EPISODE 85

Video is HOT right now! Everyone's doing it, everyone watches it, and it's available across all social media platforms. Video podcasts are gaining popularity, and can be a great tool for your clients to connect with and grow their audience. Today I'm talking with India Brown, a video marketing specialist that has a ton of great information about video podcasting. She shares some advice on how to transition an audio-only podcast to video and how to do it right! 

One of the big things that podcasters need to know is how to repurpose their content. India and I discuss several ways to reuse video content and how to tailor it to different social media platforms. She also has some technical tips for us about batch recording and the equipment you need to start a video podcast. Like a lot of us, India is a mother working from home doing the balancing act between family life and building her business. She talks about how she structures her days, stays productive, and plans to launch her OWN video podcast!

In this episode, we cover:

- The 5 main benefits of video podcasting

- What you can get done during the "naptime hustle"

- Outsourcing and forming partnerships with video and podcast editors

- How long your videos should be

- Video posting options on social media

- Why you should re-post older content

- How to promote a podcast or video podcast with video

- Alternatives to Zoom for video interviews

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram!

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode85

 

EPISODE 84 As 2021 winds down, my team members and I look forward to the new year and new advancements in podcasting. Today on the show, my friend and colleague, Sara Whittaker joins me to speculate on podcasting trends we expect (and hope!) to see. We talk about different ways that podcasting may be used in the future and ways that companies could bridge the gap between podcast listening aps and social media. We also share our guesses about improvements in stats, automation and learning. 

Sara Whittaker is a former student of mine and a collaborator in the Podcast Manager Program. She is also a Podcast Manager in her own right and brings a unique perspective to the show, as her client base consists of teachers and educators. Sara provides some great insights into the growing use of private podcasts for business, course creators, and other industries. While we focus on 5 main areas in our discussion today, Sara and I do a deep dive on all things trending in the podcast space!

In this episode, we cover:

- Direct-sharing of podcast links on social media platforms

- New ways to access podcasts

- Creepy but helpful user predictions and suggestions

- Improved ability to receive listener feedback

- Better accuracy and more useful metrics from podcast hosts

- Why some updates are harder to make across the board than others

- Show searchability on listening aps

- Free vs. Paid podcasts

- The up and coming world of Private podcasts

- The celebrity host trend

- Room for growth in the online space

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram!

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode84

 

EPISODE 83

It was Jerry Weintraub that said "Relationships are the only thing that matters in business and in life.” For Podcast Managers, those are words to live and prosper by. Today I'm interviewing one of my former students, Megan King, about client relationships and service offerings. She talks about her transition from freelance copywriter to Podcast Manager and how she has maintained her relationship with the first client she ever landed. Megan also shares some great tips on how to determine the direction of your business. 

Megan King is a graduate of my course, The Podcast Manager Program, and has been running her own management business since 2019. While she offers the standard set of services, Megan is particularly focused on the launch and strategy aspects of podcasting. Today, Megan talks about the mental hurdles and self-confidence issues she had to overcome when she first started her business. She also speaks about her new group launch program called Podcasting for Business Growth. Megan explains what her new program entails and why she thinks potential podcasters will love it!

In this episode, we cover:

- Why you ARE "techy" enough to be a Podcast Manager

- Balancing work time and mom time

- What it really means to be an Expert

- How getting to know your clients can help business growth and retention

- Pitching new offerings to current clients

- Experimenting with services to find the right fit for you

- Launching new podcasts with group support

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram!

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode83

 

EPISODE 82

Podcast conferences and live events can be a great opportunity to interact with your peers and learn information about Your industry. I recently returned from attending She Podcasts Live and today I tell you about that experience and my thoughts about these types of events. I cover what I think are the biggest benefits of going to live conferences and some factors to keep in mind when you're planning to attend. I discuss the different experience of virtual events versus those held in person and what you can expect from both. Additionally, I share some of the lessons that I learned from attending She Podcasts Live.

