Mac Prichard, Founder & CEO of Mac's List as well as the Host of Find Your Dream Job Podcast

Ep 6 spotlight audio enhanced

,: 2023

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

podcast, job, work, business, hiring, helped, good, nice, share, communications, postings, podcasters, shows, employers, started, max, gmp, guests, syndicate, job seekers

SPEAKERS

Naeem Hall

00:00

How's my sound?

Naeem Hall: 00:01

Sounds good for me, Jesse. Good. Can you hear him back there?

00:06

I can. Yeah. Good. Good. Did you want to do just audio just or video? I? Either one works for me. Yeah, we do both. Okay, great. Since we're going to do a video, let me just make sure my image is okay great. How are you getting the picture you need? Yeah, yep. Great

00:39

and the lighting is okay. Yeah, it needs good. Good. Shouldn't the shirt

Naeem Hall: 00:48

I'm gonna get my timer set.

00:51

Right. I had a chance to listen to your most recent episode, dude. You're doing great work.

Naeem Hall: 00:58

Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah. Not bad for a beginner

01:03

or high school teacher. I think you've been doing this for a while. I think you've had many other shows, besides the swipe on bit involved.

Naeem Hall: 01:14

I've been involved with sales. Yeah, but I just haven't been on this. I'm usually behind the scenes.

01:18

Yeah, yeah, I was

Naeem Hall: 01:20

inside help lead the production. Yeah, so it definitely helps. Yeah, yeah. Yep. So we'll just do an intro. I introduce it. And then we'll get into the first segment and then take a break. And then I'll play an ad. And then I have a loin. Welcome back music to bring us and Kevin segment. And it's just three segments.

01:43

does each segment last? Is it: 1015

Naeem Hall: 01:47

Yep. The alright. I'll try to keep it around. 30. So does zoom don't cut us off?

01:54

Terrific. I'll work to that limit, then. I had more time if he needed to. But

Naeem Hall: 02:01

yeah, if we have to, we can just shut it down and open right back in the same way.

02:05

That would work for me as well. Yeah, I'll just follow your lead.

Naeem Hall: 02:14

We're good to go. Brother.

02:15

I am. Good to go. Ready when you are.

Naeem Hall: 02:21

Good. Okay. So yeah, we're back at it again. Welcome to the Doran city syndicate spotlight show, where we network and build connections through interviews and discussions. This episode is brought to you by GMP podcast group. I'm your host door city podcast guy. Make sure you visit door city syndicate.com. Make sure you hit the LIKE SHARE SUBSCRIBE button to be the first to know about new releases, bonus episodes and exciting updates. Today, I got a special guest in the spotlight. Mack Pritchard, host of the find your dream job podcast. He's also the CEO of Max lis. Welcome, Matt. How you doing today?

02:58

I'm doing well. Thank you for having me on the show.

Naeem Hall: 03:01

Yeah. Thanks for coming. Yeah, me and Mac. But we met back in April at the pot conference. It was a good event. I have fun. That was my first first like podcasting meetup type event. thing for me. So it was good to experience it knew they was well done. Pat did a good job.

03:19

Yeah. You mentioned Pat, the organizer Pat Chung. It was it was really a fun event. There were, I think almost 100 people there just from the Portland metro area. And yeah, so that was good. On the podcasters.

Naeem Hall: 03:32

Yeah, it was a surprise. So today we're going to talk about Max journey to entrepreneurship, from communications and nonprofits and government and politics. And then the founding of the Prichard communications. So what what led you into podcasting in the hopes to find your dream job podcast?

