Monetize the Mic — Podcasting for Pros

Overview

Margy Feldhuhn is the CEO of Interview Connections, the first and only podcast booking agency. She and her team help both entrepreneurs looking to get booked as a guest on other shows, and podcast hosts who need guests. Podcasting, both creating and appearing as a guest, allows business owners to reach a broader base of clientele and share stories of success and of learning.

A Kitten Connection

Margy met her business partner Jessica Rhodes right out of college while working door to door fundraising at a nonprofit. They reconnected after a few years when Jess offered to look after Margy's cat during a tough circumstance; this bond would later lead Margy to applying as a remote booker at Jess's company Interview Connections in 2016. They would become co-owners and partners in 2018. This story provides a base of inspiration for building a growing their community.

The Power of Voice

It takes time but the main focus for Interview Connections is monetizing the microphone, to drive revenue. As a guest, business owners are able to meet other entrepreneurs and many times become affiliate marketers and potentially clients. In addition to forming that connection, you're able to reach an audience with a story; by hearing voice and a deep dive, the leads generated are more likely to convert than a Facebook ad. You're able to humanize your business and mission. There is a sort of familiarity when you listen to a certain podcast over and over again; you form trust with the hosts and give their recommendations more weight. When hosting, you need to create consistency and have a goal in mind. Writing down suggested topics can hone in on audiences, as well as provide clarity on particular stories that define the narrative of your business.

It is also crucial that, as a guest, you choose how to talk about your story and how the company fits into that. For instance, Mike Krass tells the narrative of MKG from a very results-oriented, figures standpoint and Kerry often shares anecdotes on culture. Both stories are part of the business experience but they offer varied perspectives and can connect with different demographics. Interview Connections helps clients find the podcasts with the right audiences to whom they can offer value. Delivering stories with authenticity and creating a good rapport with the host is vital to a successful episode. Make sure you do pre-research on the show (listen to an episode) and create a genuine human connection with the host/hostess. Fluidity in conversation will also create a better experience for the audience. "Business is so much built on your relationships and this allows you to do that at volume and virtually."

Go make friends!

This was only a high level of overview of our conversation with Margy. Be sure to listen to the full episode and the rest of the season wherever you stream your podcasts!