Behind the Mic

Arjun Sundararajan
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A show where we get real about leaders and the brand they've built around themselves. Dive into the stories of successful figures, from business to creativity, and uncover the strategies, challenges, and key moments that shaped them. No fluff, just insights into how they built their impact.

  1. 02/01/2024

    Building Executive Brand using a Talkshow with Anand Sundaram

    Catalyst Behind The Choices You Make The creator of the 'Choices You Make' podcast, Anand Sundaram, shares his inspiration behind the inception of his show. Having experienced a path much traversed among Indians, of becoming an engineer and moving to the US for further studies, he reflects on the lack of mentorship he had in pivotal moments of career decision-making. Today, with more than two decades of life lessons under his belt, Anand finds himself in a comfortable position, eager to channel his experiences and acquired wisdom into educating others, particularly his son. His observation of the dearth of relatable stories from average people led him to create his podcast. In his show, Anand steps away from the dazzling stories of the ultra-successful tiny fraction of people like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk and brings forth experiences of everyday people like himself. 'The Choices You Make' podcast thus serves as a mentorship platform to its listeners, capturing diverse stories from everyday people and their journey of decision-making. Applying Podcasting Lessons in Real-world Decision-making Anand Sundaram discusses the lessons he has garnered in the podcasting world and the application of those in real-life decision making. The initial goal was to provide value to listeners by presenting a diverse set of stories. However, as he progressed, Anand learned the importance of active listening. Podcasting made him realise the imperative of being engaged in conversation, understanding where it's going and deriving insights to add value. It broadened his perspectives, and he became not just a podcast host, but also a listener. Having conversations with people from different walks of life, he discovered the numerous similarities humans share, despite their contrasting paths. The practice of active listening that his podcasting journey taught him and the openness to learn from everyone remains an influential lesson for Anand. He stresses that understanding another person's brand or features doesn't merely come from looking at a resume or a LinkedIn profile; it comes from active engagement in conversation. Anand Sundaram : Impression & Perceptions This section entails Anand Sundaram elucidating on the impressions and perceptions others form about him. Arjun Sundararajan, conversing with Anand, emphasizes how he formed an impression from Anand's LinkedIn profile, considering him an educated engineer, leader, and vice-president of a big company. Anand then shares the perception he hopes people form of him- as a talkative, approachable person, open to discussing a wide range of topics. Anand also mentions that he's perceptive and able to carry on a conversation for an extended period of time. He aims to be the person people approach when they want to discuss or brainstorm something, and many of his friends do just that. Shaping Identity Through Personal and Professional Experiences This section focuses on how Anand shapes his identity through his personal and professional experiences. Anand believes that although there may be a professional and personal side to everyone, there must be significant overlap between the two to maintain authenticity and naturalness. Achieving this balance involves portraying both the multifaceted personal attributes and professional competencies on platforms like LinkedIn. The tactical use of his LinkedIn profile enhances the initial interactions he has with partners, customers, and vice versa. The example he provides of a discussion he had with another VP clarified how non-work related elements like his podcast can aid business relationships, transforming them from purely professional to informal, yet still professional. Anand thus views the fusion of personal and professional experiences as an effective way of shaping identity and establishing successful relationships. Impact of Executive Brands on Customer Perceptions Arjun Sundararajan believes in the critical importance of maintaining a good balance and advocates for understanding and growing one's brand, particularly for individuals dealing with customer perceptions. He emphasized the value of doing research on unknown people or companies before meetings and highlighted how your brand plays into this. Linked in a world of content creation, which included online profiles and shows like their podcast were noted as substantial elements in the creation of a brand. Sundararajan poses the question of whether other executives should consciously work to create a brand for themselves, that comes into play in customer conversations, He feels strongly that they should. Anand Sundaram agrees with Sundararajan, holding the opinion that everyone is essentially a salesperson, in every field. He elaborates on the perspective that we are all selling ourselves daily, and this becomes more significant for executives as they are representing their organization. Sundaram highlights the authenticity of a brand as crucial and gives an example of an executive who lacked social skills, which negatively impacts his brand. Sundram asserts that executives and indeed everyone should be aware of the image they're projecting, ensuring that it is positive. Both agree that having an executive understanding of a brand is very important in show hosting and the broader content creation field. Suggestions on Building Brand Early in Career In the discussion around building a brand early in the career, the main focus is on authenticity and substance, with a mix of curiosity. Arjun Sundararajan introduces the subject by exploring the idea that younger individuals can feel overwhelmed about the idea of building their 'brand'. Anand Sundaram, however, presents a refreshing perspective in that he insists on the importance of authenticity irrespective of where you are in your career, aligning with the idea of content creation for show hosts. The most notable point made during their conversation stresses on being 'willing to learn' at every stage of your career, something every creator in a talkshow must aspire for. Among the strategies recommended, making use of professional social media platforms like LinkedIn, raising your hand to take on new opportunities, and asking questions to gain clarity and provide solutions were paramount. These strategies point towards significant visibility, credibility, and reliability - all essential aspects of brand building. Sundaram underlines that one's brand is constantly evolving and improving – a constant journey of learning, growing and improvement. Sundaram also emphasised that being active in areas you're passionate about on social media platforms is one of the most effective ways of brand building. This form of brand building, aligned closely to content creation, allows associated audience and colleagues to recognise one's commitment to the area of interest. In sum, authenticity, a continuous learning journey, and engagement in a community related to one's field is key for early career individuals looking to build their brand.

