by Kirby Hasseman
For over 3 years, Bill Petrie and I have been sharing our opinions on the marketing, branding and promotional products world on the unScripted podcast. Every Friday, Bill and I connect through the magic of technology, and discuss trending topics in our world. We call it unScripted, quite simply, because neither of us knows what the other is going to bring up so you get an honest, unedited view of our opinions and takes on industry topics.
I am proud of the podcast for several reasons. We have been recognized with awards (humble brag). We have received kind words from our peers. And hey, it’s been fun! But the journey has taught me quite a bit as well. So, if you are interested in starting a podcast or any other kind of content, here are some lessons I have learned from doing the unScripted podcast with Bill Petrie.
Consistency is King
One of the things I am probably most proud of is that we push play each week. As I write this, it will be week 162 of the unScripted podcast. That means we have put out a podcast for 162 weeks in a row. It’s a commitment. But it’s that consistency that has not only built an audience but has helped Bill and I grow. We got better at podcasting. We got better at choosing topics. It’s just like exercise. It’s about stretching and working those muscles that make you stronger.
Have Someone Who Pushes You
I am a believer in consistency. But we would have never made it through this many episodes without Bill driving me. It’s so powerful to have someone who helps to keep you on track. Bill has been an incredible teacher, coach and friend through this and I appreciate it. If you want to try something big, and crazy and hard (and you should), it’s great to have someone who pushes you and lifts you up. Thanks Bill.
Be Authentic and Transparent
I almost did not add this one because it’s almost cliche at this point. But if you want to create something long term, it’s nearly impossible to be someone you are not. Sooner or later, your real opinions will come through anyway! So be willing to put yourself out there.
Have the Courage of your Convictions
Some of the most interesting discussions we have had on the podcast (and then after) have been when Bill or I said something that upset people. While that is certainly NOT our goal, we do want to create discussion and thought. Whenever this happens, Bill and I both take the time to be introspective about our statements. Do we really think that way? If not, I think both of us are willing to say “Nah…I was wrong.” On the other hand, if we still feel strongly about something, I think that’s important too. Despite the reactive culture we have right now, I think we need to stand up for what we think as well. Trust me when I say, sometimes that is easier said than done.
Lift The Other Person Up
Partnerships of any kind can be hard. With that in mind, remember if you start something like this that “you are in the service industry.” It is really important that neither Bill nor I worry too much about credit. That is easier said than done! We all have healthy egos…and we all want recognition. But if you want a partnership to last remember that it should not matter who gets the credit.
Continue to Try New Things
If you create something that requires consistency, there is the chance you can get in a rut. That’s why it’s so important to be willing to try new things. Be willing to experiment with your format. Be willing to try new things and fail in order to find new things that work. If you don’t…it’s easy to get stale.
Keep Going
And that leads nicely to my final lesson…keep going. If it gets stale, or you get tired, it’s super tempting to think “maybe now is the time to quit.” And while it’s important to keep evaluating (in all things) I would recommend to keep pushing on. Most of the time that is the voice of comfort in your head. It’s easier to quit than to persevere. Most of the time, however, you are glad when you keep moving forward…even if it’s just for one more day.
Those are my lessons from the unScripted podcast. Again, thanks to Bill for helping me keep this train rolling! If you have questions about content marketing, please feel free to reach out to me. And if you want make sure you never miss a piece of content head to our blog page.
by Kirby Hasseman
Podcasting has become an amazing and popular way to communicate your message and build your brand. It’s easy to get started. And, when done right, it is an extremely personal way to communicate to your audience. They really get to know you and your point of view. So how do you get started podcasting? Today we will cover some basics…and what has worked for me.
I started podcasting nearly 3 years ago. Though I have done podcasts on my own, I have found the most success with other people. I enjoy the interaction and it helps to keep me accountable to be consistent.
Promo UpFront Podcast
For years, I have recorded a podcast with my buddy Bill Petrie every week. First it was called unScripted and can be found here. For the last several months, we have shifted a bit. It’s called the Promo UpFront podcast. You can find that one here!
We talk about topics in the marketing and branding world and release the podcast every Friday. The unScripted podcast is designed to give our honest, unedited opinion on the topics that are relevant at the moment. What I love about this podcast is that it truly is off the cuff. I don’t know what Bill is going to bring up and he is in the dark about my topics. It’s fun. And the audience seems to respond to this authenticity as well. We have won a few awards for the podcast, and that is rewarding. But it’s a fun and fairly easy way to create conversation and to build our brand.
He Said She Said Podcast
More recently, my wife Amy and I have started a weekly podcast called He Said She Said. Because of our diverse interests, people are often curious about what we are doing. We thought this might be a way to give people a “behind the scenes” look. Amy and I talk about a “trending topic” each week and give people insight into what we are working on. We also try to provide a lesson of some kind and we give a weekly “shout out” to someone we are inspired by. It’s a fun new podcast and you can find it on our Soundcloud channel or just simply come to our blog each and every week.
Delivering Marketing Joy
Delivering Marketing Joy is the “OG” of content for me. Each week I interview a different leader in the business and marketing space. DMJ started as a web show, and it still is and can be found here on PromoCorner. But as it went on, people asked for me to provide them a podcast version of the show! I obliged and you can find that here on Soundcloud!
So those are our current podcasts…so how do you get started? Let’s dig into that.
Equipment
One thing that hangs people up on podcasting is the idea that you need a ton of equipment to get started. You don’t. Sure, the better the equipment, the better the sound. The better the sound, the better it is for your listener. That is true. But don’t let that stop you from just getting started. Your laptop has a microphone built in. That’s not the best, but it records! If you want a better microphone but do not want to break the bank, the one I recommend is the Blue Snowball USB microphone. It plugs right into your computer and gives really good sound. There are always ways to upgrade. Now that I have been at it a bit longer, I use this Yeti Blue Snowball and I love it. But to get you off the ground, this is a great start!
Recording Platform
While there are plenty of options when it comes to the platform you use to record your podcast, I use Zoom. It’s become ubiquitous, so nearly everyone you want to interview will know how to log in and use it. In addition, I find that the overall quality of video and audio is solid. You can even break the video and audio tracks apart if you want.
Editing Software
The other concern I hear from people who are interested in starting a podcast is, “will I need new software to get started?” The answer is “yes” and “no.” You will (most likely) need something to edit your audio file. But the level of editing will vary greatly depending on the kind of podcast. If you are doing something like our unScripted podcast, we pride ourselves on the fact that editing is minimal. If you do a quick google search you can find all kinds of audio editing software. But I like to keep it simple. We have Final Cut X, so that is what we use. I have talked to many people who can get started by using iMovie or Moviemaker to get their podcasts off the ground. Again…keep it simple. Get started and you will learn what works and where you need to upgrade.
Hosting
Once you have recorded your podcast, and then edited it into a finished product, you will need to host it somewhere. In other words, where will you upload it so someone can find it and listen. Again, there are lots of options. The one I use the most is Soundcloud. We upload most of our content there and then we have set up rss feeds to send the podcast to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and other places where most people listen. The other app that I kind of like is Anchor. What I like about that format is, they make it easy to record directly to your phone and upload directly from there. Although that won’t create podcasts that are nearly as produced, it does get rid of some of the production hurdles that stop so many people.
Point of View
Beyond the equipment, I think it’s even more important to establish what you are going to talk about. Do you have a topic where you are a true expert? Are you in an industry where you can help people? Do you want to highlight your community? Whatever your topic is going to be, I think it’s important to have a clear direction. No one wants to listen to someone drone on with no coherent thought. Think out what you want to cover. In addition, have an opinion. You don’t need to be a “shock jock.” But so many people are afraid to say anything that might be perceived as controversial. So…they say nothing at all.
Length
There is no set answer to how long a podcast should be. That’s the beauty of podcasting. People listen to it as they have time. Think about how you listen to them. You might be in the office, or in the car, or you might be working out. I generally am a fan of brevity…especially when starting out. You don’t want to make something longer just for the sake of it. Say what you need to say…then stop talking.
Getting Started
The biggest lesson I would like to share with you is, you need to get started. So many of us wait until the mythical time when everything is perfect. We don’t want to start until we have everything figured out. That time will never come. In addition, the way you “figure it out” is by starting. You create a podcast. You listen (and you might even cringe a bit). Then you adjust and get better. Rinse and repeat.
If I can help you or answer any questions on how to get started, please email me here. I am happy to help. I can’t wait to hear about your podcast…and your journey along the way.
P.S. As a cool side note, I was invited to be a part of the 100th Episode of the Your Living Brand podcast. You can listen to that here.
Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP list here.
by Kirby Hasseman
(Coshocton, OH)—Coshocton based marketing firm and promotional products distributor Hasseman Marketing & Communications is growing again. Hasseman Marketing is excited to welcome Justin Mullens to their team. Mullens joins Hasseman Marketing after working for the last ten years at Spectrum Cable and will take over a new position called Digital Brand Manager.
“We are so excited to welcome Justin to the team,” says owner Kirby Hasseman. “He has a great personality and I am excited to have him start working with our clients to help them grow their brand.”
The Digital Brand manager is a new position for Hasseman Marketing. In his duties here, Mullens will work with clients that utilize marketing services and social media management from Hasseman Marketing. He will manage social media accounts, create video content and work to “story tell” online.
Justin has been a resident of Coshocton County his entire life. Justin Mullens has completed his third studying Digital Marketing and is starting his senior year at Full Sail University. Fueled by his outstanding work ethic and desire to learn more, he enrolled into an accelerated bachelor’s degree program. Throughout his high school learning, Justin worked at the local bowling center developing the communication and personable skills required to work with the public. From there, he became a technician with Spectrum Cable and has obtained superior communications, leadership and problem-solving skills in high pressure situations.
“It is an honor to be joining Hasseman Marketing, and I am excited to work with such a wonderful team. The “Marketing Joy” Kirby and team delivers is second to none, and I am excited to surround myself with that energy. As a team, great things happen, and great things are ahead at Hasseman Marketing!”
Hasseman Marketing headquarters is located at 432 Main Street in Coshocton, Ohio. They can be found online at www.HassemanMarketing.com. In addition, you can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hassemanmarketing.
For more updates from Hasseman Marketing, sign up for their VIP newsletter. You can sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
We are so excited to welcome you to our new and improved website! At Hasseman Marketing, we work hard to provide our customers and prospects value, and we hope our new site is better designed to do just that. On the other hand, we wanted to keep some of the personality that made our old site fun! So let’s talk a bit about what you are going to find today…and moving forward!
We Are A Media Company: I talk all of the time with our clients that “everyone is a media company” today. I wrote this post last year and talked about my commitment to that. But the fact is, though we create more content than most companies, we had it all over the place on the web. This new and improved site has nearly all of our content in one place. We have our blog on the site, which we have always had. But you can also find Delivering Marketing Joy, my Day in the Life VLOG, and several podcasts…all right here! My goal is to have a new piece of content on this page nearly every day!
Showcasing Our Services: Believe it or not, our old site did not have all of the things that we offered on it! We want to fix that. Now each of the areas where we can serve your business, has a dedicated page on the site. Want to learn about our in house print offerings? You can learn about that here. Want to know how we can help you with video? You can find that here. And new to our services, we are now offering Web Development Services too! We are excited to have Eric Dingler help us with this new service. If you want to learn about this, you can find more information here.
As a side note, each of these services needs more detail…but that will be coming soon!
Contacting Our Team: We always have fun with our About Us page, and this one is no different. We included some testimonials from some great clients AND we have information about each of our great team members…and how to contact them! You can find that page here.
So that’s what I think! What do YOU think? Let me know. We are excited to continue to evolve and grow to serve you better!
Make sure you never miss an update! Each week we send ONE email to catch you up on all of the content of the week. You can get on our VIP list by signing up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Okay, so maybe that was a bit of reverse psychology. If you are reading this, though, it must have worked. But I promise there is a point to this exercise. Many of you know that we have been creating content for quite some time now. I have created hundreds of podcasts, probably over 300 videos, and well over 500 blog posts.
I have committed to the idea of creating value through content, because it’s the right thing to do. (And it’s working). But one thing I have yet to REALLY learn is what will work. I talk about this a bit here.
What I mean by this is that sometimes I write a blog that I think is really good. I am excited about the topic and I think it will add value to a lot of people. I am fired up to push publish…and…nothing. Often, those sure-fire hit blog posts don’t seem to resonate. Then, especially as I was committed to writing a blog every day, I might crank out a quick one with very little thought and BOOM, that article takes off.
When I blogged about this in the link above I got quite a bit of feedback that I needed to see what my audience was passionate about, and stick with that. So I tried. I noticed that sometimes I wrote specifically about a marketing topic, and that did well. For example, this blog about how to deal with Haters online was read quite a bit. So I decided to write another article like that. Here is a one that discusses treating social media like a cocktail party.
The results? Meh.
Okay…maybe it’s about “real” stories and authenticity. This is a word everyone throws around a ton, so that must be true! I wrote this article saying “I am NOT for everyone” and it was one of the most read blogs of 2018. It was written out of a moment of frustration.
So what if I shared those moments more? I wrote this blog about being overwhelmed and…well…the results were okay. I have had the same results with video. I am excited about my Day in the Life videos. For example, this one where we lost our Drone got over 500 views pretty quickly. But we have others in this series that (it feels like) no one watches.
Just currently, I am excited about this video we created that’s a little more inspirational. It’s gotten some great feedback, so I am thinking of creating more things like that. The point of all of this exercise is that it’s a work in process. Even the best content creators have pieces of content that flop.
It happens in Hollywood all of the time! The best studios, producers and actors team up on a project…and no one cares. So if it happens to the best, don’t worry when it happens to you. It’s important, I think, to just keep showing up. Keep pushing out your message and your value into the world. You probably won’t know when something will flop.
But you also might be delighted when something really takes off and makes a difference. Oh…and the same is true for sales too. You never know if THIS will be the sales call that helps you break through. Go get it.
Make sure you never miss an update. Now is a great day to become a VIP! We send out one email per week with all of the content we create in one place. Sign up here to be on the list.
