Build Your Online Audience

Instagram Stories is a fantastic tool you can use to attract your ideal customers/clients. But if you're not familiar with how it works, it can all feel a bit confusing.

In this podcast episode I explain how to use Instagram Stories to make more sales in your business, including what kind of content you should be sharing (and how often) and how to use quizzes/polls and other interaction functions to find people who are interested in your products/services. PLUS how to get your Instagram followers buying from your stories.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} What is Instagram Stories?

Instagram has three main parts.

1. Your main grid, where you can upload photos and short videos.
2. Stories - which appear in a bar at the top of your feed - where you can share short videos, pictures and images (each Story is a maximum 15 seconds). You can also add text, gifs, polls, quizzes and other interactive features. Instagram Stories content only last for 24 hours (but you can save your highlights).
3. IGTV - a long-form vertical video channel that is accessible from Instagram and as a standalone app

You can share your content between your grid, Stories and IGTV to get it in front of a wider audience.

What is Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories appear in a bar at the top of your feed. When there's something new to see on an account of someone you follow, you'll notice their profile photo will have a colourful ring around it.

To view someone's story, you simply need to tap on their profile photo, and their story will appear full-screen, showing you all of the content they've posted in the last 24hrs. The content will play in chronological order from oldest to newest.

Once you're viewing a story, you can tap to go back and forward or swipe to jump to another person's story. Unlike regular posts, there are no likes or public comments. Anyone who comments go straight into your DMs (direct messages). This can be a great way to build relationships with prospective customers/clients.

The great thing about Instagram Stories is that your content only lasts for 24 hours. This can be great if you're nervous about putting yourself out there. But you can save your best content as 'highlights' (more on that later).

How should the content you post in Stories differ from the content you post on your grid?

As with any social media, there is really no 'right' or 'wrong' way to do it, but my account is probably 'typical' of what most Instagram users do. The content on my grid is more 'curated' than my Instagram Stories and has a consistent aesthetic (i.e. I used the same brand fonts and colours). My Instagram Stories is a bit more 'rough and ready' - and often features 'behind-the-scenes' content that relates to my life and business.

What makes an engaging Instagram Story?

The clue is in the name: Story. And a story generally needs a beginning, a middle and an end. Or at least some kind of 'narrative' you can follow.

One of the most confusing things about Instagram Stories is that you'll often hear people talking about each individual image/15 second video clips as a 'story'. So for the purpose of this post, I'm going to refer to them as 'chapters' which make up a whole Story.

While there are no hard and fast rules on how long your Instagram Stories, should be, it's worth remembering that most people are scrolling through. So if your Story is too long and/or doesn't grab their attention in the first few moments, they'll scroll past and start looking at someone else's story. For this reason, I'd generally recommend creating putting together no more than about seven to ten individual 'chapters' to make longer Stories). However, with some Stories e.g. if you are talking to camera, you may need to make them a little longer.

Here are my tips for making them engaging.

1.Start with a question that introduces the theme of your Story and invites viewers to get in a conversation with you e.g. 'Are you thinking of launching a podcast in 2020?' 'Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?' or 'Here's my to-do list for today. What's the ONE thing you absolutely have to get done today?'You can use the question, polls or quiz function but keep it really simple. If people have to think too hard, they'll be far less likely to respond.

1. Use a variety of media within each Story e.g. video, photos, text, you talking to camera.
2. Keep your story visually interesting by using gifs and borders and stickers
3. Don't be afraid to ask more than one question in your story. This helps to keep viewers engaged.
4. Have ONE clear call-to-action at the end of each Story you create e.g. 'Swipe up to read' or 'DM me to find out more,.' Any more than one call-to-action and you may leave your viewers feeling overwhelmed.

How to sell in your Instagram StoriesThere is no big 'secret' on how to sell in your Instagram Stories. It's simply about getting your viewers involved in a conversation about the product/service you want to sell. And the key to starting sales conversations is to focus on the problem your product/service solves. This helps you identify those who already have the desire for your product/service.

So, for example, with my podcasting course How To Get Your Podcast Live in 60 Days, I might start my Story with a poll: 'are you interested in launching a podcast in 2020?'. Then I might share some information about the course before finishing up with a single call-to-action: 'Interested in finding out more? DM me for a link to the waitlist.' This gives me two opportunities to identify the key element that is needed for someone to make a purchase: desire. Then I can simply reach out to them and give them more information. And they're not going to feel uncomfortable about it - because they expressed their desire to start a podcast and/or their desire to find out more about my course.

