loader from loading.io

Creating a Podcast to Help MSPs by Sharing Useful Information with Jennifer Tribe

Pro Podcaster Stories

Release Date: 02/11/2020

Passion Meets Podcasting with Glen Willis show art Passion Meets Podcasting with Glen Willis

Pro Podcaster Stories

Glen Willis is an avid basketball fan. He is a contributor at Peachtree Hoops and an inactive youth basketball coach that still looks for ways to contribute to the sport by way of helping to facilitate camps and training programs. He is a fascinating and a really insightful and well thought out guy. We talked about basketball and podcasting, but we talked about a few other things as well including long term content creation schedules, spending time on your core competency and engagement and feedback.

info_outline Best Resources for New Podcasters show art Best Resources for New Podcasters

Pro Podcaster Stories

In this solo episode, I share seven of my best resources for new podcasters. We are going to be talking about how to engage with other podcasters in the community, which conferences you should be attending, and detailing the equipment needed. This episode is going to have so much great information!

info_outline Using Your Podcast to Build Authority and Opportunities with Brad Larsen show art Using Your Podcast to Build Authority and Opportunities with Brad Larsen

Pro Podcaster Stories

Real estate is a very competitive business and the real estate podcast area is a very competitive category within podcast directories. Brad Larsen shares his successes, authority, and opportunities that have come because of his podcast.

info_outline Helping Christian Organizations and Leadership Flourish with Al Lopus show art Helping Christian Organizations and Leadership Flourish with Al Lopus

Pro Podcaster Stories

Al is the host of The Flourishing Culture Podcast. On his show, Al conducts interviews with leaders on how they have created some of the best and most effective Christian workplaces. I’m excited to talk to him about his podcast, how he started, what success means to him, his unique pre-interview question method, and the example that his father set for him.

info_outline Podcasting About Sports With Father and Son Hosting Duo Mike and Brian Mountan show art Podcasting About Sports With Father and Son Hosting Duo Mike and Brian Mountan

Pro Podcaster Stories

Mike and Brian Mountan are a father and son duo who together host the Bri The Sports Guy podcast. They both love watching, playing, and talking about sports. You are going to love this conversation as we dive into their sports podcast and the wonderful father and son dynamic that flows throughout the show.

info_outline Podcast Tips from the Experts at Podfest show art Podcast Tips from the Experts at Podfest

Pro Podcaster Stories

I talked to some amazing podcast hosts and podcast professionals when I was at . It was a great experience, and many experts were kind enough to share podcast tips that will help podcasters and especially beginners have a smooth start and a show that they feel great about. who runs the Independent Podcast Conference shares the importance of letting your personality shine through and the goal that you should have to move the needle.  Then I talk with who has been podcasting since 2006 and has hosted thousands of shows. He runs the Horse Radio Network and the Florida Podcast Network....

info_outline All About Podcast Artwork and Branding with Podcast Design Specialist Mark Des Cotes show art All About Podcast Artwork and Branding with Podcast Design Specialist Mark Des Cotes

Pro Podcaster Stories

Mark has worked with over 200 podcasters to enhance their shows appearance and help them stand out among the growing sea of podcasts through his professional designs. He designs podcast websites, cover artwork, and more. During this face-to-face sit down we talk about what podcast branding is, what makes great cover art, common mistakes people make and more.

info_outline Bringing Eastern and Western Medicine Together to Change the Mental Health of Corporate America with Dr. Romie Mushtaq show art Bringing Eastern and Western Medicine Together to Change the Mental Health of Corporate America with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Pro Podcaster Stories

Dr. Romie also shares some of the surprising results from her podcast and how a mixed format of guided meditation, interviews, and solo shows works for her. We also get to hear a very touching story of how Dr. Romie’s maternal grandmother had faith in her and her potential. This is a fantastic interview with a very fun and smart lady who I’m happy to have the pleasure to work with.

info_outline Tips for New Podcasters from Lead Audio Editor Mike Lalonde show art Tips for New Podcasters from Lead Audio Editor Mike Lalonde

Pro Podcaster Stories

I’m happy to have Mike on the show to talk about sound quality, what makes a great podcast, and tips for beginning podcasters. Mike shares how his love for music and being in a band sparked his interest in audio production. He decided to pursue that passion and started freelancing and working on audiobooks.

info_outline Growing Your Business by Helping Others with Deirdre Breakenridge show art Growing Your Business by Helping Others with Deirdre Breakenridge

Pro Podcaster Stories

Deirdre Breakenridge is a veteran in PR, marketing, and branding. She’s also the host of the Women Worldwide podcast where she has published over 250 episodes. Deirdre shares the importance of having mentors and being a mentor. We talk about how social media has changed the mentor relationship and has opened up new opportunities. She shares how her goals for the podcast changed and how she finally realized that the podcast was about helping people and building a community.

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Jennifer Tribe is the director of content at Auvik Networks. Auvik makes software for Managed Service Providers or MSPs. MSPs are the companies and people that handle IT solutions for businesses that don’t have in-house IT departments. Auvik has focused on content marketing from the beginning. Jennifer is the perfect person to head up this effort. She is a trained journalist, a huge fan of writing great copy and Copyhackers, and has worked in multiple content roles from blogger, to book publisher, to podcast host.

Jennifer is also the host of the Frankly MSP podcast. Many vendors in the network and MSP space have “company name” podcasts, but Jennifer and the people at Auvik decided to take their podcast in a different direction. They wanted to focus on sharing great content and helping MSPs not advertising for their company. That’s why they chose The Frankly MSP name for their podcast. The podcast was so popular that they now have a Frankly MSP resource section and just held their first Frankly MSP Live event. Jennifer shares some interesting facts about her company and her podcast, and why they deliberately have an accessible conversational tone in all of their content. 

She also shares how the Auvik polar bear mascot can help lighten the conversation about IT and networking. His name is Nanook, which is Inuit for polar bear. She also shares what Auvik means in Inuit and how it fits in perfectly with their fun arctic theme. We talk about the usefulness of having a blog and newsletter before starting a podcast. Jennifer also shares how Frankly MSP has evolved and why it’s important to pay attention to what is and isn’t working. We learn what Jennifer believes is the key to podcasting success, her regrets, and why her favorite vacation spot might just be one of the world’s most beautiful places. 

Show Notes:

  • [02:56] Jennifer works in marketing at Auvik Networks. They make software for Managed Service Providers or MSPs. These are companies that other companies outsource their IT to. 
  • [03:43] The Frankly MSP mascot is a polar bear named Nanook which is the Inuit name for polar bear. Auvik is also the Inuit name for a block of snow used to build an igloo. 
  • [04:01] They use an arctic theme in their marketing. 
  • [04:41] Nanook adds personality to technical IT work. 
  • [06:12] Auvik has been focused on using content marketing from the beginning. They want to add value and not just talk about their product, but they also want to help MSPs be better.
  • [06:29] They had an established blog and newsletter. In 2017, when they were launching the podcast, they wanted to call it something other than the Auvik podcast. 
  • [06:54] The name needed to convey that the podcast was about helping MSPs by providing information. They named the podcast Frankly MSP and after it's success, they spun Frankly MSP into a broader content brand including the blog and Frankly MSP Live.
  • [07:34] The first Frankly MSP Live event was in January in Santa Barbara, CA, and it was so much fun. They had speakers, and Jennifer did a live podcast recording. 
  • [09:45] Jennifer met many fans of the podcast at the event. 
  • [10:26] She does pay attention to downloads. Numbers do tell them if they are resonating. The real goal is to put Auvik forward as a valued content brand. This strategy has been working. 
  • [13:09] The sincerity of the people at the conference was awesome. One listener even prints out the notes and takes them to meetings. 
  • [14:17] The podcast was intended to expand the audience. They had a news portion, but it wasn't evergreen. The news portion also bogged down the production schedule. They now just focus on the interview and skip the news section. 
  • [16:31] The podcast has helped increase their profile in the industry and their brand.
  • [17:46] The sales reps and business development reps listen to the podcast and it helps them understand their customers. It's a great internal communication tool now. 
  • [18:51] Jennifer uses Todoist to keep track of everything. 
  • [19:29] They had a blog and newsletter to get the word out about the podcast. Having avenues of communication are key to starting. 
  • [20:22] The podcast comes out every other week. The newsletter comes out in the weeks in between. Each issue of the newsletter features the last two blog posts and the latest podcast. They will also have more detailed blog posts about some of the podcast episodes.
  • [21:52] Jennifer regrets not starting the podcast sooner.
  • [23:36] Consistency is key with podcasting just like it is with blogging. Choose a schedule that you can commit to and then make sure you hit your schedule every time.
  • [24:12] There are a lot of things you can do with your podcast so put a lot of thought into your format.
  • [25:08] You want to work your podcasts into the rhythms of people's lives.
  • [26:00] Jennifer's copy writing hero is Joanna Wiebe of Copyhackers. She has all of their ebooks and refers to them often. The Copyhackers blog and courses are also excellent. 
  • [27:02] The most recent book she read was Profit First by Mike Michalowicz who was the keynote speaker at Frankly MSP Live.
  • [27:20] A goal is to grow the podcast audience and get people more involved.
  • [28:13] Jennifer likes to vacation in Northern Ontario in the Muskoka area where there are lots of lakes, evergreens, and rocky landscapes. She thinks it's one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
  • [30:17] Darrell's Takeaways: Jennifer's journalism background came out during our discussion. She talked about establishing a blog and a newsletter. These are important pieces. You can leverage these items to grow your podcast and gain momentum through the podcast. The podcast isn't focused on the company, it's focused on helping MSPs. Ask how you can create a podcast for your audience? Clearly discover how you define success. Be consistent with your release. 

Links and Resources: