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Podcast

Better Interviews In Less Time – PTC 272

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Podcast interviews can eat up a lot of your time. Creating intriguing conversations requires many moving parts. In this episode, you get five steps that will help you save time creating your interview episodes.

Many podcast episodes I hear start with a generic question like, “Tell the audience a little about yourself.”

You can’t afford to slowly wade into an interview. Your audience isn’t going to wait around for a lot of useless background information. You have less than five minutes to make your listener want to hear the whole episode.

Start your interview with the strongest question you have.

If you would like help creating powerful interview questions, you can download my free “17 Ultimate Podcast Interview Questions” at PodcastTalentCoach.com/interview. These 17 questions can be customized for any interview and guest.

Podcast hosts tend to spend a lot of time researching their guests. They read the blogs and books. These hosts scour the guests’ bios. They will listen to previous interviews and learn all they can.

When you spend a lot of your time researching your guests, you eventually suffer from the curse of knowledge. You forget what you didn’t know when you started. You forget what the listener doesn’t know. That creates a gap between your questions and the listener’s knowledge.

I was on a call with a coaching client the other night. We were working to develop a plan for his podcast production. He feels like he spends a lot of time scheduling and preparing for the interview. Then, he spends a lot of time conducting the interview. Finally, there is a lot of time spent on editing, posting and promoting the episode, only to do it all over again for the next show.

He and I talked about his process and where he might save some time creating these interview episodes. As we laid out the plan, I realized that many podcasters could save time creating their interviews by focusing the same five specific areas.

Let’s go through each of them to cut your episode production time in half.

RESEARCH

1. Know the one thing

Your listeners will remember one thing about your episode. As much as we hope they remember the whole story, all of the details or the full list of 25 tips, your listeners remembers the moral of the story. The one thing.

Rather than spending hours researching your guest, decide why you want her on your show in the first place. It could be she created a new hack, she have a unique process, or she was the first person to do something. Maybe she made $100,000 in her first year of coaching and we want to know how.

This will save you a ton of time researching your guest. We don’t have time in the interview to tell their life story. Your listener isn’t tuning in to get her life story. Your listener should benefit in some way by listening to your conversation. Determine what that benefit is. Then, deliver.

PREPARATION

2. Prepare 3 to 5 powerful questions

You will probably use 3 questions.

Once you figure out the one thing you want your listener to take away from your conversation, decide what questions help tell that story.

You won’t need a whole list of questions. You only need a few. These questions should help your guest tell their story. Stories are much easier to remember. Teaching through stories is very powerful.

Ask great questions that help your guest tell stories with great details. Make it memorable.

My list of “17 Ultimate Podcast Interview Questions” is all about telling stories. All 17 questions help you set your guest up to look great and engage your audience.

THE INTERVIEW

3. Listen and ask great follow-up questions

Help your guest tell their story and get to the one thing.

Use the curiosity of a listener – ask what they would ask.

Now that you have your 3 questions, ask and listen.

This is where you avoid the curse of knowledge. Because you haven’t done hours of research, your curiosity will kick in. You will now begin asking questions that your listener is asking in his head.

These 3 questions will walk your guest right down the path of telling her story. You might use 3 questions in chronological order. Where did she start? What did she learn? Where does she go from here?

You might use a “struggle to success” framework. “What did life look like before the breakthrough?” “When did you realize the breakthrough?” “What is life like now?” “How can I do the same thing?”

Among the primary questions, you will sprinkle in follow-up questions that refine the story. These will be questions like, “How did that happen?” or “What do you mean by that?” or “How did that feel?”

When you are listening like a listener, you are more engaged. Your listener is more engaged. Your guest is more engaged. Everybody wins.

The best part, you just saved a bunch of research time.

EDITING

The last two areas deal with editing. There are two thing you can do to save a lot of time when it comes time to edit your show.

4. Leave large gaps of silence to speed up editing

When you leave large gaps of silence, you can easily find those edit points by simply looking at the waveform.

Before you start the interview, tell you guest to feel free to stop and begin answering a question again. But if they do, you would like them to pause for five or ten seconds. This will help with editing.

You should also tell them you will do the same if you need to start over with a question.

