Blogger Interview: Srinivas Rao of Blogcast FM

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Srinivas Rao has mastered the art of conducting blogger interviews. On his wildly popular podcast, Blogcast FM, Srini goes behind the scenes to give us an in-depth look into the success stories of some the most compelling individuals online today.

Here's Srini's Bio:

BLOGCAST FM founder/host Srinivas Rao has been a 2-time speaker at Blogworld Expo and was listed on Problogger’s annual list of 40 Bloggers to Watch in 2011. He’s a regular contributor to the Adage 150 blog, {GROW} and his work has been featured on Social Mouths, Write to Done, Dumb Little Man, Twitip, Kikolani, and many other social media and personal development blogs. Srinivas has interviewed nearly 300 people since starting BLOGCAST FM and continues to have the best and brightest guests from the online business industry.

Srini Rao

My Interview with Srini Rao

Q. Your podcast is an interview style format and in the past you’ve covered some extremely popular personalities from the online world. If you could pick only one or two interviews that you would really want people to listen to so they can get a taste of your show, which ones would you recommend?

That’s a really tough question since there have been so many. But there are certain ones that really stand out in my mind. I’d say check out these:

Q. In terms of social networking, what social networks do you find effective when it comes to promoting your blog and your show? Where are you spending most of your time on social media these days and why?

My main three are Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. I spend most of my time on Twitter because I’m continually on the lookout for interesting content creators. I find that Facebook is more spectators than it is creators. Oddly enough for our BlogcastFM listener base Google+ is where we have the most engagement. I think the noise on Facebook is really hard to compete with.

Q. Now let’s focus on blogging, talk to us about your blogs and what people can expect when they visit the blogs.

Well as you know, I host a show called BlogcastFM, where you’ll find close to 300 interviews with bloggers, authors, entrepreneurs and other people who are doing amazing things in the world. The advice they offer is always actionable, insightful, and useful. In many ways I think the show is evolving beyond just being about blogging. It’s really starting to turn into a show about what makes people successsful.

My other blog is The Skool of Life, where I write about the things we should have learned in school but never did. I come from a long line of academics. My dad’s a professor and everybody else in our family has advanced degrees. I followed that path and it didn’t lead where I thought it would. I like to say in school I got a degree, in life I’m getting an education.

 Q. Guest posting is another area of blogging that I’d like to talk about. You’ve guest posted on quite a few blogs, what are some of them and tell us how you landed guest posts on those popular blogs. Did you get in touch with the blog owner or did they reach out to you. How did that work?

I was fairly proactive in this process. But where I started was with smaller and newer blogs. I also invited people to guest post on my blog in order to build a relationship with them. While it makes sense to get traffic from bigger blogs, I recommend starting with people at your same level. It’s a better way to polish and refine your work before putting it in front of a large audience .

Q. Srini, I would love to get a sponsor for my podcast so give us some tips on getting show sponsors, where can I find potential sponsors?

The process of scouting sponsors is not an easy one. I think David Siteman Garland really said it best when he said “do 50 episodes before you even think about it.” WE did about 200. The longer you wait to get a sponsor, the more leverage you have because you’ll have a body of work and an audience. If a sponsor signs on too early and you grow it’s going to be hard to raise your prices.

Q. What are some of your favorite podcasts that you like to listen to and what blogs do you visit regularly and why?

Blogs:

Podcasts:

The Tropical MBA because Dan and Ian are useful and entertaining

Q. Let’s move on and talk about your latest project. I’d love to talk to you about your brand new book, what’s the name of the book and how did you and your partner David come up with the title? Also, give us some insights into how did you decided on the focus of the book and how long that process took.

Blog to Book Deal by Srinivas Rao and David Crandell (aff link)Blog to Book Deal: How They Did It is the title.

We wanted to attempt a project based on our interviews but we knew simply compiling a bunch of interviews wouldn’t fly. Part of what drove the decision to focus on this was that Amazon is really keyword driven. We also knew that getting a book deal is something every blogger has thought about at one time or another.

We ran the idea by a few people and the book was born.

