Audience
Each episode of Audience goes behind the scenes of all kinds of podcasts to uncover the creative process that powers audio creators. Audience is a Castos Original Series that is hosted, produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot.
S3 Enull · Thu, February 01, 2024
And That's a Wrap...
As Audience comes to an end, we're signing off with a collection of podcasting tips from our season 3 guests
Bonus · Thu, December 21, 2023
Feedswap: Podcast Perspectives
We're excited to collaborate with our friends at The Podglomerate and their show, Podcast Perspectives: How does the Washington Post share sweeping stories through audio? Today on the podcast, we’re excited to feature a conversation from Podcast Perspectives, produced by our friends at The Podglomerate (the podcast firm specialized in producing, distributing, and monetizing podcasts for high-profile clients including Freakonomics Radio, PBS, NPR stations, Harvard Business School, and more). Podcast Perspectives brings on audio leaders and industry executives to walk through the biggest news of the day and to go deep on topics that podcasters need to know - like IP and rights issues, ad tech, podcasting’s role in media at-large, and more. In today’s episode, Podglomerate founder/CEO Jeff Umbro sits down with The Washington Post’s Lillian Cunningham, who produced, wrote, and hosted one of the Washington Post’s first podcasts: Presidential, a series about the history of the American presidents. Despite the show being Lillian and The Post’s first audio project, it was an immediate hit. Since then, Lillian has gone on to produce and host three more narrative series for The Post, including Constitutional, Moonrise, and most recently Field Trip, a series about the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks. Listen to more episodes of Podcast Perspectives and follow the podcast: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives/
Thu, December 14, 2023
A Psychedelic Western with David Weinberg
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and David talk about his limited series, Dreamtown, the Story of Adelanto. David shares his expertise on podcasting and storytelling in general. It can be difficult to tell someone else’s story compassionately and compellingly. Dreamtown aims to do that for–not only–the main character, but also the town of Adelanto. He also touches on the importance of being able to explain your podcast in one sentence, what to do when your story evolves during the production process, and the reason why he chose to use a narrator (who wasn’t him). David Weinberg grew up in Colorado and moved around for a while until he found himself in New Orleans. There he got his start in radio, writing and creating stories for WWOZ. He was a staff reporter at Marketplace and KCRW where he hosted the podcast Welcome to LA podcast. Welcome to LA was named one of the best podcasts of 2018 and 2020. His latest project is Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto. His print work has been published in The New York Times. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: David’s journey from freelance to radio to podcasting The story behind Dreamtown Finding the focus of your story and staying true to your vision Establishing trust with guests and interviewees Reasons behind the use of a narrator The sound design for Dreamtown David’s next big project How David gets his story ideas Resources/Links: David C Weinberg: https://www.davidcweinberg.com/about-1 <spa
Thu, December 07, 2023
Audio and Artifacts with Tania Mohammad
Stuart talks to Tania Mohammad, the host and producer of the award-winning podcast, Undiscarded: Stories of New York . They talk about how audio can be used to bring artifacts back to life and how objects can tell bigger stories. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The story behind Undiscarded: a museum of New York by New Yorkers The collaboration of many institutions of New York behind the scenes The selection process for the objects focused on in each episode Most well-known New York landmarks Hanging on to classic New York as it evolves and changes Gentrification can happen anywhere The difficulties of being an indie podcast Trusting in yourself and your perspective Resources/Links: Tania Mohammad’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniamohammad/ Undiscarded Podcast: https://undiscarded.org/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ <
S3 Enull · Thu, November 30, 2023
Asking "Dumb" Questions with Christopher Linnane
Today, Stuart and Chris Linnane discuss Chris' podcast The Parlor Room , and what it's like to talk to experts. Chris lives his life surrounding himself with smart people on purpose. For some people, that can lead to imposter syndrome. Chris uses it to motivate him to do better. He also talks about his background in music, what makes The Parlor Room stand out from other podcasts, and the value of video in podcasting. Chris Linnane is the creative director of Harvard Business School Online (HBS Online). In The Parlor Room, Chris sits down with HBS faculty to discuss business education in a way that’s both entertaining and insightful. The Parlor Room is your key to breaking down academic theory without sacrificing depth—all while gaining practical takeaways for navigating the business world. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: “Never be the best guitar player in the room” How Chris’ creative background led him to his podcast The anonymity of creating music versus podcasting Dealing with imposter syndrome The Parlor Room and what makes it different from other podcasts Chris’ thoughts about AI and the future Truly trying and truly failing and how it can help people grow Making audio for video and how video can give a podcast more personality Microphones for newbie podcasters Resources/Links: Christopher Linnane LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com
Bonus · Thu, November 23, 2023
3 Clips Re-Air: Drilled: Rigorous Audio Journalism (ft. Amy Westervelt)
As we continue to work on new Audience episodes, here's an episode from one of our other shows, 3 Clips. It first aired on September 6, 2021, was hosted by Jay acunzo and was produced/ edited by Cherie Turner Amy Westervelt is a print and audio journalist and environmentalist; she founded the podcast network Critical Frequency, which raises up important but often overlooked voices; and she is the executive producer and host of the critically acclaimed show Drilled. The through line here is that Amy has an enduring interest in telling stories that are getting covered up, and doing the hard work of figuring out what’s really going on. Jay and Amy discuss the rigorous and thorough process involved in creating a show like Drilled, which focuses on stories that investigate propaganda in the fossil fuel industry. And they get into why audio is a powerful medium for the stories Amy chooses to cover on the podcast. EXPLORE THE SHOW Visit 3clipspodcast.com for all episodes of the show.
S3 Enull · Thu, November 16, 2023
Laughing at Ourselves with Charles Austin
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks to Charles Austin about the comedy podcast, Episode One. Episode One is a satirical podcast that started out as just a funny passion project for three friends. After a while, they realized that they had an idea that could possibly take off. E1 is a podcast starring Andrew, Branson, and Charles. Each episode is the first—and only—episode of a failed podcast that never existed. Today, Stuart and Charles talk about what it takes to make a funny podcast while staying genuine. They also talk about when to delegate tasks, when to crowdsource ideas, and when to collaborate. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: How Charles’ background in music helps him with podcasting The importance of having fun and making each other laugh Developing an internal idea of what’s funny Not boxing yourself in Audiences have a massive demand for a large amount of content Staying in character and being genuine The talents of each host and what they bring to E1 How they come up with topics and episodes Delegation and collaboration among multiple hosts What is passion burnout and gauging your passion for your podcast Resources/Links: Episode One Podcast: https://www.e1pod.com/about Solipse Linktree: <a href="htt
S3 Enull · Thu, November 09, 2023
Hostiness with Elaine Appleton Grant
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Elaine talk about her podcast "Sound Judgment" and what it takes to be a great host. (Stuart gets a lesson from an expert.) Elaine uses her experience as a lifelong journalist to help hosts become better at what they do, no matter the genre. Elaine Appleton Grant is the CEO of Podcast Allies, an audio storytelling consulting, production and training company helping public media, NGOs, social impact and higher ed organizations make beautifully crafted shows. She is also the host and executive producer of the podcast Sound Judgment, which unpacks how today's best radio and podcast hosts make their magic. When not leading Podcast Allies, Elaine is a gardener, kayaker, traveler, entertainer, partner, and mom and bonus mom of four kids, a dog, and a cat. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Bringing who you are to the table How Elaine’s past experience helps her as a host Qualities of good hosts Does the role of a host differ with each genre? Knowing your audience The importance of “sound vision” What is your animating force or motivation Psychological safety is "the permission you give a source to feel safe and candid" H.E.A.R. M.E. Examples of great hosts and their qualities Resources/Links: Podcast Allies: https://podcastallies.com</sp
S3 Enull · Thu, November 02, 2023
A Novel Concept with Bethanne Patrick
Today Stuart talks to Bethanne Patrick about her podcast, Missing Pages. Being a critic of your professional industry can go one of two ways, horribly wrong or positively eye-opening. Bethanne’s podcast, Missing Pages, is all about the controversies in the publishing industry. From the way that big publishers treat their authors, to plagiarism, to scams, to literal snake oil salespeople, the publishing industry is no stranger to controversy. Bethanne dives deep into these controversies while also conveying deeply meaningful and thought-provoking stories to her listeners. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Book bans are on the rise across America. With the rise of social media, book publishers are losing their power as the industry gatekeepers. More and more celebrities and influencers are publishing books with ghostwriters. Writing communities are splintering because members are at cross purposes about their mission. An all-new season of the investigative podcast Missing Pages premieres on October 23rd. Produced by The Podglomerate. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Bethanne’s writing journey The stories behind Missing Pages The problems in the publishing industry Feedback and response from the community The future of Missing Pages, podcasting, and the literary industry Podcasting as a literary form Audio and video podcasts Resources/Links: Bethanne Patrick’s website: https://www.bethannepatrick.com/ <span style="fon
Bonus · Thu, October 26, 2023
3 Clips Re-Air: Creating With Sensitivity
While we work on new episodes, here's an episode from another Castos Original, 3 Clips. It firt aired in October of 2021, was hosted by jay Acunzo, produced by Andrea Muraskin and was edited by Stuart Barefoot. --------------------- The World needs more sensitive creators. Content that moves the world, moves listeners and make things better. And you know what? That doesn’t have to come in the form of some epic narrative. It can be stories from daily life. The seemingly innocuous details of our day-to-day can provide inspiration. Enter Ian Coss. For this episode he and Jay break down his five part series, Forever is a Long Time. Ian explores the topic of marriage by interviewing members of his family who are divorced, which is most of them. These candid and poignant conversation with his relatives are both deeply personal and relatable at the same time. Ian is an award winning musician, podcaster and sound designer who has worked with well known outlets like PRX, and the nationally syndicated radio show, The World. He’s been recognized with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in sound and his music is even featured in museums. Forever is a Long Time, however, was produced independently, something he and Jay discuss at length.
S3 Enull · Thu, October 19, 2023
A Podcast About (Almost) Everything with Anisa Khalifa
On this episode of Audience, Stuart talks to Anisa Khalifa about her podcast, The Broadside, which is a podcast that covers a variety of different topics. Anisa talks about her career in radio and podcasting and how she and her team work to develop great stories in order to fully immerse listeners in each of their stories. While most of the stories on The Broadside cover topics that are centered in North Carolina, the themes are universal so everyone can get value and information out of each episode. Anisa Khalifa is an award-winning podcast producer and host at WUNC. She grew up in a public radio household and fell in love with podcasts shortly before her friends convinced her to start one with them about Korean dramas. Since joining WUNC in 2021, Anisa has produced Me and My Muslim Friends , CREEP , Tested , and Dating While Gray , and is the host of WUNC's weekly podcast The Broadside . Anisa is also the co-creator of indie podcasts Dramas Over Flowers and Muslim in Plain Sight . In her non-podcast life, she’s a culture writer, poet, visual artist, and chronic insomniac, who is fascinated by the stories we tell about ourselves and each other. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Anisa
S3 Enull · Thu, October 12, 2023
Creating Moments with Rick Wimberly
Today, Stuart chats with Rick Wimberly about how to create great moments during a podcast. He is a great storyteller and, boy, does he have some interesting stories to tell. Between the behind the scenes stories from his career in radio, to his stories about being a government sales consultant, he is a natural storyteller. In this episode of the Audience podcast, Rick talks about the skills he transfers over to podcasting, what it means to be a good storyteller, and how to find those good moments in podcasts. Rick’s podcast, “ Myths of Selling to the Government ,” is a great example of how you can find those moments anywhere and everywhere. Rick Wimberly has been telling stories for over fifty years. He's been heard on radio throughout the US and TV regionally. In addition, he recently added "Podcast Host" to his resume. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Rick’s journey from radio to news anchor to podcaster What it means to be a government sales consultant How Rick’s background in radio helps him with podcasting Creating good experiences for your listeners How to create memorable moments for your podcast The innate skills of good storytellers Interviewing skills How dialogue can elevate the podcasting experience Resources/Links: Rick’s email: rick@govselling.com Rick’s website: <a href="https:/
S3 Enull · Thu, October 05, 2023
The Stories Food Can Tell with Melissa Hall
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Melissa talk about the podcast, Gravy and how it's a springboard to bigger stories. Gravy tells the stories of the changing American South through the foods we eat. It showcases a South that is constantly evolving, gives voices to the unsung folks who prepare and serve everyday foods, and challenges stereotypes. From how KFC is succeeding in China to the story behind sweet potato vodka, the culture of The South is both varied and wide-reaching. Sometimes producing a podcast can feel like having too many cooks in the kitchen. Melissa talks about the importance of getting out of the way in order to tell a great story. She also talks about how the producers bring the stories to life, what makes a great story, and why there are so many to tell. Melissa Booth Hall holds a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University and a B.A. in English from Centre College. In 2003 she volunteered at the SFA’s Fall Symposium…13 1/2 gallons of pimento cheese and 1000 deviled eggs later, she was hooked. Since joining the SFA’s staff, Melissa has led field trips and Summer Symposia, organized countless Potlikker Film Festivals across the region (and beyond), and served as operations manager for many many Fall Symposiums. These days, Melissa manages people and programs for the SFA. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The history behind the Gravy podcast and the Southern Foodways Alliance Melissa Hall’s story and how it started with a briefcase and a skillet Creating a dynamic where the values of the creators are cohesive and curious Getting out of the way in order to tell a great story How Gravy is challenging stereotypes What makes a Gravy story? Resources/Links:</
Bonus · Thu, September 28, 2023
Re-Air: Realism in Audio Fiction
As we continue work on new episodes, let's listen in on an episode from August of 2022. ***************************** Some of the best, most diverse, and talented audio creators alive make their living creating audio fiction. Shows like Welcome to Nightvale, Limetown, and Alice isn’t Dead, just to name a few, weave complex story arcs, colorful characters, and of course, great production value for listeners. We’re all lucky these shows exist. Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is firmly in the realm of audio fiction. But unlike most audio fiction, there are no supernatural elements, heroes, villains, or any traditional story arc. In this podcast series, each episode is presented as a full-length minor league baseball broadcast. The teams, the players, the sponsors, all of it is made up. The catch? There is none. It’s just nine innings of fictional baseball. Created by a podcaster known only as Mr. King, Sleep Baseball is a work of fiction that feels very much like it’s a real broadcast. And if that seems boring, it’s the point. This “boring” show is resonating with listeners. Fans of the show support it through Patreon and merch sales. It’s even been written up in The New Yorker. In this episode, Stuart and “Mr. King” chat about the inspiration for making the show, the process of producing fake baseball broadcasts, and how listener support makes a project of this size financially viable. Links Full Episodes and Merch: sleepbaseball.com A piece on Sleep Baseball in the New Yorker: newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/the-rapture-of-listening-to-a-fake-baseball-game Connect your Podcast to Stripe with Castos: castos.com/integrations/stripe/ ***Between the time of this recording and the publishing date, legendary baseball broadcaster Vin Scully passed away. Read more HERE
S3 Enull · Thu, September 21, 2023
Looking for Wonder with Aaron Millar
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Aaron Millar discuss his travel and adventure podcast, Armchair Explorer. On his podcast, Aaron showcases some of the world’s greatest adventurers. He shares their stories and their journeys to help inspire his listeners. Today he talks about how he curates each topic and episode, shares his message and motivation behind Armchair Explorer, and talks about how we don’t have to go out to the Gobi desert to find adventure. Pulling great stories from your interviewees doesn’t always come easy. Aaron shares how he is able to get the best from his guests. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Where Aaron’s love of adventure came from The development of Armchair Explorer How great explorers and adventurers can inspire How Aaron sources his topics for episodes The journey is a vehicle for other stories Facing dangerous extraordinary moments Our responsibility, as travelers, not to imprint our own values on other cultures Conservation projects and looking for adventure in your own backyard The importance of “just going for it” Resources/Links: The Blue Dot Perspective: https://www.thebluedotperspective.com Armchair Explorer: https://www.armchair-explorer.com <sp
S3 Enull · Thu, September 14, 2023
Passion and Compassion with Jenna Flanagan
On this episode of Audience, Stuart chats with Jenna Flanagan about her podcast, After Broad and Market, a show about what happens when the dust settles after a crime. Twenty years ago, the Newark community was rocked by the death of a young lesbian black teen named Sakia Gunn, or was it? Why wasn’t there more of an outcry? What were the reasons behind the silence and the lack of compassion from the public? In After Broad and Market, Jenna explores these questions and more, highlighting the effects of trauma and racism, and what we will need to do in order to become the tolerant and compassionate society we claim to be. In this episode, Jenna also talks about why it took twenty years for this story to be told. What changes have happened in order for the language to become available to her and the public? When handling such a powerful and emotional topic, it can be difficult to walk the line between finding answers and justice and helping victims and loved ones feel comfortable. Jenna Flanagan is a writer, reporter, journalist, producer, and current on-screen host for The WNET Group’s MetroFocus. Jenna grew up in New Paltz where her interest in journalism began after attending a journalism camp at SUNY New Paltz at age 12. She went on to study communications and journalism at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where she was on the staff of the college newspaper, The Setonian. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The heartwrenching story of Sakia Gunn The rippling effect of trauma Being empathetic without losing your journalistic integrity What it means to exist with your friends without appearing like a threat to “mainstream” society What was driving the distancing behaviors in the public How it feels to be ab
S3 Enull · Thu, September 07, 2023
Fiction Reveals Truth with Jonathan Mitchell
Jonathan Mitchell, the creator and producer of The Truth takes Stuart and the listeners behind the scenes of this award winning fiction anthology. Audio drama and audio fiction is a different podcast animal and it takes a keen ear to create a podcast with such an authentic feel. On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart and Jonathan talk about Jonathan’s creative process, his philosophy on radio and the musicality of speech, and what it takes to adapt a story from the page to a podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Jonathan’s love for fiction and his audio drama journey The story behind Jonathan’s fiction podcast How Jonathan gets the authentic feel of his episodes Music as organized sound; Speech as music The recording process: improvisation, practice, and recording free takes The writers and stories behind the episodes Adapting a story to an audio performance Creating and working on post-production with limited feedback Resources/Links: The Truth Reveals Fiction Podcast: http://www.thetruthpodcast.com/about "Moon Graffiti": http://www.thetruthpodcast.com/story/2015/10/15/moon-graffiti "Heat Meat": http:
Bonus · Thu, August 10, 2023
Introducing Creative Architects by Castos
Introducing Creative Architects by Castos. Join creative entrepreneur Angela Hollowell as she talks to the creators shaping the future of the creator economy through education, community and tech. Presented by Castos Full Episodes of Creative Architects Watch on YouTube
Thu, July 20, 2023
Re-Air: Hearing Pictures with Allen Clark
RE-AIR: As we work on new episodes for season 3, listen in on this episode from November 17, 2022. Stay tuned to this feed more updates about Audience and Castos ______ On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with photographer Allen Clark about photography, his journey as an artist and as a podcaster, and what it’s like to photograph a president. Allen is well-known as an artist who will do anything to capture the perfect image. He has built a name for himself behind his lens, but, as The Photo Untaken Podcast will show you, he is more than a photographer. Today, Stuart and Allen talk about how to get more out of an interview than just the superficial. Allen loves to have bigger conversations with his guests. His interviewing technique and podcasting style helps bring in more listeners than just photographers. Allen talks about how to create a welcoming atmosphere with your podcast as well. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Choosing conversation points that go beyond your profession Avoiding too much jargon so you don’t alienate any listeners How to create fully realized ideas with each episode Collaborations with Marcus dePaula Putting in the extra step and how to make your show better What it was like to photograph a president Resources/Links: Allen Clark: https://www.allenclarkphotography.com/ Photo Career Acadmey: https://www.allenclarkphotography.com/photo-career-academy The Photo Untaken Podcast: https://www.allenclarkphotography.com/podcast Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ Castos, website: https://castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw
Thu, June 29, 2023
3 Clips Re-Air: You Heard Me Write: Structure Sets Us Free (ft. Kacie Willis)
We are currently between seasons, so in the meantime, enjoy a re-air from another Castos Original: Every so often we come across a show so refreshing, so original, it revamps our whole idea of what a podcast can be. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Atlanta-based sound designer Kacie Willis made her living from live theater. In 2020, Kacie found herself stuck at home without any gigs – and, like many of us, watching people hide behind screen names to attack each other on the internet. So Kacie created You Heard Me Write, a podcast that draws on the creativity of local writers and sound artists, and uses anonymity to unite rather than divide. The show uses a very specific episode structure, and we promise you haven’t heard anything like it before. In the interview, Kacie also discusses working with Spotify, and how she- a self-described introvert- developed her hosting persona. EXPLORE THE SHOW Visit http://3clipspodcast.com for all episodes of the show. LEARN MORE ABOUT CASTOS 3 Clips is a Castos Original Series. Castos provides tools for public and private podcasts and believes podcasters should own their turf to provide the best possible audience experience. Visit http://castos.com INSIDE THIS EPISODE: You Heard Me Write can be found here: https://www.heardwritepod.com/ Follow You Heard Me Write host Kacie Willis on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/kcshar1 shar1 Follow 3 Clips host Jay Acunzo on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/jayacunzo/ From Play It Forward: This week’s recommended podcast is Three Unwise Women: https://threeunwisewomen.buzzsprout.com/ This episode was produced by Andrea Muraskin. Learn more: https://andreamuraskin.com Theme music provided by Cardboard Rocketship: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5TzmK85fEdotyi2mu582Sm Thanks for listening!
S2 Enull · Thu, June 15, 2023
Do No Harm with Jasmyn Morris
Stuart talks to journalist Jasmyn Morris, the host and producer of a limited series called Hitman. They discuss true crime as a genre, Jasmyn's background in reporting, and journalistic ethics. Also in this episode, Stuart curates a conversation between Jasmyn and Tiffani Horn, someone impacted by the events of Hitman. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The process of covering a true crime story The true story behind Hit Man How collaboration helped create a better podcast The controversy around Paladin Press Freedom of Speech and its murky waters The importance of talking to people Being supportive and advocating for victims How and why you should tell important stories about hard topics Resources/Links: Hit Home Media: https://www.hithomemedia.com/ Jasmyn Morris’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmyn-morris-14906a13/ Hit Man Podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hit-man-45764628/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/
Bonus · Thu, June 08, 2023
Season 2 Podcasting Tips
As we prepare to wrap up season 2, this week's episode features many of our guests's podcasting tips. Next week's episode will be the final episode of season 2 featuring Jasmyn Morris from the podcast, 'Hitman.' Stuart and Jasmyn will be discussing journalistic ethics, particaurly as they relate to the true crime genre. If you want to listen to Hitman it's linked below. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hit-man-45764628/
S2 Enull · Thu, June 01, 2023
Beyond the Big Screen with Jenny Turner Hall
Stuart talks with director, writer and producer, Jenny Turner Hall about her groundbreaking kids' podcast, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel . They also discuss how Speilberg films influenced her work and some of her other projects like Marvel's Wastelanders: Wolverine . If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Why mysteries are so interesting to us How to create high stakes Audio fiction and cinema as a storytelling artform The inspiration behind Mars Patel Creating audio fiction from scratch Writing and directing for an already existing universe (Marvel) Resources/Links: Jenny Turner Hall: https://www.jennyturnerhall.com Jenny Turner Hall, IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8751305/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ Castos, website: https://castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube
Bonus · Thu, May 25, 2023
Re-Air: Immersive Storytelling with Morgan Givens
This episode is a re-air from November of 2022. We're currently working on new episodes, but if you missed Morgan's episode the first time around, this is worth your time. **************** In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Morgan Givens about how he uses field recordings and immersive sound design to create unique episodes that come to life for his listeners. Morgan shares the relatable story of Antoine in his fiction podcast, Flyest Fables . Flyest Fables is more than just a story of a young bullied boy. Morgan’s amazing storytelling abilities help Antoine’s story transcend race, gender, and age barriers. Today Morgan shares his storytelling process: how he writes, records, and edits his fiction podcast. Morgan also shares tips on how you can make your podcast come to life for your listeners. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Morgan’s journey into audio and podcasting Why Morgan moved away from being a police officer Morgan's storytelling process How to use sound effectively in your podcast The importance of podcasts like Flyest Fables How great stories can be universal and relatable to everyone Morgan’s audio recording and editing process Resources/Links: Morgan Givens: https://www.morgangivens.com/ Flyest Fables: https://www.morgangivens.com/flyest-fables Dispatches on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dispatches/id1120440782?mt=2 Morgan’s Guest Appearance on 1A: https://the1a.org/segments/2018-01-17-1a-movie-club-sees-saturday-church/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ Castos, website: https://castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Clubhouse video: https://
S2 E10 · Thu, May 18, 2023
When Objects Tell Human Stories, with Shin Yu Pai
Stuart talks with Shin Yu Pai about her podcast Ten Thousand Things from KUOW Public Radio. They discuss how commonplace objects can tell much broader stories. While she might be new to podcasting, Shin Yu’s background in poetry, art, and writing adds depth to her content as well as craft a new experience for listeners. Shin Yu is the writer, host, and producer of Ten Thousand Things – a podcast on Asian American stories for KUOW Public Radio, Seattle’s NPR affiliate station. Ten Thousand Things first launched in July 2022 as “The Blue Suit” and is currently in production for a second season, which will begin releasing episodes in May 2023. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: From Poet to Essayist to Podcaster Live poetry readings versus podcasting How different backgrounds can redefine what a podcast can be The story behind Blue Suit and Ten Thousand Things How writing radio scripts can affect how you think of voice Everyday objects and nuances and how they can inspire and provide a sense of comfort Creating an episode: aiming for a thought-feeling and welcoming surprises What to expect in the second season of Ten Thousand Things Resources/Links: Shin Yu Pai’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinyupai/ Ten Thousand Things: https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit Shin Yu
S2 Enull · Thu, May 11, 2023
Honoring a Legacy with Joe Skinner
Stuart talks to Joe Skinner, the host and producer of PBS's American Masters: Creative Spark. Storytelling is everywhere and provides more than just entertainment for the masses. On this episode of Audience, Stuart and Joe chat about Joe's interview process and how he creates engaging and thought-provoking episodes. He also goes in-depth about what it is like to have partnerships with companies like PBS and collaborate with a team. Joe's background is in film documentaries and he currently serves as the digital lead for American Masters, a documentary film series at PBS. American Masters: Creative Spark is a podcast spinoff series, where Joe chats with artists of all stripes about a specific work of art. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: How Joe creates his show, American Masters: Creative Spark Creating boundaries as an interviewer How focus can create a more engaging interview The team behind American Masters: Creative Spark Long-form interviews and narrative nonfiction-style podcasts We’ve barely scratched the surface with audio and video as artforms Storytelling is in every medium Joe’s partnerships and how they have helped form his podcast Resources/Links: Joe Skinner’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-skinner1/ American Masters: Creative Spark: <a href="https:
S2 Enull · Thu, May 04, 2023
Entertainment in a Time of Crisis with Emily Y. Wu
Stuart talks to Emily Y. Wu, the co-founder of Ghost Island Media to talk about the podcasting scene in Taiwain, and why entertainment is important in a time of crisis. Emily talks about why Taiwan has been in the news for the past few years and what sorts of conversations need to happen in order to stay knowledgeable and instigate change. What will it take in order for the West to understand what is going on across the world? Podcasting is an incredible medium that covers everything from art, to pop culture, to politics. If you have a message that you want to share with the world, podcasting can be just a tool for you to use in order to share that message with the public. Emily talks about how podcasting has helped her cause and helped spread her message. Emily also dives into her other projects including Metalhead Politics, Ghost Island Media, and Gamechangers. Stuart and Emily talk about what it means to have a limited series and how it works for her. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Taiwan in the news and recent history How prepared are you for a crisis? Western understanding of the struggles in Taiwan The origins of Ghost Island Media The conversations that need to happen in order to perpetuate change How Metalhead Politics got started The concepts behind limited series The story behind Gamechangers Resources/Links: Ghost Island: <span style="font-weight:400;"
Bonus · Thu, April 27, 2023
Introducing The Limelight, a Castos Original Series (plus a preview for our next episode.)
