How did you get the idea for your business?
I started my own small company called Spread the Positive. Over the years, I’ve done lots of things, but I really found my niche in this podcast production sphere. Editing, recording, distributing, and uploading podcasts are all in line with Spread the Positive, which is to shine a light on things going right.
We do podcasting, building this platform, content creation, good things all around, as cliche as it sounds.
I’ve had to put the company on the back burner many times due to life things, but the podcast was the first thing I could make tangible. One episode a week for a year. I heard that on another podcast, and I decided to commit to that as well. So 52 weeks later, I kept it going, and I’ve got people asking me to help them start their own podcast.
How did you make your first sale?
The first 4 or five sales that I made were mostly within the inner circle of connections I made before I began doing the podcast. One was the real estate company I worked for previously, Music City Experts. My merchandise guy helped early on. It was mainly friends that also saw the StP vision.
Since then, everyone I’ve asked has been a strategic ask.
I’m not going around to dentists or lawyers and asking them to be on the podcast.
What are you thinking about when you’re looking for a good client?
You must have some greater message behind what it is you do. For example, many fitness and wellness people I’ve worked with have a big element of the motivation behind their brands. The premise is that people are willing to show how they’re putting some good into the people they work for and the community at large.
What do you like about operating a business in Murfreesboro?
I don’t know if I could have started this the way I did anywhere but Murfreesboro. Take a look at you guys. You started a business with 2 of your closest competitors. I think that speaks a lot about the way Murfreesboro is. The support and community are fantastic. People are willing to get behind worthy causes like StP. Without Murfreesboro, a lot of this wouldn’t be possible.
How do you advertise your business?
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t done enough of that. But now that I have some help from some interns, hopefully, we can expand into some more outside promotion methods like social media.
The goal of this and StP has always been the bigger picture approach. The non-profits I’m associated with, I know they’re doing good work for good reasons. It’s not about just getting your message out there, it’s about getting your why out there.
What podcasts (other than your own) would you recommend?
The one that got me to do the StP podcast was Short Story Long, with Drama from Young and Reckless, the clothing brand. He had a guest on, Kevin Sturdavan. This one episode changed my life, he talks about the 7 equities of life. It was super powerful and Drama kept saying that if you were passionate or wanted to learn more about something: start a podcast.
I know so much random stuff about so much random stuff that I could sell you on. I really think that we’re only at the tip of this podcasting iceberg. There’s so much expansion, money, and opportunity being put into it, but still, the fact that you can create your own radio station is amazing. 15 years ago, that would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now, it’s a monthly subscription to a back-end platform and recording episodes. It’s insane.
What are some different types of formats for the podcast?
I get that question a lot. If it’s just you, no more than 20 or 30 minutes. If it’s an interview, just let it ride. Obviously, the interview is the most common point of entry, it’s very easy to let the content flow from the two people. The interview acts as a way to scratch your itch while also providing a service. It’s the best of both worlds.
How do you manage your to-do list?
I’m a pen and paper guy more times than not. Google calendar for invites and other online-oriented features. I also just keep a schedule in my head going for the week.
Other than social media, what other tools do you use?
Libsyn is the application I use to get all the podcasts ready and out into the world. Other than that, Instagram and Facebook is what I use. I’ve also started using Slack with my interns.
What’s one business listen you’d be willing to share?
Simplify what you’re focused on and be intentional. I have 1090 syndrome really bad, I’ve probably gotten over a million 1090s over the years. Getting organized, getting disciplined, and being in the right headspace is what has helped me the most. Hearing and receiving advice is one thing, but you need to have that one moment, be it an epiphany or a panic attack, that makes you want to change everything and get to work.
What do local business owners want to hear from people like us?
Transparency is the biggest thing for small businesses like us. Honesty and being able to provide tangible evidence at the end of the month is what people want to see.
You can learn more about Trent Denson here.
