Mark Smith
We teach people with a message how to plan, launch, grow and monetize their podcast. I ensure you will sound professional, deliver content that connects, and sound like a million bucks without spending a million bucks.
The company was started in 2005 right before Apple added podcasting to iTunes. I’ve seen alot along the way that works, and even more that doesn’t. We help you avoid the common podcasting pitfalls through online tutorials, live groups coaching, and a private podcast mastermind filled with other brilliant podcasters.
Tell us about yourself?
I’ve been helping understand technology before the Internet. I love technology, and I love being creative, and podcasting allows me to help people harness the power of podcasting, by being creative and serving their audience on a global basis.
When I got my first voicemail from a listener on the other side of the planet in 2005, I knew that podcasting was where I was going to plant my flag.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
In the beginning, anything about podcasting would make it into my membership site. So the comment was “The good news about the School of Podcasting is it has everything.” Likewise, “The bad news about the School of Podcasting was it had everything.” It was when I defined my target audience in a way that was focused and specific that I started to see real growth.
What problem does your business solve?
It allows people to compete on a global basis. You can reach a global audience. In the early days of podcasting the technology wasn’t easy. Now you can launch a podcast in an hour. Launching is not the issue. I’m not teaching you how to launch a podcast. I’m teaching you how to launch a GOOD podcast that will ENGAGE your audience and get the desired results.
I also deliver honest, constructive, useful feedback. When someone hears your show, part of that show should have my thumbprint on it. I’ve been in this industry seventeen years with millions of downloads under my belt. I can help you follow best practices so you’re not shooting yourself in the foot.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
People thing podcasting is like radio. It is, but it is closer to cable TV. You have these niche channel about food, weather, old movies that have smaller, but extremely loyal audiences. I help you set realistic expectations, and help you monetize your show even if you don’t have a giant audience.
Many people jump into podcasting because starting one has become so easy. My years of experience in marketing, technology, content creation, enable you to find the sweet spot that will inspire your audience to share your podcast with a friend.
What is your magic sauce?
I think my difference can be summed up in two words: I care.
Right now there are a ton of snake oil consultants who see podcasting is hot and they’ve some to make money quick. Meanwhile they don’t understand the basic mechanics of a podcast. They launched one (again, it’s easy) and now consider themselves a guru because they can fill out a form on an Apple website. I know because they hire me to fix the mess they made when they accidentally deleted all the subscribers to your show.
I take the time to find out your “Why” and setup your show to serve YOUR needs as well as the listener. I am your cheerleader. Podcasting is more than putting out content. As you make content to impact the listener, when you see the positive feedback, that impacts you.
I’ve helped people in their 70’s, and I can wipe away the fear and tap into their vast amount of knowledge to create a one of kind podcast.
Part of my business model is doing things that don’t scale. I send every new member a personalized video greeting. I offer unlimited one on one coaching to members. While I want to be profitable a large amount of my success comes in the form of relationships which inspire people to tell a friend about the company.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
I currently have one book titled, “Profit From Your Podcast: Proven Strategies to Turn Your Listeners Into Livelihood, and I’d like to write another book. I hope to launch a mastermind soon for people who have been podcasting for years and are looking to take their promotion and production up a notch.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
First of all, never compare yourself to others. That can suck the life right out of you. I am a teacher who does marketing. There are others in my field who are marketers who do some training (who have more money in the bank).
As I coach my clients, focus on serving the audience in front of you.
I also undervalued my services when I first started. I actually got my clients by doubling my prices. I made my prices low as I wanted to help everyone, but the price lead people to believe that the membership must not have any value for such a low price.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
If you’re a boomer with something to say, and extra time on your hands, or a solopreneur trying to drive customers and traffic to your site, or a person who lives in a community that is underserved, I can help you by going to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start and use the coupon ” best ” to save 20%.
