“Create a Bingeable Podcast Through Connecting Out Loud” with Lou Diamond of the Thrive Loud Podcast

 

As part of my series of interviews about “5 things you need to know to create a bingeable podcast”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lou Diamond.

Lou Diamond is the Master Connector. He has over a quarter-century of experience in sales, relationship management, business development, and leadership coaching. He is an international keynote speaker, consultant, leadership & performance mentor, best-selling author, podcast & TV host, and CEO of Thrive, helping businesses, top performers, and brands thrive through the power of connecting.

 

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Can you tell us a bit of your “personal backstory? What is your background and what eventually brought you to this particular career path?

I was put on this planet to work with the most amazing people and them thrive through the power of connecting. I’ve been a life long top sales performer across numerous industries having been successful in consulting, financial services, and technology. My passion though lies in motivating others to elevate their game and take things to the next level…all while making powerful connections along the way.

Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?

Podcasting has been my happy accident and Thrive LOUD has become an integral part of my company branding, marketing, and lead generation. I think the most interesting story lies in the fact that I am now often asked to SPEAK about podcasting when my initial goal for doing podcasting was to be recognized as a SPEAKER — funny how things turn out.

Can you share a story about the biggest or funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or takeaways you learned from that?

“Thrive LOUD with Lou Diamond” is connects listeners to those that are thriving in their lives, their businesses, and their passions. While most of the guests on the program fall under the ‘business’ category the show has stretched out into many different arenas. Early on I had the opportunity to interview the famous comedian Jackie ‘The Jokeman’ Martling. I was so eager to chat with him that I drove out to his house on Long Island. It was over 90 degrees, there was an issue with the air conditioning so all of the windows were open AND there was construction work taking place outside of his home. Probably the most challenging sound issues ever encountered while recording a podcast and I was so stressed that no one would ever hear the interview. Despite all of those issues, I stressed over nothing as I have an amazing production team that made the episode sound awesome and was one of the early wins for the program. The key lessons learned were 1) try to record remotely as it’s way easier; and 2) don’t stress so much about and just go with the flow.

How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?

I have been podcasting for over 4 years with over 700 episodes spread over 4 different podcast programs.

What are the main takeaways, lessons, or messages that you want your listeners to walk away with after listening to your show?

On Thrive LOUD, listen to the key lessons from the amazing guests. Apply their ideas into your own world. And keep thriving onward and upward.

Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Lou Diamond!

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Lou Diamond of the Thrive Loud Podcast shares the best ways to:

1) Book Great Guests. Invite them to come on the show. There is no magic formula, just go out and ask them to come on.

2) Increase Listeners. Promote, promote, promote. Use social media to promote and require your guest to do the same.

3) Produce in a Professional Way. Partner with a podcast production company. There are great ways to do it yourself….but there are great companies that are great at this. None better than “Turnkey Podcast Productions”. I’ve been with them since the beginning.

4) Encourage Engagement. Awareness about your podcast is most important; even more than ‘listening to it’. Use great imagery of the program, guests or content and place it everywhere in social media.

5) Monetize. Based on the ‘model’ you are following, the best way is to have the podcast drive its audience to a service or offering you provide.

In your opinion what makes your podcast binge-listenable? What do you think makes your podcast unique from the others in your category? What do you think is special about you as a host, your guests, or your content?

Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Lou Diamond!