The Jag Show: Podcast Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

My tip this week doesn't explicitly related to podcasting -  We are all stressed.  Find your escape, and lean into it - especially over the next week or so. I'm recording this on Thursday, the final day of Podcast Movement virtual.  While it's impossible to duplicate the in-person excitement of an event like this, the organizers did a great job under the circumstances.  A couple additional takeawa...

For years, I've been singing the praises of Podcast Movement - the convention that got me into this space full time.  This year, as with all other things, they've gone virtual.  And I really like the format - the seminars and panels were Tuesday/Thursday this week and next.  Staggering them out allows me to run my business during the off days, and more importantly, avoids the dreaded "Brady Bunch...

This week's podcasting tip involves prepping your show (which you should always do).  Some folks prefer to have the entire episode scripted out. Others would rather go off of bullet points.  We explore the difference. If you think your podcast is award-worthy, submissions are open for two of them - The Ambies through the Podcast Academy https://www.thepodcastacademy.com/general/custom.asp?page=Awa...

I stepped out of my studio this week and recorded today's podcast on my "backup equipment," which is a Shure SM48 Microphone ($48) plugged into a Focusrite Scarlett Solo interface ($116.59).  And I recorded it upstairs in my office.  Truthfully, the sound will be similar to buying a quality USB mic like the Samson Q2U or Audio Technica ATR 2100x, which plugs directly into your USB without an inter...

My best friend Bill Leaf would have turned 40 this weekend.  Every year I post the story of what happened to him, and the eulogy I gave at his funeral. This year, I thought I would turn it into a podcast, and add in some thoughts from those that knew Bill very well.  Happy Birthday Buddy. (00:12) Meet Bill (00:32) The Story (19:19) My Eulogy for Bill (25:52) Jay Kivela (26:49) Julie Leaf (28:16) B...

Editor's Note: Today's show was recorded Thursday afternoon, before news broke that President and Mrs. Trump tested positive for COVID-19. “That was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck." CNN's Jake Tapper recapping Tuesday's Presidential Debate The sh*tshow that was Tuesday night's debate may have finally gotten us to the change that I've been crying for since at least 2016.  A...

Earlier this month, I shot a couple of my "5 Minute Friday" podcasts on video. I wanted to see if "the juice was worth the squeeze." Long story short, it wasn't.  Yes, I got a few views on YouTube, and a handful on IGTV, but as a small business owner and soloprenuer, it just wasn't worth it.  Now, if you have the budget for a multi-camera full production team, absolutely go for it.  Having a video...

This week's tip is to make sure your volume is consistent - throughout and between your episodes.  I start by explaining why.  Here's an explanation of LUFS. https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/what-is-lufs-and-why-should-i-care/ Podcasting is Pandemic Proof, and Spotify is closing the gap with Apple, via Westwood One and PBJ: https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/westwood-reveals-more-great-news-for-p...

This week, I talked to two different friends, in two different fields, who were unhappy and looking for a career change.  And I was able to connect each of them with someone who had been in a similar situation and made a leap to improve their situation. I mention this not because I'm the world's greatest networker, but because it's easier than you think. The adverse events of 2020 have stressed al...

My tip of the week: As we all navigate new technologies, be patient with people.  It's served me well with clients, and I really appreciated being on the other side of it when hosting trivia last week. Forget the inverted pyramid, try the inverted trapezoid (via NPR): https://training.npr.org/2020/08/20/for-digital-flatten-the-pyramid-and-embrace-the-trapezoid/ How much has the pandemic changed li...

Last week, I blocked my calendar and was hoping for a summer getaway with my wife and dog.  Well, Rona made that less appealing, and my wife ended up having some work commitments anyway.  So I decided to turn the week into a "staycation."  Yes, I made Costco runs and other miscellaneous house stuff, but I really set out to spend some time looking "under the hood" of podcasting and honing my craft....

It's been 10 days since our last episode, and life's been busy - with some large projects and other things that have come up.  Just checking in to give you a quick update - I'll be out of the studio all next week, and hope to come back refreshed and maybe with some show tweaks - perhaps less interviews and more quick industry updates.  In the meantime, here's a look at this week's podcasting headl...

