Influential Voices of Authority Struggles With Stats, Difficult Guests and Lost Audio – Episode 193
Resources mentioned in this episode:
I recently asked my tribe about the one thing they are struggling with most with their podcast. This week, we answer the questions and help you get over a few hurdles.
On this episode, we answer questions about dealing with lost audio, boosting your stats and dealing with stiff and difficult guests.
FORGETTING
I do a show called The Cinema Guys (WeAreTheCinemaGuys.com) and I do all of the show. My co-hosts show up record and leave. I do all the tech, recording, editing, posting and so on. Well tonight we recorded and I didn't realize until we were done that I had the recorder set wrong and it only recorded one of the 3 mics and to top that off I forgot to set up the back up recorder. So long answer to your question I think the biggest headache sometimes is the technical side mostly the set up and hoping everything works.
Love your show. Yours and Dave Jackson's are my top weekly listens.
Thanks,
Brad
EKJ: Ugh! I feel your pain, Brad.
Two things can help you prevent losing a show like this. The backup recorder is a great idea. However, it only works if you remember to hit record.
First, create a preflight checklist. What are the things you need to do before you record? This probably includes show notes, audio levels, water to drink, mute your phone and a few other things.
Create this list and use it EVERY time you record your show. This is the only way you will remember everything necessary.
Bad things happen when you fail to prepare.
Next, test your gear and levels. Make sure the gain isn't up too high creating distortion. Garbage in equals garbage out. If the levels aren't right to start, there is nothing you can do to save it.
Make sure every sound source is feeding the recording. This includes mics, sound effects, calls, software and any other sound source you will use.
If you use these two steps before every show, you will be much more likely to avoid losing a show.
SOCIAL MEDIA
I struggle most with learning how to effectively use social media to grow audience.
Thank you,
Joel
A Band of Gamers Podcast
My listener stats have plateaued. I have only been at it for about 6 months and we have grown to listener ship of between 150 and 200 downloads per show. The listeners we do have are loyal and engaged. Similar and more established podcasts are getting 20 and 30 times that download number though. Maybe its my content or maybe we are not marketing correctly or enough to grow our listeners.
Andrew Gonzales
EKJ: Social media is a great way to promote the show. However, it isn't the only method you should be using.
When using social media, get involved with others. Offer help in communities similar to your community. Join Facebook groups and communicate.
Share, repost and retweet other content. Be seen on social platforms. You don't need to create all of the content. Be a resource.
Make sure your social media profile includes your podcast prominently. Make it easy to find you.
The more people see you, the better the chances are that they will come check out the show.
Find other ways to promote the show. Check out episode 188 "Leverage Your Audience To Grow". Asking your audience to share your show and help you grow is very powerful. If they love you, they will tell others. Don't wait for them to think of it. Ask them to share it.
In episode 176 "How To Grow Your Audience By 10x", we talk about many other ways to grow. You could host events for your community. Guest blog and appear on other podcasts.
Create a lead magnet for every episode that also contains the podcast information. Then, encourage listeners to share it with their friends.
Growing your audience is an ongoing mission. Drip, drip, drip. Eventually, you'll have a nice, little puddle. Over time, it will grow. I don't think you will ever get to a point where you think, "Ok, I have enough listeners." Make this part of your regular daily routine.
STIFF GUESTS
Some of my guests become stiff or experience stage fright during the first 10 min of the cast, also how do you keep more Domineering guests from taking over the discussion?
Thanks Ken Morris
EKJ: If your guest is inexperienced, it is critical that you define the expectations right up front. People are usually nervous, because of the unknown. They aren't sure. They don't know what to expect.
Lay things out for your guest right up front. Do what you can to put them at ease.
If you want answers that are around 30 seconds long, let them know. If you need answers that are full sentences, let them know. If you want short stories, tell them before the recording begins.
It is important to let them know you will do your best to make them sound great. Tell them you will edit out any answers they don't like. If they want to start an answer a second time, you will be happy to edit that as well. This will usually help them relax.
Stiff guests are usually solved with creative questions. Ask open-ended questions that get your guest to tell you stories. "Tell me about a time when you ____." "What did it feel like the first time you ___." "When did you realize you were ____." "Tell me about the person who gave you the best piece of advice you ever received." This will help your guest give you more than one or two word answers.
With domineering guests, you need to be very clear with your guest right up front that you want this to be a conversation without their agenda. It helps when you can assure the guest you will give them plenty of time to plug their stuff.
You can also ask if there are particular points they would like to cover. Assure them you will offer questions that allow them to cover those points.
Let your guest know that when the interview is over, you will ask them if there is anything you didn't cover. This will allow them to touch on points that may have been left out. You can then edit that question into the show. This rarely happens. However, it does help your guest get comfortable and drop the script.
Finally, tell your guest you will edit the show. It is perfectly acceptable if they feel the need to stop and begin an answer again. You can edit that out to make them sound great.
You guests will sometimes follow a script, because they are nervous and inexperienced giving interviews. Set their mind at ease by letting them know you will make them sound great.
In the end, it is your show. There will be times when you need to stop the interview and be demanding. If you find your guest is following a script and doing nothing but pitching, stop the interview and explain your goals for the show.
Use something like this. "Rick, I can appreciate you have a new book and would really like to plug it. Believe me, we will get to that. If we make this conversation nothing but a prolonged infomercial, people will tune out. They will take no action, and it will be ineffective. Please allow this to become a conversation. After we engage our audience with a great discussion and get them to trust your authority, we can get to the book with a strong call-to-action. However, we need to make it a conversation first. Do me a favor and set the talking points aside. Let it flow. Trust me. You'll sound great."
If you need to stop a second time and get more demanding, use something like, "Rick, I'm losing confidence that this interview will be something I can use for the show. My listeners will benefit more by natural answers from the heart. I need to ask you to set aside the talking points and simply have a discussion. Otherwise, we need to cut this interview short. Can you help me there?"
If that doesn't work, move on to the next interview.
Do you need help with your podcast? I can answer your question on a future show. E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let's see what we can do.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Let's turn your information into engaging entertainment.