Podcast Talent Coach

How You Can Make Money With A Podcast That Is Free – Episode 167   One of the most popular and controversial questions in our industry is, “How do I make money with a podcast?”   The question is popular, because many podcasters hope to monetize their content. That desire ranges from simply covering the costs associated with producing the show to making more than an average annual salary each month.   Earning money with an online business is a desire of many budding entrepreneurs. Podcasting is a great way to begin sharing your message.   The controversy arises between those who want to make money and those who see it as a hobby where profit is unnecessary. The fans of the hobbiest approach often wonder why people think it is so important to make money with your show.   Making money isn't necessary. It also isn't evil.   Both sides of the debate can be correct. It is all about your point of view.   THE POWER OF “FREE”   Today, we are taking the monetization route.   Much of the information I want to share with

Creating Consistency – My Podcast Workflow – Episode 166   How do you find time to record your podcast? Consistency is an important part of building an audience. This week, I thought I would share my podcast workflow to help you create more consistency with your show.   Before we begin, I want to share with you two things.   First, I launched a Facebook group last week for podcast interviews. If you conduct interviews on your podcast, join our group here:   [PODCAST TALENT COACH INTERVIEWING FACEBOOK GROUP]   We are helping each other find great guests and become better interviewers.   Next, I received a great e-mail from one of my coaching clients. This shows the power of taking action.   Erik,   I'm listening to the episode on how to get guests while driving home last night. As u go thru each tip, I say “yeah yeah yeah” until u said those magic words “make the ask short and offer something of value to the guest” and it was like a lightening bolt.   I pulled off on the side of the road and messaged a top-of-

How To Find Great Podcast Guests – Episode 165 The best podcasts are those that stand out from the pack. To get noticed, you need to make your show unique. When everyone else is creating their interview podcast, how do you differentiate your show from their podcast? To become unique, find great podcast guests and ask great questions. Those two steps will help you create a solid podcast. Last week we discussed great podcast questions. This week, let's talk about finding great podcast guests. I have been in radio 30 years. I have had the pleasure of interviewing great artists and musicians. I have talked with Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Sarah McLachlan, Dave Mustane, Nelly and many, many more. Through the years, I have learned to refine my interviewing skills and techniques. I have learned what works and what doesn't, mostly the hard way through trial and error. Most of these great artists came to me through the record label pushing their latest project. This made it easy for me to ge

PLEASE, STOP TALKING – HOW TO CONDUCT GREAT PODCAST INTERVEWS – EPISODE 164   Do you want to know how to create and conduct great podcast interviews? Stop talking.   Have you ever had a personal crutch or cliché that you used more often than you thought? It may have been something you didn't realize until somebody brought it to your attention. Have you ever said, "Wow! I had no idea I did that all the time"? I'm here to tell you to stop it.   A good coach will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. You need to hear this. When you are interviewing anyone on your show, stop talking. Ask the question, then get out of the way. Let your guest shine.   Here is an example. This is a recent question I heard during an interview.   Host: "Doesn't money just really make you more of who you already were? It's like money affords your personality to flourish, right? If you're loving and generous and then you become wealthy, you're going to be able to express more of that love and generosity to a

How I Battled To Overcome The Impostor Syndrome – Episode 163   Have you ever struggled with your confidence to launch or record an episode of your podcast? Have you worried that you were just pretending to know what you're doing? That someone might find out that you didn't really belong amongst the podcast professionals? That's the Impostor Syndrome creeping in.   I've been there. I was at that point when I started in broadcasting. I continue to fight it today.   Proper preparation will help you feel more confident in your content. You can find a free show prep sheet online at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com. This will help you set a solid foundation.   MY BATTLE WITH IMPOSTOR SYNDROME I learned the value of preparation by fighting my own battle against the Impostor Syndrome.   Impostor Syndrome is defined as a concept describing high-achieving individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Despite external evidence of their com

