Booking Guests On Your Podcast, What You Need To Know

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Starting your own podcast is so exciting and an important step for a brand, but the process of producing a great show is sometimes hard to navigate. For instance, many podcast hosts want to implement interviews in their episodes because podcast guests provide great content that engages listeners. 

You may be thinking, “I would love to start interviewing people, but how the heck do I book a guest?” No worries, friend, we got you! This week we’re dropping podcast gems that outline actionable items to implement when booking guests on your podcast, a FREE sample email template that you can download, plus an e-course that will take you step by step. 

Find compatible guests

Finally, this is the time to put your Tinder skills to use and find the perfect match! It sounds like an obvious first step, but nonetheless, it is the most important. To select a guest, determine the topic of the episode and the angle in which you want to tell the story. This will help you establish the necessary criteria and credentials your guest should have. For example, if the episode topic is about relationships, and your angle is the complexity of female friendships, you may want a guest who is a female and a relationship expert. Perhaps even a doctor. It is also essential to do your research on your guests because you want to ensure that their brand aligns with your audience. Aside from brand awareness, the point of guest appearances is to create great content that provides value to your listeners. And believe us, audiences are quick to recognize when a brand isn’t being genuine. 

Master your pitch

After you find your perfect match, collect the data (email, phone number, social handles), you will need to send them a pitch. For step by step instructions on what to include in the pitch, check out this downloadable. Think of the downloadable as your pitch bible. It outlines all of the pitch essentials like: a quick introduction, a brief description of the show, why you are seeking them as a guest, and a short overview of the episode topic and more. Last but not least, wrap up the pitch by requesting a quick meeting, whether via phone or video chat. Remember to keep your tone professional, but friendly. People are more likely to respond if they feel you are authentic and genuine in your approach. In other words, don’t copy-paste the same pitch to everyone! Read that twice if you have to. If you need more tips on pitching, check out this blog post. 

Tie up the loose ends

So, you’ve swiped right for your perfect match, sent out an impressive pitch, and now you have a podcast guest! Now what? This is where the administration duties of running a podcast kick in. Brief the guest on the exact details of the process. You want to provide the guest with a recording schedule to secure a recording date. Then, you need to determine how their interview will be recorded. Will it be online, in person, etc.? Once that is established, inform the guest on the episode script. We like to email the guest a list of potential questions for the interview at least 72 hours before recording. Following this step allows the guest to feel prepared and confident, and you, as a host to set a tone and guide the interview. 

So, that’s all the major deets you need to book a podcast guest! Want to get started on booking guests to your podcast today? Click the link to check out our downloadable e-course! Have you ever booked a guest on your podcast? If so, we want to hear your experiences down below!

Get Creative Like Creative Label

Already have an established podcast? Offering a podcast guest submission option on your website can be an easy way to generate guest leads. Check out our submission form! Take a look at ours. 

Podcast Realm Is Oversaturated, Go For It Anyway!

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There’s no question we’re in the middle of a podcasting boom. Something like 1 in 5 Americans have listened to a podcast in the last month and there are now more than 60,000 active podcasts., and It has never been easier to start, which is why over 100,000 people have in the last few years.


We get it. It’s easy to think that because there are so many people doing it then why bother? But that’s not a good reason. Truth is, audio is increasingly growing in popularity. Take all the new voice technology for example! That said, the ability to adapt and bring in your own audio content in podcast form will not only help your brand stay relevant but it creates more opportunities for discovery. So if you want to check off any of the below boxes, podcasting is for you.

But because “lots of other people are doing it” is a really poor reason to do anything. But if you can check off the following boxes, podcasting is for you. 

 

You’re willing to make time for what matters in your business.

You know how we all know we need to take care of our diet and exercise but make excuses to shop healthy and hit the gym? It happens in business too. We let our fears or lack of awareness stop us from doing the things we know deep down we should be doing. Podcasting is huge and it will only continue to be. If you want to continue to be relevant and grow your brand, making time for it is non-negotiable.

You want to build a deeper connection with your audience.

There’s only so much you can say in a caption or brief video clip. People on Instagram are ready to consume bite-sized content. However, you’d be surprised to learn how many of your fans want longer, engaging content from you, like a podcast, to listen to on their commute. Long-form content, such as podcasts, speaks most to your followers, who might just be on the verge of finally making up their minds that they do want to work with you, support you, subscribe to your newsletter, purchase your services, you name it!. Your podcast is like a conversation feeding them more value and more reasons on why you need to be their go-to person or brand for their needs.

Repeating important touchpoints to generate more leads is important to you.

Another platform, another opportunity. Don’t you like the sound of that? If you’re ready to be more proactive about creating more opportunities for yourself, then podcasting is a powerful outlet for just that. People who listen to podcasts are in a state of mind where they’re mentally prepared to consume longer content. This means you have more wiggle room to really explain all the amazing things you want them to know to further establish yourself as an authority within your niche. If you can position yourself as the go-to person or brand in your potential clients’ eyes, then working with you is a no-brainer decision.

