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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

Podcast Launch Case Study – PTC 344

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When you go through a podcast launch, there are pitfalls to avoid. Creating a strategy for your show early is a critical piece to ensure your podcast helps attract your ideal clients and drives your business.

On this episode, I want to take you through a launch case study to help you discover a few things you might tighten up with your show.

PODCAST LAUNCH

If you do not have a podcast yet, you could launch in a weekend. I am holding a 3-day workshop that will get your podcast launched in a weekend.

During this workshop, you will discover how to build a solid podcast that will attract your ideal listeners. You won’t just learn how to record, edit and publish your podcast. I will take your hand and walk you through it during this workshop.

You will learn how to properly conduct interviews that will benefit you. We will create your marketing strategy to grow your audience. By the end of the weekend, you will refine your personality to create engaging entertainment that will attract your ideal clients.

If you would like to launch your podcast in 3 days, enroll at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/start.

This 3-day workshop happens Friday through Sunday, July 16th through the 18th. You will publish your podcast by the end of the workshop.

STRATEGY

Your podcast can be a powerful tool when you are trying to attract your ideal clients. You need to decide how your podcast fits into your plan.

I like to start with the end in mind.

Let’s say you are a coach looking to attract clients. How might your podcast bring those potential clients into the top of your funnel.

Well, you need to decide what your funnel looks like before you can answer that questions.

How do you enroll clients? You could use a webinar. Strategy or discovery calls is an option. Clients could discover you by seeing you on a summit or stage. They might hear you on another podcast.

Once those potential clients discover you, where do they go for more information? This is where you send them to your lead magnet or directly to your podcast.

I like sending people to a lead magnet first. Let’s capture their information so we can invite them to listen to the podcast.

If you invite them to your podcast while giving an interview on another show, you get one opportunity to invite. If you invite them to grab your lead magnet, you can then use your e-mail to invite them to listen many times.

Once they begin listening to your podcast, they begin to know what you are all about. They can decide if they like how you teach and what you have to offer. Your podcast is all about building report with your listeners.

On your show, you can offer listeners more help and opportunities to get what you have to offer. When the time is right for them, they can sign up to work with you as a coach and become a client.

This is the sort of process you need to develop if you want to use your podcast to grow your business. Start with the end in mind and determine how your podcast fits into that strategy.

PODCAST LAUNCH CASE STUDY

Sadie came to me to launch her podcast “Meathead Test Kitchen” with her co-host Sausha. They wanted to create a show around their healthy eating and workout products.

Demonstrating your products, courses and books is a great way to make money with your podcast. This is like a weekly webinar, but your prospects actually subscribe to it.

How great is that? Your listeners ask for it every week! Give them a sample of your stuff. Then, tell them where to buy it.

This is like a long infomercial for your stuff without the slimy feel. You are offering help and showing your ideal clients how to get more.

Do you have a book or course you could demonstrate on your show? Your own little home shopping network … and your ideal clients are subscribing.

This is what Sadie and Sausha do on the Meathead Test Kitchen podcast. Sadie followed my Podcast Fast Blueprint to launch her show in 30 days. Now, they demonstrate products and direct people to their website to buy them. Some of these products are their own products. Some are affiliate products.

On this episode, we talk to Sadie about her launch experience, how she is growing her show and using it to build her business. Enjoy.

PODCAST LAUNCH WORKSHOP

If you do not have a podcast yet, you could launch in a weekend. Join us for a 3-day workshop that will get your podcast launched in a weekend.

During this workshop, you will discover how to build a solid podcast that will attract your ideal listeners. You won’t just learn how to record, edit and publish your podcast. I will take your hand and walk you through it during this workshop.

You will learn how to properly conduct interviews that will benefit you. We will create your marketing strategy to grow your audience. By the end of the weekend, you will refine your personality to create engaging entertainment that will attract your ideal clients.

If you would like to launch your podcast in 3 days, enroll at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/start.

This 3-day workshop happens Friday through Sunday, July 16th through the 18th. You will publish your podcast by the end of the workshop.

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/start. Join us for the 3-day workshop and get your podcast launched in a weekend.

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

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

Your 2021 Podcast Roadmap – PTC 312

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When podcasters come to me for guidance, we start with a free strategy session to see if and how I can be of help. During this session, we develop a roadmap for the next 12 months. If it then makes sense to work together, we discuss what that could look like.

Today, I want to help you create your 2021 roadmap. This roadmap will be a fill-in-the-blank roadmap, because you and I aren’t sitting down to discuss your specific show and goals. You’ll need to do a lot of the work on your own.

YOUR STRATEGY SESSION

If you have created at least 25 episodes and would like to apply for a free strategy session with me, visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching. You can apply right there.

If you are disappointed with all of the work you’ve been putting into your show but seeing very little ROI, and you would like 2021 to be different – the year you begin making money with your podcast – apply for your strategy session. We’ll see what is possible.

This could be your opportunity. I’ll show you how you can get more reach and visibility. Plus, I’ll show you how to leverage the work you’ve already done to grow a business around your show.

www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching.

Let’s talk about your roadmap. Get a sheet of paper and a pen.

Yes, go old school. The physical act of writing does something to the brain as you are creating. It activates the brain in a way that typing does not.

FOUR STEPS ROADMAP

There are four steps to create your roadmap. We will go through each.

On your paper, draw a line straight down the middle of the paper from top to bottom. Now, draw a line right across the middle of the paper from side to side.

You should now have four quadrants on the page. We will fill each of the four quadrants with different ideas and evaluations for your roadmap.

TOPIC

In the upper left corner, write topic. This is the first step.

To be a podcast success, you need to create your show around a topic that you love. This needs to be something you can talk about for days and never get tired.

I know. You’re saying, “Erik, of course this is my favorite topic. Why else would I be doing the show?”

Well, maybe. I’m not talking about a topic you think is cool. This needs to be a topic that really gets you excited. People should be saying, “Enough already – can’t you talk about something else?”

You talk about this all the time. You eat, drink and sleep this topic.

Here is how we find out. Set a timer for 10 minutes. In the topic quadrant, write as many show topic ideas as you can. Don’t evaluate the topics. Just write as many ideas as you can in 10 minutes.

Pause the episode, set the timer and write. Then come back and push play.

HOW MANY TOPICS?

Ok, count the number of topic ideas you’ve created. If you wrote down over 50 ideas, you are on the right track. This topic comes easy to you.

If you created between 35 and 50 topics, there is a good chance you have a topic you love. Your creativity or self evaluation might be holding back the ideas. Still, 35 is pretty good.

If you were able to only come up with 20 to 35 topic ideas, you may want to try this exercise again. You are walking on thin ice. Struggling to come up with topic ideas will create what appears to be writer’s block.

Passion kills writer’s block. If you love the topic, you have no issues creating topic ideas.

Think about what new people in this niche need to know. Discuss terms, resources, thought leaders, how to get started, where to find the best tools and other similar topic ideas. Now, try the exercise again and see what happens. If you still struggle, you should consider a different topic.

Now if you came up with fewer than 20 topic ideas, you are in the wrong niche. I don’t want to be the one to call your baby ugly. However, you are going to struggle every week trying to create your show.

If you have trouble deciding were to start, you won’t start. Your podcast will fade away quickly. Then you are going to proclaim podcasting doesn’t work. No, your topic didn’t work for you. Don’t start down a path that you don’t love. It is too much work.

BUILD THE AUDIENCE

In the upper right quadrant, write audience. Once you have a topic, you need to build an audience.

When I have a strategy session with a podcaster, we talk about goals. Most of the time the goals will always include “grow my audience”.

You need to understand that size is relative. It is more important to have a passionate audience who wants what you have to offer rather than a big yet passive audience.

People search out the Apple store. Those fans are passionate. Many more people shop at WalMart. However, very few people have a WalMart sticker on the back window of their car or on their laptop.

You want to create fans who will become clients. Lots of listeners are great. Lots of listeners who will buy your stuff is even better.

According to Canalys Worldwide PC Analysis in October 2019, Apple ranked 4th with 7.8% of the world computer market behind Lenovo, HP and Dell. Apple was almost 10% behind number 3 Dell.

When was the last time you saw anyone lining up outside a store waiting for the new HP to be released?

Dell Technologies has a market cap of $52 billion. Apple’s market cap is almost $2 trillion. Now, Apple phones drive that cap. But it is four times bigger.

FIND YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS

You want to find people who want everything you have. In that upper right quadrant, start listing people who are already talking to your ideal clients. This could be podcasters, bloggers, YouTube creators, event coordinators, associations, manufacturers, magazines, radio shows, people with big e-mail lists and anyone else talking to your potential customers.

Where can you find these people? Where do they hang out online? How can you get in front of your ideal clients?

In order to build your audience, you need to find people who aren’t aware of you and your show. Then, invite them to come listen.

SOLVE A PROBLEM

After you have built the audience, you need to create something of value for them so they can give you money. Both of you need to win here.

The best way to offer value to your audience is to help them solve a problem. What are their struggles? What hurdles are they trying to overcome?

When you have a topic that you love, finding their problems shouldn’t be too difficult. You’ve been there. You have been through the struggles.

Determine how you can help your tribe overcome those struggles. Then, create something to sell around your solution.

Solve one specific problem for your listener.

If you know exactly who you help and what you help them do, your single solution should be clear. You can now find those people and offer to help.

In the lower left quadrant, write problems. Now list all of the problems that exist for your ideal customer. Remember, you only need to solve one. Let’s find the right one. The one most would be willing to pay money to solve.

As you brainstorm problems, think of the things people always ask you about. How do you do this or how do you fix that? Where are they struggling?

What questions do you see most often in Facebook groups or online forums? What problems are people in your niche complaining about most often?

These are all signs of problems that need to be solved, and you’re just the person to do it. Find your solution.

SELL IT

Your final step is to get people to buy your solution. In the lower right quadrant, write system.

There are three parts to your system. How can you promote your solution? Where will you sell it? How will you deliver it?

Those are the three things you need to determine. Create a system to promote, sell and delivering your solution.

If you are selling a physical product, many Amazon is right for you. Maybe you’ve created a course and something like Teachable is your delivery.

In this quadrant, write your solution to these three parts. You need ways to promote your solution. You will definitely mention it on the podcast. Where else can you promote it? What affiliate partners might be able to promote it for you? List all of your ideas.

Write down how you will sell your solution. Is there anything you need to learn to do this? Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be.

Finally, how will you deliver your solution?

Stay focused on one problem and one solution to that problem. You can’t create multiple streams of income until you have the first one flowing first.

START YOUR ROADMAP

Those are your four steps to your 2021 podcast roadmap. Get started today. If you want different results in the next 12 months, you need to start doing different things. Now is your time.

If you would like some help creating your specific plan, let’s talk.

If you have created at least 25 episodes and would like to apply for a free strategy session with me, visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching. You can apply right there.

This could be your opportunity. I’ll show you how you can get more reach and visibility. Plus, I’ll show you how to leverage the work you’ve already done to grow a business around your show.

www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

Podcast

Why You Don’t Make Money With Your Podcast – PTC 304

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You get held back when you don’t know what you don’t know. There are 7 pitfalls that you need to avoid if you hope to make money with your podcast. If you are struggling to figure out how to make money with your podcast, be sure you have solved these issues.

Your podcast allows you a great opportunity to demonstrate your authority while talking about a topic that you love. How great is that?

If you structure the focus of your show properly, your podcast can be an amazing tool to drive your business and generate revenue.

FREE TRAINING TO MAKE MONEY

I want to invite you to a training on Tuesday where I will teach you 7 different ways you can easily attract your ideal clients using a podcast. Register for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Using what I learned attaining my MBA, I have spent the last 30 years in radio refining how to create effective marketing campaigns to attract listeners and clients alike. I have used those skills to teach podcasters how to do the same since 2013. Those proven ideas have now been distilled into these 7 concepts that I will teach you.

You can learn them all on Tuesday. I will offer a replay as well, but only if you preregister. Get in now 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 leverage your audience and authority in your niche to monetize your show?

Do you want to grow your audience in just a few minutes a day using time-saving tips to consistently produce and promote your content?

You can get all of that and more on Tuesday. It is a 60-minute training with a replay available. If it is time to let go of the trial and error, come get the step-by-step formula.

