How to Profit from being a Guest on a Podcast- Part 3
Posted 11-16-2008 at 10:56 PM by Bob Sommers
How to prepare the host for the show
You've been invited to be a guest on a podcast because the host believes you have something of value to add to the show. This is where the work begins.
Let's start by considering what you want out of the show and how to get it.
You want to do a podcast that is going to make you look good. And by good I mean intelligent, friendly and witty. More importantly, you want to be seen as the person most capable of solving whatever problem the listeners of this podcast are experiencing. You want them to see you as the recognized expert in your field and the person they want to hire to solve their problem.
Preparing the Host
Truth is, you're already the expert. Your job is to prepare the host to help him or her make you look like the expert that you are.
A great place to start is to make sure the host has these three things before the show so he or she can use them during the show.
Introduction - Part 1
Write your introduction in two or three simple sentence. Don't write it with a sales slant, write it as an informational introduction. Write it in such a way that the host will be comfortable reading it and the audience will be excited to hear from you ... the expert on the subject.
And please, don't think for a moment that the host is going to read your introduction word for word. Professional podcasters never do that. And if your introduction is written with a sales slant, you are very likely to get the shortest introduction of your life.
The host of the show is in no position to sell you to his or her audience. It's too big of a risk. They don't know you well enough to know if you're the real thing yet. All they know about you at this point is what you and your publicist have told them.
If the host of the show knows you in a different way, (if they read and loved your book for example) then you can expect a different, more powerful introduction. But don't be disappointed if this doesn't happen. It's your job to sell the audience on you by demonstrating your ability to solve their problem.
As an alternative, it's a very good idea to provide the same information in a list format. This gives the host more leeway in his or her introduction. For example
Most podcasters print the information you send them and refer to it often during the show. It's their cheat sheet. Think in terms of how you can organize this information to make it easy for your host to find what they're looking for ... and easily present you and promote you to their listeners.
Show Questions - Part 2
This is the meat of the show. And it's important to note that most of the show hosts who invite you on their podcast know very little about your subject. You have to make it easy for them to keep the show moving in the right direction.
When you provide the show host with a list of potential questions to ask, you're helping them produce a better show. If you don't give them this guidance, the show could easily take thousands of different twists and turns, all leading down dead end streets.
Send the host a list of questions that you're commonly asked and questions that you can answer with authority. Put them in an order that makes sense and send them to the host in an easy to read format.
Don't assume that the host will use your questions. It's their show and they can do whatever they want, but most hosts appreciate having a list of questions to help them produce a great show.
Contact Information - Part 3
The third and final component you need to have in the hands of the show host is your contact information. Put this information at the top of every email you send. The show host should not have to look for this information when they want to direct their listeners to your website.
Three Major No-No's
Never forget why you're on the show.
It's not your show. You are a guest. Treat the show host with respect and gratitude. If you don't, they could easily turn the show around and make you look like a fool. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with the host, just don't be a jerk about it. They can unplug you at any time.
Don't hold back.
If the host asks a question, answer it. Don't try to be tricky and persuade the listeners to go to your website for the information. This is bad form. It does not make you look like the expert in your field. It makes you look like a con artist. This is the rule, there are certainly exceptions.
If you've created a special report or information that is much deeper and broader than the answer you can provide in the allotted time, by all means, encourage people to go to your website. This is a great marketing move. But remember, it's even better if the host of the show sends his or her listeners to your website on your behalf.
Don't push yourself on the listeners
The moment you start pushing your products and services, you become a hack in the minds of your listeners. You lose their respect and your expert status. Allow the host to do his or her job, and part of that job is to promote you. If they don't hold up their end of the bargain, thank them for having you on their podcast and move on.
Being a guest on a podcast or a radio show can be one of the most fulfilling marketing tasks you perform. It's not only fun, but it's profitable.
Spend some time listening to the shows on Recognized Expert. What did you like most about the guest. What did they do that bothered you? What would you do differently?
Then, take all of your suggestions and incorporate them into your presentation. Take what you learn and become the best guest ever.
In part 4 of this series, I'm going to show you how to sell your products and services on the podcast without stepping on the toes of the host.
Part 1 - Why Be A Guest On A Podcast?
Part 2 - Where Do Podcasters Find Guests For Their Show?
Let's start by considering what you want out of the show and how to get it.
