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(By Troy Price) Way back in March, there was an ‘in-person’ podcasting event (how quaint) named Podfest Expo 2020. I wrote about it in Podcast Business Journal back then. Here we are three months past that event and I have had two business successes that I can directly connect to attending that event. I thought I would share my successes and share the lessons learned from what has happened since Podfest.
First, I have hired a podcast editor. I knew Jennifer Longworth from Bourbon Barrel Podcasting before long before Podfest, but handled all aspects of my shows myself. At Podfest one breakout session speaker talked about increasing our productivity by building a team. That speaker convinced me and not long after Podfest I signed on the digital dotted line to have one of my shows edited by one of the best. So my tip for you out of this experience is that yes, of course there is a time in your podcasting business development that you need to hoard all your money and do all the work yourself but there does come a time when building your team allows you to increase your capacity which ultimately results in more revenue. I am suggesting that the time to build your team is sooner than you think. And you will almost immediately feel the results of hiring a podcast editor.
Second, a friend I made at Podfest asked me to be on their show. What is cool about it is that I was already a fan of the 13th Floor Podcast. I used to listen to their show when I went to the gym to work out (how quaint). I am scheduled to be on the episode that releases on May 29, 2020. While I could have appeared on an earlier episode and talked about the research paper I wrote on the Loch Ness Monster in 10th grade, or talk about all the scary 1970’s movies about life after death on Youtube. Instead, I came on the show and was able to talk about two topics that impacted me personally. It was a great experience.
Let me clarify, I have been invited and appeared on many different podcasts. I usually talk about my pop culture opinions or topics where I have some level of expertise. This was the first time where I presented my own personal angle that then drove the narrative. I left the recording feeling great and Cece, Alex, and James said I added to their show. This is my suggestion for you, the next time you are asked to appear on someone else’s podcast, try not to speak from your opinion or your expertise. When trying to be memorable on other people’s shows rather than running the risk of being off-putting by appearing too opinionated or appearing too aloof by sharing too much knowledge. Simply contribute something to the conversation from your personal experience. There is no downside to connecting the podcast topic to your personal history when you appear on a podcast. People can be more entertaining than you. People can do more research than you. People cannot be more you than you.
So, be prepared to take your best self and all of your past experiences that are relevant to your next guest appearance. And then afterwards, ask yourself if using this practice improved your experience during the recording? And later look and see if more people come over to your show as a result of your more personal podcast appearance? Please share your results in the comments section below.
Good Luck!
Troy Price is the co-founder of Front Porch Studios in Berea, Kentucky. He has been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Listen to his show “Podcasting Tips From The Front Porch” HERE.
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