  2. 01/10/2024

    Distributing Multi Platform Content from your Episode with Chet Lovegren

    Sales RX Podcast. Who should tune in and why? In the Sales RX Podcast, host Chet Lovegren shares his insights on a range of topics related to sales. The show aims to contribute in a variety of ways for sellers, especially individual contributors looking to deliver better performances. The scope of the podcast has widened over the years to tackle a more prescriptive approach against challenges in sales. Topics such as cold calling, writing effective emails, target account marketing, team selling, and relationship building are discussed. The podcast hopes to offer valuable insights to not just managers, but directors and VPs who wish to lead their teams with innovative strategies in today's sales environment. The Sales RX podcast has in fact expanded its audience to include marketing, customer success, and account management professionals in recent months. This podcast is definitely relevant for anyone who wants to keep themselves updated with evolving sales landscape. Motivation for starting Sales RX Podcast Chet Lovegren was inspired to start the Sales RX Podcast due to a perceived market opportunity back in late 2019. He observed there weren't many sales podcasts around at the time and thought of creating a platform to help those struggling in sales, drawing from his own experiences. Chet believes that while certain qualities make a natural seller, a lot can be taught about sales, and the podcast provides a variety of ways to improve one's sales game. However, his motivations weren't purely altruistic - he wanted to establish a brand and a platform that could potentially generate demand and attract clients. The podcast has since gone through several iterations and styles, indicating a scalability and adaptability to the changing times and their requirements. Speaker Intro: Chet Lovegren Introduced as Chet Lovegren, a host who is currently hosting the third iteration of his popular Sales RX Podcast. His adaptation and change are evident as he has tried different styles, formats, and timings for the podcast in his quest to find the best fit. His drive to keep the podcast engaging extends to constantly modifying it based upon trending algorithms and the shifts in people's attention. Show Format - Evolution over time The Sales RX Podcast has experienced a varied evolution over the years. It has fluctuated from being a platform where Chet ranted about issues in sales to a more structured, scripted podcast and then to a platform for topical discussions with guest speakers. He has wisely manipulated show lengths and frequency based on observed listener behavior and trends, even trying out daily 'micro-learning' episodes. Now, after all these iterative changes, the podcast boasts professional quality, in-person recording with designated segments for content review and expert insights, tipped off with a final section called 'Doctor's Orders', where Chet dispenses some tactical advice. It's evident that Chet's dedication to continual analysis, refreshment, and innovation is the key for the podcast's success. Goals & Metrics for your show During a lively exchange between Arjun Sundararajan and Chet Lovegren, they discuss different aspects of running a talkshow. Chet reveals that for him, success isn't just about the performance of the show, but more about his passion and interest- his vision of the talkshow being rooted in the aspiration to learn. He shares his views on content creation, believing in the power of genuine engagement over just hitting goals and metrics. Chet admits to his initial struggles in different roles such as sales, management, directorship, and a VP which shaped his outlook towards his show. Lessons learned from these experiences led to a desire to provide insights and value to fellow content creators and show hosts. Chet emphasizes the importance of focusing on metrics such as downloads, average watch time, demographics, and listener's country, which serve as strategic tools for content customization and improvement. From this engaging conversation, it can be gleaned that a holistic approach to one's goals and a keen intent to learn greatly enhances the quality of content creation and the overall performance of a show. Intriguingly, Chet observes that his talkshow is popular among listeners in Australia, indicating the broad, global reach achieved by these platforms. Distribution of content: Choosing the right channels In Arjun Sundararajan and Chet Lovegren's discussion on the distribution of content, they highlighted the importance of choosing the right channels for content creation. They emphasized that creators and show hosts must pick channels that align with their content and audience. They discussed differing platforms, which include a podcast, social media, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Chet mentioned a specific process he uses, starting with recording a 30-minute podcast. He explained how he extracts and transcribes key parts from it to create short form videos, blog posts, newsletters, and LinkedIn carousel posts. Then, these pieces are further broken down into tweets, quote cards, and more. He stressed the importance of continually demonstrating your presence across multiple platforms. Additionally, they touched on how SEO enhanced blogs work to drive traffic rather than serve as a reading material, hence interconnectedness of multimedia content. They reiterated that engaging the appropriate channels depends on what's most efficient and most appropriate for an individual's specific situation. Conclusively, understanding this process of content repurposing is vital for content creators, show hosts, especially those targeting several platforms. Repurposing Content for different formats. Challenges & Mistakes. Arjun Sundararajan and Chet Lovegren negotiate the land of talkshow content creation in a candid discussion about the challenges, mistakes and learning experiences that arise when repurposing content for differing show formats. They bring to light a prevalent argument in the content space regarding the value of professional content creators. Both Arjun and Chet express the importance of learning to create content at a novice level before moving towards more expensive professional options. Chet shares his experiences and struggles in creating his own podcast and provides valuable tips on navigating the content-creation journey. He emphasizes the importance of a test-run before diving in headfirst with professional editors and the value of spotting shortcomings when managing relationships in the creative process. Arjun also stresses the importance of spending time building content as an investment. This discussion not only provides crucial advice for show hosts and other creators but also illuminates the long-term commitment needed in content creation.

