Tag: podcasting

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for August Part 1

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, and Melissa Stroh, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Disclaimer: The opinions and viewpoints presented by the co-hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of Writers Chat or Serious Writer, Inc..

AI: What’s the Use? With Brandy Brow

AI. The word elicits strong reactions. Visions of ChatGPT, Midjourney or DALL-E, evoke fears of abuse with creative works used to feed their machines. In this episode of Writers Chat, co-host Brandy Brow will lead a healthy discussion about generative and corrective AI, what they do and what possibilities they pose for the future.

Watch the July 30th replay.

Brandy Brow, Writers Chat co-host who freelance edits and writes flash fiction and short stories for the general market, plus articles and devotions. Her fiction explores the highs and lows of human nature and ranges from normal to strange. She loves to help writers improve their craft.

The Strategic Author

Jonathan Shuerger, CEO of The Strategic Author, indie author, and a Marine veteran, knows that most writers love to write and hate to market. As he says, writers want to “write words, not keywords.” In this episode, Jonathan talks about how his experience with NSA targeting and analysis in the Marine Corps against ISIS targets informs his marketing strategies and how his approach benefits authors struggling to be seen in a saturated digital market.

Watch the August 6th replay.

https://youtu.be/qg-xZwSPqak?si=3eppgeiEOG7Ywt9x

Jonathan Shuerger is the author of the Shades of Black series, The Exorcism of Frosty the Snowman, and the upcoming MilSF novel Semper Die. He is the CEO of The Strategic Author, a service that conducts strategic level analysis that helps authors succeed in their business. He also runs a podcast of stories for his kids, Stories With A Marine Corps Dad, and a podcast for book marketers called The Strategic Author. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran, 3rd-degree black sash in Temple Chinese Boxing, dad of (currently) 4 little girls, and husband to a very loving, very patient wife.

Is Podcasting God’s Next Best Step for You? with Linda Goldfarb

Audio is the future of every writer, and knowing our options clarifies our next step. Yet, not every opportunity to share our gifts and talents is God’s open door. In this episode of Writers Chat, international speaker, award-winning author, and podcaster, Linda Goldfarb, shares insight into the world of podcasting to help you discern what element of podcasting is God’s next best step for you. It’s all about God’s will, God’s way, and God’s timing.

Watch the August 13th replay.

Linda Goldfarb is an international speaker, award-winning author, and podcaster. As a board-certified Christian life coach, Linda helps women move from being stuck or splattered to discovering God’s next best step in their personal and professional lives. Linda is recognized for having a voice that makes you feel welcome, safe, and seen. When she shares her energy, experiences, and expertise during interviews and from the stage, screen, or in her writing, you lean in—not wanting to miss a single word. Linda says, “My life is far from perfect, and that’s where Yeshua met me, loved me, and saved me. For Him, I’m eternally grateful.”

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

Categories
Career

You Should Start a Podcast

I heard it every conference. “Build your platform!” Along with the dreaded social media, writers in sessions kept telling us to be consistent with a blog.

But I didn’t read blogs anymore. No one I knew kept up with an RSS blog feed. What did the younger generation do? Looking around at my friends, they listened to podcasts.

As a musician and songwriter, I had the recording equipment and the tech knowhow in GarageBand. So I began to brainstorm and research.

What could I do on a podcast that supported and supplemented my writing career?

An author friend also got excited about the podcast, and so we began Brew & Ink, a story podcast where we wrote a chapter and gave the audience choices which influenced the next chapter. It was fun, and we also generated eBooks we could give away for email addresses.

I also started a ministry podcast, Kingdom Over Coffee.

Over time, these podcasts have been great tools for networking and platform building, many in ways I didn’t expect. A side note: Kingdom Over Coffee has grown far more the past couple years. Brew & Ink is on hold for a while (my friend has had to step away for personal reasons), although we have almost 3,000 on our email list from that podcast alone.

If you’re an author, you should podcast.

Yes, there are a ton of them, but the market continues to grow, especially internationally as more and more people get access to internet and smart phones. You don’t need a huge audience, anyway, just enough to connect with others on a shared interest.

