Podcasting Goes Private: An Interview with Nora Sudduth - Part 2

“When you hear that person on the other end, you can put yourself, as a prospective client, you put yourself in their shoes. You hear what their thought process was and you feel connected to that person, you understand exactly what their struggles are because I have the same concerns, I have the same hesitations, and that's very impactful.”-- Nora Sudduth   This episode continues my interview with marketing and conversion strategist and Hello Audio co-founder Nora Sudduth as we talk about sound-based lead magnets, strategies for facilitating and encouraging testimonials, and the future of social audio in a post-Clubhouse world. As always, if you have any questions for my guest, you’re welcome to reach out through the links in the show notes.  If you have questions for me, just visit www.audiobrandingpodcast.com where you’ll find all sorts of ways to get in touch. Plus, subscribing to the newsletter (on the www.audiobrandingpodcast.com webpage) will let you know when the new podcasts are available.   Making It Easier As the second half of our interview starts, we discuss the three types of lead magnets that Nora has found work well, and how private podcasting fits into each one. "You're positioning yourself as an amazing guide to help them through that workbook,” she says of one strategy, combining workbooks and private audio feeds. “So the workbook in and of itself could still be valuable, but now you're taking things to the next level as their companion.” She tells us about Hello Audio’s most popular private podcast, a collection of success stories from clients, and how private podcasting has doubled some of their conversation rates. “They didn't change anything,” Nora says, “other than adding this private podcast to make it easier for people… it's a game changer when people actually consume that content."   A Desire for Connection We also talk about the uncertain future of Clubhouse, and what it might mean for the growth of social audio as a trend. “That connection,” Nora assures us, “and that desire for connection, and to be able to listen to others and learn and be able to get to know them, that's not going to go away anytime soon.” She also reflects on the barriers new content creators can face and how social audio’s created more room at the table. “A lot of times,” she says, “starting as a video digital creator can be very difficult. It can create a lot of anxiety and it can prevent folks from getting themselves out there.”   What’s Old is New Again Our interview wraps up with a lighthearted look at social audio's pre-internet past, at the days of teleseminars hosted over old-fashioned party lines. “I think what is old is new again,” Nora remarks, “and we're only going to see it expand.” We talk about some of the new features that are being developed by Hello Audio, and how they’re helping companies tap into the marketing opportunities that social audio and private audio feeds now offer. “If companies don't make the shift,” she adds, “or create opportunities to connect with their audience through audio, I think they're going to struggle.”   Episode SummaryThree strategies for combining private podcasting and lead magnetsThe future of Clubhouse and the continued growth of social audioThe pre-internet roots of social audio and its perennial valueHello Audio’s upcoming features and the future of private podcasts Connect with the Guest: Website: helloaudio.fm Connect with Nora Sudduth on...