Want to grow your list? Get better known? Enhance credibility? As you probably know you can achieve all three of these objectives in just one appearance as a guest on a teleseminar.
When you’re hosted by someone who’s respected in the field, the host’s credibility rubs off on you. You get access to a responsive audience on the most favorable terms possible.
Often you can get visibility simply by being ready to take action when a host calls to see if you’d be interested in participating in a joint venture. You may get really lucky when a guest cancels on a host with a big name and an equally big audience.
I’ve interviewed so many guests I’ve lost count. What I’ve found is that even veteran marketers can make critical mistakes when they appear as guests. They’re not asked to return afterwards.
Top 5 mistakes that keep you from being an amazing teleseminar guests
1 – Not being prepared with a teleseminar guest kit.
You will need: Your teleseminar info: Topic of your talk, blurb, your bio, and your photo. Include 10 questions your host can ask (with the stipulation that your host can add additional questions).
2 – Not having a compelling offer for the host to promote on your behalf.
You need a free giveaway that your host can offer as a bonus. It’s not unreasonable to expect guests to sign up to get the offer, so your mailing list will grow. Use a domain name that is easy to spell and say on the air. You’ll also need a product that your host can sell as an affiliate. If you don’t have an affiliate program, join Clickbank or the increasingly popular JVZoo.
3 – Swiping your host’s commissions.
Occasionally a host will say, “I don’t care about being an affiliate.” Otherwise, your host deserves to get affiliate commission for promoting your products. Create an affiliate ilnk for the product AND an affiliate link for your default option, such as an opt-in page or your home page. Make sure your host knows you’re promoting affiliate products.
4 – Two-timing your host.
It’s tempting to Announce your next appearance on another teleseminar or talk show with another host. Don’t do it! Am I kidding? Sadly, even veterans can make this mistake. When you’re on a teleseminar, your goal is to promote your host. Period.
5 – Whispering your “thank you” message. Some people encourage you to send a note to the host – even a hand-written one. Maybe some hosts appreciate those notes but frankly, paper means clutter.
You can leverage your thank you message by publicly thanking your host on social media, such as Facebook. Send a solo to your list and send a copy to the host. I’ve found that my own list appreciates learning abuot places where I’m being interviewed. After all, you gain credibility when your name is associated with the host’s.
Additionally, when you message your list, you are offering one of the most valuable resources you have: your list’s attention. You can’t send infinite messages so using one of your email opportunities to share your interview will be a meaningful, much appreciated gesture.
To learn more about being a spectacular guest or host, you can work with my home study course – the only info product directed specifically to helping you grow your business by leveraging the power of teleseminars even more: The 1-Hour Info Product That Keeps On Selling
Great observations here! The one thing I wonder about is do the guests always have to have a great sale or product to offer the hosting site. Do you have guests on who would not be bringing affiliate commissions but can add to your list or drive people to listen who might not already be in your sphere? I ask because I am always taken aback when someone DOESN’T have something to sell, but in general I am not selling something when I speak…:)
Hi Tara,
Great question! A guest would be welcome if she or he had a big list and was willing to do a solo mailing to that list, promotiong the call to my landing page. On very rare occasions, if someone has unique expertise that would drive traffic or offer something I could use as a bonus for a product, I would be interested.
Typically guests who have something to bring to the table have something to sell with affiliate commissions. If they don’t, it’s pretty easy to set something up. For instance, they could say, “If you want to hire me for a one-hour consultation, I will give you a special rate if you sign up through Cathy’s form.” Then I could just get a percentage of the coaching/consulting revenue (usually 10% is the going rate for labor-intensive gigs).
Thanks for asking and always good to hear from you!