The Healthier Home Studio Podcast

The Art of Getting Business Reviews

• Chris Graham • Season 1 • Episode 12

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I'm a little bit under the weather, so my energy might be a little bit off right now, but I wanted to do an episode about something. Uh, that I think will be immediately useful in everyone's business. Let's listen to this podcast. Uh, on my last podcast, I've talked extensively about the importance of collecting. Reviews. You know, getting these five star reviews for your business. And really, I want to talk a little bit more about why that's so important when someone is thinking about hiring you, especially if they don't know you, which should be the goal is you're trying to get strangers to, to work with you, right? They are going to look at your website, look at all the work that you've done. Look at your portfolio. Look at your socials. And they're going to try to form an opinion about you, not just about your skill. But about your integrity and about your ability to do what you say you'll do by when you said you do it. And one of the primary indicators, when you're getting ready to hire somebody, that they will do what they said they do by when they said they do it. is reviews. Reviews are a type of authority. When you come to a client and you say, look at all these reviews, look at all of these people that have been working with me that love working with me enough to not just come back for more, but to post publicly about their opinion. of working with me and so that. I think is one of the easiest, most actionable things that any of us can do in our small businesses, especially in service providing businesses. So if someone's Googling recording studio and your business pops up, all those reviews are right next to it. And people can easily read through those reviews and formulate an opinion. And what those, what those reviews do essentially is they, de-risk the process of hiring you for your future customers. That's a, that's a really big deal. When someone starts to feel comfortable. About working with you to encourage that people like them. And that's the most important part. People like them have had great experiences working with you. Your chances of getting great customers from that go through the roof. And I remember when I first started doing this in my own mastering business years and years and years ago. I'd follow up and say, Hey, just want to make sure you didn't any revisions. Everything was okay. And they'd often email me back and say, oh my gosh, Chris, the project sounded amazing. It was everything we were looking for. You were so great to work with. And when they would say that I would come right back, I had a saved reply and the saved reply was basically, oh my gosh. Thank you so much. That's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. If you wouldn't mind, would you copy and paste what you wrote? In this email into a review on Facebook or Google and I'd have a link to both. And they could literally just put like how, yeah. Copy, click paste published. Bam. The number of reviews for Chris Graham mastering back in the Olden days when that was my full time. Number one, focus, they grew so quickly. And what was amazing to me is as I increase the number of wildly good reviews from real customers, just by asking that the right time in the right way, not, Hey, would you write a review for me instead? Would you copy and paste what you've already written into a review? That's a much lower bar. It's. It's much easier to ask someone to do that. And for them to say yes. Okay. Like they're pumped about it. As I began to do that, what I found was it got really easy to start working with new customers. They would do a little bit of research on me, find out. You know, the, I took customer service really, really seriously, and that I was invested in people leaving happy so that they would come back later. That was kind of the goal there. But as I began to build those reviews, it just became so easy to win a brand new customer. And so one of the things, that I want to take, I want to take some time on this episode and just kind of recognize those of you. some people, some of you have written reviews for this podcast, and I want to read them and react to them, for you guys, because here's what I'm trying to do. I want to help the most people I can, the most that I can. And I believe that our industry, people that make music in and around recording studios. That we as an industry have the most opportunity. Uh, to make the largest impact here on earth, because you can say things in a song that you can't say in polite society. Right. I'm reminded of, uh, this new song from jelly roll country artists that just came out where he is just talking about some serious child trauma in the song. That's funny, like I'm, I'm uncomfortable. Explaining the song to you. So you all I'll link to it below, but you guys can go check it out. But he can save these wildly uncomfortable things. About society and about trauma in a song. Where anybody else off the street, can't just grab a microphone and start talking about this stuff and expect anyone to listen. So I think that's really exciting. we are in a position. As music makers. To impact the world in ways that will resonate possibly for the rest of the human experience. Right. That's really exciting. And so my hope. Is to get many more people on this podcast who have a, a crazy amount of authority. Behind their voice, people who have been not just doing great work, but have also been doing the work on themselves and have been benefiting from that. That's what I want to have in this podcast. And for me to get interviews, one of the things that's the most helpful is for someone to do just a quick search for this podcast and see, oh, it's got good reviews. Yeah, sure. We'll go on the show. I'll say yes to this. So in a lot of ways, this episode is me asking those of you that have gotten into this show. Would you please, if you haven't already write a review on Spotify slowly, just you click up five star button. On iTunes, apple podcasts. You can actually write a review and that's where I'm going to read through and react to some of these reviews for you guys here today. All right. So this, uh, first, uh, review, I don't know how to pronounce the name. This first review, um, is from a gentleman, uh, whose screen name is Oola dine. It sounds a great audio equipment. I've never heard of that, but it's cool. they say a breath of fresh air. Many of us are familiar with the podcast that Christie used to be a part of. I follow that podcast religiously for years, but I found myself losing interest after Chris left. It's not that the information was bad. I just found Chris's personality, be much more compatible with my own. And after he left the podcast, it kind of felt like it lost a bit of its approachability with Chris returning to the podcast world. It feels a bit like a piece of my life has returned. Wow. That's cool. That's awesome. That's amazing. This podcast, won't be for everyone. Some people are more concerned with metrics and numbers and growth and granting and emulating the ultra wealthy. And ultra successful. The entrepreneurial business world is light years away from my personality. And I have no desire to emulate that in any way whatsoever. In fact, I think a big part of my struggle comes from falling advice that is meant for those kinds of people and trying to square that with my personality. As somebody who just wants to work with awesome real world people. It's refreshing hearing business advice that isn't centered around growth or profit, but fulfillment. Oh, my gosh. That's awesome. If money or financial growth. Where my biggest concern I get out of this line of work and I would go get a real job. The healthier home studio podcast is a great reminder that most of us didn't get into this line of work to become rich. And sometimes we throw our entire lives out of balance by trying to follow advice that isn't really aligned with our own personal purpose. Yes, whoever you are, shoot me a DM and, let's chat my bro, because I'm assuming your dude. He might be a lady. Whoever you are, please shoot me a DM on Instagram or on WhatsApp, if you guys use WhatsApp. And even want to shoot me a text. My number is 6 1 4 9 4 3 9 2 1 4. I'll put that in the show notes here as well. But man, this review just nails. Uh, what I am trying to go after here. The hard lesson that I learned. Um, over the past couple of years I would read these business books that were written for like CEOs of fortune 500 companies. And I would try to apply that to a passion-based business in the audio industry and the music industry. And. Boy. Some of that advice worked. Some of it. I felt like poisoned my soul. You know, there was a time there when I was, really focusing on serving the most people I could. As a mastering engineer and I'd worked for, I think it was 192 people on a month on average, that was, that was about the peak of it. There I eventually stopped listening to music. During that time of my life. I didn't, you know, use Spotify. I barely played my guitar. Um, it just music sort of lost its sparkle. It's magic to me. And I, I love what this podcast review is highlighting. That. All ultimately. The assumption that good business advice for a fortune 500 CEO will be applicable. To people who are doing. their passion for a living. That they're trying to create a connection for a living. And that connection to them is actually more important than money. there's a fundamental disconnect. And I didn't understand that up until about, about two years ago, frankly. It was a big reason for coming back with this podcast. So for that review, uh Ludine whoever you are. Thank you so much. All right, here's another nice. Here's a short one. This one is from our three VZ. And they say Chris Graham is one of the most inspirational people in the industry. This is releasing at the perfect time for me. I'm ready. That's awesome. I am figuring out how to emotionally process words that are that kind, I, I hope that I inspire a lot of people to do dope shit too. Uh, to, to, to find a way to. Uh, weaponize their talents, the transferable skills, and find ways to help other people. With them outside of just the business world. So for that, thank you. All right. There's another review. it's by Dolson. And he said, I'm so glad this podcast exists. We desperately need these conversations in the music business. I can think of nobody better to tackle This topic than Chris Graham ha. That's awesome. Cool. Thank you so much, Dolson. One of the things I can remember thinking years ago. But back before my, uh, sort of mental break. And subsequent, Therapy journey was. I remember, I used to think, man, I wish that somebody would do this podcast that would do like a mental health podcast. in the recording industry. And I remember thinking to myself, man, I do it. I just don't have any authority. I don't have any. Right to say anything and. I'm I'm kind of flabbergasted that, things have turned in a way and now I'm doing that podcast and I feel like I got a lot to say very cool stuff. All right. Oh, this is exciting. Jimmy DeRosa. I freaking love you, Jimmy. Jimmy's in, one of my mastermind groups and is a great guy lives here in Columbus. he says an inevitable success. Our listen to everything. Chris puts out. He has a wealth of insights on many topics, but none greater than helping people become their best selves. Really stoked to tune in. Man. Thank you. That's really the purpose of this podcast is you look at all the things you can do for your business. That's why everyone's tuning in right. It's a business podcast, but if you look at all the things you can do to help your business grow and succeed. The number one thing is to. Have great judgment. And the only way to get the best judgment that you can, is to try to become the best version of yourself. That's that lever is bigger than all of the other levers in small business, not just growth, but fulfillment and satisfaction. the goal of my last podcast was to help people get a six figure home studio. This podcast, the healthier home studio, the goal is to the people would feel fulfilled in the work that they're doing and the art that they're. Creating a piece of that's money, but it's not the whole thing. And it's certainly is not the most important thing. All right. Let's read that. One or two more of these. Okay. This is from a Sudi sax. That's a great name. On Inspirado and in. Uninspiring transformation. It's been amazing to see what Chris has accomplished in a few short years since leaving his last podcast. His vulnerability and openness about his past his activism and changing the scope of the law and his state. His personal transformation through therapy completely changed the direction of his life. I can see why this made his former partner uncomfortable because Chris grew so much as a person and as a force for change. and couldn't just be a sidekick anymore. So proud of what he has done. And so looking forward to see how that has transformed his studio, work in business. We all have healing to do and growing and forgiveness that needs to happen. I certainly do. Can't wait to hear the conversations and the great learning opportunities from this new podcast. Wow. Um, That's a, that's an amazing review. And I, I feel very seen, Just by that. So man, I Studi Saks. I so deeply appreciate those kind words. I tell ya. They say branding is not what you tell other people you are branding is what other people say when you're not there. And as I've been making this podcast and trying to formulate this concept is brand that's like, Hey, business podcast, but we think the most important thing you can do, if you want to grow your business and get fulfilled by your business. is figure out what is the healthiest version of you? And what do you need to do to go full blast on reaching your potential and potential? I don't mean as in the things you accomplish. I mean reaching your full potential. As in that you have the least amount of multitasking going on when you are at work. You're not cussing yourself out. When you make mistakes, being abusive to yourself, you're not being rattled by a revision request. You don't see that as a personal affront. On who you are as a, as a human, um, you're able to have confrontation. Uh, without lashing out at the other person, you're able to have a confrontation without becoming avoidant. Without, you know, ghosting them and, and, and moving on with your life and just refusing to acknowledge or take ownership. None of these things are super healthy, but it's something that we see all over the place in our industry. I've said this before in the podcast. And I'll say it again. I think that for many of us. The most important question in our business is why did we choose to do this for a living? And the answer is usually it was a childhood dream of mine. Right. Your inner child. Is who wanted to do this for a living? And if you want to do a great job at this, and you want to grow as much as you can, you have to team up. With your inner child. And that that shit is hard to do that has taken me a very long time to make significant progress on that. And I am still working on that all of the time. And so for those of you that are out there in recording studio land, and you're thinking, what can I do to have a more fulfilling career? And also a career