Things I experienced from podcasting (and why you should, too):

  1. Be a better speaker. Listening to my own voice was awful. I said “um” way too much. In a world where we have to be more comfortable speaking in front of a camera, even as authors, this is a valuable skill.
  2. More networking. At first, I had friends on my podcast. I interviewed other authors or pastors I knew, depending on the podcast. Once I was consistent, guests started suggesting people outside of my circle. I’ve interviewed directors of Christian films, persecuted missionaries, and authors on the NYT bestsellers list.
  3. A way to be generous. I picked a topic (or topics) I loved to talk about and gave away information about it in conversation form. It’s free to listen to a podcast, and I can help promote my guests and their current projects.
  4. People get to hear my voice. Writing can and should have personality. We should write with our voice. But much of communication is nonverbal, so I can relate more of my personality, quirks, and meaning (and sarcasm!) through my voice, even more through sound and video, if your podcast is also on YouTube.
  5. A reason to email my lists. Got a new podcast coming out? Now I have a free thing to share with my email list. Those emails can also have other information about me as an author, but an interesting podcast episode is a great reason to contact your email list.

You can get started way easier than you think.

If you have a computer or a decent phone, you can start quickly. Good equipment is cheaper and more accessible than ever. Come up with a topic you’re fascinated by that is also broad enough to have numerous conversations and guests. Or perhaps you’ll have a partner or friend on the podcast every week and continue to have discussions on that topic.

Find a couple podcasts you enjoy listening to and explore what you like about them. Come up with a title for your own, have fun, and start engaging with people and guests about interesting and impactful subjects. Podcasting is a great way to build an audience by being kind and generous. Start today!

Britt Mooney loves to live and tell great stories with God. A pastor, podcaster, and author, Britt lives in Suwanee GA on adventure with his amazing wife, Becca, their three creative kids, and a dog. 

For his Podcasting 101 class go to Serious Writer Academy

Follow him on FB @KingdomOverCoffee, IG @authormbmooney, and YouTube @greatstorieschangetheworld 

Categories
Uncategorized

Five Questions to Find Podcasts That Fit Your Message

Marketing sense

All your proverbial ducks are in a row. It’s time to “pitch” podcasters, to let them know you’re available to be interviewed. Woo-hoo!

Do you contact your family, friends, email readers, and Facebook group pals, asking them to connect you with their favorite podcaster? Hmmm…they’re unlikely to have a personal relationship with many podcasters.

Should you Google podcasts or Christian podcasts or Christian podcasts in America to find potential podcasts whose listeners will surely want to hear your story? Perhaps…

Or, like any good writer, you could follow your normal process and do the research to discover which podcasts are a good fit for you before sending your pitch. Let’s choose that path, shall we? 🙂

****

Select up to five podcasts from your research results, then listen to three entire episodes of each. Not one episode, or two, but three, all the way through, and answer the following questions about each podcast.

First question: Is it an interview-style program?

Does the host regularly invite guests to join him or her? If not, move on immediately.

Second question: What patterns do I notice as I listen, and are they positive or negative?

Patterns not noticeable in two episodes tend to surface after listening to three. Is that program–and that host–one with whom you want to be associated publicly? They ask themselves this question about you. You’re wise to ask it yourself…about them.

Third question: What can I offer their audience?

Focus on serving the host’s audience, not on pitching your book. Both goals are two sides of the same coin. Listeners are savvy. Just like you, they know when they’re being used and when they’re being served.

Identify how your presence will benefit the podcaster’s audience. If you can’t answer that question, wait to send out your pitch until you can. From the potential host’s perspective, this is the most important information in your pitch. It needs to fit their audience. Don’t be generic.

Fourth question: Will my personality mesh well with theirs…for a full hour?

As you listen to the various episodes, you’ll get a feel for the host’s interview style and their personality. You know which types of people you connect with best. Most of us have enough experience to adjust on the fly, but we don’t want to spend 60 minutes zigging if the host is consistently zagging. This makes the audience uncomfortable.

