Hello again;
People often ask me why I do so many interviews.
I tell them there are many good reasons.
They are a way for me to reach lots of people without having to leave my house.
I get to have interesting conversations with amazing people.
They energize me in a way that sending emails and writing social media posts just don’t do.
But the main reason is that by appearing on a podcast or radio show I am taking the first step in making a new friend and building a new relationship.
Relationships Equal Opportunities
Once you have appeared on a podcast, the host is more likely to remember you if he knows another podcaster seeking a similar guest.
If they have a second project like a book collaboration, virtual summit, conference, affiliate marketing opportunity, etc; they are likely to remember you and ask you first.
And if at some point you have a project you need help with, they are far more likely to want to help you.
Grow The Relationship
You have to nurture the relationship.
You do this by finding ways to help them.
This can include sharing their content, leaving comments on their show or blog, and sending them an occasional email.
You have to have the mindset that you want to help each other not sell to each other
But spending 30 minutes to two hours with someone talking about your life story, your business, your beliefs, and your experiences is a great way to start.
I firmly believe that continuing to be interviewed on podcasts and radio shows is a key reason for the success of my brand. And it’s something I don’t ever plan to stop doing.
So, I’m going to occasionally share posts like this where I take you through the process from initial show appearance to the most recent reward to come from one of these relationships.
Hoping it will convince you to see the value of podcast and radio show interviews as a key part of your marketing plan.
And perhaps once you make that decision you will decide to hire me to be your guide to using these interviews to effectively tell your own story and build your own business.
It wasn’t easy deciding who to feature in this first post. I’ve been so blessed to meet so many amazing people and have them become part of my online family and as a result become part of my story.
Joe Pardo AKA Super Joe
I decided to talk about my good friend Joe Pardo aka Super Joe because the video of my speaking at his MAPCON, Mid-Atlantic Podcasters Conference, just went live.
In the summer of 2015I reached out to Joe because he was having a conference for podcasters. I had hoped to attend either as a guest or a speaker, but the timing wasn’t right.
We did have a nice talk, and I felt an instant liking for him.
Joe liked what I was doing, and he decided to invite me on his show The Dreamers Podcast.
I think we recorded the interview in December of 2015, and the show went live on January 12, 2016.
You can listen to our talk here.
Speaking At Dreamcon
Since I had been a guest on his Dreamers Podcast, I was one of the people he reached out to when deciding to ad a second conference to the event planning part of his business.
At least I remember it that way. 🙂
On the stage Joe admitted that he wasn’t sure who asked who, but that it was great that I was there.
You can watch that video below.
Joe Comes On My Show
Between being accepted to speak at Dreamcon and the date of his event I decided to invite him on my podcast the What’s Your Excuse? Show.
I thought it would be a good way to show my gratitude and to help promote his upcoming event.
He graciously agreed. We had a great talk about his story of leaving a 6 figure family business to strike out on his own as a business coach.
That interview was posted on April 8, 2017. You can watch that conversation at the link below.
Post Dreamcon Gifts
After Dreamcon was over I felt comfortable enough with Joe and the other speakers to take a risk. I asked them if it would be okay for me to sing a bit of my favorite song The River from the stage.
They agreed, and it turned out to be a momentous experience.
A top speaker there named Azuka Zuke, who I had asked to mentor me about speaking; said Max you need to sing at all your talks. It is so powerful and it will become your thing.
More about Azuka in another post. I love that guy.
You can watch the video here and let me know if it effects you like it did me and those assembled that day.
Joe decided not to have another Dreamcon event, but I am so glad that I was able to take part in the first and only one.
It was the first time I had spoken on a stage and shared my story with an audience. It was the first time I had sung in a mostly public audience. And it was where I realized just how powerful my story is.
Many of the speakers mentioned me from the stage. And one even told me privately that she only agreed to speak so she could meet me.
None of this would have happened without that first podcast interview with Joe.
Yes, I reached out to him about his conference first and his podcast later.
I usually do it the other way around. But the example still holds.
Joe and I started building a relationship during those two conversations.
Speaking At MAPCON
Last year Joe posted to his face book group and email list that he was planning the fourth annual Mid-Atlantic Podcasters Conference.
I submitted a pitch to be a speaker. I hadn’t submitted many such pitches. And every one I had submitted had been turned down.
I thought maybe the fact that Joe knew me might help.
I submitted an idea for a talk titled When you don’t have your own audience, borrow someone else’s.
The idea was to speak about the how and why of being interviewed on podcasts. I was hoping some of the podcasters in the audience could see the benefits of hiring me to book them on other people’s shows.
My idea was accepted, and I started making plans to see my friend Joe again and give what was to be only my third talk ever.
I gave an excellent talk in spite of the fact that Amtrak lost my luggage with my brand new suit in it. 🙂
You can read more about that here.
But you can see my talk here. I think it makes some great points about the value of being interviewed.
In addition to all these big events me and Joe are friends on face book and follow each other on twitter.
We have routinely shared each other’s content to our social media networks.
And we have recommended each other to friends when we see opportunities that would be good fits.
I’ve been pleased to follow his growth as a husband and a dad. And I believe he feels pretty good about being part of my growth as a speaker and business person.
These are the kinds of friendships you can start by sitting down virtually and having an honest conversation about things you are passionate about.
Connect With Me Please
I hope you are starting to understand that when I do an interview it isn’t just to get exposure. It’s great knowing more people will know about my work. But what really matters are the deep friendships you can make from these conversations.
I appreciate your love and support. If we aren’t friends yet, then hit that contact form link and say hello.
If you follow me on social media, then make an introduction beyond your profile and tag lines.
If you have a problem share it.
If you have a question, ask it.
I can’t wait to see where my next new friendship will lead.
Thanks and take care out there, Max