  3. 01/10/2024

    Landing Coaching Clients with your Talkshow - with Host of SalesBiz Podcast

    Sales Biz Podcast: Who should tune in and why? Arjun Sundararajan hosts a show, uncovering the story behind Mike Petrosyan's motivation to start the Sales Biz Podcast. The discussion begins with a question all potential listeners might have- 'Who should tune in and why?' Mike, having started his journey in Salesbiz during COVID period of 2020, saw an opportunity to give back to the podcasting community. He aimed to discuss the journey, methodologies, and dreams of various entrepreneurs and sales leaders. His audience mainly comprises sales professionals and aspirant entrepreneurs seeking fresh, modern sales strategies. The narrative then dives into Mike Petrosyan's initial motivation to launch the podcast, and his personal drive to reciprocate the knowledge he gained from experts to a wider audience. Motivation for starting Sales Biz Podcast. Mike's compelling reason to start Sales Biz was oddly straightforward. He identified himself as an auditory and visual learner, consuming bite-sized information through audible accounts, apps, and videos. His drive to start a podcast stemmed from the same desire for enlightenment but also serving as a healthy platform for fostering his sales skills. He viewed the launch as a three-step approach: Networking, Reciprocating knowledge, and honing his skills. His goals remained concise - produce a podcast per week, examine viewer engagement across platforms, and evaluate progress through strategic pursuits. Goals: What were your primary goals for the show and how do you measure them? On asked if he ever benchmarked this venture against any specific metrics, Mike revealed he simply dove into it. Drawing inspiration from Reid Hoffman's philosophy, he believed in setting the wheels in motion without much delay. A palpable example lies in his initial audiovisual setup for the podcast. Mike had an open mindset – the podcast could either see him winning or learning. His initial goals were not factual but were molded by networking and learning. More deliberate planning only came up when he started posting more episodes. Coaching: Organic Outcome vs Intentional Experiment The discussion takes an unexpected turn towards coaching, which Mike Petrosyan initially had no plans for. He narrates how one of his guests desired to learn more from him, following their invigorating discussion. After a few fruitful conversations, the guest directly suggested compensating Mike for his valuable insight, which sparked the coaching aspect of his profession. Although he was initially only interested in potential partnerships to garner more leads, he now had clients willing to pay for business advice. Speaker Intro: Mike Petrosyan Mike Petrosyan, now an accredited professional in the sales and podcasting community, caught direction midway. Displaying genuine enthusiasm in discussing his business strategy and methodologies, he did not immediately realize the monetary potential behind his feedback system. However, upon thorough speculation, he was genuinely thankful for the opened doors and brewing opportunities. Passion Project vs Marketing Tool As the trajectory of the conversation evolves, Mike gradually sees traction in his side project. Upon understanding the monetary value from one of his coaching conversations, he began recommending his services to others. Soon, he had five clients within 20 episodes. As the coaching aspect grew, he found less time for podcasting, although the financial and learning incentives pushed him to continue. Balancing a full-time sales executive role, he cherishes the extra side income and nurturing his network. Lastly, Arjun Sundararajan seeks advice for other coaches on building authority and credibility just as organically and effectively as Mike Petrosyan did. Building Authority and Credibility In the section on building authority and credibility, Arjun Sundararajan discusses the importance of authenticity for individuals and businesses in developing their reputations. Veteran show host Mike Petrosyan expresses his belief that this authenticity can't be forced or manufactured; it must be a natural manifestation of one's character and convictions. They discuss the idea of personal branding, with Mike emphasizing the need to express and maintain one's unique identity instead of conforming to external expectations or archetypes. Mike also shares his own journey, recounting how he found his authentic voice and built a successful brand around it. The discussion eventually moves to the foundational role of subject matter expertise, and the importance of choosing a niche where your passion and knowledge can shine through. In all these revelations, the underlying lesson is clear: in business and content creation, authenticity and authority walk hand in hand. Time Commitment: Staying up to date and relevant. The conversation next delves into the daunting challenge of staying relevant and informed amidst the constant flux of today's dynamic business landscape. In this scenario, Arjun Sudararajan and Mike Petrosyan, show hosts, share their strategies for keeping pace with an ever-changing industry. Emphasizing the value of allocating one's time effectively, Mike vividly depicts the reality of maintaining a podcast, balancing it with a sales job, and still staying up to date in the industry. He underlines the importance of planning and to not underestimate the commitment podcasting requires. They also delve into the aspect of developing content around current trends, effectively utilizing them to stay relevant and engaged with their audience. This strategy, coupled with their passion and dedication, keeps them afloat in a sea of information and trends. Content Strategy and Distribution In the final section, Arjun and Mike discuss content strategy and distribution. They explore the numerous ways to repurpose and distribute content from just one conversation. Mike admits that their strategy is the result of trial and error and emphasizes the need to focus on topics of genuine interest. He contends that passion cannot be faked and that audiences can discern authenticity. The authenticity and passion reflected in their content, he believes, drives audiences to the podcast. The discussion progresses to distribution, for which Mike recommends a decentralized approach leveraging technology. Mike uses platforms like Bussprout to automating distribution, effectively broadening their audience reach. He also cautions against outsourcing distribution and emphasizes the value of authenticity in audience building and engagement. The sentiment resonating through the discussion reiterates the importance of authenticity and passion in content creation and distribution strategies for show hosts. Audience Engagement Key aspects of successful audience engagement for both podcasts and personal coaching include tracking resonance, determining preferences, and fostering proactivity. Show hosts like Arjun Sundararajan employ a range of methods to gauge audience preferences, from direct outreach methods like YouTube comments and Instagram posts, to indirect methods like keen observation and analysis. Mike Petrosyan emphasizes the importance of being authentic in audience engagement, mentioning the danger of seeming desperate. He has experimented with a wide range of guests, from SAS founders to security guards. Petrosyan maintains that the authenticity of content matters above all, and this approach can lead to opportunities for audience expansion and engagement. Tip for someone starting their own show Arjun Sundararajan asked Mike Petrosyan for a tip for aspiring talkshow creators, ending on the note of authenticity. Mike stated that technology and social media platforms have made it easier than ever to communicate and create content, eliminating the need to rely on older methods like letters and emails. His paramount advice for future show hosts is to always be authentic. He warns against pretense, as it can lead to audience ridicule and the consequent downfall of the content creation project. Staying true to oneself and following passions can lead to a naturally successful show.

