 We are regularly asked at Funnel Media Group how to jump-start a show's reach into new markets, and reach new audiences. This episode covers advertising, sponsors, and the change in best practices over the past two years. Consumer behaviors have changed - how they consume media. This is where our guest, Mary Ann Pruitt shines through her agency, Mosaic Media Agency. You will want to consider all of her insights and advice, as well as some great suggestions you can get started with today. Who are we targeting? How are we targeting? What about the third-party cookie thing? First-party data is available to you - you just don't realize it. It's time to invest in collecting your own first-party data. Listen to this episode: Programmatic media buying has changed everything.   About Mary Ann Pruitt Mary Ann Pruitt is the CEO and President of Mosaic Media, a collection of media buying experts and creative strategists who negotiate, purchase, and monitor advertising space and airtime. Mary Ann started her career in media by working as a senior sales executive for some of the nation’s largest media outlets. After discovering her talent and love for all things media strategy, she founded Mosaic as a way to provide niche expert experience to agencies and marketing departments across the country. Her hard work and savvy strategy skills have led Mosaic to year-over-year growth and has expanded her impact as an industry leader in all things traditional, digital, and everything in between. Reflecting this is a 2020 award from Cynopsis Media naming her as a Top Woman in Media. Mary Ann has helped develop effective marketing strategies for agencies of all sizes, small businesses, service businesses, private educational institutions, and legal and professional services businesses along with many others. She is passionate about passing on the experience that she has gained to eager professionals looking for actionable marketing tips.

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Programmatic media buying has changed everything

   This episode was inspired by the great guests Interview Valet has been sending us for our hosts, and by a blog post, "Checklist Before You are a Guest on a Podcast". This episode covers expectations for guests hiring a podcast guest management firm, for those being contacted by them to have their clients on your shows, and what should be expected of all for a successful appearance on a show. You can read the post here. Listen to this conversation with my guest, Lasina Jensen, Client Success Team Manager at Interview Valet. Please listen to this episode and share it out to your circles that are podcasts guests and hosts. About Interview Valet: Interview Valet is the concierge-level podcast guest marketing service providing the fastest way for authors, speakers, coaches, consultants, and brands to maximize the benefits of podcasting. Our premium white-glove solution takes care of everything but the speaking to reach your ideal audience with the least amount of snags or hassle. Interview Valet's all-inclusive system empowers clients with interview preparation, Certified Guest™ training, and personalized attention that ensures you, the podcast guest and host, the best experience in the podcast industry.

What is a Podcast Guest Management Firm?

 In this 13 minute episode we cover our favorite podcast equipment and the reasons we prefer one over another. There are some additional items we suggest to give you a more professional look and sound. Podcast Microphones - Rode USB Condenser mic , Yeti RiversideFM has more ideas: If you’re on a tight budget or just want a mic that doesn’t have a huge learning curve, consider one of these plug-and-play USB microphones: Rode Procaster ($250) Rode NT-USB ($177)  Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB ($80)  Webcams - Logitech BRIO Pop Filters and Mic Muffs Sound Panels Backgrounds vs. greenscreens (no link tells you we are not fans of greenscreens) Lighting kits article Recording Zoom vs. Riverside.fm Mixing boards article Amazon, BHPHOTO Headsets for recording and editing Teleprompters RiversideFM has additional podcast equipment lists you may find helpful. Need help with your set up or editing, let us know. susan@funnelradio.com

We all have our favorite podcast equipment - what are yours?

 This episode covers one of the questions from the recent one with EJ and Nina in Funnel Feud. These are the top 8 answers given by 100 podcast hosts, guests, and team members. Aside from swearing, revealing too much, and other simple editing issues, why would a podcast host ask the guest for a do-over? We'll give you tips on how to work around these 8 common issues in this 13-minute episode. Email me for the recap graphic. If you have additional reasons, please tell us. You can find me on LinkedIn here or email me susan@funnelradio.com.

Tell us why you might ask your guest for a do-over.

 You know the music, you know how it works. Play along with our version - Funnel Feud to hear the answers to these questions: 1. What is a reason you would want a do-over with a guest? 2. What is the reason your podcast failed? 3. What is your favorite podcast equipment? We asked 100 podcast hosts, producers and teams and the answers in this episode are what they said. You can get the full list from us - just email us. If you want to know our favorite equipment, we'll tell you that, too! It will be part of another upcoming episode on Behind The Mic - Funnel Media Group's favorite equipment and tools for producing podcasts.  

