The One About the Power of Alignment

A couple of newsletters ago, we focused on doing hard things. Particularly, the hard thing of negotiating deals with potential podcast sponsors.

(Fun fact: if you missed that one, or any previous newsletter for that matter, you can find them all here!)

And since then, I’ve been thinking about podcast sponsors a lot. Because over the past few weeks, I’ve realized that there is one key element that needs to be in place if you truly want to find long-term podcast success, especially when it comes to podcast sponsorship...and that "one thing" can be summed up with one word...

✨ A L I G N M E N T ✨

Once you’ve found the confidence to approach potential sponsors, the next step is finding sponsors that align with your podcast.

Why does that matter?

Because long-term podcast success is all about trust. A successful podcast is one that has cultivated a strong sense of trust between the show and its listeners – they’ve successfully aligned their values with those of their audience.

So, today, I want to focus on the power of alignment by sharing three golden principles👇that underpin this power of alignment when it comes to long-term podcast success, and in particular, when it comes to finding the right sponsors for your podcast.

1. It’s all about authenticity

If you strip everything away, podcast success is really built upon authenticity. So if you can find sponsors that align with your podcast's brand, you’ll bring an authenticity to your sponsorship that money just can't buy. When the values of your show align with the values of a sponsor, your endorsements feel genuine. This authenticity builds trust, and this trust leads to a positive response to any and all calls to action you make on your show.

Remember: Your audience can sense when you believe in and use a product or service…or whether you just picked a sponsor solely for the payout. Do NOT do the latter!

2. Trust is hard-earned…and quickly lost

A key thing to remember is that with every episode your audience listens to, they’re building a sense of trust with you as host. So when your sponsors align with your podcast's brand, listeners are more likely to trust your recommendations. In the long run, this trust translates to higher conversion rates, as your audience feels confident that your sponsors share the same principles and standards they value in your content.

But the converse is also true. If you pick sponsors who very clearly do not represent the values held by you and your podcast, all that hard-earned trust goes out the window! 😲

And finally...

3. Long-term relationship building is key

Podcast success is all about the long game. The hosts who establish real, long-term connections with their audiences are the ones who go the distance. And it's important to remember that this takes time...but it is totally worth it in the end.

This same principle applies to your choice of podcast sponsor. While lucrative deals with brands who may not align with your show may bring short-term gains, aligning with sponsors who reflect your values can foster long-term relationships between you, your audience, and even your sponsors. And it's those long-term relationships that will see you finding success with your podcast overall, as well as with podcast sponsorship as a monetization method for years to come.

Final Takeaway:

While the big payout might look super attractive right now, picking sponsors who align with your values and those of your audience will pay out far more in the long run.

- Jennay

P.S. If you’re looking for practical strategies for how to actually find those "right" sponsors for your podcast, I dive into all of those in this post. 👇

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Links Worth A Look...

• Are you a podcaster who loves the facts and figures, and you want to understand the metrics that contribute to long-term podcast success, then check out The Actively Established Podcast Report for October 2023, put together by Alex Sanfilippo. 😎
• ​YouTube Music has just launched a podcasts destination page in the U.K.🎧 This will make it possible for users to listen to and watch podcasts on YouTube Music without a paid subscription.
• What does the path to success really look like and how do you know if you are still on the right course? 📣✨ Listen to Episode Three of Business Beyond the Mic with Ashley Menzies Babatunde here.
• 🎉CONGRATULATIONS🎉 to all the winners of the 2nd Annual Signal Awards! You can check out the full list of winners here.
• And finally, are you going to be in LA from November 1-4, 2023? Then get your tickets to Air LA Annex, the annual West Coast version of On Air Fest. Check out the awesome line-up here. 🤩

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Founder's Corner

Speaking about the topic of alignment...over the last week, one thing that has continued to pop up is the question, "Is my work aligned with my purpose?"

A lot of us spend so much time wondering what we are supposed to do with our lives and how to find the desired fulfillment. We often bounce between jobs, dip in and out of the world of entrepreneurship, or simply take a step back to pivot every now and again, hoping we will get it right the next time.

But what exactly is "purpose"?

Ultimately, your purpose is who you are at your core and how you express that being in the most authentic way possible. This purpose can shine through and be reflected in the work that you do, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the only thing that defines your purpose. Instead, purpose can be defined as a mission that you feel inside of yourself, a calling to DO something!

Often times the pull can be so strong that if you aren't walking in your purpose or following your "why" it can feel like you're heading for an existential crisis...

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However, finding true fulfillment can be hard to measure. No one can tell when you feel it. Your “why” comes from within you. It is up to you to unearth your purpose.

The problem is, that many lack the initiative to actually search for it. They settle, and end up longing for something different.

Yes, goals are helpful to re-align with your purpose. But more importantly, you need to be in step with a strong "why" in order for those goals to work for you. That strong "why" can help you push through the hard parts and can help guide you toward opportunities that align with your purpose.

Understand the power of purpose.

Purpose can serve as a powerful driving force behind our actions, giving us focus, direction, and meaning in everything we do. It elevates our work by tapping into our deepest desires, values, and dreams.

Our purpose does not always have to be about our careers. It can be about so much more!

It's really about how we bring forth the best that is within us in any scenario that we are in. And when you merge your passion and inspiration toward things that support your "why", you will find true fulfillment.

Which came first, success or happiness?

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Fulfillment and happiness matter. Research shows that you are 20% more productive when you are happy. And when you raise your levels of happiness, every other positive indicator of success goes up as well!

Oftentimes we haven't consciously made decisions for our career paths, leading to a lot of unhappiness. Instead of actively making choices, our decisions are carelessly driven by mechanisms that we're not even aware of and we wake up wondering how we got here in the first place. 🧐🧐

However, when you believe in and are passionate about the work you do, you are more likely to be motivated and eager to contribute your best efforts.

It is truly a day-by-day process of unearthing your purpose.

So what does it look like to re-align your work with your purpose?

Let's unpack the three guideposts to lead you back to your "why" 👇👇

1. Take Stock and Ask for Guidance

The first step to unearthing your purpose is to take stock and reflect on the things that you value – is what you do still connected to your purpose?

► How far are you from the target?
​► How big is the distance between what you want to do versus what you are doing?

Once you’ve gained focus and clarity, work to align what you truly value with your behaviors.

► What impact do you want to make?
​► What do you want to change?

Then, listen to what other people appreciate about you and let them mirror your gifts back to you. Your “why” provides stability and direction in the chaos of life.

2. Let go of Set Plans, and be Malleable

Don’t be afraid to pivot when you feel disconnected from your purpose!

Aligning your work with your passion and purpose is ultimately not a one-time event. It is a continuous process that requires regular review as it changes over time. So, don’t be afraid to explore different paths that align with your mission!

Sometimes, making a change can lead to new and unexpected opportunities that resonate with your life’s purpose. Be open to exploring different avenues and be willing to adapt and evolve along the way.

3. Step Out of Your Own Way

Finally, recognize that YOU are the biggest player in your own happiness. Stop letting life just happen to you. Stop justifying why things aren’t the way you want them to be. And don’t let fear hold you back!

► Get back to being curious.
​► Treat your life as a daring adventure.
​► Spend as much time on your gifts as possible.

Ultimately, create a purpose-driven approach to your work that translates into positively influencing those around you. Tell your story, and get back to who you are and what you’re meant to do.

All things considered, aligning your work with your purpose is a deeply personal and transformative journey. Embrace the journey and be open to exploration as you align your work with your “why”, and move toward experiencing a profound sense of fulfillment and joy.

Until next week...

Happy podcasting! 🎧

The Team at We Edit Podcasts

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