03:49

My career has been in communications, I worked as a communications director or spokesperson for elected officials, nonprofits, government agencies. So I've always been comfortable behind a mic. And I've always enjoyed writing. About 15 years ago, I started my own public relations company. And I recently closed it actually, now you in December, because I was running another business, the regional job board, you mentioned Max list.org. And I just wanted to simplify my life. So I had a good run with a public relations firm Pritchard communications, but and I've had a great career, but along the way, I had two long periods of unemployment. I cashed the last unemployment check once it takes 30 weeks to do that. And I continued to look for work for some time after that, and then that happened in my 20s. And in my 30s, I had another long period of unemployment. I came within one check of cashing a check again. So it took me I'm a slow learner. The added took me a while to understand that you got to get good at job search skills. And you have to not only stay in touch with your professional network, you got to serve your network. My way of doing that was to share job postings. How can that lead to me, I did that informally for many years before starting the job board that we have at the center of Max lists.org. But I also understand you can't just find job postings, you gotta get good at job search skills, and the podcast helps us serve our community and, and help people learn how to look for work.

Naeem Hall: 05:39

Nice. That's pretty cool. So what are some key experiences the lessons you learned in communications that helped you in podcasting?

05:47

Know your audience know who you're you're serving? get crystal clear about that. I can describe for you the typical listener of our podcast, it took me some time to figure that out. But we did. I think the other another important lesson nyeem is to, you got to be clear about what makes you different. And you got to do something that nobody else does. And what we do on our podcast, is we focus on the nuts and bolts to job search, and we get really granular about it. And we break it down. And our listeners find that to be really helpful. And then I think that another lesson I've learned, and I've been hosting the show now for eight years, it's a weekly career advice show is you got to be really clear about the guests that you want, who do you want to be on your show, and it's taken me again, some time to figure this out. But what we do is we look for people who work directly with job seekers, they can be career coaches, resume writers, maybe they work at a state employment office, or a university or college career service office. But they're in the business of helping candidates understand their challenges, and giving them the advice and the resources they need to overcome those challenges. So on our show, we don't talk about our guests, personal journeys, their own stories, most things are important. And we we honor and respect them. But it's the expertise that our guests have, that comes from working with candidates that we want to tap into. And people who do this for a living and are excited and passionate about it. They just they make the best guest.

Naeem Hall: 07:36

Nice. So yeah, that's, that's definitely something I'm working on is trying to get the right guests and shows all about networking and forming strategic alliances. So you hit it right on the head. It's really all about getting the perfect guest. Who can bring value to your audience. So your bad news? Yeah, sorry. Go

07:56

ahead. Yeah. No, no, please go ahead.

Naeem Hall: 07:58

I was gonna say, yeah, so did your background in public relations influence your influence you and finding and growing the portrait communications?

08:06

It did, I always enjoyed writing when I was in school in high school and college. And it was something I gave me energy and I and with practice, I got better and better at. And it was one of the reasons why I chose public relations as as a profession. Another reason was, I wanted to make a difference on issues that I care about, or in the community where I live and work. And as a communicator, I could work at organizations that were doing that kind of work, and I could help the people I served, tell their stories. And that's what I did when I was an employee in government or nonprofits, or working for elected officials. And that's what I did when I ran my agency or 15 years, I had a team of times between four and eight people and and we'd love to help our clients accomplish what it is they were doing now by telling you the stories better and in a in the most persuasive.

Naeem Hall: 09:15

Nice, nice. So what inspired you to start the max Lis and how did it evolve into a certified B Corp. And what what exactly is a B Corp.

09:26

A benefit corporation no or B Corp for short, is an organization that manages for the triple bottom line. So its profit matters. You got to have profit to be great salaries and provide excellent benefits. But benefit corporations also pay attention to environmental impact and community impact. So those are the three bottom lines. There's an organization in Pennsylvania it's called B labs and it certifies benefit corporations. That only in the United States but around the world. And when you are a B Corp, you've got to open the books and your business processes and B LAB takes you through what's called a certification process. And it they document that you're doing things as a business that are supporting those, those triple bottom lines. And I, I, I made both Prichard communications, and x plus b corpse, again, because of this commitment I've had in my career to try to make a difference about issues I care about and or make a difference in the community where I live and work. And being a B Corp helps us contribute in that direction. It's also good for business. People are attracted to B corpse because they are mission driven organizations. And so that's helped with recruitment and social helped with retention. Omnibus. Yeah.

Naeem Hall: 10:57

Nice. That's cool, man. It's always good to give back. Some we've been doing over here as we've been doing some youth podcast workshops. So it's nice to give back to the youth and see if we can hone in on some some up and coming podcasters. That's terrific. So we're going to take a break here when we get a message from our sponsor, GMP podcast group, who lets me use this lovely studio here. When we come back, we're going to talk more about the Mac list and the role it plays in the Pacific Northwest job market. Discover GIMP podcast group studios, located at 2406 East Burnside Street in Portland, Oregon, offering a range of podcasting packages to suit your needs. Starting at just $49 per hour for your basic setup, featuring the road caster Pro Audio console, and essence seven V microphones as well as options complete with camera operator and audio engineer expertise, elevator podcasting with multi camera recording. Plus we capture behind the scenes shots within Studio, visit us at www dot GMP podcast group.com. And let GMP podcast studios be where your podcasting journey begins.

12:10

As this thing if there was this thing exists, don't bleep one. JB JENICE my men on that history in the making from them maybe the best, or I guess this welcome back to these wires. So I'm a co well like Welcome back worst.

Naeem Hall: 12:26

Hey, welcome back to the thorn city syndicate spotlight Show. I'm your host or city podcast guy, we got mac in here with us. Appreciate you joining me that was a little tunes for my artists. I managed third twin from his unreleased project history in the making. That's kind of how I got started. And it rolled into podcasting. I was helping helping a buddy of mine, get back in to do some music. And then my business partner, we worked on the music video for the artists. And then when COVID hit, we had the he called me because the music stuff stopped, we you know, stuff was closed. So he said maybe we should get into podcasting. So we've been doing this here a little over three years now. So after help, after three plus years helping other people start podcasts figure was only right that I started my own podcast, which is the spotlight show. So we spotlight businesses, brands podcasters. And no really anybody was something going on as positive was something to share, but to help my listeners in other entrepreneurs out on their journey. So it's really all about the power of network in forming those strategic alliances. Sounds like kind of a little bit what you do with the Mac lists.

13:37

zen names had grown to almost: 2000

Naeem Hall: 16:46

Nice Yeah, they say it's not about who, you know, sometimes it's not about what you know, but who you know, sometimes, and that could play a pivotal role in helping people out. So and

16:56

the good news, forgive me for interrupting is, you can create those connections and referrals you don't have to have gone to in the school with somebody since you were a kid. Yeah, ha. But But again, it's like any job search skill, you can learn how to make connections.

Naeem Hall: 17:13

Nice. Yep. So what role does the maskless play in the Pacific Northwest job market? And how does it benefit both job seekers and employers.

17:22

We serve employers and job seekers in Oregon and Washington, those two states where we focus, and we, the majority of our positions are our professional jobs. But we do get jobs in the hospitality and leisure industry as well. And we the sectors that are most popular on our site, our government, nonprofits and technology, marketing and communications and healthcare, we don't have the largest number of jobs. We're, we don't have the volume save. And indeed, we're a little again, but these are the quality of the jobs is high. And they are local. And they tend to be smaller and medium sized employers. They're likely people you may know or to ask what's

Naeem Hall: 18:16

nice, yeah, sometimes it's the quality, not the quantity. So the media

18:20

it is, yeah, particularly when you're hiring. If you post on the national site, and these are fine platforms, you will get a large number of applications and maybe from all across the country. And if you're not trying to fill a remote position, it takes time and an effort to sort through out of state applications. And employers, most with us say they get fewer applications but have the right applications. And they don't have to go through dozens of of resumes to find the people they love ferret out

Naeem Hall: 18:51

the app that makes sense. Can you share any examples of how the max LIS has made a positive impact on some of the job seekers and employers in the region.

