Remote recording for interviews and the like has always been a bit tricky and the platforms that provide recording of this type are always trying to improve.2022 brings us a lot of contenders for the title of "best remote recording platform."This episode is a handful of recordings of me and my right-hand audio-man, Aaron as we test out the top 11 platforms. You're going to hear about...BoomcasterCastCleanfeedClearcastIrisRemotelyRiversideSquadcastWelderZencastrZoomAnd we also tried Ringr, which has been around for some time but we got so frustrated trying to get it to work that we dropped the attempt. It could have been a bad day (for both of us?) but we made the call not to move forward with that portion of the recording and moved on.RESOURCES MENTIONEDBoomcaster - https://Boomcaster.com Cast - https://tryca.st Cleanfeed - https://Cleanfeed.net Clearcast - https://clearcast.io Iris - https://iris.fm Remotely - https://remotely.fm Riverside - https://riverside.fm (affliate link here)Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm (affiliate link here)Welder - https://GetWelder.com/remote-interview-recording Zencastr - https://zencastr.com Zoom - https://Zoom.us 

Remote recording for interviews and the like has always been a bit tricky and the platforms that provide recording of this type are always trying to improve.2022 brings us a lot of contenders for the title of "best remote recording platform."This episode is a handful of recordings of me and my right-hand audio-man, Aaron as we test out the top 11 platforms. You're going to hear about...<ul><li>Boomcaster</li><li>Cast</li><li>Cleanfeed</li><li>Clearcast</li><li>Iris</li><li>Remotely</li><li>Riverside</li><li>Squadcast</li><li>Welder</li><li>Zencastr</li><li>Zoom</li></ul>And we also tried Ringr, which has been around for some time but we got so frustrated trying to get it to work that we dropped the attempt. It could have been a bad day (for both of us?) but we made the call not to move forward with that portion of the recording and moved on.<h2>RESOURCES MENTIONED</h2><ul><li>Boomcaster - <a href="https://Boomcaster.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://Boomcaster.com</a> </li><li>Cast - <a href="https://tryca.st" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://tryca.st</a> </li><li>Cleanfeed - <a href="https://Cleanfeed.net" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://Cleanfeed.net</a> </li><li>Clearcast - <a href="https://clearcast.io" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://clearcast.io</a> </li><li>Iris - <a href="https://iris.fm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://iris.fm</a> </li><li>Remotely - <a href="https://remotely.fm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://remotely.fm</a> </li><li>Riverside - <a href="https://riverside.fm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://riverside.fm</a> (affliate <a href="https://riverside.fm/#pricing/?via=carey" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">link here</a>)</li><li>Squadcast - <a href="https://squadcast.fm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://squadcast.fm</a> (affiliate <a href="https://squadcast.fm/?salescamp=9mNqrUHARDzEP22v1UzCUcPE" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">link here</a>)</li><li>Welder - <a href="https://GetWelder.com/remote-interview-recording" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://GetWelder.com/remote-interview-recording</a> </li><li>Zencastr - <a href="https://zencastr.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://zencastr.com</a> </li><li>Zoom - <a href="https://Zoom.us" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://Zoom.us</a> </li></ul>

162: The Top 11 Distance Recording Options – Side By Side Comparison – 2022

I have LONG wanted a Podcast Newsletter that provides content for me — an INDEPENDENT PODCASTER.I mean, it's OK to have industry news about who moved from what bigwig company to another biggerwig company in a higher profile industry-speak position... no problem there.But it's not relevant to me at all.So I've created an Indie Podcast Newsletter FOR Indie Podcasters, BY an Indie Podcaster. Abraham Lincoln would have said something like that if he were a podcaster.I'm calling it "Podawan" (hat tip to the Star Wars universe).I LOVE the idea of  Podawan Learner... and since we are all bootstrapping, do it yourself kind of folks, we can be Podawans.Each episode or installment of the Podawan newsletter will include...An Education section that highlights stuff you need to learn or do betterA Success Stories section that tells of Indie podcasters who have actually done it.An Industry News section where I frame happenings in ways that matter to you.And an Editorial section... where I write an opinion piece based on issues within the podcast industry (and shock... it will be RELEVANT to Indie podcasters).Finally... I'll be taking LETTERS TO THE EDITOR... you can write your input about my opinions, industry stuff, something else. I don't care what it is. Send it to me.I hope you'll subscribe. It's going to be a fun and RELEVANT ride.Oh yeah... you can also find some fun, Podawan swag here.

I have LONG wanted a Podcast Newsletter that provides content for me — an INDEPENDENT PODCASTER.I mean, it's OK to have industry news about who moved from what bigwig company to another biggerwig company in a higher profile industry-speak position... no problem there.But it's not relevant to me at all.So I've created an Indie Podcast Newsletter FOR Indie Podcasters, BY an Indie Podcaster. Abraham Lincoln would have said something like that if he were a podcaster.I'm calling it <a href="https://www.getrevue.co/profile/Podawan" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">"Podawan" </a>(hat tip to the Star Wars universe).I LOVE the idea of Podawan Learner... and since we are all bootstrapping, do it yourself kind of folks, we can be Podawans.Each episode or installment of the Podawan newsletter will include...An Education section that highlights stuff you need to learn or do betterA Success Stories section that tells of Indie podcasters who have actually done it.An Industry News section where I frame happenings in ways that matter to you.And an Editorial section... where I write an opinion piece based on issues within the podcast industry (and shock... it will be RELEVANT to Indie podcasters).Finally... I'll be taking <a href="https://www.notion.so/pft1/Letters-to-Editor-772a0abe39194b589625597609b3c5a2" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">LETTERS TO THE EDITOR</a>... you can write your input about my opinions, industry stuff, something else. I don't care what it is. Send it to me.I hope you'll subscribe. It's going to be a fun and RELEVANT ride.Oh yeah... you can also find some fun, <a href="https://podawan.creator-spring.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Podawan swag here</a>.

A newsletter for Indie Podcasters (finally)

Daniel J. Lewis

Daniel J. Lewis has been building authority in the podcasting space since 2010.That’s when the very first episode of his show (a podcast about podcasting) “The Audacity to Podcast.” You can hear it here.Daniel has already been podcasting for about three years when I first came across his content and I can’t express the number of ways he’s helped me personally, both through his content and via personal email interactions we’ve had together.He’s a regular guy who is as genuine in real life as he seems on his show.THIS episode featuring Daniel J. Lewis features the story of how Daniel has used his podcast as a launching pad for SERVICES-based businesses - from website development to plugin development, to podcast consulting, Daniel has tried his hand at a wide variety of things — with varying levels of success. On this episode he shares...▷ His path into podcasting from a job he loved▷ How he built authority in a niche that was new to him▷ Choosing from the wide variety of income models▷ The power of perseverance in finding what fits youI hope you take the time to listen. Daniel doesn’t hold back and if you apply what he shares, you’ll move WAY forward in your attempts to monetize your show.

<h2>Daniel J. Lewis has been building authority in the podcasting space since 2010.</h2>That’s when the very first episode of his show (a podcast about podcasting) “The Audacity to Podcast.” <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/tap001-you-need-passion-organization-and-dialog-pod-to-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">You can hear it here</a>.Daniel has already been podcasting for about three years when I first came across his content and I can’t express the number of ways he’s helped me personally, both through his content and via personal email interactions we’ve had together.He’s a regular guy who is as genuine in real life as he seems on his show.THIS episode featuring Daniel J. Lewis features the story of how Daniel has used his podcast as a launching pad for SERVICES-based businesses - from website development to plugin development, to podcast consulting, Daniel has tried his hand at a wide variety of things — with varying levels of success. On this episode he shares...▷ His path into podcasting from a job he loved▷ How he built authority in a niche that was new to him▷ Choosing from the wide variety of income models▷ The power of perseverance in finding what fits youI hope you take the time to listen. Daniel doesn’t hold back and if you apply what he shares, you’ll move WAY forward in your attempts to monetize your show.

161: How Daniel J. Lewis built authority from scratch, monetized his podcasting, and makes a life, not just a living

Kenny Coleman

Figure

How successful can a niche podcast be?The answer likely depends on the niche. For example, back on episode 154 of this podcast Glenn Hebert, the personality and power behind The Horse Radio Network said this about his niche:”(Annually) We are well into five figures, and you know, in our niche, we’ll probably never get to six figures. I don’t see us ever doing that.”But his comments are about an expensive and specific niche, horses. What about if the niche in question is broader but very popular?Like Bourbon?While he was still in college, Kenny Coleman became a fan of bourbon (makes sense) and got into the “Bourbon Culture” from there. His interest became a passion and his passion has turned into a multi-six-figure business, all built on the back of a podcast that happened to become very, very popular.My theory? Kenny pursued something he loved that many others were growing to love at the same time, and he saw an opportunity to serve people like himself.Kenny and Ryan started their podcast from scratch, just like the rest of usGo back and listen to episode 1 of The Bourbon Pursuit podcast (you can find it here). There was nothing super special about it. Just two guys with a mic (maybe two) who were talking about something they enjoyed — bourbon. They set the stage, gave listeners an idea what to expect, and asked for feedback. I love what they said at the end of that episode...“If we suck, let us know, if it’s good, let us know. If you think something else would be cool, let us know. We just want to learn and grow as we go.”That is KEY: Ask for feedbackNo matter what your niche is, you won’t be able to serve your audience well until you know what they want. So figure out ways to ask them...What do they want to learn?Who do they want to hear from in the niche?What kind of skills do they need?What are the pains they feel related to the niche?These days Kenny and Ryan do that through a community that is managed, run, and kept alive by members of their Patreon supporters. But back at the beginning, they had to figure out ways to do it. Annual surveys were a tool they used. Soliciting listener feedback episode to episode helped. And little by little, they were able to dial-in their demographic and know how to serve their audience better.Quality matters, both technically and in skill levelKenny and Ryan started their podcast about bourbon back in 2015. Bourbon back then was NOT the thing it is today. Today it’s cool, hip, trendy, etc. , but back then, it was just a hobby for enthusiasts. But that began to change. More bourbon-related podcasts started showing up and Kenny (the Executive Producer of the show) realized he’d have to figure out ways to make their show better than all the rest.So he up-leveled the equipment they used. He improved their interviewing skills. He shot for higher-level guests and topics listeners said they wanted to hear.And the podcast continued to grow.Burnout happens to all podcasters at some pointThere was a turning point when Kenny felt he was going to have to give up the podcast. He was working a full-time job, was married, and had a child, and he felt that he was being pulled in too many directions. Between his job and the podcast he was working 80 hours a week and knew that without any payoff coming from his efforts, it didn’t make sense to keep making the kind of sacrifices he was making.He was open about the situation on social media and a fan reached out and suggested they start a Patreon. Kenny didn’t even know what it was. If you dont, here’s the nutshell: Patreon allows fans to support you on a donation level. You can set it up in a way they donate monthly, or per-episode you produce, or anything else. It’s a cool idea. Another great platform like Patreon that is built especially for scenarios where the creator wants to produce audio as a “thank you” perk to those who support their show, is called Supercast (affiliate link). I use Supercast for one of my projects and LOVE it.The Patreon started slow but showed encouraging signs of potential. Over time it grew and Kenny was able to hang on long enough to make his participation in the show pay off tangibly. Today (February 2022) the Bourbon Pursuit Patreon brings in almost $15,000 per month and includes a Bourbon Barrel Club. See the resources below to learn more about it.Could your niche be successfully monetized?Kenny believes that whatever you’re interested in, there is an audience out there that is also interested in it. Your job (should you choose to accept it) is to take the time and do the work required to find out what that audience wants... and give it to them.That idea is the foundation of all entrepreneurial endeavors and every business. Contrary to what those capitalism-haters out there believe, business is about meeting needs and serving people. Your podcast can succeed by meeting needs, too. It just takes work to figure out how to do it and how to gradually slide into that place.Listen to hear how Kenny and his team have scaled from episode 1 (bad audio quality and all) to an amazing team of 6 people, multiple sources of monthly revenue, and the launch of their own bourbon brand.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Bourbon Pursuit Podcast (all 3 weekly episodes):Bourbon Pursuit Collection: https://seelbachs.com/collections/bourbon-pursuit-collectionBarrel Club (Patreon): https://www.patreon.com/bourbonpursuitKenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendrickColemanKenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrickcoleman/

<h1>How successful can a niche podcast be?</h1>The answer likely depends on the niche. For example, back on episode 154 of this podcast Glenn Hebert, the personality and power behind The Horse Radio Network said this about his niche:”(Annually) We are well into five figures, and you know, in our niche, we’ll probably never get to six figures. I don’t see us ever doing that.”But his comments are about an expensive and specific niche, horses. What about if the niche in question is broader but very popular?<h3>Like Bourbon?</h3>While he was still in college, Kenny Coleman became a fan of bourbon (makes sense) and got into the “Bourbon Culture” from there. His interest became a passion and his passion has turned into a multi-six-figure business, all built on the back of a podcast that happened to become very, very popular.My theory? Kenny pursued something he loved that many others were growing to love at the same time, and he saw an opportunity to serve people like himself.<h2>Kenny and Ryan started their podcast from scratch, just like the rest of us</h2>Go back and listen to episode 1 of The Bourbon Pursuit podcast (<a href="https://bourbonpursuit.com/2015/03/09/001-duo-hunting-parties/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">you can find it here</a>). There was nothing super special about it. Just two guys with a mic (maybe two) who were talking about something they enjoyed — bourbon. They set the stage, gave listeners an idea what to expect, and asked for feedback. I love what they said at the end of that episode...“If we suck, let us know, if it’s good, let us know. If you think something else would be cool, let us know. We just want to learn and grow as we go.”<h3>That is KEY: Ask for feedback</h3>No matter what your niche is, you won’t be able to serve your audience well until you know what they want. So figure out ways to ask them...<ul><li>What do they want to learn?</li><li>Who do they want to hear from in the niche?</li><li>What kind of skills do they need?</li><li>What are the pains they feel related to the niche?</li></ul>These days Kenny and Ryan do that through a community that is managed, run, and kept alive by members of their Patreon supporters. But back at the beginning, they had to figure out ways to do it. Annual surveys were a tool they used. Soliciting listener feedback episode to episode helped. And little by little, they were able to dial-in their demographic and know how to serve their audience better.<h2>Quality matters, both technically and in skill level</h2>Kenny and Ryan started their podcast about bourbon back in 2015. Bourbon back then was NOT the thing it is today. Today it’s cool, hip, trendy, etc. , but back then, it was just a hobby for enthusiasts. But that began to change. More bourbon-related podcasts started showing up and Kenny (the Executive Producer of the show) realized he’d have to figure out ways to make their show better than all the rest.So he up-leveled the equipment they used. He improved their interviewing skills. He shot for higher-level guests and topics listeners said they wanted to hear.And the podcast continued to grow.<h2>Burnout happens to all podcasters at some point</h2>There was a turning point when Kenny felt he was going to have to give up the podcast. He was working a full-time job, was married, and had a child, and he felt that he was being pulled in too many directions. Between his job and the podcast he was working 80 hours a week and knew that without any payoff coming from his efforts, it didn’t make sense to keep making the kind of sacrifices he was making.He was open about the situation on social media and a fan reached out and suggested they start a Patreon. Kenny didn’t even know what it was. If you dont, here’s the nutshell: Patreon allows fans to support you on a donation level. You can set it up in a way they donate monthly, or per-episode you produce, or anything else. It’s a cool idea. Another great platform like Patreon that is built especially for scenarios where the creator wants to produce audio as a “thank you” perk to those who support their show, is called <a href="https://mm-partners.supercast.tech/sign_up/r/fc68d1fb811416123ee3" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Supercast</a> (affiliate link). I use Supercast for one of my projects and LOVE it.The Patreon started slow but showed encouraging signs of potential. Over time it grew and Kenny was able to hang on long enough to make his participation in the show pay off tangibly. Today (February 2022) the Bourbon Pursuit Patreon brings in almost $15,000 per month and includes a Bourbon Barrel Club. See the resources below to learn more about it.<h2>Could your niche be successfully monetized?</h2>Kenny believes that whatever you’re interested in, there is an audience out there that is also interested in it. Your job (should you choose to accept it) is to take the time and do the work required to find out what that audience wants... and give it to them.That idea is the foundation of all entrepreneurial endeavors and every business. Contrary to what those capitalism-haters out there believe, business is about meeting needs and serving people. Your podcast can succeed by meeting needs, too. It just takes work to figure out how to do it and how to gradually slide into that place.Listen to hear how Kenny and his team have scaled from episode 1 (bad audio quality and all) to an amazing team of 6 people, multiple sources of monthly revenue, and the launch of their own bourbon brand.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Bourbon Pursuit Podcast (all 3 weekly episodes):Bourbon Pursuit Collection: <a href="https://seelbachs.com/collections/bourbon-pursuit-collection" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://seelbachs.com/collections/bourbon-pursuit-collection</a>Barrel Club (Patreon): <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bourbonpursuit" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/bourbonpursuit</a>Kenny on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KendrickColeman" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KendrickColeman</a>Kenny on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrickcoleman/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrickcoleman/</a>

160: How two friends grew the Bourbon Pursuit podcast to multiple six-figure income and started their own brand of bourbon, with Kenny Coleman

Do you EVER have issues coming up with new topics to cover on your podcast?If not, it’s only a matter of time. Every podcaster runs into the issue eventually - asking the question, “What ELSE am I going to talk about on my podcast?”It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’ve been podcasting for a long time. It WILL happen to you.What then?How are you going to move forward and continue to serve your audience?I’ve got a content development exercise you’re going to LOVE!On this episode, I want to teach you a process I’ve implemented time and time again that enables anyone to have 10 to 15 interesting, helpful, immediately usable topics that can be recorded for individual podcast episodes, in JUST 30 MINUTES.If it sounds too good to be true, just listen. You’ll see the magic (but it’s NOT magic, just common sense) of taking this approach.It’s tapping into the knowledge you already have inside that noggin of yours and putting it to work for the sake of your audience.Ready? Hit the play button!If you’d like to take the DEEP DIVE into this approach, you can find it outlined in detail on this blog post: https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-workflow-step-2-generate-topics-bulk-record/

<h2>Do you EVER have issues coming up with new topics to cover on your podcast?</h2>If not, it’s only a matter of time. Every podcaster runs into the issue eventually - asking the question, “What ELSE am I going to talk about on my podcast?”It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’ve been podcasting for a long time. It WILL happen to you.What then?How are you going to move forward and continue to serve your audience?<h2>I’ve got a content development exercise you’re going to LOVE!</h2>On this episode, I want to teach you a process I’ve implemented time and time again that enables anyone to have 10 to 15 interesting, helpful, immediately usable topics that can be recorded for individual podcast episodes, in JUST 30 MINUTES.If it sounds too good to be true, just listen. You’ll see the magic (but it’s NOT magic, just common sense) of taking this approach.It’s tapping into the knowledge you already have inside that noggin of yours and putting it to work for the sake of your audience.Ready? Hit the play button!If you’d like to take the DEEP DIVE into this approach, you can find it outlined in detail on this blog post: <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-workflow-step-2-generate-topics-bulk-record/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-workflow-step-2-generate-topics-bulk-record/</a>

159: Discover 10 to 15 immediately usable podcast topics in just 30 minutes: The 10-10-10 method

Scott Johnson

Every podcaster is looking for ways to grow her audience. Why? Hopefully, it's for reasons bigger than our own ego (if it's not, please — STOP podcasting right now).The best reason to work toward podcast audience growth is to better serve those who find our show interesting and or helpful. I know you agree with me, right?Scott Johnson is a guy who does that through a couple of podcasts, but the one we focus on in this conversation is what he calls his "passion project" — "What was that like?" It's an intriguing show that interviews real people about the bizarre and sometimes painful experiences they've had in life. (Check out this episode, "Robert was in a gunfight with pirates" to get a taste for yourself).Scott and I discuss the MAIN thing he's done to keep his audience growth heading upward — and it comes in THREE forms. He breaks it down on this episode.You'll enjoy this episode if you're interested in...the best ways to discover what kind of people listen to your podcasthow to find other podcasts that have a similar audience (listen to understand why this is important)making connections with the podcasters who host those showspartnering with other podcasters to grow your respective showsreal-life results that come from this strategypodcast mastermind groups: their benefits might surprise youMentioned on this episode"What was that like?" - Scott's podcast discussed on this episode: https://whatwasthatlike.com/Scott's The Computer Tutor podcast: https://computertutorflorida.com/MIDROLL: Podcast MastermindIf you're interested in growing your podcast by joining forces with other podcasters who are on their way to success (just like you), consider applying for the next Podcast Fast Track Podcast Mastermind. It's one of the best investments you can make in your podcast, hands-down. Not to mention the great ongoing cooperative relationships you'll make with other podcasters like yourself. APPLY FOR THE NEXT GROUP HERE.Other podcasters who share your audience are NOT your competitionOne of the things I've loved about podcasting ever since I started is the reality that it's a very cooperative space. Unlike other industries, podcasters seem more than generous to help others who are trying to grow a show just like they are. This conversation with Scott is an example (he's a very generous guy).Scott banks on that fact as part of his podcast audience growth strategy. It's an easy assumption to make because you know that other podcasters who your audience finds intriguing or interesting are attempting to grow their listenership just like you. Reaching out to them to investigate cooperative partnerships makes perfect sense.But it's not easy to do with all the SPAM hitting our inboxes these days. For that reason, I was super interested in finding out how Scott makes the most of his opportunities to partner with other podcasters. As I suspected, he doesn't use a copy-and-paste email template that can be modified for pseudo-personal outreach. He does the hard work required to ensure he's coming across genuinely and that his communication is cutting through the noise. Listen to find out the details because I ask him all the questions.What elements contribute to your audience growth outreach pitch being noticed?As I mentioned above, SPAM seems to be at an all-time high. I probably receive 10 to 20 requests a day from people (bots?) looking to USE ME to advance their cause or business. I say it that way because most of them demonstrate in their original outreach that they haven't researched me, my business, or my audience at all. They've just pasted a form letter into an email, input my name and email address, and hit "send." YUK!You do NOT want to be one of those people when reaching out to potential podcast audience growth partners. You've got to cut through the noise and prove from the moment they see your subject line (if you're using email to reach out) that you are a real person who knows something about them and genuinely wants to help them as a true partner. That's a TALL ORDER, but one Scott has been pretty successful at meeting.How does he do it? It starts with a non-sensational, boring subject line on his emails... and it gets him some pretty amazing results. Listen to hear exactly what he does and why he believes it works.Scott's audience growth project works... but it's also HARD WORKIt's one thing to say that you've found a way to grow your podcast audience (like Scott has).It's still another thing to connect the increase in downloads directly with the efforts you made.So it was important to me that I verify that Scott's claims are legit. It's not that I don't trust him, but for your sake I want to accurately represent what he's experienced — so YOU don't have any misconceptions about what could happen if you duplicate Scott's approach.So asking him those questions, he was able to give me NUMBERS of increases in listenership after promotion and then verify that the baseline growth of his show, though it declined after the promotion, remained higher than it was pre-promotion.But don't take all that to mean it's "easy and fast results" like a lot of the internet hooey you hear out there. It's not easy. It's not fast. It's not even simple. But once you get the process down and apply it in a savvy way like Scott has, you should see similar results.Don't miss out on this approach to podcast audience growth that Scott has pioneered. Though he's likely NOT the first person to try it, he's the only person I know who has put in the time and effort to perfect it (as much as anything can be perfected),

Every podcaster is looking for ways to grow her audience. Why? Hopefully, it's for reasons bigger than our own ego (if it's not, please — STOP podcasting right now).The best reason to work toward podcast audience growth is to better serve those who find our show interesting and or helpful. I know you agree with me, right?Scott Johnson is a guy who does that through a couple of podcasts, but the one we focus on in this conversation is what he calls his "passion project" — "What was that like?" It's an intriguing show that interviews real people about the bizarre and sometimes painful experiences they've had in life. (Check out this episode, "<a href="https://whatwasthatlike.com/2021/07/30/robert-was-in-a-gunfight-with-pirates/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robert was in a gunfight with pirates</a>" to get a taste for yourself).Scott and I discuss the MAIN thing he's done to keep his audience growth heading upward — and it comes in THREE forms. He breaks it down on this episode.<h2>You'll enjoy this episode if you're interested in...</h2><ul><li>the best ways to discover what kind of people listen to your podcast</li><li>how to find other podcasts that have a similar audience (listen to understand why this is important)</li><li>making connections with the podcasters who host those shows</li><li>partnering with other podcasters to grow your respective shows</li><li>real-life results that come from this strategy</li><li>podcast mastermind groups: their benefits might surprise you</li></ul><h2>Mentioned on this episode</h2><ul><li>"What was that like?" - Scott's podcast discussed on this episode: <a href="https://whatwasthatlike.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://whatwasthatlike.com/</a></li><li>Scott's The Computer Tutor podcast: <a href="https://computertutorflorida.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://computertutorflorida.com/</a></li></ul><h2>MIDROLL: Podcast Mastermind</h2>If you're interested in growing your podcast by joining forces with other podcasters who are on their way to success (just like you), consider applying for the next Podcast Fast Track Podcast Mastermind. It's one of the best investments you can make in your podcast, hands-down. Not to mention the great ongoing cooperative relationships you'll make with other podcasters like yourself. <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-mastermind/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">APPLY FOR THE NEXT GROUP HERE</a>.<h2>Other podcasters who share your audience are NOT your competition</h2>One of the things I've loved about podcasting ever since I started is the reality that it's a very cooperative space. Unlike other industries, podcasters seem more than generous to help others who are trying to grow a show just like they are. This conversation with Scott is an example (he's a very generous guy).Scott banks on that fact as part of his podcast audience growth strategy. It's an easy assumption to make because you know that other podcasters who your audience finds intriguing or interesting are attempting to grow their listenership just like you. Reaching out to them to investigate cooperative partnerships makes perfect sense.But it's not easy to do with all the SPAM hitting our inboxes these days. For that reason, I was super interested in finding out how Scott makes the most of his opportunities to partner with other podcasters. As I suspected, he doesn't use a copy-and-paste email template that can be modified for pseudo-personal outreach. He does the hard work required to ensure he's coming across genuinely and that his communication is cutting through the noise. Listen to find out the details because I ask him all the questions.<h2>What elements contribute to your audience growth outreach pitch being noticed?</h2>As I mentioned above, SPAM seems to be at an all-time high. I probably receive 10 to 20 requests a day from people (bots?) looking to USE ME to advance their cause or business. I say it that way because most of them demonstrate in their original outreach that they haven't researched me, my business, or my audience at all. They've just pasted a form letter into an email, input my name and email address, and hit "send." YUK!You do NOT want to be one of those people when reaching out to potential podcast audience growth partners. You've got to cut through the noise and prove from the moment they see your subject line (if you're using email to reach out) that you are a real person who knows something about them and genuinely wants to help them as a true partner. That's a TALL ORDER, but one Scott has been pretty successful at meeting.How does he do it? It starts with a non-sensational, boring subject line on his emails... and it gets him some pretty amazing results. Listen to hear exactly what he does and why he believes it works.<h2>Scott's audience growth project works... but it's also HARD WORK</h2>It's one thing to say that you've found a way to grow your podcast audience (like Scott has).It's still another thing to connect the increase in downloads directly with the efforts you made.So it was important to me that I verify that Scott's claims are legit. It's not that I don't trust him, but for your sake I want to accurately represent what he's experienced — so YOU don't have any misconceptions about what could happen if you duplicate Scott's approach.So asking him those questions, he was able to give me NUMBERS of increases in listenership after promotion and then verify that the baseline growth of his show, though it declined after the promotion, remained higher than it was pre-promotion.But don't take all that to mean it's "easy and fast results" like a lot of the internet hooey you hear out there. It's not easy. It's not fast. It's not even simple. But once you get the process down and apply it in a savvy way like Scott has, you should see similar results.Don't miss out on this approach to podcast audience growth that Scott has pioneered. Though he's likely NOT the first person to try it, he's the only person I know who has put in the time and effort to perfect it (as much as anything can be perfected),

