Tanner Scott entered the digital marketing industry in 2018, starting his own digital marketing agency while he was still attending college at The University of Utah. What started as a side business/hobby has quickly transformed into what Ranksey Digital Marketing is today – a fast growing marketing agency that helps business grow by building websites that convert traffic, brand identity that resonates with clients’ target markets, and digital marketing strategies that produce results.
What is Secrets to Scale all about?
Secrets to Scale is all about learning from successful entrepreneurs and uncovering their secrets to scaling their business. Guests tell the stories of how their businesses got started, how they’ve scaled them, and the obstacles they’ve overcome along the way.
Tell us a little bit about your personal background – how, and why you started your podcast?
I started Ranksey Digital Marketing in 2018, while I was still working a 9-5 in the construction industry. I wanted more than what a job could offer me.
In 2020, I decided to realize that vision, leaving my day job to build out my own business. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was one hell of a hurdle to overcome during the early stages, but I stuck with it, using the extra time I had to develop my processes and improve my business.
It was at this time that I came up with the idea for Secrets to Scale. I was aware that a podcast would benefit Ranksey’s SEO and content marketing strategy, but even more importantly – it provided an opportunity for me to network with other entrepreneurs during a time where in-person events were not an option.
What was the biggest problem you encountered launching your podcast and how did you overcome it?
Starting a podcast was outside of my comfort zone. As many others do, I had my insecurities about speaking publicly – especially on a recording. But after I started the initial interviews and editing, a funny thing happened: I got comfortable.
What are some mistakes you made as a podcaster?
When I first started podcasting, I wrote detailed questions and expected my interviews to flow in a particular way. As time went on, I realized that some of my most insightful interviews have been the ones that went unexpectedly.
I’ve also learned that the hardest part of podcasting happens before the interview. It’s so important to communicate expectations to podcast guests and research beforehand.
Do you monetize your Podcast, or plan on monetizing, tell us how or how you plan to do it?
Secrets to Scale is not monetized. While I’m uncertain what the future holds, and while I’d love to monetize it someday, monetization is not part of the master plan.
Ranksey benefits from the podcast in other ways; primarily networking and search engine optimization (SEO). The podcast allows me to build relationships with other entrepreneurs and in some cases, get my foot in the door with prospects I want to sell to.
Additionally, I use the podcast as part of Ranksey’s SEO and content marketing strategy. Generating consistent and valuable content has helped us improve our rankings in search results as well as reach new markets.
How do you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business and podcast?
It all comes down to your process. In the beginning, it was hard to keep up with all of the interviews, editing, and promotion. Building out a process has helped me stay on top of it. I try to automate as much as possible and spread out the remaining tasks between myself and my team.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your podcast?
I wish that I had begun marketing and growing an audience for my podcast before launching it. This is something that I didn’t think to do in the beginning, but I think there was an opportunity there that I missed.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your audience?
The single most effective way we’ve marketed the podcast is through our guests. We post every episode on our company’s social media platforms and ask interviewees to share it with their followers as well.
What is your definition of success?
I believe that success isn’t an end goal, it’s found within the journey that you take daily. Being an entrepreneur, you’re going to have a lot of ups and downs. The highs are high, and the lows are really low. Success comes in celebrating the small victories along the path to building something greater for yourself.
Our society tends to define success as a big house, fancy car. But the truth is that there’s finding success is not the same as being rich – it’s finding your passion and being fulfilled by the opportunity you have to improve yourself every day.
If you had to start a brand-new podcast today, what are the steps you would take?
Once I had solidified my idea on what the podcast should cover, my next step would be to create a plan and outline logistics. This would include a schedule, timeline for episode releases, a marketing plan, and scouting guests. After that, I think the most important thing is to get ahead on episodes. Consistency is a key part of maintaining an audience. Have enough episodes ready to go so that you don’t have to worry about missing a release day if you get behind.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new podcasters?
There’s a famous quote:
Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
When I think about podcasting, I take that as “Talk about what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” It sounds like a no-brainer, but your podcast should be centered around something you’re passionate about, and more importantly – something you can learn more about with every episode.
Don’t be afraid to adapt and change your podcast over-time. The best podcasts grow with their listeners.
What is your favorite quote?
Focus on your strengths, rather than your weaknesses.
I’ve said this on my podcast more times than I can count – but that’s because it’s so true. Time spent on weaknesses is the time taken away from improving our strengths. Focusing on our strengths enables us to become even better at what we’re good at, and that’s how we find success.
How can readers get in touch with you?
If you’d like to get in touch with me, you can visit Ranksey’s website or connect with me on LinkedIn. I am always looking to connect with business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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