As far as the process we went through quite a bit of editing. We had our friend Kristina Holmes who is a literary agent, write the foreword for the book. Then we came up with a marketing plan. We treated it just as if we we were working with a publisher.

Q. What can people expect from the book and what are the big take-aways for anyone who reads it?

Tactical insights into what goes into the publishing process from people who have done it.

Q. Can you give us some advice on some important lessons you learned while writing this book? If we wanted to get started writing a book today, what’s the biggest pitfall that you think people should avoid?

Start the marketing plan in conjunction with the book. Create a buzz team of sorts. I think the thing I would have done differently was picked 10-12 people to really help us blow it out rather than try to hit so many at once.

Q. Srini, in closing, tell us what’s next for you? Now that the book has launched what’s the next big thing you’re going to be working on?

We’ll be expanding with some new properties. 500 Business Books is the first of those. That’s all I can tell you for now :).

My thanks to Srini Rao for this awesome interview, please tell us what you think in the comments below.

 

44 thoughts on “Blogger Interview: Srinivas Rao of Blogcast FM”

  1. Kenny Fabre

    Ileane

    I use the same social networks Srivinivas use facebook and twitter. I post my articles on the biggest blogging facebook group, and tweet out to my twitter acocunt.

    Podcast is something I’m considering doing it looks very fun.

    1. Ileane

      Hi Kenny, Are you using Google+ yet? You should check it out if you haven’t already. Thanks for stopping by Kenny.

  2. Srinivas

    Ileane,

    Thanks so much for having me. I really appreciate it. I hope that your audience finds the interview valuable and learns from it.

    1. Ileane

      Hi Srini! It was my pleasure and I’m sure my readers will find value in the interview.

      I hope they check out your podcast and get their hands on your book too. I’ll see you on Google+ 🙂

  3. Ehsan Ullah

    Ileane, Thanks for letting us know about Srinivas, his blog and his Ebook. I’ve started writing my first Ebook today and 20% completed. Hope It’ll be complete in less time.

    I have visited his blog The Skool of Like and read some posts, but didn’t know that the man behind that blog will be interviewed here lol 😀

  4. Ileane

    Hi Ehsan!

    Thanks for letting me know about your upcoming ebook. It’s encouraging to see all of the progress you are making in the last few months!

    Will you make a Kindle version of the book?

    Now you know a little more about Srini – the man behind Skool of Life.

    Talk to you soon Ehsan and thanks again for your support.

  5. Michael Belk

    I like to listen to podcast but I could never produce one because it is hard to talk for hours. I applaud people who can. I am a better writer.

    1. Ileane

      Hi Andrew.

      Great to know that you are listening to Srini’s podcast. If you get a chance, pop over to iTunes and leave a rating and review of his show. I know that Srini would really appreciate that!

      Btw – how are you listening to the podcast? On your phone?

      I don’t have a Smartphone so I listen when I’m in the car from CD’s I burn on my laptop.

  7. Derek

    Awesome,
    The guy is just amazing, would really like to be like him someday.
    And perhaps Get an interview from Ileane

    1. Ileane

      Hi Dan, thanks for stopping by the blog. Nice to meet you. I’ll check out your show and I already pinned your cover art on my Podcasting pinboard.

  9. Janmejaya

    Great interview. I really like 4th question and answer. Guest post is one of the best method to generating high traffic and also as well as relationship. Great job Ileane.

  11. Adrienne

    Wow Ileane, that’s awesome that you were able to interview Srinivas. Now look who is the interviewing queen. Steppin up there girl. Great job!

    Thanks Srini for sharing all of this with us. Ileane asked some great questions so it’s wonderful to hear how you’ve progressed and sharing some of your favorite interviews, blogs, podcasts, etc. Oh, and the social networks you use the most too. Always good to hear the scoop from someone having success.

    Thank you both for sharing this with us today and hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

    ~Adrienne

    1. Ileane

      Hi Adrienne,

      Glad you stopped by and read Srini’s interview.

      It’s great to see that Srini has interviewed so many successful business women. He even hosted an event over on Spreecast where he was surrounded by female bloggers sharing their stories and connecting with one another. He sure can work a room:)

      It was called a Hand Made event and you can check it out here http://blogcastfm.com/handmade-bloggers/

      Chat soon girlfriend.

  12. Carol Minarcik

    Great article. I sure would like to read his blog about all the stuff he did not learn in school. I feel the same way. Thats the information our kids should be reading.

    Anyways you did a GREAT job in promoting Srinivas . Very interesting to read as well.

  13. Jane

    Ileane, thanks for featuring Srini 🙂 He’s one of my favs. And podcasting is still on my list 🙂 Thanks for the headsup!

    1. Ileane

      Hi Jane,

      You have already started your YouTube Channel so really you can start a podcast by simply extracting the audio from your videos. But I know you, as soon as you put your mind to it, you will have your podcast listed in iTunes in no time flat. Thanks for stopping by Jane.

    1. Ileane

      Hi Slyviane, I’m sure you will find Srini’s show inspiring. He’s got a great lineup of interviews there for us to consume over on iTunes.

  16. Cameron White

    Hello Ms. Ileane

    This is awesome. I am listening to BlogCastFM every single day as I am walking Srinivas Rao is brilliant, and I have learned a lot from listening to it.I’m really looking forward to listen to your interview.Thanks

    1. Ileane

      Hi Cameron, I’m glad you’re already subscribed to Blogcast FM. Did you get a chance to rate the show on iTunes yet? Let me know if you need me to show you how to give a rating, I’d be happy to give you a hand. Thanks for stopping by.

  17. Sandeep Kumar

    Hi Ileane…….
    Fantastic interview……

    I am agree with Srini’s point that
    First one have to create a solid foundation before going into market for sponsor ship or for direct ads.

    other point i likes is use of Social networking sites…..
    I agree that there is so much noise on Facebook and it is hard to compete there but still there are lots of scope on Twitter as it require special skill to enage people on twitter.

    Thanks once again for so much learning in a single article.

    1. Ileane

      Hi Sandeep, I do see a lot of noise on Facebook and Twitter at times also. On way I get around that is with the Facebook group I have and by using Twitter lists.

      Google plus is great because people can’t add feeds! Plus there aren’t any ads (yet).

      Thanks for coming bay Sandeep and offering your input.

  18. hira

    Hi Ileane
    such a nice post. I have been a fan of BlogcastFM for a while. Srinivas is the great guy. thank you for sharing.

  19. rida

    Hello Ileane
    thank you for sharing this interview, i do not know much about Srini’s, but now i know

  20. hira

    Dear Ileane, all the time you have written great posts, i am regular reader and commenter of your blog

  21. Crystal Watts

    Thank for hosting this interview and for telling us about the (Blog to Book Deal: How They Did It) book. The resources mentioned in the interview are very helpful and I found great value. I look forward to learning more and reading the book. Thanks!

  22. Adeline Yuboco

    Thanks so much, Ileane, for introducing me to Srinivas and to his podcast and blog. I’m listening to one of them now and I’m absolutely loving what I’m hearing.

    1. Srinivas

      Thanks Adeline. That’s music to my ears. Hopefully you’ll stick around and dig through our archives as well.

  23. anshul

    Hi Ileane!
    nice interview.and thanks for the information about the srinivas rao who is successful blogger.and the value or term which used in interview are helpful and inspirational.i like it.thanks for sharing this blog.

  25. kristof

    Great interview. Guest post is one of the best method to generate high traffic and also as well as relationship. Great job Ileane.

  26. Kate Luella

    Wow – I’ve only just started my blogger interviews podcast about a month ago, and to think Srini has 300 under his belt is quite awe inspiring! What I wouldn’t give to have a coffee with him oneday – maybe… 🙂

  27. King

    Srini Rao is certainly an inspiration to many of the budding and pro bloggers there around.. this is a great interview Ileane..

  28. aanbiedingen

    This is quite interesting to see how other bloggers are. Never really read an interview like this one. Very eye opening. And nice podcast!

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