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On this episode of Rhodes to Success I answer the question I often get from my clients who are guests on other shows: “Ok, Jessica, I really like being a guest on podcasts and I want to start a podcast! How do I do it?”

This episode is not about how to edit a podcast or use a mixer. This episode is for the entrepreneur or business owner who wants to add podcasting to their marketing platform, and doesn’t want their podcast to take up all their time.

 

Why being a guest is easier:

1. The startup costs for a guest expert are very minimal compared to hosting your own show.

2. You can learn what it’s like to speak behind a mic and get ideas for your future podcast.

3. You have the opportunity to build an audience before you start your own podcast.

4. You can perfect your content as a guest expert, so know what you want to focus on with your own podcast.

 

Part 1: The stuff you do once, before you launch

1. Come up with a name for your podcast
2. Write the show description and get clear on your target listener
3. Get podcast artwork designed
4. Come up with a list of roughly 10 topics that you will address in your show, that way you don’t get stuck on what to talk about or who to interview. Instead of coming up with a list of people you want to interview, come up with topics and find people who can help teach those topics.
5. Audio branding and/or a voice over for the intro and outro. This is not necessary but a lot of podcasters do want this for their podcast.
6. Submit your show to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and iHeart radio.
7. Get an account with a media host like Libsyn.com
8. Hire an editor, like Podfly.net.

 

Part 2: The stuff you do every week.

1. Book guests

If you want to have a successful, well-respected and highly recommended podcast, then you need to make it super easy for your guests to get booked and scheduled! After all, if your guests enjoy their experience not only during the interview but before and after the recording, they’ll become a raving fan and brand ambassador for your podcast.

First, make sure your ask is clear and specific and they have an understanding of what you want to talk to them about during the interview. A confused guest is a frustrated guest!

Next, make the scheduling process super easy. I recommend using a scheduler like Schedule Once. However, sometimes guests will not want to use a software and prefer a more personal touch. Never hesitate to call them and schedule a time manually.

Ask your guest for only what you need, not everything you want. Request the contact info you will need the day of the interview (skype name and back up phone number), a brief bio or preferred intro, headshot, and any preferred suggestions or talking points. Communicate the fact that you ask for talking points so that you can steer to conversation to focus on the topic that will best spotlight them!

If the guest doesn’t schedule within 2 business days, or they don’t send you their info, send a friendly reminder and follow up. Chances are they forgot!

Send a confirmation email before the recording with whatever info they need to be prepared for the interview (your questions, your skype name), and most importantly, connect on social media and start building a relationship.

 

2. Prepare for your interviews

There are two schools of thought with interview prep:

• Going in with no prep and having a completely organic convo
• Or doing a ton of research on the guest so your questions are super unique and tailored

Either way is fine; just avoid having a scripted show flow that doesn’t change from guest to guest

Save to Dropbox

• Your editor and edit and publish it
• Your assistant can write show notes
• Your assistant can create a show graphic and promote it on social for you.

 

3. The last thing you must do is commit and be open to change. Your artwork may change, your audio branding may change, the format may change. That is all okay. Just don’t give up!

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 

This episode of Rhodes to Success I reveal the top ten tools I use to run my online business, stay connected with my team, and work efficiently. I also cover how to use these tools to implement the blueprint for podcast interview success.

 

Key Points:

 

1. Google For Work

 

E-Mail

• This is the business account for Google.
• It’s easy to set up email addresses.
• You use Gmail as your email but there’s no lag time.

 

Google Drive

• This is an easy an inexpensive way to arrange client files.

 

2. Highrise

• This is a CRM (Customer Relationship Management software)
• This is under the Basecamp umbrella.
• Each client has a profile.
• Within a profile you can add tags e.g prospect.
• This can be linked to a Google Drive folder.
• There isn’t as much storage for MP3 or PDFs.
• The user interface is solid.
• $20 month.

 

3. BaseCamp

• Project management software.
• This is used for each client’s podcast.
• The client can have access to their Basecamp project.

 

4. Slack

• Instant messaging for the team.
• Separate and group channels.
• Has phone tool.

 

5. Voxer

• Great for verbal communication.
• Walkie talkie app.
• Sends voice messaging.
• Good for quick notes.
• There is free version and the paid version has broadcast chat.

 

6. Meet Edgar

• Self-filing social scheduler.
• This provides constant steams of Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Excellent for evergreen content.

 

7. DropBox

• Cloud-based storage.
• Means you don’t have to save anything on your computer hard drive.
• Folders are sharable to enable others to have access.
• Accessible anywhere online.