158: How Scott Johnson uses his head to create ongoing audience growth

For the first time ever, podcast show notes display almost the SAME in all podcasting apps (thanks Apple).That brings up the question... what ARE show notes anyway? And how can I best use them?On this episode of Podcastification, I'm going to explain what show notes are, what they should contain, and how to create and use them in the MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS.Keep reading.What ARE show notes?There are differing opinions or definitions out there for the term "show notes." Some people feel like it's a blog post length summary of a podcast episode, or maybe even a transcript of the audio.Others feel the term should refer mainly to the brief description of an episode you might find in a podcast app.Which is it?From my perspective as the Founder of a company that creates show notes for podcasting clients, it's both.Let me explain...Kill two birds with one stoneTo make the most of every episode of your podcast, you really NEED BOTH the longer blog post content that goes on your website, AND the shorter, abbreviated content that pulls into the podcast apps from your media host.Instead of creating a separate document or post for those two things, I suggest you create one MASTER post that you can use in a variety of ways to fulfill both needs... and social media elements while you're at it.But before we get to that, there's one last thing I want to say...Your listeners won't know what you've created for them if you don't guide them to itYou may follow the steps I'm about to give you and create the best show notes on the planet or within your industry or niche.But if your audience doesn't know they are available, they won't use them.It's YOUR job to ensure they know about the resources you create.I suggest you figure out a way to remind yourself to TELL your audience about your show notes EVERY TIME you record a new episode.Develop a bullet-point list you use when you record that reminds you of all the important stuff you need to sayAdd references to your show notes to that listWHERE DO YOU INCLUDE IT?Make the mention of your show notes a standard part of your call to action at the end of each episode.When guests share a resource, comment that you'll include it in the show notes or description.Your listeners will become aware of your show notes and become accustomed to looking at them when they need a resource... in time. Just be consistent.MAKE FINDING THE NOTES EASY FOR YOUR LISTENERSThe last stats I saw (early 2021) said that 85% of podcast listeners are listening on a mobile device. So think about that from a show notes perspective...If you're saying, "Check out the website for the show notes to this episode," you're making it HARD for your listeners to find them.Even if you refer to a specific short-link, you're still forcing them to open a web browser and find the show notes.HERE'S A BETTER IDEA...Since you know that the majority of your listeners are listening to your show on a mobile device, then point them to the description on their mobile device. I often say something like this..."That resource can be found in the description for this episode, and you can find that in the listening app you're using to listen right now. Swipe right, left, up, down... something and the description section will be there."Your show notes master documentFirst off, create a Google Doc that you can use as a template for your show notes. That way you don't have to recreate the structure every time you produce a new episode.You'll simply copy the template document, rename it, and away you go.What should your template include?I'm going to give you my suggestions... and I'm going to do so in a specific order, for a specific reason. It will make your creation easier to repurpose and reuse.Basic intro paragraph(s)Picture this intro paragraph section this way...A new potential listener finds your show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your cover art catches their eye and they decide to click through to see your description.Then they see an episode title that's intriguing (we'll get to that in a moment). And they decide to click through to read the description of the episode.THIS section is what they see when they do that. It needs to be compelling, interesting, and informative - in as few words as possible.Start out with something catchy, something that introduces the topic or guest in an appealing way to the reader.Make it short and to the point. Imagine each sentence tying into the next to lead the reader along.Some folks include bios here but I find bios to be too boring and too hard to read. I tend to scan them and I think most internet readers do the same. So don't waste your time with long, all-inclusive bios. If you want to include them, do it later in a "guest" section of your notes.Time-stamped bullet point outline of content (OPTIONAL but describe use as CLICKABLE)To be honest, this section is optional — but I always include it if I can. Why?Because it enables your reader (who tends to scan things) to easily see the main topics and issues covered in the audio. It's like bait, tempting them to listen.And I include this in the media host (podcast players) because in most podcast players, the timestamps are clickable... meaning the person taps on them and the audio begins playing at that point in the episode.Resource section (links to things &amp; people mentioned)This is where you provide links to resources you or your guest mention in the episode recording.I don't include things like Google or Youtube because everyone knows about them and how to find them.But I do include links to apps or software programs, online courses, people, books, and a variety of other things.If you decide to link to resources that are affiliate relationships (you get paid if people buy using your link) then do the right thing and disclose that it's an affiliate relationship.Contact info for guestsInclude information about how your listeners can contact your guests. You can either include all social, websites, etc. - OR - you can ask the guest their preferred means of communication with listeners.If your guest has written books or has an offer for your listeners, provide that link here as well (and refer to it being in the show notes for the episode, so listeners can go get it)Contact info for youPodcast listeners build a one-sided relationship with you, the host of their favorite podcast. So make it easy for them to connect with you.Include your preferred ways of being contacted... and perhaps even put it near the top of the post in your media host account (apps) so listeners can find it easily.EVERYTHING TO THIS POINT IS WHAT I'D INCLUDE IN YOUR MEDIA HOST ACCOUNT - BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE APPS WILL GET THEIR DESCRIPTIONS FROM.But for your website blog post, I'd add additional information...Keyword conscious content of 500 words or more (SEO)If you want the blog post that accompanies your episodes to have any chance at all in getting Google's attention when people search for key phrases related to your episodes, you'll need more content on the page.Google recommends 500 to 600 words minimum, so that's what we aim for AS a minimum.It's going to include everything I've mentioned so far, so you're only going to need 2 to 3 more paragraphs of content to fill out the blog post.This is where I place those paragraphs.I'll include a catchy H2 level header, then write a brief paragraph or two about the topic mentioned in that header.Make it informative, helpful, and true to the audio content. (NO CLICK BAIT)Then I'll write a couple more headers and paragraphs following the same pattern.TIP:The bullet points you've already created will probably give you great ideas for good headers and the content to follow.Images with proper titles and tags for your keywords (Canva, Snappa, Stencil, Easil)For website posts, images are always optional. But if you're posting for the sake of SEO (which you should be) then you need to have images.Google says the more "media-rich" your page is, the more likely it is to rank when people search for the topics covered on that page.Images help you tick that box.There are lots of free tools out there to help you create attractive images that highlight your content and promote your brand or your guest.When you use images, be sure the title of the image includes keywords you hope to rank for... and fill out the image "alt" tag with a keyword-focused description for those who are visually impaired.And don't put the same title and alt tag on every image you use on the page. Title them in relationship to what the images are.Repurpose your master document even furtherNot only are you going to use the top section I described in your media host description to feed the apps (summary paragraph, bullet-point outline, contact info for you and the guest, and resources), you're also going to use the content for social media.Headers and bullet-point outlines can make great tweets, if you reformat them slightly to be intriguing and appealing to Twitter users.Don't forget to include relevant hashtags (but don't overdo it)Your blog post paragraphs can make great social media posts — again, with some reworking and proper hashtag use.And don't forget to include a link with your social media posts - to your podcast episode blog page (my recommendation)Resources MentionedPodnews article about Show Notes now displaying consistentlyCanva - graphics creation programSnappa - graphics creation programStencil - graphics creation programEasil - graphics creation programPrevious episodes of Podcastification about show notes:https://podcastfasttrack.com/20https://podcastfasttrack.com/21https://podcastfasttrack.com/22https://podcastfasttrack.com/23Contact Careyhttps://PodcastFastTrack.com

For <a href="https://podnews.net/update/consistent-episode-notes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the first time ever</a>, podcast show notes display almost the SAME in all podcasting apps (thanks Apple).That brings up the question... what ARE show notes anyway? And how can I best use them?On this episode of Podcastification, I'm going to explain what show notes are, what they should contain, and how to create and use them in the MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS.Keep reading.<h2>What ARE show notes?</h2>There are differing opinions or definitions out there for the term "show notes." Some people feel like it's a blog post length summary of a podcast episode, or maybe even a transcript of the audio.Others feel the term should refer mainly to the brief description of an episode you might find in a podcast app.Which is it?From my perspective as the Founder of a company that creates show notes for podcasting clients, it's both.Let me explain...<h2>Kill two birds with one stone</h2>To make the most of every episode of your podcast, you really NEED BOTH the longer blog post content that goes on your website, AND the shorter, abbreviated content that pulls into the podcast apps from your media host.Instead of creating a separate document or post for those two things, I suggest you create one MASTER post that you can use in a variety of ways to fulfill both needs... and social media elements while you're at it.But before we get to that, there's one last thing I want to say...<h2>Your listeners won't know what you've created for them if you don't guide them to it</h2>You may follow the steps I'm about to give you and create the best show notes on the planet or within your industry or niche.But if your audience doesn't know they are available, they won't use them.It's YOUR job to ensure they know about the resources you create.I suggest you figure out a way to remind yourself to TELL your audience about your show notes EVERY TIME you record a new episode.<ul><li>Develop a bullet-point list you use when you record that reminds you of all the important stuff you need to say</li><li>Add references to your show notes to that list</li></ul>WHERE DO YOU INCLUDE IT?<ul><li>Make the mention of your show notes a standard part of your call to action at the end of each episode.</li><li>When guests share a resource, comment that you'll include it in the show notes or description.</li></ul>Your listeners will become aware of your show notes and become accustomed to looking at them when they need a resource... in time. Just be consistent.<h3>MAKE FINDING THE NOTES EASY FOR YOUR LISTENERS</h3>The last stats I saw (early 2021) said that 85% of podcast listeners are listening on a mobile device. So think about that from a show notes perspective...If you're saying, "Check out the website for the show notes to this episode," you're making it HARD for your listeners to find them.Even if you refer to a specific short-link, you're still forcing them to open a web browser and find the show notes.HERE'S A BETTER IDEA...Since you know that the majority of your listeners are listening to your show on a mobile device, then point them to the description on their mobile device. I often say something like this..."That resource can be found in the description for this episode, and you can find that in the listening app you're using to listen right now. Swipe right, left, up, down... something and the description section will be there."<h2>Your show notes master document</h2>First off, create a Google Doc that you can use as a template for your show notes. That way you don't have to recreate the structure every time you produce a new episode.You'll simply copy the template document, rename it, and away you go.What should your template include?I'm going to give you my suggestions... and I'm going to do so in a specific order, for a specific reason. It will make your creation easier to repurpose and reuse.<ul><li>Basic intro paragraph(s)</li></ul>Picture this intro paragraph section this way...A new potential listener finds your show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your cover art catches their eye and they decide to click through to see your description.Then they see an episode title that's intriguing (we'll get to that in a moment). And they decide to click through to read the description of the episode.THIS section is what they see when they do that. It needs to be compelling, interesting, and informative - in as few words as possible.Start out with something catchy, something that introduces the topic or guest in an appealing way to the reader.Make it short and to the point. Imagine each sentence tying into the next to lead the reader along.Some folks include bios here but I find bios to be too boring and too hard to read. I tend to scan them and I think most internet readers do the same. So don't waste your time with long, all-inclusive bios. If you want to include them, do it later in a "guest" section of your notes.<ul><li>Time-stamped bullet point outline of content (OPTIONAL but describe use as CLICKABLE)</li></ul>To be honest, this section is optional — but I always include it if I can. Why?Because it enables your reader (who tends to scan things) to easily see the main topics and issues covered in the audio. It's like bait, tempting them to listen.And I include this in the media host (podcast players) because in most podcast players, the timestamps are clickable... meaning the person taps on them and the audio begins playing at that point in the episode.<ul><li>Resource section (links to things &amp; people mentioned)</li></ul>This is where you provide links to resources you or your guest mention in the episode recording.I don't include things like Google or Youtube because everyone knows about them and how to find them.But I do include links to apps or software programs, online courses, people, books, and a variety of other things.If you decide to link to resources that are affiliate relationships (you get paid if people buy using your link) then do the right thing and disclose that it's an affiliate relationship.<ul><li>Contact info for guests</li></ul>Include information about how your listeners can contact your guests. You can either include all social, websites, etc. - OR - you can ask the guest their preferred means of communication with listeners.If your guest has written books or has an offer for your listeners, provide that link here as well (and refer to it being in the show notes for the episode, so listeners can go get it)<ul><li>Contact info for you</li></ul>Podcast listeners build a one-sided relationship with you, the host of their favorite podcast. So make it easy for them to connect with you.Include your preferred ways of being contacted... and perhaps even put it near the top of the post in your media host account (apps) so listeners can find it easily.EVERYTHING TO THIS POINT IS WHAT I'D INCLUDE IN YOUR MEDIA HOST ACCOUNT - BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE APPS WILL GET THEIR DESCRIPTIONS FROM.But for your website blog post, I'd add additional information...<ul><li>Keyword conscious content of 500 words or more (SEO)</li></ul>If you want the blog post that accompanies your episodes to have any chance at all in getting Google's attention when people search for key phrases related to your episodes, you'll need more content on the page.Google recommends 500 to 600 words minimum, so that's what we aim for AS a minimum.It's going to include everything I've mentioned so far, so you're only going to need 2 to 3 more paragraphs of content to fill out the blog post.This is where I place those paragraphs.I'll include a catchy H2 level header, then write a brief paragraph or two about the topic mentioned in that header.Make it informative, helpful, and true to the audio content. (NO CLICK BAIT)Then I'll write a couple more headers and paragraphs following the same pattern.TIP:The bullet points you've already created will probably give you great ideas for good headers and the content to follow.<ul><li>Images with proper titles and tags for your keywords (Canva, Snappa, Stencil, Easil)</li></ul>For website posts, images are always optional. But if you're posting for the sake of SEO (which you should be) then you need to have images.Google says the more "media-rich" your page is, the more likely it is to rank when people search for the topics covered on that page.Images help you tick that box.There are lots of free tools out there to help you create attractive images that highlight your content and promote your brand or your guest.When you use images, be sure the title of the image includes keywords you hope to rank for... and fill out the image "alt" tag with a keyword-focused description for those who are visually impaired.And don't put the same title and alt tag on every image you use on the page. Title them in relationship to what the images are.<h2>Repurpose your master document even further</h2>Not only are you going to use the top section I described in your media host description to feed the apps (summary paragraph, bullet-point outline, contact info for you and the guest, and resources), you're also going to use the content for social media.Headers and bullet-point outlines can make great tweets, if you reformat them slightly to be intriguing and appealing to Twitter users.Don't forget to include relevant hashtags (but don't overdo it)Your blog post paragraphs can make great social media posts — again, with some reworking and proper hashtag use.And don't forget to include a link with your social media posts - to your podcast episode blog page (my recommendation)<h2>Resources Mentioned</h2><ul><li><a href="https://podnews.net/update/consistent-episode-notes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Podnews article</a> about Show Notes now displaying consistently</li><li><a href="https://www.canva.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canva</a> - graphics creation program</li><li><a href="https://snappa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snappa</a> - graphics creation program</li><li><a href="https://getstencil.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stencil</a> - graphics creation program</li><li><a href="https://about.easil.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Easil</a> - graphics creation program</li><li>Previous episodes of Podcastification about show notes:</li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/20</a></li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/21</a></li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/22</a></li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/23" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/23</a></li></ul><h2>Contact Carey</h2><a href="https://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://PodcastFastTrack.com</a>

157: Podcast Show Notes Best Practices and Strategy

Maria Failla

If you feel you don't know enough about the topics you want to podcast about, you are in good companyMaria Failla began her podcast, Bloom &amp; Grow Radio because she DIDN'T know enough about how to care for her plants and saw it as a great opportunity to talk to experts who did. And by the way, isn't that a GREAT name for a podcast? It comes from a line in Maria's favorite song from the musical, "The Sound of Music" - Edelweiss.I was eager to talk with Maria about her journey because as a client, I've seen her go from almost no audience to an amazing following and enthusiastic membership community that's quite astounding. The lessons she's learned are ones any podcaster can benefit from, especially if you're looking to serve your audience in bigger ways, build relationships with sponsors that benefit them long-term, and therefore, fuel your podcast, AND make your podcast a full-time living kind of thing eventually.All of that is true of Maria and it just might be possible for you too. Give her a chance to convince you of what's possible!What you'll learn from Maria's story[2:32] Maria's monetization story: Where she's at now[4:32] Niche podcast ad sales | speaking opportunities | membership community[7:18] The wandering path: Why Maria thought 10 episodes would be it for her show[11:10] The first steps of monetization Maria started taking[14:35] How to leverage the power of the fact that you are your target listener[19:36] How to move affiliate relationships to sponsor partnerships🚨 Set up a MEMBERSHIP for your podcastIn this episode, I mentioned that I have a very successful membership once your podcast is rolling. You'll hear Maria speak about how she's doing that if you listen (you ARE going to listen, right?).I use a platform called Supercast, which I describe at the midpoint of this conversation. HERE IS MY AFFILIATE LINK to Supercast... and remember, if you use my link to sign up for Supercast, I'll send you my "Supercast Walkthrough" video to help you get it set up and get started.And to see how Supercast works, here is the link I share with my podcast listers that provides more information about my podcast partnership (what I call it instead of a "membership"): https://CareyGreen.com/partners[27:17] The membership Maria has created sounds amazing... she shares how you can build one too![33:06] Premium tiers are coming to Maria's membership... here's how she's setting it up[36:01] How Maria's self-doubt and ignorance led her to a vulnerable approach to her topics (that has been SUPER successful)[38:10] Getting past the fear of asking people for money to support what you're doing[42:01] Being friends with your sponsors removes the tension from the financial relationship and makes things more fun[44:51] Why "Bespoke" podcast ads are THE WAY TO GO with your sponsor relationships (it's a game-changer for you and your sponsor)If you're not an expert in your niche, that may be an IDEAL reason to start a podcastMaria says that she never expected her podcast to get past 10 episodes. There were a handful of reasons for that but the main one was that she thought she would probably run out of questions and guests by then. But as she got into things, it became clear to her that not only did she have more and more questions as she went along, but the audience was benefitting greatly from the content she was producing.That led her to one of the key insights that have served her well throughout her podcasting journey...Keep the audience in mind always. Serve them. Learn what they need and give it to them.When I heard Maria say that, it ran so many bells in my head (I hear bells often). She's onto something that most of my successful clients have discovered as well. As a podcaster, you truly SHOULD BE IN IT FOR YOUR AUDIENCE first, and yourself secondarily.Maria's novice status resonated with her audience and her journey became their journey. She discovered that she was her ideal target listener and that revelation helped her to serve them even better.Affiliate sales may be the first place to start — but you have to do it rightAt the beginning, Maria had no ambition to monetize her show, but the monthly expenses of producing her show and providing resources to her listeners, though small, added up over time. So her first goal was to earn enough money from the show to cover the expenses. It wasn't much, but it was enough that she was motivated.Her first monetization attempt, which continues in various forms to this day, was through Affiliate relationships. In short, it means you refer people to products and get paid by the people behind the product for doing so. It's a referral fee, in essence. But she also learned that there are right ways and wrong ways to promote as an affiliate.THE WRONG WAY TO PROMOTE AFFILIATE PRODUCTS:Promote anything that can make you money... and the bigger the payout percentage the better.Why is this the wrong way to go about affiliate partnerships? Because it violates the principle Maria learned at the beginning, it isn't keeping your audience in mind. Remember, your audience listens to your show because they are interested in the TOPICS you cover. Your ideal affiliate products will connect to that reality in some way.Hawking anything that makes you money communicates loud and clear to your audience that they are a commodity you're willing to take advantage of, not people you truly care about.Don't make that mistake if you're going to promote affiliate products.THE RIGHT WAY TO PROMOTE AFFILIATE PRODUCTSIn light of what I said in the previous point, find items or services you can believe in and genuinely recommend to your audience. This means you should find a way to try them out. From early on, Maria chose the products she would recommend to her audience from her own experience. She looked around her apartment and asked herself a key question, "Which things do I use regularly that I absolutely love?" THOSE were the things she chose to associate with as an affiliate.She was also careful to promote those products in a way that didn't feel gross to her. She wanted to be enthusiastic about the products, not pushy, so she refused to use canned scripts provided by affiliates (or sponsors). She wrote them herself to maintain her own voice and excitement about the item or service.Listen to hear how she crafts "Bespoke" endorsements to this day, with the help of your sponsors (who she appropriately refers to as "partners").How to move your affiliate relationships to true sponsorshipsThe products and services Maria promoted through affiliate relationships were the natural first option when it came to starting official sponsorships. She discovered that the track record she had with affiliate partners enabled her to build on the effectiveness of her promotions to pitch them sponsorship opportunities.At first, she had to work out the kinks regarding how to pitch them and what they were most interested in. But in the end, the fact that they both wanted the same thing (to help her audience through the products the affiliate had to provide) enabled them to come to terms and begin working at a bigger, more effective level.Maria's lessons-learned are too varied and detailed for me to cover adequately here, so make sure you listen to hear how she made this transition, and the kinds of approaches she takes today to ensure her sponsors stay with her over the long haul (THIS PART is pure GOLD, don't miss it).The benefits of true sponsor RELATIONSHIPS (as friends, not just business associates)True product or service sponsorships are based on a trusting relationship. The sponsor has to know that you are as enthusiastic about their success as they are — and both of you need to be committed to driving that success for each other's benefit. One example from Maria's story that I thought was amazing is that her sponsors will sometimes call her up to ask about new products they are creating, new marketing plans they are considering, and she's more than eager to help. She knows that the more she can help them, the more their products will help her listeners and the more beneficial that will be to everyone (her included).Maria's sponsors have grown WITH her through the life cycle of her podcast. They have seen the ups and downs and since they've been along for the ride, they are committed to her success.Why?First, because they like her and enjoy working with her. But additionally, because she makes them money and drives their success forward. There's a legitimate REASON Maria refers to her sponsors as "Partners" — because that's exactly what they are!I could tell you so much more about Maria's endeavors... the Membership community she's launched, the upcoming high-tier products and membership that she's working on, and the motivation behind it all. But rather than typing it all out, you should hear it in her own voice. Click "play" and hear it in her own words.Connect with Maria Failla (Bloom &amp; Grow)Maria's show: Bloom &amp; Grow Radio (listen to a recent episode to hear how Maria does her ad spots)Maria on Instagram: @BloomandGrowMaria's "Plant Parent Personality" assessment (DO IT if you're into plants - or want to be)Maria's YouTube channelMaria's "Garden Party &amp; Garden Society" membership communityResources &amp; people Maria mentionedPat FlynnJohn Lee Dumas' "Free Podcast Course" podcastPat Flynn's marketing course"What's your ideal avatar" episode from John Lee DumasPatreon - Maria has used and still uses this platformMighty Networks (Maria uses this for her Membership community)Survey Monkey (Maria uses this for annual listener surveys)SolTech Solutions (one of Maria's show sponsors)

<h1>If you feel you don't know enough about the topics you want to podcast about, you are in good company</h1>Maria Failla began her podcast, Bloom &amp; Grow Radio because she DIDN'T know enough about how to care for her plants and saw it as a great opportunity to talk to experts who did. And by the way, isn't that a GREAT name for a podcast? It comes from a line in Maria's favorite song from the musical, "The Sound of Music" - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bL2BCiFkTk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edelweiss</a>.I was eager to talk with Maria about her journey because as a client, I've seen her go from almost no audience to an amazing following and enthusiastic membership community that's quite astounding. The lessons she's learned are ones any podcaster can benefit from, especially if you're looking to serve your audience in bigger ways, build relationships with sponsors that benefit them long-term, and therefore, fuel your podcast, AND make your podcast a full-time living kind of thing eventually.All of that is true of Maria and it just might be possible for you too. Give her a chance to convince you of what's possible!<h2>What you'll learn from Maria's story</h2><ul><li>[2:32] Maria's monetization story: Where she's at now</li><li>[4:32] Niche podcast ad sales | speaking opportunities | membership community</li><li>[7:18] The wandering path: Why Maria thought 10 episodes would be it for her show</li><li>[11:10] The first steps of monetization Maria started taking</li><li>[14:35] How to leverage the power of the fact that you are your target listener</li><li>[19:36] How to move affiliate relationships to sponsor partnerships</li></ul>🚨 Set up a MEMBERSHIP for your podcastIn this episode, I mentioned that I have a very successful membership once your podcast is rolling. You'll hear Maria speak about how she's doing that if you listen (you ARE going to listen, right?).I use a platform called Supercast, which I describe at the midpoint of this conversation. <a href="https://PodcastFastTrack.com/supercast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE IS MY AFFILIATE LINK</a> to Supercast... and remember, if you use my link to sign up for Supercast, I'll send you my "Supercast Walkthrough" video to help you get it set up and get started.And to see how Supercast works, here is the link I share with my podcast listers that provides more information about my podcast partnership (what I call it instead of a "membership"): <a href="https://CareyGreen.com/partners" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://CareyGreen.com/partners</a><ul><li>[27:17] The membership Maria has created sounds amazing... she shares how you can build one too!</li><li>[33:06] Premium tiers are coming to Maria's membership... here's how she's setting it up</li><li>[36:01] How Maria's self-doubt and ignorance led her to a vulnerable approach to her topics (that has been SUPER successful)</li><li>[38:10] Getting past the fear of asking people for money to support what you're doing</li><li>[42:01] Being friends with your sponsors removes the tension from the financial relationship and makes things more fun</li><li>[44:51] Why "Bespoke" podcast ads are THE WAY TO GO with your sponsor relationships (it's a game-changer for you and your sponsor)</li></ul><h2>If you're not an expert in your niche, that may be an IDEAL reason to start a podcast</h2><ul><li>Maria says that she never expected her podcast to get past 10 episodes. There were a handful of reasons for that but the main one was that she thought she would probably run out of questions and guests by then. But as she got into things, it became clear to her that not only did she have more and more questions as she went along, but the audience was benefitting greatly from the content she was producing.</li><li>That led her to one of the key insights that have served her well throughout her podcasting journey...</li></ul><blockquote>Keep the audience in mind always. Serve them. Learn what they need and give it to them.</blockquote><ul><li>When I heard Maria say that, it ran so many bells in my head (I hear bells often). She's onto something that most of my successful clients have discovered as well. As a podcaster, you truly SHOULD BE IN IT FOR YOUR AUDIENCE first, and yourself secondarily.</li><li>Maria's novice status resonated with her audience and her journey became their journey. She discovered that she was her ideal target listener and that revelation helped her to serve them even better.</li></ul><h2>Affiliate sales may be the first place to start — but you have to do it right</h2><ul><li>At the beginning, Maria had no ambition to monetize her show, but the monthly expenses of producing her show and providing resources to her listeners, though small, added up over time. So her first goal was to earn enough money from the show to cover the expenses. It wasn't much, but it was enough that she was motivated.</li><li>Her first monetization attempt, which continues in various forms to this day, was through Affiliate relationships. In short, it means you refer people to products and get paid by the people behind the product for doing so. It's a referral fee, in essence. But she also learned that there are right ways and wrong ways to promote as an affiliate.</li></ul><h3>THE WRONG WAY TO PROMOTE AFFILIATE PRODUCTS:</h3><ul><li>Promote anything that can make you money... and the bigger the payout percentage the better.</li><li>Why is this the wrong way to go about affiliate partnerships? Because it violates the principle Maria learned at the beginning, it isn't keeping your audience in mind. Remember, your audience listens to your show because they are interested in the TOPICS you cover. Your ideal affiliate products will connect to that reality in some way.</li><li>Hawking anything that makes you money communicates loud and clear to your audience that they are a commodity you're willing to take advantage of, not people you truly care about.</li><li>Don't make that mistake if you're going to promote affiliate products.</li></ul><h3>THE RIGHT WAY TO PROMOTE AFFILIATE PRODUCTS</h3><ul><li>In light of what I said in the previous point, find items or services you can believe in and genuinely recommend to your audience. This means you should find a way to try them out. From early on, Maria chose the products she would recommend to her audience from her own experience. She looked around her apartment and asked herself a key question, "Which things do I use regularly that I absolutely love?" THOSE were the things she chose to associate with as an affiliate.</li><li>She was also careful to promote those products in a way that didn't feel gross to her. She wanted to be enthusiastic about the products, not pushy, so she refused to use canned scripts provided by affiliates (or sponsors). She wrote them herself to maintain her own voice and excitement about the item or service.</li><li>Listen to hear how she crafts "Bespoke" endorsements to this day, with the help of your sponsors (who she appropriately refers to as "partners").</li></ul><h2>How to move your affiliate relationships to true sponsorships</h2><ul><li>The products and services Maria promoted through affiliate relationships were the natural first option when it came to starting official sponsorships. She discovered that the track record she had with affiliate partners enabled her to build on the effectiveness of her promotions to pitch them sponsorship opportunities.</li><li>At first, she had to work out the kinks regarding how to pitch them and what they were most interested in. But in the end, the fact that they both wanted the same thing (to help her audience through the products the affiliate had to provide) enabled them to come to terms and begin working at a bigger, more effective level.</li><li>Maria's lessons-learned are too varied and detailed for me to cover adequately here, so make sure you listen to hear how she made this transition, and the kinds of approaches she takes today to ensure her sponsors stay with her over the long haul (THIS PART is pure GOLD, don't miss it).</li></ul><h2>The benefits of true sponsor RELATIONSHIPS (as friends, not just business associates)</h2><ul><li>True product or service sponsorships are based on a trusting relationship. The sponsor has to know that you are as enthusiastic about their success as they are — and both of you need to be committed to driving that success for each other's benefit. One example from Maria's story that I thought was amazing is that her sponsors will sometimes call her up to ask about new products they are creating, new marketing plans they are considering, and she's more than eager to help. She knows that the more she can help them, the more their products will help her listeners and the more beneficial that will be to everyone (her included).</li><li>Maria's sponsors have grown WITH her through the life cycle of her podcast. They have seen the ups and downs and since they've been along for the ride, they are committed to her success.</li><li>Why?</li><li>First, because they like her and enjoy working with her. But additionally, because she makes them money and drives their success forward. There's a legitimate REASON Maria refers to her sponsors as "Partners" — because that's exactly what they are!</li><li>I could tell you so much more about Maria's endeavors... the Membership community she's launched, the upcoming high-tier products and membership that she's working on, and the motivation behind it all. But rather than typing it all out, you should hear it in her own voice. Click "play" and hear it in her own words.</li></ul><h2>Connect with Maria Failla (Bloom &amp; Grow)</h2><ul><li>Maria's show: <a href="https://bloomandgrowradio.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloom &amp; Grow Radio</a> (listen to a recent episode to hear how Maria does her ad spots)</li><li>Maria on Instagram: @BloomandGrow</li><li>Maria's "<a href="https://bloomandgrowradio.com/personality" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plant Parent Personality</a>" assessment (DO IT if you're into plants - or want to be)</li><li>Maria's <a href="https://bloomandgrowradio.com/youtube" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a></li><li>Maria's "<a href="https://bloomandgrowradio.com/community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Garden Party &amp; Garden Society</a>" membership community</li></ul><h2>Resources &amp; people Maria mentioned</h2><ul><li><a href="https://patflynn.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pat Flynn</a></li><li>John Lee Dumas' <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/free-podcast-course-with-john-lee-dumas/id947671706" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Free Podcast Course" podcast</a></li><li>Pat Flynn's <a href="https://courses.smartpassiveincome.com/p/email-marketing-magic-bootcamp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">marketing course</a></li><li>"<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-find-your-perfect-listener/id947671706?i=1000326755280" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What's your ideal avatar</a>" episode from John Lee Dumas</li><li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a> - Maria has used and still uses this platform</li><li>Mighty Networks (Maria uses this for her Membership community)</li><li>Survey Monkey (Maria uses this for annual listener surveys)</li><li><a href="https://www.soltechsolutions.com/product/aspect-plant-light/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SolTech Solutions</a> (one of Maria's show sponsors)</li></ul>

156: How to monetize a hobby with Maria Failla

Subscribe Is Gone (on Apple only, so far)Podcast tech is changing all the time, so we shouldn't be surprised when Apple makes a change (unannounced, as is often the case).What's the latest change?Apple's newest version of the iOS app (14.5 update) is now MISSING the "Subscribe" button. It also has no "Follow" button (which we've previously thought was coming).What users will see now when they click into a podcast they are considering is a button that says "Latest Episode."When they click that button......what happens? It plays the LAST 60 SECONDS of your most recent episode.Did you get that?Your MOST RECENT episode is going to be the Costco Sample for potential listeners. That's a big deal.It's easier for listeners to check out your show than ever before... but Apple is DICTATING how they do that... through the most recent episode.So you should consider if what you're doing during that first 60 seconds is...compellingintriguingentertaininginterestingprovocativealluringhelpfulIf it's not, this is a good time to make a change.What kind of change might you make?START WITH A TEASERMy episode this time started with what I'd call a "teaser." It's a creative way of introducing the topic.You can do this like I did, with unique or interesting music underneath.You could add a quote or clip from your guest that highlights the most interesting or compelling aspects of what they had to share.You could tell a story from your experience that illustrates the topic of your episode in an engaging way.There are so many ways to do it.What should NOT be in the first 60 seconds?ADS GO SOMEPLACE ELSEAdvertisements or sponsor spots should NOT be in the first 60 seconds of your episodes from now on.Think about it...If YOU were a new-podcast-searcher and found a show you thought might be interesting... and you clicked that "Latest Podcast" button... and you hear an...ADVERTISEMENT for the first 60 seconds...what would YOU think?What would you do?What would you wonder about that podcast and its creator?Long, boring, canned intros should be movedYou may feel you still need the canned intro you've been using. You know, the radio-announcer-gal who says the same blah-blah-blah at the beginning of every one of your episodes.That's OK... but don't put it within that first 60 seconds.You want to use that 60 seconds of audio real estate to its fullest potential.Give value.Hook your listeners.Build interest.Promise something.Make them WANT to keep listening.I don't think I've ever heard a canned intro that has made me WANT to keep listening.Have you?Stay tuned... this is likely not over!Apple is well-known for making unannounced changes like this, and then tweaking the change for weeks, months, sometimes years.So keep your eyes open. This feature is likely not going to stay exactly like it is.I'll do my best to keep you informed.

<h1>Subscribe Is Gone (on Apple only, so far)</h1>Podcast tech is changing all the time, so we shouldn't be surprised when Apple makes a change (unannounced, as is often the case).What's the latest change?Apple's newest version of the iOS app (14.5 update) is now MISSING the "Subscribe" button. It also has no "Follow" button (which we've previously thought was coming).What users will see now when they click into a podcast they are considering is a button that says "Latest Episode."<h2>When they click that button...</h2>...what happens? It plays the LAST 60 SECONDS of your most recent episode.Did you get that?Your MOST RECENT episode is going to be the Costco Sample for potential listeners. That's a big deal.It's easier for listeners to check out your show than ever before... but Apple is DICTATING how they do that... through the most recent episode.So you should consider if what you're doing during that first 60 seconds is...<ul><li>compelling</li><li>intriguing</li><li>entertaining</li><li>interesting</li><li>provocative</li><li>alluring</li><li>helpful</li></ul>If it's not, this is a good time to make a change.What kind of change might you make?START WITH A TEASERMy episode this time started with what I'd call a "teaser." It's a creative way of introducing the topic.You can do this like I did, with unique or interesting music underneath.You could add a quote or clip from your guest that highlights the most interesting or compelling aspects of what they had to share.You could tell a story from your experience that illustrates the topic of your episode in an engaging way.There are so many ways to do it.<h2>What should NOT be in the first 60 seconds?</h2><h3>ADS GO SOMEPLACE ELSE</h3>Advertisements or sponsor spots should NOT be in the first 60 seconds of your episodes from now on.Think about it...If YOU were a new-podcast-searcher and found a show you thought might be interesting... and you clicked that "Latest Podcast" button... and you hear an...ADVERTISEMENT for the first 60 seconds...what would YOU think?What would you do?What would you wonder about that podcast and its creator?<h3>Long, boring, canned intros should be moved</h3>You may feel you still need the canned intro you've been using. You know, the radio-announcer-gal who says the same blah-blah-blah at the beginning of every one of your episodes.That's OK... but don't put it within that first 60 seconds.You want to use that 60 seconds of audio real estate to its fullest potential.Give value.Hook your listeners.Build interest.Promise something.Make them WANT to keep listening.I don't think I've ever heard a canned intro that has made me WANT to keep listening.Have you?<h2>Stay tuned... this is likely not over!</h2>Apple is well-known for making unannounced changes like this, and then tweaking the change for weeks, months, sometimes years.So keep your eyes open. This feature is likely not going to stay exactly like it is.I'll do my best to keep you informed.

155: Subscribe Is Gone (Apple only, so far)

Glenn Hebert

Glenn Hebert... is one of those guys who saw the value and power of podcasting early on. His "Horse Radio Network" has been in the podcasting game for a long, long time as a result.I wanted to chat with Glenn about monetization because he's done it well — he and his wife both work full-time for their little media company and have recurring sponsorships for their shows that are long-standing.How does that kind of thing happen? That's what I wanted to know.Glenn is quick to point out that his audience (horse owners) are an obsessive bunch (his words). They are eager and willing to spend lots of money on their horse hobby, so he's got a bit of a built-in "buyer's market" in his niche.But the principles he shares are applicable just the same.Listen to this episode to hear the story of how the HRN came about, how Glenn started monetizing, what the income is like now, and how he recommends you go about doing the same thing in your niche.

<h2>Glenn Hebert...</h2> is one of those guys who saw the value and power of podcasting early on. His "<a href="https://www.horseradionetwork.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Horse Radio Network</a>" has been in the podcasting game for a long, long time as a result.I wanted to chat with Glenn about monetization because he's done it well — he and his wife both work full-time for their little media company and have recurring sponsorships for their shows that are long-standing.<h2>How does that kind of thing happen? That's what I wanted to know.</h2>Glenn is quick to point out that his audience (horse owners) are an obsessive bunch (his words). They are eager and willing to spend lots of money on their horse hobby, so he's got a bit of a built-in "buyer's market" in his niche.But the principles he shares are applicable just the same.Listen to this episode to hear the story of how the HRN came about, how Glenn started monetizing, what the income is like now, and how he recommends you go about doing the same thing in your niche.

154: Sponsorships for Niche Podcasts, with Glenn Hebert

Podcastificating the world, one listener at a time.A fun look at podcasting, its challenges and triumphs, and the tech, tips &amp; tricks, and strategies that impact the world of everyday podcasters like you and me. I'm a regular guy who's been swept up in the podcastificating world of podcasting. I've build a business to support podcasters and content providers and love passing along my hard-learned lessons about podcasting, production, and editing, as well as my take on the technology that's available and the news that's affecting the podcasting space. Short episodes. Fun episodes. Very sparsely populated with interviews here and there. Let me know what you think. I'd love your rating and review. And if you need help with your podcast production, show notes, etc. - my team is here to help. www.PodcastFastTrack.com

I just discovered this podcast via LinkIn and Im currently binge-listening to the whole catalogue. 
So much great information! 
Ive been in podcasting since 2011 and Im still gaining new information from these episodes.
I encourage anyone starting a pod or who wants to improve a podcast they are already producing. 

#FilterFreeAmerikaPodcastApproved

This Podcast is a GREAT resource for Podcasters!

I really like this show.  Great ideas and inspiration for optimizing your own podcast.

Great support for Podcasters!

Podcastificating the world, one listener at a time.A fun look at podcasting, its challenges and triumphs, and the tech, tips &amp; tricks, and strategies that impact the world of everyday podcasters like you and me. I'm a regular guy who's been swept up in the podcastificating world of podcasting. I've build a business to support podcasters and content providers and love passing along my hard-learned lessons about podcasting, production, and editing, as well as my take on the technology that's available and the news that's affecting the podcasting space. Short episodes. Fun episodes. Very sparsely populated with interviews here and there. Let me know what you think. I'd love your rating and review. And if you need help with your podcast production, show notes, etc. - my team is here to help. <a href="http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.PodcastFastTrack.com</a>

Podcastification - podcasting tips, podcast tricks, how to podcast better

Mark Hills

http://www.PodcastFastTrack.comInterviews, interviews, interviews. I don’t know the stats but I bet a vast majority of podcasts out there are interview-format shows. And it seems like a trouble-free solution for recording long-distance conversations - which is what most interviewers have to resort to - has not been created yet. But...I think we’re getting closer to a great way to record interviews.On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to a new friend, Mark Hills. He and his co-creator (also named Marc) hail from the UK and come from a radio industry background. In their minds, for live radio, connections simply have to work - and they’ve been working on an internet-based solution for both broadcasting high-quality audio from remote locations, AND recording it.Here’s where this radio industry solution becomes of GREAT interest to us podcasters.I invite you to join Mark and me as we chat about the tool they’ve created - Cleanfeed. It’s still in beta but looks very promising.But more important than hearing our banter - which gets into the details of how Cleanfeed works to record high-quality audio - you need to actually HEAR this episode because we recorded it using Cleanfeed.Mark was using a laptop with an XLR microphone and an audio interface that was plugged into his computer. I used a USB microphone, directly into my computer. Sound familiar? It should because those are two of the most common ways podcasters connect to their computers for EXACTLY this kind of use.I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of audio Cleanfeed provides and the possibilities it affords for podcasting. But be warned - it IS still in beta and has glitches now and then. But Mark and Marc are working on them continually.And the best part is that Mark has committed to always have a fairly full-featured version of Cleanfeed available for FREE. Yes, free.Have I got your attention? OK - it’s time to listen!Here’s a rough outline of TOPIC OR GUEST…[2:56] What is Cleanfeed?[4:39] How a broadcast radio background led to the creation of Cleanfeed.[15:59] Cleanfeed is now in beta stage. What are the plans for the software?[21:12] What the Cleanfeed interface looks like and how it works.resources we talked about in this episodewww.Cleanfeed.netThe Cleanfeed blog - http://blog.cleanfeed.net/SkypeRinger (affiliate)Source ConnectZencastrConnect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to Podcastification Here! 

<a href="http://www.podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com</a>Interviews, interviews, interviews. I don’t know the stats but I bet a vast majority of podcasts out there are interview-format shows. And it seems like a trouble-free solution for recording long-distance conversations - which is what most interviewers have to resort to - has not been created yet. But...<h2>I think we’re getting closer to a great way to record interviews.</h2> On this episode, I’m going to introduce you to a new friend, Mark Hills. He and his co-creator (also named Marc) hail from the UK and come from a radio industry background. In their minds, for live radio, connections simply have to work - and they’ve been working on an internet-based solution for both broadcasting high-quality audio from remote locations, AND recording it. <h2>Here’s where this radio industry solution becomes of GREAT interest to us podcasters.</h2> I invite you to join Mark and me as we chat about the tool they’ve created - Cleanfeed. It’s still in beta but looks very promising.But more important than hearing our banter - which gets into the details of how Cleanfeed works to record high-quality audio - you need to actually HEAR this episode because we recorded it using Cleanfeed.Mark was using a laptop with an XLR microphone and an audio interface that was plugged into his computer. I used a USB microphone, directly into my computer. Sound familiar? It should because those are two of the most common ways podcasters connect to their computers for EXACTLY this kind of use.I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of audio Cleanfeed provides and the possibilities it affords for podcasting. But be warned - it IS still in beta and has glitches now and then. But Mark and Marc are working on them continually.And the best part is that Mark has committed to always have a fairly full-featured version of Cleanfeed available for FREE. Yes, free.Have I got your attention? OK - it’s time to listen! <h2>Here’s a rough outline of TOPIC OR GUEST…</h2> <ul><li>[2:56] What is Cleanfeed?</li><li>[4:39] How a broadcast radio background led to the creation of Cleanfeed.</li><li>[15:59] Cleanfeed is now in beta stage. What are the plans for the software?</li><li>[21:12] What the Cleanfeed interface looks like and how it works.</li></ul> <h1>resources we talked about in this episode</h1> <ul><li><a href="http://www.CleanFeed.net" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.Cleanfeed.net</a></li><li>The Cleanfeed blog - <a href="http://blog.cleanfeed.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://blog.cleanfeed.net/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.skype.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Skype</a></li><li><a href="http://ringr.com/pft" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Ringer</a> (affiliate)</li><li><a href="https://now.source-elements.com/#!/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Source Connect</a></li><li><a href="https://zencastr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Zencastr</a></li></ul> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here! </a>

69: In Search of the Best Way to Record an Interview, with Mark Hills of Cleanfeed

http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/AlwaysDoThisToday I'm going to tell you to do something every single time you publish a podcast episode that I have NOT always done.That's part of the force behind why I think this is so important.If I don't always do it, I'm pretty sure you don't either...and it's a powerful way you can help your audience share your episode with people in their circles.1 thing you should ALWAYS do on your #podcast episodesAre you curious? You should be... this is good stuff.I'll give you a little hint...It has to do with podcast apps.You may not know it even exists.It has the potential to get your show "out there" where people can find it.Want to know more? Listen in...And THANKS for listening... I'd love to hear your comments below.Subscribe to Podcastification Here!

<a href="http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/AlwaysDoThis" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/AlwaysDoThis</a><h1>Today I'm going to tell you to do something every single time you publish a podcast episode that I have NOT always done.</h1>That's part of the force behind why I think this is so important.If I don't always do it, I'm pretty sure you don't either...and it's a powerful way you can help your audience share your episode with people in their circles.1 thing you should ALWAYS do on your #podcast episodes<h2>Are you curious? You should be... this is good stuff.</h2> I'll give you a little hint...<ul><li>It has to do with podcast apps.</li><li>You may not know it even exists.</li><li>It has the potential to get your show "out there" where people can find it.</li></ul> Want to know more? Listen in...<h3>And THANKS for listening... I'd love to hear your comments below.</h3> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

31: 1 thing you should ALWAYS mention on your podcast episodes

http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com One of the reasons we do interviews at all is because we want the value a great conversation can bring to our show. But there’s both an art and a skill to pulling it off. I’ve learned - through a lot of mistakes and by watching others - that there are some very practical things you can do in order to turn the odds of having great conversations with your guests in your favor. That’s what this episode of Podcastification is all about - my lessons-learned.[2:21] Why you need to show up on time and get off on the right foot.There is never a second-chance to make a first impression - so you want to be sure you NAIL things when you first connect with your guest in person. That means being professional and respecting their time by showing up on time when you said you would. But that’s just one piece of making your conversation truly great. And you’re in luck - I’m going to walk you through those issues, as I see them, on this episode.[4:02 ] Pre-recording small-talk. It’s a valuable thing.I’ve been on a number of podcasts myself as a guest and I’m often surprised at how LITTLE small-talk goes on before some of those conversations. The host doesn’t take time to truly get to know me, understand what’s important to me, or find out how they can best highlight what I’ve got to share in order to be of the greatest value to their audience. I prefer to go another way. In this episode, I’m walking you through what I try to do with each guest to make for great conversations that my audience actually enjoys listening to. I hope you take the time to listen.[6:27] My pre-recording checklist - and why I go through it WITH my guest.If you don’t have a pre-recording checklist that you use every single time you do a podcast interview, you are probably making the same minor mistakes over and over again. I’ve learned that I can’t trust my brain to remember everything, every time - so I have created a checklist for myself to ensure that the important stuff is not overlooked. So… if you want to hear what I include on my checklist, I’m happy to share it - and I do on this episode.[16:25] Once you hit the “record” button - don’t start your conversation just yet.I know you’re eager to get started with that great conversation with your ideal guest - but once you hit the record button, don’t launch into your interview questions just yet. There are a few very small but very key things you need to do to ensure that your conversation actually makes it on-air in the way you are envisioning. It’s part of what makes great conversations as impactful as they can be, so don’t miss this important step![18:12] How to have great conversations with your guests? Focus on the emotion.I’m not a particularly emotional guy, but as I’ve become a bit older and have grown in my relationships I’ve discovered that everybody speaks the language of emotion. And the more I can get my podcast guests to share on that level the more it impacts my audience and the more it makes for a great conversation with them. On this episode I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned when it comes to sharing on an emotional level and how I, as the podcast host, can get my guests to share on more of an emotional level as well. If you can learn this one - you’ll be on your way to great conversations that you can feature on your podcast.Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification Here!

<a href="http://www.podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com</a> One of the reasons we do interviews at all is because we want the value a great conversation can bring to our show. But there’s both an art and a skill to pulling it off. I’ve learned - through a lot of mistakes and by watching others - that there are some very practical things you can do in order to turn the odds of having great conversations with your guests in your favor. That’s what this episode of Podcastification is all about - my lessons-learned.<h2>[2:21] Why you need to show up on time and get off on the right foot.</h2>There is never a second-chance to make a first impression - so you want to be sure you NAIL things when you first connect with your guest in person. That means being professional and respecting their time by showing up on time when you said you would. But that’s just one piece of making your conversation truly great. And you’re in luck - I’m going to walk you through those issues, as I see them, on this episode. <h2>[4:02 ] Pre-recording small-talk. It’s a valuable thing.</h2> I’ve been on a number of podcasts myself as a guest and I’m often surprised at how LITTLE small-talk goes on before some of those conversations. The host doesn’t take time to truly get to know me, understand what’s important to me, or find out how they can best highlight what I’ve got to share in order to be of the greatest value to their audience. I prefer to go another way. In this episode, I’m walking you through what I try to do with each guest to make for great conversations that my audience actually enjoys listening to. I hope you take the time to listen. <h2>[6:27] My pre-recording checklist - and why I go through it WITH my guest.</h2> If you don’t have a pre-recording checklist that you use every single time you do a podcast interview, you are probably making the same minor mistakes over and over again. I’ve learned that I can’t trust my brain to remember everything, every time - so I have created a checklist for myself to ensure that the important stuff is not overlooked. So… if you want to hear what I include on my checklist, I’m happy to share it - and I do on this episode. <h2>[16:25] Once you hit the “record” button - don’t start your conversation just yet.</h2> I know you’re eager to get started with that great conversation with your ideal guest - but once you hit the record button, don’t launch into your interview questions just yet. There are a few very small but very key things you need to do to ensure that your conversation actually makes it on-air in the way you are envisioning. It’s part of what makes great conversations as impactful as they can be, so don’t miss this important step! <h2>[18:12] How to have great conversations with your guests? Focus on the emotion.</h2> I’m not a particularly emotional guy, but as I’ve become a bit older and have grown in my relationships I’ve discovered that everybody speaks the language of emotion. And the more I can get my podcast guests to share on that level the more it impacts my audience and the more it makes for a great conversation with them. On this episode I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned when it comes to sharing on an emotional level and how I, as the podcast host, can get my guests to share on more of an emotional level as well. If you can learn this one - you’ll be on your way to great conversations that you can feature on your podcast. <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

61: The Art & Skill of Great Conversations With Your Podcast Guests

Rob Greenlee

https://podcastfasttrack.com/ It is hard to stay encouraged in any pursuit in life - simply because discouraging things come up against your efforts. I’ve found podcasting to be that way - IN SPADES! There seem to be so many things - from the rest of life to the technology hurdles - that make it hard to stay consistent and encouraged when it comes to keeping your show alive and the vision you first had for it front and center.That’s why I invited a podcasting veteran to be on the show today. And he’s not just a veteran, he’s like the Grand-Daddy-Grand-Poobah of podcasting. I’m talking about Rob Greenlee - a guy who was doing podcasting before it was podcasting. Seriously, you need to hear his story to see how that was even possible. It’s all on this episode.I want you to stay encouraged, because you have great things to publish on your podcast.On this episode of Podcastification, Rob Greenlee digs into the archives of his past to share some of the most discouraging and difficult things he faced in those early years - and he follows it up with sage advice for those of us who are coming behind him on the podcasting journey. His advice about how to stay encouraged is practical, down to earth, and stuff you can implement right away, so be sure you take the time to hear what he’s got to say. Rob’s track record proves that he truly cares about you being the success we all know you can be!How Microsoft shut down podcasting WAY before Apple came along.One of the most interesting little bits of trivia Rob Greenlee shared on this episode is a little-known fact about podcasting from the history of a mega-company that is not even remotely associated with podcasting today - Microsoft. Listen in to hear how Microsoft had all the technology in place to make podcasting simple and possible for the average person and then made the decision to pull the plug on it entirely. Oops! You’ll get a kick out of it - and learn a lesson or two from Rob along the lines of - where your mindset is, your actions will follow!Outline of this conversation about staying encouraged[2:09] Rob’s experience with podcasting before it was podcasting. Yep.[5:36] How Rob’s passion for marketing led him to podcasting.[10:44] The obstacles and discouragement Rob faced and how he pushed through them.[13:41] How do you carve out the time to produce a quality podcast?[20:20] The things Rob has seen that most commonly sidetrack podcasters.[26:11] Rob’s role at Spreaker - and what Spreaker is.[28:34] Advice for fairly new podcasters to endure the slog.[31:43] How to determine if your podcast is bringing the ROI you want.[34:28] Why podcasting needs to be seen as a marathon, not a sprint.resources we talked about in this episodewww.Spreaker.comwww.blog.Spreaker.comwww.SpreakerLiveShow.comwww.NewMediaShow.comBlubrryConnect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification Here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> It is hard to stay encouraged in any pursuit in life - simply because discouraging things come up against your efforts. I’ve found podcasting to be that way - IN SPADES! There seem to be so many things - from the rest of life to the technology hurdles - that make it hard to stay consistent and encouraged when it comes to keeping your show alive and the vision you first had for it front and center.That’s why I invited a podcasting veteran to be on the show today. And he’s not just a veteran, he’s like the Grand-Daddy-Grand-Poobah of podcasting. I’m talking about Rob Greenlee - a guy who was doing podcasting before it was podcasting. Seriously, you need to hear his story to see how that was even possible. It’s all on this episode.<h2>I want you to stay encouraged, because you have great things to publish on your podcast.</h2>On this episode of Podcastification, Rob Greenlee digs into the archives of his past to share some of the most discouraging and difficult things he faced in those early years - and he follows it up with sage advice for those of us who are coming behind him on the podcasting journey. His advice about how to stay encouraged is practical, down to earth, and stuff you can implement right away, so be sure you take the time to hear what he’s got to say. Rob’s track record proves that he truly cares about you being the success we all know you can be!<h2>How Microsoft shut down podcasting WAY before Apple came along.</h2>One of the most interesting little bits of trivia Rob Greenlee shared on this episode is a little-known fact about podcasting from the history of a mega-company that is not even remotely associated with podcasting today - Microsoft. Listen in to hear how Microsoft had all the technology in place to make podcasting simple and possible for the average person and then made the decision to pull the plug on it entirely. Oops! You’ll get a kick out of it - and learn a lesson or two from Rob along the lines of - where your mindset is, your actions will follow! <h2>Outline of this conversation about staying encouraged</h2> <ul><li>[2:09] Rob’s experience with podcasting before it was podcasting. Yep.</li><li>[5:36] How Rob’s passion for marketing led him to podcasting.</li><li>[10:44] The obstacles and discouragement Rob faced and how he pushed through them.</li><li>[13:41] How do you carve out the time to produce a quality podcast?</li><li>[20:20] The things Rob has seen that most commonly sidetrack podcasters.</li><li>[26:11] Rob’s role at Spreaker - and what Spreaker is.</li><li>[28:34] Advice for fairly new podcasters to endure the slog.</li><li>[31:43] How to determine if your podcast is bringing the ROI you want.</li><li>[34:28] Why podcasting needs to be seen as a marathon, not a sprint.</li></ul> <h1>resources we talked about in this episode</h1> <ul><li><a href="http://www.Spreaker.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.Spreaker.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.blog.Spreaker.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.blog.Spreaker.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.SpreakerLiveShow.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.SpreakerLiveShow.com</a></li><li><a href="http://www.NewMediaShow.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.NewMediaShow.com</a></li><li><a href="https://www.blubrry.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Blubrry</a></li></ul> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