Introudcing The Limelight, a new Castos Original series. The Limelight is a short form audio and video series that talks to Castos customers and other podcasters, about the things that make them and their shows excellent and unique and interesting. This is our newest podcast from the Casto original series. Here at Casto, we're building a whole network of podcasts, all serving the purpose of educating, inspiring, and, and motivating you as a podcaster and a creator to live your best podcasting world. Also, we'll get a sneak preview of next week's episode when Stuart chats with Emily Y. Wu, the co-founder of Ghost Island Media
Thu, April 20, 2023
Hearing the Past with Tricia Vita
Stuart chats with Tricia Vita, from the Coney Island History podcast, about how an oral history archive was converted into a podcast series. Oral histories are important, not just for preserving and honoring the past, but also because we can learn from these memories. They can also spark important intergenerational conversations between families. T ricia talks about what it’s like to create thematic episodes using short, spontaneous interviews. She also talks about what makes Coney Island so special and shares some of her favorite stories that she’s heard from people who lived and worked there. The Coney Island History podcast is a part of the Coney Island History Project which was founded in 2004 and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. They aim to increase awareness of Coney Island's legendary and colorful past. Their mission is to record, archive, and share oral history interviews; provide access to historical artifacts and documentary material through educational exhibits, events, and a website; and honor community leaders and amusement pioneers through the Coney Island Hall of Fame. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Organizing history by category in order to create a podcast The importance of preserving oral histories Conducting short, spontaneous interviews Editing, formatting, and collaborating with others for episodes What makes Coney Island so special What Tricia has learned about the exciting and enticing history of Coney Island Resources/Links: Coney Island History: https://www.coneyislandhist
S2 Enull · Thu, April 13, 2023
More Than a Hobby at The Place to Be
Today Stuart talks to Eric and Adam from The Place to Be, a Seinfeld Podcast. There are plenty of fan-made podcasts about cult TV shows, but The Place to Be is unique in that it combines multiple different formats: from interview to trivia to banter. Eric and Adam talk about the tight-knit Seinfeld community and about what made the show so iconic and timeless. Alongside fellow Seinfeld fan Stuart, they also answer some trivia questions, talk about how to connect with listeners, and what they love most about Seinfeld. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What makes The Place To Be a different type of Seinfeld podcast Podcasts about TV shows and Eric and Adam’s inspirations What it is like to talk to icons from the TV show How special Seinfeld is to everyone who watches it Connecting and interacting with listeners The Seinfeld fan community and what makes them so different Resources/Links: The Place to Be, a Seinfeld Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-place-to-be-a-seinfeld-podcast/id1555529915 Stuart's Apperance on The Place to Be: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/larry-davids-cameos/id1555529915?i=1000608792150 Eric's Writing for Cracked : https://www.cracked.com/index.php/members/EricDobin Castos Academy: <a href="https://academy
S2 Enull · Thu, April 06, 2023
Documenting Culture with Andi Murphy
Today, Stuart and Andi Murphy chat about her award-winning podcast, Toasted Sister. Andi Murphy is Navajo from Crownpoint, N.M., and lives in Albuquerque. In addition to Toasted Sister, Andi is the producer for Native America Calling, a national show about Native issues and topics, and the 2021-2022 Civil Eats Indigenous Foodways fellow. Food is an important aspect of all our lives and is something we sometimes take for granted. Andi talks about how important food is for culture as well as for nourishing our bodies. She also talks about her fascination with people and food, Native American culture, storytelling, and podcasting. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The importance of food in culture, especially in indigenous cultures How Andi produces Toasted Sister The free-form format of each episode Editing interviews and bringing out depth in conversations Andi’s fascination with people and food The passion and fire in Native America Podcasting as a hobby versus podcasting as a business Experiencing burnout and spreading yourself out too thin Resources/Links: Toasted Sister Podcast: https://toastedsisterpodcast.com/ Toasted Sister Episodes discussed: https://soundcloud.com/toastedsisterpodcast/e45-el-paso-indigenous-food-at-the-border <a href="https://soundcloud.com/toastedsisterpodcast/e31-navajo-
Thu, March 30, 2023
Re-Air: Owning and Earning a Platform with Sangeeta Pillai
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart is talking with Sangeeta Pillai from the award-winning Masala Podcast about what it is like to create a podcast that talks about taboo content. Sangeeta has important messages to share about diversity, feminism, and inclusion. She shares those messages today, as well as her experience winning multiple British Podcast Awards. Sangeeta talks about her journey into podcasting, what it is like to be backed by Spotify, and how podcasting should change. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What is the Masala Podcast and who is Sangeeta Pillai? Creating a podcast to inspire change Exploring a taboo subject in a constructive, positive way Bringing women of color into feminist conversations The organic evolution of the formatting of a podcast The importance of season breaks Promotion, marketing, and keeping creative control The experience of winning a British Podcast Award Supporting creators of color and from different backgrounds Resources/Links: Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/top-feminist-podcast-masalapodcast-mediakit/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ Castos, website: https://castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw
S2 Enull · Thu, March 23, 2023
Stories to be Lived with Clem Snide [Explicit]
Everyone deserves a song. Today, Stuart chats with Eef Barzelay, the lead singer of indie rock band Clem Snide , about his podcast, A Life in Song. They talk about the creative process and how it evolves and differs when he creates movie scores, writes songs, or creates podcast episodes. Eef is always busy making something, whether it’s his own brand of “simple” songs or if it’s a song based on his guest’s stories and journeys. Eef has put his own spin on podcasting with A Life in Song. It isn’t just a conversational podcast, but a unique format for telling heartbreaking or life changing stories. In this episode of Audience, Eef uncovers how he created his podcast, what his musical influences are, and the difference between art and content. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The difference between art and content Evolution of music and podcasting in the 90s The scoring process versus the “regular” music making process Getting topics for songs The concept and format behind “A Life In Song” The process for developing episodes and conducting interviews Handling differences in creative vision Resources/Links: Clem Snide: https://www.clemsni.de/ Eef Barzelay’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alifeinsong
S2 Enull · Thu, March 16, 2023
A Brighter Future with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas
On this episode of Audience, Stuart talks with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas of the What Could Go Right? , a podcast that talks about current events that range from artificial intelligence, to climate change, to democracy. Zach and Emma talk about their influences, their vision, and their background. They share tips on podcasting and how to share your mission with your audience. On their podcast, Zach and Emma tackle the big topics while looking at them through a positive lens and posing questions like, ‘How can we make a change for the better?’ In a world where the most outspoken can also be the most cynical, podcasts like "What Could Go Right?" are a much-needed lighthouse shining a spotlight through the fog of the internet. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The world isn’t always a dark place Zach and Emma’s journey into podcasting The story behind What Could Go Right? Cynicism versus positivity: changing the approach to encourage reflection The written word versus the audio format versus panel shows Creating podcasts that make your audiences think Resources/Links: Zachary Karabell: https://www.zacharykarabell.com/ Emma Varvaloucus: https://www.emmavarv.com/ The Progress Network: <s
S2 Enull · Thu, March 09, 2023
Weaving the Endless Thread with Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson
On this episode of Audience, Stuart chats with Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson from the acclaimed podcast, Endless Thread. It is quite a feat to be able to build a show that stays relevant while also standing the test of time. Endless Thread has proven to be one of those great podcasts. On the show, Ben and Amory explore the depths of the internet in order to find niche communities, untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other jaw-dropping stories. Today, Amory and Ben talk about what makes a good story, how they conduct their research, and how to stay relevant in the quickly evolving world of the internet. They also talk about the importance of getting out from behind the computer screen and conducting their own fieldwork. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The story behind Endless Thread What makes a story worth covering Putting together research and interviews for complex stories The difference between starting an episode and ending one The trial and error journey of podcasting Funding and capital for podcasting The importance of getting out of the recording booth Resources/Links: Endless Thread: https://www.wbur.org/podcasts/endlessthread/about Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: <a href="https://academy.castos.com/pri
S2 Enull · Thu, March 02, 2023
Art and Vox Pop with Tamar Avishai
Stuart and Tamar go inside her critically acclaimed podcast, The Lonely Palette. The Lonely Palatte started its wonderful journey in 2016, a different time for podcasts where things were both uncomplicated but also uncharted. Tamar talks about her experiences in podcasting, the importance of art history, how to bring visual art to an auditory medium, and different types of guests and what they can bring to a show. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Art history’s branding problem and accessibility The similarities between art history and sports Visual versus audio mediums for visual topics like art The difference between an expert guest and other types of guests Bringing interpretations and descriptions out of your guests Using the perspectives of your guests and letting them guide the episode Making quality shows versus making “sellable” shows To Patreon or not to Patreon? Resources/Links: The Lonely Palatte: http://www.thelonelypalette.com/ Tamar Avishai: https://www.tamaravishai.com/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: <a href="https://academy.castos.com/priva
Thu, February 23, 2023
Season 2 Trailer
Audience is an original series by Castos. At it’s core, it’s a podcast about podcasting. The team here at Castos is passionate about bringing valuable information, tips, and podcasting news to listeners so they can elevate their shows to the next level. In the second season of Audience, Stuart talks with podcasters from different backgrounds about their stories and how they achieved success. Join Stuart as he uncovers the process for making better shows and as he unravels the business behind podcasts. Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Resources/Links: Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/privatepodcast/ Castos, website: https://castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw
Thu, February 09, 2023
3 Clips Re-Air: Design Matters with Debbie Millman
Since Audience is between seasons, we’re offering up a great episode from our 3 Clips archives. Today’s episode features an episode originally published in 2021 and highlights the first podcast about design. Ever. In this interview, host Jay Acunzo and Debbie discuss how she got started as a host, what’s kept her going, and why her research documents for each and every guest can be as long as 70 pages. Debbie Millman started her interview show about design as a radio program to fulfill her need to explore her own creativity. That was 16 years ago, and Design Matters has been in production every since: it’s the world’s first podcast about design. Debbie has welcomed over 500 guests to her now wildly popular podcast to explore creative culture and how some of the most influential thinkers, artists, musicians, writers, and designers create their work, career, and life. LEARN MORE ABOUT CASTOS: 3 Clips is a Castos Original Series. Castos provides tools for public and private podcasts and believes podcasters should own their turf to provide the best possible audience experience. Visit http://castos.com . If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Resources/Links: Debbie Millman and Design Matters can be found here Follow Debbie Millman on Twitter @debbiemillman Follow 3 Clips host Jay Acunzo on Twitter @jayacunzo From Play It Forward: This week’s recommended podcast is The Lisa Congdon Sessions This episode was produced by Cherie Turner: learn more <a href="http://strid
Thu, December 29, 2022
2022 Wrap-Up
Today on Audience, Stuart and Matt talk about 2022 and the future of podcasting. There was a lot of news in big tech last year as well as the recession playing Hokey Pokey with the general public. Stuart and Matt chat about how those things affected podcasting as an industry and what 2023 will hold for Audience and the industry in general. Have a few spare seconds? Do us a solid and fill out this anonymous survey . We really appreciate any input you have. Thanks! If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Spotify and the evolution in Big Tech The recession and podcasting Evergreen content in podcasting Podcasting’s advantage? Accessibility and staying power Marketing vs just putting out quality content Changes in 2023: seasons and live events Centralized vs decentralized podcasting, and what we learned from Spotify and Twitter Autonomy in podcasting “What if Elon Musk bought Spotify?” Open source, Podcasting 2.0, and RSS feeds Mastodon and the big Twitter exit Blue collar digital workers The upw
Thu, December 22, 2022
3 Clips Re-Air: Smithsonian's Sidedoor
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re going back into our archives for another episode of 3 Clips . This one is hosted by Jay Acunzo and is with guest Lizzy Peabody. This episode focuses on narrative podcasting and how to create an immersive experience, especially if you don’t have a ton of resources. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Finding your voice as a podcaster What is Smithsonian’s Sidedoor about? How to create a narrative: “Why should I care about these people?” Balancing the story and the Smithsonian Creating vignettes within the story The importance of anchor points within the episode Trust your instincts Layering voices and creating depth Reinvention and how to keep your show fresh over time Resources/Links: 3 Clips Podcast: https://3clipspodcast.com/ Sidedoor can be found here: https://si.edu/sidedoor Follow Sidedoor host Lizzie Peabody on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/LizziePeabody Follow S
Thu, December 15, 2022
World Building with Jonathan Goldberg
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with award-winning playwright Jonathan Goldberg about how he builds a world for the stage and behind the mic for his podcast, “The Fall of the House of Sunshine.” How do you create and portray a believable world for your podcast? Which details do you focus on and which do you leave out? Jonathan also shares his perspective on working as a writer, his influences, and why (and how) dark comedies work so well today. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What Jonathan’s background in theater taught him about storytelling and worldbuilding Jonathan’s playwright and audiodrama influences Discoverability for writers The difference between entertainment and art Defining Jonathan’s brand How Jonathan builds a world from scratch Building a fiction or nonfiction world for a podcast How dark comedies work: it’s about perspective The fun in playing with genre and tropes Podcasting as a skill The importance of collaboration in podcasting Resources/Links: Jonathan A Goldberg: http://jonathanagoldberg.org/ The Fall of the House of Sunshine: http://www.podmusical.com/#new-page <span sty
Thu, December 08, 2022
Creating Complex Characters with Jenny Turner Hall and Florencia Lozano
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with Jenny Turner Hall and Florencia Lozano about how they created a high-concept podcast with a complex protagonist. With the rise of fiction podcasts, audio fiction, and docuseries, some podcasts now require better stories and compelling characters. How do podcasters achieve that level of storytelling? What are the ins and outs of audio fiction? Jenny and Florencia also talk about A Simple Herstory, “a theatrical and high-concept podcast series about the women who have run for President of the United States.” If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The story behind “ A Simple Herstory ” Looking at history and thinking through history critically Choosing a multi-dimentional main character for a complex story Writing complex characters Crafting characters that are based on actual people Discovery through word-of-mouth Audio fiction audiences The audio fiction community and engagement Welcome to Nightvale and old teleplays How to support audio fiction Resources/Links: Florencia Lozano: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0523568/ Jenny Turner Hall: <span sty
Thu, December 01, 2022
Changing a Show with Sam Sethi
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt chats with Sam Sethi about what he’s been up to and about the future of podcasting. It’s surprising to hear that Sam’s only been in the podcasting space for around three years. In 2019, he was named Best Newcomer of the Year at the Community Radio Awards and since then, he has built a name for himself in the industry. Today Matt and Sam talk about Elon Musk, the future of opensource tech, and what it’s like getting some hard criticisms from big names. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What’s happening in the podcast space: Podnews Daily and Podnews Weekly The hard edits of Descript: overediting versus no editing Lessons from “Off the Mic,” what to consider when you come up with a new podcast idea Revisiting technology and Big Tech The future of podcasting Opensource and the community around it Growing through your pocketbook Resources/Links: Sam Sethi, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsethi/?originalSubdomain=uk Sam Talks: https://samtalks.technology/ Sam Sethi, Twitter: https:
S1 Enull · Thu, November 24, 2022
3 Clips Re-Air: Dirt Cheap: Serious Goofballs (ft. Amanda Meadows and Geoffrey Golden)
As always, we’re working really hard on new episodes of Audience. In the meantime, we're going to take a trip into our archives this week and listen in on a 3 Clips Episode. This one features the podcast Dirt Cheap . Dirt Cheap is all about the world of dirt cheap paperback novels, specifically old pulp novels. Host Evo Terra talks with podcasters Amanda Meadows and Geoffrey Golden about what it is like to collaborate with a loved one on a creative project, the importance of structure (even in a comedy show), and the balance needed with banter. At Castos, we can help you make your show. Aside from our suite of creative tools, we also have a team of professionals who can help bring your show to life. You can contact us at hello@castos.com or by clicking on the link in the Resources/Links section below. 3 Clips is a Castos Original Series. Castos provides tools for public and private podcasts and believes podcasters should own their turf to provide the best possible audience experience. Visit castos.com Inside This Episode: You can listen to all episodes of Dirt Cheap on Neon Hum’s website You can follow Amanda Meadows on twitter @amandonium To learn more about Geoffrey, check out his website This episode was produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot @smallleaguestu Music is by Tyler Litwin About Evo: Evo Terra has the dubious honor of releasing the 40th podcast… ever. Other notable podcasting elements from his past include authoring Podcasting For Dummies and Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies, launching and running one of the first large podcast networks, building a successful strategic podcast
S1 Enull · Thu, November 17, 2022
Hearing Pictures with Allen Clark
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart chats with photographer Allen Clark about photography, his journey as an artist and as a podcaster, and what it’s like to photograph a president. Allen is well-known as an artist who will do anything to capture the perfect image. He has built a name for himself behind his lens, but, as The Photo Untaken Podcast will show you, he is more than a photographer. Today, Stuart and Allen talk about how to get more out of an interview than just the superficial. Allen loves to have bigger conversations with his guests. His interviewing technique and podcasting style helps bring in more listeners than just photographers. Allen talks about how to create a welcoming atmosphere with your podcast as well. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Choosing conversation points that go beyond your profession Avoiding too much jargon so you don’t alienate any listeners How to create fully realized ideas with each episode Collaborations with Marcus dePaula Putting in the extra step and how to make your show better What it was like to photograph a president Resources/Links: Allen Clark: https://www.allenclarkphotography.com/ Photo Career Acadmey: https://www.allenclarkphotography.com/photo-career-academy The Photo Untaken Podcast: <a h
S1 Enull · Thu, November 10, 2022
Immersive Storytelling with Morgan Givens
In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Morgan Givens about how he uses field recordings and immersive sound design to create unique episodes that come to life for his listeners. Morgan shares the relatable story of Antoine in his fiction podcast, Flyest Fables . Flyest Fables is more than just a story of a young bullied boy. Morgan’s amazing storytelling abilities help Antoine’s story transcend race, gender, and age barriers. Today Morgan shares his storytelling process: how he writes, records, and edits his fiction podcast. Morgan also shares tips on how you can make your podcast come to life for your listeners. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Morgan’s journey into audio and podcasting Why Morgan moved away from being a police officer Morgan's storytelling process How to use sound effectively in your podcast The importance of podcasts like Flyest Fables How great stories can be universal and relatable to everyone Morgan’s audio recording and editing process Resources/Links: Morgan Givens: https://www.morgangivens.com/ Flyest Fables: https://www.morgangivens.com/flyest-fables Dispatches on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/
S1 Enull · Thu, November 03, 2022
The Joy of Collaboration with Wil Williams
Introduction: On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Wil Williams of Hug House Productions. Together they chat about their podcasts ( Scoring Magic and Valence ) as well as the story behind Hug House Productions , a collective that focuses on spotlighting stories by and about marginalized groups. Wil is the CEO of Hug House Productions, the showrunner for Valence, the head of communications and community at Apollo Podcasts, and a writer at Discover Pods . Today they talk about what it takes to create and maintain a successful crowdfunding campaign, the importance of working collaboratively, and representation in podcasting (and the lack thereof). If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The journey behind Valence The dangers of being an online personality and living online The story behind Hug House Productions Audio dramas and audio documentaries: the hardest forms of podcasting The process of audio dramas How to connect remotely in a smooth and healthy way How working coll
S1 Enull · Thu, October 27, 2022
3 Clips Re-Air: Darknet Diaries
As work on new episodes continues, we're going to take a trip into our archives this week and listen in on a 3 Clips Episode. In the meantime, we need help with a story we're working on. Do you use stock media for your projects? Do you create stock media for ohters to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between projects that use stock media and shows that comission art? We want to hear from you. Reach out directly stuart@castos.com Cyber crime, hacking and the dark side of the internet. In many ways, Darknet Diaries seems like a scary podcast and at times it can be. But it’s not scary in the sense that you need a lot of technical knowledge to enjoy it. That’s because Jack Rhysider is a brilliant storyteller. He takes really complicated subjects like hacking and makes them palpable. So if you don’t know anything about the Darknet, don’t worry. Jack is the perfect guide for a world that might seem foreign for many of us. LEARN MORE ABOUT CASTOS 3 Clips is a Castos Original Series. Castos provides tools for public and private podcasts and believes podcasters should own their turf to provide the best possible audience experience. Visit castos.com Inside This Episode You can listen to all previous episodes of Darknet Diaries on their website darknetdiaries.com The episode featured is 109: Team Poison Follow Jack Rhysider on Twitter @JackRhysider This episode was produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot @smallleaguestu About the Host Evo Terra has the dubious honor of releasing the 40th podcast… ever. Other notable podcasting elements from his past include authoring Podcasting For Dummies and Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies , launching and running one of the first large podcast networks, building a successful strategic podcast consultancy, and is a celebrated keynote speaker on stages around the world. He’s also done a bunch of really, really weird stuff that Google still shows.
S1 Enull · Thu, October 20, 2022
Think Globally, Pod Locally with Angela Hollowell
Introduction: On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Angela Hollowell from Ang H Studios based out of Durham, North Carolina, about independent media, the perks of staying small, and things to think about as you grow as a podcast. Angela is a visual brand storyteller and she uses her local podcast to connect with listeners from all over the world. On her video podcast, the Honey & Hustle podcast, Angela focuses on storytelling and entrepreneurship where the global issues brought up by local businesses are both intriguing and relatable. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Brand marketing and storytelling Going viral: is it a good thing or a bad thing? How to avoid getting “lost in the sauce”: substance over the superficial Angela’s background in audio Angela’s journey with video podcasting with Honey & Hustle Starting with the root of a good idea and letting the process come with it What it means to have a local podcast Balancing local connections with relatable global issues YouTube as a platform: pushing the envelope and building a community Dynamic ad insertion The importance of jumping in and getting started
S1 Enull · Thu, October 13, 2022
Blending Art and Utility with Bruce Wawrzyniak
Introduction: How do you monetize without alienating your audience? What is the right mindset when going into a podcast? On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Bruce Wawrzyniak, who started his podcast ( Now Hear This Entertainment ) as a way to promote his business. This is a path that a lot of business owners take since it is an easy way to get valuable information out to their customers and potential customers. Today Bruce talks about his success and how his podcast has evolved from a marketing tool to something quite extraordinary. He also talks about the importance of putting your audience’s needs first (give them value and give them something to enjoy). If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Bruce’s past in radio and his journey as a podcaster How curiosity plays a good role in interview shows Gaining customers’ loyalty and how to focus on your target audience Building a business and a podcast and how to balance both How podcasting can help your personal and professional life Bruce’s philosophy on monetizing podcasts Promoting products and podcasts on your podcast One of the great strengths of the podcasting medium: the formatting Bruce’s big podcasting tip Resources/Links: Bruce Wawzyniak, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com
S1 Enull · Thu, October 06, 2022
The Editor's View with Stephanie Fuccio
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt chats with Stephanie Fuccio, a multi-passionate creative who produces podcasts for herself and other creatives. She also writes about podcasts, and podcasting, and runs the Global Podcast Editors community. Today, Stephanie and Matt talk about their editing process, why Stephanie leans into newsletters, how to gain confidence on a big platform like podcasting, and the best way to talk with (and not at) your audience. Listen in to get some insight into Stephanie’s process and what she’s learned through her journey into podcasting. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Stephanie’s journey into podcasting How the community helps Stephanie grow as a creative What it means to ‘learn as you earn’ How to gain confidence as a podcaster Building a website for your podcast Promotion and growing your show Matt and Stephanie’s editing process Guest and host etiquette Podcast monetization Stephanie’s horror stories from editing other podcasts Resources/Links: Stephanie Fuccio: https://www.stephfuccio.com Castos Academy: <span styl
S1 Enull · Thu, September 29, 2022
Discussing September Headlines
Matt and Stuart catch up with some headlines from the audio space If you have quesitons that you want answered on an episode, you can send a quesiton in audio or written form to matt@castos.com We're also working on a story about the use of stock media in podcasting. Do you use stock media for your projects? Do you make stock media for others to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between podcasts that use stock media versus those that have custom art? We want to hear from you. Reach out to Stuart at stuart@castos.com Links Tom Webster talks about the future of podcasting. Ads are not the devil. https://www.sixpixels.com/articles/archives/tom-webster-on-the-future-of-podcasting-this-weeks-six-pixels-of-separation-podcast/ Podcast companies are buying millions of listens through auto-playing episodes populated in free mobile games. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-27/inside-podcasters-explosive-audience-growth Alby helps you earn Bitcoin/Sats as a podcaster. They are integrating the value4value methodolgy/tech into a dashboard for boostagrams. Engagement/metrics https://blog.getalby.com/saturn/ Spotify Now Offers Audiobooks https://newsroom.spotify.com/ What James Earl Jones and AI could mean for the future of audio https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/darth-vaders-voice-emanated-from-war-torn-ukraine Podcasting can have real world impact. Adnan Syed has his mu
S1 Enull · Thu, September 22, 2022
Re-Air: Creating an Audio Experience with Eric Nuzum
**Do you use stock media for your creative projects? Are you a creator who makes stock media for others to use? As a listener can you tell the difference between stock media and something that has been commissioned? We want to hear from you! Reach out directly to Stuart: stuart@castos.com We’re going back to our archives and listening to an episode from March of 2022. It features Eric Nuzum from Magnificent Noise. Technology is only good if it solves a problem. In the case of podcasting, it definitely does solve problems. It’s basically broken down all major barriers to access when it comes to creating and distributing your audio. But creating a good podcast is so much more than simply choosing the right microphones, the best software, and distributing an RSS Feed. To make a good podcast, you need to create an audio experience, ideally, an experience that is unique to your show. Eric Nuzum is an expert in doing that. At NPR he helped bring to life shows like the TED Radio Hour and has worked on bringing shows like ‘ Fresh Air’ and ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! ’ into podcasting. He was also vital in the creation of the critically acclaimed podcast, Invisibilia . Eric is the founder of Magnificent Noise , a podcast, audio, and creative consulting company. Links Magnificent Noise: maginifcintnoise.com The Ted Radio Hour: npr.org/podcasts/ted-radio-hour Invisibilia: npr.org/podcasts/invisibilia Where Should We Begin with Esther Perel: whereshouldwebegin.eshterperel.com Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ericnuzum C
S1 Enull · Thu, September 15, 2022
Owning and Earning a Platform with Sangeeta Pillai
Introduction: On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart is talking with Sangeeta Pillai from the award-winning Masala Podcast about what it is like to create a podcast that talks about taboo content. Sangeeta has important messages to share about diversity, feminism, and inclusion. She shares those messages today, as well as her experience winning multiple British Podcast Awards. Sangeeta talks about her journey into podcasting, what it is like to be backed by Spotify, and how podcasting should change. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What is the Masala Podcast and who is Sangeeta Pillai? Creating a podcast to inspire change Exploring a taboo subject in a constructive, positive way Bringing women of color into feminist conversations The organic evolution of the formatting of a podcast The importance of season breaks Promotion, marketing, and keeping creative control The experience of winning a British Podcast Award Supporting creators of color and from different backgrounds Resources/Links: Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/top-feminist-podcast-masalapodcast-mediakit/ Castos Academy: <span style="font-wei
S1 Enull · Thu, September 08, 2022
Writing for Audio with Megan Bagala
Introduction: On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Megan Bagala about what it means to write for audio. Megan is a podcast producer, songwriter, musician, writer, actor, and renaissance woman. In addition to doing a bit of everything, she is also an expert in the topic of writing for audio, whether it be a musical, narrative, or chat show. She shares tips and advice from her experiences in order to help new podcasters, as well as veteran podcasters, look at their copy in a different light. Megan is currently working as the Senior Producer on Melon's House Party at Wondery. She is a proud participant of the 2021 Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator from PBS KIDS, PRX, and the CPB. Her work can be heard on podcasts from Marvel Entertainment , Gimlet Media , America's Test Kitchen , and more. She's currently developing a middle-grade fiction series about music theory, and a YA fiction series about the ramifications of climate change. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Megan’s journey from her MFA in musical theater to podcasting Transferable skills in writing for audio <li style="font-weight:400;
S1 Enull · Thu, September 01, 2022
3 Clips Re-Air: Nice Try with Avery Trufelman
On this episode, we dive back into our archives and an old episode of 3 Clips. This episode aired on January 17, 2022, and was hosted by Evo Terra. It was edited and produced by Stuart Barefoot For connoisseurs of podcasts, Avery Trufelman shouldn’t need much of an introduction. She’s worked on popular shows like 99% Invisible and its successful spinoff, Articles of Interest . More recently she teamed up with Vox and Curbed to create Nice Try! In season one of this investigative series, Avery explored failed attempts at creating Utopias. For season two titled Interior, she turned her attention to the home. Each episode dissects the history and the stories of household appliances and the role they play in our attempt to turn our homes into our own little fiefdoms. She joined Evo to discuss the making of Season 2 Episode 1 titled The Doorbell . Sow how does someone make an entire episode about a doorbell? Well, with breadth comes depth. LEARN MORE ABOUT CASTOS 3 Clips is a Castos Original Series. Castos provides tools for public and private podcasts and believes podcasters should own their turf to provide the best possible audience experience. Visit http://castos.com Inside the Episode Listen to full episodes of Nice Try! at podcasts.voxmedia.com Learn more about Avery’s work at her website averytrufelman.com This episode was produced by Stuart Barefoot @smallleaguestu Music was provided by Tyler Litwin About the Host Evo Terra has the dubio
S1 Enull · Thu, August 25, 2022
Centralized vs. Decentralized: The Space Between
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart share their discussions with Juleyka Lantigua, Sam Sethi, and Skye Pillsbury about centralized and decentralized monetization and podcasting. Take a peek into these fun and informative conversations as they delve into the definitions of indie podcasting, what kind of conversation you should have with advertisers, and the best possible route for different podcasters. Should we welcome corporate overlords into our podcasts? Should we stay as indie podcasts? What are your goals as a podcaster? Are you looking for an easy path to monetization or are you looking for something else? If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What it means to have centralized vs a decentralized podcast Downloads and advertising Clear expectations and communication with advertisers Interactivity for listeners: looking for the interesting conversation Which platform is going to give us the best technology for listener reach, advertising, and monetization What does it mean to have a “small” podcast or to be a “small” creator? Who is considered an indie creator? Resources/Links: Juleyka Lantigua Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuleykaLantigua Sam Sethi Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsethi?lang=en Skye Pillsbury Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkyePillsbury?ref_src=twsrc%5Ego
S1 Enull · Thu, August 18, 2022
Centralized vs Decentralized: Value 4 Value
In this episode of Audience, you’ll hear Part II of our “Centralized vs. Decentralized” series. Matt and Stuart are joined by “The Podfather” himself, Adam Curry. Adam stops by to talk about protecting podcasting, and all those involved with creating podcast content. In addition to his many successes in podcasting, Adam is the Founder of PodcastIndex.Org, whose mission is to preserve, protect, and extend the open, independent podcasting ecosystem. Adam and Matt also discuss the “value 4 value” construct that allows payment to be distributed easily from listener/consumer to independent creators, including compensating smaller participants in the podcasting sphere such as the app designers. Adam also touches on topics like the network of small independent podcasting production companies that currently exist (like Castos.com) which form a perfectly distributed and decentralized network that protects content creators from being de-platformed completely. Thanks to Skye Pillsbury from The Squeeze podcast for the opening of this episode. You’ll hear more from Skye next time, as a guest for Part III, the final installment of our series, and she’ll be joined by guests Sam Sethi from Podland and Juleyka Lantigua from LWC Studios. Resources: Adam Curry Twitter No Agenda Podcast Podcasting 2.0 Podcast w Adam & Dave PodcastIndex.org The Squeeze Podcast Newsletter w Skye Pillsbury Juleyka Lantigua LinkedIn Julkeyka Lantigua on Twitter Podland Podcast Matt Medeiros LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin
S1 Enull · Thu, August 11, 2022
Centralized vs Decentralized: The Case for Discoverability
As podcasters (and creators in general) look for ways to generate more interest in their work, the method of distribtuion is sometimes being debated. So Matt and Stuart set out to ask podcasters of all stripes how they feel about centralized and decentralized distribution. In part one Matt talks to Tanner Campbell who advocates for a more centralized system. He tells Matt this could help solve for discoverability and could streamline monetezation tools for podcasters. Thanks to Juleyka Lantigua for our openeing. Stay tuned for more of her in part three of this series. Links Tanner on Twitter Juleyka Lantigua on Twitter tannerhelps.com castos.com
S1 Enull · Thu, August 04, 2022
Realism in Audio Fiction
Some of the best, most diverse, and talented audio creators alive make their living creating audio fiction. Shows like Welcome to Nightvale, Limetown, and Alice isn’t Dead, just to name a few, weave complex story arcs, colorful characters, and of course, great production value for listeners. We’re all lucky these shows exist. Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is firmly in the realm of audio fiction. But unlike most audio fiction, there are no supernatural elements, heroes, villains, or any traditional story arc. In this podcast series, each episode is presented as a full-length minor league baseball broadcast. The teams, the players, the sponsors, all of it is made up. The catch? There is none. It’s just nine innings of fictional baseball. Created by a podcaster known only as Mr. King, Sleep Baseball is a work of fiction that feels very much like it’s a real broadcast. And if that seems boring, it’s the point. This “boring” show is resonating with listeners. Fans of the show support it through Patreon and merch sales. It’s even been written up in The New Yorker. In this episode, Stuart and “Mr. King” chat about the inspiration for making the show, the process of producing fake baseball broadcasts, and how listener support makes a project of this size financially viable. Links Full Episodes and Merch: sleepbaseball.com A piece on Sleep Baseball in the New Yorker: newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/the-rapture-of-listening-to-a-fake-baseball-game Connect your Podcast to Stripe with Castos: castos.com/integrations/stripe/ ***Between the time of this recording and the publishing date, legendary baseball broadcaster Vin Scully passed away. Read more HERE
S1 Enull · Thu, July 28, 2022
Discussing podcast industry headlines for July 2022
Stuart and Matt are back to discuss their top podcast industry news stories for the month of July. Acast continues to make the news from spamming podcast host customers like us at Castos, to purchasing Podchaser, the "only social media site for podcasters." Subscription podcasts are making a splash with Marc Maron jumping into the game of selling exclusive access content. Subscription podcasting will be on the rise as more and more creators adopt the method. Castos is proud to host British Podcast Awards, Bronze place winner the Masala Podcast! Send us your audio message! Email us hello@castos.com with the subject "Audience podcast" and we'll take your question or audio clip for the next espiode. Links mentioned https://podnews.net/press-release/acast-podchaser https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/about-masala-podcast/ https://www.insiderintelligence.com/content/rising-podcast-listenership-draws-advertising-dollars https://twitter.com/marcoarment/status/1546852808049270786?s=20&t=bMUR9ZwMyr2CsfK28-BshQ
S1 Enull · Thu, July 21, 2022
Coping with (creative) loss
Matt interviews Dr. Sherry Walling about her new book, Touching Two Worlds: A Gudie for Finding Hope in the Landscape of Loss. Dr. Sherry Walling is a clinical psychologist, speaker, podcaster, best-selling author, yoga teacher, and mental health advocate. Their discussion crosses into many different areas of creativity, life, entrepreneurship, and podcasting. The last few years have been tough on everyone -- this is an episode you don't want to miss! Links https://www.sherrywalling.com/about https://www.touchingtwoworlds.com/ https://twitter.com/sherrywalling https://castos.com/
S1 Enull · Thu, July 14, 2022
Grant Funding a Podcast with Danielle Desir Corbett
Funding a podcast can be tricky. Unless you’re one of the top-rated podcasts, ads typically won’t generate all that much revenue. Paywalls are great under the right circumstances. But if you don’t already have a large following, they can be a barrier to your podcast being discovered. Enter grant funding. Yes, grants exist for podcasters, you just have to know where to find them. So Danielle Desir Corbet, founder of WOC Podcasters and host of The Thought Card Podcast, started ‘Grants for Creators’ a bi-weekly newsletter aimed at helping creators find grant funding for their projects. She chats with Stuart about what grants can do for a project and how to find the right one for your project. Resources Danielle’s Website: danielledesir.com/about/ NYT Story about Podcasting nytimes.com/2022/03/04/arts/indie-podcasts-fiasco-campside.html
S1 Enull · Thu, July 07, 2022
3 Clips Re-Air: Bellwether
For this episode, we’ll go back into our Archives to listen to an episode of 3Clips . It features Sam Greenspan and their podcast of speculative journalism, Bellwether. Not only is Sam one of the best minds in radio and podcasting (and the masterpiece that is Bellwether reflects that) but they also were able to use crowdfunding to bring a project five years in the making to life. This episode first aired in February of 2022 and was hosted by Evo Terra and was produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot. Links 3clipspodcast.com bellwether.show castos.com/intergrations/stripe
S1 Enull · Thu, June 30, 2022
In the News: White Noise Podcasts, Spotify’s Proclamation and More
Stuart and Matt gather to discuss a few stories from the world of audio. Pod Voices In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe Vs. Wade podcasters are uniting to support women’s right and pro choice policies. If you’re a podcaster who feels called to speak out, Arielle Nissenblatt has a website for how podcasters can spread awareness and link to resources. podvoices.help White Noise in Podcasting Ashley Carmen from Bloomberg reports that some podcasters are making $18,000 per month by producing white noise. bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-01/how-to-make-money-on-spotify-a-white-noise-podcast-could-bring-you-big-bucks From Edison Research Some insight into advertising and podcasting edisonresearch.com/how-many-shows-must-one-buy-to-reach-the-majority-of-podcast-listeners-in-the-u-s/ Headliner Strikes back at Descript: editeddy.com/signup Some Comments from Spotify Johan Seidefors talks about why he sees scripted podcasts as being a big part of podcasting’s future: https://twitter.com/RadiodaysEurope/status/1526508588268658688 More commentary from Spotify’s Investor Day 2022: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2022-06-08/investor-day-2022/ Indie Rock and Podcasting Singer Songwriter eef Barzelay also know as Clem Snide presents “A Life in Song”: https://linktr.ee/alifeinsong Matt Reviews the Rodecaster Pro II: castos.com/rodecaster-pro-2-review/
S1 Enull · Thu, June 23, 2022
We Need Podcast Critics - with Keelin Peterson
Keelin Peterson runs the website Mentally a Magpie where she reviews podcasts. She joins Audience to discuss what she looks for in a podcast and how thoughtful, objective criticism can help podcasting. Links: Connect with Keelin mentallyamagpie.com @IAmKeelinIt Podcasts Mentioned goodniks.org 20k.org iheart.com/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-cl-21124503/ theringer.com/gene-and-roger-podcast Castos castos.com/integrations/stripe
S1 Enull · Thu, June 16, 2022
When Passion Meets Profession: How to fund a Project with Newt Schottelkotte
Newt Schottelkotte created their first audio drama in 2017 when they were only 15 years old. That led to the creation of Caldera Studios, a production company where Newt produces their work including their latest series, Where the Stars Fell. In this episode, Newt and Stuart discuss the creative process of making a fiction podcast, the need for budgets in audio drama, and strategies for crowdfunding. Links Castos and Stripe Integration Newt’s website Newt’s piece on Medium Caldera Studio’s Bandcamp Inkwyrm Podcast Where The Stars Fell Podcast Connect with Newt on Twitter Fable and Folly
S1 Enull · Thu, June 09, 2022
Camp Monsters (Re-Air)
For brands and companies, incorporating podcasting into their content marketing strategy probably seems like a no-brainer. But doing it well? It’s more art than science, but REI at least has the “art” part of that down pretty well. Among their many podcast offerings is Camp Monsters. So we go to our archives and a previous episode of another Castos Original, 3 Clips. This episode first aired on November 1, 2021 and was hosted by Jay Acunzo and produced and edited by Stuart Barefoot. IT features Weston Davis and his show, produced by REI, Camp Monsters You can find the full episode here at: 3clipspodcast.com/camp-monsters-audio-as-a-visual-medium-ft-weston-davis/ For more Camp Monsters episodes: rei.com/blog/podcasts/camp-monsters For more on Castos: castos.com
S1 Enull · Thu, June 02, 2022
Selling an audio book through a podcast
Matt and Jonathan get back together to give us an update on their “build in public” subscription podcast experiment. In their first episode, Matt pitched the idea to Jonathan as a way to add another revenue stream to his podcast efforts. It was a new concept to Jonathan, who still had to come up with a plan on what he would actually sell. Today, he’s back to share his ideas on selling an audiobook version of his printed book, and what other value he can deliver to his customers through subscription podcasts. Your Podcast Mentor Show with Jonathan Jones https://twitter.com/JonathanJSpeaks Private Podcasting Solutions | Castos https://youtube.com/castos https://twitter.com/castosHQ
S1 Enull · Thu, May 26, 2022
From the Road to the Studio
In his decades-long relationship with audio, Marcus dePaula has been a musician, a live audio engineer touring with bands and now he’s a podcast producer. Through his company “Me Only Louder” he works with business and creative professionals to make podcasts and website content. He also works with his wife at Mixtus Media to create websites He joins Audience to discuss his time on the road and how he gained the technical skills and the attention to detail that are crucial in making good podcasts. Links: meonlylouder.com stealtheshow.com/podcast allenclarkphotography.com/podcast Castos Private Podcasting
S1 Enull · Thu, May 19, 2022
Facebook quits while podcast listenership on the rise
Stuart and Matt are back with some of the most impactful headlines in the podcasting space. Listen for a breakdown of how some of the big players in the space might impact your podcast. If you want us to cover a https://finance.yahoo.com/news/facebook-pulls-plug-podcast-business-184557380.html The company will stop creators adding podcasts to the service this week. They don’t plan to communicate the closure to Facebook users. https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-top-50-most-listened-to-podcasts-in-the-u-s-q1-2022 Top 50 shows in US https://www.edisonresearch.com/comedy-is-top-podcast-genre-in-u-s/ Top genres in US This is more interesting to talk about, especially in the sense of how competitive a genre might be or how much you have to invest in making a better show. https://podnews.net/press-release/podcasting-opportunities-nielsen-s-advertising-marketers Podcasting is attracting more new listeners than ever, according to new research. Over 50% of daily podcast listeners began listening in the last two years, says Nielsen’s Podcasting Today Report ; which also says that the number of US listeners has grown by 40% in the past three years. The data suggests that podcast advertising drives an aided brand recall of 71%. “When everything else feels like its going down…it’s nice to see something going up” https://rephonic.com/blog/are-podcasts-getting-worse Podcast satisfaction peaked in 2016 and has since been declining steadily Listeners rate older podcasts signific
S1 Enull · Thu, May 12, 2022
Niche Podcasting and Learning to Love (work) Again
Ijeoma Ekeocha was over her job. A series of microaggressions and just blatant racism convinced Ijeoma, a talented Pharmacist and medical researcher, that she should quit. So she created a podcast hoping she could transition into doing that full time. She launched the podcast “Brownskin Stories” and things seemed to be going well. But then something happened. Podcast coach Nikaila Matthews convinced her to find even more of a niche. That’s when “Black Women Pharmacists” was created. Rather than quitting her Job, Ijeoma rediscovered her love for pharmacy and has created a community of dedicated followers, passive income and helps other black women navigate a complicated industry. Resources: Listen to Black Women Pharmacists Read Ijeoma’s GoodRX Article goodrx.com/hcp/pharmacists/how-racism-manifests-in-pharmacy Connect With Ijeoma on LinkedIn A Better Way to Monetize Your Podcast
S1 Enull · Thu, May 05, 2022
Making a Living (3Clips)
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re diving into the archives to show you an older but important episode of the 3 Clips Podcast called, “Making a Living in Podcasting.” This episode was hosted by the 3 Clips original host, Jay Acunzo with business partners Kinsey Grant and Josh Kaplan as guests. 3 Clips is a show that focuses on the craft of podcasting. It showcases specific podcasts in each episode and breaks down their processes, three clips at a time. In this episode, Jay talks with Kinsey and Grant about what it takes to turn your podcasting passion into a successful career. Instead of dissecting their podcast and the process they use to create the show, Jay talks with them about their passion and career and how they’ve melded those things together. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . Interested in private podcasting? Check out Castos’ private podcasting service at https://academy.castos.com/private/ . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Individual strengths and weaknesses as podcasters The myth of the solo creator The development of the Thinking is Cool podcast How they leveraged their brand for sponsorships Showcasing ad content and sponsors t
S1 Enull · Thu, April 28, 2022
Formatting for a niche podcast
“No one ever says that we should stop publishing books.” is the thought that popped into Stuart’s head while he visited a bookstore in today’s episode. After returning, he and Matt chat about finding a niche for your podcast. With over 4 million podcasts published at podcastindex.org and 2 million+ in Apple’s directory, you might feel discouraged to make it in this medium. Don’t fret! Learn how you can niche down and persist through the launch phase of your podcast through he advice shared today. Learn more about subscription podcasting: https://castos.com/private-podcasting-solutions/ Erik Jones’ newsletter https://www.hurtyourbrain.com/
S1 Enull · Thu, April 21, 2022
You (Probably) Need a Producer w/ Alex Lewis
What does a producer actually do anyway? Well, it varies from one project to the next but the best podcasts often utilize the services of a producer or multiple producers. So for this episode, Stuart chats with Alex Lewis, an audio producer and musician. Alex has been a radio and audio producer for more than a decade and has worked with NPR, the BBC and founded his own company, Rowhome Productions based in Philadelphia. For his work, Alex has received a National Edward R. Murrow Award and was nominated for a Peabody award as well. Links Rowhome Productions: rowhome.fm How’s Work?: gimletmedia.com/shows/hows-work Kanaval: xpnkanaval.org WATCH: Castos Subscription Based Podcasts
S1 Enull · Thu, April 14, 2022
Building a subscription podcast in public w/ Jonathan Jones
Are you curious about subscription podcasting? Do you know what a private podcast is? Are you scared about jumping into private podcasting? On this episode of the Audience podcast, Jonathan Jones and Matt do a little experiment with subscription podcasting. Jonathan is going to build a subscription podcast (at Castos) in public, with Matt. Today they go through the initial brainstorming process as Jonathan submits his membership and audiobook ideas for his private podcast. Jonathan also talks about the process he went through when publishing both of his books, and he shares the story behind his latest book, Get Paid with Podcasting . If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Jonathan’s apprehensions about private podcasting Uses for subscription podcasting: audiobooks and behind the scenes bonus material The story behind “Get Paid with Podcasting” Tips for writing and publishing a book Putting stock in your own success Jonathan’s initial idea for his private podcast Anticipating possible challenges with memberships Resources/Links: Your Podcast Mentor Show: https://www.yourpodcastmentorshow.com/ Breaking a podcast funk w/ Jonathan Jones: https://castos.com
S1 Enull · Thu, April 07, 2022
Starting a paid members-only podcast w/ Joe Casabona
Joe Casabona joins the Audience podcast today to talk about his journey as a podcast creator. Joe produces a mix of podcasts in the web, WordPress and podcasting space. Matt and Joe cover some of the ways you can monetize a public podcast. Including digital products, courses, memberships, ads and more. Joe has found balance in offering sponsorship spots on public podcasts, but also uses Castos private podcasts for his membership offerings. Creating a successful podcast requires a multi-channel approach. A solid website, a thoughtful podcast approach, and multiple ways of monetizing is a must. If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it on social media! https://casabona.org https://creatorcourses.com/ https://howibuilt.it/ https://twitter.com/casabona https://castos.com/private-podcasting-solutions/ Matt's private podcast webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCIP32sw1I
S1 Enull · Thu, March 31, 2022
Planning and Producing a Great Interview Show
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart talk about what it takes (behind the scenes) to make a great podcast, with examples from the 3 Clips podcast . They talk about best practices and their processes when it comes to booking guests, pre-interviews, monetization, and editing. Not only do they touch on a few newbie mistakes (and how to avoid them), they also talk about how to make your podcast better. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, everyone will find something to take away from today’s conversation. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: 3 Clips podcast : featuring podcasts and their processes Booking guests: People’s time (yours and your guests) The importance of pre-interviews Building rapport Reaction during interview Avoiding one-word answers and rambling Working with producers Editing a podcast episode The perks of having seasons for your podcast Newbie mistakes: avoiding podcast burnout Monetizing your podcast Resources/Links: 3 Clips Podcast: https://3clipspodcast.com/ SavvyCal: </s
S1 Enull · Thu, March 24, 2022
Steal this podcast listener survey!
Today I'm hoping you can share in the improvement of the Audience podcast by taking part in our survey. Head there now at https://castos.com/survey As you might know, Season 2 of our other podcast 3 Clips has come to close. That means Stuart will be joining us more regularly on Audience. We have some new concepts cooking for you, which I think you'll really enjoy. By visiting castos.com/survey you can help us understand what types of content you'd like us to produce. And hey, if that's not enough, you can always email us hello@castos.com and tell us what you'd like to hear. But wait, there's something in it for you as a podcaster! You've heard me say that feedback is important for your podcast and why not use a survey to do that? Even more so, how about using a free survey from a company that specializes in customer research? The survey I've put together is from a free survey framework provided by Edison Research. You can download their survey for free to use for your own podcast. Use all of the questions they provide or select the few that you think is most impactful for your podcast. I'll put the link in the show notes so you can grab it, too. That's what I did. I took some of their questions and added a few that are specific to Castos. Like, how do you plan on monetizing your podcast, if at all? By the way, if you'd like to learn more about selling your own subscription podcasts here at Castos, let's chat. Email hello@castos.com to book a time with me. Okay I think that's enough call to actions for now. Please take the survey at Castos.com/survey that's castos.com/survey to help improve this show.
S1 Enull · Thu, March 17, 2022
Creating an audio experience w/ Eric Nuzum
Technology is only good if it solves a problem. In the case of podcasting it definitely does solve problems. It’s basically broken down all major barriers to access when it comes to creating and distributing your audio. But creating a good podcast is so much more than simply choosing the right microphones, the best software and distributing an RSS Feed. To make a good podcast, you need to create an audio experience, ideally an experience that is unique to your show. Eric Nuzum is an expert in doing that. At NPR he helped bring to life shows like the TED Radio Hour and has worked on bringing shows like ‘ Fresh Air’ and ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! ’ into podcasting. He was also vital in the creation of the critically acclaimed podcast, Invisibilia . Eric is the founder of Magnificent Noise , a podcast, audio and creative consulting company. Links Magnificent Noise : maginifcintnoise.com The Ted Radio Hour: npr.org/podcasts/ted-radio-hour Invisibilia: npr.org/podcasts/invisibilia Where Should We Begin with Esther Perel: whereshouldwebegin.eshterperel.com Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ericnuzum Connect Stripe to Your Private Podcast Castos offers integrative tools to create revenue for your private podcast. View our blog and Matt’s YouTube Video
S1 Enull · Thu, March 03, 2022
Create your own subscription podcast w/ Stripe and Castos
Today I’d like to talk about creating your own subscription podcast without the middle man taking a cut of your revenue. Before we get too far down into the blueprint for monetizing your podcast, there are some hard requirements I’m mentioning in this episode: You must be okay with starting a free Stripe account. You’re using Castos to host your subscription podcast feed or feeds. Bonus: If you want to make other automation magic happen, I also recommend a free Zapier account. Why start a subscription podcast over advertising? What’s your knee-jerk reaction when you hear that the average podcast ad rates are $25 per 1,000 downloads? If you’re like most of us, your podcast is barely hitting 500 downloads per episode — you can’t even buy a cup of coffee let alone that new Porsche. Most advertisers are looking for the largest audience possible, not the most valuable audience possible. That’s a topic for a different podcast. When it comes to earning revenue, if you’re a brand new podcaster or a veteran with a niche audience, going by industry standard advertising isn’t going to make us rich. Then there’s the quality and experience factor. Don’t get me started on automated ad insertion from larger ad networks or other podcast hosting companies. Not only are we giving up control of the ad quality, it’s an abrasive experience for the listener. A 2020 report from Nielsen shows that host-read ads perform better anyway. Host-Read Podcast Ads Pack a Brand Recall Punch – Nielsen If you’re going to do ads, you might as well sell them direct and read them on your own show. Again, different podcast episode for a different day. Subscription podcasts at Castos vs the world I rarely thank Apple for much in podcasting these days, but I am thankful that this 2.6 Trillion-dollar company decided to compete with us. Crazy right? We’re going through another defining moment for content creators. Just like Facebook and others encroached on our blog traffic, big audio businesses are doing the same to our podcasts. Apple offers subscription podcasts through their platform at a 30% cut + a $29 annual fee. The kicker? You have to manage your podcast on their website. The content is only available to listeners using Apple podcast app. As a creator, you’re suffocating your total possible reach. Apple is making my case for me. Subscriptions at Castos We don’t take a 30% c
S1 Enull · Thu, February 24, 2022
Researching & Producing a narrated podcast with Paulina Salmas
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt interviews Paulina Salmas from An Eyesore and a Plague podcast. Paulina talks about how Twitter Spaces has changed podcasting and what it’s like to write and perform a scripted non-fiction podcast. Their discussion goes from podcasting to the definition of a village, to Wurlitzer keyboards. Paulina’s passion for history and how things work fuels her podcast and hobbies and it shows in her enthusiasm for the topics. She is a wealth of information when it comes to podcasting, marketing, Wurlitzer keyboards, and urban geography. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Twitter Spaces and podcasting What is An Eyesore and a Plague all about? The scripted non-fiction genre and the editing/revision process Why Paulina started her podcast Paulina’s goals for the podcast Monetization: local versus national Research, passion, and appreciation for the topic of your podcast The story behind Tropical Fish A possible Wurlitzer and Gibson Jukebox podcast?! Resources/Links: An Eyesore And A Plague: https://www.aneyesoreandaplague.com/ Eyesore Plague Instagram: https://www.instagra
S1 Enull · Thu, February 17, 2022
6 Ways to be a better podcast guest
Chances are, if you're listening to this episode, you produce a podcast. There's a 90% chance that podcast is an interview show. There's a 50% chance you've had a guest on said show that made you exhale a gigantic w-t-f was that when the conversation stopped. We've all had that guest. They sounded good on paper, but when you hit record, the whole vibe fell flat. So, the mission for today: share this episode with your potential guest. Because, dear guest, my friend the podcaster here wants the best show possible. Here are 6 ways to be a better podcast guest. Number 1: Do some research Spend some time researching the podcast you're going to be on. Listen to an episode that catches your eye. Read the show notes from the guest interview before you. Heck, download the transcripts and breeze through how our podcaster frames questions. Anything is better than nothing at all. Especially if you were one of those guests that used a booking agency to get you on the show. Number 2: Bring the energy but not too much Be excited to share your story or lesson or moment. You don't have to over emphasize everything, or even feel like you're putting on a performance. Working off of the energy of the host is key, match them to where they are in _their_ performance. We don't want answers to silently fade out. It's like eating the empty calories of a bagel. I'll probably get some hate mail for that, but the idea is to deliver on your promise. We're all sharing this precious time together. Number 3: Say no to AirPods Never. Use. Airpods. On. A. Podcast. Interview. Ever. If you plan on appearing across more podcasts, which by the way is great for your brand, invest in a decent USB microphone. The Samson Q2u is a great 60-80 microphone that plugs in via USB. Number 4: Good lighting for video Look, I won't tell you to invest in a Mirrorless camera that plugs into usb through a HDMI converter or has native USB-C streaming support, just check your lighting. You might be anchored to your laptop webcam or one fixed to the center of an iMac, and that's okay, just make sure we can see you. Not too dark, not blown out, play with the lighting in your room if our podcaster is indeed using video. Bonus points: Buy a USB webcam and a cheap desktop monopod mount to find the best permanent angle. And why not? We're all on web calls these days. Number 5: Value Stick to delivering value for the audience. Give them your best stuff, not your best backstory. Even if our friendly podcaster isn't doing their job to will it out of you, just know, that's what the audience wants. Your expert opinion, action, or take on the subject matter they are there for. And FYI, I'm strictly thinking about the typical b2b interview show here. Other genre's of shows might requi
S1 Enull · Thu, February 10, 2022
Bob Ross: Finding inspiration from Different Mediums
What can a soft-spoken painter teach us about podcasting? In this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about what we can learn from painting legend Bob Ross. While this beloved artist may have passed away nearly thirty years ago, he is still in the heads and hearts of many people today. Stuart talks with Doug Blandy, professor emeritus at the University of Oregon, who has done a lot of work around Bob Ross and his legacy. From books to documentaries, Doug is a Bob Ross expert. Stuart and Doug offer up five lessons that Bob Ross has taught us, which transcend from painting to podcasting. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Looking outside our medium for inspiration It’s the presentation that matters Creating a workflow Knowing your subject matter: research, practice, experience, and scripts Giving you and your team time to breathe and create (and avoid burnout) Leveraging a medium Building your brand through a medium Nailing down a format Understand what your podcast is and what it isn’t Being genuine Sharing knowledge Resources/Links: Happy Clouds, Happy Trees: The Bob Ross Phenomenon: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Clouds-Tree
S1 Enull · Thu, February 03, 2022
Podcast 2.0 app Fountain.fm with Oscar Merry
Is Bitcoin an option for podcasters? What should you be doing right now when it comes to monetizing your podcast? On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Oscar Merry from Fountain . Fountain is an app that allows podcasters to share podcast clips with potential listeners and it allows listeners to support their favorite creators with Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency isn’t just in the future of podcasting, it’s in the present as well. Today Oscar talks about Fountain (what they do and how they work with podcasters and listeners), and he educates us on Bitcoin and how cryptocurrency operates. Should you be looking into Bitcoin? How can Fountain help you with your podcast? When should you start thinking about cryptocurrency? If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What is Fountain.fm? Bitcoin crash course and the different layers of Bitcoin Satoshis (SATs) Lightning (Lightning Network) The future of Bitcoin and podcasting How Fountain works for podcasters and podcast listeners Different ways to support your favorite podcasts via cryptocurrency The dynamic interaction between podcasts and listeners Boostagrams and Podcasting 2.0 Podcast monetization now and monetization in the future <li style="font-weig
S1 Enull · Thu, January 27, 2022
3 Clips Season 2: How to start a war
Do you know how WWII started? How do you incorporate narrative elements into a nonfiction podcast? In what ways can you weave in various sound elements to heighten the podcasting experience for your listeners? These questions (and more) are answered by Evo Terra (from the 3 Clips podcast ) and Michael Trapani (from the How to Start a War podcast ). Today’s Audience episode is actually the first episode from the second season of the 3 Clips podcast. In it, host Evo Terra talks with his guest, Michael Trapani about what it takes to put together an effective, powerful, and impactful narrative non-fiction podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Why Michael chose podcasting over other forms of media The importance of research and writing Leveraging the audio for a podcast Emphasizing speech cadence over attempting various accents for voice acting How sound elements can heighten the listener experience Narrative podcast styles with a nonfiction topic How Michael’s opinions have changed from the beginning to end of the project Resources/Links: 3 Clips Podcast: https://3clipspodcast.com/ How to Start a War Podcast: https://www.howtostartawar.com/</s
S1 Enull · Thu, January 20, 2022
How to hit the podcast reset button
Do you have more than one podcast? Have you been reconsidering your podcast goals? How do you continue to innovate (and want to innovate) when you’ve been podcasting for so long? On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Craig talk about what you can do to hit the reset button on your podcast. Whether you’ve been hosting the same podcast for years or if you’ve been running two or more podcasts, burnout can feel inevitable. Today, Matt and Craig talk about what you can do to avoid burnout, continue to stay fresh in the minds of your listeners, and how to keep up with the ever-evolving podcasting industry. They have a plethora of information to keep your show engaging and to keep yourself energetic about your content, from using your competition, to changing up your format, and building a community. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Long-term podcasting and how the industry has changed How to avoid being “stuck in your ways” and feeling out of touch The importance of and how to evaluate your podcasting format How to use your competition to innovate your own podcast Utilizing the “season” format Let the audience guide what you do Social audio and other means of creating content Adopting new technologies and following the trends alongside the younger generation When is it okay to kill or end a show? What successful shows have in common: a community Using you
S1 Enull · Thu, January 13, 2022
Jonathan Jones: From public speaker to podcaster
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Jonathan Jones from the Your Podcast Mentor Show . Today they’re talking about how Jonathan went from public speaker to podcaster and how he utilizes YouTube and his skills as a speaker to grow his audience. Jonathan also talks about where you can find your first speaking gig, how he is leaning into YouTube shorts, and how he connects and engages with his audience. Jonathan Jones is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to podcasting, speaking, and engagement. Do you feel burnt-out? Are you going through a podcasting slump? Unsure about what direction to go in your new podcast? Whenever you are feeling discouraged, just remember: there is still a lot of season left. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Jonathan’s journey into podcasting How to get positive reinforcement throughout the long game The first step to monetization: take the time The business of speaking “virtually” Using YouTube for your podcast Avoiding burn-out as a creator Content calendars and “scheduling” content Utilizing Goodpods and other platforms Resources/Links: Jonathan Jones, website: https://jonathanjonesspeaks.com/ <span style="font-w
S1 Enull · Thu, January 06, 2022
Less is more: How long should an episode be?
How long should a podcast episode be? Do longer episodes have more useful content than shorter ones? Do short episodes cut out all the unnecessary chatter? Making a podcast is more of an art than a science. There’s no magical format that will get you downloads; there is only the format that works for you. For most people, that means they’ll have an awkward trial and error period. To make that period a little less awkward, Stuart brings on a podcaster to share one format that has worked well. On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks with Mandy Lehto (from Enough, the Podcast ) about episode length, the importance of making every second count, pulling Jenga blocks, and how to effectively use narration. She talks about why she creates Enough, the Podcast and what her goals are. With longer episodes, information can get lost in all of the minutes that tick by. But shorter episodes can feel distant. As podcasters, we want to connect with our audience and sometimes that can’t be done with short episodes. So what is a podcaster to do? After all, sometimes you don’t know what the episode is until you record it. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: How to utilize your air time well Techniques that Mandy uses to emphasize certain points in her interviews Punctuating the episode through narration How to effectively use narration through your episode The importance of making every second count Which Jenga blocks can you pull from your podcast? Balancing your content with levity, instruction, and diversity <st
Thu, December 30, 2021
2022 Podcast Predictions
What is podcasting going to be like in 2022? What are your predictions for next year? What are your hopes for the industry? In this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about his predictions, Castos’ predictions, and other podcasters’ opinions about what they think will happen in the next year. Are you hopeful for more integrations for promotion? What trends do you see moving forward and evolving in 2022? Matt hears from four strong and seasoned podcasters (Danny Brown, Tanner Campbell, Arielle Nissenblat, and Gary Arndt) about what they think as well. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Castos Predictions Integrations for monetization and promotion 10xing Podcasting 2.0 The Future According to Twitter Spotify predictions More uses for dynamic content Hopefully more instructional podcasts More women and people of color in larger companies, running podcasts Apple Podcast predictions Matt’s Industry Predictions More Podcasting 2.0 adoptions Decline in megacorps pushing into podcasting Resources/Links: ConvertKit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR-IaS0ZMt0 <span style="font-wei
Thu, December 23, 2021
30 Days to launch a podcast
Are you up for a challenge? How about launching a podcast in 30 days? Today, Matt talks about what it would take to launch a podcast in a month. With the New Year around the corner, many of you (or your friends) might be thinking about launching a podcast in 2022. What would that take? Would you be able to launch a podcast in 30 days? From conception to publication? Matt turned to Twitter to ask what you would do. Today he covers his favorite tips from @heyemilykennedy , @indiedropin , @tfyhpodcast , @everywheretrip , @espreedevora , @NextOnStageOne , @iamjeremyenns . If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Prioritizing tasks for a 30-day launch Don’t undervalue practice The importance of getting ahead Identifying your target market Finding good topics The lists and outlines you’ll need Focus on what you need, rather than the superfluous stuff </
Thu, December 16, 2021
There's 92 Podcast Marketing Tips After This
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about his latest Twitter challenge and how it led to Lauren Passell , the Founder of Tink Media , Podcast the Newsletter and Editor at Hark Audio. Matt talks about Lauren’s top eight tweets (according to Matt) and Lauren joins the podcast for a few extra tips as well. This short episode is packed full of helpful advice for new podcasters, as well as some reminders and words of wisdom for veteran podcasters. So get out a pen and paper, you’re going to want to take notes. If you’re looking to start a podcast or if you’re looking for a better podcast hosting experience, why not try Castos? Use our Castos Coupon Code when you sign up for a new account: AUDIENCE20. Whatever it is you want to podcast about, we’ll help you get your podcast out into the world. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Matt’s Eight Favorite Tips/Tweets: Tip 1: Specificity Tip 2: Switching content Tip 3: Pitch emails Tip 4: Working with another show Tip 5: Silver bullets Tip 6: Show notes Tip 7: Media kits Tip 8: Marketing <li sty
Thu, December 09, 2021
Simplify Your Sound Design, Without Sacrificing on Quality
To state the obvious, Podcasting is an audio medium so how it sounds is crucial. But sometimes sound design can be a lengthy and expensive process, which is fine when you have the budget and personnel to create custom music and score each episode. But for independent creators and small organizations who might not have the time or budget to do that, there’s a way to spruce up your podcast without sacrificing on quality. Links: Q-Rock on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinton-johnson-9a5646195/ SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/quinton-johnson Twitter: @ iamqrock IG: @ iamqrock Storyblocks https://www.storyblocks.com/audio/search?media-type=music&portal_artist_ids=Hsx8DES0Jvkcpaqoyq
Thu, December 02, 2021
I listened to 3 hours of Tim Ferris so you wouldn't have to
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about a 3-hour episode of Tim Ferriss’ podcast, where he and guest Chris Hutchins talk about how Tim grew The Tim Ferriss Show into what it is today. The episode is a powerful one but pretty long, so Matt highlights some of the most important bullet points for you. Using clips and commentary, Matt dives into the ten biggest lessons from that episode. You might have heard of Tim Ferriss from his bestselling book, The 4-Hour Workweek. You might have heard his name when Fast Company listed him as the “Most Innovative Business People'' or when he was listed as one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40.” At his heart, he is an early-stage tech investor (some examples being Uber, Facebook, Shopify, Duoling, Alibaba and over fifty more), an author, and the host of The Tim Ferriss Show, which was the first interview-style business podcast to get over 100 million downloads. He knows his stuff. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Podcasting is not dead A full-body check-in Mics, hardware, and software Data isn’t all that important Be a guest, start a newsletter There is no magic bullet Asking for a home run and giving a transcript to your guest You learn a lot about yourself Resources/Links: Tim Ferriss’ episode: https://tim.blog/2021/10/14/how-i-built-the-tim-ferriss-show-podcast/
Thu, November 25, 2021
When to use a "Trailer Episode" and when to use an "Episode 0"
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Stuart talk about the differences and the importance of having a trailer episode or an “Episode 0.” Are they different things? The short answer is yes. The long answer involves the reasoning for using one or the other, as well as the length and content of this initial episode. Depending on the format of your podcast, you may benefit from either having an Episode 0 or a trailer. Listen in to get tips on how to make both of them well, suggestions on which to use depending on the content of your podcast, and why they are so beneficial. Remember the beauty and the challenge of podcasts: There are no rules but there should be an episode 0. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Episode 0 definition and examples The hows and whys of an Episode 0 or a “Rally Cry” episode Trailer definition and examples Why you need one or the other for your podcast How Episode 0s helps podcasts as well as podcasters “The Voices of Scranton” and “The Watercooler” The number of episodes or minutes you need in order to make a trailer Can you skip having either of these types of episodes? Less is more when it comes to intros Stuart’s favorite Trailer and Episode 0 Resources/Links: Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ C
Thu, November 18, 2021
Gary Arndt on winning with short form podcasts + TikTok
What is a travel photographer to do when the entire world shuts down? Turn to podcasting and TikTok, of course. Gary Arndt was owning the space of travel photography until the global pandemic put an end to his plans. Now he’s taking on the podcasting world with his podcast, The Everything Everywhere Daily Podcast . But Gary did not let that break him. Gary has been a content creator for many years and today he shares some of his expertise about how to create podcasts people love. He gives his advice on how to get your first thousand downloads, how he utilizes TikTok, and the benefits of having a short-form podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Gary’s journey from the pique of his travel business, to rock bottom, and back again The idea and launch of Gary’s history podcast Is a social media presence good enough to have a successful podcast? How Gary utilizes TikTok and Instagram The correlation between TikTok views and podcast downloads Content that keeps being produced and what people care about every day How to get your first thousand downloads The next steps in monetization after ads The difficulty and benefits of short-form podcasting Resources/Links: Everything Everywhere: https://everything-everywhere.com/ <span st
Thu, November 11, 2021
Data Doesn't Have to Be Scary w/ Alexandra Mannerings
Podcasting can be a really great medium for breaking down long-held ideas about a certain topic. On this episode, Sam is joined by Alexandra Mannerings of the Heart, Soul, and Data podcast to learn about how she is using her show as a platform to start conversation with organizations and individuals who may have been adverse to all things data in the past while opening new opportunities for her business. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Why analytics and data scares everyone and how Alexandra has made it accessible How do you use analytics to make the world a better place Nonprofits and their relationships with data Data doesn’t have to be evil or scary; you can use data to make your life easier How you can use data to support your mission Data being personal rather than process What are value driven analytics and why they are important The two-way street of having a guest on your podcast Alexandra’s podcasting process The longer term vision of the Heart, Soul, and Data What data Alexandra uses when making goals for her podcast Resources/Links: Alexandra’s company, Merakinos: <a href="
Thu, November 04, 2021
Automations Engine and ConvertKit Integration
Castos’ private podcast automation makes it easier to make changes to subscriptions, engage with your audience, and make sure your content is secure. Today, Craig and Matt talk about Castos’ newest integrations and what it will mean for podcasters interested in private podcasting. The team is ecstatic about the ConvertKit integration which will allow podcasters to do wonderful things with their private podcasts. The crew at Castos has been working hard to deliver some of the most requested integrations and features to help podcasters succeed. Craig talks about a few of those things including the newest integrations like ConvertKit, added security, and the endless possibilities for your podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: ConvertKit integration for private subscription Coming soon: Stripe , Podia , and Teachable The new branding and website at Castos Using private podcasting in conjunction with something else Working natively with the tools you always use Tools that are better than Patreon The security of your private RSS feed Turning ebooks into (exclusive) audiobooks The ability to engage with your listeners Resources/Links: <span
Fri, October 29, 2021
Let's put on a show
Why do I want to start a podcast? What should my podcast be about? What do I want to get out of podcasting? These are the questions we’re talking about today on Audience. Peter Link , CEO of Watchfire Music , joins us today, to talk about how to put on a good show. Peter goes over his process from concept to post-production, and how he uses his experience as a composer and lyricist when he produces his podcast, Scattershot Symphony. He also talks about how podcasting has helped him and why he loves it so much. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Why it is all about the story Using your favorite podcasts as inspiration How to bring your unique spin to a podcast The importance and power of a title How to repurpose your material for use in a podcast The curation of a concept for an episode Writing for the ear and performing a narration Resources/Links: Watchfire Music: https://watchfiremusic.com/ Scattershot Symphony, the Music of Peter Link: https://watchfiremusic.com/podcast Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ <span style="f
Thu, October 21, 2021
Craft Beer & Conversation: The Perfect Recipe for A Podcast w/ Joseph Bennecke
Today on the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski brings you the latest episode of the Castos Creator’s Spotlight series. In this series, Sam talks with content creators (just like you) about where they came from, where they’re going, and also their tips, tricks, and advice for new podcasters. In this episode Sam is joined by Joseph Bennecke from the Brews with the Homies podcast. In this episode, Sam and Joseph focus on building communities around podcasts and around beer. Joseph talks about how passion and friendship has fueled their podcast and how they are amassing a community around that passion. He gives tips on how to get started, how to build your audience, not to mention, a few tips on glassware as well. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: How Joseph and Brews with the Homies got started The community around beer Drinking it fresh versus collecting your favorites How glassware and environment impact beer Jumping in and getting started with your podcast What should the format be? Enjoying the process Growth of the podcast and building the community Open lines of communication Utilizing giveaways Marketing techniques <span
Thu, October 14, 2021
Ushering in a community for your podcast w/ Arielle Nissenblatt
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Arielle Nissenblatt about building a community around your podcast. There are so many great takeaways from this episode, from community engagement to building an audience, podcasting habits to monetization. Arielle lends her expertise in answering Matt’s questions about podcasting and Twitter. Arielle is a podcast expert in every sense of the word. She founded the EarBuds Podcast Collective in 2017, a podcast recommendation engine which sends a themed newsletter (including five podcast episodes centered around that theme) each week. She has also been the emcee for the Outlier Podcast Festival, attended the Salt Institute in Portland, ME for documentary studies, and has worked with podcast industry leaders to establish the Podcast Taxonomy system. The Podcast Taxonomy system aims to systematize roles for audio and podcast production. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Mental investments to building community Where to house your community Questions to ask to establish what your audience and peers want Beta testers as community members Where is your audience most active? Getting through the overhead of customers that know nothing about podcasting Engaging and gripping content Monetization and independent creators Arielle’s podcasting and Twitter habits Resources/Links: Arielle Nissenblatt on Twitter: <span s
Thu, October 07, 2021
Nathan Gathright of Steno.fm
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with podcast veteran Nathan Gathright about his latest venture: Steno.FM. The podcast 2.0 movement is bringing a lot of great things to podcasters and listeners. This also means transcripts. Descript is great for podcasters who need to work on their own podcasts, but what about listeners? There are a limited number of podcasting apps that have transcript features. Enter: Steno.FM. But we’ll let Nathan talk about that. Matt and Nathan also talk about the future of podcasting, the latest in podcasting news, what’s going on with Apple, and Nathan’s tips for new podcasters. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The story behind and development of Steno.FM Where is the podcasting industry going? Apple’s bumbling of podcasts The “Twitter Tips” feature and getting paid Apple’s ruling and in-app purchases Steno.FM and podcast transcripts Why transcripts are so important to Nathan and why they should be important to podcasters How Steno.FM works Resources/Links: Nathan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathanG The Lightning Network: https://lightning.network/ Steno.FM: https://www.steno.fm/ <span style="font-w
Thu, September 30, 2021
Behind The Scenes Of A Brand Redesign
In this episode Craig takes you behind the scenes with 3 Castos team members as we describe the process of the brand redesign we're launching today. Recreating a brand, even after just a few years, is a major undertaking, but one that every brand (and yes, your podcast is a "brand") should consider. Taking the time to properly align your mission, vision, and goals with the actual visual elements that you put out into the world goes a long way towards conveying brand consistency and trust with your fans. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: 3 Hour Brand Sprint Castos' Tempo Style Guide Castos Originals
Thu, September 23, 2021
Thriving On Twitter with Bridget Willard
There aren't many more well-understood growth channels for a brand's audience than social media. But like a lot of things when it comes to growing your brand, it's often not complicated, but it's hard. Twitter in particular is a favorite for brands (and let's face it, your podcast is a 'brand' whether you've admitted it to yourself or not) to grow their reach and drive traffic back to a website. Today Craig sits down with Bridget Willard, social media management pro, and someone who has been helping the Castos team manage their Twitter presence for the last few months. The Castos team decided to invest in a dedicated person to help with social media management, and Twitter in particular, because they know that it's vital to meet your audience members wherever they want to engage with you. When it comes to podcasting we know this as listing in directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts. But the conversation often goes on beyond just the episode, and for a lot of podcasters the social media platform of choice is Twitter. In this episode Craig and Bridget talk through: How Bridget approaches organically and genuinely growing a brand's audience Particular tools and frameworks that you can use to grow your own social media following Why Twitter in particular is such a great platform for bringing traffic back to your website Why connection and a sense of belonging drive everything that we do when it comes to marketing our podcasts What the end goal of engagement on social media should be for us all Hope you enjoy this conversation with Bridget. To find out more about her please check her out on BridgetWillard.com
Thu, September 16, 2021
Podcasting with Friends
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about a different type of podcast. While most of the Audience podcast episodes focus on podcasts and podcasters who want to glean financial value and brand awareness from their work, other podcasts originate from a group of friends hanging out. Today, Stuart focuses on a few podcasts which have started off that way. Renee from the ConspiraTea Podcast and Gavin from the What Kind of Monster Are You Podcast share their formula for success and how their podcasts have helped their friendships evolve. This begs the question, do you and your friends have a podcast in you? If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The effectiveness and challenge of gleaning value from podcasts The different approaches to podcasting ConspiraTea: Starting a podcast...that already existed outside of podcasts ConspiraTea’s research process and how to create a podcast that feels like a conversation How improv and podcasting with friends are similar What Kind of Monster Are You: Turning conversations into podcasts How the podcast has helped their friendship My Brother, My Brother and Me The Fantasy Footballer’s Podcast Resources/Links: ConspiraTea Podcast: https://linktr.ee/conspirateapod <span style="font-
Tue, September 07, 2021
Starting a Conversation and Engaging Your Community with Chris Desmond
On this week’s episode of the Creator’s Spotlight series, Sam talks with Chris Desmond about how to start a conversation and engage with your podcasting community. Chris’ healthcare background easily transferred into a podcasting hobby. It has since morphed even more, changing from a hobby, to a mental health tool, to a resource for the healthcare community. Sam and Chris share their advice about how to create these communities as well as tips for interviewing, making the editing process smoother and faster, and the advantages of setting up a recording schedule. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Grounding yourself and setting up a recording schedule Chris’ tips for interviewing guests Chris’ background in healthcare and how it led to podcasting Burnout and how healthcare practitioners take care of themselves Tips for new podcasters Tips for a faster podcasting process Batching podcasting duties Balancing your time between podcasting and your personal life Tools for editing Why Chris decided to develop memberships for his podcast Advice for podcasters who have a professional community Resources/Links: The Art of Healthcare Podcast: https://the-art-of-healthcare.castos.com/ The Art of Healthcare
Thu, September 02, 2021
10 Ways to save time as a busy podcaster
Today’s episode is all about saving time as a podcaster, especially a solo podcaster. Running a podcast resembles running a small business more than you might have guessed...or hoped. As small business owners, you’re responsible for wearing many hats. If you’ve ever launched a business, you quickly found out that not only are you the owner but you’re also the: Head sales person Customer support lead Accountant Janitor Food runner And the president! If you’re a solo podcaster, you’re responsible for: Producing the content Creating the content Wrangling logistics like guests and recording time Audio engineer Marketer and promoter Coffee addict (sorry, that’s just me) Lots there right? Here’s the good news...many of us who are solo podcasters are also small business owners...yay. Wait, I said good news didn’t I? That means with everything else we have going on how the heck are we going to produce a successful podcast with the limited time that we have? I’ll reveal some of the helpful tools, apps, and theories I’ve leveraged over my career as a podcaster. By the end of this episode, hopefully you can take a few nuggets of this wisdom away with you. Hey, by the way, if you’re looking for a great place to start your podcast or maybe you’re bored with your old podcast host -- look no further than Castos.com! That’s us, that’s who makes this podcast. We’re building a platform for the podcaster like you, who desire something clean, fast, and powerful for all of your podcast needs. Want to start a podcast network? Check! How about connecting up to your WordPress marketing website? Done! Sell private podcasts or members-only content? You bet! Learn more about Castos at castos.com or drop us an email hello@castos.com , tell them you heard it here, on the Audience podcast. Start with the mindset Please don’t skip past this section, I know you might have rolled your eyes a bit, but I think this is important -- especially if you’re a new podcaster. Getting in the right mindset sets the foundation to managing your time as a busy podcaster. Tip #1: What’s your goal? We need something to measure, something that gives you feedback that reassures you’re headed down the right path. I don’t care what it is. It could be downloads, retweets, email subscribers, ad revenue -- give yourself something to aim for, which will help you build processes in the future to save time and become more efficient. P.s. if you’re brand brand brand new, with no goals, I always love to point to growing an email list first. Jump on something like Mailchimp.com to make that process easy. Tip #2: Develop the plan I’m a terrible planner. Maybe like you, my super power is just diving
Thu, August 26, 2021
Podcast 2.0 apps + your new call to action
Today’s episode is all about new podcast apps + podcast 2.0. It’s a big topic, and a bleeding edge one for most of us, suffice to say this one episode wouldn’t do the whole of it justice. However, if there’s one thing I leave you with, it’s that you’re encouraged, as podcast creators, to go out and explore. If you’ve been hearing more and more about this from other shows you listen to but are still left scratching your head, well, allow me to illustrate it for you. To do that, lets start with a quote from friend of the show Evo Terra : “Apple Podcasts has been fumbling the ball since April of 2021. Treat their non-stop stumbling as a gift. Anchor/Spotify is now making RSS feeds optional for all new podcasters that join their platform. Again, take that as a gift. They’re distracted. They’re doing their own things which may not align with the larger podcasting ecosystem. It’s up to you, to me, and to and the companies we pay to host our podcasting content to take advantage of these gifts and push podcasting to the next level. Podcasting 2.0, even. As I’ve said for years on this program, please spread this idea with other podcasters and get them as excited about the future as you are. “ The podcast industry’s perfect storm “Treat their (Apple’s) non-stop stumbling as a gift.” That’s a thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Let’s face it, Apple’s backing of podcasting in the early days helped make podcasting more mainstream. Lots of us wouldn’t have jobs if _Steve Jobs_ didn’t take the stage showcasing the pod fathers first show. Watch Steve Jobs demo podcasting in iTunes for the first time But the Trillion dollar brand has meandered along the last decade barely giving us a working portal to submit our shows, let alone advance the industry. A feeling which has compounded during their updates to the platform earlier in the year where podcasters were left scratching their heads: “Where is my show?” “Why are my episodes disappearing?” “Why can’t I submit a new podcast?” Questions which still don’t have answers. I know this because I see our support desk at Castos, and Apple’s lack of effort with transparency costs us time, money, and in some cases customers. Suddenly, “we” all start looking around and begin to question… “does apple even care?” As the all too familiar feeling of “Oh God, another major platform failing creators” starts to set in, out on the horizon, a ray of hope appears in the form of an open-source movement called <a href="https://github.com/Podcastindex-org/podcast
Wed, August 18, 2021
Thoughts on using video to grow your podcast
In the last episode we talked about Tom Webster's approach to using YouTube for growing your podcast. A quick recap of that is: Use Youtube because it's a powerful search tool for topic heavy podcast episodes. Make your show more shareable; leverage something other than audio to do that. After shipping that episode, I felt like, while it was great I said we should be considering video -- I didn't really get into how you could that for your show. More specifically, if you're already neck deep in producing your weekly audio show, how the heck are you going to find time to do video. I think for a lot of us, and I'm guilty for encouraging this, the "just ship it" method is great. Grab your phone, grab your earbuds, start recording and get your content out there. Once you can start to measure your shows success, that's when many us start investing in better audio tools. Wether that's an upgrade to your microphone or spending $300+ on Hindenburg or a Descript subscription. Both tools, by the way, I cover on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/castos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U_g8a9aNFA Where am I going with this? The novice audio creator, you and me, find ourselves tasked with creating better audio and better shows as time marches on and suddenly Edison research data says…hey, do video too! It's a big lift. So what can we do, the solo creator, do to help make this whole video thing easier and why? Back to the Why for a second… Aside form the quick key points mentioned earlier, I think it's healthy to make your why all about the audience. Why do we want to augment audio with video? To make the experience better for the listener, give them content in a different context, and build a deeper connection. The second why is to give your podcast the opportunity to punch into the best moments of each show and get that out into the world -- in video. If you ran up to someone on the sidewalk and said "hey listen to this 45 minute long audio episode" they'd probably laugh at you. That's what it's like dumping your episode on to social media. But a 30 second video or audiogram clip? Much better chances. So what type of video is the best for podcasters, at least in the year 2021. Audiograms Audiograms are probably the most commonly used video clip you can produce for your podcast. You've seen them before, they generally display your show's cover art and an animated waveform as the video plays. There are a lot of tools available to create audiograms, a very popular tool called Headliner will make your job easy. Bonus for Castos customers, if you're on our Pro plan and above, you
Tue, August 10, 2021
Growing through word of mouth
Matt is back from vacation. On this episode of the Audience podcast, he tackles the subject of growing an audience in the most tactful way possible. Matt offers tips and advice based on statistics, his own expertise on podcasting, and through the lens of his unique perspective from being in the industry for so long. Even after the biggest year in podcasting, the classic word-of-mouth marketing techniques are still best. Listen in to find out how to utilize it best in 2021, for your podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Word of mouth is still best Places to find podcasts: Podcast Index Podchaser Give people a reason to listen to the show How to tactfully and effectively ask people to share your show The importance of and how to build a community How to build an email list Are QR codes the key? How to use YouTube to your advantage Resources/Links: Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/ Tom Webster’s Keynote: </span
Thu, August 05, 2021
Crafting a Narrative Podcast
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Stuart talks about creating podcasts and episodes with narratives. Narrative podcasts have their own format and their own style but are not limiting within the narrative format. Stuart explains what makes a narrative podcast different from an interview podcasts and how to craft one well. He also goes over best practices, the pros and cons, and how a narrative podcast can make you stand out in the sea of podcasts out on the internet right now. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: The art of creating a narrative Interview versus narratives The pros of narratives versus interview formats How to craft a narrative Examples of podcasts with great narrative formats Understanding your topic Cold opening versus a welcome section Creating a limited series versus a biweekly or monthly schedule Series outlines The Bow and Arrow analogy Resources/Links: ObscureBall Descript: https://www.descript.com/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: <a href="https://a
Thu, July 29, 2021
The Creator's Calling - A Leap of Faith Into Podcasting with Anya Smith
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski, the host of The Creator Spotlight Series, talks with Anya Smith of the Matters of Belief podcast. The top two topics we generally avoid when making pleasant conversation are politics and religion. Today Anya shares why religion should not be on that list. It is obvious by her curiosity, expertise, and enthusiasm about the topic, why people feel so comfortable talking with her about spirituality and religion. In addition to these topics, Sam and Anya also talk about how she first got started in podcasting, her tips for newbies, and her goals for the future of the Matters of Belief podcast and website. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: General background on Anya’s podcast, Matters of Belief The beginning of the Matters of Belief blog and podcast The public’s aversion to talking about religion (and politics) Spreading messages and helping others Putting hope in technology Learning the basics of podcasting Tips for interviewing, recording, and starting a new podcast The future of the Matters of Belief website and podcast Resources/Links: Matters of Belief: https://mattersofbelief.com/ Matters of Belief on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matters-of-belief/id1565719966 Matters of Belief on Spo
Thu, July 22, 2021
Growing A Successful Membership Podcast with Tony Merkel
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Craig talks with Tony Merkel from the Confessionals podcast. Tony was able to live the dream: quit his job and become a full-time podcaster. Today on Audience, Tony talks about creating a community, suggestions for new podcasters, and lessons that he has learned about audience growth. Tony shares his bootstrap knowledge to help new podcasters but he also shares an inspirational message about being passionate about the things you love, and not being afraid to dream. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: His own origins: driving truck, building a family, the start of Confessionals Tony’s first steps into podcasting Juggling different players, hosting sites, and apps Lessons learned about audience growth The evolution to monetization Being honest about how you see and treat your podcast Understanding social media What Tony does to create an inviting and engaging website and community Resources/Links: Tony email: theconfessionals@theconfessionalspodcast.com The Confessionals podcast: https://www.theconfessionalspodcast.com/ The Confessionals podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconfessionals
Thu, July 15, 2021
A Systematic Approach to Podcasting Success with Eric Stauffer
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Sam Chlebowski is joined by Eric Stauffer from the Proper Cents podcast. Eric talks about everything from his background and journey into podcasting to his workflow and process for coming up with content for his podcast and website. Proper Cents is a wealth of information about financial news and advice. He also gives his advice for new podcasters in terms of content creation, growing your podcast, and the process of podcasting. He even chimes in on the 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year mortgage. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Eric’s background and journey into podcasting The idea of “if you build it, they will come” in podcasting The process of podcasting Eric’s advice for new podcasters The story of Proper Cents The 15-year mortgage or 30-year mortgage debate Eric’s plans for the future of the Proper Cents podcast Eric’s workflow and process/system for creating episodes The importance of evergreen content How Eric grows his podcast Resources/Links: The Proper Cents Podcast: https://www.propercents.com/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: <a
Thu, July 08, 2021
Creating a Content Emergency Fund with Sam Chlebowski
Content emergency fund with Sam Today's guest is none other than our very own Head of Growth, Sam Chlebowski . Over the last two months, Sam has been helping our team iron out some of the creases in-between the marketing & sales teams here at Castos. His background in the web services industry and managing expectations of small business owners navigate uncertain waters is a huge boon to our podcasters. Sam and Matt help define what the "Head of Growth" role means along with his day to day responsibilities. They will unpack the lessons learned to help apply some of the same tactics to podcast creators looking to grow their audience. The duo eventually came across the idea of investing in a "Content Emergency Fund" illustrating how podcast content can easily feed into your "banked" content. Content Emergency Fund A successful podcast which continues to increase downloads and broaden its reach doesn't stop at the audio file streamed to an app. It requires you to invest in other areas of content marketing, like blogging and/or email marketing. The bad news? It takes more time to create more content. The good news? Repurposing old podcast episodes to feed new areas of content, even if it's years old, is an affordable route to take. Sam refers to it as the Content Emergency Fund! Wether you're stuck or crunched for time, you can lean on old episodes to draw new ideas from. - Write up a new blog post about the book a guest mentioned - Post audiograms from your top episodes - Email out a series of mini-courses quoting the best lessons from your back catalog Keep the content flowing; keep repurposing your old episodes!
Fri, July 02, 2021
Castos raising outside funding to improve podcasting for creators
In this episode Matt and Craig talk through the fundraising round that Castos has recently completed. Castos, a leader in podcast hosting and analytics, has successfully closed an investment round of $756,000. With investments by Automattic, Joost de Valk of Yoast SEO, and individual investors, Castos will use this additional capital to fuel its advance into the Private Podcasting market. With podcasting, and audio content in general, showing no signs of slowing now that the worst of the pandemic seems to be behind us, Castos believes that the future of podcasting is in tools that allow creators to own their own content and distribution channels through Private Podcasting. Castos’ roots in the open source community through their Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin for WordPress along with the investment from Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) further strengthens the ability for WordPress users to own their content, the platform that it’s built on, and the control they have over how it is distributed. WordPress with Seriously Simple Podcasting and Castos as the hosting engine means that podcasters can own their content and data, and the ability to manage Private Podcasts right from WordPress just enhances that ability. Castos’ founder and CEO, Craig Hewitt, recounted “We have seen a significant increase in interest from customers with online courses, membership sites, and digital communities wanting to provide exclusive podcast content to those members, as well as companies wanting to provide private podcast content for their employees. We see this as an area of the podcasting market that’s at a tipping point, starting to explode in popularity.” With Castos’ existing Zapier integration, REST API, and direct integrations with tools like Elementor, Descript, MemberSpace, AdBarker, and Alitu, the company will continue to give podcasters the tools and extensibility they need to harness the power of audio to grow their brand...whether that’s externally with customers, or internally with their teams. Hewitt said that “We hear from companies over and over again that they’re looking for the ‘ Step Away Experience ' where employees can engage with their internal content without having to be glued to a screen. Something that is remote first, asynchronous, audio-based, on demand….and of course, hyper secure. Private podcasting fits the bill perfectly for these companies, and that’s what we’re delivering to brands across the globe.” Castos has been, to this point, a mostly self-funded company, taking only a small investment when joining the TinySeed startup accelerator in 2019. Today they are a team of 13 located in 4
Tue, June 22, 2021
Exploring the step away experience at Castos
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks about what the step away experience is at Castos. In a world that was changed by the events that happened in 2020, employers and work expectations must also change. Employees and team members no longer commuted to work or walked into boardrooms for meetings. Instead all of that was replaced with virtual meetings after virtual meetings. “Zoom fatigue” became widely experienced. Today Matt talks about how to utilize private podcasting in new ways and how to help achieve and maintain that work-life balance in our new normal. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Talking points: Zoom fatigue in 2020 New opportunities for employers and employees The importance of communication What is the Step Away Experience? New ways to utilize private podcasting Focusing on the audio Creative ways to encourage staff to consume content Resources/Links: Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/private/ Castos, website: Castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Club
Thu, June 17, 2021
Are you a Creator? (Part 1)
In today's episode of Audience, Matt explores the boundaries of being called a "Creator" and how it relates to the creator economy. This is episode 1 in a series that will explore what a creator means in the larger context of podcasting. There are a few challenges for you ahead: Ask yourself what "Creator" means to you Learn from other creatives outside of the podcasting space Find a deeper connection in your content Matt shares a clip from an interview with actor Ethan Hawke titled, Give yourself permission to be creative. This is a crucial step for you to start thinking beyond just producing shows for marketing or a simple goal. Find deeper connection with yourself (as the creator) and your audience. If you enjoy today's episode, please share it on your social media! Give yourself permission to be creative | Ethan Hawke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRS9Gek4V5Q
Thu, June 10, 2021
3 Clips Archive: How to Make an Interview Show Extraordinary (ft. Neil Pasricha)
Today's episode is a must-listen re-run from our other show, 3 Clips . It's presented by Andrea, one of our producers for 3 Clips, in place of Jay while he's out on parental leave. We hope you enjoy today's episode and give 3 Clips a follow in your favorite podcasting apps.
