School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

Today I explain the continuing issues with Apple (and Google, and Spotify). Your podcast is like a baby. It needs never-ending attention and if there is an issue you need it solved NOW.  I judge a company on how things are handled when they make a mistake (cause we are all human). To have a problem that is ongoing for weeks, I find it hard to believe. I get that podcasting is barely a revenue gene...

I reached out to you and asked how you found your co-host and you were nice enough to reply.  SPONSOR: School of Podcasting Audio Editing If you're stressed out about your podcast, and you're spending too much time, check out the School of Podcasting Editing service. We have different variations to meet your budget. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/edit Tips in Choosing a Co-Host for Your Podcast...

Apple Is Launching Subscriptions Here is what we know: In the US, it's $19.99 a year to participate Your show is only available in the Apple podcast app but it's not exclusive. You can set your monthly and yearly subscription price, and signing up will be super easy. You can offer a free trial along with a freemium model (some free episodes and some paid). The first year a person subscribes Apple...

Currently, I think civilization has a serious problem. We are losing the ability to identify the truth. I'm not talking religion, or anything philosophical. I'm talking about doing research, looking at the evidence, and reporting what we find. Today I use the clip of then Donald Trump's " Very Fine People " press conference. That remark came at 01:07 but the 2-minute mark had him saying, "I'm not...

Billie Eilish (super famous singer - especially to young teenage girls - records her music with her brother in their bedroom. She currently has 44 million followers on Spotify and 81 million followers on Instagram. She earned 25 million from Apple for the movie and her net worth is reportedly 53 million. Not too bad for two people who are having fun recording things in their bedroom. Pet Sitter Co...

So many times we identify ourselves not by our values or beliefs but by what we DO. I'm a cashier, or I work in accounts payable, the warehouse. That may be what you DO, but it may not be who you are. Podcasting allows you to reinvent who you are. To be your true self. Today we talk with Scot McCarthy of the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast. Scott joined the military when he was 18 and will be re...

It's the last week of the month which means, "Question of the Month" where YOU get to be on the show. This month's question is "What do you wish you had known when you started your podcast." SPONSOR: The School of Podcasting Learn to plan, launch, grow, and monetize your show. You'll sound great, organized, and create GREAT content. Take advantage of our step-by-step tutorials, live group coaching...

Quick Notes: Apple Update: Apple is changing the wording in their app from "Subscribe" to "Follow" so stop telling your audience to subscribe (and if you do, mention that it's free) and instead tell them to follow you. The new version of the app will be out in a few weeks. I was listening to the Sounds Profitable podcast and heard where my friend Harry Duran from Podcast Junkies , and Fullcast , h...

Who is Kristin Molenaar? Kristin is an entrepreneur-enthusiast who lives by the mantra "work less + make more". She enjoys helping entrepreneurs ditch vanity metrics for true, profitable connections. She's the CEO of YesBoss , an agency that helps 2b2 entrepreneurs increase their visibility and credibility through profitable podcast guest features. Kristin Molenaar's Tips For Getting Booked on Pod...

You might be thinking, "I'm not a business, what do I care about branding? Well, if you have one download, congratulations you are a brand. Today I talk with Dr. Andrea Wojnicki from the Talk About Talk Podcast about developing and implementing your personal brand (and how it can help grow your audience) Sponsor: The School of Podcasting Join the School of Podcasting and never worry about sounding...

In talking with new and seasoned podcasters I often hear questions that lead me to believe that people think they can "break" their podcast.  Today I talk about a few questions I've heard and how 99% of the time you're not going to break your show.  We also have a question of the month The Separate Track Challenge I have recommended Squadcast for years. The ease of use and the ability to have sepa...

We've All Pushed Through Awkward Moments of Being Vulnerable Do you remember your first real kiss? I was with my first girlfriend. I was probably 14? I was scared to death. There was no internet, and for me, nobody to ask? So I went in for the kiss and kissed her in a very TV-friendly way. I stopped and said, "Let's try that again" and I figured out what to do. I tried everything I could to avoid...

