How to get traction as a startup (these founders also got a free booth at TechCrunch)
➡️ Plus what NOT to do if you want to be a great podcast host
Hello from your friend in Bucharest, Romania.
In this issue: what not to do if you want to be a great podcast host, from Moldova to San Francisco with Elena and Vio from SelfTalk, fun links and more!
Why you’re getting this: You got this email because you subscribed, we met on LinkedIn or at an event, or you attended one of my cocktail parties. If you don’t want to receive it, just hit subscribe any time at the bottom. I won’t be mad. I won’t even be notified!
How to get traction as a startup
These female founders have a different approach to fundraising and gaining traction.
So I had them explain.
In this conversation Elena Oprea & Viorica Vanica from SelfTalk share:
how they got a free booth at Tech Crunch (and attracted people to it)
how they elevated their pitch to be on the same level as startups coming out of Y Combinator
their journey from Moldova to London to San Francisco (and why they pivoted from a B2C to a B2B applications)
Bonus: Elena and Vio also share the unusual thing they did to earn the respect of other founders participating in the Draper accelerator 😆
🎙️📺 Catch the interview on Spotify, Apple, other platform.
Here’s what NOT to do if you want to be a great podcast interviewer
📒 On preparation:
• Block off over 60mins when recording time is under that. Since my recordings are generally 25-35 minutes, I only book 45-minute time blocks.
• Troubleshoot audio/video during our time together. (I once recorded an entire episode with a new microphone and the audio wasn’t picked up)
• Chit chat too long about irrelevant things before starting. (recording should begin within 5 minutes of the guest arriving in the studio)
• Show up with airpods, audio is priority. (I prefer the old school ones with cable)
⏰ On timing:
• Be late without ample notification.
• Go overtime without time check. (Big no-no here)
• Reschedule last minute. (give at least a three hour notification)
• Forget to show up. (can you call yourself a serious podcaster if you ever did this?)
🎙️ On interviewing:
• Interrupt, especially with something unrelated. (wait for a pause)
• Be ill prepared, use a script if need be. (have a list of your go-to questions you can ask)
• Ask questions that are too broad. (I am trying to do a better job of this myself)
• Ask too many questions at once. (I used to make this mistake a lot)
Being a great interviewer is easier than you think. It only requires the 3Rs.
Research your guest.
Respect their time.
Relax & have fun. 😎
“But it had a taste that I like”
This is me when I’m trying to recall a wine I liked inside the grocery store! 😄🍷
Fun Links
💌 16 great re-engagement email examples
📺 This girl is a master at YouTube shorts
💵 For people making six figures, this is what they do for work
🎾 This guy imitates Federer, Dojo, Nadal, Kyrgios, and other top players brilliantly!
The End
Recently I welcomed a new SaaS podcaster to the Innovators Can Laugh media network! 🎉
Joran Hofman is the founder of Reditus, a partner/affiliate management tool that purely focuses on B2B SaaS companies. And when he’s not working on the product, he interviews B2B rockstars such as Steffen Hedebrandt, Patrick Campbell, and Andrew Davies on his Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast.
Above is me and Joran when I was in the Netherlands last week. Feel free to connect with Joran and check out his show!
To getting it done,
Eric M.
PS Whenever you are ready, there are three ways I can help you:
The Podcast Growth Playbook: this is the exact playbook I used to help Bonjoro and Optimonk scale to over $300,000 a year.
Promote your brand to 10,000 podcast listeners and 40,000 newsletter subscribers via the Innovators Can Laugh podcast media network.
Book a paid 60-minute session with me and ask me anything about podcasting or influencer campaign strategy.