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Are you compromising your authority just by how you present your information? You might be if you do this one thing? And I hear a lot of people doing it?  I’m not going to mince words, it drives me crazy? Imagine if every sentence you wrote had a question mark on the end (like I did above). It would be pretty hard to accept that person as a confident expert in their field, right? You’d have to doubt whether they actually know anything if they are even questioning themselves.  This is what you are doing if you engage in ANY level of upspeak (or uptalk).  Upspeak is when your intonation goes up at the end of the sentence. The result is a sentence that sounds a bit like a question, even when it’s not meant to be.  This alone can sabotage your efforts to sound like an authority in your field or come across as a subject matter expert.  And the worst part is, so many people have no idea they are doing it.  First thing you need to do is listen to your own podcast and have an ear out for any level of upspeak.    Next, fix it!   The antidote to upspeak is downspeak. You can practice this by having your tone drop down at the end of a sentence. End on an emphatic note. End with some certainty. Drop it down so they know that it’s a fact not a question.  Try putting an arrow on your script at the end of each sentence to remind you to drop it down. You might even want to practice over doing it, just to get the feel of it.  Downspeak has the opposite effect of upspeak. It will instantly boost your authority. It makes you sound confident in your own words. People will feel reassured by this and see you as someone who knows what they are talking about. And, they will trust you and the information you are sharing. That’s what you want, right? To be known as someone who knows what they are talking about and who can be trusted? If you are an entrepreneur or business owner who is using your podcast as a marketing tool, then you want your podcast to boost your know-like-and-trust factor. Being confident and delivering information with certainty is going to make you much easier to trust! It can take some time to break out of the upspeak habit, especially if you’ve been doing it a long time. But, keep at it. It’s worth it. And, you will see the results in how your podcast performs.  And I hope that’s just the tip you need? Ahem, I mean I hope that’s just the tip you need⬇. Need more help creating or turning your podcast into an authority boosting machine? Book a free 15-minute coaching call and we’ll get down with the details on how to do that. https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

**Jerk-Alert** Fair warning… in this episode, I share 5 things you should be doing to ensure you get the best possible audio from guests on your show … but I can’t promise I’ll be nice about it.    Here’s what happens all the time. Podcasters focus on their own audio quality (and they should). They get the best mic they can, they pad out their room, they drape themselves in blankets… they go to extreme lengths to make sure they sound great for their listener.    Awesome.   But then they let guests show up on their podcast and deliver pure crap directly into their listener’s earballs. Ouch.    Why would you do that to your listeners?    Instead, follow these tips for securing the best possible sound every time. Yes, this will require a small amount of effort before you hit record, but it’s worth it.    Here are the 5 things you can do to improve the quality of your guest’s audio: Choose the right platform to do your recording (especially if you are connecting via video). Hint: make it ABZ - Anything But Zoom Use your eyes and ears to scan the environment. Hunt down sounds that can come up and ruin your interview audio. Think kids, cats, dogs, pens, jangly earrings, and phones.  Shut the hell up during your interview. All of the re-affirming is destroying your guest’s audio. They’re doing fine, they don’t need all of this encouragement. Nod if you must.  Solidify your connection or strengthen your wifi. You can’t expect great audio over the internet if you don’t have a great internet connection.  Get them ON the right MIC! There are a lot of things that technically qualify as ‘a mic’.  You want to be demanding that they pick the right one. In this episode, I demonstrate how cheap mics, earbud mics, and onboard laptop mics sound so you can hear how crappy they are. I also help you coach your guest in making the most of a bad (mic) situation.  This mini-coaching session before you start your interview is critical if you are trying to make the best of the situation you’ve been dealt (i.e. the guest said they have a mic but it’s a pile of crap).    I can’t say this enough. You are making your podcast for your listener. As in, not your guest. So, do your job and demand better from your guests. Ooops, sorry, slipping back into the jerk zone.    Just tell your guest that you want your audience to hear every perfectly clearly so they don’t miss a thing. Everyone who agrees to be on a podcast WANTS to sound good… so help them, and help your listener, and help yourself. Everyone wins.    Want more tips on sounding better? Let’s connect for a free 15-minute coaching call. Grab a spot on my calendar: https://calendly.com/timwohlberg   By the way, I mentioned a few platforms that out-perform Zoom when it comes to recording podcasts. They are:  Squadcast.fm   Riverside.fm  Zencastr.com

“Are you aware of the connection of your show name to rape culture?” That was a question I got in an email a few months ago and it stopped me dead in my tracks.  Now, I’m not going to pretend that my old show name, Just the Tip was innocent. While it was an exact description of the premise of my show -- just the tip you need to improve your podcast -- I knew there was some sexual innuendo in there. It’s a phrase I grew up with and never really considered it too offensive. In fact, I didn’t really think all that much about it at all.    Call me naive, but I didn’t equate it to rape or date rape. Once someone pointed it out, I couldn’t think of it any other way. And, I couldn’t go on calling my show by that name. So, I decided to ditch it.    Changing your show name should not be done lightly. You want to make sure that you are doing it for a good reason. I mean, it’s not like underwear that you change once a week.    Here are some good reasons to change your show name: It no longer represents your brand or your brand values (check) You’ve rebranded as a business and you need your show to join the party You’ve pivoted (either your show or your audience) and the name doesn’t fit anymore You’ve niched down and you need your show name to reflect that.  There are a million other podcasts with the same name and you’re getting lost in a sea of sameness. You picked a crappy name in haste and you know better now (check)    If it makes sense for you to change your name, make sure you pick your new one well. You want it to be clear over clever. And, you want to do some research to make sure it’s not going to be taken in a way you don’t (ahem) intend it to be.    Once you’ve landed on an Oh-So-Much-Better name, you will need to do a few things.  Secure the domain of your new name Change your show art Log in to your podcast distributor (like Libsyn, Buzzsprout or Podbean) and change the title in your show settings  Upload your new artwork (listen to this episode for some tips around this) Update your categories (if needed) Change your copyright on your website Audit your social to make sure everything reflects your new name Announce it! This is optional, but it’s a good idea to let your fans know that it’s still you even if the name has changed.    Changes on your distribution network can take 24 hours, so check back in that everything has taken hold.    That’s it! Changing your name is easy, but you want to get it right.  And, be careful about blaming the name for bigger issues. Just changing the name may not be enough to save a poorly performing podcast. That might require a bit more work and an actual pivot. This is what we cover in my Podcast Tuneup. If you think you might need a name change or a show tune-up, let’s chat. Grab a free 15-minute coaching call and I’ll tell you what I think.

The world of podcasting is constantly changing and it can be tough to keep up. In fact, there’s so much change, you might be tempted to just ignore most of these miniscule shifts.  Well, I don’t blame you but there are a few key changes coming that are worth paying attention to. In fact, there are a few that are important enough that you might want to change one of the things you probably say EVERY episode.  Since I want to help you avoid getting sucked into the vortex of podcast news, I’ve done a round up of the most important podcast news (that actually matters to you as a podcaster).  Before I jump in, I want to give a big shout out to two sources I count on to get some of my podcast news: Podnews and The Feed (a podcast by Libsyn). I love the insider information.   So, here’s what you need to know about what’s shaking things up in the podiverse.   Apple is ditching the term ‘subscribe’ from their podcast platform. What does this mean? Well, for one thing, you might want to think twice about telling people to subscribe! Instead, you need to get comfortable telling people to follow you. Yep, that’s the new verb around here. Follow is the new subscribe. There is a pretty interesting reason they’re scrapping subscribe - give this episode a listen to find out.  Auto-downloading is dead on Apple. This is also an Apple-specific change on iOS 14.5 and beyond.  What this means is that your subscribers, er, followers will now have to manually select auto-download or download what they want. This may mean that you may see a drop in your download numbers. But, you’re not obsessing with those numbers anyway, right? Artwork spreads to your background. Your podcast artwork (you know your show art or cover tile) will now inspire your Apple Podcast background. I wonder where they got this idea, ahem, Spotify.  So, I hope you really like your artwork! Your limit has been increased. Apple Podcasts used to limit you to 300 episodes well, not any more. Now you can keep going and going and going… all the way to 2000. #podgoals So long Apple Podcast summary field. It’s gonzo. Now, this may be different depending on your podcast host. I use Libsyn and so do most of my clients (use promo code TIM to get 2 months free). Anyway, in Libsyn, the field is nixed because Apple doesn’t do anything with it anyway. Boom. I just saved you like 30 seconds (times your new limit of 2000 podcasts = 16.66 hours. Yer welcome).    So, these are the changes coming your way courtesy of Apple. Remember, these changes will take effect for only a portion of a portion of your audience. Only the people who will update to iOS 14.5 will see these changes. It’s a sign of things to come but there is no need to panic. I said, don’t PANIC!  Podcasting is always shifting so try to stay on top of things without obsessing. Focus on creating great content that your audience loves. They’ll forgive you for telling them to subscribe instead of follow. More tips at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

I want to subscribe to your podcast. It seems like a simple thing. It should be a simple thing.  I can’t tell you how many times I go to a podcasters website eager to check out their show. I love what I’m hearing and I think, ‘oh boy, I can’t wait to subscribe!’ And then, it happens. I’m looking for the button.  The one that is going to take me to my podcast listening app of choice. I’m ready to click that big, juicy button and be a regular weekly download for you.    BUT I can’t find your stinking button!    Or worse, you’ve got the logo for my favorite podcast listening app but it’s just for show. I click on it but it doesn’t go anywhere. Booooo! Now I think you stink and I’m not going to subscribe.  And don’t bother telling me that I can just go to my player and search your show name. Get over yourself, you weren’t that good. Ain’t nobody got time for that kind of nonsense, fool! It’s over. You lost a subscriber. All that work getting the word out, getting them to your website, getting them to fall in love with you and you lost it. All because you couldn’t be bothered to add a muther effing link.  You think I’m exaggerating but it has happened more times than I can count. Mind you, I check out a lot of podcast websites. *hint: if you book a 15-minute free coaching call with me, your website better be ready for me.    So, here is my one little tip that could make a huge difference. Add subscribe buttons to your website. It is undeniably the best and easiest way to secure a subscriber from your website. Just make it easy for them! Head on over to my website. Pick a page, any page (okay, maybe not ANY page) and you’ll find a beautiful array of sumptuous buttons to click and subscribe. Go on, take a look. You know you want to.

Getting on other peoples podcasts is one of the most effective ways to promote your show and reach a new audience. It’s the number one thing I coach my clients to do when they are looking to grow their audience and increase their downloads.  But there is a right and a WRONG way to go hunting for an invitation. In this episode, I share a recent letter that I got asking to be on my show (which they claimed to love and listen to all the time).  If you’re a fan of my show then you already know why I have no worries that they’ll ever hear me shaming them on my show! Bad examples aside, I’m here to give you the tips!  So, in this episode, I also give you the things you should do if you want to be successful in getting on other people’s podcasts.    Guide to getting on other people’s podcasts.  Select podcasts that make sense for your area of expertise.  ACTUALLY listen to a few episodes (at least get the gist of their show - like find out if they actually have guests on their show!) Connect with them before you pitch. Social media is good for this but you might also want to check their website to see if they have an application process. Pitch a topic that will serve THEIR listeners. Show off the fact that you’ve actually listened to their show.  Let them know how much you plan to promote your appearance. You know, offer to scratch their back a bit.  Don’t blow smoke up their ass. Don’t tell them you love their show if you haven’t been listening for more than a minute. Keep it real.  Follow up… but not in a canned way.    And most importantly, don’t be overly templated and don’t blanket inquire. Yes, you might land a few appearances but dollars to donuts - these are not the quality shows that will actually give you results.  Take the time to find a good fit, do your research, make a solid pitch and you’ll see the quality audience boost you’re looking for.  Oh, and one more thing. This is not a quick return strategy. Good podcasts plan weeks if not months in advance. You won’t be pitching a show and then be on their next episode… and if you are, you might want to question the caliber of that show. Just saying.  Getting on other people’s podcasts can be a fantastic strategy but only if you’ve got a good show to back things up. A quality podcast is going to do their homework on you too. So, do you have the kind of show that they would want to be associated with. Would they trust you and your show with their audience? They worked long and hard to develop trust with their fans… are they going to risk it on you?    Get your show in top shape before you start asking for access to someone’s audience.  If you need help with that, I’d be happy to whip your show into share-worthy shape with my Podcast Tune-up. Book a 15-minute call with me if you want to learn more.

When we talk about tools to make you a better podcaster, you probably think about mics and mixers. Well, there’s one tool you want to have in your tool kit and it’s one that I never podcast without. The mighty pen.  I know, I know, nobody uses a pen anymore because we’re always typing and texting. Well, there are three good reasons for you to go old-school and embrace the pen as an essential podcaster tool.  (Kids, a pen is a device that us old people used to use to communicate. We would use it to write words on paper so we could pass notes around the classroom. It looked kind of like a stylus but with ink in it.)   Three ways to use a pen if you’re a podcaster: Shape up that lazy, sloppy mouth of yours. If your diction is slipping (or you’re podcasting after a tequila bender again) this trick will help you form your words perfectly. This trick is a great way to ensure you start your podcast strong.  Tappity Tap. Make sure you are actually recording with the right mic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard great podcasts that sound like shit because they were recorded using the integrated mic instead of that big, gorgeous podcaster mic. Tap it before you hit record and make sure you see the tell-tale spike. And, while you’re at it, get your guest to tap theirs (especially if they sound like they’re talking to you through a couch cushion).  Like a pen. Ah, good old pen and paper. I use a pen when I’m recording to mark up my script (I might underline words I want to emphasize or put some lines between sentences where I need a dramatic pause). But, I also use it to stay in the moment during interviews. If your guest says something you want to come back to and you don’t have a pen to note it down, you’re going to have to store it in your brain. Now you’re thinking about your next question instead of listening to your guest! (ahem, that’s bad). So, note it down, stay in the conversation and come back to your note when the time is right.    A pen may not be fun and sexy like a new swinging mic arm or a sweet mixer, but it’s still an essential tool in my podcast toolkit. Ever since my broadcast days, I won’t turn on a mic without one.  Oh, and you are wondering if you can use a pencil instead. The answer is NO! Gross! Also, pencils are too audible when you make notes so just throw that thing in the trash.  It’s true. These are the kinds of tips you’ll only hear from me and if you want more of them, make sure you are signed up to receive my twice monthly Podcaster Tipsletter emails. https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

We lost a broadcast legend. Larry King was most known for his 25-year run on CNN hosting Larry King LIVE but podcasters can learn a lot from him - especially if you interview guests on your show.    In this episode, I explore a few of the lessons podcasters can learn from the late, great Larry King.  Time Magazine called Larry the master of the mic. TV Guide crowned him “the most remarkable talk show host on TV, ever". In my decades in radio, Larry was an interviewer gold standard that inspired me and many of the hosts I worked with.  If you’re a podcast host and conduct interviews,  I want to share some things you can learn from Larry King. These are lessons that will help make you a better interviewer, get the most out of your guests, and create a loyal listening audience (just like Larry). Great Interviewer Lesson #1: When the red light is on - you show up!  This is something Larry said in an interview. It didn’t matter what kind of day he was having or how he felt about a guest - when that red light came on he was in it. Even if you don’t do your show live (and have a red light) you can still show up with the same kind of enthusiasm as Larry. In fact, I encourage you to tell your guest that the show is ‘live to tape’ so they show up too.    Great Interviewer Lesson #2: Challenge Your Guest One of the things that drives me crazy is when an interviewer gets lazy, lobs softballs, and let’s a guest get away with half answers or spin. As an interviewer, it’s your job to get the answer and challenge your guest - without being a dick. Larry was the master of this.  He was an investigator. Some called him persistent. Barbara Walters called him probing but a man who never attacked. He challenged them, he pushed them to go deeper, and he got the most out of them.    Great Interviewer Lesson #3: Build Trust Even though Larry was known for being a probing interviewer, he did it with respect and that earned him the trust of his guests. And, because they were comfortable, they were more likely to give a better interview.  He did it by treating his guests like a friend, finding common ground. As a podcaster, spend those 5 minutes before you countdown to hitting record, making your guest feel comfortable. That could mean bringing up the fact you saw their family mountainbiking pictures  on instagram. What do you know, you’re both parents of 8 yr old boys. That can create a level of connection and trust instantly that will make a big difference in your interview.   Great Interviewer Lesson #4: Be brief I’d have to say one of the biggest qualities of Larry King I enjoyed, was his brevity. He knew how to ask a question and shut up while he waited for the answer.  He never made the question about him, what he may already know or what he thought the answer might be. He never had to prove to anyone that he knew something. He let his guest do the talking.   Great Interviewer Lesson #5: Stay curious and ask ‘Why?’ This is not just a tip about being a better interviewer it’s also a tip about making it the long haul. If you aren’t curious about what your guest has to say or contribute to the conversation, you’re going to get bored very quickly (and so is your audience). The best questions come from being in the moment, present in the interview and asking the questions that listeners want answers too. That might mean going off script and it might mean letting things get a bit weird or uncomfortable while you wait for the answer. One of the best ways to dig deeper and itch that curiosity is to ask one of the best questions an interviewer can ask -- Why? This is a powerful open ended question that every podcaster should have at the ready. The trick is to shut the hell up afterward and let them answer.    Now, if you really want to be just like Larry King you will also need to: Smoke 4 packs of cigarettes a day to get his voice. Wear suspenders… I mean you gotta have a look right? Conduct over 50,000 interviews. And get married 8 times.   Even if you went to that level of commitment, there will never be another Larry King.  But, we can still take some inspiration and make our podcasts the best damn interview podcast in our niche.  I can’t promise you the kind of success Larry had, but I can promise you that in 15-minutes, I can help you get on track to creating a better podcast. Grab your free 15-minute coaching call by clicking here.

