Tue, 30 September 2014
Summary
On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Michael Stelzner, founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar social media blog called Social Media Examiner. Michael also hosts one of iTunes most popular business podcasts and was once known as the King of White Papers. Listen to this episode to learn how Michael propelled his way to success using the power of relationship building!
Main Questions Asked - Why is it so important early on to build relationships? - How did building relationships help you grow Social Media Examiner so fast? - What is your take on why it is important to leverage multiple content platforms? - Do you think that using your personal brand hurts or helps people when trying to get noticed? - How frequently should you post on Facebook and Twitter and what is the etiquette?
Key Lessons Learned
Relationship Building - People like to work with people they know, like, and trust - Build relationships with the right people way in advance - We all have something of value to other people. If we can figure out what they need and help with that, that can become a profitable relationship for both parties - Just asking someone for an interview (or favor) doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need to offer value first without asking for anything in return.
Content Marketing - Be realistic about the time you have as a business owner and what you will spend that time doing - In the beginning choosing one platform such as podcast, video or written is okay but in the long run you should diversify - Remember that there are different kinds of people that are interested in consuming different types of content - On average people spend 1-3 minutes reading a blog post and generally only skim the content (more time is spent consuming other formats) - As your business gains momentum it is worthwhile experimenting with more than one form of content marketing
Branding - There is a difference in being the spokesperson for the brand and the brand itself (personal branding vs spokesperson for the brand) - Not everybody might like ‘you’ as the person if you are the brand which means you may lose business - If you are not the ‘brand’ itself then people have the opportunity to rally around the business identity and not you - When it comes to selling, it is easier to sell a non-personal brand - As a personal brand the challenge is when you get to the point where everybody wants a piece of you and you can’t grow your business
Social Media Posting Guidelines - As an example; Social Media Examiner posts 5-7 times a day on Facebook, 20-30 times on Twitter and publishes 10 articles a week (Keep in mind that SME is a publisher) - Before posting or setting a schedule, ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish? - Posting content is about what your audience finds interesting and what you find acceptable - Post interesting content that people find of value 2-3 times a day (non promotional.) If that works increase the frequency and monitor for negative consequences then adjust - Lists come in handy as a way to privatize your content into sub groups
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!
Links to Resources Mentioned
Social Media Marketing (Podcast) Solopreneur Hour with Michael O’Neil Nuclear Chowder Marketing Podcast
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The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic
Direct download: Rhodes_To_Success_Episode_003_Michael_Stelzner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT |
Mon, 29 September 2014
On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Adam Hommey, founder and creator or Help My Website Sell and The Business Creators Institute. Adam’s focus is on helping you emancipate the power of information by converting more social media fans and followers. His goals is to turn website visitors into prospects and customers by simplifying your internet marketing technology. In doing this, you can get more customers, make more money and make a bigger difference. If you want to know how 1 hour of content can be used in 22 ways then you need to listen to this podcast!
Main Questions Asked - How did you end up founding Help My Website Sell? - What are web conversions? - What does multi-purposing and content marketing have to do with web conversions? - What is the model where 1 hour of content can be used 22 different ways? - What kinds of entrepreneurs have you had a lot of success with?
Key Lessons Learned - When you want to take things to the next level its important to invest and implement systems to increase conversion rates
Web Conversions - When people who visit your web pages do what you want them to do - Sign up for your webinar, product for sale and buy it, register for your event, comment on your blog, listen to a podcast are some examples of actions taken - Just getting traffic to your website is not effective, you actually need visitors who are prequalified, prepped and pumped - Prequalified- addressing the right people - Prepped- when click on link they know what to expect - Pumped- they are excited to be there so they are waiting for page to load to take action - It will take an average of 9 months to a year before someone contact you after they first hear about you
One Hour of Content Used Twenty Two Ways
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!
Links to Resources Mentioned
The Dream Business Coaching (Jim Palmer)
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The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic
Direct download: Rhodes_To_Success_Episode_002_Adam_Hommey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT |
Thu, 25 September 2014
On this episode of Rhode to Success I interview Jared Easley, the bestselling author of Podcasting Good to Great; How to Grow your Audience through Collaboration. Jared is the host of Starve the Doubts and the man behind America’s only national podcasting conference; Podcast Movement. If you’ve ever thought of starting your own podcast or want to know a few insider tips then this is the episode for you!
Main Questions Asked
- What is the music you use on your podcast? - How does building rapport with your listeners help build relationships with them? - What are some things you did early on in your podcast that helped you build a strong audience? - What is the podcast co-hosting strategy? - Talk about the power of mentioning people’s name on a podcast - How can speaking at attending live events grow relationships?
Key Lessons Learned
Music - You can purchase stock music for your podcast, but it will be widely used - Another alternative is to utilize local bands’ music which in turn helps promote them too
Early days of your Podcast
- Allow yourself permission to not be great when you start out podcasting - Embrace your invisibility when you are starting your new idea. This is your chance to practice and improve. - Focus on the people you are trying to serve and ask yourself “how do I get to know them and how do I develop a rapport?” - If you want to get noticed online one of the best strategies is to start noticing (sharing) other peoples’ content who are in your target. This develops a rapport and synergy. - Check in (share) on a consistent basis with several people - Over time rapport generates reciprocity - You don’t have to have the best equipment, guests, and performance straight away just start doing recording podcasts - Perception is reality so just fake it till you make it
Benefits Podcasting with a Co-host
- There are different formats of podcasts; monologues, panels, interviews, and podcasts featuring co-hosts - You can grow your network by inviting people on your podcast as a guest - Think about how you can make people feel appreciated and share their story (how do you make it about them?) - Helping other people get what they want helps you get what you want - Building relationships doesn’t have to always be affiliate marketing, you can just genuinely help others
Mentioning People in your Podcast
- An on-air mention is a simple free strategy with big impact - Ask yourself: “who are the people that would appreciate my mentioning them?” - The best people to mention are the people in the ‘trenches’ and your target audience who wouldn’t usually get a mention - A mention is a powerful way to get people excited and build rapport - You can make somebodies day just by mentioning their name in your podcast
Speaking at and Attending Live Events
- Proximity is power - When you are communication in person with someone you have a richer dynamic in your relationship connection - Find unique ways to go to events or local Meetups - Everyone loves a prize no matter what the speaking engagement
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes!
Links to Resources Mentioned
Tankia Dakka - The Garage Party
The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic |