The Best Guest (Victoria Bennion)

The podcast hosts you connect with when you're a guest on shows are often your ideal client. Let that sink in for a moment. This week we had an email from a client telling us that a host had asked to work with her directly after her first interview. This isn't unusual and is a valuable aspect of a podcast interview strategy. Today we talk about:

• How to make a good impression with podcast hosts
• Ways to build relationships with podcast hosts

Key Takeaways

• Make a good impression - schedule your interview without delay, send the host everything they need for the interview and show up early
• Connect with hosts before your interviews on social media
• Add value during your conversation. Don't be salesy
• Continue your conversation after the recording has stopped
• Build your relationship after your interview - send a thank you note/ join a host's community
• Share your podcast episode when it's live

Mentioned in This Episode

Improving Business Efficiency with Yvonne Heimann

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest podcast we welcome President/CEO of Roux Advertising, Eric Morgan.

We talk about:

• The Importance of Brand Strategy
• Marketing Challenges for Law Firms
• Community Engagement as a Marketing Tool

About Eric Morgan

Eric is an accomplished marketing strategist with over 28 years of experience, currently serving as the President/CEO of Roux Advertising. (Roux is an advertising agency built for law firms. Roux provides strategy, media buying, creative, digital & analytics to grow law firms.)

His remarkable journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising Communications and a minor in Marketing from Loyola University. Eric's insatiable curiosity and passion for the industry led him to earn an MBA at Tulane University, further honing his expertise.

Throughout his illustrious career, Eric has consistently applied his strategic prowess to drive success for a diverse array of clients, ranging from prominent law firms like Morris Bart, LLC and Frank D. Azar & Associates to esteemed brands such as Harrah's Casino and the Louisiana Office of Tourism. 

His commitment to delivering clarity, accountability, and impressive returns on marketing investments has earned him accolades, including the title of Top Executive of the Year by the Advertising Club of New Orleans in 2009.

Eric's impact extends beyond the boardroom, as he generously shares his knowledge as an educator and speaker at industry conferences. His dedication to fostering the next generation of advertising professionals is evident through his teaching experience at Loyola University's Communications Department. Additionally, Eric actively contributes to community initiatives, serving on the Board of Directors of Go.Be., which supports entrepreneurial minority small business owners.

With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a track record of excellence, Eric is a visionary leader in the world of advertising, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and inspiring those fortunate enough to work alongside him.

Key Takeaways

• Define your brand's unique purpose, audience, and positioning before implementing specific marketing tactics.
• Identify what makes your brand distinct to stand out in a competitive market.
• Ensure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date, with client reviews and accurate information, as it’s an easy and impactful way to enhance visibility.
• Participating in local events and supporting community causes strengthens brand trust and aligns with meaningful values.
• Avoid spreading resources thin by focusing on a few marketing strategies and executing them exceptionally well.
• Improving operational elements like call intake and client follow-ups can significantly increase conversion rates.
• Consider traditional methods like broadcast TV and billboards for brand-building, alongside digital efforts, depending on your market and goals.
• Develop a tailored approach that aligns with your specific strengths and goals instead of mimicking others' strategies.

Quote

When brands want to go to market, we start with what strategy is and what’s unique and different about their brand.

Connect with Eric Morgan

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

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In this week's episode of The Best Guest we are answering your questions about being a podcast guest. If you've ever wondered about any of the following then listen in:

• What do I need to prepare before appearing on a podcast as a guest?
• How do I find podcasts that are relevant to my industry or expertise?
• What should I wear during the podcast recording?
• How long does a typical podcast recording session last?
• What are some tips for being an engaging and interesting guest on a podcast?

Key Takeaways

• Preparation is key to being a great podcast guest. Before appearing on a podcast, it's important to research the show, prepare any necessary materials, and ensure that your online presence looks professional.
• It's important to be mindful of your environment and technology when recording a podcast interview. Make sure you have the right equipment and check the acoustics of the room, minimise background noise, and turning off notifications on your computer and phone to ensure a good recording.
• To find relevant podcasts you need to understand who your target audience is and then research shows that align with their interests.
• Smaller shows with niche audiences can offer great opportunities for guest appearances. It's important to focus on being on the right show with the right listeners, rather than trying to be on the biggest show possible with the wrong audience.
• It's important to know if the show is video as well as audio so you know what to wear
• Lengths of shows vary hugely. Look at previous episodes to get an idea of what to expect
• Sharing stories helps listeners to remember you and increases their chances of connecting with you. Additionally, being prepared, listening to the host's questions, using their name, and relaxing and enjoying the conversation can all contribute to a successful guest appearance.

Mentioned in this Episode

How to be a Great Guest Checklist

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're looking at some of the differences and similarities between traditional media and a podcast interview strategy.

Key Takeaways

1. Podcasts have become more mainstream and continue to grow in popularity, with a dedicated and engaged audience.
2. Traditional media outlets have a massive reach, attracting millions of viewers and readers, while podcasts usually cater to smaller niche audiences.
3. Podcast interviews provide more extended and in-depth opportunities for guests to showcase their expertise and connect with the audience compared to TV segments.
4. Both podcasts and traditional media can enhance credibility and authority for a brand or individual.
5. Traditional media provides third-party validation, building trust among potential customers, while podcasts offer an unspoken endorsement from hosts and a chance to connect with their engaged audience.
6. The tone of podcasts tends to be more conversational, allowing guests to showcase their personality and authenticity.
7. Podcasts offer networking opportunities with hosts, who may be potential clients, open doors for other speaking engagements or collaborations.
8. Podcasts are accessible worldwide and offer the convenience of on-demand consumption, increasing the reach of a guest's message to different time zones and locations.
9. Both traditional media and podcasts are conducive to storytelling, which helps build a stronger connection with the audience.
10. Podcast appearances can provide SEO benefits by increasing website traffic through links in show notes and social media mentions.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

How do you create a successful podcast? Perhaps a show that enables you to quit your current job? And how do you even make money from a podcast? If you're planning to start your own show, listen in to episode 36 to hear key takeaways from the experts at the Podcast Show London 2022.

Mentioned in this episode

Redhanded Podcast

Second Captains Podcast

Saturn Returns Podcast with Caggie Dunlop

Mark Asquith and Captivate FM

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today's episode we welcome James Morgan-Jones, the author of The Glasswater Quintet, a series of psychological thrillers, with a supernatural touch. James began his career as a professional actor but after a serious accident retrained as a feline behaviourist.

James Morgan-Jones was born and brought up on the Essex/London borders. His mother was Welsh and his father from the East End. He trained as a professional actor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and worked for several years in the theatre. After a serious accident he retrained as a feline behaviourist and now lives in West Wales.

He began writing seriously after gaining an MA with Distinction from Trinity Saint David University in Carmarthen. He then embarked on The Glasswater Quintet, a series of psychological thrillers, with a supernatural touch. The novels are linked by character and place but set in different decades, from the 1940s onwards. The first book in the series, On the Edge of Wild Water, was published by Wordcatcher in the summer of 2017. This was followed by the second in the quintet, The Glass Citadel, later that year, as well as a short story collection, The Wheel and Other Stories. The third novel, The Stone Forest, was published in November 2018, followed by the fourth – Eye of the Rushes – in 2020.

James is also an accomplished speaker and a respected poet. He was featured in a radio interview for World Poetry Day 2020. In the autumn of 2019 his first collection of poetry, Living Places, Passing Lives, was published by Wordcatcher.

Get in touch with James Morgan-Jones

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Worditude's Laura Robinson.

We talk about:

• Course creation
• What it means to have a comfy business
• The importance of staying true to what you want from your business

About Laura Robinson

Laura is an online marketing mentor and experienced digital copywriter. Over the last 10 years, she has helped hundreds of business owners create and sell 1-1 services, courses, memberships, and group programs. She’s taught thousands of people around the world, through the copywriting training she created for international business organizations including Female Entrepreneur Association, Enterprise Nation, and Membership Academy. She is also the author of the Comfy Business Playbook, and the creator of the Comfy Business Newsletter for people who want a business that flexes around their other life challenges, priorities, and adventures. She champions a Suit Yourself First approach to marketing, where decisions are based on what the business owner wants, rather than guessing the preferences of a hypothetical ideal client.

Key Takeaways

• Deadlines can be useful as a tool to enhance your productivity.
• Use writing as a way to clarify your thoughts and express yourself effectively, especially if public speaking is intimidating.
• It can help to overcome the fear of public speaking by starting with smaller, familiar platforms. Gradually build your confidence through consistent practice and exposure, such as guest appearances on podcasts or webinars.
• Personalized guidance can accelerate your growth and provide specific feedback for improvement.
• Use tools like Notion to manage your ideas and prioritize content that delivers substantial value.
• Valuable and actionable content is likely to resonate more with your audience than overly polished but less useful material.

Mentioned in This Episode

The Worditude Newsletter

Connect with Laura Robinson

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Our guest this week is international mindset coach, Suzanne Culberg who transforms bodies and minds. She is also a speaker and author of The Beginning is Sh*t, an unapologetic weightloss memoir.

Suzanne believes women often gain weight because they give too much to others. They over eat because they over give. Suzanne’s passion for helping women is fueled by her own weight loss journey, going from 150kg (330lbs) to maintaining the healthy 72kg (158lbs) she is now.

Suzanne helps her clients deal with negative patterns of behaviour, build confidence, and create lasting change, like she has experienced with her own incredible body transformation.

Suzanne is a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic programming (NLP) and holds a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours). Suzanne also has Certificates III and IV in Fitness, and is a Certified Sacred Depths Practitioner.

Suzanne lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband Jeremy and her two young children who keep her both busy and entertained. When she’s not coaching her clients, running her programs, sharing her latest wisdom on Facebook Live, podcasting or writing her popular newsletter, she can be found reading, enjoying Diamond Dotz, or burlesque dancing. She is also a big fan of Yoga.

Key Takeaways

• Giving and receiving are like inhaling and exhaling. You can't have one without the other. People who overgive end up overconsuming in some way
• Learn to say no in a way that feels good to others so that you can say yes to yourself
• Overgivers are often really bad receivers. We need to retrain ourselves to be good receivers.
• We think when we lose weight we'll be magically happy and confident but you're still you. You just take up less space
• If you don't address what's driving your overconsuming you will switch your overconsuming to something else
• How we do anything is how we do most things
• People appreciate good clear boundaries

Quote

Clear is Kind - Brené Brown

Connect with Suzanne Culberg

Website

Facebook

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode we talk about how to put together your podcast pitch to ten times your chance of a yes from hosts, how to set up your media kit and what to include in your podcast information sheet.

Download your free copy of our professionally-designed CANVA podcast information sheet template here

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Our guest this week is Ross Davies, owner of Strafe Creative, a digital design agency focused on conversion led design. Growing up alongside the web led Ross to be fascinated by technology and design yet he started his career as an ergonomics engineer in the automotive industry. The culmination of both Ross’ experience and passions led to his realisation that his skills were transferable, and thus Strafe Creative was born.

Strafe Creative’s clients include Experian, NHS and London Tobacco Dock Event Centre. Recently, Strafe has been listed on the prestigious ‘Drum Recommends’ agency database and they won Best Website in the UK Business Awards for their work with Adventure Base. Other award accolades include CSS Awards, RAR, Digital Entrepreneur Awards and the British Business Awards.

Ross loves to find new and innovative ways to improve processes, whether that’s in the way he runs his business or in the design process with clients. Identifying objections and issues in any process can help streamline it and it’s this systematic approach that has led to some fantastic client results.

In 2020, Ross was hired as a systems architect and advisor for ‘Open Kitchens’ a not-for-profit helping to redistribute food throughout the pandemic. He helped to plan and create user flows, wireframes, digital components and CRM that brought the platform to life and to date has enabled over 250,000 meals to reach those in need.

Ross is also the author of a book, Paper Plane Plan which delves into growth hacking for the service industry. He’s a proud husband and father, a huge basketball fan and loves Thai food.

Ross and Victoria discuss the importance of setting business goals, how to increase the likelihood a user will buy from us and the ways we can improve our ROI on marketing by only updating our website.

Key Takeaways

• Ross sets a yearly goal, however, it's quite easy to put off a yearly goal, so he breaks this down into 90 day goals and then breaks them down further into individual tasks which makes the goal more achievable.
• Parkinson's Law - A task will take the time you give it.
• Write out your goals and put them somewhere you can see them every day.
• Ways to increase your website conversions: Add testimonials for social proofing, creating large numbers, feature any accreditations, reference your client list, make it obvious what your service is
• Make sure your web pages are digestible. Avoid big blocks of text.

Quote

• Work out what is your business's Kit Kat

Mentioned in this Episode

Open Kitchens

Connect with Ross Davies

Strafe Creative Website

Twitter

Fill in Strafe Creative's project planner for a free audit of your website. Mention Victoria and that you are a listener of The Best Guest and a member of the team will give you a 5 minute video audit of how you can improve conversions on your website. No strings attached.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In episode 62 of The Best Guest we welcome Your Nope Coach, Suzanne Culberg back to the podcast. We talk about:

• Moving from 1:1 clients to a group program
• A membership vs a program
• The size of Suzanne's audience when she launched her program

About Suzanne Culberg

SUZANNE CULBERG is a coach and author, who helps over-givers and people pleasers learn to set boundaries and say ‘No’ in a way that feels good.

Through her signature online program Why W8? Suzanne has helped hundreds of women break the cycle of putting themselves last and instead build the confidence to set boundaries.

Suzanne’s passion for helping women is fueled by her own experiences of over-giving, over-consuming, and over-doing everything. She’s on a mission to not only help women set boundaries for themselves but also to make boundaries normal. We should be saying ‘No’ more often.

Suzanne is a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic programming (NLP) and holds a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours). Suzanne also has Certificates III and IV in Fitness,and is a Certified Sacred Depths Practitioner.

Suzanne lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband Jeremy and her two young children who keep her both busy and entertained. When she’s not coaching her clients, running her programs, sharing her latest wisdom on Facebook Live, podcasting or writing her popular newsletter, she can be found reading, enjoying Diamond Dotz, or burlesque dancing. She is also a big fan of Yoga.

Key Takeaways

• If you're an introvert podcasts interviews are great because you're having a one to one conversation
• If you struggle with boundaries it can feel hard to leave a membership
• When you're not clear on your boundaries how do you expect your clients to be
• Everybody has Facebook. It's wonderful for running a program
• Eliminate your Facebook newsfeed with Newsfeed Eradicator so you don't get distracted
• The learning curve of running a program can be steep - the tech, managing a group dynamic
• If you're early on in your business hire support on a contract basis
• By teaching live you can shape the program to each cohort
• Suzanne did not have a large audience when she launched Why W8? Her list was 280 and 50 people signed up. The beta round of the course was only $97
• Having a large list adds to your costs so you want your subscribers to be engaged
• If you're planning to do a program don't do a beta and offer huge discounts as you won't attract the right people
• If you're going to continue with your 1:1 clients be clear about the difference in service between your 1:1 and the group program

Quote

When you are not clear on your boundaries, how do you expect your clients to be?

Mentioned in This Episode

Why W8?

Newsfeed Eradicator

Connect with Suzanne Culberg

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Newsletter

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest podcast we welcome presentation coach and Head of Ideas on Stage UK, Andrea Pacini.