Are you looking to grow your audience? Get more engagement with your audience? Today I have Valerie  Geller the author of the book  Beyond Powerful Radio: A Communicator's Guide to the Internet Age—News, Talk, Information & Personality for Broadcasting, Podcasting, Internet, Radio which is also available on Audible  Meet Valerie Geller Valerie Geller, president of Geller Media International, a bro...

Your brand is how your show is perceived. Perception is reality. So today I have tips on making your episode one that gets your audience coming back. I also share three tools that you can use to boost your podcast brand.  Don't Leave Your Audience Hungry Can you imagine if a new restaurant opened in your neighborhood and was serving your favorite food? You get all dressed up and bring a date and g...

Life is going to kick you in the teeth from time to time (see 2020). Today we talk about your attitude (the only thing you have control over) and we interview Shane Whaley of the Tourpreneur podcast. Shane shares how many people in the travel space just folded up everything just going out of business. This is not the approach Shane has taken, and he not only didn't shut down in 2020, but added mor...

FOMO In Action I was at Social Media Marketing World in 2018 enjoying a networking event on an aircraft carrier in San Diego California. I was contacted by Michael Oneil as he and a few friends were going to go to a club called Prohibition and wanted to know if I would want to attend. Did I say it was a club? Prohibition is a speakeasy.  I have never been to a speakeasy. The door that you go throu...

Would you like 300,000 downloads per episode? Are you willing to work for three weeks to get media exposure in 2% of the outlets you contact? Are you willing to work for months on your first episodes and ask others to give you HONEST feedback on your show? Are you willing to ask questions that might potentially show you that your show is boring? Jack has, and he has created a great show. Today on...

If Ron Howard Uses Focus Groups... Ron Howard has been in the entertainment industry since he was a little boy on the Andy Griffith Show, Later he was on Happy Days and since then has been making phenomenal movies. He's been nominated for 114 awards and won 39 times for a percentage of 34%, In 2002 he won with  A Beautiful Mind for Best Picture and Best Director. One might say, "Not too shabby." R...

It's the first episode of the years and in the same that I have the last episode of the year look at why people listen, today we talk about how to start. Ten Years ago I did an episode called "27 steps to launch a podcast and today I am going to update it. As you might imagine things have changed in 10 years. If you already have a podcast I have some items for you. Over the years there have been s...

Every year I ask my audience what their favorite podcast is and  why it is their favorite . They can also plug their website. This exercise then helps us understand why people tune in, as well as hear about some great podcasts.  In general, I say good content will make us: Laugh Cry Think Groan Educate Entertain So pay attention and here how most of these shows are not just doing one of those, but...

We know that when you give value, your audience can feel like they "owe you" and when you give them the opportunity they will return the favor. Today we hear about a covert operation pulled off to deliver a box of presents to Glenn the Geek Hebert of the Horse Radio Network as he was recovering from not one but TWO surgeries. The story is amazing. We also have a tool to reward your superfans for s...

When I searched for the word "Random" in a podcast directory, there were over 50 shows, with many of them talking about "whatever." Today I'm going to share why I think this is a bad idea and how being focused has help Carey Green get 8000+ downloads per episode for his Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional podcast.  How I've Seen Random Fail As a teacher for decades, I can say I've seen how...

Today we talk with Mark and Steve from the Podcast Editor Academy . While there are other resources that dive deep into audio, this website covers audio editing and goes deep into the "growing your editing business" side. If you're wondering how you get clients? They have sales scripts and insights from over 6000 editors. You don't have to know everything there is to know about audio to be an edit...

Is Your Podcast Future Proof? I was asked by one of my editing clients to go back and edit some of their episodes and remove discussions that were about specific events at a specific time. In listening to their episodes there are a couple of strategies you can do to make your show future-proof. Always Use the Year The deadline for the question of the month is December 14th, 2020. By adding the yea...

Today we talk about the 1.7 billion dollar mistake that was Quibi and how we can learn from their mistake. We also take a look at the power of follow up questions, and the best place to buy gear.  Table of Contents 01:22 Your Favorite Podcast - Send in Your Answer 02:56 Now That's A Good Question: Howard Stern and Wolfgang Van Halen 06:35 Join the School of Podcasting 07:33 Lessons From Quibi 13:2...