She Podcasts Live, Podcast Movement, and Podfest Expo are all unique events with their own energy and atmosphere. Aside from the obvious seminars and speakers, review a few of the less obvious lessons, tips, and tricks you'll gain from conference attendance. I also discuss the opportunities for trust and credibility building in your community and forming connections through networking. Finally, I talk about non-podcast oriented events that you can attend to encounter your ideal podcast clients.

In this episode, we cover:

- Re-affirming what you already know

- Why you may need to get out of your regular routine

- Client representation at conferences vs client development

- Getting to know YOUR community in a group setting

- What you will learn from a conference

- The collaborative nature of the podcasting space

- Metrics measurements and statistics for podcasts

- The atmosphere of SHE Podcasts Live and other events

- Places you can go to meet clients you want to work with

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram!

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode82

EPISODE 81

"If I only had more time..." Does that sentiment sound familiar? I'm sure we've all said it, thought it, or felt it. Neill Williams joins me on the show today to talk about how we can be more efficient with our work time to make more room in our lives for leisure and personal fulfillment. Neil shares some interesting facts about human psychology and brain function when it comes to the perception of time and mental habits. She also discusses the importance of scheduling and setting realistic goals for ourselves, as well as how to stick to the plans we make!

Neill Williams went from working crazy 60 hour work weeks in a corporate environment to cutting that time in half and still producing the same results. When it comes to scheduling and efficiency, she is an expert. Neill is a certified life and productivity coach, the host of the Unbusy Your Life Podcast, and the creator of several courses on time management. Rather than the traditional working model of trading time for money, she believes that product and result-driven valuations are the way of the future. Neill now works a 30 hour work week teaching entrepreneurs and corporate executives how to "unbusy" their lives. 

In this episode, we cover:

- Societal pressure to work and achieve MORE 

- Time at work vs. time spent actually working

- Making decisions efficiently and workload organization

- When and how to create a personal schedule

- How to stay accountable to your schedule

- Tips on how to complete tasks you don't "feel" like doing

- Procrastination Debt: what it is and how to eliminate it

- Strategies for setting realistic goals

- How to schedule for creativity

- Using podcast task time estimates as a selling point with clients

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode81

 

EPISODE 80

I know you might be thinking that it's too early to start planning for the end of the year, but trust me, it's not! 2022 is just around the corner and today I'm talking about how to prepare for the new year and wrap up the old one. I tell you the types of conversations you need to be having with your clients and give you some ideas on how to approach holiday scheduling and workloads. I also provide some podcast show ideas and suggestions for guest management.

With the holiday season creeping up, you may also be thinking about gift-giving for your clients and contractors. I'm a gift-giver myself, and I tell you some of the types of presents I've sent out in the past and suggest some others. I also touch on factors you'll need to keep in mind when you're sending your gifts. Finally, I talk about the importance of taking time for yourself and really reflecting on the year you've had in order to properly plan for the next one. 

In this episode, we cover:

- When to talk to your client about holiday schedules and planning

- Types of show themes that may appeal to your podcaster

- The best time to try booking big-name guests

- Gift suggestions for clients and subcontractors

- Taking time to reflect and plan for the new year

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode80

 

EPISODE 79

As Podcast Managers, we are always on the lookout for new services we can offer our clients and different ways to make their experience better. With the recent introduction of private podcasts to the scene, our options to provide that higher level of service just expanded. I have Lindsay Padilla, the co-founder and CEO of Hello Audio on the show with me today. She talks about the main uses of Hello Audio and why it is such a powerful tool for course creators. We also discuss different ways to repurpose audio and the benefits of listening to content when you're trying to learn something new.

Dr. Lindsay Padilla is a former sociology professor with a passion for education. Although she loved her job and was very successful at it, in 2016 Lindsay had a breakthrough moment that changed everything. She recognized that entrepreneurs need help teaching and she came up with a digital service that would help them share their knowledge and help their students complete their courses.  Working with her husband Derek, Hello Audio's Head of Product, and another co-creator, they started the company in 2019 and launched in 2020. Her private podcast service makes it easy for creators of all kinds to provide their content to select or paying consumers.