where I'm not constantly worried about cashflow. I think that the answer is to do the very hardest work that you can that often involves a therapist that often involves. Owning. past behavior. Owning, the things that you struggle with and not having a fixed mindset around this idea that this is just who I am. I just happened to be, prickly or whatever it happens to be. I think these fixed mindsets around who we are as people. And what is our personality and what is not learning to have open hands with that. And to start to ask deeper, harder questions about if some of your quote unquote personality, isn't a response. To some unprocessed feelings that your inner child hasn't really gone through yet. that you haven't allowed them to feel yet. I really think that this is where all of us are going to see the most clarity as we work on our businesses instead of for it. The most creativity as we are building art and we're experiencing a wider gamut of feelings. That's I think where we're going to see the most growth. And here's the thing that we got to keep in mind. All of us from the mastering engineer on down to the session, musician, not that there's like a. Uh, hierarchy there, but everybody in this industry, we need to recognize that we are not in the music industry. We're not in the recording industry. We are in the feelings industry. People stream songs, they buy records. They go to concerts to feel feelings. That is the underlying DNA of our industry. And if we want to get good. And the feelings industry. We've got to understand our own feelings. We've got to find a way to process. Why we are the way that we are and why we do the things that we do. There's a lot of science around this. And so one of the things I want to encourage you guys to do. just as you're on your own mental health journeys, and you're trying to figure out what, what, what could I do? What could I learn? How could I grow? That would make me more effective in the studio and to create more personal fulfillment for you. here's an actionable, you can go out and you can do today. There is, um, an online test out there. For autism. And it's called the rads, R T S R a a D S dash R. And the science behind it is that if you do have autism, it is almost impossible. To test that you don't have autism with this online test. And it takes like 10 minutes. It's not a big deal. It's not a hippy dippy thing. This is scientists who have gotten together and figured out can we make a diagnostic tool? That with a high degree of accuracy can indicate the presence of autism spectrum disorder. I took the test. Let me tell you a little bit about it, the test, Basically revolves around the number of 65. You answer, 20 questions or so, and if you score below a 65, there's a 99% chance or something like that. I don't have the data in front of me, but it's close to 99% chance. That you do not have any sort of autism, you don't fall in the autism spectrum. If you score above 65. the score goes up to, I want to say it's two 20. I think it's the high end of the score. Guys, I took the test. I scored a 180 4. And, uh, that is. That's a lot of autism right there. And for me in my own life, As I've, tried to find tools like the rads are test, and I've tried to integrate them into how I understand myself and understand why I react to certain things. I start to notice that there's an awful lot about me and my personality and my past behavior. That's classic autism. as I've been on that journey and I've spoken with my therapist about it. It's it's been wonderful. And it's helped me to kind of process. How I respond to stimuli, you know how I get overwhelmed sometimes in a loud room. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I get a little weird. In a loud room. going to Nam and being in the drum section is very challenging for me. Th these are things that are, very much indicative of, of somebody that's on the autism spectrum. For actionable day, what I would encourage you to do. It's take a few deep breaths. And if you have any part of you, that's ever wondered if you're on the autism spectrum and that might explain some of your, uh, engineery. Uh, behavior. Check out the rads, our test, I'll put a link to it below. And again, this isn't hippy-dippy stuff. this isn't a personality test. This is something that, um, scientists in this field have developed and that it's been vetted and found to be highly accurate. So for those of you listening to the six figure home, For those of you listening to the healthier home studio podcast. I hope that for some of you, that this is an important next step in your journey, getting some sort of indication that. You might want to pursue, Learning a little bit more about what autism spectrum disorder looks like. If you happen to test high on the rads are so I hope this is helpful. if you think the rads are and you score on the autism spectrum area of it you can text me on WhatsApp. My number is 1 6 1 4 9 4 3 9 2 1 4. And just kinda. Yeah, give me a heads up on that. So please stay tuned. I have many more conversations with many amazing professionals. Like you. Who have found a way to build a healthier home studio?