Episode Details

Have you ever considered starting a podcast to connect with your customers and create an audience for yourself and your brand?

In this episode, we'll cover:

• 4 big reasons every agency should have a podcast.
• Common fears of podcasting and how to overcome them.
• Starting a podcast and building an audience of new business prospects.

I'm super psyched to have Pat Flynn as my guest on today's show. He's the successful guy behind Smart Passive Income - a major resource for entrepreneurs looking to scale their business. He's also the podcasting guru and is sharing tips with us about the benefits of podcasting, as well as how to get started - including ways to get over your fear of recording your own voice!

Pat got his start as an entrepreneur when he was laid off from the architecture industry in 2008. He started an online study program for architecture's LEED exam, called GreenExamAcademy.com and it took off. He learned a ton about quickly scaling an online business and over time turned that smart, passive income in another business… hence the name, Smart Passive Income :)

Pat says a HUGE way to nurture leads and establish a relationship is through podcasting.

4 BIG Reasons to Podcast

1. The podcasting space is less crowded. Stats vary but there's something like 5 million+ active blogs and only 500,000 active podcasts. Those are great odds! Podcasting is far less cluttered so you can find and reach your target audience.
2. Podcasts are evergreen. There's potential for exponential growth when these shows live out there forever. Pat has episodes from 2010 that are still getting downloaded six years later!
3. People are still discovering podcasts. Listenership is growing and by starting a podcast sooner than later you'll get in on the ground level. Listeners are downloading podcasts to listen to on the go: during their commute, working out, waiting in long lines, etc. When they find something they love, they're even binge-listening!
4. You'll gain credibility. You're trying to establish yourself as an authority with your audience. And when you interview expert guests you are also adding to your own credibility.

Another bonus? Content can be repurposed. You can turn an episode topic into a blog post or ebook, create a Slideshare or live event, even a lead magnet.

Getting Over Your Fears

Maybe you've been thinking of starting a podcast but you've got some hang ups about it. You're not alone. There are several common fears a lot of people face which hold them back from getting started. Here's how you can get over those fears...

"What if people can't find it?"

They will find it as long as you're specific in who you're targeting. People search for podcasts based on their interests, problems and focus. If you're searchable in one of those areas, they will find your podcast. It just takes a little time to build your audience so be patient and let it grow.

"What if I can't come up with show content?"

There's a couple different formats you can try out and see what sticks.

Invite expert guests on your show to be interviewed on a specific topic that interests your audience. People like: authors, prospects, existing customers, and forum owners make great guests. Interviews are a win-win because you get some great show content and the guest gets to promote their business, book, forum or area expertise.

Another popular show format is Q&A. Take common questions and record your answers, solution or advice. This is an awesome way to establish authority and credibility with your target audience.

"What if people don't like it?"

The key is