The conversation questions are based on the Simplicity Scan, so a basic awareness of that helps, but is not necessary.

The podcast is based on the below questions, so you can already prepare in your mind how to reply.

1. Please share in the briefest way possible what do you do?
   • Position your professional activities in a short ‘elevator pitch’ style
2. What impact do you make?
   • This is the opportunity to expand about your purpose, customer, product, and experience you create.
3. What is a strategy or tactic that simplifies your work?
   • Share a strategy or tactic that helps you succeed through simplicity.
4. What is the experience or event that taught you this?
   • We will dig deeper into the complexity or blocker that you experienced which gave you the opportunity to learn the success strategy or tactic you are sharing.
5. How can the audience benefit from your recommendation?
   • This is the time for you to quickly pitch your ‘call to action’ that you want the audience to do (such as go to your website, listen to your podcast, etc.) or for you to point them to where they can get more information.

You are free to ask questions back and include more information, but we will hit the above points in the 20-30 minute recorded conversation.

Chris will close by instructing people to see the show notes of the episode for ways to contact you, so please ensure you provide the contact details with your Bio info.

Important! Before we stop recording, we will take the opportunity for your to record a short teaser of your episode, which will be something like this:

Hi I’m <your name> and I am a <business activity>.  Chris Parker invited me to have a conversation on The Business Simplicity Podcast, and we spoke about <your simple strategy or tactic>. You can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts!

Below are some practical tips to get the best quality audio and video recording of the conversation.

Room / Space

Avoid sitting in a room that has a lot of hard surfaces, like hard floor and metal walls.  It is best to have:

• Carpet on the floor
• Soft window coverings
• If you are in a room with hard surfaces, try to put a large pillow behind your monitor to help avoid the echo.

Zoom

Download and install the Zoom app on your device from: https://zoom.us/download

• Use the Zoom app, and not the in-browser version.
• Do not use a virtual background if possible.

Alarms

Disable or close any applications which have distracting audible noises or alarms.

• Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh40609/mac
• Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-notification-settings-in-windows-10-ddcbbcd4-0a02-f6e4-fe14-6766d850f294

Positioning

Move your camera or device so your head is in the ‘frame’ of the camera and is at the same level as your eyes.

• More tips and examples: https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/8/21202907/zoom-tips-video-call-lighting-audio-look-your-best
• When possible, have your background as simple as possible – meaning without unnecessary clutter.

Microphone

The most important thing for the audio quality of the podcast is the microphone.  Please avoid using the built-in microphone of your computer.  Use headphones or earpods (also to avoid any echos while you are talking), or consider:

• Basic microphone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZSR6BB/
• What Chris uses: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Recording-Podcasting/dp/B001R747SG/

Another important consideration related to sound is the background noise in the room where you are recording. Try to record in a room with lots of drapes, rug or couches that will reduce any echo in the room.

Camera

The best setup is a laptop or computer with an external microphone and camera.  However, if you can’t do this, then using your smartphone is a good alternative as those cameras are often much better than laptops.  If you use a smartphone, then use a headphone with a microphone and a holder to keep it steady.  Here are some examples:

• DIY holders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGl6IyOn6RA
• Smartphone holder: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B06XZK9XKL/

If you would like to get an external camera, for even better quality, then consider:

• I’ve heard good things: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/RZ19-02320100-R3U1-Razer-Kiyo-gemacht/dp/B075N1BYWB/
• What Chris uses: https://www.amazon.de/Logitech-Calling-Correction-FaceTime-Hangouts/dp/B07QZZS7S1

Lighting

The best result is when you have your background lit and some indirect light on your face.  You can most likely do that with lights around your home or office, but you can also consider:

• Ring light: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Temperature-3200K-5600K-Smartphone-Streaming/dp/B07TFQSBMJ
• Small LED panel: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Dimmable-Adjustable-Tabletop-Photography/dp/B07T8FBZC2/
• Large LED panel: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Bi-Color-Light,30W-3200-5600K-Dimmable/dp/B087JH86XY

We will do a little setup check before we start recording, and feel free to ask in advance for any pointers!

Shortly after we record the conversation, you will receive a link to your podcast episode page so you can check the page with any change you would like to make.

When the release date for your edition is known, we will let you know.  We will publicise through our social channels, and it would be great if you could make a plan to push it as well.  Please already link + like + love + subscribe to these so you can keep up to date and see when your episode is launched!

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplychrisparker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyebullient/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simplyebullient

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplychrisparker/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBusinessSimplicityPodcast