Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tops To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes
Small Podcast lessons (less than 9 minutes) with big value to help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast from Hall of Fame Podcaster Dave JacksonThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, March 22, 2025
Frazzled Minds Make Frazzled Choices
Bad Environments Lead to Bad Decisions Bad environments lead to bad decisions, and boy, do we have stories to share! Ever looked back at some of your life choices and thought, “What on Earth was I thinking?” Yeah, me too! We run into the chaos of those moments when our brains were more frazzled than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We chat about how a little bit of panic can turn us into decision-making nincompoops, like forgetting to get a website for our podcast. Spoiler alert: Having a website is a big deal if you want anyone to find your show. So, let’s unpack this hot mess together and figure out how to avoid those cringe-worthy blunders! Looking at our past decisions is like opening a box of stale donuts; it’s messy, and you might regret it. We’re all guilty of making choices when we’re not in the right headspace. I share classic examples, like the time someone thought not having a website was a smart move. It’s not. You want people to find your podcast? They need a place to land, not just a vague hope that they might stumble across it while scrolling through cat memes. Now, let's not throw shade. We all start from different places, but this was a classic example of being "rattled" lead to bad decisions. Takeaways: Bad decisions often come from panic or being overwhelmed, so slow down and think. Having a website is crucial for podcasters to be found and grow their audience. People tend to overlook basic steps when launching, like having a website ready. Without a website, you’re basically invisible to potential listeners trying to find you. Word of mouth is key for podcast growth, but you need a solid strategy to make it work. Don’t let a frazzled mindset lead to bad decisions—stay organized and plan ahead. Links referenced in this episode: schoolofpodcasting.com powerofpodcasting.com namecheap.com coolerwebsites.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, March 07, 2025
Sponsorship Shenanigans: How Not to Blow Your First Deal
Ever wondered how to navigate the wild world of podcast sponsorship? Well, grab your favorite snack and settle in because we’re diving deep into everything you need to know about snagging that sweet sponsorship deal. Picture this: you’re in a Facebook group, and someone’s practically begging for help because they’re clueless about how to answer a potential sponsor's questions. Yup, that’s our starting point! We'll dig into the nitty-gritty of what sponsors want, how to present your podcast’s value, and why you should treat your audience like gold (because they are!). Spoiler alert: stuffing your show with ads is like throwing glitter on a garbage fire—totally unnecessary and just plain messy! We also talk about the delicate balance of ads in your podcast. Ever heard of the 10% rule? Well, it’s a thing! Ads shouldn’t overwhelm your content; otherwise, you risk losing your audience faster than you can say ‘skip ad’. We’ll show real-life examples of how many ads are too many and why relevant ads can enhance the listening experience. And let’s not forget about the cash—how do you price your sponsorship deals? It’s all about charging what you’re worth and keeping that win-win vibe going. By the end, you’ll be ready to strut into your next sponsorship negotiation like a boss! Takeaways: If you're diving into podcast sponsorship, get ready for some wild questions, folks! Understanding your audience is crucial, because irrelevant ads are like bad breath at a party. Keep your ads to a minimum; too many will have your listeners hitting that skip button. Finding the perfect sponsor is like dating; make sure you both vibe with each other's goals! Remember, your relationship with your audience is worth way more than you think, so charge accordingly! Don't just take any random ad; find something you actually love so your enthusiasm shines through! Companies mentioned in this episode: Oxford Road Libsyn Ads Mentioned in this episode: Ready to start your podcast the right way? Join the School of Podcasting and get step-by-step courses covering everything from planning and equipment to editing, audience growth, and monetization. Plus, you'll get expert UNLIMITED coaching and a supportive community to guide you every step of the way. Start your podcast with confidence—join today! 👉 SchoolofPodcasting.com School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, February 21, 2025
Serving Algorithms or Serving Humans?
Algorithms are like that friend who bails you out one minute and then ghost you the next. They can help you reach your audience or throw your content into the digital abyss. This episode looks into the wild world of serving both our lovely audience and those picky, mood-swinging algorithms. We’re talking about how they can boost small creators or stomp them into the ground based on some arbitrary rules they change on a whim. So, grab your favorite snack and let’s break down the double-edged sword of algorithms – they give us exposure but can just as quickly snatch it away! Takeaways: Algorithms can be your best friend, but also your worst enemy, so watch out. Knowing your audience is great, but knowing the algorithm is like a second job. Instagram's new algorithm favors smaller accounts, but will it actually help? Who knows! Content might be king, but the algorithm's the one holding the crown, so please bow. If you think you can ignore the algorithm and still thrive, good luck with that! Just remember, if the algorithm changes, your content could dry up faster than your last relationship. Mentioned in this episode: Ready to start your podcast the right way? Join the School of Podcasting and get step-by-step courses covering everything from planning and equipment to editing, audience growth, and monetization. Plus, you'll get expert UNLIMITED coaching and a supportive community to guide you every step of the way. Start your podcast with confidence—join today! 👉 SchoolofPodcasting.com School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, February 14, 2025
Podcaster Blues: When Your Show Just Won't Take Off
So, your podcast isn’t growing, huh? Yeah, it’s like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks, but all you get is a messy wall. When I was married I bought my wife flowers once a week. You won't believe what she said to me! Spoiler alert: if you’re not giving them what they want, they’re gonna ghost you faster than a bad date. So, grab your headphones, and let’s get to the bottom of this podcasting conundrum together! Takeaways: Sometimes, taking a break from your podcast can slow your momentum, so be careful. If you're putting in a ton of effort but still seeing low numbers, maybe it's time for a change. Understanding your audience's wants is key; otherwise, you're just talking to a wall. Your podcast can be fun even when the numbers aren't great; focus on that joy instead! Don't get too attached to your ideas; switch things up a bit if they're not resonating. Feedback is crucial; if you're not getting it, you might miss the point altogether. No feedback IS feedback. Links referenced in this episode: askthepodcastcoach.com schoolofpodcasting.com Mentioned in this episode: UNLIMITED One-On-One Coaching Are you struggling to grow your podcast or turn your ideas into a show that stands out? With over 20 years of experience, Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson offers one-on-one coaching designed to fast-track your success. Whether you're launching, refining, or scaling your podcast, Dave cuts through the noise with expert insights, proven strategies, and personalized guidance. Avoid costly mistakes, master your message, and build an engaged audience—without being overwhelmed. Ready to make your podcast impossible to ignore? Let’s make it happen School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, February 07, 2025
Don't Let Tech Scare You: Podcasting Is Easier Than You Think!
If you're sitting there sweating bullets about diving into the world of podcasting because technology gives you the heebie-jeebies, relax, my friend. The real villain stopping you isn’t the tech; it’s your brain playing tricks on you. Seriously, we chat about how the fear of technology is just a fancy excuse to avoid trying something new. Trust me, if you turn down the radio when your phone rings, you can totally handle mixing audio for your podcast. It might seem tough at first, but like everything else, it gets easier once you give it a shot. You've Been Thinking of Starting a Podcast Ever sat down and thought, "Man, I totally want to start a podcast, but my tech skills are basically at a toddler level?" Yeah, I get it. We've all been there, staring at our devices like they might bite us or something. But here’s the kicker: it’s not the technology that’s holding you back, it’s your brain. Seriously. In this episode, we dive into the real culprit behind your podcasting fears. It’s not some high-tech wizardry that’s out of your reach; it’s the mindset that says, "I can’t do this." We share some examples, like a client with 40 tabs open on Chrome—because who hasn’t been there? We explore how the fear of tech is often just the fear of trying, and trust me; we’ve got the laughs and the insights to help you kick that fear to the curb. It’s all about realizing that everything seems hard until you actually do it, so let’s get you podcasting, shall we? Takeaways: Don't let technology scare you; you're probably overthinking it—it's simpler than you think! If you tried podcasting before and found it hard, give it another shot; things change! Being afraid of tech is common, but remember, you learned to tie your shoes, right? Everything feels hard until you get the hang of it, so just dive in and start! You already mix audio when you turn down the radio for a call; you can podcast! Seriously, if you can save a photo in an email, you can upload a podcast episode! Mentioned in this episode: Ready to start your podcast the right way? Join the School of Podcasting and get step-by-step courses covering everything from planning and equipment to editing, audience growth, and monetization. Plus, you'll get expert UNLIMITED coaching and a supportive community to guide you every step of the way. Start your podcast with confidence—join today! 👉 SchoolofPodcasting.com School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, January 25, 2025
Stop Selling, Start Helping: The Secret to Self-Promotion in Podcasting
If you’ve ever struggled with promoting yourself or your offerings, I get it—it can feel awkward, even "salesy." But what if you thought of it as a nudge to value instead of just another call to action? In this episode, I dive into why it’s so important to let your audience know about the valuable products and services you provide. I share some personal stories about the mental barriers that often make self-promotion feel uncomfortable and how shifting your mindset can help you better connect with your audience. As podcasters, understanding self-promotion is key to monetization. And here’s the truth: the most profitable strategy isn’t running ads—it’s selling your own products or services. I share a story about a fellow podcaster who hesitated to promote her speaking engagements, fearing she’d come off as pushy. That hesitation is something I see all the time, especially among creatives who undervalue their own work. That’s why I encourage you to reframe self-promotion—not as selling, but as sharing value. When you make that shift, it becomes easier to talk about what you offer in a way that feels natural and beneficial to your audience. I also dig into the psychology behind why so many of us avoid self-promotion. No one wants to be seen as aggressive or overly pushy—but here’s the thing: promoting yourself is simply a way of guiding your audience toward something that could help them . I talk about how you can subtly weave your experiences and expertise into your content, creating a natural and relatable narrative that informs your listeners without feeling like an ad. As I wrap up, I emphasize the importance of having a clear call to action—what I like to call a “ nudge to value .” I break down practical ways to integrate this into your episodes, from personal stories to simple shifts in language, so that promoting yourself feels more authentic. The goal? To help you build trust, foster a stronger community, and ultimately grow your podcast in a way that aligns with your values. If self-promotion has ever felt like a struggle, this episode will give you the confidence and tools to make it work for you —without the sleazy sales tactics. Takeaways: Promoting your own products or services is often the most profitable monetization strategy for podcasters. Many podcasters hesitate to self-promote due to fear of sounding salesy or pushy. Instead of viewing it as a call to action, consider it a nudge towards value for your audience. Self-promotion can be subtle; share stories that naturally illustrate your services without being overt. Understanding your audience's needs allows you to create products that genuinely help them. Communicating the value you offer to your listeners without feeling uncomfortable is crucial. </
Sat, January 18, 2025
Is Podcasting Still Worth It in 2025?
Is it worth starting a podcast in 2025? Dave Jackson dives into this question, addressing common concerns about the podcasting landscape and whether it remains a viable medium. He emphasizes that despite the increase in podcasts and competition, the audience for podcasts continues to grow yearly. Drawing an analogy to college football, he illustrates that passion and the desire to share a message are key motivators for many podcasters, regardless of the competitive environment. Jackson also highlights that monetization is not the only goal; many creators start podcasts simply to express their creativity and connect with others. For those considering podcasting, he stresses the importance of understanding your "why" and "who" to build a meaningful and engaged audience. Making it in the NFL The odds of a football player making it to the NFL are extremely low. Only about 1.6% of college football players make it to the NFL2. For high school players, the chances are even slimmer, with only about 0.00075% (or roughly 1 in 133,333) of high school football players eventually making it to the NFL6. To break it down further: About 7.3% of high school players go on to play college football. Of those college players, only 1.2% get drafted to the NFL. Even for highly-rated recruits, the odds are challenging: Five-star recruits have about a 50% chance of being drafted. A 5-star recruit has a 39% chance of "sticking" in the league. These statistics highlight the extreme competitiveness and selectivity of professional football, emphasizing that making it to the NFL is a rare achievement that requires exceptional skill, dedication, and often a bit of luck Takeaways: Podcasting continues to grow every year, with millions of listeners in the U.S. alone. Just because podcasting seems crowded, it doesn't mean there isn't room for new voices. People often start podcasts not to make money but to share their passions and creativity. Understanding your audience is crucial—monetizing a podcast means monetizing your audience. Even successful podcasters initially started because they enjoyed discussing their topics and connecting with others. The competitive landscape of podcasting is much less daunting compared to platforms like YouTube. Mentioned in this episode: We Make Good Shows Better - Your Audience Will Thank You PodcastHotSeat.com is the ultimate coaching experience for podcasters who want actionable feedback to take their show to the next level. Whether you want to refine your content, improve audience engagement, or enhance your production quality, the Podcast Hot Seat provides expert insights and a supportive environment to help you grow. Join the hot seat and watch your podcast thrive! Podcas Hot Seat
Sat, January 11, 2025
Is Audio on YouTube Worth It? Here’s My Take
Should you put your audio podcast on YouTube? The answer, as Dave Jackson explains, is a resounding yes if you’re not currently utilizing the platform. With YouTube being the second largest search engine, it offers a valuable opportunity for podcasters to expand their audience without any significant investment of time or resources. Even if you have an audio podcast, uploading it to YouTube can lead to greater visibility and potential growth, thanks to the YouTube algorithm's recommendation engine. However, if you already have a YouTube channel with video content, it's best to create a separate channel for your audio podcast to keep your content organized and to accurately assess its performance. Join Dave as he shares insights on maximizing your podcast's reach and the importance of adapting to new platforms. Takeaways: Putting your audio podcast on YouTube can increase your visibility and audience reach. It's important to separate your audio podcast content from any existing video content on YouTube. Using your RSS feed to create a YouTube channel takes only about five minutes. YouTube is a powerful search engine that can help people discover your podcast. The YouTube algorithm can boost your content, but it can also be unpredictable. Creating a second channel for your audio podcast allows for better analytics and audience tracking. Mentioned in this episode: We Make Good Shows Better - Your Audience Will Thank You PodcastHotSeat.com is the ultimate coaching experience for podcasters who want actionable feedback to take their show to the next level. Whether you want to refine your content, improve audience engagement, or enhance your production quality, the Podcast Hot Seat provides expert insights and a supportive environment to help you grow. Join the hot seat and watch your podcast thrive! Podcas Hot Seat This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, January 02, 2025
Avoid These Common Corporate Podcast Pitfalls
Starting a corporate podcast can be a daunting task, and one of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing a host who isn't fully committed to the project. The importance of selecting a passionate host who understands the podcast is a company initiative, not a personal platform. He shares valuable insights from his extensive experience in the podcasting industry, highlighting the need for a shared email account for access and continuity, and the significance of defining a clear purpose for the podcast. Organizations risk viewing it as an expendable expense during tough times without a strong reason for starting the podcast. I also discusses tracking the podcast's effectiveness, ensuring it serves its intended audience and objectives. Takeaways: It's crucial to select a podcast host who genuinely wants to participate in the project. Ensure that all podcast services are registered with a generic company email for access. Identify a clear purpose for starting the podcast beyond just following trends. Involve multiple team members in the podcast to avoid dependence on a single host. Track podcast effectiveness with measurable goals to justify its continuation during tough times. Avoid making the podcast feel like a commercial; focus on delivering value to the listeners. Mentioned in this episode: UNLIMITED One-On-One Coaching Are you struggling to grow your podcast or turn your ideas into a show that stands out? With over 20 years of experience, Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson offers one-on-one coaching designed to fast-track your success. Whether you're launching, refining, or scaling your podcast, Dave cuts through the noise with expert insights, proven strategies, and personalized guidance. Avoid costly mistakes, master your message, and build an engaged audience—without being overwhelmed. Ready to make your podcast impossible to ignore? Let’s make it happen School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, December 26, 2024
The Pros and Cons of AI in Podcasting: My Take on NotebookLM
NotebookLM is a new AI tool that allows users to upload PDFs and generate podcast content, raising questions about the role of AI in the podcasting world. Dave Jackson shares his insights on this technology, discussing both its potential benefits and drawbacks. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal input in podcasting, warning against relying solely on AI for content creation. While acknowledging the convenience of tools like NotebookLM, he stresses that true thought leadership comes from original ideas and personal experiences. Dave also highlights the value of using AI as an assistant rather than a creator, advocating for a balanced approach that maintains the unique voice of the podcaster. Takeaways: NotebookLM allows users to upload PDFs and generate podcasts, showcasing the capabilities of AI. While AI can assist in creating content, authentic personal input remains crucial for successful podcasting. Using AI in podcasting raises questions about originality and the potential for automated content. AI-generated content may be efficient, but it often lacks the unique voice that audiences appreciate. Dave emphasizes the importance of authenticity in content creation, especially for podcasting. AI tools should be used as assistants to enhance creativity rather than replace human effort. Mentioned in this episode: We Make Good Shows Better - Your Audience Will Thank You PodcastHotSeat.com is the ultimate coaching experience for podcasters who want actionable feedback to take their show to the next level. Whether you want to refine your content, improve audience engagement, or enhance your production quality, the Podcast Hot Seat provides expert insights and a supportive environment to help you grow. Join the hot seat and watch your podcast thrive! Podcas Hot Seat This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, December 19, 2024
Mastering Content Consistency: Lessons from Hallmark Movies
Staying consistent with your podcast content is crucial for meeting your audience's expectations and fostering loyalty. Dave Jackson emphasizes the importance of sticking to a winning formula, much like the predictability of a Hallmark movie that audiences know and love. As he shares insights from his extensive experience in podcasting, he highlights how familiarity can create a warm and cozy feeling for listeners, making them more likely to return. By avoiding drastic changes once your show starts to gain traction, you can maintain that connection with your audience and continue to deliver what they love. Tune in as Dave explores examples from music and film to illustrate the benefits of consistency in content creation. Takeaways: Consistency in your podcasting content keeps your audience engaged and fulfilled. When you find a winning podcast formula, stick with it and avoid unnecessary changes. Just like Hallmark movies, predictable content can create a comforting experience for listeners. Understanding your audience's expectations is crucial for maintaining and growing your podcast. Changing your podcast format too often can lead to losing loyal listeners who want consistency. Embrace the familiar aspects of your show, as they create a sense of safety for your audience. Links referenced in this episode: schoolofpodcasting.com/start podcasthotseat.com Mentioned in this episode: We Make Good Shows Better - Your Audience Will Thank You PodcastHotSeat.com is the ultimate coaching experience for podcasters who want actionable feedback to take their show to the next level. Whether you want to refine your content, improve audience engagement, or enhance your production quality, the Podcast Hot Seat provides expert insights and a supportive environment to help you grow. Join the hot seat and watch your podcast thrive! Podcas Hot Seat This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, December 06, 2024
Why Aren't More People Listening to Your Podcast?
Are you wondering why more people aren’t tuning into your podcast? The truth is, it often comes down to the content you’re producing and how well it resonates with your audience. In this episode, Dave Jackson dives into the factors that influence podcast discoverability and listener engagement, emphasizing the importance of consistency and targeted content. He shares insights on how to inspire your audience to share your show with others, pointing out that even a small number of listeners can be significant if they are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Tune in to uncover practical tips that can help elevate your podcast and attract more listeners. Takeaways: Podcasts are primarily discovered through word of mouth, so focus on content that inspires sharing. To attract more listeners, ensure your podcast has a consistent genre and content style. It’s crucial to have a dedicated website for your podcast to enhance visibility and branding. Engage your audience by asking them to share your podcast with their friends. Your podcast episode titles should be enticing and informative to encourage clicks. Gather honest feedback from your target audience to improve your podcast's content and appeal. Mentioned in this episode: Podcast Hot Seat: We Make Good Podcasts Great You are too close to your content. I've missed typos and more. Your content may have some VERY low-hanging fruit. One way to grow your audience is to KEEP people from leaving. Your Audience will thank you! Order now, and get a free month at the School of Podcasting (including unlimited consulting). Podcas Hot Seat UNLIMITED One-On-One Coaching Are you struggling to grow your podcast or turn your ideas into a show that stands out? With over 20 years of experience, Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson offers one-on-one coaching designed to fast-track your success. Whether you're launching, refining, or scaling your podcast, Dave cuts through the noise with expert insights, proven strategies, and personalized guidance. Avoid costly mistakes, master your message, and build an engaged audience—without being overwhelmed. Ready to make your podcast impossible to ignore? Let’s make it happen School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, November 08, 2024
Don't Start a Podcast Without This Essential Ingredient
If you're contemplating starting a podcast, one crucial factor to consider is your passion for the topic. When a listener recently asked me about launching a history podcast, I emphasized that success isn't about the number of listeners but about having content you genuinely love and a drive to share it. I shared the inspiring story of Zita Christian, who started a podcast about her experiences with dementia—not because she was chasing popularity but because she wanted to help others. Her purpose was so clear that it outweighed any concerns about how many people might tune in. In my experience, understanding your "why" and knowing your audience are essential steps to avoid burnout and keep your podcast journey fulfilling. If you care deeply about your subject and are genuinely committed to serving your listeners, you'll find the motivation you need to push through those initial challenges. Takeaways: Having a strong passion for your podcast topic is essential for long-term success. Understanding your audience is crucial; know who you're creating content for. Your why behind starting the podcast will help you overcome challenges and burnout. Successful podcasters talk about subjects they love, regardless of listener numbers. Content and delivery are the two main pillars of a good podcast. Don’t start a podcast just because it seems cool; ensure you have the drive. Links referenced in this episode: podcastconsultant.com School of Podcasting (use the coupon code listener) My Spouse Has Dementia Mentioned in this episode: Podcast Hot Seat: We Make Good Podcasts Great You are too close to your content. I've missed typos and more. Your content may have some VERY low-hanging fruit. One way to grow your audience is to KEEP people from leaving. Your Audience will thank you! Order now, and get a free month at the School of Podcasting (including unlimited consulting). Podcas Hot Seat This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, November 01, 2024
The Real Secret to Monetizing Your Podcast: It’s Not What You Think
The podcasting landscape is often clouded by persistent myths that can derail the efforts of even the most dedicated creators. In this enlightening session, Dave Jackson confronts the widely held belief that consistency in episode release is the primary driver of success. While he acknowledges the importance of being reliable in scheduling, he vehemently asserts that the heart of a successful podcast lies in its content. Jackson's philosophy is clear: a compelling episode that resonates with listeners is infinitely more valuable than a mediocre one released on time. "Just be consistent" is not accurate, and will waste your time. Drawing from his extensive experience, Jackson shares insights on cultivating an audience rather than merely accumulating episodes. He emphasizes that many podcasters mistakenly believe that their consistency will impress potential sponsors, but the reality is that advertisers prioritize understanding the audience's size and engagement levels. Jackson encourages listeners to shift their focus from worrying about the number of episodes produced to genuinely understanding and catering to their audience's wants and needs. Through anecdotes and practical advice, Jackson illustrates the importance of audience interaction, such as conducting surveys to gather feedback and adjust content accordingly. He urges podcasters to embrace the challenge of creating high-quality, meaningful content, viewing every setback as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. Ultimately, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that success in podcasting is not just about persistence but about crafting content that engages and resonates with listeners. Takeaways: Consistency in podcasting is important, but content quality is even more crucial for success. Your podcast is merely a tool to build an audience, which is essential for monetization. Focus on understanding your audience's needs and preferences to create valuable content. Many aspiring podcasters misplace their efforts on equipment rather than improving their content. Don't be afraid to ask your audience what they want to hear; feedback is vital. Persistence in producing episodes is admirable, but engagement metrics are what truly matter. Mentioned in this episode: UNLIMITED One-On-One Coaching Are you struggling to grow your podcast or turn your ideas into a show that stands out? With over 20 years of experience, Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson offers one-on-one coaching designed to fast-track your success. Whether you're launching, refining, or scaling your podcast, Dave cuts through the noise with expert insights, proven strategies, and personalized guidance. Avoid costly mistakes, master your message, and build an engaged audience—without being overwhelmed. Ready to make your podcast impossible to ignore? Let’s make it happen <a href=
Thu, October 10, 2024
Forget the Critics: Love Your Podcast Voice
Navigating the complexities of podcasting can be challenging, especially when faced with self-doubt and external criticism. In a recent discussion, the importance of authenticity in voice and presentation was emphasized, particularly in response to a query from Lisa McLean regarding complaints about her voice as a female Australian podcaster. The host, Dave Jackson, passionately argues against the idea of cloning one’s voice, suggesting that embracing one’s unique identity is far more valuable. He highlights that attempting to mimic someone else or change one’s natural voice can lead to a lack of authenticity, which ultimately hinders the podcasting journey. Instead, he champions the idea that podcasters should focus on being themselves, as this will resonate more with their true audience. Dave elaborates on the notion of target audiences, explaining that not everyone will appreciate every voice or style. He uses relatable examples, like food preferences, to illustrate that personal taste varies widely. Just as some people love Brussels sprouts while others detest them, the same applies to podcasting. It's crucial for podcasters to appreciate that while some listeners may critique their voice, there are plenty more who will appreciate their authenticity and message. This perspective encourages podcasters to cultivate confidence, channel their energy into creating content that reflects who they are, and ultimately ignore naysayers. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to seek guidance in their podcasting endeavors, reinforcing the idea that support is available for those willing to embrace their true selves. Takeaways: Trying to be someone you're not makes podcasting harder than it already is. Your voice is fine, so focus on your strengths instead of worrying about complaints. Not everyone will like your podcast, and that's completely okay and normal. Embrace your uniqueness and be yourself; there's no one else like you. If someone dislikes your voice, remember they are not your target audience. Focusing on the people who love your content will boost your confidence and creativity. Links referenced in this episode: schoolofpodcasting.com Mentioned in this episode: UNLIMITED One-On-One Coaching Are you struggling to grow your podcast or turn your ideas into a show that stands out? With over 20 years of experience, Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson offers one-on-one coaching designed to fast-track your success. Whether you're launching, refining, or scaling your podcast, Dave cuts through the noise with expert insights, proven strategies, and personalized guidance. Avoid costly mistakes, master your message, and build an engaged audience—without being overwhelmed. Ready to make your podcast
Fri, September 13, 2024
Avoiding Middlemen: Directly Monetizing Your Podcast
Why would you put a limit on how much someone in your audience would give to you as a way of saying "Thanks" for doing your show? When someone creates a product, they need to ask, "Who is this for, and what problem does this product solve." Today I share my confusion over a tool that is supposed to make it easy to donate to you (it's not hard), and they take 10% Mentioned In This Episode Buy Me a Coffee The School of Podcasting Schedule a Coaching Call Episode on Best Tools For Premium Content Lenny.fm This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, August 09, 2024
Should I release my entire podcast seasons at once?
