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Podcast

Your Podcast Strategy – PTC 360

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How is your podcast strategy? Do you even have one?

Lots of podcasters struggle with finding constructive, intentional ways to get the word out about their show. The marketing stuff can get tricky.

Many podcasters I talk with would be happy to have enough downloads to get 2 or 4 coaching clients paying a fee. How do you bring a few listeners through the funnel?

Let’s look at your whole strategy today on this episode.

BOOTCAMP

Before we jump into it, I want to invite you to a powerful event I am holding where I will help you build your podcast monetization strategy. We actually get stuff done in this day-long bootcamp.

So many times, we go to webinars hoping to learn something only to find out it is full of fluff. We might walk away with one or two ideas after an hour. But we are really only there for the sales pitch.

You now have a chance to join me for a 6-hour Podcast Profits Bootcamp where I will walk you through the entire process to build your podcast monetization strategy. It’s actually 7 hours, but you get an hour for lunch.

During this event, we will build a few ways to monetize your show that are perfect for you. This isn’t one size fits all. It is specific to your podcast.

You can enroll at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/bootcamp.

You will get a workbook that will help you stay on track as we develop your strategy. During the bootcamp, we walk through the workbook step-by-step.

HOW IT WORKS

We will start with your foundation to ensure you are building on solid ground. Then, we will develop your purpose. I’ll show you why most podcasts don’t make money, so you can avoid those pitfalls.

Many people think ads and sponsorships are the way to make money with your show. That is a myth. It is the worst way. Sponsorships require a very large audience and a lot of sales time. Ads also have a revenue ceiling.

I’ll show you a better way during the Podcast Profits Bootcamp. I won’t just show you, we will build it together. We will discuss the various ways you can monetize your show, and we will pick the strategy that is right for you.

Finally, you will have plenty of time to ask me questions to refine your strategy.

This is so much more than a webinar or workshop. It is a bootcamp where we will actually get things done.

Where most webinars last an hour, this is an all day event.

REGISTER

Registration for the Podcast Profits Bootcamp is $197 for this 6-hour bootcamp and your workbook. More importantly, you walk away with your monetization strategy for your show.

Right now, you can enroll for $197. Enroll now and secure your spot.

You can enroll at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/bootcamp.

If you are ready to build your podcast monetization strategy, the Podcast Profits Bootcamp is for you. You’ve spent enough time attending empty webinars and trying to find sponsors. Now is the time to build a real strategy.

Let’s sweeten the deal for you a little more. If you enroll in the Podcast Profits Bootcamp, you will also get a bonus prep call to get you ready for the event. This is where we help you gather all of the information and ideas you’ll need before the bootcamp begins.

Let’s get you registered for the Podcast Profits Bootcamp. Jump in right now at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/bootcamp.

BEGIN YOUR STRATEGY

As you build relationships with your content, start with the end in mind. This is where your strategy begins.

What do you want your listener to take away from this episode?

Decide what emotions do you want to stir?

What do you want your listener to do when the episode is over?

When you know those goals, your content will be easy to create.

On your podcast, stir emotion by talking about the “why” to your solution. Agitate the hopes, needs, fears and dreams of your listener.

Then, give your listener a little of your “what”. Let them engage with your coaching, courses or other offerings for the “how”.

MONETIZATION STRATEGY

Then, you need to determine your revenue goal.

You make money with your podcast, not from your podcast.

The podcast doesn’t generate any income. Ads are a lot of work with very little return.

To monetize your show, leverage the attention you have built to drive your business. How does the podcast fit into your overall marketing plan?

Start with the goal.

Your podcast is the top of your funnel. This is where you build the relationship with your prospective client.

So, what do you want them to do when the show is over?

Have one clear, concise call-to-action. Get them started on their journey with you.

This could be a free download, strategy call, webinar, or ask me anything session. Give them something in return for their name and email address.

Nurture the relationship, serve them well and move them through the sales journey.

MARKETING STRATEGY

When it comes to marketing, begin again with the end goal in mind. Intentionally build the marketing plan for your business.

