The Benefits of Podcast Guesting

You're listening to podiatry marketing, conversations on building a successful podiatry practice with Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald.

So welcome back to podiatry marketing. My name is Tyson Franklin, and my cohost is Jim McDannald all the way over in Canada. How are doing today, Jim?

Tyson, doing well. Doing well. I'm excited to to jump into this topic today because it's it's kinda related to our the origin story of this podcast in a way.

Oh, it's true. Yes. Okay. So well, let's divulge what we're talking about.

So today we're gonna jump into the benefits of podcast guesting. This is not starting your own podcast. This is not buying a microphone. This is jumping onto other people's shows to provide value, how to do it, what are some different ways to approach guesting on other people's podcasts?

I love being a guest on other people's podcast. I set a goal, I think it was two years ago that I was gonna be on a hundred podcasts in that year. That's what I said. I'm gonna I'm gonna be a guest on a hundred shows. And I ended up doing about 70 that year, so I didn't didn't hit the target.

However, I realized about halfway through the year that I really started to ease off because I didn't feel I was giving enough promotion to each of the shows that I was on. So so I I really cut it back to then going, okay. I don't wanna be on as many because I wanna know that, yeah, if you invite me to be on your show, like this one this one, that I gave it the promotion that it deserved. So yeah. But guest podcasting, it is a great way of getting your name out there.

Well, that's actually the way we met because I It's true. Came on to Podiatry Legends podcast, and that kind of spurred the genesis of podiatry marketing working together. But I think that's I think that's that's a great point there. I think that's one of the obviously, we're both podiatrists. So the first kind of area that we're gonna jump into is that, yeah, being on other podiatry podcasts is an opportunity to display your expertise in front of your colleagues and just kind of like get to know and network.

I think we met during kind of pandemic times and everything is locked up and it gave us an opportunity to kind of like share interest with a a fellow colleague. But, you know, jumping on to podiatry podcast is is is one way of, you know, it's kind of that first niche of either networking or, you know, kind of setting yourself as an expert maybe in some subspecialty or niche in that way. But like you said as well, you know, there's other benefits or there's other things that need to come along with the podcast. Part of it is, you know, being a good kind of promotional partner if you are on a show. You just wanna just show up, record it, and then disappear.

That doesn't really doesn't really help the person that that's doing the show. But if you if you're helpful you're if you're a helpful helpful distributor, it builds a stronger relationship. You're also helping that person get their name out. Obviously, with our podcast, it's you and me distributing it together. We don't really have guests on the show, but that is one way of doing it.

And then also there's a benefit that if you are on a podcast, a podiatry podcast, another one, most likely, you know, you can link to it, but all there also, every podcast you get on, most likely they'll link to your podiatry clinic website, and it's a way to kinda help grow the visibility or the online visibility of your practice in a way. So, yeah, there's lots of positivity that that can be given by, you know, appearing on medical or other podiatry podcasts.

Well, also it builds social proof. So give you a perfect example. I I had somebody on my podcast on the Podotic Legends podcast. They came on, and, yeah, I invited them on the show. And was a really good episode, and it was about running.

And because they they were right into running, so we were talking about running and why they won't have a running clinic. So really enjoyed the podcast. It was fun to do, so I produced it. Went out there. Anyway, he calls me a while later, and he says, oh, you won't believe this, that I somebody from Foot Locker phoned up and said that they were listening to the podcast, listened to that particular episode, and chose me over other podiatrists in the area because I was on the Podioche Legends podcast.

Now what was funny is later on, the person that contacted him from Foot Locker was ended up doing podiatry themself, and they have also been on my podcast. Well, they they're still a student, Josh. Shout out to Josh. It's amazing. The more times you're on podcast, it is just social proof.

So when people are doing a Google search and they're going, oh, I'm looking for podiatrist in Cairns, for example. If I was still practicing in my clinic now and they said podiatrist in Cairns, my name pops up absolutely everywhere. I still get phone calls for people wanting to make appointments just out of the blue because they still see my name around the place.

