100 episodes

If you're looking to grow your podcast audience, radio and podcast veteran Erik K. Johnson helps you transform your podcast information into entertainment that keeps your audience coming back episode after episode.

Podcast Talent Coach Erik K. Johnson

    • Technology

If you're looking to grow your podcast audience, radio and podcast veteran Erik K. Johnson helps you transform your podcast information into entertainment that keeps your audience coming back episode after episode.

    Dave Jackson – Profit From Your Podcast – PTC 485

    Dave Jackson – Profit From Your Podcast – PTC 485

    CREATING PODCAST MONEY
    Many podcasters want to create a profit from their podcast. However, most lack a strategy to generate revenue and grow their business.
    NO PROFIT FROM MY COURSE
    When I created my first product for Podcast Talent Coach, it was a complete flop. Nobody wanted it.
    I started a mastermind in 2013 with 8 of my entrepreneurial friends. We all had aspirations to create successful businesses.
    Podcast Talent Coach was just getting off the ground.
    I had also purchased Brendon Burchard's Total Product Blueprint. As I went through the program, I created my plan. The mastermind helped me refine it.
    My first product was a course. It was the Podcast Talent Coach system.
    This program was designed to help podcasters transform their information into entertainment and turn their podcast into powerful, profitable relationships.
    The course was a 7-disc set that covered everything you need to know to create a successful podcast. It had everything I learned over my decades of radio experience being on the air, coaching talent, and programming radio stations.
    It started with the magic of audio and using theater of the mind.
    We talked about content creation, storytelling, and getting results for listeners.
    Disc 2 was about the structure and strategy for your podcast.
    We then got into content consistency and the power of one-on-one communication.
    The course included how to prepare for each show to ensure you reach your goals and lead your listeners to your call to action.
    It covered how to review your show for constant improvement. We then got into generating revenue and using your podcast to grow your business.
    Finally, the course laid out how to get started and put it all into action.
    It even had an accompanying workbook to walk you through all of the steps.
    As you can see, it covered everything. Unfortunately, nobody wanted everything.
    WHAT TO SELL
    People just want the solution to their most pressing problem.
    The more I talked with my listeners, the more I discovered they had two big problems.
    First, they wanted to grow their show and increase their downloads.
    Next, they wanted to profit from their podcast.
    These podcasters needs to master storytelling and content creation. They needed to build an effective structure for their show. However, they didn't WANT it.
    Sell what your listeners want. Give them what they need.
    Sell the outcome, the benefit, and the transformation. They don't care about the process to get there.
    That's when I changed my strategy. I created my Audience Explosion Blueprint program. You can see that at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/audience.
    I also created my Podcast Profits Accelerator membership. You can see that at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/accelerator.
    When I started to focus, my business began to grow.
    YOUR IDEAL CLIENT
    Begin by talking with your listeners and ideal clients. Ask about their challenges and struggles. Then, create a solution to help them overcome those problems.
    When you create the solution to their most pressing problems, it becomes much easier to generate a profit with your podcast.
    Sell the outcome and the benefit. They won't care about the calls or videos or templates. Your potential clients only want the outcome.
    My clients only want to grow their audience and profit from their show. They don't really care how we get there. The membership and coaching calls and resource library aren't important until they buy into the transformation.
    Start by having conversations.
    PROFIT FROM YOUR PODCAST
    Dave Jackson is the host of the School of Podcasting podcast. He is also author of the best seller Profit From Your Podcast: Proven Strategies To Turn Listeners Into a Livelihood.
    He launched the School of Podcasting in 2005 and was inducted into the Podcasting Hall of Fame in 2018.
    Dave joined me on the Podcast Profits Summit to talk about overcoming your challenges without spending thousands of dollars. I want to share that session with you today.
    To get acc

    • 54 min
    How Can I Increase My Downloads – PTC 484

    How Can I Increase My Downloads – PTC 484

    Have you had little success finding new listeners and growing your podcast downloads? You aren't alone.
    THE CHALLENGE WITH DOWNLOADS
    I recently sent an email to my tribe asking about the biggest challenge most podcasters face. Podcasters like you mentioned things like these as their biggest challenges...
     
    Finding more subscribers interested in my content
    I need perfect people listening to my podcast
    I'm trying all things to increase downloads
    Learning to build an interactive community
    What else can I do to grow my downloads
    I have no email list
    I need a strategy
     
    Have you had similar struggles?
    You've tried many things. Empty promises is all you get from the webinars you've attended.
    It is time you get a growth strategy that works.
    That's why I've turned my Audience Explosion Blueprint program into a powerful 3-day workshop. I shot a video all about it. You can see it at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/audience.
    During the Audience Explosion Blueprint workshop, you'll develop a REAL strategy to consistently and easily grow your podcast audience.
    This event will help you quickly and easily explode your audience without the frustration, hard work and guessing.
    To overcome your growth struggles, join us. You can see all the details and get registered at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/audience.
    PODCASTS FADE AWAY
    Podcasts fade away for 3 reasons.
    Podcasters give up because podcasting is more work than they thought it was going to be. They don't have a system in place to produce their show easily and consistently.
    Podcasters give up because downloads of their show doesn't grow as fast as they thought it would. They don't have a strategy in place to help them grow consistently.
    And finally, podcasters give up because the show doesn't make money as fast as they thought it would. They don't have a process in place to grow a business with their podcast.
    DOWNLOADS WITH SPRAY AND PRAY
    Let's talk about growing your downloads.
    Many podcasters approach growing their downloads with a spray and pray approach. They try a million things and wonder why nothing works.
    Imagine you were trying to lose weight.
    Today, you try cutting out all carbs.
    Yesterday, you tried riding the stationary bike for 30 minutes.
    The day before that you didn't do anything, because you got busy.
    You tried the Atkins diet the day before that.
    It was walking around the neighborhood the day before that.
    You only ate Lean Cuisine meals the day before that.
    Unfortunately, you missed two days, because you were out of town.
    But you ate nothing but vegetables the day before you left town.
    You hit the gym for the first time in 3 months the day before that.
    This has been going on for 3 weeks and you wonder why you haven't lost any weight.
    When you dabble in a variety of tactics, nothing seems to work. But when you focus on a few select tactics and work consistently, you have a better chance of experiencing results.
    But, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Before we can talk tactics, we need to talk fundamentals.
    YOUR POWERFUL WHY
    Why do you want to grow your downloads?
    A powerful "why" can be inspirational to you and your tribe.
    Podcasters give me many reasons they want to grow their downloads.
    It could be to spread your message. Maybe you want to build your authority.
    Growing your downloads can help you grow your business or market your goods and services.
    Maybe you want to grow your downloads so you can be a thought leader. Or you're creating a home base for your tribe to find you.
    Growing your downloads could help you have more impact in the world. Maybe you want to generate more revenue or have a bigger and better reputation.
    There are many reasons you might want to grow your podcast downloads. And all of these reasons are valuable and worthy. But you can't choose all of them.
    You need to select a reason that is meaningful to you. The reason must stir the fire inside of you and inspire you. Your why can't be for any

    • 32 min
    What is Your Biggest Challenge? – PTC 483

    What is Your Biggest Challenge? – PTC 483

    OVERCOMING YOUR CHALLENGE
    What is your biggest challenge? I asked that recently to podcasters on my email list. On this episode, I'll help you through a few of them.
    DO THE WORK
    Whatever your challenge, do the little work daily to build your foundation.
    Country artist Chris Young is a great example.
    The first time Chris Young came to town was around 2009. He played in the radio station conference room to about 20 people.
    This was shortly after he was the winner of the 4th season of the TV show "Nashville Star" in 2006.
    The next time here in town, he played to a small club with a few other artists for a few hundred people.
    Over the next few years, Chris returned to town as the opening act for a variety of other artists. Each time he played to a few more people than the last.
    Finally in 2019, Chris came to town to headline his own show for about 5,000 people. He has done that a few other times since then.
    Here is a guy that got great exposure on a television singing competition with a big audience. He has put in the consistent and methodical work over time to get where he is today.
    Other artists on the singing shows don't make it, because they haven't put in the work to create the relationship over time.
    Just look at the winners of American Idol, like Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks. They didn't put in the work.
    Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have been working for years to get where they are today even after their American Idol start.
    You can't create a relationship in 20 weeks of a tv season. It takes years.
    Do the work. Get rich slowly.
    Whatever your challenge, give it time.
    Let's look at a few of these questions.
    THE DOWNLOADS CHALLENGE
    I’m trying all the things to increase downloads. I send out a weekly email and post on social media. I also mention my podcast when it’s applicable on music teacher Facebook groups. I’ve been a guest on a few podcasts. I guess my biggest challenge is not knowing what else I can do to grow downloads. They are increasing but very slowly. Maybe that’s normal?
    Thanks,
    - Jeanette
    Yes, Jeanette, that is normal. I know we don't like to hear that it takes time. But, it takes time.
    Rarely will you see your downloads grow at a huge rate unless you get in front of a large pool of your ideal clients.
    Greg Payne is one of my clients. He hosts the Cool Grandpa podcast.
    As he was growing his podcast, he was able to get mentioned in an article in the New York Times.
    Who reads the New York Times? Typically a lot of people who are grandparents.
    Greg doubled his downloads overnight.
    Getting into the New York Times isn't something we can do everyday. However, you can find other influencers who speak to your ideal clients. Those influencers make great partners.
    To find the influencers who have the attention of your ideal target listener, begin by defining your listener. You can do that quickly and easily by downloading my Ideal Target Listener Worksheet here: www.podcasttalentcoach.com/listener.
    Keep working both sides of the growth equation.
    First, keep your current listeners coming back. Your email and social media tactics will help remind your fans to listen.
    Then, find those new ideal clients and invite them into your world. Get them on your email list, so you can email them as well.
    The podcast interviews you are doing should help. Let's find other areas to ramp it up.
    Above all else, create great content, share yourself, and be consistent.
    THE GUEST CHALLENGE
    My biggest challenge is getting the guests to share the episode.
    - Kate
    This is another common challenge, Kate. We can't expect our guest to share, but it is always great when they do.
    There are two things you can do. First, select better guests. Next, make it incredibly easy for them.
    Let's talk about better guests.
    Dave Jackson at the School of Podcasting is a great guest. When he is interviewed on a podcast, he will play a clip of that interview on his own show.

    • 37 min
    Ensure Your Message Is Felt With Janelle Anderson – PTC 482

    Ensure Your Message Is Felt With Janelle Anderson – PTC 482

    CREATING A POWERFUL PODCAST MESSAGE
    Your message can be powerful when you clearly understand whom you're targeting. A message designed for everyone reaches no one.
    MIXED MESSAGE
    I was on a podcast strategy call with two nurses the other day. They help healthcare practitioners decrease anxiety and stress, calm down their inner voice and enjoy life.
    Their goal is to bring resilience to humanity.
    Part of their curriculum is continuing education for healthcare providers.
    As we talked, we realized most of their clients are nurses. Though doctors and other healthcare providers can benefit from their content, nurses make up the majority of the revenue.
    We often get scared of losing a client. People tell me, "Yeah, but I can help them, too."
    I understand you can help everyone. However, you don't have enough time to help everyone. You also don't have enough time and money to market to everyone.
    The biggest problem with trying to help everyone is the clarity of your message.
    CLEAR RESULT
    If these two try to create content for everyone, how can they possibly frame the content for nurses and doctors? They have different needs and pain points.
    A surgeon comes in for about an hour. They are in a very high pressure situation for a short burst. Then they move on.
    Nurses have a little less pressure, but it is consistent. The pressure lasts for their entire eight or ten or twelve hour shift.
    When these two hosts try to speak to both doctors and nurses, the examples are mixed and the solutions are blurry.
    The content can be much more powerful when they focus on nurses alone.
    By focusing on nurses, the listener understands exactly what we are offering. She can see it is exactly what she needs. And, she has clarity on how it fits into her life.
    The listener can envision the results, because the examples are clear. She says, "I can relate – that sounds just like me."
    MISSING OUT
    By focusing on nurses, the hosts might miss out on a few doctors enrolling in their program. But, they will make it up by increasing the number of nurses that enroll.
    Let's say 80% of the clients are nurses and 20% are doctors. Let's also assume we have 100 clients. That would give us 80 nurses and 20 doctors.
    Now, let's say focusing only on nurses changes both sides by 20%. We lose 20% of our doctors and gain 20% more nurses, because we are now perfect for nurses.
    We would now have 96 nurses and 16 doctors. Our total number of clients just increased from 100 to 112 or 12%.
    They don't have enough doctors to lose. There are many more nurses to gain.
    When you narrow your message and focus, you will provide more clarity. You will gain more listeners and have more clients.
    Download your Ideal Listener Development Worksheet for free online at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/listener.
    YOUR MESSAGE
    Today, Janelle Anderson joins us to help us ensure our message isn't just heard, but felt.
    Stir emotion with your message.
    Janelle Anderson is known as the Speaking Confidence Coach for coaches. She is a Certified Professional Coach, author, and renowned speaker.
    Janelle is on a mission to empower coaches to launch on a strong foundation of clear messaging aimed at the audience most aligned with their passions and strengths.
    She helps coaches grow their business through masterful speaking and storytelling with her business, Emerging Life Coaching.
    I recently shared my message on Janelle's summit. She was recently a guest on my Podcast Profits Summit. This is that conversation.
    Be yourself. Your authentic message builds trust.
    You can download Janelle's Niche Discovery for Coaches for free at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/message.
    https://bit.ly/nichediscoveryvideos
     
    If you don't have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.

    • 47 min
    Why You Can't Grow Your Podcast – PTC 481

    Why You Can't Grow Your Podcast – PTC 481

    WHY DO YOU WANT TO GROW YOUR PODCAST?
    If you're like most podcasters, one of your biggest challenges you want to overcome is how to grow your podcast. I hear it often.
    Today, I want to help you dive deep into audience growth.
    IMPORTANT LINKS
    Here are links to those resources mentioned in this episode:
     
    Libsyn – Audio host for podcasters – https://libsyn.com
    The Feed – the official podcast of Libsyn – https://thefeed.libsyn.com
    Alex Hormozi – https://www.acquisition.com/bio-alex
    Dan Kennedy – Magnetic Marketing – https://magneticmarketing.com
    Taylor Swift – https://www.taylorswift.com
    Big Machine Records – https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com
    Podcast Strategy Call – https://podcasttalentcoach.com/podcast-review-questionaire/
    Send me an email at coach@podcasttalentcoach.com.
     
    MAKE THEM CARE
    In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges faced by many podcasters when it comes to growing their listenership.
    You receive invaluable insights into why some podcasts stagnate and what you can do to overcome these hurdles.
    We start with the critical importance of making your audience care. Provide unique value in your episodes.
    Infuse each episode with authenticity and stay true to yourself. We discuss strategies to build a relationship with your listeners, such as cleverly weaving your episodes together and harnessing specific tactics designed to not only attract but also retain a dedicated audience.
    TWO SIDES
    There are two sides to the audience growth equation. To grow, you must spend time attracting new listeners. Then, invest time keeping your current listeners coming back episode after episode.
    Maintain regular contact with your existing listeners to keep them invested in your podcast. Reach out frequently.
    While many podcasters dream of reaching a staggering 5,000 downloads per episode to successfully sell ads, the sobering statistic is that only 7% of podcasts hit those numbers. That is according to Rob Walch at Libsyn.
    QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
    The quality of your audience is more significant than sheer numbers. Therefore, it starts by identifying your ideal client.
    Identifying your ideal target listener and developing content specifically tailored to their interests and needs is key to cultivating a meaningful connection.
    I share a few stories from my radio career, illustrating the importance of forging a genuine bond with listeners. It starts by being your authentic self, as mimicking others won't create the same loyal following.
    Being relevant, interesting, and true to your identity are the cornerstones of developing a consistent audience that returns each episode. You can't please everyone - it’s better to focus on resonating deeply with the right people.
    STRATEGY VS. TACTICS
    You need a strategic approach to audience growth. There is a big difference between having a strategy – an overarching plan – and the tactics – the individual actions within that plan.
    I'm creating a workshop to help you grow your audience. I want to ensure it is extremely powerful for you.
    When it comes to increasing your downloads, what is your biggest challenge?
    Send me an email and let me know at coach@podcasttalentcoach.com. Let's grow your show the right way and for the right reasons.
     

    • 35 min
    Podcast Promotion Questions – PTC 480

    Podcast Promotion Questions – PTC 480

    HOW DO I GROW MY PODCAST?
    When it comes to growing our podcast, I get many questions about podcast promotion. How do we get in front of new listeners and invite them into our show?
    On this episode, we'll answer a variety of questions about podcast promotion.
     
    PODCAST GROWTH EQUATION
    There are two sides to the podcast growth equation.
    A larger audience involves keeping your current listeners coming back week after week while you are attracting new listeners to your show.
    If you are only promoting your show on social media and to your email list, you are only speaking to people who already know you. This does very little to grow your audience.
    However, podcast promotion on social media and to your list is important to keep your current listeners coming back every episode. So, keep it up.
    To grow, you also need to get in front of new listeners who are unaware of you. Invite those people into your world, so you can increase the number of listeners.
    As we go through these questions around podcast promotion, we'll start with some fundamentals around structure and process. We'll then talk about visibility. Finally, we'll get to when and what to promote.
    Let's jump in.
     
    PUBLISHING DAY
    What day of the week and what time do you release your podcast episodes? I’m about to launch my new podcast and I want a set date and time for when I release my weekly episode.
    -Craig
     
    The great thing about podcasting is that it is on-demand entertainment. People can consume it whenever they would like.
    The day and time your publish your show isn't nearly as important as your consistency. Be there when they are ready to listen.
    People are creatures of habit. Get them in the habit of listening to your podcast.
    I listen to my favorite podcast on Saturdays when I am working around the house. I believe he publishes sometime on Friday morning.
    In fact, he records the show on Wednesdays. Unless your podcast is dealing with current events that would be dated in a few days, timing isn't critical.
    It really doesn't matter to me when my favorite podcast publishes. I only care that he is there consistently when I'm ready to listen. That consistency builds trust with your audience as well.
    Pick a day and time. Then, stick with it.
     
    SHOW NOTES
    Does anyone read show notes? I personally don’t read them on podcasts I listen to. I write a simple episode description for ours but don’t really add anything else. Should I be putting more detail in?
    -Tim
     
    Yes, you should probably add more detail.
    Your show notes really serve three purposes.
    First, your show notes should provide the important info from your episode that your listeners might be seeking.
    This info could be links that you mentioned in the show. It might be the lead magnet you were offering or a book you referenced.
    Your show notes could offer a bulleted list of points you made during the episode. Maybe you were talking about the top 7 tools you currently use. Listeners might come to your show notes to find that list.
    The next purpose of your show notes is Google juice. When you create SEO-rich show notes, you make it easy for Google to find you.
    Spending a little more time adding detail to your show notes will improve your SEO. Use strong keywords and optimize your notes as much as possible.
    The final purpose of your show notes is accessibility for those with disabilities.
    It is important to make your podcast content available for those with hearing and vision impairments. The best way to do this is with a full transcript.
    Changes in iOS 17.4 include support for auto-generated transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app. However, transcripts will only be available for English, French, German, and Spanish-language podcasts.
    Adding more detail to your podcast will make it easier for those with disabilities to consume your content.
    There are many benefits to putting in a little more time and effort into your notes.
     
    INCREASE VISIBILITY FOR PODCAST PROMOTION
    H

    • 30 min

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