Podcasts & Podcast Guesting with Sydney Stern

PR Series

In this episode I interview Sydney Stern, the Head of Client Success at Podchaser Pro, the world’s most advanced podcast database. We discuss the landscape of the podcasting industry as a whole, the best ways to get started as a podcaster, reasons why you need to start if you haven’t yet, best practices for podcast guesting, how podcasters can find sponsors and how companies can find the right shows to advertise with, as well as where podcasting is headed next.

Some top tips … 

The main way that many brands can differentiate themselves from their competitors is with their stories, their personalities, and the strength of the communities they build. Podcasts are an excellent way to deepen relationships with your audience, create shareable content, and keep them coming back for more of what you offer. This goes a long way in helping your brand stand out.

Confidence is the most difficult part of getting started with podcasting and podcast guesting. Surround yourself with a supportive group to help you click publish on the first few episodes.

The podcasting industry has opportunities for everyone: podcasters, podcast guests, and advertisers. There are a lot of ways to tap into brand building and monetization. 

This episode at glance … 

>>  (5:40-7:00) An overview of today’s podcasting landscape & trends for brand growth and monetization

>> (9:00-11:20) The benefits and importance of community building on podcasts 

>> (11:25-16:35) The hardest part of getting started, best practices, and audience expectations 

>> (16:40-18:30) Podcast guesting best practices

>> (18:40-28:00) How to think about podcast advertising/sponsorships from the podcaster perspective as well as the advertiser’s perspective

>> (28:00-30:20) The future of podcasting

>> (30:25-34:00) How AI is impacting podcasting

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Christie and The Business That Story Built podcast!” Does that sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast! Every week I release an episode that helps strengthen the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others. Follow now!

Ways to reach Sydney Stern, Podchaser & Christie Bilbrey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-stern-b6021433/ 

https://www.podchaser.com/ 

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/ 

Download my free guide: Create Your Buyer Persona

Download my free guide: 10 Tips to Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest

58: PR for Authors - Maximize Your Efforts

Author Series

In today’s solo episode, I share tips and strategies to plan the PR for your book release at the start of the process instead of after you finish writing, to get the impact you want with your book. I discuss what this means for growing your brand, your audience, and decisions to make that can make a big difference in the success of your book and getting your message out to your audience.

Some top tips … 

During this series I’ve interviewed a variety of authors who used different approaches (self-publishing, a hybrid approach, working with one of the world’s biggest publishers) and they each wrote in completely different genres. The most important thing for you to realize is that regardless of your approach, your genre, or topic, at the end of the day, you are the author and the one responsible for promoting and selling your book. 

To grow your brand as you write your book, spend time sharing content about the big picture of what you want to be known for and the core message(s) of your book. Do not put this off until right before your book comes out.  

Start focusing on your book promotion at least nine months before your book comes out. 

Once your book is released, the promotion window is approximately six months. You want to have as much prepared as possible before the start of that six-month window. That is the time to execute all of the hard work you’ve done up front. 

Start by thinking about how you want to brand yourself and how this book fits into it. You may want to start a podcast, a blog, or a YouTube channel to begin building the SEO around the core topic you want to be know for, which should include a core theme of your book. I share several ways you can share content to grow your brand on your topic without giving away any of your book’s content. 

Book tours are now done almost exclusively on podcasts. I share how they work and what you need to do to prepare. 

This episode at glance … 

>> (2:45-3:30) It is up to you as the author to build your brand, your audience, and your sales. Don’t rely on the content of your book, publisher, or anything else to grow your brand and sales for you. You are responsible for promoting your book. 

>> (3:40-4:20) A few ways to start growing your brand as you write your book.

>> (4:30-5:50) A mindset shift about thinking of writing your book as your side hustle and your full-time business is promoting your book and your brand.

>> (7:20-5:50) Start by thinking about how you want to brand yourself and how this book fits into it. 

>> (8:30-10:25) Ideas of the types of content you can share to build your brand without sharing excerpts of your book. 

>>( 11:55-) How to plan a podcast book tour 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Christie and The Business That Story Built podcast!” Does that sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast! Every week I release an episode that helps strengthen the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others. Follow now!

Links to reach Christie Bilbrey

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

Download my free guide: 10 Tips to Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest

Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/

How to Start, Grow, and Make Sales with a Podcast with Zandra Zuraw

Sales Series

In today’s episode, I interview Zandra Zuraw, the founder of Little Yellow Couch, an interior design coaching platform for passionate homeowners. She's also the host of the popular podcast, Style Matters, which has logged in over 250 interviews with the most creative people working in the interiors industry. Within the first year, Style Matters landed on the coveted iTunes' New and Noteworthy list and is now in the top 1% of most downloaded podcasts across all categories, globally. Little Yellow Couch has been featured in many media outlets such as Domino, Better Homes & Gardens, USA Today, and Podcast Magazine. Zandra has also been a speaker at several creative business conferences in the U.S. and Canada talking about the business of podcasting and design. 

Today’s episode discusses how creating high-quality content and building a strong brand can not only help build a loyal consumer base but also help monetize your content. Zandra discusses how being connected with your listener base helps earn more profit, without making it seem forced.

Some top tips … 

Zandra discusses how she makes the majority of her sales from her podcast presence and what comes with leading a top 1% of most downloaded podcasts across all categories, globally. She believes that using your presence to build symbiotic relationships and use high-level networking to your advantage.

This episode at glance … 

>>(7:00-15:00): Zandra’s start in podcasting

>>(15:00-17:20): Selling out her in-person retreat from her podcast

>>(17:20-20:15): How to leverage high-level podcast guests

>>(20:15-26:00): How much time you have to invest into starting a podcast and the perfect way to pitch yourself

>>(26:00-35:45): How to evolve your podcast and monetize your brand

>>(35:45-44:45): How to use feedback from your audience to your advantage

>>(44:45-52:00): Establishing your expertise and connecting to your audience

>>(52:00-55:00): How to gain sponsorships

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Christie and The Business That Story Built podcast!” Does that sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast! Every week I release an episode that helps strengthen the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others. Follow now!

Links to reach Zandra Zuraw  & Christie Bilbrey

http://www.littleyellowcouch.com 

Free style guide 

Style Matters Podcast

Oct. 30th podcast episode

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

Download my free guide: 10 Tips to Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest

Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/