Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes

In today's episode, we explore an intriguing topic - the impact of a cute name on your podcast's success. Inside jokes don't work unless you're on the inside. It Sounded Good at the Time A cute name can inadvertently shoot the podcaster in the foot. In this episode, I analyze the show "iCantCU Podcast" and offers his recommendations for improvement. He points out that retaining the word "podcast"...

In today's episode, we are diving into the world of the magical community. Join me as we explore the importance of unity, finding the perfect software to enhance your podcasting journey and the power of finding your niche. Get ready to unlock the secrets of creating engaging and successful content as we navigate the fascinating world of podcasting. So grab your headphones and let's get started!  ...

Today we are talking about people who may not be a fan of their voice because it sounds different, or weird, and I want to let you know how that is a good thing. Think about this: Steve Nicks Bob Dylan Louis Armstrong Axl Rose Lane Stanely Ozzy Osbourne Geddy Lee Amy Lee Michael Jackson Chris Stapleton Tom Petty All of the singers have very identifiable voices. They instantly stand out, and you ei...

Today we're diving deep into the world of podcast growth and unraveling the secrets behind creating a successful show. I'm tackling the podcast growth equation and providing valuable insights for all you aspiring podcasters out there. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your podcast to the next level, we've got you covered. We'll be breaking down the key elements that contribute to...

In this week's episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I play a clip of Sting on the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon.  Sting and The Police started out playing to a small audience, just like many of us. There were three people in the audience.  One of them was a DJ who started playing their music which helped them gain traction. Dave reflects on his own experience playing in a band with a small audienc...

Are you a coach wondering if starting a podcast is worth the effort? Look no further! Podcasting offers an array of compelling reasons for coaches to take the plunge and hit the airwaves. From establishing thought leadership and expanding reach to building trust and showcasing authenticity, a podcast can be a game-changer for coaches looking to make a mark in their industry. In this blog post, we'...

Don't Be Afraid of the Truth: The Value of Outside Opinions for Podcast Improvement On this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, Dave Jackson offers sage advice for aspiring and established podcasters. He discusses the importance of prioritizing a good podcast over advertising, seeking honest feedback, and improving based on listener input. Dave also talks about the role of word-of-mouth referrals...

We've spoken about how ChatGPT can RUIN your integrity; well, it is stating that it is only going to get A LOT worse. This reminds me of the band Queen who made sure everyone who listened knew that what you were hearing was from a guitar, a piano, bass, drums and vocals. Their guitarist Brian May wanted people to know that the "outside the box" sounds were indeed his guitar. What does this have to...

Many people think transcriptions are only for making it easy for the hearing impaired to consume your content (and that is ONE way you can use transcripts), but there are other ways to use transcriptions. Topics Covered • The use of robots in podcast production • AI tools for podcasting • Transcription services and their multiple uses • Closed captions in podcasting • Importance of proper use of t...

In this episode, Dave Jackson, the podcast consultant, draws a parallel between learning how to drive a car and starting a podcast. He observes that some aspiring podcasters struggle to figure out what to talk about and advises them not to worry about it too much. Instead, he recommends that they start recording themselves, either on their phone or with a basic microphone, to get comfortable being...

As someone who has been helping people understand technology for over 20 years, I'm here to say words matter. Today I help you understand two confusing terms floating around the podcasting space so you can stop confusing your audience.  Show Notes Show notes is a phrase I'm going to swap out for "Episode Description." We know what a show is. We know what notes are, but your listener may not unders...

Podcasting is an exciting way to share your ideas and passions with the world. But if you’re looking to monetize your podcast, then you need to have an audience. Unfortunately, many aspiring podcasters think that just by podcasting for a certain amount of time, they will be able to make money. This is not the case. As Dave Jackson, the honest podcast consultant, explains, you can’t monetize dust....

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about podcasting. I hear things like: But I'm a small show My podcast doesn't make any money I'm only playing (X amount of time) I bought the CD The reality is, it doesn't matter. You need permission from the songwriter, the performer, and whoever owns the mechanical rights (typically a record label). The problem is podcasts are downloadable. If t...

Audio Over Video .When it comes to promoting your podcast, it is important to consider which medium you should use: audio or video. While video may seem more attractive, due to its visual appeal, audio is actually the more effective way to promote yourself. One of the main reasons to promote audio over video is because there are more opportunities to listen than there are to watch. People can list...

AI is a Superpower. AI is often referred to as a superpower, and for good reason. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and dramatically change the way we live. From the ability to do our laundry to writing scripts and designing artwork, AI is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. The possibilities of AI are truly incredible. With AI, we can now ask it...

In this episode of the School of Podcasting, Dave Jackson shares his experiences with buying podcasting equipment and provides tips on how to make purchasing decisions that will help your podcast grow. He explains how he was able to save himself over a thousand dollars by setting logical criteria. Dave also evaluates YouTube product reviews and discusses Elgato and Logic-Tech webcams and their pri...

The negatives voices in your head tell you, "Nobody will listen to you" or "You're going to sound stupid." Well I'm here to tell you "Imposter Syndrome" is common. Seventy percent of people feel this way. Today I'm going to share a few A-list celebrities who felt that way. So feeling this way is normal.  We have a saying at the School of Podcasting, "Nobody will punch you in the face." It's true. ...

We mentioned in the last episode that advertising rates don't work for more podcasters trying to make a living with podcasting. Today we are looking at advertising from a different angle. That angle is to make an ad to run on other podcasts. After all the listeners of these shows are already listening to podcasts . So when you find a podcast that has an audience who should like your content, you m...

Currently, the price for 1000 downloads of your podcast is $25. That is .025 cents per download. That means if you have 200 downloads per episode, you would make $5 per episode.  Less than 10% of podcasters get a "big sponsor" because the sponsors want you to get 10,000 downloads per episode after 30 days. This doesn't mean you can't have sponsors, but maybe not one of the big ones (more about tha...

There are millions of apps in the different Apple and Google stores. Most people know how to download and install one. With this in mind, should you have someone create an app for your podcast? As always, it depends with podcasting. If your audience isn't that tech savvy, and finding a podcast app like Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts is too much for them (and then find your show on the appl, and...

If there is a  problem with the sound of your podcast, the way you troubleshoot it is by isolating each part of your signal chain (the path your voice takes from the microphone to the cable to the interface to the recorder, etc.  I recently attended an event and came back with lots of ideas I want to try to grow my audience. These include: Using a tool to help with episode titles Promoting the sho...

Audience engagement is critical for the success of any podcast. It's important to know who your audience is and what they want to hear. By understanding your audience, you can create content that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for more. Today I have three strategies to help you gain insights into your audience. 1. Amazon Look for your topic and then look at the 2 and 4-star reviews...

I saw on Facebook that someone who has been podcasting for a while and has their guests sign a release form was contacted by a former guest who asked them to remove their interview.  They were going to school for psychology and they didn't want their clients to be able to find them.  So they have no legal leg to stand on. They signed a release. You put a lot of work into that episode. There is a c...

I was on a show this week, and first let me say that my ego was not bruised, and I wasn't upset. However, I was worried that the host of the podcast that was interviewing me was throwing away his credibility.  When interviewing someone, be sure THEY know: Why they are on your show Who your audience is How long the interview is slotted to be Then make sure YOU know: How to pronounce their name What...

I'm back from speaking at Podcast Movement in Dallas. I shared a presentation, and here are some of the main points. Watch my full presentation. 1. Never let anyone get between you and your podcast, web host, media host, etc. If you're "Podcast Manager" set up your hosting with their credit card, THEY own your show.  2. You can get additional stats from places like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts,...