How to Expand Your Audience, Influence and Income with Tina Dietz [Podcast]

Written by Robin Thompson on March 28, 2018. Posted in Business Development, Leadership, Marketing, Podcast, Podcasting.

Podcast interview from The Entrepreneur Way where we talked about how you can expand your audience, influence and increase your income(Podcast on The Entrepreneur Way, Mar 28, 2018)

Tina Dietz is an internationally acclaimed speaker, podcast producer, audiobook publisher, and creative business expert who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post and Forbes. Her podcast, The StartSomething Show, was named by Inc magazine as one of the top 35 podcasts for entrepreneurs, and her company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, connects experts, authors, and entrepreneurs all around the world with their ideal audiences through podcasting, audiobooks, and thought leadership marketing. Tina splits her time between the US and Costa Rica where she’s part of a team building a community of entrepreneurs and conscious leaders.

Entrepreneurial Role Models:

Pitchmen

When business started difficulties overcame:

“Surrendering to the fact that I was an entrepreneur. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the godfather movies but it was in the godfather 3, the least interesting of all the movies, Al Pacino has this moment where he goes they keep bringing me back, and that is what it felt like to me becoming an entrepreneur, I really resisted it for a long time” …[Listen for More]

Favourite Books:

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Book by Elizabeth Gilbert

Favourite Quote:

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”

Recommended Online Resources:

Webinar Ninja – Run better webinars with no worries with the best webinar software ever Create a live evergreen webinars in 10 seconds Get started for free today!
Title Generator – create 700 headlines with ONE CLICK, Content Ideas, Catchy Headlines, Ad Campaign E mail Subject Lines, Emotional Titles, Simple, Efficient, One Click
Words to Time Calculator – Use Edge Studio’s words to time calculator as a script timer to give accurate estimates and invoices of your voice over scripts to your customers

Best Advice to Other Entrepreneurs:

“Engage your curiosity. Curiosity will get you through a lot. We get so fixed sometimes on how something looks or how something should be or we worry about if something is going to turn out a certain way, what other people are going to think about us it goes on and on and on. Whatever circumstance that you’re in if you can shift from whatever state of being you’re in that has you feeling diminished or concerned or angry or upset or any of those states of being, if you can shift yourself into curiosity then that is a bridge to be much more positive and making decisions from a place that’s not based in fear or anger”…[Listen for More]

More About Tina Dietz:

StartSomething Creative Business Solutions

Neil’s Quote at the Beginning:

“Adult life is dealing with an enormous amount of questions that don’t have answers. So I let the mystery settle into my music. I don’t deny anything, I don’t advocate anything, I just live with it.” Bruce Springsteen

Other Quotes From the Chat with Tina Dietz:

“I don’t know if there are secrets, there’s just stuff you haven’t learned yet”
“Setting ideas aside, I don’t have to act on all the ideas”
“It’s a little bit like the matrix, are you going to take the blue pill or the red pill because if you take that blue pill you’re going to go down a road that you’re going to follow for some time”

Did you like what you heard?

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Learn how how you can expand your audience, influence andincrease your income

The Business Advice That Causes the Most Damage

Written by Robin Thompson on February 1, 2018. Posted in Blog, Leadership, Personal Development, Video.

Rant Warning – This common ‘advice' hurts more than it helps…

Sigh…

I’m listening along in a really good, NY Times bestselling audiobook about success and reaching your goals and all pumped up, doing my thing on the elliptical machine when suddenly IT happens.

That moment where I want to throw large, heavy objects through windows.

Christ/Krishna on a cracker, did she HAVE to go there?

We were all good until she insisted that the difference between success and failure, between reaching your goals and a life of mediocrity and disappointment, was one simple thing.

“Your limiting beliefs.”

AAAAUUUUUGHHHHHH!! Do you know what this statement is?

Yes. It’s a trap. This is the single most widely accepted piece of success advice that causes the most damage – both emotionally as well as pragmatically.

This entire conversation that “you’ll never be successful if you have limiting beliefs,” has GOT to go.

Of COURSE it’s important to work on yourself. But if you believe you can’t be successful because you haven’t worked out your limiting beliefs…THAT’S A LIMITING BELIEF!!

By the way, the video will clarify this issue loud and clear, but NSFW 🙂

Human beings are works in progress. Is being a good person a prerequisite for success? Um..no. I mean seriously, have you seen the number of ‘successful’ megalomaniac jackasses out there?