Funnel Fued and 3 Questions We Asked Podcast Teams

 Podcasting editors' tips from EJ Albaugh. EJ reminds us that if we can do a bit of practice we can save time and money with our editing solutions. Don't be afraid of a retake, and beware of Zoom twang when there are bandwidth issues for your host or your guest, or your producer.  If you listen to this and would like the podcaster's checklist magnet from Funnel Media Group, email producer@funnelradio.com with your mailing address and we'll get one to you. While you're at it, send us your podcast URL so we can check it out!  

Podcast Editing Tips for Hots, Guests, and Editors

 Taking advantage of search engine goodness, building communities of podcasters and their teams, as well as profiles for creators is what Podchaser's Dave Keine and Susan Finch talked about today on Behind the Mic. Do not miss the list of free tools, tips and ways to build your listenership and expand your audience demographics.

Building Community Through Podcasting and Podchaser

 Tune in for this packed episode with free tools podcasters can use to expand their reach. There are two free tools we are going to cover in this episode: Using Playlists to increase your exposure in the podcast venues including Spotify, Apple Podcasts/playlists, Podchaser, and the rest that give you that option. Using Podcast venue profiles to engage with a new audience, in particular Podchaser's creator and claim your podcast feature. There are so many ways just on Podchaser's site. By registering, you are able to make the news feed with your activity including Trending lists - How can you create a list that isn't just, "listen to me! Listen to me!"? If you need help cultivating these lists, at least to start, contact Susan Finch at Funnel Media Group.

Gifts for Podcasters - Playlists and Profiles

 Sometimes guests are hard to secure during the holidays. Sometimes you are pulled in many directions and don't have the same time for your show. That's OK. Make the use of this time to improve your podcast for next season. Listen to these 10 tips you can start right away.  You can listen, or just jump to this list without the logic behind it: Review all posted episodes for typos, check links. Review your music, commercial, intro, outro. Is it time to freshen them up? Is host info still current? Verify your host and team have added to their LinkedIn profiles. Can you do a few recap episodes - highlight reels to save production time during the holidays and year-end? If these are in a drip campaign, test each drip, links, graphics to make sure they all work. How does your show look in all the podcast venues? Have you missed any or have new ones been added like Podchaser that you want to be listed in - it's free. What about a "tell us your favorite episode" contest on social. Have them tell you a quote and a timestamp from an episode. Give out show swag. T-shirts, caps, etc. Look at your stats and do a post on the top episodes for the year and top episodes for all time to link back to them - don't forget to mention those guests, their companies, and THANK THEM! 

Slow Show Time is the Time to Review and Improve

 You created this great podcast, or so you thought, and you liked how it was set up, but not really. And you have new team members and they say, "I hate that software, I hate that platform, let's do something better." Or maybe even that platform went away or stopped being as effective, whatever the reason there's a need for a move. But there are some different types of moves. This episode is going to cover what you need to be aware of, how you can prep, and how you can avoid getting missed listeners and losing all your subscribers. If you do need to move your show and this list is too daunting, reach out to Susan@funnelradio.com - The team at Funnel Media Group can help you with this transition so nothing is missed. 

Need to Move Your Podcast? Slow down so you don't botch up your good work.

 Let's talk about television families. The good:The Brady, the Flintstone, Huxtable, Barone, Evans, Drummond & Jackson, Addams, Munster, Cleaver, Duke, Clampett, Arnolds, Jetsons, Partidge, Carwright, Bradford, Cunningham, Ingals, and Kyle Families Then the not so good but lovableBluth, Simpson, Griffin, Bunker, Bundy, Belcher And the bad.Soprano, Ewing, Roy, Dutton, Carrington, House of Lannister, and Fisher Families When we talk about the Lone Ranger, yes, he had one support team member, surly as he could be from time to time. I'm sure he also shook his head at the guy he worked with at how ridiculous and helpless he could be. Now suppose instead, there was a group of equally intelligent, enthusiastic, genuine, articulate people that wanted you to succeed and that you wanted to succeed.  If there was a plan in place for all to support and succeed with minimal effort, wouldn't that be appealing? What if there was a small group comprised of fans of all of you, and with skills - big skills - to share your podcast content with new audiences? Now you are no longer a Lone Ranger with a surly assistant, you are part of  supportive podcast family cheering you on and talking about you everywhere - to NEW people. Cool, huh? I've run across pod squads, LinkedIn link pods and more. They are heavily vetted, and require that the members each promote each others' posts EACH day. that's a lot, especially if you are in more than one because you want the shares to be thoughtful. Think of Funnel Media Group as your hand-selected Link Pod. Setting up some of the rhythmic routines of sharing frees you up as the outstanding host to personally connect with commenters, listeners, fans, guests, prospects. Our job is to keep the audience growing through the good social media ju-jus with honest, organic posts.  Get more ideas in this episode and listen to our initiative to wind up the year with a heart - Pause for a Cause.

Why be a lone ranger with a surly sidekick when you could be part of a family.

   It's as much about the content as it is your voice. Many times I hear hosts that think they can just randomly start talking. Sometimes it's difficult to follow as they dart around taking tangents without ever completing a point or thought. They may have a fabulous voice, but what am I gaining by listening? I almost need a whiteboard to draw pictures and take notes to track them.Other hosts don't even realize how organized their thoughts are and naturally speak in a logical order providing a ton of helpful information, but their speech patterns, ambient noises, poor equipment make it difficult to hear their wisdom and insights.Both of these issues can be hedged off with a few simple tips.     Funnel Radio Channel is hosted by Susan Finch which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.    

How to be a Great podcast Host People Will Want to Listen To

 There are over 1,000,000 podcasts, the vast majority, however, fail to get beyond the 8th podcast.  Veteran radio and podcast producer Paul Roberts discuss with Jim Obermayer how to avoid being in the graveyard of podcasters. This week’s Behind the Mike with Jim and Paul Paul Roberts is the founder and station manager of OC Talk Radio, the powerhouse internet radio and podcasting channel for Southern California with over one million listeners a year.  Jim Obermayer is the founder of the Funnel Media Group which produces internet radio and podcasting programs for thirteen companies.  FMG has reached half a million listeners since its inception.  Funnel Radio Channel's Behind the Mic is hosted by James Obermayer, which is a program on the Funnel Radio Channel.    

Why Podcasts Fail to Get Beyond the 8th Episode

 Everyone wants more listeners, but realistically, you want more of the RIGHT listeners - those that will be affected by what you say, those that will share your show, and possibly consider your company and products to solve their problems. But before we get to the list, let's go through a short checklist of what you should be doing to increase your reach in search, and increase your fans. 1. Do you have catchy titles that give a clue what it is about?2. Do you have a catchy 150 character description that tells what they will hear, the problem it will solve, and who the guest is?3. Are you editing so everyone sounds good and you don't irritate listeners?4. Are your topics and guests compelling to your target audience?   Here are the tips: Create a way for listeners to sign up and receive updates via email when you post a new episode? RSS to email using GetResponse or similar. Automatically post to your social accounts when you publish a new episode.IFTTT.com Have a way to schedule promotions of past episodes. Agorapulse.com Ask people to subscribe in EVERY episode at the end - your call to action CTA. Send the guest a package and ask them to post it to their connections, followers, etc. all social accounts - you make it EASY for them. Ask the guest 3 months later where they posted it on their site so you can promote it. Ask your internal fans to share out episodes each time you publish. Mention super fans in episodes, @mention them in social posts about it, thank them for being fans. Include links to subscribe to your shows on a landing page on your main site with a player to binge listen to past episodes. Include a link to your show in your signature, thank you pages after sign up, registration, newsletter subscriptions. Include small call-out at the bottom of all newsletters that are emailed.  Add as a part-time position in your LinkedIn profile to trigger alert to ALL connections. In that position, add the ways they can listen to your show with a link to each venue, if possible. Or take them to the landing page on your MAIN site with all of those app venue links.  

How To Get More Listeners for Your Podcast

 This is one of the reasons podcasts fail - the host is selfish, lazy, inconsiderate. Listen in to learn how to avoid those pitfalls. Fair warning, you'll have some work to do including creating follow up schedules, promotions, writing a thank you note, spending money on editing and transcripts, and more. Join Susan Finch and Paul Roberts for this episode.  

How to b a Great and Memorable Podcast Host

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