19:01

A couple of ideas come to mind first, every month, we share a job search success story we call it it's a reader of Mac's list who found a job either through our job board or by using the ideas that we share in the what we call the Learn section of our website where you'll find three job search advice. And it's it's always exciting to to have readers contact us about these stories and and share those stories. And we do it once a month I think we've been doing we publish almost 200 jobs many success stories in the sand those those are the ones we know about. But it's it's an obviously it's the person who got the job. But it's it's very gratifying to have help provide some resources, whether it's a job post thing or ideas about how to look for work that's helped someone get a position they're excited about. And with employers, what we hear is that they get the quality of the candidates they, they find to our side is, is above average. And that's gratifying to because when hire employees find people who are excited to be there, and are thriving it that's a good thing for both the the organization and for the job seeker.

Naeem Hall: 20:35

Release. Yeah, always, when too keen on the whole job search process and searching for jobs and fill up a case and he's gonna do interviews, I was actually pretty good at it. But I didn't like the process. So it sounds like you're cutting out some of that hard work, get straight to the meat, potatoes.

20:51

on your staff until you have: 2530

Naeem Hall: 21:50

hiring process. Yeah, it's nice. Okay, so we're gonna take another break here and get a message from our other sponsor, the ones that he syndicate management. He listened to this episode and you haven't checked out Episode one and go check it out. That's where you get the backstory of how it all started. How I became a podcast are the ones that he podcast guy. When we come back, we're going to talk about your find your dream job. Find your dream job podcast in your thoughts on the process of launching in marketing podcasts. So we'll be right back. Introducing Thor city syndicate management, solution for brand management, social media promotions, digital content distribution and podcast production, from shaping engaging content that resonates with your audience to amplifying your brand's reach through podcasting, or your partners in driving success. We offer free strategy sessions and leverage our recording studio and personalized strategies to establish an online presence. The brand's journey to the stock starts with Doron Stevens syndicate management, where innovation meets results. Contact us now at www dot volocity syndicate.com to embark on the future path of transforming your brand's future

23:02

labor statistics if you don't believe one Hi Baby tennis my read on that is to bring in and make it fun to maybe look past the our I guess his welcome back to the wires. So I'm a co Well, light Welcome back worst for sure.

Naeem Hall: 23:19

Welcome back to the spotlight show. Got Mack Pritchard in the buildin. Find your dream job podcast. Been this seems like it's been a great success. What motivated you to start it? And what topics do you usually cover on the show?

23:34

I've inspired to start the show because I knew that people learn in different ways. And so we had a website at max list with lots of articles about how to look for work and how to hire smarter. We've done two books one about how to look for work in Portland, and another about how to look for work anywhere. Some people like to read books, some people like to look at blogs, what other people like to learn by listening and the podcast was a way to serve them. It's also an opportunity for us to connect with experts not only in Oregon and Washington, but across the US and even around the world and to bring that expertise outside the Pacific Northwest to our community here but also to highlight the expertise in job search. That is right here at are in Oregon, Washington and share that with a our national and even our global audience.

Naeem Hall: 24:36

Nice. So what kind of advice can listeners expect and your some of your episodes

24:42

We've been doing it now since: 2015

Naeem Hall: 26:13

Yeah. So what's your experience in podcasting, or you have any tips you can offer? For those looking to start or improve on their podcasts.

26:24

Be clear about what makes you different. And it might take you some time to figure that out. Understand that. It's not a life sentence, it's okay to do maybe a limited series that supports specific goals that you've set for your shuttle or for using your show as a marketing strategy that supports the organization strategy. You don't have to do a weekly show forever. Yeah. Maybe all you have to do depending on your goals and the outcomes, you've identified a limited series of five or 10 or 15 shows. Yeah. And I think whatever you choose to do, tell others how you're going to approach it. And then be consistent always show up on time. And I was and also recognize it Like any skill, podcasting takes time and practice, your first episodes will may not be your best, but you just got to just got to do it. Yeah, get behind the mic and start talking. I took a class on podcasting. When I was starting, one of the instructors said, we all have a certain amount of bad radio inside us. We just got to get it out. So don't just recognize that's part of the journey. Yeah.

Naeem Hall: 27:42

So I'll see your book back there land your dream job in Portland. Is that in correlation with the actual podcast?

27:48

It's, it's part of what we do with MAC's list, which is provide a job search skills or materials about job, how to learn the best job search skills. And we did the book some years ago. You can find it at polls, actually. Yes. Yeah, it is. And we also donated copies to libraries across Oregon. Yes. Yeah.

Naeem Hall: 28:17

So what are some of the resources that are available on max lis?

28:21

hoping to return to those in: 2024

Naeem Hall: 29:17

Nice. Mac I sure appreciate you joining me. So just to recap a little bit. We had the privilege of chatting with Mac Pritchard, the founder and CEO of Mac's lists, and the host of five dream job podcasts. He shared us a little journey about his career, the max list job board CareerHub and Pacific Northwest. We also discussed his book in some resources available there Can you share any insights and trends into the emerging opportunities in the world of podcasting?

29:55

I think it's gonna keep growing. It is I think these are the early days of podcasting. I know, the the medium, really sees its roots and as about 20 years ago, but I think we're just getting started. I think for independent podcasters like us, there are going to be more opportunities to both grow our audiences and to monetize our shows. I know you and I talked offline about what's called dynamic ad insertion, the the ability to use software to, to drop ads into your, that only your current and upcoming shows, but your whole back catalogue. And I think that's going to make it possible for independent shows like ours, to tap into new sources of revenue and with, with more recent money available to us, we're going to be able to do better and bigger things. And that that's exciting.

Naeem Hall: 30:56

Nice. Well, once again, I appreciate you sharing your stories and insights, where can people find you?

31:02

Visit me on LinkedIn, connect with me there and be sure to mention that you heard me on your show, aim and you can also visit our website, Max list.org. And you can find our podcast, find your dream job wherever you get your podcasts or go to match list.org/podcasts

Naeem Hall: 31:24

Nice and once again, I like to encourage our listeners to explore their passions, embrace innovation and pursue entrepreneurship in your own unique way. Thanks for joining us explore the power of networking and find inspiration by following me at the one city podcast guy for updates exclusive behind the scenes content and join the conversation today. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of thorns city syndicate spotlight show as we continue to highlight individuals business brands and podcasters. Another episode in the books store city podcast guy. I'll let you boy thanks, Mac. Hey, you're

32:02

welcome. Was that? Okay?

Naeem Hall: 32:03

Oh, that was great. That was better than okay. That was great. Yeah, yes, definitely.

32:08

Interviewer Oh, thank

Naeem Hall: 32:09

you. Um, yeah,

32:10

I didn't better it's really helpful.

Naeem Hall: 32:12

That's helpful. Yeah. I tried to get all our people to do it. They don't seem to grasp how preparing and now having everything mapped out for you helped you along the show?

32:24

Yeah. Yeah. I, I didn't listen to your first episode. I listened to your third one. Okay. And I don't want to keep you but I'm, I'm, I'm wondering about your own podcast journey. You said you work as a producer.

Naeem Hall: 32:38

Yes. So I basically I started managing, but my best friend is a hip hop artist growing up, he'd always done music. And then as we got older, he got caught up in the fast life. And he got he got hooked on pills and alcohol. And so he was bad. It was doing bad. So I had to find a way to help my friend out. And so I got to meet him get back in the studio and start doing music again. Which led to us needing a music video, and someone introduced me to my business partner now. And we did a music video and putting in some film festivals, won a few awards, got to travel a little bit. Some different on film festivals. And then like I said, the COVID hit and kind of shut the music down. And my business partner was he was friends with probably our biggest show is the health hero. The Healthy Rochelle was Tim James. Okay, he's a health coach and sales, health supplements and it really helped his business. And so he called me he's like, Well, I think we should really look at getting into this podcasting. And so he brung me on to help him build up the GMP podcast group brand. And we've been rockin and rollin for, like I said, well over three years now. And so after, after three years, for me, I was saying, How can we help? How can I how can I help this business grow? And it only made sense that I'm like, Well, you do podcast, maybe you should totally do a podcast. Yeah. So for me, like I said, I was always behind the scenes. So it kind of took some push myself to like, Alright, you got to do it. And so I just said, I'm gonna do it. And I just started doing it. And so it's been fun. It's been good. And so I'm enjoying it. Yeah,