 

8. Zoom

• Video conferencing.
• Has webinar feature.
• Can record calls.
• Multiple people on call via video.
• People can call in and just be on audio not video.

 

9.  Ring Central

• Can set up extensions for team member.
• App allows you to call from it.
• Can record calls.
• Allows for text messages.
• Phone messages are sent through via email on MP3.

 

10. Skype

• Must have for online business and podcast interviews.
• Only the highly trained ear will hear the difference between a double-ender call versus a call recorded on Skype.

 

How to use these tools to implement your blueprint for podcast interview success.

 

Google Spreadsheets

• This is a great way to track interviews.
• Put in the host name, email, mailing address, when the interview is recorded.
• Can be updated in real time.
• More than one person can access the sheet at the same time.

 

Resources Mentioned:

HiRise

Basecamp

Slack

Slack Video (Interview Connections TV)

Voxer

Meet Edgar

DropBox

Zoom

Ring Central

Skype

 

Subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

 

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 

In order to see results from your podcast, you need to have a clear goal and a reason that you are podcasting. If you don’t, you won’t know how to track and measure your results. On this episode of Rhodes to Success, I talk with real-life podcasters about their podcast goals as hosts and featured guests.

 

Key Points:

Goals

• There is a difference between having a ‘goal’ for your podcast and having a ‘reason’ you are podcasting.
• If you don’t have a clear goal, you can feel directionless.
• When you are podcasting for your business, it is important to have specific goals around getting your listeners, as well as the person you are interviewing.

 

S.M.A.R.T Goals

• S: Specific
• M: Measurable
• A: Achievable
• R: Realistic
• T: Time-bound

 

Example Goals

Podcast Hosts

• Grow the audience.
• Make money doing what you love.
• Relationship building.
• Make a deep connection to help someone and offer value.
• Earn a listener’s trust.
• Learn from interviewees.
• Promote your own business.
• Grow your business and establish yourself as an expert. This is focusing on your exposure and level of authority.
• Market research through interviews, stories, anecdotal evidence.
• SEO.
• Empower others through vulnerability.
• Inspire, encourage, and motivate the audience.
• Make resources available.
• Longevity; podcasts exist indefinitely.
• Conversion tool.

Featured Guest

• Provide value.
• Give back and serve in advance.
• Fast track network building activity.
• Exposure for your book or business.
• Expand influence and audience reach.
• Build site authority by getting link-backs.
• Permanent content marketing asset that builds relationship through intimacy of being in people’s ears.

 

 

Goals for Podcast Interviews for A Business Owner

• When you podcast for your business, it is important to have specific goals around getting new listeners, people on your list, and the relationship with the person you are interviewing.
• Contact host for a free session.
• Be informative, put the interviewee at ease, and ask questions.
• Bring value to the listener and enlighten them in some way.
• Promote the business and profession.

 

My Goals

• I don’t have S.M.A.R.T. goals as mine aren’t time-bound.

 

Having a Podcast

• The reason is to provide answers to frequently asked questions from my clients.
• My target market is my clients, so I send specific episodes to individual clients when I think it will be of value to them.
• When clients see success with podcast interviews as a host or a guest, they stay as a client longer.

 

Doing Interviews

• I interview my clients instead of guests on the show.
• The stronger a relationship I have with my clients, the longer they will stay with the business.

 

Going on Shows as a Guest

• I go on other podcasts to build my network and have a low standard of entry.

 

Resources Mentioned:

BoomerIncomeIdeas.com

Betsypake.com

http://magicandsteele.com/

http://steeleempire.com/

http://greatbeeradventure.com/

http://podcastfiend.com/

http://jenteague.com/

http://innovationecosystem.com/

http://www.yourwaytova.com/

http://www.mattcundill.com/podcast

www.AuthoritySellingBook.com

www.MarketingHuddle.com

http://www.emiliocorsetti.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/butterflies-of-wisdom/id1060801905?mt=2

http://www.allaboutbreastfeeding.biz/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/life-gentleman-fashion-lifestyle/id1116526004?mt=2

http://rockyourretirement.com/

http://www.taramagalski.com/

 

 

Live Webinar: 

Text ‘rock’ 72000

Jessicarhodes.biz/webinar

 

Subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

 

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 

How do you make your podcast ‘look’ good? This episode of Rhodes to Success I’m joined by my Podcast Producers co-host Corey Coates. We discuss how to make your podcast look good through audio and show notes.

 

Main Questions Asked

• What makes a good show notes page and why should podcasters do show notes?
• What should be around the player and where should it be on the website?
• What are podcasters doing that make people not want to listen to them?

 

Key Points:

What Makes Your Podcast ‘Look’ Good

• Sound.
• Website.
• Show notes.