Similarly with my 2020 Social Media Diary & Planner, I'll often start by asking a question e.g. 'Do you sometimes find it difficult to stick to a content plan?' Then I'll share some pictures/video of the diary - along with some text that summarises what's included. Then I'll give a single call-to-action e.g. 'DM me for the link to order'.

AsI have over 10k followers on Instagram, you might be wondering why I invite people to DM me, rather than just give them the link. This is because it initiates a conversation. If we're already chatting in the DMS, it's much easier for someone to raise a question/objection about the diary - which is far more likely to result in a sale. If I simply send them off to a link, I may never hear from them again.

Another powerful way to sell in your Instagram Stories is to share client/customer testimonials - ideally ones that address your most common objections. For example, if the most common objection you get for signing up for your online course/membership is 'I can't afford it' - share screenshots from clients telling you how much money they've made from implementing your strategies.

And do remember that you can use Stories to 'sell' anything - and not just your products/services. For example, you can use exactly the same process to get people involved in a conversation about your latest blog/podcast and create the desire for them to listen to it.

Dealing with objections in your Instagram StoriesIt's one thing creating a story about your product service with a call-to-action at the end. But if you really want to boost your sales, you need to create a series of Stories that address your ideal customers/clients objections. For example, one question I kept getting asked about my podcasting course was: 'how will having a podcast actually help me in my business?' So I polled my clients to find out how they found me. Most said they found me via my podcast, so I shared the result of that poll in my Stories.

I also asked some fellow podcasters how having a podcast had helped them in their business - and shared screenshots of their responses in my Stories. Their answers - which ranged from 'it's helped me make more money' to 'it's helped me get booked for more speaking gigs' are a powerful way to tackle that objection.

Even when you are tackling objections, it's still important to keep your Stories interactive. So when I was tackling that particular objection, I opened my story by asking viewers if they ever wondered what was the point of starting a podcast.

Using highlights to sell on Instagram Stories

Although Stories disappear in 24 hours, you can save them in the highlights section (just about your grid) and continue to make sales. For example, I have a highlight for my 2020 Social Media Diary & Planner, which features dozens of pictures of people using their diary, along with a video of me giving a tour of the diary. People often respond to this highlight and ask me questions e.g. 'Do you deliver to x country?' or 'what's the delivery time for y?" Because their responses go straight into my DMs, we are straight into a sales conversation.

For this reason, I'd recommend having a highlight section for your key products/services.

Podcast shownotes

Resources

Want to start your own podcast? Sign up for my podcasting course.

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast)[358] 13 ideas for engaging social media posts (podcast)[362] How to grow your Instagram to 27K- fast (podcast)[373] How to get more followers on any social media platform (podcast) [376] Lessons learned from 1 million downloads of my podcast (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram followers by 1K in 30 days (podcast) [381] How to use awareness days to create engaging content for your business (podcast)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Have you ever agonised over a social media post, or felt nervous and then deleted it or over-thought your post to the point where you don't post anything at all? Or maybe you've worried that it was a bit too personal? If you've ever struggled with overthinking what you post or worried about being judged for what you post then you need to listen to this episode.

Natalie Lue a recovering people pleaser, perfectionist and over-thinker explains how to bring more of yourself and your personality into your social media content without worrying about it. She explains how to find the essence of 'you' and what makes 'you-you'. She also explains how we can lose our personality in the content we create by over thinking and worrying too much about 'the rules'.

So if you'd love to have a potential client or customer say to you "Did you just read my mind?" And you want to know how to bring more of yourself AND your personality into your social media content and discover your 'secret sauce' then have a listen to this podcast episode.

This episode was recorded live at my content planning masterclass 2020Sorted. I'd love to know what you think…

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About Natalie Lue and her business (3:50)
• How Natalie changed her relationship with Instagram and started ignoring the rules (5:00)
• How Natalie has grown her Instagram after she started posting more as herself (8:10)
• How Natalie changed her approach to Instagram by returning to her core (11:06)
• How you can return to your core and find out what makes 'you - you' (14:55)
• Why you should use your own stories to create content that connects with people (19:15)
• How to work out what energises you and how to use that in your content (21:20)
• Why you need to think about your 'secret sauce' in everything that you create + share (23:42)
• How Natalie creates content that people can relate to (25:10)
• Why you should question the social media 'platform rules' and write your own (26:10)
• How to use your 'secret sauce' to enhance your content (29:01)
• How to bring more of your personality into your content and the question to ask yourself (32:44)

Resources

Want to start your own podcast? Sign up for my podcasting course.