This not only helps with editing, it puts your guest at ease. They will rarely use this option. Their answers will be much stronger, because they aren’t as concerned about messing up.

5. Leave the ums and thinking silence in the conversation

When you leave in the “ums” and short bursts of silence, you let your listener fill in the blank and predict the answer. This makes the interview much more enjoyable and engaging for your listener.

Leaving these in also makes the interview sound more conversational. People use “um” and bits of silence in everyday discussions. They should be part of your conversations as well. You should only be concerned if the “ums” are distracting or the silence becomes too long.

Silence is a powerful attention grabber. When people hear silence in audio, they automatically pay attention, because it is unusual.

When you don’t spend so much time trying to find and remove all of these little nuances, you will save amazing time editing your show.

SAVE TIME

There are five areas that can save you hours every week when you are creating your podcast interviews. Give them a try and let me know how much time you save.

Download the “17 Ultimate Podcast Interview Questions” at PodcastTalentCoach.com/interview.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

Podcast

How To Structure Your Podcast – PTC 261

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So many people feel structure will take away the opportunity to create and be spontaneous. My degree in architecture and career in radio proves that many people are very creative within a framework and structure. The framework actually gives your creativity focus. Focus is exactly how a show clock for your podcast benefits you.

A show clock is basically where your elements will fall during the episode.

LATE NIGHT

Think of a late night talk show. They have the opening skit. It is followed by the show open. The host is introduced and he does his monologue. That might be followed by some sort of skit or short. The host then interviews two or three guests. Maybe a band plays to close the show. Finally, the credits roll.

That format would be a show clock. Now, on each episode, the team simply fills in the parts. What is in the monologue? Do we have a skit or bit tonight? Who are the guests? Who is the band? Do we need to make room for anything else?

The show clock and grid provides the continuity and comfort for the viewer or listener while still allowing the host and team to be creative.

We need a skit on the show tonight. Is it going to be viewer letters, karoke or man-on-the-street? Maybe Dan wrote something new that we can add in. You have the framework. It is now up to you to design within that framework.

ARCHITECTURE & RADIO

When I tell people that I have a degree in architecture, but have spent my entire career in radio, they look at me like I have two heads. How does architecture turn into radio? They are nothing alike.

Actually, architecture and radio are quite similar. To be successful in either discipline, you need to be both creative and analytical at the same time. In architecture, you are given a set of requirements in which to use your creativity.

The architecture client might say, “We need a 2-story clubhouse for an exclusive golf course, along with 2 tennis courts, a pool, a dining room that seats 200 yet can be divided, and a garage to store the golf carts.” Now, go create.

The radio client might say, “We are opening a new location out west. We need to attract people there in the first two months. We need a commercial that stands out from the other stores in our industry.”

Or the boss might say, “We need to attract as many listeners to our morning show while still playing 8 songs an hour. You need 3 traffic reports, 10 minutes of commercials and 2 weather reports. Be funny.”

How do you get it all in? You create a framework that helps you focus on the important information that will move the needle and help you be successful.

If you have a podcast that is serving as a marketing tool for your business, you need to make sure you have carved out time to market your business while still entertaining the audience.

We are going to compare how four podcasters structure their show around their business. They entertain and provide useful, valuable information while still attracting clients to their business.

SCHOOL OF PODCASTING

Dave Jackson – School of Podcasting – Sells podcast consulting and a membership – podcast is 43 minutes.

:00 – Episode tease

:15 – Recorded open jingle

:23 – Dave introduction of the podcast

:58 – Dave episode introduction

1:30 – Promote the deal at the website

2:00 – Topic 1

20:00 – Question of the month

25:00 – Membership promo

25:15 – Book recommendation

26:00 – Final answer to question of the month

27:45 – Next question of the month question

30:00 – Topic 3

37:09 – Topic 4

41:25 – Tease for next episode

42:30 – Show close

42:45 – Outtakes

NATURAL BORN COACHES

Marc Mawhinny – Natural Born Coaches – Sells consulting for coaches – Podcast is 29 minutes.

:00 – Before we start the show – 10 Clients in 90 Days program

:30 – Recording intro to the show

1:00 – Marc’s introduction of the episode and guest

1:45 – interview begins

26:00 – Where can people find the guest?