MORE THAN ONE WAY

Many people believe sponsorships and advertising are the only ways to make money with a podcast. Untrue. In fact, you shouldn’t clutter up your show with ads. Instead, use your podcast as a powerful marketing tool for your business. Today, I am going to teach you how to do just that.

Podcasting is huge. You have incredible power in front of you. Let me show you some numbers.

There are nearly 1 million podcasts today. On the other hand, there are 600 Million blogs and 1.3 billion YouTube videos. Where do you want to compete?

Podcast search engine Listen Notes reports there were 246,782 podcast debuts last year alone. Today, more than 90 million people in the U.S.— approximately 32% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 — have listened to a podcast in the past month according to Edison Research.

According to The Nielsen Company, the total podcast audience is growing at a compound average growth rate of 20%. And that could mean the overall audience for the medium could double within the next five years. Now is the time to stake your claim in your niche. Get noticed and build your audience.

Let’s talk about why many podcasts don’t make money. There are a few reasons podcasts don’t make money or attract clients.

WHAT ARE YOU SELLING?

The first issue is you don’t have anything to sell.

When podcasters contact me for coaching, our first step is a podcast strategy session. During that call, we define goals and the strategy to achieve those goals.

Though the questions vary, one seems to consistently come up. “How can I make money with my podcast?” I ask, “What are you selling?”

Can your listeners currently give you money for anything?

As coaches and content creators, you probably have something to sell. You just need more people to buy it.

ARE YOU ASKING?

The second problem is you are not asking for the sale.

Podcasters say, “Yeah, Erik. I have a course for sale. Nobody is buying it.”

Have you told anyone about it?

One of my buddies has a great course available. I had known him for six months before I knew anything about it.

Once you build your rapport through your podcast, the “yes” should become a formality if you actually ask for the sale and help your listener succeed.

THE PAIN

Next, podcasts don’t make money because you haven’t uncovered the true pain

It is much easier to “not sell” when you are solving a pain rather than offering a benefit. There is a saying that “more people buy aspirin than vitamins.” People are more willing to pay to get out of pain than experience a pleasure.

When you are solving that pain, you need to ensure you have uncovered the true pain.

On your podcast, you could be answering questions from you listeners. You will see some commonalities develop that uncover the true pain of your audience. It is like market research right on your show.

MORE REASONS

There are 3 more reasons podcasts don’t make money. I’ll be covering those in the free training on Tuesday. I will also give you 7 ways to make money with your podcast.

Sign up for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Would you like to have a clear, step-by-step blueprint to grow your audience? You will learn how to get that when you join us on Tuesday. You can build a plan to grow your audience that you can consistently implement in as little as 15 minutes a day.

Podcasting is only getting bigger. Now is the time to lay the foundation to be known as an influencer and respected authority in your niche. When you build you show the right way, you can consistently attract listeners who become raving fans, share your podcast, and purchase your programs.

Learn how on Tuesday. Sign up for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth. I can’t wait to see you there.

Do you need help with your podcast? Check out www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching. Let’s see what we can do.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

Podcast

Incorporate Your Podcast Into Your Business – PTC260

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Your podcast allows you a great opportunity to demonstrate your authority while talking about a topic that you love. If you structure the focus of your show properly, your podcast can be an amazing tool to drive your business and generate revenue.

OSCAR’S PODCAST

When Oscar Trimboli came to me for coaching, he had the desire to strengthen the connection between his podcast and his consulting business.

Season one of his podcast consisted of interviews. He was headed into season two and wanted this season to be more about teaching his five levels of listening.

Oscar Trimboli is a mentor, leadership coach, speaker, author and podcaster. His podcast and book are both entitled “Deep Listening – Impact Beyond Words“.

OSCAR’S BUSINESS

Oscar Trimboli has 30 years experience in bringing out the best in senior executives and next generation leaders.

Leaders seek Oscar’s help when they feel frustrated with their organizations’ results and their own performance. They’re drowning in information and feel stressed, time poor and swamped by their day-to-day workload.

Past beliefs, assumptions and decisions are no longer serving these leaders. They need a different way to think, a fresh perspective, renewed focus and energy.

Leaders that work with Oscar say they soon learn to think with laser-sharp focus and clarity. They become more self-aware and experience greater personal alignment with who they really are. With that awareness, these leaders gain a clear perspective, deeper understanding and a true grasp of their purpose and legacy.