 

Audio

• The interview format is still the most popular in podcasting but has the worst sounding audio.
• How can one have he ease of recording a Skype call but have a higher quality sound output?

 

Show Notes

• Show notes provide a higher value to the podcast listener.
• For a lot of podcasters it feels like an extra expense and they don’t know why they spend money on it.
• You need to tell a listener what they are getting themselves into, should they decide to listen to a show.
• Outbound links makes it easier for listeners to go back and find what has been referenced on the show.
• Some podcast players have time stamped key takeaways so listeners can advance to specific sections of the show.
• Show notes should be complimentary to the brand, the voicing, and serve the listener.
• Not everyone wants to listen to a podcast but they still want the content that is taught.
• Show notes shouldn’t just be a teaser, they should relay the content.
• If you change your attitude to show notes you can make them part of your content marketing strategy.

 

Ask the Listener

• Podcasting is an insular industry.
• Podcasters talk to each other frequently but often leaves the listener out of the conversation.
• Ask the listener what they want. Not each other.
• The industry is moving toward putting together surveys and focus groups to ask the listeners what they think and want.
• Podcasters are starting to survey those who don’t listen to podcasts in order to understand how the show notes can better serve them. .

 

Podcast Player

• Never be ‘below the fold’.
• Your player should be on the front page at the top.
• Have a descriptive paragraph and embed the player followed by key takeaways.
• This needs to be highly visible for anyone who listens to podcasts.
• On your webpage add links to all the platforms for people to download and subscribe eg GooglePlay, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and iTunes.

 

Why People Aren’t Listening to You

• In general podcasters think that people are interested in every little aspect of their lives. We aren’t.
• Shows are successful because the host is entertaining and talented.

 

Resources Mentioned:

The Podcast Producers

Podfly Productions 

Trycast

Rogue Amoeba

ATR2100

 

Live Webinar: 

Text ‘rock’ 72000

Jessicarhodes.biz/webinar

 

Subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

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 

I am going to be recording an episode soon about what your podcast goals are. Please email me an audio recording sharing with me what your goal is for doing interviews! Just email me your audio clip to jessica@interviewconnections.com!

Should you advertise on podcasts? On this episode of Rhodes to Success, I chat with Jessica Kupferman, owner of the JKM Agency. We talk about what podcasting agents do, the costs of advertising, live reads, what stats to ask for, call to action, exclusivity, and when to expect results.

 

Main Questions Asked:

• How do you make sure the podcaster doing the live read is doing your business justice?
• Is it appropriate to ask people for their download numbers when considering advertising on a show?
• How do you ensure the podcaster is doing everything they promised?
• What does an agent do?
• What kind of call to action should the ad read have?
• How long do I have to wait until I see results of advertising on podcasts?
• Should I want to be the only sponsor on a podcast with exclusivity in mind?
• What success stories have you heard?

 

Key Points:

Content Marketing

• Getting interviewed on podcasts is a great way to grow your business.
• Content marketing strategy is where you put out free and actionable content people can use and implement in their business.
• This attracts people, as they want to ‘hang’ with you and can become clients.
• This can include blogging, videos, podcasts, emails, and newsletters.

 

Direct Advertising

• This is advertising your services and products with the goal of getting people to buy.
• As a business owner, start thinking about advertising on podcasts.

 

Advertising on Podcasts

• Who is your audience, and where do they hang out?
• How much can you afford?
• A $500 per month show has 7-10K downloads per month.
• If you don't want to babysit your ad campaign, you need an ad agency.

 

Live Read Podcast Advertising

• The fear is putting your business message in someone else’s hands.
• Provide the host with live read copy points.
• It’s okay to ask someone their download numbers if you are considering advertising on their show.

 

What Stats to Ask For

• Audience.
• Downloads per month.
• Downloads per episode.
• Social media community reach (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Email).

 

Call to Action

• If the purpose is to get more sales, you need to mention the product, price, and coupon code.
• If it is brand awareness, a text call to action is effective.

 

How Long Until I See Results

• 70% of people are not in front of their computer when they are listening to a podcast. 
• The key to results is repetition.
• The advert needs to be played 3-5 in a row. 12 is a good campaign.

 

Exclusivity

• It’s okay to be one of a few, unless what you are offering is the same as the other advertisers on the show.
• At the most, podcasters aim for 4 adverts per show.

 

Resources Mentioned:

JKM Agency

Mobit

Midroll

School of Podcasting Interview

 

Live Webinar: 

Text ‘rock’ 72000

Jessicarhodes.biz/webinar

 

Subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

 

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