeframe.[00:30:00]

[00:30:00] Dilip: In terms of promoting your podcast. So there is that initial organic push that you might get from the guests who've come on the show from that that network of audience that you've already built, but is there some kind of a promotional strategy that you are following to get additional push in terms of listenership or you

[00:30:20] know, more listenership as an improve the listenership for the podcast?

[00:30:24] Girish: That is one part, I always look up to you and say like, I have to do something what you have been doing for the last few years, but I have never really got down to that. So all I do is very, very basic create a image, create a few links from the different. services like iTunes, Spotify and then put it on Twitter, Facebook page and things around that

[00:30:46] but I, as I said, I haven't, I haven't been able to invest that time. And like, for example, when you do a show, you kind of give a few outlines as well in a short Instagram reel or something that actually reaches a lot of people. And that is [00:31:00] really true. Even for that matter, a small video with. Audiogram version.

[00:31:06] That's the 30, 40 seconds that says, like do this and the top takeaways from this. Although I tried doing the top takeaways from each episode for a few times, but yeah, I, frankly, I had to get really better. But yeah, otherwise it's just this, I also want to create like an email list and other things that you have and do diligently quite yeah.

[00:31:27] I have not been able to do that. A lot of work to do on that front.

[00:31:31] Dilip: Yeah. And considering your, niches is a very tight niche. I think those are some things that that'll definitely help you because if somebody tunes into your episode your show and listens to even one or two of those episodes.

[00:31:44] I'm sure they'll they'll start listening to the next episodes as well, because there is some amount of interest that those episodes generate in you and specifically if you're even thinking 1% about saving the environment, then this is something anybody will [00:32:00] love tuning into, so yeah, I'm sure those strategies will help you get listenership

[00:32:04] for your podcast.

[00:32:05] Girish: Yes. As they live, that is something I always, whenever I see a new post from you, I always think about that. I have to get there, I have to do something related to that. So that's maybe around 20, 22,I take a serious dig at that

[00:32:20] Dilip: I am Happy that some of those Instagram posts or social media posts that I'm doing is, is really helping, fellow podcaster. So that way I think it's yeah,

[00:32:28] Girish: I mean, you're around your other, your other business of, I mean, looking at affiliate marketing and other things that you share yeah, those are also valuable, especially in a sector that has very, very

[00:32:39] nascent at this stage, there's a lot of potential to be tapped into. I mean, I've not done anything, but since it's just a hobby, I've kept it done only Invested the time to get the content right.

[00:32:54] Dilip: So Girish. Now this is a very very focused niche. When we start off a podcast that are [00:33:00] huge expectations that we have.

[00:33:01] So after you've launched this podcast almost 60, 70 episodes into the podcast, do you look back and say that, okay. At any point, did you ever feel. This wasn't something that you should have started off, or this, this wasn't something that you should have ever gotten into?

[00:33:17] Girish: No. The only reason is because like, when I did my first podcast and I took a break from saying like, I have to think whether I'm communicating the right message.

[00:33:26] People used to tell me like, Hey, why are you not doing the podcast anymore? I said, like, I'm looking at other options. They were like, no, you should be doing. Of course, I should admit that these were, the people who kind of gotten for started following me because I was doing podcast and they said like, oh, you should be doing this.

[00:33:41] And those kinds of feedback kind of told me, okay, maybe there is definitely an audience who want to know about things that I talk. And so that, that was one motivation. And the second obvious thing was, as I said, it's a lot of learning. And even for a professional in this space, every time [00:34:00] I look and look for some new news about a company or a startup who is doing something really different out, I feel like there's a lot to learn in that.

[00:34:08] So this is a good medium for me to learn. So yes, of course there have been times when, like, if you look at numbers for a few episodes, like, I mean, it is not the chart buster. Like if you look at apple hundred for business category or anything, this doesn't come there apart from like very few episodes for a few days, but it doesn't come there and yeah.

[00:34:31] Then you go back ask the question of like, why did you start this on? You said you started it because you wanted to create an awareness and you wanted listenersto come into your show, learn something new and take something out of it. So if I say like, yeah, if that is the case, then I should just continue doing.

[00:34:48] The only thing I can do is create good content created consistently. So the rest I'm sure, like it's just a matter of time. There's another thing about social media and data as a whole, [00:35:00] like once people start liking something, when they do a lot of search and other things, I'm sure like my content that I've created for the last few years, both in blogs, podcast it'll show up on Google at some point in time.

[00:35:11] So that will be the time when it will really tip and so until then, I think like just create content and create good content so that it is people like it. Even when they listen to it, like few years down the line,

[00:35:24] Dilip: Okay. So one of the things that interested me specifically from mission Shunya is the fact that you are probably one of those very few who are into such a focus niche.

[00:35:36] Because if I were to only start a podcast, if I think about starting a podcast, the first thing that comes to my mind is let me start an inspiration podcast. Let me interview people on inspirational topics, motivation, all the second thing is, let me do some kind of a storytelling or a narration, or, a drama, something like that.

[00:35:56] But for somebody to think that I'm going to start a podcast [00:36:00] specifically in this kind of a niche where people are only becoming aware. It, it would have taken a lot of thought a lot of courage, a lot of planning. Okay. I am, I'm going to start this. So what I want to understand from you is when you started off this podcast, Other than creating awareness to people.

[00:36:19] And other than the fact that you liked talking to people, was there a secondary aspect to it saying that at some point I would like to look at podcasting as a full-time opportunity or, I would like to make money from podcasts or something like that that you've ever thought about

[00:36:35] with your podcast.

[00:36:36] Girish: Well I should really admit that, the section, the genre, the inspiration, and leadership thinking and something as something that it comes natural when there is a lot of takers for that.. And that is why I kind of use my other medium of blogging to share those stories on LinkedIn and write about business books.

[00:36:59] summaries [00:37:00] and something.

[00:37:00] So that is a differentiator, but of course it comes very natural for people to talk about that. Especially if you're working in a sector and you're working in the right sector, it comes natural. Yes. There was a thought that I could do that, but then that is when I decided, okay.

[00:37:17] I'll write about those things and I will keep the podcast focused on this. So that is a decision I kind of say like, because I can't do a full-time gig gone podcasting because there is, I enjoy my work basically. It's still an emerging field on ground, so there's a lot of learning as a personally, professionally on the field, actually.

[00:37:38] So I, I would rather prefer like being a person who walks the talk. Who gets on the ground, understands the sector and then talks about. So, because there's a lot of things that I can still learn in this space in the long run. So I think I can do that and basically bring that experience and just communicate and let's see how it goes.[00:38:00]

[00:38:00] But maybe sometime down the line, there'll be like millions of people listening to every single episode. and there'll be like hundreds of sponsors. If they are lining up then will be, that will be a time when I can definitely say like, okay, But by then. Yeah. I could also claim like two decades of experience in the sector and then running a podcast for a long time, maybe.

[00:38:22] So that time may be talking only will help get some good balance,

[00:38:28] Dilip: Yeah, right I get that. So one last question that I had. So Girish now, for somebody who's starting, who's planning to start a podcast. There are a lot of people, as on some of the discovery calls that I do, I get to hear from people who are skeptical in starting a podcast, in a very, tight niche, because their biggest concern is okay. an inspirational talk.

[00:38:50] I can get millions of audience, but this specific topic, I don't think we'll be able to get more than maybe 10,000 or 15,000 people to listen to it. [00:39:00] So should I even be starting it? Is it worth putting my time into this, this specific niche? So these are some kinds of questions that people are so.

[00:39:07] So for you, from your perspective, who started, who's running a podcast in a very focused niche and in a very tight niche. What I want to understand from you is if, what would be your advice to people who are looking to start a podcast in a tight niche.

[00:39:25] Girish: Well Dilip that is a very relevantquestion. And it is actually a question that anyone who's starting a podcast should actually seriously consider.

[00:39:32] I mean, that is something that people like you actually advised in podcast meetups. you evenadvise when for people who are starting off at podcast, what is the ultimate objective? So if ultimate objective is to get more people listen into your show, You should do genres that people like listening.

[00:39:48] And so maybe you would just cover news items, news articles, cos media gossip, sports, and other things. There's a lot of people who listen to it and then you can leverage that for [00:40:00] even in sector like mine. Like if you just talk about, for example, electric vehicle companies in India, there'll be hundreds of people doing it.

[00:40:09] So there are a lot of YouTube channels that are doing it. They'll just feature electric vehicle companies. They will run something sort of a promo and things like that. They will get a lot of views they will do that. So that is something that you can do. You can just talk about it, but you have to be like promoting companies who you feature.

[00:40:26] So there is also some amount of financial incentive that you can gain, but if you're sticking to niche and if you feel that you want to take away something for this in the long run, then you will haveto be a little bit patient. And you can, as a, as I kind of briefly mentioned it early on, like there are other levers that you can tap into this.

[00:40:47] Like, for example, I use podcasting, I kind of openly admit that I use my platform as a way to reach out to anyone. And I'll tell you this because global leaders or anyone who is in a [00:41:00] position of power or influence anywhere in the world, you tell them that you are doing such a thing. And if you build credibility for a few years, doing like 50 plus episodes in the space, and you tell that you want to talk to him.

[00:41:13] exploring an opportunity for him to be a guest on your podcast. They will get back to you. They will, you write a short note and connect either on email, LinkedIn or anything. You can use this as a platform to tap into those resources anywhere in the world. So that is something that I use my podcast platform as, because that is a big leverage

[00:41:31] and why I tell that is again, because the sector is very small is the closely knit. If you're also trying to build a professional career in a sector where you want to build a network. This is ideal because like, for example, in my case, a lot of guests who are come on to the podcast I have had discussions outside of podcast as well, a few years down the lane.

[00:41:51] The guest has been very welcome or he's been very open saying like, Hey, I'm doing something. What is your opinion on that? Do you think there is a market potential for that? [00:42:00] That's just a casual conversation. Like an industry colleague, people talk to you about it. You can also reach out to them with your ideas and say like, Hey, I know you've been doing this.

[00:42:07] What is the market like? Did you get traction on the product. You met with a new investor has it been. Has it been useful? And these are the kinds of conversations you can build in that relationship with a guest. So that is something that you can tap into only few years down the line. So there is a good value add in the long run, but of course, initial numbers will definitely not be inspiring for anyone starting in a niche sector, but if you try to build something for the long run, then you can do is use different lever.

[00:42:40] By just producing content, consistent content. And that will cascade like few years down the line. I trust me. It's a different value add. If you're trying to build a career and people will definitely try to relate to what you've been talking and things around that five, four years, five years down the line, that's something that [00:43:00] is not very instant and you will, feel very happy for having done this for a long time.

[00:43:05] Dilip: That's a really good point. Then I think it's a completely different perspective of looking at it because I haven't seen a lot of people. touching upon that secondary aspect where I'm getting to talk to people who I might otherwise not have been able to reach out to, just because I am into that podcasting space, I've built that credibility for me.

[00:43:28] So that's one of the biggest takeaways from that. The thing that you're doing. So that perspective is a very different one. I haven't heard that from a lot of people, but I can now understand. Why is it that you are so focused in your niche and why is it that you are continuing to produce episodes?

[00:43:47] Because I'll be very frank Girish, I've listened to some of these shows where the people have produced like 5, 10, 15 episodes, and then they let it go becausethey are not seeing the kind of [00:44:00] audience or, traction that they were expecting from it, but to continue to produce. And you've been part of emerging tech radio earlier and now with mission shunya, continuing to produce episodes after episodes in a 70 episodes till now.

[00:44:14] So it would have taken some kind of a motivation.

[00:44:18] The backend, which would have been driving you to do this. And I think this point of yours makes that very clear

[00:44:24] Girish: You just have to tell yourselves that you are in this for a long run and then can continue to do that. There is. Yeah, of course. It's tough. What. You just do it.

[00:44:34] Dilip: Right. So nice Girish it was a nice conversation.

[00:44:38] And some very interesting aspects of, starting a podcast in a focused niche, something that we, we got to learn from you. Thanks a lot for coming on the show, talking to us and I look forward to many more interesting conversations and interesting episodes on mission sooner.

[00:44:54] So all the best for that. And thanks again for coming on

[00:44:56] Girish: the show or thanks. It is always a pleasure to interact with you [00:45:00] on be it face to face or even virtually I get. a lot of things to learn from you. And another thing I should add is that the collaboration that you have with your wife in the space in podcasting is something that I have asked my wife also to support in kind of producing content or sharing the load and ensuring that we build a presence in social media as well.

[00:45:21] It takes two to kind of produce a good show and I must admit the work that they've been doing with your wife in multiple podcasting episodes. Podcast shows is like really credible. So that's something that I'll always continue to learn. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks for your time. And I'm glad to be on the show.

[00:45:36] Dilip: Thank you. Thanks for taking the time out. It definitely helps. When you have two people involved and you're sharing the workload, it definitely helps. And I'm sure it'll work wonders for your as well.

[00:45:47] Girish: Thanks.

[00:45:48] Dilip: Thanks. So we'll look forward to talk to you sometime later again.

[00:45:52] So thanks a lot. Once again, you have a good day.

[00:45:55] Girish: Yeah. Thanks. Thanks for your time. And yeah, I continue to learn from you and your posts. [00:46:00] Thank thanks. It was a pleasure, bye.

[00:46:03] Dilip: I hope you enjoyed this conversation with grace and you learned about how to use a podcast for furthering your professional goals and ambitions. If you like this episode, you might want to visit thepodcastinguniversity.com.

[00:46:18] For the show notes and if you too are planning to start a podcast of your own, then don't forget to join my four day free ecourse on the basics of

[00:46:27] podcasting.

[00:46:29] That is all that I have for this episode. The podcasting university's available on pretty much all podcasting platforms, including hub hopper, apple podcast, Google podcast, stitcher.

[00:46:41] Tune in on Spotify, JioSaavn and on Amazon prime music as well, whatever it is, your channel of preference, please do ensure that you're subscribing to the show to stay updated with the latest episodes. I'll be back again in a couple of weeks from now and in the next year with another interesting conversation [00:47:00] until then keep listening to the podcasting university and don't forget to visit the podcasting university.com for more information on getting started with our podcast.

[00:47:10] This is goodbye from Dilip. You all have wonderful rest of the week.[00:48:00] . . .