The School of Podcasting

After seeing the podcasting space gear up for more advertising (something I'm not thrilled with) more media hosts are developing dynamic content. So what is dynamic content, do you need it, and how do you use it? What is Dynamic Content? Dynamic content is content that your media host inserts into your mp3 file at spots you select. This is often used for ads. In some spaces, people confuse "Dynami...

Mark was a US air force Pilot, Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, but was hesitant to start his podcast. Today we talk about what was stopping him, and how his podcast is helping to promote his Wall Pilot business.  We also hear about some discouraging statistics from Chartable about podcast cross-promote (courtesy of Evo Terra).  Spotify may be working on a "Tik Tok meets Tinder" discovery tool....

Podcast Movement was a well-oiled machine as always where the hallway meetings were in some cases better than the sessions. I found some cool stuff, created some free resources, and have worries about the future.  Quicknotes From This Episode Don't forget the Book Launch Webinar Next Week. Have a conversation with me on Volley (aff link) Check out Dave's new FREE Classes Find Your Red Thread: Make...

The excitement of starting a podcast can really fuel podcasters. You stats to start to grow, but eventually, they may level off. What keeps you going when your podcast isn't growing? Because of My Podcast: Fred Castaneda Check out Fred's shows Podcast Reporter (me on Fred's show) The Struggling Biz show March 29th is the National Day for Vietnam Veterans. Thanks for your service Fred! Join the Sch...

I was speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters in Nashville Tennessee and kept hearing a few phrases that make me worried. Phrases like, “I had some friend, or some temp, or some web guy, or even a professional service” set up my podcast. Then in talking with them, I learned that (in many cases) everyone is setup wrong. We’ve all been in a situation where we don’t know what we don’t know. W...

I'm back from speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters event with some lessons learned. I also have some tips on collaborating with other podcasters and a resource that is focused on helping you find collaborators while you earn money selling advertising spots. That resource is audry.io and today I'm talking with one of the co-founders Niklas Hildebrand. Book Launch Secrets Webinar April 5t...

When Neil Hedley emailed me letting me know he would be going through my town and could he buy me dinner I jumped at the chance to hang out with a listener. I had no idea at the time that Neil: Had exclusively done morning shows ever since, including six #1-rated shows in different markets in the US and Canada. Sprinkled among those years is time as a stand-up comic, singer, restaurateur, bestsell...

Every month I ask a question of the audience, and you chime in. This month I ask THE question that everyone wants to know. In January we talked about Grow your downloads 15 minutes a day (episode 812). In June of last year I gave you 30 Strategies to Grow Your Audience. (Episode 727) In this episode I get to hear YOUR ideas, and share some "outside the box" ideas I found on Facebook.  Join the Sch...

I'm excited because I found a book called Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible and even though I'm only 29% of the way through the book I am "Santa Clause is coming tonight" excited about reading the rest of it. The Red Thread represents the path back to where you first started. By remembering what it was like when you first started in your niche, you can better understand your a...

A trailer has many pros from a creative standpoint. IT forces you to identify WHO you are talking to and what can you say to get them to listen to your podcast.  For me, a trailer is 30,60, 90 seconds. When you mark your episode as a trailer it is stuck at the top of your show in Amazon, Spotify, and Apple. Some podcasts do trailer episodes that are 2-5 minutes long. As always in podcasting, there...

You are going through the file of the interview you did a week ago and you notice: 1. The audio of the audience sounds horrible. 2. The guest is boring.  Today I showcase some tools that can help you save the audio, but only you can save the boring.  Join The School of Podcasting When you join the School of Podcasting you can quit worrying about: Are people going to listen to me? (Yes, cause I'll...

I first discovered Kevin when contemplating creating a new show based on podcast growth. It's well-produced and has actual steps you can take. Kevin started his first podcast Philly Who? Then quit his day job. So how did he turns things around to the point of making six figures? He stopped and took time to learn what works, and then give it to the audience. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Question of th...

Are you one of those people who has thought about doing a solo episode where you open the microphone and talk directly to your audience, but can't overcome how uncomfortable you feel trying it? This show is for you. We also talk about understanding the different roles when you are doing a solo show, an interview, appearing on a panel. Join the School of Podcasting Quit worrying about sounding bad,...