64: How to Stay Encouraged On Your Podcasting Journey, with Rob Greenlee

https://podcastfasttrack.com/How to record interviews over a distance is one of the most frustrating things for many podcasters - and the tech is not quite there yet.But it’s getting better. :)2017 brings a handful of pretty decent options for recording a conversation, many of them with tech that takes out the “distance” part of a distance recording so you get better quality audio every time.I wanted to make it obvious how good the options are as well as answer some of the questions I get on a regular basis about the best way to record an interview.So my client onboarding guy, Aaron and I took a morning to do some recordings of OUR conversations using all the options that I think are legitimate for 2017.So - How to record interviews: 2017 Demo of the Best Options is what you’ll hear on this episode of Podcastification.Here’s a rough outline of this “How to Record Interviews” episode:[1:44] My top 5 recommendations: Zoom - Ringr - Zencastr - Skype - Cleanfeed and our demos of each of these options, demo’d for you.[3:00] Tips for making a good distance recording, no matter which option you chooseZoom Demo[3:46] My experience using Zoom (my description of what I see)[5:26] The recording of Aaron and I speaking and recording to each other via Zoom along with our impressions and observations of the platform[7:16] The “guest” side of a Zoom call - Aaron’s insights and observations[7:50] Zoom’s details, pricing, method of recording, number of participants, etc.Ringr Demo[10:40] The pre-recording setup and login experience for recording an interview on Ringr[11:10] The actual conversation we recorded and how Ringr works (double-ender)[12:08] The “guest” side of the Ringr connection and some of the cool things we seeSkype Demo[14:51] Skype calls must be recorded using a 3rd party app[16:08] The “guest” side of the Skype call - and why Skype is the good-old standby[17:17] Why Skype calls with bad connections are HARD for audio editingZencastr Demo[18:55] Pre-call setup of a Zencastr recording/call[19:49] Zencastr’s chat feature, timeline footnotes, etc.[20:46] Zencastr’s free plan: features, integrations, bells and whistles[21:40] What is happening when you hear a glitch in ZencastrCleanfeed Demo[23:52] Counterintuitive things I feel about Cleanfeed[24:38] The guest and host experiences on Cleanfeed[26:21] Why you need to stay in the platform until things are done uploadingSUMMARY[27:10] Review of platforms and features[29:11] Another option as an “honorable mention” - www.Tryca.st[29:58] OUR RANKINGS OF THE TOP 5 PLATFORMS FOR RECORDING AN INTERVIEW[31:49] Browser-dependent issues some of the platforms will experience from time to timeI’m not only going to tell you how to record an interview, I’m going to demo it for you 5 different ways… with a little helpThis episode of podcast application has been in the works for a long time. Maybe we were putting it off because we knew how much work it would do. But it was worth it!My client onboarding guy, Aaron and I are going to demo all the options we think are worthwhile when it comes to recording in your interview conversation.Some facts you might find interesting about these recordings:We are 823 miles and 3 states apart as we speak to one another so you should keep that in mind when you consider the sound quality of each other recording platforms.We are both PC users, not Mac users, so the various features and platforms may look different on Mac then they do from what we describe in this episode.You're going to get to hear both sides of the calls on each platform. When I remember to do it, I will tell you what I see coming into the platform as a host, describe how easy or difficult it is to get into the platform and get a call set up, and then Aaron will describe what he experiences from the guest side of each of the platforms.And finally, we will outline the features and costs of each one of the platforms and give you our ranking of these five options for recording an interview at the end of our demonstrations.This is 36 minutes of audio that is well worth your time if you ever have been curious how to record an interview with the best quality possible.Our experience recording an interview with ZOOMZoom is a recording option that many podcasters are using these days, I know because I see files from Zoom coming in from our clients fairly often.As you listen to our demonstration of what it takes to set up a call on zoom and get it recorded, downloaded, and actually usable for your podcast, keep in mind that Zoom was not created for podcast recording in particular, it is a video conferencing software. That means it includes screenshare capabilities, video, chat features, and much more.Aaron and I used the free plan that Zoom offers to record the call you will hear on this episode end it offers the following features:Records 1, premixed mono file (mpeg4)Can record audio &amp; videoCan record to cloud (Zoom) or computerYou can select the microphone of your choiceParticipants can mute their microphones at any timeYou can host up to 100 participants (group meeting) - what a nightmare of a podcast episode THAT would beThe free plan offers unlimited 1 to 1 meetings/recordings per monthIf you do a group meeting (more than 2 people) there is a 40 minute limit per meetingWhen finished, you have to wait a short time for a download of the audioThe Ringr demoRingr is a top-of-the-line app brought to us by its founder, Tim Sinclair, who I have interviewed on this podcast before in episode 41. That particular episode was recorded back in June of 2016 and Ringr has come a long way since then.One thing I did not mention in my conversation with Aaron that you will hear on this episode is that Ringr is not only a web-based app, it also has a smartphone app that enables you to connect with people who are not at their computer at the time you need to do your recording. In a situation like that, you need to keep in mind that recording quality will depend on the quality of the microphone that is being used - either the internal microphone of the phone in question, or an external microphone that might be plugged into the phone.You can hear from the recording on this episode that recording interviews with Ringr gives you great quality and a good overall experience.Here is what Ringr offers:Free Trial (30 days) that includes all the premium featuresAfter that, you choose a plan: Basic $7.99/mo :: Premium $18.99/mo :: EnterpriseYou can pause and resume a call/recordingConference calling (more than 2 people) is now availableRingr offers both a mobile app &amp; a web-based appRecordings can be downloaded in either Mp3, OGG, or FLACYou can choose between mono, stereo, split-track (on the premium plan or higher)You can choose any bit rate (premium plan or higher)There is unlimited storage of previous recordings (premium or higher)Unlimited calling/recordingYou must wait for all files to finish before exiting the browser and receiving your download optionsThe Skype recording processOne of the things you will hear me mention at least a couple of times on this podcast episode is that recording with Skype requires a third-party application of some kind. Skype itself does not offer call recording.In this demonstration, I used a pc-based application called MP3 Skype call recorder. The link for that free software is in the resources section below.I believe that one of the reasons Skype has become the go-to resource for people who want to record an interview is because it was one of the first internet-based call solutions any of us knew anything about. So, it's the same as if you had read the book and then gone to see the movie, and the book always seems better. It's simply because you read the book first.These days, Skype is still in the auction and it does a decent job, but it has its limitations and drawbacks when it comes to podcast recordings. I believe there are much better options for you to offer your listeners that don't cost any more than Skype - and that is free.Here is what Skype offers:A free option (there IS free 3rd party software also)Requires 3rd party softwareYou can call and record a person who is using the Skype appYou will have to pay when calling a landlineRecords directly on your computerNo limitations on the amount of recording you can - other than your timeOur Zencastr Demo - just the factsZencastr is one of the first browser-based recording options I became aware of when they first became a thing. It records each person in the conversation inside their own internet browser, then uploads those files to the cloud, the Zen Caster cloud, and sinks them together into a downloadable set of files.Can you see the advantage of that kind of recording?It enables you to avoid all of the long distance issues like delays, glitches, warbles, line noise, and anything else that would come from trying to record something over a very long distance. It's only fair at this point to also say that Ringr and clean feed which will be featured next, offer the same kind of technology of a sort, so the quality you get from them should be the same as you get from sin caster.Here are the features you get from Zencastr’s free planUp to 3 people per session8 hours free per monthReceive a high quality mp3Must wait for all files to upload, then have the ability to downloadCan automatically save to your Dropbox accountOur final contestant: CleanfeedI hope you were able to hear my conversation with Mark, one of the founders and developers behind Cleanfeed, back in episode 69. If not, stop everything you're doing and go listen to it right now you insensitive person who seems to enjoy hurting my feelings.Just kidding. ;)One of the things that Aaron said during a recording about the Cleanfeed interface is that it is very clean. It is fairly unobtrusive, has very little in the way of controls and knobs that you can see, and overall is pretty pleasing to the eye.But there is a downside to that. Some of the controls are a little bit difficult to find. Especially on the host side of things. But like anything, once you've gone through it a few times you get used to where things are and are able to work it into your interview recording workflow with no problems.I've even created a video to show you how to use clean feed which you can find in the resource section below.Here are the details about CleanfeedAlways freeWeb-basedUnlimited number of guestsUnlimited number of hours you can recordUnlimited number of sessionsYou can set the type of file you want (joint stereo or combined)Receive wav filesMust wait a short time for files to upload and download options to appearOne very good “honorable mention” platform that was NOT included in our demoThere is one other service that records interviews with the same kind of technology that Ringr and Zencastr use, but I did not include it in this demo session because it is much more than just a recording solution.Cast is a media host and podcast publishing solution very similar to Libsyn or Podbean. And more...It has all kinds of bells and whistles, including editing software online, including audio optimization software, and more than I can even tell you right now.Since it is not really a comparison of apples to oranges for me to include cast in this demo, I didn't.AND THE WINNER IS…Near the end of our conversation Aaron and I both ranked these 5 platforms for recording an interview according to ease abuse, price, features, and sound quality.I could tell you exactly what each of us think right here in the show notes, but I think you'll enjoy it a lot more if you take the time to listen. :)resources mentioned in this episodeMP3 Skype Call RecorderAll of the reliable  3rd party Skype recording appsMy previous conversation with one of the developers of CleanfeedMy interview with Josh, developer of ZencastrMy video about how to use Cleanfeed (embedded below)My video about how to use Zencastr (embedded below) Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> <h1>How to record interviews over a distance is one of the most frustrating things for many podcasters - and the tech is not quite there yet.</h1>But it’s getting better. :)2017 brings a handful of pretty decent options for recording a conversation, many of them with tech that takes out the “distance” part of a distance recording so you get better quality audio every time.I wanted to make it obvious how good the options are as well as answer some of the questions I get on a regular basis about the best way to record an interview.So my client onboarding guy, Aaron and I took a morning to do some recordings of OUR conversations using all the options that I think are legitimate for 2017.So - How to record interviews: 2017 Demo of the Best Options is what you’ll hear on this episode of Podcastification.<h3> </h3><h2>Here’s a rough outline of this “How to Record Interviews” episode:</h2> <ul><li>[1:44] My top 5 recommendations: Zoom - Ringr - Zencastr - Skype - Cleanfeed and our demos of each of these options, demo’d for you.</li><li>[3:00] Tips for making a good distance recording, no matter which option you choose</li></ul> Zoom Demo<ul><li>[3:46] My experience using Zoom (my description of what I see)</li><li>[5:26] The recording of Aaron and I speaking and recording to each other via Zoom along with our impressions and observations of the platform</li><li>[7:16] The “guest” side of a Zoom call - Aaron’s insights and observations</li><li>[7:50] Zoom’s details, pricing, method of recording, number of participants, etc.</li></ul> Ringr Demo<ul><li>[10:40] The pre-recording setup and login experience for recording an interview on Ringr</li><li>[11:10] The actual conversation we recorded and how Ringr works (double-ender)</li><li>[12:08] The “guest” side of the Ringr connection and some of the cool things we see</li></ul> Skype Demo<ul><li>[14:51] Skype calls must be recorded using a 3rd party app</li><li>[16:08] The “guest” side of the Skype call - and why Skype is the good-old standby</li><li>[17:17] Why Skype calls with bad connections are HARD for audio editing</li></ul> Zencastr Demo<ul><li>[18:55] Pre-call setup of a Zencastr recording/call</li><li>[19:49] Zencastr’s chat feature, timeline footnotes, etc.</li><li>[20:46] Zencastr’s free plan: features, integrations, bells and whistles</li><li>[21:40] What is happening when you hear a glitch in Zencastr</li></ul> Cleanfeed Demo<ul><li>[23:52] Counterintuitive things I feel about Cleanfeed</li><li>[24:38] The guest and host experiences on Cleanfeed</li><li>[26:21] Why you need to stay in the platform until things are done uploading</li></ul> SUMMARY<ul><li>[27:10] Review of platforms and features</li><li>[29:11] Another option as an “honorable mention” - <a href="http://www.tryca.st" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.Tryca.st</a></li><li>[29:58] OUR RANKINGS OF THE TOP 5 PLATFORMS FOR RECORDING AN INTERVIEW</li><li>[31:49] Browser-dependent issues some of the platforms will experience from time to time</li></ul> <h2>I’m not only going to tell you how to record an interview, I’m going to demo it for you 5 different ways… with a little help</h2> This episode of podcast application has been in the works for a long time. Maybe we were putting it off because we knew how much work it would do. But it was worth it!My client onboarding guy, Aaron and I are going to demo all the options we think are worthwhile when it comes to recording in your interview conversation.<h3>Some facts you might find interesting about these recordings:</h3> <ul><li>We are 823 miles and 3 states apart as we speak to one another so you should keep that in mind when you consider the sound quality of each other recording platforms.</li><li>We are both PC users, not Mac users, so the various features and platforms may look different on Mac then they do from what we describe in this episode.</li><li>You're going to get to hear both sides of the calls on each platform. When I remember to do it, I will tell you what I see coming into the platform as a host, describe how easy or difficult it is to get into the platform and get a call set up, and then Aaron will describe what he experiences from the guest side of each of the platforms.</li><li>And finally, we will outline the features and costs of each one of the platforms and give you our ranking of these five options for recording an interview at the end of our demonstrations.</li></ul> This is 36 minutes of audio that is well worth your time if you ever have been curious how to record an interview with the best quality possible.<h2>Our experience recording an interview with <a href="https://zoom.us/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">ZOOM</a></h2> Zoom is a recording option that many podcasters are using these days, I know because I see files from Zoom coming in from our clients fairly often.As you listen to our demonstration of what it takes to set up a call on zoom and get it recorded, downloaded, and actually usable for your podcast, keep in mind that Zoom was not created for podcast recording in particular, it is a video conferencing software. That means it includes screenshare capabilities, video, chat features, and much more.<h3>Aaron and I used the free plan that Zoom offers to record the call you will hear on this episode end it offers the following features:</h3> <ul><li>Records 1, premixed mono file (mpeg4)</li><li>Can record audio &amp; video</li><li>Can record to cloud (Zoom) or computer</li><li>You can select the microphone of your choice</li><li>Participants can mute their microphones at any time</li><li>You can host up to 100 participants (group meeting) - what a nightmare of a podcast episode THAT would be</li><li>The free plan offers unlimited 1 to 1 meetings/recordings per month</li><li>If you do a group meeting (more than 2 people) there is a 40 minute limit per meeting</li><li>When finished, you have to wait a short time for a download of the audio</li></ul> <h2>The <a href="https://www.ringr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Ringr</a> demo</h2> Ringr is a top-of-the-line app brought to us by its founder, Tim Sinclair, who I have interviewed on this podcast before in episode 41. That particular episode was recorded back in June of 2016 and Ringr has come a long way since then.One thing I did not mention in my conversation with Aaron that you will hear on this episode is that Ringr is not only a web-based app, it also has a smartphone app that enables you to connect with people who are not at their computer at the time you need to do your recording. In a situation like that, you need to keep in mind that recording quality will depend on the quality of the microphone that is being used - either the internal microphone of the phone in question, or an external microphone that might be plugged into the phone.You can hear from the recording on this episode that recording interviews with Ringr gives you great quality and a good overall experience.<h3>Here is what Ringr offers:</h3> <ul><li>Free Trial (30 days) that includes all the premium features</li><li>After that, you choose a plan: Basic $7.99/mo :: Premium $18.99/mo :: Enterprise</li><li>You can pause and resume a call/recording</li><li>Conference calling (more than 2 people) is now available</li><li>Ringr offers both a mobile app &amp; a web-based app</li><li>Recordings can be downloaded in either Mp3, OGG, or FLAC</li><li>You can choose between mono, stereo, split-track (on the premium plan or higher)</li><li>You can choose any bit rate (premium plan or higher)</li><li>There is unlimited storage of previous recordings (premium or higher)</li><li>Unlimited calling/recording</li><li>You must wait for all files to finish before exiting the browser and receiving your download options</li></ul> <h2>The <a href="https://www.skype.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Skype</a> recording process</h2> One of the things you will hear me mention at least a couple of times on this podcast episode is that recording with Skype requires a third-party application of some kind. Skype itself does not offer call recording.In this demonstration, I used a pc-based application called MP3 Skype call recorder. The link for that free software is in the resources section below.I believe that one of the reasons Skype has become the go-to resource for people who want to record an interview is because it was one of the first internet-based call solutions any of us knew anything about. So, it's the same as if you had read the book and then gone to see the movie, and the book always seems better. It's simply because you read the book first.These days, Skype is still in the auction and it does a decent job, but it has its limitations and drawbacks when it comes to podcast recordings. I believe there are much better options for you to offer your listeners that don't cost any more than Skype - and that is free.<h3>Here is what Skype offers:</h3> <ul><li>A free option (there IS free 3rd party software also)</li><li>Requires 3rd party software</li><li>You can call and record a person who is using the Skype app</li><li>You will have to pay when calling a landline</li><li>Records directly on your computer</li><li>No limitations on the amount of recording you can - other than your time</li></ul> <h2>Our <a href="https://zencastr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Zencastr</a> Demo - just the facts</h2> Zencastr is one of the first browser-based recording options I became aware of when they first became a thing. It records each person in the conversation inside their own internet browser, then uploads those files to the cloud, the Zen Caster cloud, and sinks them together into a downloadable set of files.Can you see the advantage of that kind of recording?It enables you to avoid all of the long distance issues like delays, glitches, warbles, line noise, and anything else that would come from trying to record something over a very long distance. It's only fair at this point to also say that Ringr and clean feed which will be featured next, offer the same kind of technology of a sort, so the quality you get from them should be the same as you get from sin caster.<h3>Here are the features you get from Zencastr’s free plan</h3> <ul><li>Up to 3 people per session</li><li>8 hours free per month</li><li>Receive a high quality mp3</li><li>Must wait for all files to upload, then have the ability to download</li><li>Can automatically save to your Dropbox account</li></ul> <h2>Our final contestant: <a href="http://cleanfeed.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Cleanfeed</a></h2> I hope you were able to hear my conversation with Mark, one of the founders and developers behind Cleanfeed, back in episode 69. If not, stop everything you're doing and go listen to it right now you insensitive person who seems to enjoy hurting my feelings.Just kidding. ;)One of the things that Aaron said during a recording about the Cleanfeed interface is that it is very clean. It is fairly unobtrusive, has very little in the way of controls and knobs that you can see, and overall is pretty pleasing to the eye.But there is a downside to that. Some of the controls are a little bit difficult to find. Especially on the host side of things. But like anything, once you've gone through it a few times you get used to where things are and are able to work it into your interview recording workflow with no problems.I've even created a video to show you how to use clean feed which you can find in the resource section below.<h3>Here are the details about Cleanfeed</h3> <ul><li>Always free</li><li>Web-based</li><li>Unlimited number of guests</li><li>Unlimited number of hours you can record</li><li>Unlimited number of sessions</li><li>You can set the type of file you want (joint stereo or combined)</li><li>Receive wav files</li><li>Must wait a short time for files to upload and download options to appear</li></ul> <h2>One very good “honorable mention” platform that was NOT included in our demo</h2> There is one other service that records interviews with the same kind of technology that Ringr and Zencastr use, but I did not include it in this demo session because it is much more than just a recording solution.<a href="https://tryca.st/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Cast</a> is a media host and podcast publishing solution very similar to Libsyn or Podbean. And more...It has all kinds of bells and whistles, including editing software online, including audio optimization software, and more than I can even tell you right now.Since it is not really a comparison of apples to oranges for me to include cast in this demo, I didn't. <h2>AND THE WINNER IS…</h2> Near the end of our conversation Aaron and I both ranked these 5 platforms for recording an interview according to ease abuse, price, features, and sound quality.I could tell you exactly what each of us think right here in the show notes, but I think you'll enjoy it a lot more if you take the time to listen. :) <h1>resources mentioned in this episode</h1> <ul><li><a href="http://voipcallrecording.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">MP3 Skype Call Recorder</a></li><li>All of the reliable <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/recording-skype-calls-for-podcast-audio-episode-17/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> 3rd party Skype recording apps</a></li><li>My previous conversation with one of the <a href="https://www.podcastfasttrack.com/69" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">developers of Cleanfeed</a></li><li><a href="https://www.podcastfasttrack.com/69" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">My interview with Josh, developer of Zencastr</a></li><li>My video about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BjAxVQQb8o&amp;t=2s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">how to use Cleanfeed</a> (embedded below)</li><li>My video about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f6IrZYCHL0&amp;t=107s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">how to use Zencastr</a> (embedded below)</li></ul> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

81: How to Record Interviews: 2017 Demo of The Best Options

 https://podcastfasttrack.com/If I had a nickel for every time a client or potential client or random podcaster has asked me…How can I monetize a podcast?I wouldn’t need to monetize a podcast.It’s a natural question, I guess - there’s nothing wrong with making money from providing value to the world - and podcasts are some of the best vehicles for value-delivery I’ve ever seen.So heck yes, go ahead, monetize your podcast! You should if you can.But… it’s not quite that simple, is it? You can’t simply go out and monetize a podcast. You have to take a little time to figure out exactly what the options are, which one fits you and the purpose you have for your podcast, and so on and so forth and such and such.That’s exactly why I recorded this episode.My goal is to help you understand what I’ve seen as successful or potentially successful ways people have monetized their podcasts.I’m also going to be frank with you (or maybe I’ll be Joe this time) and let you know what I don’t like about each of the methods, what I do like about them, what the pitfalls may be, and whether or not that approach to monetization will make you rich or only pay for your weekly coffee.OK - coffee is more than a weekly expense, I get it. But you get my point, right?Here’s a rough outline of How to Monetize a Podcast[1:25] What do we mean when we talk about monetizing a podcast?[2:53] What are sponsorships? A fancy word for a commercial[8:01] Have you thought about hawking affiliate products to your listeners?[12:16] What would happen if you had a patron (or many of them) support your podcast?[14:24] Could make a membership community for your listeners (and charge for it)?[18:41] YOUR podcast should definitely feature YOUR resourcesIf you want to Monetize your podcast, FIRST focus on delivering valueWhen we talk about monetizing anything we’re talking about making money from it.I hope that’s not too unrefined for you sensitive types, but it’s the truth. You’re trying to figure out a way you can ask people for money in exchange for the value you’re delivering to them - in this case, your incredible podcast content (for example).That means you’ve got to be providing them the VALUE side of that equation.You owe it to your podcast audience NOT to fill their ears with fluff.It’s the people who throw together some quick and dirty (and useless) PDF download piece of junk who give all of us a bad name. Don’t be that girl or guy. Make your offer something worth having.And now that we’ve got THAT out of the way…Idea #1 to monetize your podcast: SponsorshipsWhenever I hear people talking about monetization of their podcast, they usually mean gaining some kind of sponsorship.What’s a sponsor? It’s a fancy way of saying a person who wants to pay you to put commercial advertisements on your show.The ads could be pre-produced or they could be something you read. Either way, it’s a commercial, plain and simple.Sponsorships DO have benefits:Someone with deeper pockets than you is paying the bills for your show, at least partiallyIt can be a type of recurring revenue for youIf you/they can track sales directly from your listener base, it could be a long-term relationshipBut there’s also the drawbacks (the things I don’t like about sponsorships)...It’s a commercial. On your podcast.Part of what I LOVE about podcasting is that I get to listen to a topic I’m interested in WITHOUT interruption.Many of the companies that are getting into podcast sponsorships may not be directly related to your topic (Audible, Casper Mattress, etc.)When I have commercials from a mattress company, or an email list company - on my show about Christian Homes and Families - https://www.ChristianHomeAndFamily.com it seems pretty obvious that I’m just trying to make money.Nothing wrong with that… but does it build trust? That’s what I care about - and what I think you should care about.The legalities of doing a sponsorship right can be a bit sticky at times.﻿One tale I heard told was how a podcaster had to provide multiple months worth of “free” sponsorship to a sponsor because of supposed mistakes he was making in the way he read the ad copy. In his mind, the HOW of it wasn’t covered sufficiently to warrant the claim, but he didn’t want to lose the sponsor so he continued to consent to their demands.And that brings me to the biggest deal about sponsorships that I don’t like…Somebody BESIDES YOU has influence over your showYou may say they don’t. But they do.If you’re concerned about what a sponsor might thing regarding what you say, or how you say it, or how it might reflect on them - they ARE having influence on you.The beauty of podcasting (again, in my mind) is that you get to do YOUR thing with nobody telling you that you can’t.So there.Naturally, you can do what you want when it comes to sponsorships. I’m sure there are good experiences out there to go alongside the bad ones I’ve heard about. It also has to do with the “type” of show you’re publishing. Some lend themselves to sponsorships more than others.In the end, you’ve got to do what you believe is best for you, your listeners, and the sponsor.Monetization idea #2: Affiliate relationshipsIn case you’re new to this whole internet thing (like some attorneys I know), it would be a good thing for you to know what affiliate relationships are before I tell you to establish them…Affiliate (according to Entrepreneur Magazine): https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/affiliate-marketing A way for a company to sell its products by signing up individuals or companies ("affiliates") who market the company's products for a commission.Get it?#1 - You find a company that sells products or services your listening audience needs#2 - You make those products available to your listeners through an “affiliate link” on your website or show note#3 - When somebody clicks on that link, the company’s website is setup with a “tracking code” that recognizes that person as coming from your link.#4 - When/if they purchase, you get a commission.Simple enough, right?Affiliate relationships can be a gold mine for podcast monetization… sometimes. Maybe.It depends on a lot of things… but to me it’s an issue of whether your niche has legitimate products/services that you can offer to your listeners.Yeah, yeah, you can technically offer anything as an affiliate product - related or unrelated to your audience - but I don’t think you should.Here’s why…Your audience has done YOU the incredible favor of self-selecting you as their go-to resource for the topics you address.They feel like they know you (or are getting to know you). They like you (at least you’d better hope they do). They are starting to trust you.And trust is a valuable thing.My recommendation is that you do everything in your power NOT to violate that trust in any way. You want to build on it, make yourself a valuable, indispensable resource to your listeners.In my thinking, a big part of that is NOT trying to get them to buy any old thing. That goes back to making them feel you’re “just trying to make money.”Instead, why not offer them things that further connect them to you and your topic?That seems like a winner to me - and when you do it well, it really CAN be a gold mine.As an example: You’ve probably heard of a guy named Pat Flynn. https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ One of his most successful affiliate relationships has been with a web hosting company called Bluehost. In September of 2017 he made $18.655.00 by referring people to Bluehost. That figure was even down by $815.00 from the previous month.The reason I know such details is because Pat publishes his income reports every month. https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/income-reports/my-september-2017-monthly-income-report/ It’s a great idea - transparency to show people what’s possible by building your own thing online like he has.The point I want to make is this… that relationship with Bluehost is a hand-in-glove thing for Pat, it’s a service 99% of his listeners will need eventually, so he offers it to them with a full disclaimer that it’s an affiliate relationship.And it banks for him. Month after month after month.So… if you’re going to do affiliate relationships, go for it. Just make sure you’re offering things that are truly of benefit to your listeners and do it consistently and genuinely, like Pat does.But there’s another way to offer affiliate products to your listeners… Guest resourcesIf you do guest episodes - conversations with experts in your niche or industry - you have a very natural, incredible opportunity to make some income through no more work than recording and publishing a great conversation with that person.Here’s how…Many people who are guest on podcasts regularly are established in their niche and have already created their own stuff - books, courses, coaching packages, events, etc.Before you hit the “record” button, stop to discuss what your guest wants to offer your audience. Yes - offer them the opportunity to highlight what they have to sell.And find out if there’s an affiliate-type relationship you might be able to establish with them.You’ll find many such people already have an official affiliate program setup. All you have to do is sign up and place the link in your show notes page. Then, during the interview, disclose that you have that relationship and make the offer.Better yet, let your GUEST make the offer since they know the product much better than you do. Then you get to simply endorse their offer and recommend it to your listeners.And keep in mind… podcast episodes are out there forever (as long as you keep paying your hosting bill). This kind of partnership could be a long-term cash cow for you if you do it effectively.It benefits you.It benefits your guests.It benefits your audience (at least it should).A caution about affiliate offers: Do it rightRemember that trust thing I spoke of earlier? It’s vital that you maintain trust when it comes to affiliate offers.You don’t want your listeners to in any way feel that you’ve tricked them into doing something that will benefit you directly - even if the supposed “trick” was that you forgot to disclose an affiliate relationship.So don’t forget.Always, Always, ALWAYS tell your listeners - both in writing on your show notes page or website - AND verbally on your podcast audio, that you have an affiliate relationship with any product you’re recommending, if you do in fact have such a relationship.It’s honest. It’s clear. And I believe if you do it right, it can build trust with your audience even more.And… it’s the law. https://www.ftc.gov/policy/advisory-opinions/letter-commercial-alert-concluding-respect-type-amplified-word-mouth #3 Podcast Monetization Idea: DonationsLet me ask you a question…What sort of compulsion do you feel when somebody does an amazing thing for you? You want to do something for them, right?It’s what social psychologists refer to as “the law of reciprocity” and there’s something to it. When somebody does good to/for you, you naturally want to do good for them.Take that concept and apply it to your podcast…If you are truly adding value to the lives of your listeners, don’t you think some of them are going to start feeling like they want to say “thank you” in a more tangible way than listening to your next episode?It’s natural. And it’s OK to make a way for your listeners to support your show.It’s called a Donation Model - and it works. You can see a sterling example of it here - on Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History Site. http://www.dancarlin.com/dc-donate/ He offers 3 ways to donate - via PayPal recurring donation, via old fashioned snail mail, and via Bitcoin (yes, Bitcoin).And I could be a bit off on this, but I recently heard Dan interviewed at Podcast Movement 2017 and I believe he said that he only asks $2 per episode - and that the approach does VERY WELL for him.So… if I were doing this for my “Live Build Change” https://www.LiveBuildChange.com podcast (which I may do someday), I’d say something along this line…The Live Build Change podcast is my effort to help you live your faith in an authentic, genuine way, to build a business either part time or full time, and then to integrate those two things in a way that enables you to truly change your world. If you’d like to make a donation (one-time or recurring) to ensure I can continue to do so, you can find out how to do that at (website link).That’s it.No high-pressure tactics or begging. Just giving listeners an opportunity to reciprocate and moving on.A similar but different way to accomplish it… PatreonBack in the olden days… when Kings, Lords and Ladies, and Dukes ruled the lands… there was such a thing as patronage.For example: The famous artist Michelangelo had two primary patrons who supported him so that he could produce his artistic works: Pope Julius II, and the Medici family.Patreon is a fairly new approach based on the idea of patronage - it’s where your fans can intentionally set up a recurring payment to you SO THAT you can continue doing what you’re doing with your podcast.It’s really what I spoke of earlier - but again you’ve got to set it up in order to make the opportunity for your listeners/fans.Here are the details as I understand them:You set up the accountPatreon gets 10% of what you receive (administrative costs at 5% and profit at 5%)Your fans can choose to send you any amount on a recurring basisPatreon takes care of credit card issues, chargebacks, etc.And the site claims to have funneled over $150 million to its users so far My #4 Monetization idea for Podcasters: MembershipsWe’ve all done the membership thing at one time or another…When I was a kid I got into the Columbia Record and Tape Club. For one penny the Columbia people (whoever they were) sent me 14 albums I selected and I committed to buy 20 more in the next three years.I loved it. It was a membership I was happy to participate in.Today we have Netflix, Health Clubs, Spotify, etc.You get it. You understand memberships.But have you thought of the benefits received by the company OFFERING the membership?Fairly consistent recurring incomeSure, a subscriber can cancel their subscription at any time (in most cases). But how often does that happen in comparison to the big number of subscribers an outfit like Netflix has?That dynamic is a reality that makes the income of a company like Netflix consistent. In fact, because of new subscribers, their revenue goes up over the long run. Check out this graphic of Netflix profits: https://ycharts.com/companies/NFLX/revenue sAnd don’t miss the RECURRING part of the setup - people pay over and over and over for what Netflix has to offer rather than a one-time purchase.That. Is. Bank.Set-it-and-forget-it payments (they don’t have to invoice monthly)When I first got this concept it was a game changer for my business.Invoicing on a monthly basis is a hassle. There are costs associated with it both in time and in tangible goods like paper, etc.But recurring payments - subscriptions - do away with all that (with the exception of credit card processing fees). A one-time setup BY THE CUSTOMER starts a potentially never-ending source of revenue.Forgettable feesI don’t remember where I first heard the phrase “forgettable fees” but it’s brilliant - and important to understand.Think about it: How many of us even THINK about our $14/mo Netflix subscription?We just watch Netflix. We enjoy the service. We hardly give the monthly charge a thought when going through our credit card statements.Why? Because the amount is so reasonable compared to other expenses we have to pay - like a car payment or mortgage or rent.It’s a forgettable fee - and companies like Netflix count on that as a big part of why people will buy into their subscription service and STAY in.What does Netflix have to do with monetizing a podcast?SO...

77: Want to Monetize a Podcast? Here Are Your Options

If you really want to be a top guest interviewer, this is all you need.Honestly.I've been doing podcast interviews for some time now and this tip somehow alluded my notice.Until I read about it on the Vimeo blog. You can find the post that inspired this mini-episode HERE.So listen in to this episode of the podcast to discover this simple trick to make your interviews engaging and powerful.Subscribe to Podcastification Here!

<h1>If you really want to be a top guest interviewer, this is all you need.</h1>Honestly.I've been doing podcast interviews for some time now and this tip somehow alluded my notice.Until I read about it on the Vimeo blog. You can find the post that inspired this mini-episode <a href="https://vimeo.com/blog/post/one-simple-technique-to-elicit-better-interview-an" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>.So listen in to this episode of the podcast to discover this simple trick to make your interviews engaging and powerful. <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

27: The one hack to “must listen” podcast interviews

Nick Loper

https://podcastfasttrack.com/Successful people never get there overnight. Nick's story is no differentNick Loper is a regular guy, if you've ever met him, you know just how true that is. He's humble, unassuming, and doesn't immediately strike you as the Dynamo that he really is.What's his secret? I'm not sure what he'd say, but I believe it's this: He's smart, ambitious, and he knows how to work hard. That's acombination that makes for great potential.This episode tells Nick's story - of side hustling his way through college, trying out things to see what worked, following some very good advice his college room mate gave him, and then pivoting to start this thing called a podcast.For him, podcasting worked out - tremendously. In just 3 years he replaced the salary he was earning from his corporate job after graduating. And he's learned a LOT about creating a successful podcast along the way.This episode is the first of many "storytelling" episodes to come - where I feature podcasters who have experienced tremendous success that is directly tied to their podcasting efforts. I couldn't think of anyone better to start with than Nick. I hope you enjoy hearing how hard work and persistence paid off for him.FIND THE SHOW NOTES HERE:WWW.PODCASTFASTTRACK.COM/124﻿get in touch with nickfounder of the Side Hustle ShowAnd download Nick's "BEAST" of a guide to side hustle income here. Things Nick shared on this episodeWhat happens when you step through doorways of opportunityLearning eCommerce stuff from a marketing internshipPivoting into podcasting: learning stuff the hard wayHow Nick build his initial audience, how he grows it nowSponsorships: How they really work and how to structure the dealHow to know when you should quit podcasting and when to keep goingHow to make the most of The Listener PyramidSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> <h2>Successful people never get there overnight. Nick's story is no different</h2> Nick Loper is a regular guy, if you've ever met him, you know just how true that is. He's humble, unassuming, and doesn't immediately strike you as the Dynamo that he really is.What's his secret? I'm not sure what he'd say, but I believe it's this: He's smart, ambitious, and he knows how to work hard. That's a combination that makes for great potential. This episode tells Nick's story - of side hustling his way through college, trying out things to see what worked, following some very good advice his college room mate gave him, and then pivoting to start this thing called a podcast. For him, podcasting worked out - tremendously. In just 3 years he replaced the salary he was earning from his corporate job after graduating. And he's learned a LOT about creating a successful podcast along the way. This episode is the first of many "storytelling" episodes to come - where I feature podcasters who have experienced tremendous success that is directly tied to their podcasting efforts. I couldn't think of anyone better to start with than Nick. I hope you enjoy hearing how hard work and persistence paid off for him. FIND THE SHOW NOTES HERE:<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/124-side-hustling-his-way-to-podcasting-success-nick-loper/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">WWW.PODCASTFASTTRACK.COM/124</a>﻿<h2>get in touch with nick</h2>founder of the Side Hustle ShowAnd download Nick's <a href="https://www.sidehustlenation.com/passive-income/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">"BEAST" of a guide to side hustle income here</a>. <h2>Things Nick shared on this episode</h2> <ul><li>What happens when you step through doorways of opportunity</li><li>Learning eCommerce stuff from a marketing internship</li><li>Pivoting into podcasting: learning stuff the hard way</li><li>How Nick build his initial audience, how he grows it now</li><li>Sponsorships: How they really work and how to structure the deal</li><li>How to know when you should quit podcasting and when to keep going</li><li>How to make the most of The Listener Pyramid</li></ul> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