I saw this question from Stanley Adoyi in a Facebook group and thought I'd use it today. If you have a question you can leave it at www.podcastconsultant.com/voicemail Seasons makes sense in two situations: 1. You have a team of 19 flying around the world to do interviews and they are tried. 2. You are having so much mental stress that your health and family are affected (and maybe should have thought a little more about your podcast schedule before launch). If you're not in the above two situations, what you are doing is taking your slot in someone's routine and hoping the show they put in YOUR SLOT isn't better than yours. Cause when you come back, if your show isn't better, you're not getting that slot in their routine back. It's not like they get in the car to go to work and say, "Oh Stanley doesn't have a show today. I'll guess I'll drive to work in silence." When I travel, I plan ahead, record two episodes instead of one, and time release. For me (again, not having those two situations above) I've never missed a Monday in 19 years. But I Do Have Seasons For My Podcast In that situation, I would not recommend releasing them all at once. When you do, sure your audience can binge, but they can't talk about it with anyone because of spoilers. Google likes it when you release quality content on are regular basis. So this is another reason not to release your podcast season all at once. If you're audience is all listening to the latest episode, they can talk about it with each other and ask the most important question, "I wonder what is going to happen next." Avoid Podcast Burnout So many people put themselves on track to burnout because they didn't plan their podcast accordingly. I can help you with that, and make sure your show stays consistent in schedule but also in content. I'd love to see what we can do together. Sign up today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, August 02, 2024
How to Become the McDonald's of Your Podcast Genre
Today we're diving into a topic that might not seem connected to podcasting at first glance—McDonald's. When you think of McDonald's, you might picture those golden arches and maybe even crave an Egg McMuffin or those unforgettable fries. But what does McDonald’s have to do with your podcast? Well, today I will break it down for you and show you why McDonald’s consistent success holds valuable lessons for podcasters. So, stick around as we uncover how you can become the McDonald’s of your podcasting niche. Need Help With Your Podcast Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll create high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting. See schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, July 26, 2024
Remote Interviews Part 2
Last week talked about gear. This week we are talking about being a good guests and finding a good guest. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, July 19, 2024
Tips for Successful Remote Podcast Interviews Part 1
Have you ever struggled with remote recording tools for your podcast interviews, feeling like they all just seem to fail you? In today's episode, Dave delves into how using the right browser—specifically Chrome—can make all the difference. He also shares insights on popular remote recording platforms like SquadCast and Riverside , explaining why people's opinions on these tools can swing from love to hate in no time flat. Plus, Dave highlights the importance of always having a backup recording to save your interview from potential technical glitches. Tune in for some invaluable tips and discover how Dave’s personal coaching service can help you address your podcasting headaches. If you know someone battling remote recording woes, this episode is a must-share! The Software Crazy Cycle It seems people either love or HATE software. There is a thing I call the software crazy cycle. A company releases software people love it. People want the software to do more. The developers add new features and test The customers/users find bugs and screams "WE HATE THIS" The company's developers squash the bugs. The listeners say "THIS IS THE BEST." Go to step 2. This is why you will hear people in Facebook groups say they it's the best while others say it's the worst. Ready to Plan Launch and Grow Your Show? Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll create high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting. Mentioned In This Episode Squadcast Riverside This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, July 05, 2024
Inflated Download Numbers - The Hidden Cost of Podcast Fraud
Fraud is a broad legal term that refers to situations where someone is intentionally dishonest in order to receive some kind of benefit from a person, business, or entity. If you sell cookies for a charity that doesn’t exist, that’s fraud. If you use a handicap sticker in your car so you can park up front, but you don’t have a disability. That is fraud When a sponsor pays to get in front of your actual audience and you pay a company to artificially inflate your stats, that is fraud. This Hurts Everyone Now the sponsor who thinks their product is getting in front of 20,000 people is only getting in front of 5000. So the reaction to the ad campaign is dismal. They don't renew their ad and tell all their other business owner friends how podcast advertising is a waste of money. Legal Stealing I had a high school teacher say, "Don't you think if there was a way to steal and not get caught, someone would've discovered it by now?" There is a saying, "Success leaves clues." So does fraud, so when your sponsors show that a large amount of your downloads are coming from browsers, and all of a sudden, you have an audience in a country you can't pronounce, that's a red flag. I've heard of advertising agencies refusing to pay for the campaign after you use a company that promises you to be at the top of the charts. You can't guarantee success in podcasting. There are best practices, but there are no guarantees. Join the School of Podcasting Worry Free You can join worry-free and get access to the courses, the community, and unlimited coaching with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Join Today! This show is hosted on This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, June 21, 2024
How Many Downloads Do I Need to Monetize My Podcast?
In today's episode, I talk about the realities of podcast monetization and answer a question that many aspiring podcasters have: "How many downloads do I need to monetize my podcast?" I'll delve into the sobering truth about audience size and its impact on making money, sharing real-world examples and industry insights. From the challenges of starting with only 100 downloads to the practical benchmarks you should aim for, I'll guide you on setting realistic expectations and focusing on what truly matters—creating compelling content. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, join me as I unfold the secrets to growing your audience and eventually turning your passion into profit. Let's jump right in! READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, June 08, 2024
Looking To Get Rich Quick With Podcasting? Think Again
Today, I want to tackle a common misconception about podcasting—as a quick money maker. Recently, I came across a Reddit post from someone working two jobs, buried in debt, and considering starting a podcast to generate quick cash. Drawing from my own experience with compassion, I explain why podcasting isn't the ideal solution for immediate income. In this episode, I'll explore the realities of podcast monetization, the time and effort needed to build an audience, and offer practical advice for those in financial need. If you're considering starting a podcast hoping to make fast money, you might want to hit pause and reassess. While podcasting can eventually be profitable, it requires significant time, dedication, and strategy. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode Profit From Your Podcast - Turn Listeners Into a Livelihood (now available as an audiobook) Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, May 17, 2024
Why One Size Doesn't Fit All in Podcasting
If your goal is to record a video and then export the audio, that most likely won't work without some tweaking. I explain why in this episode. Video and Audio Have Different Audiences When I do video today, I know longer introduce myself and explain what I do on YouTube. If they want to learn more about me they can click the name of my channel. However, in audio we want to let the listener know what the show is about and what the episode is about (typically in around 60 seconds or less). This means you will have two versions of your show. One for video and another for audio. When You Said, "Let's Add Video" If you were cooking dinner and making burgers and then said, "Oh, let's make fries too," you would add more work to the food prep. Duh, right? Well if you started in audio and then said, "Let's add video" you are also adding additional work (more equipment, more time, more money). YouTube has an algorithm that must be obeyed if you want major success on YouTube. Podcasting growth is 78% based on word of mouth marketing (per Jacobs Media). Consequently, you need two different strategies if you don't want to waste your time. With video, people are measuring STV (seconds to value). In other words, get to the point. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Power of Podcasting Network This podcast is part of the Power of Podcasting Network . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, May 04, 2024
Steps for Properly Shutting Down Your Podcast and Moving Forward
In this episode, I explore the process of shutting down a podcast. Drawing from my own experience with ending a long-running show, and what happens when you quit paying your media host. I discuss options for keeping your podcast files accessible and share strategies for smoothly transitioning to a new show if you decide to start fresh. Join me as I offer practical advice on handling the decision to shut down your podcast and ways to retain your audience's support during this transition. What happens if you quit paying your podcast host? How to shut down one show and move to another How to rebrand your show How to archive your files for free. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, April 19, 2024
Leveraging Your True Fans for Podcast Revenue Growth
I want to explore why you don't need a massive audience to find success with your podcast. I'll share a personal story about attending a Pure Prairie League concert—a band you might recognize for their hit song "Aimee" (but probably don't). Despite performing to a crowd of just 500 in a 600-seat venue, this band exemplifies how a smaller but dedicated audience and multiple streams of income can lead to a financially sustainable career. From ticket sales to merchandise and personal interactions at their merch booth, Pure Prairie League makes a living and has done so for 50 years. I'll highlight the importance of passionate fans and the idea that even 1,000 true fans can make a significant difference. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode Pure Prairie League Aimee 1000 True Fans Profit From Your Podcast This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, April 05, 2024
Networking over Pitching: The Smart Podcast Strategy
Welcome to “Your Podcast Consultant,” where every episode brings you actionable insights to elevate your podcasting game. Today, we've got an eye-opening discussion on the crucial differences between pitching and networking – and why knowing your audience is vital. Our host, Dave Jackson, mentions a post he saw from Steve Stewart. I share insider tips on navigating online communities, the intricacies of offering your services without breaking community rules, and why networking within your field can be a goldmine of opportunity. Join us as we dive into the art of making meaningful connections, steering clear of common faux pas, and enhancing your podcast's potential with strategic community engagement. Stay tuned to unlock the secrets of smart networking and avoid looking 'silly' in professional groups. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, March 29, 2024
Are You Accidentally Lying To Your Audience?
Today I point out that as cool as AI can be, you need to be careful. You may end up accidentally lying to your audience. My buddy Elsie Escobar made a great point on her show The Feed, and I wanted to bring this topic to you. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Mentioned In This Show Castmagic Capsho Swell Podsqueeze Chapter Markers: 00:00:00 - Opening 00:00:52 - AI is Handy BUT 00:02:17 - Your Episode Title is a Promise 00:04:57 - Who is Asking for Information About Your Mom? 00:05:18 - What is the Benefit of This Episode? 00:07:23 - Join the School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, March 23, 2024
Buy a Podcast Microphone You Won't Have to Send Back
Are you ready to start your podcasting journey but feeling overwhelmed by the wide array of microphone options out there? Look no further because this episode, I'm diving into the world of podcasting microphones! In the latest episode of Your Podcast Consultant , I share invaluable insights on choosing the right microphone setup for your podcast. I offer practical advice on why USB microphones are perfect for solo shows or remote guests (but not ALL situations). I also recommends top-quality microphones like the Samsung Q2U , Audio Technica ATR2100X , and the versatile Rode PodMic USB , plus a fantastic recording interface, the Zoom PodTrak P4. I emphasize having the right equipment and recording setup is essential for ensuring high-quality sound and flexibility for your podcasting endeavors. So, whether you're podcasting solo or recording a group conversation, my 19 years of podcasting experience will guid and help you make the best choices for your show. Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your podcasting game and avoid the hassle of returning equipment. Click play and follow . Topics: USB microphones vs. XLR microphones USB microphones are suitable for solo shows and remote guests Challenges of using multiple USB microphones, such as plugging them into a computer Benefits of having microphones with both USB and XLR capabilities Zoom PodTrak P4 as an interface and recorder at the same time. Items Mentioned Samson Q2U ATR 2100X Rode Podmic USB Zoom Podtrak P4 READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brill
Fri, March 15, 2024
Engaging Captive Audiences to Expand Your Podcast's Reach
In this episode, I delve into a creative approach to engage captive audiences in unexpected places. From doctor's waiting rooms to laundromats, I discuss how to captivate bored individuals and introduce them to your podcast. Use a QR Code I walk you through creating a simple QR code linked to your podcast, making it effortless for potential listeners to access your show (See Switchy ). I also suggest using a tracking tool to measure the effectiveness of this strategy and even share my success story with a similar offline approach. If you're curious to learn more and explore unconventional ways to connect with your target audience, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how to maximize your podcast's visibility and reach new listeners in unexpected places. And if you're looking for personalized support with growing or launching your show, I offer valuable guidance through the School of Podcasting . Plus, you can benefit from a worry-free 30-day trial to explore the extensive resources and community available. So, take a chance and uncover potential listeners where you least expect them. Listen to the full episode now and start exploring the possibilities for your podcast. Stay tuned and keep podcasting. Mentioned In This Episode Switchy Link Shortener and Tracker The School of Podcasting www.schoolofpodcasting.com/booklaunch This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, March 09, 2024
Don't Let Your Podcast Die With Your Editor
Today I help you avoid a podcasting headache such as finding out you don't own your show. Summary Podcast ownership and control. 0:00 David Jackson advises maintaining ownership of podcasts by controlling hosting and credit cards. Starting a podcast for a big company with IT control issues. 1:39 Company faces challenges when starting a podcast due to embezzlement by former employee Joey. Control of podcast shows and COVID-related challenges. 3:37 David Jackson discusses the importance of control over one's show in the audio transcript. Trust and payment in podcast editing. 4:39 David Jackson advises podcasters to prioritize trust in their relationships with editors and clients to avoid common pitfalls. Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, February 02, 2024
Unveiling the Truth About Programmatic Ads in Podcasting
Today's episode, "Unveiling the Truth About Programmatic Ads in Podcasting," is all about diving deep into the world of programmatic advertising for podcasts. We're going to have some fun with math as we explore the payouts and strategies behind programmatic ads. We'll compare host read ads to programmatic ads and see how they stack up in terms of earning potential. Plus, we'll discuss alternative ways to monetize your podcast, such as private podcasts and membership models. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just getting started, I've got valuable insights for you on planning, launching, growing, and monetizing your show. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Profit From Your Podcast Programmatic Income Calculator (Advertisecast) Supercast Patreon Substack Timeline 00:00 A Better Strategy Than Reruns 00:34 30 Percent Chance 00:58 Raised on Radio 01:33 Host Read Ads 01:45 Programmatic Ads 02:13 400 Downloads 02:35 ADD MORE ADS! 02:57 There are Other Options " Supercast " 04:07 Brand Alignment 04:38 Profit From Your Podcast " Profit From Your Podcast " 04:54 Substack "My Substack Site" 05:40 Be Careful With Free Stuff This show
Sat, January 27, 2024
Podcast Stats Unraveled: Key Metrics to Focus on and Ones to Disregard
In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I delve into the world of podcast statistics. We explore the obsession with stats and which ones are truly valuable for podcasters. From monthly download figures to completion rates, I provide insight into what metrics matter and why. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of podcast analytics and how they can impact the success of your show. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Timeline 00:00:03 - Opening 00:00:32 - Obsessing Over Stats 00:01:12 - Monthly Stats Are Crap 00:03:13 - What are Good Stats? 00:04:09 - What Stat To Pay Attention To 00:05:35 - Join the School of Podcasting Mentioned In This Episode podcastsconnect.apple.com (Apple's Dashboard) podcasters.spotify.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, January 20, 2024
When You SHOULD NOT Start a Podcast
Hey there, podcasters! In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I delve into an important topic: why you should hold off on starting a podcast until you have a clear vision for your content. Drawing from my extensive 18 years of podcasting experience, I highlight the potential pitfalls of investing in expensive equipment too soon and stress the value of developing compelling podcast ideas first. I share real-life examples and offer practical advice on how to approach podcast planning, launching, and monetization. Plus, we feature a testimonial from Mark Lawley of Practical Prepping that underscores the impact of strategic podcasting. Join me, Dave Jackson, as I guide you through the essential steps to podcasting success. Avoid this mistake! Save Money, Start Smart: The Essential Steps Before Buying Podcast Equipment Key takeaways: 1. Starting a podcast? Don't underestimate the power of planning. Instead of rushing to buy expensive gear, take the time to identify 10 potential topics you're passionate about. Let your enthusiasm guide your direction. 2. Mark Lawley's success story from the Practical Prepping podcast is a testament to starting small and growing steadily. From humble beginnings with a $30 recorder to upgrading to the PodTrak P4, their gradual approach reaped long-term rewards. 3. Seek guidance from a seasoned mentor like Dave Jackson who provides tailored support for podcasters. Whether you need help with planning, launching, or monetizing your podcast, a trustworthy consultant can make all the difference. Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Practical Prepping Show Zoom Podtrak P4 Recorder Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - <a title="Your Podcast Consultant on Amazon" href= "http
Sat, January 13, 2024
Setting the Scene for Success: Choosing the Right Recording Environment for Your Podcast
Welcome to this episode of Your Podcast Consultant. I'm your host, Dave Jackson, and today, I'll be sharing some valuable insights on ensuring that you are recording your podcast in the right environment. Using a relatable analogy, I'll discuss the common mistakes podcasters make when selecting recording locations and the impact on their audio quality and overall listener experience. I'll also provide practical advice on equipment choices and highlight the potential dangers of recording while driving. Join me as we explore the key factors that contribute to podcasting success, and learn how to navigate common pitfalls to set your podcast in the right direction. Points: 00:00 Podcasting in a car is good for recording, not driving. 03:43 Record with good equipment, edit on computer. 06:51 Dave Jackson wants to be your podcast consultant. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode Zoom Podtrak P4 Samson Q2U Microphone Audacity Software Libsyn Media Host Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, January 06, 2024
Say No to Reruns: Increase Your Podcast Downloads with this Smart Strategy
Today we talk about the common podcasting dilemma of whether to rerun old episodes or take a break. I offer a fresh perspective on this issue, emphasizing the importance of leveraging previous content in a way that can boost engagement and downloads. I outline a creative strategy for promoting older episodes to listeners, ultimately driving traffic to the podcast's back catalog. With actionable advice and a touch of humor, I encourage podcasters to think outside the box and make the most of their existing content. Tune in as I share valuable insights and expert tips to help podcasters navigate this recurring challenge. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode Podcast Promotion 101 Launching a Podcast in 2021 Do I Need A Website For My Podcast? How Long Does it Take to Grow Your Podcast Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, December 29, 2023
The Reality of Premium Memberships, Advertisers, and YouTube for Podcasters
On this episode of "Your Podcast Consultant," host Dave Jackson explores the idea of adding new elements to your podcast workflow. From starting a second podcast to venturing into crowdfunding or YouTube, he shares valuable insights and cautionary tales from the world of podcasting. Whether it's managing premium memberships, working with advertisers, or diving into video content, Dave highlights the importance of delivering on promises and managing expectations. Join us to gain actionable tips and strategies for expanding your podcast and learning what it takes to make these ventures successful. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Mentioned In This Episode Supercast Patreon School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, December 22, 2023
Measuring Podcast Success: Key Metrics for Tracking Your Show's Performance
Welcome to Your Podcast Consultant, where we dive into small lessons with big value. In this episode, host Dave Jackson delves into the topic of measuring podcast success and the metrics to use. He discusses the importance of aligning your metrics with your podcasting goals and highlights key metrics such as downloads, audience retention, networking, sales, and influence. Dave also sheds light on the power of click tracking tools like Switchy for measuring the success of promotional efforts. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Switchy Link Tracker Apple's Podcaster Dashboard Spotify's Podcasters Dashboard Amazon's Podcasters Dashboard <a title="Can You Say Your Why? Episode" href="htt
Fri, December 15, 2023
Making Informed Decisions: Putting Your Podcast on the Radio
In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, host Dave Jackson delves into the enticing offer of having your podcast put on the radio. He shares key considerations and questions to ask when evaluating such opportunities, highlighting the importance of understanding the terms, potential revenue sharing, and audience reach. Dave brings valuable insights into the global reach of podcasts compared to terrestrial radio, and the potential pitfalls of paying for airtime. He also emphasizes the significance of listing your show in various directories to maximize discoverability. Tune in to learn more about navigating opportunities to have your podcast on the radio, and be sure to check the show notes for additional resources and special offers. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Show School of Podcasting Be Listed in the Top Podcast Directories This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, December 08, 2023
From Word Salad to Reader's Delight: Transforming Transcripts to Engaging Blog Posts
Are you using transcripts for your podcast? Well, hold on! Before you copy and paste, let's talk about using them properly. In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, Dave Jackson shares valuable insights on transforming your transcripts into engaging content. Learn how to rewrite them for readability, add subheadings for better SEO, and avoid AI mishaps. Remember, it's not just about pleasing Google, it's about captivating your audience. Join the conversation and discover how to use transcripts effectively. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Mentioned in This Episode School of Podcasting Castmagic Capsho Swell This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, December 01, 2023
Features vs Benefits: Master the Skill of Describing Your Podcast for Maximum Impact
We want people to listen to our show. To get them to listen we need to get them to click. To get them to click we need to convince them that they will BENEFIT from listening to your show. Too often, we explain a feature and not the benefit. When I was a copier technician I serviced Minolta copiers that had "micro-toner," which was a feature. The benefit was clearer and sharper pictures. So many times we let our audience know that Tuesday is Tough Love Tuesdays, and Friday are Free For All Fridays Think of it this way, Do you care what box your next Amazon shipment comes in? No, you just want the product to be good. We don’t care how it’s packaged. So when you’re trying to get people to click, quit leading with these types of “features” and instead lead with the benefits of listening to your show. Understanding Features A feature is an attribute or functionality of a product or service. It's what a product does or the use it has. Understanding Benefits A benefit is how a product or service can improve or add value to a customer's life. Benefits answer the question, "What can this product or service do for me?" for consumers. In marketing, it's helpful to describe how a product or service can solve an audience's particular problems. For example, a feature of an oven is that it can fully heat up in five minutes. The benefit of this feature is that it allows you to cook a meal quickly. One-on-one coaching is a feature of the School of Podcasting. The benefit is there can be a bit more accountability and it is less public for those that are shy. “Insulated” is the feature of a mug. The benefit is it keeps the hot stuff hot, and the cold stay cold. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Mentioned In This Episode
Wed, November 15, 2023
The most effective strategy for podcast growth: guest appearances or content improvement?