  4. 01/04/2024

    Transforming Hosts into Magnetic Personalities: with Kira Dorrian

    Journey into Podcasting In Arjun Sundararajan's talk show, he initiated discussion with Kira Dorrian about her journey into podcasting. Kira, a voice actor by profession journeyed into the podcasting world because she was unsure about the longevity of her voice-acting career and wanted to prepare for an alternate career in mental health. This led to her first podcast show, 'Raising Adults', she created with her doula friend focusing on the aspect of positive parenting and emotional intelligence for kids. However, this novices' journey was not a typical one, yet it was centered on themes significant for creators in the field of content creation, especially for show hosts. This story of an artist's transition to a new medium holds a pivotal place in ‘Journey into Podcasting’. Key Skills to Adapt to Different Topics Adapting to different topics became a crucial skill for Kira in her journey as a podcast host. Arjun and Kira highlighted how 'not knowing it all' can sometimes be an asset, as it allows room for curiosity and learning. Kira indicated that one of the keys to being a good host was her innate curiosity and the joy of not knowing. She also learned that it's okay for the host and their audience to learn together. Throughout her journey, Kira hosted shows on varied topics like animal conservation and personality tests which helped her satisfy her curiosity and unravel many fascinating aspects. Though, they acknowledged the need for utmost preparation and research before stepping in to host a show single-handedly. Basically, the hosts need to adapt to different topics depending upon the genre and format of the show. Speaker Intro: Kira Dorrian Kira Dorrian, an acting professional and a mental health enthusiast, later also became a podcast host. She has been associated with various shows that deal with diverse topics. Her inherent curiosity and her knack for learning new things have made her very adaptable, making her journey not just intriguing but also inspirational for aspiring podcast hosts. Her voice acting skills and experience in the mental health field surfaced as dominant factors that helped her jumpstart her podcast journey. Clearly, Kira Dorrian's story is the amalgamation of multiple professions that have collectively paved the way for her successful career in podcasting. Arjun Sundararajan's conversation with Kira embodies the essence of evolving artists in the world of podcasting. Building Trust and Connection with Guest Speakers In this section, the dialogue involved how to build trust and connection with guest speakers, it started off by addressing the challenge of creating a bond and trust between hosts and guest speakers. Kira Dorrian provided valuable insights suggesting a twofold approach to meet this challenge. She stressed the importance of self-awareness and recommended knowing when to step away and let a professional navigate the complex world of talk shows. Kira also highlighted the relevance of conversation, curiosity, and listening. She emphasized that creating a relaxed environment, akin to a coffee conversation, significantly aids the podcast's success. Additionally, she touched upon the impact of emotions as they can be picked up by the microphone; hence maintaining a positive demeanor is quintessential. Kira also advised avoiding excessive preparation which might lead the show to become strictly monotonous and lose its spontaneous appeal. The dialogue ended with an insightful discussion on the importance of listening and adapting according to the guest's narrative. Power of Authenticity when Hosting Shifting to the importance of authenticity when hosting a show, the conversation started with the acknowledgement of the power of authenticity and how it greatly benefits a podcast host. Kira Dorrian elaborated her thoughts and experience in holding authenticity during her shows. She advised maintaining an open mind and being true to oneself during the podcast, even when it's hard to accomplish overnight. She emphasized the significance of opening up to vulnerable spaces, a step that ensures that guests feel more comfortable. She stressed the power of curiosity and the authenticity that comes with expressing lack of knowledge on a subject. This approach opens up a wider space for the flow of the conversation, encouraging the guest speaker to share their views and experiences, creating a real and relatable environment for the audience. Importance of Vocabulary and Language in Show Hosting Arjun Sundararajan and Kira Dorrian animate an engaging conversation about the role of language proficiency and vocabulary in show hosting. Arjun expresses curiosity about powerful language use and how it can captivate audiences. Kira responds by highlighting that the need for specialized language depends on the topic of the show, emphasizing the importance in understanding the jargon of the subject matter to demonstrate authenticity and reliability as a host. They both advocate for using the right subject matter terms, admitting when unsure about certain jargon, and not being intimidated by not being as flowery with language. The balance between being authentic, maintaining subject matter expertise, and connecting with the audience illustrates the complexity of the show hosting process. Off-Air: Cultivating habits for Voice Excellence Arjun and Kira dive further into the routine and habits that can help aspiring show hosts excel in their roles, even when they are 'off-air'. According to Kira, vocal warm-ups and taking care of one's voice are significant, alongside developing the ability to transition smoothly between topics during conversations. She advises that hosting skills can be improved through active listening and finding clever ways to link the conversation to the next question. Building confidence in these techniques, Arjun and Kira discuss, can make a show host's role more successful and can cultivate habits for voice excellence. Maximizing Impact: Creating Short Impactful Content Shifting their discussion to the concept of short impactful content, Arjun and Kira discuss the strategies for maximizing impact in a world favoring short format content. Kira recommends creating a clear show format, ensuring even brief bursts of content are efficient and impactful for the audience. Preparing guests in advance with expected content and format is also highlighted as crucial. The guest, being already prepared, is more likely to be relaxed, genuine, and subsequently contribute to a better episode. In sum, both Arjun and Kira agree that planning and preparation are the key to maximizing impact and creating more palatable content for their audiences who are creators and show hosts in the field of content creation.

