The Circle Sessions

Experienced podcasting expert Don The Idea Guy joins host Brett Johnson to discuss practical ways to monetize and grow your podcast.

From creative ideas like creating cheat sheets, shortcut pages, and one-page downloads to speaking at local chambers and trade shows, this podcast will provide you with the know-how to grow your audience and make money.

Beyond that, Don offers listeners a free Brainstorm with a 7-day free trial to help you get podcast revenue without ads or sponsors.

Possessing creative powers beyond those of mere mortals, DON THE IDEA GUY rescues those in need of innovative ideas through his brainstorming sessions, articles, and websites.

DTIG (DEE-tigg) has been featured in Small Business News, interviewed by the New York Times, quoted in Fast Company magazine, and served as the first president of the International Idea Trade Association.

Don is a proud member of the BzzAgent community, and is featured in BzzAgent.com founder Dave Balter’s book “Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing.”

His Innovation Channel on the Duct Tape Marketing Blog has been recognized as a Forbes Favorite.

Don is the author of the book “100-WHATS of CREATIVITY“, one-hundred ‘what if?’ questions to spur your creativity, unmuck your mind, and break through your mental blocks and has written dozens of articles and hundreds of blog postings on the subject of increasing innovation and adding creativity to your personal and professional life.

You are invited to explore additional innovative possibilities by choosing one of your favorite ideas from this (or any) Five Buck Brainstorms and purchasing a more in-depth custom idea generation session from Don The Idea Guy on that (or any other) subject. Visit the Brainstorm page on the Don The Idea Guy website for more details.

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

In this episode, we explore the ins and outs of choosing a website designer. From strategies to visuals and everything in between, we discuss the questions to ask, the basics of branding to consider, and tips for communicating without breaking the bank.

Hear from our very own expert Yasmine Robles on the importance of finding a website designer that specializes in what you need and offers support after launch.

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

This week Tonnisha is here from The Circle of Experts. Tonnisha is on a mission to help small businesses level the playing field through digital marketing solutions.

What we cover...

• What are KPI's?
• What matters? It depends on what matters to YOU! She personally believe engagement and reach matter the most while others value impressions and followers.
• Knowing WHY you use social media will help you to determine your KPIs. 

TJE Communication’s mission is to empower and educate small women-owned businesses and equip them with digital solutions to level the playing field.

IG - @tjecomm

TW - @tjecomm

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonnishaenglish/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/tjecomm

Subscribe to Tonnisha's Tip of The Month

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

My top 3 reasons why you should definitely consider email marketing as an effective method to grow your podcast audience.

1) Strengthen the Relationship Between You and Your Listeners

2) Convert Subscribers to Listeners

3) Share Additional Content with Your Subscribers

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Don The Idea Guy joins me from The Circle of Experts.

We talk about...

1. Listen to traditional Radio stations (and take notes) 

Radio is the original mass-reach programmatic audio platform (it’s also the original social media platform). Listen Study the way traditional broadcasters create mini content-within-content for which they get sponsor dollars. Traffic, Weather, Sports Reports, Song of the Week, This Day in History, Call-in Contests, Social Media posts, and on and on.

2. Watch and Listen to ESPN shows (and take notes) 

You've got to appreciate the almost Barnum-type showmanship and sponsorships that ESPN has boldly (and profitably!) put into action.

3. Countdown Lists 

You hear more about countdown lists at the start and end of the calendar year, but there are no rules against you from creating an ongoing countdown feature within your show. For instance, what if you did a different Top 3 feature in your show where you share #3 toward the beginning, #2 in the middle, and save #1 til the end of the show?

4. Fun Facts 

People love random facts. They share them at work, with their friends, or with drinks, and there is a plethora of “I was today years old when I learned…” posts on social media.

5. Top Takeaways 

You can earn revenue by directly pointing out what you feel is the most valuable piece of information in each show.

6. Winner, Winner, Podcast Listener

More successful podcasters feature a favorite five-star review in each of their episodes. Noah Kagan from OkDork.com and the Noah Kagan Presents podcast does it better than most.

You are invited to explore additional innovative possibilities by choosing one of your favorite ideas from this (or any) Five Buck Brainstorms and purchasing a more in-depth custom idea generation session from Don The Idea Guy on that (or any other) subject. Visit the Brainstorm page on the Don The Idea Guy website for more details.

Possessing creative powers beyond those of mere mortals, DON THE IDEA GUY rescues those in need of innovative ideas through his brainstorming sessions, articles, and websites.

DTIG (DEE-tigg) has been featured in Small Business News, interviewed by the New York Times, quoted in Fast Company magazine, and served as the first president of the International Idea Trade Association.

Don is a proud member of the BzzAgent community, and is featured in BzzAgent.com founder Dave Balter’s book “Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing.”

His Innovation Channel on the Duct Tape Marketing Blog has been recognized as a Forbes Favorite.

Don is the author of the book “100-WHATS of CREATIVITY“, one-hundred ‘what if?’ questions to spur your creativity, unmuck your mind, and break through your mental blocks and has written dozens of articles and hundreds of blog postings on the subject of increasing innovation and adding creativity to your personal and professional life.

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

This week Yasmine from Robles Designs is here from The Circle of Experts.

What we cover...