Fifth question: How can I connect (not contact) with the host?

Podcasters are people, too. 🙂 They like to know you recognize the value of their program and that as a listener, you appreciate their efforts (not just as a potential guest who wants access to their audience).

For each podcast program you’ll pitch, choose one episode and write a review about it. Then take a screenshot of that review (after you’ve posted online) and include that screenshot with your pitch email. That allows them to see that you’ve listened to their program and didn’t randomly pitch them.

Bonus Point #1: When writing your pitch, be sure to include a clear request to be a guest on their program. This applies whether you’re close friends or total strangers. Sounds obvious, right? But not everyone actually types those words.

Don’t be like the young man who thought he’d proposed but never actually used the words, “Will you marry me?” Clarity will help him get engaged.

It will also help you get booked more often.

Bonus Point #2: Be sure not to include these words in your pitch…”I’ve written a book and I’d love to join you on your program to discuss it.” If you don’t delete that from your email, the host will delete your entire email.

Why? You’re asking them to do you a favor. In their eyes, it’s a BIG favor: you want access to the audience they’ve nurtured and grown. But you’re not offering anything in return, such as a benefit to their audience. (See Question #3 above.) Though very common, this is rude, bad form, and unprofessional.

They’ll remember you, but not for the right reasons.

***

It’s a wondrous gift to be a podcast guest for a program that fits you, and vice versa. You’re given access to people who need want you’re offering but they didn’t know it until they heard your guest interview.

Following these five simple steps will place you light years of your competitors when podcast hosts are searching for guests.

Patricia Durgin

Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.

Website: marketersonamission.com
Facebook: MarketersOnAMission

Categories
Marketing Sense

Why Your Podcast Pitch Isn’t Working and What to Do Instead

Marketing sense

No matter how dignified we are, holding our just-published book in our hands for the first time makes us squeal with glee, and rightly so.

We’ve heard that the fastest way to “get the word out” is via interviews, so we visit social media groups and share our availability. Here’s where our momentum often stops cold.

Our approach is, shall we say…lacking? Isn’t it enough to reveal that we’re ready to be interviewed? Uh, no.

Recently I read a Facebook post by Max, “My book is hot off the presses! I’m ready to be interviewed. My topic is XYZ. I look forward to hearing from you.” That was his entire ‘pitch.’

Experienced podcasters won’t reach out to Max, and he’ll never know why.

Though he didn’t realize it, Max practiced passive marketing…an announcement to the world at large that he was available for interviews, expecting that same world to run to his door, eager to help him reach his goals. This is an easy trap to fall into for anyone.

The world isn’t trying to help us reach our goals. They’re busy trying to reach their own goals. They’re on the lookout for guests who will help them.

It helps to remember that hosts who interview us give us a GIFT…access to their audience. They’ve built that audience by serving them well, developing deep relationships and thus earning their listeners’ trust. Wise hosts do not take that trust lightly.

We must help potential podcast hosts see how we can help them serve their audience.

3 Steps to Significantly Increase Your Pitch’s Odds

Make a list of 10-20 podcasts: Research podcasts that serve the same / similar audience as yours OR who discuss the same / similar topic as yours. Do they host guests? Who have they recently interviewed? How might you be able to add to that discussion by offering a deeper perspective, an opposing view, or different (yet still helpful) information?

Analyze the podcast: Listen to 3-8 full episodes. More if necessary. Is the host well-prepared, or do they work best off-the-cuff? Is their program live or recorded (and which fits your communication style best)? Does the audience participate, and if so, is the feedback live?

How long is the program, and do guests stay on the entire time, or only for a segment? You want to be knowledgeable about the program, who’s in their audience, and the host’s goals for the program.

Write your pitch: Keep it short and on point. If you’re pitching via email, be clear. Podcast Guest Pitch is a wise title. Bonus points for adding a short value phrase or keywords.

Don’t be vague. Tie your message into the program’s main topic. What can you add to the conversation, and how will your contribution benefit the audience? You’re there to help the podcast host serve his or her audience. How can you do that, specifically?