Thu, June 03, 2021
Niching down to monetize your podcast w/ Bob Dunn
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with fellow podcaster, Bob Dunn from the Do the Woo Podcast. Bob specializes in a specific niche within WordPress, which is what his podcast focuses on as well. That begs the question, “How do you niche down in podcasting?” Today, Bob and Matt talk about niche podcasting and sponsorships, how to get started with sponsorships (when you’re new and scared), and different types of ad-rolls. How important is creativity in an ad-roll? How do you own a segment? How flexible do you have to be with sponsors? Bob and Matt answer all of these questions and more in today’s episode of the Audience podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Bob’s journey into podcasting and the story behind Do the Woo Niching down in podcasting The importance of branding in niche podcasting “Owning a segment” Advice for how new podcasters can approach possible sponsors Branding through the lens of small creators Transparency with sponsors and listeners How flexibility and sponsorships go hand-in-hand Different types of ad-rolls Long-term commitments and lengths of sponsorships Equipment opinions and tips Resources/Links: <span style=
Thu, May 27, 2021
Podcast Junkies w/ Harry Duran
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt talks with Harry Duran from Podcast Junkies and his podcast production company (Fullcast). From mobile app developer to his ah-ha moment at New Media Expo, he talks about his journey into podcasting as well as his thought experiment which led to the Vertical Farming Podcast. Harry shares his expertise in the industry as the discussion moves from hyperfocusing on niches and the importance of building partnerships with sponsors. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Vertical Farming Podcast and hyperfocusing in different niches Knowing what you want from day one How can creativity bridge your show with the sponsors’ expectations Sponsors “experimenting” with podcasts vs traditional sponsorships Give-and-take relationships Bringing sponsors onto your show for their expertise Podcast Junkies Origin story and how it led to Fullcast Lessons learned Private podcasting The future of the podcasting industry The twist in the Spotify subscription model (vs. Apple) Facebook allowing embedded players Breez and Podfriend Resources/Links: Podcast Junkies: <a href="https://podcastjunkies.com/"
Thu, May 20, 2021
Castos acquires Podiant podcast hosting
The Audience podcast is back with exciting news: Castos has acquired Podiant podcast hosting! Matt & Craig sit down to discuss the acquisition and what it means for the Castos family. We'll learn that it goes beyond acquiring more customers and injecting them into the Castos brand, but that customers from both sides will benefit. Along with new Podiant customers remaining on the same billing plan, they will also get all of the great unlimited features of Castos podcast hosting, too! Castos customers get something out of the deal too -- we'll soon have native integration to Descript through the infrastructure already in place at Podiant. Matt is very excited about this. Learn more about Descript on our YouTube channel. Enjoy today's episode and please feel free to contact us with any questions about the acquisition. Important links: https://castos.com/welcoming-podiant-to-castos/ https://podiant.co/blog/castos/ https://castos.com/audience https://youtube.com/castos
Thu, May 13, 2021
Castos Creator: Tim McKenna of the Signal337 podcast
The Castos Creator's series is happy to share today's story of Tim McKenna, podcast host of the Signal337 (three-thirty-seven) Podcast, a show for the innately curious and creative. Since September of 2019, Tim has been sharing his thoughts on design, business, and leadership with his audience. Though, we'll learn today that he tried to start the show with some co-hosts, things didn't pan out the way he had hoped. Like many of us, Tim didn't set out to do a solo podcast reserved for only his opinions -- he wanted to share the spotlight with his friends! Podcasting is great, who wouldn't want to spend hours recording every week talking about the intersection of design & business?! Tim couldn't sell the idea to a his would-be co-hosts. Look, I know first hand that finding a great co-host for a podcast isn't easy. It's like that old poker saying, "If you’re playing a poker game and you look around the table and can’t tell who the sucker is, it’s you." That's sorta like being a podcaster. If you can't convince other people to get on board with you, chances are, you're the only one crazy enough to do a podcast. We're excited Tim chose Castos to publish his podcast and in today's episode, we're going to explore his path as a creator and what's kept him going since episode one. Links from the show: Tim on Twitter Signal337 on Twitter Signal337 Podcast website Castos Academy
Thu, May 06, 2021
Welcome Apple & Spotify
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Craig and Matt do a deep dive into the Apple and Spotify announcements about private podcasts, and discuss how it might affect the industry and the podcast creator economy. How will it affect creators? Would you rather “rent land” or “own your own property”? What does this mean for the future of podcasting? What are the pros and cons to monetization with a big company like Apple or Spotify? If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . If you have any comments or questions about private podcasting and the recent news in the podcasting community, shoot us a message at hello@castos.com or Matt directly at Matt@castos.com . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Platform risk with podcasting The importance of having control over your content The announcements from Apple and Spotify What this means for podcasters The “easy button” to podcasting and monetization The caveat to the Apple and Spotify private podcasts “Renting land” versus “Owning your own property” What is a content entrepreneur? What podcasters should be wary of when they sign contracts with Apple or Spotify How Craig and Matt would approach private podcasts and premium content for subscribers Where you and your audience are
Thu, April 29, 2021
Castos purchases the 3 Clips podcast
On this episode of the Audience podcast, we’re featuring a new podcast acquired by Castos: The 3 Clips podcast. Castos owner Craig Hewitt and 3 Clips host Jay Acunzo talk about the acquisition process along with a few tips on the fundamentals of podcasting. They also share their thoughts on what makes a show great and how smaller shows can achieve that. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What does “enough” look like? The acquisition process What is Castos and what does Castos do? What did Castos find appealing about 3 Clips The creative process and the importance of great storytelling The fundamentals of a good interview How to craft a better narrative A breakdown of some most well-regarded shows/hosts, and how they are so successful Resources/Links: 3 Clips Podcast: https://3clipspodcast.com/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https://academy.castos.com/private/ Castos, website: Castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: <a href="https://www.yout
Thu, April 22, 2021
The energy to create your art with Espree Devora
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Espree Devora about creating and cultivating energy, positivity, and motivation with your art. Do you consider podcasting to be an artform? What is your purpose for podcasting? Why do you show up? These are the types of questions that Matt and Espree talk about on today’s episode. Espree Devora is an amazing personality and a bright light in podcasting. From her Women in AI podcast to the We are LA Tech podcast, she endeavors to showcase otherwise hidden talents, and motivate people to believe in themselves. Listen in to hear all about Espree’s philosophy about podcasting, artwork, and how she creates an engaging and connective experience for her listeners. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by following us at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Creating podcasts and the “if I build it, they will come” mentality What is your purpose for podcasting? Why are you showing up to your podcast? Podcasting as a great medium for someone to use as a platform for their art Hitting your stride with podcasting Creating a great experience for your listeners A stamp or signature you can put on your shows How do you architect your life to produce the results you want? How to utilize social audio effectively and the importance of setting boundaries Podcasting as an artform Resources/Links: Espree Devora, email: <a href="ma
Thu, April 15, 2021
Podcasting through the lens of Evo Terra
On this episode of the Audience podcast, Matt is talking with Evo Terra from Podcast Pontifications. Evo is the author of Podcasting For Dummies and Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies. He has also launched and run one of the first large podcast networks, and built a successful strategic podcast consultancy. From public speaking to podcasting, Evo has an amazing way with words and he shares a few of his pontifications and advice with us today. Today, Matt and Evo talk about livestreaming, to social audio, to Evos’ advice about effective and efficient CTAs. He shares his knowledge and aptitude about the industry and his visions of what the future of podcasting holds for us. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Dystopian ideas that keep Evo awake at night Advertising in podcasting versus on YouTube What if podcasting companies buy advertising platforms? What are the unintended consequences for the industry? Livestreaming podcast episodes The eternal question: “How do I make my show better?” Evo’s 90/10 Rule of Online Video Growing your audience with content Content creators who don’t consume other creators’ content How small creators can rally so they won’t be ignored Evo’s thoughts on social audio Evo’s favorite CTAs and his CTA advice Resources/Links: <span style="font-weight:400;"
Thu, April 08, 2021
Improve your podcast production
Anyone can start a podcast, but not anyone can make it successful... Stuart Barefoot is an expert in podcast production - so his voice is a legitimate one to listen to for anyone thinking about starting a podcast - even more so if you have an existing podcast and are looking to take your show to the next level. Stuart has years of experience coaching people to find and create content that is relevant now - and for the foreseeable future - evergreen content as they call it… This kind of content is the golden egg for any podcast and will ensure a continuous influx of new listeners and the ability to repurpose content as well as marketing resources. Stuart shares helpful tips on choosing a podcast genre that makes sense, getting more traction on an existing podcast, and how to ensure you don’t over-commit yourself when it comes to regular publishing. Discussion Points: How covid impacted the podcast landscape Getting started with a new podcast Taking breaks to avoid “burnout” and make bad content Avoid pressure to push out content Don’t compare yourself to existing successful podcasts Tips to get your podcast out there (Marketing) Repurposing content How to make your podcast better Advice on how to choose the genre that’s right for you Resources: Subscribe to Audience Castos Academy Castos YouTube Channel Stuart Barefoot Instagram Stuart Barefoot Twitter Stuart Barefoot LinkedIn Obscureball Podcast
Thu, April 01, 2021
Why every podcast needs a community
Today’s guest is the lovely and bubbly Michelle Frechette. Michelle does a little bit of everything: coaching, public speaking, website evaluation, writing, podcasting, and she is a WordPress expert. Her mission is to help people and she accomplishes this by working with non-profits around the world. In this episode, Matt talks with Michelle about the importance of building a community. They share stories and tips, including the launch and journey of Michelle’s podcast (“WP Coffee Talk”), different types of community engagement, and how to best use that engagement for the benefit of your listeners as well as yourself. They also talk about the role that James Lipton and Inside the Actors Studio played in Michelle’s podcast and how podcasting isn’t like Field of Dreams . If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Michelle’s journey and background The importance of community in the podcasting world How new podcasters can break into the podcasting and a niche topic community The format for Michelle’s podcast and the story behind it How Michelle approaches community-building with various brands Community as a “tool to solve communication issues” Being a part of a community without actively engaging Accountability and keeping community members on track How Michelle built her community Resources/Links: WPCoffeeTalk: https://wpcoffeetalk.com/ Big Orange Heart: https://www.bigorangeheart.org/ Michelle’s Website: https://worksbymichelle.com/ Asana: https://asana.com/ Trello: https://trello.com/en-US ToDoist: https://todoist.com/ Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, private podcast: https:/
Thu, March 25, 2021
The future of private podcasting at Castos
What is a private podcast? How is it different from a public one? How is it different from social audio? What’s the point of having a private podcast? In today’s episode of the Audience podcast, Matt and Craig talk about, that’s right, private podcasting. What it is, the future of private podcasting, and how it impacts the industry. If you’re utilizing private podcasting, tell us about it. Write us an email or record a message, drop it in Dropbox or Google Drive, then send us the link so we can hear how you’re being creative with private podcasting. We’d love to hear how you’re using private podcasting to benefit your community, business, or brand. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: What is private podcasting? Group audio, “Members Only”, company podcasting, and other nicknames Creating content for specific groups of people in your world Social audio versus private podcasting Different types of dialogue and interaction Private podcasting goals The difference in creating content for a public podcast versus a private podcast The built in comfort-level and niche of having a private podcast Monetizing in private podcasting Castos’ private podcast and private podcasting services Using podcasting platforms for analyzing data and for different types of audio content Castos’ mobile app R
Thu, March 18, 2021
Marketing your podcast against 2 million other shows
2020 brought explosive growth to podcasting, but how can you stand out OR at the very least, build a structure around marketing your show? Recording & publishing a podcast is merely the first step. It is all the things you do around the show which will help it achieve its potential. Today’s episode is almost like a mini crash course in podcasting and marketing. No matter if you’re new to podcasting or if you’ve been around the block a few times, sometimes it is important to be reminded of the fundamentals. Matt talks about everything from changing your mindset, to the fundamental parts of marketing your podcast, to making the back-end operations easier using tools and streamlining your process. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at castos.com/subscribe . Today you’ll learn about: Chapter 1: The explosive growth of podcasting Chapter 2: Changing your mindset: Consistency plus audience Evolve your premise over time Choose a goal Chapter 3: The fundamental parts to marketing podcast Website or a landing page Build an email list and subscribe list Attaching a blog to your website Chapter 4: Working toward additional content Uploading to YouTube with audio-only or unique videos Building a community around your podcast Discord server F
Thu, March 11, 2021
Improving the podcast creator experience at Castos
We’re excited to have Kim McCaffery join Castos as our Customer Experience Manager. Matt and Kim join the podcast to talk about her role in servicing Castos podcast hosting customers, leading them to publish successful shows. Kim has a deep passion for supporting users needing to use software to reach their goals. As much as we like to say that podcasting is easy , the team at Castos knows there are a lot of challenges for creators coming into this space for the very first time. From creating the actual podcast, and including everything else the creator needs to make the podcast successful. Kim’s team is there to help you onboard to Castos, plus offer a helping hand to ensure your podcast is found on all major distribution platforms. Kim has embraced the strong following Castos has in the WordPress world through the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin , while keeping an ear to the ground in order to improve user experience. She’s uncovering new ways to improve the onboarding, help docs, and support for our beloved WordPress community of podcasters. We hope you enjoy today’s episode, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to the team — we’re here to help! Start your podcast at https://castos.com/ Enroll in our FREE academy at https://academy.castos.com/
Thu, March 04, 2021
Monetizing a restaurant podcast during a pandemic
In this creator’s spotlight episode, Matt talks with Chip Klose of the Restaurant Strategy podcast. Today’s topics are all about audience and monetization. Matt and Chip talk about Chip’s incredible achievement at creating over a hundred episodes and the lessons he has learned from that success. Chip also goes over what it means to be a content creator, how to monetize a podcast in the midst of a pandemic, and the most important thing to remember while you create content and make decisions about your podcast. Chip Klose is passionate about giving his audience value, being consistent, and about building trust. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Lessons on consistency after a hundred episodes Setting goals for yourself Chip’s words of advice for new podcasters What it means to be a “content creator” Understanding the value of the audience Chip’s ABCDs of marketing Building an audience within and outside of a niche Content that Chip looks up to Passive income streams and giving audiences value How Restaurant Strategy is helping restaurant owners during the pandemic Sponsorships and building trust with your audience Resources/Links: Restaurant Strategy Podcast: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/ Chip Klose’s website: https://www.chipklose.com/ Ca
Thu, February 25, 2021
Social Audio: Clubhouse vs Twitter Spaces
In this episode, Matt and Craig talk about using audio on different platforms. With the introduction of Clubhouse (an invite-only platform where users are able to have casual, drop-in audio only conversations with one another), social audio is on the rise. But what is social audio? Will it replace podcasting? Will your podcast have to compete with it? Today, Matt and Craig talk about the pros and cons of social audio, the different platforms, how you can use it to supplement your podcast, and why “owning your audio” is so important. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: What is social audio? Will it replace podcasting or is it competition to podcasting? What is Clubhouse? What is Twitter Spaces? Moments in time versus episodes you can download and listen to when you have time Advantages of social audio How to use social audio as a supplement to your podcast Standing out in Clubhouse Using Clubhouse to build your personal brand Facebook Groups versus Twitter Spaces Possible monetization using social audio The importance of owning your audio Resources/Links: Clubhouse Twitter Spaces ( About ) YouTube video, “ Clubhouse vs Tw
Thu, February 18, 2021
Becoming a talk show host w/ Kerry Gorgone
In this episode, Matt talks with talk show host Kerry Gorgone. Seasoned podcasters and newbie podcasters can learn a lot from our conversation which spans topics that range from Clowns Without Borders to avoiding podcast burnout. Today, Kerry lets us in on a plethora of lessons she has learned from the podcasting industry. She also talks about what it means to be a talk show host, and how to get over perfectionist tendencies. Kerry is the cohost of The Backpack Show (with Chris Brogan), The Punch Out Podcast (alongside Katie Robbert), and hosts The Marketing Profs Podcast: three shows with vastly different topics and audiences. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: How different intros can affect the tone, feel, and atmosphere for your podcast What does the title “talk show host” mean? Kerry Gorgone’s background in podcasting and the story behind her new podcast Lessons that Kerry has learned about podcasting The importance of having separate audio tracks Taking out “ums” and swears Editing other background noises Building rapport with guests Pre-interview or prep calls The Punch Out Podcast, The Marketing Profs Podcast, and The Backpack Show The key to having a great podcast What you can learn when you consume content as well as produce it Burnout as a creator and as a podcaster Burning out to realize what you can do to not burn out <li style="f
Thu, February 11, 2021
Should you use YouTube for your podcast?
In this episode, Matt talks about whether or not you should utilize the YouTube platform for your podcast. He lists and explains a number of reasons why YouTube is great for interaction with your current listeners, and will help attract new listeners. He also covers a couple of reasons why some people prefer not to use YouTube and his thoughts on those as well. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Success of your podcast is determined by the things you do outside the podcast Introducing a new medium for listeners to engage with YouTube is the second largest search engine The livestreaming component is a great way to interact with listeners Is there any reason not to publish to YouTube? Comments and negativity Commitment Optimization Resources/Links: Castos Academy: https://academy.castos.com/ Castos, website: Castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Clubhouse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8729ZpWpmIw
Thu, February 04, 2021
Castos Creator's Spotlight: Crimes Against Folk
In this episode, Matt talks with Ed and Ashley from Crimes Against Folk. The wonderful episode has a ton of takeaways including finding and publishing your passion to the world, focusing on what’s really important first, and even finding sponsorship. In addition to a great conversation, today’s edition of Castos Creator’s Spotlight talks with Ed and Ashley about the evolution of their podcast because of 2020, and marathon livestreaming sessions. They also talk about the importance of discussing your happiness as a podcaster and balancing that with guest/listener tendencies. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Passion to fuel your podcast Hindsight is/in 2020 Livestreaming and marathon podcast days Patreon and extras The format change of Crimes Against Folk Sponsorship and monetization Media Kits Reaching out to brands Staying in control of your podcast What Ed and Ashley love about podcasting Resources/Links: Crimes Against Folk, website: https://crimesagainstfolk.com/ Crimes Against Folk, Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crimesagainstfolk Matt’s conversation with Theresa Abram: https://castos.com/creator-spotlight-a-most-
Thu, January 28, 2021
Complimenting a Live Event with Podcasting with Ed Freyfogle
In this episode, Craig talks with Ed Freyfogle about his live event (Geomob) and the podcast that goes with it. With fifty episodes under his belt, Ed has a lot of great information to share about how he organizes interviews, records episodes, tips for new podcasters, and on the topic of podcasting as a business-related hobby. Ed also talks about how the podcast has been a great compliment to their live event and the perks of having both. Ed Freyfogle is the co-founder of OpenCage (which provides a geocoding API) and organized Geomob (the live event and the virtual events). His podcast, the Geomob podcast, is a space where he and his cohosts can talk about the geo community, provide updates on their projects as well as interview prominent figures in the industry. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: What is Geomob? How Ed splits up podcasting duties How a podcast and an event can work together Building relationships through a podcast How Ed organizes interviews guests and records episodes The podcasting duties Ed automates and delegates The perks to keeping it simple The future of the Geomob Podcast Podcasting as a business-related hobby Resources/Links: Ed Freyfogle: https://freyfogle.com/ Ed on twitter: https://twitter.com/freyfogle Geomob Podca
Thu, January 21, 2021
Deep dive into podcast advertising with Bryan Barletta
In this episode, Craig talks with Bryan Barletta from Sounds Profitable about advertising in podcasting. Sounds Profitable is a free, weekly newsletter about adtech in podcasting. Advertising can be such an intimidating process. Where do you start? Who do you talk to? Where do you go? What connections and relationships should you be building? Bryan answers these questions in today’s episode. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Anchor’s ad process versus podcasters who want to curate their own ad revenue Questions you need to ask yourself before you look for ads/sponsorship: What type of money do you want to get out of it? Why are you doing what you’re doing? Different types of monetization Podcasting as a hobby versus podcasting as a career The benefits of dynamic ads and dynamic content insertion Dynamic ads, like cryptocurrency Ad opportunities and making ad calls accessible Programmatic versus dynamic ad insertion Tips on best practices The right mindset in order to be successful The future of Sounds Profitable and Bryan’s mission statement Resources/Links: Sounds Profitable, website: https://soundsprofitable.com/ Podnews.net, website: <span
Thu, January 14, 2021
Drive more podcast traffic through livestreaming
Today on Audience, Matt is talking with live-streaming expert Ross Brand. Ross is a former radio personality, reporter and also a show host. With his deep love for broadcasting in mind, he created the @livestreamuni Twitter account before finally created the website: LivestreamUniverse.com. Through this platform he’s able to highlight brands that produce high quality content as well as broadcasters. He is one of the most noteworthy names and experts in live-streaming because of his passion, expertise, and because he’s so prolific. In this episode, Matt and Ross talk about what he has learned about broadcasting through the different formats he has used in his life. Ross goes over some lessons he learned and would like to pass along to new podcasters and live-streamers including tips on equipment, what to prepare before your first broadcast, and how to appear in-control during a livestream. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: The brand of (Ross) Brand and his history in radio The purpose of podcasting and where video fits in with that How COVID has changed the medium and community Tips for first time podcasters and livestreamers The importance of resetting during a livestream Having control during a livestream How to appear in-control Why this is so important Controlling introductions during roundtable discussions Visual cues during a livestream “What’s in it for the audience?” Timing for livestreams: algorithms versus
Thu, January 07, 2021
Chris Coyier of the Shoptalk Show
Today on Audience, Craig talks with Chris Coyier of the Shoptalk Show, which has produced over four hundred episodes. Craig talks to Chris about what it’s like being an online creator (podcaster, blogger, software and web designer, etc.). Chris talks about the lessons he has learned and what it’s like to have a weekly podcast for ten years. They also talk about podcasting trends in terms of marketing, topics, and the future outlook of the industry. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: The Shoptalk Show, Chris’ podcast about web design How it was born from Tech-TV and CarTalk on NPR (RIP) The importance of consistency and dedication with a podcast How Chris organizes his web content on different platforms The cavalier relationship podcasters have with stats Optimizing versus creating good content Burnout Energy levels for online content Avoiding the online hive of anger The staying power of the industry Audio versus video versus both Advertising and marketing trends Affiliate links or no affiliate links? Website conversion What The Shoptalk Show (and podcasting in general) looks like in 2021 The Codepen Podcast <li style="font-weig
Thu, December 31, 2020
The ROI of a podcast w/ Brendan Hufford
In this episode, Matt is talking to Brendan Hufford about ROI and marketing. He also goes over his background in teaching and marketing and how that led to his SEO course titled, “SEO for the Rest of Us.” Today Brendan brings his high energy, enthusiasm, and expertise about SEO, his YouTube channel, and marketing for podcasts. He also talks about community: what it means to be a community member, how to create and cultivate a good community, and the whys of building a community around your brand and podcast. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Brendan’s background in teaching and marketing What is “SEO for the Rest of Us”? Where to go to learn SEO Guest interviews and building the community The importance of looking at first day downloads The statistics to look at, to see if listeners are getting value from the show Thumbnails and cover art for a podcast Raising awareness for your podcast The importance of resilience, showing up every day, and the creator’s spirit Resources/Links: SEO for the Rest of Us, website: https://seofortherestofus.org/ SEO for the Rest of Us, podcast: https://seofortherestofus.org/podcast-listen/ SEO for the Rest of Us, twitter: https://twitter.com/seo4therestofus <span style="font
Thu, December 24, 2020
Live Podcasting: Why you should consider doing your podcast via livestream
In this episode, both Craig and Matt are talking about live podcasting, livestreaming, and video podcasts. They’re talking about trends in the industry, what livestreaming does for accountability, future live streams, and the pros and cons of the medium. Whether you’re just starting in podcasting or if you’re a veteran podcaster, livestreaming is something you should familiarize yourself with. Today, Craig and Matt help introduce you to this new format. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Live podcasting or live streaming: pros and cons Promotional and marketing benefits: interaction How to get people to participate Holding you accountable to your obligations The risk of live streaming Teleprompters, scripting, and being performative Videogame streamers Matt’s shortlist of gear for live streaming Video on social media The importance of promotion Resources/Links: Streamyard: https://streamyard.com/ Castos’ Podcast Grader: https://castos.com/podcastgrader/ Matt’s email: matt@castos.com Podcasthackers.com: <span style=
Thu, December 17, 2020
Award-winning podcast producer Eric Johnson
Today Matt is talking with Eric Johnson from Bumblecast.FM. From winning the 2019 Podcast of the Year award to helping make original podcasts, Eric is a well-known and prominent podcast editor in the industry. His newest venture is Bumblecast.FM which is a business in the business of helping you with your podcast. They can either help you start a podcast of your own or can help your existing podcast. Eric has been in the digital media and podcasting field for over ten years. He’s worked at WTOP-FM, AllTHingsD, Mental Floss, and Vox Media. He produced Recode Decode with Kara Swisher which was named Podcast of the Year in 2019. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. If you have a quick moment in this busy holiday season, please leave us a review on iTunes. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: What does Eric’s average production look like? Quality of content versus quality of audio Best practices for audio quality The podcast ideas Eric hears the most The True Crime ...trend? Advice for new hobbyists “The Long Game” and “Short Term Experiments” Twelve week pilot season Bumblecast.FM’s vision Originality, diversity, and passion Keep podcasting weird Joe Rogan’s success and mainstreaming podcasts on Spotify Private or premium podcasting versus public podcasts The ownership of content Resources/Links: <span style="fon
Thu, December 10, 2020
How podcasting helped Kim Doyal build an E-commerce business
Today Matt talks with Kim Doyal (from Content Creators Planner and the Kim Doyal Show) about focusing on quality content and putting your energy where it is most needed instead of spreading yourself out too thin. They also touch on the podcasting and marketing aspects that Kim loves to do and why those things are so important when you’re creating content. Kim shares her experience with taking a break from podcasting and why that can be a good thing. They also go over what the Content Creators Planner and Content Marketing Accelerator LIVE can do for you and your podcast. Kim is an entrepreneur, coach, podcaster, and content creator. She has built her lifestyle business over the last 10 years using WordPress, content marketing, and through growing her community. She lives by her commitment to #JustShowUP. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast . And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: What is the Content Creators Planner (a paper and digital tool)? What is #FtheHustle and how did it come about? Where new and veteran podcasters should focus their energy Why Kim started podcasting Creating a sustainable podcast How to take a break and reset Powerful and effective marketing techniques Content Marketing Accelerator LIVE (January 8-9) from ContentCreatorsPlanner.com What’s next for Content Creator’s Planner? Resources/Links: Kim Doyal’s official website: https://kimdoyal.com/ Kim Doyal’s podcast landing page : https://kimdoyal.com/show/ <span style
Thu, December 03, 2020
The Truth About What It Takes To Be A Successful Content Creator
On today’s episode, Craig talks with Ben Pines, the Head of Content and Product Evangelist of Elementor. Ben is a marketing expert that has developed several successful online ventures in the past few years, one of which is Elementor, the most popular website builder for Wordpress. Both Elementor and Castos help enable creators to make and share content with their audience. We are going to focus on debunking the myths around how easy it is to be a content creator and run a successful online business. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: What does it really mean to be a content creator? The current trends in the industry Why people become content creators The importance of credentials Mistakes that new content creators make Starting out without a plan Not thinking of it as a business The transparency of the industry Inspiration and mentors in the space Being a brand in the industry and the risk involved Making a stance as a company The difficulty to succeed in the email marketing space Ben’s interactions with customers and their practices behind the scenes of Elementor Audible and podcasting habits What we can learn from classic literature and other content creators Resources/Links: Elementor, website: https://elementor.com/ Elementor, YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/chann
Thu, November 26, 2020
5 Podcast Videos Worth Your Time
On today’s episode, I’m talking about five videos on the Castos YouTube page, which will help streamline the podcasting process. It doesn’t matter if you’re a podcasting veteran or if you’re new to the podcasting world, there’s information in there for everyone. I hope you find these five videos helpful. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to Castos.com/podcast. And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. Thank you so much! Today you’ll learn about: Five YouTube videos that will help new podcasters: Creating a podcast checklist using Notion templates The ins-and-outs of Auphonic A 2020 guide to podcast equipment How you can use Canva to edit a podcast brief Elementor Templates using Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress Plugin Resources/Links: Castos, website: Castos.com/ Castos, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/castos Design a podcast brief using Canva: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpvO7EWEgJI Canva: https://www.canva.com/ Podcast Equipment Guide 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFTwXIZbVAY Elementor Templates using Seriously Simple Podcasting Plugin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUvlSOxyIu8 Use Auphonic to make your podcast sound better: <span style="font
Thu, November 19, 2020
Looking back on a failed podcast
In this episode Matt and Craig look back at the first iteration of Castos' podcast. Questions that we (and you if you've ever 'podfaded') are asking ourselves are: Why did the podcast not stick the first time? What are we doing differently this time around? The new Audience podcast is resonating with our listeners a lot...why is that? Are there system or process things we can do to make running the podcast easier and more sustainable for the long run? Once you have solid answers to these questions a few patterns typically start to emerge about why some podcasts are successful and we stick with them, and why others start, stop, and ultimately fail. Having the two podcasts that we've run here at Castos to compare and contrast is a good case study in what to do, and what not to do, for us all.
Thu, November 12, 2020
Run a Successful Podcast with 200 Listeners
This episode is about realigning your podcasting expectations. Why you need to serve your listeners, no matter how many there are, and get clarity on what you want to achieve.
Thu, November 05, 2020
Better Storytelling with Steve Pratt from Pacific Content
In this episode Craig sits down for a chat with Steve Pratt from Pacific Content.
Thu, October 29, 2020
Monetizing a Podcast
“How do podcasts make money?” is a legitimate question to ask yourself as you pour time and resources into creating a show. If you want to do it seriously, finding a way earn money podcasting will help you produce it over the long term. In this post, we’ll go over 20 different strategies to monetize a podcast to help you get started. Updated for 2020, we sourced advice from successful podcasters, industry veterans, and newbie hosts on how they monetized their podcast. How Do Podcasts Make Money? There are two main distinctions in how podcasts make money today. When combined together, they produce a steady revenue stream that can help you earn an income podcasting. The strategies that are currently the most popular fall into the direct monetization category. Direct podcast monetization is when the show is the thing you’re selling. You can profit from creating original content, repurposing it, and granting exclusive access to paying members. On the other side is indirect podcast monetization. This is when you use your podcast as a tool to sell other things. Your podcast becomes the vehicle to promote products and create demand among your listeners. With the general definition down, now let’s dive into specific podcast monetization techniques for each category. Remember, finding a balance between many strategies is the best way to make money podcasting. How To Monetize A Podcast Directly Here are our favorite direct podcast monetization strategies to explore. Choose the ones that fit best for your show. 1. Ask for donations The simplest way to monetize a podcast is to ask people for money. Plenty of fans are happy to throw a few dollars to their favorite podcasters to ensure they continue to get great content. When people ask us how to monetize a podcast, this is always the first solution we recommend because it’s easy to set up and promote. You can add a PayPal button or open a Stripe account and add a donation form to your site. Or set up a GoFundMe campaign for a simple collection page. To avoid feeling slimy about this kind of self-promotion, keep your calls-to-action authentic. Are you asking for donations so you can spend more time creating new episodes? Tell your audience that. If people understand where the money is going, they’ll be more apt to donate. 2. Create paid membership tiers The latest trend in podcasting is creating paid membership tiers. Listeners can pay to access exclusive c
Thu, October 22, 2020
How to Figure Out What Content to Record
After coming up with a name, designing the cover art, and finally sitting behind the mic, you're probably thinking about what the heck you're going to talk about. Filling out a week, month, or seasons worth of content is important. But what will make your life easier is planning, strategizing, and organizing everything ahead of time. We talked about podcast content marketing in the last episode. How to repurpose an episode into multiple promotional pieces is a key to success. But figuring out what that episode is about is step one. Whether you podcast as a hobby, to support a business, or it's your full-time gig, planning multiple episodes ahead of time isn't easy. But putting in the time upfront has a lot of upsides! Things like consistently publishing new episodes , saving time by batch recording , and better podcast episode promotion . Listen to the full episode now to start thinking about your content differently. In this Episode, You'll Learn: What tools we use to plan, organize, and record our podcast episode content How we use " newsjacking ", latest trends, and our audience for episode topics Finding the balance between publishing evergreen episodes and trending news How you can take advantage of private podcasting Why being a micro-expert can benefit both you and your audience Figuring out which medium is best for a specific topic Resources Mention on This Episode Notion Trello WordPress and Seriously Simple Podcasting SquadCast Calendly Listen to our example of using "newsjacking" to
Thu, October 15, 2020
Jennifer Bourn on Why You Can't Post & Ghost
This week on Audience, we're giving ourselves a hard look in the mirror after chatting with Jennifer Bourn . She's a business builder, helping clients grow their brands and attract new opportunities with concrete tools and tweaks. She kicked off the interview asking an important question, "Let's face it, most of us know we need to be doing [content marketing]. And most of us know we need to be doing. But are we actually doing it?". When life gets in the way and the content marketing to-do list never gets checked off, it's helpful to have someone keep you on track. In this episode, we hope to do just that. Instead of continuing to put it off, Jennifer is here to help plan out our content calendars and stick to it. But we're not throwing you to the wolves with a laundry list of blog posts, social media posts, and audiograms to churn out each week. Jennifer's take on slowly ramping up a content calendar is a more surefire way to avoid burnout and actually enjoy creating new pieces of content from a single episode. Listen to the full episode now to figure out how to reverse engineer how you want a listener to feel after consuming any of your content.
Thu, October 08, 2020
Why Podcasters Should Care About Member-Only Sites
Creating a traditional podcast that's available to the public isn't what you need for your premium content. It's public for anyone to hear, both paying members and anyone else who stumbles across the show. Instead, you need a private podcast where you can restrict who has access to the content. That's where Castos' latest integration with MemberSpace comes in. Check out this week's Audience episode where we sit down with Ward, the co-founder of MemberSpace. He fills us in on why podcasters should care about member-only websites for their premium content. And how these paywalls can help you monetize on your own terms.
Thu, October 01, 2020
Don't Let Fear Get in the Way Of Starting Your Podcast
There are one million good reasons to start a podcast. A love of storytelling, repurposing written articles to be more accessible, to find deep connections with strangers all over the world, or just because you like the sound of your own voice. But with the many motivations to get started, there are thousands of inner monologues that make it difficult to take the leap. Voices that say your story isn't interesting enough, no one will listen, or that you don't quite have the voice for podcasting. It's Imposter Syndrome at its best. While sometimes it's hard to get out of your own way, we hope our latest Audience episode will help. Every podcaster has let fear cloud their judgement. A lot of us think we're the only ones who are struggling with something, when in reality, many have gone through the same thing. This interview will show you that you're not alone, and working through the fear of getting started is all part of the process.
Thu, September 24, 2020
The Interview Podcast Blueprint & Podcast Grader
Interview-style podcasts are among the most common formats in our medium. Listeners often find new shows to check out when people they admire give a unique interview. But getting the actual interview right is just one step of the process. There are a list of things before and after the recording that can help pump up an episode's performing. Checklists exist to help you run through items that need to get done before you publish something new. But checklists miss the nuance and additional explanations that are helpful to improve a piece of creative work. So we wanted to take our interview checklist a step further by creating the ultimate blueprint. Whether you host an interview podcast or not, the blueprints we're talking about in this episode will come in handy. They're a masterclass on how to help a guest get the most out of the interview and for you to reach new ears. Start with our Podcast Grader as you listen to the episode to receive your access to our downloadable Interview Episode Blueprints. Phase 1: Pre-Interview Like stretching before you run, the pre-interview blueprint is easy to skip! But there's a reason doctors recommend touching your toes a few times before you hit the pavement. And there's also a few reasons why the pre-interview phase should be obligatory. Things like reminding your guest to send you their branding materials, identifying the key takeaways you want to hit, and brainstorming new value-add items for your audience that are specific to this guest. And don't forget Rachel Corbett's tip on the pre-interview call! Figure out if you have chemistry with your guest ahead of the actual interview to make sure the podcast appearance will be mutually beneficial. Phase 2: The Interview The phase that's probably already front and center on your mind whenever you book a new guest. This section of the blueprint has a few reminders of tasks that might be second nature already. But missing a standard mic check could mean a distorted recording for an entire interview. Once you get through the technical stuff, we have a few more tricks that you might not have seen before. You'll also find notes about prepping the interview's goals and a section detailing why and how to record private podcast material . We think any chance you have to give you audience a little something extra is wort
Thu, September 17, 2020
Exploring Private Podcasts
Creating a private podcast is a popular way to distribute information to employees, members, or specific list of people. While traditional podcasts are available to the general public, a password protected RSS feed only grants access to those with the required credentials. Recording a private podcast isn't much different than a publicly available one. The key change is in the distribution. In order to start podcasting privately, your podcast hosting provider needs to have a special set of features. So today, we're excited to announce that a Private Podcasts are now available for all Castos users. In this article, we'll explain who would benefit from creating a private podcast and how to use Castos or WordPress to set it up. What Is A Private Podcast? As the name suggests, a private podcast is a podcast that isn't readily available to the general public. With conventional podcasts, you want your episodes available online and in directories like Apple Podcast or Spotify. Whereas with a private podcast, you want to limit who has access to your content. This also means your RSS feed isn't listed anywhere online, across podcast directories. Only you know the URL and personally distribute it to a specified group of people. From a technical perspective in Castos, this also means your podcast episodes are not available on your show's podcast page (i.e. the myshow.castos.com site). When To Use A Private Podcast If you want to limit access to content, you should consider creating a private podcast. There are a lot of common uses for password protected podcasts, here are the most popular scenarios: Corporate training courses: used within employee onboarding sessions, company-wide continuing education courses, or complement text or video trainings. Company-wide communications: used to distribute C-suite messages or regular company updates that are more personal than company-wide emails. Connect remote employees: used to communicate key information with distributed teams. E-learning courses: used to let only current members access a course's podcast material. Premium content subscriptions: used to create special podcast content for select subset of listeners. Podcast content for Membership sites: Connect your existing membership site to your Castos account to automatically provide members with exclusive podcast content. Anytime you have episodes that are only meant for a certain subset of your audience, private podcasting will allow you to restrict access and
Thu, September 03, 2020
Creator Spotlight: A Most Unusual T Party
Part of the Castos mission is to educate and inspire fellow podcasters. With a whole community of hosts figuring it out and thriving, we launched our new Creator Spotlight series. Our goal is to feature Castos customers and their podcasts–from how they got started, what their recording setups look like, and highlighting the unique skills they use to create a successful show. This in our inaugural interview with our first Creator who has something unusual to share. Without further ado, meet: A Most Unusual T Party Ever notice how everyone's handwriting is unique? Join professional handwriting analyst, Teresa Abram , as she explores the nuances of the letter T and talks about life with unusual and fascinating guests. If you are curious about what handwriting can reveal, fill your mug and listen in. Don't miss our Audience episode with Teresa Abram, host of A Most Unusual T Party. In her own words, she describes her show, the intricacies of graphology, and why podcasting has fulfilled her creative side and bolstered her business. How do you make your podcast? Every podcaster has a unique setup and production process. So here's how Teresa transforms an idea into an episode. Microphone: Blue Snowball microphone with a foam windscreen. The mic sits on top of a foam yoga block to help dull any reverb. Recording & Mixing: I record directly onto my desktop using Zoom . I like Zoom because it records separate audio tracks for each person which makes the post-production work almost fun. My Recording Space: I work in a room with soundproof curtains, wall mountings behind the mic, and padding under the door. I'm very careful about not knocking the desk the holds my desktop. I take my sound quality seriously and have a recording space to reflect that. Episode Planning & Distribution: I plan out the entire season first: how many episodes, the main theme, number of guests, and if any episodes should have a different structure. I lay out my episode release dates and when I plan to record and edit each at the beginning of each season. Editing & Post-Production: This is where I spend the bulk of my
Thu, August 20, 2020
Why Your Podcast CTA Isn’t Working
There are a lot of podcast education courses out there. Heck, we even have one . Most promise actionable steps to take an idea and transform it into a successful podcast, providing guidance and tutorials to get you there. But when you want to learn the best tips and tricks, you have to go to the best. So that’s why we set out to talk to Rachel Corbett. Rachel got involved with podcasting 20 years ago, right at the beginning of industry’s infancy. She was the Head of Podcasts at the Mamamia network and helped grow some of their flagship shows to over 1 million unique listeners per month and 90 million downloads! Many podcast awards laters, she how is the host and owner of Podschool . On this week’s episode, Craig and Rachel talk more about her expertise and how she uses her audio background to teach aspiring podcasters how to get started. We jump into the common misconceptions and errors new podcasters make then how you can avoid them. And how to use traditional radio and media strategies to create a more polished podcast and find success. Listen to the full episode now to hear more from Rachel and read her best takeaways below! How Can People Get Over Imposter Syndrome? “I don’t know if I’m qualified to do this.” You’ve heard this sentence before, perhaps inside your own head. Imposter Syndrome is the phenomenon of successful people attributing their accomplishments to luck rather than ability and fear others will unmask them as a fraud. Lots of podcasters, teachers, CEOs, mothers, just about everyone, have likely felt the nervousness of Imposter Syndrome when setting out on a new project. So how can you silence the voice inside your head? With media content, lots of creators are thrown into the deep end. Learning by doing, testing, and succeeding, and failing are how the best podcast hosts have found their way. For Rachel, her Imposter Syndrome popped up when she transitioned into teaching her Podschool course. She knew how to sit behind a microphone and record a great show, but she still felt like she didn’t know enough to teach someone else how to do it. The game changer was seeing her stud
Thu, August 13, 2020
Should You Try Affiliate Marketing? An Interview with Ross Winn from Podcast Insights
This week on Audience, we’re talking monetization. While many podcasters start their show as a hobby, more times than not, they eventually want to start thinking about how to earn some money from the show. But rather than focus on every podcast monetization strategy , we’re drilling into one specific method: affiliate marketing. Ross Winn from Podcast Insights is an expert on promoting affiliate products to earn some extra cash. His site is the go-to for all things podcasting–from how to start, grow, and monetize a podcast for beginners. When you land on Podcast Insights, you’ll notice a few things right off the bat. There are email courses that ask you to sign up, discounts to popular WordPress and podcasting tools, and a plethora of content all about getting a new show off the ground. What you might not notice is how all these things are working together to support Ross’ affiliate marketing strategy. At the top of today’s episode, we talk about why podcasters should consider affiliate products as a monetization strategy. As we move through the interview, Ross then lends his tips on how to use a website, repurposed content, and a email list to drive more sales. Listen to the full episode now to get all of this tips or read a few of his biggest takeaways below! What can podcasters learn about affiliate monetization strategies? The key is to have a website (we recommend creating one through WordPress !). Having a place where people can learn more information is essential to affiliate marketing. It makes it easier for people to find click on the affiliate product you’re promoting and it offers opportunities to further engage your audience via email. To get people to visit your site after listening to an episode, include it in your intro or outro calls-to-action. Remind them of the URL address and where they should navigate to to redeem your exclusive offer. When listeners finally land on your site, it’s time to hit them with the offers. Either a list of the affiliate products you’re promoting or an email opt-in page that gives people access to exclusive content. The email opt-in page serves two purposes. The first is to provide exclusive, high-quality content to your listeners. The second is to build an email list where you can announce new episodes and directly send affiliate links to your users. Put an opt-in unit right on your homepag
Thu, August 06, 2020
How To Record A Podcast With An iPhone & On-The-Go
Given podcasting’s spontaneous nature, it’s more than likely that you’ll run into a time where you want to capture a conversation that needs to be heard, but you don’t have your usual equipment with you. That’s where recording a podcast on your iPhone comes in. On this episode of Audience, we're shifting gears to highlight Castos creators who are podcasting in unique ways. Rob and Jill from Fearless Camping are the first to join us to talk about how they record their podcast on-the-go. From the mountains of Pine Valley, Utah, the duo fills us in on how they produce the show from hotel rooms, the car, and campsites. Listen to the full episode to learn why you might not need the latest gear to create an incredible podcast. Top Tips For Podcasting With An iPhone Recording a podcast outside of a standard studio presents a new set obstacles. More noises, environmental factors, and finding a stable internet connection to name a few. But we learned from The Fearless Camping hosts that they share similar challenges to others who record inside. Here are their top tips for podcasting in general and on the go: Don't forget to outline: no matter where you're recording from, you can't forget to outline what an episode is about . It takes Rob and Jill no more than 10 minutes to figure out what they want to talk about before hitting record. Don't let the learning curve stop you: the beauty of recording a podcast with an iPhone is you don't need much equipment. The Fearless Camping is Rob and Jill's first try at podcasting and they found the process surprisingly easy! At just two months into their journey, they're already seasoned hosts consistently publishing new episodes. On-the-go doesn't mean unedited: just because you're recording in the wild, doesn't mean you can't go back and edit. You'll likely remove less of the ambient noise since that's part of the charm, but go ahead and cut out some of those um's and ah's. Bring online passions offline : a perk of podcasting from unique places is meeting others who share your passions. For Fearless Camping, that means educating a community of outdoor lovers about how to bring the whole family outside. Building these connections is the main goal for Jill and Rob. Planning versus serendipity : when you can record from anywhere, there is a balance between planning activities you know you want to record and letting things happen organically that become perfect podcast moments. Depending on your show's topic, you'll have to be ready for a bit of both. Bring some humanity to the show : f
Thu, July 30, 2020
How To Get Featured In Apple Podcasts with Bobby Temps
One of the biggest players in the podcasting industry is Apple Podcasts. Up to this point, they have helped dictate major shifts in podcast consumption and how podcasters create their shows. Given Apple Podcasts’ popularity, it’s no surprise getting in front of their curation team can help propel a podcast to new heights. But the question is, how can I pitch my podcast to appeal to their editors? This week on Audience, we’re tackling this important topic with Bobby Temps. As the co-host of Mental: The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health , he has orchestrated getting his show on multiple featured podcast lists inside the popular listening app. Throughout our interview, Bobby sheds light on repeatable strategies that helped him break through the noise and impress the Apple Podcasts team. But that’s not all we’re covering. At the top, we get into how the Mental podcast encourages listener participation, uses data to inform their content decisions, and why you might be missing some reviews from your international listeners. Listen to the full interview now to starting pitching you podcast with more flair and to track down those reviews you may have missed. How has COVID-19 changed your listenership? Like many other podcasters, Bobby and his co-host, Danielle, have shifted their content strategy as a result of COVID-19. But since the show focuses on mental health, they’ve noticed the shift has primarily been driven by changes in society. The goal of the podcast is to destigmatise mental health. So Bobby and his team are capitalizing on our eagerness to include mental illness alongside physical ailments in the wellness conversation. To alter content for these times, they’ve focused on practical tips listeners can put to use right now. Their mission is to help both loyal and new followers feel more confident and secure in times that are unstable. How Do You Encourage & Incorporate Audience Participation Into The Show? Let’s start with the motivation factor. Every podcaster wants more reviews and emails with feedback from their audience. But it’s difficult to help listeners take the next step and put pen to paper. To help, Bobby highlighted the tone of the Mental podcast. His team has ramped up the calls-to-action to leave a review or send a email. But they positioned their messaging around the desire to tackle subjects their audience needs help with right now . The authenticity of wanting to provide their listeners with timely tips didn’t go unnoticed. They received more feedback and were able to cover topics that were important to their community. In times before COVID-19, the Mental podcast is one of the best examples of why <a href="https://castos.com/a
Thu, July 23, 2020
More Podcasting Questions Answered
Class is back in session on our latest Audience episode! This week, we’re taking it back to our community. Across our Facebook groups and in conversations with customers, we hear a lot of great questions. Some that we’ve never thought of and others that frequently stump newbie podcasters. In our latest episode, we brought in five questions that we think don’t get enough air time. But first, some exciting announcements with our company and platform. The first is that we announced our sister company, Podcast Motor, is moving under the Castos umbrella to help power Castos Productions . We’re also excited to introduce a new member of the Castos team, Matt Medeiros . Host of the Matt Report and long time member of the WordPress community, you’ll hear from him in our future Audience episodes. Your Podcasting Questions Answered Dipping into our community of podcasters to answer questions about their pain points is why we’re here. So we dove into our Facebook groups and customer inquiries for this latest set of burning podcast questions. Do you recommend seasons for a podcast? Seasons is a term that Apple introduced a few years back to group episodes together within a single RSS feed. Typically, the episodes makes sense together and follow a similar topic or storyline. For podcasts that have a story arc, chronological time sequence, or follow a time-sensitive activity, seasons make sense. It’s a way to logically order episodes and give your audience a more seamless listening experience. Another factor to consider is using seasons to build in a break. Having a logical end to a group of episodes offers an opportunity to take a break from publishing new episodes. While our advice typically is to consistently produce content to keep an audience engaged, seasons can help manage expectations. Remind listeners that the season is XYZ episodes long and to expect new content a few weeks after the final chapter is published. Do you suggest recapping previous seasons before introducing a subsequent season? What’s the first thing that happens when a new season of any TV show premieres? A montage of the drama and climaxes aires first to remind viewers what happened leading up to the first episode. This tactic is perfect for podcast seasons too. Highlight the key players, bring people up to speed, and orient them on where you left off. It allows listeners to follow along more easily and have some background before diving into your latest episodes. To create a recap intro, pull soundbites from episodes from the previous season. It can be
Thu, June 25, 2020
How Covid-19 May Change Podcasting Forever with Tom Webster
There’s no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has changed many of our lives, and for some aspects of our lives this may be a permanent change. Our guest on Audience this week is Tom Webster from Edison Research, the company behind the industry-leading Infinite Dial survey. In an earlier episode we recapped some of the biggest takeaways from the 2020 Infinite Dial survey , and thought we HAD to have Tom on the podcast to talk through some more of his interpretations of the data there, and what has changed since that time. The fact is that many of the lifestyle changes that we and our audiences have seen as a result of Coronavirus are here to stay and things won’t be returning back to “normal”. Here are some of the hard facts about listener behaviors as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: Commutes to work or school have gone down – this is the #1 way and place that people listen to podcasts. Following external analytic tools like Podtrac and Chartable are great for Downloads, but may not tell the whole story from talking to actual listeners. Their behaviors are changing in different ways. Listening on smart speakers like Amazon Alexa has increased substantially as people are listening to podcasts in groups and at their homes. Initially, there was a big movement to news-based podcasts, but as the news overload settled in there was a movement away from it. Tom likens the disruption caused by Covid to a snow globe where once you shake it up the “snowflakes” of our lives go up in the air and sometimes don’t settle back down where they came from originally. That’s the theme that we’re following as we go forward with our shows. But in many ways, the open question is: what will stay the same and what will be permanently changed. And largely this question remains unanswered. Changes In Listener Patterns A question we can ask ourselves to help our audience better understand where our podcast can live into their lives is where and when will our listeners tune into our shows. Thinking about traditional radio always having a time and place that people listened, many of us can think about framing our shows the same way. Your show could be “The show to listen to on your Saturday morning walk”. This engrains this behavior in your listeners minds and behaviors. As the industry saw the biggest change in behavior around podcast advertising at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic this medium is coming back already, but in a different way. How Advertising Is Changing Many advertisers and media buyers are moving to more “safe” forms of advertising. For some media buyers and sponsors the need to have more established media through which to advertise and reach audiences may increase. Things like Google Adwords and Facebook ads where more data is available around the targeting of the audien
Thu, June 18, 2020
Creating A Diverse Podcast Publication With Ashley And Galen From Bello Collective
As with many new hobbies, a fair bit of research and reading is required to figure out the best way to start. Podcasting isn’t much different so there has always been need for diverse resources teaching Podcasting 101. According to Google Trends , the phrase “how to start a podcast” has averaged 60 searches per day since 2016. With low barriers to entry and the ability for just about anyone to start podcasting, the Bello Collective was ready to answer that question. Google Trends interest over time for the phrase “how to start a podcast” in the last 12 months. Launching in 2016, their efforts came just in time. With a diverse team of writers to build a solution, the Bello Collective started publishing podcasting resources to help hosts get started, grow, and sharpen their craft. Fast forward to 2020, that community has grown to elevate voices that don’t always get enough airtime. With readers and writers across Slack, email, Twitter, and their website, Ashely Lusk and Galen Beebe are the co-editors steering the ship. On this week’s episode of Audience , Craig sits down with Lusk and Beebe to talk about the Collective and how they built such an engaged community. Listen to the full episode now to hear firsthand why interrogating your definition of success can make you a better podcaster. Why Communication Is Key In the past, blogging and podcasting were primarily one-way conversations. The writer publishes an article, the reader digests their thoughts without the opportunity to directly collaborate with them. The podcaster releases an episode, the listener tunes in without being able to connect with the person on the other side of their headphones. But as industries shifted, so did the technology that enabled creators and consumers to start a dialogue. Podcasters are urged to start newsletters, social media accounts, YouTube channels, and Patreon followings to fuel the connection. Bello Collective was built from this foundation of dialogue. When pressed about how they morphed a static publication into a living community, Ashley and Galen highlighted the importance of having conversations with intention. Open dialogue is at the forefront of all of their interactions. For new writers, this means clear expectations about the editing process and what content they are looking for. Within th
Thu, June 11, 2020
Rob Walling On How To Podcast For 10 Years Straight
Motivation is a fickle thing. Some days it’s front and center, driving you to produce your best work. Others it’s no where to be found and things that used to be a priority can fall to the wayside. The rollercoaster of motivation is a central theme in our latest episode of Audience . Craig sits down with Rob Walling, found of Drip and TinySeed , who has produced over 500 podcast episodes. His show, Startups For the Rest of Us , has been on the air for 10 years. Throughout that time, the show has experimented with new formats, went from co-hosts to a one man show, and spurred a successful live conference series. Given Rob’s passion for and success with podcasting, he’s just the guy to help you maintain or re-spark your motivation. Throughout our interview, he describes his biggest podcasting regret, how to talk ad nauseam about the same topic, and why fostering a community with his listenership is his biggest legacy. Listen to the full episode to learn how a podcaster with 10 years of experience under his belt finds the motivation to keep going. How Startups For the Rest of Us Has Changed A lot has changed in the podcasting industry in 10 years. And the same thing can be said for Rob’s podcast, Startups For the Rest of Us. Starting out, Rob describes feeling nervous behind the mic. He wrote out, word-for-word, a script of exactly what he wanted to say for each episode. It took about 250 recordings to find his voice and feel more comfortable talking candidly with his co-host. And then he and his co-host hit the complacent years. Both in the midst of building their start-ups and family life, they stopped experimenting and trying new things. They still showed up each week, but had lost the motivation to innovate. It was just within the last year, at episode 448, that things started to change. His co-host, Mike Taber, decided to take back from recording every episode. And with that shift, Rob rediscovered his motivation to start innovating again. He ushered in new formats, more experiments, and pushed the show to excel beyond its original success. Now surpassing 500 episodes, Startups For the Rest of Us continues to inspire bootstrapped entrepreneurs. Talking About The Same Topic For 10 Years After settling on a podcast topic , the realization that you may be talking about same subject for years to come sets in. If you’ve taken the advice f
Thu, June 04, 2020
James Cridland On How Podcast Directories Can Change The Industry
There are a lot of experts within the podcasting industry. But James Cridland is in a unique position to see the industry’s trends, successes, and failures differently than most. As the curator of Podnews , a daily podcasting briefing, his perspective is a combination of news from podcast hosts, advertisers, content creators, and listening platforms. Given his holistic view, we invited James to chat on our latest Audience episode. We took the opportunity to hear his thoughts on the future of Apple Podcasts and Spotify, monetization opportunities, and what’s the biggest distribution mistake many podcasters make. Read on for James’ biggest takeaways and listen to the full episode for even insightful comments. How Can Apple Podcasts & Spotify Change The Industry? Along with many other experts, James agrees there’s a big opportunity to increase podcast consumption . He argues if the industry focuses on increasing overall listenership, all ships will rise. From creating more monetization opportunities for podcasters, increasing user bases for listening apps, and driving more financial investment into the industry as a whole. But the driver of this growth isn’t squarely on the shoulders of podcasters. Instead, James offers opportunities podcast directories can take advantage of to jumpstart the effort. Apple Podcasts The biggest player in the industry is without a doubt Apple Podcasts. Apple helped grow and standardize things like podcast categorizations and artwork sizes. But in recent years, Apple hasn’t made many monumental advancements to increase consumption. But given their strong foothold, there’s one opportunity available that would change the industry forever. According to Scientia Mobile , over 60% of worldwide mobile users have an Android device. But to date, Apple hasn’t created an Android version of the Apple Podcasts app. While there are popular Android-only listening platforms, the majority of podcasters primarily promote their Apple Podcast listing. Think of the instant consumption growth if Apple released an Android version of their app. Podcasters could more comfortably promote their Apple Podcast link knowing it would be a seamless subscription process across all devices. You likely submitted your podcast to Apple Podcasts from the start. But in case it slipped
Thu, May 28, 2020
The Key To Starting A Podcast Network With Jeff Umbro From Podglomerate
When it comes to the distribution aspect of your podcast there are fewer “sure things” than having other similar shows in your niche promoting your content. And podcast networks are the most natural way to establish that cross pollination of your podcast with other relevant audiences. In this coversation with Jeff Umbro from podcast network Podglomerate we discuss how setting up a podcast network can be a good fit for you and other shows in your niche, the 5 different approaches they take to distribution or promotion of shows they work with, and where Jeff feels many podcasters are missing out when it comes to the marketing of their podcasts. Establishing Your Own DIY Podcast Network While huge podcast networks like 5×5, Relay, Gimlet Media, NPR, and others have significant barriers to entry it doesn’t have to be difficult for you and your podcast to benefit from the same type of organic sharing that happens in these larger networks. In fact, many of the most impactful podcast networks like Multitude Productions have created significant benefit for their member shows. One way that Multitude accomplishes this is by focusing much of their network into associated vertical niches. For Multitude focusing their shows into the niches of gaming, Harry Potter and other mythology arenas has helped them grow significant audiences, mostly by cross promoting other member podcast in their episodes. At Podglomerate, Jeff and his team handle 3 main aspects of podcasting: Original Content Creation While they have several member shows they also create some original shows. Having a built in “laboratory” where they can experiment on new show ideas, refine approaches to content creation, and in general have an avenue to express their creative side has shown some of the biggest advances in their growth over the years. One lesson Jeff learned for other podcast networks is having shows of your own is a great sort of virtual CV to show prospective shows that you’re approaching to join the network. Showing other podcasts the kind of work you do and what other member shows are like is a great selling point. Monetizing Podcasts Podglomerate works with member shows in a variety of ways to help monetize their podcasts . Programmatic Ads Working with platforms like Megaphone is a good option for podcasts with a large following to easily monetize their shows. If your podcast has 10,000 listens or more per episode then <a href="https://castos.com/dynamic-ad-insertion-for-podcasts/" target="_bl
Thu, May 21, 2020
Upping Your Podcast Game, And Listener Questions
The team at Castos is excited to announce that our premium course on how to create a great podcast is now entirely free. Check out the Podcast Like A Pro course today to get 25+ lessons on everything from: Listener personas and popular podcast topics Gear, microphones, and setup recommendations Audio recording and editing software recommendations How to achieve professional sounding audio for your final episodes Writing SEO-friendly show notes for your website Setting up a podcast hosting platform account and website Submitting your podcast to popular listening apps Launching your show with style Growing your audience and approaches to monetization All you need to do to gain access is sign up on Teachable. You’ll instantly receive the entire 25+ lesson library of videos and resources to get started. Questions From Our Facebook Group In this episode, we discuss a handful of questions from our Podcast Hackers group on Facebook . This is a place where we have lively discussions around what’s working well in people’s shows and what they’re struggling with. As a community, we share our knowledge to succeed as a group. What can I do to help get my show into the New and Noteworthy section in Apple Podcasts? Great question here, and one that is asked a lot. Getting into the New and Noteworthy section of Apple Podcasts can do a lot to increase your reach, especially as a show is launching. There are two parts to the New and Noteworthy section: The New and The Noteworthy. Let’s examine each of these individually. The “New” aspect refers to a podcast that was approved by Apple within the last 8 weeks. So the clock is ticking once the show has been approved to make a splash in those first few weeks. During these 8 weeks, there are two Calls To Action (CTA) that you want to encourage. For your broader audience members, the goal is to get them to subscribe so they receive each episode as soon as it’s published. This will ensure download numbers stay steady and there less one-off listens. For those who subscribed (we like to refer to this as your Tribe), take things a step further and ask them to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. These go a long way towards increasing the social proof for y
Thu, May 14, 2020
8 Podcast Best Practices You Should Know
Creating great content is hard. Any kind, really. Whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel, or a podcast. In a sea of information it’s tough to know what advice to follow and what to dismiss as noise. In this episode, we lay out an easy-to-follow set of podcast best practices that will help you grow your show. This playbook is full of things we’ve learned from working with hundreds of successful shows and interviewing some of the best minds in podcasting. They are the proven steps that many other successful podcasters before us have taken to build great podcast brands. The 8 Podcast Best Practices Every Host Should Know 1. Create the content your audience is looking for It’s easier to create the content an existing audience is looking for rather than finding an audience for the content you want to create. This may seem simple on the surface but is pretty nuanced when you get into it. And not doing this will set your podcast for failure no matter what your promotional activities include. A great way to find out what people in your community or target market are looking for is through online communities. We’re big fans of Facebook groups, Slack channels, and other virtual meeting places for doing this. Hang out there, ask interesting questions, and see what topics keep bubbling to the surface. This is a surefire way to find out the interests and pain points that people in your prospective audience are having. 2. Have guests on your show Interviewing guests is a way to change the pace, tone, and perspective of your podcast. But it’s also a great strategy to share your podcast’s message with new audiences. If you did a good job as an interviewer , the episode will be one of the shining lights of your guest’s podcast repertoire. By giving your guest a platform where they can explain their ideas and perspective, and they’ll be more excited to share the content. But before the interview, set clear expectations about promoting the final episode to your respective audiences. Mention early on that you plan to send a ready-to-go email of exactly what you want them to share. For example, here’s an email I got recently to share a webinar we co-sponsored. All I had to do is copy the email text and tweet then post them. 3. Create shareworthy social media assets You’ve done all the hard work to create great content that your audience is looking for. Don’t fall one step short by not creating
Thu, May 07, 2020
Creating A Remote Creativity Platform With The Founders Of Squadcast.fm
Creating great sounding audio is the cornerstone of what constitutes a winning podcast. And there are many things that go into this: the right gear, the right techniques, great post-production, and a way to record that audio in an easy and high-quality manner. And in this episode, we welcome Zach Moreno and Rock Felder, cofounders of Squadcast.fm to discuss this, and much more. At their core, Zach and Rock from Squadcast have set out to create a platform in which creatives can record really high quality audio (and video soon) content for their audiences. Even with many of the remote communication tools that are available to many of us these days none has been focused solely on the quality of those pieces of content. As a team that sees a lot of great content being recorded Rock and Zach emphasize the importance of a good microphone (like our favorites here) but also a practical approach to recording. This often includes considerations around the environment you’re recording in, potential for interruptions, and a bit of advance planning. As at the time of this episode airing we’re all going through the Covid-19 pandemic that is gripping the world, Zach, Rock, and I discuss how we’re seeing Coronavirus affecting the podcasting industry. With unique perspectives on podcasters, we have all seen amazing new ways in which we can serve our customer base. Both from new people coming into the podcast space to enabling communities, medical professionals, and even governments to share information and inspiration with their audiences. Resources Mentioned Squadcast.fm Zach Moreno on Twitter Rock Felder on Twitter Podcast Movement
Thu, April 30, 2020
Castos Productions: Affordable Podcast Editing From Your Dashboard
When we talk to our customers, podcast editing is often the most intimidating part of podcasting. It's technical, a more laborious process, and it's hard to know when you're done. With the importance of consistently publishing new episodes, there are a few podcast editing methods to choose from. Some some, purchasing podcast editing software and using a DIY approach is best. An option for beginners and veterans, doing the editing yourself takes more time. There's a learning curve to understand the software, self-educating on how to mix and master audio files, and having to critique your own work before publishing an episode. For others, hiring a podcast editing service is their way to focus on producing quality content while someone else takes care of the professional sound. They hire a professional podcast production service, send their raw files, and receive a fully edited episode. There are many podcast editing services out there but there's one that makes it easy, affordable, and gives you full control over the final product. Today, we're excited to announce the launch of Castos Productions . Our solution to podcast editing that lives right in your dashboard. In this article, we'll review the ins and outs of podcast editing whether you choose the DIY approach or use Castos Productions. From what files you need before you start editing, ways to make the process easier, to why podcasters decide to use a professional production service. A Checklist Of What You Need Before You Start Editing A Podcast Podcast editing is an intricate process. Whether you're mastering the audio file yourself or using a podcast production company, these are the audio files you need handy to get started: Separate audio tracks: the episode audio files from your podcast specific recording tool, like Squadcast or Adobe Audition . Use separate tracks for everyone being recorded. Intro and outro segments : use the same version for each episode or customize it per episode. Music: use it within your intro, outro, and main segments of your podcast. Host-read advertisements: any sponsor messages that you need to include within the episode. Recording Tips To Make Editing Easier Our biggest piece of advice to make editing your podcast easier is to start thinking about it
Thu, April 23, 2020
How To Tell A Story From NPR’s Former VP Of Programming
This week on Audience we chatted with Eric Nuzum, an expert who started NPR’s podcasting efforts back in 2005. Eric help found some of NPR’s most successful shows, has published three best-selling books, and co-founded a podcast production company called Magnificent Noise . Recently, he found time to write and publish his fourth book, Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling . The words of wisdom and exercises on being a better storyteller lead Craig to his position to sit down with Eric to pick his brain. Throughout this interview, they focused on how to conduct a more engaging interview, why DIY podcast networks succeed, the similarities between hobby podcasters and big budget productions, and where podcast advertising is headed in the midst of COVID-19. Listen to the full episode now for Eric’s expert insights on all things podcasting. How Can Interviewers Create A Good Story? With Eric’s experience being the interviewer, interviewee, and producing interview-style podcasts, there’s no better person to ask about how interviews create good stories. He points out, when compared to monologue episodes, interviews help people who aren’t accustomed to telling their own story. Rather than the pressure to grab the mic and figure out their own way forward, the interviewer leads the guest to the questions the audience wants to learn about. But the tough part is the communal lift involved in getting the good story. There’s more than one stakeholder involved in shaping the narrative so it’s everyone’s job to keep the interview’s focus on the information that’s most useful to the audience. Another key to getting a good story is the interview needs to feel natural, organic, and authentic. Podcaster’s most common hangup is trying to emulate someone else as their interview persona. While trying to mimic another person, you’re pretending to be an interviewer instead of actually engaging with the guest. Eric’s tip is to get out of that mindset and get back to being genuinely curious about the person you’re talking to. An organic, give-and-take conversation will help create a more riveting story arc . Eric’s biggest interview tip: don’t ask questions you already know the answer to. It leads to inauthentic sound bites and a guest who can’t wait to end the conversation. For podcasters without extensive media backgrounds, make creative decision
Thu, April 16, 2020
The Ladybug Podcast Shows The Importance Of Personal Brands
In this episode of Audience, we sat down with the hosts of the Ladybug Podcast . Emma Bostian, Ali Spittel, and Kelly Vaughn produce a weekly show geared towards developers at all stages in their careers. They create episodes about technical coding topics, interview industry experts, and weave in “softer” development conversations to keep their audience engaged. Throughout this interview, our conversation regularly transitioned back to personal brands and their importance. These women are the perfect examples of how putting resources towards creating a personal brand can dramatically improve a podcast’s performance. Inside this episode, you’ll learn more about how they run their show. With a track record of rapid growth under their belt, their insights are great takeaways for seasoned hosts looking to turn up the heat. Listen now to learn more about: How to explain technical topics via a podcast (hint: show notes play a crucial role). What you need to do before approaching or accepting sponsors for your podcast. A checklist for beginners on how to brand their podcast before launching the show (hint: it always comes back to your ideal listener ). And the Ladybug Podcast’s most effective promotional strategies that contributed to their rapid growth. The Ladybug Podcast details how episode transcriptions are an important part of their promotional game plan. With Castos, you can access automatic pay-as-you-go transcription services directly from your dashboard. Check out our comprehensive podcast transcription guide to find out how. But ahead, we’re diving deeper into how and why their personal brands contributed to their success. This is a piece of podcasting that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves but can be the basis for sustained growth. Let’s find out why the Ladybug Podcast is the personal brand example you should follow. What Is A Personal Brand? By definition a personal brand is how you market yourself and skillset. It’s the combination of online and in-person content that represents what you want to be known for. A personal brand should tell a story about your background and provide an authentic look inside your life. Personal brands are important because it humanizes the person behind a product. Giving an audience a peak behind the curtain allows for mor
Thu, April 09, 2020
Jay Acunzo On How Your Point Of View Grows An Audience
On this week’s Audience episode, Craig sits down with Jay Acunzo from Marketing Showrunners . The two founders and podcasters dig into why defining and sticking to a point of view is the key to building an engaged audience. The episode touches upon why it’s OK to have a podcast that doesn’t speak to some people. And how to differentiate their negative feedback from the reviews that will help you succeed. Jay clues us into his team’s mantra and how it continues to serve as their guiding light to produce a better podcast. Listen now to figure out why Jay asks himself if he’s teaching chess or checkers, and how to adopt his growth mindset for your show. Broader Isn’t Always Better Hot on everyone’s mind, especially for our Audience listeners, is growth. Almost ad nauseam, we always find ourselves back at the foundation of building a listenership: who is the target audience? Throughout the episode, we found Jay shares our thought process. He believes the age of the “generalist” is over. Marketers and podcasters shouldn’t try to be a carbon copy of their competitors and aggressively follow the latest trends to grow. Your podcast doesn’t have to appeal to the mass market. And Jay argues that brands who try to broaden their target audience will ultimately dilute their message and slow their growth. Instead, it all comes back to the niche listeners. First identify who you show is for, and more importantly, who your show isn’t for. Then go deeper and deeper into figuring out how to better serve those specific people rather than following the latest trend. Naturally, your podcast will continue to innovate and be more engaging to the people who share your point of view. For many podcasters, turning off potential listeners with a strong, decisive perspective feels counter-intuitive to growth. But Jay reminds us this is actually the foundation to building an audience. Don’t Be Afraid Of Your Point Of View If you continually articulate your beliefs clearly and loudly, your point of view gives people a way of saying your show is absolutely for them. You give their struggles and thoughts a voice that didn’t exist beforehand. Not shying away from your pathos builds loyal and engaged listeners who will routinely tune in. A podcast’s point of view becomes a “trust accelerant”, creating visceral reactions that build communities and allows the show to generate a bigger impact. But holding a firm stance will alienate some people. This alienation can be scary but remember: if someone says something negative about your podcast, ask yourself if the commenter’s point of view aligns with your own. If you share the same mindset, then it’s a useful exercise to figure out
Thu, April 02, 2020
Your Podcast Questions, Answered
Lately, many of us have been figuring out how best to spend time in our new routines. Some are dusting off their podcast microphones for the first time and others are taking a diligent look at how to improve their show. In this episode of Audience, we put a call out for your most pressing podcast questions across our Facebook group and newsletter. We wanted to use our voice to help you navigate common hurdles of making a successful podcast. And it may come as no surprise, there was a common theme. Tips on how to grow an audience continue to be on the forefront of everyone’s mind as COVID-19 affects listener stats . Listen now for Craig’s in-depth answers to each of your questions and find the quick takeaways below. Are there benefits of producing bonus episodes that don’t follow your show’s normal format? Experimentation can be scary, especially when your podcast sees healthy engagement. But we believe trying new formats, durations, or publishing dates are worth it if you have a good reason. Don’t produce an episode outside of your format just because you want to. Instead, ask yourself if the new elements are a more effective way to deliver the content and serve your audience better. If the answer is yes, follow these tips to give your listeners a heads up of what’s coming: Include a disclaimer in episodes leading up to the bonus content. Explain the new additions and give background about the change. Repeat this same disclaimer at the beginning of the bonus episode too. Ask your audience for feedback about the content. If they enjoyed it, this new style could become a reoccurring segment What’s the best way to get feedback about your content? Step one of increasing an audience size is taking a closer look at your content. Get critical feedback from current listeners by asking specific questions. Questions like, “Did you like the episode?” will only prompt responses that make it harder to take action. Instead, ask questions like, “What did you think of my call-to-action in the last episode?” or “Was the story climax clear or heightened enough in episode 3?”. What does COVID-19 mean for podcasters in the next few months? Industry data tells us total listens across all podcasters are down. The normal places like the gym, commutes, travel, and vacations are all on hold for the time being. And unfortunately, those spaces are where many people consume podcasts. Across the board, all podcast genres are experiencing lower engagement so this is an in
Thu, April 02, 2020
Your Podcast Questions, Answered
Lately, many of us have been figuring out how best to spend time in our new routines. Some are dusting off their podcast microphones for the first time and others are taking a diligent look at how to improve their show. In this episode of Audience, we put a call out for your most pressing podcast questions across our Facebook group and newsletter. We wanted to use our voice to help you navigate common hurdles of making a successful podcast. And it may come as no surprise, there was a common theme. Tips on how to grow an audience continue to be on the forefront of everyone's mind as COVID-19 affects listener stats . Listen now for Craig's in-depth answers to each of your questions and find the quick takeaways below. Are there benefits of producing bonus episodes that don't follow your show's normal format? Experimentation can be scary, especially when your podcast sees healthy engagement. But we believe trying new formats, durations, or publishing dates are worth it if you have a good reason. Don't produce an episode outside of your format just because you want to. Instead, ask yourself if the new elements are a more effective way to deliver the content and serve your audience better. If the answer is yes, follow these tips to give your listeners a heads up of what's coming: Include a disclaimer in episodes leading up to the bonus content. Explain the new additions and give background about the change. Repeat this same disclaimer at the beginning of the bonus episode too. Ask your audience for feedback about the content. If they enjoyed it, this new style could become a reoccurring segment What's the best way to get feedback about your content? Step one of increasing an audience size is taking a closer look at your content. Get critical feedback from current listeners by asking specific questions. Questions like, "Did you like the episode?" will only prompt responses that make it harder to take action. Instead, ask questions like, "What did you think of my call-to-action in the last episode?" or "Was the story climax clear or heightened enough in episode 3?". What does COVID-19 mean for podcasters in the next few months? Industry data tells us total listens across all podcasters are down. The normal places like the gym, commutes, travel, and vacations are all on hold for the time being. And unfortunately, those spaces are where many people consume podcasts. Across the board, all podcast genres are experiencing lower engagement so this is an in
Thu, March 26, 2020
Podcast Statistics From The 2020 Infinite Dial Survey
Edison Research and Triton Digital released their podcast statistics and digital media consumption in March 2020. This presentation was slightly different as we globally navigate the Covid-19 landscape and what that means for content creators. In this episode of Audience, we’re recapping the most relevant consumption data for podcasters and how to take advantage of what’s to come. The podcasting industry is still in its infancy with plenty of room to grow. For those currently producing a show or deciding when to get started, use these podcast statistics to position yourself for success. If you’re starting a new podcast or running into unforeseen issues with remote production setups, drop your questions in the comments here or tweet us @CastosHQ . We’ll answer all of your questions on the next episode of Audience. Podcast Statistics From The Infinite Dial March 2020 Survey Edison Research and Triton Digital surveyed 1,500 randomly sampled people from the United States. The questions focused on a person’s digital media consumption habits and awareness of media brands. The following results are an opportunity for podcasters to take stock of their show and strategize how to increase their listenership. But before jumping into the most recent statistics, we’ll start with the elephant in the room. Amid Covid-19, our routines and habits have changed dramatically. In the short term this means downloads may decrease across multiple podcast genres. While news and talk show are being prioritized now , these audio trends will predict our consumption behaviors when we’re back to the new normal. People are consuming more news and talk content during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The following data highlights the digital media and audio habits of Americans as of March 2020. Separated into smart speaker, social media, and online audio categories, these trends are shaping our current landscape. All reference data can be found inside <a href="https://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/T
Thu, March 19, 2020
The Best Educational Podcasts Of 2020–And How To Create Your Own
As listeners and podcast producers, we’re always on the hunt for shows that help us improve in some aspect of our lives. The best educational podcasts fill the void with episodes about entrepreneurship, language learning practice, and even philosophical debates. When Craig sat down with Kevan Lee from Buffer , he didn’t plan on digging deeper into how Buffer creates their educational podcasts. But after hearing about their unique process and transition into scripted episodes, we had to know more. This week on Audience, we’re talking about a popular podcast topic and category–educational podcasts. These podcast’s formats take many forms but one thing remains constant. The audience is there to learn something and they need actionable steps to get started. Listen to our interview with Kevan to find out how Buffer produces their show then read on to discover 10 of the best educational podcasts out there. Why You Should Consider An Educational Podcast Format The best educational podcasts tackle a theme or niche topic and analyze it down to its basic points. These shows are popular because podcasts are a great way to learn new skills from experts. They also help audiences access more information about a specific interest that may be too complicated to understand via other mediums. For example, there is a community interested in learning about how to save and invest for retirement. But it takes time to research and understand complex financial topic from articles around the internet. Instead, people listen to Money For The Rest of Us. The host, David Stein, previously managed billions of dollars and is there to guide his listeners through a variety of financial topics. His goal is to help people become more confident investors and take control of their financial futures. For individual hosts, like David Stein, educational podcasts offer an opportunity to become an industry authority. He published a book in 2019, curates a weekly newsletter, and speaks at live events due to his podcast’s success. For aspiring podcasters, if you’re interested in educating others about a topic or skill then this podcast format is for you. In the same vein, brands like Buffer are producing educational podcasts that weave in their products with actionable information. Buffer’s team is an expert on all things social media so they’re able teach listeners about industry best practices and how their tool can help. Brands produ
Thu, March 19, 2020
The Best Educational Podcasts Of 2020–And How To Create Your Own
As listeners and podcast producers, we're always on the hunt for shows that help us improve in some aspect of our lives. The best educational podcasts fill the void with episodes about entrepreneurship, language learning practice, and even philosophical debates. When Craig sat down with Kevan Lee from Buffer , he didn't plan on digging deeper into how Buffer creates their educational podcasts. But after hearing about their unique process and transition into scripted episodes, we had to know more. This week on Audience, we're talking about a popular podcast topic and category–educational podcasts. These podcast's formats take many forms but one thing remains constant. The audience is there to learn something and they need actionable steps to get started. Listen to our interview with Kevan to find out how Buffer produces their show then read on to discover 10 of the best educational podcasts out there. Why You Should Consider An Educational Podcast Format The best educational podcasts tackle a theme or niche topic and analyze it down to its basic points. These shows are popular because podcasts are a great way to learn new skills from experts. They also help audiences access more information about a specific interest that may be too complicated to understand via other mediums. For example, there is a community interested in learning about how to save and invest for retirement. But it takes time to research and understand complex financial topic from articles around the internet. Instead, people listen to Money For The Rest of Us. The host, David Stein, previously managed billions of dollars and is there to guide his listeners through a variety of financial topics. His goal is to help people become more confident investors and take control of their financial futures. For individual hosts, like David Stein, educational podcasts offer an opportunity to become an industry authority. He published a book in 2019, curates a weekly newsletter, and speaks at live events due to his podcast's success. For aspiring podcasters, if you're interested in educating others about a topic or skill then this podcast format is for you. In the same vein, brands like Buffer are producing educational podcasts that weave in their products with actionable information. Buffer's team is an expert on all things social media so they're able teach listeners about industry best practices and how their tool can help. Brands produ
Thu, March 12, 2020
10 Absolutely Best Podcast Interview Questions to Ask
In this episode of Audience, we’re taking a break from interviewing to talk about…interviews, and help you come up with podcast questions to ask during your podcast interviews. Being a good interviewer often means asking thought-provoking podcast interview questions but what does that mean? To answer that question, we’re taking a step back and look at how to interview someone for a podcast. From the prep work to coming up with a list of questions you should consider asking, this is a comprehensive look at how to generate a great podcast interview. If you’re using Kai’s tips from our last episode, you’re hopefully already booking new guests for the show. So let’s get to showing you how to come up with questions that will spark engaging conversations with your guests. But let’s get something out of the way first… Why the Questions You Ask Matter So Much? As a podcast host and the interviewer, it’s your job to make the guest feel comfortable. You want them to tell stories that they haven’t divulged in other interviews, after all. You want them to open up, and share information that’s going to resonate with your podcast audience, be it emotionally or intellectually. To do this, you need to ask questions that guide the guest to immediately talk about the emotional parts of their story and skip over the pieces they’ve said on repeat. These responses are more likely to tug at your audience’s heartstrings, keeping them on the edge of their seat until the final minute of the show. But there’s another side to this too. You see, great questions make up for amazing stories you can tell too. Every time a guest on your podcast answers a question is an opportunity to retell their story to make it more relevant to your audience. In fact, that’s what great interviewers do all the time. They ask a question, listen to the answer, and then, reiterate whatever key thoughts the guest has made. What’s important – They do it from the audience’s perspective, making sure that these points relate to their listeners. And none of this would have been possible without clever questions, of course. Podcast Interview Questions That Create Interesting Answers Do yourself and your guest a favor by skipping over their general answers. Instead, try these 10 interview question frameworks that promise to generate interesting stories. Tell me about a time when… What was the hardest part about… How did you feel when… Describe your process behind… What is one common myth about… Who are three people who have helped you… On a scale of 1-10… What do you wish you had known when… What would you change about… How has X changed your thinking on… You’ll notice
Thu, March 12, 2020
Become A Better Interviewer By Asking These Questions
In this episode of Audience, we’re taking a break from interviewing to talk about…interviews. Being a good interviewer means asking thought-provoking podcast interview questions but what does that mean? To answer that question, we’re taking a step back and analyzing how to interview someone for a podcast. From the prep work to the questions you should consider asking, this is a comprehensive look at how to generate a great podcast interview. If you’re using Kai’s tips from our last episode, you’re hopefully already booking new guests for the show. So let’s get to it. Podcast Interview Questions That Create Interesting Answers As the interviewer, it’s your job to make the guest feel comfortable. The goal is to have them tell stories that they haven’t divulged in other interviews. To do this, you need to ask questions that guide the guest to immediately talk about the emotional parts of their story and skip over the pieces they’ve said on repeat. These responses are more likely to tug at your audience’s heart strings, keeping them on the edge of their seat until the final minute. Do yourself and your guest a favor by skipping over their general answers. Instead, try these 10 interview question frameworks that promise to generate interesting stories. Tell me about a time when… What was the hardest part about… How did you feel when… Describe your process behind… What is one common myth about… Who are three people who have helped you… On a scale of 1-10… What do you wish you had known when… What would you change about… How has X changed your thinking on… You’ll notice every question ends in ellipses. That’s because the ending should be tailored to each guest and their background. To fill in the gaps, you’ll have to do your homework. Ahead, we’ll get into basic podcast interview preparation so your questions don’t fall flat. What Goes Into Great Podcast Interview Questions? The answer is simple. Preparation. Changing your mindset and researching the guest’s background will help create probing questions that get to the meat of their story. Interview preparation starts by defining the goal. You are the expert in what content your audience likes to hear, so it’s your job to guide the guest there. Figure out how the guest connects with the topics your listeners love then share this goal with the interviewee. Being transparent about what you’re looking to get out of the interview is an important step in setting the guest up for success. If they know where you want the conversation to go, they can tailor their answers to get you both there. If the guest has no idea what topic o
Fri, March 06, 2020
4 Ways To Create A Video Podcast (And Why You Should Try It)
Why do all the top podcasts publish videos to YouTube? Because YouTube has 2 billion logged-in users (and growing) , which makes it a powerful place to grow your audience. In fact, 43% of monthly podcast listener say they’ve enjoyed podcast content on YouTube in the last year, which means you probably have potential fans browsing YouTube for content like yours right now. All you have to do is turn your regular podcast into a video podcast. Fortunately, you are already doing most of the work. With a few small additions to your workflow, you can create engaging video podcast episodes that appeal to people who prefer video content. What Is A Video Podcast? A video podcast is simply a podcast with a video element. The video element could be as simple or as complex as you like, but it often consists of a single static image or a video recording of the podcast hosts and guests. Why You Should Start A Video Podcast Before we explain how to create a video podcast, let’s cover why you should bother. People love looking at faces Humans are visual creatures. 30% of our brain is devoted to our eyes . And we particularly love faces. Infants begin to prefer looking at faces as soon as 24 hours after birth. That effect gets stronger as we get older because of the wealth of information we get from faces. According to some psychologists, facial features provide more data than spoken language. This means you can create more value for your audience and help them make deeper connections with your content by adding faces via video. Video opens you to a wider audience As much as we like podcasts, there are plenty of people who prefer to consume video content. This should come as no surprise, YouTube is the second largest social media platform. By adding a video element to your podcast, you gain access to a massive audience of potential fans. Source: <a href="https://www.oberlo.com/blog/youtube-statistics" target="_bla
Thu, March 05, 2020
How To Pitch, Book, And Be The Perfect Podcast Guest
Pitching, booking, and being the perfect podcast guest takes persistence and practice. Appearing on different shows is a tried and true method to growing a following, but there’s a lot that goes into the process. This week on Audience , we sat down with Kai Davis who is an expert on how to get the most out of podcast guest opportunities. Davis been in the industry for over a decade. Through appearing and booking podcast guests, he helps podcasters, business owners, authors, and more achieve their marketing objectives. He’s the authority on how to standout from the sea of pitch emails, why your pitches are being ignored, and how to help listeners become customers. In this episode, Craig interviews this professional podcast guest and learns a lot along the way. Listen to the full interview above then read on for our favorite Kai-approved tips. What’s The Biggest Pain Point Of Finding Podcast Guests? Frustration. Davis’ clients primarily come to him understanding the general pitching process but aren’t receiving any bookings. Or worse, no response at all. The time it takes to research, write an email, and find the host’s contact information is a commitment. And when that effort doesn’t bear any fruit, it is easy toss this strategy aside. But there’s a better mindset to approaching podcast guests. Instead of a sprint, it is a marathon. Allocate a set amount of resources you can put towards booking guest appearances. Break it down by categories to keep yourself on track. Categories could include: Researching podcasts and finding the right contact information Refining and improving the pitch email Following up with potential podcast guest bookings Fielding guest requests for your own show What’s The Most Common Mistake When Pitching Podcast Guests? The primary way to get in touch with a host is via email. No matter if you’re pitching yourself or asking someone to appear on your podcast, the request typically follows a pitch template . This pitch is where most podcasters make the biggest mistakes. To fix poorly worded pitches and standout from the crowd, Davis recommends approaching the process with more empathy. So what does empathy in pitch emails look like? It boils down to two main components. The pitch angle Being a guest requires providing value to both the host of the show and their a
Thu, March 05, 2020
How To Pitch, Book, And Be The Perfect Podcast Guest
Pitching, booking, and being the perfect podcast guest takes persistence and practice. Appearing on different shows is a tried and true method to growing a following, but there's a lot that goes into the process. This week on Audience , we sat down with Kai Davis who is an expert on how to get the most out of podcast guest opportunities. Davis been in the industry for over a decade. Through appearing and booking podcast guests, he helps podcasters, business owners, authors, and more achieve their marketing objectives. He's the authority on how to standout from the sea of pitch emails, why your pitches are being ignored, and how to help listeners become customers. In this episode, Craig interviews this professional podcast guest and learns a lot along the way. Listen to the full interview above then read on for our favorite Kai-approved tips. What's The Biggest Pain Point Of Finding Podcast Guests? Frustration. Davis' clients primarily come to him understanding the general pitching process but aren't receiving any bookings. Or worse, no response at all. The time it takes to research, write an email, and find the host's contact information is a commitment. And when that effort doesn't bear any fruit, it is easy toss this strategy aside. But there's a better mindset to approaching podcast guests. Instead of a sprint, it is a marathon. Allocate a set amount of resources you can put towards booking guest appearances. Break it down by categories to keep yourself on track. Categories could include: Researching podcasts and finding the right contact information Refining and improving the pitch email Following up with potential podcast guest bookings Fielding guest requests for your own show What's The Most Common Mistake When Pitching Podcast Guests? The primary way to get in touch with a host is via email. No matter if you're pitching yourself or asking someone to appear on your podcast, the request typically follows a pitch template . This pitch is where most podcasters make the biggest mistakes. To fix poorly worded pitches and standout from the crowd, Davis recommends approaching the process with more empathy. So what does empathy in pitch emails look like? It boils down to two main components. <div class="wp-block-s
Thu, February 27, 2020
What Is A Podcast Consultant With Mathew Passy
Putting out the best podcast possible is the goal of every host. It typically starts with refining a show’s content and structure. But honing in on the mistakes and finalizing a game plan is where a podcast consultant comes in. To help figure out the right path forward, it may be worth turning to a professional. Typically an auditing service, podcast consultants take both a high-level and detailed look at your podcast. The goal is to fix the pain points and elevate the pieces that are working. Ahead, we sit down with Mathew Passy who is a professional podcast consultant. He specializes in training those launching new shows and comprehensive audits for others in the midst of producing a podcast. We ask him the tough questions around his client’s successes and struggles and whether you should consider a professional for your own show. Tune in above for the full interview with Mathew then read on as we build upon some burning questions. What’s The Secret Sauce Of Successful Podcasts? Mathew is undeniably an expert in what makes for a successful podcast so we couldn’t resist asking for his secret sauce. And what is all boils down to is being honest and realistic about your podcasting goals. Analyze your approach First, analyze your approach. If you’ve uttered “I want to start a podcast but I don’t know what to talk about” or “I want to sound like Podcast X”, you may not be on the right path. With this mindset, you won’t produce a show that fills an audience’s needs. Or worse, you’ll try a create a podcast already exists. In both cases, Mathew suggests taking a step back and rethinking podcasting altogether. But if you’re someone who is bursting with ideas and curiosity, that is the time to explore if audio is the right medium to convey the information. Think about the dramatic effects like pauses or intonation changes audio story-telling provides. Weigh each creative avenue and take a pragmatic look at whether podcasting is the right path for you and your topic. Set realistic goals Next, be realistic about your goals. Many hosts want to build the biggest following possible without dissecting whether that audience even exists. It’s difficult to start a podcast about a niche topic and aim for 50K followers. There simply may not be 50K people interested in that information. Instead, go into audience growth with a more realistic mindset. Mathew’s advice is to focus on an audience of one. While it may sound counter-intuitive, the most successful podcasts have hosts who craft an intimate listening experience. When it feels like the speaker is sitting in your passenger seat, the listener will develop a clos
Thu, February 27, 2020
What Is A Podcast Consultant With Mathew Passy
Putting out the best podcast possible is the goal of every host. It typically starts with refining a show's content and structure. But honing in on the mistakes and finalizing a game plan is where a podcast consultant comes in. To help figure out the right path forward, it may be worth turning to a professional. Typically an auditing service, podcast consultants take both a high-level and detailed look at your podcast. The goal is to fix the pain points and elevate the pieces that are working. Ahead, we sit down with Mathew Passy who is a professional podcast consultant. He specializes in training those launching new shows and comprehensive audits for others in the midst of producing a podcast. We ask him the tough questions around his client's successes and struggles and whether you should consider a professional for your own show. Tune in above for the full interview with Mathew then read on as we build upon some burning questions. What's The Secret Sauce Of Successful Podcasts? Mathew is undeniably an expert in what makes for a successful podcast so we couldn't resist asking for his secret sauce. And what is all boils down to is being honest and realistic about your podcasting goals. Analyze your approach First, analyze your approach. If you've uttered "I want to start a podcast but I don't know what to talk about" or "I want to sound like Podcast X", you may not be on the right path. With this mindset, you won't produce a show that fills an audience's needs. Or worse, you'll try a create a podcast already exists. In both cases, Mathew suggests taking a step back and rethinking podcasting altogether. But if you're someone who is bursting with ideas and curiosity, that is the time to explore if audio is the right medium to convey the information. Think about the dramatic effects like pauses or intonation changes audio story-telling provides. Weigh each creative avenue and take a pragmatic look at whether podcasting is the right path for you and your topic. Set realistic goals Next, be realistic about your goals. Many hosts want to build the biggest following possible without dissecting whether that audience even exists. It's difficult to start a podcast about a niche topic and aim for 50K followers. There simply may not be 50K people interested in that information. Instead, go into audience growth with a more realistic mindset. Mathew's advice is to focus on an audience of one. While it may sound counter-intuitive, the most successful podcasts have hosts who craft an intimate listening experience. When it feels like the speaker is sitting in your passenger seat, the listener will develop a clos
Thu, February 20, 2020
Podcasting As Content Marketing With Ben Sailer From CoSchedule
Content marketing has long been a primary way for brands to increase their website traffic and customer bases. And one of the best in the game is CoSchedule . This software as a service (SaaS) tool allows marketers to organize, execute, and analyze every promotional campaign to get more done. To introduce CoSchedule to potential users, they create educational content about industry best practices and their product. In this episode, we discuss how CoSchedule uses podcasting within their broader content marketing activities. What Makes A Good Podcast? Framed as “what is the biggest mistake most content marketers make?” led Craig and Ben to discuss what makes a good podcast. The answer: quality over quantity. Often times, creators are in a rush to produce as much content as possible. Thinking the more I put out there, the more chances people will have to interact with my podcast. But in reality, spending more time creating engaging content is the better strategy. Creating a good podcast comes down to investing more resources in-depth and useful pieces that don’t just scratch the surface. Ben suggests asking yourself “is this the best resource available on this topic?” for every new piece of content. If your answer is no, it’ll likely fall flat because users will go elsewhere to solve their problem. For every episode of their Actionable Marketing podcast, the CoSchedule team aims to provide real-world insights and actions marketers can apply to their own work. If the episode has no takeaway, it’s scrapped. Simple as that. But remember, making a great podcast has a learning curve. It’ll take more time to research, produce, and polish episodes that go deeper but there’s a payoff. CoSchedule’s content sees passive visits and listens for months and even years after it’s published because they we were willing to invest the time upfront. That ongoing engagement is what it takes to bring a podcast from good to great. Focusing on evergreen content is a great way to squeeze more engagement over time from a single episode. Timeless content stays fresher longer, driving more listens long after it’s first published. How Podcast Content Complements Your Marketing Mix Content marketing historically only included written mediums but audio content has recently entered the scene. Craig and Ben dug into how CoSchedule thinks about their podcast content and it differs from their other channels. At a high level, CoSchedule creates content for marketer
Thu, February 20, 2020
Podcasting As Content Marketing With Ben Sailer From CoSchedule
Content marketing has long been a primary way for brands to increase their website traffic and customer bases. And one of the best in the game is CoSchedule . This software as a service (SaaS) tool allows marketers to organize, execute, and analyze every promotional campaign to get more done. To introduce CoSchedule to potential users, they create educational content about industry best practices and their product. In this episode, we discuss how CoSchedule uses podcasting within their broader content marketing activities. What Makes A Good Podcast? Framed as "what is the biggest mistake most content marketers make?" led Craig and Ben to discuss what makes a good podcast. The answer: quality over quantity. Often times, creators are in a rush to produce as much content as possible. Thinking the more I put out there, the more chances people will have to interact with my podcast. But in reality, spending more time creating engaging content is the better strategy. Creating a good podcast comes down to investing more resources in-depth and useful pieces that don't just scratch the surface. Ben suggests asking yourself "is this the best resource available on this topic?" for every new piece of content. If your answer is no, it'll likely fall flat because users will go elsewhere to solve their problem. For every episode of their Actionable Marketing podcast, the CoSchedule team aims to provide real-world insights and actions marketers can apply to their own work. If the episode has no takeaway, it's scrapped. Simple as that. But remember, making a great podcast has a learning curve. It'll take more time to research, produce, and polish episodes that go deeper but there's a payoff. CoSchedule's content sees passive visits and listens for months and even years after it's published because they we were willing to invest the time upfront. That ongoing engagement is what it takes to bring a podcast from good to great. Focusing on evergreen content is a great way to squeeze more engagement over time from a single episode. Timeless content stays fresher longer, driving more listens long after it's first published. How Podcast Content Complements Your Marketing Mix Content marketing historically only included written mediums but audio content has recently entered the scene. Craig and Ben dug into how CoSchedule thinks about their podcast content and it differs from their other channels. At a high level, CoSchedule creates content for marketer
Thu, February 13, 2020
How To Create A Narrative Podcast (& Why You Should Try It)
Six weeks into this experiment and a handful of data analyses later, we discovered our narrative style episodes were driving the most engagement. More listeners were tuning in the first day the episode dropped and the passive listens over time continue pouring in. 212 people listened to Crafting The Narrative the day it was released. Keeping our eyes on the growth prize, we committed to producing more content our audience showed us they want to hear. But creating a narrative podcast requires a bit more preparation and intention than a standard interview. So in this episode of Audience, we’re unveiling what goes into producing a narrative episode to craft the most engaging story. To dip our toes into these new waters, we first need to understand what makes a narrative podcast different from other formats. What Is A Narrative Podcast? First things first, a definition. What is a narrative podcast? The Art Of Podcast defines it as an audio documentary that follows a story arch. Rather than including an interview in full, the episode is comprised of clips, scripted segments, and music to tell the story in a non-linear way. When you think of narrative podcasts, you’re likely referencing a show produced by NPR or Gimlet Media. Both are the gold standards in this style of storytelling. If you close your eyes, you can probably hear Ira Glass or Jonathan Goldstein narrating an episode, cluing listeners into the most interesting parts of the interview. Given the success of the shows produced by each of these powerhouse networks, narrative podcasts must be a lucrative way to engage an audience. But why? Why Narrative Podcasts Engage An Audience In 2014, The Harvard Business Review set out to figure out why storytelling is such a powerful way to convey information. Their research found “ character-driven stories with emotional content result in a better understanding of the key points and enable better recall weeks later”. We learned narrative storytelling follows a non-linear path, fleshing out characters and storylines. By ramping up the drama and suspense, the narrative format generates emotions in listeners, wiring them to connect more with the content. Their results mark a common thread between stories that produce engagement and narrative podcasts. Even outside of the science, podcasters have found success with narrative episodes.