I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve felt like a complete freaking moron, worried that I had NO idea what I was doing and that I get embarrassed, laughed at or called out. Fearful that I’d lose money or waste all my time.

What’s most powerful to create success (YOUR definition of success) is to take consistent actions, however small, to shift yourself BOTH from the inside out and from the outside in.

Babies learn to walk by walking, pianists learn to play from practicing, successful people learn to be successful by taking actions consistent with their vision of success.

As my friend and colleague Teresa de Grosbois would say,

The right support is at your fingertips. Schedule a Discovery Call and let's explore working together to bring your vision into reality

How To Reduce Your Stress Immediately With 2 Vocal Techniques

Written by Robin Thompson on November 14, 2017. Posted in Blog, Leadership, Personal Development, Voice. 2 Comments on How To Reduce Your Stress Immediately With 2 Vocal Techniques

Did you know that you can reduce your stress immediately with simple vocal techniques? Here are two quick techniques you can try out today.

You’re in a state of tension, stress, fear, worry, or anxiety-and what happens? Your shoulders naturally raise to protect the vulnerable throat and neck.

In many cultural traditions, the throat represents the center of creativity, self-expression, and communication. It’s also the conduit between your body and your head/mind, representing the link between your thoughts and feelings, or the “Mind-Body Connection.”

When you create more freedom in your throat and neck, you open your ability to express yourself more effectively and generate a greater sense of confidence and well being.

The musculature of the throat is incredibly complex, and I think very beautiful with all its fine, interwoven connections that allow us such flexibility of movement. We often take for granted that freedom of movement until we spend too many hours at the computer, or experience high stress levels – then we sure do notice that tension in our throats, necks, and shoulders.

Since there’s no machine at the gym to exercise your neck and throat (I think I’m grateful for that), you can use your voice to release the tension in your throat and really, your entire body.

Here are couple of techniques you can try out today and feel free to let us know what you notice.

1. Sigh like my Italian Grandmother

My great-grandmother was a 4’5” marvel of efficiency and energy. In the afternoons when she allowed herself to rest in her chair for a while (usually while crocheting something), she would repeatedly release a deep sigh. At the time I wondered why, but now I know that she was releasing tension in her body.

Take a deep belly breath in through your nose and allow yourself to sigh it out. (Bonus points for allowing any sound to come out with the sigh.) The long exhale combined with the vibration of the “ah” sound triggers your parasympathetic nervous system and your body’s relaxation response.

If you’re trying to feel more relaxed before you work with a client, enter a meeting or wind down at the end of the day, this is one of my favorite exercises.

2. Try the “One Word Rant”

If you’ve read my e-book called “Solve Any Problem in 10 Minutes,” you’ve learned about the creative problem-solving technique I developed based on our very human tendency to worry and complain. Often, what is beneath our concern is something we are deeply committed to. Otherwise, we wouldn't get upset!

This technique allows you to quickly take solution-focused action, using what you're upset about as the access point. The result is feeling relieved, clear and more at peace due to the fact that you've given a voice to your concerns and addressed them in a powerful manner.

A shortcut version of this technique to simply release tension and clear your mind is called the One Word Rant. The word used in this technique is, “why.” Why? Because that's the question we're really asking ourselves at the heart of our stress and upset.

“Why is this happening?”

“Why are they doing/saying that?”

“Why can't I feel better?

When we allow ourselves to express our frustration in a safe, quick and healthy way, the brain and body respond with a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters that feel good, such as epinephrine and testosterone (yep, even for women) and we feel clearer and more focused.

The technique is simple, but you'll want to be in a private or quiet place since this involves some vocalization. I've been known to do this in the car.

Ideally, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart or wider, and semi-squat like a sumo wrestler. Throw your hands in the air above your head, take a deep breath and loudly exclaim “Whyyy!” You don't want to say it so loud as to strain your voice or throat, but you definitely want to express your “why” loud and proud.

Yes, I’m serious. I’ve facilitated this in a group of 50 or so leaders and the results were amazing. The simplicity of the “why” allowed the group to bond without having to explain or share a lot of personal feelings that may have caused them to feel vulnerable. At the same time, that shared experience of making a loud noise together in unison elevated the energy in the entire room. The group collectively felt heard and acknowledged.

