Podcast Talent Coach

This will be the final episode of Podcast Talent Coach. It has been a great journey through 550 shows. But, it has reached its destination. WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS THE END I've met a lot of great people. The things I've learned are immeasurable. The journey has been incredible. As I was shaping this episode, I thought about a variety of approaches. The 7 things I learned over 550 episodes. The top ten people I've met. The list of mentors who shaped my success. Everything I considered seemed cliché. So, I'm just taking you to how it came to be. The end of the show came to me during my latest launch. As the cart close approached, I realized the end was near. WHERE IT STARTED This all started 20 years ago. In a March 2005 edition of Wired Magazine, I came across an article about MTV VJ Adam Curry. The article was called "Adam Curry Wants You To Be An iPod Radio Star". The article mentioned that Curry was the brains behind iPodder, described as the offspring of the blog and the Apple MP3 player. This was the beginning of podcasting. And I was fascinated. Unfortunately, I had no interest in tech. A few years later I got my first iPhone. I was soon downloading podcasts. By 2009, I was in love with the format. By this time, I had been coaching radio talent for about 15 years with a successful radio show of my own. As I listened to these podcasts, I thought they could be so much more effective if they just used the techniques we used in radio to connect with an audience. They just didn't know what they didn't know. It was still the wild west. MY PERSONAL LAUNCH I started creating content. By 2012 I was speaking on stage at events like New Media Expo and BlogWorld. In June 2013, this podcast was launched. It was also the month that Ken Allan became my first coaching client. He came to me help him create stronger content and a more compelling show. Over the years, I've coached many incredible content creators. I've created a few courses and live programs. There have been webinars that have completely crashed, 3-day events that have been incredible, and lots in between. As the years went on, I started drifting away from stronger content and more toward launching podcasts. THE DRIFT STARTED HAPPENING As I would explain what I do to help people create effective content, people would say, "That sounds great, Erik... but I don't have a podcast." Launching a podcast isn't the tough part. The struggle is figuring out what to do with your podcast. Getting to grow and using it to generate revenue are the areas that create challenges for people. But, they wanted me to help them launch. So, I did. I launched the Podcast Launch Accelerator to help people launch in 30 days. That's when I started attracting people who didn't have a podcast rather than those that needed help with content and growth. Two problems come from this. First, I was attracting people who needed help launching rather than those who wanted more effective content. Second, I was now more into tech and less into how to use it. Exactly where I didn't want to be. BACK TO MY ROOTS So, I got back to my roots. I dove into become influential with your content. My content became more about who you are, how you share your story, and how you move a room to action. We were talking less about how to launch. I recently did market research around influence and impact. I talked to dozens of people about where they struggle regarding becoming someone worth listening to. Their challenges were right in my wheelhouse. When the program was developed, I rolled it out. It was offered in one-on-one calls, workshops, and short info sessions. Of all the people who saw the opportunity, only one purchased. Over the years, I've tried different approaches with different courses. I have some amazing clients and a wonderful group program. The revenue has been solid and growing over the years. It just isn't where I hoped it would be. KNOW WHEN TO END IT Dan Miller was one of my mentors with 48 Days To The Work and Life You Love. He and I shared a birthday, though years apart. We lost Dan at the beginning of 2024. Dan always said you should be able to tell in about 90 days if a business idea has legs. He should know. Dan launched many businesses, some successful, some not so much. He also thought "winners never quit and quitters never win" was a false cliché. In a blog post and podcast episode, Dan said, "I constantly have areas in my business and life that are on the bubble. If they are not proven successful in a very specific period of time – they're gone – I quit but keep moving on to success in other ways." Dan's point was that winners know when to quit. NOT IN THE NUMBERS It happened as I was crunching the numbers from the latest launch and examining the results of 2024 in my business. I came to the realization that the success wasn't where I wanted it to be. During my mastermind call three days later, I explained what I was thinking. That when it was confirmed. It's time to find the next fun thing to pursue. There are 550 episodes here to serve you and help you shape your content. The first 275 episodes are solo with just me, except for episode 200. I sprinkled in some great interviews with some amazing people over the next 275. Find them all here: PODCAST TALENT COACH EPISODES It has been a blast. I can't thank you enough for coming along on the journey. We've done some incredible things. I'm not sure what's next. There are a few things I want to try. I'm sure a podcast will be part of it. I'm sure we'll cross paths again down the road. Until then, remember to always tell the truth, always make it matter, and always have fun. I'll see ya soon.

MARKETING MESSAGE WITH EMOTION When you create your call to action in your podcast, you need a powerful marketing message. You need to inspire your audience into action. People buy with emotion. Then they justify that purchase with logic. Your marketing message needs to stir emotion within your potential clients. 00:00 "Stir Emotions to Attract Clients" 06:11 Corporate Sales Journey Reflection 06:54 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Marketing Insight 12:17 Hewlett Packard's Transformative Culture 14:22 Affordable Marketing Feedback Strategy 17:52 Product Brand Clarity Essentials 22:05 Cheese and Crackers Surprise 25:33 Importance of Market Research 30:05 "Master Your Message Program" 32:01 "Opinion Diversity in Marketing" 36:55 Realtor Specializing in Divorce Sales 39:15 Defining Your Target Audience 41:21 "30 Seconds to Impress" 44:27 "Podcast Coaching Session Offer" GET YOUR MARKETING MESSAGE TO LAND Do you ever feel like your podcast marketing message just isn't landing with your audience? You're crafting awesome content, but somehow your message isn't converting listeners to clients. This week, I sit down with business strategist Nicki Chang-Powless to dig into the secrets behind creating a compelling, actionable marketing message for your podcast and business. If you want your audience to grow—and more importantly, move them to action—this episode is tailor-made for you. LEAD WITH CONNECTION, NOT CONTENT Your audience listens for companionship. They aren't downloading your latest episode just to be informed—they want to feel connected, understood, and guided. If your call to action only shows up at the end of your show, you're missing out! Listeners don't always make it to the last minute. We break down how to bake your call to action and marketing message throughout your show. This allows you meet your audience where they are and inspire them to take the next step. It's not about dumping information. It's about creating relatable, emotionally resonant moments that build trust and authority. THE POWER OF TARGETED MESSAGING In the episode, Nicki drives home the essential truth: if you're marketing to "everyone," you're speaking to no one. We talk about how getting laser-focused on your target audience changes everything. Imagine you're a massage therapist—what you say to a stressed-out parent versus a retired senior makes all the difference. Nicki lays out how to tailor your marketing message so it resonates with the exact audience you want to attract. We dig into practical strategies for clarifying your product brand, refining your offer, and using feedback and collaboration to fine-tune your pitch. COLLABORATION & CONSISTENCY WIN Nicki reveals her biggest lessons from corporate life at Hewlett Packard: the magic of collaboration and consistency. We explore actionable ways you can bring group feedback into developing your marketing message, A/B testing your ideas—without the massive budgets of big brands. We also talk about the increasing competition for attention in today's digital world. The average prospect needs 62 touchpoints with your brand before they're ready to take action. That's why consistency in your podcast message, branding, and calls to action is more important than ever. TURNING LISTENERS INTO CLIENTS So, how do you make your marketing message truly work? It starts by knowing your audience, articulating your unique value, and making every touchpoint count. Whether you're working on your website, your 30-second intro, or speaking at a networking event, we share real-world examples and simple frameworks. Plus, don't miss Nicki's free gift... "How to Impress When You Only Have 30 Seconds". This is perfect for nailing your introduction and getting prospects to lean in and say, "Tell me more!" Download this resource at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/impress. LET'S CREATE YOUR MARKETING MESSAGE If you're ready to transform your podcast—and your business—by creating a marketing message that inspires action, this episode of Podcast Talent Coach is your blueprint. And if you want personalized help building your strategy, apply for a free coaching call at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply. Let's start making your message matter!

Are you frustrated trying to grow your audience without breaking through to new listeners? I get it. You pour your heart into creating incredible content, but it feels like you're stuck talking to the same handful of listeners every week. GROW YOUR AUDIENCE WITH PODCAST INTERVIEWS In this episode of Podcast Talent Coach, I dive deep with Liam Austin, co-founder of Talks.Co, to reveal my favorite strategy for audience growth: landing podcast interviews. Liam will mention it during our conversation. You can get started for free with Talks.co at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/talks. To be effective, these guest spots need to put you in front of the right, ready-to-engage audience. Trust me, guesting isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a must if you want to build influence and turn your podcast into a thriving business. THE RIGHT PODCASTS Knowing which shows to target, and how to get booked as a guest, can make or break your growth strategy. Not all podcasts are created equal, and it's a mistake to guest on just any show. Liam explains why you don't need to focus on competitors; instead, seek out shows that complement what you do and speak directly to your ideal clients. For example, if you're a marketing expert for entrepreneurs, aim for podcasts that help entrepreneurs build businesses, not necessarily marketing podcasts. You want to get in front of listeners who actually want what you offer, not just more of what you do. GET THEM TO SAY "YES" But how do you get hosts to say yes, especially when they're inundated with generic, spammy pitches? You have to show up as the number one choice. That starts with hyper-relevant, personalized outreach—no copy-paste emails! Build genuine relationships by demonstrating you've listened to their show and understand their audience. And please, whatever you do, don't send cold pitches about unrelated topics. As I shared in this episode, nothing hurts more than getting pitched a cryptocurrency trader for a podcast about podcasting! LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS Getting booked is only half the battle. You also need a strategy to bring listeners from that appearance into your own world. Liam and I break down the power of value-driven call-to-actions. Always give immense value first. Then, invite listeners to take the next step with a compelling lead magnet. Whether it's a free checklist, a workshop, or a downloadable resource, the goal should be getting them onto your email list. This is where you have full control and can nurture real relationships beyond social platforms. GET STARTED Ready to put this into action? Check out Talks.co, the platform Liam founded to connect podcast guests and hosts quickly and efficiently. Create your (free!) speaker profile and discover shows actively seeking guests right now. If you're serious about growing your audience, it's time to move beyond waiting for listeners to find you. Get started: Use my affiliate link at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/talks to start for free. As always, if you want personal help refining your content, building relationships, and developing your own podcast growth plan, apply for a coaching call at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply. Let's turn your passion into profit and meaning—because podcasting is the tool, but your impact is the real goal!

Welcome to another episode of Podcast Talent Coach! This week, we're diving deep into the art of stage presence and how to become truly magnetic—no matter your platform. MAGNETIC STAGE PRESENCE On this episode, I am joined by special guest Monique McDonald, the "Magnetic Voice Mentor". Monique is an award-winning, Grammy-nominated opera singer turned international speaker and coach. 00:00 "Commanding Presence and Influence" 04:02 Embrace Authentic Presence 07:29 Harness Your Unique Origin Story 13:42 Tony Robbins: Inspiration Amid Challenges 14:50 Empowering Voices for Stage Presence 19:25 Multilingual Recital Singer's Impact 23:49 "Tosca Performance for Royalty" 27:54 From Performer to Entrepreneur 30:33 Preparing Energy for Visibility 35:00 Overcoming Stage Fright 37:19 "Overcoming Fear of Isolation" 39:13 Magnetic Speaker Visibility Kit 42:44 Personalized Goal-Setting Session UNLEASH YOUR STAGE PRESENCE You're working so hard to deliver value with every episode, but if you're not connecting deeply with your audience, all that hard work may be falling flat. On this episode of Podcast Talent Coach, we get laser-focused on what it really takes to become magnetic and unforgettable—no matter your platform. Whether you're on a podcast mic, YouTube camera, summit stage, or even a one-on-one call, your stage presence is the true game-changer. Let's dive into how your authentic story and presence—not just your content—move people into action. BUILDING MAGNETIC PRESENCE STARTS WITH INTENTION It's not about simply sharing great trivia or being perfectly polished. Your audience wants someone real, someone whose energy shines through every word and every moment. I share exactly why focusing on your story — your origin, your principles, your "why" — is essential for creating that spark. Lean into your real experiences. Use your own story as a filter for your content. When you do, people connect to your message and become committed followers, not just passive listeners. LESSONS WITH MONIQUE MCDONALD — TURN YOUR VOICE INTO YOUR SUPERPOWER This week, I'm joined by the phenomenal Monique McDonald—the "Magnetic Voice Mentor." Her journey is a masterclass in turning personal loss and transformation into a mission to help entrepreneurs and speakers shine. From performing for royalty around the globe to finding her voice as a coach, Monique reveals how true stage presence starts with energetic preparation and a willingness to let your authentic self come through. In this conversation, she gives us actionable tips for preparing your mind, body, and emotions for any "stage". Her tips include how the power of breath and body language can set you apart. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR EVERY PODCASTER AND SPEAKER Packed in this episode are concrete ways you can quickly ramp up your own presence. Stand up and smile—even when no one can see you! From harnessing the sound of your smile to owning your backstory, these tools are designed to help you command a room of any size. If you've ever struggled with "imposter syndrome" or nerves before stepping up to the mic, you'll find Monique's perspective on fear, preparation, and focus liberating. NEXT LEVEL VISIBILITY WITH THE MAGNETIC SPEAKER VISIBILITY KIT Ready to stop hiding and start radiating confidence on every platform? Monique has created the Magnetic Speaker Visibility Kit. This is a free 10-day journey full of her most effective exercises and vocal techniques, designed just for leaders like you. Monique's bundle helps you prepare your energy to be seen and heard in every situation—from podcasts to presentations and beyond. Get her kit at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/Monique. Start stepping boldly into your next level of influence and significance. If you want my help one-on-one, head to https://podcasttalentcoach.com/strategy-call/ to get started building unstoppable stage presence today!

YOUR PERSONA & PRESENCE MAKE YOU UNFORGETTABLE As a podcaster, you spend countless hours perfecting your content. But are you making your show truly unforgettable? In this episode of Podcast Talent Coach, I reveal why your unique persona and presence are the most important assets you have. These are assets that artificial intelligence or your competition can never copy. When you infuse your content with your personal story and authentic self, you stand out from the endless sea of sameness. It's this magnetism that attracts loyal listeners and turns casual followers into raving fans for your brand. WHY YOUR STORY IS YOUR SUPERPOWER Let's be real: being slightly better or just another "shade of gray" won't set you apart in today's crowded landscape. It's not about being cheaper, having a slicker course, or even a more refined mic setup. What makes people choose you, over and over again, is your story—your origin, your journey, your perspective. Your competition might try to imitate your process, but they'll never replicate your lived experience and genuine voice. In this episode, I break down how icons like Howard Stern, Oprah Winfrey, and Zig Ziglar rose to fame by unapologetically sharing who they are and weaving personal stories into every lesson. STOP TEACHING—START ENTERTAINING Too many podcasters get caught up in cramming more information into each episode. Here's the truth: listeners crave entertainment. Even when they're tuning in to learn, it's the stories and emotions you invoke that keep them coming back. Just think about your favorite teacher—the one who brought lessons to life, not the monotone professor who put the class to sleep. In this episode, I show you how to wrap your valuable content in relatable, audience-focused stories. When you stir emotion and invite your audience into your world, you don't just give them information—you give them an unforgettable experience. DEFINE YOUR BRAND WITH INTENTION Your brand isn't an accident—it's a choice. I walk you through how to identify four to six adjectives that define your podcast persona and ensure every episode supports those characteristics. Are you insightful, quirky, bold, or caring? Structure your content and stories to reinforce these brand traits with consistency and confidence. When you intentionally choose the characteristics your show stands for, you foster trust and recognition in your niche. Just like Gary Vaynerchuk and Mel Robbins attract their tribes with distinct personas, you can create a magnetic brand by sharing your story your way. TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO GREATNESS If you ever wonder why your audience isn't growing, your engagement is flat, or you're not making money with your podcast, the answer is likely simple: you haven't leaned into your story and presence enough. Now is the time to stand out by being more authentic, more entertaining, and more YOU. If you want hands-on help developing your podcast persona or building stronger, more profitable relationships with your audience, apply for a free coaching call at https://podcasttalentcoach.com/strategy-call/. Let's craft your story and turn your podcast into the influential, client-attracting platform you deserve.