There’s a podcasting mailing list out there where I’ve become the topic of conversation. I’m posting my response on my blog since the moderator hasn’t approved 2 replies that I sent through.
I got wind of this when a colleague opened a ticket on my help desk to let me know what was going on. I checked the mailing list and on April 14th, someone started this discussion:
Subject: Leesa Barnes: The First Lady of Podcasting, the Queen of Podcasting?
Who is this person? I stumbled across her blog today where she’s got a bunch of testimonials from people I’ve heard of, like Paul Colligan and Jason Van Orden, and her blog says she is an expert in “podcasting for profit” and she’s written a book on the subject but there are no podcasts on her own blog. Does anyone know this person and can explain where her fame comes from?
There were a few responses. Some said they never heard of me. Others, like Dave Jackson, Larry Wagner and Will Brown all said that they know me and can vouch for my work.
So I re-joined the group and replied. I can’t remember what I wrote word for word, but it was along the lines of:
A journalist called me a podcasting expert 2 years ago and it stuck. All these names are ones that people have given to me.
I don’t podcast anymore simply because I lose interest. I started my first podcast in 2005 and after 19 episodes I stopped. I’ve started at least 4 to 6 different podcasts and by the time I reach the 10th episode, I’m bored. Then I start a new one.
I derive more joy in teaching business owners how to do it themselves. I love watching others launch their own podcasts based on my guidance. That’s much more fun for me.
If you haven’t heard about me, that’s fine. My target market has heard about me and that’s what matters.
I posted that response very late on April 15th, sometime just before midnight after I got in from the airport. I didn’t think anything of it until I checked the forum this afternoon to find that the conversation had continued and my reply has not been approved.
Even one person was wondering why I wasn’t defending myself against these accusations. Well, I have, but the moderator hasn’t approved my response yet.
So as both my replies sit in an unapproved status, here’s what else has taken place:
- Tee Morris then said that his First Lady of Podcasting is Mur Lafferty and that each person is a star in their own niche. Okay, I agree with both points.
- Another chap said that I’m a marketing genius because everyone is still talking about me 2 days after the thread started and I’m not even responding.
- Another person said that there’s nothing earth shattering on my blog and can’t understand why I’m expert.
- Then someone else said that I can’t be an expert because I don’t have my own podcasts.
- Then Tee went on to “prove” that I’m not really a podcaster because the 2 podcasts I have in iTunes haven’t been updated since 2007.
So, I replied yet again with this:
Tee said the right thing – everyone is a star in a micro niche. I agree with that. I focus on businesses and then my micro niche is those who want to increase sales without cold calling.
If the information on my blog seems basic, that’s what my target audience wants. They don’t want me to get too technical and they don’t want me to do gear reviews. If my blog isn’t ‘earth shattering’ enough for you, there are tons of other podcasting consultants that you can learn from.
I blog, I podcast and I wrote a book. Who cares? What my target audience wants to know is how can I help them boost sales and avoid cold calling using a podcast. They only want to see results and that’s what I deliver.
How well do you know your target market? If not at all, then focus on that instead.
I posted that around 1pm EDT on April 16th and this reply has not appeared. Maybe the moderator is sick or he’s busy with something more important or maybe, he’s enjoying the roast as it’s bringing his list to life.
I really don’t know.
What I do know is that it’s now 24 hours later and neither of my comments have been approved. The thread, with my name plastered in the subject line, is the most lively one in the forums right now and it’s getting quite silly.
So, for the record:
- I replied twice and my comments weren’t approved.
- I have never called myself any of the things you see on my About page. That’s why I attribute them back to the person who called me that in the first place.
- I have chosen to use the phrase podcasting expert as it helps my business grow. But it’s not self proclaimed. I only used this term after a journalist called me this back in 2006.
- My target market are independent consultants and small business owners. They tend to be business people between 40 to 60 years old with 70% being women, 30% being men. My blog, podcast, workshops, book, training sessions are all geared to this market.
