Prologue
Bad Influence
Netflix has a new series, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, that gives some great insight into the business of "influencers" and YouTube.
There's a lot for podcasters here, but something I suggest you pay particular attention to is the slippery slope that happens when money gets involved. I've seen this is every industry I've worked in over the years, including music, comedy, modeling, acting, and broadcasting.
If you’re an entertainer, your sense of what’s “normal” on the job tends to shift as you get more comfortable. The changes are usually gradual, so it’s easy not to notice how much your boundaries move until you get a little distance and look back.
Beyond this, the "inside scoop" on how much of success on YouTube is hype is also important to keep in mind. And how much of it is purchased.
You know who else kickstarted her career by (allegedly) buying her own albums? I don't want this in writing, but I'll tell you on the podcast ... get it here.
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Steal This Idea
Steak Sauce News Hijack
This is the 45 seconds that started it all.
My summary and thoughts on how you can do something to take advantage of goofs like this ...
Education Secretary Linda McMahon made an embarrassing slip when she repeatedly referred to "AI" (Artificial Intelligence) as "A.1." (the steak sauce?) during a discussion about integrating technology into education.
The steak sauce was quick to jump on the mistake, getting lots of free publicity for the brand.
Capitalizing on viral moments or trending news stories can be an effective, quick way to draw attention to your podcast. The key is staying alert to situations that align with your brand’s tone and content.
Monitor social media, news outlets, and conversations within your niche for any unexpected, funny, or controversial moments that you can cleverly tie into your show's theme. A well-timed tweet, meme, or audio clip referencing the event can introduce your podcast to a broader audience while showing your personality.
Preparation is everything. Keep an internal checklist for moments like this because these opportunities have a short lifespan.
If your podcast focuses on humor, make a joke; if it’s educational, drop a fact that ties the story back to your topic. Then, link that content back to an episode of your podcast that expands on the idea. The goal is to ride the wave of attention while staying authentic and making sure it leads directly back to what your show offers.
Good luck!
Podcast Hosting Skills
You are "family" to some listeners.
A podcast is more than just audio content; it’s a companion and a source of inspiration, education, and comfort for listeners.
To strengthen the unique bond you have with your audience, try this:
- Engage Directly: Use social media and surveys to interact and get feedback from listeners.
- Create Community: Establish online groups or organize live events to foster listener interaction.
- Personalize Content: Give shout-outs and produce episodes based on listener input.
- Offer Exclusives: Provide bonus content through memberships or Patreon and share behind-the-scenes access.
- Be Real: Share personal stories and admit mistakes to build trust.
- Stay Consistent: Publish regularly without compromising content quality to keep your audience engaged.
These strategies help transform listeners into a loyal community that feels personally connected to your podcast.
Podcast Production
Where Do You Get Your Podcasting Ideas?
I've worked with a lot of production teams over the years and it's very common to have a weekly "pitch meeting" where people on the team share episode and guest ideas.
But where do those ideas come from?
If you're in need of great episode ideas (or great guests), the best thing you can do is get outside and start talking to people. And I mean everybody—the lady in the grocery store, the guy delivering your mail, etc.
It's very simple. But are you doing it?
Podcast Humor
Eggs and Podcasting
Eggs are too pricey this year, so there's no Easter egg hunt.
But if you come to my house, you'll find some podcasting gear ...
Classifieds
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The Wrap Up
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