No. A %. I think that's a great kind of segue into the next area that I think is really important to brush up on is that it's not just being on podiatry podcast, but making yourself locally relevant by being on local podcast is another way to go about gaining visibility. Like you said, if you're on with the local business podcast or the local chamber of commerce has a podcast or maybe it's a local business association or a chiropractor's podcast, anybody in your local area, if some people are listening to that show, once they have you on that show, it it does lend a significant amount of credibility to who you are and what you're doing, and it separates you from anyone else. Because they're almost like, to be on somebody's show, like, it's it's it's kind of like extending some of their own social, like, proof or social kind of like currency in a way and giving it to you in a way.

So it's it's you just don't let any Yahoo onto your show or onto your podcast because it is kind of this association that happens. So I think that is a you know, by being locally relevant and being by being on local podcasts, yeah, that can be a huge benefit.

Well, going going back a step two, I think if you wanna be a a guest on other people's podcast is, like you said, also be part of the promotion process. I met a lot of people in Podiatry Legends podcast, and some have been great. They've come on. Yeah. I've shared the podcast.

They've shared the podcast, and and I can tell by the download numbers how much they've actually shared and effort that they've put in. And you get other people that turn up, do the podcast, and that is you've not right. You really even get a thank you for letting me yeah. For having me on the show. And and you can tell by the download numbers, it just doesn't doesn't do as well as what it potentially could.

But then that and some of them will reach and say, hey. I wanna come on again. Yeah. Right. No.

Because you didn't promote it in any way the first time. So I think if you're going to be a good podcast guest, is get on there and think, okay. How can I help you make this show even better? And and put a little bit a bit of effort into it. And that because then a reputation get gets around amongst people that, oh, you are a good guest.

And I've had people on my podcast that, yeah, I know a lot of other podcasters that I've been sent the messages and gone, hey. You should get this person on your podcast. And even though they're podiatrists and their other shows, I got nothing to do with podiatry. Just the information that they share is is quite interesting.

Yeah. I think that's a really good point. I think word travels fast about who's a good guest and who's gonna help promote. And, yeah, like if you have a great experience with someone on the show, you're definitely much more likely to refer them to other people or people in your network that might have shows. You know, there's it's not that many people do podcasts.

I mean, it's it's growing and there's just feels like there's a lot out there. But Yeah. Even in podiatry, maybe there's maybe ten, fifteen that people do it consistently that have consistent output. So there's a lot of

There's only two really good shows.

Well, there's only two people should listen to. We're a little bit biased, but we we also talk about that like what five or five or 10 episode cliff that happens a lot. Even a lot of stuff that's in iTunes or in Spotify, they maybe have two to three episodes and then it falls off pod fading. Yeah.

Pod fading. It's it's quite Because people think, oh, podcasting is really easy. Just press record and and it's done. There's more to it than that. There's a lot of thinking that needs to go in beforehand, and they usually, the people that don't put the thought in beforehand, the ones that fall off the perch pretty quickly is because they get seven or eight episodes in.

They go, bloody hell. I got nothing else to say. And and that in fact, I can't even find a guest. No one wants to come on my show. Yeah.

But that's a that's a whole different story. But as a guest, one tip I would give people, if you're going to be a podcast guest and you wanna come across professionally, like I will usually say to my guests, make sure you're in a quiet room. Make sure you have a decent microphone. Even just, like, headphones are fine. Yeah.

Apple headphones are fine because I always look and say, I am going to sound good regardless. It's up to you to put some effort in to make sure that you sound good. If you sound like crap on the other end and really tinny or you're too far away or the room's echoey. Yeah. They're talking like this, and there's muscle, and you can't under can't understand a thing I'm saying.

That reflects on you, not on me. So I think if you wanna be a good podcast guest is just ask the host, do you have any tips that you would suggest? And they will normally take you through what they what they particularly like.

No. That's that's good advice. That definitely is helpful. I think also having reasonable, like you said, doesn't have to be amazing equipment, quiet room. Right.