We talk about:

• The #1 communication mistake
• The SCORE method for creating memorable presentations
• Simple design tips to avoid “Death by PowerPoint”
• How to use AI without losing your authentic voice

About Andrea Pacini

Andrea Pacini is the author of the highly commended book ‘Confident Presenter’, a presentation coach and Head of Ideas on Stage UK. He specialises in working with business owners, leaders and their teams who want to become more confident presenters. Since 2010 Ideas on Stage has worked with thousands of clients around the world, including organisations like Microsoft, Spotify, eBay, The World Bank and over 500 TEDx speakers. In 2024 Ideas on Stage was named Best Presentation Skills Training Specialist in the UK by Corporate Vision. Andrea himself has also been awarded Best Virtual Speaker 2024 in The Speaker Awards. Andrea is on a mission to stop great ideas from failing just because of the way they are presented. His vision is to help hundreds of thousands of business leaders inspire their audiences, increase their influence, and make a positive impact in the world.

Key Takeaways

• The best presenters rehearse out loud not just in their heads
• Effective communication is all about your audience, not you
• Slides should support your message, not be your message
• Use simple language to increase credibility and connection
• The goal isn’t to eliminate nerves, it’s to get comfortable with them
• Aim for the best authentic version of yourself not for perfection
• Use AI as a support tool, not a replacement for human connection

Quote

“Your journey towards becoming the most comfortable and most confident presenter you can be is a journey of a thousand presentations.” – Andrea Pacini

Connect with Andrea Pacini

Website

LinkedIn

Learn more about the Confident Presenter book: https://amzn.eu/d/bKswMEe

To make the most of the book, take the Confident Presenter Scorecard to assess you presentation skills in less than 3 minutes, for free: https://ideasonstage.com/score

Attend the next Ideas on Stage web class here: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/masterclass

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestpodcastguest

Join the Best Podcast Guest Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebestpodcastguest

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@victoriabennion

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/

Today we welcome leading ClickUp YouTuber and Business Efficiency Consultant, Yvonne Heimann to the podcast. We talk about:

• Efficient ways to manage your podcast interviews
• Why focusing on efficiency over productivity is important
• How to ensure your business can handle major growth

About Yvonne Heimann

Yvonne Heimann is not only the leading ClickUp YouTuber, but also a highly valued Consultant to its developers, as well as a passionate Business Efficiency Consultant & Mindset Coach to Live Streamers, Social Media Managers, YouTubers, and Coaches.

Using her knowledge of over 12 years running multiple businesses, she helps her clients organize, strengthen, and streamline their businesses into profitability and success.

Yvonne is a force to be reckoned with. When her husband died, she was determined to not only resume her passion for building “bulletproof businesses” but also to make sure that those who go through something similar can find the same solace and excitement in entrepreneurship that she did.

She wants everyone who goes through a life-changing challenge to know they can come out on top too – even if it takes time.

Her work is driven by a vision of a world where digital entrepreneurs not only make a living doing what they are passionate about but thrive and wear their passions as badges of honor.

“A world where no one is ever faced with the decision of having to put business and making money over family and loved ones.”

That is Yvonne’s mission.

Key Takeaways

• Make sure your podcast interviews are in your calendar
• Login to the podcast 15 minutes before the interview is due to start so you're ready
• Schedule your podcast promotions so you're always promoting one interview
• Review the tasks on your list and ask if each one really needs to happen. Will it have an impact? If not get rid of it
• Automate as much as possible in your business so that you can focus on your genius

Quote

To me, the word productive and what's behind it connects to this hustle mentality of we have to work 24/7. People seem to be getting really tired of this and wanting to make more educated and smart decisions based on data, which is where efficiency comes in.

Mentioned in This Episode

Click Up

Agorapulse

AirTable

Connect with Yvonne Heimann

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today's episode we welcome Jini Reddy who is the author of Wanderland, shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Award for Travel Book of the Year and for the Wainwright Prize. She has contributed to anthologies, penned an award-winning guidebook (Wild Times)and her texts and poems have been displayed in exhibitions at London’s Southbank Centre and at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As a journalist and travel writer, she has written widely for national press and in 2019 was named a National Geographic Woman of Impact. In her writing, she increasingly occupies a cross-cultural, cross-genre space where place, spirituality, nature and culture meet. Jini was born in Britain to Indian parents from South Africa, and raised in Quebec, Canada. She now makes her home in South West London.

Jini Reddy offers mentoring for aspiring authors, marketing consultancy for authors and also eco-travel, personal development, and wellbeing ventures. 

Get in Touch with Jini Reddy

Website

Twitter

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest Podcast, we welcome Ryan Lisk, founder of Hybrid Legal. Ryan shares his journey from launching a law firm in his early twenties to revolutionising legal services with a subscription model.

We talk about:

• The importance of having clear business contracts and avoiding common legal pitfalls
• How AI is impacting business operations and the legal risks you need to be aware of
• Key legal considerations when hiring freelancers and protecting intellectual property

This episode will equip you with essential legal knowledge to protect your business.

About Ryan Lisk

At just 21 years old Ryan Lisk took the leap and founded his own law firm, determined to make legal services more accessible, transparent, and business-friendly. Now, as the founder of Hybrid Legal, he helps UK businesses navigate complex legal challenges with practical, cost-effective solutions.

As a law student helping a startup with legal issues Ryan quickly realised how inaccessible legal support was for small businesses. Instead of following the traditional law firm model, he founded Hybrid Legal to focus on clear, fixed-fee pricing and straightforward legal advice - no jargon, no hidden costs with a flexible subscription model.

Ryan has worked with startups, growing businesses, and well-known brands to protect their interests and simplify legal complexities. Through founding his own law firm, Ryan has experienced the highs and lows of running a business and knows what it takes to start a business from scratch and scale it to 7 figures.

When he’s not at work, Ryan can be found running around after his 1 year old daughter and crazy Hungarian Vizsla. He’s also learning the martial art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai, where he is constantly humbled by teenagers in the class.

Key Takeaways

• A handshake isn’t enough - formal contracts protect both parties and prevent costly disputes.
• AI is transforming business, but it also brings legal risks - understand how your data is being used.
• Subscription-based legal services provide cost-effective and transparent solutions for businesses.
• Website compliance matters - ensure your privacy policies and terms of use align with GDPR.
• Hiring freelancers? Secure intellectual property rights and confidentiality agreements in writing.
• Shareholders’ agreements are essential for business stability - plan for future challenges now.

Quote

"Go careful with putting intellectual property into AI and relying on what comes out of it to be your own IP. That’s murky ground at the moment."

Connect with Ryan Lisk

Learn more about Hybrid Legal: https://www.hybridlegal.co.uk

Connect with Ryan Lisk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlisk

Sign up to the Hybrid Legal Loop for free legal insights.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestpodcastguest

Join the Best Podcast Guest Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebestpodcastguest

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@victoriabennion

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/

In today's episode of the podcast we're joined by that British Podcast Guy, Mark Asquith. Mark shares his thoughts on Online Gurus, Podcasting and Star Wars.

Key Takeaways

• Most people who say they are gurus are chasing the passive income dream. So do you really think they’re going to give you time and attention?
• A lot of people who quit working for people quit because they don’t want to have a boss but what you do is that you get 10 clients and you end up with 10 bosses.
• You can always make money. There’s always ways to make money.
• If you are working as a business person or a freelancer you have the right to push back.

Advice for podcasters

• My one piece of advice is don’t copy other people. Don’t put ‘preneur’ at the end. Let Chris have that with Youpreneur. Don’t put ‘on fire’ at the end. Let John have that. 
• Second piece of advice – just be overly yourself. Be almost too much you. 

Quote

Don’t be another grey person that blends in. If you have opinions get them out there.

Mentioned in this Episode

Captivate.fm

Atomic

Get in Touch with Mark Asquith

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're answering more of your questions about being a podcast guest:

• How can I make sure that I'm effectively promoting myself or my business when I'm a podcast guest?
• Should I send a thank you note or follow up after the podcast interview?
• Should I provide any promotional materials or assets to the podcast host?

Key Takeaways

• Tailor your message: Understand the podcast's audience by checking the show's description and reviews. This will help you tailor your message and talking points to effectively connect with the listeners.
• When you're a podcast guest, position yourself as an authority: Share valuable tips, insights, and advice during the interview to showcase your expertise and add value to the listeners' experience.
• During your podcast interviews use compelling stories: Prepare anecdotes or case studies that illustrate how your business has helped clients or solved problems. Stories are memorable and bring the interview to life.
• Show gratitude: Send a thank-you note within 24 to 48 hours to the host, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be a guest on the show. Personalize the message and mention enjoyable aspects of the interview.
• Share additional resources: Consider sharing articles, tools, or relevant links that could benefit the host or the listeners. This demonstrates your commitment to adding value and makes it easier for the host to share those resources.
• Prepare promotional materials: Have a high-quality headshot and biographies of different lengths (short and slightly longer) ready for the host to use. Also, provide relevant links such as your website, social media profiles, and any lead magnets or resources you mentioned during the interview.
• Make a great impression as a podcast guest: Providing these materials shows your professionalism and helps the host easily access the necessary information.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode we consider if ChatGPT is the new secret weapon of successful podcast guests. We talk about:

• How ChatGPT can support you with preparation for your conversations on podcasts
• The ways ChatGPT can help you with repurposing your podcast interviews
• ChatGPT's limitations

Key Takeaways

1. ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI that can provide information and answer questions
2. If you need to think through your talking points for an interview ChatGPT can help provide information about different topics
3. ChatGPT can generate questions based on the topics guests want to discuss on podcasts but you only want to use them as a starting point.
4. ChatGPT's usefulness may vary depending on the depth of information required, and the ease with which it can be found elsewhere.
5. While ChatGPT has the potential to be a secret weapon for podcast guests in that it can save you a lot of time you should use it as a basis for your research and then make sure that you take what it gives you to the next level.

Quote

"Everywhere you turn there’s talk of ChatGPT. So what exactly is ChatGPT and is it really the secret weapon of podcast guests?"

Mentioned in This Episode

ChatGPT

Nurturing Nurodiversity

Online Marketing Made Easy

The Pen Podcast

Beyond the Basics: 20 Non-Obvious Uses of ChatGPT for Marketing

Joeri Billast CMO Stories

Lindsay Cambridge - Jammy Digital

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Teresa is a leading marketing influencer in the UK, ranked number five in MarkET.Live’s Top 30 Marketers that Inspire in 2021. She is the founder of, Marketing that Converts, The Academy, where she works with businesses, entrepreneurs and marketers to help them enhance their digital marketing & social media efforts.

An award-winning international speaker, TEDx speaker and thought leader, Teresa has shared her social media and digital marketing strategies on international stages including the World Marketing Summit, Inbound 2020, 3XE and Social Day. 

Through her popular weekly podcast, Marketing that Converts, Teresa has interviewed leading entrepreneurs such as, Amy Porterfield, Michael Hyatt, Pat Flynn, Dean Graziosi, Jasmine Star, James Wedmore and Michael Stelzner. 

However, when Teresa founded her agency in 2013 she was a single mum with no savings, having left her corporate role. She had just one week to set up her business and make enough money to keep a roof over her and her daughter’s head. 

Teresa worked super hard and managed to get clients. Her agency grew quickly and soon Teresa was overwhelmed and worn out. To increase her knowledge, she invested in online trainings, memberships and masterminds, which she discovered she loved, and was inspired to create her own online academy. 

Teresa enjoys spending time with her lovely husband, daughter and two stepchildren. She doesn’t have many hobbies because she loves what she does so much that she can’t help but do it all the time.   

Being British, Teresa loves tea and by tea she means gin.

Get in Touch with Teresa Heath-Wareing

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

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To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Good quality audio is so important when you're recording a podcast interview. There's no faster way to make someone stop listening than horrendous sound quality. Our clients get an audio consultation with Zack the Podcast Man to make sure they're sounding fantastic before they start their podcast interviews and on today's episode I share Zack's top tips for killer audio.

Key Takeaways

• Essential equipment - Headphones or earbuds, an external microphone and ideally a webcam
• It's important to kill the echo before you record
• Turn off the notifications on all your devices
• Turn off heaters and fans and close windows and doors
• Keep hydrated to avoid unwanted mouth sounds
• If you live in a busy household put a sign to say, Recording in Progress
• Don't eat, fidget or multitask during your interview
• Use your microphone correctly - stay six inches away from it and turn it slightly to the side
• Make sure all your equipment is working before your interview.

Mentioned in This Episode

Zack The Podcast Man

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Recently I was interviewed for a Byte the Book event by the fabulous founder Justine Solomons. If you haven’t heard of Byte the Book, it has been described as the number one networking organisation in publishing. Byte the Book offers consultancy, runs events and offers lots of benefits to members.

When we spoke, Justine asked all about How to Get Booked as a Guest on podcasts so I thought it would be useful to share an edited down version of our conversation with you today. We talk about:

• Why should you want to be a guest on podcasts
• The equipment you need
• How to be a great guest
• How to find the right podcasts
• Putting together a great pitch

Key Takeaways

• Because podcasts have niche audiences you can reach the right people
• Show up to your interviews with the mindset to add value
• It's better to talk to a small number of the right people
• There are podcasts looking for guests like you
• Always follow-up
• It's important to promote your podcast interviews

Mentioned in This Episode

Byte the Book

Connect with Justine Solomons and Byte the Book

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we are joined by world-renowned digital transformation and social media influencer Vladimer Botsvadze who talks about how to build a successful personal brand through social media.

About Vladimer Botsvadze

Ranked as the No. 1 Global Marketing, Social Media and Retail Thought Leader by Thinkers360 in 2023 with over 130,000 followers across his social media platforms, Vladimer Botsvadze is a world-renowned digital transformation and social media influencer and keynote speaker who initiates change, drives growth, and positions brands as market leaders in their industries. He has more than 15 years of international experience with a proven track record and has enjoyed an outstanding career at the top of the technology industry. Vladimer has been described as ''a pioneer across the globe'' by the Exeleon Magazine.

Vladimer has become one of the world's top-rated speakers on technology and he has been booked by Startup Grind, Digital Talk Forum, AI Conversational Summit, and Global Marketing Summit. His performance at the Global Marketing Summit has been watched by 50,000+ participants from 143 countries, 6 continents, and 922 cities. His keynote speeches center around his social media career and his marketing strategies provide a foundation for success. He helps high-performers achieve their growth and prepares organizations to think with a new perspective on the future of marketing. His expertise is trusted by the American Marketing Association.

Always ahead of the curve, Vladimer is an Advisory Board Member of the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute and the United States Data Science Institute. He has been elected as a jury member at the Digital Revolution Awards and the Prolific North Marketing Awards in the UK. In addition, he is a member of the Marketing Judging Committee of the American Business Awards and he has recently been invited as a judge to the Gartner Marketing and Communication Awards in London. He has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, and Yahoo Finance. Moreover, Vladimer is a career mentor at the University of Westminster and a marketing mentor at global start-up accelerators including UCL Hatchery Startup Incubator, Abu Dhabi SME Hub, Seedstars, Take Off Istanbul, Hype Sports Innovation, FasterCapital and APX VC. He has recently started mentoring start-ups at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

One of the world's most recognized marketing personalities, Vladimer has contributed to the European Business Review. He has been interviewed by World Biz Magazine, Natfluence, Billion Success, Thought Leader Magazine, Irish Tech News, and Emerging Europe. He sets the highest standards for marketing and delivers extraordinary results. With many successful projects to his name, he provides the matchless opportunity to global clients in navigating the ever-changing modern business world. Vladimer is equipped with a plethora of game-changing strategies tailored to give his clients a competitive advantage that guarantees long-term success and sustainability.