The chemical cascade of hormones and endorphins the One Word Rant releases is simply wonderful. Generally, this technique is more energizing than the Italian Grandma Sigh, so I tend to use it if I’m having a frustrating day or if I need to boost my energy before speaking or a meeting.

This is also a fabulous tool to show your kids to help them learn to shift their stress and state of mind quickly, without a lot of “talking about it” that may be difficult for them to articulate or stressful to share with a parent.

We lead busy lives and we need solutions quickly. Try one or both of these techniques this week to reduce your stress and keep yourself going and growing.

What To Do When You Are Afraid To Say The Wrong Thing

Written by Robin Thompson on November 1, 2017. Posted in Blog, Leadership, Personal Development.

What opportunities and possibilities do you find yourself diminishing or killing off because you're afraid to say the wrong thing?

Have you ever been asked this question?

“If you were a super villain, who would you be and what would be your power?”

This was not a question that my chiropractor was used to being asked, but I had just come from a conference call with some colleagues where we were discussing how to bring more of our personalities into our businesses and brands, and the topic of heroes and villains had come up.

You know,” my chiropractor pondered, “I think the worst feeling in the world is shame. It just stops people in their tracks. So my supervillain would be Shame Spiral, and he would freeze people from the power of shame.”

Wow.

Do you have conversations like this with your health providers? Because seriously, you should.

Author and shame researcher Brené Brown says, “Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not good enough….it corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”

Shame and the avoidance of shame shows up as embarrassment or fear of embarrassment, anxiety, depression, worry, resentment – what’s your flavor?

And shame definitely shows up as your fear of “saying the wrong thing.”

What opportunities and possibilities do you find yourself diminishing or killing off because you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing and looking foolish, or being wrong, or not looking good? How do you make yourself smaller and less bright because of how you think what you have to say might or might not come across to others?

Shame, in our bodies, can feel like we are dying – so we try and avoid it at all costs.

However, the solution to what to do when you’re afraid of shame, embarrassment, “looking bad” and saying the wrong thing is counterintuitive. I echo what Brené says…

“As a shame researcher, I know that the very best thing to do in the midst of a shame attack is totally counterintuitive: Practice courage and reach out!”

Courage is the antidote to shame. So then, how to create courage? My favorite activation point for courage is one simple and easy to conjure feeling.

Curiosity.

The courageous lion is still a cat, our avatar for curiosity. When you are feeling concerns about saying the wrong thing, being embarrassed, or risking shame, engaging your curiosity triggers your creativity, your inner wonder-er, and your sense of play.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to engage your curiosity and replace your own personal “Shame Spiral” with your inner “Courageous Curious Crusader.”

Shame Trigger 1: “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Curiosity Trigger 1: “I wonder how I’ll grow from this experience.”

Shame Trigger 2: “What if they don’t like it/me/this?”

Curiosity Trigger 2: “This is going to be interesting-I wonder where this will lead me?”

Shame Trigger 3: “I’m not qualified to do this.”

Curiosity Trigger 3: “I wonder what I can add in to my knowledge or expertise to make this even better?”

Notice the pattern of the phrase, “I wonder…” This simple phrase is a deep and effective trigger to shift you from a shame reaction to a courageous and curious one.

We are always in the process of evolving into our greatness, try on replacing your automatic responses of shame, worry, and concern this week with those of curiosity, and see where it leads you – and let us know what you discover, we read and respond to every email.

Keep going, and keep growing!

5 Strategies to Master Profitable Business Relationships

Written by Robin Thompson on May 30, 2017. Posted in Blog, Business Development, Leadership.

Because relationships are the heart and soul of business, I've gleaned five powerful strategies to master Profitable Business Relationships.

I think one of the best compliments I ever received was, “Geez, you’re like Tim Ferriss and my Italian Grandmother had a love child!” You’re welcome for the mental image, by the way. In this case, the “Italian Grandmother” part of the equation refers to my unabashed enthusiasm for bringing people together and extolling their many talents and virtues to each other. I adore connecting wonderful people to each other and watching the collaborations, opportunities, and new ideas that happen as a result of those connections blossom.

Relationships are the heart and soul of business, that pumping lifeblood that keeps us all growing. So in concert with my character, and my commitment to bring together amazing people and resources, I’ve gleaned five powerful strategies for you to use-regardless of the type of business you’re in-from brilliant entrepreneurs I admire along with one of my very own habits for spinning relationship gold.

