The BEST way to do Coaching podcast episodes.
Hey Pod Pals!
This newsletter was lovingly curated (without the use of any AI) in real time on Thursday morning at 9:12am CST.
I'm getting a slightly later start to writing the newsletter today due to our school drop off schedule shifting a bit.....not to worry.....I've consumed two servings of cold brew coffee and I'm ready to rock!
βοΈ This week we are going to talk about my best practices for executing a coaching style podcast episode.
If you have been a listener of my show, Podcasting Business School, for a decent amount of time you have heard me do a TON of coaching style podcast episodes called Podcast Audits.
I talk a lot about how important expert positioning is when it comes to converting podcast listeners into paying clients and coaching episodes are one of the most efficient and effective ways to establish expert positioning.
Here are some of my best practices to help you create super effective coaching episodes for your show:
β 1. You should NEVER charge for these! You are, in fact, doing the exact opposite.
You are going to invite a listener onto the show to be coached by you for FREE......but you will not hold anything back....aka....you will treat it as if they ARE paying you.
β 2. Don't go over 30 minutes.
If you coach someone for longer than 30 minutes I think they should be paying you. 15-30 minutes has been the sweet spot for me.
When I did these with my weight loss podcast they were 15 minutes. With my Podcast Audits they are more in the 25-30 minute range.
This time limit will also keep you from trying to cover too many things.
β 3. Pick ONE major pain point to focus on and unpack one (maybe two) strategies to help them start to solve that pain point.
Go deep instead of wide....make an impact and help them build momentum!
β 4. Have a standard process that you can use to keep you on track and on time.
With my Podcast Audits it looks like this:
- Set a goal by asking "If we were having this conversation six months from now what would you like to happen between now and then?"
- Identify the big pain point by asking "What is the biggest obstacle in the way of accomplishing this right now?"
- Then spend the remainder of the time coming up with action steps to overcome the obstacle.
β 5. You should be talking about 85% of the time.
This can be weird for people that are used to mainly doing interview episodes.
Remember that they are coming onto your show to be COACHED by you....not to be interviewed by you.
β 6. Have a standard onboarding process and get a solid confirmation of attendance.
When people sign up for a Podcast Audit I have them fill out a pretty lengthy form to gather all the info I need for the session.
I also send them an email (aside from all of the automated reminder emails) to get them to confirm their session.
I do my Podcast Audits on Tuesday. On the Thursday prior to the episode recording date, I will send an email directly to them asking them to reply back and re-confirm their attendance.
In this email I let them know that if they don't respond by Sunday at 6am I will cancel their session.....I know.....pretty hard core.....but I really hate no-shows!
β 7. Do NOT use the phrase "Free Coaching" in the name of your coaching episode.
This will lead to freebie seekers and a TON of no-shows on your calendar.
Example: My episode is called a Podcast Audit...not.....FREE Podcast Coaching.
β 8. Don't try to turn these into sales calls.
If it does feel like they might be a great fit for one of your services just mention that once you are done recording. Then offer them a link to hop on a discovery call.
Don't make it weird by trying to push for a sale during the coaching session.
I think that recording and releasing consistent coaching episodes is a GREAT use of your time as a podcaster.
This is one of the anchor strategies that I teach all of my clients to do in our quest to do "less but better".
This week on the podcast I address the "overwhelm issue" from the perspective of podcast content creation and podcast growth.
I think you will like this one! ‡οΈ
π€ Episode 553: The REAL reason why your podcast isn't growing.
Top Takeaways:
*How to break down your podcast growth journey into three separate phases.
*What to focus on during each phase.
*What to avoid doing during each phase.
βοΈ CLICK HERE to listen to the latest episodes of Podcasting Business School
π’ Guest Coach Podcast Audit: Podcast Growth Tips.
Last Friday I had one of my Certified Podcast Growth Coaches step into the coaches seat on the show and drop some podcast growth tips! Coach Sandy B rocked it!
Check out episode 552 to hear all about it.
π Download Growth Club question of the week:
"How can we use AI to ease our workload as a content creator?"
This question was asked this week inside of the Download Growth Club membership....and it's a tough one for me.
I never want to be the coach that tells people to definitely do, or not do, something...but here is my personal strategy with A.I.
β I never use it to interact with people on my behalf. I don't use auto responders in my DM's, etc. Part of my brand promise is that if you are interacting with me it is actually ME.
β I never use A.I. to create my content....not even the notes. I ENJOY this part of the process....so I don't delegate it to A.I.
β I will use A.I. to be more efficient with things like social media promo graphics and podcast episode notes.
π Something to think about: If you use A.I. heavily and you notice that your own personal creativity is depleted...go ahead and press pause on A.I. for a week or so.
To me is feels like the less A.I. I use, and the more creative work I force my actual brain to do, the more my overall creativity ramps up!
π Podcast Launch Tip of the week:
I'm going to keep my tip very simple this week:
A slightly imperfect podcast that is actually LAUNCHED...
is much more effective than the podcasting idea that will sit in your head for another year.
βοΈ In episode 078 of Podcast Launch Tips I invite a listener onto the show for a Podcast Launch Strategy session. We came up with some great ideas for their podcast launch promotion strategy.
πUpcoming Eventsπ
Here are a few upcoming events that I will be either hosting or speaking at:
π±Live Workshopπ± Email List Growth for Podcasters: April 9th & 10th in Nashville, TN. Spend 12 hours with me live and in person as I teach you how to GROW your email list and then leverage it to make consistent sales.
πPodcast Growth Coach Certificationπ I'm only doing ONE certification cohort in 2025 and we start on April 1st (not a joke!). Registration is OPEN.
Content Entrepreneur Expo: August 24-26th in Cleveland, Ohio. I've just accepted an invite to speak at CEX for the second year in a row. This is an amazing event for content creators and entrepreneurs. I hope to see you there!
π€© Client testimonial of the week: My client Kathy Colaiacovo has a great podcast called Marketing Your Private Practice.
Check out what she has to say about working with me:
"The thing I value most from Adam is his straightforward approach to podcasting strategy. He tells it like it is and is not one to send you off to do things with no rhyme or reason behind it. His marketing strategy is on point when it comes to podcasting. The bonus to the Download Growth Club is the community of fellow podcasters who are awesome in their own right."
β‘οΈ If you are ready to get some help with learning how to leverage your podcast to build your online business and get more clients hop on my Podcast Profit Potential Discovery Call calendar.
π₯What's happening on THREADS this week: I've been posting three times per day on Threads. Here are a few that you might like:
βπ»"Most podcasters suck at creating a podcast logo that will attract their ideal listeners to their podcast. Here are four strategies from a podcaster with over 1 million downloads..." Full post HERE
βπ»"I'm 44 years old. I started podcasting when I was 35. In 2024 my podcast helped me to..." Full post HERE
βπ»"Just an FYI..podcasts DON'T go viral. Podcasters have to be willing to play the long game and focus on things like....." Full post HERE
I hope that you are enjoying this weekly newsletter!
If you know a podcaster that might get some value from reading this weekly newsletter please share THIS LINK with them!
π¬Studies show that when you share my newsletter opt in with a friend your podcast may or may not grow by 17.8%....it's SCIENCE! π
Your Pod Pal,
Adam
βοΈ P.S. Ready for some help with your podcast launch, growth, or your podcast listener to client conversion strategy?βοΈ
Sign up for a FREE Podcast Profit Potential Discovery Call.