As part of my series of interviews about “5 things you need to know to create a very successful podcast,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Steve Ramona. Steve Ramona discovered networking was the real deal at a very young age. He is on a mission to teach the world how to network correctly. His passion for the Law of Increase is his secret sauce. Podcasting now is the new way to network and build an incredible inner circle; the ability to bring value/serving is a skill that will increase your networking!
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you more. Can you tell us a bit of your “personal” backstory? What is your background and what eventually brought you to this career path?
I worked at my family’s health club when I was 18 years old. I learned the power of building relationships and a large network. Once I learned that, I was able to launch a career as an entrepreneur working with a restaurant and an ice cream shop, then running my own business for 7 years. I realized how building business relationships helped me launch all of the projects I started. Now, with the #1 Small Business Marketing Podcast, I use my extensive network to get guests, referrals, and a large audience. I learned the value of serving people before you do anything else. Just last year, I gave out over 1000 referrals, almost 100 a month. This has helped me grow to a point where my income is the highest it has ever reached.
Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?
Picking one story will be challenging, but I will give you this one. Leigh Steinberg, the sports agent for Patrick Mahomes, and the movie Jerry Maguire was based was a guest on my show. Now, if I did not have a podcast, there would be no way for us to connect. I reached out on LinkedIn and asked him to be on my show. He said “Yes,” and we did a great show. That has led to many other high-profile people like Roy Firestone, who has done 5000 interviews with ESPN and was a great guest.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
People ask me all the time how to get started with a Podcast. I learned that it is to start recording content. The more you record, the better you get. My first recording was not sound. When the recording started, I said 3 2 1 record. It was my starting point, which should have been recorded. I never did that again. I left the Podcast up, which still had hundreds of views. People only care about hearing the content.
How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?
I started my first show on Oct 4th, 2022. I have over 280 shows.
What are the main takeaways, lessons, or messages that you want your listeners to walk away with after listening to your show?
There are three things I want to get across. Was the audience motivated, inspired, and educated? I find if you hit all 3, you have a grand slam. You still have a homerun of one or two show up.
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?
My shows are positive stories. People overcome significant obstacles and come back stronger. The paraplegic who climbed a 9000-foot mountain to show you can do anything. Prisoners who changed their lives with God are now doing incredible things and many more. I, as a host, shut up and listen. I learn from my guests. My notepad is usually complete after a show. I care about my guests and what they say. I use my servant’s heart to guide me through my show. How can I bring value to my audience and see my guests stand out?
Doing something on a consistent basis is not easy. Podcasting every workday, or even every week can be monotonous. What would you recommend to others about how to maintain discipline and consistency? What would you recommend to others about how to avoid burnout?
I was doing 3 to 5 shows a day. I LOVE podcasting and learning about people. I also use it for my business. I get to know my guests to get into their network and grow my business. This keeps me really consistent. What I have done over a year and a half, many people have not. With over 280 shows recorded, the percentages show people stop at 50 recordings. Find value in your show like I do. It will keep you recording and enjoying the experience. Building relationships is the lifeblood of any business that wants to stay in business and scale.
What resources do you get your inspiration for materials from?
Referrals are a great resource. People hear my show and send me an email saying, “This person would be a great guest.” I also use LinkedIn as well to learn about people’s stories. Being on other Podcasts gives me a ton of resources as well.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now shift to the main questions of our discussion. Is there someone in the podcasting world who you think is a great model for how to run a really fantastic podcast? What are the ingredients that make that podcast so successful?
The best ingredients are first Shut Up and listen. You see the host doing this makes for a good show. Having a conversation is always the best model. Think of your show as a table at a coffee shop. I and my guest are sitting at the table, and the guest says something that motivates someone to lean over and say “Tell me more about what you’re talking about.” This is why the audience will reach out to the guest. That are wanting more. You do that, you are modeling an incredible show. Josh Tapp, who is my mentor, has an incredible Podcast called “The Lucky Titan.” He does this with all his guests. Anyone can do this.
Which is why Podcasts can be so special and powerful.
You are a very successful podcaster yourself. Can you share with our readers the five things you need to know to create an extremely successful podcast? (Please share a story or example for each, if you can.) Shut up and listen. I did this with a guest and learned all about them. Gave them value and they gave me the opportunity to partner with him on a billionaire-dollar business. Always ask. Reach out to people and ask them to be on your show. I think I have had 1 person in over a year say no. Asking Roy Firestone, a sports Journalist, to be on my show, with 5000 interviews. He said yes, and my Podcast received a considerable boost.
The title and theme are important. I started with the title of Serving in Business. It was a good title but too broad. Once, my friend Rich told me you have a Servant’s heart. It was a game-changer. Many people listen just because of the title.
Be Consistent. People will stop listening to your shows if you are not consistent. I will do 3 to 10 weekly shows to bring fresh content to my channels. One of the reasons is that my 9800 subscribers stay with my channel. They know something new is coming soon.
Leverage your guests. I always think about how I can bring value to the guests — a referral, resource, or tip. I learn during the show their desires, passions, pain points, and challenges. I had a guest I did this with. She loved the show so much that she shared it with her network. I received 20 referrals and 2 incredible guests on my show. Serving with value with everyone you meet.
Can you share some insight from your experience about the best ways to: 1) book great guests; 2) increase listeners; 3) produce it in a professional way; 4) encourage engagement; and 5) the best way to monetize it? (Please share a story or example for each, if you can.)
- Ask. Then, tell people exactly what you are looking for in a guest. Have a link ready with all the information you need for the show.
- Make sure your guest shares with their network. Create a newsletter with updates to new shows, sponsors, and tips weekly. Lastly, if you are making money, invest in YouTube marketing. I have done this with great results.
- I have a unique way of producing my shows. I do not edit my shows. I keep the raw. This is supposed to be a conversation, not a TV series or Movie. Have unique questions. Ask questions as you listen to your guests.
- Ask again. Tell them you would love to have them listen. Ask good questions to get engaged. Guest gives something away. A newsletter helps to keep you on top of mind with your audience. Go out and be on other shows.
- Sponsors are the usual first answer (which I have), but even more so, I have an offer. They will ask you once you share it with your guests (after you bring them value and serve them). Referrals will come from everywhere. I get 3 to 10 referrals a day. Leverage your guest’s network and build partnerships with them
You can then go out and campaign weekly for your partners, and they will pay you. I make a lot of money doing this by helping others.
For someone looking to start their own podcast, which equipment would you recommend that they start with?
Start with any device you can record on Zoom. Zoom is probably the least expensive way to start a podcast. Once you get better and make more money, you can invest in better equipment. I use the Vocaster 2 Headset and mic combo.
Ok. We are almost done. 🙂 Because of your position and work, you are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I want to start a community called Serving Each Other. I do this in a mastermind with high-income earning business people. Do this for everyone. You never know what someone can bring to you, whether poor or wealthy.
How can our readers follow you online?
Here is my website https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/
And follow my newsletter https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e2b98cca259e13f0890575
Thank you so much for sharing your time and your excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
Editors’s Note: This Interview originally appeared on Authority Magazine and is featured here with permission.