26:50 – Recap of the guest

27:05 – Recorded close

ARMANI TALKS

Armani Chowdhury – Armani Talks – Sells soft skills coaching – Podcast is 8 minutes.

:00 – Armani introduction of the podcast

:20 – Today’s episode introduction

1:00 – Topic 1

7:40 – Lesson from today

8:05 – Call-to-action

8:25 – Show close

READING WITH YOUR KIDS

Jedli – Reading With Your Kids – Sells marketing services for children’s books – Podcast is 33 minutes.

:00 – Recorded introduction

:05 – Jedlie’s podcast introduction

:40 – Jedlie’s show introduction

:45 – RWYK Certified Great Read promo

1:45 – Guest introduction

2:00 – Interview

29:25 – Plug guest’s contact information

30:10 – Interview wrap

30:30 – Tease of next episode

30:45 – RWYK Certified Great Read promo & plug

32:08 – Thank of people that make the show possible

32:26 – Host show close

32:40 – Recorded close

YOUR CLOCK

Whether your show is 8 minutes long or 43 minutes long, it needs a show clock. You need to remind yourself to promote your business. You also need to schedule where and how that will happen.

That is where a show clock comes in. The clock helps you schedule the various parts of your show. My Podcast Talent Coach Show Clock Worksheet will help you put it all together.

Get my show clock worksheet at PodcastTalentCoach.com/clock.

 

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

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

How Much Work Is Podcasting? – Episode 180

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How Much Work Is Podcasting? – Episode 180

Podcast Workflow
Copyright: pixelbliss / 123RF Stock Photo

Many new podcasters getting into the space do not realize the amount of work it takes to create a show on a regular basis. A 30-minute episode doesn’t necessarily mean 30 minutes of work. So, how much work is podcasting?

Recently, I was contacted by a podcaster for coaching. He wanted help refining his podcast process. He was spending eight hours every week producing his show. This was a podcast that was 45- to 60-min long.

We started working through his work flow. We found that he was being more meticulous than he needed to be. He was spending a lot of time on things that didn’t move the needed.

As we talked about his process, we broke it down step-by-step. There were a few things we eliminated to streamline the process and save time. We were able to take the production time from 8 hours to 2.5 to 3 hours each week.

START SLOW

Podcasting takes a lot of effort. Be prepared to do a lot of work to create a powerful, consistent show.

Develop a process you can follow on a regular basis. You need to use a schedule and be consistent.

Start slow. If you publish one show a week and realize you have more to say, increase your output. You can always go from 1 episode to 2 episodes a week.

Don’t start with a daily show. You will find it difficult to keep up. Your show will fade away.

Start slow to figure out who you are, what you’re doing and where you’re going.

IT TAKES WORK

Let’s take a look at everything it takes to create a podcast each week. Then, we’ll figure out how to trim down the time it takes.

ONE-TIME EVENTS

(Get the FREE Podcast Talent Coach Worksheet Library HERE.)

  • Decide on the overall subject matter of your podcast. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Show Development Worksheet.
  • Define your target audience. Use the Listener Development Worksheet.
  • Create a clock for your show. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Show Clock Worksheet.
  • Review each of these often to keep your show fresh.

EACH EPISODE

  • Determine your topic. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Topic Development Worksheet.
  • Arrange your interview if necessary. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Interview Checklist.
  • Prepare your show notes. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Show Prep Worksheet.
  • Record your show.
  • Edit the audio and add post-production elements.
  • Post your show.
  • Share the episode.
  • Market your podcast. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Traffic Worksheet.
  • Review your show. Use the Podcast Talent Coach Show Review Worksheet.

 

FREE WORKSHEETS

You can get all of the worksheets for FREE in the Podcast Talent Coach Worksheet library HERE.

WORKBOOK

If you would like help walking through each worksheet, use the Podcast Talent Coach Workbook HERE. This book will take you step-by-step through each worksheet explaining each part of the process in great detail.

COACHING

Would you like one-on-one help? Let’s do it together. You can have me take you through the process with my personal coaching. You can find those coaching details HERE.

 

Imagine how much work you can save with a little help. Let’s talk.

