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Just One Tip from Your Podcast Performance Coach — Podcasting
Just One Tip from Your Podcast Performance Coach

Your podcast is an extension of your brand. It helps potential customers get to know you and trust you. It positions you as an authority and thought leader so you become the obvious choice. At least that’s what it’s supposed to do. Too bad yours isn’t. Let’s fix that, in 5-minutes chunks.
Just One Tip is a podcast for podcasters looking to grow their authority and convert with greater ease. Host Tim Wohlberg is a 30-year radio veteran who straight up hears things you can’t hear in your show. As a podcast coach he helps entrepreneurs build better podcasts for their business or brand from scratch or can re-rebuild or pivot an underperforming show.
In each 5-minute episode, Coach Tim offers up one quick tip that you can implement right away. From tech to content and performance to marketing – if you’re a business owner expecting your podcast to deliver some ROI (not to mention, ROE) then this is the podcast for you.
Not to mention grow your audience, generate leads and sales. Make your next episode better than your last starting now. Press play and subscribe.
Book a free-15-minute coaching call at https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

Latest Episodes:

034 How to Hook Listeners with an Effective Podcast Intro Oct 18, 2016

Show notes

Picture this. Your listeners are sitting in a basket suspended over the shark infested water. There is a laser that is slowly slicing through the rope holding it up. You have thirty seconds to turn off the laser. Wouldn't you do everything in your power to turn that damn thing off?

Your intro is how you save them. It's how you stop them from plummeting away from your podcast (aka hitting stop and going to check out some other podcast that doesn't suck) and sticking around to become adoring, lifelong fans.

Okay, okay. I'm being dramatic. What can I say - I love a good Bond plot. But, losing listeners because you don't have a solid intro should feel a bit like a high stakes situation. All too often, new listeners (and even die hard ones) will decide if an episode is worth their time in the first 30 seconds. If you don't hold on to them, they're gone. Possibly for good.

You get it, right? Intro = important. Good. In episode 004 I explain the 2 things you need in your podcast intro - the one that doesn't change from episode to episode. In this episode, we move on the your episode intro which is specific to your topic of the day.

I'm going to walk you through the 3 elements of an effective podcast episode intro. I'll explain how the three P's will ensure that you grab your listener right off the top and keep them listening well into the juicy middle parts of your podcast.

For more info on crafting a good intro, check out Episode 32 (The Art of the Tease) and Episode 23 (Does Your Professional Intro Turn Off Listeners?). And if you want specific feedback, buy me a beer and I'll have a listen.

033 Stop Podcasting Naked Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

If you're podcasting naked, I beg you to stop. Not because I'm a prude but because I think you'll sound better when you dress your voice up a bit.

Oh, did you think I was talking about recording in your underwear? I'm all for that! Get as comfy as you can. No, I'm talking about leaving your recorded voice raw, nude, naked. For Pod's sake, dress it up a little!

In this episode, of Just the Tip, I explain why I think it's a good idea to get a little digital assist on your voice. Just a little now, we don't want you sounding like an alien chipmunk or like you're channeling Darth Vader.

I'll explain what to look for, what to listen for and even prove what a difference it can make by revealing my buck-naked voice.

By adjusting your levels a bit you can give you voice a little more body, remove some of the unwanted room sound and pull your audience a little closer to you. Yes. All of this can be done with YOUR voice when you dress it up a little using your audio editing software.

Wait! Wait! Where are you going? Seriously, this isn't tricky stuff. It's really easy and can be kind of fun to play around with. You don't have to be an expert to figure this stuff out. I promise.

Once you find your sweet spot, save your settings and you'll have a consistent and more professional sound every time.

032 The Art of the Tease for Podcasters Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Tease me. Seriously, tease me. Give me a reason to keep listening. Tell me why your show is worth my time.

A tease is an essential part of your show. If you do it right, you'll keep your fans listening longer and we know what that means - they'll love you more and more. But, you've got to do it right.

So, what makes a good tease? In this episode, I explain the power of a good tease, how to craft one and the thing to always keep in mind if you want your tease to lead to more listeners.

