Unique Ideas + Cultural Practices From Around the World

May 10, 2017

5 Ways to Get New Blog Ideas From Your Previous Posts

Repurposing can be used not only to turn one form of content into another (i.e. video to blog), but also to get new ideas for the same type of content. This blog is for the business owners who struggle coming up with idea after idea for their next blog post.

What if you could plan out new blog ideas for the next 3 months? Sounds pretty amazing right? Well, you can!

Using these 5 repurposing hacks, I’ll show you how you can get new blog ideas for your content calendar from the blogs you’ve already created! A finished blog isn’t one and done. It can inspire so much more.

Alright, let’s do this!

5 Ways to Get New Blog Ideas From Your Previous Posts

1. Create a Companion

This one uses a piggy-back technique. What you want to do is look at your previous blogs and ask yourself, “How can I help my audience take the next step? How can I give them a complete picture on this topic?”

If you’ve written a post about how to do something, write one about why to do it or compare different ways to do it. From this very blog, I could create a companion blog of how I’ve actually gotten new blog ideas from old posts and illustrate that in a case study type format. You have so much that can inspire you in the posts you’ve already written!

2. Put Together a Resource Roundup

This one might be new for you if you’ve never done a roundup before. If you have, try doing it in a different way. For this technique, take one blog you did and create a blog of links to other resources that help your readers take action.

For example, if you wrote a post on why a healthy breakfast is important, you could share a roundup of your favorite breakfast recipes in a new blog. Or if you’ve written a post about the steps to doing your own bookkeeping, you could create a roundup of must-have resources.

New Blogs Ideas for the Busy Entrepreneur

3. Get Inspired to Spin

You might have a different perspective on a topic you wrote about 4 months ago. Look at the topics you’ve covered – whether it be self-care or managing your schedule – and think about something you’ve recently learned that has given you a new perspective.

You might be inspired by a book, TED talk, or podcast to think about a subject in a different way. By comparing and contrasting different ideas to this topic, you might help someone learn something new.

4. Talk Back

Maybe you’ve read something that fires back against what you said. Did you read an article on an opposing point of view or get comments that were less than agreeable? Prove why these contrasting opinions are wrong (in a nice way 🙂 ) on your blog.

You can turn a friendly debate into a blog series. Share why some people think a certain way and why you think differently. If you’re respectful to the other person and accept their freedom of opinion, you might just make a new acquaintance. And you don’t have to point someone out in particular either. Talk about a trend you’re seeing and say why you disagree with it.

5. Compile a Guide

This technique is similar to the roundup but focuses on your own content. Have you written multiple articles around one topic? Create a new blog putting them all in the same space to help out your readers!

I could do this by creating a complete guide to repurposing content or a complete guide to brainstorming new content. If you’re in coaching, you could compile all your blogs with advice on a certain topic. Doesn’t this sound helpful!

P.S. Put your most popular blogs through all these steps to ensure that your new ideas will bring in an interested audience!

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7 Repurposing Hacks to Get Ideas for Facebook Live

April 26, 2017

Out of Ideas for Facebook Live? Here are 7 Repurposing Hacks to Save You Time & Brain Power

Video is obviously huge for growing your business right now, but how do you come up with ideas for Facebook Live consistently? The trick here is that you already have the ideas. They’re just in another form.

By taking the info from content you’ve already created and repurposing them, you can plan out topics for Facebook Live weeks in advance.

So let’s take a look at the content you have to get ideas for Facebook Live!

1.Your Blogs

Go to your blog page and look back through your posts for Facebook Live ideas! You might be surprised at what you come up with. You can start by sharing the same points or tips you share in the blog and then open it up to a Q&A or go onto another point related to your blog.

Your audience on Facebook probably hasn’t read every single one of your posts in detail (who does?) and even if they have, your Facebook Live will be a good refresher. Think about it. When you have a teacher you really love, you want to get as much of them as you can, right? You never know what will click the second or third time you learn about something.

2. Social Media Posts

You know those lengthy posts you sometimes share on Facebook? Those are perfect jumping off points for Facebook Live. Say you have a long post written to grab the attention of potential clients, use that to promote an open spot or program launch.

Did you tell a story in a Facebook group that would make a great live video? Share it! Your words are so much more personal when you share them live.

3. Podcasts

Have your own podcast? Or have you ever been interviewed on one? Go back through those episodes to find ideas for Facebook Live. Even a 5-minute segment on 1 idea can inspire a helpful Live video.

You can even get inspired by someone else’s podcast you listened to. Did you learn something you could share with your audience? Did a topic really get you thinking? Take inspiration from the podcasts you listen to for fun and mention/tag them in your video. You might even make a new friend!

4. Youtube Videos

Have you created Youtube videos for your business? Double their use and talk about the same topic on Facebook Live. You don’t have to repeat what you said word for word, but even if you did, your audience members would get value out of it!

Take your video’s topic and talk about how to take the next step or how to get started. Ask your audience if they have questions about the topic. Give an example from your own business or life. Do something simple to spice up your videos and you’ll have plenty of ideas ready to go.

5. Workbooks

What if you went through a workbook step-by-step with your audience?! Pull one out of an old course or opt-in and use it as your Facebook Live guide.

You know that action is what leads to results, so help your audience get there by telling them how. You can help them with additional questions they may have and motivate them to take action.

6. Webinars

There are hundreds of potential ideas for Facebook Live in your webinars. Go back through and write out what different things you talk about. For example, you might start out with why this topic is important. Share that in your Live! Give a quick guide of the tips or steps you give or go in-depth on one point.

Every question someone asked during the Q&A could be turned into a topic. Lady, you are loaded with Facebook Live ideas.

7. Freebies

Why not talk about a freebie you’ve created and how your audience can use it? Plus, if you promote it, you’ll be taking a step toward growing your email list. You can talk about what your freebie is for, where to start, and how to use it.

Everybody likes getting a super special freebie. Try it with your audience!

We need your help! Share your ideas for Facebook Live in the comments below.

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April 19, 2017

5 Things to Do After You Publish a Video to Reach More of Your Audience

So you’ve submitted your video on Youtube, you’re ready to share the link on social media, and then you’re done. But if you want to really utilize the content you’ve created to reach more of your audience, you’ll want to check out these 5 things you should do after you publish a video.

When you create valuable content, it shouldn’t be one and done. By taking a few strategic actions, you can get so much more out of your hard work.

1. Repurpose Your Video into a Blog

You might put up your video on your website with a short intro, and with the regular videos you put up you reach a certain audience of your ideal clients. But what about your ideal clients who don’t like to watch videos? What about the audience that prefers to read a blog?

You can serve BOTH people who like to watch videos and people who like to read blogs when you repurpose your video into a blog.

After you publish a video, a first step is to put a transcription under your video. Once you’re ready to get really serious about reaching more people and providing truly valuable content, you’ll want to add a blog. Seriously, when’s the last time you read a transcript? They just don’t translate very well. You need to write your video content in a way that has the flow and organization of a blog. And hey, if you need help, you can check out how I repurpose content.

2. Send it To Your Email List

Don’t forget to send your new video to your email list, but make sure you do it in a personal way. Tell them a funny behind the scenes fact and why this topic is important. Connect with them in a more personal way.

I like to send the freebie I’m giving away straight to my email subscribers so they don’t have to go through signing up. Think about what you can do to make the email special and get your audience to watch.

3. Create a Bank of On Topic Videos

Few audience members are going to go back through your video archives and watch every video you’ve done in order, especially new audience members. Make it easy for people to find all your videos on a certain topic in a bank. Turn it into a guide or helpful resource and you can even use it as a list-building tool.

Say you wanted to learn about email sequences. What if there was a link to a series of videos all about this topic? You can do that with your own content!

4. Make a Content Upgrade

For some reason, content upgrades seem to go more organically with blogs, but you do not want to miss these with your videos. Mention a content upgrade in your video, put a link in the Youtube description and add it to your blog. List-building is one of the most important things you can do for your business, especially if you’re on the hunt for passive income.

5. Use it For Facebook Live

Are you tired of hearing about Facebook Live yet? I hope not! We all know it’s huge for business right now. If you’re scrambling for ideas of what to share, why not use your video as a guide. Talk about the same subject and answer questions or share the next step and use the video as a jumping off point for the topic of your Facebook Live.

Your content can really inspire your Facebook Live. And why not share more on the topic that your audience is already thinking about?

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5 Things to Do After You Publish a Video to Reach Way More People

How to Create Content When You Don't Like to Write

March 15, 2017

5 Ways to Create Content When You Don’t Like to Write

The dreaded blank document. You really don’t want to do this. In fact, you can already feel the call of Facebook. But you know you should. You should be blogging. You should be creating content. You should have opt-ins and content upgrades.

You’re a talker, not a writer. But unfortunately writing is kind of required for an online business. What’s an entrepreneur to do? Get creative. In the new world of entrepreneurship, things aren’t black and white. To blog or not to blog? Nope, it’s how can I blog even though I don’t like to write? It’s working with someone who is gifted in talents that you aren’t because we were meant to work together.

Your audience is ready to hear more from you. Are you ready to deliver? Look through these 5 ways to create content and get around writing to see what will fit best with your business. Because your words are too important to be kept to yourself!

1. Start in Your Comfort Zone

Your first instinct will be to avoid writing content altogether. That’s a good place to start. You need to get some kind of content out there, and if talking out your ideas is what works for you, do that. But eventually, you’ll be missing out on at least half of your potential audience because not everyone watches Youtube videos or listens to podcasts.

If your business is in the beginning phases (probably 6 months or less), focus on sharing your content in whatever way you can. You’re in luck because SEO is favoring video, so take advantage of your strengths to kickstart your content marketing efforts. But remember, this is just the beginning.

2. Repurpose Audio You Already Have

Hallelujah! Now we’re on to the good stuff. So you have a bank of videos, webinars, podcasts, etc. What if you could get your content in front of twice as many people? These are the people who don’t watch videos or listen to long podcasts. They are in it for the goods. They want to read your content, extract value, and take action!

You can reach these members of your ideal audience by repurposing your audio content into written content like blogs, how-to guides, opt-ins, and more. If you’re saying, “Hold up. I thought there was no writing here.” You are perfectly right. You don’t have to spend your time writing or creating new content.

What you do is get a writer like me to repurpose your content. You hand over the link to your content (Youtube video, podcast episode, coaching call, whatever) and I’ll repurpose it into written content that will attract and please the segment of your ideal audience who prefers to read. I created my repurposing service just for people like you because I know you have great things to share. With my help, you’ll share that with more people.

3. Record and Transcribe

If you want to create brand new content without having to write it there are creative ways to do that too. One way to do this is to simply record yourself and have it transcribed. If you’re going to do it this way, it helps if you have your thoughts together. Writing an outline before you record might help. Then you’ve just got to find yourself a good transcriptionist who will help you put your words to paper. If you get someone who is an editor too, you might get an even smoother finished product. I like to find transcriptionists on Upwork. You’ll get varying levels of experience there.

4. Call for Copy

So you want to create new content, but your ideas are kind of jumbled. Or maybe you’d just rather go over the details with a professional. This is why I created Call for Copy. This is where you can connect with me and tell me all your ideas and what you want to create. I’ll ask you questions to get the information I need and help clarify your ideas and then I’ll create the content you want to create. All in your brand and your voice.

If you’ve been meaning to update your sales page, finally write that blog, or get an opt-in on your site, this is a painless way to get it done and get it done well.

If writing isn’t your thing or it is and you just don’t have time, Call for Copy. I’d love to talk with you. 🙂

5. Get it Out and Get it Edited

Can’t wait another minute to get those ideas out? Let it all go and write down everything you can. So it’s jumbled and some of it doesn’t make sense, that’s ok. Do a brain dump and write down all your ideas. Write out the headline that’s been running circles around your head. List the points you want to make. Once it’s all out of there, hand it over to an editor who can turn your jumbled thoughts into a coherent, quality piece of content. That wasn’t so hard was it? And if you’re really ambitious, see if you can edit it yourself. The first step is just to get it out of your head in whatever way you can.

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5 Ways to Create Content When You Don’t Like to Write

6 Reasons Why Repurpsing Content is Essential to a Successful Content Strategy

March 1, 2017

6 Reasons Why Repurposing is Essential to a Successful Content Strategy

2017 is the year of repurposing! I’m calling it now. This content strategy trend is changing the way entrepreneurs create content for the better. Repurposing is taking one form of content and turning it into another. For example, you can repurpose a podcast episode into a blog. Why repurpose? I’ve got a shortlist of the top reasons why below. Consider what they would mean for your content strategy and how you might be able to repurpose your content.

1. Reach More People

The number one reason you’ll want to repurpose your content is that it will help you reach more people and grow your audience! The people who listen to podcasts for hours and hours a day may not be the same people who read blogs. Your webinar viewers may be different from the people who would download a free guide. You can reach a wider audience by repurposing your content. If building traffic is one of your goals, this is a simple way to do it!

2. Save Time

Repurposing will save you time and what busy entrepreneur doesn’t want that? Your content strategy can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of your business, especially if you’re into podcasting or webinars. To create one of those things from scratch takes hours and hours. Not to mention an e-course, the amount of time you spend on that could be monumental. So why not save your time and repurpose the content you so carefully created into something else that will build your audience?

3. Extend the Life of Valuable Content

That blog post you wrote–that was epic. Or what about that webinar that you poured your soul into?!? These things don’t have to be one and done. That amazing webinar you did could live on in an opt-in guide that triples your list. That course you made could become an e-book. Imagine what more you could do with the content you already have!

4. Be a Better Teacher

Your audience learns in different ways. While you may learn eons from a fantastic blog post, your audience may get more out of listening to advice on a podcast. People learn in different ways, so by re-purposing your content, you make it easier for more people to learn!

5. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

Your audience may get your advice in a webinar and still want the same content in a free guide. Why? They’ll have more resources to learn. When your content is truly incredible, your audience won’t be able to get enough of it. Think about your favorite teacher (Marie Forleo, Danielle LaPorte, Melyssa Griffin, etc). If they released some really amazing content would you want it again in another form? I think so! P.S. Melyssa Griffin has said that almost all of her content is repurposed. In fact, her courses are basically compilations of blogs just put together in a helpful, action-oriented way. Are you ready to get on the repurposing train yet?

6. Cut the Inefficient Brainstorming

What should I do next…Those pesky brainstorming ruts can be the death of your content strategy. What’s the solution? Oh yeah, repurposing your content! Your amazing ideas are already out there to be used again. That old blog you wrote may make a great Youtube video. There are so many possibilities.

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6 Reasons Why Repurposing is Essential (BONUS 5 STEP GUIDE)

February 23, 2017

Your Podcast is a Sales Funnel: Inside Tips on Using Sales Funnels as a Podcaster

I’ve got something special for you! I asked my lovely friend, Cornelia Pauline, to share her sales funnel expertise and teach us how to use this marketing tactic as podcasters. We read so much about how important sales funnels are to business, but we don’t often hear about how they apply to a podcasting business.

How to Use Sales Funnels as a Podcaster from Sales Funnel Expert, Cornelia Pauline

Cornelia Pauline is a digital entrepreneur, creator of Funnel Gal and co-founder of the esteemed Funnel Pro Academy. She inspires to bring beauty to this world and her clients through her creative avenues and businesses while also focusing on teaching people to live life on their terms through learning and developing specific entrepreneurial life skills. She is a die-hard travel fan who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, drinks 7 cups of Espresso a day and lives with her two dogs and high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband in Southern California.

Why is creating a sales funnel important for podcasters?

As a podcaster, you give away free valuable content and/or entertain your audience.

Not only that, you also create a TRIBE.

Now, a sales funnel will give that tribe of yours PURPOSE.

Why is this important?

Because a sales funnel will help you to strategically capture and OWN that tribe’s information – or, in other words, emails.

As such, you build up your oh-so-important ‘list’ as we internet entrepreneurs like to call it.

If someone likes your podcast’s rocking content, you want to have a way for them to connect with you even further.

They might even want to potentially buy something from you. And if you have a strategy funnel in place, you can touch on all those connection points in order to really build up a sustainable online business.

Where does the sales funnel start for a podcaster?

Each podcast episode you record, publish and advertise on your social media platforms will be your main source of targeted traffic for your future sales funnel.

Not only that, it also fulfills another important purpose.

Any episode can serve as a ‘LEAD MAGNET’ for your sales funnel.

This means that you are already creating INTEREST by sharing valuable content with your audience.

Next, you’d want to think of including a quick CTA (call to action) towards the end of the podcast in order to start turning that traffic into actual leads.

Leads will help you build up your email list as we’ve talked before.

Depending on the overall value ladder of your business, you want to be sure to revolve your CTA around that.

But, you definitely have to be sure to include one at the end of each recorded podcast episode!

So, you could be saying something like this:

“AND….thank you so much for listening to today’s episode/interview on XYZ.

If you liked the content that we shared in this episode, be sure to click on the link in the description section of the podcast where I’m going to share with you my FREE checklist on XYZ.

I’m only going to offer it for free to all my loyal XYZ show listeners for a limited time only, so be sure to grab it right now and stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode on XYZ.”

Of course, this is just a draft but I think it gets the point across, doesn’t it ;).

How is a sales funnel different when you start with your audience listening to a podcast episode?

This is actually a huge PLUS.

Why?

Because you’ve already WARMED UP your audience to you.

Not only that.

If your content is awesome and spot on to what they are looking for, then you made them like and trust you.

Especially, if you show consistency with your podcasting (which is vital!).

Think about it.

People have already heard and listened to YOU.

They feel like they know you and will be more likely to buy from you later on than people who just see a random Facebook ad from someone they do not know.

Think of a sales funnel like seduction.

Yep, I said it.

You want to slowly ‘seduce your listener’ to the awesomeness that is you and the products/services you have to offer.

Also, be sure to mention WHY and HOW your offerings can be important to your listener and what results he/she can expect from it. People will always care about how this or that might help them get results.

Can you give us 1-3 tips about sales funnels for podcasters?

First of all, you want to have a website funnel set up.

A website will be like your business card for your audience.

Personally, my team and I loooove using the software Clickfunnels.

We specialize in Clickfunnels and it’s an AMAZING platform for podcasters to use.

Not only will you be able to set up a website for your audience, but you can also ADD a NAVIGATION MENU at the top of the page.

This gives you the opportunity to AUTOMATE the process of having new people sign up for interviews, for example, if your podcast revolves around interviewing experts.

Clickfunnels also lets you build a questionnaire so you can automatically pre-screen potential podcast interviewees.

This could look something like this:

sales funnels for podcasting

Next, you can add an opt-in or lead generation EMAIL SIGN UP to your website to capture your tribe’s email address once you sent them to your website through a CTA at the end of each episode.

Then, you might want to have an EMAIL FOLLOW UP SEQUENCE in place almost like a newsletter, OR a so-called SOAP OPERA SEQUENCE in order to keep your traffic/your list engaged with you and your business.

Ideas for that?

Send them UPDATES whenever you upload a new episode.

Have a PAID PRODUCT OFFER? Tell them about it.

Doing a big course launch, ask them for their feedback, etc.

Finally, you might want to type up every one of your podcasts and make it into a BLOG.

One time content creation-double the effect.

Always keep in mind that if you can’t re-purpose your episode’s content, then it’s lost the majority of its value.

How can I learn more about sales funnels?

My business partners and I have just successfully launched the FUNNEL PRO ACADEMY in January with the mission of helping to make 2017 the most rocking year so far for as many aspiring and existing digital entrepreneurs as possible by breaking their 6-figure mark!

I am super excited about this and for anyone that is interested and is looking for more information, they can either go here: www.funnelproacademy.com,

OR join our fun Facebook community for more free awesome content on everything sales funnel related: www.socialmediafunnelhacks.com

Wait! There’s a Bonus!

My team and I at our Funnel Pro Academy actually share a PODCAST FUNNEL with our students and we would love to extend this free gift with you too.
Everyone interested in fast-tracking their ‘podcast funnel success’ can get the complete FREE funnel template here:

https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/3558659/share/jmnp25fqbz6s1n60

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Your Podcast is a Sales Funnel- Inside Tips on Using Sales Funnels as a Podcaster

February 8, 2017

How to Create a Podcast Community

Your podcast is the starting point for many of your new audience members, but it shouldn’t be the end. To have a devoted audience you need to create a podcast community. As a person, you aren’t one-sided. Your business shouldn’t be one-sided either. Your business needs to be multi-dimensional in order to reach a wide audience.

Creating a podcast community increases the number of touch points you have with your audience.

So how do you create this virtual home for your listeners?

How to Create a Podcast Community

1.Facebook Group

The easiest place to start to create a podcast community is a Facebook group. It’s free! Completely and wonderfully free! Your podcast Facebook group is a place where you have conversations with your audience and facilitate connections between your listeners. If you think about it, on your podcast you’re speaking at your audience. The Facebook group is where they get to talk back and share their opinion. Even if you have a small podcast following, a Facebook group can still be valuable. Your listeners will get to connect with you in an intimate space and feel like they have you all to themselves! One of my favorite podcast Facebook groups is the Biz Chix Coop.

2.Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories offers a unique opportunity for podcasters because it enables your audience to see more of you. Just like there’s a special connection that comes when your audience hears your voice whispering in their ear, there’s a special connection when your audience sees you, especially in a one-on-one format like Instagram Stories. This platform is your chance to be completely yourself, and show your audience what your real day-to-day life is like.

3. Newsletter

Please tell me you have a newsletter! This is a vital part of what you need to do to create a podcast community. Your listeners might not be checking out their podcast app regularly and if they aren’t aware of your new episode, they might not notice it come out at all. This is why you’ve got to remind them of what you’re up to. Life can be so busy that if you aren’t connecting with your audience in various places, they won’t remember you. Give them a hand and keep in touch via email.

4.Video

While similar to Instagram Stories, this point focuses on more visual connection. In case your listeners aren’t obsessed with Instagram Stories like me, they may be missing out on that look into your life. Or maybe you’re just not a fan of using Instagram to promote your podcast. Either way, there are a number of ways to create a podcast community around video. For one, you’ve got Facebook live. This can be a fun way to check in and talk to your listeners in an even more personal way than through comments. Youtube is also a strategy to consider. Recording video of your podcast interviews and putting them on Youtube is another way to increase the size of your audience. I love how the Visibility Vixen does this!

5. Live Events

Imagine the thrill of meeting your favorite podcaster or industry leader in person. That’s what your audience will feel at a live event! If you’ve had audience members mention how cool a meetup would be, why not try it? You can even create a Google survey to gauge interest and find out where your audience is. Vacation with a side of business? Yes please. It can be so fun to meet the people who support you around the world.

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How to Create a Podcast Community: Connect with Your Audience + Grow Your Biz

Taking a Break From Your Podcast: Complete Guide

February 1, 2017

Taking a Break From Your Podcast: The Complete Guide to Pressing Pause on Podcasting

After a few months of hustle to launch and grow your podcast, the exhaustion might start to wear on you. You can only go, go, go for so long. So what happens when you feel like taking a break from your podcast? You either ignore those feelings and keep pushing until you crash OR you press pause and reinvigorate your work.

And then there are times when you can’t make the choice. You simply have to take a break.

You might not be ready to take a break right now. That’s totally cool too. Hustle until it starts feeling like you need to flow and when you do, you’ll be ready.

So, is taking a break from your podcast right for you? And how do you prepare for it?

Why You Might Consider Taking a Break From Your Podcast

Taking a Break From Your Podcast: The Complete Guide to Pressing Pause

You need to strategize

If you’re moving forward without a plan, it might be time to stop and figure out where you’re going. You can’t reach your goals if you aren’t crystal clear on what they are and how you’re going to get there. It is perfectly reasonable to take a break from your podcast to strategize about what’s next. The lovely Lauren Frontiera of Grit and Glitter took off December to do this and you know what, her podcast grew in the meantime. She also came back to do three shows a week, so she’s at serious girl boss levels.

You need creativity

Running out of topic ideas and guests you’re dying to interview? Feel less excited about podcasting and wonder why you even started? Hold up! It’s time for a break. Do what you need to do to prepare for a podcast pause (more on that below) and reconnect with what you love. Instead of totally taking your mind off your podcast. Meditate on it. Go somewhere you love with a notebook and get really creative. Go crazy! Doesn’t that sound fun?

You need to rejuvenate

Life doesn’t care that you have a podcast to put out. Whether it’s a personal issue or a family matter, things happen that interfere with your podcast. Remember, those things happen to your listeners too! There is nothing wrong with taking a break because you can’t keep going with the big heap of life on your plate. Taking a break from your podcast is totally okay. It will be there when you get back.

When to Start Your Podcast Pause

At the end of a season

Taking a break between ‘seasons’ of a podcast is not unheard of. This is a particularly good option if you want to strategize or refuel your creativity before getting back into your podcast. Say you take a month or two off from your podcast between seasons, all your previous episodes will still be there for new listeners to find.

After a Podcast Series

Just delivered a fantastic series of episodes on an interesting topic? Take a break before you move onto your next one. You’ll give your audience time to digest the valuable information you just shared and maybe even go back and listen to related episodes you published months ago.

Anytime

Sometimes you won’t have any warning and you’ll need to take a break immediately. That works too. Your audience will miss you, but they’ll understand!

How to Prepare for a Podcast Break

Warn Your Audience

Whether you’re know you’re taking a break at the end of the season or you have to take a break at the spur of the moment, warn your audience. Managing their expectations will mean the difference between an understanding audience and a unpleasantly surprised audience. Let them know in your last regular episode that you’ll be taking a break of a certain length and advise them about what they can do in the meantime.

Share Previous Episodes

What did I mean by tell your audience what they should do while you’re taking a break from your podcast? Give them a call to action! Tell them to listen to previous episodes you shared. Perhaps a top 10 list? I’ve seen very popular podcasters take breaks by posting a podcast series of their favorite episodes of the year. You can either publish them again on your podcast or simply direct your audience to these episodes in a newsletter, podcast outro, or social media post.

Start a Challenge

Another idea of what you can do while you aren’t reaching out to your audience regularly is to set them up with a challenge. This way you’ll give your audience something they can do on their own until you come back. Start a 30 day Facebook Free challenge or daily meditation event, whatever fits with your podcast. When you come back, you can all talk about the experience.

Schedule Social Media

Even if you’re taking a social media free break, that doesn’t mean you have to disappear from your audience’s radar. Take advantage of a social scheduling application and post updates from your guests and previous episodes they should listen to. Your audience will appreciate knowing you’re still there.

Plan out What’s Next

You’ll be able to relax more when you’re taking a break from your podcast if you have an idea of what you’re going to do when you come back. Consider scheduling interviews a month or so in advance. Decide what topics you’ll touch on. If you get these decisions out of the way, you’ll have less to worry about during your break.

Give Your Team a Heads Up

Don’t forget to tell your editor, writer, and/or assistant that you’ll be taking a break. Send them a quick email explain why if you’re comfortable with that. I promise they’ll understand. Plus, they’ll appreciate your notice instead of wondering what happened.

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How to take a break from your podcast

January 25, 2017

10 Smart Ways to Grow Your Podcast By Treating it Like a Startup

Unless you are part of a non-profit, your podcast is a business. You are the CEO, CFO, CTO, and CMO of your podcast. But are you approaching your work this way?

If you aren’t, your podcast won’t grow like a business. Everyone feels anxiety as they start their podcast. For many, it starts as a hobby or passion project, and then as the downloads start to roll in, things become more serious.

Your podcast can be a part of your business plan AND your heart-centered message.

While a large part of you might feel called to share knowledge and advice with your audience, you also need to make an income to be able to sustain that message, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

So how do you start working on the money-making, audience-growing business side of your podcast? You treat your podcast like it’s a startup.

Startups are near and dear to my heart. I launched my career working with one from the ground up. What’s awesome about startups is that your business could be anything, including a podcast! Business experts have shared incredible advice on launching a successful startup, and it can all be applied to your podcast.

In this blog, I’m going to share 5 smart ways to grow your podcast before you start your show and 5 things all current podcasters can do to grow their podcast like a startup.

1.Find a Need

The very first step of starting any new venture is finding a need. Most likely, the idea of creating a podcast comes to you first. But before you actually do it, you should talk to your ideal audience and see if they really want/need your podcast idea. You’ve seen this happen to businesses before. They’ll create a product and it turns out people don’t really want it or it doesn’t solve their problems how they wanted them solved. Talk to your audience about what they want to learn and how they want to learn. Then, brainstorm ways you can fill their needs.

2. Beta-Test Your Podcast

So how do you find out what your audience wants? Besides asking them personally and through Facebook groups, you can find beta-testers for your podcast. Typically, startups get beta-testers for their products. These beta-testers give feedback and sometimes testimonials. Before or after you launch, get online and find members of your audience who would be willing to listen and give you feedback. You might get some great insights! Push back your fear and do it. Worst case scenario, you’ll find ways to improve your podcast. Best case, you’ll get a brand champion.

Growing Your Podcast Audience

3. Get Listeners Before You Start

While you’re going through this process of fine-tuning your podcast, you can start grabbing the emails of potential listeners. At the moment you feel pretty solid about your idea or are in the process of recording your first interviews, put up a landing page teasing your new show. All you need on the landing page is a headline and short description that will get your audience’s attention. Add a place where they can leave their email and you’ll be able to start building your list of interested audiences. If you have the time to do this, you’ll grow a list of people excited to listen to your show from day 1 of your podcast. Imagine starting out with 100 downloads of your first episodes. Talk about smart ways to grow your podcast!

4. Feel Free to Pivot

At any point of the launch and recording of your podcast, feel free to pivot. If you’re getting feedback from your audience about something they’d rather hear from you that you’re also interested in, do it! Just because you thought you were going to do your podcast a certain way or have been recording interviews a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. A great example of this is the One Part Podcast with Jessica Murnane. Ever since she got a cookbook deal, she’s talked a lot more about making a cookbook. She’s even starting a separate podcast detailing her journey. While she might not have focused on talking about creating a cookbook on earlier episodes, it’s naturally become a part of her shows and reflects her own life. For entrepreneurs, the pivot is crucial. Your idea isn’t a failure if you can pivot it into something different.

Smart Ways to Grow Your Podcast: Create a Monetization Plan

5. Create a Monetization Plan

It might be pretty hard to keep your podcast going if you don’t at least have a plan of how you’ll use it to make money for your business. You don’t have to make money at the beginning of your podcast, but months later, you’ll want to have a plan. We all know a business plan is essential, but we forget that a podcast plan is essential too! Creating a monetization plan for your podcast can include deciding whether you’ll make money through sponsorships, passive income streams like ebooks and courses, or by selling your services.

6. Hire Smart

If you’re looking for smart ways to grow your podcast, you need to be hiring smart. It’s easy to outsource what you need done to the cheapest provider possible, but will they really help build momentum for your podcast? Hiring is tricky business with a startup. I recently heard on the Early Stage Founder Show that it’s important to hire smart because we might not feel like firing someone, even if they aren’t the right person for the job.

7. Focus on Your Mission

It’s easy to get side-tracked with the many responsibilities of a podcaster, but keep your mind on why you’re doing the podcast. When things start feeling overwhelming, you’ll be able to turn to the mission that’s pushing you forward. Startups that have strong missions gain loyal audience members.

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8. Love Your Audience

In business, the customer comes first. Why not with your podcast? If you’re making an effort to share your work on social media, make sure to respond to your audience whenever possible. Take time to answer their questions and comments. Create content with them in mind. How can you put your listeners first?

9. Go For a Round of Investors

Startups go through multiple rounds of looking for investors. That means, you can go through multiple rounds of finding show sponsors. Maybe you tried to get a sponsor 3 months in and nothing worked out. Try again! The amount people will ‘invest’ in you will grow as you grow. And if sponsorship isn’t your thing, create a Patreon. I’ve seen a number of podcasters recently go the way of Patreon and get more listeners involved than they expected.

10. Stay Authentic to Your Brand

We’ve all seen businesses that try too hard to be hip or simply have no brand at all and seem like faceless corporate entities. The coolest startups are the ones that stay true to themselves, even when they start gaining momentum. Don’t lose your brand trying to imitate successful podcasters. Your audience should love you for who you are. Your brand is what’s going to attract people to you. It doesn’t have to be a certain way. Just authentic.

These 10 smart ways to grow your podcast are just the beginning. Keep an eye out for startup advice and think about how it could be applied to your podcast. For that matter, think about how any content you consume could be applied to your podcast!

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10 Smart Ways to Grow Your Podcast By Treating it Like a Startup

January 18, 2017

5 Reasons Why You Should Create a Series on Your Podcast

Have you thought about creating a series on your podcast? You might have heard about this concept before. I think of a podcast series as being 3-6 episodes shared one after the other, all about one topic . For example, the #MerryBiz podcast is kicking off 2017 with interviews from their favorite health and wellness experts. While many of their episodes are on business, they wanted to focus on health to start the year in a good place. The Biz Women Rock Podcast is becoming known for podcast series. She’s done at least 4 different podcast series and doesn’t seem to be slowing down!

So why should you create a series on your podcast?

1. Create BUZZ

Reason number one? A podcast series is special. When you tell your audience that you’re going to be focusing on one topic for several weeks, you’re signaling to them that it’s important. You can even take advantage of this BUZZ and pair your podcast series with a promotion. That way, the series warms up your audience. Say you’ve created a valuable e-book full of meditation techniques and tips. Create a series on your podcast all about meditation. Feature experts on meditation and the science behind it and then introduce your e-book. If your listeners are interested in your series, they’ll be interested in your e-book. The buzz of a special series will have them thinking deeply about your topic and interested in learning more. Whether or not you add a promotion to your series, you’ll signal to your audience what topics you’re really interested in and tease what they can look forward to learning.

2. Establish Authority

If you create a series on your podcast featuring a certain topic, you’ll be remembered for that topic. It takes a consistent message for people to remember what you want them to. By focusing on one topic, your audience will have a clear picture of what to see you as. If your podcast is about a general topic like entrepreneurship, wellness, or design, you might really benefit from establishing your authority on specific topics from within your general area. It’s nice to be able to interview a wide range of experts, but you won’t be remembered for everything. Decide what you want to be thought of as an expert on and create a series around that. Even if you’re not an expert and you’re learning about a particular subject, you’ll be remembered for starting the conversation and sharing the knowledge of your expert friends.

3. Set Expectations

When you share episodes every week, most of the time your audience has no idea what to expect. If your podcast is on dating, for example, they won’t know whether you’re going to talk about using dating services, first dates, making commitment, or what. By creating a series on your podcast, you set expectations for your audience. They will know what to look forward to and if it’s valuable to them. If it’s not, they might tune out for a few weeks and come back (more on how to avoid this in the free worksheet below). For your listeners who are really interested in learning more, they’ll be excited for your next episode.

4. Form Strong Industry Relationships

Who wouldn’t be flattered if someone came to you and said, “I’m looking for experts on this topic for a special series on my podcast and thought of you.” With a podcast series, not only do you create strong relationships with topic experts, you also grow your network in one area. Even if you’re not the go-to expert on a certain topic, you’ll know who is and be able to use them as a resource. Podcast series establish your guests as thought leaders too, and that’s something that any potential guest could benefit from.

5. Share a Depth of Information

In one podcast, you can only share so much about one topic. Sometimes sharing the guest’s background and gaining other insight gets in the ways of being able to go really deep into a subject. Over 3-6 episodes, you’ll be able to share a lot of information on one subject. Depending on what you teach, this could be extremely helpful to your audience. If there are some really interesting topics you’ve just touched on in previous episodes, you can use a podcast series to share so much more. Look at what your audience asks you about or what topics you see trending in your industry.

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