We are answering great questions this week. We’ll help you with your interviews, talk about being committed, determine how many shows should you have and talk about a bad episode one.

You can always submit your question at coach@podcasttalentcoach.com.

INTERESTED OR COMMITTED?

Last weekend, my son and I travelled to Boston for a junior hockey predraft camp. It was an opportunity for him to play in front of junior hockey and college scouts and coaches.

He played well. We got to see my stepsister and visit my daughter. We saw some fantastic New England architecture, which sparked my love again. I still don’t regret never using my architecture degree.

As I was watching him play, I got to thinking about why some kids make it and others do not.

I coach a high school club hockey team. Coaching is in my blood. I’ve been coaching in this league since 2004.

Reece is a freshman on our high school team. He is arguably one of the best players in the league even at 15-years-old.

Our upper-level AA team high school team invited him to join their team. The team is another step above our program and travels to play teams in other states. We just play locally for fun.

We practice twice a week. They practice three times a week and have two session in the weight room.

We play once a week. They play twice every weekend. Sometimes three times.

When they asked him to join the team he said, “No thanks. I really don’t want to work that hard.”

You see, Reece is interested in hockey. He isn’t committed. He is just playing for fun and doesn’t have a lot invested in the game.

NOT THE SAME

Most people think interested is close to committed.

The reality is they are as far away from each other as summer is from winter. Baseball from hockey.

If you are “interested”, you could be 99% in. When you’re “committed”, you are 100% in.

They sound close. But when you’re 99% in, you still have one foot on the dock. It’s not even possible for you to jump in.

When you are “committed”, both feet leave the dock and you’re swimming.

You’re all in, because you have eliminated plan B. You can’t go all in and stay dry.

You have burned the boats and are committed to reach your goal.

When it comes to your podcast and coaching business, are you interested or committed?

Imagine having an audience full of your ideal clients waiting to work with you.

What would that do to your business? How would your life be different?

Would it just be “nice” to have a large, passionate audience? Or, are you “determined” to get there?

Do you say, “I’m only interested in getting better”? Or, are you saying, “This is the year I hit my goals … just show me the way and let’s go”?

I only coach people one-on-one who are committed. They take action. They achieve their goals.

Interested people just want to collect info and continue to aim without ever shooting. Ready, aim, aim, aim, aim. Always getting ready.

Committed people take action and win.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

I’ve decided to give 8 committed coaches an opportunity.

If you want to build an audience full of ideal clients, this is your chance.

You can get unlimited 15-minute laser coaching calls with me for an entire year.

If you’re committed to reaching your goals, here is your chance to take action.

Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser.

THE PLAN

8 people will have the chance to get unlimited laser coaching with me.This will include focused, 15-minute video sessions over the course of one year at a ridiculous deal.

Our first call is 30 minutes where we’ll confirm your podcasting goals, identify the steps you need to take to get there, and agree on your homework to complete before your next call.

You will then receive a recap of the call, confirmation of your homework, and a link to sign up for your next session.

RULES

There are a few rules. First, I only have so much time in the week. Therefore, I can only take EIGHT podcasters.

Next, we need to create accountability to get you to take action and see results.

You can schedule as many 15-minute coaching sessions as you like over the next 12 months. However, you must complete your homework before you schedule the next session.

WHY?

There are three reasons I am doing this.

First, laser coaching at an amazing rate allows me to help more coaches, because the calls are focused on the next step on your journey.

And, highly-focused, shorter calls will leave both you and I with more energy at the end of each of our calls (than after the 90-minute coaching session I typically do that can get draining at times).

Finally, the focused homework makes it easy for you to take action and reach your goals. We get results.

GUARANTEE

I’ll give you a guarantee. If during our first call either of us don’t feel I can help you achieve your goals, we’ll cancel the agreement and I’ll refund your money immediately (so there’s no risk).

BONUS

As a bonus, you will get my “Downloads to Dollars” course as my gift to help you along your journey. That is a $197 value for you.

This opportunity will be limited to 8 clients to take action and sign up.

The offer ends when the spots are full or on Wednesday (May 25), whichever comes first. If www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser goes to my homepage, you know the 8 spots are full.

If you want my one-on-one help for less than $84/month, get all the details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser.

Are you committed or just interested? Let’s see what we can accomplish.

Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Let’s help some podcasters reach their goals.

Our first question is from Ryan. He asks, “Any tips for interviews?”

Wow, that’s pretty broad.

Ryan, let me give you three ways to make your interviews more powerful.

First, have a conversation rather than a question-and-answer session.

Be curious and learn as much as you can about your guest. Instead of following a list of questions, discover things about your guest by using open-ended questions.

Next, get your guests to tell stories.

I have a list of questions that will help you craft your questions to help your guests tell amazing stories regardless of your niche. It is called “17 Ultimate Podcast Intervew Questions”. You can download the full list at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/interview.

Finally, follow a story arc. Take your listeners on a journey.

A story arc is just like it sounds. Where did your guest begin? What struggle did they encounter? Get them to describe the transformation they encountered as they solved the problem. Finally, where are they today.

Stories have a beginning, middle and end.

Your podcast is just like a movie. We meet the hero. They encounter a problem. She experiences a transformation. Everyone lives happily ever after.

Follow those three tips and your next interviews will rock.

INTERVIEW EDITS

Laura also has a question about interviews. She says, “I had a guest ask me to edit something out of a published episode. What do I do?”

Laura, your issue is the fact that the episode is already published.

If you change the file on your audio host, it doesn’t update for those listeners who have already downloaded the episode. It only affects any new downloads.

Most downloads happen in the first few days of release. So, most of your audience won’t get the update.

I would explain this to your guest. Then, see how important the edit is.

If it is critical, edit the episode and upload it to your host. Simply relace your old file. If you use Libsyn like I recommend, you can update the media file right on the episode page.

If you are not using Libsyn yet, get your first month free by using the coupon code PTC. I’ve been using Libsyn since I started. That’s why I love being an affiliate. I know how good they are.

MY INTERVIEW

When I conclude an interview, I always ask my guest two questions before I stop the recording.

First, I ask if there is anything we missed during the interview they would like me to include. If so, we record that question. I edit the question and response in during the editing process.

Then, I ask if there is anything they would like removed. They usually tell me no, but I’ve covered my bases.

Now if they come back later requesting an edit, I can tell them how it won’t solve the problem of those who already downloaded the episode. And, I mention that I asked during the interview.

Those two questions solve many problems.

At the end of the day, keep your guests happy. If it isn’t a deal breaker, edit the episode and upload the fresh file.

FIRST EPISODE

Greg has a question about his new show. He writes, “So…I’m only 6 episodes in. My first episode was rough, not real good. But it has 40 downloads and the next 5 have less than 20 each. So I’m thinking since that first episode was so weak, that I’m not getting repeat listeners. Should I just delete episode one?”

Most first episodes aren’t very good. Don’t worry about removing it.

Instead, focus on two other things.

First, focus on getting better with every episode.

Once you get to episode 20 or 30, few people will be downloading episode one.

Next, do a better job promoting the show.

It is unlikely you didn’t get the 20 people to come back just because the episode was rough. There are various other reasons listeners don’t return.

It is possible they aren’t as interested in the topic as they thought. Maybe they forgot about your show. They probably didn’t subscribe and are listening to other shows.

We are only talking about 20 people. Be thankful you only have 20 or 40 people listening to your early shows. This allows you the grace and space to get better.

Spend half your time promoting the podcast to bring in new listeners. Spend the other half of your podcast time getting better.

Soon, nobody will remember episode one until you want to revisit it for a good laugh when you hit 100.

ONE OR MULTIPLE

Finally, Gila is considering multiple shows. “Is it better to have one podcast with different types of episodes, such as one shorter episode a week, one longer the next. Or is it better to create a new podcast channel for each different type?”

The answer here is, “it depends”.

If both the longer and shorter episodes are on the same topic and intended for the same audience, stick with one show.

I might suggest you create a schedule for each one. People are creatures of habit. Get them in the habit of listening to your show on a regular basis.

You might publish a longer episode every Monday. Then, publish your shorter episode each Thursday. Your listeners will get in a rhythm with you.

You could alternate longer and shorter. One week post the longer episode. Then post the shorter episode the following week. This still creates a rhythm.

One other option is regularly publishing one length while publishing the other length as bonus episodes.

As an example, you could publish a short episode every Monday. Then when you do the occasional interview, you could publish a bonus episode.

The bonus episode would only get published when you had a interview, but the short episode appear on a regular basis.

If the two episodes serve different audiences or different topics, I would not use them for the same podcast.

In this case, I would suggest you get one show up and running first. Once you hit your stride with that show, and know you enjoy podcasting, start the second show.

But only start the second show after you realize how much work is involved and you are positive you can fit it into your schedule.

COACHING

I would love to see you grab one of my laser coaching slots. But, you need to act quickly. Fast action wins.

This laser coaching opportunity is limited to 8 clients who take action and sign up. Are you just interested in monetizing your show or are you committed?

The offer ends when the spots are full or on Wednesday (May 25), whichever comes first. If www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser goes to my homepage, you know the 8 spots are full.

If you want my one-on-one help for less than $84/month, get all the details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser.

Are you committed or just interested? Let’s see what we can accomplish.

Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/laser.

Thanks for being here again this week. We’ll see you next time.