If you're if you're doing a video podcast, making sure that you have your laptop in a way that's not like looking up your nose. Like the the camera is that kind of eye level is usually important. Yeah. People not, you know, not put their their back to like a a bright light or a or a window, making sure your face has

You look you're in witness protection.

Exactly. And we had those voices, one of those like masked voices

One of those black things across your eyes like this so that you you can actually see them.

There you go. Yeah. Exactly. But but I'm curious. So that that year you're gonna do 70 podcasts or a hundred podcasts, What was your technique to to get on those shows or to find those shows?

I'm curious.

Oh, yeah. There's a real skill to it. One, you need to listen to the podcast that you wanna be on. I used to get a lot of people when I bought my older podcast, It's No Secret with Doctor T, and I used to get people reaching out to me all the time about, oh, I wanna come on your show. I I love your podcast.

And I'm going, well, it doesn't tell me anything. Other people would write to me and go, oh, or they'd say, hi, no name. I really enjoy your podcast. I I would like to be a guest. This is what I talk about.

And and a few of them, I knew I knew who these people were. And a lot of times, this has happened with the podiatry legends podcast where a podiatrist wants to be on my show, but instead of them reaching out to me themselves, they get their assistant to reach out to me straight away. Uh-uh. Ain't gonna happen. If you wanna be on the Podiatry Legends podcast, then reach out yourself.

Don't get your assistant to do it because they do it badly. And so some of them will say, hi, sometimes says, Tyson, really love your show. I want to be on your podcast. Or they'll say, oh, doctor such and such really wants to be on your podcast. This is what he will talk about.

Whereas what you're better to do is go, hi, whoever the the host is. Listen to some of their shows. Listen to some of the most recent shows and say, I was just listening to episode such and such. I really love the way that you and the guests spoke about this. This was my biggest takeaway from that particular podcast.

I think that I could add value. It's not about coming on the show and promoting yourself. It's about coming on the show. What can you share with other people that is gonna be beneficial? It's the listener that's important, not the guest and not the host.

And that's the best way to get on somebody else's podcast is what are you gonna add to make the make it interesting for the listener?

No. That's a that's a great point. I was trying to actually while you're talking there, was trying to search my email to see if I could find exactly how I had emailed you or reached out to you. But I think it might have come through like an online form.

You said, hi, such and such. I really love your show. Oh, it's different though, but like, sometime like, I've I've approached a lot of people to come on my podcast, and I'll reach out and say, hey. I would really love you to come on my podcast. I love yeah.

You know? I noticed you do this, this, and this. I would love to share that on the show. That is completely different when someone approaches you. But if you're approaching somebody else, you've gotta go in with a little bit of there's gotta be some thought in it.

It's not about you coming on their show to tell them how awesome you are. It's you going on their show and telling them, I have some value that I think your listeners are really, really going to enjoy.

Yeah. No. I think that's a great point. I wish I wish I could have pulled up that that that form I filled out. I don't know if I filled out form if you reach out to me.

But I one point I do have and I did find this is that once you go on somebody's show, not only is the promotion aspect a great idea, but one way to set yourself apart from people is to send us a simple thank you email after you're on a show. I I sent I sent you one. You did? I think it was maybe even like yeah. Even it was maybe like a month afterwards, I said like, hi, Tyson.

It's a little belated, but I wanted to thank you again for having me on the podiatry legends podcast. You know, I've gotten some very kind emails and met some folks who enjoyed our conversation. If I can be of any help or if I can have any ideas we could collaborate in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. All the best, Jim.

Did I reply?

Here we are today, so.

Did I reply? I must have replied.

Yeah. You were yeah. You replied. So yeah. It was you replied like, yeah.

Let's let's meet up and talk. So

Yeah. So what's what's interesting, what I find too is when you're a guest on somebody's show, there there is now historical evidence that you people that you two have connected in some way. And I found nearly every person I've had on my podcast, on podiatry legends, on It's No Seat with Doctor T. I'm now friends with these people. But, yeah, most of the people I've had on the podcast, I have stayed in contact with in some way.