I was looking at the calendar the other day and realized we are 8 weeks from New Year’s Eve.

The new year always brings new goal and a renewed energy to what we are doing.

Unfortunately, studies show that 60%-80% of people give up on their resolutions by the middle of February.

You’re probably saying, “Erik, we just finished Halloween! What’s all this resolution stuff?”

Well, I believe most people give up on their resolutions, because they don’t have a clear plan to achieve their goals.

Lose weight. Start my own business. Grow my podcast audience. Spend more time with my kids.

Those are all great. But, they are not specific and are not connected to a plan.

Now is the time to start planning. Create your strategy to reach those goals.

Spend the next 2 months getting things in place to execute your plan when the resolution kicks in.

A plan is something like go to the gym 3 times a week, appear on 2 other podcasts a week or have one-on-one time with each kid once a week.

That’s a plan.

If you build your strategy now, you will have a much better chance of reaching your goals.

On top of that, who says it needs to be January 1st to start working on a new goal?

Get after it.

AUDIENCE STRATEGY

In radio, we had a saying. Frequency to the target.

The first time a prospect hears your marketing message, it goes in one ear and out the other.

The second time, the message might start to sink in.

The third time, it might ring a bell in their memory.

When your prospect hears your message the fourth, fifth and sixth time, he might begin to remember it.

Therefore, you need to deliver your message to your prospect six or eight times prior to the moment he is making a buying decision.

You cannot try a marketing tactic once and decide if it works. It requires frequency to the target.

Don’t expect your audience to grow overnight. Your prospective listeners need to hear about your show multiple times before they will push play.

How many times have you said, “Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to listen to that podcast.”

It’s like snowfall. Mother Nature doesn’t make it snow for 3 minutes and then think, “Well, that didn’t work.”

It takes millions of little flakes over time to create a 5 foot drift.

As you work to grow your audience, be consistent.

Pick three marketing strategies. This could be other podcasts, appearing on summits and stages, social media, YouTube, partners, guest blogging or various other ways.

Select three that you enjoy and can do consistently.

Then, spend 30 minutes each day taking action on those vehicles to get in front of new potential listenes.

Over time, your audience grows.

YOUR PLAN

Are you frustrated because your podcast makes no money?

So many podcasters come to me struggling to find a path to riches.

It is possible to monetize your podcast. However, you need to understand that it takes three things to make that happen.

  1. Something to sell
  2. A strategy to sell it using your podcast
  3. Patience

If you have those three things, you have a much better chance to use your podcast to build and grow a business.

If you are willing to put in the time and effort, good things will happen.

GET SPECIFIC

One of the most common questions from podcasters is, “How do I monetize my podcast?”

I’ve tried it all.

When I first started, I put everything I knew about building great shows into a comprehensive course. It was a masterpiece.

Then reality cracked me upside the head.

Nobody wants a comprehensive course. They want a focused solution to their problem.

To monetize your show, you must …

  • Have something to sell
  • Ask for the sale
  • Serve first
  • Find your listener’s true pain
  • Explain their transformation with your solution
  • Build rappport

As you develop something to sell, find what works for you. It should be something that …

  • You enjoy
  • People want (different than need)
  • You can deliver
  • Can scale

TAKE ACTION

Those are the steps. If you would like my help crafting your monetization strategy, join me for the Podcast Profits Bootcamp.

Join me for a 6-hour Podcast Profits Bootcamp where I will walk you through the entire process to build your podcast monetization strategy. It’s actually 7 hours, but you get an hour for lunch.

During this event, we will build a few ways to monetize your show that are perfect for you. This isn’t one size fits all. It is specific to your podcast.

You can enroll at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/bootcamp.

You will get a workbook that will help you stay on track as we develop your strategy. During the bootcamp, we walk through the workbook step-by-step.

If you enroll in the Podcast Profits Bootcamp, You will also get a bonus prep call to get you ready for the event. This is where we help you gather all of the information and ideas you’ll need before the bootcamp begins.

Let’s get you registered for the Podcast Profits Bootcamp. Jump in right now at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/bootcamp.

Podcast

Your Step-By-Step Audience Growth Strategy – PTC 348

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Whether you are brand new, or you’ve been publishing for years, we are all looking for audience growth. Unfortunately, few of us have a strategy. We are just trying random things and gaining no traction.

CLEANING

I was cleaning the basement the other day. After hours of work, it looked like I had done nothing.

We collect everything down there. The basement is where everything goes when we don’t have a place to put it.

We have a pool table down there that doubles as a ping pong table. The table came from some friends that just wanted it out of their basement. I quickly learned why.

The table has now become the place where my son does his school work … and sorts his baseball cards … and leaves his spare hockey gear.

My office space is down there. We have book shelves and storage shelves and a couch where we go when tornado warnings fire up.

One day, I decided to clean the basement. I started putting a stack of books on the book shelves. That’s when I realized some of my hockey coaching material was on one of the shelves. That belonged in binders in my office space.

While I was putting the hockey stuff away, I noticed I had some podcast notes in a stack on my desk. I started getting that squared away. On my desk was a shoebox I was using when I was recording a video.

I took the shoebox over to the baseball cards where it belonged. Next thing I know, I am arranging the baseball cards on the pool table. My son had a few jerseys on the table that got taken to the laundry room.

This went on for hours. When I finally stepped back to admire my work, it didn’t even look like I had been there. There was no change.

Why? I had no plan. My work wasn’t focused. I needed to work on one area until it was done.

INTENTIONAL AUDIENCE GROWTH

Be intentional to grow your audience and get people to listen.

Create a plan and stick to it. What activities will bring in new listeners if you do those activities on a consistent, regular basis?

About a year ago, I joined JV Insider Circle and my podcast took off.

JVIC connects you with people who run podcasts, radio shows, tele-summits and live events. Members of this community have large lists in your target market.

You can find details on JVIC at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/JVIC.

By attending the bi-weekly calls and various virtual events they hold, I met a variety of influencers who were talking to my potential audience. I started participating on their summits and in their giveaways. They had me on their podcasts and you’ve heard a few of them here.

Next thing I know, my audience was growing by leaps and bounds. I simply focused on this strategy and took regular action.

Instead of trying everything, find two or three things that you enjoy doing, will get you in front of new listeners and you can and will do on a regular basis.

Then, focus on those actions for a month. See where it takes you.

CONTENT

Before you invite people to your party, make sure you’ve cleaned the house.

The first thing you need to do is make sure your content is solid and entertaining. Ask yourself if you would listen to your show if it wasn’t your show.

Oscar spent the first year of his podcast interviewing other people. His show wasn’t growing or driving his business. He came to me for some help.

We restructured his show to highlight his expertise. The show still included other experts. However, we created space specifically for Oscar to talk about what he did and the service he provide.

After we got the show working, we started inviting people to the party. That’s when his audience began to grow.

Tighten up your content before you bring more listeners to the show. You only get one shot at a great first impression.

NEW AUDIENCE

Once your content it tight, go get in front of new people. You can’t grow your audience until you find people who are not yet aware of you and your show.

As we discussed, JVs are a great way to find new listeners. You can also be present in social groups. You can appear on podcast interviews. People can discover you on summits.

There are many ways you can get in front of people. Find the activities you love and will commit to doing consistently.

Again, you can check out www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/jvic to learn about finding joint venture partners.

INVITATION

Once you get in front of a new pool of potential listeners, invite them to listen.

So many people get interviewed or get on a stage in front of an audience and forget to tell people to listen.

If your goal is audience growth, ask people to listen to your show. Tell them where to find you and why they will love the show.

REASONS

Telling people to listen isn’t enough. You need to give them a specific reason to listen. Why will they love it?

When you ask people to listen, give them a specific episode that they will love. If you have interviewed someone special or taugh something really cool, send them to that episode.

Asking people to check out a generic show will give you a few listeners, but not great growth. Telling them why they will love your episode that was downloaded more than any other episode will bring people in.

Remember, they are asking, “What’s in it for me?” Give them a reason.

REMIND THEM

Getting them to listen isn’t enough for audience growth. You need to bring them back episode after episode.

Remind your listeners to come back using your e-mail list and social media.

Stay top of mind so the new listeners add to your current listeners. If your current listeners are leaving, you do not achieve audience growth. You maintain. New listeners are just replacing old listeners.

Give your current listeners a reason to come back next week by teasing effectively. Create some fear of missing out.

YOUR AUDIENCE GROWTH PLAN

This week, get to working on your audience growth plan. Start small with a plan that you can stick with. Do the work consistently and watch your audience grow.

Next week, we will talk about ways to use events to create audience growth. Events are coming back. Let’s be strategic to use these events in the best way. You’ll get a bunch of ideas for your plan next week.

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.

Podcast

Overcoming 3 Podcast Growth Challenges – PTC 332

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Podcast growth isn’t some secret, but it comes with challenges. I realize many podcast gurus tell you they have the magic formula. It isn’t magic. Growth is a method.

There are two ways to grow your downloads. Get more people to listen. Or, get people to listen more.

There are three challenges podcasters face when developing podcast growth. Today, I want to help you overcome those challenges.

MAKE IT EASY

The first of the challenges most podcasters face is making podcast growth too complicated. The process is simple to understand. It is difficult to implement.

Let’s reverse engineer this process by starting with our goal of podcast growth.

To grow your podcast, you need to get more people to listen to your podcast. That is pretty obvious. More people to listen is the easy part to understand.

In order to get more people to listen, we need to get in front of potential listeners and invite them to the party. We need to tell them why our show is exactly what they are looking for and give them a real benefit to listening.

If we want to get in front of those potential listeners, we need to figure out where they are. Who is talking to your ideal listener right now. Which experts already have your ideal listeners in their audience? Let’s partner with those people.

Where do we find those experts? We need to define our ideal listener first. Once we know everything there is to know about our ideal listener, we can then figure out who they follow, trust and admire. Those will be our partners.

We start by defining our ideal target listener and follow the path.

On the other side of the coin, we need to keep our current listeners coming back for more. Entertain your listeners. Give them a real reason to come back next week for the next episode by creating a powerful tease. Generate a real sense of intrigue. 

STRATEGY

The next of the three challenges podcasters face is a lack of a solid growth strategy to follow.

We just talked about the process. Now we need to develop the strategy to execute.

After we develop our ideal target listener and determine who they follow, we can begin creating partnerships. Those partnerships will help us grow.

Reach out to those influencers and ask for a conversation. Tell them you would like to discuss how you can help each other grow. Partners help each other.

When you get on the call with your potential partners, start with them. Ask them what they are working on and how you might support those efforts. Find ways to help them. This should take about twenty minutes.

Next, explain what you are trying to accomplish. Let them offer ways they might support you. In this step, you are simply looking for ways to invite people to your show.

You are looking for stages to speak on. This could be podcast interviews, summit appearances, presentation opportunities or a variety of other stages.

Once you develop your strategy, work on it everyday. Find one influencer each day and make a connection. Not every connection will become a partner. However, your network will definitely grow in a big way.

MENTOR

The final and most important of the challenges podcasters have is not having a mentor. They are not learning from someone who has done it.

When you find someone who can show you the way, you can ease so much pain. The time you spend trying to figure it out will be cut way back. You will have fewer headaches and a lot more fun.

A mentor who is ahead of you on the path can give you the map. Rather than trying to figure out the next step, you can instead enjoy the journey. You can also get to your goal much quicker.

Have you ever got tired of trying to figure out something and finally asked for help. Someone shows you how to do it and you say, “Ugh, why didn’t I think of that!?!”

There are times when you don’t know what you don’t know and that’s ok. Let someone show you and move to the next step. Progress over pride. If you want to fast-track your success, find someone to teach you. You will be happy that you did.

LASER COACHING

If you’re looking to grow your podcast audience, I’ve got a 3-step system that will help you overcome the challenges and get you there:

Step One: Define your ideal target listener so you can …

Step Two: determine which experts already speak to them in order to …

Take Step Three: create partnerships and get in front of those potential listeners which allows you to …

Grow your audience and drive your business.

