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Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin - Podcast about Podcasting for Podcasters
201: How to Create a Solid Hook for the Start of Your Podcast Episode
Are you losing listeners in the first five seconds of your show? Today’s episode is all about the impact that the opening of your show can make on listener retention. I’m diving into hooks: how to create them with intention and examples you can use when you record next.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.
Find It Quickly:
Why you shouldn’t start with your podcast intro (1:35)
How I recommend you start your episodes (2:19)
What makes a great hook (3:02)
Four types of hooks for your podcast (3:34)
Tips for creating intentional hooks (4:51)
Opening with a clip from the episode (6:18)
Mastering the first 20 seconds (7:49)
Connect with Haylee:
Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboard
Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin
Website: gaffincreative.com
Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/LJSzClq9Bp0
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203: 5 Ways to Use Email Marketing with Your Podcast
17:46|Are you podcast and email marketing working together? In today’s episode, I’m teaching you 5 strategies to leverage your podcast and email marketing together. You’ll learn how to drive downloads, convert listeners into buyers, and turn your podcast into your best lead generator. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: The state of email marketing in 2026 (1:00)Repurpose your podcast into email content (2:45)Drive downloads to older episodes and feed your funnels (7:19)Convert listeners into buyers (10:49)Turn your podcast into your best lead generator (12:42)Segment your list (14:23)Mentioned in this Episode:Gaffin Creative Podlinks: gaffincreative.com/podlinksCustomize Your Podcast Player Icons: gaffincreative.com/podlinks-canva-templateConnect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinWebsite: gaffincreative.comReview the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/MnkeoLB5oG8
202: This Simple Strategy Can Grow Your Downloads with Your Existing Audience
08:34|Your best content doesn’t have an expiration date—so why let it sit dormant in your feed? Today, I’m breaking down a super simple strategy for increasing downloads on your older content through your existing audience.We’ll walk through how to reference older episodes in a way that adds value, feels natural, and guides listeners without overwhelming them. Plus, I’m giving you a plug-and-play formula for how to do it and examples you can steal.Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: The simple strategy for growing downloads on old episodes (1:38)The formula for mentioning an old episode (2:25)Creating compilation content from old episodes (4:48)Practical advice for sharing old episodes (5:52)Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 143: Can Your Podcast Generate You Revenue? [Becoming a Paid Podcaster]Episode 194: Reflecting on 2025Connect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinWebsite: gaffincreative.comReview the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/mBU5XeyNH88
200: What Your Podcast Numbers Are Really Telling You
09:24|When was the last time you looked at your podcast numbers? In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a simple review of your numbers and what to do with that data. Plus, get an inside look at a data review call within Soundboard Society, the coaching program for podcasters. Register for our Data Review Call on February 2nd: gaffincreative.com/ssbtsClocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: Why your monthly data matters (1:38)Which numbers to pay attention to (2:28)What do you want your podcast to do this year? (3:39)Marketing with a realistic capacity (4:36)Questions for reviewing your data (5:30)Behind-the-scenes of Soundboard Society (7:12)Mentioned in this Episode:Register for our Data Review Call: gaffincreative.com/ssbtsConnect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinReview the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/2tW4vw10rye
199: Looking for a Sign to Launch a Podcast? This is it!
06:16|Ready to launch your podcast in 2026? Today’s episode is a behind-the-scenes look at The Podcast Planning Challenge, happening next week. In this challenge, we’re taking a look at your podcast asset essentials, your content plan and strategy, and the overall blueprint for finally launching the podcast you’ve been dreaming about.Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: Your podcast is a business asset (1:08)Yes, you should start a podcast (2:05)The Podcast Planning Challenge (2:33)Now is the perfect time to plan your podcast (4:07)Mentioned in this Episode:The Podcast Planning Challenge: gaffincreative.com/challengePodcast Launch VIP Day: gaffincreative.com/podcast-launchConnect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinTranscript: https://share.descript.com/view/CbRI9Y2XW8i
198: Which Podcast Mic is Worth Your Money? A Raw, Untreated Comparison
11:07|Are you wondering which microphone is the best for your podcast? In today’s episode, I’m putting some of the most common options to the test. Listen in for a side-by-side comparison of the more budget-friendly microphone choices available to podcasters. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: Where I record Clocking In (1:12)Apple Macbook Pro (2:43)Apple Corded Headphones (3:19)Apple Airpods (4:11)Apple Airpod Pro (5:19) Logitech Yeti (5:57)Samson Q2U (7:45)Shure SM58 (8:45)Mentioned in this Episode:The Podcast Gear We’re Using On Clocking In: gaffincreative.com/podcast-gear-list-for-clocking-in-with-haylee-gaffinPodcast Gear and Equipment for Beginners: gaffincreative.com/podcast-equipment-for-beginners Apple MacBook Pro: amzn.to/4rUO9EvApple EarPods: amzn.to/3XatnToApple AirPods: amzn.to/4rTzwBtApple AirPods Pro: amzn.to/4rgt1s9Logitech Blue Yeti: amzn.to/3S2XZUPSamson Q2U: amzn.to/3zHCaDWShure SM58: amzn.to/4eP5EzLShure SM7B: amzn.to/3JrDG1RConnect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinTranscript: https://share.descript.com/view/zD6gdKtl6JN
197: Audit Your Podcast Profitability with this Traffic Light Exercise
08:11|Is your podcast actually profitable, or is it just busy? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a sneak peak of the Podcast Profits Workshop. This workshop is designed to help you better align your podcast with your business goals, and make the necessary tweaks to see more conversion and revenue from your podcast. Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced 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.Find It Quickly: Why alignment is step one of your profitability (1:29)The business and offer alignment exercise (4:07)A further sneak peak into the Podcast Profits Workshop (5:48)Mentioned in this Episode:Podcast Profits Workshop Registration: gaffincreative.com/roi-workshop/Traffic Light Worksheet: gaffincreative.com/traffic-light-exerciseConnect with Haylee:Soundboard Society: gaffincreative.com/soundboardInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinReview the transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/Zsmvy9CPbxn
A Message to Podcasters Ready for More: Why 2026 Is the Year to Go All In on Your Podcast
03:22|Before you start planning out your next quarter of podcast content, I want you to pause. Take a deep breath. And remember that your podcast isn’t just a marketing task on your checklist—it’s a platform with the power to transform your business.In this episode, I’m reflecting on the courage it takes to podcast, the progress you’ve already made, and the belief you need to carry into 2026. Whether you released one episode or fifty this year, I see you. You showed up. You built something real and that’s worth celebrating.Connect with Haylee:Gaffin Creative: gaffincreative.comInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinReview the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/MGBRtG98l3U
Happy Holidays!
00:45|As we wrap up the year, I just want to wish you a joyful and restful holiday season. I hope you find time to unplug, be present with your loved ones, and celebrate every win—big or small—from this past year.We're taking a short break, but I’ll see you in 2026 as we dive into a brand new year of creativity, growth, and incredible podcasting.And if working with us has been on your mind—whether you're ready to join our 2026 program or start as a production client—there’s still time to get the ball rolling.Until then, happy holidays and cheers to an amazing new year!Connect with Haylee:Gaffin Creative: gaffincreative.comInstagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffinReview the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/58cOBRQYSy0