Your Favorite Podcast Events – Episode 162   This week, I wanted to review your favorite podcast events. I put out the call for suggestions. Most replies that I received said, "Erik, I haven't attended any podcast events."   That's a shame. There are quite a few great gatherings that can really help you grow.   BENEFITTING FROM EVENTS There were a few suggestions. I also received an e-mail from Cynthia, who was really dejected after attending a conference.   Dear Erik,   I actually attended the National Religious Broadcasters Convention twice hoping to find a way to boost my show and possibly find a radio station that would want to pick it up.   Sadly, I spent a lot of money, but didn't feel I was able to justify the expense. I was looking for people who were interested in helping me, but all I met were people looking for people who could enrich themselves.   It wasn't a total waste because some of the sessions were informative and educational. However, I didn’t have one contact that materialized into anythin

3 Ways to Build Relationships At Events – Episode 161   Building relationships is critical when it comes to growing your podcast or business. Whether you need interview guests on your show, business peers to help brainstorm ideas, or joint venture partners to help launch your products, relationships are the foundation of all we do.   Last week, we discussed the steps involved in creating new relationships. This week, we will focus solely on events. With Podcast Movement coming in August, now is a perfect time to begin planning.   When I attended New Media Expo a few years ago, I developed a specific plan to be most effective over those three days. That plan included rekindling current relationships with longtime friends, strengthening relationships with casual acquaintances and developing new connections with other key individuals.   There simply wasn’t enough time to be able to meet everyone at New Media Expo. Therefore, I needed to be sure I met the right people. It is all about purpose and focus.   There a

Steps To Create New Podcast Relationships And Grow Your Audience – Episode 160   In the recent weeks, I have really found a new energy. My productivity has increased in both my podcast and business. I believe this is all due to the mastermind I have recently joined.   The mastermind was formed through connections I made as a member of Internet Business Mastery. (Find my affiliate link HERE.)   These three guys are in online business, but completely different niches than me. They hold me accountable and push me to succeed. It has been a great experience.   Over the next few episodes, we will dive deep into the process of creating new relationships.   This week, I want to help you develop new relationships. Though I have found the experience very helpful, your new connections do not need to include a mastermind.   In the next episode, we will discuss making connections at events.   The third episode of the series will involve masterminds and a list of listeners' favorite podcasting events.   If you are interest

Are You Moving Your Podcast Forward In 2017 – Episode 159   Where is your podcast going this year? We are one-third through the year. Are you moving forward in 2017?   We often set goals at the beginning of the year. Studies show that most goals and resolutions go by the wayside by mid-February. How are you doing with your goals?   We need to take time to review our goals often. You do not need to wait for the beginning of the year to set those goals.   A goal is a dream with a deadline. What are your dreams for this year? If you don’t have a map and destination, you’ll only wander. You'll never get anywhere. Let's be specific and set some deadlines.   I am a member of Digital Marketer with Ryan Deiss. He has some great products and plans. One of them I use regularly is his "60-Second Blog Plan". This plan helps me lay out a clear path and plan for my content for the year.   Find it here: http://www.digitalmarketer.com/lp/60-second-planner/   What is the one big thing you want to accomplish over the next year

How To Promote Your Podcast Without Being Obnoxious – Episode 158   It is a given that you need to promote your podcast in order to get the show to grow. Make people aware of the show, and ask them to listen. The process is simple to understand yet difficult to execute. How do you promote your podcast without being obnoxious?   In the marketing environment today, people are tired of interruption advertising. I didn't ask about financial planning while watching the hockey game. Why am I being interrupted with these commercials?   The answer is easy. Ads are the revenue model. That doesn't mean it is smart or effective.   Mainstream media has struggled with this conundrum for quite some time. Radio and television continue to look for ways to share the marketing message without turning off listeners and viewers.   Promoting your show is very similar to selling. We offer a product (your podcast) and then ask people to consume it.   Think about your relationship with commercials. On the surface, you probably gener

REACH YOUR GOALS WITH YOUR PODCAST REVIEW – EPISODE 157   Do you spend time each week reviewing your own show? The best way to improve is to check the results of your work. Know where to look, ask the right questions, and develop a plan. If you want to get better, it takes work.   REVIEW IT   Dave Jackson and I do the the Podcast Review Show together. This is a show where we invite a podcaster to join us to have their show reviewed. Dave has over 20 years of experience teaching. He has been podcasting since 2005. I have over 20 years experience coaching broadcasting talent. Together, we help podcasters reach their goals.   On one particular episode, Dave mentioned he was reviewing his own episode and discovered something he could do to make his show better. Dave has been doing this for a dozen years and is still discovering ways to make his show better.   I have coached broadcasters for the past 25 years. Some of these broadcasters have been in the business for 40 years. The best in any industry use coaches t

  7 STEPS TO CREATE MORE LISTENER ENGAGEMENT – EPISODE 156   When podcasters contact me for coaching, our first call is always a free fact-finding call. We chat about their struggles and how they hope to improve. The whole call is designed to lay out a plan and see if we are a good fit for each other.   I recently wrapped up a series of coaching sessions with two hosts of a podcast. On our last call, they said my greatest strength was understanding their struggle and helping them reach their goal. I really believe that first call to get focused is the key to our coaching success.   The one struggle that I hear most often is the desire to gain more engagement. How do we get more listeners? How do I increase my download numbers? How to I create more engagement? The problem may be worded differently, but the struggle is the same.   Are you making the problem more difficult than it needs to be?   [GET YOUR FREE ENGAGEMENT EXPLOSION COACHING SESSION - CLICK HERE]   The solution is easy to understand, yet difficult

PROPER PODCAST PREPARATION – EPISODE 155 Did you get my free e-book with 15 tips to improve your podcast this week? This resource containg 15 tips that are quick and easy to implement that can improve your show immediately. If you would like your free copy, text “15Tips” to 44222. That's one fie T-I-P-S to 44222. I'll shoot you all the details. You can also download it here: [15 TIPS E-BOOK]    This week, let's talk about properly preparing for your episode to ensure you are reaching your goals.   SHOW PLANNING  You must know where you're going before you can actually get there. That statement is true with a road trip and it is also true with your podcast. When you set out to record a show, you must have goals in mind. Once you've determined what you hope to accomplish, you can then decide how you will make it happen.   So many podcasters seem to record their show less than fully prepared. I hear hosts often search for details that should be right at their fingertips. There is no reason to lack the proper inf

How To Effectively Use Your Avatar – Episode 154   Why do we create an avatar or ideal listener?   One of the Podcast Talent Coach worksheets available to your for free is the Listener Development Worksheet. This tool will help you develop your avatar to make your show more powerful and create more engagement.   [DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE ONLINE AT PODCASTTALENTCOACH.COM.]   When you get that worksheet, this episode takes that tool to the next step. Why should we create our avatar and how do we actually answer the questions on the worksheet?   I really started understanding target listener when I read a study by Arbitron (the radio ratings service) and Joint Communications (a radio consulting firm). The study was called “What Women Want: Five Secrets To Better Ratings”.   This study really got into the differences between men and women. The interviews revealed the reasons women spend time with radio. The reasons were very radio-centric and don't really apply to you.   What is relevant is the differences between th

15 Quick & Easy Tips To Improve Your Podcast – Episode 153   When I coach podcasters, we work on various aspects of their podcast. I most often help podcasters with their content. There are times we work on the process. Other times it is the audio quality, business or technique.   Recently, a podcaster contacted me to help with the overall creation of his show. It was taking him eight to twelve hours to produce a 30-minute podcast episode. He wanted to cut that in half if at all possible.   The show had two hosts. They would interview a few guests on each episode. Recording the intro and outro of the show, conducting the various interviews, editing the pieces together and eliminating the flaws ate up a lot of time every week.   Within four weeks of our first session, we had his podcast sounding more natural and conversational. We also had his editing time down to 90 minutes. Overall, the production of the show was within three hours.   There are times you are too close to the trees to see the forrest. Som