 

Your brand needs to share its voice.

Captions are cool and so are videos but there’s only so much you can convey in a brief clip or bit of copy. Podcasts give your potential customers a better idea of who you and your brand are. It has a more natural conversational flow to it. This helps your audience better understand your brand and feel like they already know you. These two things will help smooth the transition from follower to a client.

Whew ok! What do you think? It’s time we stop neglecting your urge to start hopping on that podcast train and get you ready to go. The worst thing you can do is think you don’t need to do this and then you’re scrambling at the last minute to figure it all out. But you don’t have to do this all alone, we do this all the time here at Creative Label. We even have a super affordable podcast eCourse that helps you not only get your podcast off the ground, but it teaches you how to produce, pitch and monetize your podcast. on getting started. But if you’re not into the whole virtual course you don’t want to DIY it and just want us to personally guide you through the process, we are so here for that too. Email us at info@itscreativelabel.com to get started.

 

Easiest Platform To Record Your Podcast

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Easiest Platform to Record Your Podcast.

We’ve been prepping you for podcasting all month. So it’s no surprise that we’re here again talking about podcasts. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, we want to plug our eCourse, “How To Start Your Own Podcast With $47.00.” You can purchase that here. Use the discount code thelabel for 10% off.

So we talked about The Importance of a Podcast, Podcast Host Review and now the Easiest Platform To Record Your Podcast–and that platform is Zoom. Below are some specs we truly love that will show you why Zoom is the best platform for your podcasting needs.

Audio Quality Rating: 8 out of 10 

The audio quality is great no matter on your laptop or iPhone. Just plug in some Apple headphones and the audio is crisp and clear.

Podcast Format: Perfect for Individual or interview recordings

Zoom doesn’t discriminate on the type of podcast format you use. Why? Because distance is no issue when recording on Zoom. You can record an interview with someone anywhere in the world and it wouldn’t matter.

Storage: Records to a cloud 

No storage? No problem. Zoom records to the cloud.

Price: $14.99/ month

We’re all about an economically friendly deal, and Zoom is definitely economically friendly!

Other Facts: 

  • Zoom also records the video element if you do want to give your listeners a visual. 
  • Seeing the guest over video is good for social cues, and a perfect way to stop guests from talking over or each other. 
  • You will always need to record in a separate area than a guest because the audio will pick up from one another. 

Cons: 

  • Zoom only records on one audio track, which could make things difficult when editing. 

We’re here for all of your podcasting needs. Send us an email at info@itscreativelabel.com, and we’ll get you started on your very own podcast.

Podcast Host Review

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Podcast Host Review

You’ve purchased our eCourse, you’ve got everything you need to begin recording, so now what? You record! We’re here to share with you some of the top podcast hosting platforms and why they’re on our radar! When it comes time to compare platforms there are a few things that will help you decide what the best fit would be for YOU. We’ll be sharing which one is our favorite at the end of this post, so if you haven’t already, start thinking about which qualities mean the most to you and we’ll help you figure out the best match!

 

ANCHOR

Anchor is perfect for starters. First off, it’s FREE (and who doesn’t like free?)! You’re able to record, edit and add in transitions between segments with ease, right from your phone or iPad which means if you’re always on the go, this could be a great option for you! However, keep in mind that editing is limited. Although Anchor does have statistics and analytics for you to view, they’re pretty basic, which means you’ll probably grow out of this one fairly quickly. Got sponsorships on your mind? Anchor offers sponsorship opportunities to all of its users, so this is definitely a plus!

 

BUZZSPROUT

Buzzsprout is another platform that we think is pretty easy to use, as it was created with simplicity in mind! They want you to be able to create something quickly without a ton of distractions. Not only is it geared toward beginners, and in our opinion a step up from Anchor, but it’s also user-friendly. It has a modern look to it and the embedded player looks REALLY good on your website. Here’s a look at one of our client’s websites, who use and love Buzzsprout!

LIBSYN

Libsyn is known as the industry’s standard podcast platform. This is the platform you’re going to want to use if you’re looking to grow into the world of podcasts! The look of it is definitely the most dated, but we’re willing to trade the aesthetic for all of the features that it gives you. Unlike the first two platforms, Libsyn is much more complex with features like extra RSS feeds, premium content, the ability to host multiple shows, as well as the ability to link directly to WordPress! Where the actual look of Libsen might’ve fallen flat, they really make up for it in their mobile app department. They offer you the option to create your own branded mobile app right there inside of their platform for an affordable cost! Like Anchor, Libsyn also offers sponsorships, so this is a great way to start monetizing your podcast, even in its early stages.

 

We hope our overview of some of the top podcast platforms helped you figure out which one may be the best fit for you! If you’re still on the fence, here’s what we’d suggest: Libsyn! It’s advanced features and detailed analytics make this platform our #1 pick. If you’re just starting out, Libsyn is something you’ll grow into. With the information it provides, you’ll have a greater opportunity to monetize your show from the very beginning. We think this is not only a great investment for your business but a smart one!