[049] How to turn your blog into a business with Natalie Lue (podcast) [161] How to work with bloggers and influencers with Kat Molesworth (podcast)[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast)[358] 13 ideas for engaging social media posts (podcast)[362] How to grow your Instagram to 27K- fast (podcast)[373] How to get more followers on any social media platform (podcast) [376] Lessons learned from 1 million downloads of my podcast (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram followers by 1K in 30 days (podcast) [381] How to use awareness days to create engaging content for your business (podcast)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

If it's a dream or ambition of yours to start a podcast or launch a podcast in 2020 this podcast episode is for you. In this episode, I answer the many questions that I get asked all the time about launching a podcast.

So if you'd love to start a podcast but you're unsure of what equipment you need or how to host it and get it online or even get people to listen to it then this is a must-listen.

In this podcast episode, I share my practical actionable tips including how to choose a topic and why you should choose a niche to reach a larger audience.

Even if you're not planning a podcast and just a regular piece of consistent content then you'll still find this episode useful.

I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Why do you want to start a podcast?

Launching a podcast can be a big investment of your time, energy and money. Which is why it's important to get clear on why you're doing it. A podcast can be a great way to attract leads and sales for your business. For example, many of my clients start listening to my podcast way before they become a client.

However, you may have other aims - such as connecting with other influencers in your industry or raising your profile so you can land more speaking gigs or a book deal. If you're clear on why you want to start a podcast, it will be much easier to measure the potential return on investment for your business.

How to choose a topic for your podcast

Regardless of the topic, your podcast should solve a problem for your listeners. Solving a problem for people can simply be about entertaining people and/or making them laugh.

But for most business owners, this is generally about providing valuable information/discussion around a specific topic. For example, my podcast 'The Janet Murray Show' provides actionable tips and business/marketing advice - on topics ranging from Instagram marketing to creating a content calendar for your business to how to start a podcast for your business.

As with many things in your business, the more 'niche' and/or specific you can be, the better. Spend some time searching through the podcasts Apple and/or other podcasting platforms and you will be amazed what people have podcasts on.

For example:

• Pat Flynn - passive income
• Steve Folland - parents who freelance
• Bella Vasta - pet business owners

How to choose a name for your podcast

Once you've decided on a topic, it's time to choose a name for your podcast. I'd suggest picking a title that describes what your podcast is about.

For example, Employment Law Matters, the Smart Passive Income Podcast, the Property Development Podcast.

While it might be tempting to come up with something creative, this will make it easier for new listeners to find you. Ditto for individual episode titles.

Interview or solo show? How to choose a format for your podcast

There are no hard and fast rules about which is best: solo, interview or a mix of both. It really is down to you. It's also something you may need to test over time i.e. do your solo shows perform better than your interview shows. For example, I started off with a weekly interview but found my solo shows often performed better, so I gradually started to do fewer interviews and more solo shows.

How often should you put out a podcast (and how long should it be)?

Again there are no hard and fast rules about how often you should put out your podcast i.e. weekly, daily, monthly. This is really down to you.

If you're new to podcasting, creating a season of 6-8 episodes can be a much less daunting than launching a weekly or daily show. If your first season does well, you can always create another on a related topic and/or move to a regular show.

Your podcast can be as short or as long as you want. But if you're new to podcasting, starting with a 15-20 minute show might be easier.

How many episodes should you launch with?

If you listen to podcasts, you'll probably know that when you find a podcast you like, you often want to binge listen to other episodes. This is why it's a good idea to launch with more than one episode. But again, this will be dependent on a number of factors e.g. whether you're launching a weekly or daily show or a season.

Creating a content plan for your podcast

Once you've decided on the topic, frequency and length of your podcast episode, it's a good idea to make a content plan, setting out what you're planning to publish and when with draft titles.

What kind of equipment should you start with

If you're new to podcasting, it's best to keep it simple. And, as you don't know whether you're going to enjoy podcasting, I wouldn't recommend investing tons. I would recommend a simple set up. I would recommend a USB microphone like the Blue Snowball or Blue Yeti you can plug straight into your computer and a pop shield. These start at around £65. If you are recording solo shows, you can use Audacity - free software and Zoom/Skype to record interviews.

Where should I host my podcast?

