Why Podcasts Are A Powerful & Underrated Networking Tool

Networking events can be frustrating.

You might attend them with the grand dream that you'll meet some really amazing people that can help catapult your business to new heights and you can do the same for them.

It would be the ultimate win-win!

But, the harshness of reality punches you in the face when as soon as you enter the event, you're greeted with an onslaught of pushy, salesy and narcissistic entrepreneurs whose main mission is to gush about their glorious enterprise constantly and cram a business card into your pocket.

Yikes!

Of course, not all networking events are like that, but some definitely are!

Well, thanks to technology, there's a powerful and underrated way to connect with influencers relevant to your industry.

Podcasts!

Whether it's you hosting your own show or being a podcast guest on someone else's program, there's something about having a one-on-one conversation that gives you the opportunity to develop terrific rapport with someone or people close to that person that could lead to opportunities beyond the interview.

Here's a small example.

You see, I've been in the podcasting industry, off and on, since 2008, where I've hosted, co-hosted and guest booked for various podcasts.

In 2011, I was co-hosting a basketball podcast with my old friend, Audley Stephenson, when we struck up an instant friendship with a Public Relations person of a musician we interviewed on the show. We hit it off so well with Donnetta Campbell that she invited us to a charity event at a swanky Manhattan ballroom where she felt it would be a good opportunity for us to promote our show.

For two ordinary guys from a suburb west of Toronto, Canada, that was a HUGE deal.

We were going to NYC baby!

It was the first time I ever traveled to the Big Apple. :)

Not only did we talk about our podcast on stage in front of a big crowd, we also got to hang out with the event's emcee, one of the stars of the 1980s sitcom, Who's The Boss?, Mr. Tony Danza himself.

If we didn't have a podcast, we wouldn't have had that chance to network with Donnetta and have that little adventure.

You get the idea.

So, if you're looking to network with someone specific, think about inviting her on your podcast.

It's a great way to make her feel special and appeal to her ego.

Once you secure your desired guest, here are some rapport tips from veteran podcasters, Jaime Masters of The Eventual Millionaire...

Jordan Harbinger of The Jordan Harbinger Show...

and Jesse Chappus of The Ultimate Health Podcast to help you out.

1 - Make Your Guest Feel At Ease

According to Masters, “I only chat for a few minutes before -- usually high-profile people have done this a thousand times. I usually say something like that to warm it up: ‘Hey! So nice to meet you. I'm sure you've done this a thousand times, but let me give you my spiel on how this typically goes.’ Then I mention three to four things and try to make jokes or find commonalities, because not only do I want them to feel comfortable with my hosting abilities I also want the connection to be secured PAST the podcast interviews.” 

2 - Celebrate Your Guest's Achievements

“I will talk about their work in detail and that comes from prep,” Harbinger says. “I might say something like, 'Well, I read your book and in the end of the book, you wrote this and then you told a story about that,' and that gets them thinking, ‘Wow, okay this person actually put in the work. I'm not just a notch on their podcast bedpost,’ to put it crudely. I've actually examined their work. I've followed it. I've read it. I'm trying to understand it.”

At the end of the conversation, don’t forget to promote your guest's new work (e.g. book, products, coaching, etc.) to finish the interview on a high note.

3 - Master The Post-Interview Dialogue

Once the on-air chat is done, the dialogue afterwards is where you can take your networking to the next level.

Harbinger shares, “I spend a lot time building social capital, which is what we talked about a lot at The Art of Charm. I look for ways to make their (the guests') appearance even more valuable than just the PR and the new fans they got from appearing on Art of Charm. It's all about sharing the love there.”

One of the ways Harbinger does this is by offering to connect some of his guests with other big podcasts if he thinks there is a fit.

As for Masters, she says, “You have to keep the connection going, so I try to follow up with something helpful, such as a referral to someone they want to meet or sending a prospect their way or something to give them. I've even sent pizza socks to one of them because we were joking about pizza socks for some reason on the podcast.”

Chappus adds, “(1) Suggest a meet-up for a meal or coffee if they’re ever visiting your hometown or vice versa. (2) Reach out before an upcoming conference and suggest a meet-up if they're going too. (3) Offer to be a guest on their show and specify a unique way you will provide their audience value. (4) Occasionally provide valuable insights/comments on their social media posts. (5) If the guest has a new book or program launching, get them to come back on your show as a repeat guest. If it’s a program they're launching, become an affiliate.”

If you're a guest on someone else's podcast that you truly respect and would like to network with and impress, here are some ways to win her over.

1 - Research The Host

Listen to her past episodes, read articles, check out her social media and watch her media appearances to get an understanding of who she is and what she finds interesting in this world.

Along the way, you might find out her hobbies, personal interests and other things that could be potential rapport building conversation topics between you two before and after your interview.

2 - Know Her Audience & Bring Gifts!

By finding out who her listeners are and their pain points, you can customize valuable tips you can mention on your podcast appearance.

In addition, if you bring along a free book or relevant download of an easily consumable piece of content that can help solve their problems, not only will the listeners love you, but the host will want to hug you too because you just made her look great in front of her audience.

3 - Find Ways To Put Money Into The Host's Pocket

Of course, I'm not advocating you pay for your appearance on the podcast, but you can give the host business referrals if there's a fit.

You can also promote the host to your emailing list if it's a match for you.

Always think of ways of how you can help the host attract more business.

Don't be afraid to ask to see where your network, expertise or other skills can assist the host.

It's all about building win-win relationships.

Utilizing podcasts as a bridge to these networking opportunities, is an emerging strategy all entrepreneurs should consider.

If they don't, well, they could always snuggle with those pushy, narcissistic souls at a networking event.

Yeah, have fun with that. :)