This system works really well, and if you’d like some help growing your podcast audience, I’ve got great news!

You see, normally I charge $997 per month to coach clients to get these results. We typically meet for one to two hours per week which can take a lot of your time … and mine.

And you know, those marathon coaching sessions take a lot out of me.

So I’m opening up an opportunity for you.

You can now get UNLIMITED Podcast Growth Laser Coaching!

This is a coaching model that is ideal for growing your audience with my 3-step system. I ran a beta opportunity for four podcasters a few months ago, and it is going very well. So, I’ve opened 6 more spots for this opportunity.

For less than 84 bucks a month, you can get a full year of UNLIMITED 15-Minute Laser Coaching sessions with me.

Yep. Unlimited. You can have as many coaching sessions with me as you like for a full year for less than 84 bucks a month.

HOW IT WORKS

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply and apply to have a chat with me to see if you are a good fit for Podcast Growth Laser Coaching. Remember, there are only 6 spots available. I need to pace myself to ensure each client gets the attention they deserve.

2. If this makes sense, you’ll get an email from me with a link to my calendar so we can have our first coaching session.

3. Your first call is 30 minutes to make sure the coaching is perfect for you and we come up with a custom plan to help you grow your audience.

4. At the end of our call, and each call thereafter, we’ll agree on “homework” that will move you forward and keep you accountable.

5. After each call, I’ll send you a recording of the call, confirmation of your homework, and a link to schedule your next call.

6. Once your homework is complete, you can schedule your next 15-minute call.

For example, you have your coaching session on a Wednesday, do your homework right after the call, and you can schedule your next call that very same day. It is truly Unlimited Coaching!

And don’t worry, if you get stuck on the homework or need support between calls, I’m just an email away.

APPLY NOW

Go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply and apply to have a chat with me to see if you are a good fit for Podcast Growth Laser Coaching. I’ll select six to participate and get the coaching, and I’d love for you to be one of them.

There is a guarantee. We both need to be comfortable with each other for this to work and get your results. If, during our first 30-minute call, either of us feels like this is not a perfect solution to help you grow your audience, I’ll refund your money immediately. No Risk!

If you would like to be one of the six, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply and apply. You and I can have a chat to see if you are a good fit for Podcast Growth Laser Coaching. 

Let’s make it less complicated, develop your strategy to grow, and see how I can take your hand, show you the way, and help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.

Podcast

5 Ways To Grow Your Podcast This Week – PTC 325

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If you want to grow your audience, you need to find ways to reach new listeners. Promoting to your current listeners over and over again won’t do much to bring in new listeners. Find ways to get in front of people who are unaware of your show and invite them to listen.

On the show today, I am going to show you five ways you can find those new listeners over the next few days. You simply need to take action.

Before we jump into the five ideas, I have a little housekeeping.

PODCAST EDITING

First, if you want to free up time in your week that you spend editing your show, I can give you some help. I offer editing services for your show. This includes everything from basic show editing to full production and show notes.

Imagine what you could do to promote your show and grow your business if you had that time back every week. You can start with the basic package which will give you four shows a month. Or, you can check out the premium package with comes with one-on-one coaching, SEO-optimized show notes, images and thumbnails and more.

Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/edit. Click on the “show me what is in each package” to see the full details of each. I would liove to give you back some time in your week.

Next, let me turn you on to a fantastic opportunity.

FIND PARTNERS

There is an event coming up March 3rd through the 5th. It is called Collaborate. This is an incredible way to find true partners who can help you grow.

During this virtual event, you are placed in small breakout rooms of around 8 people just like you. These are online experts in various niches such as online business, mindset, health and more.

Attendees are coaches, authors, speakers, program leaders, producers of podcasts, radio shows and events. Every attendee is looking to connect and partner with others to help each other grow their businesses, impact and income.

When you are placed in the breakout room, each person in the room has 2 minutes to tell others who they are, what they do, what support they can offer other attendees and what support they need.

If you find someone who might make a good partner and fits your niche, you agree to connect in the next few days to determine how you might help each other.

You will literally meet over 100 people. Not all will fit your niche. That will depend on your target.

Let’s say you help small businesses set up their accounting books. In a breakout room you meet a coach who helps small business leaders with their sales process. The two of you have the same target audience but offer different services. That is where the collaboration comes in.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

You can reserve your spot for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

However, there is an upgrade VIP option for only $47. I would highly recommend going VIP. You will find so much more value. You also get a directory of everyone who attends to help you find even more partners.

Get signed up. It will be the best three days you can invest to explode your next year.

I have attended Collaborate three times now. I’ve always gone VIP. This event has done more for my show and business than anything I’ve done. There were 40 people in my niche alone that I met at just one event. I meet more and more each time I attend.

Join Collaborate at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

Let’s talk about other things you can do over the next week to grow your show.

GET INTERVIEWED

First, get interviewed on another show. We talk about this a ton. Finding complimentary shows in your niche is a great way to grow.

Reach out to a podcaster in your niche to begin the discussion. I’m sure you listen to a few shows who target the same audience you target. Let’s chat with those podcasters first.

Send the podcaster a note. Start with something specific you liked about an episode. “Hey, Erik! Great episode on growing your show. I’ve just sent three e-mails to other podcasters to see if we can swap interviews. Love the idea.” Keep it short.

Next, tell the podcaster that it appears you target the same audience in complimentary ways. “As I was listening to your show, it hit me. It sounds like you help coaches refine their funnel so they can get more clients. I help coaches transform their information into entertainment on their podcast to get more clients.”

Finally, ask for an opportunity to talk. You are NOT asking for an interview. Ask for a chat. “Would you have time over the next week to jump on a call to see how we might partner and help each other grow?”

Get the call booked. Spend the first 20 minutes finding out what they do. Then, spend the next 20 minutes telling them what you do. Spend the last 20 minutes brainstorming ways you can support each other.

A podcast interview on both sides might come of this. However, bigger opportunities might show up that you didn’t even consider.

This is the way Collaborate works. Rather then sending a cold e-mail, you are in a room for people looking for connections just like you. Again, find details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

YOUR GUESTS

Your guests are a great resource to help you promote your show. Though you cannot expect it of them, it sure is nice when they share your interview with their audience.

Reach out to the person you interviewed or mentioned in the podcast. Tell them the episode is live. Then, tell them you would greatly appreciate it if they would mention it to their following.

Make it easy for them. Write the copy. Create the social media graphic. The easier you can make it for your guest to share the episode, the more likely it will be that they actually share it.

The same is true when you answer questions on your show. If you receive an e-mail and you include that question on the show, reply to the e-mail and let them know you answered their question on the episode. Give them a link. Ask them to share it the same way you would ask your guest.

SWAP

To promote your show, you could swap mentions with another podcaster. So many podcasters think the only way to partner with another show is to get interviewed on the show. There are many other ways.

One great way to get your show promoted is to swap mentions in your newsletter. Connect with another podcaster in your niche who has a decent e-mail list. You will know they do if they have frequent lead magnets are mailing often.

Connect just like we talked about. Reach out to let them know you appreciate what they do. Be specific. Tell them you have similar audiences. Ask if they would like to partner to grow. If you connect, simply mention each other’s show in your e-mails to your audience.

You could say something like, “Hey, I found a really cool podcast I thought you might enjoy. As you are trying to grow your audience and make money with your show, you need to be sure your process is solid. Check out the Yadda Yadda show. They help you build your process from lead magnet to shopping cart.”

You can find partners just like this at Collaborate. Check it out at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/colllaborate.

SUPERFANS

The fourth way to promote your show is by leveraging your superfans. These people will be evangelists for your show, because they love it. If anyone will promote your show, it will be these people. You simply need to empower them.

First, create a list of superfans. Find the people that comment on your episodes, send you e-mail about the show and interact with you on Facebook. You know who they are. You might have 3 or 37. Write them down.

Next, create a post on Facebook and tag your superfans. Be sure to ask a question, so the post starts getting some interaction and gets seen by others.

This could be something like, “Just want to thank a bunch of the listeners to Podcast Talent Coach. Thanks to Bruce, Elaine, Greg, Josh, TaVona, Oscar, Laura, Chris, Rick, Prasha, Andy, Cat, Tony, Kim, Christine and so many others. I really appreciate you listening to the show. What is one idea you’ve picked up from the show that has helped your podcast?”

Be sure to respond to everyone who comments. Interact. If you can get some traction with the post, friends of your superfans will start to see the interaction. Mention your show by name so others can find it.

ADD A LINK

My final idea today is to add a link to your show in your e-mail signature. Make it easy to find your show.

Next, add some valuable content in the email with a call-to-action. This could be a free download or checklist or top 5 ideas. Make it something your audience can use. Make sure it is valuable.

Finally, invite your subscribers to share it with a friend. Say something like, “If you know someone who could use this information as well, please forward this e-mail to them. They can have this free resource as well.”

TAKE ACTION

There you go. Five ideas to grow your audience this week. Now, these ideas will do nothing to grow your audience unless you actually take action and do something.

Pick one of these ideas and take action. If you can get one done, select another and take more action. I would rather see you complete one than start all five and complete none of them.

If you want to start making powerful connections with others who can help you grow, I really encourage you to attend Collaborate. It is an amazing event that can help you skyrocket your growth. Get all of the details for Collaborate at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/collaborate.

Have a great week.

Do you need help with your podcast? E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s see what we can do.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

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How To Keep Listeners Returning – PTC 301

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How can you keep you listeners returning week after week? We are going to talk about that along with marketing tips and podcast profits this week.

We are answering your questions on this episode of Podcast Talent Coach. If you have a question, e-mail me at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. I read all of those notes and answer as many as I can here on the show.

MARKETING

I’m looking for marketing tips on how to get the podcast noticed and ranked.

– Dirk

In order to get your podcast noticed, you need to get in front of new listeners.

So many podcasters try to grow their podcast audience by posting on Facebook and sending e-mail to their list. The problem with this tactic is that all of these people already know you. They are already aware of your podcast.

If you are active on Facebook in groups and are allowed to mention your show there, you could get in front of new listeners. Be careful with regard to the rules of the group.

Many group owners don’t want you to promote in their group. You will need to mention your show while you serve.

If someone asks a question in a group regarding podcast growth, I might say, “On my podcast, I often recommend podcasters find ways to get in front of new audiences.” By doing this, I mention my podcast while answering the question and serving.

There are many other ways to get in front of new listeners. This could include summits, podcast interviews, guest blogging, e-mail shares and others.

GROW YOUR AUDIENCE

If you would like to learn how to grow your downloads, join me for a free training. It is called “How To Explode Your Podcast Audience In 6 Weeks Or Less”. It will be a live, hour-long training on Oct. 6, 2020 at 12 Noon CT.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Do you want to grow your audience, increase your downloads and add subscribers to your podcast?

Would you like to become a respected authority in your niche that will help you monetize your show?

Do you want to learn time-saving tips to consistently produce your podcast, find interesting guests, promote your episodes, record the podcast and edit your content?

In this free training, you will discover how to create a simple plan that you can consistently follow in just a few minutes a day to grow your podcast.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

BORED LISTENERS

I would really like to learn how to create content that will keep listeners returning. I haven’t started yet, but I’m worried of running out of ideas or guests to interview, or that listeners will get bored and not listen anymore.

– Elizabeth

Wow, Elizabeth. What a packed question. Let’s take these in parts.

First, let’s start with the last part. How do you prevent listeners from getting bored and not listening anymore?

Many podcasters make the mistake of trying to create content for others. You need to create content that you find interesting and engaging. The key to being interesting is being interested.

When you try to force content simply because you think your audience wants to hear that information, you will suffer three problems. The content will feel hollow, because you aren’t excited about it. Producing the content will start to feel like work, because it isn’t your passion. Finally, your audience won’t grow, because you will be creating average content.

Instead, create content that stirs your passion. You will have great stories. Your shows will bubble with excitement. Listeners will be attracted to the energy of your show, because it is designed specifically for them. If you love it, they will love it. Be interesting by being interested.

GET THEM TO RETURN

Next, how do you create content that will keep listeners returning? The first thing to understand is the difference between promoting your content and teasing your content.

Promoting your content is just information. In my free training I mentioned, you will learn how to grow your audience. That is only the info. It doesn’t pique your interest or create any excitement.

Teasing my training creates interest, excitement and fear of missing out. When I say, “In this free training, you will discover how to create a simple plan that you can consistently follow in just a few minutes a day to grow your podcast”, that creates some excitement.

A tease is more than the ingredients in the box. A tease is the benefit and transformation the information provides.

TOPIC IDEAS

Let’s talk about your ideas. If you are worried about running out of ideas, you may not be in the right niche. If you are creating a podcast around your passion, the ideas should come easily.

Here is how you can be sure you are in the right niche. Take out a piece of paper and start brainstorming possible podcast topic ideas. You should be able to come up with 40 or 50 ideas in about 10 minutes.

What do beginners need to know? Talk about the biggest mistakes made by people in your niche? What do people need to know about your topic.

Don’t worry about the quality of the topics. Just write. Let topics lead to other topics. If you concern yourself about evaluating the topic, you won’t open your mind to produce 50. Just write.

INTERVIEW GUESTS

Finally, how can you get guests when you have very little to offer?

It is a misconception that people won’t come on your show simply because you are new. You won’t always be new. When you are on episode 50, episode 2 will still be there.

Episode 2 may only have 23 downloads this week. A year from now, episode 2 could have hundreds of downloads.

Your episode can live for years. Smart guests understand that value.

When doing interviews, you won’t start at the top with the biggest guests. Let your guests build on each other. At the end of every interview, ask your guest if they know two or three people who might make great guests for your show and find a benefit by appearing on your show.

If they can provide you a couple names, ask them if they will make an introduction. A warm introduction is much more likely to land you additional interviews. This is especially true if your guest had a great experience.

In each of these points, don’t let that little voice in your head get in your way. Getting your listeners to return, running out of ideas, a lack of interviews and bored listeners are all just symptoms of the Impostor Syndrome. You’ll be great. Just get started.

PODCAST PROFITS

I’m at that critical place of needing to make my podcast significantly profitable in order to continue. As my wife told me, “You are spending an enormous amount of time for a freebie.” I’d like to set up an efficient process to provide paid consulting for listeners. I did a little free consulting to test the waters and it went well, but I let the hurdle of logistics get in the way of moving forward with offering paid consulting.

– Dean

So many people want to make the process much more complicated than it needs to be. Don’t get all hung up in the funnels and back end and all the jargon.

When I started, my first client was from Canada. He reached out to me looking for help to refine his content and make it more engaging.

I quickly created a coaching program. For $500, he would receive 4 coaching calls with me. We discussed his goals and I made him the offer.

When he accepted the deal, I emailed him an overview of the plan and an invoice for our coaching. He mailed me a money order. We started coaching.

He had discovered a blog I was writing. Then he listened to my podcast. In that content, I would mention my coaching. That got things started.

As I picked up more clients, I moved to having clients send me payments through PayPal. My systems grew as my business grew.

It was no more complicated than that.

If you want to scale and begin doing group coaching, webinars and joint ventures, you will need more back end systems. But, you don’t need all of that to begin. Just find someone you can help and give them a way to pay you.

If you have questions, e-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s see what we can do.

GROW YOUR AUDIENCE

If you would like to learn how to grow your downloads, join me for a free training. It is called “How To Explode Your Podcast Audience In 6 Weeks Or Less”. It will be a live, hour-long training on Oct. 6, 2020 at 12 Noon CT.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Do you want to grow your audience, increase your downloads and add subscribers to your podcast?

Would you like to become a respected authority in your niche that will help you monetize your show?

Do you want to learn time-saving tips to consistently produce your podcast, find interesting guests, promote your episodes, record the podcast and edit your content?

In this free training, you will discover how to create a simple plan that you can consistently follow in just a few minutes a day to grow your podcast.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.