You will also need to choose a place to host your podcast on the web (most podcast files are too big for websites). You will need to pay for hosting. This can vary depending on how much content you have, but I started off paying around $5 a month. Now it's around $25. Popular choices include: Buzzsprout, Spreaker, Blubrry and Libsyn.

Find out more about how to host your podcast: The Podcast Host

How to edit your podcast

You can edit your podcast yourself using free software like Audacity or you can outsource. Expect to pay at least £15-20 an hour for podcasting editing, but if you think about the value of a potential lead/enquiry, getting a professional to do this for you can be a much better ROI (return on investment) in the long run. You could also use a podcast maker like Alitu which helps you clean you your audio, add your intro and outro, edit out mistakes, edit and publish your podcast.

Depending on the format of your show, you may also need to source a voiceover artist for the intro/outro and/or copyright-free music. I found my voiceover artist on Fiverr. You might also want to try People Per Hour or Upwork. There are tons of sites you can use to source copyright free music but my favourite is Audiojungle.

Finding guests for your podcast

Introducing your listeners to interesting guests - people who are experts in a specific topic - can be a great way to add value.

The mistake many new podcasters make is thinking that having 'big name' guests is a great way to promote your podcasts. Actually the opposite is often true. Someone who already has a large audience is less likely to have the time or inclination to promote your podcast. A guest with a small but engaged audience may be much more inclined to tell the world about it.

When it comes to inviting guests onto your podcasts, the key thing to remember is that you are asking them to give up their time. So it's important to demonstrate what might be in it for them e.g. the chance to get in front of your listeners, social media followers, email list. If you have a small audience or you haven't started your podcast yet, it's best to be upfront about that but show how you will promote the podcast.

Doing interviews for your podcast

As with anything in your business, it's all in the preparation. The more you can prepare your guest for the interview - by sending over detailed instructions on how to prepare or join the call PLUS the questions you are likely to ask - the better the interview is likely to go.

It's generally better to use open questions e.g. 'can you tell us more about' or 'what did it feel like when…?'. This will encourage your guests to talk more freely and make your interview feel like a conversation rather than a question and answer session (which is exactly how it should be).

Preparing a list of questions is a good idea, but don't stick slavishly to your question list. If you let the conversation flow naturally, your interviews will sound a lot better.

Promoting your podcast

Unfortunately getting your podcast listed on Apple Podcasts (and other podcasting directories like Spotify, Acast, Google Podcasts and Stitcher) is not enough to build an audience for your podcast. You will also need to actively promote your podcasts via social media, your email list, Facebook messenger, Pinterest and any other marketing channels. There are also many things you can do to encourage your guests or listeners to share your podcast (such as creating branded, shareable artwork).

Most people vastly under promote their podcast because they're worried people will get sick of hearing about it. In reality, most people are far too busy getting on with their lives to notice you've already posted multiple times about your podcast - and appreciate the reminder.

Podcast shownotes

• What you need to ask yourself if you want to start a podcast (7:12)
• How to choose a podcast topic and why it needs to solve your client/customer's problem (9:16)
• Why you should niche your podcast to make it focused to reach more people (12:40)
• How to name your podcast and why you can change the name as you evolve (15:30)
• How to plan your podcast and decide on the format of your podcast (18:15)
• How often you should produce your podcast and launch with a good number of episodes (20:15)
• How to plan out your podcast episodes and create a content plan for your podcast (23:52)
• What equipment you need for your podcast and why you should keep it simple (24:40)
• What you can outsource to produce your podcast and why you should look at ROI (28:29)
• Where to host your podcast and why you actually need to host your podcast (30:30)
• How to prepare a podcast guest for an interview and why big-name guests can be a red herring (31:35)
• Why you need to promote your podcast and just having it listed on a platform isn't enough (34:57)
• Why you might want to join my new course 'Launch your Podcast in 60 days' (36:47)

Resources

Want to start your own podcast? Sign up to my podcast course with The Podcast host - Colin Gray

How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (blog) [080] Three must-do tips for pitching yourself as a podcast guest (podcast) [094] Seven steps to starting your podcast (podcast) [190] How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (and why you must do) (podcast) [253] How to land guest appearances on podcasts with Nicola Holland (podcast) [263] Why I changed the name of my podcast (podcast) [331] What it really takes to build an audience with John Lee Dumas (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [357] How to transform your Facebook page from ghost town to garden party with Bella Vasta (podcast) [376] Lessons learned from 1 million downloads of my podcast (podcast)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Want to know how to create content that really sells and how to ask the right questions that lead to sales and follow up with people in a non salesy way?

I interviewed business and marketing experts Andrew Pickering and Peter Gartland - aka Andrew and Pete at my recent live annual content planning masterclass 2020 Sorted. Andrew and Pete have spoken all over the world about content marketing, including Social Media Marketing World, Content Marketing World and the Youpreneur Summit and are ranked as one of the top 100 digital marketers in the world.

It's a great interview where they explain how to understand who your high intent customers or clients (hand raisers) are and how to create handraiser content that gets them to raise their hand. They share their strategies, tactics and tools that they've personally used to make sales in their business.

PLUS why thinking that sales are icky is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your business. If you'd love to know how to create content to make sales in your business then listen to this episode.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About Andrew & Pete who they are and what they do (4:03)
• Why thinking that sales are icky is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your business (5:06)
• Why you should create handraiser content and how to use it to make sales easier (7:15)
• How to create handraiser content and find out who your hand raisers are (9:50)
• How to get people to give you their email address without feeling icky (10:09)
• How to recognise clients/customers that are mid intent and high intent (12:08)
• How to get high intent clients by making them pre register for something (12:58)
• What is a high intent enquiry and how to do a really personal follow up (15:01)
• What is a mid intent enquiry and how to understand how interested they are (18:01)
• How to ask the right questions that lead to hand raisers that go on to make a sale (22:02)
• How to follow up with people and sell in a non icky way (23:42)
• Why getting a 'no' can help you sell more effectively to the people that will say 'yes' (25:15)
• How to win future sales by understanding people's objections (27:14)
• The five different types of handraiser content that you can use to make a sale (29:46)

Resources

Andrew and Pete

Andrew on Pete on Twitter

Andrew and Pete's YouTube channel

Vidyard

[179] How to get more eyes on your content with Andrew & Pete (podcast) [333] 39 Surprisingly easy ways to get people to open your emails (podcast) [335] How to create a highly converting lead magnet (podcast) [339] How to build an audience for an online course or membership (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [374] How to create a year's worth of content in one morning (podcast) [380] How to set goals for audience growth in 2020 and why you should (podcast)

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Would you love to know how to use awareness days to create engaging content for your business? In this podcast episode I explain how to use awareness days to create engaging relevant content that fits with your business and goals. If you've ever wondered how National Nothing Day or how to create content about The Golden Globes that can be applied to any business then have a listen as I explain how I would go about using them.

I explain the four types of content that you should be sharing, regularly on your social media accounts and how you can apply these to the awareness days that are relevant to you and your business.

I explain how to create content by asking yourself these two MAIN questions when thinking about how to use an awareness day:

• How is this day relevant to me and my business?
• How is it relevant to my audience?

If you'd love to know how to use awareness days to create content that's relevant to your business in an engaging way that will get people talking back to you (without overdoing the awareness days) then you'll love this podcast. I also tackle how you can use overly popular awareness days differently and how you can create content by saying what no one else is. PLUS how you can use awareness days to tackle the elephant in the room.

If you'd like to know how I would go about using some of the sillier sounding awareness days by using some lateral thinking and some examples of my own personal relatable stories then have a listen. I'd love to know what you think and do let me know how you'd use some of these awareness days.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

*The two MAIN questions to keep in your mind when thinking about how to use an awareness day and listening to this podcast

1. How is this day relevant to me and my business?
2. How is it relevant to my audience?

• How my experience in journalism inspired me to create the media diary (3:58)
• The four types of post you should use to get engagement (4:53)
  • 1 - 'I need to know this' content - content that's useful - tips and advice (5:16)
  • 2 - 'I know about that' content - content where you ask people a question about what's going on in your life or biz (6:05)
  • 3 - 'I know how that feels' content - content that people can relate to (7:26)
  • 4 - 'This is what I think' content - content that can divide people and can be opinionated (8:40)
• How often you should use awareness days and why you shouldn't use too many (11:17)
• Some examples of January awareness days and how you could use them (12:56)
• The *two questions you need to ask when creating content for awareness days (13:24)
• What questions to ask when you're deciding which piece of content to create (15:20)
• How to find inspiration if you are struggling for content ideas for an awareness day (16:40)
• How to create content for generic awareness days that can work for any industry (20:20)
• How to create personal relatable content and apply that to awareness days (22:26)
• How to think laterally about awareness days and make them relevant to you (23:30)
• Why you shouldn't use every single awareness day (27:25)
• How to stand out with popular awareness days by using them differently to others (33:55)
• Why everything is a content opportunity if you use the two questions and creative thinking (36:29)

Resources

[333] 39 Surprisingly easy ways to get people to open your emails (podcast) [335] How to create a highly converting lead magnet (podcast) [339] How to build an audience for an online course or membership (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [374] How to create a year's worth of content in one morning (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram followers by 1K in 30 Days (podcast) [380] How to set goals for audience growth in 2020 and why you should (podcast)

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Would you love to know how to set realistic social media and online audience growth targets? How much is enough? Or maybe you're thinking you don't need to grow your online audience and are happy with how it is?

