Jacob has an insightful conversation with Brian Ford, the host of the Self Improvement Daily Podcast. They talk about not getting discouraged, podcasting best practices, being an “expert,” balancing responsibilities and more.

Don’t get discouraged when growing something

• It’s not about the numbers. Quality is better than quantity. 
• Paul Brunson - Matchmaker. Started a youtube channel. Didn’t get a lot of views, but ended up getting in touch with Oprah. 
• You never know who’s listening.
• Jordan Paris
• Mark Metry
• At the beginning, things grow slowly. You need to get through the first hurdle and then things explode. 
• Reach a critical mass.

Brian’s Story

• He didn’t think he’d ever have a podcast. 
• He thought: “Who has the authority to put a microphone next to their lips and talk for an hour and think that that’s worth listening to?”
• He realized that podcasts are a connection and education resource.
• Decided to do voice because it was on the cutting edge of marketing. 
• Brain chose personal development so that it would be a benefit to himself
• Self Improvement Daily
• Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing
• Understand the Flash Briefing Skill API
• Steps to Create a Flash Briefing Skill

Podcasting Best Practices

• Do something unique! Something that sets you apart.
• The title of your podcast is important. People will be searching in podcast apps. SEO is important for podcasts. 
• 6 ways to grow your podcast audience with SEO
• Frequency of content. The more content the better!
• In Brain’s case, the short bite-sized podcast has helped because people listen to the entirety of the episode and often listen more than once. 

Do you need to be an expert?

• Doing the podcast has had a big impact on Brain. He has been incorporating his own tips.
• He doesn’t consider himself a self improvement expert, but doing the podcast has helped him become better. 
• It’s important to be transparent and intentional about letting people know you’re on a journey with them.
• Having a podcast helps you become credible and create authority. 
• Consistency is huge! The podcast has taught Brain the importance of consistency.

Coming up with content for the podcast

• Be curious! 
• Every day experiences can create opportunities to create content. 

Balancing multiple responsibilities

• The medical device start-up is Brain’s full-time job. 
• The podcast is his passion project.

It’s not about the money

• Brian is very intentional about the purpose of the podcast. 
• The podcast fulfills him.
• You can be fulfilled by something even if it doesn’t make money. 
• You can receive other benefits from something.
• Identity. What you do creates your identity. Do things that you like and that you’re proud of. 
• Unfortunately, money is a big focus of industries. 

Look at the bigger picture

• Just because you can’t see value of something doesn’t mean it’s not providing value. 
• Just because it seems like it’s not paying off doesn’t mean it’s not paying off. 
• Look at the bigger picture. 
• When it comes to dreams and passions and being fulfilled, it’s a long-term game. 

Follow Brian

• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin
• We didn’t talk about this in the interview, but Brain has given a TEDx Talk! See it here: Do it for the story | Brian Ford

Follow Jacob:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter: @jacob_m_harmon

Follow Kalob:

• LinkedIn

Follow SuccessQuest:

• Website
• Blog
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter: @MySuccessQuest

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
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• Overcast
• Spotify

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