You want to do a podcast that is going to make you look good. And by good I mean intelligent, friendly and witty. More importantly, you want to be seen as the person most capable of solving whatever problem the listeners of this podcast are experiencing. You want them to see you as the recognized expert in your field and the person they want to hire to solve their problem.
Preparing the Host
Truth is, you're already the expert. Your job is to prepare the host to help him or her make you look like the expert that you are.
A great place to start is to make sure the host has these three things before the show so he or she can use them during the show.
- Your introduction - Who you are and what you do.
- Your questions - The questions you want the host to ask you on the show.
- Your contact information - Website address and telephone number
Introduction - Part 1
Write your introduction in two or three simple sentence. Don't write it with a sales slant, write it as an informational introduction. Write it in such a way that the host will be comfortable reading it and the audience will be excited to hear from you ... the expert on the subject.
And please, don't think for a moment that the host is going to read your introduction word for word. Professional podcasters never do that. And if your introduction is written with a sales slant, you are very likely to get the shortest introduction of your life.
The host of the show is in no position to sell you to his or her audience. It's too big of a risk. They don't know you well enough to know if you're the real thing yet. All they know about you at this point is what you and your publicist have told them.
If the host of the show knows you in a different way, (if they read and loved your book for example) then you can expect a different, more powerful introduction. But don't be disappointed if this doesn't happen. It's your job to sell the audience on you by demonstrating your ability to solve their problem.
As an alternative, it's a very good idea to provide the same information in a list format. This gives the host more leeway in his or her introduction. For example
- Your Name
- Contact Information
- Author of ...
- Owner of ...
- Rewards ...
- Education ...
- Location ...
- Media Appearances...
- Topic of the program we're going to discuss on the show
Most podcasters print the information you send them and refer to it often during the show. It's their cheat sheet. Think in terms of how you can organize this information to make it easy for your host to find what they're looking for ... and easily present you and promote you to their listeners.
Show Questions - Part 2
This is the meat of the show. And it's important to note that most of the show hosts who invite you on their podcast know very little about your subject. You have to make it easy for them to keep the show moving in the right direction.
When you provide the show host with a list of potential questions to ask, you're helping them produce a better show. If you don't give them this guidance, the show could easily take thousands of different twists and turns, all leading down dead end streets.
Send the host a list of questions that you're commonly asked and questions that you can answer with authority. Put them in an order that makes sense and send them to the host in an easy to read format.
Don't assume that the host will use your questions. It's their show and they can do whatever they want, but most hosts appreciate having a list of questions to help them produce a great show.
Contact Information - Part 3
The third and final component you need to have in the hands of the show host is your contact information. Put this information at the top of every email you send. The show host should not have to look for this information when they want to direct their listeners to your website.
Three Major No-No's
Never forget why you're on the show.
It's not your show. You are a guest. Treat the show host with respect and gratitude. If you don't, they could easily turn the show around and make you look like a fool. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with the host, just don't be a jerk about it. They can unplug you at any time.
Don't hold back.
If the host asks a question, answer it. Don't try to be tricky and persuade the listeners to go to your website for the information. This is bad form. It does not make you look like the expert in your field. It makes you look like a con artist. This is the rule, there are certainly exceptions.
If you've created a special report or information that is much deeper and broader than the answer you can provide in the allotted time, by all means, encourage people to go to your website. This is a great marketing move. But remember, it's even better if the host of the show sends his or her listeners to your website on your behalf.
Don't push yourself on the listeners
The moment you start pushing your products and services, you become a hack in the minds of your listeners. You lose their respect and your expert status. Allow the host to do his or her job, and part of that job is to promote you. If they don't hold up their end of the bargain, thank them for having you on their podcast and move on.
Being a guest on a podcast or a radio show can be one of the most fulfilling marketing tasks you perform. It's not only fun, but it's profitable.
Spend some time listening to the shows on Recognized Expert. What did you like most about the guest. What did they do that bothered you? What would you do differently?
Then, take all of your suggestions and incorporate them into your presentation. Take what you learn and become the best guest ever.
In part 4 of this series, I'm going to show you how to sell your products and services on the podcast without stepping on the toes of the host.
Part 1 - Why Be A Guest On A Podcast?
Part 2 - Where Do Podcasters Find Guests For Their Show?
Total Comments 0
Comments
Total Trackbacks 0
