The FWD: Thinking Show

What does it take to top the podcast charts?

Our latest guest shares the tactics you need to grow your show, and your email list.

In this episode, Austin Fabel, the producer of The Science of Success podcast shares his experience building a top-rated podcast and engaged email list.

• How to be a successful podcast producer and what that actually means
• How to repurpose your podcast episodes on YouTube and other networks
• How to book top guests on your podcast (hint: what's in it for them?)
• The tools Austin uses to find guests, capture audio, edit and host their podcasts
• Creative ways to build an email list using incentives and text-to-join
• How to write authentically and engage your audience with email
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation: "It's always what's in it for them, how much value can I give the audience..." - Austin Fabel

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• Austin Fabel
• The Science of Success Podcast
• Podcast Work

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to Ask Me About Email Marketing on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app. And if you really enjoyed this episode or are a regular podcast listener, leave us a quick review! This will help us continue to improve the show, attract new listeners and get more ideas for future podcast episodes. Thanks so much for tuning in!

What's your minimum viable podcast?

In this episode, Mark Asquith of Excellence Expected and The 7 Minute Mentor shares his experience launching successful podcasts and businesses. With hundreds of episodes under his belt, Mark delivers a ton of insights that are immediately actionable.

• Why you should focus on the user instead of the numbers
• The best question to ask your subscribers often to learn what they need
• How user questions and ideas can be repurposed into countless podcast and blog topic ideas
• How to prove your concept without over-engineering your launch
• How to orchestrate your 'value ladder' and transform casual listeners into fans and paying customers
• How repetition can yield increased engagement
• How to write naturally and effectively for email
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation:

"People want to know you so let people understand who you are..." - Mark Asquith

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• Mark Asquith
• Excellence Expected
• The 7 Minute Mentor
• Mark's coaching sessions

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to Ask Me About Email Marketing on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app. And if you really enjoyed this episode or are a regular podcast listener, leave us a quick review! This will help us continue to improve the show, attract new listeners and get more ideas for future podcast episodes. Thanks so much for tuning in!

Not interested in being a podcaster, but want to be on podcasts?

Get ready to rock the mic, no matter what side you're on!

In this episode, Jessica Rhodes of Interview Connections and #RockThePodcast teaches us how to grow our brands and businesses by successfully becoming a guest on podcasts.

Jessica takes us through the entire process from positioning ourselves, pitching to shows, preparing for interviews and following up with hosts and listeners.

• How becoming a podcast guest can help you build your personal brand and attract new fans and followers
• How to attract leads as a guest even when podcasts are typically a "no-pitch zone"
• The do's and don'ts of pitching yourself
• What gear (if any) you'll need to sound professional without breaking the bank
• How to prepare for a show after you've landed an interview
• When to use a landing page or email automation with your audience destination
• How being on a Walking Dead podcast can help you grow your business
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation: "Tap into some of that fun energy that I know you have..." - Jessica on being a podcast guest

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• Jessica Rhodes
• Interview Connections
• #RockThePodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to Ask Me About Email Marketing on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app. And if you really enjoyed this episode or are a regular podcast listener, leave us a quick review!

This will help us continue to improve the show, attract new listeners and get more ideas for future podcast episodes.

Thanks so much for tuning in!

"You have to create success for yourself before you can create success for other people."

This is the mission statement that drives Jeremy Ryan Slate to produce three outrageously actionable podcast episodes every week.

In this episode, learn how Jeremy Slate of Create Your Own Life podcast pivoted his career, built a brand and business from scratch, and produced over 280 podcast episodes.

You'll especially want to check out the strategies and tools Jeremy uses to consistently release multiple episodes a week.

• How to start your show and pivot when needed
• The value of growing your personal brand through podcasting and beyond
• Why quality will always trump quantity
• How to set up a streamlined process to automate and facilitate a podcast production workflow
• How to use email marketing to drive listeners back to the show
• Ways to connect with your subscribers through plain messages and strong subject lines
• How to stay top of mind with consistent email sending
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation: "It's always about 'How can I help? What do you need?'" - Jeremy Ryan Slate

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• Jeremy Ryan Slate
• Create Your Own Life Podcast
• Jeremy Ryan Slate on Twitter
• Get Featured
• Internships.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to Ask Me About Email Marketing on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app.

And if you really enjoyed this episode or are a regular podcast listener, leave us a quick review! This will help us continue to improve the show, attract new listeners and get more ideas for future podcast episodes.

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Have an idea for a physical product? Find out how our next guest used podcasting and email marketing to turn her product idea into a successful reality.

In this episode, we learn how Addy Saucedo of The Podcast Planner created and launched a physical product that solved a true market need for her audience.

Addy has over five years of experience hosting podcasts, producing and managing over fifteen other podcasts. Her passion for the craft and dedication to serving podcasters is evident in the engaging content she produces on a regular basis.