Clients say Oscar quickly takes them from feeling disoriented and confused, to feeling energized and ready to create their legacy.

THE PODCAST & BUSINESS CONNECTION

As Oscar and I worked together, our challenge was to bring that power and authority to Oscar’s podcast.

Our goal was to create engagement with his audience and demonstrate his authority in the space. Over time, this would help him grow his consultancy.

In order to reach Oscar’s goals, he needed to start asking for feedback in order to get feedback. This would help drive engagement.

Oscar also created a Facebook group to begin building community for each level of listening and interact with his audience.

To build his authority in his space, I suggested that Oscar interject himself more into the episodes, so listeners get to know him.

PODCAST EVALUATION

In this episode, we review examples of what Oscar is doing today on his show to connect with his potential clients. We look at specific clips of his show where he in incorporating, explaining and promoting his business within his content.

Oscar Trimboli is now the author of 3 books. He also offers the “Deep Listening – Impact Beyond Words” playing cards set that helps improve your skills as a listener.

Over the last 7 years, Oscar has coached, mentored and advised people in a wide range of roles from founders, CEOs and CFOs to a variety of other leadership roles in financial services, technology, professional services, education and not for profits.

He has been asked to speak to leadership teams and their organizations about the importance of clarity to create change, how to embrace the digital economy and the role values play in the achievement of your purpose.

People who have worked with Oscar have a few things in common. They want to bring alignment to their work and life.

Once they have personal congruence, they very quickly accelerate their business and personal impact. Their energy and passions are now focused and they feel alive rather than distracted and frustrated. As a result, they achieve high impact outcomes aligned to their passions.

His podcast is now focused on the same material. He demonstrates his authority in and mastery of the space. This allows potential clients to experience what his coaching, mentoring and consulting is all about.

YOUR BUSINESS

If you would like some guidance refining the focus of your show and creating a plan to build a business around your podcast, grab my free show focus worksheet at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/focus.

This worksheet will help you gain some focus on your goal and strategy. It will help you start with the end in mind and then work backward into your content.

Download it today and let me know how I can help.

 

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

Steps To Develop Your Show Strategy – Episode 099

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Steps To Develop Your Show Strategy – Episode 099

Strategy

Developing your strategy involves determining how you will uniquely address each topic. Whether you are presenting information, answering questions or interviewing guests, there are many ways to address each topic. You do not need to do it the same way every other podcast does it. Be unique. Find the way that will stand out.

If you are interviewing, do you need to ask the same questions that every other podcast asks? What if you play a game with each guest called “The Hat of Forbidden Questions”. It’s a hat filled with crazy questions. You simply reach in the hat, pull out a question and ask whatever is on the card. The method is completely different than every other podcast. This approach will also generate unique answers while engaging your guest in a unique manner.

Here is a tip many people forget. This is show business. You could play “The Hat of Forbidden Questions” and never even have a hat. You could have a list of crazy questions for your guest written out and simply pretend to reach into a hat. This is show business. You are here to entertain.

Do you think the actors in “Seinfeld” or “The Sopranos” ad lib their lines? Of course not. Do you find it less entertaining when they follow the script? Of course not. There is no reason you cannot add a little show biz to your show.

Just be sure to always be true to the show. If you are going to pretend there is a hat, you MUST ALWAYS pretend there is a hat. Giving up the showbiz secret will ruin everything. On the other hand, you could really have a hat and have a ton of fun with it.

Determine how you will approach each topic. Will you play audio examples? Will you play voice messages from your listeners? Are you going to read e-mail? Maybe there is a guest contributor. Determine each approach before the show begins.

Once you have your list of topics, develop a strategy to uniquely approach each of those topics. Be original. Stand out from the crowd. Know how you will handle each topic before your show begins.

Questions

Here are a few questions to help you begin.

What are you passionate about?
What are your unique qualities?
What topic tends to occupy most of your conversations?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Use these topics to define a focus for the show.

Complete this sentence: I help ___ do ____ so they can ____.

Many online marketers use this sentence to define their purpose and focus. You can do the same.

You can find these questions on the Show Focus Development Worksheet in the free Worksheet series online at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

I would love to help you with your podcast. E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com.

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.