Michelle O’Brien – Upward Spiral Audit

I’m Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, and the host of Smarter Podcasting. I share insightful tips that help people grow their shows through interviewing guests and experts in the field as well as sharing my own tips and tricks to help you make the best podcast possible.

In Smarter Podcasting I give fellow podcasters an in-depth audit with actionable tips that help them improve their shows. 

In this episode, I conducted another Podcast Audit with Michelle O’Brien, the host of The Upward Spiral with Michelle O’Brien. Michelle, who has been alcohol-free for two years, uses her podcast to assist others in reducing their alcohol intake. Let’s dive into our conversation and what I uncovered during the audit.

Hopefully you can apply some of these tips to your show! And if you have any questions please leave a comment below or get in touch. 

Getting To Know The Guest

Michelle O’Brien has made significant investments in her podcast, including hiring a top-notch studio in Singapore, a full time video editor and invested in her home studio. These investments reflect Michelle’s serious approach to podcasting.

Podcast Niche

Michelle’s podcast focuses on helping listeners reduce their alcohol consumption to unlock their true potential. She shared her personal journey of giving up alcohol, noting that even modest changes in drinking habits can lead to significant personal growth. Her goal is to offer a fresh perspective on sobriety, avoiding the typical narrative of addiction and deprivation.

When asked what sets her podcast apart, Michelle found it challenging to pinpoint. She aims to present a balanced view of sobriety, not solely from a place of addiction but as a potential for personal growth. I suggested that the uniqueness of her podcast largely comes from her own personality and journey. Authenticity and personal connection are crucial for standing out in the crowded podcasting landscape.

Podcast Goals and Podcast Monetizing

Michelle’s initial goal for her podcast was to achieve quick monetization, given her background in marketing. However, she’s learned that content creation and storytelling are vastly different from brand marketing. 

What I found fascinating was that when it comes to monetization, it’s often a major focus for many podcasters. 

However, from my experience, I always advise against making monetization the primary goal. In fact, if that’s your main objective, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, there are numerous other benefits that come with podcasting. 

For me, it’s about the connections you make, the skills you develop, and the impact you can have. The real value often lies in the relationships you build and the personal growth you experience throughout the process. 

The real value has come from the personal growth and networking opportunities the podcast has provided. She now focuses on enjoying the journey and evolving her content organically.

Podcast Audit – The Importance of Attention-Grabbing Hooks

During the conversation with Michelle, we touched on the importance of creating hooks that capture attention right from the start.  

One thing I’ve learned from YouTube analytics is that it’s typical to lose about 50% of viewers within the first 30 seconds of a video. That statistic really opened my eyes to how crucial those first few moments are. If you can keep people watching past that point, you’re doing something right. For podcasters who are creating video content, this means we need to find ways to grab attention quickly before viewers click away.

While audio podcast listeners tend to be more engaged from the get-go—after all, they’ve chosen to listen to your podcast—they’re not immune to tuning out if the content doesn’t pull them in. This is why I emphasized the value of a strong hook in audio as well. A brief, engaging clip from the episode can serve as a teaser, setting the tone for the rest of the episode and giving listeners a reason to stick around.

For video podcasts, I also recommended adding visual elements to the hook. Even something as simple as captions or a few subtle effects can enhance the viewing experience and keep people engaged. It’s these small details that can make a big difference, especially when you’re working in a visual medium like YouTube.

Enhancing The Podcast Introduction

Beyond the greeting, the content of your introduction is crucial. 

How to welcome listeners

I noticed that she said “Welcome back” in the introduction, it might not be suitable for listeners who tuned in for the first time. They might feel like they were missing out or didn’t belong. It subtly communicated that they were not part of the established audience, which could make them feel like outsiders.

I knew this might sound nitpicky, but it’s something worth considering. From my experience, using “Welcome to” instead of “Welcome back” was more inclusive.

So, if you’re crafting an intro or reviewing your podcast, think about using “Welcome to” instead. It’s a subtle change, but it might make all the difference in how new listeners connect with your show.

Introducing yourself and guest

Michelle did a great job by introducing herself. However, there was an important component that was missing: explaining why she’s the guide for this journey.