What to do BEFORE building out a website

1) Know your target market better than they know themselves

• Demographics
• Psychographics
• What is the problem you’re solving for them

2) Know your website goals

• Understand how the website will fit into your marketing strategy
• What do you want people to do on your website?
• What features do you want on your website?

3) Create a plan

• Site map
• Wire Frames

4) Start gathering content

• Write your copy
• Gather images

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Social media strategist Tonnisha explores the ever-changing world of social media, introducing us to the newest member of the family - Spoutable. She takes us through the platform's concept, and what users can expect when it launches.

From exploring the benefits of TikTok, to how Instagram is competing, to how Tumblr has become neglected, Tonnisha will be digging deep into the details of the current state of social media - giving listeners an in-depth yet easy-to-understand look at what's going on, and how to navigate the ever-evolving space.

TJE Communication’s mission is to empower and educate small women-owned businesses and equip them with digital solutions to level the playing field.

IG - @tjecomm

TW - @tjecomm

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonnishaenglish/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/tjecomm

Subscribe to Tonnisha's Tip of The Month

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

The best time to send your emails in 2023? It’s an important question! Your subscribers have busy lives and the last thing you want is to send them a newsletter while they’re preoccupied with work, or dreaming about their weekend plans.

They analyzed over 2.5 million email marketing campaigns sent with MailerLite in 2022, and here’s what we found: 

Which day of the week is everyone sending their campaigns? 

Email marketers favor Thursday (closely followed by Wednesday) for sending out their campaigns

Which day of the week generates the most opens?

Thursday is the weekday with the highest open rate in the first 2 hours of sending, closely followed by Monday

What time of the day generates the most opens?

Most email opens occur between 11AM-12PM, with another peak between 6-7PM and an interesting late-night bump at 2AM (in the sender’s time zone).

And more takeaways in this episode.

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS

This week Don The Idea Guy is here from The Circle of Experts.

What we cover this week...

1. Free Podcast Website 

A great FREE tool from Transistor.fm podcast hosting, https://freepodcastwebsites.com gives you an easy-to-create site that can serve as the homepage for your podcast or simply as another site out on the interwebs that serve to promote and lead people to your podcast separately and apart from any other primary standalone podcast page.

2. Be a Guest / Host a Guest 

Everyone has the fantasy of being a guest on a hugely popular podcast and gaining an incredible surge in subscribers and downloads. Or they dream of the opposite side of the coin, hosting a celebrity on their podcast and getting all of the guest’s fans and followers to become fans and followers of their own.

3. Co-Promotion Advertising / Endorsement Exchange 

An even easier option than trying to schedule guest appearances is to simply offer an opportunity to other up-and-coming podcasters to trade in-show promotion on each other’s shows. It could be a traditional ad read/spot or perhaps you could trade reviews of each other’s podcast, giving your review of their show (and vice-versa) voiced by each other -- and of course, dropping your show name in the read.

4. Promo Inserts in Library Books 

Super low-tech guerrilla marketing… print up some inexpensive paper bookmarks or postcards and go to your local library. Place the cards inside books that pertain to your podcast topics.

5. Targeted Social Community Sharing 

You’re probably already posting your latest episode links on your social media profiles. It’s an easy default (and typically automated) way to announce a new episode has been released.

6. Create and Promote with Greatest Hits Audio Clips 

With so many streaming audio options available from Apple Music to Spotify to Podcasts to traditional Radio, listeners are more likely to jump between platforms and programming if they don’t perceive value in sticking around. Creating short 10-15 second clips with the very best of your episodes can be a great way to demonstrate to prospective listeners the valuable content you offer if they’ll tune in and stick with you.

You are invited to explore additional innovative possibilities by choosing one of your favorite ideas from this (or any) Five Buck Brainstorms and purchasing a more in-depth custom idea generation session from Don The Idea Guy on that (or any other) subject. Visit the Brainstorm page on the Don The Idea Guy website for more details.

Possessing creative powers beyond those of mere mortals, DON THE IDEA GUY rescues those in need of innovative ideas through his brainstorming sessions, articles, and websites.

DTIG (DEE-tigg) has been featured in Small Business News, interviewed by the New York Times, quoted in Fast Company magazine, and served as the first president of the International Idea Trade Association.

Don is a proud member of the BzzAgent community, and is featured in BzzAgent.com founder Dave Balter’s book “Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing.”

His Innovation Channel on the Duct Tape Marketing Blog has been recognized as a Forbes Favorite.

Don is the author of the book “100-WHATS of CREATIVITY“, one-hundred ‘what if?’ questions to spur your creativity, unmuck your mind, and break through your mental blocks and has written dozens of articles and hundreds of blog postings on the subject of increasing innovation and adding creativity to your personal and professional life.

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

This week Yasmine from Robles Designs is here from The Circle of Experts.

What we cover...

Know your website goals - understand how the website will fit into your marketing needs.

What kind of support do you have right now (and what do you NEED)? - do you have a team, or is it just you?

Create a plan - site map and wireframes.

Start gathering content - start writing copy and appropriate images.

Yasmine works alongside clients to design a website that's driven by strategy, looks amazing, and that you can actually use to grow your podcast, and your business.

Her website.

Her Instagram.

Click here for the checklist!

Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/face-game

License code: IUDJXGXP8JAXJVJS