  5. 01/03/2024

    Discovering your niche audience with Anna Naumova

    Prodcast: What is your show about and who should tune in? Prodcast initially began as a platform for product managers who were looking to land jobs in the US. However, it has since evolved to accommodate other tech workers, and anyone who wants a tecnnology job in the country. Immigrants, particularly high-skill tech professionals and individuals from Eastern Europe who speak Russian, form the majority of the audience. The show is available in two languages, English and Russian, with a bigger following on the Russian channel. The host, Anna, is always eager to engage with everyone and share experiences from when she started the show. These characteristics make Prodcast a show that stands out in its niche, with its focus on tech career-building and immigration in the US. Its unique bilingual approach tailored for specific groups such as Russian-speaking immigrants and individuals desiring a career in tech makes it a compelling resource. Show Motivation: What were you doing at that time? The conception of the show was completely organic, born out of Anna's own struggle of securing a job in the US. She went through a tough time passing numerous company interviews and decided to write an article to guide others who might be undergoing similar experiences which became very popular. Subsequently, numerous queries from the Russian tech community about job hunting in the US started flooding in, which made Anna realize the potential of doing something for herself. Thus, the sow was launched on YouTube, with the aim to share all the useful tips and experiences about job hunting in the US tech industry. Anna constantly tests and refines her show to remain relevant and beneficial to her audience. This ultimately led her to introduce new content, discovering new platforms to use, shifting from YouTube to other platforms, and recognizing the importance of consistently producing quality and meaningful content. Speaker Intro: Anna Naumova Anna Naumova is a dynamic and determined speaker who believes in organic growth. Her experiences as a job seeker in the US tech industry inspired her to start her podcast show, providing a platform for like-minded individuals seeking similar opportunities. Anna's show experiences steady growth, which she attributes to her engaging content and exploration of various relevant topics. She's a believer in maintaining authenticity and organically building her audience. Overall, Anna's story is an exciting and inspiring journey of someone who saw a challenge and turned it into an opportunity to guide others. Process for finding the niche for your show In the quest of finding her unique voice for her show, Anna experimented with various content forms, from focusing on product management to expanding to cover other roles in the tech industry. She started inviting diverse guests, ranging from software engineers to HR recruiters, to share their perspectives. As a natural progression, her topics included immigration visas, tailored specifically for job seekers desiring to move to the US. The most unique element was added when she started covering business topics in the US, such as how to open a business in the US and understand taxes, which was largely influenced by her personal interest. Despite this topic's lesser popularity, the core of her show remains around job search and career building. Content on resumes and exclusive interview tips are the most viewed. Overtime, Anna recognized that her commitment to deliver insightful and quality videos held a special appeal to her Russian-speaking audience. Timeline for Audience Building Building an organic audience is a challenging and time-consuming journey that demands a lot of commitment and patience. A long-term plan, at least six months to a year, is a must to see any noticeable progress. Consistency in releasing content that you're passionate about is the key to success. Anna advises against buying any form of ads, highlighting her personal unsuccessful experience with YouTube recommendations. She emphasizes on the quality of content as the primary driver for organic growth. Flexibility, resilience, and an ability to adapt and improve upon feedback are crucial in the process of growing and enriching your audience on any platform. Intersection of Passion and Audience Anna recommends conducting thorough research before deciding to launch a show. This involves understanding the market, identifying your competitors, and figuring out what can make your show stand out if the market is already saturated. There should exist an intersection between your passion and the audience's interest for the show to be a success. To test the waters, one can launch minimal viable content and gauge the response from audiences. At the same time, it is important not to be discouraged by minimal initial returns, and instead focus on consistently improving and steering the show based on feedback and performance. The success lies in your hands if you are ready to evolve and improve constantly. Audience Finding: Experimentation process The process of finding one's audience is truly experimental and iterative. As a show host, initially releasing content once a week and observing audience interaction is crucial in understanding trends and setting up a schedule. The host mentions looking up statistical data on different platforms like, YouTube, to analyze what works best. Click-through rates on thumbnails, viewer duration, comments, views, likes, and feedback are important factors in further defining the show's direction. The hosts reminds creators not to be discouraged if the first few videos do not generate the intended response as experiments require time. He also reveals that not all his content generates equal amounts of interest from viewers. Therefore, the key is to continue testing, learning and improving. It's interesting to see how the techniques of product management are brought into the world of content creation. The techniques of experimenting, analyzing, and adapting based on feedback help to shape the show and maintain audience engagement. Utilizing Social Media Platforms In this digital world, social media platforms become a powerful tool for distribution and engagement. The host mentions experimenting with platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok. For him, navigating between these platforms is about reaching people where they are at a particular point in time. It is about serving that audience the appropriate content according to what they might prefer on that platform. The host's strategy involves going wide, understanding where the audience is, and maintaining that connection. A significant portion of his audience was discovered through YouTube recommendations. There is a lot of emphasis on cross-promotion, a web of content pointing back to the main channel. His process is both organic and purposeful; when seeking feedback, he tends to focus on both numbers and personal comments from viewers. Ultimately he believes that the audience flows from one media to another, emphasizing the importance of a diverse presence across platforms. Audience Feedback: What should you look for? Audience feedback is like the compass in the vast sea of content creation, directing the host to what works and what doesn't. As a product manager, he emphasizes the importance of both quantitative and qualitative metrics. He speaks about receiving daily messages from viewers that appreciate his content, reward him with their gratitude and offer sincere critique which invariably drives his passion. He believes negative feedback contributes to his growth as a show host and makes his content more wholesome. He also reveals that he receives a lot of controversial mixed feedback that adds more fuel to his enthusiasm. For feedback collection, looking at likes, click-through rate, and even the duration of viewership can offer valuable insights. He also suggests applying an analytical mindset and looking at feedback as constructive data that helps to shape your product, just like in product management.