I am seeing people that seem to be afraid to reach out to their audience. I get it. It's easier to have the reason of "lack of engagement" on your downloads instead of asking people for feedback on your show.  Today I share a story on how I was ready to make sweeping changes to the Podcast Rodeo show until I decided to open up a discussion with my audience. I was at one point thinking of shutting...

In the microwave society that we live in, most of us are not accustomed to slowing down. As a podcaster, we may associate silence with "Dead Air" which is a phrase from the radio. However, today I'm going to show you that the best answers come after the awkward pause. The Power of the Dramatic Pause When you put a pause before or after a point it adds emphasis to that point.  If you put it before...

Today I'm trying something new and coming to you on a WEDNESDAY to introduce you to my friend Evo Tera.  Evo has been podcasting since 2004 (not a typo) and has been involved in many aspects of podcasting ever since.  Evo was nice enough to let me host an episode of his show a while back, and today I'm repaying the favor. I interviewed Evo back on episode 122 when he was on a book tour for his boo...

As the first episode of 2022, I often do an episode for beginners, such as episode 756 14 Steps to Start a Successful Podcast in 2021 One of the most dangerous things you can do in podcasting is comparing your show to others. When I was in my 20s I would play golf once a year with my brother. My golf scores look like someone who golfed once a year. I would use my Dad's old clubs and would go to on...

Since episode 388 2013, I've been asking my audio what is your ONE FAVORITE podcast (and yes, I know it's hard to pick just one) but more importantly WHY is it your favorite? Steve Stewart loves the Stacking Benjamins Show I interview Steve and Mark Deal on 752 about the Podcast Editor Academy York from Poetic Earthlings likes the Matt Walsh Show show. Chris Lewis from the Dads with Daughters podc...

Hallmark Holiday Movies get a lot of flack because they are predictable, cheesy, corny, and more or less if you've seen one - you've seen them all.  YES THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED Do you know why all Hallmark Movies are the same? Well, do you know why all AC/DC songs sound the same (or Chuck Berry). Ever listen to an episode of Dave Ramsey?  They found a format that works, and consequently, t...

I was talking to someone who said how "Flexible" Anchor/fm was (owned by Spotify). When I hear stuff like this I often wonder "WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE?" I did a video a while ago when there were some serious issues with Anchor that most people were overlooking (hey! it's free!).  Today I just feel moved to let you know that YES, I do not recommend Anchor, but for NEW reasons.  LINKS Episode 805 Full S...

Thanks to an older brother and sister, I was born a Beatles fan. When I watched the six-hour documentary Get Back I saw tip after tip that podcasters could benefit from.  Ready To Start Your Podcast? You may think nobody would listen to you, but I'm here to tell you they will. I have proven strategies to help you identify exactly what your audience wants. You will sound professional, and won't hav...

For years I've told people THE BEST ratio I've ever achieved is 4 TO 1 when it comes to making a podcast episode. In other words, a 15-minute podcast will take an hour.  I asked my audience how long it took them from idea to pressing publish. They shared their workflow and the amount of time spent per episode.  If you'd rather outsource your editing, check out my team. Ready To Start Your Podcast...

Today we look at how two entertainment icons had MORE success AFTER they quit trying to be something they weren't and decided to be themselves.  Glenn Hebert runs the Horse Radio Network. When he started his podcast he had 12 downloads. He didn't quit, and 2800 episodes later he shares some powerful feedback from his audience. Glenn had no idea he would have this effect on people, and you can do t...

If you are looking to speed up your podcast production, then this episode is for you. I have compiled 20 tips that will help you take the stress out of producing a quality audio file in a timely manner. From planning to editing, here are some quick tricks that will make your podcast shine!  Sponsor: Novel Marketing Podcast A lot of podcasters plan to write a book but they don't know where to start...

We hear of podcasters getting these big deals for big bucks, and congratulations to all. However, this is not the norm. Just because you start a podcast does not mean you will end up like Rich Uncle Pennybag from Monopoly. If you're a regular listener you've heard me mention how I received a 10-minute voicemail, and one of the points of that voicemail was that maybe we all have some slightly blurr...