Success With Jewelry Podcast: Episode 112 - Brainstorming for a Bold and Intentional 2025

Release Date: January 6, 2025

In Episode 112 of the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosts Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner take listeners behind the scenes for an insightful brainstorming and strategy session as they prepare for a more organized and intentional year in 2025. This episode, titled "Laryssa and Liz Brainstorm Together For a Bold and Intentional 2025," delves deep into their reflections on the past year, evaluates the performance of their content, and maps out strategic plans to enhance their podcast and better serve their audience of jewelry designers and entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on 2024: Content Performance and Top Episodes

The episode kicks off with Laryssa and Liz celebrating their achievements from 2024. Liz shares her initiative to create a countdown on their Instagram, highlighting the top five podcast episodes of the year. “I did a countdown on our Instagram of the top five posts from 2024, and that was pretty fun and pretty eye-opening” (01:08), Liz reveals. Laryssa complements Liz’s efforts, mentioning, “I've actually been loving what you've been doing with the content. I had to pull the five episodes because we were asked what are top episodes were by JCK” (01:21). This reflection underscores the importance of audience engagement and understanding which content resonates most with their listeners.

Content Strategy: Flexibility vs. Planning

Laryssa and Liz discuss the balance between spontaneous content creation and structured planning. Liz notes, “Because we're kind of sometimes last minute in recording, we're able to be nimble with the content too. So it feels really very in the moment or like real time” (02:36). This flexibility allows them to address current trends and topics, keeping their podcast relevant and timely. However, they also recognize the need for more deliberate planning to ensure consistency and strategic alignment in their future content.

Enhancing Podcast Quality: Sound and Structure

Addressing feedback from listeners, Liz acknowledges previous issues with sound quality and shares their progress: “We fixed that because my mic was lower than Larissa's, and I didn't realize that was a thing. And we figured it out recently, so the sound should be more even” (06:21). Additionally, both hosts contemplate enhancing the podcast’s professionalism by potentially adding intro music and utilizing more advanced recording tools. Larissa adds, “There are more professional tools than Zoom that I have used. But, you know, it's more time and full disclosure. Like, this is not our bread and butter.” (07:00). They weigh the benefits of improved quality against the time and resources required.

Setting Goals for 2025

The core of the episode revolves around setting clear and focused goals for 2025. Liz emphasizes the importance of having a shared vision and more structured content planning: “I think that just getting more focused in terms of like, the content we want to put out and getting ahead of it and like, having like a clearer vision would be helpful” (08:24). Laryssa concurs, highlighting the exploratory nature of their current goals: “What do we ultimately want out of it? And I don't think there's a goal around that yet because we're exploring and figuring it out” (08:57). This introspection is aimed at refining their podcast’s direction to better serve their audience and achieve their business objectives.

Managing Burnout and Consistency

The hosts candidly discuss their experiences with burnout throughout 2024, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining regular podcast production: “In 2024, we were both very burned out, and it was kind of an accomplishment just to keep showing up and putting the podcast out every week” (09:40). They reflect on the difficulties of sustaining energy and creativity, especially during busy periods like December. This honest conversation serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and sustainable work practices in entrepreneurship.

Leveraging Social Media: Instagram Engagement

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on their social media strategy, particularly their Instagram presence. Liz shares her journey of improving their Instagram engagement: “This year, I think we've really started to get traction and... finding out who's out there and what they're gaining from the podcast” (11:39). She discusses how more interactive posts, such as question boxes, have led to increased comments and engagement. Laryssa encourages listeners to follow and engage with their Instagram to provide support and feedback, stating, “If you follow us, make sure you engage with us, because we need that encouragement” (12:55).

Evolving Episode Structure and Topics

Laryssa and Liz explore ideas to keep their podcast content fresh and engaging. They recognize that while broad topics have been successful, there is value in delving into more niche and specific subjects. Liz mentions, “I think getting more specific and, like, leaning into one portion of a thing could be cool” (15:22). They discuss the potential of creating episodes focused on very specific marketing tactics or industry trends, thereby providing more actionable insights for their listeners.

Future Guest and Collaboration Plans

Guests play a pivotal role in the success of the podcast, as highlighted by their analysis of top episodes featuring interviews. The hosts express their intention to continue featuring guests and even dream of attracting high-profile figures in the jewelry and marketing industries. Liz mentions potential guests like Stephanie Gottlieb and Danielle from Gem Gossip, aiming to provide diverse perspectives and expertise. Additionally, Liz entertains the idea of inviting marketers from other industries to discuss corporate marketing strategies, broadening the scope of their content.

Balancing Niche and Broader Marketing Content

A key takeaway from the brainstorming session is the balance between staying within the jewelry industry's niche and incorporating broader marketing insights. Liz articulates this dual focus: “I want to lean more into the jewelry world... but also lean out of the jewelry world” (21:34). By doing so, they aim to address the specific needs of jewelry entrepreneurs while also drawing valuable lessons from other sectors, enhancing the overall value of their podcast.

Conclusion and Listener Engagement

As the episode wraps up, Laryssa and Liz invite listeners to share their ideas and feedback to help shape the podcast's future direction. They emphasize the importance of community and listener input in their creative process: “If you love the podcast, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message or leave us a review” (21:50). This call to action reinforces their commitment to fostering a supportive and interactive community around the Success With Jewelry podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Liz on Instagram countdown: “I did a countdown on our Instagram of the top five posts from 2024, and that was pretty fun and pretty eye-opening” (01:08)

• Laryssa on exploring podcast goals: “What do we ultimately want out of it? And I don't think there's a goal around that yet because we're exploring and figuring it out” (08:57)

• Liz on podcast structure: “I think getting more specific and, like, leaning into one portion of a thing could be cool” (15:22)

• Liz on balancing content focus: “I want to lean more into the jewelry world... but also lean out of the jewelry world” (21:34)

This episode serves as a comprehensive blueprint for Success With Jewelry as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of podcasting in a dynamic industry. By openly discussing their strategies, successes, and areas for improvement, Laryssa and Liz provide valuable insights not only for their listeners but also for fellow entrepreneurs striving for success in the jewelry market.