 

The Importance of a Podcast

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The Importance of a Podcast

You’ve created an awesome website, you post weekly on your blog, you have a decent Instagram following, so what are you lacking in? A more personal approach to honing in on your audience may be just what you need to make a strong connection! If you’re still thinking about taking things to the next level, here are some important things to think about, so you can get started on the right track, right off the bat. Dive in with us!

1. Popularity Amongst Consumers

No matter what your niche is, there’s a consumer for you! There’s not only something for everyone, but it makes it so much easier for your audience to communicate with you! It’s currently the only platform that allows passive consumption from the viewer (which is REALLY cool) and makes it easy to work into their daily lifestyle! You can’t, or at least shouldn’t read a blog while driving, BUT you can most definitely listen to it! Traditionally we all get in the car and drive to work in the morning, so instead of turning on their usual early morning talk show, they can reach for their phone and listen to something that’s going to get their wheels turning for the day (HA! No pun intended)!

2. Search Engine Optimization (or SEO for short)

Statistics show that 70.6% of all website traffic originates from an online search engine. As a business, you want to be one of the first websites to pop up when a potential viewer searches for anything in regards to the type of business that you do, or the topics you discuss. That’s exactly where SEO comes in handy! Making sure that your website is fully equipped with the right content to lead consumers to you (and your podcast) is the secret weapon to SEO success. It helps bring organic viewers to your page who are actually looking for your expertise, who would also be the best potential listener!

3. Brand Credibility

Trustworthiness & Expertise: two things that someone expects when giving their attention to someone for long time spans. Ain’t nobody got time to listen to something that they can’t learn a thing or two from! Make your listeners feel like they can trust what you’re saying. You’re the expert on the topic, (or maybe you have a guest speaker that is)! They’re coming to you because you know best. Make sure the information you are providing is true and correct, or if you’re discussing a topic you don’t know all of the facts on, say that! Disclosing that you don’t “know it all” makes you relatable, so there’s no need to fake it. Always keep your audience’s best interest in mind and they will turn into loyal listeners!   

4. #1 Content Platform

Podcasts aren’t exactly new, but they’ve definitely been making a statement in the Social Media world, as of late. A huge reason why getting into podcasts is a great idea is that there is so little competition in comparison to blogs and videos! You’re also speaking in a conversational manner, so your listeners feel connected to you. Over time they really get to know you and you end up building a relationship! As you grow in your expertise, you end up connecting with influencers who you may look up to or are thought highly of in your industry. Because you have a podcast, you immediately have something to offer! They can use your stage to speak on and reach an entirely new group of people. Sounds like a pretty great deal for everyone!

We hope you learned a thing or two after reading this! If you still haven’t hopped on the podcast train we hope we gave you the push you need to take the plunge! Don’t forget to purchase our eCourse. 

Why You Should Start That Podcast

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There are currently over 700,000 podcasts on iTunes. Sounds kind of discouraging, right? WRONG. Most people’s assumption to something they don’t have a ton of knowledge on is that the task is hard, but have we ever lead you down a misleading road before? We didn’t think so! Let us break down just how simple it really is so you can start focusing your energy on making it happen. Here are a few reasons why you should start your own podcast!

 

  1. Easy & Low Investment Cost

Starting a podcast may seem like a daunting task, but it’s something you can do with even the smallest of budgets and equipment. There is no shortage of microphone reviews online at all different price ranges to choose from. Pair that with some research using and jump into it! Our recommendation, iPhone headphones. That’s what we use, and we don’t mean to brag, but our audio is FIVE STAR! If you haven’t listened already, tune in to The Label podcast, and check out our audio for yourself. 

 

  1. Building a better connection

Starting another way for your audience to interact with you is only helping them get to know you even better than they did pre-podcast! It’s amazing how connected we feel to the people we follow on social media, just through pictures! When an audience can put a face, voice, and personality to the name, they feel and become invested in your brand!

 

  1. Long-Form Content

Being able to incorporate long-form content into your business is important because it KEEPS your audience engaged! We’re so used to getting brief bursts of information from platforms like Twitter & Instagram, heck even our blog, but sometimes it’s nice to slow things down and actually participate in an active conversation, not to mention listening to something instead of reading–it just works better for some people. Either way, don’t underestimate the value people take in starting off off their day by listening to something that really sparks their interest and is filled with information your audience can soak in and USE. Your listeners will really appreciate that part!

 

  1. The cost is LOW LOW LOW

In just under $100, including the cost of our How To Start a Podcast course launching June 11th, you will be able to start your own podcast. No high tech mic, no production system, no experience necessary! We’ll walk you through each and every step!

 

If by the end of this you’re ready to take your podcast to the next level, we’re SO excited for you! We want to make this process as easy and fun as possible, which is why we’ve decided to bring you this course! This will make starting your newest hobby as easy as possible since you’ll have all the tools you need to begin. 

 

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