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

Creating Consistency – My Podcast Workflow – Episode 166

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Creating Consistency – My Podcast Workflow – Episode 166

Podcast Workflow
Creating consistency with content using a podcast workflow

How do you find time to record your podcast? Consistency is an important part of building an audience. This week, I thought I would share my podcast workflow to help you create more consistency with your show.

Before we begin, I want to share with you two things.

First, I launched a Facebook group last week for podcast interviews. If you conduct interviews on your podcast, join our group here:

[PODCAST TALENT COACH INTERVIEWING FACEBOOK GROUP]

We are helping each other find great guests and become better interviewers.

Next, I received a great e-mail from one of my coaching clients. This shows the power of taking action.

Erik,

I’m listening to the episode on how to get guests while driving home last night. As u go thru each tip, I say “yeah yeah yeah” until u said those magic words “make the ask short and offer something of value to the guest” and it was like a lightening bolt.

I pulled off on the side of the road and messaged a top-of-the-food-chain guest I’ve been chasing w no results for a while ,,,,,, and said, “Hey I have an opportunity to highlight your vision (something I know he is pushing) and if u can give me a 30 second sound bite I can record it and put it out.”

It worked. I got the clip today and a commitment for an interview As I reflect on it, I’ve been trying to impress him w how good my podcast is instead of figuring out what he needed so I could offer that thing of value.

One of your most important messages is of being a servant of guests and listeners and giving the something. Thanks Erik.

Rick Sizemore

VR Workforce Studio

Regardless of the information and training I provide you, none of it will matter unless you actually put it to work.

That is why I love working with Rick and his co-host Anne. When I make recommendations to them in our coaching sessions, they put the suggestions into effect and see results. They do the work. I’m so proud of them.

If you would like information on my coaching services, get details here.

[PODCAST TALENT COACH COACHING SERVICES]

Now, let’s talk about your podcast workflow and consistency.

Many podcasters will post episodes consistently. Then life will get in the way causing them to miss a few. They will then get back on track.

When this inconsistency happens, they will often reach out to me wondering why they cannot get their downloads to grow.

Listening is a habit. Help your listeners to develop that habit.

THE BENCHMARK

Have you ever listened to a radio show where they do a bit at the same time every day? You know you are on time on the way to work if you hear the game or joke or trivia question when you are at the corner of 16th and Broadway.

In news radio, the network news typically airs right at the top of the hour. These stations sometimes do “traffic on the tens”, where they air the traffic report every ten minutes at ten past, twenty after, etc. Morning shows on music stations might play their contest every morning at 7:20, creating consistency on the show. The station might do a lunchtime feature playing nothing by 80s music.

In radio, we call these a benchmark. The definition of a benchmark is a standard or point of reference against which things can be compared or assessed. When the radio feature happens at the same time each day, that is the point of reference for the show.

The benchmark tells listeners they are in the right spot at the right time. It becomes a habit, because listeners are listening at the same time each day. The feature provides stability and consistency in the life of your listener.

Your show can do the same thing when you are consistent. Listeners may not listen every Tuesday at 6pm when you post. However, they might listen every Thursday at 7am on their way to work, because they know a new episode is there when they tune in. When you don’t publish, the promise and habit are broken.

To create consistency, I have found focus is critical. My podcast is the center of all I do. If I do not create the podcast episode, nothing else matters. Therefore, I have scheduled a specific time each week to record the podcast. I built my podcast workflow to streamline the process. If it doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t happen.

You should do the same thing. Schedule the time. Build your podcast workflow. Make it happen.

There is another step that helps me create consistency. I batch my recording. Each time I go into the studio, I record three episodes. This step also helps me work ahead just in case life gets in the way.

I use the podcast time during the weeks I am not recording to write the outlines for new episodes.

Let’s go over my podcast workflow for each episode. This will help you plan your episodes and schedule your time to record. Most of all, a plan will help you create consistency with your show and a habit for your listener.

A good rule of thumb is one hour of preparation for every hour of show. That involves gathering your information and outlining it for the show.

Once your show is recorded, you will probably spend another hour or two posting it and promoting it. If you want traffic, you need to spend most of your time promoting and marketing your content.