1. Spin a Web of Warm Introductions

Authors interested in having their books turned into audiobooks often send me copies of their work for review. Regardless if we work together, I make a point of introducing them to someone in my network who would be a wonderful connection for them, and vice versa. Not only does this delight everyone involved, it keeps my services as an audiobook and podcast producer top of mind.

How do you easily create a “warm email introduction” effectively? One quick and easy method is to go to your colleague’s LinkedIn or “About” page and use the first couple of sentences as your email copy. Here’s an example of a warm introduction email I just recently sent to give you an idea, along with an example of the copy that I give my referral partners so they can easily introduce me to the people in their circles as well.

2. Make Sure Everyone Wins

As the host of an annual virtual summit, Bailey Richert suggests building business relationships is about creating projects and partnerships where everyone involved wins. “No one wants to feel like they’re being invited to the party purely for what assets they can bring to the table. They also want to walk away having benefited in a concrete way,” she says.

Bailey states one of her biggest relationship-building tips when working on her summit is to email every speaker individually. Mass emails, while faster, do not make your partners feel valued. Instead, they can work against you, making partners feel like they’re being leveraged. Instead, personalized emails let partners know you are concerned with their success and overall satisfaction with the project being conducted.

3. Take Time to Authentically Spread the Love

Intuitive business coach, Rebecca Liston suggests that using social media isn’t about lead generation but about deepening the relationships with people we already know. “Mastering business relationships is all supporting one another to shine because we simply want the best for one another.”

Rebecca says that you can easily do this by commenting on the posts of people you know and sharing their information freely and genuinely. I do this because I want to, because I care about them, and because I want them to shine. Each week I “Spread the Love” about a colleague that I adore, and respect. I write a personal note about who they are to me, and why I think the world of them, and why I think that the world ought to know them

4. Show Up (for Real)

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned this year is to show up,” says Stella Orange, a marketing teacher. Orange draws inspiration from her days as a playwright, who regularly attended friends’ performances and openings. “Nothing says ‘I care about you’ like showing up for an event,” she says. If you can’t get there in person, she says send a card or flowers.

One of Orange’s best tips is to nurture personal relationships over time. Check in with colleagues and promotional partners periodically, to stay current and connected. Keep track of what you talked about, and carve out time each week to cultivate relationships colleague relationships. Those conversations build rapport and trust over time, and lead to the most fruitful, organic and rich collaborations.

5. Reach Out With Genuine Interest

“Not dropping the ball on follow up has been huge,” says Sarah Dew, a marketing strategist. It’s easy to have an initial conversation with a potential partner but to in order to grow and nurture that relationship you have to have authentic connections through out the year.

Sarah’s best tip is to make sure you check in with your colleagues and partners frequently and regularly. Always approach every interaction thinking, what can I do for them? Is there some way I can make their lives easier or brighten their day? Consistently following up and staying connected will quickly turn your partners and colleagues into close friends, who will have your back when you need it.

What are some of your favorite ways to build business relationships?

125 Tina Dietz | The Magic and Intimacy of Podcasting and Overcoming Your Fears To Find Success [Podcast]

Written by Robin Thompson on April 14, 2017. Posted in Audiobook Marketing, Business Development, Leadership, Podcast, Podcasting.

Since practically the age of two, Tina Dietz has always felt comfortable with a microphone in her hands and that easiness and her background as a therapist has since led her to become a very regarded interviewer, coach, consultant, and podcaster.(Podcast on Podcast Junkies, April, 2017)

She is the founder of Start Something Creative Business Solutions where she helps people launch businesses, podcasts and audio books. We cover a lot of great topics that is sure to enlighten even the most seasoned podcasters and entrepreneurs.

What We Covered:

05:33 – Why she loves going to podcasting conferences
06:04 – The Messengers – A Podcast Documentary and how she is involved
10:51 – Podcasts and podcasting as a means of therapy
12:51 – What the impetus for starting her podcast was
16:01 – Her early childhood recordings
16:32 – What she did the first time someone handed her a microphone
17:41 – How she became so comfortable behind a microphone
18:15 – Performance Anxiety
19:35 – How to use your complaints and upsets to quickly and creatively solve issues
25:57 – Who she was grateful for and surprised to have on her podcast
29:20 – The price one pays for being famous
29:54 – Realizing there is an audience who wants to hear great conversations
32:11 – How she helps her clients face their fears of starting a new business venture
36:42 – Best practices you can implement to find success
38:05 – Business plans
39:38 – The Nayada Institute of Massage and a new massage modality
42:22 – What she’s changed her mind about recently
44:39 – The one most misunderstood thing about her
45:18 – The books she’s reading/listening to now
46:26 – Her vision of 10,000 thriving businesses

Click to tune in to the podcast “The Magic and Intimacy of Podcasting and Overcoming Your Fears To Find Success.”

Links Mentioned

Start Something and Finish w/ Tina Dietz [Podcast]

Written by Robin Thompson on March 28, 2017. Posted in Business Development, Leadership, Marketing, Podcast.

I was a guest at the Moms With Dreams Show, hosted by Erica Blocker where we talked about how you can Start Something and finish it. Tune in(Podcast on Moms With Dreams, March 28, 2017)

This week on the podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tina Dietz, owner of Start Something Business Solutions. Tina and I met last September when she was speaking at Mid-Atlantic Podcast Conference here in New Jersey. I knew from the moment that Tina shared her story that I wanted to invite her to be a guest on my podcast. I just knew that her story would inspire and excite YOU to start something brilliant.

Tina Dietz is an internationally acclaimed business coach, audiobook publisher and launch specialist, podcast producer and a bestselling author who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post and Forbes.

Her podcast, The Start Something Show, was named one of the top podcasts for entrepreneurs on Inc.com. Her company helps clients who want more than just a business and more than a routine life – they want a Business Oasis. I LOVE that!

One of the things that we jump into during this interview is the idea that so many creatives and entrepreneurs struggle with avoiding shiny bright objects and staying focused. It’s because they have brilliant ideas and love starting new projects but often have a hard time finishing them. (I know this is one of my own personal challenges.) Tina sheds light on this topic and shows you how to redirect your excitement of “starting” so you can finish what you’ve started. It’s powerful!

Tina shares lots of great tips during our time together and suggests that you read the book, Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert.

You can connect with Tina and learn more about her by visiting:Her website: www.StartSomethingCreativeBizSolutions.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwinFlamesStudios

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheTinaDietz

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tinadietz

It’s hard to believe that this is my 87th episode, but it is. And that means that I’m only 13 episodes away from my next big milestone as a podcaster! I’ll share more about what I’m planning as we get closer.

For now, I want you to think about one thing that you learned from my interview with Tina and how you will implement it in your life.

Let me know what you’re going to start. You can leave me a note in the comments or send an email to Erica@momswithdreams.com.

I hope this was valuable to you in some way and that you now have a different outlook on your life, your business or both.

I’ll be back next week with more inspiration and education.

Get out there, do what you love and make a difference!

xoxo,

Erica

Wondering how you can Start Something and finish it? I can help you – Let's talk

3 Techniques to Tame the Identity Monster in Your Head

Written by Robin Thompson on March 9, 2017. Posted in Blog, Leadership, Personal Development, Video.

Do you know those voices in your head that tell you all kinds of nasty things about yourself? That is Identity Monster – Here's how you can tame it

A colleague of mine sent me a panicked text while I was on a call with a client. He was so freaked out that I called him right after my session, but I wasn’t expecting what he had to say.

”I just got the biggest opportunity of my life,” he said. “It’s what I've always wanted.”

“But since I found out,” he went on, “I've spent the last four hours playing online soccer and I'm completely paralyzed.”

This is the Identity Monster in full attack.

You know those voices in your head that tell you all kinds of nasty things about yourself, right?

“There’s a million people doing the same thing as you, how can you possibly compete?”

“You can’t do this, you’re way too lazy.” (or fat, or stupid, or ugly, or poor)

“HOW much money did you spend? Oh no, what are you going to do now?”

“Who do you think you are, anyway?”

This is the voice of the Identity Monster. The favorite tools of the Identity Monster are a megaphone and an old school boom box with a tape set to “repeat.” The tape replays all the crap in your head that gets triggered when your comfort level is threatened.

This Monster's job is to maintain the status quo. Even when good things are happening, the Identity Monster really sucks at telling the difference between a threat and an opportunity, so it reacts pretty much the same way in both scenarios.

Oh, the glorious neurology of it all!