  6. 12/20/2023

    The Mindset Shift of a Show Host - with Katherine Lewis

    Opportunity Made: Who should tune in and why? Opportunity Made is a Talkshow entering its third season, designed to inspire its audience in creating opportunities, irrespective of backgrounds and geography barriers. The Show Hosts engage with different individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries to understand the challenges they have surmounted and the opportunities they have taken advantage of. Content Creation on this show is uniquely crafted to inspire a broad audience, particularly budding entrepreneurs who are looking to chart their unique paths towards success and could draw inspiration from the illustrious journeys and experiences shared. Motivation for starting Opportunity Made. What were you doing at that time? The show, Opportunity Made, was started in 2022 by Katherine Lewis as a personal leap of faith. The motivation behind the show was less about filling a niche in the market and more about personal fulfillment and exploration. Lewis' love for communication and curiosity to test her ability to host a show was the primary driving force behind the start of the 'Opportunity Made' show. The show started as addition to her progression, challenging herself to go beyond her comfort zones. Speaker Intro: Katherine Lewis Katherine Lewis, who himself has a passion for communication and interviewing people, expressed her enthusiasm and curiosity towards hosting a show. The fear of whether she would be capable of running a show and handling its various aspects gave way to the excitement of the challenge itself. This courage to face new trials head-on positively added value to her exponential personal growth. Goals: What did you want to achieve through your show? Do you track any metrics? The primary goal of the show was to have meaningful conversations and to see what content resonated with the audience. Instead of working towards set expectations, the focus for Katherine Lewis was to enjoy the process of conversations. Consistency in releasing episodes was emphasised, leading to the show's growth over time. However, Katherine also emphasized the need for flexibility; the release cadence evolved as she gained more experience and grasped a better understanding of her content and audience. The Evolution of Guests and Audience through time The show began with interviews with friends and colleagues but has since evolved to handpicked guests and recommendations. Even as the guest list changed, there remained a constant emphasis on unique life experiences and overcoming barriers. There is an intention to incorporate more diverse topics in the future, based on audience reactions. Instead of primarily focusing on gathering metrics around the audience and their preferences, the primary goal was to establish the show's rhythm and to understand what it takes to run a show successfully. Unveiling passion: Tips for discovering your own calling! Katherine Lewis shared insightful tips for discovering personal calling, emphasizing the importance of addressing and overcoming insecurities. Whether it was fears regarding physical appearance or voice qualities, Katherine encouraged accepting oneself. She further highlighted the value of truly listening during conversations, expressing a keen interest in the dynamics of discourse and how it can take unexpected turns. Understanding everyday conversations and engaging with topics that pique your interest can provide inspiration for running a show of your own. Ultimately, whether the podcast topic is driven by something you are keenly interested to learn more about, or a subject you are deeply passionate about, the decision lies in what holds your interest consistently. Host's Harvest: The Top Benefits of Showtime Success In the section, Arjun Sundararajan and Katherine Lewis discuss the benefits a host can derive from a successful talkshow. These benefits aren't merely in terms of satisfaction from positive feedback and growing confidence but also include getting the chance to push forward a message or support a certain demographic of people. Important takeaways include the intrinsic reward of knowing people listen to your content and the ability to have conversations with people they otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to, thus expanding one's network and experiencing firsthand the stories and backgrounds of their guests. Connecting Through the Mic: Stories of Network Expansion Delving deeper into the theme of networking, the conversation here offers tips on maintaining relationships post-show to ensure they don't turn transactional. From doing regular check-ins with past guests, sending thank-you emails, to doing little giveaways for engagement, cultivating these connections has great potential for network expansion. Katherine Lewis emphasizes viewing these interactions as building a community rather than mere transactions. The referrals from guests introduce new participants into the circle, adding a dimension of interconnectedness. Unlock Your Voice: Tips for aspiring Show Hosts For aspiring hosts, Katherine sights a dual approach - getting the technicalities right and perfecting one's speaking skills. From setting up a good microphone and lighting to refining the ability to speak fluently and confidently, she breaks down the process in achievable steps. Regular practice tasks, like recording yourself talking about an object for a minute or sending daily videos to someone without re-recording, help with improvising speaking skills. She also emphasizes the importance of screening out filler words for a crisp and clear speech, which helps both in hosting and post-production work.