As someone with experience and insights, the host play a pivotal role in guiding the listeners through the content. To strengthen your introduction, it’s important to briefly highlight your qualifications and experience.

While she does cover this in the “About” section of her podcast, incorporating it into her introduction can make a significant impact. It helps set the stage for what listeners can expect and why they should trust your guidance.

About the guest introduction, one technique that I’ve found incredibly effective—and that I picked up from watching late-night talk show hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon—is the art of building up your guest with a dynamic introduction.

Here’s the strategy: Before announcing the guest’s name, mention three notable things about them. For instance, a host might say, “My guest today is a bestselling author, a renowned speaker, and the host of a popular podcast.” Then, they reveal the guest’s name. This approach adds excitement and sets the stage for the guest’s appearance, making the introduction more impactful.

I’ve used this method myself, and the reaction from guests has been overwhelmingly positive. They’re often pleasantly surprised and impressed by the thoughtful introduction. It’s a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation and build anticipation.

Another variation of this technique, inspired by a recent video I saw, involves complimenting your guest on three specific aspects: their appearance, their energy, or their achievements. This approach not only highlights the guest’s strengths but also makes them feel valued and excited to be on your show.

State Podcast Value

A strong intro should not only state the name of the podcast but also convey its purpose and the value it provides. 

For instance, her podcast is about sobriety, I advised her to mention the specific benefits listeners can expect. What kind of joy or profound impact will they gain? Highlight what they will learn by the end of each episode and the overall value of the podcast.

Additionally, be clear about who the podcast is for. Is it aimed at people already sober, those considering sobriety, or anyone interested in lifestyle changes? Clearly defining the audience helps potential listeners quickly determine if the podcast is right for them.

Enhancing Audio Quality and Presentation Tips

1. Microphone Matters

One of the first things I noted was the importance of using a good microphone. Michelle had been using her laptop’s built-in mic, which isn’t ideal for recording. The biggest improvements you can make to your podcast is investing in a high-quality microphone. In my experience, the laptop built-in microphone is the worst one. 

I recommended Michelle upgrade to a dynamic microphone, which is designed to capture sound directly in front of it and minimize background noise. Dynamic mics are great for home studios or non-soundproofed environments.

If you’re looking for a guide for podcast Microphones, tune in this blog for the best mics for any budget!

2. Post Production

I also gave Michelle some insights about the editing process. 

I live in Vietnam, where we experience frequent and intense thunderstorms, and construction noise is a common issue as well. Hence, even the best microphone cannot handle these unexpected situations. 

This is when we need the final touch on the post-production process. I use a program called Descript, which includes a feature called Studio Sound. Studio Sound is an AI-based tool that enhances audio quality. It won’t turn poor-quality audio into studio-grade perfection, but it can significantly improve the sound of good-quality audio.

Are you struggling with improving your audio quality? Let me take the stress off your shoulders. At Seven Million Bikes, we handle everything from recording and editing to publishing, ensuring your audio reaches its highest potential. Book a FREE Consultation or Contact Me NOW to get started.

Video Quality

Moving on to video quality, I was really impressed with Michelle’s setup. Despite being in a Starbucks, her lighting was fantastic as she made sure the window was in front of her, not behind, and that really stood out to me. Lighting is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most critical elements in creating professional-looking video content. I mentioned to her how I struggled with my own lighting in the past, and how getting it right made a huge difference in the overall quality of my videos. Poor lighting can make even the best cameras and setups look unprofessional, while great lighting can elevate the entire production. 

Michelle was using lighting that made her look youthful and vibrant, which is always a plus. Good lighting not only enhances the appearance of the subject but also helps engage viewers by making the visuals more appealing and easier to watch.

Conclusion

Through my experience and conversations like the one I had with Michelle, I’ve learned the importance of always improving, whether it’s refining your production process or tweaking your approach to engage listeners better. 

Most importantly, never underestimate the power of high-quality content and the personal connection you can build with your audience.

Need More Support? Book a Free Consultation NOW!

Podcasters out there, if you have your podcast community with dedicated listeners, it’s time to turn them into loyal buyers! Let me help you with 5 secrets in my FREE E-book!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your podcast’s revenue.

And if you would like a podcast audit let me know!