Introduction:

I’m truly honored that you’ve chosen to join me on The Authority Show! This is not just a podcast; it’s a platform to inspire, engage, and deliver immense value for you and our audience. Together, we’ll create an episode that’s insightful and thought-provoking. It's about enhancing your personal brand, showcasing your expertise, or sharing your journey with the world!

Your episode will be recorded as a casual conversation, and this guide will get you prepared.

Important information:

Please pick a date for your recording:
https://calendar.app.google/KfMSro8FS2yw515N8
The timezone in the calendar automatically update to your local timezone, so that when you pick a time, it's your actual time.

We need your information, please submit this short form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLFPe79xmbvadpIC_kR3bYgiygRnPy6ounn5e25DcdriP9gA/viewform?usp=sf_link

This is how the structure of the conversation looks:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTOuy85ENSk70rnycElCtPnkxr5e4CQLxl_oeJ2JWnk6XUNeNkkQBVlpf4CWcI4eQ8ijqHuJHB9WUUW/pub

Join the session on this link:https://riverside.fm/studio/karl-lillruds-studio?t=791f5d8944d84fff54fe
Have your laptop connected to the charger for improved recording quality.

Prepare prior to the recording:

  • Since we’re recording video, make sure you’re well-lit and visible.

  • If possible don't have just a white wall behind you but instead something with a little more impression, like a green plant on one side or a shelf with books or something like that. 

  • Restart to update Chrome, as it will auto-update your web browser. Riverside, which is the recording platform we use works only with an updated version of Google Chrome. 

  • Close unnecessary apps to free up your computer's resources.

  • Stable internet connection: If possible, connect directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. If using Wi-Fi, sit close to your router for a stronger signal.

  • Choose a quiet space with minimal echo and background noise. A room with carpets, curtains, or bookshelves works great to dampen sound.

  • Make sure the camera is in eye level so that you don't look down or up making the video more natural. If you use a laptop, put it on a box with something heavy on the top to reduce audio vibrations, or use a pile of books to get it up from the table.

  • A headset with a mic sound better than your laptop's mic, if you don’t have a stand-alone microphone.

  • Place a towel or cushion on your desk actually help to improve audio quality and reduce vibrations.

  • Keep water nearby to stay hydrated for clearer speech.

About You:

Get the listeners captivated about YOU and your background, your achievements and personality. 

I often coach people to think of this as 3 different products.

  1. You are working for a company, that's not you, that's the business which you support.

  2. You have a role within that organization and have had other roles and experiences in the past, that is your product, your knowledge insight and experience package which is what you might want to highlight in your “sales pitch”.

  3. You are you, your opinions your background your family and the vision you have for your own life. This could also be your “sales pitch” if you like to keep it more personal.

Now as we have separated the three parts, it's up to you to chose how you want to pitch your self, as only one or having them combined.

Less Important information:

About Me & the Podcast:

For a bit of context, I’m Karl Lillrud, an AI and innovation expert with 29 years of experience working with startups and global giants like Spotify, Volvo, and AstraZeneca. 

My work spans multiple industries, helping businesses scale and innovate. I’ve authored several bestsellers, including AI, Your Second Brain, Becoming Innovative, Hacking Your Destiny, and Organizing Amazing Speaker Events (soon to be released in version 3 in Arabic).

I’m also an advisor for the Harvard Business Review, a member of the World Economic Forum, and have been recognized as one of the Top 10 Motivational Speakers and Top AI Thought Leaders globally. I’ve spoken at prestigious platforms like TEDx, guiding leaders in digital transformation, AI, eCommerce, and business growth.

Topics & Questions:

To keep the conversation engaging and relevant, please prepare 3 topics to discuss with me, think of this as a mentor or advisor conversation. It should be something that is a bit thought-provoking and if possible break new ground or create new thoughts with our listeners. It can be anything from tech, AI, business growth, or even personal development. 

The goal is to not be rehearsed but to have a conversation that is spontaneous and natural.

Recording:

We do this just as a normal video meeting using Riverside.fm to recording because it captures both audio and video locally on your device for the improved quality. 

  • Join via the Riverside link: https://riverside.fm/studio/karl-lillruds-studio?t=791f5d8944d84fff54fe

  • Do not close your browser immediately after we finish recording, as Riverside will take a few minutes to upload your local recording after we are done. You’ll see a prompt once it’s safe to close your browser. This ensures that your high-quality video and audio are successfully uploaded.

  • Date & Time: As you pick the time, a calendar invite has been emailed to you.

  • Duration: We aim for a maximum of 90 minutes, but we can adjust depending on the flow of our conversation.

Engagement & Promotion:

Together we make this a success! After recording, I will share content that you can post on social media. I’ll also provide you with a badge for social media, and when the episode is live, you’ll receive a thought leader and source of inspiration certificate to further improve your personal brand.

Interested in sponsoring this episode or the show, do let me know!

Send the PDF about the show to people you think might be a interesting guests.

I’m really looking forward to our conversation and diving deep into the topics that interest you most!

Other information:

Some guests have inquired about my setup, so I thought I'd share it for those interested. I've discovered that maintaining eye contact is crucial for engaging and connecting with an audience. Typically, the webcam on our laptops and computers is mounted above the screen. However, to truly meet someone's gaze, we need to look them in the eyes, which our brain interprets as genuine focus. 

That's why I invested in a compact camera that I position in the center of my screen where your eyes are. When I look at you, I'm looking directly into the camera—a small yet significant improvement. You can check it out here: Tiny Camera.

For audio, I've been using top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphones, but the microphone quality was lacking picking up background sounds. 

I have just switched to a Jabra headset with a boom microphone that folds down closer to your mouth, making a noticeable difference: Jabra Evolve2 85.

Note if you use a headset the quality of the audio is better if you use the cable rather than Bluetooth, so if you are sitting by your computer do plug in the headphones using an audio cable to your computer.

When I'm not using the headset, the DJI MIC has proven to be the best option for me, especially since I'm always on the move. Tip: Use the USB connector when connecting it to your computer instead of the 3.5mm audio cable. More details here: DJI MIC. If you want to go for the best portable option, I would consider Wireless PRO from RØD. If you are looking to take it quality one more step up I would suggest a Shure SM7B this is not a portable microphone you bring with you, but something that you install next to your workplace.

As I travel all the time, I need to balance quality and size/weight so that I can carry all with me easily and set up the “studio” in no more than 2 minutes. My studio is now som small that I can fit it inside my headphone package.

I am also using one small yet powerful floodlight: 2000mAh LED Light

Additionally, we utilize a variety of smart tools to enhance our communication.

Elevenlabs, Descrip, Mindmeiste, Adobe for podcasters, Riverside.fm, Metricools, Wavve.co, Canva

And many more…

Legal and Permissions:

By participating in the Podcast interview, you agree to allow us to record, distribute, and disseminate the podcast in any manner, or decide NOT to publish it. You also agree to allow us to retain rights to the produced media for monetization or future use in speeches, books, and in all other public distribution, including AI training. 

When producing the show we are using multiple AI tools to improve audio quality cut and edit videos and more.

If there are any preferences on how you’d like to be credited or specific projects (books, ventures) you'd like to promote during the episode, let me know!

If you require an NDA to be signed prior to the recording this can be arranged just inform the team about this and we will have it done.