Vladimer has been recognized as a Transformative Leader of the Year by Exeleon Magazine, Enterprise World Magazine has listed him among the Top 5 Successful Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022 and Insights Success Magazine has named him among the Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders Making a Difference. The CIO Today Magazine has recognized him among the Luminaries The Most Iconic Leaders You Must Follow For Inspiration. Vladimer is among the Top 25 Digital Transformation Influencers by Sparity and the Top 100 Global Retail Influencers by RETHINK Retail.

Key Takeaways

• Your online reputation matters more than ever. You will be inspired to build a powerful online personal brand using social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, and more. Sharpen your instincts to ensure you stay one step ahead of the competition.
• Be strategic about...

In today's episode we welcome original spice girl, abuse survivor and founder of La Vie Refresh Health and Wellness, Verna Haywood.

Verna Haywood fled an abusive relationship in Trinidad with just £100 and a suitcase and came to the UK in 1997 determined to be the voice for women in similar situations who have yet to find their own strength.

At La Vie, Verna uses the seven pillars of health and wellness to Rebalance, Restore and Renew women to enable them to live a life of wholeness. Verna’s method combines a holistic approach to re-establish harmony between body, mind and soul. It draws on the principles she learned growing up on the island of Grenada, in the Caribbean, using nature and seasonal produce to feed, sustain and medicate to ensure a healthy, balanced life.

Key Takeaways

• Women are powerful. We have everything we need inside of us
• Don’t let concerns about money stop you
• Don’t go into a relationship thinking you can change the other person 

Quote

We just need to take that bagagge out and step into our power because we have everything within us.

Get in Touch with Verna Haywood

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today’s episode we welcome Jeremy Enns, the CEO of podcast marketing agency Counterweight Creative and creator of Podcast Marketing Academy. Jeremy talks to us about how to succeed with podcasting from both sides of the mic.

Jeremy Enns is the CEO of podcast marketing agency Counterweight Creative and creator of Podcast Marketing Academy, a high-intensity, cohort-based course for creative mavericks looking to grow a raving base of brand evangelists.

He’s spent the past 5 years traveling full time, once bicycled across Europe, and will always look back on the day he finally saved up enough money to buy the Millennium Falcon Lego set as one of his proudest achievements.

Key Takeaways

•  It’s beneficial to guest on shows with adjacent audiences
• It’s important to listen to a show before pitching and find something to connect with a host
• Let a host know what’s in it for them if they interview you
• It’s not so much about how you market your podcast but making sure you are creating a really good podcast in the first place
• Don’t get hung up about your audio. Choose an external mic and move on. The quality will be so much better than your inbuilt mic

Ask yourself:

 Is my show worth someone’s time?

Get in Touch with Jeremy Enns

Website

Twitter

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

If you're an author with a book coming out, when is the right time to get started with podcast interviews? Listen in as we talk about:

• Starting sooner rather than later
• How to talk about your book on your podcast interviews

Key Takeaways

• Podcasts have different lead times so bear this in mind when booking shows
• You always need to be working to increase your visibility
• Don't stress about getting the timings perfect
• Podcasts are evergreen so you'll see benefits from your interviews down the line
• Appearing on podcast shows in your niche can have a powerful impact
• Share your knowledge generously on your podcast interviews

Mentioned in This Episode

Meg Van Deusen - Stressed in the US

Adam Robarts - Nineteen - 19 Insights Learned from a 19-Year-Old with Cancer

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome business coach Joanna Lott who helps qualified coaches attract clients with honesty, not hype. We talk about:

• Building a Coaching Business with Honesty and Focus
• The Role of Podcasting in Business Growth
• Effective Marketing Strategies for Coaches

About Joanna Lott

Joanna Lott is a business coach who helps qualified coaches attract clients with honesty, not hype. As the host of The Women in the Coaching Arena podcast, a top 2.5% globally ranked show, she shares actionable insights to help coaches build thriving, integrity-driven businesses that reflect their unique brilliance.

With over 20 years in HR and an ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching & Mentoring, Joanna transitioned into Executive Coaching to balance her career with motherhood. She successfully sold both executive and career coaching services to organisations and individuals, a rare achievement among business coaches. Facing the challenges of building a coaching business firsthand, she developed the Reliable Results Path - a proven system that has helped hundreds of coaches secure consistent clients and create profitable, purpose-driven businesses.

Joanna is an ICF Associate Certified Coach and brings a wealth of formal training and practical experience. Outside of coaching, she finds joy in yoga, connecting with her two children, Imogen and Max, and enjoying a glass of prosecco. Her mission is to help others build businesses that bring joy, freedom, and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways

• Find a specific niche to make coaching success easier for clients to understand.
• Use "deep marketing" strategies like podcasts and blogs to build genuine connections, alongside social media.
• Transform a coaching business with podcasting by creating trust and connection with the audience.
• Set deadlines and work with accountability partners to achieve goals like launching a podcast.
• Delegate tasks like editing and admin to focus on creating content and growing the business.
• Launch a podcast with an audience to promote it and use strategies like email lists and guest appearances.
• Create systems that work for personal schedules, such as flexible solo podcast recordings.
• Use tools like Descript for editing and Captivate for hosting to simplify podcast production.

Mentioned in This Episode

The Women in the Coaching Arena Podcast

The Ultimate 2025 Success Planner for Coaches

Connect with Joanna Lott

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

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Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Sales SEO and Social Media expert Kaylene Grieve.

We talk about:

• How social media helps with SEO
• Why SEO is important for small businesses
• How to generate leads with LinkedIn

About Kaylene Grieve

Kaylene Grieve is the Managing Director of Sales, SEO and Social Media, (SSSM) a marketing services agency based in Sydney Australia. With over 25+ years in Sales and 10+ years of marketing experience SSSM has helped numerous companies achieve tremendous results in sales and marketing. Knowing the right volumes and using a blend of inbound and outbound strategies always delivers sales and marketing qualified leads to a business with consistency.

Key Takeaways

• Social media and SEO: While social media doesn't directly impact SEO, it indirectly affects it through various ways. Optimizing social media profiles with keywords and descriptions can improve visibility within social platforms and search engines. Social traffic and engagement also indirectly influence search engine rankings. Platforms like Twitter and Google My Business allow search-friendly social content.
• Importance of SEO for small businesses: SEO is crucial for small businesses because a significant percentage of purchases start with online searches. Google's ability to find and display a business online is essential for attracting customers. Conducting keyword research and optimizing website pages with relevant keywords can improve visibility and search rankings.
• Podcasts and SEO: Uploading podcast transcripts can benefit SEO as it adds textual content for search engines to crawl. Additionally, podcasts align well with the growing trend of voice search, making them valuable in the future. Podcasting also offers marketing benefits through access to a large audience and the potential for increased traffic to a website.
• Having a well-optimized website with keyword-rich content, utilizing social media platforms effectively, and incorporating podcasting can greatly benefit a business's online visibility, brand awareness, and overall search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. The combination of these strategies helps drive traffic to the website, improves search rankings, and attracts potential customers or clients. Additionally, as voice search becomes more prevalent, being active in the podcast space can provide a significant advantage in reaching a broader audience and capitalizing on the power of voice search.

Quote

If Google can't find your business, neither can your clients. So just having that in mind makes it clear why SEO is critical.

Connect with Kaylene Grieve

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Master Networker and author of The Quality Connector, Barry Kopulos, to the podcast. We talk about:

• Techniques to use when networking
• The benefits of networking
• Saying Yes to opportunities

About Barry

Barry is the President of Prairie multimedia productions and author of Make Quality Connections - How to up your networking game and was given the title The Master Networker-The Connector. He produces the Connected Networker a global podcast on which he interviews authors, CEOs, influencers, speakers and coaches, and Ready Set Action Live where he interviews directors, producers, writers, actors and animal trainers.

Barry has been a background actor in over 30 films including Capote and Quarantine.

Barry received two Certificates of Appreciation awards for his talk on networking at the Biznet Sparks networking organization. He also received a Guinness World Record Certificate for participating in a global Pod fest Expo with 5816 attendees over 5 days.

Barry gives back to his community by volunteering for non-profits, charities and cultural events. He enjoys traveling around the world, attending musical events and summer outdoor events. He enjoys photography and videography.

Key Takeaways

• Use the acronym "FORM" to guide you when networking. F is for family, O is for occupation, R is for recreation, and M is for message.
• Start by talking about family, heritage, genealogy, and occupation to break the ice.
• Mention recreation and hobbies to find common interests and topics to discuss.
• End the conversation by conveying a clear message of what you can offer or what you want to achieve.
• You never know when a lucrative opportunity might be just around the corner.

Quote

You have to step outside your comfort zone. You have to think outside your box and try new things and challenges, and you'll go far in life. Barry Kopulos

Mentioned in This Episode

IMDb: Michael O'Sullivan (II) in The Paper Nazis (2011)

Disasters Of The Century | Season 4 | Episode 47 | Dryden Air Crash | Reupload

(Glimpse Barry at 9:50)

Connect with Barry Kopulos

LinkedIn

YouTube

Website

The Connected Networker Podcast

Ready Set Action Podcast

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

As Halloween approaches and we're busy picking out scary costumes I thought it would be an ideal time to talk about common fears that can come up when you're thinking about being a guest on a podcast and look at how you can deal with them.

Key Takeaways

• Podcast interviews are not the same as public speaking. They are a one-on-one conversation. It's you and the host talking, so it can be really helpful to think of it that way. Forget the hundreds or thousands of people that might listen to this episode when you're recording it. Be in the now in your conversation with the host.
• Take time to research shows properly before pitching and take time over your pitch to ensure the best result possible.
• If you're asked something you don't know, you can handle it like a politician and say, the real question is or say, that's an interesting question. I'll have to get back to you on that
• Share what you've seen and you can never be wrong.
• As Denise Duffield-Thomas says, you don't have to be the only voice in a space, you can be one of a number of voices talking about a topic, bring your thoughts, knowledge and experience. That's enough.

Mentioned in This Episode

Andrew and Pete - Atomic

Glossophobia

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're talking about some of the different ways you can leverage social media to promote your podcast appearances.

Key Takeaways

1. Connect with the host before the interview: Building rapport and a relationship with the host through social media engagement helps create a positive impression and boosts your confidence during the recording. It also positions you favorably for sharing posts about the episode when the host tags you.
2. Share pre-interview posts: Prior to the interview, create posts on platforms like Twitter or Instagram to announce your upcoming appearance on the podcast. By tagging the host and showcasing your preparation, you demonstrate active promotion of your appearance, which can lead to additional exposure when the host shares your posts.
3. Create teasers and previews: With permission, generate interest and anticipation for the episode by hinting at topics discussed or sharing snippets of the conversation. These teasers can be shared on social media to encourage the audience to tune in and engage with the upcoming episode.
4. Engage with the host's posts when the episode goes live: By actively engaging with the host's social media posts, you express gratitude for the opportunity, strengthen your relationship, and increase the visibility of the episode. Engaging with the host's audience and sparking conversations further expands networking opportunities and showcases your expertise, contributing to your personal branding as a thought leader.
5. Repurpose podcast content: Utilize the podcast interview as a source of content for your social media. Break up the interview into snippets, highlight key moments or quotes, create quote graphics, share behind-the-scenes photos or anecdotes, and consider hosting a post-interview Q&A session. Repurposing content maximizes the value of the interview, provides diverse content formats, and engages your audience in different ways. Collaborating with the host on cross-promotion amplifies exposure to both audiences and encourages joint content creation such as videos or live streams.
6. Bonus: Encourage audience reviews and testimonials: Request your audience to leave reviews or testimonials about the episode and share them on social media. This not only increases exposure and attracts more listeners but also enhances your credibility and strengthens your relationship with the host.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Rebecca Kirk, the go-to career coach for people on a spiritual path and author of You’re Here For A Reason.

We talk about:

• The ways spirituality can support you with your career challenge
• How can aligning with your true self help can help you
• If fear is stopping you from making a career change what you should do

About

Rebecca Kirk is the go-to career coach for people on a spiritual path and author of You’re Here For A Reason, a practical and spiritual guidebook for readers who are at a career crossroads. Following a 14-year corporate career, Rebecca embarked on a life-changing career break to Australia which led her to retrain as a Life Coach in 2016. With Rebecca’s unique approach to career coaching and spirituality, she has enabled hundreds of clients from around the world to discover the clarity and confidence to navigate their career crossroads and awaken to a working life of greater purpose, peace and prosperity. 

Key Takeaways

• Spirituality can support individuals in understanding their purpose on a deeper level, recognizing their gifts and talents, and gaining confidence and courage to navigate career challenges. It provides guidance, clarity, and solutions, and helps ground individuals, bringing peace and calm during uncertain times.
• Grasping for answers and being overly eager negatively impacts your energy and takes you out of a state of presence.
• The true self consists of tangible aspects like values, gifts, talents, and passions, as well as intangible aspects like the higher self or deepest essence. Connecting with the true self allows individuals to show up authentically, impacting relationships, creativity, and overall work experience. Meditation, nature walks, and connecting with higher self help align with the true self.
• Career changes often require courage and involve confronting fears and beliefs ingrained by the ego self. Fear of what others think, staying in a safe job, or limiting beliefs can hold you back. By recognizing and acknowledging these fears and consciously connecting with the higher self, you can take leaps of faith and overcome limitations, allowing for growth, abundance, and a more fulfilling career.

Quote

Spirituality can help you in terms of guidance. It can feel very lonely when you are going through a career challenge, but when you call on that spiritual connection, clarity and solutions can begin to open up for you that perhaps wouldn't have been there otherwise.

Connect with Rebecca Kirk

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're talking about if you can guest on podcasts using a pen name.

Key Takeaways

• Pen names can be utilised to protect identity, maintain anonymity, or address legal and safety concerns during podcast appearances.
• Throughout history, well-known authors like JK Rowling, Agatha Christie, Stephen King, and Mark Twain have used pen names
• It is indeed feasible to implement a podcast interview strategy while using a pen name. Make sure to clearly communicate the desired level of anonymity required to your marketing team and/or podcast booking agency.
• Practical considerations for authors using pen names in podcasts include the likelihood of hosts requesting a headshot and the increasing use of video elements. Authors are encouraged to choose podcasts aligning with their privacy preferences or discuss with hosts possible methods, such as using avatars or turning the camera off, to conceal identity during interviews.
• Despite potential privacy concerns, using a pen name is not a barrier to leveraging podcast interviews for various benefits. Authors can still grow their platform, increase website traffic, boost book sales, improve SEO, and build a personal brand through podcast appearances.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode we talk about how to prepare to be a guest on podcasts. Learn why it's important to have your house in order before you start pitching to hosts and how to make a great impression.

Equipment mentioned

Logitech c920 Webcam

Blue Yeti Microphone

Experts mentioned

Monkeynut Audiobooks

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode you'll learn 10 ways you can repurpose your podcast interviews to really maximise your investment in this strategy and leverage your time.

Mentioned in this episode

Rev Speech to Text Services (Convert audio and video to text)

Canva (Graphic Design)

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today’s episode I want to talk about the groundwork you can do to ensure that your podcast interview goes well. 

Podcast interviews are a great networking tool and building relationships with hosts is an important, often overlooked part of this strategy. 

Building a relationship with the host begins way before you show up for your actual interview. That’s right. It begins the moment you get a yes from the host.

You want to make a good impression with the podcast host from your first contact with them. So let’s talk about what simple steps you can take to achieve that.

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode we talk about the lesser known benefits of a podcast interview strategy.

Our clients are often surprised by how many benefits there are to being a guest on podcasts. Reach is usually the first thing they think of. How many people are going to hear my message? but there are far more benefits than the initial reach.

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Vladimer Botsvadze

We talk about:

• The importance of building connection with consumers
• Putting your customers first
• Personal brands and AI

About Vladimer Botsvadze

Ranked as the No. 1 Global Marketing, Social Media, and Retail Thought Leader by Thinkers360 in 2023 with over 130,000 followers across his social media platforms, Vladimer Botsvadze is a world-renowned digital transformation and social media influencer, keynote speaker, start-up advisor and internet personality who drives growth and positions brands as market leaders in their industries. He has more than 15 years of international experience with a proven track record and has enjoyed an outstanding career at the top of the technology industry. Vladimer has been described as "a pioneer across the globe" by Exeleon Magazine.

Key Takeaways

00:28 Welcoming Back Vladimir: Achievements and Milestones

01:49 Building Emotional Connections in the Digital Age

04:45 The Power of Personal Branding

07:53 Community Building and Social Media Strategies

18:10 The Role of AI in Marketing and Content Creation

19:54 The Importance of Patience and Long-Term Thinking

Quote

The personal brand has become the brand, because consumers trust entrepreneurs who show their face, who show their smile, so no excuses.

Mentioned in This Episode

Emily Weiss - Glossier

Tesla

Connect with Vladimer Botsvadze

Website

LinkedIn

X/Twitter

Instagram

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://www.thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

In episode 79 of The Best Guest we welcome email marketing expert Hillel Berg. We talk about:

• The common mistakes people make with their email marketing
• Ways to grow your email list
• The typical ways people leave money on the table with their email marketing

About

Hillel Berg is an Email Marketing Expert. His self-titled company provides email marketing services to e-commerce companies to help them get the most from their email marketing efforts. He's also the host of Inboxing, the podcast about email marketing.

Key Takeaways

• The biggest mistake with email marketing is not doing any
• Think content, content, sales with your email marketing
• Segment your list and send relevant emails which will improve engagement
• Everyone loves to receive a Happy Birthday message from brands with a coupon
• You want to send as many emails as you can without getting annoying
• Lead magnets are important for every single business
• It's essential to have a good welcome sequence. Automations are way more effective than campaigns
• Once you have a lead magnet, let everyone know about it
• Webinars are a great way to get people on your list
• Permission isn't permanent so always have an unsubscribe option
• it's a good idea to purge, especially if you are active and you send emails and people are not engaging sunset, flow, let 'em go.
• A little personalisation can go along way

Quote

Another thing a lot of brands aren't doing which is huge, is to realize that email is a one-to-one. One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they think of email as one to many. Like they're putting up a billboard but if you write your emails like you're writing to one person, you're writing to a friend, and you just say it out loud, that could be such a difference maker and engaging your audience. And it could be a small audience. It could be 50 people. But a customer could be worth, half your livelihood.

Mentioned in This Episode

Chad White Email Marketing Rules

Connect with Hillel Berg

Link Tree

Website

Inboxing Podcast

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today's episode of The Best Guest we welcome SEO specialist, Sarah McDowell. Listen as we talk about: 

• The importance of SEO
• How being a guest on podcasts is good for your SEO
• The ways you can maximise the SEO benefits from being a guest on podcasts 

About Sarah McDowell

Sarah is based in the UK and has around 10 years of experience in Digital Marketing, specialising in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). She is currently the SEO Manager at Captivate, a growth-orientated podcast hosting platform, which is part of Global Media & Entertainment. She has worked both inhouse and agency side, meaning she has experience in working in a range of different sectors and industries. Before joining Captivate she was part of the SEO team at Holland & Barrett.

Sarah’s early career plans didn’t involve marketing, let alone SEO. After graduating with a 2:1 in Dance & Culture from the University of Surrey, Sarah was unsure as to what career she should pursue. She enjoyed dance but knew she didn’t want a career in it. After applying for a range of different roles, Sarah accepted a job at a web design and marketing agency, and it was here that she fell in love with SEO. The rest as you could say is history… cheesy right?

Using data, customer insights and her understanding of how search engines work, such as Google, she implements SEO strategies to best optimise websites, with the end goal of increasing relevant traffic, conversion and improving user experience.

Sarah is also a podcaster, conference speaker, previous judge of the Drum Search Awards, trainer and co-author (book yet to be published). In her current role at Captivate, she is combining her two passions which are SEO and podcasting. She has four podcasts under her belt, mainly about SEO, with the latest one only launched a few months ago, called The SEO Mindset podcast.

Key Takeaways

• SEO is a channel for discoverability of your brand
• The better visibility you have in Google, the better chance you have to attract prospective customers.
• Every time a website links to your website this is a back link. Back links help Google to trust your website
• Use tools such as SEM Rush to see what links you have to your site and what backlinks your competitors have.
• Appearing on podcasts is a good way to build back links
• Whenever you appear on a podcast you are getting links to your website
• Podcasts are evergreen. People can always come across it and find you.
• You're targeting a new and engaged source of traffic. You're tapping into other people's audiences
• Podcast interviews feed into EAT - Expertise, Authority and Trust. Google looks at this when ranking pages and websites. Podcast interviews help with EAT because you're seen as authoritative by Google
• To maximise your podcast appearances for SEO - Suggest a topic, do some keyword research to see what people are searching for and base your episode on that topic
• You'll receive backlinks in the show notes
• Make sure you share your episode
• Repurpose your podcast content. Transcribe it and turn it into a blog
• Turn your podcast interviews into social media content
• Embed your podcast interviews on your website but add some text for context. This is good quality content for your website and Google is going to see this.
• Make your page different from the podcast show's site so you're not competing. Find a different angle

Quote

Setting up a website and leaving it is not good enough. It's like buying a lovely plant for your house and not watering it. Even a cactus needs a bit of water. So if you don't nurture it, it will die. It's the same with your website.

Mentioned in This Episode

SEM Rush

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome positioning and messaging expert Janine Coombes.

We talk about:

• Pricing high ticket services
• Content marketing and selling
• How to overcome a fear of visibility

About Janine Coombes

Janine Coombes is an offer positioning and messaging expert who helps coaches and consultants to earn drastically more from their 1:1 services without slogging their guts out or moving to a more complicated business model. She has an extensive background in business and marketing including working with big brands like EE, Orange and Europcar. She has a business degree, a post-graduate marketing diploma (CIM Dip) and regularly speaks on stages like Atomicon, You Are The Media and MarketEd.Live.

Key Takeaways

• Many coaches and consultants tend to jump into marketing tactics like social media and funnels before defining their target audience and refining their offerings.
• Pricing high-ticket services requires finding the right balance. Janine's advice? Find a price that feels slightly uncomfortable but still aligns with the value you provide.
• One-to-one services offer simplicity and depth. They allow you to focus on helping clients without spreading yourself too thin.
• Crafting high-ticket service packages involves understanding your audience and tailoring your offerings to meet their specific needs.
• Being visible in your business can be daunting, but it's essential for success. Showing your face and sharing your voice is crucial for making an impact in a crowded market.
• Confidence in being visible takes time to develop. It's a gradual process of stepping out of your comfort zone and seeing the positive outcomes that result.

Quote

Who knows who you are already? Who's already in the market for what you're selling right now? Get in front of them first.

Mentioned in This Episode

Download Janine's workbook, 6 Steps to Charging More with 100% Confidence, here

Access The Ultimate Guide to Creating and Selling Service Offers here

Connect with Janine Coombes

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

As 2023 approaches and you're considering your goals for the coming year I'd urge you to consider a podcast interview strategy if you really want to make an impact. With that in mind this week I share five tips for getting booked as a guest on podcasts. We look at:

• Auditing your Online Presence
• Putting Together a one sheet
• Making a List of Potential Podcasts
• Evaluating the Podcasts you find
• How to Pitch a Podcast

Mentioned in This Episode

Free One Sheet Canva Template

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

This week the tables are turned as Victoria Bennion is interviewed by Badass Life & Leadership coach, Elen Sentier for her Power-Full Woman series on the Soul in Your Business podcast. Elen and Victoria talk about:

• The importance of nature
• The power of making a real connection
• The Best Guest Programme
• Being a Great Guest on Podcasts
• Chat GPT

Mentioned in This Episode

Jammy Digital

Connect with Elen Sentier

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Today we welcome brand photographer Catherine Berry to the podcast to talk to us about why it's so important to show ourselves in our marketing and how we can take better photos.

Key Takeaways

• Show your face to make a better connection in your marketing
• Our brains process 11 million pieces of information every second but only 40 are likely to be conscious
• Three main triggers that will draw our attention - Food, sex, faces. We link to faces in an emotional sense
• Be more confident to bring those emotions to your visual content. Anything we can do to make a better connection
• Where is the personality? Where is the emotional link?
• This is our shop window. What is making people want to come in to your shop?
• Selfies are a quick and easy way to connect with your audience
• Virtual photoshoots are a great way to batch up content if you don't have time for a full brand shoot

Catherine's Top Tips for Taking Better Photos

1. Get a selfie stick that can turn into a tripod and has a remote trigger
2. Plan your outfit, introduce props, move about, take full body shots, make different expressions and take a batch of photos which you can edit and you will have a lot of visual content
3. Don't go too crazy with filters. You don't want to hide behind them
4. Turn your photos into videos with Inshot. Algorithms love video

Quote

There needs to be a point of difference and we the people are that difference. So stand out. Be more you.

Mentioned in this Episode

Photoshop Express

Inshot

Snapseed

Catherine's Selfies Masterclass

Create a Brand and Website That Stand Out with Liz Rochester Shaddock

Connect with Catherine Berry

Website

Instagram

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

A question we're frequently asked is, Will podcast interviews help me to sell copies of my book? If you lean into the strategy of being a guest we've seen this work really well. We look at:

• The importance of setting clear goals
• Having a good call to action
• Making your interviews work hard for you

Key Takeaways

• Before you begin booking podcast interviews be clear on your goals as a guest
• Consider the different ways you could see a return on your investment
• Think of your podcast interview as the beginning of your relationship with the listener
• If you’re consistently showing up on podcasts the listener has several opportunities to hear you on different shows and get to know you, increasing those touch points that will help them decide to buy from you
• It’s really important to have a good call to action at the end of the podcast. 
• Your call to action will align with your goals for being a guest
• You'll get the exposure to the host's wider community - on social media and to their newsletter subscribers - when you're a guest
• Make your podcast interviews work hard for you by repurposing them across your different channels

Quote

View your podcast interview as the start of a beautiful relationship with a listener rather than a wham bam transaction.

Mentioned in This Episode

Rupal Patel from CIA to CEO

Dave McKeown The Self-Evolved Leader

Adam Robarts - Nineteen

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

On today's episode of the podcast we welcome agent-turned-entrepreneur Rupal Patel. We talk about:

• Rupal's journey from the CIA to becoming a CEO
• Writing From CIA to CEO
• Your Personal Energy Map
• Reframing the idea of Self-Promotion

About Rupal Patel

Rupal Patel’s high-octane career has taken her from jungles and war zones to boardrooms and international stages. After a thrilling career at the CIA, she earned her MBA from London Business School and started her first award-winning business 10 years ago.

Called a ‘Power Woman’ by Harper's Bazaar Magazine, Rupal is a sought-after international speaker and business consultant who has spoken in front of thousands. As a sitting CEO, author, executive advisor, coach and mentor, Rupal helps founders, leaders, and next generation change-makers reset their mindset and make the impossible possible.

Her new book From CIA to CEO (Bonnier Books, May 2022) provides a powerful new toolkit for leaders and entrepreneurs that reveals how the techniques of the CIA can help anyone find their voice and thrive in the world of business without conforming to stale stereotypes or dated “best practice”.

Rupal shares the unique skills she developed as a woman and field agent in the high-stakes, alpha-male world of the CIA, and combines those clandestine insights with her experiences as a CEO and business advisor. She brings tools and tips from the top-secret world of the CIA into everyday living and leading: methods like Profiling and Situational Awareness that help uncover and amplify strengths, and game-changing new frameworks such as Identity-Driven Leadership and Personal Energy Mapping that unlock performance, develop mental toughness, and build steel-core confidence.

With motivating stories and truly unique exercises, Rupal helps her audiences leverage the CIA mindset to remake the rules of success and become unstoppable.

Key Takeaways

• From CIA to CEO is a book fundamentally for living and leading based on your values. What's important to you, setting yourself bold, big dreams, ambitions, goals, and then it contains a very practical toolkit for how you do it. You can explore and experiment. Take some of those CIA tools that I was trained in and adapt them.
• Discover your Personal Energy Map - Consciously map what your energy ebbs and flows are in the course of a day, week, month, season and where possible align the activities you do in your life and career with where your energy is ebbing and flowing.
• It's so important to put ourselves out there. People talk about it as self-promotion, as if it's somehow this in your face endeavour, where you're in people's faces. I would like to flip that and reframe it for people. It's not about being self-promoty. It's about being more visible. It's about sharing with the world, what you do, how good you are at doing that thing, the service you provide, the product. You've got this amazing idea that you want to bring attention to. If you don't, in a way it's being very selfish.

Quote

We are all leaders of our own lives.

Mentioned in This Episode

From CIA to CEO

Connect with Rupal Patel

Rupalypatel.com

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Perdita Andrews is a Professional Speaking Coach, based in Paris, specialising in working with influential women and non-native speakers who struggle with communicating with confidence and ease. Guiding and championing her clients along the way, she has watched them: 

• get their dream jobs through her interview preparation
• land new clients (even over Zoom!) 
• captivate audiences on podcasts
• and conquer the arena speaking at international industry conferences through her public speaking sessions

Perdita gives her clients the tools they need to raise their visibility at work, earn higher salaries, captivate their audiences on a global scale and achieve their highest success through the spoken word.

In this episode we talk about:

• Speaking with confidence
• The importance of speaking with authenticity
• How to deal with stage fright
• If it’s possible for someone afraid of speaking to get to the point where it’s something they enjoy

Key Takeaways

• Glossophobia is the fear of speaking and it’s one of the biggest phobias
• There isn’t a single person in their daily conversation who doesn’t use some kind of a filler word. That is our reality. So when you seen somebody in a context where they’re trying to present themselves as casual with zero crutch words it has the opposite effect.
• Authenticy trumps everything. Be as authentically you as you can.
• Looking foolish and not communicating what they want to communicate are the biggest concerns Perdita’s clients have about speaking
• We all need a little bit of stage fright to remind us that we actually care about what we’re doing

Quote

Communication not perfection

Mentioned in this Episode

 Think Fast, Talk Smart Podcast

Get in Touch with Perdita Andrews

Connect with Perdita Andrews at www.perditaandrews.com and download a copy of her Core4 Principles for Successful Speaking.

LinkedIn

Instagram

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/ 

If you're looking to be a guest on podcasts make sure you're maximising your efforts and not making common pitching mistakes. Today we talk about 10 podcast pitch mistakes to avoid.

Key Takeaways

Podcast Pitch Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Saying you’ve listened to the show and connected with something discussed when you’ve just picked something out of the show notes. 
2. Starting every paragraph with ‘I’ and solely talking about how fantastic you are.
3. Sending a pitch that’s vague and wishy washy.
4. Getting the host’s name wrong. (This should be number one.)
5. Pitching to a show that doesn’t have guests or to a show that only has women, for example.
6. Pitching to a show that’s not recording any more.
7. Not identifying the show you want to pitch to in your outreach. Some hosts have more than one. Be specific.
8. Ignoring how hosts ask to be pitched to.
9. Going on and on and on and on. You need to cover the essentials but don't write an essay.
10. Following up aggressively (but do follow up.)

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Where you send listeners to connect with you at the end of your podcast interviews is really important. You want to have a strong call to action when you embark on this strategy.  

And as we’ve discussed in previous episodes one option for your call to action could be to send listeners somewhere they can sign up to your email list.  

But for them to want to do this it’s a good idea to offer an incentive, a lead magnet. In episode 6 Teresa Heath-Wareing discussed How to Create a Lead Magnet that Converts.

I’m really pleased to welcome Kylie Lang to the podcast to talk about why a Quiz could be the ideal lead magnet to grow your email list.

Kylie Lang is a Quiz Funnel Strategist and Course Creator as well as being founder of the 'Fab Factor'. She works with course creators, service providers and coaches to grow their email list, get more leads and have sell out launches using the power of an automated quiz funnel. 

After running her digital course company for nearly 14 years, when there was no social media to speak of and most courses were paper based, she's made plenty of mistakes and been part of the massive growth of digital marketing at the grassroots level. 

Fast forward to 2021 and she's had multiple 6 figure launches and seen her email list increase by over 700% by creating highly converting quiz funnels.

Key Takeaways

• Reid Hoffman said, If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.
• Starting a quiz: Think about an overriding problem that your audience has. The reason you started your business is because you identified a problem and you are offering a solution. So you take that problem and you reverse engineer it into what you believe will be something that people will be curious enough about to want to know.
• Quizzes are outperforming other lead magnets in so many different ways
• Kylie only spends £250 a month on ads for her quiz and gets anything from 700 to a thousand leads from this.
• You should be taking quizzes to see which ones you like, what questions resonate with you. Don't look at other people in your industry, look at people outside of your industry.

Quote

Done is better than perfect. Do not allow procrastination to stop you doing anything. 

Mentioned in this Episode

The Wedding Academy

Connect with Kylie Lang

Take the quiz at https://kylielang.com/quiz/

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Key Takeaways

• It's Sinead's belief that almost every woman we know in the workplace isn't getting paid what she deserves.
• Pretty much every women needs to make what they do more visible and needs to build great relationships
• Women put pressure on themselves to be all things to everyone and to be amazing and fail to live up to these expectations. It's important to work on your mindset and recognise you are enough
• Cold water swimming is invigorating. It's like a reset button
• The biggest changes Sinead has experienced in her business are when she's gone and sort coaching or a mastermind, finding the right person to help with the next stage.
• Sinead's goal is to elevate at least 1 million women's careers.

Top Two Lessons Sinead has Learned

1. To treat fear differently

"If I'm feeling afraid of something, it's probably worth pursuing because the best things in life require you to push outside your box."

2. If you don't know, go and ask

Quote

Fear is like a excited friend saying, 'You've got to do this. It's amazing!'

Mentioned in this Episode

Andrew and Pete's Rebels Programme

Jodie The Systems Alchemist

Connect with Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're joined by Brandon Leibowitz, the founder of SEO Optimizers which is a digital marketing company that focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses get more online traffic, which in turn converts into clients, sales and leads. We talk about:

• The importance of using the right keywords in your content
• The mistakes people are making with their SEO
• What reputation management involves

Key Takeaways

1. Importance of Keywords: Using the right keywords is crucial for effective SEO. Keyword research helps identify high-search-volume keywords that are relevant to your business and have buyer intent. Long-tail keywords are valuable for targeting specific audiences.
2. Mistakes in SEO: Common mistakes in SEO include neglecting backlink building. Backlinks, especially from relevant and authoritative websites, are essential for building trust and credibility with search engines.
3. Reputation Management: Reputation management involves managing and improving a company's online image. It includes strategies to push down negative search results, build positive online content, and optimize social media profiles.
4. Press Releases and SEO: Press releases can be useful for branding and exposure but may not have a significant impact on SEO. They used to be more effective in the past for building backlinks, but now quality and relevancy of backlinks matter more.
5. Backlink Building Strategies: Backlink building should focus on quality and relevancy. Analysing competitors' backlinks can provide insights into effective strategies. It's important to build diverse backlinks from different sources and related websites.

Connect with Brandon Leibowitz

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

What kind of results are you getting from your podcast interviews? If you're not getting great results yet then the problem is rarely the size of the shows. In today's episode we talk about 8 reasons your podcast interviews may not be working for you.

Key Takeaways

• Poor audio quality can negatively impact your interview, so using an external microphone and wearing headphones can improve sound quality. It is also important to avoid echo in the room and turn off any disruptive sounds from devices, fans, or air conditioning.
• Being unprepared can affect the quality of your interview. You should know the platform that the host is using, be confident about the topics you are discussing, and avoid showing up unprepared with a script.
• Over-preparation can also be detrimental to your interview. While it's useful to prepare beforehand, it's important not to show up with a script, as it may sound unnatural and disengage the audience.
• Stories are important in engaging listeners and building emotional connections, as stories make information more memorable and relatable.
• Instead of being a pushy salesperson, focus on adding value to your interview by sharing your knowledge, experiences, and expertise, to grow your brand.
• Poor rapport with hosts. Use the hosts name and engage with them during your conversation.
• Not being enthusiastic or sounding enthusiastic about the topics you're talking about.
• Not being a guest on the right shows. Periodically evaluate which podcasts are the most successful for you and go on more of these kinds of shows.
• Not having a call-to-action that's resonating with listeners. You may need to experiment.

Quote

The problem is rarely the number of listeners of the podcast

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Being a guest on other people’s podcasts offers one of the most effective ways for you to get in front of your target audience, to gain visibility and build your brand.

But once you’re booked on podcasts how do you ensure that you really showcase your expertise and maximise the impact of your interviews?

In this episode we’re going to talk about how to be a great podcast guest so that you're set up for success with this strategy.

Equipment mentioned

Logitech c920 Webcam

Blue Yeti Microphone

Podcasts mentioned

Make it Right

Inspired Energy

5 Minute Success

Sage Advice

Read to Lead

Manage Smarter

The Entrepreneurial You

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode of the podcast learn how to get started with podcast interviews. We talk about the equipment you need in place so that you sound and look clear and professional, and how to select which podcasts to pitch to.

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode of The Best Guest Victoria shares her key takeaways from the sessions and workshops she attended live at Social Media Marketing World 2022 delivered by Michael Stelzner, Chris Rudolph, Jessika Phillips, Rachel Miller, Tim Schmoyer, Fallon Zoe, Nicky Saunders, Mari Smith and Pat Flynn.

Mentioned in this episode

Michael Stelzner - Social Media Examiner

Chris Rudolph

Jessika Phillips

Rachel Miller

Tim Schmoyer

Fallon Zoe

Nicky Saunders

Mari Smith

Pat Flynn

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today’s episode of the podcast we welcome Amy S Peele, award-winning, best-selling author of CUT and MATCH, medical mysteries with a mission and a side of humour.

Amy S. Peele RN, is the award-winning, best-selling author of Cut and Match, medical mysteries with a mission and a side of humor.

Before becoming a writer Amy enjoyed a fascinating 35-year career in the organ transplant field which provides an authentic backdrop to her books.

She learned early on in her medical career that humor was an important survival skill and studied improvisation at the world premier school, Second City, in Chicago.

Amy currently resides in San Francisco, close to the Golden Gate Bridge, where she loves to swim, teach chair yoga and meditate. 

Key Takeaways

• Make your password to your computer at work the name of one of your characters so that even if your work is all consuming you are connected to your story 
• Knowing how to be playful is important for survival when you’re one of five siblings 
• A development editor keeps you on track with your writing and what moves the plot forward 
• If you’re a new author looking for a press find out if they help you with your marketing and social media 
• To market your book you need to put your business hat on and if you can’t find somebody who can help you
• Simple twists in your chair are really good for your spine 
• You can write a beautiful book but if you get up in front of a group and you’re nervous and scared they won’t hear the story and who you are. If you can relax, deliver and be purposeful and calm they’re just going to want more.

 Quote

Sometimes if you’re going to do something bold and you’re not sure what it might be if you ‘Yes and’ that scary thing, your mind kind of goes OK I’ll try it.

Mentioned in this Episode

Claire Diab

Louise Penny

From Page to Stage by Betsy Graziani Fasbinder

Get in Touch with Amy S Peele

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode you'll learn about the benefits of a podcast interview strategy, what's involved in getting booked as a guest on podcasts, how to maximise your interviews and what it looks like to work with a podcast booking agency.

Book your free podcast guesting strategy call here.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In today's episode of The Best Guest we welcome former specialist school headteacher and author Ange Anderson. Listen as we talk about:

• The challenges of setting up and leading a specialist school
• Technological and therapeutic interventions for children with learning differences
• Juggling different writing projects

About Ange Anderson

Ange Anderson M.Ed opened and led an innovative specialist school in North Wales for 10 years introducing over 25 different therapeutic/technological interventions to support pupils with learning differences. 

She edited and co-wrote The Future of Special Schools and Therapeutic Interventions and is author of VR,AR & AI in SEN; Trampolining for Children & Young People with SEN; Music, Sound and Vibration in SEN; and Learning through Play for SEN, all published by Routledge.

Ange has written several educational articles, some of which were for the Times Educational Supplement (TES) and she contributes regularly to special education magazines. 

In addition Ange presents internationally on topics related to special education, such as supporting children and adults with Neurodiversity. She is also the special educational needs (SEN) advisor for a global VR company.

Ange believes continuing professional development (CPD) for staff holds the key to being an excellent school and has supported schools in finding the most appropriate therapeutic and technological innovations for their school.  

Ange also writes children’s books under the name Angela Morgan. As well as writing, Ange enjoys going to the ballet, classical music, walking her dog, reading and home decorating.

Key Takeaways

• Anything where a condition affects the brain means you're neurodivergent
• You have to do a sensory profile on every child who comes into school and that will inform which therapies may help
• Instead of thinking some students have behavioural issues, it might actually be that we need to teach the way those children learn

Quote

Neurodivergent people experience, interact and interpret the world in unique ways

Mentioned in This Episode

Snowdonia

Mendi

Binaural Beats

Venture into Play

Tobii Eye Gaze

Berard AIT

Connect with Ange Anderson

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

SEN Books by Ange Anderson

VR,AR & AI in SEN

Therapeutic Trampolining for Children &

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're looking at how you can enhance your personal brand as a guest on podcasts:

Key Takeaways

• Brand Identity is so much more than fonts and logos
• Podcasts lend themselves well to story telling and this builds connection
• People will connect with you for things you share about yourself
• You can show lots of different aspects about yourself when you're a podcast guest
• Through appearing on podcasts you can demonstrate your expertise
• Podcast guesting is a great way to build your network
• Review your online presence before pitching so that you make the best impression possible

Mentioned in This Episode

Episode 101 - The Power of Brand Identity with Jessica Wikingellis

The Golden Egg Academy

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome social media strategist, organic social media specialist, trainer, community manager, and keynote speaker, Dorien Morin-van Dam.

We talk about:

• The Best Ways to Batch Content
• How to Repurpose Podcast Interviews
• What it Means to Agilify our Social Media Calendars
• Evergreen Content Ideas To Reignite our Social Media Conversations

About

Dorien Morin-van Dam is a social media strategist, organic social media specialist, trainer, community manager, and keynote speaker.She has been a social media professional for 10 years and has experience in a multitude of industries. Dorien started out as a local specialist working with both B2C and B2B clients and is currently working with national and international brands. She is a certified Social Media Professional and Agile Marketer. 

You'll recognize Dorien by her signature orange glasses, a nod to her Dutch heritage.

Key Takeaways

• Benefits of Batching Content: Batching social media content, such as videos, blog articles, and graphics, can save time and streamline the content creation process. It allows you to focus on one type of task at a time, reducing the need to switch between different creative mindsets. Batching also helps in better planning and scheduling content in advance, ensuring consistent and timely postings.
• Repurposing Podcast Episodes: Repurposing podcast episodes is an effective strategy to reach a broader audience and maximize content value. Different ways to repurpose include creating audiograms, turning episodes into blog posts or LinkedIn articles, and using various types of graphics and quotes from the podcast. Repetition is essential since not everyone sees content the first time it's posted.
• Finding Evergreen Content Ideas: To keep social media conversations engaging and relevant, focus on evergreen content. Share behind-the-scenes stories, business highlights, staff events, and community involvements. Highlighting customer success stories and problem-solving content can also be effective. Consume more content to get inspired and generate new ideas for your own posts.
• Efficient Content Creation for Clients: To efficiently create content for clients, create timestamps during interviews to mark salient points. Use these timestamps to assist your virtual assistant in repurposing content. Remember to find a balance between posting expert guests and guests with a substantial online audience to tap into their followers as well.

Quote

Every single time you talk about the podcast or the episode, you try to highlight something else that they said, right? So it's not the same, but the link goes back to the same podcast each time, because when people, they don't realize they're seeing the same content. They're just realizing you're talking about the same topic.

Mentioned in This Episode

Strategy Talks Podcast

Olive Kitteridge

They Ask, You Answer

Connect with Dorien Morin-van Dam

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

In this episode we talk about, do podcast guests get paid? This question often crops up when people are considering embarking on a podcast interview strategy and are not sure where their ROI is going to come from.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

As I return from Social Media Marketing World 2023 I share my top takeaways from the event:

Key Takeaways

• Attending events can be beneficial for learning about industry trends and best practices, networking, and personal development.
• AI was a hugely popular topic at the Social Media Marketing World conference, which indicates how popular and embraced it is right now.
• Jade Beason recommended nurturing your audience on Instagram using engagement stickers, such as quantity stickers, q & a, and quizzes, before converting them.
• According to LinkedIn expert, Judi Fox, 30 to 40 touchpoints are needed before someone is ready to buy from you so clear instructions and consistent posting are necessary to nurture your audience on this platform.
• Growing a brand hashtag on LinkedIn for sustainable visibility in the future is a good strategy, and don't be afraid to use it repeatedly on your profile.
• If you want to get started with video but you are tight for time and feel stuck because of how long editing can take opt for doing live streams, where the format doesn't have to be as polished.
• Long form content such as videos and podcasts are really great for thought leadership.
• Don't overlook the networking opportunities at events. They're our favourite part.

Mentioned in This Episode

Judi Fox

Latasha James

Roberto Blake

Jade Beason

Social Media Marketing World

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Do you want to increase your domain authority? Are you looking to build backlinks to improve your SEO and drive more traffic to your website? Did you know that podcast interviews are a top way to do this? On this week's episode we talk about:

• What are backlinks and why do we need them?
• How podcast interviews help you to build backlinks
• How to get maximum SEO benefits from your podcast interviews

Key Takeaways

• Every site has a domain authority - a number between 0 and 100 and this is based on how important Google thinks your site is.
• A backlink is a link from another site to yours and Google sees this as a vote for your site.
• A backlink from BBC News has more weighting than a small unknown random site.
• By building backlinks you improve your SEO and your domain authority.
• Most podcasts have show notes and you get at least one back link here.
• Most hosts will ask which links you want them to include in the show notes. If they don't, ask.
• If you're asked to provide a title for your episode make sure it includes one of your keywords.
• Transcribe your episodes and turn them into optimized blog posts on your website.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

What the heck is a One Sheet? That was my reaction when I started pitching my first client and was asked for his One Sheet by a host. Thank goodness for Google! Today we talk about:

• What is a One Sheet?
• Why you need one?
• What should you include?