And, yeah, even this year, yeah, I was in Wisconsin, and I caught up with somebody over there who was on my old podcast I'd never met before, and I purely went there as part of my trip to The States to catch up with them. I caught up with two podiatrists, Remy and Patrick, in Chicago who have been on my podcast. It is when when you're a guest on somebody else's show, you will create this little bit of connection. And if you're a really good guest, they'll invite you back. I've had multiple repeat offenders on on both the podcasts that I've had.

You've been a repeat offender.

Yeah. We've been on a couple together. So, yeah, hopefully, make I'll make that three or four time club in the next next year or so. We'll see. We'll see if I'm up to snuff.

Yeah. Well, Jonathan Smallett's been on the other show. Was always about changing the name of the show because he'd been on that often. But but that's what happens

Jonathan show?

But that but that is what happens. When you become a good guest that you've got something worthwhile to share, then the host will want you back because they'll go, wow. That was so good. I'd love to get you back on to talk about this. And you'll go, yeah.

And like I said before, the more it shows you're on, it's just it it improves your social footprint, and that they don't have to be podiatry related all the time.

For sure. For sure.

Like, I've been on some weird ones. I have. I've been on some I've been on some podcast that I've been on a lot of business and marketing ones, but I've yeah. I've been Kids in the Tank was one of my it was a group of kids in a high school in Wisconsin. That's how I ended up going there for a trip.

And they do a podcast where they interview different business people. And, yeah, and I sort of got on there. It's fun. It is really, really fun, and you've just gotta put yourself out there. Other benefits that people don't realize, the more podcasts you're on, the better you get at speaking.

You just nod you can't just nod Jim. Nodding Jim is on a podcast does not work very video. You are nodding.

We're on video. Right? I guess I gotta talk. But No. I totally agree with you.

I think leading in you know, before my kind of switch of careers into marketing, I never saw myself wanting to be initially on stage or too public about things. Even when it came to, you know, talking about surgical techniques or sports medicine, I loved those things. But I never really felt like I was that person that wanted to be on stage. And I didn't really for a while, didn't know how to get to a point where I felt comfortable in front of the camera or comfortable on a microphone. And I think, like you said, podcast guesting gives you an opportunity to really speak what you care you know, talk what you care about, have conversations about topics that are interesting to other people.

But it helps you kind of when you say it out loud or if you write it, it's a creative process. It's one thing to have all these thoughts jumbled around in your head. I'm still working on it, but it's a matter of, you know, putting word after word, kind of distilling that value into kind of like snackable content or, you know, ways to express ideas explain concepts to people that really resonate in ways. And until you write that down, say it in a podcast, get in front of other people and share it, it'll just be trapped up in your head. So I think, you know, we're having these conversations with you about marketing, talking with my clients, doing webinars, anything that puts you in front of the microphone or on camera.

Are you gonna be Brad Pitt or a, you know, local newscaster level right away to be, you know, that good or that bad? Absolutely not. But by getting out there, sharing valuable information, making connections, networking with your colleagues, there's no better way, to really kinda increase yourself to your colleagues, to get to know them or people in your local area than having a podcast guesting is a great bridge and something to add to your resume to get more comfortable in front of the microphone or camera.

Oh, it's per that's exactly a perfect thing you said then about yeah. A lot of podiatrists wanna constantly beef up their resume. Yeah. It's all about, yeah, street cred. And even if you had your resume that, yeah, you've worked here for so long, you've done this and you've done that, you've got this degree, you've done this masters and whatever it is, having a list of podcasts that you've actually been on that people have heard of really adds to the credibility as you as a as a presenter, speaker, a guest in in other places.

So as I said, like, I was invited to be on the Wound Doctors podcast. Now anyone that knows me knows that if you put a wound in front of me, I'm gonna gag. I I don't like it. So they invited me to come on the Wound Doctors podcast because they knew how much I did not like wounds, and I thought it would be a funny episode, which it was. And but it started because I knew that they had a podcast called the Wound Doctors and this person specialized in wounds and went, well, that'd be an interesting topic to talk about considering I don't like them.