124: PS: Side Hustling His Way To Podcasting Success: Nick Loper

Get a sponsor for your podcast... go ahead, I dare you! As you probably know by now, getting a sponsor for your show is not such a simple thing to do. There are tons of showsThe competition is getting tougherNot all potential advertisers have bought into podcasting as an advertising medium - yetNot all advertisers will fit your niche audienceYou have to have a show worth advertising on And on top of all of that... how do you actually get in touch with the actual decision-maker who can actually pull the trigger to sponsor your show?In this post I'm going to walk you through an idea I had about how anyone can take their best shot at getting a sponsor for their podcastONE DISCLAIMER FIRST:I've dreamed up the scheme you're about to read. I have not tried it.But given the many clients I've worked with and the stories they tell about getting sponsors, I believe with all my heart this idea will work.And it's not for the "faint of heart" who aren't willing to take risks. How about it, are you game?What's a great sponsor for your podcast worth to you?If you decide to try this approach, I'd love to hear from you.The "get a sponsor for my podcast" experiment: Have a show worth sponsoringIt should go without saying, but it doesn't - so I'll say it.If your show quality is below average you don't have a hope of getting a sponsor.A quick check-list to ensure your show has quality standards that any sponsor-to-be would be proud to endorse:You use a good quality microphone  (they don't have to cost a lot).No excessive background noise or harsh "S" and "P" sounds (these are called "plosives"... really, they are).Music and spoken word segments are balanced and easy to listen to.Your audio levels are, well, level. That means you've done appropriate loudness normalization (to industry standards... my service includes this at no extra charge).You know how to talk, speak, interview, explain without boring your audience to tears.Your content is good stuff, relevant to your specific niche.If U don't have these basics, don't hold UR breath about getting a sponsor 4 UR podcast. Pick a company you'd like to see sponsor your podcastGo ahead, dream!This is your podcast we're talking about so aim high and choose a sponsor that would be the ideal, perfect, best-fit for your show.Make it an industry leader who would put a powerful stamp of approval on what you're adding to the market.Other than that, there are only a few "make sure"s I'd suggest:Make sure they have a product that fits your niche audience.Make sure that product is truly beneficial to your listeners.Make sure that you use the product yourself to know the pros, cons, bugs, and best practices.Make sure they are a company your listeners think well of and would be happy to buy from.This is your chance to choose your own podcast sponsor. Choose wisely Create your own "advertisement" for that company's productYou may need to learn a bit about copywriting for this piece, but it will be well worth your time.You'll be creating your very own advertising for the potential sponsor's product that you've identified.Yep. You will. I'm not crazy, just convinced.Here are some well-considered tips for how to go about it:Make sure everything you say about the product is absolutely true. (Do your homework/research).Consider using a variation of the advertising copy the company itself uses (That way you don't have to worry about the first point).Never make claims about what results to expect (You don't want to imply that the company makes those guarantees).Tell your own story about using the product. (But make sure it's clear that it's YOUR story and not a guarantee).Create 2 or more versions of the sponsor ad.You are going to write this out, like it's ad-copy your perfect sponsor gave you.And you're going to read it on your show (in a few steps).Seriously. You're going to advertise their primo product for free (for a limited time... and for an AMAZING reason).Keep reading. I'll show you how to hook a podcast sponsor by advertising their product for free Create a "pretty link" that is easy to speak and gives you analytics of click-throughs"Pretty link" is a free plugin that you can set up on your blog that creates an easier-to-remember link that goes to a webpage you designate. It will also provide you a limited but adequate of set of statistics on how many times the link has been clicked.Let's walk through an example using one of my products and my website...Let's say I want to send a person who clicks the link to the product page here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VU6XGHC/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-1&amp;pf_rd_r=1W6SNB50R512F37PTACR&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2079475242&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop You can do that in a much prettier and simpler way by using a Pretty Link that looks like this: http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/greatproduct **So you'll create your Pretty Link, target it to your potential sponsor's product, and mention it in your advertisement.This Pretty Link could lead to podcast sponsorship gold. Keep reading. Begin running your "sponsor" advertisement on your podcast episodes.This is pretty simple.You've heard sponsor spots run on other podcasts.You're just going to do the same thing on your show using the ad copy you created.My suggestions:Choose the length of time you're going to run the "ad" for your podcast sponsor (I recommend a pretty substantial length of time... maybe 5 months?)Don't call the company a "sponsor" of your show. Just tell your listeners that you have a great resource you want to tell them about. (Avoid potential legal trouble)Be sure to include the easy-to-remember Pretty Link you created for their product.For the sake of integrity, don't send the listeners through your own affiliate link. (I don't have anything against affiliate links, I just think that when you contact your potential sponsor, it will look more genuine if you don't use an affiliate link).Be patient. It's going to take a while, and you may have to do it all over again if it doesn't prove to be a good sponsor-podcast fit.Be patient. Run well, this experiment could fulfill UR podcast sponsorship dreams.ASSESS the analytics you get from this experiment - HONESTLY.A company will only be interested in sponsoring your show if the DATA shows that there is sufficient ROI (return on investment).That means they won't spend money advertising on your show if there's not a reasonable hope that they'll make more than they spend.So be honest. You need to look at the number of click-throughs soberly.Most click-throughs DO NOT result in a sale. About 3% of them will. So figure out what that number is given the data you've accumulated.If - in your estimation - the numbers DO validate that your show would be a good fit for that sponsor, you'll go on to the next step.If - in your estimation - the numbers DO NOT verify that your ideal sponsor would earn income from advertising on your show, run the experiment again targeting a different company.Finding the right podcast sponsor is possible, but it takes some work. Contact your dream sponsor about the possibility of sponsoring your show.And don't go empty-handed (like many podcasters do).That's the point of this entire experiment.You're going to be able to show the potential sponsor, in a respectful, data-driven way, that your show may be a good investment of their advertising dollars.When you contact the "ideal sponsor" you've targeted, you'll include:A description of your show, it's target audience, and how long you've been publishing it.Data regarding number of downloads, reach, etc. your show has. You can get this info. from your media host.A clear description of the experiment you did, featuring their product.Why you chose their product for your experiment (it's fit with your audience, etc.)The data you've gathered regarding your experiment.Mention the time-frame through which you did your experiment. They'll have data of their own sales and may be able to make the correlation between your advertisements and their sales.Why you'd like them to be a sponsor of your podcast.Do you see what you're doing?This method ensures you're approaching a podcast sponsor in a way that appeals to them.Approaching a potential podcast sponsor should B $ and data driven, not guesswork or good feelings.So how's that for a strategic plan to find your ideal podcast sponsor?If you're interested in reading more about podcast sponsorship and how John Lee Dumas looks at the issue of sponsorship, you can find his article on the subject here.Subscribe to Podcastification Here!

<h1>Get a sponsor for your podcast... go ahead, I dare you!</h1> As you probably know by now, getting a sponsor for your show is not such a simple thing to do. <ul><li>There are tons of shows</li><li>The competition is getting tougher</li><li>Not all potential advertisers have bought into podcasting as an advertising medium - yet</li><li>Not all advertisers will fit your niche audience</li><li>You have to have a show worth advertising on</li></ul> And on top of all of that... how do you actually get in touch with the actual decision-maker who can actually pull the trigger to sponsor your show?<h2>In this post I'm going to walk you through an idea I had about how anyone can take their best shot at getting a sponsor for their podcast</h2>ONE DISCLAIMER FIRST:I've dreamed up the scheme you're about to read. I have not tried it.But given the many clients I've worked with and the stories they tell about getting sponsors, I believe with all my heart this idea will work.And it's not for the "faint of heart" who aren't willing to take risks. How about it, are you game?What's a great sponsor for your podcast worth to you?If you decide to try this approach, I'd love to hear from you.<h1>The "get a sponsor for my podcast" experiment:</h1> <h2>Have a show worth sponsoring</h2>It should go without saying, but it doesn't - so I'll say it.If your show quality is below average you don't have a hope of getting a sponsor.A quick check-list to ensure your show has quality standards that any sponsor-to-be would be proud to endorse:<ul><li>You use a good <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100x-USB-Cardioid-Microphone-ATR/dp/B07ZPBFVKK/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Audio-Technica+ATR2100&amp;qid=1630966635&amp;sr=8-3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">quality microphone</a> (they don't have to cost a lot).</li><li>No excessive background noise or harsh "S" and "P" sounds (these are called "<a href="http://wals.info/chapter/4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">plosives</a>"... really, they are).</li><li>Music and spoken word segments are balanced and easy to listen to.</li><li>Your audio levels are, well, level. That means you've done appropriate <a href="https://auphonic.com/blog/2011/07/25/loudness-normalization-and-compression-podcasts-and-speech-audio/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">loudness normalization</a> (to industry standards... <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">my service</a> includes this at no extra charge).</li><li>You know how to talk, speak, interview, explain without boring your audience to tears.</li><li>Your content is good stuff, relevant to your specific niche.</li></ul> If U don't have these basics, don't hold UR breath about getting a sponsor 4 UR podcast. <h2>Pick a company you'd like to see sponsor your podcast</h2>Go ahead, dream!This is your podcast we're talking about so aim high and choose a sponsor that would be the ideal, perfect, best-fit for your show.Make it an industry leader who would put a powerful stamp of approval on what you're adding to the market.Other than that, there are only a few "make sure"s I'd suggest:<ul><li>Make sure they have a product that fits your niche audience.</li><li>Make sure that product is truly beneficial to your listeners.</li><li>Make sure that you use the product yourself to know the pros, cons, bugs, and best practices.</li><li>Make sure they are a company your listeners think well of and would be happy to buy from.</li></ul>This is your chance to choose your own podcast sponsor. Choose wisely <h2>Create your own "advertisement" for that company's product</h2>You may need to learn a bit about copywriting for this piece, but it will be well worth your time.You'll be creating your very own advertising for the potential sponsor's product that you've identified.Yep. You will. I'm not crazy, just convinced.Here are some well-considered tips for how to go about it:<ul><li>Make sure everything you say about the product is absolutely true. (Do your homework/research).</li><li>Consider using a variation of the advertising copy the company itself uses (That way you don't have to worry about the first point).</li><li>Never make claims about what results to expect (You don't want to imply that the company makes those guarantees).</li><li>Tell your own story about using the product. (But make sure it's clear that it's YOUR story and not a guarantee).</li><li>Create 2 or more versions of the sponsor ad.</li></ul>You are going to write this out, like it's ad-copy your perfect sponsor gave you.And you're going to read it on your show (in a few steps).Seriously. You're going to advertise their primo product for free (for a limited time... and for an AMAZING reason).Keep reading. I'll show you how to hook a podcast sponsor by advertising their product for free <h2>Create a "pretty link" that is easy to speak and gives you analytics of click-throughs</h2><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Pretty link" is a free plugin</a> that you can set up on your blog that creates an easier-to-remember link that goes to a webpage you designate. It will also provide you a limited but adequate of set of statistics on how many times the link has been clicked.Let's walk through an example using one of my products and my website...Let's say I want to send a person who clicks the link to the product page here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VU6XGHC/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-1&amp;pf_rd_r=1W6SNB50R512F37PTACR&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2079475242&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VU6XGHC/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-1&amp;pf_rd_r=1W6SNB50R512F37PTACR&amp;pf_rd_t=36701&amp;pf_rd_p=2079475242&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop</a> You can do that in a much prettier and simpler way by using a Pretty Link that looks like this:<a href="http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/greatproduct" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com/greatproduct</a> **So you'll create your Pretty Link, target it to your potential sponsor's product, and mention it in your advertisement.This Pretty Link could lead to podcast sponsorship gold. Keep reading.<h2> Begin running your "sponsor" advertisement on your podcast episodes.</h2>This is pretty simple.You've heard sponsor spots run on other podcasts.You're just going to do the same thing on your show using the ad copy you created.My suggestions:<ul><li>Choose the length of time you're going to run the "ad" for your podcast sponsor (I recommend a pretty substantial length of time... maybe 5 months?)</li><li>Don't call the company a "sponsor" of your show. Just tell your listeners that you have a great resource you want to tell them about. (Avoid potential legal trouble)</li><li>Be sure to include the easy-to-remember Pretty Link you created for their product.</li><li>For the sake of integrity, don't send the listeners through your own affiliate link. (I don't have anything against affiliate links, I just think that when you contact your potential sponsor, it will look more genuine if you don't use an affiliate link).</li><li>Be patient. It's going to take a while, and you may have to do it all over again if it doesn't prove to be a good sponsor-podcast fit.</li></ul>Be patient. Run well, this experiment could fulfill UR podcast sponsorship dreams.<h2>ASSESS the analytics you get from this experiment - HONESTLY.</h2>A company will only be interested in sponsoring your show if the DATA shows that there is sufficient ROI (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_on_investment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">return on investment</a>).That means they won't spend money advertising on your show if there's not a reasonable hope that they'll make more than they spend.So be honest. You need to look at the number of click-throughs soberly.Most click-throughs DO NOT result in a sale. About 3% of them will. So figure out what that number is given the data you've accumulated.<ol><li>If - in your estimation - the numbers DO validate that your show would be a good fit for that sponsor, you'll go on to the next step.</li><li>If - in your estimation - the numbers DO NOT verify that your ideal sponsor would earn income from advertising on your show, run the experiment again targeting a different company.</li></ol>Finding the right podcast sponsor is possible, but it takes some work. <h2>Contact your dream sponsor about the possibility of sponsoring your show.</h2>And don't go empty-handed (like many podcasters do).That's the point of this entire experiment.You're going to be able to show the potential sponsor, in a respectful, data-driven way, that your show may be a good investment of their advertising dollars.When you contact the "ideal sponsor" you've targeted, you'll include:<ul><li>A description of your show, it's target audience, and how long you've been publishing it.</li><li>Data regarding number of downloads, reach, etc. your show has. You can get this info. from your media host.</li><li>A clear description of the experiment you did, featuring their product.</li><li>Why you chose their product for your experiment (it's fit with your audience, etc.)</li><li>The data you've gathered regarding your experiment.</li><li>Mention the time-frame through which you did your experiment. They'll have data of their own sales and may be able to make the correlation between your advertisements and their sales.</li><li>Why you'd like them to be a sponsor of your podcast.</li></ul>Do you see what you're doing?This method ensures you're approaching a podcast sponsor in a way that appeals to them.Approaching a potential podcast sponsor should B $ and data driven, not guesswork or good feelings.<h2>So how's that for a strategic plan to find your ideal podcast sponsor?</h2>If you're interested in reading more about podcast sponsorship and how John Lee Dumas looks at the issue of sponsorship, you can find <a href="http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/podcast-sponsorships/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">his article on the subject here</a>.<a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

5: A DIY Way To Get A Sponsor For Your Podcast

https://podcastfasttrack.com/I figure, if I want to learn podcasting tips that can help my show stand apart in the crowded podcastosphere, I might as well go to the people who have made a living from doing audio well.And I also got a little help from a new friend - a guy named Cal Newport. Well, Cal's not actually my friend, but he's like a long-distance mentor via his books and interviews.Cal's book "So Good They Can't Ignore You" inspired me to work at becoming the very best I can be in a chosen field.The field I've chosen: Podcasting.So.... reading a book by the folks at NPR about audio reporting and recording was right up the alley of my learning curve.This episode is about the podcasting tips I learned from the good folks at NPR.Main Points : Podcasting Tips from NPR[4:09] The benefits of audio (why we are audio people)[7:10] NPRs tips for making good recordings[16:28] Best practices for working with a co-host[20:50] Tips for doing better interviewsPodcasting tip #1 : Get clear on the benefits of good audioAs I said, the folks at NPR are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to recording and producing great audio. We podcasters can learn a ton from them and the book “Sound Reporting” outlines a lot of those valuable principles.Here’s a sampling of the points the author shares about the benefits of good audio… keep in mind, he spoke in terms of audio in general. I changed the points to reflect our particular form of audio, podcasting.Podcasts are portable (for the listener)There’s a benefit to audio that you can’t get with video or theater, or any other form of communication. That’s its portability. People can listen on the treadmill, in the car, in the backyard pushing a lawn mower… anywhere.That makes audio powerful in terms of its ABILITY to be consumed by the end user.Podcasts are intimate (spoken to one)Yes, we want to have more than just one person listening to our podcasts. But when we think in terms of the individual person who may be listening, it opens up a whole new perspective that enables us to be more effective.When you’re recording, imagine yourself speaking to one person - just one.How would your manner change? What sort of voice tone and inflection would you use? How nervous would you be? Do you see the point?This is a tip you can apply to your podcasting that could make your process and actual outcome more effective because it’s more effective.Podcasts are nimble (easy to do anywhere)Few things affect us like the sound of the human voiceThere are lots of sounds that impact us. The sound of a siren. The bell that rings to end classes at school. The screeching of brakes.But the sound of a human voice is more powerful than any of those. It is filled with meaning, emotion, depth, significance, much more than anything else we hear.Podcasting enables us to make the most of that reality. We’re able to use the human voice, perhaps the most powerful communication tool in the world, to impact the lives of other people.Sound tells a storyWe all love a good story. That’s why movies - and now narrative style podcasts - are so popular. Stories are told primarily through sound.Yes, a skillful drawing or painting can tell a story of sorts, but it’s not as complete, not as impacting as a story told through the spoken word. Even words on a page are not as powerful. Notice how the audio book genre is growing?These are just a few of the podcasting tips I learned reading the book, “Sound Reporting.” I hope you’ll pick up a copy and read it for yourself.But if you’re not interested in reading, at least listen to this episode.Podcasting Tip #2: Learn how to make good recordingsA good recording involves more than hitting the “record” button and speaking into a microphone. There’s lots of nuance and skill needed to do it well. Here are the tips I learned from the book about the HOW part of making good podcast audio...Write and speak for the ear (not the eye)This point has to do with people who use scripts or bullet point outlines as part of how they make recordings. That’s very common in a highly produced radio project like the folks at NPR create.But the point is well-taken, even for those who use a script.That’s because when you think in terms of your listeners actually BEING listeners, you start to realize that we don’t hear things as well the same way we read things. It’s weird, but it’s true.Simpler is better (be comprehended the first time)Podcasting is a bit different than radio - which is what the NPR folks are writing about in this book. They only get one chance to get it right for radio because it will be broadcast once and then it’s over with.So listeners need to be able to hear it and understand it the FIRST TIME. So, in that sense simpler is definitely better. But I think there’s a great podcasting tip for us here…The same thing is true for us.Yes, our listeners CAN skip back 30 seconds to hear something that we didn’t quite say clearly enough… unless they are jogging, or driving, or….. Hmmmmmm.Maybe it’s worth it for us to put a bit more time into our podcasts so that our listeners don’t have to do any back skipping to relisten. It seems to me we’d be serving our audience better by doing so.Present information at a pace and in a form that allows people to absorb itSome of us talk fast. Guilty as charged.I think my brain gets going faster than my lips can keep up, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!The tip I hear from this point is that we have to learn to slow down so that what we’re saying can have the time to register in the brains of our listeners and be truly understood.Understanding is what we’re after, right?Write the way you speak - to one person (not hundreds or thousands)Don't use words you wouldn't use at other times (lends to authenticity &amp; aids comprehension)I laugh at how many of us podcasters seem to go into “announcer mode” the moment the record button is depressed. But there’s no need for it… our audience typically wants us to be us. Go figure.So Jonathan suggests a great tip for us podcasters - don’t use words you wouldn’t normally use. Not only could it sound forced… it can very easily feel inauthentic, because it is.Stick to what you know. Stick to who you are. Your audience will thank you for it.Be aware of cliches and look for alternativesAvoid unnecessary jargon - explain what you must (to a smart but distracted 10th grader)I loved this point - Jonathan says that if we are able to imagine ourselves talking to smart but distracted 10th grader, we’ll be doing well.Isn’t that great? Our listeners are smart, but they may be distracted - by kids, by traffic, by social media, by a TV blaring in the other room - so we need to speak simply and plainly.Know and pronounce names correctlyPodcasting Tip #3: Make your co-hosting situations the best they can beThe points listed below are pretty self-explanatory, so I’m going to leave most of them to speak for themselves. But first, I want to say this…It’s my opinion that unless you’re someone famous that people are fawning over and dying to hear speak… get to the point.Don’t sit shooting the breeze with your co-host for the first 5 to 15 minutes before you get to the great content your episode title promised. Get with it.People are busy. And your listeners are busy people. Give them value right away without all the weekend catch-ups and news flashes of your baby’s latest achievements.My opinion. Clearly.Discuss a mutual goal/point for the episodeCommunicate ahead of timeCreate lists of suggested questionsInform about your own POV and possibility of sharing itI did want to say something here. Jonathan points out that co-hosts can add some flair or pizzaz to their recordings by being aware of each other’s points of view.Think: cable news shows with co-hosts.When you’re able to inject a bit of disagreement into a conversation, it’s a lot more fun to listen to and people are likely not going to click away until they know the outcome. So… take the time to discuss your topics together - enough to know if you might get to fight a little during the episode.It could be fun - for you and your listeners.Suggest sound effects, clips, etc.Have notes handy that contain facts, stats, etc.Remember it's a conversation, not a polished scriptDon't say, "That's a good question."(mine) Rapport goes a long way, but keep it on target for your goals for the episodePodcasting Tip #4: Learn to be a GREAT interviewerThis entire section of the book was great. Jonathan shares wonderful tips for any podcaster who does interviews regularly. It’s a skill - and it can be developed.Be curiousI can’t emphasize enough how important this is. Let me drive it home a bit…If you’re interviewing to connect with influencers, that’s only half the battle. You’ve got to make those influencers like you and value the connection you make with them. How do you do that? By being curious - truly interested in what they have to say. And more so, how they learned the things they share with your audience.Curiosity is one of the cure-alls for people who don’t know what to ask. Just think about the person and start asking yourself questions about them - then turn around and ask them.Be skeptical (human nature &amp; agendas)Look and listen for the truthListen well (inject emotion and genuine interest into it)The stories your guests tell matter to them. You want those stories to matter to your audience as well.The better you listen, the better you connect with your guest’s stories, the better you’re able to help your listeners do the same through penetrating follow up questions and the like.Don’t just look at your list of pre-selected questions to see what you’re going to ask next. Listen and learn right along with your listeners.Absorb information clearlyDo everything to avoid factual mistakesAlways engage in small talk firstEngaging in small talk before you launch into an interview does a handful of very beneficial things.#1 - It puts the interviewee at ease. Nothing like a tense guest to make for a boring show.#2 - It enables you to make a personal connection, and people share more with people they feel personally connected to.#3 - It allows the guest to forget that they’re being recorded - sometimes. They get so comfortable with you they relax.#4 - It establishes the beginnings of a relationship upon which your entire conversation will be built. Don’t take this lightly. Your guests need to feel comfortable with YOU before anything else.Play dumbYes/no questions should be avoidedEither/or questions should be avoidedAsk for analogies to clarify technical subjectsAnalogies are word pictures. Ask your guests to use them when a concept or idea is hard to grasp. You can say things like…“Tell me what that’s like…”“What is it similar to that my listeners would know from everyday life?”“How did it feel to experience that kind of situation?”When you take the time to dig deeper, your guest’s expertise will be able to shine through even more.Put the same energy into your questions as you'd like from the answers you receiveThis is another gold nugget tip for podcasters.Don’t ask boring questions and don’t ask questions in a boring way.The energy you demonstrate in asking is the energy that will come back in the response.Podcasting Tips From True Audio ProfessionalsSo… these are a lot different than Aaron Mahnke’s recent “10 Super Sassy Podcasting Tips” - but they are just as important.Maybe more so… because nothing against Aaron, but he’s relatively new to the audio broadcasting scene compared to Jonathan and the folks at NPR.What they’ve learned through the years can serve us well, if we will apply them well. :)RESOURCES I MENTIONED. BOOK: Sound ReportingBOOK: So Good They Can’t Ignore YouLeave your question for me to answer!Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn Twitter Subscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a>I figure, if I want to learn podcasting tips that can help my show stand apart in the crowded podcastosphere, I might as well go to the people who have made a living from doing audio well.And I also got a little help from a new friend - a guy named Cal Newport. Well, Cal's not actually my friend, but he's like a long-distance mentor via his books and interviews.Cal's book "So Good They Can't Ignore You" inspired me to work at becoming the very best I can be in a chosen field.The field I've chosen: Podcasting.So.... reading a book by the folks at NPR about audio reporting and recording was right up the alley of my learning curve.<h3>This episode is about the podcasting tips I learned from the good folks at NPR.</h3><h2>Main Points : Podcasting Tips from NPR</h2><ul><li>[4:09] The benefits of audio (why we are audio people)</li><li>[7:10] NPRs tips for making good recordings</li><li>[16:28] Best practices for working with a co-host</li><li>[20:50] Tips for doing better interviews</li></ul><h2>Podcasting tip #1 : Get clear on the benefits of good audio</h2>As I said, the folks at NPR are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to recording and producing great audio. We podcasters can learn a ton from them and the book “Sound Reporting” outlines a lot of those valuable principles.Here’s a sampling of the points the author shares about the benefits of good audio… keep in mind, he spoke in terms of audio in general. I changed the points to reflect our particular form of audio, podcasting.<ul><li>Podcasts are portable (for the listener)</li></ul>There’s a benefit to audio that you can’t get with video or theater, or any other form of communication. That’s its portability. People can listen on the treadmill, in the car, in the backyard pushing a lawn mower… anywhere.That makes audio powerful in terms of its ABILITY to be consumed by the end user.<ul><li>Podcasts are intimate (spoken to one)</li></ul>Yes, we want to have more than just one person listening to our podcasts. But when we think in terms of the individual person who may be listening, it opens up a whole new perspective that enables us to be more effective.When you’re recording, imagine yourself speaking to one person - just one.How would your manner change? What sort of voice tone and inflection would you use? How nervous would you be? Do you see the point?This is a tip you can apply to your podcasting that could make your process and actual outcome more effective because it’s more effective.<ul><li>Podcasts are nimble (easy to do anywhere)</li><li>Few things affect us like the sound of the human voice</li></ul>There are lots of sounds that impact us. The sound of a siren. The bell that rings to end classes at school. The screeching of brakes.But the sound of a human voice is more powerful than any of those. It is filled with meaning, emotion, depth, significance, much more than anything else we hear.Podcasting enables us to make the most of that reality. We’re able to use the human voice, perhaps the most powerful communication tool in the world, to impact the lives of other people.<ul><li>Sound tells a story</li></ul>We all love a good story. That’s why movies - and now narrative style podcasts - are so popular. Stories are told primarily through sound.Yes, a skillful drawing or painting can tell a story of sorts, but it’s not as complete, not as impacting as a story told through the spoken word. Even words on a page are not as powerful. Notice how the audio book genre is growing?These are just a few of the podcasting tips I learned reading the book, “Sound Reporting.” I hope you’ll pick up a copy and read it for yourself.But if you’re not interested in reading, at least listen to this episode.<h2>Podcasting Tip #2: Learn how to make good recordings</h2>A good recording involves more than hitting the “record” button and speaking into a microphone. There’s lots of nuance and skill needed to do it well. Here are the tips I learned from the book about the HOW part of making good podcast audio...<ul><li>Write and speak for the ear (not the eye)</li></ul>This point has to do with people who use scripts or bullet point outlines as part of how they make recordings. That’s very common in a highly produced radio project like the folks at NPR create.But the point is well-taken, even for those who use a script.That’s because when you think in terms of your listeners actually BEING listeners, you start to realize that we don’t hear things as well the same way we read things. It’s weird, but it’s true.<ul><li>Simpler is better (be comprehended the first time)</li></ul>Podcasting is a bit different than radio - which is what the NPR folks are writing about in this book. They only get one chance to get it right for radio because it will be broadcast once and then it’s over with.So listeners need to be able to hear it and understand it the FIRST TIME. So, in that sense simpler is definitely better. But I think there’s a great podcasting tip for us here…The same thing is true for us.Yes, our listeners CAN skip back 30 seconds to hear something that we didn’t quite say clearly enough… unless they are jogging, or driving, or….. Hmmmmmm.Maybe it’s worth it for us to put a bit more time into our podcasts so that our listeners don’t have to do any back skipping to relisten. It seems to me we’d be serving our audience better by doing so.<ul><li>Present information at a pace and in a form that allows people to absorb it</li></ul>Some of us talk fast. Guilty as charged.I think my brain gets going faster than my lips can keep up, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!The tip I hear from this point is that we have to learn to slow down so that what we’re saying can have the time to register in the brains of our listeners and be truly understood.Understanding is what we’re after, right?<ul><li>Write the way you speak - to one person (not hundreds or thousands)</li><li>Don't use words you wouldn't use at other times (lends to authenticity &amp; aids comprehension)</li></ul>I laugh at how many of us podcasters seem to go into “announcer mode” the moment the record button is depressed. But there’s no need for it… our audience typically wants us to be us. Go figure.So Jonathan suggests a great tip for us podcasters - don’t use words you wouldn’t normally use. Not only could it sound forced… it can very easily feel inauthentic, because it is.Stick to what you know. Stick to who you are. Your audience will thank you for it.<ul><li>Be aware of cliches and look for alternatives</li><li>Avoid unnecessary jargon - explain what you must (to a smart but distracted 10th grader)</li></ul>I loved this point - Jonathan says that if we are able to imagine ourselves talking to smart but distracted 10th grader, we’ll be doing well.Isn’t that great? Our listeners are smart, but they may be distracted - by kids, by traffic, by social media, by a TV blaring in the other room - so we need to speak simply and plainly.<ul><li>Know and pronounce names correctly</li></ul><h2>Podcasting Tip #3: Make your co-hosting situations the best they can be</h2>The points listed below are pretty self-explanatory, so I’m going to leave most of them to speak for themselves. But first, I want to say this…It’s my opinion that unless you’re someone famous that people are fawning over and dying to hear speak… get to the point.Don’t sit shooting the breeze with your co-host for the first 5 to 15 minutes before you get to the great content your episode title promised. Get with it.People are busy. And your listeners are busy people. Give them value right away without all the weekend catch-ups and news flashes of your baby’s latest achievements.My opinion. Clearly.<ul><li>Discuss a mutual goal/point for the episode</li><li>Communicate ahead of time</li><li>Create lists of suggested questions</li><li>Inform about your own POV and possibility of sharing it</li></ul>I did want to say something here. Jonathan points out that co-hosts can add some flair or pizzaz to their recordings by being aware of each other’s points of view.Think: cable news shows with co-hosts.When you’re able to inject a bit of disagreement into a conversation, it’s a lot more fun to listen to and people are likely not going to click away until they know the outcome. So… take the time to discuss your topics together - enough to know if you might get to fight a little during the episode.It could be fun - for you and your listeners.<ul><li>Suggest sound effects, clips, etc.</li><li>Have notes handy that contain facts, stats, etc.</li><li>Remember it's a conversation, not a polished script</li><li>Don't say, "That's a good question."</li><li>(mine) Rapport goes a long way, but keep it on target for your goals for the episode</li></ul><h2>Podcasting Tip #4: Learn to be a GREAT interviewer</h2>This entire section of the book was great. Jonathan shares wonderful tips for any podcaster who does interviews regularly. It’s a skill - and it can be developed.<ul><li>Be curious</li></ul>I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. Let me drive it home a bit…If you’re interviewing to connect with influencers, that’s only half the battle. You’ve got to make those influencers like you and value the connection you make with them. How do you do that? By being curious - truly interested in what they have to say. And more so, how they learned the things they share with your audience.Curiosity is one of the cure-alls for people who don’t know what to ask. Just think about the person and start asking yourself questions about them - then turn around and ask them.<ul><li>Be skeptical (human nature &amp; agendas)</li><li>Look and listen for the truth</li><li>Listen well (inject emotion and genuine interest into it)</li></ul>The stories your guests tell matter to them. You want those stories to matter to your audience as well.The better you listen, the better you connect with your guest’s stories, the better you’re able to help your listeners do the same through penetrating follow up questions and the like.Don’t just look at your list of pre-selected questions to see what you’re going to ask next. Listen and learn right along with your listeners.<ul><li>Absorb information clearly</li><li>Do everything to avoid factual mistakes</li><li>Always engage in small talk first</li></ul>Engaging in small talk before you launch into an interview does a handful of very beneficial things.#1 - It puts the interviewee at ease. Nothing like a tense guest to make for a boring show.#2 - It enables you to make a personal connection, and people share more with people they feel personally connected to.#3 - It allows the guest to forget that they’re being recorded - sometimes. They get so comfortable with you they relax.#4 - It establishes the beginnings of a relationship upon which your entire conversation will be built. Don’t take this lightly. Your guests need to feel comfortable with YOU before anything else.<ul><li>Play dumb</li><li>Yes/no questions should be avoided</li><li>Either/or questions should be avoided</li><li>Ask for analogies to clarify technical subjects</li></ul>Analogies are word pictures. Ask your guests to use them when a concept or idea is hard to grasp. You can say things like…“Tell me what that’s like…”“What is it similar to that my listeners would know from everyday life?”“How did it feel to experience that kind of situation?”When you take the time to dig deeper, your guest’s expertise will be able to shine through even more.<ul><li>Put the same energy into your questions as you'd like from the answers you receive</li></ul>This is another gold nugget tip for podcasters.Don’t ask boring questions and don’t ask questions in a boring way.The energy you demonstrate in asking is the energy that will come back in the response.<h2>Podcasting Tips From True Audio Professionals</h2>So… these are a lot different than Aaron Mahnke’s recent “<a href="http://aaronmahnke.com/10-super-sassy-podcasting-tips/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 Super Sassy Podcasting Tips</a>” - but they are just as important.Maybe more so… because nothing against Aaron, but he’s relatively new to the audio broadcasting scene compared to Jonathan and the folks at NPR.What they’ve learned through the years can serve us well, if we will apply them well. :)<h2>RESOURCES I MENTIONED.</h2> <ul><li>BOOK: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reporting-Guide-Journalism-Production/dp/0226431789" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sound Reporting</a></li><li>BOOK: <a href="http://calnewport.com/books/so-good/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">So Good They Can’t Ignore You</a></li></ul><h2><a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/Podcastification" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leave your question</a> for me to answer!</h2><h2>Connect with me…</h2>Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

