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Episode Show Notes
In this How 2 Tuesday solo episode, Tom Rowland shares his firsthand experience starting and monetizing a podcast after receiving an influx of questions from listeners inspired by his conversation with Dave Stewart from Wet Fly Swing. Tom addresses the three major barriers that nearly stopped him from starting his own show: not knowing the technical process, confusion about what gear to buy, and uncertainty about monetization. Whether you're a fishing guide, realtor, hunting guide, or anyone with a business who wants to communicate directly with potential customers, this episode breaks down exactly how to shortcut the frustrating learning curve Tom experienced over a year and a half of hesitation.
What are the biggest barriers to starting a podcast?
The three major barriers Tom Rowland encountered were not knowing the technical process of how to get a podcast on different platforms, not knowing what gear to buy and being afraid to waste money on equipment he wouldn't use, and not understanding how to possibly make money from a podcast. These obstacles caused Tom to waste about a year and a half thinking about starting before he actually launched.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, now over 450 episodes in. He previously worked as a fishing charter captain and has built his show into a platform covering fishing, fitness, and outdoor lifestyle with consistent sponsorships and a loyal listener base across multiple platforms.
This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Tom relies on to keep his boat clean and protected after every day on the water. From boat care in a bucket to salt off spray, Star brite has the complete solution. Visit Star brite now.
Why Any Business Owner Should Consider a Podcast
Tom makes a compelling case that podcasts aren't just for media personalities—they're powerful tools for anyone running a business. He specifically calls out fishing guides, realtors, and hunting guides as perfect candidates for hosting their own shows. The value proposition is simple: potential customers can get to know you before they ever pick up the phone. Tom reveals that if he were still taking fishing charters, he would absolutely run a weekly podcast giving a synopsis of the week, discussing what's going on with fishing conditions, and highlighting what days he has available in the upcoming weeks. He'd share it on his website and social media as much as possible. The intimate nature of audio means people hear your voice, understand your personality, and can determine whether you're the kind of person they want to spend time with—all before they commit to booking. Tom's full strategy for using podcasts as a direct-to-customer communication tool starts at 4:13.
The Gear Problem That Nearly Stopped Tom
One of the three major stumbling blocks Tom faced was gear confusion—and he admits he bought equipment he doesn't use anymore because he didn't have proper guidance. Tom now has solutions for three different budget and quality levels: the absolute cheapest way to start, the cheapest way with highest quality including mobile battery-powered setups like he uses on the road, and full studio setups for the highest possible audio quality. He also addresses the complexity that ramps up significantly when you want to add video production. Rather than having aspiring podcasters repeat his mistakes and waste money on wrong purchases, Tom has developed specific gear recommendations through Waypoint for each level. Tom discusses the exact gear barriers he faced and how to avoid them starting at 3:27.
Hear Tom break down the three podcast setup levels and what gear you actually need
The Waypoint Turnkey Solution
After receiving so many emails from listeners asking how to start their own podcasts following the Dave Stewart episode, Tom and his team at Waypoint created a program designed to eliminate all the friction. Tom reveals they can have someone podcasting by the end of the week with a turnkey package. The program includes getting podcasts distributed to all the different platforms at the lowest level, with higher tiers offering editing assistance and other production support. Tom emphasizes that there's work that needs to get done to have a podcast on every platform, and Waypoint now offers solutions whether you want to do it all yourself or pay someone else to handle everything while you just create content. The program was born from Tom's recognition that he wasted a year and a half not knowing what to buy, who should host it, how to promote it, or if there was any monetization model at all. The full details on Waypoint's podcast program and how to get started this week begin at 6:38.
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SubscribeFrom Zero to Monetization
One of the three barriers that kept Tom from starting was having no idea how to make money from a podcast. Now with over 450 episodes under his belt, Tom has figured out monetization models that work. Through the Waypoint program, Tom can set up new podcasters with opportunities to actually make money from their shows right from the beginning. He mentions that the program can be customized at different levels—whether someone wants to handle everything themselves or have editing and uploading done for them if their time is worth more than the cost of outsourcing. The key insight is that Tom learned through considerable frustration what works, and he's now removing that learning curve for others. Tom's perspective on podcast monetization and setting it up correctly from day one starts at 7:06.
Don't waste a year and a half like Tom did—start your podcast the right way.
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Key Takeaways
- Tom wasted a year and a half hesitating to start his podcast due to three major barriers: not understanding the technical process, gear confusion leading to wasted purchases, and having no idea about monetization models.
- Podcasts serve as powerful direct-to-customer communication tools for any business owner—fishing guides, realtors, and hunting guides can use weekly episodes to share conditions, availability, and personality before prospects ever make contact.
- The influx of questions following the Dave Stewart episode prompted Tom and Waypoint to create a turnkey program that can have new podcasters up and running by the end of the week.
- Tom now offers specific gear recommendations at three levels: absolute cheapest, mobile battery-powered setups with highest quality, and full studio configurations—plus guidance on adding video production.
- The Waypoint program is customizable from basic platform distribution to full-service editing and uploading, allowing podcasters to choose whether to DIY or outsource based on how they value their time.
- Tom mentions his son Turner Rowland's podcast as an example of great conversations happening in the podcast universe, featuring guests like the CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation and a geologist discussing Yellowstone volcanoes.
- Interested aspiring podcasters can text Tom at (305) 930-7346 or email podcast@saltwaterexperience.com to get started with the Waypoint program and avoid the frustration Tom experienced.
Final Thoughts from Tom
I recorded this one from the road on my way to a shoot, and that's actually part of the point—podcasting doesn't have to be complicated once you have the right setup. The Dave Stewart episode clearly struck a nerve because I've been getting emails twice a week from people saying my podcast inspired them to start their own. That's genuinely awesome, and it's exactly why we put together this Waypoint program.
Looking back, I bought gear I don't use anymore. I spent months confused about hosting platforms. I had no clue about monetization. And honestly, if someone had offered me a turnkey solution back then where I could just focus on creating content while they handled the technical stuff, I would have jumped on it immediately. That year and a half of hesitation was completely unnecessary.
Whether you're a fishing guide who wants to share weekly reports and availability, or you just love having conversations like my son Turner does on his show, there's room for your voice in the podcast universe. The barriers that stopped me don't have to stop you. If you're serious about starting a podcast, reach out—we've figured out the hard parts so you don't have to. This episode walks through exactly why you'd want a podcast, what gear you need at different levels, and how we can help you get going this week. It's worth your time if you've been thinking about making the jump.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear do you need to start a podcast?
Tom Rowland offers recommendations at three levels: the absolute cheapest way to start, a mobile battery-powered setup for highest quality on the go, and a full studio configuration for maximum audio quality. Video production adds another layer of complexity. Tom made gear mistakes when starting and now provides specific recommendations to help new podcasters avoid wasting money on equipment they won't use.
How long does it take to start a podcast?
According to Tom, the Waypoint program can have you podcasting by the end of the week with their turnkey solution. This includes getting your podcast distributed to all the different platforms. Tom himself wasted about a year and a half thinking about starting before actually launching due to uncertainty about the process, gear, and monetization.
Why should a fishing guide start a podcast?
Tom explains that if he were still taking charters, he would run a weekly podcast giving a synopsis of the week, discussing current fishing conditions, and highlighting available booking days. Potential customers can hear your voice, understand your personality, and determine if you're someone they want to spend time with before they ever pick up the phone. The podcast would be shared on his website and social media as much as possible.
Can you make money from a podcast?
Yes. Tom Rowland now has over 450 episodes with consistent sponsorships, though monetization was one of the three major barriers that initially kept him from starting. The Waypoint program includes opportunities for new podcasters to set up monetization correctly from the beginning, eliminating the uncertainty Tom faced when he had no idea if there was any monetization model at all.
Do you need to do your own podcast editing?
No. Tom emphasizes that the Waypoint program offers different service levels—you can do all the editing and uploading yourself at the lowest level, or pay to have someone else handle editing and uploading if your time is worth more than the cost. At the highest level, you can have someone else do everything while you just create content.
Related Episodes
The episode that sparked the influx of podcasting questions and inspired Tom to create the Waypoint program, featuring Dave's 30-day podcast startup program.
Tom's son's podcast featuring great guests like the CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation and a Yellowstone geologist—an example of the cool conversations happening in the podcast universe.
Another How 2 Tuesday on building direct customer relationships through digital platforms, similar to the podcast strategy Tom outlines in this episode.
Sponsors
Star brite's boat care in a bucket gives you everything you need to keep your boat clean and protected. Tom relies on their salt off spray after every day on the water, plus their brushes work on RVs and patio furniture too.
Shop Star briteTrusted enough to go with Tom to The Seychelles, Danco pliers are a staple in his kit. Build your perfect setup today.
Shop DancoThe supplements Tom uses daily to stay ready for long days on the water and in the gym.
Shop 1st PhormPerformance nutrition built for hunters and outdoor athletes who demand more from their bodies.
Shop MTN OPSIndestructible gear built for rucking, training, and daily carry that can handle anything you throw at it.
Shop GORUCKJake and Landon fixed Tom's policy gaps fast, including Bahamas coverage and nighttime navigation. They know charter policies better than anyone.
Call (727) 498-5551Dave Stewart - Host of Wet Fly Swing podcast, creator of a 30-day podcast startup program
Turner Rowland - Tom's son and host of the Turner Rowland Podcast
Download the Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide and master the essential knots every angler needs.
Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland hosts the Tom Rowland Podcast, now over 450 episodes in covering fishing, fitness, and outdoor lifestyle. In this How 2 Tuesday solo episode, Tom shares his experience launching and growing a podcast, offering practical advice on gear selection at three budget levels, hosting platforms, editing solutions, and monetization strategies for aspiring podcasters. After receiving an influx of questions following his interview with Dave Stewart from Wet Fly Swing, Tom and his team at Waypoint created a turnkey program to help new podcasters avoid the year and a half of frustration and gear mistakes he experienced when starting his own show.
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