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Podcast

Podcast Content Strategy – PTC 343

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If you hope to use your podcast to grow your business, you need a podcast content strategy. Randomly creating shows will get you random results. Define your goal. Develop the plan to get there. Then focus.

TRAINING

I will be holding a free training called “How To Make Money With A Free Podcast … Without Ads and Sponsorships.” This is the exact step-by-step process to grow your audience, attract your ideal customers and clients, and make money with your podcast.

You can join us for free. Register at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth

On this training you are going to discover:

  • How to create a successful podcast using your personality
  • Why some podcasts don’t make money and how to avoid those pitfalls
  • How to attract your ideal clients with your podcast
  • How to keep listeners coming back episode after episode
  • And more!

Register for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

NO STRATEGY

When I first started coaching podcasters, I developed the Powerful Profitable Podcasts system. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

This was system and process designed to get podcasters from idea to monetization. It was built with seven sections and a few dozen modules.

Powerful Profitable Podcasts started with the magic of audio. This covered theater of the mind and your why.

The system helped podcasters design their foundation. This included your strategy, solution and structure.

It was program that covered everything. The system taught show prep, reviewing your show to get better and monetizing your efforts.

Powerful Profitable Podcasts went from A to Z, soup to nuts. It was everything you need to do to create a profitable show.

So, why did it fail? Nobody wanted everything. Podcasters don’t want to solve every problem. They only want to solve their problem.

That is when I started to do some market research and focus on specific problem. I took the system and broke it into parts. Instead of teaching the whole system, I now teach individual parts of the system within a podcast content strategy.

YOUR STRATEGY

There are three steps to designing your strategy.

First, determine your process. How do you help your listeners?

Next, brainstorm frequent questions for each step that your listeners might be asking.

Finally, identify a lead magnet or additional help for each question.

This assumes you have built a follow-up system that gets to your offer. This could be your e-mail follow-up sequence or one-on-one discovery call. You have the contact info of your listener. Now, follow up and offer more help.

This process also works with interviews. Who can you interview as a case study or as a compliment to each question?

With an interview podcast, start by working backwards. When you land a guest for your show, work backward to determine how the interview fits within your podcast content strategy.

If the interview won’t fit in the strategy, you shouldn’t be doing the interview. Interviews must benefit the listener, the guest and you. If it isn’t win-win-win, you should politely decline.

MY STRATEGY

Let me show you how this would work with my show.

My Audience Explosion Blueprint process is three steps. Your programming, promotion and personality. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.

That process consists of six steps. Those steps are your podcast platform, content creation, popularity factor, influence roadmap, money plan and raving fans.

I now want to create episodes around each of those steps.

QUESTIONS

What questions would my ideal listener ask regarding those steps?

Podcast platform – What is the best way to structure my show?

Content creation – How can I create content that gets my listeners to engage?

Popularity factor (discovery) – How can I grow my audience?

Influence roadmap (personality) – How can I make my show different from everyone else? Why would anyone listen to me?

Money plan – How can I make money with a free podcast?

Raving fans (story) – How do I get people to keep listening?

LEAD MAGNETS

Podcast Platform – Podcast Show Clock Worksheet – Episode 288 How To Structure Your Podcast.

Content creation – 17 Of The Most Powerful Podcast Interview Questions Ever – Episode 331 Interviewing Secrets – 75 Ways To Drive Engagement With Your Podcast – Episode 341 Get Your Listeners To Engage.

Popularity factor – Collaborate – Episode 334 Double Your Audience.

Influence roadmap – Podcast Review Show and Personality Development Worksheet – Episode 310 How To Develop Your Podcast Personality.

Money plan – 6 Ways To Make Money With A Free Podcast – Episode 281 The Podcast Profit Roadmap.

Raving Fans – Story Development Worksheet – Episode 130 Can You Tell Stories Like Walt Disney?

CONTENT CREATION STRATEGY

Now, my podcast episodes offer my listeners help with a specific problem.

Each episode directs you to a lead magnet that will give you additional help with that problem.

The e-mail sequence will then offer you additional help. I will then give you a chance to get even more help by working with me.

It is all part of a strategy.

This week, look at your process. Begin developing your strategy to take your listener from content to client.

JOIN US

Come join my on my new training called “How To Make Money With A Free Podcast … Without Ads and Sponsorships.” This is the exact step-by-step process to grow your audience, attract your ideal customers and clients, and make money with your podcast.

This is the process I use. I will teach it to you in this training. You can join us for free. Register at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

On this training you are going to discover:

  • How to create a successful podcast using your personality
  • Why some podcasts don’t make money and how to avoid those pitfalls
  • How to attract your ideal clients with your podcast
  • How to keep listeners coming back episode after episode
  • And more!

Register for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

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

What You Need To Launch A Podcast – PTC 329

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Launching a podcast doesn’t need to be difficult. Many gurus make you think it takes a lot of technical knowledge and magic powder. Today, I am going to show you how easy it can be to launch your podcast.

Even if you have a podcast, you’ll find some tips here today that will make it even easier for you to succeed.

CHALLENGES

Let’s start with the challenges. There are 3 big challenges that coaches face as they try to build their podcast and audience.

– The first is making it more complicated than it needs to be.

– They don’t have a roadmap

– They don’t know where to start

Let’s take these one at a time.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Don’t make it complicated. You don’t need to be a tech guru to create a podcast.