Thu, February 13, 2020
How To Create A Narrative Podcast (& Why You Should Try It)
Six weeks into this experiment and a handful of data analyses later, we discovered our narrative style episodes were driving the most engagement. More listeners were tuning in the first day the episode dropped and the passive listens over time continue pouring in. 212 people listened to Crafting The Narrative the day it was released. Keeping our eyes on the growth prize, we committed to producing more content our audience showed us they want to hear. But creating a narrative podcast requires a bit more preparation and intention than a standard interview. So in this episode of Audience, we’re unveiling what goes into producing a narrative episode to craft the most engaging story. To dip our toes into these new waters, we first need to understand what makes a narrative podcast different from other formats. What Is A Narrative Podcast? First things first, a definition. What is a narrative podcast? The Art Of Podcast defines it as an audio documentary that follows a story arch. Rather than including an interview in full, the episode is comprised of clips, scripted segments, and music to tell the story in a non-linear way. When you think of narrative podcasts, you’re likely referencing a show produced by NPR or Gimlet Media. Both are the gold standards in this style of storytelling. If you close your eyes, you can probably hear Ira Glass or Jonathan Goldstein narrating an episode, cluing listeners into the most interesting parts of the interview. Given the success of the shows produced by each of these powerhouse networks, narrative podcasts must be a lucrative way to engage an audience. But why? Why Narrative Podcasts Engage An Audience In 2014, The Harvard Business Review set out to figure out why storytelling is such a powerful way to convey information. Their research found “ character-driven stories with emotional content result in a better understanding of the key points and enable better recall weeks later”. We learned narrative storytelling follows a non-linear path, fleshing out characters and storylines. By ramping up the drama and suspense, the narrative format generates emotions in listeners, wiring them to connect more with the content. Their results mark a common thread between stories that produce engagement and narrative podcasts. Even outside of the science, podcasters have found success with narrative episodes. As of this publication, <a
Thu, February 06, 2020
Jack Rhysider Talks Podcast Promotion & Darknet Diaries
In this episode of Audience, I sit down with Jack Rhysider from the Darknet Diaries podcast and dig into his journey promoting his podcast. With +200K listeners and counting, Jack is not only the host of an insanely popular podcast but he also talks transparently about how he grew a following using strategies any podcaster can leverage. Ahead, we picked out few key topics from his interview that can help take your show to the next level. We explore Jack's research on audience tipping points, effective podcast promotional strategies to build a loyal following, and what changes after your show starts to grow on its own. When you're done here, tune in to the full episode for more from Jack Rhysider and his trajectory to building a successful podcast. What Is The Podcast Promotion Tipping Point? A tipping point is a series of small changes that become significant enough to cause large, important change. Some would argue podcasting in general has hit a tipping point, entering into mainstream as over 50 % of Americans have listened to a show. Starting out from scratch, Jack began his podcast promotional brainstorm asking "How much do I have to promote my show until it starts growing itself with its own momentum?". Essentially he wanted to know how many loyal listeners did he need to attract before he hit the tipping point. Asking marketing experts and fellow podcasters turned up nothing so he set out to discover the "magic" number himself. What he found was at about 150 passionate followers, things started to pick up and the slow growth drip turned into a steady trickle. Bolstered by evidence found by Malcolm Gladwell , Jack stumbled upon the right number of listeners that would take his show from under the radar to the mainstream. At the 150 person tipping point, he didn't see a dramatic, sudden increase in listeners. Instead, after pushing the boulder of growing a podcast audience on his own, he felt there was now a few extra hands to handle the weight. These hands would help drive incremental growth, provide more legitimacy to the show, and ultimately make Darknet Diaries the go-to podcast on the underbelly of the internet. But how did he find those 150 engaged fans in first place? 4 Effective Podcast Promotion Strategies That Helped Grow Darknet Diaries Effective podcast promotional strategies are all based on one common truth. If you're passionate about the topic and believe in the value your
Thu, February 06, 2020
Jack Rhysider Talks Podcast Promotion & Darknet Diaries
In this episode of Audience, I sit down with Jack Rhysider from the Darknet Diaries podcast and dig into his journey promoting his podcast. With +200K listeners and counting, Jack is not only the host of an insanely popular podcast but he also talks transparently about how he grew a following using strategies any podcaster can leverage. Ahead, we picked out few key topics from his interview that can help take your show to the next level. We explore Jack’s research on audience tipping points, effective podcast promotional strategies to build a loyal following, and what changes after your show starts to grow on its own. When you’re done here, tune in to the full episode for more from Jack Rhysider and his trajectory to building a successful podcast. What Is The Podcast Promotion Tipping Point? A tipping point is a series of small changes that become significant enough to cause large, important change. Some would argue podcasting in general has hit a tipping point, entering into mainstream as over 50 % of Americans have listened to a show. Starting out from scratch, Jack began his podcast promotional brainstorm asking “How much do I have to promote my show until it starts growing itself with its own momentum?”. Essentially he wanted to know how many loyal listeners did he need to attract before he hit the tipping point. Asking marketing experts and fellow podcasters turned up nothing so he set out to discover the “magic” number himself. What he found was at about 150 passionate followers, things started to pick up and the slow growth drip turned into a steady trickle. Bolstered by evidence found by Malcolm Gladwell , Jack stumbled upon the right number of listeners that would take his show from under the radar to the mainstream. At the 150 person tipping point, he didn’t see a dramatic, sudden increase in listeners. Instead, after pushing the boulder of growing a podcast audience on his own, he felt there was now a few extra hands to handle the weight. These hands would help drive incremental growth, provide more legitimacy to the show, and ultimately make Darknet Diaries the go-to podcast on the underbelly of the internet. But how did he find those 150 engaged fans in first place? 4 Effective Podcast Promotion Strategies That Helped Grow Darknet Diaries Effective podcast promotional strategies are all based on one common truth. If you’re passionate about the topic and believe in the value you
Thu, January 30, 2020
Early Results And Growth Strategy Looking Ahead
Audience was born to be an unfiltered, raw look at one brand’s quest to test the most popular podcast growth strategies. To stay true to our word, we’re looking back at our results to date and detailing what lies ahead. In the 10th episode, Early Results And Our Growth Strategy Looking Ahead, we’re diving into the important growth numbers to see how we’ve done. Growing a podcast takes diligence, strategic thinking, and an eagerness to keep at it. We’re currently not hitting our goal of at least 1,000 listens per episode but with these strategies, we hope to get there soon. Audience’s Podcast Format And Workflow In terms of the content mix, we’ve focused the format on monologues instead of interviews to start. This was because we wanted to cover a lot of technical and practical advice about podcasting. Our host, Craig, has years worth of podcasting experience to draw upon and we felt he was the perfect voice to get our listeners up to speed on podcasting basics. We also wanted to get into the groove of our show’s workflow and figure out how to fit this project into the overall work we’re doing at Castos. Audience is one part of our content strategy, so we needed to find the balance of producing the show alongside our larger projects. At episode ten, our workflow looks like this: At the start of the month, plan the topics of the upcoming four episodes Outline each episode’s script on the Monday the week of the episode’s release Record the episode on Tuesday and edit on Wednesday Write a blog post, show notes, and email blast on Wednesday after the episode is finalized. Generate a transcript of the episode using Castos’ automatic transcription feature . Publish the blog post, send the email, and promote the episode across social media on Thursday when the episode goes live We’re operating on a short timeline each week to allow for potential pivots if a more engaging content topic pops up unexpectedly. Outlining, recording, and editing an episode within one week may not work for most hosts but we’re getting our process down to a science. For hosts who are just starting out, we can’t stress enough how important it is to figure out your most efficient workflow from the start. This will help you create new episodes consistently and keep you from podfading . But now with nine episodes under our belt and the basics covered, we’re ready to transition more into the interview format. Future episodes promise to feature interviews with subject matter experts in key areas of podcasting. These expert interviews should prove to be “really good radio”, and we hope you e
Thu, January 23, 2020
The 4 Best Paid Acquisition Channels To Grow Your Listenership
In this episode of Audience we talk through the 4 most common advertising platforms you can use to grow your podcast. While the quality of your content is, and likely will always be, King if you have the budget to amplify that already-awesome content with advertising it can be a really effective way to accelerate the growth of your show. In this episode we talk about the following ad platforms for your podcast: Facebook Overcast Quora and Reddit Other podcasts But fair warning, good advertising will never make up for a lack of good content. We spent a few previous episodes talking about how to craft an interesting story , and not to follow your own narrative , and now that we’ve got a good idea of what good content is we can look to start amplifying that with ads. Resources Mentioned Overcast.fm Facebook Ads Quora Ads
Thu, January 16, 2020
8 Tips To Podcast More Efficiently
When it comes to creating great content everything starts with consistency. You’ve got to be able to publish episodes on schedule, week after week. And a big part of that is having a system to allow you to create those episodes easily over time, with spending just the minimum amount of time necessary, so you can spend the rest of your time on higher value (and higher leverage) activities, like connecting with your audience, promoting your podcast, and growing your brand. In this episode, we talk through the 8 tactics we use to create content for this show. Resources Mentioned Calendly Book Like A Boss Guest Email Template Episode Transcript Craig: 00:08 Hello and welcome back to audience. I’m Craig Hewitt, your host from Castos. If you’re new to the podcast, we’ve been talking the last few episodes about creating great content and how that’s really a cornerstone of growing your podcast organically. We’re going to talk a lot about promotional and marketing efforts for, for growing your audience a bit later in the podcast, but in this episode we’re going to really focus on how to efficiently and effectively create your podcast content. There’s a lot that goes into creating really great content and a lot of it is a stylistic and artistic and creative to be, to be honest, but a lot of it comes down to creating good systems and processes for how to go about creating that content. So putting some structure around how you create content will make you more effective and efficient with the time you’re spending creating your content for your podcast. And today we’re going to dive into a handful of tactics and strategies that we like to use in creating the content for audience that you can use as well. So let’s dive in. Craig: 01:11 The first thing that we liked to look at is the concept of working in series a. So a series of a podcast is typically a grouping of episodes anywhere from, I’ll say six to, I don’t know, 20 episodes, but it has a predefined scope, do it, and duration typically. Uh, the nice thing about this is it gives you that kind of mental and emotional break that you know, is coming, uh, podcasting and perpetuity forever. Every week can be daunting to a lot of people. So to know that, okay, I’m gonna record 12 episodes for the season, then we’re going to take a break for three weeks and we’re going to come back with another season that might be themed differently or have something, a different topic you’re going to talk about, gi
Thu, January 09, 2020
Effective Podcast Promotion Strategies
In this our 6th episode of the Audience podcast we dive into the tactics you can use to broaden your listenership through better promoting your podcast. Promoting your podcast comes down to finding new ways to reach prospective listeners outside of your existing audience circle. Effective podcast promotion starts with knowing your ideal listener and the places where you can connect with them, and then building the systems and practices to connect with people in those communities every time you publish a new episode. Resources Mentioned: Audience Persona Worksheet Podcast Promotion blog post YouTube Republishing Headliner Audiograms Podcasting Directories To Submit Your Show To Email Marketing for Podcasters Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:05 Welcome to audience. I’m your host Craig Hewitt from Castos. Here we uncover it the best tactics, strategies and plans you can use to grow your podcast from zero to a meaningful and impactful marketing asset for your brand. Here with audience, we’re using ourselves as kind of a crash test dummy to build a podcast from scratch, literally zero listeners just a month ago to a meaningful and impactful podcast and marketing tool for our brand Costos and today we’re going to be talking all about promotion of your podcast. We’ve covered a lot of the kind of nuts and bolts in the basis of what constitutes a good podcast here in the first six episodes. Covered a lot about storytelling and creating interesting and meaningful content that’s share worthy with your audience and other. We’ve covered that and the basics of how to get started. Podcasting and some of our first two episodes. We’re going to talk all about podcasts for promotion today. Speaker 1 01:08 If you do a quick search for how to podcast on Google, you’ll find a lot of content out there about how to get started and rightfully so. This is a big barrier for a lot of folks. You know what podcasting microphone to use. What the heck is an RSS feed, where to host your files, how to submit to places like Apple podcast and Spotify. But a lot of the resource out there really stopped there and, and don’t talk about how to promote your podcast and how to grow your audience. And that’s really what this show is all about. A bit of fair warning here. This is a super tactical and pr
Thu, January 02, 2020
Becoming A Content Leader with Srini Rao
Being a content leader (as opposed to a follower and copying what everyone else is doing) is scary, especially for first-time podcasters. In Audience’s episode 5, we’re taking a closer look at podcast content tips. But this “Blue Ocean” of content for your listeners creates an opportunity for you to explore what you really want to talk about on your podcast and creates for your audience that engaging, share-worthy material that they so desperately are looking for. In this episode, I sit down with Srini Rao from the Unmistakable Creative podcast to talk about how he’s followed the ethos of their podcast brand to talk to interesting people who are forging their own paths. In so doing he has built a large, and loyal, audience and their brand now includes a private social network, several courses, and a podcast library that is 700+ episodes strong. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Unmistakable Creative Audience Of One Mighty Networks Srini Rao on Twitter Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:08 Hello and welcome back to audience, the podcast where you follow us as we build a podcast from scratch here. We’re early on a quest to find the best tactics and strategies to grow a podcast audience literally from zero to tens of thousands of listeners each episode. Today I’m joined by fellow podcaster Srini Rao from the unmistakable creative podcast. I really liked the conversation I had with Srini here because he talks about a lot of his kind of reason for creating content and the way that he creates it and a lot of the, the motivation behind the, the style he has with his content and where that’s going to driving his brand. I’ll let Srini talk a lot more about this in the episode, but wanted to continue this thread of what constitutes really good content. Uh, and our second interview here in the audience podcast because I think this is a real key driver of the organic growth side of your podcasts. Uh, we’ll experiment with a lot of different marketing tactics paid and organic, but I think creating really good content is the cornerstone of a lot of what makes our content shareable. And kind of go viral. So here to share more about kind of how he creates this kind of viral content that his audience obviously loves. Speaker 1 01:23 Would you mind kind of sharing with folks who aren’t familiar with you and you’re in your show, kind of what you g
Thu, December 26, 2019
Launch Day
In this episode of Audience, we cover the results of our launch day, talk about how we approached launching the podcast, and what some of the early analytics around the launch day episodes are. From here the fun (and hard) part starts, where we will begin growing the listenership of this podcast. A modest beginning of ~200 listeners in our inaugural episodes is a good starting point, but now comes the time to broaden the reach of this show to new listeners. Our early plans to grow this show include both organic social media platform growth (Facebook and Twitter for us), and then we will begin experimenting with different paid acquisition channels for the show. Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:06 Hello and welcome back to audience, the podcast where you follow along as we build a real and impactful podcast audience from scratch. I’m your host Craig Hewitt from Castillo’s. Well, at this point, launch day has come and gone and we’ve learned a lot. In this episode we’re going to talk all about how we went about launching the podcast, some of the strategies and marketing tactics that you might use in launching your own podcast and some of the early results from our analytics to talk about how the launch went in those first few episodes. When it comes to launching a podcast. I think you really need to, to think about launching a podcast as you would any other product or initiative within a, within your business or brand or community. Uh, a podcast launch is, is a product in and of itself. And with that in mind, I think one of the first things that you think about is, is how you already reach your existing audience. Speaker 1 00:55 So we’ll assume that we have some kind of audience if we’re going to be starting a podcast, if you’re truly starting from scratch. I think a lot of the same principles apply here, but they’re a little bit of guesswork. Uh, and in the, I mean, the first thing we think about is how do we reach our existing audience already for us at , it’s been primarily through email, a little bit of social media and through our Facebook group called podcast hackers. So with that in mind, the things that you might think about as you’re looking to, to launch a podcast are how do you already connect with your existing audience, whether it’s again, for your, your business or for your local community, religious organization, your passion project or hobby. How do you already connect with the people in your world? For a lot of people, this is a, some kind of digital or virtual environment, emails, social media, online communities, things like that. Speaker 1 01:46 In person events always plays a big role in more local focused kind of, you know, brands and topics. So again, a religious organization, a sports community would be much more kind of geographically focused. And so in person events mig
Thu, December 19, 2019
Crafting The Narrative
In this episode, we talk through what makes up a good story for your podcast, and why it’s an essential step in creating engaging and shareworthy content. These days creating the same content as the rest of the shows in your niche just isn’t good enough. We all need to be publishing 10x content that really stands out above and beyond what other shows are creating. To learn how the pros do this I sat down with Jared and Leah from Vancouver based Pressboard Media . Jared and Leah are experts at crafting a story around their topic, and helping their guests share those really interesting and insightful moments during interviews. During this episode we discuss: Why you can’t start out at a 10 when telling a story How to be vulnerable without seeming negative Why brands can tell just as good of a story as individuals How to think about your competition (hint, it’s not often who you think it is) How to go about crafting a story arc for your episodes Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:05 Hello and welcome back to audience. I’m Craig Hewitt, your host. This is the podcast where you follow the journey of one brand building their podcast audience from zero to a meaningful and impactful resource for their business. Today we’re talking all about storytelling. Storytelling is so important because it’s really what separates meaningful and engaging and dynamic content from everything else out there in the podcasting world. And today I’m joined by Leah and Jared from pressboard media. Speaker 2 00:35 We’re in the business of telling stories. Everything we do is about telling stories. And because we’re a storytelling company, we’re always looking for new ways to reach both our audience and help our clients reach their audiences. Speaker 1 00:48 Why talk about storytelling on a podcast about growing your podcast audience. You might ask, and that’s a fair question. And the reason is in this show we’re going to be exploring kind of all aspects of growing a listenership, uh, from paid advertising to content marketing, email marketing. But the core of it really is creating really excellent podcast content for your listeners. And storytelling is by far the best way to stand out from the crowd and really make your show different from everyone else out there. By sharing a narrative, building a story, and having an evolution of of your message over time, as podcasting gets more mature and frankly more competitive, we have to evolve the way we create content and the way we relate our message to our audience much in the way that the traditional marketing and advertis
Thu, December 19, 2019
Podcast Setup And Gear
Everyone’s favorite topic, and an important one here at the beginning of your podcasting journey is a podcast’s setup. If you’re new to recording high quality audio then sit down for a crash course in podcast setups. After this episode, you’ll be able to record the kind of sound that your audience will love listening to, and keep them coming back week after week. In this episode we discuss: Podcast microphone suggestions Audio recording and editing software Podcast hosting providers What an RSS feed is and why it’s important Where we will be submitting our show for distribution Whether you’re new to podcasting or are a seasoned veteran we’d love to hear your experience with your own podcast setup. They’re really important as you’re getting started and then, fortunately, we can kind of “set it and forget it” when it comes to our podcasting gear and setup. Leave a comment below about your podcasting setup and what you’ve learned using it. Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:04 This will arguably be a lot of folks favorite episode because here we’re going to be geeking out on gear and set up and the nuts and bolts really of how to start a podcast. This is the only time probably will talk about this because again, this is not the most important thing to get on an ongoing basis. You have to make this decision once, get the gear, get things set up, and then everything is just in place from then on so you can focus on what’s really important, which is creating interesting and compelling content for your audience and connecting with them and grow in your brand. Speaker 1 00:42 Welcome back to the audience podcast. I’m Craig Hewitt, your host, and here we’re going to be talking first about gear. A lot of folks favorite subject and for good reason. You don’t want to have a bad sounding podcast and this is an important thing to talk about as we’re getting started is you have to have a podcast that sounds good and is pleasing to your listeners. Podcasting is more and more competitive every day and now the minimum bar of audio quality is relatively high. The, you have to have a good sounding podcast that’s interesting and is is not kind of harsh for your listeners to listen to. You have to have something that sounds good. And really the first place that that starts is with a good podcasting microphone. We get pretty opinionated about podcasting and microphones here at Costos because we have a lot of experience on the post production side as well. Speaker 1 01:28 Cast us productions is a done for you service inside of our hosting platform that allows you to just upload the raw recording files like this. And then our team takes care of all the e
Thu, December 19, 2019
Why And For Whom We're Podcasting
These two questions are so essential that we put them into this inaugural episode of Audience. If you don't have a well thought out and defensible answer for: Why you're podcasting Who you're podcasting for Then stop everything else now and let's figure this out. The answer to these two questions will guide almost all of the creative content decisions that you make with your show. Doing this will give you great alignment between the 3 pillars of a great podcast: what your audience is interested in, and specifically what your message is. Getting a high degree of alignment between these two will give your listeners the feeling that you're talking DIRECTLY to them. Almost like you had that one person in mind when you created your show....probably because you did. Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:04 Hi there and welcome to the first episode of the audience podcast. I'm your host Craig Hewitt from Castos. Here in the first episode we're going to be talking through two of the really fundamental questions that we as podcasters or any kind of content creators really need to answer before we embark on a new kind of form of content they were going to be creating for our brand. And again, you know, from, from our trailer episode, we're going to use the term brand a lot here because the audience podcast is about building a successful and meeting full podcast for your brand. And a brand can be anything from a business to kind of a side hustle, a church or religious group and a charity or just a hobby. Uh, so, so it's not just for businesses, it's not just for hobbyists, it's the things we're learning here. Speaker 1 00:49 And the principles apply to everyone. And the foundation of, of a good podcast that's going to make an impact on your brand is, is something that, that reaches the right kind of people in the right way and delivers the right message to them. And so that's what we're going to cover here in this first episode or the questions that we have asked ourselves here at Castillo's to kind of suss out why we're here and why we're doing this, who it's for, and what we're trying to achieve with recording and producing the audience podcast. Because there certainly are always other options that we all have in terms of what kind of content recreate and how we try to kind of further our brand and market our business or whatever. We write a lot of blog content, we have a YouTube channel that's really active, but we feel that podcasting is really the best way that we can share what we're learning and what we know with folks out there that are doing the same thing. Speaker 1 01:45 And I think for us, the, the consistency between the podcasting medium and talking a
Thu, December 19, 2019
Why And For Whom We’re Podcasting
These two questions are so essential that we put them into this inaugural episode of Audience. If you don’t have a well thought out and defensible answer for: Why you’re podcasting Who you’re podcasting for Then stop everything else now and let’s figure this out. The answer to these two questions will guide almost all of the creative content decisions that you make with your show. Doing this will give you great alignment between the 3 pillars of a great podcast: what your audience is interested in, and specifically what your message is. Getting a high degree of alignment between these two will give your listeners the feeling that you’re talking DIRECTLY to them. Almost like you had that one person in mind when you created your show….probably because you did. Episode Transcript Speaker 1 00:04 Hi there and welcome to the first episode of the audience podcast. I’m your host Craig Hewitt from Castos. Here in the first episode we’re going to be talking through two of the really fundamental questions that we as podcasters or any kind of content creators really need to answer before we embark on a new kind of form of content they were going to be creating for our brand. And again, you know, from, from our trailer episode, we’re going to use the term brand a lot here because the audience podcast is about building a successful and meeting full podcast for your brand. And a brand can be anything from a business to kind of a side hustle, a church or religious group and a charity or just a hobby. Uh, so, so it’s not just for businesses, it’s not just for hobbyists, it’s the things we’re learning here. Speaker 1 00:49 And the principles apply to everyone. And the foundation of, of a good podcast that’s going to make an impact on your brand is, is something that, that reaches the right kind of people in the right way and delivers the right message to them. And so that’s what we’re going to cover here in this first episode or the questions that we have asked ourselves here at Castillo’s to kind of suss out why we’re here and why we’re doing this, who it’s for, and what we’re trying to achieve with recording and producing the audience podcast. Because there certainly are always other options that we all have in terms of what kind of content recreate and how we try to kind of further our brand and market our business or whatever. We write a lot of blog content, we have a YouTube channel that’s really active, but we feel that podcasting is really the best way that we can share what we’re learning and what we know with folks out there that are doing the same thing. Speaker 1 01:45 And I think for us, the, the consistency between the podcasting medium and talking abo
Thu, December 12, 2019
Trailer
In this episode we set the stage for the Audience podcast. Here we talk through why we’re doing this show, what it’s aim is, and who the podcast is for. Through the course of this show we’re going to explore all of the ways to grow a podcast audience. From zero listeners through to what constitutes a successful and impactful podcast for our brand. Follow along as we share the best ideas and newest strategies around growing a podcast audience…real, unfiltered, and transparently.
Tue, December 10, 2019
Teaser
In this episode we set the stage for the Audience podcast. Here we talk through why we're doing this show, what it's aim is, and who the podcast is for. Through the course of this show we're going to explore all of the ways to grow a podcast audience. From zero listeners through to what constitutes a successful and impactful podcast for our brand. Follow along as we share the best ideas and newest strategies around growing a podcast audience...real, unfiltered, and transparently.
Tue, July 23, 2019
21 Podcast Recording Tips For Polished Episodes
Recording great audio takes some practice, but you can skip a lot of the trial-and-error with these podcast recording tips. No amount of editing will make terrible source audio sound great so practice these to-the-point strategies to capture clean podcast recordings from the start. The Top Podcast Recording Tips Great podcast recordings come down to the host’s ability to produce the right sound. These tips are all about creating the perfect recording environment and actionable techniques you can put to use every time you sit down to create an episode. 1. Use the right equipment You can record a podcast with your laptop’s microphone, but we don’t recommend it. You’ll need a few pieces of podcast equipment to record professional and clear audio. This is the easiest of all our podcast recording tips and it has the biggest impact on your audio quality. 2. Don’t forget to warm up To state the obvious, recording a podcast episodes requires a bit of talking. Rather than going into your session cold, warm up your mouth and vocal cords by practicing your script or saying a few tongue twisters. Properly warming up will improve your dictation and keep you from stumbling over words. There’s nothing better than delivering your points flawlessly the first time around. 3. Record in a small, quiet room Record episodes in the smallest and quietest room possible to reduce outside noise and echoes. Shut your windows and doors, turn off any machines or devices that make a constant noise, and put your pets somewhere they won’t disturb you for a couple hours. Fill your recording environment with soft items (couches, pillows, carpet, etc.) that absorb sound to muffle any errant noises. 4. Create a brief noise profile Pause for four or five seconds at the beginning of your recording to create a noise profile. Stay absolutely silent and eliminate all environmental noise. You can use this moment of silence during editing to identify and remove any background noise by following The Audacity To Podcast’s tutorial on removing noise using Audacity. 5. Adopt proper microphone techniques First, place your microphone at the same height as your mouth. Then sit a few inches back and have the pop filter between your mouth and the mic. Next, focus on your mouth’s distance from the microphone setup and adjust your
Thu, July 11, 2019
How Email Marketing Can Help You Grow Your Podcast
You're all set up with your microphone, headphones, and hosting software. You're creating awesome podcast content. People will listen to you because of that, right? Unfortunately, no. In the past year, podcasters have added 10.5 million new episodes to 150,000 new shows, bringing the total to 700,000 active podcasts with 29 million episodes. Competition is fierce, and you have your work cut out for you to compete with the best podcasts . But you can do it. And email can help. There are a few essential email marketing methods you need to get familiar with in order to actually see results. This article will give you a complete, step-by-step guide to how you can ensure your podcast succeeds with an effective email marketing strategy and tactics. But first, we'll dive into why this channel is important piece to your podcast marketing strategy. Why Email Marketing? It's simple. Email marketing works.Between $32 and $44 is made for every $1 spent on email marketing (depending on who you ask). 49% of consumers say they're happy to receive promotional emails from the companies they like at least once a week. To make matters even better, 73% of millennials say email is their preferred business communication platform, and it's the preferred platform compared to post, social media, texting, or phone calls: The majority of respondents preferred to receive B2C communications via email. There were 281.1 billion emails sent and received each day in 2018. By 2022, email experts anticipate that number to hit 333.2 billion. To stand out as a podcaster who effectively dri
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