You only have so much time, so which should you prioritize first, your show or your guest appearances on other shows? In this episode I emphasize that value and smart promotion are key to growth. I also highlight the need to understand the audience and tailor content to their needs. Enjoy this short episode filled with great advice. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc Mentioned In This Episode The Ultimate Guide to Hosting and Guesting Podcast Interviews Guide to Podcast Interviews (PDF) Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music Daily Podcast Tips Get daily podcast tips by going to schooolofpodcasting.com/daily This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, November 02, 2023
Finding Your Podcasting Sweet Spot: Embracing the Best of Both Scripted and Free-Form Formats
today we're diving into the age-old debate of scripted vs. free-form podcasting. Many believe that podcasting falls into two categories: the casual, conversational style made popular by Joe Rogan, and the rigid structure of scripted shows. But what if I told you there's a middle ground? In this episode, we explore that sweet spot we like to call structure, where you can have a clear plan without feeling scripted. We'll discuss the pros and cons of both ends of the spectrum, and I'll even offer some tips on how to make your scripted episodes sound more natural. So whether you're a fan of free form or prefer structure, join me as we uncover the third alternative in podcasting. Let's get started and find the best approach for your show. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, October 16, 2023
Why Your Podcast Isn't Growing: The Problem I Found on Your Website
So someone reached out for help in a Facebook group, and they thought ratings and reviews would help (they don't per Apple), and they were having a hard time getting traction. YouTube and Podcasting So many podcasters think that starting a YouTube version of their show expands their show. What they don't realize is you are creating a SECOND SHOW. Rarely will a person who loves to WATCH come over to your show to LISTEN. Likewise, those who love to listen often don't go to YouTube to watch. I had someone join the School of Podcasting who found me on YouTube and she said, "Oh so you do audio stuff too?" (Um, yeah for 18 years...) What Is Your First Sting Content? You need to decide if you are a video show FIRST who then strips out the audio? Are you audio FIRST who happens to have video version? When you try to promote video and audio on the same post it can lead to paralysis through analysis and the potential audience member leaves. So determine whatever you are (audio/video) and put those players on your site along with buttons to follow/subscribe to your show. Then put a link to your "second sting player." You Might Spilt Them Up You might consider creating a post with an audio player, and another post with a video player (you could use AI to help generate to versions of the post). Then have a link to "listen" and another link to "Watch" with each link going to either the video or audio version. The bottom line is if you want to grow your audience, you need to make it easy to follow/subscribe on each post so they don't have to keep coming back to your site. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music This pod
Mon, October 02, 2023
Authenticity: The Bridge that Brings Podcasters and Audiences Closer Together
Have you ever felt like you needed to put on a persona to be a successful podcaster? Well, I'm here to tell you that being yourself is the key to creating great content. Drawing from my recent experiences at various speaking gigs, I've noticed a recurring theme - be authentic and vulnerable with your audience.Now, being vulnerable doesn't mean you have to pour your heart out or cry on air. It simply means opening up and sharing bits of yourself that make a deeper connection with your listeners. Imagine that feeling of bonding you have when surrounded by like-minded people. That's the kind of connection you can create with your audience by being authentic.So if you've ever questioned how to act on your podcast or wondered if anyone is really listening, this episode is for you. Let's dive in and discover the power of authenticity in podcasting. I'm Dave Jackson, your podcast consultant, and let's start creating content that truly resonates. Sharing Your True Self If you've ever fired up the microphone and thought, is anybody really listening? I am there with you. When I do the question of the month on the School of Podcasting, I always think, "what if nobody replies?" When you try to be someone you're not, it's hard because it doesn't come easy. When you try to be someone you admire, you will never outdo them as they are just being themselves and it comes naturally. 2023 Top Podcast Influencer Speaking of wondering if anyone was listening... I was floored that I was named one of the top podcasting influencer in 2023. The thing that is quite humbling is this was not a list of names that people picked from, you had to write in my name. I am moved and deeply appreciate anyone who put down my name. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, September 01, 2023
Why Being Obvious is Key: Avoiding Confusion in Your Podcast's Name
In today's episode, we explore an intriguing topic - the impact of a cute name on your podcast's success. Inside jokes don't work unless you're on the inside. It Sounded Good at the Time A cute name can inadvertently shoot the podcaster in the foot. In this episode, I analyze the show "iCantCU Podcast" and offers his recommendations for improvement. He points out that retaining the word "podcast" in the show's title is unnecessary, as it is already implied. Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of having a straightforward spelling and avoiding unusual punctuation, as it simplifies searchability and prevents confusion among potential listeners. TRUST ME - You Will Get Tired of Explaining How To Spell Your Name This valuable lesson from his experience at Libsyn, a company whose name often requires clarification. He advises against getting too cute with the show's title, as it can become a source of frustration when constantly explaining it to others. The episode also explores the significance of having a clear tagline or description to convey the podcast's content. By adding a colon and a tagline, the podcast creator can effectively communicate that their show showcases the abilities of blind individuals to the sighted world. They Have to Find You To Click You Drawing an interesting parallel to the world of YouTube, Dave highlights the importance of a compelling title to attract potential listeners. He shares insights from a successful YouTuber, Mister Beast, who emphasizes the significance of engaging titles and thumbnails to entice viewers. The same principle applies to podcasting - an obvious and intriguing title can greatly increase the chances of attracting listeners. Finally, if you need assistance brainstorming podcast names I can help. By joining the School of Podcasting community, you gain access to a supportive network of podcasters, step-by-step tutorials, and unlimited one-on-one consulting with Dave himself.So if you're ready to take your podcast to the next level, head over to schoolofpodcasting.com/ypco and join us today! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, August 15, 2023
Your Magical Community: Double-Down on What You Do Right (Lessons From Ecamm)
In today's episode, we are diving into the world of the magical community. Join me as we explore the importance of unity, finding the perfect software to enhance your podcasting journey and the power of finding your niche. Get ready to unlock the secrets of creating engaging and successful content as we navigate the fascinating world of podcasting. So grab your headphones and let's get started! " if you hang around guys that play with video all day, you're probably gonna end up playing with video" - Dave Jackson The power of unity and how it can transform your podcasting journey is amazing. I looked into the importance of having a like-minded community, where everyone shares the same goals and insights. Trust me, it makes all the difference! I know we want to be liked by everyone, but that's not realistic. It's also OK not to be liked by everyone. I have a name for those people, "Not my target audience." I recently bought a Mac mini, and that means I can now use Ecamm Live . When I first started using it, I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz going from black and white to color. I've used Streamyard for years, and it's a good product. If I only had a PC I would still be using it. I like options, and Ecamm Live gives you those. As an educator, typically, options come at the expense of a learning curve, and I was surprised by how intuitive this software it. But I'm not really here to talk about the software. I want to talk about difficult choices and the Ecamm Community. I'm sure over the years, Ecamm has had MILLIONS of PC users begging them to make a version of their PC, and yet they haven't. While this surely costs them some income, it also enables them to do the following: Develop for ONE platform Make your software rock solid because you only deal with one platform. You can integrate easier because everyone's computer is much more similar. So when you start building a community, you need to figure out who will be in your community, but the more difficult but necessary thing you need to do is figure out who will NOT be in your community. This will upset some people, and that is OK. They can go build their own community. Double down on the people who want your content. Serve those who are already consuming your content. Speaking of Communities In addition to having step by step tutorials (in bite-sized chunks) and UNLIMITED one-on-one consulting with me, I love, love, and love the brilliant podcasting minds in the <a title= "School of Podcasting" href= "https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypco" target="_blank" rel
Tue, August 01, 2023
Your Voice Isn't Weird - It's Unique -
Today we are talking about people who may not be a fan of their voice because it sounds different, or weird, and I want to let you know how that is a good thing. Think about this: Steve Nicks Bob Dylan Louis Armstrong Axl Rose Lane Stanely Ozzy Osbourne Geddy Lee Amy Lee Michael Jackson Chris Stapleton Tom Petty All of the singers have very identifiable voices. They instantly stand out, and you either love them or hate them, and either is OK. So if you've had people say things about your voice (maybe it's too high or too low), it's yours, and you should embrace it. But What If I DON'T Have a Unique Voice? You don't have to have a unique sounding voice to be successful in podcasting. Your "Voice" is more than the tone of your voice. It's your background, your history, and your experiences that shape your opinions, and your opinions are YOURS and people want to hear them. Jelly Roll is a singer who had a horrible childhood. However, in the documentary on Hulu, you see where his music resonates with others who have had a childhood that wasn't all puppy dogs and rainbows. You have something to say, and to not get it out into the world is something to grieve over. I can help you be heard. Go to www.schoolfpodcasting.com/ypco to save on a monthly or yearly subscription. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, July 15, 2023
10 Tips To Unlock Podcast Growth: The Equation for More Downloads
Today we're diving deep into the world of podcast growth and unraveling the secrets behind creating a successful show. I'm tackling the podcast growth equation and providing valuable insights for all you aspiring podcasters out there. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your podcast to the next level, we've got you covered. We'll be breaking down the key elements that contribute to podcast growth, sharing practical tips, and shedding light on some common pitfalls to avoid. From clarifying your podcast goals and identifying your target audience to crafting compelling content, we'll explore it all. We'll also dive into the importance of building relationships with your audience, seeking feedback, and making strategic decisions when it comes to monetization. It's not the tech. You can use a Samson Q2U or an Audio Technica ATR2100X microphone (both under 100) Figure out WHY you are podcasting (be seen as an expert, make money, get the word out, grow your network...) Figure out WHO your audience is. Get specific. For example, "widows" is not specific enough, as a 70-year-old widow is different than a 32-year-old widow who lost their partner in a war. Then figure out WHAT to talk about that will hold the attention of the WHO and inspire them in a way that helps you achieve your why. Get ready to do it for free for a few years if the goal is monetization. Less than 10% of podcasts have enough downloads to get "big" sponsors. If your show has a hyper niche topic, you might have a better chance as your niche will eliminate the need for GIANT numbers (10K downloads per episode) because you have the RIGHT people listening. Starring at your stats will not make your downloads grow. Starring at your audience will. Spend $100 on a mic and 100 hours getting to know your audience. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Most podcast promotion (social) brings in a trickle. Go to where your audience is and make friends. THEN tell them about your show. You grow your show one listener at a time. Ask your audience to share and have links to Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon on YOUR website (and yes, you need one). Don't promote your show until you have someone not named Mom to listen to it and give you honest feedback. Go into recording the first episodes knowing you will delete most of them. Authors have rough drafts. Athletes have pre-season. The first thing(s) you record will need some tweaking. When picking names either for your show or episodes ask yourself, "What would make the audience click more?" It's not the media host. While some hosts have easier-to-use interfa
Sat, July 01, 2023
It's not how many are listening it's who is listening to your podcast
In this week's episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I play a clip of Sting on the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon. Sting and The Police started out playing to a small audience, just like many of us. There were three people in the audience. One of them was a DJ who started playing their music which helped them gain traction. Dave reflects on his own experience playing in a band with a small audience but landing a highly profitable gig for a birthday party. The lesson here is that a small audience can still have a big impact. So, why should you focus on the quality of your audience rather than the number of downloads? Dave explains that the number of downloads alone doesn't determine the success of your podcast. Instead, he encourages you to visualize the size of your audience using Google Images . Remember, these are real people choosing to listen to your show, and their engagement and feedback are what truly matter. Listeners have the power to delete or unsubscribe, so it's crucial to have the right people engaged. Don't get discouraged by low download numbers. Remember, the people who are listening are giving you their time, and that is valuable. Each listener represents an opportunity for your podcast to make an impact. If you're seeking expert guidance in launching, planning, growing, and monetizing your podcast, Dave Jackson wants to be your go-to podcast consultant. Visit schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc to access our services, including a private mastermind group and one-on-one coaching. Don't let the numbers discourage you. Focus on quality, engagement, and the value you bring to your listeners. Join our podcasting community and let us help you take your show to new heights. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, June 15, 2023
8 Reasons Every Coach Should Have a Podcast
Are you a coach wondering if starting a podcast is worth the effort? Look no further! Podcasting offers an array of compelling reasons for coaches to take the plunge and hit the airwaves. From establishing thought leadership and expanding reach to building trust and showcasing authenticity, a podcast can be a game-changer for coaches looking to make a mark in their industry. In this blog post, we'll explore the top reasons why coaches should consider launching a podcast and how it can benefit their coaching practice. Let's dive in and discover the exciting possibilities that await in the world of podcasting for coaches. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting, you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc It comes with a 30-day Money-Back Guarentee Why Aren't You Using Podcasting For Your Coaching Business? You Will Be Seen As a Thought Leader You Reach a Global Audience to An Audience That is Growing Build Your Trust and Credibility Showcase Your Personality and Build Stronger Connections Network: Talk to people you have no business talking to... Continuing Education Boost Your Ability to "Roll with the Punches" Create leads who are better educated and ready to take action This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, June 01, 2023
Is Your Podcast Not Growing? Is it Sick?
Don't Be Afraid of the Truth: The Value of Outside Opinions for Podcast Improvement On this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, Dave Jackson offers sage advice for aspiring and established podcasters. He discusses the importance of prioritizing a good podcast over advertising, seeking honest feedback, and improving based on listener input. Dave also talks about the role of word-of-mouth referrals in a podcast's success and cautions against assuming heavy marketing will guarantee success. Additionally, he shares personal anecdotes about his health and weight loss journey, as well as his experience as a podcast consultant. Tune in for valuable insights and practical tips to make your podcast stand out in a crowded market. Key Points How Fear Almost Cost Me My Health Seeking an honest opinion about a podcast from people who aren't friends or family Caution in assuming that heavy marketing will guarantee success for a podcast You can't fix something if you aren't aware it's broken. Quote: "And none of my friends told me that Dave, you, you like are singing way outside your range. And so consequently, I couldn't fix it because nobody would tell me the truth." READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting, you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, May 15, 2023
What Podcasters Can Learn from the Band Queen
We've spoken about how ChatGPT can RUIN your integrity; well, it is stating that it is only going to get A LOT worse. This reminds me of the band Queen who made sure everyone who listened knew that what you were hearing was from a guitar, a piano, bass, drums and vocals. Their guitarist Brian May wanted people to know that the "outside the box" sounds were indeed his guitar. What does this have to do with Podcasting? A podcast hosting company today put out a blog post explaining how "Podcasting had a discoverability issue in the 90's..." I bet it did as podcasting didn't really exist until 2004 (the technology existed around 2000 when Dave Winer and Adam Curry merged RSS and an enclosure tag). So do I believe anything from this host? Not anymore. They hired a robot. I'm Not Anti ChatGPT I've used ChaptGPT to "brainstorm" a little or create a summary of an episode. For me (someone who doesn't have a hard time writing or coming up with content), it takes just as much time to rewrite a ChatGPT penned summary as it would to write it myself. But chatgpt is going to get better, and I see this as the first drop of water from a giant flood that is going to drown us all in mediocre, long content that doesn't have any real takeaways. So, in the same way that Queen had a "No Synths" line on their early albums, I may start putting "No AI Was Used During the Making of This Episode." Why Are My Stat Numbers So Different? When you look at your download numbers from your media host like Libsyn Captivate, Buzzsprout, Blubrry, etc (see free course that compares them), and then look at your number in Podcasts Connect from Apple or Spotify for Podcasters , you will see where your numbers are much lower. Why? When you look at your numbers in your media host, you are seeing the activity from ALL the apps. When you login to Apple's dashboard, you are only seeing activity from the Apple Podcasts app. Likewise, Spotify's numbers will only show Spotify App listens/downloads. In those portals, you get additional stats like how far people listen, the number of followers, and how far people have listened. So to get the big picture, use your media host's numbers and to see how far people listen use the different app portals. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at
Tue, May 02, 2023
Cut Your Editing Time in Half Using AI Transcription Tools
Many people think transcriptions are only for making it easy for the hearing impaired to consume your content (and that is ONE way you can use transcripts), but there are other ways to use transcriptions. Topics Covered • The use of robots in podcast production • AI tools for podcasting • Transcription services and their multiple uses • Closed captions in podcasting • Importance of proper use of transcripts and SEO Different Uses of Podcast Transcripts Transcripts can serve many different purposes in podcasting. Here are a few ways they can be used: 1. Closed captions: Transcripts can be used to create closed captions, which improves accessibility for hearing-impaired audiences. 2. Content editing: Transcripts can be used as a tool for editing podcast content. By reviewing the transcript, podcasters can identify areas of the episode that need improvement or clarification. 3. Quote pulling: Transcripts can also be used to pull quotes from the episode for promotional or marketing purposes. 4. SEO improvement: Transcripts can improve search engine optimization by providing text content that search engines can crawl and understand. 5. Alternative content consumption: Some listeners prefer to read transcripts rather than listen to the entire episode, so transcripts can provide an alternative way for audiences to consume the content. It's important to note that unedited transcripts may not make sense and could actually hurt SEO if used for episode descriptions, so it's important to edit transcripts before using them for any purpose . An Evolving Space The one thing that is staying the same in this space is CHANGE. There were over 1000 tools based on AI released in April. So by the time you read this, the apps I'm mentioning will have added updates, and there will probably be updates in about 10 minutes. This makes it VERY hard (if not impossible) to pick a "Best one". Capsho has the highest price if you want all the bells and whistles, and CastMagic is the best deal right now with a lifetime deal on Appsumo . How I Saved 40 Minutes Editing One Episode I got permission to play a part of another podcast. I said, hey, can I take this clip from your show and play it in mine? And they're like, "Yeah, that's fine," except it was a 50-minute episode, and I couldn't remember where that clip was. I ran it up through Otter , had it, transcribed it, and I searched for the phrase I was looking for, and there it was. And I could see where it was near the end of the show. S
Sun, April 16, 2023
How to Avoid Sounding Stupid in a Podcast? Practice, Practice, Practice
In this episode, Dave Jackson, the podcast consultant, draws a parallel between learning how to drive a car and starting a podcast. He observes that some aspiring podcasters struggle to figure out what to talk about and advises them not to worry about it too much. Instead, he recommends that they start recording themselves, either on their phone or with a basic microphone, to get comfortable being behind the microphone. He argues that, like learning to drive, starting a podcast is a process of gradually gaining confidence and skill, and that it's okay not to know where you want to go initially. It's OK TO Be Unsure Starting a podcast can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure what you want to talk about. Many people feel the urge to get their voice out there, but they don't have a clear direction. This can be frustrating, as it can be difficult to get started when you don't have a plan. However, I believe that you should still get behind the microphone, even if you don't know what you want to talk about. Just like learning to drive a car, it's important to get comfortable behind the wheel before you hit the open road. To do this, you can record into your phone or buy a microphone like a Samson Q2U for less than $100. This allows you to get used to speaking and recording without having to worry about releasing what you record. You can practice and delete recordings until you feel comfortable. You Don't Have to Release Everything Your Record It's also important to remember that you don't have to put out everything you record. You don't want to release boring content, and it's okay to delete something if it's not up to par. I've been podcasting for 18 years, and I still listen to my recordings before I make them public. I recently had an issue where the music was too loud and I couldn't hear what I was saying, so I had to go back and fix it. Overall, you don't have to be perfect when you start podcasting. Everyone learns at their own pace, and it's important to focus on your own progress. If you're stuck, there are plenty of resources out there to help you. I offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you need help, and I'm here to be your podcast consultant. So don't be afraid to get behind the microphone and start podcasting confidently. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener This podcast uses the following third-party services for
Sat, April 01, 2023
What the Heck Are Podcast Show Notes?
As someone who has been helping people understand technology for over 20 years, I'm here to say words matter. Today I help you understand two confusing terms floating around the podcasting space so you can stop confusing your audience. Show Notes Show notes is a phrase I'm going to swap out for "Episode Description." We know what a show is. We know what notes are, but your listener may not understand what it means when you put them together. Podcasters created this phrase, and most podcasters understand the phrase. Listeners may be a bit confused. If you add a little more clarity, they may avoid being confused. By calling the description of your episode the "Episode Description" may lead to less confusion. YouTube Podcast Youtube launched a "feature" to turn your YouTube playlist into a "Podcast." To this, I say, Just because there is a mouse in the cookie jar doesn't mean it's a cookie." You need an RSS feed to be a podcast. Yes, YouTubers create content. But they are no podcasters. They are YouTubers. Technically we are all content creators. Mentioned In This Episode Profit From Your Podcast Book Capsho (AI Transcription) Swell AI (AI Transcription) READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting , you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener Timeline 00:00:08 - Words Matter (Opening) 00:00:53 - Show Notes 00:02:28 - The Most Upsetting Mistake 00:03:21 - What Else Do You Put In Your Episode Description? 00:03:52 - Google Wants GOOD Words 00:05:06 - AI Tools Need a Human Touch 00:05:24 - Your Episode Description is a Blog Post 00:06:13 - A Mouse in the Cookie Jar 00:07:47 - Embrace being a "Youtuber" 00:08:20 - Why Do I Care? 00:08:44 - Join the School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, March 15, 2023
Dave Jackson: The Honest Podcast Consultant
Podcasting is an exciting way to share your ideas and passions with the world. But if you’re looking to monetize your podcast, then you need to have an audience. Unfortunately, many aspiring podcasters think that just by podcasting for a certain amount of time, they will be able to make money. This is not the case. As Dave Jackson, the honest podcast consultant, explains, you can’t monetize dust. To make money from your podcast, you need to have a sizable audience. While there are some rare occasions where you can make money with a small audience, the reality is that most podcasters need at least 10,000 downloads per episode to attract big sponsors. Unfortunately, only 10% of podcasters get 10,000 downloads per episode. The good news is that there are other ways to monetize your podcast besides advertising. Affiliate marketing, crowdfunding, and donations are all viable options (see the book Profit From Your Podcast ). You also don’t have to make money from your podcast. If you’re doing it for fun, that’s perfectly fine. The key to monetizing your podcast is to grow your audience. If you have a small audience, you won’t be able to attract sponsors or make money from your podcast. You must focus on growing your audience and building relationships with your listeners. If you need help, you can sign up for my Podcast Consultant service. I'm truly not trying to crush your dreams and aspirations. I just want you to have accurate information for your to base your choices. Just because you have less than 10,000 downloads per episode doesn't mean you can't have a sponsor. I get between two and three thousand downloads per episode of the School of Podcasting . I've had sponsors in the past that wanted to reach podcasters. I prefer to be my own sponsor (as it is more lucrative). In conclusion, if you want to monetize your podcast, you must grow your audience. This will take time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. With the right strategies and patience, you can turn your podcast into a profitable business. Do You Have a Podcast Plan? Creating a podcast plan is essential for success. Your plan should include a list of topics you want to cover, as well as a schedule for releasing episodes. You should also decide how to monetize your podcast, such as through sponsorships, advertising, or selling merchandise. Additionally, you should create a marketing strategy to promote your podcast and reach your target audience. This could include creating a website, engaging with listeners on social media, and leveraging influencers. It’s also important to h
Wed, March 01, 2023
Can I Play This Song in my Podcast?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about podcasting. I hear things like: But I'm a small show My podcast doesn't make any money I'm only playing (X amount of time) I bought the CD The reality is, it doesn't matter. You need permission from the songwriter, the performer, and whoever owns the mechanical rights (typically a record label). The problem is podcasts are downloadable. If they were streaming only, but because their not they don't fall under the same situation where a soundscape account could make you legal. Then throw on top of it that podcastin is global so what is legal in the US might be different in another country. My friend Steve Stewart for a takedown notice from Spotify. ( see tweet ). These episodes from 2012-2014 and he just now getting notices. The authors of the book Reclaiming Fair Use: How to Put Balance Back in Copyright might say it is fine as he didn't gave away the full song. However, when you use it as a bed (think soundtrack), things get murky. What I've seen people do is have a musician listen to the song they like and make one very similar to the original, and use it for their show. There are places such as Music Radio Creative , Fiverr where you can hire people to write your own jingle. It won't be $5, but if you buy a logo at some place like Audio Jungle , it is often under $20 and then you can hire someone to do just a voice-over and put them together yourself. In the end, I would just stay away from playing unlicensed music (fair use or not). READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 15, 2023
What You Need to Know Before Starting a YouTube Channel for Your Podcast
Audio Over Video .When it comes to promoting your podcast, it is important to consider which medium you should use: audio or video. While video may seem more attractive, due to its visual appeal, audio is actually the more effective way to promote yourself. One of the main reasons to promote audio over video is because there are more opportunities to listen than there are to watch. People can listen to your podcast while they are driving, working, or doing other activities that don't allow them to watch a video. Additionally, audio files are generally much smaller than video files, which makes them easier to host and share. Another reason to promote audio over video is that it is often more cost-effective. Video requires additional equipment, such as lighting and editing software, which can be expensive. Additionally, video production and editing can be time-consuming, adding to the cost. Finally, audio is often more accessible than video. Not everyone has access to a device that can play video, but most people can access audio. Additionally, audio is more widely accepted in podcast apps, while some apps only stream the audio from video podcasts. In conclusion, when it comes to promoting your podcast, audio is the more practical option. It is more accessible, cost-effective, and has more opportunities for people to listen. While video can be an effective medium for some podcasts, audio is the better option for most. Audio Out Performs Video A famous comedian started a podcast that he wanted to be video only. He was talked into providing an audio option as well. When the show was launched the comedian's team only promoted the video version of the show and ignored the audio. Yet, the audio podcast out-performed the video version ten to one. When Podcasters Launch a YouTube Channel A podcaster may think they are going to get more people to listen to their show on Youtube. Youtube viewers like to watch, so instead of growing your podcast audience, you are starting a Youtube channel from scratch. I had someone joined the School of Podcasting and said, "Oh you do audio stuff too?" (um, yeah for 17 years). So you will be growing a second audience. Starting with Audio AND Video Can Burn You Out When you are a brand new content creator, it is hard to get into your rhythm. When you throw in video with lighting, backdrops, cameras and more, you can get overwhelmed very easily. Start with audio podcasting. When it comes to podcasting, audio is the most accessible medium. It is easier to produce and doesn’t require expensive equipment or extensive knowledge of video production. Additionally, audio podcasts are easier to consume. They can be listened to while doing other activities, such as driving, cleaning, or exercising. This makes them more appealing to a wider audience. Audio podcasts are also more cost-effective than video podcasts. They require fe
Wed, February 01, 2023
Are the Robots Going to Take Over Podcasting?
AI is a Superpower. AI is often referred to as a superpower, and for good reason. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and dramatically change the way we live. From the ability to do our laundry to writing scripts and designing artwork, AI is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. The possibilities of AI are truly incredible. With AI, we can now ask it to write a script, create artwork, or even write a business plan. Chat GDP is a perfect example of this. It is an AI-enabled program that can write titles, blog posts, and even timestamp audio. It can even julienne! AI is changing the way we interact with technology and is quickly becoming an invaluable tool. However, AI is not quite ready to replace humans just yet. While AI can produce impressive results, it still needs some tweaking. AI cannot replicate humans' unique personalities, and this personal touch can make all the difference. AI is also prone to errors, as seen when a celebrity asked it how tall he was, and it got it wrong. In the end, AI is not an employee but an assistant. It can be used to help us come up with ideas, shape our ideas, and even grow our audience. It can be incredibly useful, but it still needs some human input. AI is a superpower, but it still needs some help from humans to reach its full potential. Start a Podcast Community. Are you ready to join the School of Podcasting? It provides a safe space for podcasters to come together, ask questions, and get help from one another. It also provides a platform for podcast creators to share their knowledge and experiences with others. This kind of community can be incredibly valuable and can help grow a podcast’s audience. The School of Podcasting ( Dave’s membership site ) provides a safe space for podcast creators to ask questions and get help from one another. Dave also provides a lot of support and guidance to his members, smothering them with attention to get them going in the right direction. This kind of support is invaluable and can help podcast creators reach their full potential. Join the School of Podcasting Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll be creating high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty, and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School
Sun, January 15, 2023
Making Smart Purchasing Decisions for Your Podcast
In this episode of the School of Podcasting, Dave Jackson shares his experiences with buying podcasting equipment and provides tips on how to make purchasing decisions that will help your podcast grow. He explains how he was able to save himself over a thousand dollars by setting logical criteria. Dave also evaluates YouTube product reviews and discusses Elgato and Logic-Tech webcams and their prices. JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Join worry free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Sony ZV-1 Sony ZV-10 Elgato Facecam This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, January 02, 2023
Imposter Syndrome - Celebrity Edition
The negatives voices in your head tell you, "Nobody will listen to you" or "You're going to sound stupid." Well I'm here to tell you "Imposter Syndrome" is common. Seventy percent of people feel this way. Today I'm going to share a few A-list celebrities who felt that way. So feeling this way is normal. We have a saying at the School of Podcasting, "Nobody will punch you in the face." It's true. Don't let YOU Stop YOU from sharing your message with the world. I can help. Join the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener to get a special price. You get access to: Step by Step tutorials A Private podcast mastermind Unlimited one-on-one consulting Don't deprive the world of what you have to share. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, January 01, 2023
Growing Your Podcast With Advertising On Other Podcasts
We mentioned in the last episode that advertising rates don't work for more podcasters trying to make a living with podcasting. Today we are looking at advertising from a different angle. That angle is to make an ad to run on other podcasts. After all the listeners of these shows are already listening to podcasts . So when you find a podcast that has an audience who should like your content, you might approach them and see if you can advertise on their show. The Movie Strategy While the movie Field of Dreams promises, "If you build it he will come," that is not true for podcasts. Just creating the podcast is only part of podcasting success. You need to promote it. Gary Arndt of the Everything Everywhere podcast follows what I call the "Movie Industry Business Strategy." That is: Make the best content you can. Spend are large amount of your budget on marketing your movie. Hope the audience tells their friends. Gary makes a good point. If the studios spent millions on promoting the Avengers movie (that was a sequel that everyone was waiting on), how do you expect to get any traffic without marketing your show? Places You Can Buy Advertising I did a long-form interview with Gary on the School of Podcasting . Podcast Addict Overcast Buzzsprout Ads Spotify Ads Podbean Pocketcasts Castbox Fountain.fm You can track the activity and traffic using a tool like Switchy . Ready To Start Your Podcast? Along with step by step videos, a private podcasting mastermind, you get unlimited one-on-one consulting at the School of Podcasting</
Thu, December 01, 2022
Why Podcast Advertising Rates Don't Work For You: PART 1
Currently, the price for 1000 downloads of your podcast is $25. That is .025 cents per download. That means if you have 200 downloads per episode, you would make $5 per episode. Less than 10% of podcasters get a "big sponsor" because the sponsors want you to get 10,000 downloads per episode after 30 days. This doesn't mean you can't have sponsors, but maybe not one of the big ones (more about that in the next episode). Advertising is Still Content My friend Neil Hedley from Knopp Studios has an episode in the Voice in My Hed podcast where he mentions that if an advertisement can't hold your attention, how is it going to sell a product? Coincidently I created a more entertaining way of saying all of my talking points while addressing the potential fears of wanna-be podcasters. Podcast Advertising Is Not Your Only Monetization Option We all seem to have a knee-jerk reaction. 1. Start a podcast 2. Get advertisers. We seem to skip step 2 (the real one) which is grow and audience. There are other ways to make money with a podcast I'm Not Here to Crush Your Soul While I realize we all want podcast monetization to be quick and easy, I just want you to come into podcasting with realistic expectations. Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Profit From Your Podcast Dave In Your Pocket This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, November 15, 2022
Does My Podcast Need Its Own App?
There are millions of apps in the different Apple and Google stores. Most people know how to download and install one. With this in mind, should you have someone create an app for your podcast? As always, it depends with podcasting. If your audience isn't that tech savvy, and finding a podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts is too much for them (and then find your show on the appl, and then follow/subscribe) it might be worth it to get an app for your show. People may be doing a search in the app store, and there may be less competition. Consulting Without Calendars Do you have podcasting questions in addition to a really unpredictable/busy schedule? Check out daveinmypocket.com.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, November 01, 2022
Troubleshooting Your Podcast Growth While Keeping Your Sanity
If there is a problem with the sound of your podcast, the way you troubleshoot it is by isolating each part of your signal chain (the path your voice takes from the microphone to the cable to the interface to the recorder, etc. I recently attended an event and came back with lots of ideas I want to try to grow my audience. These include: Using a tool to help with episode titles Promoting the show on Tiktok Better Artwork and many more. So when we come back from these events we are excited and we want to see our download numbers soar and we put all these steps into place at once. If this works, this is great and we keep doing all the steps. However, what if you chose five things to add to your already busy schedule and only one of them is responsible for your growth? That means you are wasting your time doing something that is not helping. This is how podcast burnout happens. We watch YouTube, or go to events, read a book, etc and we get all sorts of ideas and we implement them all. Then later we get more content with more ideas and we feel overwhelmed. We feel we HAVE to do them ALL. If you implement one strategy at a time, you can better see if doing that strategy moves the needle. I recently started using Tiktok. Consequently, I can see where it is driving more traffic to my website. I am using a tool called switch which makes it very easy to monitor if people are clicking on things. Then you can see if something is working (or not) and if it is working, is it working enough to keep doing it? I will often create a coupon code to track and see if someone signs up for the School of Podcasting. That is my goal, and if I see multiple people have used a coupon such as YPC (for your podcast consultant) I can see where it is worth continuing to do this show. The key here is you need to be patient and only implement ONE strategy at a time and then give it a month. If you can, give it two. Then you can look at your data, make informed decisions and only do those strategies and actions that are working, quit doing those that don't, and save your sanity as you watch your show grow. I'm Dave Jackson and I want to be your podcast consultant who helps you plan, launch, grow, and monetize your show. Let's see what we can do together... This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, October 15, 2022
How to Know What Your Podcast Audience Wants
Audience engagement is critical for the success of any podcast. It's important to know who your audience is and what they want to hear. By understanding your audience, you can create content that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for more. Today I have three strategies to help you gain insights into your audience. 1. Amazon Look for your topic and then look at the 2 and 4-star reviews. These often are more constructive and descriptive. 2. YouTube Look for a channel on your subject, and then sort so you can see the most popular videos. Then go into the most popular video, and you can sort by the most helpful comments. 3. Facebook Groups When you find a Facebook group on your subject, be sure to read the rules. When you see a post you might want to follow, you can click on the " ... " and choose to "Turn on Notifications for this Post." Apply For a Free Strategy Call If you need help starting, planning, launching or growing your podcast join me for a free strategy call . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, October 01, 2022
They Want Me to Pull Down Their Interview?!
I saw on Facebook that someone who has been podcasting for a while and has their guests sign a release form was contacted by a former guest who asked them to remove their interview. They were going to school for psychology and they didn't want their clients to be able to find them. So they have no legal leg to stand on. They signed a release. You put a lot of work into that episode. There is a certain amount of "How dare they even ask?!?!" This Isn't An Expose on Big Pharma - It's Your Podcast So yes, you could legally tell them "no, you signed a release." However, you would be missing out on one of the biggest benefits of podcast: the relationships. I'm sure you have other episodes your audience can consume. It's not like you're going to lose your audience because you removed one episode. If you're worried about "Setting a precedent," don't. Most guests are not thinking about your show. They've moved on. Hopefully, you are doing interviews that make the guest look good. People don't ask to have things removed where they look good. Conclusion I'm a big fan of "treat people the way you want to be treated." The guest is asking for a favor. Give it to them and pull down the interview. In the future, you will have a psychologist in your network who you might find useful. Join the Best Podcasting Community Join the School of Podcasting using the coupon YPC to get 20% off your subscription (forever). Get access to: Courses - Step By Step Coaching - Unlimited one-on-one Community - A mastermind filled with brilliant podcasting minds A 30-day Money-Back Guarantee See www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, September 15, 2022
How to Avoid Sounding Stupid On Your Podcast
I was on a show this week, and first let me say that my ego was not bruised, and I wasn't upset. However, I was worried that the host of the podcast that was interviewing me was throwing away his credibility. When interviewing someone, be sure THEY know: Why they are on your show Who your audience is How long the interview is slotted to be Then make sure YOU know: How to pronounce their name What website they want to promote Need Help With Your Podcast? You can schedule a strategy session to discuss your podcast, or join the S chool of Podcasting and get unlimited one-on-one consulting. Join worry-free with a 30 day money-back guarantee. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, September 01, 2022
Additional Stats You Can Get From Directories
I'm back from speaking at Podcast Movement in Dallas. I shared a presentation, and here are some of the main points. Watch my full presentation. 1. Never let anyone get between you and your podcast, web host, media host, etc. If you're "Podcast Manager" set up your hosting with their credit card, THEY own your show. 2. You can get additional stats from places like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon. In Apple, you can see what is called engaged listeners as well as how many people are following your show, and how far they listen. In Google, you can see much of the same as well as what people are entering into Google search to find your show. In Spotify, you get the above information in addition to demographic data for your show and your episodes. Did you know that when you add your show to Amazon, you can ask Alexa to play your podcast on Amazon Music? (and that your show is in Audible?). This information can help you make better podcasts and grow your audience. Schedule a Strategy Session If you need help you can schedule a strategy session at www.podcastconsultant.com/strategy Join the School of Podcasting Community or Join the School of Podcasting and have unlimited sessions as well as get access to videos that show you how to do this, and network with a private mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters. Join the School of Podcasting Community today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, August 15, 2022
I've been Gone so Long How Do I Bring My Podcast Back?
In a way it doesn't matter WHY you were away, but you started a podcast and were consistent in your schedule, until you weren't. Life happened and what was supposed to be a few days turned into a few weeks, maybe months, or even years. Now you want to come back, but you feel a bit weird. Maybe a bit embarrassed that you started and then just vanished. Don't be. I haven't bowled in years. I have a ball and bag around here somewhere and if I walk into an Alley to score some games, nobody cares that it has been decades. Go back to the basics. Identify why you're podcasting. Identify who this is for and what they need. Identify what you want them to do. Give them what they want, ask for what you need, and don't be being. SCHOOL OF PODCASTING NOW WITH UNLIMITED CONSULTING Join the School of Podcasting When you join the School of Podcasting you can quit worrying about: Are people going to listen to me? (Yes, cause I'll show you how to see what they want). Am I going to sound stupid? (No, as I'll show you the magic of editing) It will cost a million dollars (No, I'll have you sounding like a million bucks without spending a million bucks). I don't anything about this technology (You said the same thing about driving). Get access to: Step-by-step tutorials, live group coaching, a mastermind group filled with brilliant podcasting minds, and the ability to schedule as many one-on-one quick fix calls as you like at no extra charge. Join worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, August 01, 2022
What Happened When I Ignored My Own Advice
I have advice that I tell my clients: Record a few test episodes so you can see how long it will take to create an episode - then pick your schedule. Get some feedback from someone you are not related to, or didn't grow up with. You need constructive feedback. While I recorded a few test shows, I didn't spend much time on this (two episodes) and I didn't get any feedback. When I saw my supply chain of content was not as fruitful as I thought, I ignored it and went with my heart. In the end, the podcast took more time than planned (they always do) but I am already doing multiple podcasts and understand the value of my time. Consequently, I told the audience of that show where to find me, and I am taking some extra time to learn from my own mistakes. You're never going to be perfect. All you can do is fail fast, and learn from your mistakes and move on. I Help Podcasters - It's What I Do If you need help, come visit me at www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, July 15, 2022
What to Include in your first podcast episode
In the past, I would recommend what we called, "episode zero" where you would share about yourself, what to expect, and why you started the podcast. Then I read something In the book, Epic Content Marketing: How to tell a different story, break through the clutter, and win more customers by marketing less by Joe Pulizzi states, “ Your customers don’t care about you, your products, or your services. They care about themselves, their wants, and their needs. Content marketing is about creating interesting information your customers are passionate about so they actually pay attention to you. ” It's harsh. It's also (I feel) true. This is why you don’t open an interview with “Tell me a little bit about yourself…” You are opening the door to boring. I don’t care where you went to school, where you live, what you drive, or who your favorite band is. I want you to help me solve my problem, and if your story will do that, then, by all means, ready the book Storyworthy , and tell me your story in a way that doesn’t put me to sleep and moves me forward. Check Out My Free Resources Free courses, checklists, and more www.podcastconsulant.com/free This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, July 01, 2022
Should I Re-Record My Intro?
When you first start out, you are not as confident on the microphone, you may be using some "not so great" equipment (like your camera's microphone) and you haven't mastered mixing audio (so your music bed is too loud). Now 10 episodes later you sound better, and it is noticeable when this great-sounding voice follows the "not so great" intro. Now, I realize this is not a deal-breaker, but my point is, it's easy to fix. If you're going to use the same script, you just need to re-record your intro, and if you're using a music bed, adjust the volume to an appropriate level (vote with your ears). My Ideal Intro For me, the ideal intro has the following format: Introduce the SHOW Introduce the host Introduce the episode Then GET TO THE CONTENT as quickly as possible. If you need help start, growing, or monetizing your show, reach out to me at podcastconsulstant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, June 15, 2022
Embracing Constructive Feedback
I was at an event and went to lunch with an old friend and he asked if I would like some feedback (I'm always open for advice)? He mentioned that sometimes when I'm talking about a mistake someone makes I may be coming across a bit more like a curmudgeon. I didn't get defensive and realized that there may be times when bad advice is being circulated and people are going down the wrong path. (I get frustrated when bad advice goes viral). When I launched the School of Podcasting, the original price was $5/month. This was one of my first products, and like everyone else I undersold my value. A friend of mine name Marcus (who had much more insights into marketing) asked, "Do you know of anything else on the Internet for sale for $5? This lead me to research and find out that when you price things too low, the perceived value goes way down (and hence less sales). EVERYONE NEEDS A STEVE OR MARCUS You need someone who is going to let you know when there may be room for improvement. Realize they aren't trying to hurt or discourage you, but because they care about you they want to make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot. SPOTTING BAD FEEDBACK When you ask your friend and family for feedback you might hear things like, "Oh you sound so professional! Look at you with the microphone! You're going to be a star." Let's put this into the kitchen. You cook someone a recipe and they say, "Look at you in the kitchen with the forks and knives! You look like a cook!." You asked them to sample the food, and they're not talking about the food. They might ask you to explain what podcasting is. Here again, you have a conversation but nobody is talking about you episode. There is an episode of Friends where Joey has a spot on TV and he asks, "So what do you think?" and then his phone rings. Ross yells out, "I get good lighting!" as Rachel says, "You had good lighting last time! It's my turn." Give them an episode and ask some hard questions such as: 1. Did you listen all the way through? 2. If not where did you stop and why? 3. What was the biggest takeaway? Realize if the show isn't resonating with the audience you want to know this NOW so you can figure out what needs to be tweaked. It takes a bit of maturity to step back and realize things could be improved, but your goal is not just to produce a podcast, but to produce a good podcast. FREE PODCAST LAUNCH CHECKLIST Ready to start podcasting but not sure what steps to take and in what order? This free checklist will help you launch your podcast in the correct sequence for maximum effect. www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklist NEED SOME HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and set up a strategy call to get you going in
Wed, June 01, 2022
Getting the Most Out of Conferences
There is a conference about your topic, and you decide to attend. If you are traveling to get there, this won't be cheap so today I'm going to tell you how to get the most out of going to a conference. Wear Comfortable Shoes In some cases, these are in giant hotels that will have you going way over 10,000 steps. Also, you will be standing a fair amount in the hallways and having great conversations. Bring Chap Stick As you will be talking more, all that air going over your lips makes them dry Bring Breathe Mints Um, yeah... pretty obvious. Bring Business Cards Business cards are cheap and I typically make a card to promote my product or services (it may have my email, but not a phone number, it is more about getting people to my site). QR Code? Thanks to Covid, most of us are now familiar with those square images with dots. When you point your phone at these you can click a link and be taken to someone's website. If your niche is a bit more tech-savvy, you can create and download one to your phone. Show it to someone, and they go to your website. I use a service called Linq for this. Step Out of Your Shell Many podcasters are introverts. That's is why we love podcasting. It's a great way to meet tons of people without meeting tons of people. That won't work here. The biggest takeaways from these conferences are the relationships you build. Just walk up to anybody and ask them, "What brings you to the conference." Get Some Rest You probably had to get up early if you're flying to the event, and then you stay up late talking to everyone. Your body needs rest. You want to be sharp. Drink Lots of Water Your voice will get dry, and often then have loud music at these events, so when you throw in shouting over the music in addition to lots of talking, your voice/throat needs water, and your body needs to stay hydrated. FREE PODCAST LAUNCH CHECKLIST Ready to start your podcast but you're not sure what steps to take first? This will walk you through the steps in the right order www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklist FREE PODCAST CLASSES www.schoolofpodcasting.com/freeclasses NEED HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? I can help! Schedule a strategy session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, May 15, 2022
Facebook is Pulling the Plug on their Podcast Efforts
I have seen this over and over in my 17 years of podcasting. A big company comes in and explains how they are embracing podcasting, and then a short time later they quietly disappear and hope all the people with microphones don't notice. We do. There is one strategy that ALWAYS works with or without social media and that is what I want to share today. WHO WANTS FREE STUFF? I have a number of free classes at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/freeclasses FOCUS ON YOUR AUDIENCE This always works. Find out what they need and give it to them, and then make it easy to find your show, share your show, and subscribe and follow your show. Be sure to ASK your audience (your sales team) to tell a friend in a clear, slow, specific manner. There is no free switch that will get you 10,000 downloads by the weekend. But when you deliver value, this does make the numbers go up (slowly) instead of down. Need Some Help? I'd love to help you. Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, May 01, 2022
How to Pick Your Podcast Publishing Schedule
There is a simple exercise you can to pick the right publishing schedule. I did this with my new podcast and it help me immensely. WHY? As always it comes back to WHO is this for and WHY are you doing it? You might do a quick daily podcast to keep your brand in front of your target audience. You might do a longer (20 minutes?) episode on a weekly basis that allows you to show your expertise. It will vary from person to person. HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SCHEDULE I just launched a new podcast called the Podcast Trailer show. It's simple. It's me introducing trailers. I thought it would take maybe five minutes but it was closer to 10-20. How do I know this? You take the guesswork out of how long it takes to record and edit an episode. By measuring how long it took from pressing record to pressing publish you take the guesswork out of it. DO YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME? So now you can ask yourself, "Do I have 20 minutes a day to create a podcast (or whatever your time is)? In my case, the answer was NO WAY. So I recorded a few more and saw where I was getting quicker, and decided my schedule could bear three days a week (I did consider two). GETTING INTO THEIR ROUTINE BY publishing on a consistent basis you become part of your listener's routine. Yes, it's important to have consistency, but don't get confused. Consistency in QUALITY CONTENT is more important than consistency in the publishing schedule. WHO WANTS FREE STUFF? Check out my free classes at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/freeclasses SCHEDULING SOME COACHING www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, April 15, 2022
What is a 301 Redirect and When Do I Use One?
You join an online podcasting community and people keep talking about "301 redirects." What is it and when do you use it? 301 REDIRECTS If you've ever moved, you know you need to fill out a change of address form so any mail that goes to your old address forwards to the new address. If you put that into podcasting, it is similar. A 301 redirect is a "Change of address" for your podcast. When Do You Use a 301 Redirect in Podcasting? If you are moving from one media host to the new media host (say moving from Anchor to Libsyn - use the coupon code sopfree at libsyn.com) then you would redirect the old Anchor feed to point at Libsyn. What Does the Listener Have to Do? Nothing. The listener doesn't even know any of this happened. If you were using (fr example ) Apple Podcasts app, when you start it, the app would check your show's old feed and find the change of address (the 301 redirect) and then go to your new host (Libsyn.com). In Libsyn.com there is a "new feed tag" which alerts the app that the next time it is started, it can go directly to Libsyn as the show doesn't live on Anchor anymore. A Couple Things to Keep In Mind Be sure to download any stats from the old host as they won't transfer Download any invoices you might need for your taxes Don't multi-task when you start setting up a redirect Moving from one media host to the next won't bring you more downloads (it's the content that does that along with your promotion). Mentioned in This Episode Free courses for you www.podcastconsultant.com/free Libsyn.com - coupon sopfree Captivate Hosting Why Free Hosting Doesn't Work Podcast Consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, April 01, 2022
Launching Your Podcast Without The Heart Attack
People are trying to launch their podcast with down to the second precision and I'm here to tell you that you're going to lose your mind or have a heart attack. People will pick a release date (typically not far out enough) and then struggle and freak out trying to make an extremely unrealistic deadline. This is especially true when it comes to submitting your show to the directories. Submit to ALL OF THEM, and once you are approved, THEN you can PLAN your launch. Being in an app for a week or so won't ruin your launch. There are 580,000 active podcasts (almost 4 million in total) and you're not going to get much traffic until you start telling people. Being in apps doesn't get you found, but it does make it easier to be found (kind of, search in these apps is not great). If you need help planning, launching, growing or monetizing your podcast, let's schedule a strategy session at https://www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, March 15, 2022
Avoid Having Your Podcast Hijacked
When you let someone configure your podcast, there is a good chance you "Didn't know what I didn't know" and you may not even own your show. Today I cover some tips. 1. Make your media host offers a redirect ( use the coupon code sopfree to get a free month at Libsyn.com ) 2. Make sure it's YOUR email and credit card on your media host and web host. 3. Make sure you use YOUR login and password when submitting to Apple, Google, Stitcher, and Spotify. These directories have additional stats that show how far people listen. Video on Mechanics of Podcasting When you don't follow these recommendations, you are in a situation where someone is between you and your podcast and that is a bad situation. If you need help with this, let me walk you through settings up your show and ensure YOU KEEP CONTROL. See www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, March 01, 2022
Are You Annoying Your Audience With Your Bad Podcast Experience?
Currently, I live alone. However, when I start HBO Max or Hulu a screen pops up that asks me who is listening with only one choice - Me. I know that it's only one click. However, can't they tell that there isn't an option here? It's me or someone else? It's not. There is only one answer: me. It's annoying. Do you have that one annoying friend? Do you hang out with them all the time (if at all)? Probably not because they are annoying. A Bad Use of a Podcast You beg people to come and listen to your podcast. You do a great job of getting us excited about the topic. I go to the show description (some people call this the "show notes") and there is no link. What? Huh? Then I hear you say that to find the link I'm looking for, I have to go to your newsletter, social media, etc. Wait. I'm right here. You said to come here and listen to your podcast. It's working, and now you want me to go someplace else? But Wait It Gets Worse So I go to the link you mention, and as I just discovered your show, it's not at the top of the screen anymore. You published this episode six weeks ago, and now I have to search. This is like inviting someone into your home, having them ask, "Where is your bathroom?" and saying, "It's in here somewhere." You don't do that. I am your guest. You say, "Go down the hallway and it's the first door on the left, and the light switch is on the right-hand side." Podcasters assume that people listen on the release date (and they do). However, as you get more episodes a larger percentage of your download for the current month are from your older episodes. Over 60% of the School of Podcasting 's monthly downloads come from episodes NOT released in that month. Give The Listener a Smooth Experience Don't tell your podcast audience to "Find me in the app" as many podcast apps have a horrible search mechanism that doesn't work. Have them subscribe on your site where you've made it easy. If you want to grow your email list, offer something of value while you're giving value about the current subject . This way if I don't need your lead magnet, I still get value. Need Some Help With Your Podcast? Let me take my 17 years of podcasting experience and help you avoid the common podcasting pitfalls and get you going in the right direction. Let's schedule a strategy session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, February 15, 2022
Behind the Scenes of Dynamic Podcast Content
Dynamic Content Flavors Pre and Post Rolls This enables you to add dynamic content (ads, or other promotions) at the beginning and end of your show/ Mid Rolls This enables you to content (ads, or other promotions) anywhere in your show (you select where, and the content is inserted) The dynamic part is you can change the content later and it will update all the episodes that have "Spots." Dynamic Ad Companies When I did the research for my book I used a dynamic ad insertion company that put generic ads into my show. It paid .0017 per episode. If you have 2000 downloads that calculates to $3.40 (so these only work for people with HUGE audiences. Things to Think About You need to get consistent with your recording volume as you want the dynamic content to be the same volume as the rest of the episode. You need to think about how you are going to lead into the content and come out of it. You can leave a very small space as when you pick the spot you can go down to millisecond precision. Don't treat it like a new toy and over saturate your episodes with ads. Nobody tunes into a show (Except maybe the super bowl) for the advertisements. Do mix up the ads so you don't force your audience to hear the same advertisement over and over. Companies That Offer Dynamic Content Buzzsprout (pre and post roll) Captivate (pre, post, and midrolls) Libsyn (ore, post, mid, and geographic targeting enterprise solution) Blubrry (enterprise solution) Red Circle (pre, post, mid) Need Help Growing Your Podcast? Join the School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, February 01, 2022
Your Podcast is NOT a Grocery Store
Today we talk about front-loading your podcast with the best content to get people engaged and to KEEP them engaged. GROCERY STORES Grocery stores make their customers walk to the back of the store (typically ) to get to the bread, milk, eggs, and meat (those things that everyone will need). Don't make our audience work to get to the good stuff, you can move it to the front even if it happened at the end of the show. BE ETHICAL I'm not talking about rearranging the words people say to make it sound like something they never said. I'm letting you know it is OK to edit out the boring and move the engaging content to the front. NEED HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? Let me help you. Schedule a strategy call today t www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, January 15, 2022
The Five Questions You Need to Answer When Starting Your Podcast
As I release this it's January which is a month where many people launch a podcast. Why? Because it's a new year and they are pumped up and ready to embrace the new year. That is great and I love the excitement. Here are some questions you need to answer. 1, Why Are You Starting a Podcast? Potential Answers include: To be seen as an expert To promote a product or service (marketing) To find like-minded people (build community) To reach a global audience For the fun of it 2. Is this a passion project, a hobby, or a business A passion project is "just for fun" A hobby might be taken a little more seriously, with the hopes of making some money (think of it as the musician who plays on the weekends, but is never moving to Nashville) A business is a person who has products or services to sell. They want to sell advertising, and it needs to generate money. 3. Who is your audience? Is this a podcast for people to be more confident? How about a more confident parent? How about a more confident first-time parent? How about a more confident first-time, interracial parent? 4. What do they want to hear? (Why will they listen to your podcast?) I have strategies to help you find your audience and avoid "guessing" what they want, so you speed up the pace of growing your audience. 5. How will you gauge your success? By downloads? By Sales? By Awareness? By How You Feel? If you can answer these questions, you have a clear idea of where you're going, who you are servicing, and how you are going to get to where you want to go. Let Me Help You Need help, go to podcastconsultant.com/schedule and schedule a strategy call today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, January 01, 2022
Why You Need an OBJECTIVE Opinion About Your Podcast
I know it's hard to ask someone to review that first episode that you just spent 10 hours working on, but it makes no sense to promote something until you know it engages your listeners. THE BEST EXAMPLE In watching the documentary Get Back on Disney+, there is not one but TWO clips of Yoko Ono "singing." Does her husband John Lennon stop her to say, "Hey let's work on that later?" No, he's probably blind to her shrieking into the microphone. So my advice today is don't be Yoko. Your family and friends are not going to let you know those things that need tweaking in your episode. So Yoko Singing on David Letterman https://youtu.be/D750pEKhfd0?t=64 Apply For a Free Strategy Call If you need help starting, planning, launching, or growing your podcast join me for a free strategy call . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 15, 2021
Should I Charge My Guest to Appear on My Podcast?
With some bigger shows able to charge a gust to appear on their shows, today I'm going to share why I think this is a bad idea. 1. You need to disclose that the guest is paying you to appear turning your podcast into an infomercial. 2. At first this "extra cash" might get budgeted for a monthly expense and not stay "extra." 3. Then you count on this "extra" cash and then NEED to have guests who pay to appear. This means you will take any guest who is willing to pay. 4. This means the quality of episodes goes down, as your audience starts to tune out. In the end, I just see this as a slippery slope that ends badly. Check out my book Profit for Your Podcast to discover much better ways to earn income with your podcast. Apply For a Free Strategy Call If you need help starting, planning, launching, or growing your podcast join me for a free strategy call . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
S108 Enull · Wed, December 01, 2021
When Is Your Podcast Good Enough to Publish?
With a Thanksgiving Turkey, they now have that little red peg that pops up to let you know the turkey is ready. How does that work in podcasting? You've worked for HOURS on this first episode. IS it ready? Don't Publish The First Thing You Record If you think about it there are rough drafts, dress rehearsals, and, well, practice laps. I just watch Get Back on Disney+ and you see where the Beatles were getting ready for one of their first public appearances in a long time. So what did they do? They practiced - a lot. In one scene you see that they have done the song "The Long and Winding Road" 18 times. DOES THIS MEAN I NEED TO RECORD MY PODCAST 18 TIMES? Only if the first 17 times didn't get the results you're looking for do you need to record your episode 18 times. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT There are all sorts of mistakes that have been captured in time (the squeak in the drum's at the beginning of Steve Wonder's Superstition), so it doesn't have to be perfect, but you also want to make sure you've done all you can to ensure a good recording, and organized delivery, and content that is going to resonate with your audience. THE RED PEG OF PODCASTING When you have someone whom you didn't grow up with or are related to telling you they'd like to hear more - you've got it. Creating a podcast is not hard. Creating a GOOD Podcast can take some time and effort. LET ME HELP YOU This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, November 15, 2021
Creating a Focus Group For Your Online Course For Free
The most profitable way to make money with your podcast is by selling your own products and services. Today I share a strategy on how you can do a focus group for your online course without spending any money. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Membervault Vimeo Teachable Circle.so Profit From Your Podcast Book This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, November 01, 2021
How To Sell Your Services Without Feeling Salesy
Selling is 90% mental. I used to teach sales many moons ago. When I work with clients who have products and services to sell, when I listen to their podcast their pitch sounds like this: "Hey, like if you need, I mean you don't have to, but, like, if you kinda want to, you can maybe, like, go to, you know, my website (then said so fast you can't understand it)." When I ask people why they did that they said they felt "Salesy." This typically is based on a bad stereotype of some sleazy used car salesman from the 1970s who is selling you a bucket of bolts that is going to barely make it off the car lot. To this, I ask, "Is your product or service a bucket of bolts?" Then switch from selling your product or service to informing your potential customer how your products and services can help them." I had a friend who was bummed she wasn't getting any speaking gigs. She never mentioned it once in her podcast. It doesn't have to be a giant pitch. It could be as simple as, "I was speaking at a high school and one of the students came up and asked me a question and I thought, "That would be a great topic for a podcast episode." With just that one sentence, your audience now knows you speak to high school kids. If you are looking to make money with your podcast check out my book, " Profit from your podcast ." I also have a companion podcast . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, October 15, 2021
When Do I Mark My Podcast As Explicit?