- If you’re a geek, instead of bellyaching that my blog is too basic, go to Amanda Congdon, Cali Lewis, Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur. They will give you earth shattering podcasting advice since they target geeks.
- If you’re a podcasting hobbyist, instead of saying that I’m trying to “get rich quick”, why don’t you visit the blogs of Mark Blevis, Bob Goyetche and Chris Brogan. They focus on the podcasting hobbyist and evangelist and do a bang up job of it as well.
- And on that note, I’ve been gainfully self-employed as a podcasting consultant since March 2006. If this were a get rich quick scheme for me, I would’ve abandoned podcasting long ago and moved on to becoming a Facebook expert or something – whatever is hot right now. So gimme a fracking break.
- If you haven’t heard of me, that’s a okay in my book. Just as long as my target market knows who I am, that’s really all I care about.
- Marketing is more important than mastery. Podcasters must recognize this shift. Just because you can edit an audio file from here to sweet November won’t get you on the podium to speak at the New Media Expo. If you don’t know how to market yourself and build your brand BEYOND your podcast, instead of hating, why the hell don’t you just ask for some tips?
- Until there’s an email discussion list where podcasters take marketing and monetization seriously, I just don’t want to waste my time. Those of us who talk about podcast monetization and marketing are ostracized by podcasting evangelists and hobbyists. I’m tired of this and thus, I don’t run in those circles anymore. I’d rather spend my energy on the people who need me and that isn’t the geeks or hobbyists.
Since I love my target market so much, what exactly are they saying?
- Read what Monique has to say about my weekly ezine and how it helped her increase her audience in one week.
- Read what Dulcita has to say about the training she received from the Social Media Telesummit that has helped her increase her database in 30 days.
- Peter and Natasha gave their thoughts on how the Social Media Telesummit helped them.
- And the book has garnered a few comments from both readers and colleagues.
Update: My reply was FINALLY approved and the responses have been great. Tee even offered to buy me cool brew while at the New Media Expo in August (thanks Tee!). As I review my post above, I don’t apologize for it, but it was written out of complete frustration that I was being roasted on this discussion list and my reply wasn’t showing up. So, if the tone of my post above makes me sound as if I’m miffed, I was. But now, all I have is dinner on my mind 🙂
Okay, I’ll step up. I think I first heard about your blog when the debate on “Is Podcasting an Industry” was happening. I don’t remember if that was the particular debate, but the first post I read was thoughtful and gave me reason to subscribe. Now that I have been subscribed, I am noticing that while I am not really learning anything, it is bringing some things to the forefront of my mind. On the list, I said that there is nothing ground-breaking here.
I think some times we get so stuck into our own little world or we are so busy, we don’t sit down and really think about how can we really expand our audience or get into a place where we can bring in some income. Sometimes we just need that slap in the face and have someone say “Hey dummy, changing your post URLs will give you more Google juice.” A common-sense thing that I just really didn’t think about too closely.
I will continue to be subscribed as long as I get one of those “Ah ha!” moments once in a while. I was just surprised that as the bashing started, you didn’t respond and assumed that the podcast expert didn’t follow what the podcasters were talking about. Now knowing that you were moderated makes sense. I am sure it was set up that way to prevent spamming.
I hope I am not rambling too much. Thanks for the slaps in the face you have given me so far.
@peter, I hear ya dude. Whatever you focus on, you manifest. I totally get it. Thx for the reminder.
@natasha, I’m happy that you find my tips helpful.
@anonymous posters, if you’re not willing to stand behind your comments and post your real name, real email address and real URL, I’m not approving your comments, no matter how nice or mean your feedback is.
So I’m sitting here most of the morning, bouncing back and forth on Leesa’s two recent blog posts about creating quality podcast intros and outros so that my voice over talent has something to work with.
Refresh the page to see to this post.
You read what I just said right? I’ve been here, digesting Leesa’s quality, over-delivering content almost all morning.
While I do fit the consultant market she reaches, try as I might there are other ways in which I’m on the fringes of her target market. Despite that, she’s accommodating and a true teacher.
Leesa’s not a professional podcasting expert? Pshaww.
I’m sorry, Leesa who?!
(j/k)
I understand the frustration, I may have dialed back a bit on the response as your anger comes across to me as seething in this post but I get that it was both a brand and personal issue.
Rather than the “you’re not my target” take I would have tried the “my targets are” take.
Those who you can’t be bothered with today who “waste” your time might someday soon be a 40 year old with need for your services or at the very least employed by one who may ask for referrals. Its not six degrees of separation anymore. It’s a lot less.
Trust me, I have got angry on the web too, been frustrated, pissed etc….many more times than you (I’m Irish…get angry first THEN find out what you’re mad about :)) But I always try and listen to my Dad’s voice in my head “Don’t let the bastards get you down!”
What you said wasn’t wrong, how you said it might have been able to have been just as direct while still staying above the fray.
And as for anyone who questions your professionalism or abilities regarding podcasting, well that’s just f—ing bulls—, dammit! Oops, see, there I go again.
Best always,
– Peter
I emailed the list owner and he replied saying that he wasn’t aware that my comments were waiting to be approved.
He has since approved my comments and said my replies won’t be moderated from now on.
Krishna, Martin and Crystal, thx for sharing your comments and kudos. I also got a few tweets and emails from colleagues who sent me their words of support as well.
I’m just so honoured to have surrounded myself with a bunch of smart and brilliant people from all over the world. You guys rock!
Leesa thanks for sharing this story – I can only imagine how you must feel with your posts not being accepted by the moderator.
All I can say to anyone reading this article is that Leesa absolutely knows what it takes to podcast for profit.
Her book is terrific – there are many people described as authors but not too many like Leesa who has a great content rich book published by traditional publishers (not self published).
Leesa – I know alot of great experts in the world of podcasting though some of the people you mention in your article I don’t know. It’s the same in any field – there are more experts in the world that we could know of in any one field.
As a side note – some have websites that have a worse Alexa ranking and Google page ranking than you – which probably means they don’t have as strong a connected following on the web as you do and their personal brand online is not as impactful as yours.
The point for all of us in professional services is that we can and should look to become trusted advisors, thought leaders and educators to the people we are called to serve.
Leesa keep the faith! Our personal brand does not resonate strongly for everyone and nor should it. Strong brands attract their ideal clients/customers and repel those they are not relevant for.
Keep doing what you are doing – your audience needs you and values you.
Best wishes
Krishna De
Bringing Your Brand To Life!
Hey Leesa,
You go girl! You’re spot on.
You can do something successfully (even just once) and then go on to teach it.
I go in and out of doing my own Radio Talk Shows (Internet Radio or podcast, whatever you want it to be). Like you, I LOVE teaching it and helping others grow their shows, maybe more than ‘doing’ my own talk radio shows now.
Funny too about your “target market.” I was on a TV call in show as the marketing expert. The topic was about the blatant use of “sex in beer commercials.” All these righteous, older people and parents were calling in to complain. THEY were not the target market so it doesn’t matter WHAT they like or don’t and…
We watched 4 or 5 commercials to comment on (that the beer companies didn’t have to pay air time for) and the topic was on the front page of national papers for days. Must have been worth MILLIONS in free publicity and advertising.
I agree. Monetize, monetize and monetize.
Let the monks be monks and the geeks be geeks and the artists be artists. They all eventually come looking for a capitalist to ‘sponsor’ them in some way.
All the best,
Martin Wales
http://www.RadioTalkShowHost.com
http://www.MartinWales.com
wonderfully put Leesa, I can’t believe a list owner would allowed their list to become biased. Yes, debates need to remain undercontrol – but they should still always allow both sides! How is anyone supposed to make a wise decision if not offered both sides of the debate?