34:24

yeah. I I didn't start my first business until I was 49. Wow. Yeah, I'm 64 now and but the the reason I bring it up is I was always the behind the scenes guide to so I would, you know, I, I, I would write talking points for my bosses and I coached them on how to speak to the media, and occasionally I do radio interviews and even occasional television interviews. But like you were describing, I was always like the writer and the cold Jeton how Are they? And that's the age 15 years ago when I started working for myself. Yeah, it was, it was hard for me personally to make that change. How's that transition gone for you? It's been it's been it's

Naeem Hall: 35:11

been really good. It's brung me out my shell a little bit and make me open up a little bit and, you know, share, share my journey and some of the stuff I've been going through so far in my, my business journey. And so if I can help one person out, and then you know, you did your job.

35:28

Who is your ideal cut client?

Naeem Hall: 35:31

My ideal client is businesses. Businesses. Yeah, we would like to definitely get into some more corporate corporate clients. I had Jack, I don't know if you met Did you meet Jonah at the, at the meetup meet at the park con, remember, he works for he started puddle creative. The and I had him on the show. Last episode. And he was telling me about he does a podcast for bank, Mike. Yeah, but that would be really cool. So they do a series of podcasts for bank. So I'm on the hunt for bank, a bank. Okay. Well, we want to bank we want to a law show. Okay, and maybe, like doctors or something nurses or doctors. I'm in the medical field.

36:15

Okay. Yeah. How do you find your business prospects? Your leads?

Naeem Hall: 36:20

Um, through word of mouth and social media? Yeah, yeah. I'm getting into some more looking up and just sending out and some cold emails and see if we get any responses, you know, see how

36:32

it goes? Is there a way I can be helpful to you, besides being a guest on your show?

Naeem Hall: 36:39

Um, any, we always looking for ways to help grow this business? And like I said, seeking some more corporate clientele. And any, you know, anybody need help with podcasting? We're here for that, too. We're looking for funding to help do more youth podcasts workshops. Yeah. So that will be nice. And then I would like to actually do outside. Besides the actual youth podcast workshops, I would like to do a series of youth podcasts, where you serve, they come to learn through the workshop, and then they actually launch their own podcast. Yeah.

37:14

So occasionally, once or twice a year, somebody will contact me and say, I'm looking for an editor. Is that something?

Naeem Hall: 37:21

Yeah, we do. We're a full service. Yeah, we do it all. Yeah. from launch to graphics to social media. Yeah, we did it all. Yep. All right.

37:29

Or I'll hear that they want help launch in the show. And it's clear that you do to that. Yeah, yep. Okay, good. So yeah, I do get requests occasionally. And I'm happy to Oh, yeah,

Naeem Hall: 37:43

please keep keep us in mind. Yeah,

37:45

it's Yeah, yep. Yeah, that'd be great.

Naeem Hall: 37:48

And actually shared your I shared your Mac lists with on LinkedIn. I don't know if LinkedIn works, where it shows but I had referee basketball and it was a referee. I know. He said he was looking for work. So I shared them your Mac's list. They I shared that. So we'll see if anything comes of it.

38:05

Well, do you have an airdate for this interview?

Naeem Hall: 38:08

This will be let's see where we at? Two weeks, I believe. Okay, this is six four goes out tomorrow. Yeah, two weeks. Yep. Right. Two weeks, and I'll send you some emails and promo material that I put together and keep you updated.

38:28

I usually do a LinkedIn post on Fridays. Would you mind if we took a photo and if I just wrote did a short?

Naeem Hall: 38:35

Yeah, definitely. For sure. Yeah. Yeah,

38:38

that'd be okay. Yeah, definitely. All right. Let me do a screenshot, okay.

Naeem Hall: 38:51

Try this. See how it comes out? Ready? Yep. 123 go. All right. I think that'll do it. That'll work. Cool.

39:09

Good. Nice. You know, coincidentally, I had lunch with Pat. Maybe