Maybe if you can get the target number of clients that you need through your current networks or face-to-face networking of people that you already know then chances are you don't need an online audience.

BUT if you'd like to make online sales and grow those online sales and make money while you sleep then you definitely need an online audience and you need to set goals for the growth of that audience.

In this podcast I explain how to set audience growth targets for 2020 and how to work out how big your audience needs to be to achieve realistic targets. I'll also explain why you shouldn't just expect to rock up online, and solely focus on building your business on social media. The metrics you should be looking at in order to assess your growth and surprisingly maybe how engagement and comments are more important than actual follower numbers.

PLUS I'll also explain my "put out your fire first" strategy and why you need to follow up your hottest leads BEFORE embarking on your audience growth.

So if you'd like to look back at the end of 2020 and know that you've doubled your email list or tripled your social media following and hopefully your sales - then you really do need to listen to this podcast episode. I'd love to know what you think…

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• Why you need to know what growth you want to achieve and define your goal (5:17)
• Why your audience might need to hear from you multiple times before they buy (11:00)
• What metrics to track on social media and why engagement is more important than followers (13:25)
• Why you should be careful not to rely solely on social media for your audience (14:21)
• Why email marketing data is more reliable for predicting sales than social media likes (16:20)
• Why you should look at your social media and email marketing referrals to your website (18:42)
• Why you should analyse email lists and ask yourself if they are still your ideal client/customers (18:45)
• How to work out your audience growth rate and use your actual data to make sales predictions (19:36)
• Why it's so important to set targets to grow your audience (and why it'll motivate you) (21:03)
• What to do if you haven't really got an audience yet and how to try different growth strategies (23:34)
• Why you shouldn't worry about being on every social media platform (25:21)
• How to create a yearly content plan (and why you need to to achieve your growth) (26:21)
• How to use your yearly content plan to support your audience growth (30:34)
• Why you should focus on getting enough money into your business before you focus on your audience growth (31:30)

Resources

Janet Murray's Audience calculator

[333] 39 Surprisingly easy ways to get people to open your emails (podcast) [335] How to create a highly converting lead magnet (podcast) [339] How to build an audience for an online course or membership (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [374] How to create a year's worth of content in one morning (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram followers by 1K in 30 Days (podcast)

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

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Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Are you trying to grow your following on Instagram, but things aren't moving as fast as you'd like? Fed up with people telling you to "just post more pictures of yourself" to get more followers? But how do you know if that is actually what your ideal client or customers want to see? Would you love to know what to post on Instagram to REALLY get your clients or customers engaging with you?

If so you'll love my latest podcast episode in it, where I share three key strategies that I've used to grow my Instagram followers by over a thousand followers in the last 30 days. I look at three key strategies. What kind of content to share and how I went about making key changes to my Instagram content by creating content that my ideal clients or customers were interested in. I also share how often I'm posting and how to analyse what time you need to post to reach your followers.

I also explain how you can get your content shared so that it can go viral and why you shouldn't be afraid to be inspired by other people's content and how to go about sharing other people's content on your Instagram account to increase your following.

PLUS why you HAVE to experiment to see what type of content your audience likes and why you shouldn't feel a failure if your content flops.

And finally, I talk about hashtags and the strategies you can use to get the Instagram algorithm to show your posts to more people.