92: Podcasting Tips I Learned From NPR

https://podcastfasttrack.com/There are all kinds of crazy names people give to their podcasts in the Apple Podcasts directory, but I don't believe most of them are good podcast names.This episode of the show is all about how to properly name your podcast. When I say properly, I don't mean there is some kind of etiquette around podcast naming, what I mean is there are best practices that make your podcast name work for you instead of against you.Intrigued? You've got to hear what happened in this case study that I didn't intend to be a case study.Main Points : Good Podcast Names Matter[0:53] What do I mean when I say podcast names matter?[3:22] The case study I did that wasn’t intended to be a case study[4:49] Little promotion, one Facebook share per morning, amazing results![6:42] The name I chose for the podcast is the only thing that made the impact[8:20] The deliberate steps I took to discover a good podcast name[10:01] Why RELEVANT keywords in your name are a HUGE consideration[11:27] The reason I thought a good podcast name would matter: Algorithms![13:40] The STATS that prove that good podcast names matter[18:50] Why you’re NOT sunk if your podcast name is not keyword rich[19:30] Best practices for episode names - keep keywords in mind!What’s in a name? When it comes to a good podcast name - a LOT!I have to admit that there are a lot of strong opinions in what I have to say on this episode. They're strong opinions I've had for a long time, not just about good podcast names but about a lot of things including company names, brand logos, and other stuff.I'm no expert, so what I have to say doesn't usually hold much water, but in this episode, I'm going to walk you through the statistics of what has actually happened from choosing a good podcast name in order to show you that in this case, I think my opinion does hold some water.Podcast names are not only the way you identify your show to others. They also communicate something about you, your message, the people you have as guests on your show, and the topics you cover. In my view, if your podcast name doesn't express those things clearly, what's the use?Of course, there are many large brands and successful people who have done this whole podcast naming thing differently than what I am going to suggest on this episode, but we are not them.Most of us are average people, without big followings, without the benefit of being a household name or brand that others have known about forever.So we have to go about this a little bit differently. Our main objective is to get people to pay attention, to notice our podcast in the first place. That is why I a good podcast name makes a lot of difference.In this episode I not only explain why it's true, I also demonstrate it through those stats I was talking about. You really need to hear this.How do I know it was a good podcast name that made the difference? It's the only thing I did.The situation I described as my case study in this episode is one where I was launching a new podcast, but the content is something I had created previously. It's a daily show so I didn't want to spend all my time promoting, promoting, promoting. That means my only promotional attempt on any of the episodes is an automatic post from my Libsyn media host account to Facebook. That is it.No Facebook ads.No email blasts.Nothing else.On this episode, you're going to hear the way the numbers increased to well over 600 downloads in less than 30 days. It's remarkable, and I'm pretty convinced it only happened because I approached the name of my podcast with a keyword-centric mindset.If that doesn't make sense to you, listen to this episode. I describe exactly what I did, why I did it, and how it appears to have worked.If you are going to use keywords in your podcast name, make sure they are relevant.When I say that the keywords you use in your podcast name need to be relevant, do you know what I mean?Well, let's take this example as a way not to do it…you’ve probably seen podcasts in the Apple Podcasts directory that use this approach.“Business Tips That Rock - interviews with people like Dave Ramsey, Jay Papasan, Cameron Herald, Tony Robbins, and more.That is the opposite of a good podcast name. In fact, it is a VERY BAD podcast name. Why?Because it is keyword stuffed. That means the person who wrote that name used words they assumed other people would be searching for that really have NOTHING to do with their actual podcast.Not only is that unethical, it simply doesn't work like they think it's going to work. Apple has also been known to boot shows right out of their directory for doing that kind of thing.So when I say you need to have a keyword-centric approach to the way you create your podcast name, I'm referring to the use of relevant keywords, the words that truly have to do with the topics and items you will be covering on your podcast.That is a LEGITIMATE use of keywords, and it makes for a good podcast name that actually benefits you and your audience.It's all about algorithms.The reason I thought that taking a keyword-centric approach to creating a good podcast name would actually work is that I discovered a little-known fact. The Apple Podcast directory only considers three things when someone does a search for a new podcast to listen to. Here they are…Your podcast nameYour episode namesYour author fieldThat is it.So, if you want to rank in the search results for the words “content marketing” you had better have those words in the name of your podcast. At the very least you should have some episodes with those words in the title.I guess you could figure out a way legitimately use “content marketing” in your author field, but it feels like a stretch to me.The point is this: You have to play within Apple Podcasts rules if you want your show to actually rank for the things people are searching for. It's NOT gaming the system to do that, it is playing according to the rules laid down by the system. There's a big difference.Make sure you listen to this episode to hear the amazing results I got from this little experiment that I didn't really mean to be an experiment.Leave your question for me to answer!Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> <h1>There are all kinds of crazy names people give to their podcasts in the Apple Podcasts directory, but I don't believe most of them are good podcast names.</h1>This episode of the show is all about how to properly name your podcast. When I say properly, I don't mean there is some kind of etiquette around podcast naming, what I mean is there are best practices that make your podcast name work for you instead of against you.Intrigued? You've got to hear what happened in this case study that I didn't intend to be a case study. <h2>Main Points : Good Podcast Names Matter</h2><ul><li>[0:53] What do I mean when I say podcast names matter?</li><li>[3:22] The case study I did that wasn’t intended to be a case study</li><li>[4:49] Little promotion, one Facebook share per morning, amazing results!</li><li>[6:42] The name I chose for the podcast is the only thing that made the impact</li><li>[8:20] The deliberate steps I took to discover a good podcast name</li><li>[10:01] Why RELEVANT keywords in your name are a HUGE consideration</li><li>[11:27] The reason I thought a good podcast name would matter: Algorithms!</li><li>[13:40] The STATS that prove that good podcast names matter</li><li>[18:50] Why you’re NOT sunk if your podcast name is not keyword rich</li><li>[19:30] Best practices for episode names - keep keywords in mind!</li></ul> <h2>What’s in a name? When it comes to a good podcast name - a LOT!</h2> I have to admit that there are a lot of strong opinions in what I have to say on this episode. They're strong opinions I've had for a long time, not just about good podcast names but about a lot of things including company names, brand logos, and other stuff.I'm no expert, so what I have to say doesn't usually hold much water, but in this episode, I'm going to walk you through the statistics of what has actually happened from choosing a good podcast name in order to show you that in this case, I think my opinion does hold some water.Podcast names are not only the way you identify your show to others. They also communicate something about you, your message, the people you have as guests on your show, and the topics you cover. In my view, if your podcast name doesn't express those things clearly, what's the use?Of course, there are many large brands and successful people who have done this whole podcast naming thing differently than what I am going to suggest on this episode, but we are not them.Most of us are average people, without big followings, without the benefit of being a household name or brand that others have known about forever.So we have to go about this a little bit differently. Our main objective is to get people to pay attention, to notice our podcast in the first place. That is why I a good podcast name makes a lot of difference.In this episode I not only explain why it's true, I also demonstrate it through those stats I was talking about. You really need to hear this.<h2>How do I know it was a good podcast name that made the difference? It's the only thing I did.</h2> The situation I described as my case study in this episode is one where I was launching a new podcast, but the content is something I had created previously. It's a daily show so I didn't want to spend all my time promoting, promoting, promoting. That means my only promotional attempt on any of the episodes is an automatic post from my Libsyn media host account to Facebook. That is it.No Facebook ads.No email blasts.Nothing else.On this episode, you're going to hear the way the numbers increased to well over 600 downloads in less than 30 days. It's remarkable, and I'm pretty convinced it only happened because I approached the name of my podcast with a keyword-centric mindset.If that doesn't make sense to you, listen to this episode. I describe exactly what I did, why I did it, and how it appears to have worked.<h2>If you are going to use keywords in your podcast name, make sure they are relevant.</h2> When I say that the keywords you use in your podcast name need to be relevant, do you know what I mean?Well, let's take this example as a way not to do it…you’ve probably seen podcasts in the Apple Podcasts directory that use this approach.“Business Tips That Rock - interviews with people like Dave Ramsey, Jay Papasan, Cameron Herald, Tony Robbins, and more.That is the opposite of a good podcast name. In fact, it is a VERY BAD podcast name. Why?Because it is keyword stuffed. That means the person who wrote that name used words they assumed other people would be searching for that really have NOTHING to do with their actual podcast.Not only is that unethical, it simply doesn't work like they think it's going to work. Apple has also been known to boot shows right out of their directory for doing that kind of thing.So when I say you need to have a keyword-centric approach to the way you create your podcast name, I'm referring to the use of relevant keywords, the words that truly have to do with the topics and items you will be covering on your podcast.That is a LEGITIMATE use of keywords, and it makes for a good podcast name that actually benefits you and your audience.<h2>It's all about algorithms.</h2>The reason I thought that taking a keyword-centric approach to creating a good podcast name would actually work is that I discovered a little-known fact. The Apple Podcast directory only considers three things when someone does a search for a new podcast to listen to. Here they are…<ol><li>Your podcast name</li><li>Your episode names</li><li>Your author field</li></ol> That is it.So, if you want to rank in the search results for the words “content marketing” you had better have those words in the name of your podcast. At the very least you should have some episodes with those words in the title.I guess you could figure out a way legitimately use “content marketing” in your author field, but it feels like a stretch to me.The point is this: You have to play within Apple Podcasts rules if you want your show to actually rank for the things people are searching for. It's NOT gaming the system to do that, it is playing according to the rules laid down by the system. There's a big difference.Make sure you listen to this episode to hear the amazing results I got from this little experiment that I didn't really mean to be an experiment.<h2><a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/Podcastification" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Leave your question</a> for me to answer!</h2> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

90: [[2018 UPDATE]] - Good Podcast Names Really Matter: A Case Study

https://podcastfasttrack.com/Contact CareyPodcast sponsorships are a hot topic - because almost everyone and their dog wants to make money from their podcast. It makes sense, if you’re going to invest so much time in something it would be great if there was some kind of financial reward, right?But sponsorships are not all they are cracked up to be - especially if you don’t know what you’re getting into.ON THIS EPISODE I explain some of the things that nobody seems to be talking about when it comes to working with sponsorships - and of course I'm not going to give you an exhaustive list. There are all kinds of things you might run into when working with sponsors or in attempting to secure podcast sponsorships, but the things that I'm going to point out are things I have noticed in working alongside the many clients that we do here at Podcast Fast Track.These are things you should keep in mind when you consider doing podcasts sponsorships. Ready to find out what nobody’s telling you? Be sure to listen.Main Points : Podcast Sponsorships[1:10] Why you need to know the things nobody is talking about regarding sponsors[2:20] Dealing with sponsorships is a lot of work relationally. Yep, really.[5:30] Essential feedback you need to provide to sponsors - and how to encourage them[8:29] Are you ready for the administrative burden of a podcast sponsorship?[12:31] Podcast sponsorships pull out. It happens. What are you going to do then?[15:49] What might cause a sponsor to drop your show?[17:04] Sponsor ignorance when it comes to podcasting and how it impacts youPodcast sponsorships are relationships, not business transactions.If you want any sponsorship to be successful you're going to have to engage in your relationship with that sponsor on a fairly deep level.Work hard to keep up that relationship with your sponsor just like you would work to keep up a relationship with a person in your life who you really, really care about - maybe your spouse or significant other. You need to understand that the person or people on the other end of the sponsor relationship need to feel that they are more than just a paycheck to you, that they are more than just a number or source of revenue.The more you can make them feel that you really care about making them successful, the more they are going to be enthused and excited about the relationship with you and be willing to spend not only their initial amount of money for sponsorship of your podcast but also continue doing so on an ongoing basis and maybe even growing that in some way that the two of you come up with in the future.It’s a relationship that will require ongoing maintenance - and not the kind of maintenance that is just communicating facts, you need to get to the heart of that person.You need to find out exactly what they are shooting for in the sponsorship relationship. That way, you can do your utmost to provide what they’re hoping for. Of course, they are looking for a certain rate of return on their financial investment but I believe most sponsors are looking for more than that.If they are smart, if they're understanding the way that content marketing works in this day and age, they are looking to establish themselves as a household name to the very people that your podcast is broadcasting to.You see, good sponsors are going to be choosing shows that are targeting the market they want to reach. It’s not just gonna be a generic thing where they throw their sponsorship money at any old show. They're going to be looking for specific shows in the niche that they serve so that they can establish a name for themselves in those particular circles.YOU want to help them become that household name. YOU want to help them become a respected partner, in the podcast-o-sphere of your niche.In order to do that, you have to do the hard work of keeping up the relationship with them. They are going to appreciate you working at the relationship because the relationship really matters. Practical ways you can be a partner with your podcast sponsorsAs you learn to approach your podcast sponsorships with a relational frame of reference, you’re going to realize that when it comes to them continuing to experience success as a sponsor of your particular podcast - YOU are their best partner in making that success possible.YOU have the opportunity to give them tons of resources that will help them not only feel good about your role as a partner, but also enable them to see that YOU are doing the work to make THEM successful.What’s in it for THEM (your podcast sponsor)?Never stop asking that question. And never stop answering it and providing those answers to them without being asked. A practical way to do that is through providing them data.You want to let them know how many downloads or listens their sponsored episodes are getting. I suggest you do this weekly after every episode AND maybe two weeks later, then 4 weeks later. Then 6 weeks later.You want them to see the potential audience their cash is reaching so they can be encouraged that they’ve made a wise choice in sponsoring your podcast.You can also provide your sponsors data that comes to you in the form of listener comments. Tell them what listeners you connect with are saying about their advertisements and messaging. ASK your listeners what they think via your email list or community pages. They’ll tell you.Provide the positive feedback to your sponsor. Provide the constructive criticism. In doing so you’re giving them the data they need to improve their sponsorship campaign on your podcast and therefore make tweaks to increase its effectiveness. You should also be educating your sponsors about marketing and podcastingAs things progress, remind your sponsor that this kind of marketing takes time. In fact, it’s taking more and more time to reach effectiveness as the technology consumers are using improves.For example - this article over at the Online Marketing Institute outlines why it takes 7 to 13 touches or more to generate a qualified sales lead these days. That’s just the way marketing, advertising, and things like sponsorships work practically.What could happen if your sponsor doesn’t know that? They may have wrong expectations about the time frames surrounding response to their sponsorship on your show and become discontent too early in the process.It’s your job to educate them. You want to set their expectations as best you can by providing resources like that study. By encouraging them to be optimistic, but also to be improving their messaging and marketing through your show all along the way.Give them information they may not know…For example, you may want to ask how they are tracking their ROI. Are they using links of any kind for their advertisements on your show? If so, are they using trackable links? You could educate them about trackable links if they don’t know what they are.Or better yet, you could offer to setup a Pretty Link on your site and provide the data to them regularly. That way you’re not only proving how helpful you want to be, but that you really ARE a partner to them in this sponsorship venture.The more you can make them see that you’re committed to their success, the more likely they are to be committed to you and your podcast. Can you think of anything better than an ongoing sponsor who sticks with your show for years?Podcast sponsors sometimes choose to quit as a sponsor of your show. What then?This particular point is fresh off my front burner, it’s something I've been dealing with alongside a client. Here’s the scenario…My client pays for our audio editing and production AND our show notes and some additional artwork out of the funds the client was receiving from their sponsor okay. So for him to be able to afford that much outsourcing, you can see that it was a pretty generous sponsorship and his show is pretty successful.But here's the deal.Not just one sponsor but two sponsors pulled their sponsorship just about at the same time. So everything this podcaster was spending to produce his show was suddenly a no-go for him because the revenue that was sourcing the outsourcing was suddenly dried up.It’s kinda like when you get a raise at work, your home budget tends to grow to fit that new level of income rather than using that money for savings, using that money for investments, or whatever to make it work for you. We tend to start using it for things that we think we absolutely need but we may not - and I'll be the first to tell you that not every podcaster needs to be investing in the services that my company provides. Not every podcaster can afford to.Why do I say that?Because they need to have a track record of success first, or else they need to have an established business first that can actually fuel the content marketing portion of what they're doing (which podcasting is.) Then the podcast becomes a tool they use to establish authority and generate revenue in other ways.Sure, sponsorships are great when you have them. But once they vanish... man that can be so painful! So, this client I just told you about is trying to figure out exactly what he's going to do. For now he's going ahead and paying for our services out of his own pocket, which I hope is able to continue doing. But it’s highly likely that he may not be able to.So you need to be careful when you get into a sponsorship relationship primarily in terms of what you decide to do with that income.My suggestions about how to use sponsorship money…My suggestion is you invest that money in things that you're not going to be in danger of losing should that sponsor pull out.So, maybe upgrading equipment is a great thing to do with money from a podcast sponsorship.Maybe paying for minor expenses like your monthly hosting… I mean pay it all off for a year or something like that. Use your sponsorship money for things that really are going to move your podcast forward in the long term.Now, as a podcast grows and as it becomes very, very popular, getting tens of thousands of downloads per episode, this issue is really not as big a deal because you could have sponsors all the time coming wanting to sponsor your show. It will be a different scenario then.But if you're a small time podcaster and you get that first sponsor, be very careful. Don't become dependent on that sponsor in order for your podcast to continue. Because the minute a sponsor drops. You are going to be in a heap of trouble.THUMBS UP PICTUREPodcast sponsorships are a great thing - when they are a great thingNow let me explain to you a little bit of why a sponsor might withdraw from sponsoring your podcast all the sudden.One thing is that they may not feel like they have a very good relationship with you. It's the outcome of that previous point I was talking about… you see you may not have done the work needed to foster a good relationship with your sponsor.Most sponsors who quit sponsoring your show will never say, “We don't feel like we have a good relationship with you.”What they will say is things like, “We have found a better use for our marketing dollars.” OR “Podcasting simply hasn’t been able to give us the ROI we thought it would.“What they're really saying is, “We don't feel like there's anything special enough about what we have with you to keep us from easily jumping to another option simply because it seems more financially feasible.”I’m beating that same drum again about relationships. They are HUGE. Sponsors will pull out if they feel like there's not a connection, that there's not a partnership. So be aware of that.But you also need to be aware of this: Many sponsors, especially when it comes to podcasting, don't know enough about the podcasting space. Many of them don’t know what it looks like to track podcast statistics. Many of them haven't set up systems to help them track the stats, they don’t know to ask you for the stats, they don’t know how to track whether people coming to them as new clients or customers are actually coming as a result of their sponsorship of your show or not.Now, good marketers should be tracking everything - but because podcasting is so new, it doesn't always happen.So YOU need to help them know those things, to help them be successful. Again, I’ve already said this but it’s worth repeating.And then there ARE the legitimate cases where it was a mismatch from the start. They may determine that it's simply not what they were hoping for from a podcast sponsorship, especially in smaller niches. It’s still a pretty unknown thing - it's a unicorn that nobody really knows how it’s going to work or whether or not it will be profitable for such a niche audience, so they're trying it out.It’s YOUR job - going back to a previous point - to establish a relationship with them that is cooperative, were you are helping them determined the ROI of their investment in your podcast. You are actually helping them see that this is a long term game.So you see, podcast sponsorships are a great thing.When they're a great thing.When they're not a great thing.Not so much.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODESend somebody the “How To Podcast Step By Step” CourseLeave your question for me to answer!Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> <a href="https://www.podcastfasttrack.com/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Contact Carey</a>Podcast sponsorships are a hot topic - because almost everyone and their dog wants to make money from their podcast. It makes sense, if you’re going to invest so much time in something it would be great if there was some kind of financial reward, right?But sponsorships are not all they are cracked up to be - especially if you don’t know what you’re getting into.ON THIS EPISODE I explain some of the things that nobody seems to be talking about when it comes to working with sponsorships - and of course I'm not going to give you an exhaustive list. There are all kinds of things you might run into when working with sponsors or in attempting to secure podcast sponsorships, but the things that I'm going to point out are things I have noticed in working alongside the <a href="https://www.podcastfasttrack.com/CLIENTS" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">many clients</a> that we do here at Podcast Fast Track.These are things you should keep in mind when you consider doing podcasts sponsorships. Ready to find out what nobody’s telling you? Be sure to listen.<h2>Main Points : Podcast Sponsorships</h2><ul><li>[1:10] Why you need to know the things nobody is talking about regarding sponsors</li><li>[2:20] Dealing with sponsorships is a lot of work relationally. Yep, really.</li><li>[5:30] Essential feedback you need to provide to sponsors - and how to encourage them</li><li>[8:29] Are you ready for the administrative burden of a podcast sponsorship?</li><li>[12:31] Podcast sponsorships pull out. It happens. What are you going to do then?</li><li>[15:49] What might cause a sponsor to drop your show?</li><li>[17:04] Sponsor ignorance when it comes to podcasting and how it impacts you</li></ul> <h2>Podcast sponsorships are relationships, not business transactions.</h2>If you want any sponsorship to be successful you're going to have to engage in your relationship with that sponsor on a fairly deep level.Work hard to keep up that relationship with your sponsor just like you would work to keep up a relationship with a person in your life who you really, really care about - maybe your spouse or significant other. You need to understand that the person or people on the other end of the sponsor relationship need to feel that they are more than just a paycheck to you, that they are more than just a number or source of revenue.The more you can make them feel that you really care about making them successful, the more they are going to be enthused and excited about the relationship with you and be willing to spend not only their initial amount of money for sponsorship of your podcast but also continue doing so on an ongoing basis and maybe even growing that in some way that the two of you come up with in the future.It’s a relationship that will require ongoing maintenance - and not the kind of maintenance that is just communicating facts, you need to get to the heart of that person.You need to find out exactly what they are shooting for in the sponsorship relationship. That way, you can do your utmost to provide what they’re hoping for. Of course, they are looking for a certain rate of return on their financial investment but I believe most sponsors are looking for more than that.If they are smart, if they're understanding the way that content marketing works in this day and age, they are looking to establish themselves as a household name to the very people that your podcast is broadcasting to.You see, good sponsors are going to be choosing shows that are targeting the market they want to reach. It’s not just gonna be a generic thing where they throw their sponsorship money at any old show. They're going to be looking for specific shows in the niche that they serve so that they can establish a name for themselves in those particular circles.YOU want to help them become that household name. YOU want to help them become a respected partner, in the podcast-o-sphere of your niche.In order to do that, you have to do the hard work of keeping up the relationship with them. They are going to appreciate you working at the relationship because the relationship really matters. <h2>Practical ways you can be a partner with your podcast sponsors</h2>As you learn to approach your podcast sponsorships with a relational frame of reference, you’re going to realize that when it comes to them continuing to experience success as a sponsor of your particular podcast - YOU are their best partner in making that success possible.YOU have the opportunity to give them tons of resources that will help them not only feel good about your role as a partner, but also enable them to see that YOU are doing the work to make THEM successful.What’s in it for THEM (your podcast sponsor)?Never stop asking that question. And never stop answering it and providing those answers to them without being asked. <h3>A practical way to do that is through providing them data.</h3>You want to let them know how many downloads or listens their sponsored episodes are getting. I suggest you do this weekly after every episode AND maybe two weeks later, then 4 weeks later. Then 6 weeks later.You want them to see the potential audience their cash is reaching so they can be encouraged that they’ve made a wise choice in sponsoring your podcast.You can also provide your sponsors data that comes to you in the form of listener comments. Tell them what listeners you connect with are saying about their advertisements and messaging. ASK your listeners what they think via your email list or community pages. They’ll tell you.Provide the positive feedback to your sponsor. Provide the constructive criticism. In doing so you’re giving them the data they need to improve their sponsorship campaign on your podcast and therefore make tweaks to increase its effectiveness. <h3>You should also be educating your sponsors about marketing and podcasting</h3>As things progress, remind your sponsor that this kind of marketing takes time. In fact, it’s taking more and more time to reach effectiveness as the technology consumers are using improves.For example - <a href="https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/blog/2013/10/why-it-takes-7-to-13-touches-to-deliver-a-qualified-sales-lead-part1/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">this article over at the Online Marketing Institute outlines why it takes 7 to 13 touches</a> or more to generate a qualified sales lead these days. That’s just the way marketing, advertising, and things like sponsorships work practically.What could happen if your sponsor doesn’t know that? They may have wrong expectations about the time frames surrounding response to their sponsorship on your show and become discontent too early in the process.It’s your job to educate them. You want to set their expectations as best you can by providing resources like that study. By encouraging them to be optimistic, but also to be improving their messaging and marketing through your show all along the way.Give them information they may not know…For example, you may want to ask how they are tracking their ROI. Are they using links of any kind for their advertisements on your show? If so, are they using trackable links? You could educate them about trackable links if they don’t know what they are.Or better yet, you could offer to setup a <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Pretty Link</a> on your site and provide the data to them regularly. That way you’re not only proving how helpful you want to be, but that you really ARE a partner to them in this sponsorship venture.The more you can make them see that you’re committed to their success, the more likely they are to be committed to you and your podcast. Can you think of anything better than an ongoing sponsor who sticks with your show for years?<h2>Podcast sponsors sometimes choose to quit as a sponsor of your show. What then?</h2> This particular point is fresh off my front burner, it’s something I've been dealing with alongside a client. Here’s the scenario…My client pays for our audio editing and production AND our show notes and some additional artwork out of the funds the client was receiving from their sponsor okay. So for him to be able to afford that much outsourcing, you can see that it was a pretty generous sponsorship and his show is pretty successful.But here's the deal.Not just one sponsor but two sponsors pulled their sponsorship just about at the same time. So everything this podcaster was spending to produce his show was suddenly a no-go for him because the revenue that was sourcing the outsourcing was suddenly dried up.It’s kinda like when you get a raise at work, your home budget tends to grow to fit that new level of income rather than using that money for savings, using that money for investments, or whatever to make it work for you. We tend to start using it for things that we think we absolutely need but we may not - and I'll be the first to tell you that not every podcaster needs to be investing in the services that my company provides. Not every podcaster can afford to.Why do I say that?Because they need to have a track record of success first, or else they need to have an established business first that can actually fuel the content marketing portion of what they're doing (which podcasting is.) Then the podcast becomes a tool they use to establish authority and generate revenue in other ways.Sure, sponsorships are great when you have them. But once they vanish... man that can be so painful! So, this client I just told you about is trying to figure out exactly what he's going to do. For now he's going ahead and paying for our services out of his own pocket, which I hope is able to continue doing. But it’s highly likely that he may not be able to.So you need to be careful when you get into a sponsorship relationship primarily in terms of what you decide to do with that income.<h2>My suggestions about how to use sponsorship money…</h2> My suggestion is you invest that money in things that you're not going to be in danger of losing should that sponsor pull out.So, maybe upgrading equipment is a great thing to do with money from a podcast sponsorship.Maybe paying for minor expenses like your monthly hosting… I mean pay it all off for a year or something like that. Use your sponsorship money for things that really are going to move your podcast forward in the long term.Now, as a podcast grows and as it becomes very, very popular, getting tens of thousands of downloads per episode, this issue is really not as big a deal because you could have sponsors all the time coming wanting to sponsor your show. It will be a different scenario then.But if you're a small time podcaster and you get that first sponsor, be very careful. Don't become dependent on that sponsor in order for your podcast to continue. Because the minute a sponsor drops. You are going to be in a heap of trouble.THUMBS UP PICTURE<h3>Podcast sponsorships are a great thing - when they are a great thing</h3>Now let me explain to you a little bit of why a sponsor might withdraw from sponsoring your podcast all the sudden.One thing is that they may not feel like they have a very good relationship with you. It's the outcome of that previous point I was talking about… you see you may not have done the work needed to foster a good relationship with your sponsor.Most sponsors who quit sponsoring your show will never say, “We don't feel like we have a good relationship with you.”What they will say is things like, “We have found a better use for our marketing dollars.” OR “Podcasting simply hasn’t been able to give us the ROI we thought it would.“What they're really saying is, “We don't feel like there's anything special enough about what we have with you to keep us from easily jumping to another option simply because it seems more financially feasible.”I’m beating that same drum again about relationships. They are HUGE. Sponsors will pull out if they feel like there's not a connection, that there's not a partnership. So be aware of that.But you also need to be aware of this: Many sponsors, especially when it comes to podcasting, don't know enough about the podcasting space. Many of them don’t know what it looks like to track podcast statistics. Many of them haven't set up systems to help them track the stats, they don’t know to ask you for the stats, they don’t know how to track whether people coming to them as new clients or customers are actually coming as a result of their sponsorship of your show or not.Now, good marketers should be tracking everything - but because podcasting is so new, it doesn't always happen.So YOU need to help them know those things, to help them be successful. Again, I’ve already said this but it’s worth repeating.And then there ARE the legitimate cases where it was a mismatch from the start. They may determine that it's simply not what they were hoping for from a podcast sponsorship, especially in smaller niches. It’s still a pretty unknown thing - it's a unicorn that nobody really knows how it’s going to work or whether or not it will be profitable for such a niche audience, so they're trying it out.It’s YOUR job - going back to a previous point - to establish a relationship with them that is cooperative, were you are helping them determined the ROI of their investment in your podcast. You are actually helping them see that this is a long term game.So you see, podcast sponsorships are a great thing.When they're a great thing.When they're not a great thing.Not so much.<h2>RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE</h2> <ul><li>Send somebody the “<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/diy-podcast-video-course/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">How To Podcast Step By Step</a>” Course</li></ul> <h2><a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/Podcastification" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Leave your question</a> for me to answer!</h2> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

100: Podcast Sponsorships: What Nobody Is Telling You

We all love our podcasts. But there are aspects of producing them that we HATE (or at least don’t love as much). One of those for many people is the AMOUNT OF TIME it takes to do the actual audio production - from recording through uploading to their media host. On this episode of Podcastification I’m going to teach you how I use what I call a Podcast Template to make my audio recording and editing process even faster - saving me as much as 4 and half hours per year![2:17] What do I MEAN by a podcast template?What I refer to as a podcast template is a pre-set project in my audio editing software (Audacity) that already contains the ongoing elements of my podcast episodes. So things like intro, outro, transition sounds, sponsor messages - all of those things are preloaded into my template and saved to ensure that I don’t have to re-import or recreate them time after time after time throughout the life of my podcast. This episode is meant to give you a peek into my process so you can develop a process of your own. It’s not the only way to do it, but it’s MY way - and I like it![4:41] The steps I take to create my podcast template.OK, this section is the practical part. I spare you no boring details here - you’re going to learn what I do, step by boring step, to ensure that my podcast template is setup properly so that I can save time in the future as I record my episodes. Grab a cup of coffee - or something stronger. You’re going to need it. :)[14:25] The most important part of building a podcast audio template.In recording this episode of Podcastification, I not only wanted to teach you how to build your own podcast template for making your audio production process smoother and faster - I also wanted to save you the excruciating heartache that comes from building a template like I’m showing you and then losing it. The most important part of building your podcast template is not building the template. Can you guess what it is?[16:45] Best practices for using your template in the future.A template like I describe on this episode can be used in a variety of ways - and two of the most common are for recording your own “solo” episodes, or live episodes you do using a mixer and additional microphones or audio sources. But you can also use this kind of template with Skype or Ringr recordings. The last thing I teach you on this episode is exactly how a podcast template like this works in those situations.Thanks for listening! You’re the best!resources we talked about in this episodeAudacity Free Recording SoftwareAdobe AuditionHindenburg JournalistLogic ProGarageBandRory VadenRingr (affiliate link)ZencastrSkypeConnect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification Here!

We all love our podcasts. But there are aspects of producing them that we HATE (or at least don’t love as much). One of those for many people is the AMOUNT OF TIME it takes to do the actual audio production - from recording through uploading to their media host. On this episode of Podcastification I’m going to teach you how I use what I call a Podcast Template to make my audio recording and editing process even faster - saving me as much as 4 and half hours per year!<h2>[2:17] What do I MEAN by a podcast template?</h2>What I refer to as a podcast template is a pre-set project in my audio editing software (Audacity) that already contains the ongoing elements of my podcast episodes. So things like intro, outro, transition sounds, sponsor messages - all of those things are preloaded into my template and saved to ensure that I don’t have to re-import or recreate them time after time after time throughout the life of my podcast. This episode is meant to give you a peek into my process so you can develop a process of your own. It’s not the only way to do it, but it’s MY way - and I like it!<h2>[4:41] The steps I take to create my podcast template.</h2>OK, this section is the practical part. I spare you no boring details here - you’re going to learn what I do, step by boring step, to ensure that my podcast template is setup properly so that I can save time in the future as I record my episodes. Grab a cup of coffee - or something stronger. You’re going to need it. :)<h2>[14:25] The most important part of building a podcast audio template.</h2> In recording this episode of Podcastification, I not only wanted to teach you how to build your own podcast template for making your audio production process smoother and faster - I also wanted to save you the excruciating heartache that comes from building a template like I’m showing you and then losing it. The most important part of building your podcast template is not building the template. Can you guess what it is?<h2>[16:45] Best practices for using your template in the future.</h2> A template like I describe on this episode can be used in a variety of ways - and two of the most common are for recording your own “solo” episodes, or live episodes you do using a mixer and additional microphones or audio sources. But you can also use this kind of template with Skype or Ringr recordings. The last thing I teach you on this episode is exactly how a podcast template like this works in those situations.<h3>Thanks for listening! You’re the best!</h3> <h1>resources we talked about in this episode</h1> <ul><li><a href="http://www.audacityteam.org/download/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Audacity Free Recording Software</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Adobe Audition</a></li><li><a href="https://hindenburg.com/products/hindenburg-journalist" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Hindenburg Journalist</a></li><li><a href="http://www.apple.com/logic-pro/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Logic Pro</a></li><li><a href="http://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">GarageBand</a></li><li><a href="http://roryvaden.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Rory Vaden</a></li><li><a href="http://ringr.com/pft" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Ringr</a> (affiliate link)</li><li><a href="https://zencastr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Zencastr</a></li><li><a href="https://www.skype.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Skype</a></li></ul> <h2>Connect with me…</h2>Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

55: Use A Podcast Template To Cut Recording And Production Time

Gordon Firemark

https://podcastfasttrack.com/Questions about the proper use of podcast intro music and outro music are some of the most common things people ask me about.Can I use this popular song? What if I only use 20 seconds of it? Doesn't that fall under fair use Doctrine? What if I get somebody to compose music for me, can that work?These are only a few examples of the legal side of what it takes to do a podcast in a way that reflects your personal integrity and keeps you out of trouble.I decided it was time for me to invite someone on the show who could give us clear answers on these kinds of issues.Gordon Firemark is an entertainment lawyer who specializes in helping theater professionals, producers, big media companies, and podcasters do the right thing when it comes to copyright law, legal working agreements, and lots of other things that are important for anyone publishing content.This was a great conversation and I personally learned some things I didn't know, which you’ll hear me admit on the episode. Gordon is very generous guy who has provided some great free resources which you can find in the show notes links for this episode.I only used 20 seconds of a song. Isn’t that OK to use for my podcast intro?If you are depending on the Fair Use Doctrine often mentioned as support for using a small section of a copyrighted music on podcasts, you could be on very shaky ground. In this conversation Gordon addresses the Fair Use issue head-on as it relates to podcast intros and outros. His insight into what Fair Use really means and when it is applicable is very helpful, because it's very complicated.WHAT IS FAIR USE?There are actually four criteria that are used to determine if use of a copyrighted work falls under the Fair Use Doctrine and is therefore oka:How much of the copyrighted work is actually being used? - which is typically the only thing people talk aboutHow substantial is the use of it?What is the nature of the used portion of the work (the most catchy part of the song VS an obscure section)What impact will the use of the work be on the marketing of the original work?As you can see, it's much more complicated than you typically hear about and smarter minds than mine have had a hard time figuring out what actually falls under Fair Use and what doesn't.So what should you do? Unless you have deep pockets filled with cash that you can use in the likelihood that you are sued, I would suggest you steer clear of using copyrighted works for your podcast intro or outro, unless you have clear permission to do so.And what does it look like to have clear permission to use a copyrighted work? Gordon clarifies that as well, on this episode.Podcast intro music is not the only legal issue podcasters need to be concerned aboutWell it's clear that we podcasters need to be using music appropriately for our intros and outros, it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to legal issues we've got to be informed about.The most helpful part of this conversation with Gordon Firemark (in my humble opinion) has to do with how we go about informing our potential guests about the ways we will be using the recording that we make of our conversation with them.Gordon provides great insight into what a guest should be agreeing to when they come on your show so that you don't wind up getting sued by them over a technicality. Gordon also provides a copy of a legally crafted podcast guest released form which you can download and tweak to your heart's content.I told you he was a generous guy.But that's not all Gordon has to offer. He's also working on resources for digital entrepreneurs - you know, those people who create online courses and coaching sessions and seminars and webinars and resources for others to use. His desire is to help content creators like you and me stay out of the legal woods and on the clear path of integrity.You don't want to miss the things he has to share on this episode.Is that affiliate link you're citing in your show notes being used in illegal way?It's not uncommon to hear a podcast episode referring to affiliate links. Heck, I do it time.But there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Much like the issue of how to find and properly use podcast intro music, you also need to make sure that the disclosures you make about your affiliate relationships is done properly. If you don't, you can wind up in hot legal water.Gordon Firemark shares the right way and the wrong way to use affiliate links, how to do it both in the text of your show notes and in the audio of your podcast episodes, and whether or not you should call an affiliate a sponsor of your show - all on this episode.There's a lot to learn about the legal side of podcasting and Gordon is the guy to tell us what we need to know.I encourage you to share this episode with other podcasters you know so that they can learn how to do this thing we call podcasting, the right way.Main Points :[1:08] Why Gordon believes podcasting is the wave of the future for entertainment delivery[2:18] The basic foundation of copyright law and how it applies to podcasting[6:07] What is royalty free music and is it a good option to use for podcast music?[7:38] Podcast music obtained through a composer or artist: How to do it right[13:34] Issues surrounding the rights and liabilities of having guests on your podcast[15:36] Types of things to be concerned about when having guests on your show[18:07] Legal issues of working with a co-host and how to avoid problems[24:25] Can an email agreement stand up in court (if needed)?[28:25] The legalities of monetization and affiliate relationships and how to handle them[30:29] Is it OK to say that an affiliate company is the “sponsor” of your episode?Connect with Today’s guest : Entertainment Attorney Gordon Firemarkwww.GordonFiremark.com - all of Gordon’s products and serviceswww.Firemark.com - Gordon’s law practice websiteGordon’s Podcast: Entertainment Law Updatewww.PodcastRelease.com - get Gordon’s free guest release form to tweakRESOURCES MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODEPodfest Expo in Orlando - Gordon is speaking there about music rights for podcasts Podcast Music that is legal for you to use - Podcastification episode 32Audible (NOT an affiliate link :) )Leave your question for me to answer!Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> <h1>Questions about the proper use of podcast intro music and outro music are some of the most common things people ask me about.</h1>Can I use this popular song? What if I only use 20 seconds of it? Doesn't that fall under fair use Doctrine? What if I get somebody to compose music for me, can that work?These are only a few examples of the legal side of what it takes to do a podcast in a way that reflects your personal integrity and keeps you out of trouble.I decided it was time for me to invite someone on the show who could give us clear answers on these kinds of issues.Gordon Firemark is an entertainment lawyer who specializes in helping theater professionals, producers, big media companies, and podcasters do the right thing when it comes to copyright law, legal working agreements, and lots of other things that are important for anyone publishing content.This was a great conversation and I personally learned some things I didn't know, which you’ll hear me admit on the episode. Gordon is very generous guy who has provided some great free resources which you can find in the show notes links for this episode.<h2>I only used 20 seconds of a song. Isn’t that OK to use for my podcast intro?</h2>If you are depending on the Fair Use Doctrine often mentioned as support for using a small section of a copyrighted music on podcasts, you could be on very shaky ground. In this conversation Gordon addresses the Fair Use issue head-on as it relates to podcast intros and outros. His insight into what Fair Use really means and when it is applicable is very helpful, because it's very complicated.<h3>WHAT IS FAIR USE?</h3>There are actually four criteria that are used to determine if use of a copyrighted work falls under the Fair Use Doctrine and is therefore oka:<ol><li>How much of the copyrighted work is actually being used? - which is typically the only thing people talk about</li><li>How substantial is the use of it?</li><li>What is the nature of the used portion of the work (the most catchy part of the song VS an obscure section)</li><li>What impact will the use of the work be on the marketing of the original work?</li></ol> As you can see, it's much more complicated than you typically hear about and smarter minds than mine have had a hard time figuring out what actually falls under Fair Use and what doesn't.So what should you do? Unless you have deep pockets filled with cash that you can use in the likelihood that you are sued, I would suggest you steer clear of using copyrighted works for your podcast intro or outro, unless you have clear permission to do so.And what does it look like to have clear permission to use a copyrighted work? Gordon clarifies that as well, on this episode.<h2>Podcast intro music is not the only legal issue podcasters need to be concerned about</h2> Well it's clear that we podcasters need to be using music appropriately for our intros and outros, it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to legal issues we've got to be informed about.The most helpful part of this conversation with Gordon Firemark (in my humble opinion) has to do with how we go about informing our potential guests about the ways we will be using the recording that we make of our conversation with them.Gordon provides great insight into what a guest should be agreeing to when they come on your show so that you don't wind up getting sued by them over a technicality. Gordon also provides a copy of a legally crafted podcast guest released form which you can download and tweak to your heart's content.I told you he was a generous guy.But that's not all Gordon has to offer. He's also working on resources for digital entrepreneurs - you know, those people who create online courses and coaching sessions and seminars and webinars and resources for others to use. His desire is to help content creators like you and me stay out of the legal woods and on the clear path of integrity.You don't want to miss the things he has to share on this episode.<h2>Is that affiliate link you're citing in your show notes being used in illegal way?</h2> It's not uncommon to hear a podcast episode referring to affiliate links. Heck, I do it time.But there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Much like the issue of how to find and properly use podcast intro music, you also need to make sure that the disclosures you make about your affiliate relationships is done properly. If you don't, you can wind up in hot legal water.Gordon Firemark shares the right way and the wrong way to use affiliate links, how to do it both in the text of your show notes and in the audio of your podcast episodes, and whether or not you should call an affiliate a sponsor of your show - all on this episode.There's a lot to learn about the legal side of podcasting and Gordon is the guy to tell us what we need to know.I encourage you to share this episode with other podcasters you know so that they can learn how to do this thing we call podcasting, the right way.<h2>Main Points :</h2> <ul><li>[1:08] Why Gordon believes podcasting is the wave of the future for entertainment delivery</li><li>[2:18] The basic foundation of copyright law and how it applies to podcasting</li><li>[6:07] What is royalty free music and is it a good option to use for podcast music?</li><li>[7:38] Podcast music obtained through a composer or artist: How to do it right</li><li>[13:34] Issues surrounding the rights and liabilities of having guests on your podcast</li><li>[15:36] Types of things to be concerned about when having guests on your show</li><li>[18:07] Legal issues of working with a co-host and how to avoid problems</li><li>[24:25] Can an email agreement stand up in court (if needed)?</li><li>[28:25] The legalities of monetization and affiliate relationships and how to handle them</li><li>[30:29] Is it OK to say that an affiliate company is the “sponsor” of your episode?</li></ul> <h3>Connect with Today’s guest : Entertainment Attorney Gordon Firemark</h3> <ul><li><a href="http://www.gordonfiremark.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.GordonFiremark.com</a> - all of Gordon’s products and services</li><li><a href="http://www.firemark.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.Firemark.com</a> - Gordon’s law practice website</li><li>Gordon’s Podcast: <a href="https://entertainmentlawupdate.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Entertainment Law Update</a></li><li><a href="http://www.podcastrelease.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.PodcastRelease.com</a> - get Gordon’s free guest release form to tweak</li></ul> <h2>RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODE</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://podfest.us/2018/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Podfest Expo</a> in Orlando - Gordon is speaking there about music rights for podcasts</li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-music-that-is-legal-for-you-to-use-podcast-32/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> Podcast Music that is legal for you to use</a> - Podcastification episode 32</li><li><a href="https://www.audible.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a> (NOT an affiliate link :) )</li></ul> <h2><a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/Podcastification" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Leave your question</a> for me to answer!</h2> <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

89: Podcast Intro Music Dos and Don’ts: A Legal Q&A with Gordon Firemark

https://podcastfasttrack.com/Welcome back to Podcastification - on this episode I’m walking you through the step by step details of what I do to carry out MY successful podcast production workflow every single week. It doesn’t matter if you publish episodes every week, every other week, or once a month - organizationally you’ve GOT to have an effective podcast workflow to ensure two things:Quality AND ConsistencyWhat I demonstrate and describe on this episode is not the ONLY way to do this - but it’s the best way I’ve found after 5 years of podcasting. And if you scroll down, you’ll also notice that I ALSO recorded this one as a video - with the workflow mapped out on my whiteboard. The visuals help on this one - honest.If there’s one thing you get out of this episode, this is what I hope it is: Process leads to Success![1:18] The vital importance of having a well-considered podcast workflow: consistency &amp; quality[3:12] Write down every step of your process - one per sticky note: here’s why[4:01] Beginning the process, one step at a timeChoose your topicResearch and preparationGUEST EPISODES: Choosing and preparing for your guestGUEST EPISODES: Reaching out to your guestGUEST EPISODES: Your guest schedules a timeGUEST EPISODES: Asking the guest to provide you some vital infoGUEST EPISODES: Confirm the recording (the day of the recording)[17:41] Do you see how the workflow enables you to be professional and consistent?[21:45] Resuming the steps to your podcast workflowCreate a test recording/sound checkRecord the main audio/conversationRecord the intro and outro immediately following the recording: Here’s whyAdd the audio files to my Dropbox system (I describe it here)Notify the editor (or set a time to edit on your own calendar if you do your own editing)Create an optimized title and send to my VA (because the artwork step is coming)Add to Auphonic (if you don’t use Auphonic, do it now!)Writing the show notes and notify the VAArtwork/graphics are createdPost the show notes and artwork to Libsyn and the websiteSet up social sharingGUEST EPISODES: Send promo info to guest[44:15] Why process equals successRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEYouCanBook.meCalendlySchedule OnceThe list I send to guests about how to best prepare for the recordingThe form I use to ask my guests to confirm their participation hereGoogle FormsHello SignHubspotRingrZencastrCleanfeedSkypeZapierKeyword Finder (affiliate link)AuphonicMy previous episode about using AuphonicEpisode: The Triple Power of Killer Show NotesCanvaLibsyn - use the code “PFT” to get up to 1 ½ months offEpisode: Using virtual services/assistantsProcrastinate on Purpose by Rory VadenRecur PosteClincherMeet EdgarFeatured On This EpisodeCustom Audiograms from Podcast Fast TrackWavve - check it out!Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!Here’s why you need a well-considered podcast workflowNothing successful happens by accident. Here are a couple of real-life examples…Your wrist watch or smartphone didn’t just “happen.” Somebody thought it up, designed it, and made it to do exactly what it does. And you get to enjoy the benefits of their detailed, systematic approach to creating a solution you need.Your podcast is the same type of thing.You’re trying to reach a particular audience to teach them particular things or focus on particular topics. And it’s not just going to happen…You need to learn how to be systematic about it so you can be effective at it.Process = Success: and in Podcasting the process that makes it happen is a powerful podcast production workflow.When you have a podcast workflow that is well-considered and smart, you’ll avoid two fo the biggest problems that plague any content creator: inconsistency and lack of quality.Said another way - getting down a great podcast workflow is likely the ONE THING that will enable you to stand apart from all your competitors. The very people you want to attract and benefit will be drawn to you because something about you is very obvious: YOU CARE about the content you’re producing and the people you’re producing it for.This audio/video episode is aimed at showing you, step by step, how to create a podcast production workflow that is unique to you and your show - and how to keep it running episode after episode to ensure you provide the value to your listeners that you really want to provide.OK - it’s time to create your unique podcast workflow. Are you ready?What I’m about to describe to you is MY WAY of going about this process. You may have a different way that works for you - mindmaps, pencil and paper, computer software - whatever.I don’t care HOW you do it, I just care THAT you do it. Process equals success: remember that!My system involves the use of my whiteboard and a handful of sticky notes. I use this system because it’s easy to see in one glance and it’s easy to modify as I go by moving the sticky notes around on the board.And to clarify, understand this: I don’t LEAVE it in this format. I’m going to transfer what I create onto a checklist that I use for every episode, but for now - as I’m creating it, I’ll ues this systems.So, it’s time to get into the steps.OVERARCHING METHOD: Write down every step of your production process: one step per sticky noteIt may be helpful to do this the next time you work on your podcast episodes. It will require some additional time so make sure you set aside a chunk so you can do it. And let me warn you, you’ll want to shortcut this step because of impatience or eagerness. But don’t.This is an example of doing something laborious now that will save you laborious steps later - and in an exponentially multiplying way - so stick with it and get it done.Be as detailed about these steps as you need to be to ensure that you don’t forget anything about what goes into it. If you’ve never detailed the exact steps that you do by rote memory that go into each of these sticky note steps, I’d suggest you bullet-point those steps on the sticky note so you can actually see them and understand them visually.Who knows, you may be handing a lot of this work to a VA or assistant in the future, so the more you have written down ahead of time, the more easily you’ll be able to do that.Don’t worry about getting the steps in order at this point - just get them out of your head and onto the sticky notes. You’ll have time in the next step to arrange them in sequence. You’ll also find that you likely forgot some - that’s OK too. You’ll just record them on your own sticky note as they come to mind.STEP #1: Chose the topic for the podcast episode you’ll be working onWhen I first started podcasting I shot from the hip WAY too much. That means… I didn’t plan my episode topics until the week of publication I didn’t think them through in a logical sequence I didn’t strategize for how I was going to BEST help my audience Do you see where I’m going with this? How can you create amazing value to stand out in the crowd if you don’t plan to do so?I had to learn that lesson the hard way and hope you don’t have to. That’s why I’m focusing on this right at this point.Your audience deserves the very best from you - so give it to them through planning out your episodes.Once you choose the topic for an episode, you’ve only done the FIRST thing. The next step is even more important.STEP #2: Research your topic and/or prepare for the episodeVery few of us are accomplished enough or talented enough at public speaking to think of a topic and then effectively ad-lib as we record an episode. So don’t try it - not for a very long time.You need to develop the discipline of researching, learning, growing, knowing your topics backwards and forwards - THAT is what will get you to the point that ad-libs are acceptable and possible.People like John Maxwell do it all the time - but hey, he’s John - which only means he’s paid his dues over the years THROUGH the kind of diligent work I’m talking about.So… what goes into good research? For me, it’s a combination of things, depending on whether I’ll have a guest on the episode or not... Read up on the topic It’s not enough to know what I think about something. I need to know what’s being said by others who are knowledgeable on the topic. If I don’t take the time to do this I can come across as a naive know-it-all. I don’t want that.So I typically collect links to articles, etc. in my Pocket account and then link them to the card in my Trello board where that idea is recorded (I created a video about how I do that once upon a time). That way I can easily go to the topic &gt; click on each link &gt; read articles without having to search for them &gt; and begin my own bullet point outline for the episode, all in the same spot on my Trello board. Create a bullet-point outline of my thoughts As I just mentioned, the next thing I do is begin my own outline of the topic. I want to include things I’ve discovered/ learned, things I believe from my experience, and what others who are experts on the subject have to say.I want to leave no stone unturned - because it’s that kind of comprehensive quality that will get the attention of my listeners/readers AND get the attention of Google. Honestly, it does work that way.Once I’ve created my bullet-point outline, I’ll go through it slowly to ensure it makes sense from a sequential standpoint. If I need to reorder or reorganize it, I will.It’s got to make sense the moment a reader/listeners glances over it. If it doesn’t they’ll probably click off to something else. Journal/write about the topic I don’t always do this, but if I’m dealing with a complicated subject, or one that is easily confused (in my own mind, especially), I’ll add this step - I journal my thoughts and understanding about the topic.Why do I do this? Because as Dawson Trotman once said, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they flow from lips or fingertips.”Typing/writing things out helps ME understand it. When I finally record the episode I want to be speaking about the subject matter naturally, as one who has studied and understood the topic for myself (because I have).If I shortcut this step, it will show up in the quality of my episode content - and I believe that costs listeners/fans/followers in the long run. I can’t have that.I won’t have that. :) Brainstorm/decide on guests for the episode If the topic I’m interested in would benefit from a conversation with an expert guest, I start thinking through who that guest should be. Nobody is out of the realm of possibility. My philosophy is to ask because the worst they could do is ignore my outreach or say “No.”That’s not so bad, is it?In a future point I’ll tell you how I go about reaching out to these experts.Brainstorm resources I may need for the episodeAre there any special graphics, audio clips, sound effects, or other resources that would make this episode ultra special?If I can come up with good ideas, I jot them down. I’m going to do everything I can to up the value of the audio and the show notes to make them stand out - to my listeners and to Google. My philosophy on that is that if it pleases my listeners, it will likely please Google too.But be careful here - don’t overdo it. I went through a season on my podcast where I did lots of cutesy sound effects just for the sake of doing them. I thought they were fun and gave the show a unique sound.My audience told me they were annoying. (Listen to your listeners when they give you feedback).STEP #3: Give my topic, potential guest, and resource needs to my VA/AssistantIf you don’t have a VA or assistant who helps you with this kind of thing, you’re making a list for yourself - and you have another set of things to do in order to publish the show as you have planned.It’s a lot of stuff, but it’s worth it to do things right. I’d rather have an episode publish late and be phenomenal than to publish on time and be so-so. I believe my audience knows the difference - and is glad when I don’t shortcut the process.So… passing these things to my VA puts a new task on her plate, which is the next step in this process - reaching out to the guest I have in mind.If I’ve decided to approach the guest through a contact or friend, I do that legwork before I pass this info to my VA. I want her to have as easy a time as possible connecting with the person I have in mind.She’ll also start collecting the resources I need, whatever they are, and place them in a predetermined Dropbox or Google Drive location. That way when I or my editor are ready to produce the episode or show notes, the resources are available.STEP #4: Reach out to the potential guestOnce I’m ready for my VA to reach out - I have her do so using a template I’ve written and provided to her that she customizes to the person I have in mind, the topic I want to chat with them about, and the timeframe in which I’d like to record the episode.I thought about providing a copy of my template here but decided against it, simply because any template you create needs to be in your voice and reflect the unique characteristics of your podcast and brand. I can’t write that for you.So, spend quality time on this. It’s important. The first impression you give to potential guests is powerful for them and could make or break their willingness to be a guest on your...

104: Podcast Production Workflow: How To Make It Happen Every Episode

https://podcastfasttrack.com/In case you haven't noticed - all of the directories, whether it be iTunes or Stitcher or the new Google podcasts app - all of them are getting inundated with podcasts.You go in there trying to find something to listen to and it’s pretty crazy finding the good stuff. It’s kind of hard to know… Should I try this show? Or that show? Or what is it that I should be doing to find a good show to listen to?What I'm going to do on this episode is this:I've recently been looking for new shows to listen to myself, and I've tried to be observant as I've been doing that, asking myself,“What are the things that exist in different podcasts listings and in different directories or apps that have actually been helpful to me?:And on the flip side…“What are the things that haven't been helpful, or that have been detrimental to me choosing a particular podcast to listen to?”So this is my own personal case study of how to get noticed as a podcaster.[1:36] The issue: podcasting is getting noisier. How do you get noticed?[2:58] Why my opinion on what works and doesn’t work should matter… :)[3:52] What are YOU (or your listeners) looking for when searching for a podcast?[8:30] Have you thought about how people actually SEARCH for podcasts?[11:11] Human nature makes visuals, like cover art, stand out to us first[13:57] The power of a good description for your podcast[18:12] Poor quality audio is a turn-off to me - and it will matter more as time goes on[21:00] The terrible consequence of poor interviewing skills[23:02] If you want to get noticed, be professional[27:18] Gone are the days when you could record with little planning or expertise[29:40] Take the time to be strategic: growing should not be limited to small children[31:16] Optimizing your title and author field are imperative. That means important. :)[34:13] Do you want your audience to engage with you or don’t you?[36:49] There is an increasing need for audio editing as the directories get more crowdedFEATURED ON THIS EPISODEChris Curran’s Podcast Engineering School (This IS an affiliate link… that means Chris gives me a little monetary “thank you” for sending you his way)www.PodcastFastTrack.com/101 - my conversation with ChrisOTHER GOODIES MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODEPocketCastsApple PodcastsStitcherMy episode case study about the importance of keywords in titles: Episode 90Anchor podcasts“Just In Time Learning”Consulting from Podcast Fast TrackEpisode 89 with Gordon Firemark (we talked about copyrights and music usage)www.PodcastFastTrack.com/music - get your own custom musicWhat are YOU looking for when you look for a new podcast?What I'm going to describe to you on this episode are things that might qualify as best practices.Because as the Podcast, Fast Track Client Happiness Guy, I get to listen to a whole lot of podcasts. I get to hear some of the best work in the industry that my team is putting out for our clients.And I also get to hear some of the “before” versions of client podcasts that really weren't so good and are the very reason they've hired us to come alongside and help them.So I feel like I have a pretty good perspective on what works and what doesn't work.So when I go looking for podcasts, I'm viewing it all through the particular lens of my experience, and I'm hopeful that what I’ve noticed about what I notice when I’m searching for podcasts to listen to - will be helpful to you. (If you can even understand that sentence).So let's dive right in. First of all, when I begin looking for a podcast to listen to I'm at a place in my life that I'm looking for something that's relevant.I believe that podcasters and podcasts that are more specifically focused - very niched-in on a particular topic, are going to have a better chance of not only winning an audience in the first place, but also maintaining that loyal audience following over the long haul.Why? Because what you're speaking about is predictable.I’m also looking for a show that has plenty of content. Plenty.I mean, five, seven, ten episodes or more, because I tend to binge listen. I download a lot of episodes of a new podcast at one time because I listen mostly when I drive or when I'm out in the garage cleaning up or building something, or I'm on the treadmill.And I listen to a lot of them.So if I find a podcast in a directory that I'm considering, but it only has one or two episodes, I'm probably going to pass because I want to get a fair representation of what that podcast is all about. And if they don't have much content, I really just don't have much opportunity to do that.Another thing that I'm looking for is I'm looking for a podcast that can demonstrate to me a pattern of consistency. And what I mean by that is that they're publishing regularly.I’m not going to tell you exactly what “regularly” should mean for you and your audience that's going to be different for every niche and every subject matter that is spoken about. But consistency means consistent.If you're doing every two weeks, do it every two weeks. If you're doing every four weeks, do it every four weeks.Now, I'm a little more lenient on this than some people because I believe life is more important than your podcasting schedule.So if something comes up where you just feel, “Man, I just need a break this particular week from publishing my podcast.”Hey, I'm all for it, man. Go take your break. I'll still be around as part of your audience if you're delivering the goods. And I'll be glad that you're refreshed and ready to go with that podcast again.What I consider NOT to be consistent is when a podcaster publishes once this month, and then once three months from now, and then once two weeks after that. That just tells me they're not really serious about their podcast. They're allowing too many things to come up and push it aside.I'm also looking for a podcast that appears to be systematic.I'm wanting to learn specific things, I'm wanting to grow as a person, perhaps. And so if the podcast seems kind of hit and miss - you know - they cover part A, and then part Q, and then Part B, and then part X, and then maybe L, and then back to C… I don't find myself attracted to shows like that because I like to think and learn sequentially.So those are the things that I'm looking for when it comes to the actual podcasts.Hang tight. I’m also going to tell you what I do PRACTICALLY when it comes to searching for a new podcast and how that relates to the content I find.How I search for podcasts - and what makes one get noticed over anotherWhat I'm going to do is explain to you is how my podcast search process goes - what I do as I search - and then what I'm considering as I'm listening.I realize this is all very subjective, it's all based on my experience and my preferences, so keep that in mind. Yours may be entirely different.My podcast app - PocketCasts - is what I use to search for new shows to listen to.But this approach that I'm about to describe would apply to any app, or even any directory like iTunes or Google Play or Stitcher or something like that. So I'm either going to start with a topic or keyword or a category.For example, if I'm wanting to learn about a business topic, I might go straight to the business category in the app and just scroll through the top podcasts that are there. And then I'm going to go to my topic or my keywords if I don’t find anything interesting.I cannot stress enough here how important keywords are.I did an entire episode on this using one of my podcasts as a case study to demonstrate how important using keywords in your titles are. www.PodcastFastTrack.com/90.Gone are the days when two drunks recording in a basement can build a large audienceGone are the days when you could hit record, say whatever you want to say, and just publish it with very little thought.Those days are LONG gone. It's not that you can't do it. Of course you can do it - but they're gone in the sense that that is not considered listenable by most podcast consumers.Most people don't want to spend their time listening to jibberish off the top of your head, they want to come and make the most of their time by getting value out of the things they're investing that time.That means you’ve got to put some thought into what you’re broadcasting - strategy or a clear purpose behind your podcast really, really matters. When you seem disorganized or chaotic in the way that you publish, when you haven't really given it much thought you're just whatever comes to your mind is what you're talking about - even if you do know something about your subject matter - if it's not organized or structured in a way that makes sense to me, as a listener, I'm just not going to hang around very long.People will not come just because you publish your podcast, people will come because you give them something of value - so much that those who find it are willing to tell others.That's how you build an audience.I'm going to find potential shows through keyword search in my app or a directory. Then within the results that are parsed out to me I'm going to look at the cover art.It's a human nature thing. Your eye is going to be drawn to something appealing, attractive, shocking, that grabs your attention, visually speaking.I know we're talking about podcasts, which is an audio medium but that visual component of the cover art is like the gateway drug INTO the audio.I cannot emphasize enough - if your cover art is bland or doesn't have anything that jumps out and catches my attention, or if the text is way too small for me to read, I'm not going to be clicking on your show.Next, the description really matters to me. I want it to be clear. I wanted it to be a basic description of what's covered in that particular show. It doesn't necessarily need to be flashy or sales-y or use the most trendy words.In fact, that kind of stuff is a put-off to me. I want it to be genuine and sound authentic.If the description tells me who the host is - that matters - because I will often Google the host and find out who they are and what kind of experience they've had in the realm that they're speaking on. I don't want to waste my time, I want to listen to things that are actually valuable to me.It also is very attractive to me if somewhere in that description it tells me approximately how long their episodes are so I don't have to scroll through all the episodes and figure it out myself.The next thing I'm going to do is I'm going to look at the type of content that is being published.Are they doing purely interviews? I mean is every episode an interview? If so, that's okay - even though I'm kind of tired of interviews - but I'm going to look to see who they're interviewing and what they're interviewing them about.If it's the same old, same old people, and the same old, same old interviews about the same old, same old topics that I've heard time and time again - it doesn't matter how great the description was, it doesn't matter how flashy the cover art was, it doesn't matter how many episodes they have - I'm probably going to pass on that show.Lessons learned from my podcast listening search about getting noticedTake the time to think through your podcasting strategyLet that strategy inform everything you do as a podcasterThat includes titles, descriptions, cover art, and audio qualityIt includes how you market your show and present itIt should impact the professionalism of your showYou want your podcast to get noticed - to stand out among the thousands out thereKeep in mind - that last point is really the main thing. There is more and more competition for the ears (and minds) of those who are consuming podcasts.You are competing with your niche (direct competition) and those not in your niche (indirect competition). That means you need as many things as possible to make your podcast stand apart from the crowd.Do your homework. Figure it out. Make it happen.And give your listeners a podcast they will never forget. Never.Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a> In case you haven't noticed - all of the directories, whether it be iTunes or Stitcher or the new Google podcasts app - all of them are getting inundated with podcasts.You go in there trying to find something to listen to and it’s pretty crazy finding the good stuff. It’s kind of hard to know… Should I try this show? Or that show? Or what is it that I should be doing to find a good show to listen to?What I'm going to do on this episode is this:I've recently been looking for new shows to listen to myself, and I've tried to be observant as I've been doing that, asking myself,“What are the things that exist in different podcasts listings and in different directories or apps that have actually been helpful to me?: And on the flip side… “What are the things that haven't been helpful, or that have been detrimental to me choosing a particular podcast to listen to?” <h2>So this is my own personal case study of how to get noticed as a podcaster.</h2> <ul><li>[1:36] The issue: podcasting is getting noisier. How do you get noticed?</li><li>[2:58] Why my opinion on what works and doesn’t work should matter… :)</li><li>[3:52] What are YOU (or your listeners) looking for when searching for a podcast?</li><li>[8:30] Have you thought about how people actually SEARCH for podcasts?</li><li>[11:11] Human nature makes visuals, like cover art, stand out to us first</li><li>[13:57] The power of a good description for your podcast</li><li>[18:12] Poor quality audio is a turn-off to me - and it will matter more as time goes on</li><li>[21:00] The terrible consequence of poor interviewing skills</li><li>[23:02] If you want to get noticed, be professional</li><li>[27:18] Gone are the days when you could record with little planning or expertise</li><li>[29:40] Take the time to be strategic: growing should not be limited to small children</li><li>[31:16] Optimizing your title and author field are imperative. That means important. :)</li><li>[34:13] Do you want your audience to engage with you or don’t you?</li><li>[36:49] There is an increasing need for audio editing as the directories get more crowded</li></ul> <h2>FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE</h2> <ul><li>Chris Curran’s <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/PES" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Podcast Engineering School</a> (This IS an affiliate link… that means Chris gives me a little monetary “thank you” for sending you his way)</li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/101" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.PodcastFastTrack.com/101</a> - my conversation with Chris</li></ul> <h2>OTHER GOODIES MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODE</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.shiftyjelly.com/pocketcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">PocketCasts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a></li><li>My episode case study about the importance of keywords in titles: <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/90" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 90</a></li><li><a href="https://anchor.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Anchor podcasts</a></li><li>“<a href="http://www.growthengineering.co.uk/what-is-just-in-time-learning/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Just In Time Learning</a>”</li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/podcast-consulting/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Consulting from Podcast Fast Track</a></li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/89" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 89 with Gordon Firemark</a> (we talked about copyrights and music usage)</li><li><a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/music" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.PodcastFastTrack.com/music</a> - get your own custom music</li></ul><h3> </h3> <h2>What are YOU looking for when you look for a new podcast?</h2> What I'm going to describe to you on this episode are things that might qualify as best practices. Because as the Podcast, Fast Track Client Happiness Guy, I get to listen to a whole lot of podcasts. I get to hear some of the best work in the industry that my team is putting out for our clients. And I also get to hear some of the “before” versions of client podcasts that really weren't so good and are the very reason they've hired us to come alongside and help them. So I feel like I have a pretty good perspective on what works and what doesn't work. So when I go looking for podcasts, I'm viewing it all through the particular lens of my experience, and I'm hopeful that what I’ve noticed about what I notice when I’m searching for podcasts to listen to - will be helpful to you. (If you can even understand that sentence). So let's dive right in. First of all, when I begin looking for a podcast to listen to I'm at a place in my life that I'm looking for something that's relevant. I believe that podcasters and podcasts that are more specifically focused - very niched-in on a particular topic, are going to have a better chance of not only winning an audience in the first place, but also maintaining that loyal audience following over the long haul. Why? Because what you're speaking about is predictable. I’m also looking for a show that has plenty of content. Plenty. I mean, five, seven, ten episodes or more, because I tend to binge listen. I download a lot of episodes of a new podcast at one time because I listen mostly when I drive or when I'm out in the garage cleaning up or building something, or I'm on the treadmill. And I listen to a lot of them. So if I find a podcast in a directory that I'm considering, but it only has one or two episodes, I'm probably going to pass because I want to get a fair representation of what that podcast is all about. And if they don't have much content, I really just don't have much opportunity to do that. Another thing that I'm looking for is I'm looking for a podcast that can demonstrate to me a pattern of consistency. And what I mean by that is that they're publishing regularly. I’m not going to tell you exactly what “regularly” should mean for you and your audience that's going to be different for every niche and every subject matter that is spoken about. But consistency means consistent. If you're doing every two weeks, do it every two weeks. If you're doing every four weeks, do it every four weeks. Now, I'm a little more lenient on this than some people because I believe life is more important than your podcasting schedule. So if something comes up where you just feel, “Man, I just need a break this particular week from publishing my podcast.” Hey, I'm all for it, man. Go take your break. I'll still be around as part of your audience if you're delivering the goods. And I'll be glad that you're refreshed and ready to go with that podcast again. What I consider NOT to be consistent is when a podcaster publishes once this month, and then once three months from now, and then once two weeks after that. That just tells me they're not really serious about their podcast. They're allowing too many things to come up and push it aside. I'm also looking for a podcast that appears to be systematic. I'm wanting to learn specific things, I'm wanting to grow as a person, perhaps. And so if the podcast seems kind of hit and miss - you know - they cover part A, and then part Q, and then Part B, and then part X, and then maybe L, and then back to C… I don't find myself attracted to shows like that because I like to think and learn sequentially. So those are the things that I'm looking for when it comes to the actual podcasts. Hang tight. I’m also going to tell you what I do PRACTICALLY when it comes to searching for a new podcast and how that relates to the content I find. <h2>How I search for podcasts - and what makes one get noticed over another</h2> What I'm going to do is explain to you is how my podcast search process goes - what I do as I search - and then what I'm considering as I'm listening. I realize this is all very subjective, it's all based on my experience and my preferences, so keep that in mind. Yours may be entirely different. My podcast app - PocketCasts - is what I use to search for new shows to listen to. But this approach that I'm about to describe would apply to any app, or even any directory like iTunes or Google Play or Stitcher or something like that. So I'm either going to start with a topic or keyword or a category. For example, if I'm wanting to learn about a business topic, I might go straight to the business category in the app and just scroll through the top podcasts that are there. And then I'm going to go to my topic or my keywords if I don’t find anything interesting. I cannot stress enough here how important keywords are. I did an entire episode on this using one of my podcasts as a case study to demonstrate how important using keywords in your titles are. <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/90" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">www.PodcastFastTrack.com/90</a>. <h2>Gone are the days when two drunks recording in a basement can build a large audience</h2> Gone are the days when you could hit record, say whatever you want to say, and just publish it with very little thought. Those days are LONG gone. It's not that you can't do it. Of course you can do it - but they're gone in the sense that that is not considered listenable by most podcast consumers. Most people don't want to spend their time listening to jibberish off the top of your head, they want to come and make the most of their time by getting value out of the things they're investing that time. That means you’ve got to put some thought into what you’re broadcasting - strategy or a clear purpose behind your podcast really, really matters. When you seem disorganized or chaotic in the way that you publish, when you haven't really given it much thought you're just whatever comes to your mind is what you're talking about - even if you do know something about your subject matter - if it's not organized or structured in a way that makes sense to me, as a listener, I'm just not going to hang around very long. People will not come just because you publish your podcast, people will come because you give them something of value - so much that those who find it are willing to tell others. That's how you build an audience. I'm going to find potential shows through keyword search in my app or a directory. Then within the results that are parsed out to me I'm going to look at the cover art. It's a human nature thing. Your eye is going to be drawn to something appealing, attractive, shocking, that grabs your attention, visually speaking. I know we're talking about podcasts, which is an audio medium but that visual component of the cover art is like the gateway drug INTO the audio. I cannot emphasize enough - if your cover art is bland or doesn't have anything that jumps out and catches my attention, or if the text is way too small for me to read, I'm not going to be clicking on your show. Next, the description really matters to me. I want it to be clear. I wanted it to be a basic description of what's covered in that particular show. It doesn't necessarily need to be flashy or sales-y or use the most trendy words. In fact, that kind of stuff is a put-off to me. I want it to be genuine and sound authentic. If the description tells me who the host is - that matters - because I will often Google the host and find out who they are and what kind of experience they've had in the realm that they're speaking on. I don't want to waste my time, I want to listen to things that are actually valuable to me. It also is very attractive to me if somewhere in that description it tells me approximately how long their episodes are so I don't have to scroll through all the episodes and figure it out myself. The next thing I'm going to do is I'm going to look at the type of content that is being published. Are they doing purely interviews? I mean is every episode an interview? If so, that's okay - even though I'm kind of tired of interviews - but I'm going to look to see who they're interviewing and what they're interviewing them about. If it's the same old, same old people, and the same old, same old interviews about the same old, same old topics that I've heard time and time again - it doesn't matter how great the description was, it doesn't matter how flashy the cover art was, it doesn't matter how many episodes they have - I'm probably going to pass on that show. <h2>Lessons learned from my podcast listening search about getting noticed</h2> <ul><li>Take the time to think through your podcasting strategy</li><li>Let that strategy inform everything you do as a podcaster</li><li>That includes titles, descriptions, cover art, and audio quality</li><li>It includes how you market your show and present it</li><li>It should impact the professionalism of your show</li><li>You want your podcast to get noticed - to stand out among the thousands out there</li></ul> Keep in mind - that last point is really the main thing. There is more and more competition for the ears (and minds) of those who are consuming podcasts. You are competing with your niche (direct competition) and those not in your niche (indirect competition). That means you need as many things as possible to make your podcast stand apart from the crowd. Do your homework. Figure it out. Make it happen. And give your listeners a podcast they will never forget. Never. <h3>Connect with me…</h3> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a> On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <h3>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></h3> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

109: How To Get Noticed In The EVER NOISER World Of Podcasting

https://podcastfasttrack.com/You know - it really seems that for the average podcaster, interviews are the format of choice.It IS relatively simple to get somebody to agree to come on your show and just ask them questions. But that's not really how interviews work, is it? At least not the really GOOD ones.They're actually very difficult to pull off, especially in a way that makes them engaging for your listeners. And that really is the goal that we're shooting for. So in this episode of Podcastificatsion, I want to tell you some of the things I’ve learned about doing great interviews, making your guest more comfortable, and I want to share some powerfully helpful resources I’ve found that are helping me get better with each interview I do. Stick around. This one is good.EVERYTHING COVERED IN THIS EPISODE[1:19] Why interviews are the mainstay of podcasting formats - and why they are hard to pull off well[2:36] Be truly interested in your guest: Here are 2 things to help you pull it off[4:40] Do whatever it takes to have fun with your guest[6:45] Ask questions in a way that makes the answer actionable[8:36] Let the silence do the work (from Cal Fussman)[14:25] Walk your guest through your format so they know what to expect[17:35] No “gotcha” positions[19:14] Consider your guest’s time constraints so you can plan accordingly (and they will be more comfortable)[20:10] Find out what your guest’s “win” for the interview is[22:32] Ask your guest questions in ways that evoke emotion or storiesConnect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn Twitter  FEATURED ON THIS EPISODEThe Podcast Optimizer Email SeriesThe Podcast Fast Track Lead Magnets Service (get a free sample to see how it works RESOURCES &amp; PEOPLE MENTIONEDJohn Lee DumasTim FerrissNetflix Series: My Next Guest Needs No IntroductionCal Fussman’s podcast: Big Questions with Cal FussmanLeadPagesConvertKitThe Turnaround PodcastSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a><h1>You know - it really seems that for the average podcaster, interviews are the format of choice.</h1>It IS relatively simple to get somebody to agree to come on your show and just ask them questions. But that's not really how interviews work, is it? At least not the really GOOD ones.They're actually very difficult to pull off, especially in a way that makes them engaging for your listeners. And that really is the goal that we're shooting for. So in this episode of Podcastificatsion, I want to tell you some of the things I’ve learned about doing great interviews, making your guest more comfortable, and I want to share some powerfully helpful resources I’ve found that are helping me get better with each interview I do. Stick around. This one is good.<h2>EVERYTHING COVERED IN THIS EPISODE</h2><ul><li>[1:19] Why interviews are the mainstay of podcasting formats - and why they are hard to pull off well</li><li>[2:36] Be truly interested in your guest: Here are 2 things to help you pull it off</li><li>[4:40] Do whatever it takes to have fun with your guest</li><li>[6:45] Ask questions in a way that makes the answer actionable</li><li>[8:36] Let the silence do the work (from Cal Fussman)</li><li>[14:25] Walk your guest through your format so they know what to expect</li><li>[17:35] No “gotcha” positions</li><li>[19:14] Consider your guest’s time constraints so you can plan accordingly (and they will be more comfortable)</li><li>[20:10] Find out what your guest’s “win” for the interview is</li><li>[22:32] Ask your guest questions in ways that evoke emotion or stories</li></ul><h2>Connect with me…</h2>Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a><h3>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></h3><h2> FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE</h2><ul><li>The <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/optimizer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Podcast Optimizer Email Series</a></li><li>The Podcast Fast Track <a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/leadmagnet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lead Magnets Service</a> (get a free sample to see how it works</li></ul><h2> RESOURCES &amp; PEOPLE MENTIONED</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.eofire.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Lee Dumas</a></li><li><a href="https://tim.blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tim Ferriss</a></li><li>Netflix Series: <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80209096" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Next Guest Needs No Introduction</a></li><li>Cal Fussman’s podcast: <a href="https://www.calfussman.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Questions with Cal Fussman</a></li><li><a href="https://www.leadpages.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LeadPages</a></li><li><a href="https://convertkit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ConvertKit</a></li><li><a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/the-turnaround" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Turnaround Podcast</a></li></ul><a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

112: For Better Podcast Interviews Apply These Question-Asking Hacks

Episode Titles are a lot more important than many podcasters think...Most of us are done with:blocking out the time to recordscheduling interviewsdoing the recordingpost recording workoptimizing and tagging the audiouploading to our media hostAnd THEN we think about what to call this thing we just recorded.But episode titles deserve and NEED much more attention than that.In this episode I'm going to give you 5 thoughts on why your podcast episode titles are much more important than you think.I'd love to hear your comments below!Subscribe to Podcastification Here!

<h1>Episode Titles are a lot more important than many podcasters think...</h1>Most of us are done with:<ul><li>blocking out the time to record</li><li>scheduling interviews</li><li>doing the recording</li><li>post recording work</li><li>optimizing and tagging the audio</li><li>uploading to our media host</li></ul> And THEN we think about what to call this thing we just recorded.<h2>But episode titles deserve and NEED much more attention than that.</h2> In this episode I'm going to give you 5 thoughts on why your podcast episode titles are much more important than you think.I'd love to hear your comments below! <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification Here!</a>

30: Crafting GREAT Episode Titles

https://podcastfasttrack.com/This episode has a TON of links and practical resources - too many to list here. So take a short jaunt over to the show notes at https://PodcastFastTrack.com/122 and check them out. Subscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a>This episode has a TON of links and practical resources - too many to list here.  So take a short jaunt over to the show notes at <a href="https://PodcastFastTrack.com/122" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://PodcastFastTrack.com/122</a> and check them out. <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

122: Podcast Directories 2018-2019 - Get Submitted

https://podcastfasttrack.com/There are quite a number of easy wins you can get to make your podcast better.Is there any reason you wouldn't want to do them?I have the privilege of spending a lot of time checking out the resources podcasters are producing, from their podcast episodes to their websites and promotional material. Do you know what I find? Lots of obvious mistakes that I guess aren't so obvious to the podcaster in question.In this episode I share with you 8 of the things I've noticed that many podcasters are messing up when it comes to their websites, the way they present their brand, and the way they interact with their following. I'm certain you will find something in here that you can tweak to get an easy win for your show.Main Points : Easy Wins (by avoiding 8 common mistakes)[1:22] How I come across the obvious mistakes podcasters are making[3:14] Things about your website you need to understand[4:23] MISTAKE 1: Taking people AWAY from your website. It’s an EASY fix[8:02] iTunes ranks podcasts on one thing only. Do you know what it is?[9:05] MISTAKE 2: No subscription options[12:53] MISTAKE 3: Wonky episode titles that ignore keyword optimization[16:52] MISTAKE 4: Where is your contact info? Social only? Really?[19:48] MISTAKE 5: Podcast listens are happening more and more via mobile - can those people easily contact you?[22:18] MISTAKE 6: Cover Art that makes me want to throw up or yawn[27:52] MISTAKE 7: The website link in iTunes should go…. Where????[30:22] MISTAKE 8: Brand names or Cutesy show namesYour podcast player can be like the glue that keeps people on your pageIt seems like many podcasters don't understand how and why Google chooses the websites it serves up to people who are searching for various things. It all has to do with Google's perceived value of the resources that are provided on that webpage.But Google is a computer algorithm, how does it know?Google's designers, as well as the designers of Bing and Yahoo, have programmed their systems with algorithms that look for certain indications of whether searchers are actually finding the content they discover on web pages to be valuable to them, or not.One of the most important of those indicators is the time a searcher spends "on page" once they make a selection from the search results.That simply means if you want to tell Google you've got valuable content, you need to keep people on your show notes pages as long as possible.In my opinion, a podcast player can be an incredible tool to use simply because it DOES keep people on your website pages longer. It's like glue - as long as they are listening, they are not going anywhere.So can you see what mistake number one might be? You got it! No web players on the page.In fact, some people are even sending searchers away from their websites to listen to their episodes on Stitcher or Google Play or iTunes. Find out how I suggest you remedy this problem by listening to this episode. And hey, you'll help Google know this page was helpful to you!Subscription options: Are you including them on your show notes pages and player descriptions?It doesn't seem to be common knowledge, but iTunes determines which podcasts to rank highest in its search algorithms primarily by the number of subscribers there are to that show. That means if you are not asking your listeners to subscribe to your show, specifically in the iTunes platform, you are missing out on the opportunity to rank your show higher in iTunes organic search.But that only has to do with Search in iTunes.There's a related issue here that you need to be aware of as well, and that has to do with whether people are subscribing to your show at all (no matter the directory or app).In this episode I explain why asking your listeners to subscribe is important and how it can benefit you, providing an easy win for your podcast promotion.Episode 27: Bobby Smith. - What’s wrong with that title?That's a pretty stupid episode title, don't you think? All it tells the reader is that some person named Bobby Smith is being interviewed on that episode. There's no topic, there's no appealing headline, in fact, it's so boring most people will simply click away without giving it a second thought.You don't want that for your podcast episodes. So take the time to name them effectively.In this episode of Podcastification - you can click the player above and hear it for yourself - you are going to hear what goes into a great episode title, why it is important, and how easily you can fix them the moment you're done listening.If that is not an easy win I don't know what the words mean.If you have no easy contact info on your website - you’re telling me you don’t really want to talk to meWhen I go to a website and want to connect with the person who has created it, I expect that I will be able to click on the contact tab and send them an email, fill out a form, or some how reach out to them directly.What do I find most of the time?Social media profiles linked from the website. And in some cases, nothing at all.It makes me think that the person behind the website doesn't really want to talk to me, no matter who I am.What if I was their ideal client with my pockets full of money? What if I wanted to hire them to do business with me?The only option I have is to reach out to them through social? Really? There has to be a better way. And there is. You'll hear about it on this episode of Podcastification.Here’s an experiment to demonstrate how important good cover art is - and how you can get an easy win by fixing yoursCover art changes are an easy win for every podcaster who needs it and to prove the point I have an experiment for you to try.I have a little experiment for you to try. Next time you're seated at your computer…Open up the iTunes directory.Go to the business categoryThen click on the "see all" link.Scroll through the images you see there that represent the various podcasts available.What do you notice?Some of them stand out right away, others make you want to yawn, or worse yet, throw up. Which kind do you think is more beneficial for your podcast?Creating good looking cover art for your show is an easy win. It's one of those ways you can stand out in a very crowded podcast niche. Seriously, I will click on a nice looking piece of cover art over a boring cover art selection any day. It's just human nature.The good news is that anytime you want to update your cover art you can do so inside your media host and iTunes and all the other directories will pull that information almost instantly.You can find out more great tips like this for getting easy wins for your podcast on this episode of Podcastification.Connect with me…Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.comOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to Podcastification here!

<a href="https://podcastfasttrack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcastfasttrack.com/</a><h1> </h1><h1>There are quite a number of easy wins you can get to make your podcast better.</h1>Is there any reason you wouldn't want to do them?<h3> </h3>I have the privilege of spending a lot of time checking out the resources podcasters are producing, from their podcast episodes to their websites and promotional material. Do you know what I find? Lots of obvious mistakes that I guess aren't so obvious to the podcaster in question.In this episode I share with you 8 of the things I've noticed that many podcasters are messing up when it comes to their websites, the way they present their brand, and the way they interact with their following. I'm certain you will find something in here that you can tweak to get an easy win for your show.<h2>Main Points : Easy Wins (by avoiding 8 common mistakes)</h2> <ul><li>[1:22] How I come across the obvious mistakes podcasters are making</li><li>[3:14] Things about your website you need to understand</li><li>[4:23] MISTAKE 1: Taking people AWAY from your website. It’s an EASY fix</li><li>[8:02] iTunes ranks podcasts on one thing only. Do you know what it is?</li><li>[9:05] MISTAKE 2: No subscription options</li><li>[12:53] MISTAKE 3: Wonky episode titles that ignore keyword optimization</li><li>[16:52] MISTAKE 4: Where is your contact info? Social only? Really?</li><li>[19:48] MISTAKE 5: Podcast listens are happening more and more via mobile - can those people easily contact you?</li><li>[22:18] MISTAKE 6: Cover Art that makes me want to throw up or yawn</li><li>[27:52] MISTAKE 7: The website link in iTunes should go…. Where????</li><li>[30:22] MISTAKE 8: Brand names or Cutesy show names</li></ul> <h2>Your podcast player can be like the glue that keeps people on your page</h2> It seems like many podcasters don't understand how and why Google chooses the websites it serves up to people who are searching for various things. It all has to do with Google's perceived value of the resources that are provided on that webpage.But Google is a computer algorithm, how does it know?Google's designers, as well as the designers of Bing and Yahoo, have programmed their systems with algorithms that look for certain indications of whether searchers are actually finding the content they discover on web pages to be valuable to them, or not.One of the most important of those indicators is the time a searcher spends "on page" once they make a selection from the search results.That simply means if you want to tell Google you've got valuable content, you need to keep people on your show notes pages as long as possible.In my opinion, a podcast player can be an incredible tool to use simply because it DOES keep people on your website pages longer. It's like glue - as long as they are listening, they are not going anywhere.So can you see what mistake number one might be? You got it! No web players on the page.In fact, some people are even sending searchers away from their websites to listen to their episodes on Stitcher or Google Play or iTunes. Find out how I suggest you remedy this problem by listening to this episode. And hey, you'll help Google know this page was helpful to you!<h2>Subscription options: Are you including them on your show notes pages and player descriptions?</h2> It doesn't seem to be common knowledge, but iTunes determines which podcasts to rank highest in its search algorithms primarily by the number of subscribers there are to that show. That means if you are not asking your listeners to subscribe to your show, specifically in the iTunes platform, you are missing out on the opportunity to rank your show higher in iTunes organic search.But that only has to do with Search in iTunes.There's a related issue here that you need to be aware of as well, and that has to do with whether people are subscribing to your show at all (no matter the directory or app).In this episode I explain why asking your listeners to subscribe is important and how it can benefit you, providing an easy win for your podcast promotion.<h2>Episode 27: Bobby Smith. - What’s wrong with that title?</h2> That's a pretty stupid episode title, don't you think? All it tells the reader is that some person named Bobby Smith is being interviewed on that episode. There's no topic, there's no appealing headline, in fact, it's so boring most people will simply click away without giving it a second thought.You don't want that for your podcast episodes. So take the time to name them effectively.In this episode of Podcastification - you can click the player above and hear it for yourself - you are going to hear what goes into a great episode title, why it is important, and how easily you can fix them the moment you're done listening.If that is not an easy win I don't know what the words mean.<h2>If you have no easy contact info on your website - you’re telling me you don’t really want to talk to me</h2> When I go to a website and want to connect with the person who has created it, I expect that I will be able to click on the contact tab and send them an email, fill out a form, or some how reach out to them directly.What do I find most of the time?Social media profiles linked from the website. And in some cases, nothing at all.It makes me think that the person behind the website doesn't really want to talk to me, no matter who I am.What if I was their ideal client with my pockets full of money? What if I wanted to hire them to do business with me?The only option I have is to reach out to them through social? Really? There has to be a better way. And there is. You'll hear about it on this episode of Podcastification.<h2>Here’s an experiment to demonstrate how important good cover art is - and how you can get an easy win by fixing yours</h2> Cover art changes are an easy win for every podcaster who needs it and to prove the point I have an experiment for you to try.I have a little experiment for you to try. Next time you're seated at your computer…<ul><li>Open up the iTunes directory.</li><li>Go to the business category</li><li>Then click on the "see all" link.</li><li>Scroll through the images you see there that represent the various podcasts available.</li></ul> What do you notice?Some of them stand out right away, others make you want to yawn, or worse yet, throw up. Which kind do you think is more beneficial for your podcast?Creating good looking cover art for your show is an easy win. It's one of those ways you can stand out in a very crowded podcast niche. Seriously, I will click on a nice looking piece of cover art over a boring cover art selection any day. It's just human nature.The good news is that anytime you want to update your cover art you can do so inside your media host and iTunes and all the other directories will pull that information almost instantly.You can find out more great tips like this for getting easy wins for your podcast on this episode of Podcastification. <h2>Connect with me…</h2> Carey(AT)<a href="http://PodcastFastTrack.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PodcastFastTrack.com</a>On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PodcastFastTrack/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>On <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastFast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plinkhq.com/i/999802464" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to Podcastification here!</a>

84: Easy Wins for Your Podcast - OR - 8 Mistakes Podcasters Should Avoid

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