But then they reciprocated. Like I said, when when you're on one podcast as a guest, other people are listening to that as well. And this is the importance of making sure your microphone's nice, sound in the room is good. You try to and the other so the more people hear you and and it sounds good, they'll go, I would love to have you on my show as well. So you'll find one show tends to lead on to another show, and it just it improves from there.

Now I think that's a great point.

Well, can I tell you something? Something else that I think is really important is when you're on a podcast and you listen back to yourself the first couple of times, you're going to hate yourself. You're gonna listen to it and go, I am so embarrassed. I sound like a knob. I sound terrible.

Everybody else sounds good, but I sound awful. No. You just sound like you. That's how you normally sound. Another thing you'll end up doing though is you'll start picking up on words you repeat on a regular basis.

And I for a while there, every time I was listening back to a podcast, I'd write down the words that I repeat all the time, and I put on Post it notes, and I'd stick it up on the wall in front of me. So as I was talking, I kept looking and saying, don't go ah because I used to ah a lot. So that and that's what I mean where it helps you with your presentation, timing, slowing down, knowing when to speed up. And I still stuff it up all the time though, constantly.

I I'm I'm the king of like.

Yeah. I know.

I need to get better with the likes.

I'm a good editor too. I can't add some of your likes.

I remember I'll try to cut them out. But yeah, if you could cut them out for me in post, that'd be great. I will say that kinda like you talked about your 70 to a hundred podcasts. A quick way for people to look and see, you know, maybe podcast they wanna be on, whether it be local or podiatry centric, is go to Spotify, go to iTunes and search keywords, podiatry. Maybe you're in Chicago, Chicago, like, health care.

Look up podcasts, listen to some of these podcasts, and maybe you would be a good fit for some of these. That's one way to do a little bit of research on your own. There also are kind of these podcast guesting services as well. They tend to be pretty expensive. Yeah.

I probably wouldn't recommend it for

most

I

don't recommend them.

It's kind of an more expensive service, but yeah. But there's different ways to kinda try to find opportunities to be on podcasts if that's something that you have a desire to. But that's kind of that's kind of my podcast guesting one zero one topic for the day.

Yeah. But one last thing is there's also there's a big movement at the moment of paying to be on podcasts. Now a lot of people used to go, oh, that's evil. You shouldn't have to pay to be on a podcast, but that is something that is happening more often. Do you wanna be on the Joe Rogan podcast?

You you sometimes you gotta pay to go on those things. There are no some big podcasts out there where every guest that's on there is a paid guest, and they pay thousands and thousands of dollars to actually be on there. And most people in the podcast industry know that people have paid to be on there. But for that particular person, it's so beneficial to them to be on that show. They just pay the money.

It's not it's no different to a sponsor sponsoring a podcast. A sponsor will pay money to be on a podcast because they want people to know about their company. Well, someone's got a story, something that's interesting that is gonna benefit them in some way, then there's nothing saying that they can't say, hey, could I pay to be on the podcast? If you know this podcast that you know you'd love to be on and you've got something, it could be you've you've written a book that you wanna promote, then sometimes maybe you could offer them, hey, I don't mind paying. Most of the times, I'll say no.

They might go, no. You don't have to pay. I'll I'll have you on anyway. Yeah. I've never had anyone pay to be on mine, just to just to point that out.

Not saying I wouldn't take money if someone offered it to me, but I've never had anyone pay to be on my podcast. So you got anything else to cover, Jim?

No. I think we kinda gone through the the basics of podcast guesting. Obviously, you and I have both pod been been podcast guests in the past. So if anyone has questions, feel free to reach out to us.

We're legends in podcasting land. I always say legend in my own lunchtime. So, Jim, thank you very much. This is whenever we talk about podcasting, it is one of my favorite topics. So I'll talk to you again next week.

Sounds good, Tyson.

Okay. Bye.

Bye now.

Thanks for listening to Podiatry Marketing with Tyson Franklin and Jim McDaniel. Subscribe and learn more at Podiatry Marketing. That's the website address, podiatry.marketing.