Just One Tip from Your Podcast Performance Coach

Thinking about changing your podcast because the results aren't there, it's taking too much time, or you're just plain bored? Before you start messing with it, make sure you know what actually needs fixing. In this episode, I'll walk you through four signs that it might be time to make a change to your podcast, including what to look at when: Your podcast isn't delivering the results you need The outcome no longer justifies the time and money you're putting in Your business has evolved, but your podcast hasn't You just don't enjoy making the show anymore Because sometimes your podcast really does need a significant change. And sometimes you're about to mess with something that's a crucial part of your business' marketing ecosystem. I'll help you figure out the difference before you rename the show, change the format, buy a video setup, fire your editor, or start interviewing three people a week because somebody on YouTube told you that's the secret to podcast growth. Plus, I'll point you to a free diagnostic that can help you figure out whether your podcast is actually doing the job you need it to do. Listen now before you start tinkering. Links mentioned in this episode: https://podcastperformancecoach.com/podcast-tune-up/ https://podcastperformancecoach.com/free-podcast-audit/ https://podcastperformancecoach.com/210-3-ways-to-give-your-podcast-a-refresh-without-pivoting/ https://podcastperformancecoach.com/201-5-ways-to-pivot-your-podcast-for-a-better-return-on-your-investment/ --  

Are you talking to your ideal podcast listener... or accidentally talking right over their head? You may be losing exactly the people you want to reach. When you're an expert, it's easy to forget how much you know. The acronyms, industry jargon and background information that feel completely normal to you might leave your ideal listener wondering what the hell you're talking about. Or you might have the opposite problem. You could be explaining things they already know while they're sitting there thinking, Yeah, yeah. When are we going to get to the good stuff? Back in my talk-radio days, I used to practice "leave no listener behind." If a guest said something that might leave part of the audience scratching their heads, I gave them enough context to stay with us. After more than a decade of coaching entrepreneurs on their podcasts, I've changed that rule a little. Now it's: Leave no IDEAL listener behind. In this episode, I'll show you how easy it is for someone to create a smart, professional podcast that still misses the mark because they're talking to their peers instead of the clients they actually want to attract. We'll also look at why making something understandable isn't the same as dumbing it down, and how to figure out the right level for your podcast. In this episode, you'll learn: Why experts unintentionally talk over the heads of their ideal listeners How to avoid talking down to more experienced listeners Why you might be creating a podcast for your peers instead of your clients How to find the right level for your content My A-to-Z framework for understanding where your listener is in their journey Why your ideal listener should influence your topics, guests and questions, not just the words you use The power of having a 'Listener-Centric' podcast Your podcast doesn't need to serve everybody. It needs to make the right people feel like they're in the right place. If you're wondering whether your podcast is speaking to the right people at the right level, that's exactly the kind of thing we look at inside the Podcast Tune-Up. For FULL shownotes and links visit: https://podcastperformancecoach.com/270-how-to-increase-podcast-engagement-using-your-ideal-listeners-language/  

Do you ramble on your podcast? If your episodes keep wandering off topic, you're probably testing your listener's patience and making more work for yourself. The good news is you don't need to script every word or magically become a more concise person. You need a better plan for what belongs in the episode and, just as importantly, what doesn't. In this episode, we're talking about why podcasters ramble, how to give yourself enough structure to stay on track without sounding scripted, and what to do when you realize you've wandered off into the weeds halfway through a recording. We'll cover: Why knowing a lot about your topic can actually make you more likely to ramble How to plan an episode around one clear promise Why every good idea doesn't belong in every episode How to follow interesting tangents during an interview without losing control of your show What to do when you catch yourself rambling while you're recording How editing can tighten a wandering episode Why constantly fixing rambling in the edit might actually be a preparation problem   Your listener doesn't need everything you know. They need you to deliver what you promised when they pressed play, without taking them on a scenic tour they didn't sign up for.  If your podcast could use a little tightening up, that's exactly the kind of work we do inside the Podcast Tune-Up. Head to PodcastTuneUp.com to learn more. Referenced: 260 Scripted vs Unscripted Podcasts: Why Neither Works (And What to Do Instead)    

Your podcast shouldn't be your marketing strategy. It should be part of your marketing strategy. So, how well is it working with everything else you're doing? In the last episode, we took your podcast up to 10,000 feet to look at whether the show itself was aligned with your business. This time, we're going even higher. Check out the FULL EPISODE SHOW NOTES (with links) From 50,000 feet, you can see your entire marketing ecosystem: your website, email list, social media, search visibility, networking, guest appearances, speaking, offers, referrals, and, yes, your podcast. The question is whether they're actually working together. In this episode, we'll look at: • How your podcast fits into your larger marketing strategy • Why hitting publish should be the beginning, not the end, of an episode's marketing life • How your podcast can support your email, social media, search visibility, sales conversations, and guest appearances • Where your Podcast Path fits into the larger customer journey • Why connected marketing touchpoints become trustpoints • What to measure when podcast downloads aren't telling you the whole story • How to spot opportunities to get more marketing value and ROI from the podcast you're already creating Your podcast can be one of the hardest-working pieces of content you create, but not if it's sitting off on an island all by itself just collecting downloads. If you're wondering how your podcast should fit into your overall marketing strategy, that's exactly the kind of thing we look at inside the Podcast Tune-Up. We don't just look at individual episodes. We look at the entire ecosystem around your podcast and identify opportunities to improve your podcast ROI. Book your free private podcast coaching call at PodcastPerformanceCoach.com, and let's figure out how to make your podcast work harder for your business.  

Is your podcast building your business... or just producing episodes? In this episode, I share a simple 10,000-foot exercise to help you evaluate your podcast strategy and make sure every episode is moving your business forward.  Most podcasters spend so much time creating the next episode that they rarely stop to look at their podcast as a whole. They're thinking about guests, titles, editing, promotion, and next week's recording. All of those things matter, but every once in a while, you need to zoom out.  That's what I call taking the 10,000-foot view. From up there, you stop looking at individual episodes and start looking at your podcast strategically. Is it attracting the right audience? Is it reinforcing your expertise? Is it aligned with your business goals? Or has it slowly drifted off course? In this episode, we'll cover: • Why every podcaster should take a 10,000-foot view of their show • How to evaluate your last ten episodes as a complete body of work • The warning signs your podcast has drifted away from your goals • The difference between working in your podcast and working on your podcast • Why every episode should have a purpose within your overall podcast strategy Sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn't come from creating a better episode. It comes from stepping back and realizing you're creating the wrong episodes, speaking to the wrong audience, or solving the wrong problems. If taking the 10,000-foot view leaves you wondering whether your podcast is as strategic as it could be, I'd love to help. Book your free private podcast coaching call at PodcastPerformanceCoach.com, and together we'll make sure your podcast isn't just producing episodes, but producing real results for your business.