The One Reason You Have Not Started Just Yet

This issue comes from my very own DeLoran - as I am on maternity leave I collected some of the core lessons I have learned over the beginning of 2025.

Back in 2014, I launched my very first podcast.

It was recorded on a hand-me-down microphone from my ex-boyfriend, edited using GarageBand (which I barely knew how to use), and had absolutely zero production value. No intro music, no fancy gear, not even a proper publishing schedule.

But it had heart. It had a message. And people listened.

That scrappy little podcast opened doors. It helped me grow my audience, refine my ideas, and land some of my earliest clients.

Since then, I’ve launched five podcasts across different chapters of my career. And what I’ve learned is this: it’s not about the method…it’s about the message.

If you have something valuable to say, you don’t need a studio setup or a 10-part video series to say it. You just need to start.

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not saying you should never upgrade to a better studio or elevate your production value.

The biggest trap I see (and have fallen into myself) is believing you need the “perfect setup” before sharing your message. But the truth is, some of the most impactful things I’ve ever created were also the scrappiest.

Start simple. Test what sticks. Then refine.

Perfection is a moving target, and production quality means nothing if the content doesn’t land. Your audience isn’t judging your lighting: they’re listening for clarity, relevance, connection (even if great quality audio helps too!).

Focus there first.

Let me tell you a secret: some of the best podcast episodes I’ve recorded were made in a quiet room with zero video, a £50 mic, and a loose outline I scribbled on a notepad.

We’ve become so obsessed with polished, multi-camera, YouTube-ready podcasts that we forget why people listen in the first place: for the ideas and what you deliver. Not cinematic b-roll or studio lighting.

If you’re holding back because your setup doesn’t look like a Vogue video interview, stop. Use what you have. Start with audio-only. Focus on what you want to say and how you want your listener to feel after hearing it.

The biggest skill is learning to communicate your message clearly and with conviction.

Pick a single idea or story. Record a voice note-style podcast episode explaining it as if you’re talking to a friend who needs to hear it. That’s it.

Focus on the message first, and you can always layer in polish later.

Here’s what no one tells you when they say “just be consistent” on social: production burnout is real.

If you’ve got the capacity for polished carousels, trending audio, or edited video clips then amazing, go for it. But it ain’t like that for everyone.

You don’t need a ring light, a trending sound, or five outfit changes to show up consistently. You need a message worth sharing, and a format that fits your life (I’ll die on this hill).

For some people, that might mean tip-style text posts created in Canva. For others, it’s voiceovers, talking-head reels, or quick story rants. There’s no one-size-fits-all: only the way you’ll actually follow through on.

Pick one content format you can sustain for a month. That might be daily tweets, weekly voiceovers on B-roll, or a Canva template for quote posts.

Create 3–5 pieces. Notice what feels doable and gets engagement. Iterate from there.

When we think about selling an online course or workshop, most people assume they need a high-production studio setup, a perfectly lit background, and hours of editing.

But here’s the truth: your students care more about what you teach than how it looks. The biggest value in paid content isn’t the transitions, the lighting, or the camera angles: it’s the clarity of the message and the transformation you help people achieve.

And keeping it tight and practical. Less is more.

If you’ve got limited time or resources, start with what’s practical. These are some examples I have seen working for clients over the years (when I was co-creating courses for other people for a living):

Instead of delaying your next course or digital product until “it’s perfect,” challenge yourself to ship an MVP (minimum viable product) version.

Can you teach your idea live first? Can you create a one-hour training instead of an 8-module course? Can you skip the filming and record audio slides?

Simpler delivery means faster feedback, and better results in the long run.

We are back, back with our events for Q4, starting in October. Three months of goodness, true AMS style.

Find out more here

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from launching five podcasts, building dozens of digital products, and working with hundreds of creators, it’s this:

The message matters more than the method.

But none of that matters if you don’t start.

So whether it’s your podcast, your next piece of social media content, or your paid course — start simple. Start scrappy. Get your message out first, then iterate later.

Your message is the asset. Everything else is just packaging.

Want more proof that great ideas don’t need high production value?

Subscribe to The Alt Marketing School Podcast where we dive into honest, real conversations about what actually works in marketing (fancy transitions not included).

Always cheering you on,

Fab ✌️