Does your podcast have themes buckets? Breaking News: it needs them! “Uh, Coach, what’s a podcast theme?” So glad you asked, Billy.    A podcast theme is where you place the topics of your show. It’s a grouping of topics or, if you come from the world of blogs, categories.  Basically - it’s a way to organize your show content into specific groups.  And the reason it’s so critical to your show’s survival is because they can keep you from making a bad decision. You know, like that little voice inside your head that says, “maybe you can’t leap from rooftop to rooftop like Tom Cruise.” A bad podcast decision isn’t quite as deadly as that but it can cost you listeners.  When you don’t control your content by containing it in theme buckets you’re free to have episodes about anything and everything. And while that might be amusing for you (and maybe your co-host) it most certainly is not of value to your listener.    I have four themes on my show. Can you guess what they are? It doesn’t really matter if you don’t know - the point is, my job is to create a podcast that serves your needs as an entrepreneur looking to start or improve their podcast. So, any time I think of a topic, I see if it fits into one or more of my buckets. If it doesn’t, I don’t do it.  You can attract listeners to your show all kinds of ways but turning them into a subscriber and frequent listener requires consistency in your content. They need to know that you’re always going to be dishing up what they want, need, and love.  If you start doing shows on random topics, you could lose them forever. I’ve got a thing for Bonsai but if I start doing shows about that, you’re probably going to stop listening.  So, having theme buckets helps you determine if an episode topic is right for your show or something that you might want to give a pass. It can be the big muscle-bound bouncer with a tight grip on that velvet rope.  Picture this. A topic comes up and it clearly fits into one of your theme buckets… come on in, good to see ya. Another topic comes up that doesn’t fit into your themes. See ya buddy. Not on the list. Take a hike, this podcast is not for you.  Just because YOU are interested in a topic that doesn’t mean it’s right for your show. You have to remember who you’re making this show for… your listener. And they want to keep the club exclusive.   Not sure what your themes are or should be? I bet we could figure it out together in 15 minutes. Book your free 15-minute coaching call with me and let’s find out. 

At the time of recording, we’re still in the thick of that damn pandemic and pretty much everyone is ready to get to a post-zoom-meeting world.  So, I’m sure today’s tip is going to come as a welcome suggestion - get the hell off Zoom.  Sorry, this is not a ‘get out of Zoom free’ card and you can’t use me to get out of marathon work meetings or awkward family gatherings via Zoom. (oh, what the hell - go ahead, what do I care!) But, I’m really only talking about ditching this platform as a place to hold and record podcast interviews.  I know, I know - it’s an easy place to get people to meet and record. But, do you want your podcast to sound like it was easy or do you want it to sound GOOD!?   Zoom delivers compressed audio.     Think of it like watching TV on standard def. Yeah, you can see everything but it’s not the high quality it could be… and when you friends come over, they are definitely going to notice!  If you’re podcasting for your business… imagine creating a TV ad with your 1996 flip-phone. That’s what you’re doing if you’re recording your podcast on Zoom.  But, Coach Wally… what am I supposed to do?  I am so glad you asked!    I review a few options for you in this episode (including how you can stick with Zoom and still get great sounding audio but *spoiler alert* it’s not an easy work around).  More importantly, I share 4 of alternatives to Zoom for recording podcasts. And the good news is, they all sound better because they were built with the podcaster in mind! Here are ZOOM alternatives you should consider if you want your podcast to sound next level.   Squadcast.fm  I love squadcast. You can see your guest and record high quality audio at the same time. They’ve got great support and are working hard to bring the video recording feature to their platform but it’s not possible yet (soon, they say…). Still, this is one of the options I recommend to my clients.    Riverside.fm This is my new fave. I love their interface. I love the local recording. You not only get great high quality audio but you also get high quality video that you can download. So, if you’re doing video and podcasting, this is your platform.   Zencastr.com This platform has a free version that provides high quality audio and is super easy for both you and your guest. They’ve introduced the option to record video but it’s still in beta.    Ringr.com Another option providing high quality audio. They have a lot of options but these also make it more complicated. No video option at this time. But if you just need audio. This is a solid option.   Which one is right for you? The first thing you have to ask yourself is whether video connection is important (do you need to see who you’re interviewing) and do you need to be able to download high quality video from your interview?  Whichever you choose, they are ALL better than Zoom.  Does your podcast need more than a quick tip to get it performing? How about a free 15-minute call with me? Click here and grab a spot on my calendar.

When people hear I’m a podcast coach they want to know, ‘is it worth starting a podcast for my business?’.  The answer is: maybe. Timing is everything and it totally depends on where you are in your business development.  In this week’s episode, I cover when to start a podcast for your business - and when NOT to start a podcast for your business.    So, should you start a podcast for your business? Here is question number one in figuring that out.    Are you actually a business? I’m not being smug… okay, maybe a little bit but really, have you met me?    What I mean by that is, are you making money or are you still at the idea stage of your business? Do you have systems in place to deal with community engagement, leads, and sales? You want to be in business before you can start using podcasting as a marketing tool.    There are three key reasons this is important.  Podcasting takes time and/or $$. If you take on podcasting as a marketing tool, you are signing up for 4-5 hours per week of work (for a weekly podcast). Or, you will need to have support like a producer, editor, or show notes writer (which costs money). So, if you are not already in business - podcasting is going to take time and resources away from critical steps in building your business. Now, if you have a big team and money to burn, then go for it! Start your podcast as you build your business.  Podcasting is most effective when it’s intentional. There are a lot of brand-building benefits to podcasting - increase your visibility, your reach, your authority, your SEO and boost that know-like-and-trust factor as you grow your community. BUT, podcasting is most effective when you can use it to guide your listeners along a customer journey. What I mean is that you have something beyond the podcast to help them get the results they’re looking for. This usually means you have a place for them to transform from fan to lead to customer. If you don’t have your business ducks in a row, it’s pretty hard to be intentional with your podcast.  Podcasting isn’t instant coffee. You can’t just start and expect a jolt to your business. I remind people all the time that podcasting is a long game - usually a year before you see BIG benefits. So, if what you need is sales tomorrow, you need to advertise or network or run a promotional campaign - not start a podcast. Podcasting delivers amazing results for people if they stick with it. Yes, it helps with SEO - over time. Yes, it helps you generate leads, grow your community, and makes sales easier - over time. Now, there is one instant thing that comes with having a podcast - authority. Just having a podcast does look good (looks even better if the podcast sounds good) but the longer the show’s been around, the better that authority is. In other words, your authority grows over time.    So, is it worth starting a podcast for your business? Heck yeah - if you have a business.  And, if you have the time and/or the resources to do it right. And, if you know what you want your podcast to DO for your business... then the answer is YES - it is worth starting a podcast as a marketing tool.  Okay - did you pass the test? Is it time for you to start a podcast for your business? Listen to Episode 77 for my quick tips on how to start a podcast right. Or, book a free 15-minute call with me to find out how I can help get you from concept to casting. 

Your interview is too long. I mean, it’s waaaay longer than your normal interviews.    This has happened for one of two reasons: You lost control of your guest and let them run rampant with your show (see episode 63 How to Save Your Podcast from Hijackers).  You were so caught up in the moment with your amazingly interesting guest that you lost track of time.    Either way - you’ve failed your listener!   Yep, I said it. You stopped thinking about your audience and now you expect them to suffer through a way too long episode just because you failed to think of them first.  Fear not - we can still save your show, share all of the juicy goodness from your guest, and keep your listener happy.  What magic do I speak of? The Interview Time Warp ™ ← just kidding, it’s not trademarked but credit me if you use it, okay? The Interview Time Warp is a technique that allows you to cut giant chunks of time out of your interview without leaving anything out.    Here’s how to do it:  Identify a section of the interview that, while interesting (I mean, you’re a rockstar interviewer, right) can be summed up easily. Cut that chunk out.  Sum it up. Write a short script that speaks directly to the listener explaining the key points of that section. Now, add a sentence that sets up the next answer from your guest.  Record your Time Warp script and replace the chunk you cut out. Your time warp is now like a bridge over the section you removed.  Boom! Pat yourself on the back - you are a podcast time-traveler.  Okay, let me give you an example. Your guest finished a salient point. You give it a breath and then come in with your time warp, “The conversation took a turn here and we spent the next twenty minutes talking about XYZ. My guest shared these three key tips (1, 2, 3). Then I asked her …”  Simple and sexy, if I do say so myself. And the best part, you can do this more than once if you need to. (If you’re hitting double digits on the time warps, you REALLY need to consider working on your interview skills!)   Two More Mind-Blowing Ways to Use The Interview Time Warp Lead-in with a time warp. This happens all the time - you start the interview and it takes a while to get to the really good stuff. There’s no podcast law that says you have to start at the beginning. Sum up how the conversation started and jump right into the solid gold.  Reconstitute the lost content. The interview section that you extract doesn’t have to be lost in space - you can repurpose it as bonus content. Depending on the action you most want listeners to take, you might offer it as part of your Patreon library, share it with newsletter subscribers, have the full version or transcript as a lead magnet, or available on your youtube channel. If your goal is to get more people to your website, then you could have this bonus content in your show notes.    The main thing to keep in mind here is that you need to respect and value your listener. And that means, delivering a consistent show that serves their needs. They come to you for the goods, don’t make them ride that skip button or, gasp, listen at double-time just to get through your over-extended conversation.  Speaking of time travel, if you want to make a hyperjump in getting results from your podcast, I can help. It starts with a free 15-minute coaching call with me. Access my calendar here to get the flux capacitor fired up... https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

Are you phoning it in when it comes to your show notes? Stop! Don’t underestimate the value of podcast show notes. They’re not just something you ‘have’ to fill in when you upload!  If you’ve ever listened to my show before then you know that I’m a HUGE proponent for serving your listener. And, hellur, show notes are all about serving your listener.  But, ahem, don’t tell anyone, they also serve you and your business - if you do them right.    What are Show Notes?  A lot of people think of show notes as that paragraph that you pop into the ‘description’ field when you upload your show. This is short-sighted. Show notes should be a comprehensive outline of what the listener will hear in each episode and they should be jam-packed with great information.  Think of them as a blog about the episode that (in addition to being in your description) lives on your website (along with a podcast player). They should be at least 500 words and, if they’re done right, they can really help your show get found and appreciated.    How do Show Notes Help Your Podcast? There are a few ways that they help you grow your podcast and your reach.    Value to the Listener    First, they show your audience that you care enough about the information you’re providing that you actually put some effort into sharing that information.    Improve your Website’s SEO    There is a lot to having good search engine optimization but one of the keys is to have quality content that is posted consistently to your website (that search engines can actually find and catalog). Just having the audio on your website, is not going to accomplish this but having good show notes for each episode will. Good SEO is going to increase the chances of your podcast (and your website) getting found when people are searching your subject matter.    Drive Traffic    If you are podcasting for your business, then one of the key goals of your podcast is likely to get people visiting your website. Here, they will find links in your show notes that allow them to consume more of your website’s content, follow links to your products or offer, or contact you. Sweet.    Want to know How to Write Good Podcast Notes?  The first rule is to create show notes that you would want to read. Think about how they look (nobody wants to stare at long blocks of text). Consider including bullet points, graphs or images (especially if you mentioned it in your show!) Here are few other things to include: A breakdown or summary of the show is a must. Make sure you include the info that they get if they listen. Some people worry that including everything in their show notes will mean nobody listens - who cares! If they’re getting the info they’re looking for, you’re still the hero!    Transcripts are an option in show notes. This is the text version of exactly what is said in the podcast. You can also include timestamps so that people can listen in to exactly what was said or they can easily find the section of the transcript they are looking for.    Check your language. Good show notes will mimic the tone of the show itself - you want your personality to come out in the notes! Make sure to also include keywords, questions or statements that might be similar to what your ideal listener would use if they were searching for an answer. BUT, don’t keyword stuff (aka overdo it with keywords) - the platforms will dump you and the search engines may penalize you.    Links, baby! One of the most important parts of serving your listener through show notes is to give them the links they came looking for. Include links to resources you mention, your guest, and related podcast episodes. Don’t forget to link to other pages on your site so they know you’ve got more good stuff to check out.    If you do all of this, you will definitely be serving your listener better and you likely see the rewards in terms of improved organic search, boosted know-like-and-trust factor with your audience, and increased sales.  So, don’t underestimate those podcast show notes… they might just be the last step in making your podcast a powerful marketing tool for your business.    Speaking of taking the next step - if you’re serious about turning your podcast into a powerful marketing tool for your business, you should definitely hit me up for a free 15-minute coaching call. What do you have to lose? Check out my calendar and book a chat right away.  https://podcastperformancecoach.com/ https://calendly.com/timwohlberg  

Where do new podcasters waste their energy and where should they put their energy when starting a podcast?  This excellent question was sent in by podcaster, Andrew Petty of Andrew Petty is Dying. Thanks for asking.  My response is simple - how instead of why.  Hmmm… I guess that’s a bit confusing. Here’s what I mean.  Too many podcasters decide they have a great idea for a show and then spend the next 3 months trying to figure out the best equipment and process for getting a podcast out there.  Newsflash - how to podcast is the easy part! You don’t need the best equipment when you start, you just need the Bare Minimum (as I explain in episode 67).  Common sense to ego, come in ego… the best mic in the world isn’t going to make your podcast an overnight sensation.  If all you focus on is the tech, you’re going to be sorely disappointed when you peak out at 35 listeners (and, when you realize that half a dozen of those are you automatic downloads from your family who stopped listening at episode 4).  This is why figuring out the tech stuff is a colossal waste of energy for new podcasters. Especially because it takes away from what they really SHOULD be putting some energy into.    Ahem.  Wait for it. Making a show people want to listen to.    Yes, that’s right. Your big fat sexy microphone can’t make up for the crappy content.  Before you ever press record, you need to do the foundational work.You need to figure out WHY you’re creating a podcast. And, if the answer is ‘because I have the best idea ever!’, or, ‘because I’ve always wanted to have a podcast.’ then you need to dig deeper.  Unless of course, this is a hobby podcast and you’re literally doing it so you can listen to it and think about how brilliant you are… then fill your narcissist boots and enjoy yourself! If, on the other hand, you want to create a podcast for your business (to build your authority, establish yourself as a thought leader, and serve your ideal customer), then you need to think about them when you create your show. You need to put a lot more energy into why they would listen, how the show will serve them, and how it will serve you in your business.  This is where you need to put your energy because an entertaining show that consistently delivers value-bombs to their ideal audience is going to be oh-so much more successful than a show where the only thing going for it is a $500 mic with a custom windsock and perfectly angled pop screen.  Put your energy into your audience and your podcast will pay you back in fans.  If you need help figuring out your WHY before you start your podcast (or if you need to resuscitate your podcast), connect with me for my free 15-minute coaching call. I’ll walk you through the 3 key steps in building a solid podcast foundation. I’ll even tell you exactly which mic to buy and save you a trip down the rabbit hole!  All you need (mic, software and podcast host) is listed here on my RESOURCES page.

Your audience loves you. They just can’t get enough. They want more and more content from you.  It’s a good problem to have, but make no mistake it can still be a problem.  “Even podcasters that are doing well still need help!” This was the last line of an email I got from Jamie Irvine, host of The Heavy Duty Parts Report.  I shared his podcast journey into the world of super-niching in episode 92 and this week, I got another update email from him. He’s still killing it and his business is growing. In fact, his niche audience is starting to spread to people who are outside of the very small niche of heavy duty truck parts guys.  And, that’s where the challenges come from. Jamie wrote about all of the other content he’s been creating to serve these fans from outside of his niche. The podcast has attracted them but they want more information about stuff that just doesn’t fit into the promise of his original podcast concept.  He’s happy to provide it but the line between what fits into the podcast and what’s outside it are getting blurry.  Essential, he wrote to ask me if I thought he should broaden his podcast to include these new avatars, if he should create a new podcast for them, or if he should keep serving them on the side like he is now.    Spoiler alert - he’s a pretty smart guy! Listen to the podcast to find out my advice for Jamie!   If you find yourself in the same boat of contemplating a podcast pivot to be more broad in order to serve a larger (demanding) audience. Congratulations… but before you pivot, consider these questions: Will your loyal audience (the ones who helped you grow) lose interest when you broaden the scope? Will your show lose it’s magic? Will you be unable to keep your promise to your audience? And, if your podcast is a marketing tool for your business... Will your new expanded podcast take away from your business goals (likely to grow your authority, attract quality leads, and sell with ease)? If you answer yes to any of the above, then you might not want to mess with a good thing.  Remember, your podcast is just the jumping off point for your business - it’s not meant to give them everything they need. You WANT them to seek you out beyond the podcast. That’s how you turn a listener into a fan and a fan into a customer - just like Jamie is doing.  Speaking of Jamie - did you know that I met him when he took me up on my free 15-minute call? It was a free coaching call and it was on that call that we first hatched the idea that he should go super-niche. And look at him now. Wouldn’t you like to be like Jamie?  Book a free 15-minute coaching call and let’s talk about your podcast or podcast idea.

You record an awesome interview, an enlightened conversation with your co-host, or you nail a solo episode only to discover that you sound like crap. Your mic wasn’t on and the computer used the internal mic instead. Or, maybe it wasn’t connected. Or the settings slipped back to some old default that sounds terrible. Whatever it was, you sound terrible. You’re gutted. And you know you have nobody to blame but yourself… ouch, that was harsh. Okay, let me back it up here a second. No need to play the blame game right now.  It happens to everyone. Even pros. It really does.  So, here are your options on how to deal with bad audio (due to using the wrong mic!)   Option 1 Say, “Screw it, my fans love me and they’ll never stop loving me even if I offend their ears with my tin-can recording!” Yay, go have a beer and pat yourself on the back.  Just kidding. This is NOT an option. Seriously, put down that pint - we have to FIX this (and stop taking your hard-earned fans for granted!) And, while we’re talking about ‘fixing things’ and ‘non-options’, trying to correct it in post is not really an option either. Yes, you will find many videos on YouTube about how to EQ, sweeten, bump and boost your way out of this. But bump this up so you can really hear me - IT WILL STILL SOUND LIKE SHIT.  Trying to rescue a garbage recording is like spraying febreeze on three day old fish. It might not be as fishy, but it still smells funky and nobody wants to have their nose in it for 30 minutes straight!   Option 2  Re-record. I know, it’s hard to hear but it really is the best option. It might mean you have to muster your energy up for another round of solo recording, or you might have to convince your co-host that it’ll be better the second time around, or, gulp, you might have to suck it up and ask that guest to give you their time again.  Most people are more forgiving than you might think because we’ve all dealt with technical issues and computer meltdowns at some point in our lives.  Who knows, maybe it’ll be even better the second time! It’ll certainly sound better because you definitely won’t forget to check your mic settings this time (Right!?!)   Option 3 Clip show! This is where you take the best answers from your guest and you record yourself explaining the question and then playing the clip. Be careful with this option because it might be a total left turn from your normal podcast style and it might feel weird to your audience. But, if you can’t re-record, this could be an option. Just know that it will require more editing, some producing skills and time for you to write around the clips and record your set-ups. All of that to say - this is not an easy way out and it is not going to save you time!   Option 4 Rub-a-dub-dub. Have you ever seen a movie where you swear the actor's voice is a little different or you’re not entirely sure that his mouth is saying the same thing as his voice? This is a dub. The actor comes into a sound studio after the fact to re-record a section of his or her part because they didn’t have clean sound, the performer mis-pronounced something or they changed the script a little.  This is the most time-consuming and difficult of your podcast recording rescues! You are going to need to re-record only YOUR parts. But, it will take some acting skills and some editing skills too.  I recommend you do it line by line. Listen to what you said and try to mimic your own voice exactly. Get the pitch right, the breaths, the energy, the reaction - all of it has to go into your performance if you want to make it sound seamless. And, hopefully - you haven’t talked overtop of your guest too much!    Option 5 Trash it. If you can’t get the guest back, and you don’t have the time or skills to dub it or re-design it, then junk it. Do your audience a favor. Chalk it up as a reminder and move on.  These are your options for the first time this happens to you. And, to avoid it EVER happening again, make sure you have a solid pre-record checklist that includes checking your mic. I share a few tips on this (and demonstrate what I do) in this week’s episode.  If you want more than the quick tips I share on this podcast, then take advantage of my free 15-minute coaching call. Click here to find a time on my calendar.   

Nobody likes to be duped. It’s no fun being let down. Everyone wants to get what they came for. So, are you disappointing your listeners by not living up to your own hype? Have you heard the term catfishing? It’s that thing where people use a picture of someone else or them 20 years (and 50 pounds) ago on their dating profile to attract the very best mate. Perhaps they’re delusional and think that they’re winning personality will win over this person they’ve just hoodwinked into a date.  Newsflash - nobody wins. The catfisher looks like a grade A dink and the catfishee is filled with disappointment at best and total disillusionment with the scene at worst. Either way - nobody is getting laid.  So, what does this have to do with podcasting? Let me ask you, have you ever seen a cool logo for a show and thought, ‘that looks good’? Or, read the description and thought, ‘this show is right up my alley!’? Or, maybe you’ve even given a show a click and been seduced by a slick, professionally produced intro? And then… the disappointment comes in.  Well meaning podcasters are catfishing listeners and nobody wins. Because, let’s face it - with a million podcasts (I’m not talking figuratively, there are A MILLION) out there, nobody is going to give a show a second chance if they feel like they’ve been sold a bill of goods that the show itself couldn’t live up to.    Are you doing this?    Is your show art representative of your actual show? Does your show description describe what you actually deliver? Does your intro match the quality and energy of your actual show? Are you using click-bait style titles for your episodes just to get someone to click play?  You are not doing yourself a favor! Nobody wants to be let down.  I’m not saying get crappier show art or get rid of your awesomely produced intro. I’m saying STEP UP! Why don’t you try living up to all that gloss? Why not serve your listener the show they so eagerly came to hear?  Your show will be better and your date, ehr, listener will be happy that they actually got what they came for.  Need help getting your show to live up to all that shiny, sparkly cover?  Listen to more 5-minute episodes, explore my resources and check out my coaching packages at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

So, you want to be a podcast millionaire. You want a show so popular that advertisers will lob money bags at you non-stop.  You have two choices, keep dreaming or listen up for a reality check.  There are two ways to make money through podcasting. Last episode, I talked about using your podcast as a marketing tool for your business. In other words, using it to help your business make more money. But, not every podcaster has a business. This means that if you want to make money through podcasting and you can’t sell TO your audience, you have to SELL your audience. This might look like sponsorships or traditional ads. This is a volume game (one that Joe Rogan is handily winning). The bigger your audience, the bigger the sponsor checks.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t sell a smaller audience. If you have a very loyal audience or if you have a niche audience that specific sponsors would love to connect with, then you can demand a higher price for your ‘perfect fit’ audience.  If the idea of finding a sponsor or advertiser has your headphones spinning, you might consider working with an agency. You won’t take home as many money bags, but you won’t have to work as hard to find them either.  Or, you can do your own deals. Here’s what you can expect to be paid. What you get paid will depend on your download numbers. The price is based on CPM. That means cost per 1000 listeners. The industry standard for a 30second ad is around $18/ad. $15 for a 10-second ad and around $25 dollars for a 60 second ad. These numbers could be as high as $50/ad depending on the show, audience and sponsor. If you want to play the game of ‘how much could I make?’ then head to advertisecast.com and spend some time with their calculator. If you’re not quite ready for the big leagues or, maybe the idea of selling your audience doesn’t sit well with you, there is another option - affiliate marketing.  Affiliate marketing covers a wide spectrum of opportunities. You might become an Amazon affiliate and make a few pennies for sharing product links to your audience. Or, you might become an affiliate for a service or product directly and make a few more pennies. At the other end of the spectrum is partnering with someone who you allow to come on your show to sell to your audience (in exchange for a nice little commission).  Whether you’re advertising or affiliating, don’t forget my podcasting mantra of being listener-centric. You don’t want to ruin the listener's experience with excessive ads or ads that aren’t appropriate for the audience. I’m not saying, ‘don’t advertise’ but if you do, try to do it in a way that will help your listener. Accept advertisements for products your audience would actually be interested in. Doing this is a win-win because your audience learns about a cool product and the advertiser is more likely to see the rewards of sponsoring or advertising on your show.  It can be a bit of a slippery slope selling your audience in a way that says ‘I still respect you…’ Which is why some podcasters choose to go a different path when it comes to monetization. They let the fans pay them. And, some fans are happy to do it if it means that you’ll keep making your awesome podcast without commercial interruptions. There are a couple of ways to enable your fans to chip in. You can put a donate button on your website, sign up for a Patreon account, or use a crowdsourcing platform like Go Fund Me. Podcasters who’ve been successful at this often include perks or bonuses as certain contribution levels. For example, you might offer subscribers some access to premium content or show merch.  Speaking of swag - that’s the final option in making some money off your podcast - sell cool stuff with your logo, motto, or mugs on it!  So, there are four ways to make money from your podcast (besides using it as a marketing tool):  Advertisers & Sponsors Affiliates Donations Swag You might not want to try all four at once. Remember, you worked hard to attract and grow your audience, you don’t want to disrespect them by asking for money four different ways. Being Listener-Centric as a podcast means you think about them FIRST, not your bottom line.  Want to create a sponsor-worthy podcast or make yours more appealing to the masses? Why not book a free 15-minute coaching call and find out what to focus on next. 

Here’s a newsflash - creating a podcast costs time and often, money. It won’t take long before you start thinking, ‘I need to make some money here…’ If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me how to monetize their podcast (often before they’ve even started) I’d be rich… and I guess my podcast would be monetized.  Here’s the hard truth, monetizing takes time. But, since so many of you have asked, I’m going to break it down for you over the next two episodes.  Before we can start talking about monetization strategies, we need to clarify which type of podcaster you are. There are two main types of podcasters - those who podcast for their business (podcasting = marketing) and those who podcast as a business (selling your audience to a sponsor).  In this episode, I’m talking to those business owners who are podcasting to draw attention to what they do and build their authority.    Here’s how you monetize your podcast if you are a business owner. You don’t! Your podcast is not how you make money, it's a tool for you to increase the money you make in your business by increasing your revenue. Hello, marketing.   Here’s how it works. You create a podcast about your area of expertise and create content that you know your ideal customer will LOVE and lap up like a thirsty pup during a heatwave.  Then, in your podcast, you have a killer call to action that helps that thirsty audience connect with you, engage with you, and eventually buy from you.  And, because they know who you are (and pretty well too, since you’re in their earballs every week), they like you (obviously, or they wouldn’t keep listening) and they trust you (thanks to all of that great valuable information you keep sharing) they are going to happily sign up for whatever service or product you offer.  This kind of know/like/trust doesn’t happen overnight so you do have to keep with it. And, you need a few more key things to make sure your audience is moving in the right direction (next stop: paying client).    Here are the podcast must-haves if you want to monetize (aka have it be an effective marketing tool): Brand alignment (your podcast and your brand are on the same page) Listener-centric podcasting (you have your ideal customer in mind every time you record) Valuable content that will position you as trusted expert in your niche (and make you an authority) Quality production that reflects the value you offer in your business.  Clear call to actions at the end of each podcast so that your listeners (aka potential customers) know what to do to work with you (cha-ching).  Oh, and; Don’t try to double dip by bringing in a sponsor. It confuses the message and makes your audience feel frustrated and less important. If you want to build your authority make sure you keep your eye on the prize and don’t get side-tracked with piddly little sponsorship deals.     For those of you who skip to the very end of my 5 minute episodes for the solid gold nuggets… 1) you’re missing all the fun and 2) here’s what you need to know to monetize your podcast - be intentional, serve your audience, be patient, help them take the next step with a solid call to action. And, don’t treat them like a commodity… serve them and they’ll think of you first the next time they need to buy the service or widget that you sell.    Still not clear on how to make money with your podcast? Book a free 15-minute coaching session with me and I’ll walk you through the steps you need to be taking to turn your podcast from a time-vortex into a lead-generating machine.  Tune in to the next episode to find out how podcasting-as-a-business types can monetize their podcast.  067 This is the Bare Minimum You Need to Reach in Podcasting 075 Why You Need To Know Your Podcaster Type

Are you still producing one podcast at a time? Stop the madness! Bulk producing can save you time and make your podcast more consistent.    If you’ve never heard of bulk producing before, it’s simply creating your podcast in groups instead of one at a time. You know, like buying a month’s worth of chicken wings at once or getting a month’s worth of good-morning kisses in one makeout session. (update: my wife has just informed me that kisses are not an acceptable thing to optimize through bulking). Let’s bring it back to creating your podcast.   If you release a podcast every week, then instead of writing, recording, editing, uploading and doing marketing each week, you would do a week’s worth of producing in a few dedicated days a month.  While it may seem on the surface like this will all equal the same amount of time, it actually saves you time because you get into the zone of each activity and can say in the grove for longer.  If you have a show with a co-host or if you have an interview show, then this will require some co-ordinating. But, it will be worth it.  I’ve had several clients implement bulk producing and it does save them time but it also makes their show more consistent and well thought out.  One caution with bulk producing is that you have to make sure you have the vocal stamina to pull it off. If you have a long show or if your voice doesn’t have good endurance, then you may not want to do an entire month of shows in a day. You can still buk produce twice a month and reap the benefits.  Listen to more 5-minute episodes, explore my resources and learn more about working with me at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/. You can even sign up to pick my brain for 15 minutes in my free coaching call. Click here to book a time.