On this episode, I have a handful of questions to answer from podcasters. How many episodes should I release to start? My guests won't share their interview episode. How do I determine who is listening? And more.

LET'S TALK

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We will define where you are today, what you would like to accomplish and how you can get there this year.

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HOW MANY DO I RELEASE?

I have 6 recorded episodes of my podcast ready to go. Should I release them all at one time? Or week by week? I focus on relationships and talk to a different expert in each episode. - Kiara

DON'T BELIEVE THE GURUS

Many podcast gurus want you to game the system to get on Apple Podcasts' New and Noteworthy. They tell you this helps you grow your audience quickly.

Studies have shown that New and Noteworth may get you a few listeners to start. But when you are no longer listed there, you no longer have the downloads.

I would rather see you play the long game. What are you doing today to build relationships to grow your audience over the next year or five?

If you release all six episodes to start, you have nothing to release next week. You now have to find a guest, interview that guest, edit the show and get it published by next week to stay consistent.

Every spring and fall my alergies kick in and I get sick.

I happen to be allergic to the state tree. When it pollenates or loses its leaves, my head swells up. My nose starts running I lose my voice.

Therefore, I always have a couple episodes ready to go just in case. When I lose my voice, I am a few weeks ahead and always have something to publish.

You might consider publishing 2 or 3 to start, just to give listeners something to binge. Let them really get to know who you are and what you're all about.

Then, drop one a week after that. Continue creating new episodes to publish consistently. With this strategy, you are always 3 or 4 weeks ahead when life happens.

MY GUESTS WON'T SHARE

I've been experiencing a recurring problem with my guests not sharing their episode or only making a minimal effort that's ineffective.

For example, I recently had a guest who only shared the episode in Instagram Stories, among 10 other stories, with no link or instructions on how to find the episode. The guest also happens to be a social media influencer and makes a substantial living off her posts, so she should know better. When I asked her to share it again, her response was, "But I already shared it."

As part of my guest coaching routine, I have a conversation before every recording where I explain that I do not charge an appearance fee but I do expect every guest to share their episode. This is a mutual promotion and I rely on guests to share so I can reach new listeners. Every guest agrees to this verbally and then I send a reminder in writing at the same time that I send recording information.

Once the episode is published, I send another reminder along with all of the social media links, listening platform links, audio grams, and a script they can choose to use if they don't want to draft their own text.

I make the posting and sharing process as easy as I possibly can, and yet, I still have this issue. Each time a guest doesn't share their episode, it's evident in the download numbers.

What else can I do? I feel like any more hand holding would be patronizing. Thanks! -Jessica

NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY

I wish there was an easy answer to this one, Jessica. The short answer is, "They don't have any obligation to share your episode."

Getting guests to share your episode is definitely a powerful way to get your downloads to grow.

I like that you have the agreement up front before the interview even happens. It is also great that you write the post for them. You are making it easy.

It looks like they believe they are fulfilling their end of the agreement. They are telling you they have already shared it. So, there is some miscommunication somewhere in the process.

You might try being a little more specific on the requirement. You could tell them they need to share your graphic and a link to the show on social media within 48 hours of it being published.

On the other hand, they are doing you a favor by taking the time to be interviewed. They are giving you great content for your show, so you don't have to create a solo show.

Before you agree to an interview, do a little research. Check their social media accounts. See if they share other interviews. Ensure you have a guest that will share, because that's what they've done in the past.

You can also work to build the relationship a little more before the episode publishes. Create a connection with the guest. Give them something to create the law of reciprocity where they feel a little obligation to repay you with posting.

At the end of the day, you can't guarantee they share it. Find the right guests and be a little clearer with your expectations.

MY VOICE

How would one get better at projecting their voice? - Dustin

IMPROVING

Stand up. Put the mic just higher than level so you look up a bit and open the airway. Speak from the diaphragm. Don’t force it. You’ll get stronger over time.

I learned this when I first started in radio at the college radio station.

We had a sit-down board. I was always exhausted at the end of a show.

OTHER VOICE TIPS

There are a few other things you can try.