  7. 12/14/2023

    Running show consistenly for 500+ episodes with Steve Cuden

    StoryBeat with Steve Cuden: Who should tune in and why? In one of the most informative discussions on this talkshow, respected show host, Steve Cuden, talks about the creation process, thereby providing valuable insights for upcoming creators. Talking about his show 'Storybeat', Steve highlights that it is primarily dedicated to anyone seeking inspiration and curious about the creative process. For over seven years, he interviewed successful people from the creative sector to understand how they innovate and create, thereby offering a fresh perspective for creativity seekers. Typically, early career stage creators in search of inspiration and looking to learn from other creators are the ones who regularly tune into 'Storybeat'. Hence, for creators desiring to understand how to make their creative life better, more efficient, smarter, and next level, 'Storybeat' is a treasure trove. Origin of Storybeat. What was the inspiration? What were you doing at that time? The inspiration of 'Storybeat' comes from an interesting place. Returning to his hometown of Pittsburgh after 35 years as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, Steve found an opportunity to explore the podcast sector when a local university, Point Park University, opened a new media facility complete with a podcast studio. Eager to spread knowledge about the creative process, Steve took the initiative of starting the show, with the aim to address the issues of numerous people stuck in their journey to creativity, thereby helping them get to the next level. Despite being a newbie in the podcasting sector during the initial days, Steve's commitment to this new venture gradually helped him gear up his understanding of the show's focus, thus making it the inspirational success it is today. Speaker Intro: Steve Cuden Steve Cuden is a well-renowned screenwriter and an influential figure in the world of creative content creation. His dedication and love for creation are remarkable. His journey from being a screenwriter in Los Angeles to a distinguished podcast host, presenting 'Storybeat', offers inspiration to many upcoming creators. Steve’s prime focus lies in imparting knowledge and providing efficient tips and tricks about the creation process. Whether you are an aspiring creator or a seasoned professional, tuning into 'Storybeat' can lead to gaining insightful knowledge. Goals: What did you want to achieve through your show? Do you track any metrics? The foundational goal of 'Storybeat' is to inspire and inform. The primary aim is sharing knowledge about the creative process, thus, assisting people in making their careers go in the right direction. The podcast focuses on inspirational conversations with professionals from different sectors, primarily from arts, but not limited to it. While the show uses Google Analytics to track its performance, the show’s real focus is on maintaining its qualitative aspects, like asking quality questions and inviting successful guests. Steve’s vision for the show largely encompasses creating an impact and educating the listeners. Outcomes: What are the highlights of outcomes that have come through running this show? Show hosts often wonder what kind of impact they're making through their content creation. This realization often comes in the form of feedback from loyal listeners who admit to having their perspective shifted or career choice influenced by the talkshows they listen to. The intrinsic joy of hearing that you've made an impact on someone's life forms the heart of the talkshow. Guest speakers also bring an enlarged perspective to the table, often sharing intimate details or unrevealed stories, which brings further growth and engagement to the show and its listeners. In the words of Steve Cuden, impressing someone you admire allows you to experience the thrill of a well-constructed show. This is quintessential to understand as a talkshow creator and host. Sustaining a show beyond the first few episodes The longevity of a show can be attributed to a multitude of factors. A resounding factor is the creator's endowed passion for the subject they wish to address through their shows. Being interested in the people you're interviewing and their experiences blesses the content creation process with an indelible sense of enjoyment. This in conjunction with an unyielding ‘crazy’ to not back down in the face of hardship and growing perseverance can lead to a successful talkshow. Furthermore, a sustainable business doesn't happen overnight. It’s important to note that a show builds gradually, and this organic reach and growth compound over time into a fulfilling venture. Being patient and passionately curious about the subject matter ensures you create compelling content that keeps your audience hooked. Over time, you become adept at learning from every episode you curate, and the value you provide starts reflecting in the growth of your show. Tapping into Intrinsic Motivation. How does one do that? In this section, 'Tapping into Intrinsic Motivation. How does one do that?', Steve Cuden and Arjun Sundararajan discuss the twofold approach to fueling curiosity and passion in any subject matter or field. The first, according to Cuden, is a raw, inherent interest in the topic. The second is the unfamiliarity that gradually evolves into a deep-seated fascination as one immerses themselves in it. He further states that it is equally important to recognize the lack of interest in a subject as it is to identify a passion, as this promotes progression onto topics that genuinely pique a person's curiosity. Through a series of conversations, they emphasize the importance of being aware of one's curiosity and interests and utilizing them as catalysts for creating captivating content or discovering new passions. What is one tip you'd give someone starting out to host their show. In 'What is one tip you'd give someone starting out to host their show.', Arjun Sundararajan and Steve Cuden share the importance of passion and true interest in the chosen subject matter when setting up a talkshow or any form of content creation. They underline that this passion becomes the engine driving the longevity and success of the show. Cuden places significance on possessing an active role in the subject matter at hand. He says this implied credibility assures the guests of the host's understanding and empathy. The talkshow hosts convey that whether it’s about creators, show hosts, baking, mathematics, or content creation, the host’s passionate engagement with the content transpires to the audience.