But, seriously - what makes a good tease? Um, I just showed you. Just now. In that sentence above.

Okay, okay. A tease is a short sentence (or two) that explains what the listener will get for sticking around AND how they will benefit. It's short and to the point. You want it to be intriguing. You want it to have a little mystery because you want it to pique their interest. You don't want it to simply be a mini version of what you're about to elaborate on.

The tease is not a synopsis of the upcoming content. It is not a pre-summary. It is literally, a tease of the information you're about to share.

Use a tease at the top of the show (it's your promise to the listener), leading into a sponsor read or ad (to keep them listening through the ad) or as a part of your reset in a longer show.

But here's a caution - don't fall into the trap of over-dramatizing. Not every show is life or death, so don't overdo it. Imagine if I told you that coming up in this week's episode I'll reveal the mic technique that could land you in a wheelchair. Sure, you might listen once but let's face it, podcasting isn't really that dangerous and chances are, I can't deliver on that promise. Are you going to keep believing my teases? Or, are you going to think I'm a bullshit artist?

Be titillating in your teases not deceitful.

Here's what you need to know to become a master of the podcast tease.

031 Should You Give Your Guest the Questions in Advance? Sep 27, 2016

Show notes

You landed a fat fish of a guest. Awesome. Now they want to know exactly what you're going to ask them. Not awesome. Here's what you should do.

There are plenty of podcasters who happily hand over their questions to their guest in advance. They do it because they want to appear like they are prepared. Or, they want their guest to feel prepared and comfortable. What they get is a mediocre and rehearsed sounding podcast with zero spontaneity. Boo!

Look. Don't get me wrong. If it works for you then, fine. I guess. But, let me just tell you that professional broadcasters and journalists don't do this. Why? Simple, they want and need the conversation to be a conversation not some scripted drivel. They want it to be authentic. They want, and should have the ability, to take the conversation where it naturally wants to go.

And, frankly, it's a question of integrity. If you give your guest the questions beforehand so they can prepare their answers then you're not really delivering your audience what you promised. Unless, you promised them 'a show filled with prepared statements and no real conversation' - in that case, please disregard this point. For the rest of you - give your audience what they listen in for - you and your guest or co-host have a dynamic discussion that is developing naturally.

Your guest has good intentions when they ask for the questions. And, I'm not saying you should completely shut them out. In fact, in this podcast I explain further why advancing the questions is ill advised, how to keep your guest happy and help them prepare, and what to do if they get pushy about getting their hands on those questions.

It may seem like a simple request, but if you want to keep your show out of the milky world of mediocrity, then you're going to want to adopt this policy. I promise, it'll have you sounding more like a pro and gain you more podcast fans.

Extra tip: Check out episode 10 of JTT and discover why you shouldn't even give yourself the questions beforehand!

030 What To Do When Your Episode is Crap Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

I see this a lot in Facebook Groups. Someone is debating whether or not to publish an episode of their podcast despite it having some glaringly wrong issue. So, what should they do? **Spoiler Alert: you're not going to like it!

So, you recorded your interview with this really important guest and for whatever reason it sounds like shit or the whole thing went off the rails. Now you're facing the horror of ditching it or having to re-do it. Want to know what scares me? That you're actually considering putting that crappy episode out into the world.

Ahhh! It's a Crapisode! Run!

Okay, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that this is the very first Just the Tip episode you're listening to because, ehem, if you'd been listening sooner you wouldn't be running into this problem (see: 005 Headphones Not Optional and 020 Shit In is Shit Out...and um, pretty much all 29 episodes before this one…)

Alright, I won't belabor the point. I actually do get it. You've found yourself with a subpar podcast. Or, maybe you're too embarrassed to call your guest back and ask for a Mulligan. Maybe it's the night before you have to publish and you're just now realizing that you've got a steaming pile for a podcast. Who knows why - I've seen it all. From 'my guest was drunk,' to 'my guest turned his appearance on my show into a giant infomercial', to 'I was really really sick and had no idea how awful I sounded'. And now you're humming and hawing, trying to convince yourself that it's not that bad with your cursor dangerously hovering over the publish button. So, what do you do?

I have this feeling you know what I'm going to say. Really, I think you know. No? Okay, but I'm pretty sure when I say it you're going to be all like, 'I knew you were going to say that.' Here goes: Don't publish it. See, I told you you knew.

I know what you're going through. I know the twisting going on in the stomach. I know the anguish. But let me say this to you. You will feel worse with it out in the world. Plus, we can fix it!

In this episode, I go over the many reasons not to publish crap and, a few saves you might just want to keep handy in case you land back in a Steaming-Pile-of-Podcast again.

You owe it to yourself and to your listeners to just say no to the Crapisode.

029 Why I Talk to One Podcast Listener Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

I say listener instead of listeners - all the time. Maybe you thought I misspoke or , I clipped an 's' in editing. Nope. I did it with pure intention and I think you should too.

I've been doing this for years. I do it in my podcast and I do it when I'm on the radio. I talk about my listener to my guest and I address them directly in the singular. Directly - that's the key word.

Let's talk about why you feel the need to say listeners (plural). It's because you want the person listening to think you have this massive audience. And, maybe you do. It doesn't really matter to that one listener. What matters to them is, well, them. They want to feel like you're talking to them. Not that you're addressing a huge crowd.

The name of the game is connection. You want to connect with each and every one of your listeners, right? This little trick is how you can do that.

So, drop the ego. Stop worrying about convincing people you're talking to a stadium full of people and make the connection with your listener.

Now, if this feels weird, I offer up a few ways you can work it into your script. Eventually you'll get used to it and talking to your listener will become second nature.

Go ahead and press play, fine listener and let's get you sounding more like a pro so you can attract more podcast fans.

One on one is where it's at. That's exactly why I include a call with every podcast report card I do. Get your podcast critique here, I'll give it a listen, complete a 40-point report card and then let's jump on Skype to figure out how you can make your podcast performance rock.

028 Five Mistakes Podcasters Make Before Hitting Record Sep 06, 2016

Show notes

It's all in the lead up. Great athletes know this. Successful business people know this. And you, fine podcaster, should know it too. Having a good pre-record routine is the key to setting yourself (and your show) up for success.

If you're scratching your head and thinking, 'what am I supposed to be doing before I hit record?' - fear not, Captain Podcast is here to save the day. In this episode I give you the 5 most common mistakes that podcasters make before they hit record. And, let me tell you - they are not as obvious as remembering to press record! In fact, I'll bet you're making at least one of these mistakes. You won't after this episode.

These tips (yes, plural - I know I usually only give you one but you're getting quite the deal in this episode!) are easy to follow and will help you avoid making crappy sounding podcasts. And, as if that's not enough of a deal - these are just 5 of the items on my Pre-Record Checklist that I refer to before every single podcast to make sure I'm primed and ready to go.

I bet you'd like to get your little grubby hands on that list, wouldn't you. Alright, alright - calm down. I'll give it to you. Just click here to get it and I'll even throw in a few performance posters to keep you on track once you do hit record.

Following a routine and going through your checklist before you start recording is an easy way to sound more like a pro.

027 Get More Personal in Your Podcast Aug 30, 2016

Show notes

It's time to stop being a disembodied voice and open up to your podcast audience. Jump on the sharing train and let your listeners get to know you a little.

Think about your favorite podcasters. What do you know about them? I mean, beyond the name of their podcast or their expertise? What do you know about them, personally? I bet you came up with something. And that's because good podcasters know that listeners become fans when they feel a connection. When they feel like the host is a buddy of theirs.

That's why it's important to share a little bit about yourself in your podcast. I'm not suggesting that you have to give everyone your life story but drop a few random facts in when they're relevant. Work in that time as a kid that you dropped a peanut butter sandwich in the sandbox and ate it anyway as an example of your early commitment to doing what it takes to get what you want. Or, that you discovered your high level of risk when you went cliff diving while vacationing in Bosnia. These are not actual facts, but you have to admit - for a minute there, you were thinking I was describing a pretty interesting dude!

Sharing is the key to making a real connection with your audience. In this episode, I explain the best way to do this. I also go over what not to do when it comes to sharing personal details in your podcast. Oh, and I disclose what I wear while podcasting (bet you can't guess…)

Have a listen and then hit me up on Facebook and tell me one thing you are going to share with your audience in your next podcast.

If you want a reminder to share a little something in each podcast - download my SHARE poster to up in front of your mic. It comes with a few other reminder posters and my 25 point pre-record checklist. Get it here - I'm happy to share it with you for free. Why? Because I care, dammit.

EXCERPT for post (just reminder for Tim)

Are your downloads not translating into engaged and raving fans? Maybe it's time you shared a little more of yourself. In this episode, I explain why sharing personal details is the key to turning listeners into fans.

026 Death by Numbers Aug 23, 2016

Show notes

Numbers. They can be an important part of your point but they can also turn off your listener if you throw too many at them at once. Nix the number overload!

I get it. Stats are an easy way to either prove your point or give your listener the scope of a situation. I'm all for have a percentage here and a big number there but not a whole heap of them in a row. Podcast is not the time and place for that.

Look numbers look good on paper. They might even sound good to you but let me tell you something - that's because you're staring at them. When you rattle them off all at once, it's a total turn off. The listener just can't follow when you overload them.

Do you remember old radio commercials (and even some TV commercials - especially the ones why they expect that you must be drunk or half asleep to be watching them) where they rattle off a phone number three times? "Just call 1-800-555-2699 that's 1-800-555-2699. The number again is 1-800-555-2699." They do that because they know the listener is not going to comprehend it the first (or even the second) time - oh and they want to give you time to run off and grab a pen because they know you desperately need a slanket with built-in popcorn bowl.

If you remember these commercials you probably also remember that as often as possible they would change the numbers to words - again because they know numbers are hard. "That's 1-800-Get Cozy!"

So, what you're thinking. That's radio not podcasting. Well… let me tell you something. That's old radio. They don't do that anymore. The reason they don't is because you can give people a website instead and that's a much more appropriate place to put the number. And that goes double for podcasting.

Let's take for example, say a podcaster who likes to share his income report with his audience. Which experience would you rather have - hearing him read each line item to the penny or having him simply direct you to where you can find it on his website. I thought so.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not banning numbers. I'm not anti-number. I'm not a numerist. I LOVE stats! I just think there's a right way and a wrong way to use them. For example, that un-named podcaster with the income report - he'd do really well to share the one number that impressed or surprised him the most this month and then invite his audience to read the details on his site.

In this episode, I give you several ideas on how to use stats and numbers effectively in your podcast without overwhelming (and turning off) your listeners. So, now that you've read 9 paragraphs containing 473 words or 2166 characters why don't you take a break and listen to my advice on how to avoid death by numbers.

I've got a number for you. 40. That's how many specific elements of your podcast I assess when you hire me to critique your podcast. How many elements have you considered when you listen back?

025 How to Handle Sponsorships Successfully Aug 16, 2016

Show notes

Congratulations! You've got your first sponsor. Before you start dancing all the way to the bank, you better make sure you're handling it right or you'll lose your listeners and your sponsor quick.

Here's the deal. Sponsors want to work with you because you've got an adoring audience. And you have that audience ecause you've been paying attention to all of my tips and your podcast is spectacularly listener-centric.

So, how can you stay listener-centric (and keep your hard-earned, loyal fans) BUT also make some ka-ching. YES! But it takes work and some cajones. You're going to have to stand up to your sponsor and demand that they respect your relationship with your listener. That might even mean saying 'no thanks' to a sponsor (and their giant bag of money).

We don't want that! This episode is all about how to find that perfect balance. When to include your sponsor mentions so they are least disruptive and how to create great content for your sponsors so they benefit and you audience does too.

It's all about keeping everyone happy. Follow my tips and you'll be sounding like a pro, gaining more podcast fans and taking cheques to the bank from happy sponsors!

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