Seriously folks you need to put a panel on it 💍
The single easiest way to get people to go from apathetic scrolling to STOP and listen (or read or watch) is to make information entertaining.
The single easiest way to be entertaining is to make a topic a conversation between a few people.
Who doesn’t like to join what looks like a fun convo?
It’s what we like to call a panel.
(I mean, that’s what it’s ACTUALLY called. But we like to call it that too 😁)
As soon as you take a conversation out of one-person-talking-to-another-person, a degree of formality is dropped; in its place, a degree of additional energy is gained in the conversation.
And all sorts of sweet, sweet magic will come into play.
That’s one of the simplest ways to pick up how entertaining (or at the very least, un-boring) your content is.
That’s why some of the best events in the world showcase ideas using Fireside Chats.
They have specific lunchtime panels where industry leaders chat amongst themselves and take questions.
So, it’s no secret.
SORELY lacks in practice though!
The pandemic had content creation in different formats (regardless of your budget) MUCH easier.
And I don’t think that shift has quite sunk in for many small marketing teams.
Those of you who follow along on our social channels will know that we often like to quote/ draw analogies from ONE PARTICULAR PANEL.
Think of them like our Panel Spirit Animal.
The View – the talk show on daytime TV, for the longest time; and they have just about returned with a new season.
We covered in our weekly marketing news round up at the end of last week that they have now announced that they will have a new podcast called Behind the table.
It’ll have past co-hosts of the show, and they will talk about some of the most controversial moments with a glimpse into behind the scenes stuff. Their highs and their lows.
People love 👏 that 👏 sh!t 👏
This excites us more than you know.
WE cannot scream loudly enough, from our podcasting soapbox, on the value of panels (clearly 🙄).
And when the ultimate panel embraces podcasts, to REPURPOSE content!
It’s like you made our (potentially slightly sad) world come to life.
Why?
Because,
we produce panel podcasts for people.
The goal is bringing together experts, breaking down silos, and really giving audiences what they need in an easy talk-show-style panel.
What can you learn from the Behind The Table podcast?
This is quite a pivotal piece of marketing news that we’re labouring over and over again.
Being ‘fun’ in the 2D world is a superpower.
Worth cultivating.
The way that you find out what makes you fun is to show up in conversations. Through those conversations you discover that teaching and communicating your expertise doesn’t always have to be stiff and formal.
Getting people to warm up to you is WAY easier when you lighten up the mood.
And we maintain that it’s super easy to show up and shine as your best self, when you have a few people to riff off.
The women on The View are spectacularly good because they come together and voice different perspectives.
The way in which that panel is populated is deeply intentional.
Intended to stretch thinking, mesh different ideologies, demographics, and concepts.
Here’s your task for the week
Think about putting a panel on it.
- If you have a podcast (brand or personal brand), and you, like many, are doing episodes, which are one-on-one interviews or individual teaching, an easy way to take it to the next level is to consider adding panels.
- A panel is basically anything that is 3 guests or more. So, yourself as the host, and 2-3 guests would be a good little sweet spot.
- You want to allow some consistency and cadence to it. Think about it like a column in a publication where you know something special is going to be published once a month (if it’s weekly), or if it’s a daily thing, then perhaps once a week, on Sundays. Channel the Sunday Times version of your podcast.
- Putting a panel together takes a little bit of time and effort. It sometimes takes a lot of scheduling back and forth among multiple stakeholders. But it’s so deeply worth it for a few reasons that I’ve broken it down in previous places. Read this on the 12 formats of podcasting you should consider. Or listen to this on the key benefits of panel podcasts.
- So, if you don’t have a podcast? Then, here’s a play. Go and pitch a few people with consistent and well-distributed podcasts with a panel idea.
- Say ‘Hey X, I’d love to come and chat about (insert topic here – example ‘the marketing context of intellectual property’) While I’m happy to chat about just that angle, might I suggest a panel of 3 (insert names here – example XX, Intellectual property lawyer, and YY, financial business owner and podcaster with some experience in the trenches’). I’d be happy to set up an intro if that might be of interest. Regardless, have a wonderful week. I quite enjoy listening to your podcast. (details here, for example – ‘Episode XX on the detailed breakdown of ‘why cryptocurrency’ kept me company as I biked last weekend! Bice work.’) Best, ZZ
- Don’t wait for someone to call for a panel and then ask to join it. Be proactive. Hosts love that.
- This will cut clutter on the podcast guest pitch front. Instead of pitching yourself as an independent guest you’ll get props for proactivity and innovative thinking on formats.
- And if you are not comfortable with any of this, and you have never guested at all on any podcasts, or spoken on any panels virtually, don’t despair. We have a play for you as well. Start somewhere.
- Think about sending out a note to 1 or 2 people in your business circles that run a podcast. Put a little note together something like this: Hey X, I really enjoyed listening to your podcast. (details here, for example – ‘Episode XX on the detailed breakdown of ‘why cryptocurrency’ kept me company as I biked last weekend!’). I’d love to come and chat about (insert topic here – example ‘the marketing context of intellectual property’) on your podcast. I wonder if that might be of interest to your audience? Regardless, have a wonderful week. Look forward to more of your insightful episodes. Best, ZZ’
That’s it. That’s the task.
Get on 1 panel.
If you do, drop me a note. I can’t wait to see if this inspires you.
Podcasting is an easy place to make a speaking break. Try this.
Ps: I wanted to labour a point that we (at c+p digital) put a particular effort into drawing from the news of the day on a regular basis to illustrate our advice and facilitate a better understanding of the marketing strategies that can work.
As a relatively tiny digital marketing firm, it costs us fair amount of resources in tracking the news, creating the space for senior minds to editorialize it, and making that perspective available with speed, witty commentary, and actionable lessons.
The reason we do that is because there’s plenty of inspiration to be gained from it.
It’s the same reason many of us make time to read business headlines.
That attitude doesn’t always trickle down to marketing.
We hope to fix that. Even if only just a tiny bit.
The way in which content is changing…
the way in which marketing formats are evolving…
It’s lightning paced!
This is not something that you can get a book to read about in 24 months from now.
This change is happening NOW.
And, we invest in this because being a part of that change, and breaking it down for mainstream use makes us truly happy (and gives us excellent email open and click rates!)
Thank you for being here for it 😍💌
We see you. We appreciate you 💫
Get on a panel.
Let your social self in-real-life shine through on a podcast.
It’s life-changingly easy to do.
I promise.
