Why Your Network is Your #1 Resource for Making Money
But Most People Approach Networking WRONG
In Today’s Edition of Podcasters Getting Paid
Today’s The Brand Building Lab Podcast Episode: Newsletters vs. Email Lists (which is better)
I recorded a video of the session that I presented at Podcast Movement Evolutions “Building a Brand Eco-System that Pays” (Paid Subscribers)
April 1-on-1 Coaching Hours have opened up. I allocate 10 hours a month towards coaching with 1 of those hours being a scholarship hour. If you would like me to work with you on monetization strategy, content design or need feedback on your project sign up using the following link. If you would like to request the scholarship hour (due to financial need) please email me and let me know why you would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
Coaching Testimonial
This Month I’m Focusing on Networking
But, I am not really a fan of formal networking. Especially the dry, wear a dress and heels type of networking. Don’t get me wrong-I love to dress up. But there is something cold and artificial about networking events especially post COVID.
Instead, I use what I call the “Anti-Networking” approach to connecting with others. I’ve often been told that I know everyone. I’m sometimes surprised by this because of the following:
I almost never attend formal networking events.
Currently, I alternate the years that I attend conferences. If I attended a conference in 2022, I won’t be attending in 2023. Though I did make an exception and attended Podcast Movement Evolutions back-to-back.
Here’s a review of this year’s Podcast Movement Evolutions Event (2023)
In fact, I won’t be attending any conferences in 2024 as I would like to allocate that time to leisure travel and don’t feel like being obligated to those events next year.
I don’t do “pick your brains”
Learn how I say “No” to “Pick Your Brains” Without Pissing People Off
And I have a haphazard approach to social media
Despite all of this the following still happens:
I’m well acquainted with a lot of people in the different spaces that I create content in.
I attract brand partnerships that are a great fit for my brand.
When I pitch a talk, session or panel they are almost always approved.
To many I’m considered a “thought leader” in the different niches that I’m in.
My Network is My #1 Resource
(That gets me paid)
(Your Network Should Be YOUR #1 Resource Too)
In fact, I’ve heard numerous content creators say the say the same thing. But, how do you grow, connect and nurture a “network” that is natural and sustains itself over the long run.
You don’t want to do the following:
Have people feel like you’re using them
Be in it all for yourself
Not be aware of what people in your network are doing.
I believe your network is so important that I’m hosting a workshop for all subscribers to share some strategies to help creators build a better community of people around them. Your network is so important that people get are always tripped up when the infamous following question is brought up:
Jay-Z vs. $500,000
“If you had a choice of being given $500,000 or a dinner with Jay-Z what would you do?”
My Answer: You ALWAYS take the money and then begin connecting with the people who can eventually get you into a space with Jay-Z. At least you won’t be broke.
Photo credit: Gordon Cowie-Unsplash
How to Network and Get Paid as a Podcast (Free Workshop)
When: Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm MTN/2:00 pm EST (Zoom details will be sent that weekend)
Access
An overarching theme that is a part of the content that I create as a blogger/podcaster/newsletter creator is “access.” How do you access knowledge, opportunity and the people who make things happen?
What if you’re from an underrepresented community?
Shy?
A woman in a male space?
A man in a woman’s space?
How do you make authentic and real connections with people who can move your business and your life forward without being weird?
This workshop will cover the following:
How to connect with people new to you in the content creation space (even as an introvert)
How to get rid of competing with other content creators and understand how to effortlessly collaborate.
What most people are getting wrong about “networking” and making impactful and substantive connections with others.
How YOU can design opportunities to meet others that are in alignment with your social needs.
The unexpected places that I’ve made significant connections that have helped my career. You would be surprised.
Why podcast guests aren’t your friends and why many hosts are losing out on the opportunity to turn that around.
My Network
Connects me with resources literally every single week
Helps me work through what I should charge for different projects and collaborations.
Has literally sent me money (GAVE-not loaned) when my revenue seized after I went through my 6 month savings (That’s a story for another day and I plan on sharing it)
Taken pictures of me when I’m by myself at speaking gigs. Thanks to Danielle Desir founder of Grants for Creators. She did this for me at Podcast Movement Evolutions Las Vegas. I didn’t ask her. She just started taking pictures of me so that I could use them for marketing purposes.
Shouted out, purchased and shared my products.
Hugged me!
Running a content creation business is hard to do alone. It’s impossible to grow alone. You need people. Please join me as I walk through my “un-networking strategy” Please share with other creators that you think would benefit from this workshop. Again-it’s free live and I’ll be sharing with subscribers of Podcasters Getting Paid. Replay will be $17.
Next Week’s Newsletter
I’m sharing a video conversation with Lee Huffman, creator of “We Travel There” podcast. What I love about this conversation is that Lee is a multi-passionate creator with A LOT of projects that he’s managing. We discuss the following:
The fact that he creates around 50 pieces of content a month
I realized that I needed to audit my own productivity.
Diversifying income and what that looks like for him and his brand.
Why creators need a website.
Building an audience and how consistency plays into it.
How he manages productivity and more.
Previous Editions
Making Money Solving a Problem with Phylecia Jones (I Find You Close)
How this Project Earns Money and What It Pays For
Podcasters Getting Paid is a monetized project. Most people will use a free subscription and my goal is to make this project accessible to everyone. However, it takes a lot of time to curate content, reach out to and interview experts and work on this project.
What your money pays for:
My labor-the time it takes to curate, work on and produce this project.
Future hires-I would love to hire writers or experts to share their expertise with the community.
Scholarships-Each month I provide scholarships for 1-on-1 coaching. Your investment in this work gives access to creators who might not be able to pay right now. I have personally benefited from these types of scholarships.
Subsidize advertising fees for companies or organizations that might not be able to allocate too much towards marketing.
How Podcasters Get Paid Earns Money
$5 a month subscriptions. For a cup of coffee you gain access to workshops, recorded content with experts, office hours and more.
One-time donation-This is ideal for the person who doesn’t want a subscription but would like to support the project.
1 hour, $300
Affiliates when appropriate
Workshops
Sponsors or Brand partnerships-Please email me at: thebrandbuildinglab@gmail.com if you’re interested in partnering with me.
Building a Brand Eco-System that Attracts Collaborations that Pay (Paid Subscribers)
At this year’s Podcast Movement Evolutions, I presented a session about “Building a Brand Eco-System that Pays” The idea is to thoughtfully design your brand so that you’re always attract connections, partnerships and leads to monetization possibilities. This week I’m sharing that session with paid subscribers. Gain some insight into how I am building out my brand, what I think about and all of the opportunities within a thoughtfully designed brand eco-system that can attract paying opportunities of various types. The video is behind the paywall.