The Company Show

There comes a time in many podcaster’s lives when they look at their show and their audience and their expense line items and think: I should get a sponsor. 

Running ads and having sponsors for your show can be a good move - but it isn’t in every case, especially for a podcast you’re running in support of your business. While ads are very common in podcasts, audiences don’t *love* hearing them, and that airspace could possibly be used more effectively for your company. Tune into today’s episode to learn about the different kinds of podcast ads and sponsorships, and how to decide what, if any, are right for you.

Get the full notes (and some handy resources!) at: OnestoneCreative.net/29

Imagine the possibilities if we could produce podcasts on demand with AI. There’s no doubt that human creativity will always play an important role when it comes to crafting engaging content, but new tools are helping podcasters overcome one major bottleneck: show notes and social copy from episodes themselves! This week's guest, Karl Sona, has been working hard creating AI tools for podcasters - his company Streamlined Podcasts creates professional quality audio programs using AI. Karl is also the creator of the PodNotes service and hosts the Dear BLK CEO podcast which highlights underrepresented business owners who are scaling their companies by getting access to corporate contracts. We're also talking about how you can measure your ROI from podcasts as well as the future of podcast technology.

Tune in to hear Karl and I explore:

The aim of a podcast is to provide useful information that is interesting and relevant. Many creators forget this crucial element in their content, which leads audiences away from their show quickly after listening!

Creating a podcast is an economical way to attract your ideal clients. “One out of 10 of those podcasts leads to business getting done,” Karl remarks. Furthermore, the content you produce is evergreen and can be used as a way to attract more clients or create positive referrals for your business.

PodNotes is a tool that helps podcasters generate show notes for their finished audio in minutes. With the click of your mouse, you can upload your podcast into PodNotes and get blog posts and social media captions on autopilot. If you’re not happy with the initial results, then just regenerate them yourself!

Karl believes that AI is an exceptional tool for content creators and writers who are looking to create quality work that is on time, and that meets the needs of their clients. It can also help us build better relationships with our audience members.

Karl sees that soon AI will help us make our content more personalized and relevant. By analyzing other content that our ideal customers are creating online as well as their demographic information, we will be able to create new marketing strategies that will be precisely targeted to them.

Question of the Week

Q: What’s the best way to improve my recording space with no budget?

A: There is a lot we can do to prevent sound from bouncing around in our recording studio, but one of the best solutions comes down largely to how you plan out your space. Make sure there’s plenty of soft furnishings including rugs or blankets placed strategically across flooring surfaces and propped up against furniture at corners where wall treatments may not be possible - this will help absorb vibrations when necessary! Another idea is to record in your closet - clothes make effective dampeners. If you can, get a package of base traps from Amazon or an acoustic treatment retailer: this one-time investment will pay off for years and increase your sound quality. Be sure to check out our episode, Getting Good Sound, for more advice.

 

RESOURCES

One Stone Creative | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Karl Sona | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Streamlined Podcasts | Dear BLK CEO podcast

Having good sound is table stakes for your podcast - there is an expectation among audiences and guests that you’re going to sound professional. Getting good quality sound isn’t the easiest task in the world however - you need to optimize your recording setup, and the room you’re recording in as much as possible. On this episode of the Business Podcast Blueprint, Megan Dougherty is sharing how to choose a good mic, record the most effectively, and prepare your recording room so you sound as good as possible.

Get the full notes (and some handy resources!) at: OneStoneCreative.net/27

Growing your audience and your professional network is always a hot topic in the business podcast community. A great way to do this is by being a guest on other people’s podcasts. But how do you pitch yourself to a host of a complementary podcast? Today’s guest is a master in the art of guest pitching and using those relationships to grow your business. Angie Trueblood joins me today, on the Business Podcast Blueprint show!  

You’ll hear us talk about: 

What is the ideal way to pitch yourself for a podcast? Angie says that the most basic piece of advice she can offer is to pitch yourself for guest positions on complementary podcasts that are relevant to your field. In your pitch email, provide a relevant topic suggestion and a description of yourself that includes your intent. For bonus points, include a sample of your audio - how do you sound recorded? That is valuable information for a host. 

Your pitch should present your idea that you believe can serve the host’s audience. The host you’re pitching should feel like they're missing out if they don't cast you. Be sincere because most people respond to a genuine pitch. 

Angie suggests a maximum of 2 hours per week to plan two strong pitches. The Podwize Group has a “four-to-four” approach. “After consistently getting acceptances for your pitches, roughly calculate how many pitches you need to send out to land four guest opportunities a month,” she tells listeners. This builds your visibility and exposure, as well as your professional network consistently and sustainably. 

Advice on how to be a good guest on a show.

Question of the Week

Q: How do I prepare to conduct an interview with someone I don’t know well?

A: Interviews sound better when they are planned and prepared for with specific goals in mind. Take advantage of your guest’s expertise, and set them (as well as yourself!) up to sound great by thinking about what you want to communicate.

Here are some things to consider:

What does this person know that I don’t?

How did they learn, or develop that skill or knowledge?

What do they recommend people do to be successful at their area of expertise? What are mistakes people should avoid?

What has this person done that I admire?

What might my audience want to know about their area of expertise?

What situations or events brought them to their current place?

Action Step From This Episode

Make a list of 20 different shows you might want to appear on and give yourself a “budget” of 2-3 pitches a week.

Also - sign up for the Podwize 5-in-5 Challenge! This is a free 5 day challenge, hosted by Angie and her team. It’s going to be a lot of fun. 

 

RESOURCES

One Stone Creative | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Angie Trueblood Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | The Podwize Group | Go Pitch Yourself Podcast

Today Megan Dougherty is talking about why you want to optimize and then automate your podcast workflow: so you’re getting the most work done with the least effort, and setting yourself up for smooth operations when unexpected events or vacations inevitably occur. You do this by identifying the steps in your current workflow, creating a single point of truth about your podcast called an episode guide, saving time with templates, creating clarity with project management systems, adding safety and redundancy with Standard Operating Procedures, wrapping up with automating steps in the process. 

Learn more at OneStoneCreative.net/25

For some people, like today’s guest Alex Sanfilippo, finding a recurring problem in business means fixing the problem permanently. In Alex’s case that meant building a software empire from the ground up. He is the host of the Podcasting Made Simple podcast and founder of the PodPros suite of tools which includes podmatch and podcastSOP. We chat about how he approaches solving common podcasting challenges, including how to manage the myriad tasks in your podcast as it grows. He also shares a bit about his next (Very Exiting!) project.

One Stone Creative | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Alex Sanfilippo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

PodPros | Podcasting Made Simple | PodMatch | Podcast SOP

Welcome to season 2 of the Business Podcast Blueprint Show! In the solo episodes this season, I’ll dive deeper into the theory of podcasting as a company and address various decisions a company podcaster must make. Today we’ll be discussing the different types of podcast show formats, how to create them, and which benefits your business the most.

Read a full transcript of the Episode, and find links to examples of each type of show at OneStoneCreative.net/23

We're closing out season one of the Business Podcast Blueprint show. Today, Megan Dougherty is talking about the tools and tech we've used to create the show, what we've leanred, what we've bought, and what we'll do next.

What makes a podcast truly stand out? Many people believe that being as close to your authentic self as possible, without feeling phony, is the way to grow your business. Today’s guest has extensive experience in creative branding and marketing and is here to offer advice on how to authentically be yourself in your podcast, social accounts, and business. Sabrina Chevannes joins me today, on the Business Podcast Blueprint show.

We’re discussing:

What makes the No Bullshit Talks podcast so unique? Sabrina explains that she was tired of hearing podcasters ask the same ten questions over and over, so she decided to create a series of interviews where she asks her guests questions other hosts won't dare to ask. The show is targeted to up and coming entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

What branding means in digital marketing. Over the years, branding has become a diluted version of its original self and most clients underestimate what it really is. Sabrina says that branding is not just the visual element of your business – it's how people perceive your brand on an emotional level. It’s about making your customers loyal to your brand because they believe in the superiority of your product and your ideals as a company. 

How to have successful branding as a small business? Sabrina advises that when you’re just starting out, creating a brand means knowing who you are as a company and an individual. You have to determine your passion, mission, and vision, and what makes you stand out from your competitors. 

RESOURCES

One Stone Creative | LinkedIn | Website

Sabrina Chevannes | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Complex Creative

If you ever wonder how to evaluate your success at podcasting for your business - this episode will help. Learn how to choose metrics that give you real, actionable information about the performance of your show.