Here are three ways to tame the Identity Monster, get yourself off the ledge, and back into the groovalicious flow so you can have more of what you want in life – because that’s why you’re reading this, right? In the video I go into more detail on all three of these techniques, plus you get to see a little piece of one of the places I’ve lived in Costa Rica, which is just good for your brain.

1. Revisit your big picture

Take the focus off of your current reaction and circumstances and put it on your larger view in the world – the legacy you want to leave, the impact you’re out to make, your inspiring vision of the future, and so on. If your thoughts and actions are ‘facing outwards’ instead of on your internal voices and neurological hamster wheel, it disrupts the repetitive thoughts to guide you back on track.

2. Create new brain wiring with a Daily Workshop

Create a sacred space for yourself on a daily basis, even if it's 15 minutes to start. Use that time to get present to what you're most excited about, what you appreciate and what you're grateful for, and the one or two goals or accomplishments that you're focused on for that day. Even celebrating small accomplishments (some days, that’s getting out of bed or going a whole morning without getting distracted by Facebook), when done repeatedly and consistently, helps you maintain a more solution-focused state of mind.

3. Challenge the voices in your head to a battle of wits!

When those nasty voices in your head pop up, you may have noticed that if you try to directly combat them, they come back twice as strong. This is known as the “I'm rubber, you're glue” Principle. Very technical. Instead, use your brain’s natural abilities to break up the beliefs using techniques like evidence gathering and disarming humor. These techniques are not only highly effective, they can be incredibly entertaining as well. What does your Identity Monster sound like?

You can find details and examples of these techniques in the video – enjoy and send me a tweet to let me know which one is your favorite!

The New Expert Platform: Using Podcast Interviews For Thought Leadership Marketing

Written by Robin Thompson on March 8, 2017. Posted in Blog, Leadership, Marketing, Podcasting, Voice.

Podcasting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to establish authority – Let me show you how you can leverage it for thought leadership marketing.

It’s no longer only insider knowledge — podcasting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to establish authority. Whether you’re just starting to build a business or you and your company have long-established credentials, this online audio platform can catapult your influence beyond the capabilities of many other expert-building marketing platforms. Since there are now 65 million people in the U.S. listening to podcasts every month, thought leaders have an exciting opportunity before them to engage new audiences and build their brand.

Getting featured on TV or publishing a book still serve as gold standards for having achieved expert status, but podcasting has made it possible for even budding business owners to share their knowledge and expertise with a wide audience.

The advantage of this modern platform is that it’s open publicity — meaning the host has the freedom to generate the message and control the content. Podcasting also requires fewer resources and is more accessible because audio is available to consumers when text and video are not. The convenience of listening to downloadable audio files on smartphones or tablets has allowed for a new wave of attentive, on-the-go listeners.

The opportunity to reach your target market by using your personal voice offers an additional layer of communication to convey your company values and brand authenticity. Doing so deepens trust and develops loyalty. By using a conversational format, leaders have the freedom to articulate what makes their business unique, without using typical marketing jargon.

As you may have gathered, podcasting isn’t just for entrepreneurs. Bigger brands, industry leaders and corporations often miss a big opportunity by not taking advantage of this trend.

Below, we’ll focus on leaders who are looking to establish themselves as experts and develop their spheres of influence.

How Can You Get Started With Podcasting?

You don’t need to be a host yourself. One of the best ways to introduce yourself to a new market is as a guest. Hosts are hungry for content. They are searching for people like you to feature on their podcasts to keep their shows fresh and to provide value to their audience. Libsyn, one of the largest commercial podcast hosting companies, reports an increase from 16,000 hosted shows in 2013 to 22,000 shows in 2014 to 28,000 shows in 2015. These numbers are expected to continue to increase as more people become exposed to the platform.

The key is to connect with the hosts of shows most appropriate for your subject niche, and to do so in a way that’s personal — your chance of getting a response lowers dramatically if you have an assistant send an email.

Podcast hosts want a good fit on their show; if they decide to have you on as a guest, they will take the time to give you ideas on how you can most effectively reach their audience. One way to find podcasts that are looking for guests is to do a keyword search in iTunes or Google for shows with topics that appeal to your ideal clients or target market. iTunes is to podcasts as what Amazon is to books; it is the premier platform for broadcasting your audio message to an eager audience.