The Podfest Global Summit runs August 10-15, with a preview underway this week.  Chief Creative Officer Chris Krimitsos was able to take 15 minutes with us to preview the event - which is on pace to break a Guinness World Record. After a brief history lesson on Podfest, Chris shares how the in-person event was just barely able to happen before COVID-19 took over earlier this year.  From there, the...

Yesterday, I listened to the Michelle Obama Podcast, a Spotify exclusive.  Full disclosure, I love the Obamas (and miss them).  Overall, I thought Episode 1 was good.  I think a few more ums could have been deleted, but that's a matter of personal preference (and hot debate), and the two interrupted each other for a bit, and there were a few times I wasn't sure who was interviewing who.  But in a...

Stacey Simms is all about connections and community. We met through the alumni association of our college radio station, and since her son's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, she has formed an incredible community of patients and caregivers around this disease. This includes her podcast, Diabetes Connections , and her book The World's Worst Diabetes Mom . We spend a couple minutes on diabetes itself,...

My piece of advice this week - do not use copyrighted music in your podcast.  In a recent Facebook post in a Podcast Movement Group, Todd Cochrane of Blubrry posted the following on Thursday in the Podcast Movement Facebook group: At Blubrry Podcasting we have seen more RIAA takedown notices over the past week than we have seen in the past 2 years combined. Music owners are waking up to the fact t...

Today I'm joined by podcast industry royalty - Mr. Rob Greenlee.  He's incredibly well known for his work in the space, and he now chairs The Podcast Academy. We start by taking stock of the podcast industry as a whole.  Rob shares his perspective on where the podcast industry was and where it has come. Also, the bloom is off the rose for social media, which creates an opportunity for podcasting....

Ben Hamilton, one of my early mentors in radio, taught me that doing a show is like driving a racecar.  Do all your work in the pit. Once the race starts, all you have to do is drive. Youtube listening is down, though Youtube Music will replace Google Play Music to compete with Spotify: https://www.edisonresearch.com/youtube-listening-decreases-in-2020/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_...

Brian Drake is quickly making a name for himself as the host of the Fantasy Football Hustle podcast and writer for Fighting Chance Fantasy. Today we cover his journey into podcasting, from "the worst job in America" (radio sales) to pairing up with his co-host, Dwain McFarland.  We talk about networking and connecting through Twitter, and Brian's "Hustle" moment that made all the difference. Brian...

Today's tip: Give yourself plenty of lead time to get your podcast mic - there's a SHORTAGE! For starters, I recommend a dynamic mic with a USB connection, like: Samson Q2U: http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/microphones/usb-microphones/q2u/ Audio Technica ATR-2100x https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/55eee3e0b0d5a960/index.html If you strike out on Amazon, check out Sweetwater: h...

I first came across the name Britany Felix in the Podcast Editors Club Facebook group.  Britany was someone who always had a thoughtful answer for questions posed to the group.  We actually met in person last summer in Orlando at Podcast Movement and have interacted much more lately on social media.   I'm thrilled to have her as today's guest. Britany takes me through a journey I know all too well...

Just because you have the tools in front of you doesn't mean you need to use them - a TV example reminded me of this.  I start by explaining.  Related Family Guy Clip:  Court TV is back-  makes sense they'd do a true crime companion podcast - this one focuses on the Menendez brothers - out on Tuesdays (Via Podcast Business Journal): https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/court-tv-joins-the-podcasting-...

Tom Kelly owns Clean Cut Audio, where he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help podcasters and bands alike create the best sound possible. In today's episode we covered a wide range of topics and listener questions about all things audio. We started by talking about the podcasting mecca that Denver has become, then we got into some basic production knowledge that podcasters should be...

My lesson learned this week is to take a break. It's OK. That's why I'm recording this on Wednesday instead of Thursday.  My wife and I are taking a personal day on Thursday. Podcast Academy opens. Membership is $50 and requires two letters of recommendation: https://www.thepodcastacademy.com/news/513734/The-Podcast-Academy-Membership-Opens.htm?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=...

Steve Stewart runs the "Podcast Editors Club" Facebook group, with over 5,000 members.   Steve joins me today to talk about how he got into podcast editing, and finding a niche in the financial sector, turning podcasting into a full time gig in just six months. I asked him to provide advice for novice podcast editors as well as more experienced ones, and some common themes emerged. We also talked...