“How to Become the Center of Influence Through Subject Matter Expert Podcasting” with Jameson Sharp of The Jiu Jitsu Takedown Podcast
As part of my series of interviews about “How to Become the Center of Influence Through Podcasting”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jameson Sharp. He is an accomplished Kansas City Businessman who trains the Martial Art, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, better known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. While exploring ways to help his Team Mates of Gracie Humaita Kansas City & Their BJJ Competition Team “Team Megaton”, Sharp began hosting and producing the Jiu Jitsu Takedown Podcast. Ultimately landing him & his team mates in the spotlight of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fight world.
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Can you tell us the “backstory” about why or how you got started as a podcaster?
Early this year, I had brought up the subject with my Gracie Humaita Team Mates & Instructors Micheal Graeber, Carlos Vargas, and Sean Liebig the need to create content for our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. And since I have the most experience being out front in the Media, I was the one who took the lead. And basically I became the Host. The aim of the podcast is to learn more about the backgrounds & stories of my Guests, while exploring subject matter related to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Thats how this fun project began.
Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?
A. Interestingly since I began hosting and producing the podcast, many in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community have stood up and taken notice. The outpouring of support has been just incredible. I was in no way known in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world. Until I professionally & personally interviewed the man himself “Royler Gracie”. I was completely blown away the day I found out one of the sons, of the Royal family of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was on board with sitting down with me for a professional interview. That has to be the most interesting things that has happened since I began Podcasting. And I must add, I am really Grateful to my team & Professor Michael Graeber for making it all this possible.
Can you share a story about the biggest or funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I started, me & Mike Graeber began sitting down creating content, the biggest mistake I made was not being prepared as a Host. Not only did I struggle with topics to cover. But I had no clue how to steer the conversations, as to not get off track. So if you are out there reading this. My advice is, Be prepared with questions and ready to steer the conversation. Most importantly stick to the topics. So the Podcast does not become a mashup of different topics that have no bearing on the subject your covering. Stay relevant and entertaining.
How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?
I have officially been Podcasting with my Teammates for one full season or 6 months of content. It’s not much, but the incredible guests in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community keep saying yes to interviews. So I must be doing something half right. Laughing and Smiling. I have heard rumblings in the BJJ community, people are absolutely devouring every episode. And that is a great indicator. Im completely confident as time goes on this Podcast will begin to gain more influential guests in the Fight world, including the Ultra Competitive Elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community.
What are the main takeaways or lessons you want your listeners to walk away with?
- If I were to offer and share some key takeaways from the Podcast to listeners it’s this. I would like for them to be able to listen and feel they are right there in the conversation with us. Thats one of the reasons I video record every episode. I would love to give people listening and watching these takeaways,
- Everybody starts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a beginner. Don’t be Intimidated to start.
- Everybody’s journey is different, learning about more experienced pro’s BJJ journeys is honestly interesting and speaks directly to beginners.
- While we are talking we dive into and grapple with subject matter that may be controversial or difficult topics. But this makes things interesting.
- Ultimately this podcast is about educating & entertaining its listeners & watchers. So they are able to lose themselves in the content for a few minutes of their busy lives.
Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Jameson Sharp!
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Podcaster Influencer, Jameson Sharp of the Jiu Jitsu Takedown Podcast shares the best ways to:
1) Book Great Guests. Concentrate on the experts in your industry who are local, when you interview them, be mindful that they know other people in your niche. So when your done with their interview be sure to ask them for a introduction or referral and reach out to the person. This keeps your Podcast in business. Creating new opportunities expanding your footprint one guest at a time. This is why I began hosting Jiu Jitsu Takedown podcast with our family & friends in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, next thing you know people and Professional Mixed Martial Artists, and Fighters began reaching out asking if I would be interested in hosting a sit down and conversation with them. It’s amazing how when you share success you and your podcast will grow.
2) Increase Listeners. Increasing Listeners to your Podcast is something you will need to experiment with, and what I mean by this is research topics and keywords people in your niche or industry are actively having a discussion about or are searching for. This gives you basis for more deeper conversations including creating great specialized content. When we first began our Jiu Jitsu Podcast we just talked about BJJ & Gracie Jiu Jitsu topics and stories people were more likely to pay attention to. This has paid dividends. If you want people to engage you and the podcast, be relevant. It’s that simple.
3) Produce in a Professional Way. Have a basic understanding that listeners like simplicity and use different techniques to capture your podcast. I use a Smartphone along with Audio software (IMOVIE) to create our podcast. Its worked efficiently and has increased public interest in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Podcast. Using video also gives me options when creating Social Media Content. When I first started, I looked at how other people around the web began podcasting with just a smartphone. And today its easier than ever. Don’t worry about quality when first starting. Worry about quality content or creating conversations by, with, and through audio and video content.
4) Encourage Engagement. Use social media to your advantage. When encouraging engagement with your content or podcast, be mindful of the people closest to you and who support you. If you would like to increase engagement, use strategic mentions or suggestions during the podcast so people out there on social media respond with their thoughts on the subject or topic being discussed. It really just works! My Gracie Jiu Jitsu podcast is shared by video and audio to multiple social media platforms in video and audio forms. Its a winning strategy as its gained traction as the leading midwests premiere Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Podcast. It’s hard work but its definitely worth it.
5) Monetize. Be proactive and seek out industry specific sponsors, or companies that could benefit from the traffic associated with your podcast. Cold call them and be sure to offer value up front then ask if they would be willing to sponsor your podcast. When I first began our podcast, I immediately saw the value in having Gracie Humaita Kansas City sponsoring it. It was a no brainer to have my home Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy benefit from the traffic generated from the podcast audience itself.
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 the content itself?
Check out the full interview in Tracy Hazzard’s Authority Magazine article about Jameson Sharp!