MY PODCAST WORKFLOW

  1. 60-second blog content plan
  2. Show prep planning worksheet
  3. Write the outline
  4. Topic development worksheet
  5. Develop the lead magnet
  6. Write the show notes
  7. Set up my studio
  8. Record the episode
  9. Edit the episode
  10. Add the ID3 tags
  11. Post the show to Libsyn
  12. Create the cover art for the episode using 123RF.com and Canva
  13. Post the show to my website
  14. Add the appropriate links
  15. Send out a broadcast to my list
  16. Share on Facebook and Twitter

If you wish to create more engagement and increase downloads with your podcast, begin focusing on consistency. Schedule your podcasts. Create a podcast workflow. Then, begin to market your show as much as you can.

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.

Podcast

Find Your Motivation – PTC Episode 048

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Find Your Motivation – PTC Episode 048

DSCN0108

Are you like me? There are times when I find it difficult to find the motivation to take myself to the studio and create a great show. Sometimes it is so much easier to stay on the couch and watch some television.

Just like an athlete, we sometimes just need to find a way to get fired up.

This week, I received this e-mail.

 

I have a podcast about fly fishing that has pod faded. Because I am a fly fisher I thought such a podcast would be ideal. But, it became so much work from pre-production, to post-production, to hitting the publish button on iTunes, that I stopped after 10 months.

I enjoyed interviewing the people on the podcast and the preparation, but quickly grew tired of all the other work it took to publish. 4-6 hours for a 1 hour podcast.

My current challenge is that I enjoy doing several recreational things, but I am not “passionate” about any of them. I just enjoy doing them.

Also, I did not have a product or service to sell and still do not. Since this is not a hobby for me, I want to make a good income from this.

I have purchased your book for my Kindle and am reading it now. I am considering consulting with you for an hour or two to move things along faster.

Right now I am re-grouping and figuring out what to do next and your podcast is a great help.

Thanks again for a great podcast.

Name Withheld

 

There are a few issues within this e-mail.

  • How do we find the motivation to fight through the blahs and record consistently?
  • How can we streamline our workflow to make better use of our time?
  • How can we do more of what we love and less of what we dislike?
  • How can we generate some income?

 

Motivation

Like most podcasters, I sometimes fight the blahs. Are you like me? Do you have those days where you could record for hours on end when you have the drive and you’re fired up?

Then, I experience those other days where I just cannot find the motivation to get into the studio. I feel alone. I wonder if anyone is actually listening.

There are a few ways to find the motivation.

Tips:

  • Find the time of day and day of the week that gives you the most energy.
  • Be consistent with the day and time of the week you record – schedule yourself.
  • Record a few episodes in one sitting to batch similar functions.
  • Always work a week or two ahead to ease the pressure to produce.
  • Have a back up episode in the can in case life happens.

 

Streamline the workflow

Tips:

  • Record a few episodes at one sitting. Setting up the gear takes time. Logging in, gathering material, getting to the studio, getting in the right frame of mind all takes time. You can perform the tasks once for multiple episodes when you put it all into one sitting. You could conduct one recording session per month for 6 hours and be done.
  • Minimize your editing by relaxing on the perfectionism.
  • Find the areas that eat up a lot of your time and remove or condense them.

 

Do What You Love

If you hate editing or creating show notes or posting the episode, farm it out. Use virtual assistants or production assistants. Make it easy on yourself.

 

Much of this costs money, so …

 

Generate Income

  •  What do fly fishers need?
  • Find something that is easy for you to create. Develop your product funnel. In this case, it could be location guides, gear guide, gear reseller, instruction tutorials, tours, travel coordinator, make your own flies.
  • Build different tiers for the funnel.
  • Michael Hyatt & Dan Miller did an interview about making $150,000 a year from your platform. Doing a podcast for 10 months creates a solid base. There is surely something in that niche that could be monetized. It simply needs to be uncovered.

 

This week:

  • Find the motivation to fight through the blahs & record consistently
  • Streamline the workflow
  • Do what you love
  • Build your funnel and begin to generate income

 

I’d love to help you with your podcast. E-mail any questions or comments you might have to Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com.

You can also find tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.