So if you're looking to grow your Instagram account, you definitely need to listen to this episode. I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• Why I decided to start focusing on growing my Instagram followers (3:10)
• How to find out what type of content your ideal clients/customers engage with on Instagram (6:13)
• Why you need to find out what type of content appeals to your ideal client/customer (08:01)
• Why you shouldn't worry if no one engages with your content (14:04)
• Why you need to focus on creating great content so that it gets shared (15:10)
• Why you should experiment with different formats for your images and text (17:13)
• How to research and find ideas for content to create by looking at other Instagram accounts (19:10)
• Why you should use other people's content for inspiration and how to share content (20:01)
• How to analyse Instagram posts to figure out what made them popular (23:20)
• Why you shouldn't worry if you don't have the skill or time to make your grid amazing (25:20)
• Why experimenting with posting times will help you to reach your ideal followers (26:28)
• How to find the time to really make a difference on your Instagram account (29:02)
• How to research Instagram hashtags and why the follower size of the hashtag matters (31:39)
• How to make the Instagram algorithm show your posts by using my hashtag strategy (33:15)
• How to analyse a popular Instagram post by looking at the comments rather than the likes (38:41)

Resources

@JanetMurrayuk Instagram @IamSamBearFoot Instagram

[378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [362] How to grow your Instagram following to 27K - fast with Chris Taylor (podcast) [353] How to grow your audience through Instagram Stories with Tyler McCall (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast episode) [093] How to use Instagram to promote your business with Sara Tasker (podcast)

Canva Graphic design tool

When to Post app (iOS)

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Preorder your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Mystified about hashtags? No idea where or how you should be using them on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter?

In this episode I demystify hashtags and give an introduction to how you can use hashtags to grow your online audience.

I share my strategy on how I have successfully been building my Instagram followers using specific hashtag strategies and how you can do the same by understanding how the Instagram algorithm shows your posts.

I also explain how you can use hashtags at events and how you can use them to reach journalists on Twitter and get press coverage for your business. PLUS how you can use hashtags on Instagram to find out what content to create for your audience.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Podcast shownotes

• What is a hashtag and how do they work on social media (2:00)
• How you can use other peoples hashtags to grow your audience (3:11)
• How to build a relationship with hashtags on social media (without being pushy) (5:29)
• How to use hashtags to follow, engage and understand your followers interests (6:58)
• How to use hashtags at events and get delegates involved (8:00)
• How to use Twitter hashtags to reach journalists + get media coverage for your business (09:10)
• How to choose hashtags on your Instagram posts (and why they need to be relevant) (10:24)
• How the Instagram algorithm works (and why the size of the hashtag and your own following matters) (12:54)
• When to use hashtags on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook (17:30)
• How to find the hashtags that your ideal clients are engaging with and why you need to create good content (19:30)
• Tools you can use to find hashtags and plan your Instagram content (21:20)
• How to find the hashtags your ideal customers/clients are using (21:50)
• How to create your own hashtag and awareness day (23:40)

Resources

[362] How to grow your Instagram following to 27K - fast with Chris Taylor (podcast)

[ 356 ] How to build your audience on Twitter (and create FOMO) (podcast)

[353] How to grow your audience through Instagram Stories with Tyler McCall (podcast)

[348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode)

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast episode)

[309] How to go viral on Twitter with Kerry Jordan (podcast)

[093] How to use Instagram to promote your business with Sara Tasker (podcast)

LinkedIn hashtags Andy Foot

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Preorder your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Ever wondered how some people just nail it on social media or their facebook ad just speaks to you? Want to know how to write super engaging copy for your website or social media?

In my latest podcast I interview copywriter Jo Watson who describes herself as an editor and 'writer of stuff'. She explains how to show your personality in your writing and why you need to make people really feel something when you write. Even if they disagree with you. Jo is well-known on LinkedIn for her slightly sweary 'tell it like it is' approach and her personality is well reflected in her writing. She has a truly distinctive writing voice and explains how to create personality in your writing and how if you produce great content then people won't forget about you (even if you go on holiday for a week!)

Jo also explains how you can show your authority and views even if you don't feel confident enough to actually post on social media. Jo doesn't have a social media strategy - and believes very much in showing up and being present, being yourself and explaining it as you would to a friend at the pub.

Jo also talks about how to go about hiring a copywriter that really is a copywriter (and not just your VA that can do it) and why it's really important to look at the return on investment that it will bring to your business. I'd love to know what you think. I hope you enjoy the episode.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode}

Podcast shownotes

• About Jo and why she defines herself as a 'writer of stuff' (4:06)
• How Jo went from being a teacher to a copywriter and built her business (5:05)
• How Jo develops personality in her writing and why she doesn't think you need a social media strategy (14:15)
• How Jo got started on LinkedIn and how 'saying it like it is' helps build relationships and engagement (16:23)
• Why you need to be present on social media and only post if you have something to say (19:03)
• How to stay on people's radars by posting great content so they won't forget you (23:15)
• How to show up and write well and why everyone can tell stories (25:47)
• How to build your confidence and show your values on social media (26:56)
• Why you'll lose trust and authority if you write or say things that are 'off brand' (30:47)
• How to get more personality into your writing and how everything is a content opportunity (37:01)
• Why you need to think about what people are interested in and make people feel something when you write (42:50)
• Why you shouldn't limit your marketing to one ideal client type (50:03)
• How to get personality into your writing and why you should keep it simple, relatable and in your own voice (54:54)
• How to hire a copywriter for your business and why you should look at the return on investment (58:03 )

Resources

Connect with Jo on LinkedIn Jo's website [275] How to write awesome sales copy - fast with Sarah Cooke (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast0 [372] How to build an engaged online audience (podcast) [375] How to get your first 1k email subscribers (podcast)

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Preorder your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Want to know how I've managed to publish a new podcast episode every week for the past four years?

How I have managed to stay consistent, to show up every week, in fact, twice a week to start with and put a podcast episode out there?

This podcast answers your questions and more and is based around real questions that you have asked about my podcast. Even if you're not interested in starting your own podcast then please stay with me because what it's really about, is about showing up and publishing consistent content.

How do you keep showing up every week when maybe you're all out of ideas or you're not feeling well, or you're feeling uninspired or unmotivated, or you've lost a team member suddenly, how do you keep all of that going over a number of years?

This podcast isn't just about creating a podcast it's also about content planning, content creation and solving your audience's problems, it's about mindset. It's about staying consistent and overcoming the challenges and evolving.

So you'll see it's so much more than how you keep a podcast going.

I also share my favourite podcasts too. What do you think? Have you listened to them?

I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did recording it.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Podcast shownotes

• Why you should listen to this podcast (01:57)
• How to win in my 'Big Podcast Giveaway' (2:52)
• Find out about my 2020 'Start a podcast programme' (5:39)
• What inspired me to start a podcast (and why it's such a great way to connect with people) (7:02)
• How I have consistently produced my podcast (and how accountability keeps me on track) (10:30)
• Equipment I use to record my podcast, how it's produced and why I delegate the editing (13:04)
• How I record a guest podcast episode (16:40)
• How getting your podcast on iTunes can be the most challenging part (and how I did it) (17:09)
• Why I choose podcast guests that can show they are an expert (rather than just a big name) (19:50)
• How I got people to agree to be a podcast guest when I was starting out (24:58)
• How my podcast has evolved and why I'm doing more solo podcasts than guest podcasts (27:44)
• Why it's important to have a great rapport with a podcast guest (and why some don't go as planned) (32:24)
• Why I plan my podcasts to strategically fit in with what I am doing in my business (34:44)
• Steps to produce the podcast from idea through to publication, repurposing and marketing (38:25)
• How to promote a podcast and why you have to try lots of different ways (45:20)
• Why a podcast needs to be quality content that solves your audience's problems (48:47)
• Top 9 episodes I've recorded? Try these they are full of useful practical advice that's easy to implement: 133, 161, 227, 288, 275, 315, 341, 351, 362 (50:52)
• Top 3 episodes that I am really proud of? Episodes with great longevity: 333, 339 and 340 (58:46)
• What happens if the podcast guest doesn't work out (1:00:05)

Resources

How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (blog post)

Find out about my new start a podcast programme in 2020 Win in my Big Podcast Giveaway!

[133] How to grow your following on Twitter (podcast) [161] How to work with bloggers and influencers with Kat Molesworth (podcast) [227] How to make sales without being spammy with Jess Lorimer (podcast) [253] How to land guest appearances on podcasts with Nicole Holland (podcast) [275] How to write awesome sales copy - fast with Sarah Cooke (podcast) [288] How to get started with vlogging(and how it can help your business (podcast) [315] How to create a brand statement and why you need to (podcast) [333] 39 Surprisingly easy ways to increase your email subscribers (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [339] How to build an audience for an online course or membership (podcast) [340] How to create a coaching or consultancy package for your business (podcast) [341] How to use stories to attract your ideal audience (podcast) [351] How to get corporate clients and why you should with Dylis Guyan (podcast) [362] How to grow your Instagram following to 27K - fast (podcast) [372] How to build an engaged online audience (podcast) [375] How to get your first 1k email subscribers (podcast)

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Preorder your 2020 Media Diary here

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Build Your Audience Programme

Buy your ticket for Build Your Audience Live

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn