The Talent Show

As podcasters, we all obsess over downloads.  It's time to stop obsessing over your daily downloads and look at staying focused on your best content!

If you are doing a podcast, you should say the same thing at the beginning of every episode.  Literally...script what you want to say and say the same thing every single episode. This sets a very consistent tone for every episode you do.

In this episode, I share a story about how a client records his show sometimes while driving home from work late at night.  He records in his car only using his iPhone mic. While I'm not a huge proponent of the quality of that mic alone, changing where he recorded his show gave him a more natural feel.   I talk about how this same type of exercise could be beneficial for you...and I recorded this show in a different place for me. Enjoy!

As a host, you are at your best when you connect with your audience.  How do you do that?  You speak one-on-one with your listeners and make that bond that builds your audience. In this episode of The Talent Show, I talk about a recent conversation with a very successful podcaster and how she feels about her connection with her audience.  When you have that intimate connection with your audience, you create a bond that keeps listeners coming back every time you publish.   Questions?  Email me:  shark@zensharkmedia.com  

And how you can experience coaching now for 50% off normal session price. In this episode, to mark my 50th episode, I am giving half off a coaching session. This is a full session where I will go over audio with you and give you feedback to really hone in your skill as a host.  

I answer a question about the difference between radio and podcasting and we look at niching down an election podcast.

There's talk about niching down your content, but what does it mean? And how do you do it effectively? In this episode, I use my show and it's content to show you how I have gone through that process. And how you can look at your content differently. Thanks and have a cool show!

In this episode of The Talent Show, I draw on my professional coaching experience to discuss setting effective goals in life.  While any podcaster can pull from this episode, this show is all about goals for all aspects of your life. I discuss SMART goals, your life's intentions and how action plays a big role in all of it. Thanks for listening!

"Son of a Nutcracker!" It's Christmastime again. This short episode is a quick hello and wish for everyone to have a great Christmas.  I share with you the power of podcasting and what i've learned this year.  I hope you and everyone have a great holiday...enjoy!  

Survey time! With the Talent Show and my business, Zen Shark Media, I am all about coaching and guiding hosts to huge success.  I love it!  I have the insights and proven practices, but I want to get more clear on what YOU need as a host.   This survey will take five minutes, and I will pick one participant and award a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Here's the link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BR5MVT3 Thanks!

In this episode of The Talent Show I share a couple of easy and inexpensive studio hacks to help you get the best sound and quality out of the space you record in.  One hack helps with soundproofing and the other is an easy fix to get great sound during Skype or phone interviews. If you have any hacks you would like to share, send them to me and I will put in a future episode of The Talent Show!   Email them to me directly - shark@zensharkmedia.com

In this episode, I give you three questions to ask when deciding what segments to implement into your podcast.  Segments, help your listeners easily digest and consume your content. Let me know your feedback...or send a question - shark@zensharkmedia.com

A big lesson in this episode of The Talent Show.  How the one thing we all do this time of year can help us with our podcast ALL YEAR LONG! Download, give thanks and have a great Thanksgiving!

This episode is the second part of my take on building a home studio. Beyond the mics and cables, this episode deals with your website and where to host your podcast.   Follow along on this page on my site:  www.zensharkmedia.com/buildahomestudio

Want a quick question answered when building your home studio? shark@zensharkmedia.com This episode of The Talent Show we build a "recording studio quality" home studio for under $500.  I go over hardware and give my thoughts to pieces and their importance.  If you want to check out my page devoted to building a home studio, check out www.zensharkmedia.com/buildahomestudio Thanks!

Recently, I made a trip to Kansas to speak to the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.  I spent three hours speaking with radio programmers and brand managers throughout all of Kansas.  And while we spent a lot of time talking about the great things happening with podcasting and digital in radio, what I left there with was an understanding of the pride these people had in their stations. And I couldn't help but think of how that correlates into pride into your individual podcasts. Thanks for downloading...hope you enjoy!

Got a question?  Cool...I love questions.  shark@zensharkmedia.com In this episode of The Talent Show, I dive deep into authenticity as a host.  It's key to gaining a loyal following or podcasters and radio hosts.  I take you through 6 steps to maintaining authenticity and a natural sound when you record your show. Being authentic is at the core of all successful hosts. Thanks for listening!

When you do a 7 minute podcast...you might get out of your comfort zone. In this episode of The Talent Show, I share some feedback from a couple of clients who tried the 7 minute podcast challenge.  Feedback like, "i felt rushed" and "it didn't feel right."  And let me tell you...that's good!  You will feel that way the first time you try it, but going through the 7 minute podcast challenge shows you the benefit of a structured show and getting to content quicker.  However, it is very important to stay AUTHENTIC and I share with you a tip on getting to that place of natural authenticity when you try a challenge like this. Thanks and enjoy!

Today's episode of The Talent Show I challenge you to do a 7-minute podcast. Why? Because there are a TON of lessons in trying this challenge out.  In this episode, I go through why a 7-minute podcast can help you with: Getting to the "meat" of your content quicker Editing on the FRONT side (so less post production work) A recent statistic about how the length of your podcast determines how many listeners will actually make it through to the end. I hope you try this out.  Do a 7-minute show and publish it.  See how it feels to prepare, stay on track, get to the meat quicker and deliver on a promise of information to your audience. Thanks and have a great show!  

Today's episode is a great question! What is more important - to put out shows consistently or have a quality show?  In this episode of The Talent Show, I look into this question from a listener.  I discuss the importance of being consistent AND have good quality.  And when I say good quality, I am speaking to content and execution, not whether or not you have the right microphone. I also discuss how to create consistent execution so you can feel good every time you publish. Thanks all! Send your questions here:  shark@zensharkmedia.com