In this episode, we cover:

- The production of educational content on Hello Audio

- How Hello Audio can be used in Marketing and Lead Generation

- Use of Hello Audio by private businesses

- How private podcasts can be utilized for personal use

- The different options for audio release scheduling

- How listening to audio can boost students' confidence

- Why audio learning is great for busy people

- Why you should repurpose your content with private audio feeds

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode79

 

EPISODE 78

So I've said it before and I'll say it again, you NEED to raise your rates! Today I'm speaking with a podcast manager that has taken that advice and done it successfully. After losing her then-current podcast clients to some unforeseen events, Brittany Kues re-set her business and raised her rates. She is now working with those high-end clients we all dream about. Brittany has some great advice for us about where to go to find those clients and how to increase the value you are providing with your services. 

Like a lot of us, Brittany began her online career with a desire for work-life balance. After a false start when she signed up for an online course and got scammed, Brittany found the right education and started working as a virtual assistant. When she found out about podcast management, she was hooked! Brittany is now making great money working part time, developing her own podcast, and deciding on future directions for her company. Today she shares her opinions on outsourcing, social media, and the futility of haggling with clients over pricing. 

In this episode, we cover:

- The powerhouse combination of podcasts and Pinterest

- Where and how to find new clients

- When to outsource and what it may allow your business to achieve

- The dangers of Shiny Marketing Syndrome

- Why show notes are an important part of podcast growth

- Striking a balance between home and mom life and work

- How to make your services stand out to potential clients

- The benefits of working with high-end clients (It's not just the money!)

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode78

 

EPISODE 78

So I've said it before and I'll say it again, you NEED to raise your rates! Today I'm speaking with a podcast manager that has taken that advice and done it successfully. After losing her then-current podcast clients to some unforeseen events, Brittany Kues re-set her business and raised her rates. She is now working with those high-end clients we all dream about. Brittany has some great advice for us about where to go to find those clients and how to increase the value you are providing with your services. 

Like a lot of us, Brittany began her online career with a desire for work-life balance. After a false start when she signed up for an online course and got scammed, Brittany found the right education and started working as a virtual assistant. When she found out about podcast management, she was hooked! Brittany is now making great money working part time, developing her own podcast, and deciding on future directions for her company. Today she shares her opinions on outsourcing, social media, and the futility of haggling with clients over pricing. 

In this episode, we cover:

- The powerhouse combination of podcasts and Pinterest

- Where and how to find new clients

- When to outsource and what it may allow your business to achieve

- The dangers of Shiny Marketing Syndrome

- Why show notes are an important part of podcast growth

- Striking a balance between home and mom life and work

- How to make your services stand out to potential clients

- The benefits of working with high-end clients (It's not just the money!)

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode78

 

EPISODE 77

Raise your rates, you're worth it! Today we're talking about how to price your services and why you shouldn't try to be the "lowest of the low." Sticker shock can go both ways. Have you ever looked at a super-cheap item and thought to yourself "No thanks. There's got to be something wrong with that..."? The same is true of our clients and the way they view our services. In this episode, I'm going to give you some pointers about setting prices for the value you provide and the quality of work you produce.

If confidence is your issue and you don't feel comfortable charging higher rates, tune in. I give you a few strategies you can use to increase the level of service you're providing to your clients that will justify the rates you Wish you were charging. Along that vein, I talk about the importance of picking clients that are right for you and your company. I also touch on the mindset you need to develop when you're thinking about and marketing your business.

In this episode, we cover:

- What it signals to clients when your prices are too low

- The types of clients you are going to attract with rock-bottom pricing

- What to do when you can't land clients for the fees you have listed

- How to "up-level" your clients' experience

- Taking yourself and your business seriously

- The benefits of working with your ideal clients (both to them and to you)

- How to improve your services

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram! @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode77