What Podcasters Are Really Wondering About Conferences
If you’ve ever stared at a podcasting conference promo and thought, “Should I actually go to this?” — you’re not alone. The glitz, the panels, the promises… they all sound exciting. But real podcasters — especially indie creators — often wrestle with a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and financial reality.
Here’s a rundown of the most common questions and concerns podcasters have about attending conferences:
❓ Is it worth it?
- Will I actually get something out of it, or is it just a glorified hangout?
- How do I measure ROI on something that’s mostly networking?
- Could that money be better spent on gear, ads, or outsourcing help?
🤝 Will I meet the right people?
- Will anyone I admire actually talk to me?
- How do I network without feeling awkward or salesy?
- Are these events too cliquey?
🎤 Should I be speaking at one?
- Is applying to speak worth the effort?
- Do I need a big audience to get picked?
- What would speaking actually do for my podcast or personal brand?
💸 Can I afford it?
- What’s the full cost once you factor in flights, hotel, food, and tickets?
- Are there low-cost or virtual options that still have value?
- Do sponsors or podcast networks ever help cover costs?
🧠 Will I learn anything new?
- Are sessions just fluff or recycled blog posts?
- Will I leave with actionable strategies or just inspiration?
- Do the talks apply to indie shows, or just brands and networks?
🎯 Which conference is right for me?
- What’s the difference between Podcast Movement, Podfest, She Podcasts, Afros & Audio, etc.?
- Are some better for beginners, others for veterans?
- Should I skip the big ones and start with a local meetup or virtual summit?
🤔 Is this really for creators like me?
- Will I be the only one not trying to sell a course or a brand?
- Does anyone care about storytelling and content anymore?
- Are indie voices actually taken seriously?
Common Inner Monologue
- “It sounds cool, but what if I just stand around awkwardly for three days?”
- “Do I really belong in that room yet?”
- “I could buy a new mic, run ads, or hire an editor with that money.”
- “It might be inspiring… or really overwhelming.”
- “I wish there was something in-between a Twitter thread and a full-on expo.”
If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re not being negative — you’re being smart.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But being clear about your goals, budget, and stage in the podcasting journey can help you decide what kind of event (if any) is actually worth your time.
And if you decide to skip it? That’s not failure. That’s focus.