6 People Who Can Help You With Your Podcast – Episode 152   Surround yourself with the best people and success can be had.   Over my years in radio, I learned time and again that I could accomplish so much more by getting help and mentoring from the right people. As I ventured into podcasting, I quickly found the people that could mentor me and help me move forward toward my goals.   Today, I want to share with you a few people I think might be able to help you on your podcasting journey. Some I know personally and work with closely. Some have mentored me from afar through their work and resources.   Whichever method you choose to use, find the people that can help you get to your goals quicker and achieve more than you ever thought possible.     School of Podcasting – Dave Jackson   The first person I want to introduce you to is Dave Jackson at School of Podcasting. If you have listened to my podcast for any length of time, you have heard me mention Dave. He has been my mentor, helping me learn the technical

4 Steps To Create Great Content (HINT: Enough With The Cliches) – Episode 151   Content Isn't King ...   You've heard it often. Content is King.   That isn't necessarily true. Content by itself won't gain you an audience. Content isn't King. Great content is King.   I learned this early on in my radio career when my program director told me to stop being like everyone else.   On-air radio talent, a.k.a. DJs of disc jockeys, get critiqued on a regular basis by their program directors in meetings called aircheck sessions. In these one-on-one meetings, you listen to your show and your PD gives you suggestions to make it better.   Nobody likes to be critiqued. However, if you take the suggestions knowing that your best interest is what it is all about, your show gets better.   We had just launched a new station playing alternative music of the early 90s. New Order, R.E.M., Depeche Mode, Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs, and so many others. It was a great time.   I had moved across the hall from our active rock

How To Create An Effective Call-To-Action In Your Podcast – Episode 150   Are you looking for more listeners? Are you trying to build your list? Do you have a product you are trying to sell? How is it going creating that engagement?   Are you actually asking your listener to do exactly that? Why would they join your list or get your lead magnet or buy your product of you don't ask?   Let's figure out how to get your listeners to act.   It was 2006 when I fell in love with "The Power of Cult Branding" and the work of BJ Bueno.   That was the year I attended Dan O'Day's PD Grad School. It was a unique conference for radio program directors. One of my favorite conferences every year. I'm bummed that it isn't around any longer.   Dan would get some of the best minds as speakers. His guests were not only radio thought leaders, Dan would guests in the worlds of branding, marketing, online and research. The conference was amazing.   BJ Bueno's session was “The Power of Cult Branding”. It is also the title of his boo

How To Create Engaging Podcast Topics – Episode 149   As I coach talent, people often as me, “Where do I find good topics?” It's often a struggle of new talent and veterans alike.   Writers often encounter writer's block. It happens with podcasters as well. Where do I start?   My radio coach Bill McMahon would always encourage me to listen to my thoughts. Subject matter intriguing to me would typically be compelling to my audience.   When coaching radio talent, I used the same philosophy. Listen to your thoughts.   American Idol was the hot, pop culture show at the time I was coaching one particular morning show. The host really had no interest in American Idol. However, he felt he needed to discuss the program on his show in order to sound connected.   The show was huge, but he hated it. How do you connect to a topic that needs to be discussed, but you do not enjoy?   As we worked through the predicament, we found ways to address the subject while staying true to the beliefs of the host. If he didn't enjoy t

Build Podcast Fans Like The NFL – Episode 148 Watching college football (American style) this weekend, I was reminded of a few things you can do to improve your podcast.   The NFL Superbowl is a great marketing teacher if you look closely.   As much as the Superbowl is a game involving two teams, it is really about entertainment. If viewers aren't entertained, it really doesn't matter who competes or who wins. It would simply be another game.   The National Football League makes money by providing entertainment to fans. They build an audience for the sport, both live and on television. They then sell access to that fan base to other businesses.   Tickets to the games are only a small portion of the league revenue. Television rights, corporate sponsorships and licensing agreements also add huge revenue. None of these would be possible if the games weren't entertaining.   Your podcast can mimic a lot of the steps taken by the NFL to create a successful show. Here are a four.     It's Always Showbiz   Regardless