EPISODE 72

Communities and groups that cater to your niche are great places to get advice and network. They also have the potential to land you new clients. If you're not in one of these groups, I'm telling you right now, you need to be! If you are, are you getting the most out of it? Today's show is all about freelance communities and how they can help you grow your business.

In this episode, I'm going to tell you what a freelance community can do for you and what you can do for it. I'll also give you some general group etiquette tips and some suggestions on how to approach people within those venues. We're going to focus on the mindset you should have when you're entering and taking part in conversations and some key points to remember when you're interacting with your peers. Finally we'll discuss time management, honesty, and portraying yourself with professionalism. 

In this episode, we cover:

- Finding support from others that "get it"

- The best way to network in a group by helping others

- Having honest interactions with your peers and showing compassion

- How building strong connections can lead to job referrals

- Balancing relationship building with money generating activities

- The best way to approach your peers for professional advice

- Being humble and letting other people see you grow

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to chat more about this topic, let's continue this conversation over on Instagram: @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode72

EPISODE 71

Some days we get diamonds and some days we get a lump of coal. Today we're going to talk about what to do when you get low-quality audio from your client and how you can address it. I'll tell you a few of my own war stories and some of the technical tricks I learned to deal with bad audio. We'll also discuss setting realistic expectations with your clients and how to have honest conversations with them at the beginning of your partnership. Just as important, I'll also talk about setting realistic expectations for yourself. 

If you're worried about adding sub-par audio to your portfolio, don't be. I'll give you some strategies on using alternatives to client-recorded audio and how you can use low-quality audio to your advantage. I'm also going to go over filler words in speech. We'll talk about basic guidelines for what to cut and what to keep and how to stay true to your client's voice. If you're ever having one of those days where you just don't know what to do, come on over to the Mastermind Group. We've all been there or will be some day. You're not alone!

In this episode, we cover:

- What you can talk about with your client before they hit record

- Trouble-shooting technology issues with your podcaster

- Examples of audio editing you can use on your portfolio

- Making your audio sound great while maintaining the speaker's voice

- How to talk to your clients about audio issues

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode71

EPISODE 70

"Where the head goes, the body follows" is an old saying in the martial arts community. The same principle is true for business.  When you change your mindset and believe in yourself, great things will happen. My guest, Justine Dolores, knows this first hand. When she started her podcast management business, Justine suffered from Imposter Syndrome and it affected her ability to attract clients. She tells us how hiring a mindset coach and changing her viewpoint has helped her overcome her fears. 

Today, Justine shares some great advice about how to use discovery calls to improve your services and sales pitches. She also talks about looking for opportunities in unlikely places and what to use in lieu of a website to promote your business. As a long-time Instagram lover, Justine also has some great tips on how to use it to market your services and what to do when you DM a potential client for the first time. Although she started her business by approaching clients on Instagram and Facebook, Justine now has people seeking HER out.

In this episode, we cover:

- Starting a business in Covid times

- How to use Milkshake on Instagram to promote your business

- Changing the way you see sales calls

- How to find your ideal clients on Instagram

- Guest management and what you can offer your podcast clients

- How to create relationships with clients and naturally bring up your services with them

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode70

EPISODE 69

Do you feel like you've reached a crossroads with your business and you're not sure which route to take? This episode is for you. A lot of Podcast Managers hit a plateau when they start making $3-5 K on a monthly basis. At this point they have some big decisions to make on how to take that next step in their career. Fear not! Taking on more clients and working more hours are not your only options! 

Today we're going to talk about different ways that you can pivot your business to make it past that plateau. We'll also discuss hiring boom seasons and the best times to launch new products and services. I'll tell you the four things that podcasters are looking for help with and how you can cater to their needs. Finally I'll take you through my Podcast Manager CEO Framework and we'll talk a little bit about the new Accelerator Group I'm launching in August. 

In this episode, we cover:

- How to decide if you want to grow your business

- What to do when you're ready to pivot

- When to time new product and service releases

- How to scale your business without adding more management clients

- Three ways to help a client with a launch and becoming a "launch strategist"

- Strategies to help clients monetize and grow their shows

- Lauren's Podcast Manager CEO framework for scaling your business

- The low-down on Lauren's Podcast Manager Accelerator Group

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode69

EPISODE 68

Exhaustion, overwhelm, and stress. These are a few of the things you might be feeling if you're trying to grow your business without the proper tools in place. My guest, Kristen Westcott, is an expert in project management and will be discussing how to set up systems to help you get organized and make your life easier. Today, she shares her opinions on features you need to look for in a project management system and compares three commonly-used tools: Trello, Asana, and ClickUp. She also gives us some great insights into time management, organizing tasks, and the dangers of attempting too many business strategies.

In this episode, we cover:

- Why project management systems are necessary for organizing your workload and providing one space to hold your business materials

- How project management tools can be used when you bring in support to grow your business

- The pros and cons of Asana, Trello, and ClickUp

- Assigning priority levels, subcategories, and deadlines to different tasks in your project management system

- How much time you should spend maintaining your systems once they are established

- The importance of having a "CEO Day" where you can focus on all the tasks you've been avoiding or pushing off to later dates

- When to touch base with clients and how to integrate that into your schedule

- How many business growth strategies you should be following at one time

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode68

EPISODE 67

Do you know what's great about a one-time offer? It doesn't have to be just one time. Today we're going to talk about why you should create a one-time offer and the best ways to use this service. I'm a big fan of these special deals because they can be offered to many different types of podcasters, including prospective and existing clients. As a podcast manger, one-time offers are a great way to determine if a new client is someone you want to work with long term.  

Today I'm going to go over different types of one-time offers and how they can generate ongoing business. I'll also talk about the most common types of services podcast managers offer and how they can be used as upsells. You may be wondering, "How do I create a one-time offer?" I'll answer that question, and address the highly important subject of what to charge and when. One-time offers can provide a lot of value to both you and your customers and can be a great addition to your business offerings! 

In this episode, we cover:

- The most common services needed by podcasters: Audits, Launches, and Strategy Calls

- One-time offers for DIY podcasters

- How to test your offer before adding it to your website or portfolio

- When to use Free calls with clients and how long they should last

- When to use Paid calls with clients and what they should entail

- How one-time offers can lead to repeat business

- How to market your one-time offer

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram @laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode67

EPISODE 66

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is the fine art of strategically using key words in your written content to ensure that it shows up in search engine queries. Seems like a pretty important thing to know when you're producing or managing a podcast doesn't it? Luckily, there are experts out there like my guest, Danielle Gagnon, who specialize in content strategy and SEO. She has some great advice for us today on repurposing episodes into spin-off content, how to SEO your podcast show notes, and how to come up with ideas for new shows by doing keyword research. She also talks about the future of podcasting SEO and optimization strategies for different search platforms.

In this episode, we cover:

- How Google searches work by indexing titles, show notes, and all associated written content, which all contributes to SEO

- Understanding how to do keyword research so that you are using the words and phrases that your listeners are using

- How to create content by answering the questions that people are commonly searching for the answers to in their Google searches

- The art of spin-off content via posts on social media, blog-style show notes, and more by capitalizing on the theme of your primary content

- How to create effective variations for the keywords you're trying to highlight in your content and avoiding repetition.

Thanks for listening! I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenwrighton

https://laurenwrighton.com/episode66

Welcome to the Podcast Manager Show, I'm your host, Lauren Wrighton! With over 90k new podcasts started each month, podcast managers are desperately in need! In the first podcast DESIGNED for podcast managers, I share exactly how to build a profitable podcast management business without working more than 20 hours a week!

I'm a podcast strategist who went from making $5 an hour to $50+ an hour in less than 6 months by making a few changes in my business. To hear the whole story, go listen to episode 1 first! Now I teach freelancers how to become profitable podcast managers through this show and my paid program, The Podcast Manager Program!

Tune in each week to get one step closer to running the profitable Podcast Management business of your dreams! Thanks for being here and come hang out with me on Instagram @LaurenWrighton and grab a seat to my masterclass at LaurenWrighton.com/masterclass!

EPISODE 65

I receive emails all the time from listeners listing their questions, concerns, and hesitations about starting a podcast management business. Some people worry about taking on a position of authority where they're making recommendations and guiding people. Others are concerned about their technological knowledge in this rapidly growing industry. Whatever your hesitation is, keep in mind that you can learn what you don't know, but if you don't enjoy the process of learning or the essence of the job itself, it isn't going to be right for you. 

On today's episode, I want to get real with you. I want to take an honest look at the Podcast Management job and lay out some facts that you'll seriously want to consider before making this your career. I'll be going over the nuts and bolts of the job itself, the day-to-day reality, and what you need to be successful. It's my hope that giving you these details up front will help you make an informed choice about joining this profession. 

In this episode, we cover:

- The details of podcast management itself, including managing details, guiding podcasters, and taking the initiative.

- The fact that even if you're not doing the editing, you're still listening to many podcast episodes per week, so you'd better like podcasts in the first place! 

- How the podcast industry is rapidly evolving, and your job success and satisfaction will depend on your ability to stay on top of things. 

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to chat more about this topic, I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode65

Giveaway details: July 13-18, 2021

To enter: Write a review and share the podcast in your stories or DM me, using #podcastmanagergiveaway

Prizes:

1. Strategy call with Lauren Wrighton

2. Yeti Mic + mpow headphones

3. Rachel Rogers Book: We Should All Be Millionaires

EPISODE 64

My guest, Char Alves, has achieved the work-life balance dream: to make money, have time for yourself, and do something you love. Today on the show we talk about how she has built a lucrative business that allows her the flexibility she needs for self-care while managing a chronic illness. We also discuss fears and hesitation. For some, fear can be a great motivator, but for many of us it's the thing that stops us from trying something new, telling our stories, and sharing our message. As a Podcast Manager, sometimes we need to coach our clients and ourselves through that fear and insecurity to deliver their message. 

In her time as a Podcast Manager and Strategist, Char has been able to use her profession for good by pushing forward social justice issues. She talks about doing this by reaching out to prominent voices on important topics that may have been put off by trolls and negativity from other platforms. She encourages them to deliver their message in the safe, uncensored space that is podcasting. Not only has this tactic helped her to build her ideal client list, but it also enables her to further the causes she cares about in both her personal and professional lives.   

In this episode, we cover:

- Growing your confidence by putting in the time to learn the job inside and out and making sure that you take things at your own pace without comparing it to others. 

- Cold calling and supporting potential clients emotionally by inviting them into the world of podcasting and making it feel like an inclusive space.

- Managing insecurities about sounding dumb, causing offence, and coming off the wrong way, and the inevitable self-corrections needed to be successful.  

- Setting up your business and establishing boundaries to suite your needs and ensure the flexibility you desire. 

- Helping clients choose a hosting platform for their podcast based not on what the industry favorite is, but what makes sense for them, their budget, and their goals. 

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to chat more about this topic, I'd love to continue this conversation over on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenwrighton

SHOW NOTES: https://laurenwrighton.com/episode62