Lara Schmoisman is a business strategist and the CEO and Founder of The Darl, a boutique marketing agency known for breaking the rules, when it comes to digital marketing, and creating unique and multi-beneficial collaborations for different startups companies.
Armed with an accent, grit, and true authenticity, Lara helps entrepreneurs from around the world stand out from the crowd and grow in the digital world.
What is Coffee N.5 all about?
There’s no elevator to success, in fact, there is a long messy road to cover between starting out and achieving your goals, and I want to know that story and have my guests share it with my listeners with the hope that whoever is listening can be inspired, can learn a few new tricks, or even decide to start a new adventure.
Coffee N5 is a podcast that started in 2020 with the aim of helping others let go of what’s holding them back and become the person they’re meant to be.
We cover a wide range of topics about marketing, business strategies, coaching, entrepreneurship, lifestyle, fashion, networking, and social media among many others. In each episode, we connect with personalities and influencers from different backgrounds and fields. All this ties together with our mission to make everything as simple as possible, so anyone can learn something new.
Tell us a little bit about your personal background – how, and why you started your podcast?
Well, radio was my first love. I remember in my tween years, I would stay up until all hours of the night listening to the radio. Every night, I was falling deeper in love with the voices, stories, and music.
My first job was at 14 years old at a radio station back in Argentina. There I learned how to better articulate and use inflections to give the “real meaning” of what I wanted to say.
After that, I earned a BA in radio and TV production and started working in the entertainment, digital marketing, and advertising industries. But, as I say, it’s always good to go back to the routes.
That’s why, many years later, and I really mean many, as I was speaking a different language, and after many times of getting in trouble for speaking my mind, I still had things to say. I just said WHATEVER, and that’s how Coffee N.5 was born (with the sexy accent and all). As I found out what makes people tick, I met the most extraordinary people, many of them I get to call my friends now.
What was the biggest problem you encountered launching your podcast and how did you overcome it?
Finding your niche is always tough. As a business strategist and entrepreneur, I knew I wanted to give helpful tips to my audience that I wish I had known when I first started.
Also, with having guests comes the responsibility of making them feel comfortable and accepted during our conversation. I always have a chat with them before we even start recording to better get to know each other, so that we can build a trusting environment, and they can open up comfortably.
What are some mistakes you made as a podcaster?
Not understanding who my audience was and what were their expectations of me as a host. Anyone can get in front of a microphone and speak, but as host, it’s your job to dig deep and get the story, ask the right questions and make each episode memorable. That’s what will set your podcast apart from all the rest.
Also, in the beginning, the episodes were too long. I have always believed that podcasts shouldn’t be longer than a car ride. In 20 minutes one can go from A to B and enjoy it from beginning to end, or even stay in the parking lot for a few extra minutes waiting for it to end.
But, if the podcast is longer than that, you’ll pause it and never go back to finish it.
Do you have any other projects or businesses you’re working on?
Yes! I am currently working on my online training to empower entrepreneurs, personal brands, and those seeking to build an in-house marketing department.
The Future-Proof Your Business 3-Step Accelerator System will be launching very soon and will be available for anyone who wants to position themselves as an extraordinarily successful thought-leader in their field.
Do you monetize your Podcast, or plan on monetizing, tell us about it?
I personally don’t monetize Coffee N.5, however my marketing agency, The Darl, does handle the monetization of other podcasts we work with, and one of the most common ways you can earn money is through paid sponsors or ads.
These are short promos that you can include either at the beginning, middle, or end of an episode, and it is usually prerecorded. The host usually says something like: This episode is brought to you by…”
You have to find a sponsor that fits with your brand and your core beliefs. Otherwise, your audience will take notice and might lose confidence in you.
What are three books or courses you recommend for podcaster?
I would say that more than a course or a book, that they should listen to podcasts in their niche and see what their niche wants. From there, they’ll see what works and what doesn’t work.
How do you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business and podcast?
I believe that finding a passion is the biggest motivation of all. I was lucky I found mine at 14 years old.
Years later, after flirting and dating for a while with different industries, I realized that I didn’t want to settle down with any of them because each one was equally important.
That’s why, when creating The Darl, I knew I had to find a team that understood and shared my passions. Thanks to them, I get to do what I love every day and surround myself with amazing people who inspire me.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your podcast?
That’s an easy one! It’s very important to understand that it’s not just about the podcast itself, but that you need to create a whole ecosystem around it.
What I mean by the ecosystem is that every piece that revolves around the podcast should be connected, like the pieces of a puzzle. Why? Because one element cannot be isolated from the big picture of the digital jungle.
We find a way to connect different marketing strategies like email marketing with social media. For example, from the pre-production to the actual recording of a podcast, to the written content and social media, everything is connected to assure that we tell a cohesive story.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your audience?
Like I said before, a podcast is part of a bigger marketing strategy. Every episode should have a CTA (call to action); this is used to generate an immediate response or encourage one. It can be as simple as “If you liked this episode, please leave a review” or leaving freebies available to download in the show notes.
It’s important to have a presence online, share your podcast content across social media, make reposts, tag your guests. You could even take memorable quotes from an episode and make them into graphics that you can share with your followers.
Another way is having noteworthy guests that not only add valuable content but also bring authority with their name. You want your guests to be able to contribute to your listeners. If they repost on social media that they were a guest on your podcast you would be reaching a brand-new audience and hopefully getting new followers.
How many emails do you send out in a day? How about in a week? Include your podcast name and hyperlink it in your email signature, you’ll be surprised how many new clicks you’ll get that way.
What is your definition of success?
Success to me is being able to feel proud of what you do and have no regrets.
The process of creating and leading a business is filled with mistakes. There is no shame in not knowing everything. Have the courage to embrace your mistakes and the curiosity to learn from them. Success only happens after you learn how to fall, get up, and try again.
If you had to start a brand-new podcast today, what are the steps you would take?
I already did!
As well as being the host of Coffee N.5, I have another podcast in Spanish called Marketing Simplificado. The podcast aims to simplify the world of marketing, so in each episode, our listeners learn from the experience, strategies, and knowledge of recognized figures that are extremely helpful for their professional and personal life.
The first steps might seem the most obvious, but are also the most important ones; what will the podcast be about, what topics will you be discussing. You should at least have a general idea of what you will be speaking about.
Coming up with a unique title that describes the theme, but also represents you is a top priority when creating a brand-new podcast.
Once you decide that you can go on to the next step, which would be organizing a guest list, in case you will be having different personalities on each episode.
There are also details like designing cover art.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new podcasters?
Just do it! It’s always fun and exciting to start a new adventure! I have met the most amazing people through my podcast, and you will too.
Starting your own podcast is an incredible new space for exploration, information, and business. But make sure your message is clear and consistent. Be true to yourself, speak your mind (as long as you are respectful to others), and who cares if you get in one trouble or two, maybe being a misfit like me who ends up forging your own destiny.
What is your favorite quote?
In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.
Coco Chanel
How can readers get in touch with you?
They can check out laraschmoisman.com or The Darl. Also, follow me on Instagram and listen to my podcast Coffee N. 5 I’m also on Clubhouse @larasch!
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