Key Takeaways

• A One Sheet is an interactive PDF
• It's a place to showcase what's unique about you.
• This is the place to be specific not general
• Highlight your expertise in your One Sheet
• Your topics and questions will set you apart from others talking about similar things

Quote

Your One Sheet is the place to highlight what's unique about you

Mentioned in This Episode

Get your free professionally-designed One Sheet template here.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest, Victoria shares essential tips on how to pitch yourself effectively as a podcast guest. Tune in to discover how to make your pitches stand out and increase your visibility through podcasting.

Key Takeaways

Prepare Your Digital Presence:

• Before pitching, ensure your online footprint is polished. This includes having an updated biography, professional headshot, and relevant social media links. Create a one sheet and a digital media kit to present yourself professionally.

Research and Personalize:

• Take time to research each podcast you pitch to. Understand the show's format, audience, and previous episodes. Personalise your pitch by mentioning specific episodes or topics that resonated with you, and avoid generic, templated pitches.
• Your pitch should include a brief introduction about you, relevant experience or achievements, and suggested topics you can discuss. Highlight any gaps in the podcast's previous content that you can fill and explain how you'll promote the episode if selected.
• After sending your pitch, follow up a week later. Hosts are often busy, and a gentle reminder can significantly increase your chances of getting a reply. Mention any new achievements or relevant updates in your follow-up.
• Consider adding value to your pitch by offering something unique to the podcast’s audience, like an exclusive webinar or a special resource. This can make your pitch more attractive and demonstrate your commitment to contributing to the show's success.

Resources

What you Need in Place Before Getting Started With a Podcast Interview Strategy

Get More Podcast Bookings With a One Sheet That Wows

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit www.victoriabennion.com

This week we're celebrating reaching our 100th episode where we're talking all about how to convince your boss to invest in a podcast interview strategy.

Key Takeaways

1. Highlight Positive Outcomes from Past Appearances: Use any previous podcast guest appearances by your boss as evidence of the positive outcomes and exposure gained from such opportunities.
2. Emphasize the Multifaceted Benefits: Podcast interviews offer more than just wide audience reach; they can help establish thought leadership, increase brand visibility, attract new clients, and build connections with target audiences.
3. Highlight Timeless Assets: Podcast interviews are timeless assets that continue to bring benefits long after their release, as they can be found by potential clients searching online.
4. Fresh Content for Marketing: Podcast interviews provide fresh content that can be repurposed across marketing platforms, aiding SEO and generating backlinks.
5. Explain Niche Audiences: Mention that podcast interviews allow you to connect with niche audiences, helping you build a genuine connection with your target audience.
6. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define measurable objectives for the podcast interview strategy that align with broader marketing and business goals.
7. ROI Projection: Provide a projection of the return on investment (ROI) based on realistic expectations, focusing on metrics such as increased website traffic, lead generation, and conversion rates.
8. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Outline the KPIs that will be used to measure the success of the podcast interview strategy and explain how they will be tracked and reported.
9. Competitor Analysis: Conduct a competitor analysis to showcase how other companies in your industry are benefiting from podcast guesting, emphasizing engagement metrics, topics discussed, and brand promotion.
10. Long-Term Strategy: Stress that podcast guesting is a long-term strategy that builds brand authority and credibility over time, leading to increased consulting work, speaking opportunities, website traffic, and more.

These takeaways can serve as a foundation for your pitch to convince your boss to invest in a podcast interview strategy.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest, we welcome Frank Husmann, the founder of Maxiality to the podcast.

We talk about:

• Shifts in the B2B marketing landscape
• The importance of strategy
• Common pitfalls in authority marketing

Key Takeaways

• Showing the human side of a business is crucial, especially through video content that can emotionally engage and connect with the audience.
• Leveraging UGC and testimonials in social media marketing is highly effective, as they can build trust and authenticity.
• Using storytelling is a powerful strategy in video content, allowing a brand to resonate more deeply with its audience.
• Businesses should focus on maximizing ROI by understanding and catering to customer needs, driving engagement and conversions.
• Embracing innovation is essential for staying relevant, with short-form video content being a key area for creative growth.
• Podcasting can serve as core content, offering an opportunity to dive deep into topics, establish authority, and engage listeners on a personal level.

Quote

When you put the human side of your business out there, it’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about creating a real connection with your audience

Connect with Frank Husmann

Website

YouTube

Linkedin

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestpodcastguest

Join the Best Podcast Guest Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebestpodcastguest

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@victoriabennion

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're talking about podcast guest forms. If you've pitched to be a guest on a podcast, you've likely been ask to complete a form. We look at:

• Why it's important to complete the form
• Ways to streamline the process to save time

Key Takeaways

• Completing podcast guest forms is necessary for maximising this strategy and building positive relationships with hosts.
• Allocate sufficient time for filling out forms, as the complexity can vary.
• Creating a digital media kit can streamline the process.
• Consolidating commonly requested information in a document with URLs for easy sharing and reference can save time.

Mentioned in This Episode

Get More Podcast Bookings with a One Sheet That Wows

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/ or contact us here

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome ClickUp expert Yvonne Heimann to the podcast

We talk about:

• Mastering the Basics of ClickUp
• Establishing Processes in Your Business
• The Different Seasons of Running a Business

About Yvonne Heimann

Yvonne Heimann is the CEO & founder of AskYvi.com and the leading ClickUp evangelist, as well as a passionate Business Efficiency & Scalability Consultant, Mindset Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, & Speaker.

Using her knowledge of over 15 years running multiple businesses, she helps her clients organize, strengthen, and streamline their businesses into profitability and success.

Yvonne is a force to be reckoned with. When her husband died, she was determined to not only resume her passion for building “bulletproof businesses” but also to make sure that those who go through something similar can find the same solace and excitement in entrepreneurship that she did.

Her work is driven by a vision of a world where digital entrepreneurs not only make a living doing what they are passionate about but thrive and wear their passions as badges of honor.

Key Takeaways

1. Yvonne's upcoming book, "The Basics of Mastering ClickUp," targets a diverse audience, including beginners, teams using ClickUp daily, and existing users seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge. The book's objective is to help users streamline processes and workflows effectively without becoming overwhelmed by the tool's complexity.
2. The Versatility of ClickUp: ClickUp is a versatile project management tool that allows for high levels of customization. Understanding your processes well is essential to making informed decisions when setting up ClickUp.
3. Starting with Your "Moneymaker" Process: Yvonne recommends initiating your ClickUp setup by focusing on your most critical process, often referred to as the "moneymaker" process. Identify its key steps and gradually build and optimize it within ClickUp. This approach ensures efficiency and automation where possible.
4. Balancing Work and Personal Life: Achieving a perfect work-life balance can be challenging. Instead, consider it as a series of seasons in your life and business. There will be times when work takes precedence and others when personal life and self-care are the priority.
5. Being Mindful of Consumed Content: Being mindful of the content you consume, whether news or entertainment, is vital. Negative or dramatic content can significantly impact your mood and overall well-being. Be selective in your content choices.
6. Consistency in Promises to Yourself: There's value in making and keeping promises to yourself. Start small and gradually increase commitments to avoid self-criticism. Consistency in self-commitments can lead to positive habits and self-improvement.
7. Learning and Adapting: Yvonne's journey to write her book involved facing unexpected challenges and setbacks. Learning from these experiences and adapting to overcome obstacles is essential. Surrounding yourself with the right people and resources can make a significant difference.
8. Customizing Your Morning Routine: When establishing a morning routine, tailor it to suit your preferences and energy levels. Allow flexibility in your routine to adapt to how you feel each day. The key is to prioritize "me time" during the first hours of the day and do what feels right for you, whether it's enjoying a leisurely coffee or hitting the ground running.
9. Energy Level Awareness: Recognize that your energy levels fluctuate throughout the week. It's essential to listen to your body and not expect the same level of productivity every day. Understand when you may need more time for recovery and rest. Don't feel pressured to conform to a rigid schedule, such as the "5am club."
10. Tracking Sleep Patterns and Habits: Embrace technology to gain insights

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome marketing strategist, Nathan Yeung.

We talk about:

• How to build a marketing team
• What marketing strategies are working right now
• Performance media buying and the level required to perform it well

About Nathan Yeung

Nathan Yeung is an experienced marketing strategist with over 10+ years of expertise in advising B2B businesses. Throughout his career, Nathan has helped numerous companies build their marketing teams from scratch, delivering successful go-to-market deployments, and launching new products into the market.

Nathan's diverse background brings a unique perspective to the marketing world. Trained in marketing, he has also worked in finance and management consulting, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of business operations and strategy. Nathan's multifaceted approach to marketing has enabled him to create innovative, data driven campaigns that have driven significant business growth for his clients.

With a passion for driving results, Nathan is dedicated to delivering measurable impact for every project he takes on. He is a natural problem-solver who excels at developing creative solutions to complex marketing challenges. Nathan's ability to think outside the box has helped his clients to stand out in their industries, and his expertise has been recognized by numerous organizations over the years.

Key Takeaways

• Building a marketing team: Start with the lowest hanging fruit and focus on practical and sustainable marketing methods that you can execute. Develop sales enablement tools and showcase your successes in a digestible format.
• Marketing strategies: All marketing strategies can work depending on the maturity of your organization. Focus on SEO, sales enablement tools, email marketing, and retargeting. Customize your strategies based on your specific business needs.
• SEO tactics: Optimize your website's content, structure, and on-site tagging for better search engine rankings. Off-site SEO involves building quality backlinks, but be cautious of using unreliable vendors or shortcuts.
• Performance media buying: Performance media buying is a highly skillful task that requires deep knowledge and experience. It involves optimizing ad platforms, manipulating data, and understanding the nuances of different platforms. Media arbitrage, a form of performance media buying, focuses on generating a profit by acquiring and selling customers.
• Paying for creative: Investing in creative elements is essential as aesthetics play a significant role in influencing value. Aesthetically appealing websites and first impressions leave a lasting impact on potential clients. Creative skills can be honed and developed, so consider working with professionals to enhance your brand's creative assets.
• Paying for operations: If you lack the experience and expertise to execute marketing operations effectively, it is wise to invest in professionals. Paying for operations increases the likelihood of success and ensures a high level of expertise in executing marketing strategies.
• Aesthetics and usability: Aesthetically appealing designs enhance user experience and positively impact brand perception. First and last impressions are particularly important for creating memorable experiences.
• Media buying complexity: Media buying platforms may appear user-friendly, but true expertise lies in understanding the intricacies and nuances that lead to successful campaigns. Manipulating platforms to buy exactly what you need requires in-depth knowledge and experience.
• Importance of creative process: The creative process is an art and skill set that not everyone possesses naturally. It involves iteration, thoughtfulness, and honing of ideas. Working with professionals who follow a meticulous creative process can yield better results.
• Paying

Welcome to The Best Guest podcast, the show for the Victoria Bennion Podcast Booking Agency.

Each week we share tips and strategies on how to get booked as a guest on podcasts, how to maximise your interviews and how to nurture the leads you receive from your podcast interviews to grow your business.

You also hear from our clients and guest experts who share their knowledge about mindset, marketing and business to ensure you are set up for success.

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Podcast Host and Author, Tim Lewis.

We talk about:

• Business Travel and Benefitting from Airline Schemes
• What Podcast Hosts Look for in Guests
• The Pros and Cons of Creating a Live Show vs a Recorded Show

About Tim Lewis

Tim has been self-employed since 2014, first writing science fiction and fantasy books, then the book Social Media Networking in 2018. After that Tim was been more concentrated on social media training and helping people self-publish their books. Tim was the host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast between 2016-2019 and run the #indieAuthorChat Twitter chat for the Alliance of Independent Authors between 2019-2022.

Tim is the co-host of the Oh No! Not Another Live Show!, a general interest interview show and runs the Book Chat Live show on Amazon Live and YouTube where he talks to authors and book lovers about their favourite books.

He is also the creator of the Tim Lewis TCF YouTube channel where Tim talks about his efforts to visit every state in the US (currently at 49 states - one to go!) and general travel advice from a serial US traveller.

Key Takeaways

1. Airline Loyalty Program Tips: It's important to understand different airline schemes and the nuances in earning points and tier statuses. Tim's strategy involves taking specific flights and understanding the value of tier points, especially for business and first-class travellers.
2. Podcasting and Guest Selection: Tim emphasizes the importance of tailored pitches and how lack of research into the show's context can impact guest selection.
3. Challenges in Guest Coordination: Lewis emphasizes the effort required from potential guests when pitching for shows. Many fail to follow through with requirements, such as providing book lists for "Book Chat Live," causing difficulties in scheduling and creating episodes. His advice is for potential guests to understand the show's format and fulfil necessary tasks when pitching.
4. Unscripted Podcasts: Podcasts come in diverse formats. Some shows follow structured scripts and predetermined questions, others prefer a more unscripted and spontaneous approach, allowing for more natural conversations.
5. Podcasting Challenges: The time-consuming nature of editing, learning curves associated with audio/video editing, and the need for consistent quality and skills to maintain audience engagement.
6. Podcasting Strategy and Audience Growth: Podcasting might not be the top-of-funnel solution to gain a massive audience immediately, but it's an intimate medium that, when used strategically, can contribute to audience growth and retention further down the funnel. Also, being a guest on podcasts is a beneficial strategy for networking and reaching new audiences.

Connect with Tim Lewis

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Threads

Twitter/X

LinkedIn

YouTube Channels

Oh No! Not Another Live Show! 

Book Chat Live

Tim Lewis TCF

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome entrepreneur and speaker, Sabrina Victoria.

We talk about:

• Sabrina's journey from abuse survivor to TEDx Speaker
• How to effectively manage your time as a business owner
• The personal development programs that transformed Sabrina's life
• Factors to consider before starting a new business venture

About Sabrina Victoria

Sabrina Victoria is a seasoned entrepreneur and TEDx speaker with a background in door-to-door sales. She brings over two decades of experience of building and co-building multiple 6 and 7-figure businesses to Her Nation, a dynamic media platform showcasing business owners through engaging podcasts, virtual magazine features, and empowering events. Her charismatic leadership style centers on community building, education, and strategic networking as the core of success for women in business. She is the host of Her Talk Show and leads several networking, business workshops and masterminds per week to help female business owners thrive!

Key Takeaways

• Don't be afraid to pivot. Be curious
• Always think of the long game when it comes to business opportunities
• Pay attention to where your energy peaks and lulls so you can maximise this in your day
• Investing in personal development programs such as Landmark Forum and Tony Robbins were very important in helping Sabrina Victoria achieve the success she has. They help you to think about life differently, your story differently, your journey and your challenges
• To achieve her dream of becoming a speaker, Sabrina Victoria set goals and took action. She showed up with intention and let people know what she did

Quote

The universe, I believe, always gets what it needs. And if you're not ready to step up for what it needs, it moves to somebody else.

Mentioned in This Episode

Her Nation

Her Talk Show

Sabrina Victoria's TEDx Talk

Connect with Sabrina Victoria

YouTube

Facebook

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

This week's episode is for you if you don't have a solid, uninterrupted 8 hours to focus on your business, have various demands on your time and are struggling to fit everything in. We talk about:

• How to choose which tasks to do when
• The joy of focus sessions
• Why it's important not to overschedule your day

Key Takeaways

• Work out what time slots you have available in the day but don't timetable every second. You need a buffer in case unexpected things come up
• Try out Microsoft focus sessions. Set the timer and the do not disturb will go on. You won't see notifications popping up so you can give your task your undivided attention
• Do not work all the hours trying to squeeze everything in. If you're working late don't work early as well
• It's important to look after yourself. Don't give up everything such as Netflix. You need time to recharge as well.
• Outsource what you can and ask your team members to support you with client work and other tasks

Mentioned in This Episode

The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone

Microsoft Focus Sessions

Episode 58 with Kris Ward - Win the Hour, Win the Day

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In the last episode we looked at how to find guests for your podcast. In Part 2 of the mini-series, Booking Guests for your podcast, we talk about the different ways to pitch guests to be on your show.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

As the saying goes, 'You only get one chance to make a first impression so you want to make sure it’s a good one.' Today we're looking at the importance of first impressions and how you can make sure you're making a good first impression with podcast hosts. We talk about:

• The importance of a good website
• Auditing your social media accounts
• How to make good impression at your interview

Mentioned in This Episode

Create a Brand and Website that Stand Out with Liz Rochester Shaddock

Photographer Catherine Berry

How to be an Excellent Guest Checklist

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome author of Twelve Doors Les Jones.

