Help business owners successfully navigate their paths to success.

I spent over 20 years working in the publishing industry at Inc. magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Media, and Success magazine. For nine years, I ran my own publishing company. We printed two of our own titles as well as the SBA's national magazine, "Small Business Success."

I left the WSJ in 2012 and started my first of three businesses--Brian Moran & Associates. We do two things: help business owners run better companies, and help marketers better target the SMB space. In 2018, I launched the Small Business Edge podcast (my company website is smallbusinessedge.com). The podcast's mission is to provide listeners with access to some of the smartest professionals in almost every segment of the small to midsize business market.

Our listeners are mostly business owners who appreciate the conversational tone of the podcast and how we provide takeaway action items in every episode. We also reach people in media, academia, government, associations, corporate business, and around the world. According to our host website, the podcast has listeners in 91 countries.
 

I want to provide content in any format that best suits my audience whether it is video, digital, or audio. We've had excellent feedback from listeners who encourage me to continue with the podcasts and have offered suggestions on guests and formats (they gave me "5 questions in five minutes" as well as "Big business advice for small business owners."

My initial goal is still my same goal today, six years later. I want to help business owners run better, more productive companies. I spent over 20 years at publications that did not have the same type of access to their audience as we do today. I consider my podcast to be a dialogue, not a monologue.

I launched my podcast in 2018 and it's been a fantastic journey so far. I can't wait to see what's in store going forward and where the podcast takes me.
 

My goal is to produce podcasts weekly. Each episode is approximately 30-35 minutes, though some have run over one hour. I go wherever the conversation takes me, but I am always thinking about the best interests of my listeners. I believe that's why we have an 82% impactful play score.

Given that my day job is helping business owners run better companies, the podcast technically is my day job :)
 

We do take sponsorships for the podcast. Pitney Bowes was a long-time sponsor of our podcast. Oracle was also a sponsor of the show, and we've had a number of other sponsors. Today, we are in negotiations to partner with two sponsors for 2024.

Our clients typically buy an integrated sponsorship package that includes our podcasts. We also offer newsletters, webcasts, digital content, speaking at their events, etc. Our goal is to help them achieve their objectives in the SMB market...and our podcasts will often be part of the program.
 

We record our podcasts on Zoom and I have a podcast producer who handles everything for me on the backend. Finding guests has never been a problem. With my years spent in the SMB space, I always have someone ready to record my next podcast.

I prepare for each podcast by filling out a one sheet on my upcoming guest. Who are they? What part of the SMB market are they reaching? How will my listeners benefit from what they have to say? Do they have a book coming out? Are they launching a new product or service? My research is thorough so I am prepared for whatever direction we go in on the show.
 

Our show is on most of the podcast platforms. We also heavily promote the show on social media and in our newsletter. Our listeners and guests do a great job letting people in their network know about the show.

I find that a combination of social media and targeted emails, with a simple message/takeaway, are the best channels for us to promote our podcast.
 

My best advice is to start slow (maybe one podcast/month to start). Buy a decent microphone (Yeti) and find a producer that can help you create a professionally produced show. If you have guests on your show, do your homework on them so you can ask insightful questions. Listen to their answers as if you were in your own audience--and think about any additional questions your listeners might ask. Lastly, have fun with the show. Make it conversational and comfortable, and don't waste your listeners time.
 

our website is www.smallbusinessedge.com
On Twitter/X, my account is www.twitter.com/brianmoran
On LinkedIn, my account is www.linkedin.com/in/brianmoran42