► Tell us about you and your podcast
There is a company called Southwestern Advantage. It has been around since before the Civil War. Anyway, they hire college kids every summer to go door to door selling books to helps families with education. The summer sales job is an internship and the students go all across the country, some even come from Europe to sell. The average student makes $9000 for the summer, selling books door to door, 80 hours per week. Last summer, the top student (who is from Europe) made over $200,000 in the summer.
Supposedly, it is like the marines for sales. The internship even ranked as the number one internship in the US, beating MIT and NASA. Awarded by Cooperative Education & Internship Association.
Some famous people have done the program, most notably: Larry Wilmore, Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Bill Fagerbakke (Voice of Spongebob's Patrick Star), and Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Naturally there are several relatively successful alumni of the program and we interview those alumni who share their TALES from the lessons they learned by going door to door. Its niche, but there are an estimated 100,000+ living alumni of this program. Some sold one summer, some several.
Of course the stories they tell are unbelievable. After all, knocking on 3000 doors in a summer is bound to bring some hilarity and/or inspiration, along with all sorts of stuff. So far, our listeners are mainly other alumni, although we have been branching out into people who just find the whole thing fascinating.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
Well, you probably heard of that flu that has been going around since the beginning of 2020. During that, I was pretty bored at home and always remembered that meeting other alumni of the program always brought a cool connection. And my friends who knew I did the program but never sold always were entertained by my personal stories. So it hit me. I figured that the podcasts I listened to were pretty niche, and had a feeling that this sort of content would be great on the air. Our first show aired 2 weeks after that because the network of alumni works similar to that of a greek college community. On November 29, 2020 we put our first episode out and now we are 83 episodes in. And we have grown organically, with more steam on the engine every day!
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
We do episodes regularly on Thursdays and Sundays live on Youtube. The recordings get uploaded to Spotify and Apple Podcasts (and most major platforms). Since record live, we just put the recording, raw and unedited on the air and then on the platforms. It was pretty simple at first, but as we picked up momentum, we started collecting sponsors. These were people who all sold books as well. We kept it in the family and now they pay for us to promote their business on the show!
We are completely funded through that, it is now my full-time job and are cashflow positive!
► What do you gain from podcasting?
We do not share our revenue, but I can say that it is enough to live off of, and to pay my team. I couldn't do it without them. Sponsors are now rolling in and it is an encouragement to hear that people are enjoying the show and love the natural and authentic "uncensored" feel of it. I am learning as we grow and its become a big passion for me.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
We use a streaming service to go on to Youtube. There really isn't much prep work. We like to run everything off the cuff, and that has been the key to our content. All the stories we hear, are usually for the first time. Especially because it adds to the surprise. All of our interviews have been done through a video conference channel, however, some guests have been with one of our two hosts, in person, on occasion.
► How do you market your show?
As of now, it is word of mouth and social media. We have tried some paid promotions, but for the meantime it has all been organic.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Go for it. It won't be perfect, but the key is consistency and to be coachable. Be a student of the game. Find someone who is doing it like you would like to, and try to follow what they do. Joe Rogan, Pat Flynn, and some others on Youtube are a great way to learn.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
Our website is about to go live at the end of February. There you can find us pretty much everywhere. Our merch will be there as well as our Patreon. We are on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Pony Tales Podcast is the name, and you can donate or subscribe if you wish. Any support is welcome.