The 100 Years Club Installment #123: Big Mic Energy (BME) and 5 Tips for Personal Branding & Podcasting

I launched my new personal brand about 10 weeks ago.

I’m being extraordinarily patient (as I’ve counseled my clients to be since 2005).

I’ve discovered it’s a lot tougher when it’s your own “baby.”

Building a business or a brand is like building a house. You need a solid foundation before you start picking out throw pillows and planting petunias.

Or, using the baby analogy, you must feed and nurture a child before helping them apply for colleges.

Yesterday, I went through my KPIs with my “social media guy.” (After all, if you have a brand, you need one of those.) We reviewed the posts and videos that were generating the most views and engagement. And, like inspecting a house, we found the cracks and created a punch list. The “housewarming party” is now underway.

Things I’ve learned:

1. You don’t need a big mic to build a podcast audience. Although I love recording in studios with state-of-the-art equipment, comfy chairs, and cool backdrops, some of my top-performing episodes were recorded in hotel rooms and in front of my apartment laundry room (with a green screen, a portable mic, and a clip-on ring light). I understand the “big mic” philosophy. It signifies that you’re important and you have big dreams. But it feels a little Wayne’s World or Kramer’s talk show to me, and I’d rather spend the money on travel and conferences and professional marketing (see #2) than on tech gadgetry. When I feel like I need a studio (super-important guest, bad sound and lighting, or interruptions at a hotel), I simply find a professional podcast set-up near me. I was delighted to see that even the East Hampton Library has FREE private podcast rooms. However, if you’re just starting out in podcasting, getting a membership at a professional studio can help you hone your skills, learn new techniques, and build community.
2. Outsource graphic design, web development, video, and social media. Yeah, it’s a significant investment, but if you want to project quality and benefit from the experience of subject matter experts, don’t be overly thrifty. You’ll save time and money in the long run (and perhaps even make more) if you work with people who know what they’re doing. Be age-blind in your hiring, but don’t assume that just because someone is young, they’re a digital genius, or that if they’re older, they are out of touch.
3. While you’re outsourcing, upskill yourself. I am learning as much as I can about AI (including Chat GPT and other helpful research and writing tools), Canva, and  KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), as well as social media and search trends. I follow people who are my competitors and those who are doing really well at building their own brands.
4. Partner up with brands and people who are bigger than you are — and are willing to support your marketing (e.g., collaborate on posts, share content in which they’re featured, etc). ABC — always be curious!
5. Talking about people, remember to continuously connect with strangers. Not weirdos in dark alleys. Make friends when traveling and at work events. Spend a few minutes each day on LinkedIn. But be selective. And never overly pushy or creepy. As I wrote in my spring cleaning tips, use your time and energy wisely.

Be methodical. Track your KPIs. Spend on those things that can deliver results. And above all:

BE YOU

but

BE PATIENT

In other words, building or rebranding a business or a person takes strategy and time. Today’s consumers and professionals are looking for transparency, intelligence, and entertainment.

And, especially given today’s noisy and cluttered marketing world, the strong, curious, smart, tenacious — and PATIENT — will survive and thrive!

BTW, among my best-performing content this month were:

• My April Fools OnlyFans prank 
• A frank discussion about bad bosses and kindness at work
• Me, in an apron, talking about spring cleaning your life and a clip in which I share weird April holidays like Cheese Ball Day
• And, of course, random content about me doing everyday things. Because, after all, we’re living in a bizarro dystopian social media world — and I’m now part of it!

Follow me on Instagram and subscribe to NANCYAF.com for even more wit, wisdom, and useful “stuff.” (And please get in touch if you want info about my mini mic and ring light!)