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(By Troy Price) They might as well change the name of this month to Spotifebruary. If I read the words Spotify, Gimlet (even though I loved the TV show, Alex, Inc.), or Anchor one more time I am going to hurl. I want to share the following recent exchange I had to highlight where I think we should still be focusing our individual podcast efforts…
Troy: “So, Dr. Goins, how long have you been podcasting?” Dr. Goins: “First, call me Joseph. And I would not say I have been podcasting. I record conversations I have with leaders in my field, and email it to the guy who is into podcasting."
Troy: “So, you mentioned your field. What’s your field?” Joseph: “It’s like you don’t listen to my show. In every introduction I say I am the CEO of NS4ED, an educational research company that looks at the intersection of education and industry… I could go on…”
Troy: “So, why do you record and have the recordings released as podcasts?” Joseph: “Look at it from my side. I have products and services that help prepare students for their future careers. I want the educational professionals that make purchasing decisions to know the quality of my work and my level of commitment. Also, I want to make sure that those using my products or services know how to fully use what they have and stay motivated to continue using it. I have visual online tutorials, and promotional videos, but it is the people that are listening to the podcast that come up to me at meetings and ask me about a specific episode or the tips we talk about. No one has come up to me and said a sales page really helped them make a decision.”
Troy: “You said you make recordings. Who do you talk to and what do you talk about with them? “ Joseph: “So, big picture, I am all about helping students find work that is right for them. I talk to principals that lead duel-credit programs where students graduate high school with two years of college credit. I talk to the professionals that place students into internships that they can build on for the rest of their lives. I talk to high-level labor market analysists and they share what the labor markets are going to look like next year, or even five years out. I try to highlight best practices in education and career recruitment to further that field. I also happen to work in that field and have something that I believe fits a need.”
Troy: “Do you try to sell your stuff on your show?” Joseph: “Oh goodness no! I do make reference to my company and share a website address, but everything else on the show is about the person I am talking to. We really go deep in the topics we talk about.”
Troy: “How much time to you spend on your show.” Joseph: “I reach out to the person I would like to interview and set a time to talk – that is a quick email usually. Then I send another email with how we can connect. I talk to them for about an hour and then let my podcast producer know that the file should be in the Google Drive folder. He does everything for me and sends a link to the podcast. I send the link to the person I interviewed and also post it on social media and I am done. So, three emails and an hour interview per show, that’s it.”
Troy: “Okay, here is maybe a tough question. The people I know with a podcast are really into podcasting. You seem to not know much about it, but are putting podcast episodes out there. Why?” Joseph: “I think I kind of mentioned it before, but I think I can be more direct… I maybe break even on the podcast project. But here is what I do know. The people that are reaching students and teaching them how to use my product are more motivated when they hear me talking about employment topics with people they know and respect. They more wholeheartily use my stuff. That helps me out. Also, one time, I was able to provide a transcription of the episodes to a grant funder as proof of my work. They were complimentary of the level of detail I was able to provide both to the teachers and them as a funder. So, having a podcast as part of my business helps my entire business.”
Troy: “That is a perfect way to end. Is there anything else you would like to say?” Joseph: “Go VOLS!”
Troy: “What does that mean?” Joseph: “Google it.”
NOTE: In interest of full disclosure, I am the podcast producer that Joseph mentioned in the interview. Also, I later learned the VOLS are the University of Tennessee Volunteers – currently number one in NCAA men’s basketball rankings in the Southeast.
_Troy Price is the co-founder of _Front Porch Studios_ in Berea, Kentucky. He’s been involved with podcasting for over a decade. Reach Troy by email at _Troy@frontporchstudios.com.