Start by recording your episode in audio software. Then, edit it. Editing a podcast is like editing a word document. Highlight and delete. If you need help here, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/editing.

Next, export the file as an .mp3. This is just like saving a document as a .pdf. Click “file” and “export”. Some audio software has an export button that makes it really easy.

You then upload your file to your audio host, such as Libsyn. This is just like uploading a photo to Facebook. Your audio host stores your audio. You can get a free month by using the code PTC at www.Libsyn.com.

Embed the audio player and episode on your website. Just copy and paste the code.

Finally, be sure your show is linked to Apple Podcasts and the others. This involves coping the address from your audio host and pasting it on the platform. You only need to do this once.

That’s it. You have a podcast.

Now, producing your podcast is just one of the 6 parts. Most gurus will teach you maybe 2 parts. You need all 6 for a successful podcast. I’ll show you those in a bit.

SPENDING MONEY

You also don’t need to spend a ton of money to podcast.

The #1 mistake most people make when they are launching is spending way too much on equipment and making it more complicated than is necessary. You don’t need a professional studio.

Start with a few inexpensive pieces of gear. You probably already have a computer available.

You need a decent USB microphone that you can plug right into your computer. That will cost you about $75.

You need some headphones. You probably already have a pair of earbuds laying around your home.

Get some editing software. You can get Audacity for free on the internet or use Garage Band on your Mac. I really like Hindenburg Journalist. That will cost you about $100.

If you are going to do interviews, you can record those using free resources like Zoom, Skype or something similar.

Can you spend more? Sure, but why? Don’t complicate it with a mixer and bunch of cables. Don’t go spend $300 on a mic. Just get started.

ROADMAP

Next, many podcasters don’t have a roadmap for success.

One secret most gurus don’t tell you is that getting listeners isn’t enough. You need to develop a plan to keep them listening.

Many podcast gurus teach you how to create a podcast. Record your interview. Convert it to an .mp3. Upload it to your host. You have a podcast. Now what?

Some may even teach you how to get a few listeners. But, that is where most people teaching podcast stop.

The problem is … if you keep putting water in a bucket with holes in the bottom, it becomes very difficult to increase the amount of water in the bucket.

The same is true with your podcast. If you keep adding listeners, but they don’t stick around, your audience and authority won’t grow.

If you want to use a podcast to grow your business and authority, you need to build it on a solid foundation and strategy.

STRATEGY

Earlier I told you there were 6 steps to a successful podcast. 

My Podcast Fast Blueprint teaches you all 6 steps. Those steps are Purpose, Program, Platform, Produce, Promote and Profit.

Producing your show is only one piece.

Your purpose is your why. Without a solid why, you won’t stick with it. Creating a podcast every week will soon seem like a chore.

Find your inspiration with a strong why.

Your program is your niche. This is what you will talk about. It better be something you love and can talk about for hours. This makes creating content so much easier.

Your platform is the format of your show. Will your show be solo, interview, magazine, documentary, two-person or some other format?

We’ve talked about producing. Record, edit, export, post.

Promote is all about attracting your listeners. This is how you bring fans to your show and keep them listening.

Finally, profit from your efforts. Money doesn’t fall from the sky. You need to build an audience and have a strategy.

Six steps. It doesn’t need to be any harder than that.

WHERE TO START

The third challenge many would-be podcasters face is that they don’t know where to start. Let me show you.

What would it mean to your business if you had an easy way to connect to the big fish that were your ideal clients? You could serve them and help them by inviting them on your show and nurture the relationship. Another powerful way to attract your ideal clients.

Let’s talk about using a podcast to drive your business. You have been trying to find unique ways to reach your potential clients. Over the last few minutes we’ve been together, I hope you have written down a few ideas how you might incorporate a podcast into your marketing plan.

How great would it be to be able to talk directly to your ideal client every week and have them request it? They actually subscribe to hear you demonstrate your authority in the space.

You have the steps that can help you. By now, you know how I communicate. You know how I teach. Let’s figure out what you are doing right and find ways to do more of that.

Here’s what I know. If you want another level of success in your business, you’re gonna need help. There’s no way to get different results by doing the same thing. There’s no way you’re gonna get to another level on your own. You need help, and I’d like to be that help.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

That’s why I am so excited to offer you this opportunity to get into my Podcast Fast Blueprint launch program. This will help you get your podcast launched in 30 days or less.

Launching a podcast is much easier than you think if you know the roadmap. It takes a lot less time than you can imagine. And, it is much more effective than other content methods at attracting and creating powerful relationships with your ideal clients. 

So, let me offer you some help. What would it mean if you were able to get in front of your ideal clients each and every week? Not only that, but your ideal clients actually subscribe and ask to hear from you every week?

This is like a weekly webinar with a built-in audience. What would that do to your coaching business? That is the power of a podcast.

How quickly could you grow your influence and authority in your niche if you were talking to and teaching your potential clients each and every week? That is the power of a podcast.

How would you like me to help you launch a podcast of your own in 30 days? I will walk you through the process step-by-step.

I have a coaching program where I will walk your through the entire process. You will have your podcast launched in 30 days if you do the work consistently. No guessing. I will lay it out for you. You simply need to take the action.

It is called the Podcast Fast Blueprint. And classes are getting ready to start. I’d love to have you join us.

WHAT YOU GET

The coaching includes six weekly group calls with me to teach you the process, to ensure you are taking the right steps and to get all of your questions answered.

This program will give you access to the Podcast Fast Blueprint online portal that will include the recorded calls and plenty of resources that will show you the steps and walk you through the podcast launch checklist. We will record video of the calls and put them inside of the member area, so you can access them again when you need them.

You will also be able to download audio recording of the calls, so you can take them with you and listen on your time. This is just like a private podcast of the teachings. Listen to them whenever you’d like at your convenience.

On top of the 6 weekly calls, you will get the step-by-step Podcast Fast Blueprint to build a successful podcast that not only demonstrates your authority, but attracts clients as well. This process is laid out in the Podcast Talent Coach worksheets that took me 30 years in radio and podcasting to learn, develop and perfect.

This formula is inside of the Podcast Fast Blueprint modules that walk you through creating your content and connecting to your ideal clients. You will learn all of the things necessary to launch in 30 days and start attracting clients.

You will also get lifetime access to our closed group where you can share ideas, get additional support and ask any other questions you might have. Most importantly, you get a system you can follow to launch in 30 days.

In order to ensure you get the attention you need and deserve, I will also give you a personal one-on-one call at the end of the program to develop your audience growth plan after you have launched.

THE VALUE

Total value of this program is thousands and thousand of dollars. But your tuition isn’t nearly that.

People usually pay $1,500 for just the process itself without the recordings, support group, and all of the other components. You won’t pay that either.

You can get full details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/start. I’m not giving the price here, because it could change at any time. This podcast will be around for years. You can see the current structure, bonuses, and price and find the enrollment link at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Start.

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you through the entire process to launching your podcast in 30 days or less, you owe it to yourself to check this out. Stop suffering through the trial and error. Stop beating yourself up with “someday”. Make that “someday” today.

Of course there is a guarantee. In fact, there are two guarantee. First, if you take action and do the work, and you are not launched in 30 days, I will coach you for free until you have your podcast launched.

And, I’ll give you a 30-day money back guarantee. If you get into it and within the first 30 days you realize this isn’t for you, I’ll give you your money back with no questions. What do you have to lose?

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN?

Just think, what would it mean to your business if you could get in front of your clients each and every week? Not only that, but your ideal clients actually subscribe and ask to hear from you every week? This is like a weekly webinar with subscribers and a built-in audience.

What would that do to your influence and authority? Podcasting could double in the next 5 years. 90 million people in the U.S. alone have listened to a podcast in the past month, and it is only getting bigger. Now is the time to start.

Come check out the program and get enrolled. Make today your day. Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Start.

When you join today, you will get instant access to the entire content in the portal. Plus, you will get all of the templates and documents you need to launch your podcast.

THE MODULES

You can start studying today. You can begin in module one by defining your show focus and developing your ideal client.

Each step has homework that you will submit in the private group for feedback.

As we go through this journey, you will begin creating your podcast step-by-step one step at a time. Module 2 will show you how to structure you show, prepare for each episode and how to interview.

Then, module 3 will teach you improve your show and process.

Module 4 shows you how to use your content to attract your clients and so on. You will have your podcast launched in 30 days.

We will begin the live calls soon. So, right now when you take action and join the program, you can get started and be on the path to launch your show in 30 days.

You’ve been saying, “One day I’ll launch my podcast.” One day is just a pipe dream unless you set a deadline and take action.

Here is your chance to launch your show in 30 days. Join the program to today and make today your “one day”.

Make a big impact in your business and in your life. Begin growing your authority and demonstrating your expertise.

Get enrolled at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Start.

I am excited to work with you. Be sure to take advantage of the exclusive offer today and check out the bonuses.

Let’s get you launched in the next 30 days. I can’t wait to help you launch. Get the details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/start.

I’ll see you in the program.

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.

Podcast

Your Why and My Story – PTC322

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If you want to create a successful podcast, you need a strong “why”. If you don’t have a powerful reason for creating your show, it will feel like work trying to record it each week. This week, I will show you my “why” and share my story.

TRAINING

Before we start, I have a few great resources for you this week.

I am doing another free workshop for you. It is called “6 Ways To Make Money With Your Podcast”. If you want to make money with your podcast, this will help you develop your strategy.

In this workshop, we will develop ideas for your show. You will receive a workbook to give you a clear focus for your strategy.

Do you want to leverage your audience and authority in your niche to monetize your show?

Do you want to grow your audience to consistently produce your show and promote your content in just a few minutes a day?

On this training, you will discover …

  • How to transform your show into a successful podcast using your personality
  • Why some podcasts don’t make money and how to avoid these pitfalls
  • How to attract your ideal clients with your podcast
  • How to keep listeners coming back episode after episode to grow your audience
  • And much more

Get registered at www.podcasttalentcoach.com/growth.

LIBSYN

If you need a host for your audio, be careful of the free services. Companies that offer their service for free often have a difficult time making money. If they aren’t making money, they can’t stay in business very long.

If your hosting company closes their doors and goes away, your audio goes away as well. All of your work is down the drain. Find a solid company and pay for great service.

I am now an affiliate of Libsyn. My show has been hosted on Libsyn since it began back in 2013. They also have fantastic support to help you set up your feed and move your show if you need it.

You can get your first month free using the coupon code PTC at Libsyn.com.

PODCAST EDITING

If you are spending too much time editing and posting your podcast and not enough time trying to attract listeners or building a business around your show, I now have a team ready to takeover your editing.

There are three packages available. You can start with the basic service that includes simple editing, mixing and mastering. Or you can go all in with the premium service that handles YouTube video, promoting, SEO, timestamps, show notes, and more.

You can find all of the packages at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/editing.

WHY YOU NEED A WHY

To build your podcast audience, you need a strong “why”. Building an audience takes consistency. Consistency builds trust.

People are creatures of habit. They typically listen to your podcast on the same day each week. It is a habit.

When your listeners come for your show, you new episode better be there. If they come and you haven’t posted on schedule, your credibility begins to deteriorate. You said you would do something and you didn’t.

Getting into the studio and recording a new episode every week takes dedication. If your purpose isn’t well-defined, it can become a struggle to make yourself stick to the schedule.

When you have a burning desire to lose weight, going to the gym is much easier. The same is true with your podcast. When you have a true, devoted “why” and purpose, getting into the studio become easier.

Find your “why” somewhere in your story. How did you get here? Why are you passionate about your subject and niche?

MY STORY

My whole life I wanted to own my own business and be my own boss. I grew up with a single mom in a household that was probably in the low income bracket, but I never knew it.

Sure, we were challenged by money. We may have been broke at one time or another. But we were never poor. My mom never had that mentality.

Mom waited tables at night, cleaned houses during the day, and created amazing wedding cakes on the side. She did whatever it took to provide for us.

That is probably why I never knew how little money we had. It wasn’t until I had to fill out financial aid forms for college that I discovered our situation. The application required parental tax forms.

My mom’s tax return said she made $12,013 in the past year. Even in the 80s, $12k wasn’t a lot to live on.

She taught my brother and me the value of hard work. And I started early.

I was hustling Christmas cards door-to-door off the back of Boys Life magazine by the age of 10. When I was 12, I bought two cases of gum at a white elephant sale and sold it out of my school locker.

If there was a gig to be had, I was trying it. We held magic shows and homemade haunted houses for the kids in the neighborhood in our garage. I was throwing newspapers and babysitting.

When I was 15, I was doing magic shows for birthday parties. My sister-in-law was my agent booking me gigs. Her son was my first show.

ARCHITECTURE

By the time I was 12, I knew I wanted to be an architect and own my own firm. I loved being creative within a set of strict parameters. It was my creative and analytical sides working together.

I started taking classes and had my first job as a draftsman by 17. I was on my way.

College took me to the University of Nebraska to study architecture at one of the best schools in the country. However by the third year, I realized I was on the wrong path.

Computers had come in and taken over architecture. It lost the magic drafting had once held for me. My corporate ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.

THE NEW DOOR

Then one day, a new door opened for me. I discovered radio.

My brother was working part-time at a local radio station. The manager called to see if my brother could fill in for somebody, but my brother wasn’t home. I knew the manager from another job I held. He asked if I would be interested in some part-time hours at the station.

I was a broke college kid at the time. Extra money is always a good thing when you’re in college. So, I took the gig.

For my architecture degree, I needed a few electives. Like any good college student, I looked for the easy classes and found Broadcasting for the Non-Major. I was already working in radio. How hard could that class be?

One night in class, the manager of the campus station came into the room. He said he was looking for a music director for the station. No experience necessary. No need to be a journalism major.

I had always loved music and was a broke college kid. Extra money is always a good thing when you’re in college. So, I took the gig … and loved it.

That gig turned into a full-time opportunity at another local station. Soon, I was building a career in broadcasting.

I finished my architecture degree and stayed in radio. That first full-time job paid me $12,000 a year. Though it was the same money my mom was making, my parents thought I was crazy. We just paid for a degree in architecture and I was taking a radio job for $12k.

NOT ENOUGH

Though I was having a lot of fun, the credit card companies and the tax man were soon hunting me down. Turns out it is hard to make ends meet on $12k.

I picked up another job in a warehouse and a third job DJing weddings. Just like mom taught me, I did what I had to do to climb out of that hole.

Soon I was making $26,000. Then $36k. Then $46k. I paid my dues doing overnight radio, but it was paying off.

My goal was to eventually own my own radio station. My desire to own my own business and be my own boss was still there. It just looked a little different. I even got my Masters Degree in Business Administration to help make my dream come true.

I had a passion for creating great radio. Coaching the talent was my favorite part of the job. I learned all I could building amazing radio stations with great music, entertaining personalities and fun promotions. 

One time, we had half a dozen contestants spend a week in a truly haunted house doing various challenges to win a trip to the Grammy Awards.

Another contest we created involved putting 6 listeners in a van to travel across the country to New York City. Along the way, they would do various challenges in different cities and vote someone off the trip. That loser would get bussed back to town as the others continued along the journey. The winner got to see the Michael Jackson tribute concert in NYC.

One winter, we invited listeners to build sleds out of cardboard boxes and clear plastic tape. They could decorate the racer any way they would like. On Saturday, we brought everyone out to the ski park to race the boxes down the hill. The winner got a wad of cash.

The promotions and marketing plans we were creating were generating buzz in the market. This was my life and I loved it.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Until one day, radio became big business. With the passage of the telecom act in the late 80s, radio started to change over the next decade. Suddenly, the little guy was out and large corporations were in.

Big companies started buying all of the stations. Radio become homogenized. The little guys could no longer buy the good stations. It all started sounding the same.

This was no longer the dream I had. The creativity and entrepreneurial nature of radio had been sucked out. It was replaced with best practices and formulas.

PODCASTING

That’s when I discovered podcasting. The creativity returned. All of the freedom was back. We could one again entertain and control our own shows.

I finally started to really be myself and develop my own personal brand. Rather than being somebody others wanted me to be, I was allowed to be me.

Now, I have a thriving business helping others discover that same passion. I show podcasters how to create great content, grow an audience and build a business around their show without spending 30 years learning it like I did.

The magic is back and I’m spreading it as much as I can.

MY WHY

That is why I do this show every week. My “why” drives me to give you great content you can use each and every week. A burning desire makes it easy to get into the studio every week and produce this podcast.

Take 30 minutes this week and write your story. What is your true “why”? When you find it, your podcast content will start pouring out of you.

I would love to help you even more. Join me for my for my free workshop.

Sign up at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

It is a free workshop for you called “6 Ways To Make Money With Your Podcast”. If you want to make money with your podcast, this will help you develop your strategy.

In this workshop, we will develop ideas for your show. You will receive a workbook to help you develop a clear focus for your strategy.

If you want to leverage your audience and authority in your niche to monetize your show, and grow your audience and promote your content in just a few minutes a day, this workshop is for you.

Get registered at www.podcasttalentcoach.com/growth. I’ll see you there.

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.

Podcast

Streamlining Your Podcast Process – Episode 253

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Does it feel like your podcast process eats up your entire week? Many podcasters get in that situation. You feel like you finish one episode only to begin the next.

SCHEDULE & PLAN

When it comes to your podcast process, we need to develop a schedule and plan that fits into your life. When you have a well-defined process, even when life happens, there can still be time to produce the show. We just need to ensure the process doesn’t eat up your entire week.

A process will allow you to budget your time properly. There is no right or wrong answer to when it happens or how long it takes. You get to decide that. Just like a budget for money, you get to tell your time where it goes.

I was on a coaching call earlier this week, and we were talking about my client’s struggles for the week. He said his podcast isn’t growing. The downloads don’t seem to be getting bigger.

When we started talking about where he was spending his time all week, most of it was spent producing the show. I asked him how often he was on social media growing his brand and how often he was e-mailing his list. He told me he didn’t have time to do that stuff.

This is where a time budget comes in play. If you want your show to grow, make sure you are allocating time to market the podcast. The growth will be incredibly slow if you are only hoping people find you naturally or by accident.

Let’s talk about six ways your can make your podcast process more efficient.

PODCAST PROCESS

  1. Find a show style that you love

This could be an interview, a solo show, magazine style, or something else. Be unique to stand out from other shows.

If it isn’t something you love, you will find it challenging to produce your show on a regular basis. This is where the “lack of time” tends to creep in. Find your passion.

  1. Develop a show clock and format

A format allows you to almost plug and play. You just need to color within the lines.

I realize the structure of a format sounds like it may take away your creativity. It actually has the opposite effect. When you don’t have to worry about what the format looks like, you have the bandwidth to be creative within the structure.

A format and show clock lets your audience know what to expect from your show. We call it benchmarks in radio. These are things that happen at the same time every day.

  1. Stray from the format when it makes sense

Just because you have a format, that doesn’t mean you are handcuffed. You can stray away from the format when it makes sense.

If you typically do a solo show, but suddenly have the opportunity to interview the biggest name in your niche, by all means take the interview.

  1. Develop a schedule and budget your time

Just like you budget your money, you need to budget your time. If you don’t tell your money where to go, it will disappear. The same is true with your time.

If it feels like your podcast is eating your entire week, you probably aren’t budgeting your time well. How long does it take to create your outline? What time are you spending to set up the studio? How long does it take to record? When you create show notes, how long does it take?

If you do not know these times, you haven’t taken inventory of your time. You only get 168 hours a week. Make sure you are spending them efficiently by using a budget.

  1. Break it up into parts

When you try to do everything at once, it can feel overwhelming. Create your podcast a little at a time.

Set aside a day to brainstorm show ideas and create outlines.

Use another day to just record episodes.

Find another time to do your editing and show notes.

When you break it into parts, you will find it easier to get the job done. It won’t feel so large. You won’t hear the voice in your head saying, “I don’t have enough time to get it done, so I won’t start.”

  1. Producing is 20%. Marketing is 80%.

If you want your show to grow, you need to remember that producing the podcast is only 20% of the work. Marketing your show should take up 80% of your time.

You need to spend dedicated time marketing your show. Make people aware that it exists. Get people to download your show. Be active and be visible.

 

Do you need help with your podcast? 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.

Podcast

The Razor That Makes The Process Easy

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You have probably heard the old saying, “Keep it simple stupid.” It is easy to understand yet difficult to implement. Let’s talk about your podcast process and how to make more progress quickly.

“Keep it simple stupid” is the shortened version of Occam’s Razor. It is also known as the law of parsimony.

Occam’s Razor is the problem-solving principle that states that “simpler solutions are more likely to be correct than complex ones”. When presented with competing hypothetical solutions to a problem, one should select the answer that makes the fewest assumptions. Select the simplest solution.

I wanted to create a workshop to help podcasters with their interviewing skills. As I searched for a way to structure the process, I was getting overwhelmed.

How do I get people signed up? How do I let them know they are signed up? How do I collect payment? How do I host it? Will the participants know how to use that platform? Should there be a pitch at the end or some sort of follow-up? Do they need to be added to my e-mail list?

There were all sorts of details and options. The more I searched the internet for solutions, the more solutions and options I found.

Finally, I decided to keep it simple. I created an invite using the Evite app with a fee to attend. I limited the number of attendees within the app. And I used Zoom to host the workshop. The two pieces of software integrated with my Paypal account. Done and done.

When it comes to refining your process, don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Get it done using the easiest solution and ship it.

Here are the 5 steps to refine your process.

 

1. SWIM DOWNSTREAM

Don’t fight what works. If you are having issues, you may be trying to go against the norm. Don’t reinvent the wheel.

 

2. PRIORITIZE

Make a list of “Must do” vs. “nice to do” tasks. Select the “must do” tasks and implement. Get it done by completing the “must do” tasks.

Done and shipped is better than perfect. A partial solution implemented 100% is typically better than a full solutions or perfect solution implemented 0%.

Ship and then refine. With implementation, you get information. With information, you can improve. Implement, test, improve and implement again.

 

3. DON’T OVERTHINK IT

This is where most of us fail. We think, “It can’t possibly be this easy.” Well, sometimes it is just this easy.

Find the path of least resistance and move forward.

 

4. MINIMAL VIABLE PRODUCT

When you are creating your podcast, take the shortest route to get it published. Do I need a mixer, mic processors, and other gear? Keep it simple. Start with a USB mic into your computer with some recording software. Create the .mp3 and post the show. You can add the bells and whistles down the road.

If you are creating a product to sell, use the MVP theory. MVP is Minimum Viable Product. This is a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers, and to provide feedback for future product development.

 

5. REFINE

Only refine after version 1.0 has shipped. Gather the feedback. Evaluate your “nice to do” list. Refine and ship again.

 

THE APPLE WAY

Think about Apple products. Steve Jobs hated buttonson his iPod and iPhones.

Steve Jobs had a love of simplicity. He was passionate to the point of obsessive about design. Jobs once said, “I love it when you can bring really great design and simple capability to something that doesn’t cost much … It was the original vision for Apple. That’s what we tried to do with the first Mac. That’s what we did with the iPod.”

Ease of use was also a big priority for Jobs. He wanted simplicity that made products intuitively easy to use. He wanted it obvious.

When developing the iPod, Jobs wanted to be able to get to a song in no more than 3 clicks. The click had to be intuitive. His primary demand to designers was “simplify”.

Developers fought to include the 4 buttons that made it to the phone. Those include the home button, the volume button, the sleep/power button and the mute switch. That’s it. Simplicity. Don’t make it overcomplicated.

 

SHIP

Move quickly and ship.

It isn’t a desire to fail. However, if you do not succeed, learn from it and move on quickly. Take failure seriously to avoid it in the future. Do everything you can to be successful. If you fail, dust yourself off, learn from it and move on to the next idea quickly. Improve and ship again.

 

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.

Podcast

Your Podcast Is Eating Your Week – Episode 222

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Do you ever find your podcast eating up your entire week? The workflow seems never ending. How do you manage your time?

Once you get one episode complete, you need to begin working on the next. After awhile, it seems like the podcast is the only thing you do.

Eventually, the podcast feels like work.

It is strange how life works sometimes. I had two things happen in the past two weeks that strangely complimented each other.

THE CALL

First, I was on a coaching call with a client. He was struggling with the production process of his podcast. Like a lot of us, he felt like the podcast was eating up way too much of his time each and every week.

I am sure you have experienced the struggle a time or two. You need to come up with a topic. The outline needs to be developed. Set up the studio and record the episode. Find time to edit it. Then you need to write the show notes and publish the show. Don’t forget to spread the word and let people know the show is out.

Next thing you know, it is on to the next episode. (cue Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.)

Managing the process can be tough. If you don’t get a handle on it, the process will eat your entire week.

THE CONFERENCE

Second, I attended a conference. During that conference, I found myself in a time management session.

As the speakers discussed company meetings and people who are time vampires, I began to realize that the tips and tricks could be applied to a podcast workflow.

With a little reshaping, I started to create a list of steps to help you manage your production process.

How interesting that both events happened the same week. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

Here are 5 steps to manage your podcast workflow.

 

STEP 1 – JOURNAL

Journal 2 weeks of podcast creation. Every time you touch the podcast, write it down.

You cannot determine where you are going until you first know where you are.

 

STEP 2 – GROUP TASKS

Look at the work and determine what can be grouped, like topic creation or writing outlines.

 

STEP 3 – PLAN

A. Create an editorial calendar. Consider the Digital Marketer 60 second blog planner.

B. Find the most productive time of the day.

C. Pick your priorities – Identify the “must do” and “nice to do” items.

 

STEP 4 – FOCUS

Focus on one task and one task only until it is complete. Multitasking is a myth. Your brain can only handle one thing at a time.

 

STEP 5 – WORK IT

Be consistent. Record and produce at the same time every week. Honor the schedule.

 

Create your plan this week. Let me know how it goes.

 

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

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.

Podcast

From ZERO to a Podcast a Week – Episode 172

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From Zero To A Podcast A Week – Episode 172

Copyright: dskdesign / 123RF Stock Photo

When you are trying to ramp up your podcast from nothing to consistently publishing a podcast a week, you need to develop a plan. That plan should contain a few critical steps.

To be successful, develop an overview of the show. Build a structural foundation that you can use for each episode. Review your show to get the best content. Finally, create a schedule to create your content every week.

In this episode, I will help you build that plan.

 

PODCASTERS’ SOCIETY

If you would like to surround yourself with podcasters and experts to help you along the path, Daniel J. Lewis’ Podcasters’ Society is open again at a discount for a short time. This is a fantastic community and resource that will help you take your podcast from average to amazing. You will find tools to improve your content, presentation, production, promotion, and profit.

Save on your registration by using my affiliate link.

https://podcasterssociety.com/erik/

It is much easier to succeed when you surround yourself with people who support you. Then, be consistent as you publish.

I am in a mastermind with 3 other guys. We support and help each other along our business journey. We also keep each other accountable.

Facebook groups and memberships are another great way to learn and be held accountable. I am an affiliate of Daniel J. Lewis’ Podcasters’ Society. It is a great membership site to help you develop your podcast and solve problems you encounter.

Podcasters’ Society has an amazing community of podcasters and experts to help you along. I am one of the experts participating in the group quite often.

In this episode, I am going to walk you through planning your entire podcasts from show development to review. This will help you create that consistency.

Then, I will tell you all about Podcasters’ Society and how that can help you as well. Just know, right now you can get a special rate using my discount code to save a ton.

Podcasters’ Society is typically $49/month, which would be $588/year if you paid monthly. Let me help you knock $159 off of that.

Daniel has already discounted the annual rate to $479/year. That is a savings of $109 over paying monthly. I have convinced him to give my listeners an additional discount of $50. That saves you $159 off the first year for a rate of $429 for the first year. On top of that, you get to keep the $479/year rate after your first year. This discount is only available until the end of August.

To get the $429 annual rate for your first year subscription, visit https://podcasterssociety.com/erik/.

If you choose the monthly option to try it out, you can save $15 off your first month. Instead of $49 for the first month, you will only pay $34. However, that rate returns to $49 in the second month. You will save much more using the annual savings.

Either way, find the savings here: https://podcasterssociety.com/erik/

 

DEVELOPING YOUR PLAN

So, let’s develop your show and take you from zero to a podcast a week. You must have a plan.

Your podcast won’t happen unless you schedule your work. Nothing gets done until it is scheduled.

We will develop an overview of the show. We will lay a structural foundation for each episode. I will teach you how to review your show to get the best content. Then, we will lay out a schedule to create your content every week.

Each of these steps comes straight out of my Podcast Talent Coach Worksheet library. You can access these worksheets for free by clicking here:

PODCAST TALENT COACH WORKSHEET LIBRARY

 

Show Focus Development Worksheet

  • What are you passionate about?
  • What are your unique qualities?
  • What topics occupy your conversations?
  • What do you like to do in your spare time?
  • Use these topics to define your show.
  • Develop a list of 50 episode topics to start.

 

Listener Development Worksheet

  • Who is your ideal listener?
  • What is his/her gender, age, marital status, employment status?
  • What does his/her family look like?
  • How about their schooling, income, and vehicle?
  • How do they occupy their time – magazines, tv, websites, podcasts?
  • Who are their heroes?
  • What are their wants, fears and needs?
  • What problem do they need solved – do they know?

 

Show Clock Worksheet

  • Used by radio shows
  • Develops consistency
  • Develop an outline for the show
  • Keeps you on track and on time

 

Show Prep Planning Worksheet

  • What interesting topics will you cover on this episode?
  • What do you hope to accomplish?
  • How will you treat each topic?
  • Create an outline using your clock.
  • Gather supporting information.

 

Show Review Worksheet

  • What did you hope to accomplish and did you succeed?
  • How did you make the audience care?
  • Where were the “oh wow” moments?
  • Where were the surprises?
  • What powerful words jumped out of the episode?
  • What was memorable?
  • What could have been better?
  • How did you include the listener?
  • What stories did you tell?
  • What did you reveal about yourself?
  • Where were the vivid details?
  • What crutches need to be removed?
  • What will make the next episode better?

 

Develop a Schedule

  • What days of the week do you have available to devote to the project?
  • Break it into parts.
  • Brainstorm show topics.
  • Complete to 60-second blog plan. (Get it here.)
  • Write show outline.
  • Record and edit the show.
  • Publish.
  • Market.

 

Surround Yourself With Support

  • Resource Library
  • Webinars – Promo Strategy, Podcast Reviews, Audio Mastering, Podcast Profit Q&A – 64 now and adding nearly every week.
  • Tutorials – Music, Photos, Opt-Ins, Mails – 32 as of now
  • Courses – Zoom H6 for Podcasters, Simple Guide to Recording Interviews and Conversations on Skype, plus many more
  • Tools & Discounts
  • Forums
  • You can requests resources you’d like to see developed
  • Slack community and real-time chat
  • Learn and be part of the community

 

If you would like to join me in Podcasters’ Society, do it before the end of August. Your membership is typically $49/month, which would be $588/year if you paid monthly. Let me help you knock $159 off of that.

JOIN PODCASTERS’ SOCIETY HERE

Daniel has already discounted the annual rate to $479/year. That is a savings of $109. I have convinced him to give my listeners an additional discount of $50. That saves you $159 off the first year for a rate of $429 for the first year. On top of that, you get to keep the $479/year rate after your first year.

To get the $429 annual rate for your first year subscription, visit https://podcasterssociety.com/erik/. This offer ends on Aug. 31, 2017.

Even if you do not take me up on the Podcasters’ Society offer, download the FREE worksheet library and begin developing your content plan this week. By developing the foundation for consistency, you will go from zero to a podcast a week in no time.

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

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.

Podcast

An Inside Look At My Podcast Creation Process – Episode 134

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An Inside Look At My Podcast Creation Process – Episode 134

Copyright: AnkevanWyk / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: AnkevanWyk / 123RF Stock Photo

Do you struggle to find time to create your podcast each week? I think it is a challenge we all face at some point in time.

I have a few tips that can help you streamline your process while still creating great content. This week, I want to walk you through the process I use when creating my podcast every week.

This is part of a content creation series. Last week, we discussed reviewing your show to improve your content. Determining your goal for the episode and evaluating your progress is a critical step for improvement.

Over the next couple weeks, we will talk about organizing your content and making the best use of your co-host.

This podcast started nearly 3 years ago. I knew I could use the knowledge I’ve gained over the past 25 years in radio to help podcasters improve their shows.

When I began recording the show, the process would take me hours every week. It felt like I would get one show posted and promoted only to begin creating the next episode.

Over time, I learned that I needed to spend more time promoting my show than I was spending to create the content. The content needed to be great. But it wouldn’t have any effect if nobody knew about it.

The key is spending 25% of your time creating great content and 75% of your time promoting that content.

To free up time to promote your podcast, you need to streamline the content creation process. Find the areas that can be combined, removed or refined in order to shorten the time it takes to create your podcast.

(SEE ALL OF MY RESOURCES HERE.)

60-second Content Creation Worksheet

I use the 60-second blog content planner from Ryan Deiss to lay out my show content for months at a time. The planner helps me group content and episodes with similar topics.

The plan is fluid. The topics change if listener feedback or topics of the day warrant a move. The planner simply gives me a basic framework.

The planner includes episode date, post type, category and headline. I also include call-to-action, offer and marketing info in the plan. It is flexible. You can customize it in a way that fits you best.

I took a few hours one Saturday and completed the planner.

Topic Development Worksheet

This helps me flush out the focus of the episode. Download it for free at PodcastTalentcoach.com.

Why is the topic relevant? How will you make the audience care? What emotion do you hope to stir? Where will you take the topic?

There are 11 total questions on the worksheet to help you focus and make the content as powerful as possible.

I use the topic from the planner to complete the worksheet. On a Saturday morning, I will usually complete 2 or 3 worksheets for upcoming episodes. These 3 worksheets take me about an hour to complete.

Show Outline

After I complete the worksheet, I create a show outline. These are the big points I want to hit during the episode. This will serve as the framework as I record.

After the outline is complete, I add any details that need to be included. This would include names, web addresses, examples, stories or anything else that will support my topic.

Each outline will take me about an hour to complete. So, it takes about 3 hours to complete all three outlines.

Overall, worksheets and outlines take me about four hours on a Saturday morning. Now I am ready to record.

Batch Recording

In order to avoid feeling like all of my time is eaten by the content creation process, I batch my recording whenever possible.

After creating my outlines, I am ready to record three episodes. This usually takes place on Sunday mornings for me. I head to the studio and knock out a batch of episodes.

To record my 30-minute podcast, it usually takes me about an hour. This includes recording, editing, processing and saving. Knocking out all three episodes usually takes me about three hours.

All in, writing, recording and editing three shows will take me about 7 hours of time. However, because I have batched the process, I am now set for three weeks. If you average it out, the time is just over two hours a week. The batch process frees up a lot of time to promote the show.

Post and Promote

Podcast Talent Coach podcast is posted late Wednesday night. I upload the show to Libsyn. Then, I post the Libsyn link, show notes, all website links and a graphic on my website. This will typically take me about an hour.

After the show is posted, I create my e-mail to all of the members on my list. I find ways to help them in addition to the content.

Making this e-mail free and valuable is critical. I want to be able to provide my members information they can put to work immediately. This includes tips, resources, links and free downloads.

The promotion of the episode is not the sole intent of the e-mail, though it is an important part.

To further promote the episode, I post the graphic I created for the post on Twitter and Facebook.

The promotion of the show requires another hour or so. That is two hours of posting a promoting each Wednesday night.

Now, I have given myself the rest of the week to engage on social media and comment on other shows. I can use the time to post to forums and appear on other podcasts. My coaching work with other podcasters also takes up time during the week.

Overall, my podcasting endeavors requires about ten hours a week on average. I keep the work concentrated, focused and batched where possible. This allows me more time to work on my business rather than in it. (See “The E-Myth Revisited“.)

This week, take time to assess your entire process. Where can you batch your process? How can you streamline your content creation?

Download the Podcast Talent Coach Topic Development Worksheet for free online at PodcastTalent Coach.com. Let that help you structure your episode. Find the link to Ryan Deiss’ tool HERE. Begin to tighten your process to allow you more time to promote your show.

FIND ALL OF MY RESOURCES HERE.
If you would like a Podcast Talent Coach workbook that will walk you through the entire batch of worksheets step-by-step, it is available in paperback or Kindle versions online at PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Next week, you’ll learn how to organize your podcast content to create focus with powerful, impactful content.
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.