We talk about:

• The 19,000 on call firefighters in the UK
• Weaving in different elements in your writing
• The journey to publication

About Les Jones

Les Jones got involved in firefighting in 1980 at 20 years old, and worked at a large chemical company. Due to its risk and hazards, the company had its own internal fire service. This continued into another chemical industrial role until 1996. He attended external training courses including attending the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire.

He became a member of the IFE (Institute of Fire Engineers) and sat their examination at Crewe Fire Station in 1994. He became assistant team leader of the eight-person crew on his shift and focused on training and fire drill events.

In 1996 he became a police officer and found himself torn between Policing and the Fire Service as he had opportunities with both organisations. He spent 20 years in both uniform and plain clothes duties.

About Twelve Doors

Twelve ordinary men and women, frontline protectors, bound by duty. Whenever the call comes, they drop everything and risk their lives to save others.

But beyond the raging infernos, a string of crimes emerges that threatens to engulf them all. As their fire station faces closure, Leah Walsh, their fearless leader, embarks on a solitary quest to uncover a web of corruption that threatens her life and shakes the foundations of everything she holds dear.

In a faded seaside town on the brink of chaos, her brave crew must also navigate a precarious path to ensure that justice prevails. Will they extinguish the flames of criminality before they are all consumed?

Mentioned in This Episode

Twelve Doors

Bells The Fire Dog

Hummingbird Motion Pictures

Connect with Les Jones

Facebook

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

On today's episode of The Best Guest we're talking about choosing your call to action for podcast interviews. We cover:

• What is a call to action?
• How do you choose the right call to action?
• Examples of great calls to action

Key Takeaways

• The call to action you choose depends on your goals
• If you send a listener to join your email list or to your social media, make sure you're active there
• Too many options could confuse the listener
• Make your URL easy to remember. Keep it simple.
• Welcome places are a great option for your call to action
• Your call to action could be a free consultation or call

Mentioned in This Episode

Jeremy Enns' Welcome Page for his Appearance on The Best Guest.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Stories build an emotional connection and make listeners stick around longer. They lower our defences and they enable us to teach principles in a much more engaging way than sharing a list of bullet points. Today we talk about:

• Why telling stories is so powerful
• What elements to include in your stories

Key Takeaways

• When we hear a story our brain lights up, the neurons wire together which triggers us to remember more of the information we're hearing
• A good story consists of a 5 act structure set out by John Yorke in Into the Woods
• Well told stories release chemicals in the brain. They give the listener a hit of dopamine, oxytocin and PEA which make them feel generous, trusting and in a good mood
• Your stories don't have to be long and they don't have to be perfect
• The more you practise telling stories the better you'll get

Mentioned in This Episode

Expert Empires

Marie Forleo

Tim Schmoyer

Paul Mort

Liv Conlon

Tess Cope

John Yorke

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Today we welcome the founder of the Poet Life, Christoph Jenkins to the podcast. We talk about:

• How to use poetry for team building
• Why poets don't need to be starving artists
• Poet Life's work to help young people express themselves

Key Takeaways

• Keynote poets can engage your audience with word play
• Poetry has taught all of us to read
• We can use poetry as a tool to flush out your emotions and express yourself
• You can have a career as a poet
• Don't ask your children what they want to be when they grow up. Ask what they want to create right now
• Open mic is a great way to team build
• It's effective to give your employees a platform to express themselves creatively
• Poetry can help employees find common ground

Quote

It's not about just giving [our children] examples. It's about becoming one.

Mentioned in This Episode

Obie West

Connect with Christoph Jenkins

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome the founder & CEO of global marketing and branding firm Mavens & Moguls, Paige Arnof-Fenn.

We talk about:

• The importance of establishing an online presence
• Effective strategies for building your brand
• Utilising LinkedIn

About Paige Arnof-Fenn

Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder & CEO of global marketing and branding firm Mavens & Moguls based in Cambridge, MA. Her clients include Microsoft, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups as well as non profit organizations. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several Boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has written for Entrepreneur and Forbes. 

Key Takeaways

1. Significance of Online Visibility: Being invisible online is a detrimental strategy. In today's digital age, people use online presence, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, as a measure of credibility and trustworthiness.
2. Everyone is a Brand: Regardless of status, everyone has become a brand in the digital space due to social media platforms. Consistency and authenticity are crucial in shaping and maintaining this personal brand.
3. Strategic Approach to Online Presence: Rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple platforms, focus on one or two that align with your strengths and where your target audience engages the most.
4. Authenticity and Professionalism in Online Engagement: Remain true to yourself while maintaining professionalism in your online presence. Inconsistencies across different platforms can lead to confusion and a lack of trust among your audience.
5. The Power of Consistency: Reinforce one or two key messages consistently across all touchpoints to build a strong brand identity that resonates with your audience.
6. Harvard Business School Case Study Experience: Harvard created two case studies on Paige's entrepreneurial journey, illustrating the shift from corporate to entrepreneurship, reflecting the growing interest in students wanting to start their own businesses.
7. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Conduct thorough market research to validate your business idea, focusing on the target audience's needs. Additionally, stay adaptable and consistently evaluate and update your marketing strategies to align with changing environments and audience preferences.

Quote

If you don't exist online, you really don't exist anymore

Connect with Paige Arnof-Fenn

Website

LinkedIn

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit www.victoriabennion.com

Today Jake Thomas joins us to talk about How to Create You Tube titles that people click. Jake is the author of the popular Creator Hooks newsletter. We talk about:

• Finding title inspiration from other industries
• The difference between writing titles for Google and YouTube
• Split testing your titles
• How to create curiosity
• The importance of modelling titles that work

Key Takeaways

• If you don't have a good title no one is going to click your video
• Google likes positivity - desire and curiosity rather than negativity
• Give the audience what they want and how they want it. Think about why they're searching.
• It's a mistake making content that's not for your audience eg if you have a channel about running, your audience aren't coming to you for nutrition tips
• If people follow you for your personality you have more flexibility on topics
• Don't write long and complicated titles
• It's worth split testing titles and thumbnails but not at the same time
• Open loops to build curiosity
• Taking things to the extreme can work well eg The best camera

Quote

If you don't have a good title no one is going to click your video

Mentioned in This Episode

Jake asked some of the best YouTubers, "How do you write such great titles?"

And they all say the same thing: "I just model what's proven to work on YouTube."

They're not better than you.

They're not smarter than you.

They just model successful videos.

The Creator Hooks email shows you 5 videos worth modelling to help you write great titles and save time.

Subscribe to the Creator Hooks Newsletter here

Connect with Jake Thomas

Twitter

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome author and entrepreneur DaVon and Greene to the podcast.

We talk about:

• The mindset and habits essential for success
• Overcoming rejection as a writer
• Balancing writing with running a business

About DaVon and Greene

DaVon and Greene (the pen name of Jonathan Greene) always knew writing was in his blood. He grew up as the son of author and composer BB Johnson AKA Joseph Greene who wrote Together Brothers and Across the Alley from the Alamo. Drawn towards cartels, crime, and drugs DaVon and Greene completed his first serious undertaking in his early teens. After an underwhelming critique from his father’s friend, Saul David (Director of Logan’s Run and Fantastic Voyage) DaVon and Greene put down the pen and entered the world that he wrote about in an endless cycle that there was no escape from, ultimately leading to incarceration.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistence in Writing: It's important to be persistent in your writing journey. Even after facing discouragement, it's crucial to keep writing every day and not give up on the craft.
2. Overcoming Rejection: When faced with rejection, taking a break from writing may happen, but it's vital to eventually overcome setbacks and start writing again, focusing on writing for yourself before writing for others.
3. Daily Writing Habits: Developing the habit of writing every day is essential. Aim to complete at least one page a day. Consistent daily writing helps you stay engaged with your work and overcome writer's block.
4. Writing Process: Writing more than you need and then refining your work is a valuable approach. Typically, about 4 pages of writing for Davon and Greene may be required to produce 1 final page of text. This highlights the importance of editing and revision in the writing process.
5. Balancing Writing with Other Work: If you have other commitments, find ways to manage your time effectively. For example, if you're a truck driver, start early in the morning and use your time on the road to work on your novels.
6. Inspiration from Real Life: Draw inspiration for your characters from real people you know or meet. This personal touch can bring depth and authenticity to fictional characters.
7. Adaptability in Career: Be adaptable in your career endeavours. Explore different opportunities and be open to change when pursuing entrepreneurial success.
8. Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle: It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating well and staying active can help you stay fit and focused, even in demanding jobs like truck driving.

Quote

You have to have some kind of drive. You have to find, whatever that drive is that drives you., Everybody's different. You have to find something that gets you up every day. I get up every day 4 o'clock in the morning.

Mentioned in This Episode

Download your free chapter of Paladin - Briscoe De Valls - Defender of House Le Fleur

Connect with DaVon and Greene

Website

Instagram

TikTok

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To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In episode 73 of The Best Guest Victoria Bennion discusses the differences between podcasts and radio.

• While radio is traditionally broadcast over the airwaves and distributed at specific times, podcasts are typically distributed through the internet and can be listened to on demand.
• Radio programs are more structured, whereas podcasts are more flexible with their structure and content.
• Radio shows are often produced by large broadcasting organizations, whereas podcasts can easily be produced by individuals or small teams with little to no budget.
• While radio stations rely on advertising revenue to support their operations, podcasts can generate revenue through sponsorships, merchandise sales, or paid subscriptions.
• Overall, the main differences between radio and podcasts are in distribution, timing, length, content, format production, and revenue models. The episode ends with an invitation to visit the host's website to book a free podcast guesting strategy session.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome digital marketer Jessica Wikingellis to the show.

We talk about:

• What we mean by brand and brand identity
• Why your brand identity is so important
• The importance of tailoring your brand message to your target audience

About Jessica

Jessica Wikingellis has 10 years' of marketing experience. She helps small serviced based businesses attract and land their ideal clients through online marketing by helping them identify and refine their brand message, creating content frameworks and strategy so they can connect with their audience and show up with clarity and confidence. 

Key Takeaways

1. Brand identity is more than just logos and colours: It encompasses messaging, tone of voice, and overall brand personality.
2. Tailoring brand messages to the target audience is crucial: Understanding the audience's journey, desires, and pain points helps in making them feel seen, heard, and understood.
3. Confusing brand messaging can hinder audience engagement: Simplifying and clarifying the brand message is vital for effective communication.
4. Humanising the brand through vulnerability and authentic storytelling builds trust and connection with the audience.
5. Focusing on one social media platform initially helps in avoiding dilution of efforts and confusion.
6. Structured storytelling can deeply resonate with the audience and create lasting connections.
7. Embracing vulnerability in personal branding can lead to genuine connections with the audience.
8. Professional support in marketing can provide a customized approach tailored to specific brand needs, leading to improved marketing outcomes.

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"Humanising your brand is really about finding your own voice... It's something that can grow with time." - Jessica Wikingellis

Connect with Jessica Wikingellis

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Tiktok

LinkedIn

Website

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're looking at How to Get Leads from your Podcast Interviews.

Key Takeaways

• Consistent Engagement: Instead of focusing solely on appearing on the largest podcasts with the most downloads, prioritize being a guest on podcasts regularly. Consistent appearances help build momentum and increase visibility over time.
• Long-Term Strategy: Podcast interviews have a long shelf life, meaning they can generate leads long after they are initially published. Regularly participating in podcast interviews creates a lasting digital footprint that can continue to attract clients in the future.
• Wider Reach Potential: Many shows also share their episodes on platforms like YouTube, social media, and newsletters, which can significantly expand the audience.
• Unexpected Opportunities: Additional opportunities can arise from podcast appearances, such as collaborations, guest appearances on social media platforms, or writing articles for publications associated with the host. Engaging with smaller, niche podcasts can also lead to significant business opportunities, as illustrated by the example of a client securing a $10,000 course sale.
• Host Connections: Developing strong relationships with podcast hosts can be as valuable as the audience itself. Hosts can offer further opportunities, such as magazine articles and speaking engagements.
• Collaborative Potential: Engaging with hosts can lead to collaborations beyond the podcast episode itself. Maintain contact with hosts and explore potential collaborations that could benefit both parties.
• Direct Engagement: When appearing on podcasts, ensure there is a clear and compelling call to action for listeners. This could be a unique URL, a webinar, or a specific offer tailored to the audience.
• Value Addition: As a podcast guest, focus on adding value to the audience, which increases the likelihood of listener engagement and lead generation.
• Audience Overlap: Look for shows with audiences that have some overlap with your target market.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

In episode 60 of The Best Guest we welcome Donna Kendrick, the author of A Guide to Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years, to the show. We talk about:

• What you can do to prepare for an unexpected loss
• The best ways for friends and family to support a widow or widower
• The stages of navigating your finances in widowhood

About Donna Kendrick

Donna Kendrick will never forget that “Omgosh, what just happened?!?!” moment when she discovered her husband Greg passed away suddenly in November 2013. 

During her time of grieving Donna quickly realized that she had stepped into a new role overnight, one where she had to take control of her family’s finances in order to keep life consistent for her and her kids. Important family decisions came on real soon and real quick, and Donna had to figure out how to navigate this new season in her life, which meant finding the professional resources to help. 

Donna has made it her life’s work to help other widows and widowers navigate their own financial decisions in the first days, weeks and months of widowhood... and the years to follow. She is the author of A Guide to Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years (pub. Epic Author July 22) which is here to help through the first days, weeks and months of widowhood… and the years to follow. Donna is also the host of the Widow, Wisdom and Wealth ™ podcast, which aims to remove the intimidation out of financial planning, so families can handle any transitions that come their way. 

Donna is an avid long-distance runner who turns her passion into an ability to raise funds for local causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counselling program. In 2022 Donna married her husband Jim and between them, they have six children. Together with their Newfoundland and English bulldog, they enjoy living in the community of Springfield Township, Wyndmoor, PA.

Key Takeaways

• If the worst happens make sure you take a moment to breathe
• Surround yourself with trusted people
• Get your state documents done
• Make sure you have enough life insurance
• Don't wait for widowhood to get prepared
• Have someone come to meetings with you to take notes
• If someone you know has recently lost a partner think what you can do to make their life easier

Quote

It's okay to take the quiet time. Don't be scared of it.

Mentioned in This Episode

A Guide to Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years

Connect with Donna Kendrick

Sephton Financial Website

Widow and Wisdom Website

Widow and Wisdom Facebook

Widow and Wisdom Instagram

Widow Wisdom and Wealth Podcast

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome personal and professional relationship coach Nicolas Rion. Nicolas focuses on making conflicts pain-free.

We talk about:

• Ways to communicate to engage a team
• How to move through difficult situations calmly and with less stress
• If it's possible to re-learn how to relate to others

About Nicolas Rion

Nicolas Rion is a relationship coach who supports individuals to build strong, healthy and sustainable relationships in both their professional and personal lives.

His knowledge of relationships was, in many ways, learnt the hard way. After losing his mother as a teenager and experiencing a challenging start to his professional life in the corporate world, where he often felt like a fish out of water, Nicolas embarked on a journey of self-discovery, which ultimately led him to coaching.

Nicolas started coaching in 2017, and has trained with one of the world’s leading coaching schools,the Co-Active Training Institute, accredited by the International Coaching Foundation (ICF). Nicolas is also trained in Nonviolent Communication, a framework for resolving conflict through empathy, honesty, strength and compassion.

Nicolas helps his clients build relationships based on honesty, self-respect and equality and works with them to improve their communication and self-confidence so they can build strong, healthy relationships which lead to fulfilling personal lives and professional success.

Nicolas grew up in Burgundy, France. He currently lives in East London, but loves to spend his free time travelling or kitesurfing in Sussex, or further afield.

Key Takeaways

• Conflict avoidance and constant fighting can both lead to unhealthy relationships.
• Difficult conversations can be managed calmly and with less stress. Nicolas emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and mindset when approaching challenging discussions. Understanding your emotions, needs, and values while maintaining control over emotions is crucial.
• Adopting a mindset of transparency, curiosity, vulnerability, and assertiveness can contribute to more effective communication during difficult conversations.
• Personal growth and improvement in relationships start with individual actions. While you cannot change the other person in a relationship, you can focus on improving yourself. By aligning your behaviors with your values and practicing the habits developed through coaching, you can inspire positive changes in your relationships over time.

Mentioned in This Episode

Download the 10 Habits of Successful Relationships here

Connect with Nicolas Rion

Website

LinkedIn

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're celebrating the launch of The Most Amazing Marketing Book... Ever by Mark Schaefer and friends. I'm thrilled to welcome three of the book's amazing co-authors, Ian Anderson Gray, Laura Dorman and Lisa Apolinski. They generously share their marketing expertise and insights into their chapters on Live Streaming, Video and Customer Experience.

Key Takeaways

• Ian's chapter offers practical tips, mindset strategies, and creative approaches to leverage the power of live streaming for content creation and audience engagement.
• Unique perspective on live streaming: Readers can expect some surprising tips from Ian's chapter on live streaming. He mentions the concept of creating content as if it were live, even when not going live. He also emphasizes the mindset shift that live streaming brings, helping content creators overcome perfectionism and achieve consistency.
• Repurposing and use cases: Ian discusses the importance of repurposing live-streamed content and explores various use cases of live streaming beyond the basics. These insights can benefit content marketing and visibility efforts, even for those who may feel nervous in front of the camera.
• Readers can expect practical tips on delivery techniques, video creation, and YouTube optimization in Laura's chapter, providing valuable insights for leveraging videos and YouTube channels effectively in marketing efforts.
• Laura shares tips for feeling comfortable and appearing more effective on camera. These include loosening up the body, making funny faces to open up, and doing breathing exercises. She also suggests engaging in physical activity, such as cardio, before going on camera to help feel more comfortable.
• Laura states that 80% of content marketing is currently in video format. She highlights the need for compelling and easily digestible video content, as attention spans have become extremely short.
• Laura's delivery techniques for videos: She advises speaking as if talking to one person, creating an authentic and personal connection. She also explains the concept of framing and the importance of being mindful of movements and gestures to maintain a focused and non-distracting presentation.
• Laura's YouTube optimization tips: YouTube is a search engine so utilize SEO techniques, proper titling, and keywords to enhance discoverability.
• By reading Lisa's chapter, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of customer experience and learn practical strategies for improving it in both digital and human contexts.
• Customer experience: Lisa emphasizes the importance of considering customer experience not only in a digital context but also in a human-centered way. She encourages readers to leverage customer experience to build trust, establish relationships, and incorporate their brand story into conversations. The goal is to create a sense of humanity and accessibility rather than being perceived as an impersonal company behind a glass wall.
• Personal perspective: Lisa draws from her own experiences with customer service over the past three years to inform her chapter. She reflects on instances where she felt companies had dropped the ball or missed opportunities, and uses those insights to provide guidance on improving customer experience.

Mentioned in This Episode

The Most Amazing Marketing Book... Ever by Mark Schaefer and Friends

Connect with our Guests

Ian Anderson Gray - Author of Chapter 12 - The Extraordinary Power of Live Streaming

Ian is the founder of the Confident Live Marketing Academy and is the host of the Confident Live Podcast. He helps entrepreneurs level up their impact, authority, and profits by using live video confidently.

Today we’re joined by Niki Hutchison who specialises in audience growth. Niki shares her top tips for growing your audience without paid ads.

Niki has been developing effective strategies to grow businesses for over twenty years. As well as creating impactful marketing campaigns for agencies and clients, she has also managed and grown businesses, achieving huge increases in turnover. She’s built two of her own service-based businesses from scratch and has over ten years experience as an entrepreneur. There are not too many business scenarios that Niki hasn’t experienced!

Key Takeaways

• Since the pandemic it’s been really important to create a strong audience of people who love what you do.
• There is so much that you can and should do before you invest any money in Facebook Ads otherwise you’re likely to waste a lot of money:

1. Make sure you’re really great at what you do
2. Social media – Make sure you’re in the place where people you want to attract are spending time.
3. It’s key to optimise your presence on social media 
4. It’s important to grow your email list so you’re not reliant on social media to reach your audience
5. Create a freebie that you know is going to appeal to your audience to grow your email list
6. Go detective mode – Learn as much as you can about your audience. Install some kind of analytics
7. Ask for reviews and share them
8. Attend networking events or host your own
9. Work with influencers. Invite them to your events.
10. Be a joiner – join that membership or Facebook group. You really do get out what you put in. Join as many things as you can and them remove yourself from the ones that aren’t the right fit for you.
11. To cultivate an engaged audience it’s about communication, consistency and clarity
12. Speaking on podcasts can really shorten the lead time in which it takes for someone to become your client.

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The more you niche, the more you lean in and the more you listen to what you know about your audience and listen to what they’re telling you the easier it becomes to create a freebie or lead magnet that they’re really going to want.

Get in Touch with Niki Hutchison

Download Niki’s Tip Sheet: 25 Ways to Grow Your Audience Without Paying for Ads 

Learn more about Niki’s Audience Growth Club

Listen to The Audience Growth Club Podcast

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Today I want to encourage you to be more visible this year. Grab that imposter syndrome by the horns and wrestle it to the ground. We reflect on wisdom shared by some of our wonderful guests over the last year and talk about:

• The witch wound
• The importance of self-belief
• How to reframe the idea of self-promotion
• Why you should show your face
• Not worrying about bothering people by emailing them

Mentioned in This Episode

Episode 41 - Kelly Weekes

Episode 40 - Rupal Patel

Episode 33 - Catherine Berry

Episode 6 - Teresa Heath-Wareing

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

A strong one sheet will help you book more podcasts. This week on The Best Guest we're talking about:

• How to create a one sheet that stands out
• Why a strong one sheet is helpful to a podcast host
• Setting up a media kit

Key Takeaways

• Your one sheet will give hosts a picture of what an interview with you could sound like
• Your one sheet is the place to show what's unique about you, how you're different from others in your niche
• A one sheet should not be selly. It should not be all about your product or service
• Your one sheet should include your biography (written in third person), suggested topics and questions, your head shot, your contact details
• It's a nice touch to match the fonts and colours of your one sheet to your branding. It helps hosts make that connection when they look you up and know they have the right person
• A good one sheet builds trust with a host and creates the right impression of you
• To make sure you stand out from the crowd question, what makes you you, what sets you on fire? What have you helped your clients achieve? Why do they come to you? How is your approach different from others in your industry?
• Create a media kit folder. You could do this on Google Drive. Add everything a host is likely to ask for such as your headshot, different length biographies, and one sheet. If you're an author add your book blurb and different renderings of your book cover

Mentioned in This Episode

Get your free professionally-designed One Sheet template here.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we're talking about the different ways being a guest on podcasts can help you win podcasts and what you need to pay attention to to achieve this.

Key Takeaways

1. Podcast Guesting and Client Attraction: Being a guest on podcasts offers an opportunity to tap into an engaged audience and establish trust and credibility. Sharing expertise and stories on podcasts helps in positioning yourself as an authority in the field, attracting potential clients seeking solutions.
2. Showcasing Expertise and Building Relationships: Podcast appearances allow showcasing expertise, providing tangible value to the audience, which solidifies the guest's position as an expert. Personal connections made during podcast appearances often lead to listeners feeling more inclined to work with the guest due to increased likability and connection beyond mere expertise.
3. Lead Generation and Strategic Calls to Action: Podcast guesting is a powerful lead generation tool. Guests can leverage the opportunity to share a call to action, such as offering free resources, webinars, or consultations, engaging and nurturing listeners into potential clients.
4. Networking and Collaborations: Being a podcast guest enables you to expand your network within the industry, building relationships with hosts and their audiences. These connections often lead to collaborations, partnerships, and referrals, opening doors to new client opportunities.
5. Strategic Approach to Securing Guest Spots: Securing guest spots on podcasts requires thorough research, identifying relevant shows aligned with the guest's niche or target audience. Crafting personalized pitches that highlight unique value, understanding the audience's pain points, and providing solutions are crucial for landing sought-after guest spots. Additionally, maximizing impact by promoting podcast appearances across various platforms reinforces credibility and extends reach beyond the podcast audience.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

This week on The Best Guest we're talking about when is the right time to get started with a podcast interview strategy.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Podcast interviews truly have the ability to transform your business but how can you track your success? How can you tell what impact your interviews are really having? Listen in as we talk about:

• The importance of setting clear goals
• The different ways to track success

Key Takeaways

• Be clear about your goals and what you hope to achieve from a podcast interview strategy.
• Choose a call to action that aligns with your goals.
• Track your success against your call to action. For example if your CTA is an incentive to get listeners to subscribe to your list, did you see an increase in subscribers when your episode went live?
• Remember to also look at the other opportunities you've experienced as a result of your podcast interviews. For example, our clients have been asked to speak at conferences, deliver webinars and workshops, write features and articles.
• The full impact isn't necessarily going to be obvious the day or week your episode goes live. Remember content can be discovered down the line - months after you recorded the show. Your podcast interviews are assets.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Mentioned in this Episode

Tim Lewis and Christelle Lerryn - Oh No Not Another Live Show

Make a Connection with Catherine Berry

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this episode we're going to look at how to go about finding the right podcasts to pitch. It’s really important you don’t take a scattergun approach when pitching podcasts. It won’t help your credibility to do this and the results will be unimpressive. But if you take the time to research podcasts properly before you approach them and then suggest being a guest you’re going to experience some stellar results.

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

In this week's episode of The Best Guest we welcome Lauren V Davis to the podcast.

We talk about:

• Building a Real Personal Brand
• Leveraging Social Media for Connection
• The Power of Community and Networking

About Lauren V. Davis

Lauren V. Davis is the CEO of Lauren Davis Creative, a hands-on personal branding consultancy that helps superstar entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, and passion-driven individuals tell their stories on their own terms, develop personal brands that form real relationships, and increase their visibility + revenue.

The skills Lauren acquired while building a successful brick-and-mortar record store for 15+ years taught her how to see through manipulative “one-hit-wonder” marketing tactics and instead grow a personal brand that drives meaningful relationships and profits. Today, she offers that same entrepreneurial support (and of course, great music recommendations) to experts worldwide.

Lauren is a featured marketing expert in Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, and on global top-rated podcasts. She also hosts The Real Personal Branding Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast where she uncovers the secrets of personal brand building from some of the top thought-leaders, speakers, authors, and coaches in the world.

When she’s not working, find her touring the country in her van with her partner, searching for a great cup of coffee or glass of red wine.

Key Takeaways

• Personal branding is about community building, storytelling, and fostering engagement.
• Promoting your speaking engagements before events shows excitement and approachability.
• Setting aside time before and after events to engage with your audience can boost your connection and impact.
• Following up on social media with a thank-you post after your presentation reinforces the relationship with new followers.
• Even introverts can set boundaries while effectively engaging with an audience after speaking.
• Regularly audit your brand by Googling yourself and ensuring your content reflects your current work.
• Your content should be authentic and go beyond just providing value—allow people to connect with you personally.
• It’s essential to have a simple, efficient system for proposals, contracts, and payments.
• Don’t forget to ask for testimonials and reviews; they play a vital role in building trust and credibility.

Quote

Promoting or sharing the event before you come shows your approachability and gets the audience excited about engaging with you. It’s about building relationships that last beyond your talk.

Connect with Lauren V. Davis

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldaviscreative/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ldaviscreative/
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ldaviscreative
• Podcast: https://linktr.ee/realpersonalbrandingpodcast
• Grow Your Public Speaking Business Workbook

Gifts

• Download Lauren's 100+ Social Media & Content Prompts for Professional Speakers
• Download 100 prompts for social media

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about...

In this week's episode of The Best Guest podcast we welcome 5x Bestselling author and the founder of Thought Leader Academy, Sara Connell.

We talk about:

• The doors a book can open—media, speaking, TEDx, and more
• The confidence gap and how it holds women back financially
• How visibility and thought leadership are shifting in 2025—and what you need to do now

About Sara

Sara Connell is a 5x Bestselling author and the founder of Thought Leader Academy where she helps coaches, experts and entrepreneurs scale impact + create 6-7 figures by becoming bestselling authors and in demand/TEDx speakers. 

She has been featured on/in Oprah, The New York Times, Good Morning America, TODAY, Forbes, Entrepreneur and TEDx. Her books have been nominated for a National Book Award and Elle Magazine book of the year.

Key Takeaways

• A book isn’t just about book sales—it’s a credibility multiplier that makes you the go-to expert in your field.
• Trust is the currency of 2025—and writing a book builds instant authority in just 1.8 seconds.
• Podcast hosts and event organizers prioritize authors—having a book increases your chances of being booked by 80%.
• High-ticket offers (coaching, courses, speaking) are the key to turning a book into a profitable business.
• Visibility is more important than ever—showing up in multiple places consistently builds trust and drives business growth.
• If you don’t already have the financial success you want, there’s likely a subconscious money block—and you can rewrite that mindset.

Quote

"The desire to write a book is the permission slip—you don’t need anyone to tell you you’re allowed. That book will open doors, build trust, and change lives—including your own."

Mentioned in This Episode

Holy Hunger by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas – the book that changed Sara’s life

Simon Sinek’s TED Talk: Start with Why

The concept of ZMOT (Zero Moment of Truth) – why people buy from those they see consistently

Connect with Sara

Website: https://www.saraconnell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraconnellauthorspeakercoach/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraconnell/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/saracconnellauthor

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Learn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/

Download our checklist: How to be an Excellent Podcast Guest https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/checklist/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestpodcastguest

Join the Best Podcast Guest Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebestpodcastguest

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@victoriabennion

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/

Recently we've been asked about booking guests for your own podcast, so we've put together a three-part mini series looking at how to find podcast guests for your show, how to pitch potential guests and when you get a yes how to schedule your guests, prepare for your interview, share and repurpose the episode.

In part one we share our tips and tricks for finding guests for your show.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/

Have you ever asked or been asked how many downloads a podcast has? Download numbers are only part of the picture when looking at a podcast interview strategy. In episode 37 of The Best Guest we look at average podcast download numbers and where the benefits from being a guest on podcasts truly come from.

Connect with Victoria Bennion

Book your free podcast guesting strategy session today.

To learn more about working with us visit https://victoriabennion.com/