Rethinking Your Call To Action
The biggest problem is your brain
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The Biggest Thing I Help Podcasters With Is….
I’m back from Podfest, and there’s one word I kept hearing from first-time attendees:
OVERWHELM – And guess what? That’s 100% normal.
Need a checklist to help? I’ve got one for you HERE.
But the biggest hurdle isn’t planning your show, picking gear, or choosing the right platform—it’s your own brain. The biggest obstacle is YOU.
CASE IN POINT
I was chatting with Erik K. Johnson, my co-host on the Podcast Review Show. I casually mentioned my book, and Erik’s response?
“You have a book?!?”
This is proof that we podcasters are terrible at self-promotion. We hesitate, fearing we’ll come off like a pushy used-car salesman trying to unload a clunker. But here’s the truth:
If you know your audience and you’ve created something valuable—a book, a lead magnet, a course—it’s not a rusted-out bucket of bolts. You’re not twisting arms. You’re helping people.
RETHINKING THE "CALL TO ACTION"
I often ask podcasters, “What’s your call to action?” And this week, while I was in the shower (where all the best ideas happen), I started breaking that phrase down.
CALL – This makes me think of catcallers yelling on a construction site. A call is meant to grab attention.
ACTION – I picture a film director shouting “ACTION!” It’s a command. It’s direct.
But for those of us who feel weird about self-promotion, what if we stopped thinking of it as a call to action and instead saw it as a nudge to value?
Your audience is already overwhelmed. They don’t need another sales pitch—they need guidance.
So instead of “selling,” focus on helping. Frame your message as an invitation, not an obligation. When you do that, promotion stops feeling pushy and starts feeling purposeful.
What’s something you’ve created that your audience needs? And more importantly—are you telling them about it?
School of Podcasting January Discount - TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
This sale ends soon. With me by your side, you can get your podcast started in the right way, undercut overwhelm, and flatten that learning curve.
I’ve created a coupon code, “newsletter25,” to give you 25% off a monthly or yearly subscription. This offer ends on January 31, 2025, so act now.
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Stuff That Caught Me Eye
Captivate - No Payments Until April
Captivate (the media host I use the most) is having a sale where you can sign up today and not pay until April. (this is not an April fool’s joke).
Talks.Co - Find Guests, Shows and Events
Talks.co is a newer site that helps you find guests, shows to be a guest on, and I was told events to speak at (which makes it somewhat different than the others)
Creative Fuel
Creative Fuel is intended for YouTubers who are struggling to come up with ideas for their show. This tools helps you with ideas, create outlines, thumbnails and more.
Deadline Funnel
Deadline Funnel gives each lead a unique and authentic deadline for your offer. Deadline Funnel integrates with your current tech stack to help you set deadlines, track leads, and automate live launches. If you want to up your marketing game, you might want to check this out.
Why You Should Never Pay to Be On a Podcast
A great article from inc.com “Legit Exposure Versus the Echo Chamber”
Speaking of Paying People to Be On Your Show
If you fall into that practice, you NEED to state you got paid UP FRONT (notice how my affiliate disclaimer is UP FRONT). See this from the FTC who has their eyes on influencers. See more.
What’s Coming In The Future
Next School of Podcasting
We are sharing our pet peeves in podcasting. Are you doing these things that drive people bananas?
Need Help With Your Podcast?
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned podcaster, the School of Podcasting can help. Helping podcasters is what I do, and I’ve been doing it since 2005
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