Using email marketing, Addy has been able to build an audience, keep them engaged, pre-launch a product, automate her sales with evergreen content and boost growth with one-time promotions.

• Avoid "podfading"
• Create trusted workflows using templates
• Conceptualize a product that solves a true problem
• Develop your confidence and podcasting "voice"
• Create a strong call-to-action in your emails
• Automate your sales with a welcome sequence
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation: "CTAs are not for our benefit. They're for the benefit of our listeners." - Addy S. @podcastplanner

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• Addy on Twitter
• The Podcast Planner
• The Podcast Planner Podcast
• PodcastEmails.com
• AWeber's What to Write Guide

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe to Ask Me About Email Marketing on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app. And if you really enjoyed this episode or are a regular podcast listener, leave us a quick review! This will help us continue to improve the show, attract new listeners and get more ideas for future podcast episodes.

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Want to be a changemaker?

Jay Wong, host of The Inner Changemaker, is a top-rated podcaster with a mission to serve purpose-driven entrepreneurs and multi-passionate creators.

We met at Podfest 2017 in Orlando, FL, when Jay was a guest expert on an email marketing panel that I had the pleasure of moderating. I was quickly blown away by Jay's approach to turning podcasting into a list-building, business-exploding, top-of-the-funnel, life-changing engine.

Jay's energy and insights will surely inspire you to take your show to the next level.

• How to let your podcast mission evolve over time
• How to create products that meet the needs of your audience
• How frontend and backend tactics work together to deliver value and generate profits
• How to grow your email list when speaking at live events
• How to use email marketing to learn more about what your audience wants
• How to leverage your guests to expand your audience and reach
• Why Jay puts his phone number in every email message
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation… "Listen to and engage with your community. Figure out their pain points along the way…" - @thejaywong

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• TheJayWong.com
• The Inner Changemaker Podcast
• Jay on Twitter
• Jay Wong TV
• TICM 105 | Nicholas Kusmich | How To Be A Millionaire Without Setting Goals
• TICM 124 | Dan Lok | Using Wealth Triggers To Become A Multi-Millionaire

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app. Also, if you could leave a quick review that would help us continue to improve the show and attract new listeners.

Thank you so much for tuning in!

Ready to launch and grow your podcast?

In this episode, you'll learn how to strategically design and optimize your podcast with Natalie Eckdahl, the founder of BizChix.com and the BizChix podcast. Recognized as one of the top women to listen to,

Natalie helps women entrepreneurs build, grow and scale their businesses. She has been featured in Inc., Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.

ou might remember the massive value Natalie dropped back on episode 36 of the show, and we're excited she's back to share even more.

• How to strategically choose your show's format
• How to avoid "quitting" when you're just getting started
• How to create processes to help you grow your show
• The importance of consistency
• Ways to connect with your audience outside of your podcast
• Why you need an email marketing strategy and how to develop one
• How to develop incentives for casual listeners to opt-in to your list
• And much more…

One of my key takeaways from our conversation…

"You never know what episode will be the one where someone will find you…" - Natalie Eckdahl on #podcasting"

Here are a few links mentioned on the show:

• BizChix.com
• BizChix Podcast
• Natalie Eckdahl on Twitter
• Natalie's New Podcaster Resource Guide
• BizChix 267: Strategically Design, Launch and Grow a Podcast with Natalie Eckdahl

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast listening app.

Also, if you could leave a quick review that would help us continue to improve the show and attract new listeners.

Thank you so much for tuning in!

Check out a preview of our next podcast season on Ask Me About Email Marketing!

Join Tom Tate as we kick off a series of in-depth interviews with podcasters to learn how they grow and engage their audiences with email marketing and beyond.

This episode provides a quick look at all of the podcasters we've interviewed in the past and sneak preview of the interviews we've lined up for this series. Here are a few links mentioned in this episode:

• What To Write Course and 30+ Email Templates
• Episode 16 - Matthew Rodela
• Episode 23 - Nick Westergaard
• Episode 24 - Noah Kagan
• Episode 27 - Jerod Morris
• Episode 28 - Douglas Burdett
• Episode 33 - J. Thorn
• Episode 36 - Live from Podcast Movement 2016, Pt. 1
• Episode 37 - Live from Podcast Movement 2016, Pt. 2
• Bonus - Getting Unstuck with Ernest Barbaric

We're also giving away 2 tickets to Podcast movement. Visit http://bit.ly/aweberpm17 for more info.

Have a question about email marketing that you want answered in a future podcast episode? Leave us a message at aweber.com/podcast.

Tune in to learn what the theme will be for our next season, and subscribe now to check out the first episode launching on Tuesday, June 20.

To enter our Podcast Movement giveaway, head over to bit.ly/aweberpm17.

To join the live workshop on Thursday, March 23, click this link or head over to bit.ly/emailpodcastwebinar!