Your voice will sound different to you when you listen to your voice through headphones. The enclosed space of the headphones amplifies your voice. The sound of your voice is also changed by the audio processing. The bones in your head vibrate differently when using headphones.

To help you sound more natural, remove one ear of your headphones. With only one cup on your ear, you are able to hear your voice more naturally with the free ear. You will also hear your voice in the context of the ambient room noise rather than through the vacuum of the headphones.

If you are wearing only one cup of your headphones, turning the volume down will also help you sound more natural. With a lower headphone volume, you will better hear your natural voice. You won't be fooled by the dominance of the headphone sound.

Use your headphones to make sure you hear the other audio included in your podcast. Make sure you can hear your music bed, intro, guest and other audio. However, make sure your headphones are not giving you a false image of your voice.

Finally, speak naturally. Do not attempt to sound like other announcers you have heard. Be yourself.

When you speak like an announcer, you begin to stretch and emphasize words unnaturally. Your speech begins to unnaturally bounce.

Speak conversationally. Use a natural pace. Don't use unnecessary emphasis on words. Speak as if you are on the telephone. These steps will help your voice sound more natural.

MY AUDIENCE

I'm a vet surgeon and my podcast aim is to connect veterinary professionals and pet owners/animal careers. I started a year ago, had published 16 episodes and have about 1,200 downloads. I interview veterinary professionals and ask about their life journeys.

I'd like to answer my audience questions and worries, but I don't know who they are. Not sure if I'm too small, but I dont get a lot of feedback so even tho I know there's an audience there, I'd like to know a little more about them so I can tailor my podcast and website to them.

How do you learn about your audience? - Francisco

ATTRACT RATHER THAN PLEASE

Rather than trying to convert your listeners to clients, attract your ideal prospective clients as listeners. Then convert them to clients.

What questions do your vet clients ask? What are their pains, struggles and worries?

Address those concerns on the show and you will attract listeners who need what you offer.

Instead of trying to change what you offer for the people listening, attract listeners who what what you have to offer. Play the long game.

Go through my Listener Development Worksheet. You can find it at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/listener.

When you define your ideal listener, you will know where to find them online. You will understand how to attract her to your show. And, you will know exactly what content to share on each episode.

This will help you grow your business and attract clients much more effectively than trying to please people in your audience who may not be a perfect fit for what you do.

INTERVIEWING

I've been thinking about how to improve as an interviewer.

I interviewed two people for my podcast in the last three days and I would call those interviews _okay_. After two years of podcasting and around 50 interviews, I wonder how I'll get better at this.

Do you use a post-interview "checklist" to help you improve your technique?

Are there any resources (books, Web sites) that focus on better interview technique?

I guess I'm looking for a more systematic approach to improving my interview skills. I'm impressed by some of the interviewers I've heard on other podcasts, but I also realize that you don't have to be perfect like on live radio. - Glenn

CONVERSATIONS

During the actual interview, it is more compelling for the listener when you have a conversation rather than a "question/answer" session. Get your guest to tell stories by asking them questions that lead them in that direction.

Everything interesting is about people. If you are simply teaching facts, you will lose the attention of your listener. Get them emotionally invested by using stories. Put them in the moment.

My list of 17 Interview Questions help you do that. You can download that list at PodcastTalentCoach.com/interview.

During your conversation, avoid questions that elicit one-word answers. "Did you enjoy that?" "Yep." "How many units did you sell?” “1,234."

When your guest answers with one word, it kills the momentum of the conversation. When they answer "yes", you then need to figure out how to ask "what did you enjoy about it” or “how did you sell that many". This just turns the conversation into a lot of start and stop.

Structure your conversation to create a story arc. It should have a beginning, middle and end. Lead your listener somewhere.

Remember that your listener will take away one big thing from the conversation. Decide what that will be before the conversation begins. Then conduct the interview to get to that one big thing.

I do have a course called "How To Crush Your Next Podcast Interview Like A Radio Pro Without Hours Of Preparation and Years Of Training." You can find it at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/interviewcourse.

YOUR STRATEGY

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.