I get this question on a fairly regular basis. And that is, Hey, we said this, should I mark my podcast as explicit? One time I was thoroughly confused because they were mentioning the F word. And I'm not going to say any of these words today, I'm going to keep mine clean, but it was the F word. It's the one that rhymes with fire truck. And they said, Can I use this (the F Word) Because I'm using it as an adjective, not a verb. And the fun part of this, especially when it comes to Apple, is they've never really defined exactly what is explicit. So consequently, you can't go right up to the line because well, the line isn't very well designed. Which leads everybody going well, is it okay to talk about this if it's .........? So here's my answer to that. Number one, there is no answer. It's really up to you. I'm going to talk about what the consequences are here in a second. But most of the time, if you have to ask, Is this explicit? The answer is, Yeah, probably. Would you listen to this episode with a three year old in the car? That's another way of thinking about it. So let me tell you what happens when you mark a single episode as explicit. Even though it's just an episode, your entire show will be banned in a bunch of countries. And I want to thank Daniel J. Lewis, he's the guy behind mypodcastreviews.com If you mark a single episode, your show will be pulled from Apple's directory in the following countries: Bahrain Belarus Brunei Darussalam Burkina Faso Chad Egypt India Jordan Lebanon Nepal Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Tunisia United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Yemen So kiss that goodbye. Now the other thing that can happen is if you leave it labeled clean, and somebody goes to Apple and says I would like to report this episode, there is a chance they will pull your entire show. The third option is okay, I don't want to mark it explicit because I want to be available everywhere. Then you can bleep out the naughty words. Free 15 Minute Strategy Session Click HERE to Apply for a Free Strategy session I'm Dave Jackson from the School of podcasting comm thanks for joining me on my mission to rid the world of boring podcasts and I look forward to being your podcast consultant. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, October 02, 2021
Is the Curse of Knowledge Ruining Your Podcast Interview?
You’ve probably heard the phrase knowledge is power. I always say knowledge is power when you act on it. Today I’m going to explain when knowledge is a curse. When you do an interview, picture yourself sitting at a table with your guest across from you and your listener sitting to the left of you. This is often where the curse of knowledge comes into play. You bring up that time at the weidapit and how much fun it was with Lisa. Your audience doesn’t know what a weidapit is, and who the heck is Lisa? This can lead to them feeling like they don't belong and this podcast is not for them. Need Help? Check out my free 15-minute coaching call. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, September 19, 2021
5 Tool to Make It Easy to Connect With Your Audience
The more honest feedback (from people you aren't related to grew up with) you get from your audience the better your show will be. It's a little scary to ask people for feedback, but in the end without feedback, you are at risk of wasting your time creating content that doesn't resonate with your audience. Today I have some tools to make it easy. Podcast Voicemail podcastvoicemail.com is exactly what it sounds like. You get a toll-free number for your audience to call into. The good news is everyone knows how to dial a phone number and it can be as low as 7 cents a minute. The bad news is the audio is not great so if you're looking to use these calls in .your show, it's not a great choice. Podpage Podpage is a great tool where you can create a great-looking website for your podcast and it has a voicemail tool built-in. Speakpipe Speakpipe is the original tool for getting feedback from your audience. It's $15/month and recently went through a very nice upgrade. Telbee Telbee is a bit like Speakpipe on steroids and a little more flexible for $18/month Video Ask Video ask is a way to get feedback via video. They have a free version, and then monthly plans start at $30 Voice Form As I write this in September of 2021 Voice Form is on Sale for a lifetime price of $69. Not only does it make it easy to get feedback, but it also has built-in tools for surveys. I am currently testing this for my free call application . Apply today for a free consulting call. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Wed, September 01, 2021
How Can I See How Many Subscribers I Have to My Podcast?
I get this question all the time and the quick answer is when it comes to subscribers - you can't. However, there are other ways to measure success. First, let's talk about the current state of affairs. You can see engaged listeners (people that listen to a sizeable chunk of your episode) in Apple. You can see followers in Spotify. In Google podcasts you can actually see subscribers. However, if you look at Spotify and Google's numbers they don't seem to jive with the number of downloads. This is why I say for the most part you can't. To this, I ask, "Why do you want to know?" I WANT TO TRACK GROWTH If the answer is, "I want to track my growth" then I have a solution. You can use your download numbers. If you want to know who your superfans are, then use a time frame such as 7 days. In hosts like Libsyn (use the promo code sopfree to get a free month at Libsyn.com ) and Buzzsprout you can look at how many downloads an episode receives after 7 days (as well as 30, 90, and all-time). This makes it easy to see what episodes performed the best. NOT EVERYONE LISTENS! (BUT MOST DO) I know some people shout, "But you can download a file and never listen to it." In June of 2021 Apple had a glitch where it's auto-download option quit working, and according to podnews , this represented about 11% of downloads. This means roughly 90% of people that download a file listen to it. Apple podcasts has a feature that if you haven't listened to any of the last 5 downloads it stops downloading them. LET'S GO BACK TO YOUR WHY Keep in mind there are more ways to measure success and that is why we are coming back to your why. In episode 99 I talked about the different ways people benefit from podcasting. I episode 79 I talked about the importance of knowing your why . Some examples are: Being seen as an expert Getting to talk to people you normally wouldn't Growing influence Selling more products Getting your message out Growing an email list I look at my stats once a week. I look at the last episode and compare it to the previous episode. My goal is not to drive numbers up for advertisers. My goal for this podcast (my why) is to get you to hire me as your podcasting sherpa. Your trusted guide to get you over the mountain you feel is starting a podcast. If you're more of a self-pac
Sun, August 15, 2021
How Do I Get Rid of Impostor Syndrome? Part 2
Today we continue our discussion of Imposter Syndrome and feeling "We're not worthy!" Here are some strategies: You are not defined by your mistakes. The “I must not fail mentality” can be crippling. There is one person who really needs your message Not everyone will like you, and that is OK. Credentials don't always mean what you think they do. Find one person you know and trust and let them know you feel like a fraud Instead of saying, “I don't know anything” say, “I don’t know everything …yet. I’m still learning.” Yes, there is luck and timing, but there is also talent, dedication, and charisma. While your feelings are real, this does not mean they are accurate. Quit focusing on yourself, and instead focus on your audience and how you will deliver value. But What Are the Magic Words That Make Impostor Syndrome Disappear? In doing tons of research on this, there aren't any words that you can say to have your feelings "Poof" and they vanish. What you're going to have to do is acknowledge the nervousness, and keep going. I've been public speaking for decades, and yet I still get sweaty hands before I start. Once I start, I'm fine. What turns down the panic and nerves is taking action. I know you're saying "But I'm nervous!" That is normal. Being nervous is actually good. It shows you care. But letting your fear stop you is a choice. We have a joke at the School of Podcasting. We say, "Nobody is going to punch you in the face." You know what? So far, it's true. Let's Get Your Podcast Going Sign up for a podcast strategy session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, August 01, 2021
How Do I Get Rid of Impostor Syndrome? Part 1
70% of people have impostor syndrome. This is where you feel you are a fraud. You have opportunities that land in your lap and you feel underqualified. You feel it's just a matter of time until you are found out. This results in crippling fear or overworking/perfectionism. Here are some things to consider: You feel like a fraud because of this huge opportunity that has been put in your lap. Maybe, it's not quite as important as you think. It's important to you, but you're not curing cancer. It doesn't have to be perfect You have had some successes in the past. You've done hard things in the past. Think of the hardest thing you have to overcome. You did it. You're still here. Don't ignore your successes. DO NOT compare yourself to THAT person. There are always people “better” than you and people worse. You are never as good as your best review or as bad as your worst. Your feelings are normal. Feeling nervous is normal. Letting it stop you is a choice. I can help you work through the nerves and get your podcast off the ground. Schedule a strategy session today . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, July 15, 2021
The Side Effects of Podcasting
Today we hear how creating a podcast helps you harvest and organize your thoughts. It helps you be more comfortable in front of people. It can give you more confidence to try new things. There are more ways to measure success in podcasting beyond downloads. Mentioned in This Episode A Time For Horses Paul McCartney Interview Podcast Strategy Call Free Coaching Application Full Notes
Thu, July 01, 2021
Do I Need A Website For My Podcast?
I get this question alot, "Do I NEED a website for my podcast?" This is usually from a person who feels they are not a "technical" person and they fear making a website. They feel you need to be a "nerd" to create a website. Well, fear not, you don't need to be a nerd, but you do NEED a website. Here is why How is Google going to find you? When you publish an episode with text describing what is in the episode it is "Google Food." You want a CENTRAL place for your audience to go to. Your social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc) are "Satellites" but these come and go (periscope anyone?). Your website is the place people to go take action. This could be to subscribe/follow to your show, join your email list, leave a voicemail You don't want to say "Find my show in (app)" and those apps have horrible search features and in some cases, you can't be found. By sending them to your website they don't have to search for those links. You can make it easy to follow/subscribe. Check Out Podpage Right now I love Podpage. This was designed on podcaster feedback and makes it super easy to create a beautiful site for your podcast in less than 5 minutes. You can try it for free for seven days check it out. If you want a little hand-holding, I do have a course at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/learnpodpage Need Some Help With Your Podcast Schedule a strategy session at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, June 15, 2021
What Do I Do With a Bad Podcast Interview?
You've ended up with an interview that is a real stinker? How do you save your interview? Acknowledge it's your fault Turn it into a narrative style podcast Remove it, or don't publish it. What and How Can I Edit My Podcast? Never forget it is YOUR Show. For more interview tips see http://schoolofpodcasting.com/interviewtips Schedule a Strategy Call Today Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule Full show notes at www.podcastconsultant.com/97 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, June 01, 2021
Should I Put My Podcast On YouTube?
I get this question on an almost daily basis. The answer is: it depends. After all YouTube is quite popular. 2 billion people log into YouTube Each Month 1 Billion hours watched daily In 2019 it was reported that 500 hours of video were uploaded to Youtube every minute It's the #2 Search Engine Source If you're not doing anything on YouTube - Yes If you already have a YouTube channel with real videos (not audio with a static image) I would create a second YouTube channel for the "Fake Video" (audio with a static image) episodes. Some people try to find the perfect clip to use as a promo. This can be quite a time suck. Why not just come up with a tease, and say it into your web cam? Then explain where they can find the full episode. A very popular web cam is the Logitech C920 . DO NOT use the camera's mic (or the built in microphone of your computer). The audio from those devices is awful and audio is very important to video. I can help if you're new to video. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, May 15, 2021
What is a Niche? How Do I Niche Down?
A Niche is a group of people. Some people call it your target audience. The bottom line is "everybody" CAN'T BE YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE. Three Tools To Niche Down Demographics (age, sex, location) Business (what is the topic the show is about) Level of Expertise (Beginners, Intermediates, Experts) EXAMPLE: I want to do a show about: Being more confident Being a more confident parent Being more confident first-time parents Being a more confident first-time interracial parent. Need Help With Your Podcast? Schedule a strategy session today Mentioned In This Episode Adoptees On We Have Cancer Podcast This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, May 01, 2021
What You Need to Know About Batch Recording Your Podcast
Back in episode 90 I talked about some of the really bad advice for new podcasters that I see in Facebook groups and today I want to talk about batch recording and when it's OK to do it, and what are the negative side effects. WHAT IS BATCH RECORDING Batch recording is when you record a bunch of episodes in one sitting. For example, if you do a show that publishes Monday through Friday, you might record five shows on Saturday. Then set them to release over the next week. THE PROS OF BATCH RECORDING YOUR PODCAST When you batch record, you have one day where you can focus and "pound out" your podcast and take the test of the week to either promote those episodes, research more episodes, etc. You have the rest of the week "free." The other nice thing about having a few unreleased episodes is when life happens, you have an episode to publish and keep your schedule. Having unreleased episodes can reduce some of the stress of always being on the hunt for new episodes. WHEN IS BATCH RECORDING YOUR PODCAST A BAD IDEA? So I was in a Facebook group and someone said when you launch you should record 10 episodes ahead of time and then schedule your big launch. I will say this again, having a BIG launch and thinking it will deliver unending success is like saying having a BIG wedding will deliver bliss and happiness. In both cases, the work is still starting. WHEN TO NEVER BATCH RECORD I had a client once that came to who had already recorded 52 episodes of his weekly podcast. There was one large problem. The files were in the wrong format. He had no way to go back and redo them. He had to go back and re-record them. If you have not found a stranger who is your target audience to listen to your show and give you honest feedback, then recording a bunch of episodes is not a good idea. In the business world, this is called "Proof of Concept." Before you go "all in" on a product you want to make sure your intended audience needs that product and likes the one you created. What if you record 10 episodes and they all have the "Lightning Round" segment, and after the first two episodes are release you get feedback that the lightning round is really annoying? You have eight more episodes with a lightning round coming down your feed in the future unless you go back and edit them. So I would never batch record a large number of episodes when you first launch until you know you are delivering what your audience wants. Ready To Start Your Podcast? Schedule a strategy session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule Mentioned In This Episode Episode 90 - Don't Throw Away Your Audience <a title="Podcast
Thu, April 15, 2021
Behind the Scenes of Podcast Tech Support
As someone who works in tech support for a podcast media hosting company, I get to see a wide view of the podcasting space. With this in mind, I want to help you get your podcast questions answered quickly. Tip 1: Write down your login name and password. There are times when we don't post an episode for a while and when we fire up the microphone we forget how to login. I use a tool called LastPass that securely stores my login and passwords. TIP 2: Be SUPER Specific. Here are general terms that people use. My Podcast (name?) The Episode (which one) Isn't playing (where). Isn't displaying (where) My Client (which one) TIP 3: Send the ticket from the email you use to login This way if you forget to say the name of your podcast, then the tech support person should be able to look up your account based on your email. TIP 4: Let Me Retrace Your Steps So you feel something isn't working right. To recreate the problem, I need to know exactly what you've tried and how you did it. So instead of, "I can't update my billing." It would be. I logged into my account for my show (name of show) on my phone and I copied and pasted in my new credit card number. When I click save it go the error (then the error). Tip 5: Uncropped Screenshots Are Always Welcome Here is an article on how to take screenshots. You can paste these into a Word or Google Doc and then attach them to a ticket. TIP 6: Sending Multiple Tickets Can Slow Down The Response I know the squeaky wheel gets the grease. However, when you send in a ticket, and another, and another. Instead of having all of your information in one place, I now have to organize all of your comments and that takes more time. Be patient. We want you up and running. Also, trying to shame people by posting to social media isn't helpful either. The social media person often is not a person on the tech support team. TIP 7: Don't Ask Facebook I realize you in a panic in some cases, and you REALLY need an answer. When you ask Facebook there are a few things to consider: 1. You are asking people who may not have any insights into the issue, but respond anyway. 2. The competitors of your current media host will start telling you to switch to their service. I'm not going to ask my Dentist how to add a new starter to my car. The best place to get the best answer is from the team of your media host. They know the system inside and out. TIP 8: Patience is a Virtue I understand you're frustrated, but taking your frustration out on the person who is trying to help you doesn't help the situation. This especially goes for churches. Summary: Your tech support team wants you to be
Thu, April 01, 2021
Another Reason to List Your Show in Amazon Music/Audible
Way back in episode 37 I said the easy way to get your show into an Amazon smart speaker (Alexa) I said you could use Tunein.com (which was true and still is) but it's much easier (and works well) if you add your podcast to Amazon Music. Another Reason to have your show listed in Amazon Music/Audible is your show will start to appear in Amazon search results. How often do you go to Amazon a day? How many searches do you do? Go Play In That Traffic Here is a resource: Episode 20 - Top Podcast Directories If you need help growing your podcast, then schedule a strategy session today and let's get you going in the right direction. go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, March 15, 2021
Don't Throw Your Audience Away
Saying a big launch is the key to a successful podcast is like saying having a big wedding is the key to a happy marriage. In both cases, the real work is just starting. Schedule a Strategy Session If you need help with your podcast and want to tap into my 16 years of experience, I'd love to help (my background is in teaching/education). Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule I saw in a Facebook group where someone was not happy with their progress and was going to "delete everything and relaunch" NO!!! I live in Akron Ohio and about 60 miles north is Cleveland, Ohio. If I start walking to Cleveland and take a wrong turn I don't go back home and start walking to Cleveland again. I readjust from where I am and keep moving in the right direction. If you delete your show you are THROWING AWAY YOUR AUDIENCE. I don't know about you, but I work too hard to lose one single audience member. Launching a Podcast is Easy I could burp into my phone and it would be in Apple next week. This is not a joke. Launching a GOOD Podcast Takes Thought You have to know who your audience is, and what they want. You have to know YOUR WHY. Then figure out what you can talk about that will hold their attention while getting them to move toward your WHY. If you need help, come visit me at www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, March 01, 2021
Is Clubhouse Going to Kill Podcasting?
I see people mesmerized by the new Clubhouse App. It's interesting and has 10 million people on it. Here are some other interesting tidbits: It's on iOs only. So 70% of THE WORLD can't use it. They are using FOMO (fear of missing out) like a jedi marketer. Have you ever listened to "no screener" talk radio on the radio? It's pretty bad when "everybody gets a microphone." Over the years podcasting has been declared dead so many times. And yet, 17 years later it's still here and Edison Research showed this week it's continued to grow EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Ready for a Strategy Session? Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and let's get you going in the right direction. Is Clubhouse Competition? Anything that can take your audio is competition. Xbox, AM/FM, Sirius, Hulu, HBO, etc is all competition. The advantage of audio podcasts is you can do other things while you listen (i.e. Drive). You can do that with clubhouse, so what does this mean? Are we doomed? No, you just have to be better than what is on clubhouse. Also, don't forget the power of time-shifted conversations that podcasting provides. Currently, Clubhouse is a live conversation and if you miss it, you miss it (although there are rumors recording is coming). How to Use Clubhouse? For me, I'm going over to help people. I make sure my links are in my bio. Then I deliver value and hope people will check my bio. I am meeting new people and finding potential partners, guests, and more. I'm not looking to pitch. I could see inviting your audience to a conversation at a certain time (again realize 70% of your audience won't be able to attend as they are on Android). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, February 15, 2021
Should I Move to a Different Media Host?
When we start to panic, we make bad decisions. Consequently, when your show isn't growing as fast as you want, you might upgrade your equipment (when you didn't need to), or move to a different media host (thinking it will help you get more downloads. In full disclosure, I work for Libsyn.com (who does make it easy to syndicate your show - use the coupon code sopfree to get a free month - as Libsyn is short for Liberated Syndication), but assuming you've submitted your show for approval - a different media host won't boost your downloads. The Download Equation Total Value X Smart Promotion = Total Downloads If you don't have value in your episode, then no matter how much promotion you do - it won't grow. If you have value in your episodes, but don't promote it - it will be slow. The bottom line to all of this is to know your audience. If you need help with this, I can help. Schedule a Strategy Session Today I can help with planning, growing, and monetizing your podcast. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Mon, February 01, 2021
Bad Audio in Your Podcast - Who is to Blame?
Your podcast is your brand, and while your guests might not be as nerdy as you are with as nice as gear as you have, that doesn't mean we give them a pass when it comes to audio quality. In movies, plays, television, people audition to get a part and be seen. You should be no different. You don't have to set the bar super high, but the bottom line is it that it is YOUR show and how it sounds reflects on YOU. You can ask a potential guest, "Can you provide a link so I can hear your audio quality?" as well as, "I'd be happy to interview you. As we have never met, I reserve the right to not publish the episode if you're not a good fit for my audience, is that OK?" Anyone not confident enough in their ability to bring value will complain. You don't want those people. People will often find themselves in a situation where they NEED a GUEST NOW (and will take anyone). Don't put yourself into a situation to be desperate. You make really bad decisions when you are desperate. Need Help? I can help you with your podcast (planning, launching, growing, equipment, monetization). Let's have a strategy session at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, January 15, 2021
Podcast Promotion 101
Today I talk about something that happened on my live Saturday show Ask the Podcast Coach. We asked a few people "Where can we find your podcast?" and few people answered the podcast correctly. ENOUGH WITH THE LINK TREES WHY would you (in some cases) PAY to promote someone else's brand? This baffles me. If you're new to link trees, here is a definition. A link tree allows you to create a personalized and easily-customizable page, that houses all the important links you want to share with your audience. I have a name for that: YOUR WEBSITE? When someone asks you where they can find your stuff you give them one answer YOUR WEBSITE. Then on your website, you can have buttons to subscribe to the show on all the platforms. BENEFITS OF PROMOTING YOUR SHOW You can boost your Google ranking by having people stay on your site. By sharing a link to your site, that then gets shared on social, which also will build your Google rankings. If you are doing Facebook advertising, you can place the pixel. Your audience can subscribe on whatever app they want. SEARCH TOOLS ARE HORRIBLE When you are saying, "find me in (app)" you may be sending your audience into a black hole. Sending them to your website eliminates them having to find you. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Fri, January 01, 2021
Launching a Podcast in 2021
You can't find a podcast and you've decided to make the podcast YOU want to listen to. Here are the steps to launch a successful podcast. 00:54 Why are you starting a podcast? 01:14 Who is your audience? 01:34 What will you talk about? 01:52 Pick a format 02:13 Order Your Equipment 02:32 Practice and Learn Your Gear 02:51 Identify Your Intro and Outro 03:48 Record an Episode 04:04 Get HONEST Feedback 04:34 Order Artwork 04:58 Order a Media Host 05:16 Create Your Website 05:50 Submit Your Show To Directories Mentioned In This Episode What Link Should I Use to Promote My Show? Do I Need a Website for My Podcast? In-Depth Episodes on Launching a Podcast The Worst Way To Start Your Podcast Episodes Start Podcasting Schedule a Coaching Call Join Dave's Quick Start Program Join the School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, December 15, 2020
Should I Join a Podcast Network?
You get an email asking you to join a network. You're flattered. You need to think about this. Do I need to change my feed? Talk to someone who is on the network and get before and after numbers How do they select new network members? What gets your fired? Who owns the content if you decide to leave? Will they redirect your feed if you decide to leave? Full notes and bonus video at www.podcastconsultant.com/84 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, December 01, 2020
Is Your Podcast Missing Love From Google?
Today we are going to talk a little about Podcast SEO - (Search Engine Optimization) There are types of players that media hosts provide that are often called: Show Player (instead of an episode player) Podcast Juke Box Binge Box There are WordPress plugins like Simple Podcast Press and Fuse Box but I'm also talking about the players you get from our media host. Especially one that provides multiple episodes (which is what we are primarily focused on today). Those players are in what is known as an "iframe." The bottom line as while that player looks like it's on my website, it's actually from my media host (Libsyn). I'm not an "anti-sow player" but I am "anti - the only player on a website is the show player." Why? As those players only appear on your site, you get almost zero Google Juice (if not zero) from that type of player. Getting More SEO and Google Love For Your Podcast While it is tempting to have one "Set it and forget it" type of player, what I recommend in addition to that type of player is to treat every episode like a blog post. The blog post attracts Google. Google sends people to your website, and because they stay longer (hopefully because they are listening) which leads Google to think your content is really good and sends more traffic to you. But doesn't this then require more work? Yes. Yes, it does. Do you want to be found in Google? You have to do the work. I Just Want You To Make Informed Decisions My goal is to make sure you understand the consequences of your choices so you can make good choices. Schedule a Coaching Call Today I can help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast (and Monetize ). Schedule a call today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, November 15, 2020
Can a Video Be a Podcast?
First things first, let's explain technically what a podcast is: A program delivered via RSS. This can be audio (typically mp3), video (typically m4a), or a pdf file. So technically YES, you can have a video podcast NOT ALL APPS WILL PLAY IT Google podcasts and pandora won't do anything with it, while apps like Overcast and Stitcher will play the audio, but not show the video, and Apple Podcasts will play the video and others will as well. There is a list on Podcast411.com WHAT I ADVISE PEOPLE TO DO Go upload your video to YouTube for free and embed the video on your website. Then take the audio of that video and put it out as a podcast as an mp3 file. If this is something very visual and it NEEDS to be video, than make a second version of the file that is tailored for a smaller screen. This will take up less room (and be cheaper to host) and it won't take up so much room on your audience's phone DON'T MIX AND MATCH If you have an audio podcast I would not recommend mixing a video and audio podcast in the same feed. If you're doing a video show AND an audio podcast make sure each one has its own feed. DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? I'd love to answer your podcast questions (about any podcast topic), let's schedule a coaching session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sun, November 01, 2020
How to Tell How Many People Subscribe To Your Podcast
How many subscribers does my podcast have? Just this morning, I've had three people email me this question this morning (and I heard it on my last coaching call). The answer is: you can't. There's no actual way to get that number. YouTube Vs Podcasting Everybody bring up subscriber counts because of YouTube. Realize YouTube is centralized. If you're watching YouTube, you're watching it on YouTube. Podcasting is different, you have an RSS feed (see the mechanics of podcasting). You can listen to the exact same content on Apple on Google on overcast on Amazon, etc. It is decentralized. Consequently, you can't really tell how many people are subscribed to your show. Strategies for Determining "Subscribers" Now there are a couple strategies you can use to kind of figure out an idea of how many subscribers you have. The Seven Day Method If you go into an episode in whatever your media host is, I recommend Libsyn.com (use the coupon code sopfree to get a free month) and you can go into an episode filter the stats to only show the first week. So as I record this, it's November 1, I can say show me November 1 through November 8, assuming that the episode was released on November 1. A week's worth of data would give you an idea of what some people feel, are your subscribers because, in reality, your subscribers are your superfans. They are more than likely going to consume the content, the minute it's available. That's one way if you're looking for subscribers. The Podcasts Connect Method The other way is if you go into http://podcastsconnect.appl.com. They have stats there where you can see what percentage of your listeners (ON APPLE) are subscribed. It's not your entire audience. What I've seen some people do is they will take that percentage and apply it to their total number of downloads. Let's say it's 70%. You get 300 downloads per episode. If you take 70% of 300. That is 210 subscribers. So that's another way of getting an idea of how many subscribers you have. There are More Ways to Measure Success There are more ways to measure success than downloads. You can measure reviews, that's kind of a way of measuring engagement. Did anybody email you about the episode? If you're selling products, did sales go up? How about retweets? There are all sorts of ways such as comments on a blog. There are so many ways to measure podcast success. Why Are Your Podcasting? I was on a call this morning with a client. I asked him, "Why are you doing your podcast?" He said, Oh, well, I want to talk to these companies that are basically funding small businesses. I asked, Are you doing that? He said, "Yeah, they come on as guests." Then I pointed out that your podcast is successful (you are talking to the people you wanted to talk to). That's really why you always have to know your why. But the bottom line is you can't see how many su
Thu, October 15, 2020
Is Your Podcast Future Proof?
I had one of my editing clients as me if I could edit an episode from a few months ago. In the episode, they had talked about a webinar that they were doing that month. Now that the webinar was long past, they felt it just didn't make any sense. That is how I got the idea for this episode. Future Proof Your Podcast Anytime you mentioned a date be sure to include the year (as some people may hear this episode years from now). Then throw in the additional information, "If you're listening to this episode after (whatever the date is) be sure to check out our website (and then say the website address) for the latest information." This "Future proofs" your episode. Beware of the Curse of Knowledge I often hear podcasters say things like, "Just go to our website," or "It's out at the website." You want to make it easy for your listeners so say your website address. You're not saying it because you know your website, or you think, "I just said it in the last episode." Remember, you are always gaining new listeners. Evergreen Topics Some people only record topics that are evergreen. A news show is the direct opposite of evergreen as the information is outdated quickly. So for example, an evergreen topic in this show might be what makes good content? Well, this really doesn't change. Good content means you are doing at least one (hopefully multiple) items on this list: Laugh Cry Think Grown Educate Entertain If you're not doing any of those. You're boring. I can say that today, and I'm 100% sure that is going to be absolutely true in five years, 10 years, or 20 years from now. I'm sure there are topics in your genre that are evergreen. Using a News Story to Demonstrate an Evergreen Topic Recently rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen died. I was a huge fan, and I really wanted to talk about it. To keep it evergreen I pulled facts from his career and used them to help podcasters. You can listen to the episode here . Go In With Your Eyes Open You can do episodes that will become outdated. It's YOUR show. There are podcasts that cover the news after all. Just realize the more evergreen your topic the better the chance it will connect with your audience no matter how long ago you published the episode. Need Help Your Your Podcast? Do you need help planning, launching, or growing your podcast? Schedule a coaching call and let's get you going in the right directions This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Thu, October 01, 2020
Can You Say Your "Why?"
I was working with a client, I'll change things up a bit. Let's say they were interested in help people "Do More," or "Be More Productive." Who could use that content? College Students Parents There are many more, but let's limit the list to the two above. You Need to KNOW your WHY? There are many reasons to start a podcast. These include: Being seen as an expert Getting to talk to people you normally wouldn't Growing influence Selling more products Getting your message out and more.. In this instance, the person wanted to make some money with their podcast by promoting some digital products. That's fine. Now let's look at our potential audience When it comes to college students vs Parents which one has more money? Parents - hands down. So who do you gear your content toward? Parents. Why? Because your "WHY" is to sell digital products and you have a better shot with parents. If you don't achieve your why, you will get frustrated and quit. Let's Brainstorm Together Sometimes you are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you need someone to brainstorm and make sure your goals line up with your content, I can help with that. Let's schedule a coaching call today. Mentioned In This Episode Profit From Your Podcast: Turn Your Listeners Into Livelihood This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, September 15, 2020
Before You Pay to Promote Your Podcast - DO THIS
I was in a Facebook group and someone asked, "What are your tips for getting more listeners to your podcast?" and the very first comment was, "Marketing.. Facebook ads" and while there were other decent suggestions, many of the suggestions were BUYING promotion (Facebook, Google Ads, etc). It wasn't until I left a comment that someone brought up making sure your content is good. Here is what I wrote: Create content that is SO GOOD, that your audience has no choice, they HAVE TO share it with a friend. According to Jacobs media 70% of people find new podcasts through word of mouth. Once you are positive your show is having the impact on people you want to impact (it really needs to be people you did not grow up with, and people you are not related to like your mother), THEN you can start promoting your show. Get Some Feedback If you want some feedback I do offer a Podcast Review service. If you'd rather work on your content in private sign up for some coaching . Let me know what episode to listen to, and we can amplify what you are doing correct, and minimize the parts that aren't working. Publicity Isn't Always the Key To Success Why do I say this? Do you know these names? Samantha 'Just Sam' Diaz Laine Hardy Maddie Poppe Trent Harmon Nick Fradiani Caleb Johnson Candice Glover Phillip Phillips Scotty McCreery Lee DeWyze Kris Allen David Cook Jordin Sparks Taylor Hicks Carrie Underwood Fantasia Barrino Ruben Studdard Kelly Clarkson Thes are all American Idol WINNERS. With this in mind, publicity alone will not be the sole solution to getting your show more downloads. You need to make sure it resonates with your audience first . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Sat, August 15, 2020
Charging Your Podcast Guest An Appearance Fee?
Supply and Demand The "law" of supply and demand is this: The more demand there is for a product, the more you can charge for it. There are many things that lead and boost demand, and that is outside the scope of today's show. In general, you are delivering value (or perceived value) If you raise the price more and more, the demand may go down (as it doesn't deliver as much value for the price). Cover Charge When I was a musician, some places I played would charge a "Cover Charge" which was a way of attracting people with more disposable income (as you would pay $5 to get in the door). People with disposable income might have more money to buy food and drinks. I believe some people are charging to be on their show as a "Cover Charge." This is for very, very, very popular shows. This is by far, not the norm. The Slippery Slope If you charge someone money to appear, you might end up with some "Extra money." I don't know about you, but I remember paying of a car or credit card, and thinking I would have "extra" money at the end of the month. Somehow, you always seem to find a way to spend that extra money. Now you NEED guests to pay you to appear to help pay for the new car, your child's new braces, or whatever it is you have now added to your assets. This may mean you are going to be less selective when it comes to choosing guests. As long as they can pay, then they can be on the show. This would then potentially decrease the value to the audience, which then lowers the number of listeners, which then lowers the demand to be on your show. People are paying to get in front of your audience. If you let anyone with some money be on your show, you are at risk of losing your audience. Potential FTC Issues The FTC Guides , state that at their core, reflect the basic truth-in-advertising principle that endorsements must be honest and not misleading. An endorsement must reflect the honest opinion of the endorser and can’t be used to make a claim that the product’s marketer couldn’t legally make. 255.5 states, "When there exists a connection between the endorser and the seller of the advertised product that might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement (i.e., the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience), such connection must be fully disclosed. " For me, by having them on your show, your audience trusts you to bring people of value. If you don't disclose that they are paying to be there, and someone purchases their product or service, you might have an issue with the FTC (I'm not a lawyer, but it gets sticky). Final Thoughts While this is my
Sun, August 02, 2020
How to Do An "Ask Me Anything (AMA)" Episode
Oscar Trimboli asked me, "Hey, do you have anything about doing an Ask me anything sometimes called AMA's. That type of episode?" Well, there are a couple of things to think of number one, for this to work you need an audience. So this is the first thing you need is an audience. The next thing is the tools, and I always recommend that you have your website's setup to accept any kind of input. So I've got a voicemail number from podcastvoicemail.com I've got an email address. I also have a tool called speakpipe that allows people to record right there on the website if they have a microphone on their computer. No matter how they want to contact me, you can do that there and I put all those tools on one page. For example podcastconsultant.com/contact. That way you don't have to say, "here's my email address. Here's my phone number." They just have to remember one thing. he other thing is, are you going to do this live -keep in mind - doing a live show is a separate set of skills that you need. This also means you're going to be quick on your feet, you're gonna have to answer questions on the fly where if you get them via voicemail email you can really safely construct an answer that's going to be sure to provide value on your own timeline. If you want to do this live my favorite tool right now is stream yard Streamyard has a free version I pay for the full version. But this allows you to automatically stream to places like Facebook, and YouTube, and Twitch and all these places all at the same time (and it records it as well). It's super easy to use. I use it every Saturday, I do a show called Ask the Podcast Coach , which in a way is an ask me anything episode Now, the last thing is if you're having people send in their questions, and then you're going to get them on a certain date people will late until the very last minute to send them in. So keep that in mind. If you start to panic, like, Oh my gosh, nobody is sending in questions, you're probably going to get a bunch the day before. Mentioned In This Episode PodcastVoicemail.com Speakpipe.com Streamyard Have More Podcast Questions? Let's schedule a call to get your podcast questions answered and get you going in the right direction. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: <
Wed, July 15, 2020
Why Isn't Apple Displaying All of My Episodes?
Think of it Like a Store Front One of my hobbies is music. I remember as a young child going into or walking by a music store, and there were a few different guitars in the front window and I was like, Wow, look at those guitars! Those are awesome. And then I walked through the door into the store, and there was wall to wall guitars and I was like, holy cow. Look at this. Now, you might be saying, Dave, that's a cute story and all but what does that have to do with podcasting? Well, I've talked about how Apple podcast is a little confusing. And that's because there is a store view that basically people see when they search for your show. TWO VIEWS OF APPLE You'll have your first 300 episodes and archive one, your episodes from 301 to 600, in archive two, etc, etc. Why Do People Build Archives of Their Podcast? When it comes to Apple search, the only things that come into play is: The title of your show. The title of the episode. The author field. Those are the only three things that Apple currently uses when you do a search. So why are people doing an archive? Because when you get to episode 301, that first one that's no longer shown, and is no longer being used for search results. And so you now have, let's say you have 1000 episodes, you've been doing a daily show for years. And you've created three-plus archives of your show so that every episode can be used in search results. Really? There's a study by Jacobs media that says 70% of most podcasters find out about other podcasts to listen to, via called word of mouth (not Apple search). What This Does For the Listener I have to subscribe to multiple feeds to get all of the episodes (where if they were in one feed, all I have to do is subscribe). What This Does For the Podcaster You have to pay for additional media hosting so the archives can have their own feed. The archives have no built-in audience. Your subscriber count is now divided between your archives instead of all under on show For this reason, I don't believe in making archives (if you won't put them behind a firewall and sell them to your super fans). Need Some Help? This episode was a tad bit more "Nerdy" than usual. If you need help, schedule a call and let's get you going in the right direction. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 01, 2020
Do I Need To Add ID3 Tags To Your Podcast?
ID3 tags were much more important back in 2005ish. All the portable media players and tools used ID3 tags. What is an ID3 Tag? An ID3 tags is information stored inside your mp3 file. You can't see them, but some (few) apps use this information. This (currently) only happens when your file is removed from your feed and is not used by an app. EXAMPLE: Someone downloads your file to their computer and is listened to in a tool like Windows Media Player. The episode title, name of the podcast, image, and author are all displayed. Think of Tags Like Trees In the same way that you can learn information about a tree by cutting it down and looking at the rings inside the tree, if you look inside the mp3 file at the ID3 tags you can learn more about it. To the best of my knowledge, Google and other search engines are not using this data. Obsessing over this content is a waste of time. Tools To Add ID3 Tags The reason I still add ID3 tags to my files is that it takes almost no time. I use Hindenburg Journalist to add ID3 tags. If you are using Audacity (which does not do a great job) there is a free program called MP3Tag at https://www.mp3tag.de/en/ It's free, but do consider donating. Another popular one is ID3 Editor which has a great interface and is easy to use. It's $15 BUT DO I NEED THEM? My knee jerk reaction is NO because so much of today's technology ignores them. HOWEVER, in the same way, that apps stop using them (and instead pull the information from your feed), they could just as easily switch back. It takes all of 15 seconds to add them, so add them. Just don't expect them to drive a ton of traffic to your site. Need Help With Your Podcast? If you are starting your podcast, or if you're trying to grow your podcast, I have 15 years of experience helping people plan, launch and grow your podcast. Come visit me at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and let's have a chat. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, June 17, 2020
Can You Have Too Much Voice Inflection?
When you are podcasting you are talking to your audience, but you also have to realize there is a bit of "performance" mixed in. This is why you had people like Wolfman Jack and other people who were super high energy. Then you had people like Paul Harvey who had his own style, and really really long pauses. Some people get nervous thinking about this and get a little "sing songy" and end up accenting words in what some might feel are un-natural places. Today I play a clip of a newspaper that puts their content out on Amazon devices. What do you think? Is this TOO MUCH? I always advise my clients to go up to obnoxious and back it down two notches. This is a few notches above your typical voice, but not so exaggerated it sounds weird. When you practice this, some people refer to this as finding your voice. Let Me Help You Find Your Voice Lets schedule a call today to help you get going with your podcast. see http://podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, June 03, 2020
What is a Libsyn Slug?
A libsyn slug is something you will be asked for when you sign up at Libsyn.com ( Libsyn is short for Liberated Syndication - they are the largest podcast media hosting company). You can get a free month when you sign up using the coupon code sopfree. How is a Libsyn Slug Used? The libsyn slug is used as an ID for your Libsyn account. If you open a support ticket all you have to do is provide your slug and the support team can look up your account information. It is also used in the URL of your libsyn podcast page. For example, my slug is podcastconsultant. My Libsyn podcast page is http://podcastconsultant.libsyn.com/website (I don't use that page, I use this page which uses WordPress, hosted at coolerwebsites.com It is also used in your feed. The feed for this show is https://podcastsconsultant.libsyn.com/rss Lastly, it's used in the URL of your MP3 file. Last weeks file is https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/podcastconsultant/ypc071-joerogan.mp3 Can I Change My Slug? As we just stated the slug is used in your libsyn podcast page, your feed, and every mp3 file. If you change your slug - you break everything. Just so you are 100% clear on the consequences. 1. All your episodes will need to be fixed as the url to the mp3 will change. So whatever websites have the episodes will need to be redone for every single episode. 2. If you used the Libsyn podcast page anything linking to that page will need to be updated. 3. Your RSS feed will change, so your iTunes will be looking at a dead feed (with no way to update your previous subscribers) so you lose ALL reviews and ALL of your subscribers. You will be starting from scratch. If you haven't submitted your show to any directories there really aren't that many consequences. You do need to contact Libsyn support. If you've already submitted your show to directories, here is a quick test. Think of your favorite podcast. Got one? Now tell me their feed. Me Neither. In my opinion its not worth going back to square one. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, May 27, 2020
Why Joe Rogan Got Paid
Today I talk about Joe Rogan who just got a guesstimate $100 million dollars to make his show available exclusively on Spotify. Why did they buy Joe? Because he is one of the top (if not THE top podcast). So why is he so popular? Joe has a dialogue with his guest. He allows interesting people say interesting things. He is a really good listener. Joe started back in 1988 His first comedy special was 12 years later His been on multiple TV shows His podcast has been going on for 11 years Joe has proven that good content is valuable. If you start your podcast today you're not going to get Joe Rogan money. Will you get Joe Rogan money in 11 years? In 32 years? There is only one way to find out. Starting a podcast is no hard. Starting a GOOD podcast is challenging. I can help with that. Let's talk at www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, May 20, 2020
Everyone Can't Be Your Target Audience
As I record this, it is May 21, 2020, and we are still dealing with the pandemic. This resulted in a lot of zoom meetings. When I'm trying to help a new podcast, and I'll be trying to get them to tell me their target audience. "Oh, it's for everybody, " they say. I will answer, "Seriously, who is your podcast for?" They will again say, "everybody." But as I was in a zoom meeting, with about, I'm going to say twenty people instead of six, the bigger the zoom meeting, in many cases, the worse the information. Why? Because you've got some people that are not really cut out for whatever the topic is. They just don't fit or in some cases, and there's nothing wrong with this, we all have our first zoom meeting, but you have the people who have never used zoom. They're sitting there and you're looking straight up their nostrils, and they're asking, "Can you hear me? Can you hear me?" That can lessen the effectiveness of the meeting. So what is my point? I'm in a class right now, and there's somebody who is going to build a community, which is very similar to building a podcast. The community it was about parenting. Well, that's, that's a pretty big group. Later, he said, "Well, I want to niche down to African American parents. Then the more he talked about it, and the more you could see his true passion, he was really trying to reach male, African American fathers. Now, when you do that, what happens? Well, you cut out a big chunk of your potential audience. But in many cases, you're going to end up with a smaller group, but a much more passionate group, a much more focused group. And in some cases, when you get those people together, there's a bonding amongst the other groups that you just don't get when you try to mix everybody in there. The point being big groups are not always the best for really communicating with people. I do "office hours" for the school of podcasting and I get a handful of people and I help them. There are rare occasions when it's me and one student. We can dig deep into what they are working on and I end up making more of an impact with one person, than trying to help ten at the same time. You don't need all the people. You need the Right people. Need Help With Your Podcast? Schedule an Appointment today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, May 13, 2020
Obsessing Over Apple Podcast Reviews
People are hip to fake reviews. The general public is not that stupid when it comes to reviews. Review swaps result in really horrible reviews that are NOT helpful to the potential listener. A good review has details as to why something was good or bad. Reviews DO NOT help you move up the Apple Podcast Charts. Reviews are social proof - and that's it. When your audience isn't leaving you reviews, you might want to check on your content or your relationship with your audience. It takes courage to look at your content, and see if there is room for improvement. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, May 06, 2020
What Wrong With My Podcast Formatting? No Links?
You've created an episode, you added links, you added some boldness, you added some formatting to your description. You send it out to the world and you go into Apple podcasts, and none of the links show up. Why is some of this missing? You look in Spotify and you're like, why is everything one giant paragraph that looks horrendous? That's not how I created it. Then you look at other apps and it looks perfectly fine. You think what do I have to do to make this look good? Here is the sad news. You can't. I made a quick video to show you how the links are there (in Apple Podcasts), it just depends on where in the app you are looking at the content (you need to subscribe and be in the library) see https://libsyn.d.pr/EEBRft It's frustrating. My goal with this episode is to help you avoid wasting your time trying to fix something that can't be fixed as its not your fault. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, April 29, 2020
Take the Word PODCAST Out of Your Name
If someone asked me what was one of my Favorite books I wouldn't say "Platform Book." I would just say Platform. If someone asked what was one of my favorite movies? I wouldn't say "Caddyshack Movie." I would just say "Caddyshack." If someone asked what was one of my favorite magazines to read, I wouldn't say "Men's Health Magazine." I would say "Men's Health." So why do I see "The Ernie and Bert Podcast" as the title of shows? It seems like so many shows have the word PODCAST in the name. While you might say, Dave, your show is Your PODCAST Consultant. I get a pass as I'm talking about podcasting. The Global News Podcast could just be "Global News." The minimalists Podcasts could just be "The Minimalists." The Generation Why Podcast could be "Generation Why." Apple Search Has Issues When you leave words like "The" and "Podcast" in your name you are ranked against every show with the word "The" or "Podcast" in the name. When you remove this clutter, it can actually boost your search results in apps. While most people learn about new podcasts via word of mouth, anything you can do to make it easier to be found in apps is a plus. Need Help With Your Podcast? Check out my three-month Quick Start Program . Just have a quick question? Schedule a quick 15-minute coaching session . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, April 22, 2020
Should You Start a Video Podcast?
You are shooting video, should you turn it into a podcast? There are some pros and cons of video. First off, can your content exist without the video portion? Is this a "talking head" video? If so maybe it doesn't need to be video. Full show notes at podcastconsultant.com/66 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, April 15, 2020
Don't Starve Your Audience
Do you use phrases like this? Before we get to ______ Without further adu I don't want to delay any further The Thin Line Between Teasing and Annoying It's one thing to take a quick 30-60 second tangent. It's a completely different issue when your tangents go on and on and the listener starts to wonder if you're ever coming back to the topic. Whatever the title of the episode is, people have tuned in to hear you talk about that subject. True Story I listened to the episode where the host did a FABULOUS job of introducing their guest. I really wanted to hear what their guest had to say. Then they said the dreaded words, "Before we get t0__" and then they spent a lot of time talking about a webinar she was having. This went on for about three minutes. Then when she finally got done rambling on about her webinar, I was ready her them to get to their guest (finally), but they didn't do that. Instead, they read a review that someone had put into Apple podcasts. Do you know who enjoys hearing those reviews? The host. The audience doesn't care. They might be happy if people leave a nice review, but the review does nothing to benefit their lives like the information that should be coming out of your guest's head. Let Me Help You Shape Your Content Lets set up a time for you and me to go over your podcast and find out what is working and what is not. Schedule a session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, April 08, 2020
F*ck It - Why Not?
Today I heard a promo for the Danny Elfman Masterclass. In it, you hear this HUGELY SUCCESSFUL music composer who has been nominated four times for an oscar. He has scored over a hundred movies, and yet he still fears failure. I love that he says, "It's OK to fail. It is normal to doubt yourself. There is only one way to be creative and that is to take a chance and do it, and learn from it and move on to your next project with your new knowledge. Watch Promo Ready to Start Your Podcast Why not? Go to www.podcastconsulstant.com/schedule Want to learn at your own pace? Check out the School of Podcasting This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, April 01, 2020
Turn Your Stuff Into a Podcast
You have some files on your hard drive, you have some old CD's or cassettes that helped people back in the day, and helped people or entertained them. What do you need? If you want to add some additional information to the content, you will need a microphone like a Samson Q2U. You also need some artwork that meets these specs: 1400x1400px (minimum) 3000x3000px (maximum) Under 500kb Use rGB color space Be a JPG, JPEG, or a PNG file if you have a budget check out www.podcastbranding.co if you ave less of a budget check out Kapa99 Then you need a media host. I've been a libsyn customer since 2005. I became a Libsyn employee in 2016. You can use the coupon sopfree at www.libsyn.com How Much Space Do I Need? You need to know how often you will publish and how long the episodes will be. If you want to do a weekly show that is 10 minutes long that is 40 minutes a month. A stereo podcast (128 kbps ) takes up roughly 1 M per minute. A mono file (64 kbps) takes up roughly .5 A 10-minute episode once a week is 40 minutes a month. That would be 40M a month in stereo and 20 megs a month in mono. This video talks more about this Got Podcast Questions? Schedule a quick coaching session and let's get you going in the right direction with your podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, March 25, 2020
Three Reasons Radio DJs Should Have Their Own Podcast
Today I play a portion of a conversation I had with Erik K Johnson who is the Podcast Talent Coach , as well as a co-host with me on the Podcast Review Show . I asked Erik (who is a program director for iHear) verifies my idea on Radio Personalities/DJs creating podcasts to boost their own audience and brand. Three Reasons Radio DJs Should Have Their Own Podcast Built-in Demo Freedom To Talk About Whatever You Want Develop a Deeper Brand Be sure to read the contract and know what you're signing. Need Help Starting a Podcast? Let me help you. Schedule a coaching session today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, March 18, 2020
Podcast Launch Insights That You Need to Know
In the past, musicians would have a CD release party. They would not pick the date for the party until they had the CD in their hands. So many things could go wrong, and you need to do the same. Don't pick your "launch" date until your podcast is available to the public. If you're worried this will ruin your "Splash" into the public. It won't. In the same way, being in the phone book will not make you famous - being in Apple podcasts will not make you a celebrity. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, March 11, 2020
Is Anyone Listening?
155 million people in the US have listened to a podcast (55%) 104 million listen monthly 68 million listen weekly The average listener subscribes to Six podcasts. Podcasting is more popular in the car than Sirius Satelite Radio Source: The Podcast Consumer 2020 Edison Research New Podcast Statistics from Edison Research and Triton Digital Some new data has come out here in March of 2020, as I record this, and in a nutshell, podcasting really came on the scene in 2004. The audience for podcasting has gone up about 2to 5% every year and so came out this year 55% of Americans have listened to at least one podcast. Now to get a grip on that number that is 155 million people have at least press play once. Now the good news is, that means there's 45% of people who haven't and why that's a good thing is this is only going to go up. 104 million people listen on a monthly basis, and 68 million people listen weekly. If you think about a classroom, that's 20 people, if you think about a small theater, maybe that's 300 people. This is 68 million people. These numbers just represent America. Edison Research and Triton digital also do studies on Canada and many other countries. The average podcast listener subscribes to six podcasts, so they're more or less listening to at least one a day. Podcasting is now more popular in the car than Sirius Satellite Radio and you have to pay for that. Now, let's be honest, we have a long way to go before we pass AM/FM radio. But still, there are a lot of people listening to podcasts and this number has gone up Mentioned In This Episode Learn to subscribe to podcasts at www.learntosubscribe.com Don't Keep Your Podcast Audience Waiting With 42 million people listening on a regular basis (and that again is JUST IN THE US, the number is actually bigger) your audience exists in a sea of 42 million people. Statistics show that once a person starts to listen to podcasts, they listen to the radio less, and podcasts more. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, March 04, 2020
Artwork Not Appearing in Apple Podcasts App
There are two places you can put artwork for your podcast. One is for the show, and the other is for the episode. There are two views in Apple podcasts. One I will call the "Store view" (which is the view you are using when you search for something). The other is the "Library" view and its the view you are using after you have subscribed to a show. Currently, in March 2020, Apple only shows the artwork in the Apple Podcasts app if you're NOT subscribed (the "Store" view). Once you subscribe to your show, the artwork for the episode does not appear when you press play. It's annoying. It also shows it in the " web based " version of Apple Podcasts and in the search results of Apple Podcasts (where it is really tiny). So if you are trying to get your artwork for a specific episode to appear in Apple podcasts, it can be very confusing.. One other little twist is the popular app Overcast uses the artwork in the ID3 tag (which is INSIDE the mp3 file). This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 26, 2020
Playing Music in Your Podcast
To play the music you hear on the radio legally on your podcast you need permission from The Songwriter The Song Performer Whoever owns the Mechanical Rights Without permission from all of the above parties, you can't legally play the music (and there have been some podcasts that have been sued for playing music illegally) Royalty Free Music Royalty-free music means you pay once for the rights to the music and you can play it as many times as you want (typically) you should always read the small print. Here is a list of websites where you can find music. https://podcastingresources.com/listing-category/production-music/ You can save some money looking for "Logos" (shorter snippets of songs) or transitions that will be less expensive than buying a full songe. Need Help With Your Podcast? Schedule a coaching session today. http://podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 19, 2020
Everybody Gets a Microphone
If you are going to be interviewing people in the same room, or if you have a co-host in the same room - you HAVE to pretend your Oprah. YOU GET A MICROPHONE - YOU GET A MICROPHONE -EVERYBODY GETS A MICROPHONE. If you don't get that, here is the clip where Oprah gave everyone in the audience a car. See video at https://youtu.be/8CAscBCdaQg Don't Share Microphones Now I know they make microphones that pick up in every angle, but you DO NOT want to do that. Today I play a clip of someone doing that. They sound like they are in a tunnel. I know it's more expensive, but you will LOSE your audience (or neve gain one) when your audio is bad. A microphone I recommend is the Samson Q2U. There is a great package on Amazon Everybody gets their own microphone. Free Podcast Gear Webinar Watch webinar at https://schoolofpodcasting.com/rightgearwebinar This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 12, 2020
The 10 Word Description
In Monday's School of Podcasting I have Eric Nuzum who is the author of Make Noise A Creators Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling. One of the exercises is pretty hard: Here is is: Describe your idea in no more than ten words, and do so in a way that describes nothing else in the world. The fun part is you CAN'T use any of these words. Amazing Astounding Awesome Beautiful Best Brilliant Classic Compelling Curious Diverse Extraordinary Fabulous Fantastic Fascinating Fresh Great Incredible In-Depth Lovely Outstanding Quality Remarkable Riveting Sensational Spectacular Stunning Superior Thoughtful Tremendous Unbelievable Unique World Class If you find yourself wanting to use one of these words, I have an easy anecdote. Simply answer why. Why is it beautiful? Why is it fascinating? Why is it spectacular? The answer to your “why” question is your distinct descriptor. Use it instead. Podcast Quick Start Program Looking to launch your podcast quickly and get it going in the right direction. Sign up for the Podcast Quickstart Mentoring Program. Mentioned in This Episode Make Noise a Creator's guide to podcasting and great audio storytelling by Eric Nuzum. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 05, 2020
Your Podcast Description - Who and What
When you are making your podcast description you need to keep two things in mind: Who is it for? Is this for guitar players? Is it for people just starting out or for professional musicians? Those are two VERY different audiences. If its football, is it college and pro? Just the NFL or just a team? Again different audiences. The more niche you go in identifying your audience the more loyal your audience will be. What to Expect? Is your podcast an overview or a deep dive? Is it a solo show or conversation? Is it funny, or just the facts? Is it long or shot? The better the description the better the chance you will get your audience to listen and subscribe. We REALLY want them to subscribe. SIGN UP FOR A PODCAST QUICK LAUNCH I have a three-month coaching program where we can get your show up and running quicking and then fine-tune it as you make more episodes and get feedback from your audience. Let's work together This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 29, 2020
Why Would People Listen to You?
Your podcast is a gift. The question is are you a person who buys people a gift card (which screams "not very personal, not much thinking put into the gift) vs a personalized gift that shows you really know what the person wants. So Why Would People Listen to You? Because you took the time to find out what they want, and then give it to them. You don't need to know everything, you just need to know what they want and give it to them. Your Audience Wants You To Succeed Your audience isn't sitting there waiting to criticize you, they want you to succeed. Recently Demi Lavato at the grammys started a song and was overcome with emotion as she tried to sing a VERY PERSONAL song. She ended up having to stop the song and restart. People didn't boo her when she stopped. They cheered her on to win. We are all convinced that people are just waiting to hate our show and that's just not the case. You can see the video I mentioned at www.podcastconsultant.com/54 Ready To Start a Podcast? Scheduling a coaching call at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule or choose my three-month mentoring package . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 22, 2020
How Long Does it Take to Grow Your Podcast Audience?
I can handle this topic a couple of different ways. I could tell you what you want to hear and say you can grow your audience in about six weeks (and a lot of you would take out your credit card). You might go to www.podcastconsultant.com/scehdule , and say, "Let's do one of those sessions you're always talking about helping me start my podcast, I'm ready to go." Did I Say Six Weeks? I Meant THREE YEARS The podcasters I interviewed for my book coming out this year took three years to be able to "quit their day job." Nobody wants to hear that. You would rather pay someone $7000 to have them say "Just follow your passion and the money will follow" and then sell you all sorts of equipment you don't need (but they earn commission on). A New Year With the Same Question I have people contacting me asking "What is the best topic to do a podcast about that will have me making money quickly." It takes time. Think of actors, athletes, musicians. Just because I pick up a guitar doesn't entitle me to make money quickly because Garth Brooks does. It takes time, dedication, luck, and talent. Two Things Every Podcast Has When They Start I could tell you I will make you a millionaire, but I have no control over that. I can point you in the direction and tell you best practices, but to say "I can make you a millionaire in six months" is just not true. As a podcaster you start with the same two things that every other podcaster starts with: No listeners Integrity It's up to you grow your show and keep your integrity. Without it you'll never sell a product. Need Help? Let's chat at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 15, 2020
A Free Strategy to Get a Clear Picture of Your Audience
I'm reading the book Make Noise A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling and in the book author Eric Nuzum has a cool strategy of going to http://images.google.com and typing in some of the keywords that you might use about your subject. Find some pictures of people and maybe print them out, and then make up their bio. Give them a name. You could have a few people. Then when you are coming up with topics you can look at your makeshift audience members and ask yourself, "Is this person going to find it engaging?" Oprah Winfrey (you may have heard of her) called her target audience member "Suzie Homemaker" and she would ask herself if the show's topics would help Suzie Homemaker. If nothing good was going to come from a topic then she wouldn't do it. Write the "back story" of the images you find and when you are working on your show you can look at the images and their story and ask yourself "Would (name of person) find this helpful? Would this make them laugh, cry, think, groan, educate, or entertain them? If so then do it. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 08, 2020
Why You NEED to Know Your Audience
I have an extreme situation. My neighbor's mother died today. She was 96 and it wasn't a surprise. Still, as I don't really know my audience I don't know how to react. Do I say Everything is going to be fine? Your mother is now in heaven... You've done hard things before, you've got this! I don't know what would be the best thing to comfort him in his time of need and it depends on his thoughts, financial situation, and religious beliefs. When You Know Who Your Audience Is You Know What Content to Provide When you know who your audience is you know what format, what content, what length your podcast should be. You can do this using sites like meetup.com, Facebook groups, or look for people on Twitter and Instagram and see what they are talking about (just listen and learn). Need Help? Need help identifying your audience? I'd love to help you. Schedule a coaching session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 18, 2019
I'm Nervous About Trying Something New
You are thinking of changing the format or going "outside the box" of your typical topics, and you're nervous. While it can help to get feedback from other podcasters, or your friends, but the BEST place to get feedback from is your AUDIENCE. Scott Johnson does the " What was that like " podcast, and he has a private Facebook group where he can interact with his audience to talk to his audience in between episodes. When he thought of doing an episode slightly different than his usual audience, he put a poll in his private Facebook group. Scott's audience decided they DID want to hear about what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper . Do you need a guide to help you through the fog of podcasting? Let's get together and get your going in the right direction with your podcast. Schedule a session today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 11, 2019
Tips on Live Streaming
I do a show every Saturday at 10:30 AM ET at www.askthepodcastcoach.com/live It's the same time every week so my audience knows when and where to find me. It never changes. If I don't feel good, the show must go on. If you are just starting out and you think you will field questions and interact with your audience you may need to remember you don't have an audience (yet) and only a very small percentage of your listeners will show up to listen live. The benefit of live streaming is the instant feedback you get when people show up. You can get feedback in podcasting, but you have to wait for it. This is instant. Many people shy away from doing anything live due to the fear of messing up in front of an audience. Keep in mind these are your fans and they don't care if you stumble. They are the people rooting for you. When you do stumble, you're human and they may love you even more and find you more relatable. Video of Vince Gill at George Jones Funeral Podcast - Livestream - DO BOTH I use Streamyard to live stream to YouTube (you can go to a number of places) and use a portable recorder like a Zoom H6 to record out of your USB Device like a Focusrite 2i2 . I currently use the Rodecaster Pro ($599) which is a great piece of equipment for anyone looking to record and stream at the same time. So Remember: You don't have an audience when you start. You need to live stream at the same time so your audience knows when to show up. If you are adding sound and music it makes it more technically challenging. Your audience doesn't judge you if you stumble. They like that you are human. I love streamyard for streaming This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 04, 2019
Creating Crowdfunding Rewards
If you're working on crowdfunding, you have to position your rewards in a way so that they are a reward for your audience. What Do Superfans Want? Superfans want more content. They love your show and they want more of it. Keep in mind they also want the same level of quality. Superfans also want to help steer the show. This means if you do Q&A they get their questions answered first. This means if you do a roundtable maybe they get to vote on the topic. In some cases it means they get behind the microphone. Some superfans simply want to help you create your art and do your show. They realize that it takes time and effort to produce quality content, and they want to enable you to create more of your content. Keep In Mind the Importance of Value Some people offer to remove any advertising. This often doesn't' work because if you don't your job right, your advertiser fits your audience. If you're not sure how to shape a position any rewards for a crowdfunding campaign, create a poll using Google Forms and ask your audience to fill it out. You might have to bribe them with a gift card. Need Some Help? I love helping people plan, launch, and grow their podcast. Schedule a coaching session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, November 27, 2019
Making 60,000 From Patreon
From the Patreon website, you can expect 5% of your audience to join your crowdfunding campaign. The average patronage is $7/month. If you want to make $60,000 (take home) you need to make $98,192 gross income. This means you need 1169 patrons. To have 1169 patrons you need 23,379 downloads a month or 5845 downloads a week. Need help growing your audience? See https://podcastconsultant.com/how-to-grow-your-podcast/ THE BOTTOM LINE The bottom line is if you plan on using sites like Patreon to crowdfund your podcast, don't forget the first steps is to grow your crowd. WANT SOME HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and let's start about you starting and growing your podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, November 20, 2019
Getting Your Content Should Be Simple
I had someone ask me about publishing a "preview" of a show and then putting the "full" version of the website (but not have the full version go to Apple, Google, etc). There are tools at Libsyn.com (use the coupon code sopfree for a free month) to help you do this ( File for download only). In thinking about this, it sounds like you're adding an additional step for your audience to get your episode. That doesn't seem like a good plan. If you want people to go to your website to take an action (like signs up for a newsletter, etc) then give them the FULL version of the podcast, and ask them to your website to sign up for the newsletter (as only the super ENGAGED people will do that - and those are the people you want). Try to make keep the path between you and your audience as clear as possible. Need a Coaching Session?I'd love to help you launch your podcast. If you have a podcast, I'd love to help you make it grow. Schedule a session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, November 13, 2019
Getting Your Podcast Guests to Share Your Show
You notice that none of your quests that you interview on your podcast are sharing their interview. There is a reason for that. The interview you did was very similar to the other interviews they have done in the past and their audience has already heard their story and the same old same old questions. It Needs to Be Different If you want your guest so share the episode with their audience it has to hold the attention of your audience, but it also has to hold the attention of their audience. It can't be the same questions they get asked over and over again. Make It Simple To Share Then make it easy to share. Don't send them a link and say "Its live." Pre-write the tweet, the email, the Facebook post so all they have to do is copy and paste. There is a website call clicked to tweet that you pre-write the tweet and all you guest has to do is provide a link you get. Social Warfare is a great WordPress Plugin that makes sure that the right images is used social mentions. If you need to make artwork, Stencil is a great tool to use to make great looking artwork with lots of templates to choose from This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, November 06, 2019
Ask the Question and Shut Up
In the previous episode, we talk about the importance of listening, to take this one more level deeper in this episode I want to talk about the importance of staying out of the way of the guest. I edit some client's show's and when you do active listening by saying things like, "Uh huh, Mm Hmm" is not needed. It goes against what we feel might be rude (as actively listening shows you are listening to the person). A Common Mistake with Podcast Interviews We are not used to awkward pauses. We might even feel like they are "Dead air." Keep in mind that this is NOT live radio and any unwanted silence can be edited out. When a guest starts to take some time to think about an answer we get nervous and throw out potential answers (making what was a hard answer a multiple choice). The best answers are the answer that requires some thought. Let them think about it, and come up with a great answer. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 30, 2019
The Key to a Good Podcast Interview
It's not the size of the guest that brings value, its the size of the value that makes the guest. When doing interviews you need to ask yourself: Why am I bringing this person on? How will this person bring value to my audience? Then do some research so you can craft an interview that brings value. If you know the answers that are going to get your audience sharing the episode, then you need to make sure to ask those questions. Evaluate Your Interview After the interview listen back and at the top of a piece of paper write down why you asked this guest to come on your show. Then listen to the questions you ask and see if they help move the conversation in a direction that is in alignment with your "why." Interviews are Harder Than Just Asking Questions The hard part of conducting an interview is listening. That seems obvious but you NEED to do a mock interview before doing a "real" one (I advise to interview your parents if they are still around). There is a "little voice" that goes on in your head as you try to remember a follow-up question in your head, try to figure out the next question, all while still listening to the guest. In today's show, I give you my strategies on how to be a better listener. Get Your Podcast Going and Growing If you're ready to start and grow your audience, I can help. Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and schedule a coaching session today. Mentioned in This Episode My interview(s) with Glenn Hebert from the Horse Radio Network . My interview with Cathy Heller from the Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 23, 2019
Podcast Booking Resources
You are looking for places to be interviewed, or you're looking for guests for your show. Today we talk about a few. Some of these resources will charge between $400-$1000 per month (hundreds of dollars per episode). There are events that again cost hundreds of dollars to attend. I don't recommend paying for these as there are many free resources. I have a list at Podcasting Resources .com Need a Coaching Session? I'd love to help you launch your podcast. If you have a podcast, I'd love to help you make it grow. Schedule a session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 16, 2019
How to Be the Best Podcast Guest
When you get booked to be on a show your goals is to understand the goal of the show, and understand who you are talking to. Here are some steps to take: Listen to at least two episodes of the podcast before your appearance. Show up on time. It is somewhat sad that I need to remind people (not you) about this. Make sure to understand the technology you are going to be using. Wear earbuds or headphones. Do not have the sound of the interviewer come out of your speakers as it causes an echo on their end. Ask them when it will be released and set a "to do" item on your calendar as some people don't let you know when the episode goes live. The goal is to not only get interviewed but to develop a relationship with the host. Think of this as a "co-release" of your episode. Be the guest you want to have on your show. (Think golden rule). In the end, you want to understand the goal of the show and understand who you are talking to so you can hit the target. Need Help Starting or Growing Your Podcast? I would love to work with you. Go over to www.podcastconsultant.com and schedule a coaching session today. Want to learn at your own pace? Check out www.shoolofpodcasting.com/start This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 09, 2019
How to Get Booked on Podcasts as a Guest
Here is what people do to me: Hello (no name), I love your show ( which one I have several). Here are a few paragraphs about me and why I'm so great. Here is How to Get Booked on Podcasts: Do your homework and listen to the show to make sure you're a good fit. This benefits everyone as you don't want to waste the time of the podcaster, and you don't want to waste your time appearing on a show that the audience is not a good fit. Connect the dots between your content delivering value and the audience. Make it a "no-brainer" for the podcaster. The less that have to think, "Hmmm, is this is good fit - the better." It's all about THEM and how THEiR AUDIENCE will benefit. I don't care if you cured cancer. If my show isn't' about cancer, you're not a good fit. Talk about how you will promote your appearance (As podcasters want exposure - and not all guests promote their appearance). Again, this is all about them. Don't send four attachments showing how great you are. Keep it short, simple, and offer to send more information if they are interested, but you want to explain how THEY are going to benefit, and how THEIR AUDIENCE is going to benefit. You can always add a line like, "If you'd like my full one sheet I can send it over." (A one sheet has your bio and an overview of your expertise). Need Help Starting or Growing Your Podcast? I would love to work with you. Go over to www.podcastconsultant.com and schedule a coaching session today. Want to learn at your own pace? Check out www.shoolofpodcasting.com/start This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 09, 2019
How to Record Interviews For Your Podcast?
Avoid The Phone if Possible Unless it is your only option, you want to avoid using an actual phone line as it will sound like, well, the phone (it cuts some of the clarity out and the bass). If you have people who will only use a phone you can get a skype to phone account (which is currently around $3.00 a month). Other options are to use a zoom.us meeting and have the person call in. The quality will be worse. Another "better than nothing" option is uberconference.com, Here again, you would connect via your microphone and your guest would connect via the phone. Record Your Call as a WAV File If you are connecting via an interface like the Scarlet 2i2, then send the audio into a portal recorder like the Zoom H1, or H6. This will make it sound better as you are capturing exactly the way you hear it is. With Skype recorders (or its own internal recorder) you lose quality. It's usable, but you ALWAYS want to do what you can to preserve the quality. So, How Do I Record Skype If you are on a mac check out Call Recorder. If you are on a PC check out Free Skype Recorder . In both cases, I would find a way to get a local recorder going as well so you have two recordings going. A Better Solution with Flexibility If you want more flexibility, try Squadcast.fm which records both sides of the conversation, and eliminates those "skype burps" as it records both sides of the podcast locally. If you don't have the need for this, it can also combine the two sides of the conversation into one file. The Easiest Solution Currently, in 2019 the easiest and most flexible way to record a phone call is the Rodercaster Pro from Rode. I have and use one of these. This unit does everything. You can connect multiple people via phone, USB, Bluetooth, and directly via a microphone (you could have a total of seven people connected). It's an amazing piece of equipment with a price tag around $600 but it also has a built-in recorder, acts as a mixer, and has built-in audio enhancements. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, October 02, 2019
I NEED A BREAK!
In the last episode , I mentioned how you shouldn't take a break. With this in mind, I realize that "life happens" and you can't put things like your family or your job, or your health on the back burner so something has to go (and that something is your podcast). Today I talk about how to do this without losing your audience. Mentioned in this episode The Way I Heard it by Mike Rowe Need Help With Your Podcast? I can help. See www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, September 25, 2019
Should I Take a Holiday Break with My Podcast?
There are holidays throughout the year especially towards the end of the year. Some questions you might ask is: Is your audience taking a break from driving to work? Are they not grocery shopping/walking the dog? Are they traveling over the holidays (over the river and through the woods). You can record episodes ahead of time and release them later. When you release on a regular schedule, your audience makes you part of their routine. Let's Talk About Your Podcast Let's schedule a session. Go to www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, September 18, 2019
Get Your Podcast on Amazon For Free
Smart speakers are getting more and more popular, but for the most part podcast listening is not the MAIN thing that people are using their devices (like the Amazon Dot, or Echo) for (and we can include the Google Home). There are companies that will charge you a monthly fee to host your podcast and distribute it to Amazon. Currently, I don't recommend that as according to Libsyn, .2 (not 2 - point two) percent of people are listening to a podcast on smart speakers and set-top boxes (Apple TV, Roku, etc). So while it is the new sexy thing (and there are always exceptions to the rule) I would focus on listing your show in the directories before worrying about smart speakers. Mentioned in This Show Episode 20 - Top Podcast Directories Schedule a session to talk about planning, starting, and growing your podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, September 11, 2019
The Courage to Press Record
You have everything you need (name, equipment, etc) and still can't press record. Today I've got some steps to help you overcome your fears with just a little practice. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, September 04, 2019
I Want To Start Multiple Podcasts
Podcasts are a lot like children. They take up a lot of time. They're kind of expensive and you learn a lot of insights by having one. There are times when I run across people who want to launch six podcasts starting next month. In my head (because I'm polite) I say, "No you don't." You want to treat starting a podcast like having a kid. You don't just have six kids. You don't have just three kids. If you have triplets, what do you do? You need some help and you need help quick. You move to where the grandparents are, because Holy cow, are these things time consuming, messy. There's also much more that you didn't even consider. Let's start with one. Let's start with one. This way you can see exactly how long it's going to take for you to create an episode. It Takes an Hour to Create a fifteen Minute Podcast How? You have to research what you're going to talk about it. You have to record it. You have to edit it. You have to upload it to your media host. You have to write a paragraph (or much more) so Google can find it. After you've done all that, you find your fifteen-minute podcast took you and hour. Creating Multiple Podcasts Doesn't Speed Things Up While having multiple podcasts will make you better ate recording, editing, faster (as doing anything over and over - you get better at it) you need to remember here to think QUALITY over quantity. You want, no you NEED to have VALUE in your episodes. This means you will be in a constant state of discovery and analysis. You will be "on" all the time looking for content. This can be exhausting. If You Build It Nobody Sees It With this podcast, I did multiple episodes and had it listed in Apple, Google, etc. I got almost zero downloads. With this in mind, you need more than "Get listed in Apple" as a marketing strategy. This means going where your audience is and really getting to know them, listening to them, and then tell them about your podcast. Creating a podcast isn't the hard part. Getting people to listen to your podcast is the hard part. Start With One By starting with ONE podcast you get to see first hand what it takes. Then you can make an informed decision. You may have enough time to create one GOOD podcast, and if you had launched multiple shows they would not have been as good (as good content does not grow on trees). I know you're excited. I know you have dreams. Trust me. Start with one. Want to Talk About it? I'd love to have a coaching session to help you start your podcast and grow your influence. Schedule your session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, August 28, 2019
The Worst Way To Start Your Episode II
When people find your show and like it they will download a lot of your old episodes. I did this recently and found a podcast that I should have loved. I pressed start on the latest episode and was greeted with a pre-recorded advertisement. Followed by another pre-recorded advertisement. In fact, as I went from episode to episode, I kept hearing the exact same advertisement. Every time I pressed play, it was the exact same advertisement. It became annoying. I know recording multiple versions of advertisements can be more work, but YOU ARE BEING PAID. If you need help starting your podcast and growing your influence, come visit me at www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, August 21, 2019
The Worst Way To Start Your Episodes
I found a show name Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks. I love it. Do you know what I did? I downloaded all of his episodes (64 at the moment) and consumed them all. However, some of these are from a long time ago. In case he started off with a mild (I exaggerate apologies in this episode) apology. I had just listened to his episode, and the next one starts and here is Matthew apologizing for not putting out a show last week. That doesn't apply to me. I just heard your episode two minutes ago. There is no need for an apology. But You Feel Bad About it I know, I know you feel bad. That's really a good thing. You want to care about your audience. However, if you think about it your TRUE fans will listen to the end of the show. For me, THAT is the best place (the end of the show) for an apology. It's not a good first impression for anyone listening in the future. Schedule a Coaching Call Ready to launch your podcast? I can help make sure you avoid the common mistakes. Go to www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, August 14, 2019
I Thought You Wanted To Get Your Message Out?
I get confused when I meet bloggers who have great content but don't want to take the exact same information and turn it into a podcast. I may like your blog, but I can't read it on the way to work. However, I could listen to it if it was a podcast. People on YouTube have audio recorded. All they need to do is pull the video into a program like Audacity and export the audio. You already have great content, but not everybody loves videos and blogs. You should repurpose your content and make it easy for everyone to consume their content in any format. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, August 07, 2019
Is It Too Late to Start a Podcast?
Today I share my thoughts and some facts on why it's not too late to start a podcast ( or write a diet book, or become an actor, musician, etc). See www.podcastconsultant.com/29 for full notes This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 31, 2019
Your Podcast is A Recipe Not a Statue
There are times when we can overthink things. You always want to do your best and get input from your target audience. You want to know what they want. There may be decisions that just you just can't come to a conclusion. You could do more research if you want, but in some cases, you just have to make a decision and if it doesn't work out, then try something else. I often say your podcast is a recipe and not a statue. I can almost guarantee that your podcast will start in one direction and end up going in a slightly different one that you thought. I like bananas. I like peanut butter on bananas. I like Reese's cups which have chocolate and peanut butter combined. However, I never mixed bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate. On paper, it seems like I would like this but there is only ONE way to know and that's to make the recipe and eat it. You can guess all day if your audience will like your show, but there is only one way to know and that's to make an episode and let them eat it. Nobody will punch you in the face, and you can change anything that doesn't work. Also keep in mind that when you first start out, you probably don't have much of an audience. Let Me Help You Go to www.podcastconsultant.com and schedule a session now. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 24, 2019
Know Your Equipment
If you look at other people in entertainment: Musicians Actors Athletes They all have some sort of “pre-seasons, or “Dress Rehearsal” to work out the kinks and your podcast should follow their example. I am going to Podcast Movement next week and I have the following gear ready to use/test: Tascam DR-10X miniature recorder SC6-L Mobile Interview Kit Rode Interviewer Microphone I haven't used any of this equipment and I will have TONS of opportunities to use it at Podcast movement. I DONT WANT MY FIRST “REAL” INTERVIEW TO BE MY GUINEA PIG You Will Thank Me Later If your parents (or anyone who made an impact on your life) are still around, use them as your “test” interview. There are some fun twists with this: 1) As you are “in control” as the interviewer you may feel more comfortable asking questions you normally wouldn't. 2) They may really expand on stories as this is being recorded and they want to give you good content (they are your parents still) 3). If life goes according to plan, you will outlive them (I hate to bum you out) but you will thank me later Let Me Help You No matter if you start planning, starting, launching, growing, your podcast I can help with all of that. Schedule a Session Today This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 17, 2019
How to Measure Podcast Growth via Downloads
As a support person for a podcasting company (Libsyn.com) I have people contact me who are looking at their daily, weekly, and monthly stats and in some cases, they panic. If the numbers go up, they don't believe they are real listeners If the numbers go down, then there must be something wrong. I host a show that I've done since 2005 called The School of Podcasting and it has over 600 episodes. When I look at the stats for a current month, 60% of them are from shows NOT released that month. For example, let's say I get 20,000 downloads in the month of June. The episode released in June might get 2000 downloads an episode. That means four episodes would be 8000 downloads. Then where did the other 12,000 downloads come during June? Your back episodes. When someone finds your show and they like it they will download more episodes. Some apps make I super easy to download ALL of your episodes. In my case that is over 600 downloads in one day. With this in mind your daily, weekly, and monthly stats are not a consistent way to tell if your show is growing. How To Tell If Your Podcast Is Growing What you want to measure is the number of downloads per episode. Some people recommend the total number of downloads for the episode after it has been published for 30 days. They use this stat as that is often the time frame sponsors use. I like to check the total number of downloads after seven days. Why? Because it shows me my (in my opinion) subscribers and “super fans.” As os the case always with stats you can pivot and do creative math to see what you want to see. Just keep it consistent. If you want to compare one episode after 30 days to another one after it has been available for 30 days, you can do that. Just make sure they are both showing stats for the same period of time. A show that has been published longer will naturally have more downloads. Lets Work Together I would love to help you plan, launch, grow and monetize your podcast. Take advantage of my 14 years of experience. Schedule a Coaching Session This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 10, 2019
The Most Successful Podcasts Do This With Their Ho-Hosts
You've decided that you want to do a podcast with a co-host. That's great. Some people feel having a co-host makes podcasting easier because it's not just you talking into a wall. But there are some things you might want to think consider. Number one, who owns the show? So if it's the Bert and Ernie show, and Burt decides he wants to quit, does that mean Ernie can't find a new co-host and change the name? You'll see this all the time with bands like Pink Floyd and Queensryche who spend tons of cash in court arguing over who owns the name. Secondly, what if somebody wants to leave, let's say after nine months of doing the show, Burt says, I've had enough. I thought this was going to be fun. How are you going to handle these situations? FULL NOTES HERE This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, July 03, 2019
Tips on Choosing a Podcast Co-Host
You may think that your best friend is the obvious choice to be a co-host. However, what if you both DO think the same thing . That's going to be quite a lot of "me too." Here are some tips to consider: What role does each person play (and who is driving the conversation) Morning radio has a host, typically some "dork" and someone (often a female) who is the voice of reason You might consider adding some diversity into your team so people can identify with someone on the show. If you would like some help planning your podcast, let's sit down and get your going in the right direction. Schedule a session today. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, June 26, 2019
What Link Should I Use to Promote My Podcast?
Promoting Your Podcast on Social Media So you want to share to the world that your podcast episode is out there? You're not sure what link to use. Should I share a link to Apple? Should I share a link to Google? Should I just share a link directly to the mp3 file? Think of it Like a Podcast Dinner Well, I want to use the analogy of dinner, you've decided to have a bunch of people over for dinner. And then you say, well, let's see, we can't have burgers, because one person is coming is vegetarian. It's tough to have a one size fits all solution. The Problem with Some Podcast Links And here's the problem. If I send you just an apple link, 80% of Europe is using an Android phone. When you send them an apple link, it's kind of like, hey, look, I don't care about you Mr and Mrs. Android user. Likewise, if I send an Android link then the apple people are left out. So you need a one size fits all and realize that when you do clothing, that's one size fits all is not the prettiest fit but it works. Your Website is Your Central Hub In the end, your website is your central hub, that is your home base. It is where you want people to go because if all these apps and websites blow up, they always know that they can return back to your home base. MP3.com There was a website called mp3.com and musicians were actually making a living using mp3.com to the point where they didn't have their own website. And they would just tell people, hey, go to mp3.com/DaveJackson. Well, mp3 dot com, got sold, sued, sold, and sold again and eventually right now it's worthless. And those people that didn't say go to davidjackson.org lost their audience. Go there, and you can find me and I will tell you how to get more music. They lost their entire audience. There were people that used to put all their ducks in a row on my space. Yes, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc are all satellite offices should direct people back to your website. The Best Link To Share Your Podcast on Social So to get back to the original question, what link do I put in my social media? Put the link that points people to the episode on your website. So when they go there, they'll see a player, they'll see some notes about the episode. And hopefully, they'll see links there to subscribe because, in the end, we want people to subscribe to your show. That way, when you put out a new episode, it automatically goes to their devices. So what link do I put, when I'm sharing on social? The one that's going to work for everybody - the link to your website. If they're on an Android phone, it works. If they're on an Apple phone, it works. If they're on their desktop, it works. Send your audience to your website which also reinforces your brand. Conclusion By using a link to the episode on your website people can click play on your player no matter what device they are using. You can also have subscribe buttons and other calls
Wed, June 19, 2019
Is it better to do a webinar or a podcast?
As a content creator (and when you boil it down, that is what podcasters are) what do you want? You want more exposure for your content. So why limit yourself to one type of format? Pros and Cons of each format Tools to create a good video Why you should record your audio separately Links and more at www.podcastconsultant.com/21 Schedule a consulting session today www.podcastconsultant.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, June 12, 2019
Top Podcast Directories
I'm often confused by this question, someone will come up to me and say, Hey, Dave, there are these different places where I should list my podcast. Should I list my show in (insert directory name)? My answer is, well, let's see, it's free and it will give you more exposure, and just a few minutes to submit to them. Why would you not list your show there? The answer is, yes, wherever you can list your show or doesn't hurt your brand. Why wouldn't you? I've got a list of the best directories at the website http://www.podcastconsultant.com/20 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, May 28, 2019
How Do I Change My Podcast Name and Rebrand My Show?
Back on episode 13 I talked about how to choose a name. Today we talk about what happens if you choose a name and it just falls flat, or even worse, confuses people. We talked about the mechanics of podcasting before in episode When Your Podcast Name is Bad The bad news is that name that you chose for your podcast is falling flat, or even worse, it's confusing people. Because if you confuse you lose. You've come to the conclusion, I want to change the name of my podcast. In fact, what if I want to rebrand my show. My First Podcast Had Three Names Musician's Cyber Cooler I did this three times with my first podcast, I originally named it the musician's cyber cooler. This is where musicians come to trade advice (kind of a water cooler). Back in 2005. When I started we called the Internet cyberspace. Hence, the musicians cyber cooler. Well, that confused people. Then the word cyber got attached to sex. People were talking about cybersex. Musician's Cooler I need to lose the word cyber so then it was the Musician's Cooler. The artwork had a big picture of a water cooler that said Musicians Cooler: where musicians come to trade advice. People still didn't get it. They asked if it was about wine coolers. Marketing Musician Change the name, again, to the marketing musician Podcast, where musicians come to trade advice. Finally, my audience understood. You Can Change Your Podcast Anytime - It's YOURS Your podcast is a recipe, not a statute. So here's what you want to do. If you want to change your name, you go into whatever system you're using to generate your feed. Remember, Apple, Spotify, Google, they're all looking at your feed. In fact, podcasting is syndicated. So if you're using something like Libsyn.com (you can use the coupon code sopfree to get a free month there) you simply change your information (the artwork, description, name) in Libsyn. Be Careful Changing Artwork Now when you're uploading new artwork, make sure that it meets the specifications for Apple. 1400x1400px (minimum) 3000x3000px (maximum) Under 500kb Use rGB color space Be a JPG, JPEG, or a PNG file You want the new artwork to have a different name (so Logo.jpg is now logo2.jpg) Don't Worry About Your Feed - Apps See Your Feed - Not People If you're using Libsyn you might worry that your feed still have fragments of your old name. Here is a simple test: Think of your favorite podcast. Now tell me their feed. Me neither. PEOPLE don't look or see feed addresses (apps do). When I updated my show, I kept the same feed address. What About Changing Website Addresses?
Tue, May 21, 2019
How To Grow Your Podcast - 10,000 Foot Overview
In a nutshell, it boils down to this. 1. Identify who your audience is 2. Determine what content they want to hear. 3. Create content that will inspire them to tell a friend (in other words, its good) 4. Go to where your target audience is 5. Make friends with them, and bring value to every conversation, listen for ideas for future episodes. 6. Then tell them about your show If you need help growing your audience I would love to help Schedule a Session today and let me help you get your podcast headed in the right direction Mentioned in this Episode Meetup.com Subscribe to the Podcast This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, May 14, 2019
What Pages Do You Need On Your Podcast Website?
When it comes to your podcast website ou don't need to overthink your website. The pages you NEED are About Page Contact Page Subscribe Page Your Episodes Is your website a business with a podcast or is it a Podcast with a business? This is something that there is no "one size fits all" answer and I would love to work with you to sort it out. Each situation is different and based on your specific needs. If you need web hosting then check out www.coolerwebsites.com Check out www.podcastvoicemail.com Check out Speak Pipe Ready to Get That Podcast Off The Ground? Schedule some time with me today https://podcastconsultant.com/schedule-a-session/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Tue, May 07, 2019
Do I Need a Website for My Podcast?
Do you need a website for your podcast? If you want your audience to take any kind of action (subscribing, newsletters, products, etc) Apple and Spotify search is not great. See videos and more at www.podcastconsultant.com/16 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 27, 2019
Money First Leads to Finishing Last
I work for Libsyn.com ( the oldest, largest podcast media hosting company - get a free month using the coupon code sopfree). I received this email today I am starting a podcast with a few friends and we are currently looking at different hosting sites for our show. We are new to podcasting so we're trying to find the most user-friendly hosting platform that also allows us to turn this into at least a part-time job. According to my research Libsyn is the best at monetizing a podcast. I was wondering if you would be able to answer a few questions for us to help determine if Libsyn is the right fit? (name redacted) If this is your first concern, there is a likely chance that you're not going to make it as a podcaster. Musicians start playing horrible places to "pay their dues." Many businesses go out of business due to lack of customers. Start a podcast is easy. Starting a GOOD podcast takes work. If you have the passion for your topic, and the passion to serve your audience, you'll make it. If your goal is fast money then you may be doomed. In the book Beyond Powerful Radio Valerie Geller states that in Radio it can take three years to build a loyal audience. Many people don't want to hear that. It is going to take time. How Many Downloads Should Your Podcast Get? I have a formula for this: The value in the episode multiplied by the amount of intelligent marketing equals the total number of downloads. Value X Promotion = Downloads. Go in With Your Eyes Wide Open I don't mean to rain on your parade. I want you to know what it takes so your expectations are realistic and you make it through when many people quit. I want to help you avoid burnout, and doing things that make you seem busy but are not productive. The bottom line is if your first question when you start a podcast is how soon can I start making money, you're headed in the wrong direction and very likely going to waste your time and money. Work With Me Join the School of Podcasting or let me be your podcast mentor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 20, 2019
What Makes a Good Podcast?
I see this question in different places. My show is getting X amount of downloads is that good? What Makes a Good Podcast? When I did some research and looked at all the content I consume they all did one of the following: It made me laugh It made me cry It made me think It made me groan It educated me It entertained me If you can combine two or more of those in a way that stirs people's emotions, you are on to something. Never Compare Your Numbers To Others When you are in a corporate setting, if you check the HR handbook I'm sure there is a paragraph about sharing payroll knowledge. Why? Because it breeds resentment. The same is true for podcasting. I had a client once that was overjoyed that they were getting 150 downloads per episode. Then another podcaster in a Facebook group announced that they had just gone of over 100,000 downloads. They were instantly defeated and wanted to quit. There is Always Someone Better As a guitar player growing up, I could hold my own. Then one day I saw a new guitarist in concert named Yngwie Malmsteen. He is amazing, and no matter how much I practice I feel I'll never be that good. Did I still love playing guitar? Yes. Did I still love playing in front of people? Yes. That is why I kept playing the guitar. I also had to keep in mind that Yngwie has been practicing much longer than I had, and had years of experience. You may be listening to someone with prior experience, a prior following, and even if they started after you did, they will have a larger audience. Don't focus on them, focus on servicing your audience. Apples To Oranges If someone says they have 150 downloads of a podcast about pigmy ponies, that's a great number (depending on how many people are into Pigmy Ponies). If someone had 150 downloads per episode and they were doing a weight loss show (in a country where 70% of us need to lose weight) that might be seen as under-performing. They Chose To Listen to You Try to never use the word "only," as in "I only have 200 downloads per episode." My background is in education and a big class was 20 people so 200 downloads per episode is 10 classrooms. That was a full hallway (and then some) in the building where I use to teach. In a world of TV, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, Am/FM, Xbox and more they CHOSE to listen to you. If they don't want to listen there is nothing stopping them from deleting your show. Work With Me Join the School of Podcasting or let me be your podcast mentor This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, February 13, 2019
Naming Your Podcast Can Triple Your Numbers
Having the right name for your show can boost your downloads. People try to get cute and use inside jokes as the name of their show. That doesn't work. The more obvious the better. I had a client of mine came to me and said, Dave, I'm going to do a show. It's called After the Darkness. And I said, "Okay, let's run it through the test." The Podcast Name Test Go find your target audience. So that's step one. Find your target audience, somebody that you are pretty sure will listen to your show and say, "Hey, I'm going to do a show called After the Darkness. What do you think it's about? " His test group answered: Vampires A band from the 90's Nobody guessed what the show was about out correctly. I asked him, "What's your show about again?" and he said, it's about life after blindness. And I said, "THAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SHOW!" He Tripled his Numbers with A New Name Another client of mine had named his show FO Time. He swore that his audience would know what it meant. While this might be true, they weren't searching for "Ham Radio." When he changed the name of his show from FO Time to Ham Radio 360, his numbers tripled. The Title of Your Episode I work in the tech support department for libsyn.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ). It's the oldest and largest podcast media hosting company. I see a lot of podcasters put the name of their show in the title of the episode, and then give the episode name "episode 16." So if I was doing "the Dave Jackson show" (a horrible name by the way) I might name an episode "The Dave Jackson Show - Episode 16." That does not entice you to click and listen. Nobody is Googling the phrase "episode 16." And my episode title was Dave Jackson show, Episode 16, that does not entice you to click and if you actually look at your show, in most apps, it has the name of the show at the top of the page. So there's no reason to put the name of the show in the title of the episode because it's already there (see image to the right). Picture Your Target Audience Looking at Your Podcast Listing The title of your show draw them over to take a closer look Then they see the titles of the episode and think, "This is just what I'm looking for..." and they not only click a button to listen, but they click the SUBSCRIBE button (and subscribers is what it is all about). Do You Need Help With Your Podcast? Work With Me I have different packages for different budgets. Everything I do helps get your podcast headed in the right direction. I look forward to working with you. Join the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Need a Podcast Mentor see <a title="Podcast Mentoring" href= "http://www.schoolofpodcasti
Wed, February 06, 2019
9 Strategies to Help You Get on Other Podcasts
As a podcast, there are a few strategies to grow your audience. One is to be interviewed on another podcast. Why is this strategy so popular? Because you are in front of an audience that already knows how to listen to podcasts. With this in mind, here are some strategies. You will see where these all require a little bit of work. 1. Go to events. Some of my best guests started with a conversation at an event 2. Look for your "competition" and contact them to brainstorm and do a show together or trade interviews. 3. Do your homework. Do they do interviews? 4. Do your homework. Are you a good fit? 5. Do your homework and listen to a show and interact with the host. Most podcasts are asking for feedback, give it to them 6. The podcast host cares about their audience, not our background. How will you bring VALUE to their audience? 7. Use a free service like podcastguests.com 8. Use a free service like Help a Reporter 9. Journo Requests is similar to Help a Reporter except they use Twitter Sign up or see samples . Above all else, always deliver value. If you are on a podcast, be the world best guest and promote your appearance so the guest has a good taste in their mouth if someone talks about you. Mentioned in this Episode Podcastvoicemail.com Other booking services can be seen at podcastingresources.com Let Me Help You With Your Podcast I would love to help you plan, launch, grow or monetize your show see https://podcastconsultant.com/schedule-a-session/ https://podcastconsultant.com/schedule-a-session/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 30, 2019
Don't Start Podcasting - YET
Some people think I make these up, but this is straight from a Facebook Group Hi everyone I’m not yet on the podcast system but I’m soooo eager to start. I’ve bought a $70 microphone. Everyone recommends and have a MacBook Pro with GarageBand ready to rumble but... Blank page I have no niche No passion to talk about I did not find my “why” or “AHA” moment Did you face something similar? I’m a bit lost, I mean I have everything to start, I’m in the IT world, I’m not an expert but I know stuff and get unstuck on every situation in the IT ecosystem but other than that .... Help please Your Podcast Starts With Your Idea If you can' state your why you will never make it through the "how." I see where they are sooooo eager, and that's great but don't let your emotions get the best of you. I once had someone who had spent THOUSANDS of dollars on podcasting equipment and soundproofing, and lights and cameras. They hired me for a consulting call. What did they need help with? They had no idea what to podcast about. Don't make that mistake. If you need help picking a topic, I can help with that. If you need help picking a topic, I can help with that. If you have zero ideas, that is a whole other problem. Reach out if you need some help This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 23, 2019
Understanding Podcast Syndication
One thing that I see confuse more new podcasters is RSS and syndication. Let's say you are a radio station and your frequency is 100.7. You could have Panasonic, RCA, Sony, JVC all tuned to your station. When you play a song it comes out of all the radios as they are tuned to your station.With podcasting, instead of a frequency, you have an RSS feed. Instead of radios, you have apps (Apple and Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn). So when you put out a new episode it goes to those apps. You then create a post on your website as well to attract Google so hopefully, you come up when someone searches for your topic. You do not upload anything to Apple or the other apps. They are all mirrors of whatever is in your feed. Most media hosts provide an apple compliant feed. There are also Wordpress plugins like PowerPress. No matter what you use for your feed, make sure you can redirect your feed (so if you ever want to leave your current situation you can take your audience with you. You submit your show to these directories once, and once accepted they "tune in" to your feed and never tune out. You just keep making episodes and they appear in those apps. Apple is somewhat special as there are two versions. A web-based version I call your Apple listing, and the app/software versions iTunes and Apple podcasts. With Apple iTunes/podcasts any changes you make appear almost instantly to anyone who subscribes to your show using those apps. However, the Apple listing is more of a snapshot in time that is updated every 24 hours. With this in mind, you could be looking at Apple iTunes desktop software and not see the episode you released two hours ago. Then subscribe to your show and see the episode. Why? Because the listing only updates every 24 hours (or less). One thing I recommend to all my clients is to subscribe to your own show. This way when you see the episode appear on your device, you know Apple or other apps just need to catch up. Technically speaking your podcast is fine. One last thing about RSS feeds. Once you are accepted into the directories you can change the location of your feed. If you change to a new website address, you need to take care to redirect the old feed to look at the new address. If you are using Libsyn.com you wouldn't want to change your slug. In both of these situations, it's like (going back to the radio analogy) moving our station from 100.7 to 98.5 and not telling any of your listeners. You are (more or less) blowing up your show and starting from scratch. If you have any questions, I realize this is one of the more confusing items in podcasting so don't hesitate to contact me This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 16, 2019
How Do I Pick My Podcast Topic
Some other things you might want to ask is: What is the maximum size of the audience (If everybody on the planet that was interested in this topic listened, how many people are we talking about?) Do those people really care about that topic? Are they "rabid fans?" How passionate are you about this topic See the full show notes at www.podcastconsultant.com/9 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, January 09, 2019
What Podcast Media Host Should I Use?
When it comes to creating a podcast you need to use a podcast media host. Here is my criteria 1. Don't mess with my file. What I upload is what I want people to download. 2. Give me the ability to have an unlimited back catalog (unlimited storage) 3. Don't limit my audience size (unlimited bandwidth) 4. Don't control my feed, and make it easy to leave if I choose to do so. I need to be able to put in an iTunes redirect script. 5. Give me support. 6. Charge me for your service so you can stay in business 7. Give me stats so I can see what's working. It would be nice if they were accurate. 8. I need to own my content and control how it is used. 9. Be 100% Apple compatible Here are some popular options Libsyn.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) Blubrry.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) Podbean.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) What about spreaker.com, Pinecast.com? Simplecast.com? Simplecast re-encodes your file, "If encoded as an 128kbps or less MP3, we will not re-encode or transcode the audio. If an audio file is over we will encode it to 128kbps in MP3 format." Now I realize if you export at 128 this isn't a problem (it does add a small amount of time to publishing as you wait for it to re-encode your file). There are some music podcasters who want to export at a lower bit rate (case in point Marc Maron). Podcaster should be able to export in whatever format they want source Spreaker does not offer an unlimited back catalog Pinecast does not offer episode numbers for Apple podcast unless you have configured your show to be serial (I guess episodic shows don't have episode numbers?) Soundcloud - Does not offer all of the Apple fields, and their stats are not recognized by many services as you can purchase plays (and are not reliable) Squarespace - While they make pretty websites, you miss out on some great syndication options Anchor.fm - This free service has HORRIBLE terms of service and enables people to do whatever they want with your content. They also offer to submit your show to Apple "for you" and forget to inform you that they then own your show in Apple. Most free media hosts go out of business after three years ( see more information ) What Is Your Favorite? I was a Libsyn custom for 10 years. I love their syndication option, their flexibility, their ability to make a smartphone app for me, as well as syndication i
Wed, January 02, 2019
I Hate the Sound Of My Voice!
I have had had many people tell me I hate the sound of my own voice! This is natural as it has to do with science. It's called Bone Conduction. Bone conduction is the conduction of sound to the inner ear through the bones of the skull. In other words, there is bass added to your voice through your skull. Here is a test, talk while putting your fingertips on your forehead. You will feel the vibration. These vibrations add bass to your voice. When you listen only using your ears and not your skull, your voice can sound thin. This can cause some people large amounts of stress. Here is the truth: Your voice sounds different, but different does NOT equal bad. The only way to get over it is to just keep recording and get used to it. I just need you to trust me and know you sound fine. This is just one of the tips I've picked up over my decade of podcasting and I'd love to help you. Go to www.podcastconcultant.com and lets start working together This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 26, 2018
Podcast Microphones For Beginners
When it comes to starting a microphone you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a single microphone. Some of the best "starter microphones" for podcasting are The Audio Technica ATR2100 The Audio Technica AT2005 The Samson Q2U All of the above microphones with via USB or you can plugin them into a mixer. When Do I Need a Mixer For My Podcast? You need a mixer when: You have more than one person in the room with you You have more than one source of audio (i.e. you and an iPad that you are playing sounds through) If you don't have one of the above scenarios you don't need a mixer (but they are nice to have around). You can add bass and treble to your voice and other items. Speaking of the sound of your own voice, we will be talking about why most people hate the sound of their own voice in a future episode. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 19, 2018
The ONE Question EVERY Podcaster Needs To Answer
The one question you need to answer when starting a podcast is WHAT are you going to give up. EVERYONE who starts a podcast says one thing. This is taking more time than I originally thought. This is because it is new. You can tie your shows quickly now, but when you were five you really had to concentrate I say at my best, I use a 4 to 1 rule. Meaning for every one minute of the podcast it will take four minutes to produce. That 15-minute podcast will take you an hour. You might be thinking but how can that be? I just talk into the microphone for 15 minutes and I'm done. Well, you have to decide what to talk about. That might require some investigation. Then you record it. This takes time, and you might need to edit it unless every single word out of your mouth was perfect (and trust me, it won't be), Then you have to upload the file to your media host, and create a post on your website. This takes some time. You might want to make an image to go with the episode. Consequently, when you start a podcast you have to ask yourself what am I willing to give up? Most of us don't have a ton of free time, so what are you going to give up to create a podcast. For me, I stopped watching a lot of bad TV. I might've stopped watching reruns of Friends and Seinfeld. I quit being sucked into rabbit holes on YouTube, and I turn off Facebook and Email so I can focus better. We all have 24 hours in a day, and often the time to podcast is there. Sometimes it's not. When I get a message saying "I'm in a long-distance relationship, I'm in med school, and I'm working part-time in a restaurant. My initial reaction is you don't have time to podcast. You have a relationship that has built-in hurdles, you have homework, and a job. You have priorities that need your attention. While a podcast might be a fun hobby, wouldn't you hate to find out you got a bad grade on a test because you were up until 2 am editing when you should've been studying? I had a similar situation. When I got my first degree in electronic engineering I was the editor of the student newsletter. I worked as a waiter to put myself through college. I had a girlfriend, and I was running the house as my father was a long distance truck driver and my mother was deceased. Being the editor was fun and exciting as I was doing investigative journalism and spotlighting policies that were horrible at my college. There was only one problem. I wasn't going to school to get a degree in journalism. My grades started to suggest, so the next semester I had to look at the big picture, look at my goals (in this case my degree) and go back to being just a writer for the Newspaper and not the editor. I know as a podcast consultant I should tell everyone they need to start a podcast NOW, but as someone with a little bit of life under his belt, I'm here to say your podcast is not more important than your family, friends, and jobs. So there may be times when you don't start your podcast
Wed, December 12, 2018
How Long Should My Podcast Be?
People ask me, "How Long Should My Podcast Be?" What is the ideal podcast length? For a while, everyone wanted to make a 20-minute podcast as that was the average commute in the US. I prefer the answer from Valerie Geller in her book Beyond Powerful Radio A Communicator's Guide to the Internet Age: News, Talk, Information which is, "There is no such thing as too long, only too boring." You can get the audiobook for free. Longer Podcasts Are Doing Very Well In episode 93 of Libsyn.com 's The Feed Podcast, VP of Podcaster Relations Rob Walch states that at Libsyn.com 84% of shows with 100,000 downloads are 51 minutes are longer Those that were 2.0 hours or more with 100,000 downloads per episode or more made up 13.2% of the podcasts on Libsyn. Those that were 30 minutes or less made up 9.9% of shows. This Doesn't Mean All Podcasts Should Be Long The bottom line is, your podcast should be as long as it needs to be and not a minute more. When I reverse engineered all the content I consumed, I found that the content did one or more of the following: It made me Laugh It made me Cry It made me Think It made me Grown It Educated me It Entertained me If you can do more than one of these at the same time, you're on to something. If your content does not of the above, do NOT press record. I would love to help you shape your message. I want to be your podcast consultant . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, December 05, 2018
Podcasting For People Who Are Afraid of Technology
You might be thinking, "Technology and I are not friends." I hear this all of the time from clients, "But Dave you don't understand my VCR blinked 12:00 for years." I know. I've heard this many times. To this, I ask: Have you ever uploaded an image to FaceBook, or a file as an email attachment? Then you can upload a media file to your media host Have you ever been listening to the radio in the car and your phone rings and you turn down the radio? Then you know how to mix audio Have you ever press record on a VCR, Cassette Deck, Tivo, or DVR? Then you press record in audio recording software (hint, it's the red button with "REC" on it) Do You Know How To Talk? Then you can talk into a microphone. I Use to Be Afraid Like You Today I share a story about how I was fired for being too shy. I reveal the advice I got from a teacher who got me over the hump, and I want to be the person who can help you over your hump. Don't let the technology stop you from getting your message out to the world. If you want to be heard, then please let me know help I look forward to working with you. I want to be your podcast consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Wed, November 28, 2018
Why Should Start a Podcast
Have you ever wondered if you should start a podcast? I've asked my audience and clients this question, "Because of my podcast _______" and today you will hear how: Their networks have grown Reaching a global audience They are getting free stuff They are being offered opportunities They are building an audience They are getting paid They are getting hired They are earning awards They are being seen as the media They are speaking to celebrities in their field They have a purpose and direction in their life They are adding dollars to their bottom line They are changing the lives of their audience I've been helping people understand technology for over 20 years, and I've been podcasting for over a decade and I want to help you. I want to be your podcast consultant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
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