Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1062563
www.ascpskincare.com 65 Medical Spa Insider (Alex Thiersch) Medical Spa Insider is a laid-back—yet highly informative—podcast hosted by American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD. The podcast focuses on leaders in the medical spa industry and medical esthetic professionals, and zeroes in on the lessons, tips, and tricks they've used to find success. Medical spa professionals, including AmSpa members and event attendees, have a hunger for knowledge and networking, which prompted Thiersch to start the podcast in 2018. "We wanted to put together a podcast that would be similar to listeners sitting down and having a drink with leaders and interesting people in the industry," he says, "allowing listeners to glean bits of humor and guidance directly from these pioneers." Thiersch feels that Medical Spa Insider is successful for several reasons, but mainly because of his guests. "There are so many interesting medical spa leaders out there," he says, "and we have an opportunity to informally speak with them and really dig down into their motivations and successes and failures." Thiersch also tries to keep the interviews from seeming stuffy or formal. According to Thiersch, there are two successful podcast models that resonate with his listeners. The first are interviews with guests who have interesting insights on the industry and how it's grown, as in the Danielle Smith (Smith & Popov, Miami) interview. The second are podcasts that feature timely and relevant information, such as Episode 12, "What Does the FDA Alert Regarding Feminine Rejuvenation Mean for Medical Spas?" featuring Jay Reyero, JD, of ByrdAdatto. "We released it right after the FDA alert went out," Thiersch says, "and members and vendors alike found it timely and super informative." The goal for Medical Spa Insider is to interview guests who have a story to tell, are personable, and are excited about the possibility of sharing their story with others. "Many medical spa professionals want to see the industry grow for the better, not keep their secrets of success to themselves," he says. "When you can identify these people who want to share, and are successful, that's a no-brainer." In addition to his podcast and AmSpa, Theirsch specializes in representing plastic surgeons, medical spas, and esthetic professionals on the relevant laws and regulations affecting the medical esthetic industry and has extensive experience representing industry professionals before state medical boards. For more information, visit www.americanmedspa.org. PRO TIPS FOR POTENTIAL PODCASTERS Should I start my own podcast? Lori Crete: "Podcasting is becoming a very popular and somewhat saturated market. To have a successful show, it's important to know exactly who your target audience is and what they find interesting enough to take the time out of their busy day to listen to, and you must stay consistent with your show—this builds a loyal audience. Treat the show like a piece of your marketing plan: map out the year with topics and guests, roll it out on a structured schedule, and create exposure by sharing each episode as you would any service you provide." Daniela Woerner: "I would absolutely encourage business owners to start a podcast as a way of broadening their online presence—as long as you are aware of the time and energy commitment it takes. In order for a podcast to take off (and truly broaden your online presence), it has to be consistent and interesting—and it requires a lot of marketing. Podcasting is certainly not something you should do on a whim. But, if you feel like you have a lot to say— information that can be valuable to your audience—I say go for it. And, don't forget to have fun with it!" Alex Thiersch: "When I was considering creating a podcast, the process and equipment was a bit daunting. However, I would recommend just pushing through these minor concerns. Once you get the equipment you need—making sure it's high quality, portable, etc.—as well as a production partner and posting process, it really becomes very easy to manage. We have gotten nothing but positive feedback, and it really helps bring personality to our brand. Podcasting allows people to really see into the industry and get to know the people in it. It has made us more approachable, which lends to our success. I would caution potential podcasters about putting too much focus on their products or other revenue streams. Listeners tend to see right through that. Instead of increasing your credibility, too much promotion can harm it."