Sharing yourself on your podcast is the way to build relationships with your audience. However, you need to be careful what you share.

SHARE YOURSELF AUTHENTICALLY

We have group calls twice a month inside the Podcast Profits Accelerator. This is where a group of podcasters are growing the audience and business. You can see details at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/accelerator.

On a call the other night, one of the members asked what they should share and how much.

What you share on your podcast needs to be strategic. It should reinforce your brand. What you share should build relationships.

DESI SAW US AS FRIENDS

When I was on the radio, it was my goal to get my listeners to see me as their friend. They would take me with them everywhere they went by listening to me on the radio.

I was on the local Top 40 radio station and had a girl who would call me often.

She had a severe developmental disability. It affected her speech which made her difficult to understand.

When I couldn’t understand what she was saying, it would make it ridiculous to make her laugh. She may be asking it I could play ‘Nsync. I would say, “Did I lick the kitchen sink?”

Desi would laugh and laugh that I couldn’t get it right. We would break it down by word until I finally got it. Some days were better than others.

She was in a wheelchair. Her assistant at the home where she lived would sometimes bring Desi to see me at remote broadcasts when she was up to it. I would give Desi some of the t-shirts and prizes we were giving away and have a little fun.

SHE FOLLOWED ME

I then moved to the country station in town. Desi moved with me and would continue to call. However, her call were becoming less frequent. Her health was starting to decline.

We still talked and laughed. She had new songs to request, and I still got it wrong.

Then one day Desi’s assistant called to tell me Desi was moving to a new facility and wanted me to know. She gave me Desi’s new address so I could write her which I did. Just a quick note to tell her I hoped she was doing well.

That was the last time I heard from Desi. Her calls stopped after that. I just hope I added a little smile to her day every once in awhile.

That’s what can happen when you share yourself with your listener.

DON’T SHARE TOO MUCH

On the other hand, it can be dangerous when you share too much.

Don’t share you address or the school of your small children.

You don’t want to share when you are going on vacation and won’t be home.

Avoid sharing anything that could make you vulnerable.

Most people in the world are nice. They have no ill will against you.

However, some are crazy and evil. There are people who may not like what you say or think you are better friends than you really are.

You don’t want to live in fear. But you also don’t want to leave yourself exposed.

I DIDN’T MEAN TO SHARE MY BABY

It happened to me when we were having our first child.

I was working at the Top 40 station at the time. My wife and I were expecting our first baby.

She went into the hospital on a Friday morning to deliver our little girl. This wasn’t something I share much about on the radio. I did mention a few times we were expecting.

That Friday I wasn’t on the air. Our little girl came into the world with little complication. She was beautiful.

Saturday morning we woke up and were discussion our departure from the hospital. My wife was still in bed with our daughter. We were waiting for the doctor to come by the room.

Around lunch, a visitor appeared at the door. It was a high school girl who listened to the station and called often. She had brought a gift for the baby.

It was quite awkward. We chatted politely for a few minutes. Then I stood up to thank her for coming and politely escorted her back to the elevator.

Trouble was averted. But it was a little crazy that she even knew where we were.

2 LADIES TALKING SEX

It can happen to you if you are diligent about what you share. Sometimes that includes protecting your identity depending on your content.

One year a Podcast Movement, Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting and I were standing in the lobby of the hotel deciding which panel to attend next. That’s when two twenty-something ladies approached us.

They had recognized us and had questions about their podcast.

The two proceeded to tell us they hosted a very popular podcast about sex. They both used different names on the podcast. Aliases.

The podcast was becoming very popular. Their brand was growing. Now these young ladies wanted to know if they should start using their real names to build their personal brands or continue using the aliases.

Dave and I both suggested they continue to use the aliases. The content of their show could potentially attract the wrong people to be superfans. They surely didn’t want a dangerous individual showing up unexpectedly that could do them harm.

Use good judgement.

SHARE YOUR BRAND

So, what do you share and how much?

Begin by writing your origin story. How did you develop your superpower? When did you discover you have the ability to do what you do?

Write all of it.

Then, find the pieces of that origin story that support your brand and your foundational principles.

Demonstrate what you stand for and what you stand against.

Drip pieces of your origin story into your content episode after episode. People will get to know you over time. And more importantly, get to know your brand.

I share many of things I’ve encountered over my 35 years in radio and dozen years in podcasting. We talk about the people I’ve met and the challenges I’ve encountered.

You know I love hockey and live in the Midwest. We talk about my passion about adding more relationships to the world, because I see my kids lacking powerful relationships due to technology.

On the other hand, I’m not telling you my address or where my wife works. I didn’t tell you I was spending a week in Colorado skiing in January before I went there.

It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just don’t need someone showing up at my hotel room or worse yet, showing up at my house while I’m not home.

Use common sense about what you share.

Share your beliefs and values. Share stories that support those beliefs. Don’t share personal information that could put you in danger.

Share to build the brand and attract your ideal clients.

 

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.