  8. 12/06/2023

    Building Founder Brand by launching you own show: Rachel Cossar

    Motivation for starting Conversations in the Future of Work Rachel Cossar, a firm believer in taking on new challenges, embarked on a new journey through her talk show, 'Conversations in the Future of Work'. Her motivation was fuelled by a desire to explore relevant and interesting topics concerning ongoing disruptions in workplaces brought about by the pandemic. She aimed to bring together thought leaders, technologists, coaches, and scientists, providing a platform to share and define their experiences on the future of work. She believed that while the show may seem a daunting task initially, the potential Return on Investment (ROI) in terms of time and resources won her over to give it a try, at least for a pilot season. Founder Journey and GTM with Virtual Sapiens. How does Conversations in the Future of the Work fit in? Rachel Cossar is also the founder of Virtual Sapiens, a company that uses Artificial Intelligence to help teams master their video presence. While she leverages partnerships with coaching firms and sells directly to learning and development programs, the talk show acts as a powerful platform for conversation for both her and her guests. The people she brings to the show are typically users, clients, or partners of Virtual Sapiens. The alignment of the show's purpose with the goals of her company helps her discuss critical themes like the influence of AI on communication, training, and coaching and also showcase Virtual Sapiens as a product. Speaker Intro: Rachel Cossar Rachel Cossar, the show host for 'Conversations in the Future of Work', is driven by her passion to facilitate discussions about the future of work. Her desire to provide opportunities for exploring relevant and thought-provoking topics materialized in the form of her talk show. How do you define your audience and guest speakers? According to Rachel Cossar, defining the show's audience and guest speakers was a crucial part of the show's setup. She was inspired by the struggles of remote or hybrid working and the effective use of video technology during her interactions with clients. This inspired the creation of a platform to discuss these topics from multiple perspectives. By bringing together scientists, technologists, trainers, leaders, employees, and individuals, she aimed to foster insightful and beneficial discussions. Founder Brand: Why should an early stage entrepreneur build their Founder Brand? Rachel believes that as a founder, she plays a significant role in representing her company and setting it apart from other competitors. Her unique background as a professional ballet dancer and performer lends a special flavor to Virtual Sapiens. As she invests in her thought leadership and brand as an expert in the space, it not only compounds but becomes a powerful force that benefits her company. This investment helps to gain early traction for the company and establishes trust with early prospects, clients, and partners. Founder Brand Stories: Any success stories that inspired you? While there wasn't a single person in particular who inspired her, Rachel was motivated by the efforts of several individual salespeople and women leaders in sales who developed brands around their unique journeys. They used platforms like LinkedIn and their talk shows to share their experiences and expertise. This not only added special value to their businesses but also provided information to those who might not be using their products. Seeing these inspiring leaders excelling, inspired her to start her own show. Talkshow for Founder Brand: How has this show been helpful in building your Founder Brand? Arjun Sundararajan and Rachel Cossar explore the potential of talkshows in building personal brands. Arjun questions why many women leaders, including Rachel, have chosen talkshows as their branding platform. Rachel explains the power of variety in her talkshow, using short posts, deep dive blog posts, videos, and guest interactions to engage her audience. She views the exposure to her guests' audiences as a gift that fuels her content calendar for months. Engaging another person's community through a talkshow provides a crossover effect, making the talkshow a pillar that branches out into various other content platforms to reach a wider audience. Brand Building Timeline: What time horizons did you give yourself to stay committed to the journey? Arjun emphasises that brand building is a long-term process. He asks Rachel about the time horizon she gave herself for her branding journey. Rachel shares that she initially set a milestone of creating a pilot season with 8 episodes. Setting short-term, manageable goals made the whole year seem less intimidating. After sending out initial emails to her first 8-10 guests and receiving positive response, she realized she was filling a gap in the market. The positive validation from the market and growth alongside the Zinc team has made the experience satisfactory for her, despite the challenges of setting up the show. Early Success: Stories from your Talkshow that motivate you to keep going? Arjun inquires about early success stories that motivate Rachel to continue her talkshow. Rachel reveals two key successes – the expansion of her network with guests she didn’t know before and the inbound requests from people who want to be a part of her show. She considers such requests a sign that her show is resonating with the audience and filling a gap in the market. She believes that while immediate returns aren't realistic, requests for more information about her company show promising future prospects. Your tip for other Founders and Future Entrepreneurs who are considering launching their own Talkshow Arjun asks Rachel for her tip and a question for those considering launching their own show. Rachel recommends the use of a platform like Zinc to manage scheduling, editing and summarising, which can otherwise be time-consuming for busy founders. She cautions future entrepreneurs to think strategically about what they are offering to their audience and why it matters to them before launching their show. Strategizing ahead can prevent the pitfall of creating a show for an audience of one – the founder themself.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A show where we get real about leaders and the brand they've built around themselves. Dive into the stories of successful figures, from business to creativity, and uncover the strategies, challenges, and key moments that shaped them. No fluff, just insights into how they built their impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Arjun Sundararajan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    33
  • Show Website
    Behind the Mic