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I’m filling you in today on specific steps you can take to get more local traffic to your business than you ever thought possible. Join me to learn more about improving your Google SEO! Show Highlights: How to use your “Google My Business” listing to get the most out of it Why improving your Google SEO will get your business in front of more people; the traffic is there, but do they see you? How Google gives “extra bonus points” when you put out a blog post regularly Tips to drive natural SEO traffic to your website (without creating original content): Use your previous blog posts to create audio for podcast episodes. Reversely, take previous podcast episodes, have them transcripted, and post them to your website as blog posts How you become less victimized by the changes in paid ad policies to Google, Facebook, etc. by repurposing content from one format to the other Resources: Let us help make your podcast more than you’ve imagined! If you need help with launching, strategies, or podcast production, contact us: www.teampodcast.com. 

Content creation can be an overwhelming part of the podcast process. What content should be free, and what should be paid for? I’m sharing hacks you need to know to add value for your listeners and make your podcast profitable. Join me as I clarify the options and point you in the right direction.  Show Highlights: Why you shouldn’t give all of your content away for free  Why you need to “hold a little back” when you create new content How to have new added value content without a huge time commitment: Use the pre-chat with your guests for behind-the-scenes content. Record a bonus content chat after the podcast interview, The key is to create multiple pieces of content to archive as you go along. How to use one guest interview for three separate supplemental pieces of content These additional pieces can be used on a membership site or in a private, paid podcast feed. Knowing how to stock your toolkit when you start your podcast can help you make the most of your free content and paid content. Christy’s tip: As you create content, hold back AT LEAST as much content as you give away for free. Resources: If you need help with launching, strategies, or podcast production, contact us: www.teampodcast.com.   The #1 critical key for success in your podcast is your podcast name. Name it once and name it right. Check out my Podcast Naming Secrets at www.teampodcast.com/name.  

Listen, you've got your own local business. Why in the world do you need to take time out of it to build your own platform with a podcast? Well, today I'm going to tell you all about the reasons why the most important reason is because it's gonna save you money in the long run.  Taking the time to create your own podcast allows you to build your own platform. The Benefits of Platform Building You build your largest organic traffic source for your business. You can spend less money on advertising. You can own your traffic and not get restricted from it. Why Paid Traffic is So Problematic for Small Businesses It seems like every paid traffic option for small businesses has a really obscure ROI. You don’t need another traffic source where you can’t determine what sort of ROI you are getting from your ad campaigns.Shift Your Marketing Budget to Content Marketing Most businesses that we build podcasts for, shift some of their marketing budgets to creating a podcast and that way they don’t have to create a completely new budget for podcasting. Podcasting is marketing, so it makes perfect sense.Using Content to Find New Customers By using content to jump in front of traffic that is looking for your solutions, you can find tons of your ideal customers. When your ideal customers go to Google or YouTube to search for a solution to a problem, they are using intent based search and they pay more attention to your solution. If you are just trying to market on social media, you have to do a pattern interrupt to pull them away from their mindless streaming. Most of the time, they aren’t going to social media to get answers, so it’s harder to get them to respond to your marketing messages.  The more of your marketing you can move to intent based search, the higher your conversions will be. Need help launching your podcast? We're here to help! Just visit Team Podcast to learn more!

Podcasts are a great way to engage your customers, and share interesting information with them. They can help you build lasting relationships with your clients and provide an avenue for customer feedback. Podcasts also offer a unique opportunity to reach new potential customers through appealing to a global audience. There is no denying that podcasts have become very popular in recent years, but many small business owners struggle when it comes to coming up with content ideas for their podcast episodes. To make this process easier I am going to share the 5 Pillars of Podcast Content Creation:1) People Sharing your origin story for becoming a business owner, as well as introducing your audience to the people behind your business will build loyalty. After all, your people - the human capital of your business - are the greatest asset your business has.2) Processes No matter what type of business you have, much of what separates you from your competitors has to do with your processes. It could the processes you use to ensure quality work is being done, or it could be the processes you use to manufacture or create high quality products for your business. Sharing these unique aspects of your business will help differentiate your business from all of your competitors.3) Products Whether you are making your own products or selling products created by others, highlighting the uniques aspects of the products that you carry can be interesting to your customers, as well as educational. The more you can explain why you use the raw materials that you choose, or why you source products from certain vendors, the more it will endear your customers to your products.4) Problems Showing your customers the problems you solve for people just like them is incredibly important. Sometimes you can educate your customers about small aspects of these problems that they can solve for themselves without having to call on you. The more you can educate your customers, the better your customer will become. Giving your customers actual case studies or before and after images of the way you are making their lives better will help solidify in their mind that they should call you when they have this exact problem arise.5) Promotions It's your podcast and you absolutely have permission to create promotions to share with your audience. The more dependent you can make your audience on actually promotions and specials you offer through your podcast, the less money you will have to spend on advertising. By controlling your messages to your customers via your own platform, the lower your advertising costs will be. Since much of what you spend on advertising has an unknown ROI, it only makes sense to minimize your costs by building out your largest source of organic traffic to your business - your podcast! In conclusion, I hope you find these content ideas helpful in creating new podcast episodes for your own business! Remember: People, Processes, Products, Problems and Promotions are all important pillars of content creation when it comes to podcasts - so make sure they're a part of every episode you publish! Need help launching your podcast? We're here to help! Just visit Team Podcast to learn more!

It seems like everyone is creating content these days, but is all content created equal? There are so many different types of content - audio, video, live-streaming, blog, vlogs, etc.- that is can be confusing to know exactly what a podcast is and why it's different than all the other channels. Podcasts are defined by their unique RSS feeds. In order for a show to be a true podcast, an RSS feed must be present. Uploading videos to YouTube does not require an RSS feed. Livestreaming does not involve an RSS feed, so it is not a podcast. Don't get me wrong, videos uploaded to YouTube can be repurposed into a podcast, just as videos uploaded as livestream sessions can. A podcast that has an RSS feed can be either video or audio, but most commonly, they are audio podcasts. Creating an RSS feed has gotten a lot easier over the last 10 years. Now, we simply set up an account with a podcast hosting company and they create the RSS feed that is compliant with all distribution platforms, and they host those chunky audio files. Then you distribute that feed by submitting it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and tons of other places. Each time you publish a show, your RSS feed is then updated across all platforms. You can expect to pay around $20 a month for your podcast hosting service. We recommend Captivate.FM for podcast hosting. You can get a free trial of the service here. You can gain a worldwide audience for your show by distributing it across all of the main podcasting destinations. If you are wanting to develop an online audience around your products or services, you can easily set it up so that your podcast can build an online platform to begin generating revenue online. Besides a podcast host, you just need a little bit of hardware to begin a podcast. USB mics have come a long way and some of the best mics are: Shure MV7 - $249 Rode PodMic - $99 ATR 2100X - $99 If you are recording more than one person on a computer, you can't connect to USB or USB-C mics to one computer, no matter how many USB ports you have. So you will need an audio interface to make this type of recording happen. We recommend this interface: Scarlett Focusrite 4i4 - $229

The success of your local business podcast is directly proportional to the success of your marketing campaign.   We are blazing new trails by building local business podcasts as a way to achieve your business goals.   In this episode, I lay out an effective marketing plan.  You are only limited by your creativity, so take this plan and take action.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all your podcast support! jK5KRfLbODuwpJkcxAnI

You heard it here first!  Podcasting is the best new tool for local business marketing.   In this episode, we talk about the nuts and bolts of getting a podcast up and running for your local business.  The start up costs may surprise you.  The results you get will be dependent on your internal marketing program. We tackle the start up phase in this episode.     This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.  

Local businesses can benefit greatly from having a local podcast to build a loyal following.   In this episode, I can't be more excited to share with you my vision for taking podcasting to the local business level.  I think there is a huge need and I have a great vision for what it can do for a local business. It's like having your own business reality show, where you control the content.  You share the stories of your business and the people of your business with you customers and potential customers.  In doing so, you build a tribe of raving fans. I am excited to start this series of local podcast guides with a guide for local restaurants.     This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast. The only support team you will ever need for your podcast.  Team Podcast, we take your work seriously! 

Celebrate the small wins in every aspect of your business.   Christy has much to be thankful for and she uses this episode to give you updates on where her business is.  The pier, well it is rolling along like you would expect.  There are highs and lows that any roller coaster would have.   Christy is most excited about her work with clients through Team Podcast.  Making a difference in the quality of lives through providing support feels great.   Christy has plans to continue to market Team Podcast in a way that would allow others to find her.  Supporting other businesses is very rewarding work.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.

Sometimes you have to be willing to give up a small amount of success, so that you can achieve greater things. In this episode, Christy interviews Angie Swartz.  Angie has built a successful social media marketing firm, helping local businesses with their social media strategy.  But along the way, she knew that she wasn't living up to her true calling.  She had to walk away from a successful business, in order to truly find the right path for her life. Angie now spends her days coaching others to be able to leave their doubts and fears behind and really achieve their dreams.  Angie is also the host of the Life Purpose Advisor Podcast, where she talks to other professionals about finding their purpose in life.  Angie talks about the failures along the way, as well as the lessons learned.  Angie has a coaching class starting in May and she has generously offered BAM Reporter listeners $200 off the program.  It's the best investment you can make in yourself.  Claim this  discount before April 30th, and save $200.  You can sign up for her class here.  The coupon code for $200 off is BAMR200.  Take advantage today and I guarantee you won't be sorry.   You can find Angie and her Podcast at Life Purpose Advisor.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for done-for-you podcast support services.  Pay one fee and get everything you need done.  It can't be simpler.

Constantly changing and evolving in your business is critical for survival. After a year of doing a 5 day a week podcast, Christy announces some changes to her podcast format.   There's a new direction that is much needed that she will be taking with the Brick and Mortar Reporter podcast. Listen to this episode for all the details on the changes.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for "done-for-you" podcast support services.  Free your time to create great content.  

Patrick Conlon started a brick and mortar store to figure out how to run it effectively, and then build an online presence.   Patrick was able to do what so many local business owners want.  He was able to work himself out of his business by spending several years working ON his business.   He started Shuphoric to fill a need in his community, and he alway knew he would take it online.  Over the years, Patrick has developed an expertise in helping local businesses get online on multiple platforms that are integrated.  This means that a local business can sell on their own website, their own physical location, their own ebay store, and their own Amazon store and have everything completely integrated.   Now that Patrick has worked himself out of his business, he is taking his passion for local business and helping other business owners get online too. If you need Patrick's help setting up your local business presence online, you can find him at: Selling Online Today You can also find Patrick on Facebook and Twitter.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for done-for-you podcast support services for one low price.

It's hard to have a gloomy outlook when you live in Key West. Business at Mallory Square is crusing along as expected.  There hasn't been a huge peak yet, but it will come.   Christy shares how her online business is going and also gives a sneak peak into some of the guests she has coming on the podcast.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for "done for you" podcast support services.

Zig Ziglar said it best when he said, "You can get everything you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want."   The importance of building relationships was never really evident through all of my years working for other people.  So, I have had to learn this lesson the hard way.     The impact of these lessons is really starting to hit home with me.  I feel like I am really starting to "get it".  I have seen it in practice and watched others do it skillfully.  Now, the power of relationships is having a positive impact on my business.     In this episode, I reveal how building relationships and giving before you get, are playing out in my business right now.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.  

Seth Godin calls it the dip.  I call it one bad week.   If it is the "dip" then that is great news, because statistically, the rebound is coming.  Every business has good weeks and bad weeks.  If you know your business is sound, the bad weeks won't make you question your  sanity.   A slow week in business does give pause to reflect.  By looking around you can see what other businesses are doing.  If they are down too, there's not so much to worry about.  If they are having the best week ever, then it is really time to take a second look and figure it out. No matter the ups and downs of my business at the Pier, I am reminded of a quote I heard awhile back.  "A bad day working for yourself, still beats the best days working for someone else!"  That still rings true with me.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  Theone stop shop for all your podcast support services.  One price, and all the service you need.  

The Brick and Mortar Reporter Podcast celebrates one year! Without much fanfare, the Brick and Mortar Reporter Pdcast launched on March 1, 2014.  We didn't know what we didn't know, so those first few months were slow going.  We are thankful for the support of friends and family who have been with us since the beginning. What a journey it has been.  Building anything of value takes time.  We don't quit, so we keep learning so we can make the podcast better.  We know so much more than we did a year ago, but still have so much to learn. In our 12th month of existence, we will hit our all time download record by breaking 11,000 downloads in a month.  We are also seeing much more engagement on social media through both Facebook and Twitter.   There is still muchwork to do.  There are so many great stories of small businesses to tell, and we will continue to share their stories.   We can't thank our followers enough for their support through all the ups and downs of 2014.  We only hope we can be of value to you, as you have been to us.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.  One account manager, one monthly payment, all of the support tasks done for you.

As a natural introvert, I am scared of networking.   Don't judge.  It's more common than you think.  Networking doesn't come naturally to me, but even beyond that, I miss more than half of the networking opportunities that come into my life because I am not looking for them.  I sit idly by and the opportunity passes and never even hits my networking radar.  Maybe I don't even have a networking radar.  I need to work on cultivating that. I have found a few things that take the edge off my anxiety around networking.  I am much more comfortable making networking about the other person, than I am about myself, so that is what I do.   Having a purpose in going to networking events, for me look like, "I want to come away with 3 people whose business I can help promote." Instead of trying to get people to promote my business.  That change in paradigm is the saving grace of my networking endeavors.  It takes the spotlight off of me and puts it on others. I have an aversion to the slick and schmaltzy networking that is nothing more than self-promotion.  This causes me to handle networking situations very differently than many business owners.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.  

When your business is doing well, it doesn't mean that there aren't areas to improve.   Maybe it's just me, but I am constantly fiddling with things.  I can't help myself.  Many times, I am doing it to try to drive a positive change in revenue.  Other times I am trying to lower my cost or create something that tastes incredible, and sometimes it is to become more efficient or solve a problem that I have just been dealing with. It is important to continue fine tuning your business.  It keeps your creativity working and it opens you up to new possibilities.   In this episode, I share what tweaks I have been happy with and which ones I would love to be able to make in the future.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all your podcast support services.

For any business to survive, providing stellar customer service must be a core value.   It's actually painful to see the dis-service that so many companies are doing to customer service.  Bad customer service affects a business, but it can also affect the businesses in a surrounding area.   If you are in a tourist area, you have no choice but to provide great customer service to your customers.  People will not pay premium prices to visit a tourist area, if they are not appreciated and treated with the utmost respect. Taking on those that are hurting your reputation or the reputation of your community is mandatory.  Raise the standard for customer service.  It can be your competitive edge.   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  The one stop shop for all of your podcast support services.

"Find a way" is one of my favorite Diana Nyad quotes.     This has been my mantra as I rebuild my life into what I want it to be.  After seeing Diana's one woman show called "Onward", I am even more inspired by the life of Diana Nyad.   So many business lessons can be learned from overcoming the obstacles and impossibility of accomplishing her goal.  Most of us give up way to early.  Most of us let ourselves off the hook so that we can take an easier route.  You can take the easy route or the rewarding route.   I'm all about taking the rewarding route.  It might take longer to get there, but I am on my way.  How about you?   This podcast is sponsored by Team Podcast.  You get all the podcast support you need for one monthly fee.  Introductory pricing is in effect.  Lock in these prices forever, by taking advantage now.