You don’t have to start with cold leads, however. The easiest opportunities for guest spots may exist under your nose, via your colleagues. Ask people you know who have been podcast guests to introduce you to the hosts of those shows. Referrals can go a long way in establishing credibility and building relationships.

If you have the resources, you can also use a booking service to acquire guest spots; there are several excellent companies that can take care of placing you on the perfect shows.

How To Leverage Podcast Interviews

Once you’ve secured a podcast spot, there are an extraordinary number of ways you can use, and re-use, this valuable material. You can now post audio clips on your website or blog; include audio clips in your media kit or feature them on your company profile page or LinkedIn page. You can share the audio across social media, or use the transcribed content for new articles or blog posts. A wealth of marketing assets is available at your fingertips when you have podcast content.

As thought leaders, experts and business owners, we’re always looking for ways to increase our exposure and to grow our communities of loyal followers. Podcasts are free to access, there are so many shows to choose from, and it takes virtually no technical know-how to get started as a guest. These characteristics make being featured on podcast interviews one of the best “New Expert Platforms” available today.

Want to learn more aboutpodcasting for your business?

3 Ways Entrepreneurs Kill Their Productivity

Written by Robin Thompson on March 2, 2017. Posted in Blog, Business Development, Leadership, Productivity. 2 Comments on 3 Ways Entrepreneurs Kill Their Productivity

How much time do you spend collecting information, certifications, and more training? Yep, these are some of the ways entrepreneurs kill their productivity.

There has rarely been a better time in history to start a business. In 2013, more than 135,000 jobs were added to the US market and guess where nearly half those jobs came from? SMALL businesses. To really make it as an entrepreneur you need tremendous tenacity, top notch networking skills, and a no-fear approach to sales—even in the most heart-centered of business ventures. But if you’re reading this, I’m probably not telling you anything new yet, and what you want is to break through to the next level of time and money freedom in your business.

Every industry I’ve worked with-and there have been more than 20+ industries internationally-has its own unique quirks and challenges. However, some very common trends arise when it comes to how you’re likely to sabotage yourself regarding time and your productivity.

Productivity Killer #1: The “Perpetual Expert”

Collecting information is only useful if it is immediately practical. If you have a client who has a question, look it up. Google is your friend, and problem solving when there’s actually no problem is a drain of time, energy, and resources. The brain only retains about 10% of the information that it is exposed to, so chances are you’re going to have to look it up again anyway if you need it at all. Your time is better spent finding out what your ideal clients need, and focusing on filling those needs in a targeted and concise manner.

Productivity Killer #2: Having an Open Schedule

There’s a difference between being available and being a 24/7 hotline. Have a policy that you will always return communications within a certain amount of time (say 12, 24, or 48 hours) and honor that policy. This gives you room to breathe, builds trust with your clients, and also sets clear expectations. People value a service more when they know they have to plan for it, and most “emergencies” resolve themselves or quickly become non-emergencies if you don’t feed the energy of a knee-jerk reaction. Limit checking your email and voice mail to 2-3 times a day for a half hour at a time. Unless it’s someone you’re waiting to hear from, don’t pick up your phone when it rings. These practices will have you focus on your most important tasks and keep your responses to the point.

Productivity Killer #3: Being Too Friendly

This goes for both colleagues and clients. Obviously you don’t want to be a jerk, but it’s completely doable to be kind even when you’re setting a boundary or saying no. Gossip, social media, and instant messaging, and other kinds of chitchat can wipe out hours of your day, leaving you frustrated and scrambling to get your priorities handled. The same goes for meetings. Start by wearing a phone headset (in the case of an office setting) or putting a “please do not disturb” sign on your office door if you have one (even at home) to reduce distractions and interruptions. Minimize your time in live or phone meetings by partnering up with a colleague and trading off going to meetings and taking notes for each other. As for clients, steer clear of personal entanglements. If you’re with a client who is on a roll with a personal story, reach over and give a gentle, compassionate squeeze to their shoulder or hand and say, “you’re really going through some difficulty right now, so why don’t we take a step back and see where I can best help you.” You can then redirect the conversation to a more solution-focused place. Don’t be afraid to interrupt them, they will thank you for it later.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Let me know in the comments if you have any of these “killers.”

​Podcast interview from The Entrepreneur Way where we talked about how you can expand your audience, influence and increase your income(​Podcast on The Entrepreneur Way, Mar 28, 2018)