Add your website link. If you’ve been interviewed before, add those links (within reason). This helps the podcaster know what to expect if they invite you.

 Above All, Keep Pitching!

Repeat the steps above often. As potential hosts respond (not all will), make a note of their questions or comments.

Questions can mean you’ve left out information they want before deciding, or they’re intrigued and want to confirm you’ll be a good fit. Respond professionally, don’t over-promise, and if you’re not sure about something, simply say so.

If their answer is “no,” decide whether to keep them on your list. Today’s “no” might mean “never,” but it could also be tomorrow’s “yes.” BIG difference.

And if you sense you’re a natural fit but the host doesn’t see it yet, follow up without harassing them. They may have a bad day when you originally contacted them.

Podcasters are human, too, or so I’m told. 🙂

Patricia Durgin

Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.

Website: marketersonamission.com
Facebook: MarketersOnAMission

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for August, Part 2

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Writers Groups and Podcasting with Britt Mooney

In this episode of Writers Chat, Britt discusses how his writing group decided to do a collaborative podcast, Brew and Ink. He also shares some technical parts of hosting a podcast, and gives great tips for writers wanting to start a podcast. If you’ve thought about starting a podcast or are curious about the work (and fun) that it takes to be a successful podcast, be sure to check out this week’s episode.

Watch the August 18th replay.

Never Too Late to Break Into Publishing with Deborah Coty

Deborah is an award-winning author and motivational speaker. In this episode she shares her writing journey as a “late bloomer”. While juggling two careers (orthopedic occupational therapist and piano teacher) While in a waiting room, Deb saw an ad in a magazine for a writing contest which put the desire in her heart to begin a writing career at the age of 45. Her story is funny, light hearted, and encouraging. Deb is a great reminder that it is never too late to try and succeed at something new. Check out this week’s show and be encouraged.

Watch the August 25th replay.

Bios

Debora M. Coty is a motivational speaker, newspaper columnist and multiple award- winning author of more than 40 books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed inspirational series, currently with more than 1.2 million books copies sold in multiple languages worldwide. She joins us today on Writers Chat to talk about her writing journey. A “late bloomer,” Deb began her professional writing journey at age 45, while juggling duo careers as an orthopedic occupational therapist and piano teacher. Deb is a tennis addict, hiking enthusiast and choco-athlete (the step beyond chocoholic; means she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). She lives, loves and laughs in central Florida with her longsuffering husband of 40+ years, two grown children and five precocious grandpals. Join Debora’s fun-loving community of BFFs (Blessed Friends Forever) at www.DeborahCoty.com  

MB “Britt” Mooney, a hybrid author of Christian nonfiction and Fantasy Fiction, joins us today to talk about combining writers groups with podcasting. Britt and writer Steven Faletti are the creative minds behind the Brew and Ink podcast which creates stories based on audience feedback. In this episode, Britt talks about the collaborative Brew and Ink podcast, covers a few technical aspects of hosting a podcast, and shares advice and tips for writers who want to get into podcasting. Britt is also a church planter who works bi-vocationally at a missional coffee company. He is married to the amazing Becca; they and their three amazing kids go on many adventures in the Atlanta, GA area. Find out more about the Brew and Ink podcast at https://www.facebook.com/BrewandInk/

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link. 

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.

Categories
Writing for YA

Tips for Podcasting with Author Tara K. Ross

I love a good podcast and listen to several. Recently, I found The Hope Prose Podcast by young adult author Tara K. Ross. I enjoyed it, so decided to ask Tara a few questions about podcasting.

Why did you choose to start a podcast?

I am a self-confessed podcast junky. I listen to podcasts during my commute, when I exercise and even when I’m scrubbing toilets. I can enjoy them when my eyes need to be elsewhere and I always have time to sneak one in. For all these reasons, I knew their value.

I also love audiobooks and narration. In our podcast, we have the opportunity to narrate some of our favorite books in short samples. Audiobook narrating is on my shortlist of dream side-gigs, so our podcast format is an ideal way for me to get my feet wet.

Finally, I saw a need. I scoured the podcast space for YA book podcasts and found surprisingly few. When we added in the faith component, there were zero specific to YA. I also wanted to find a way to support Christian YA authors and reach their readers while veering away from screens and social rankings.        

What are some things people should think about before attempting to start their own podcast?

  • How much money do you have for your podcasting venture? At the minimum you will need the following:        

o A website with domain name – including monthly hosting fees

o Headphones and a mic external to your computer

o Recording or editing software – Zencastr and Audacity as good starting points

Audio file hosting – we use Sound Cloud, but there are many out there

  • Is there a need for your podcast? Is someone already covering a similar topic? How can you make your show unique? Can you find a niche that is not being filled?  
  • What format will you use for your podcast? Will you run a solo show or have a co-host or panel? Will you interview guests? How long will you make each episode?
  • How often will your podcast air? Daily, weekly, monthly? Is that schedule sustainable? Do you have ideas for your first five episodes? Record the first three before you go live.

I love the name of your podcast, The Hope Prose Podcast. How did you come up with it?

It actually started from my blog and my desire to write transformational YA fiction. Hope Prose birthed out the idea that well-written prose challenges us to reflect on who we are right now, and how we are striving to change. I wanted to guide readers to those stories that transport us to magical places, leave us breathless with anticipation, reflect our deepest struggles, but in the end, offer hope that is unquestionably woven into every word.

A thousand things can go wrong with any new venture. What have you found to be the most difficult part of producing a podcast? Did any issues come up that surprised you?

Rebekah, my co-host, and I live on opposite sides of the continent. Finding times that not only work for our unique time zones but also for our guests’ schedules has been an interesting challenge.

The other difficulty would come down to technology. There have been a few cases where we’ve lost guests to a WiFi glitch or had the sound quality disintegrate mid-sentence. I’ve become good friends with YouTube when it comes to editing together split sound recordings and unplanned background interruptions.    

Do you have any advice or tips for people who will be making a guest appearance on a podcast?

  • Review previous episodes of the podcast. Get a sense of the format, the style and the length of the episodes.
  • If the podcast host provided you with questions, plan your talking points. Jot down any websites or books you will reference.
  • Ensure access to a reliable internet connection. Whether streaming through Skype, Zoom, or Zencastr you will want a signal that is strong and consistent.
  • Invest in some decent earphones and a mic external to your computer
  • Find a quiet space free from environmental noises (think airplanes, traffic, family members, pets, and squeaky chairs). Avoid clothes or jewelry that may crinkle or clank.
  • Hydrate. Warm-up your voice. Long pauses are easier to edit than ‘umms’ but don’t stress if you repeat yourself or need to retract a response.  
  • Make sure to spread the word about the podcast when your episode goes live and consider leaving a review.  

Tara is a perpetual Toronto suburbanite despite her best efforts to escape. When Tara is not writing or reading all things YA, you can find her rock climbing the Ontario escarpment, mentoring youth leaders or podcasting at The Hope Prose Podcast. Her debut YA novel, FADE TO WHITE will be published through IlluminateYA in May 2020. You can find out more about Tara and her podcast at www.hopeprose.com

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.

Categories
Writers Chat

How to Start Your Own Podcast with Jillian Lancour

Podcasting with Jillian Lancour almostanauthor.com

Ever dreamed of giving your audience the gift of audio? Ever since the golden age of radio, millions of people have been reached who would never have read the message. If you want to learn the nuts and bolts of how to start your own podcast, this is a must-see.

About Jillian Lancour

Jillian is a blogger, podcaster, and lifestyle influencer. She is married to her Bible College sweetheart and has two beautiful daughters. She grew up on the stage acting and then graduated from a performing arts high school in central Florida. Jillian went on to study theatre in college but ended up as a Christian life coaching major. 2009 began her journey as a social media brander. She’s designed blogs for various clients, created social media graphics for blogs, books, and events. She is now focused on her brand, She Lives Vintage where she empowers women to chase the dreams that keep them awake at night. ((Lifestyle and BossGirl Blog and Podcast.))

You can find her website at SheLivesVintage.com and on all social media at @SheLivesVintage.