Starting A Podcast Episodes
This category covers everything you need to know about starting your podcast, from ideation to recording your first episode. Learn the key elements to consider before launching and common mistakes to avoid.
808
Jan. 3, 2022
50 Shades of Podcasting: Be Proud Embracing Your Unique Style of Podcasting
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 one of the cheapest clubs and just a fun day of hanging out. How would I feel if I compared myself to ...
799
Nov. 1, 2021
They See You Before They Hear You Podcast Branding With Mark Des Cotes
For a lot of people, podcasting is just a hobby. They think it's fun to talk about their favorite topics and share them with the world. But for some, podcasting can be so much more than that! It can become a business or even an income source. If you've been thinking about starting your own podcast, here are some tips on how to brand your show like a pro: For entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses and use podcasts as part of their marketing strategy, branding is important; especial...
795
Oct. 4, 2021
Taking a Break and Coming Back From Your Podcast
There are times when I feel podcasters over-think things, and one of them is "How do I come back if I take an unplanned break?" It's not a whole lot different than starting a podcast from scratch (except it's easier). Sponsor: Novel Marketing Podcast A lot of podcasters plan to write a book but they don't know where to start. Our sponsor the Novel Marketing Podcast is here to help. Thomas Umstattd Jr is a wealth of knowledge and he can get you going in the right direction. Check out https://ww...
768
March 29, 2021
I Wish I Had Known This When I Started Podcasting
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, and private Facebook group filled with brilliant podcasting minds. www.schoolofpodcasting.com/jo...
764
March 1, 2021
Podcasting Consequence: Can You Break Your Podcast?
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 separate tracks of you and your guest makes it my go-to choice for remote recordings. then later I got ...
763
Feb. 22, 2021
You're Too Close to Be Your Own Coach
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 falling in love with my first wife. I had told her over and over that I didn't want anything seriou...
756
Jan. 4, 2021
14 Steps To Start a Successful Podcast in 2021
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 some ingredients of podcasting that we know add value, but like any recipe, if you use an ingredient ...
751
Nov. 30, 2020
Is Your Podcast Future Proof?
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 year into the discussion, a listener knows that the episode has passed. But what about outdated infor...
748
Nov. 9, 2020
Podcasting is Closer to Cable Television Than Radio
I had someone ask me about starting a podcast. They wanted to "Stand Out" without "Niching Down." The easiest way to stand out is to Niche down. When you do a show like We Have Cancer, Adoptees On, or the Chameleon Breeder, you get providing information that people can't get anyplace else. You end up with a smaller audience size, but a more engaged audience. Podcasting is Closer to Cable Television Than Radio In this clip of "The Loudest Voice," you will hear actor Russel Crowe as Roger Ailes e...
730
July 6, 2020
Interview Clips At the Start of Your Show
I hear so many podcasts that do interviews and they start their podcast by pulling a clip from the interview. Today we talk about why this may not be the best strategy. The interview snippet should build anticipation Piques the curiosity and makes them want to know more Some people pull clips that make people go WHAT WAS THAT? Many times these clips are long (I wouldn't make then any long than 10-15 seconds if not shorter) and just leave the listener confused. ROLL THE CLIP If you think abo...
718
April 13, 2020
They Said, "Why Not" Now Look at Them!
As a podcast consultant and coach, my biggest struggle is not getting people to pick a name, or artwork, or finding the right gear. Those are all a walk in the park. My hardest part is getting people to start. First I need them to press record, and then I need them (after a few practice runs) to press publish. Then once I get them to publish, you have to be ready to pivot and tweak your podcast unless you think you got it 100% perfect on the very first try. Today I share stories and insights fr...
716
March 30, 2020
Three Reasons Why Radio Personalities Should Be Podcasting
I thought it would be a good idea for Radio Personalities (DJs) to have a podcast. I know that they often lose their jobs due to the consolidation of stations, automation, genre changes, and more. However, I only thought it was a good idea. I didn't know because I only know to podcast, Erik K. Johnson is the Podcast Talent Coach and co-host of The Podcast Review show and he's been in radio 30 years and is a program director for iHeart Media. So I asked Erik for his opinion and he gave me three r...
714
March 16, 2020
Emergency Podcasting For Teachers
The Corona Virus Closed My School and I Need a Podcast NOW Across the US (and the world) schools are closed to try to reduce the number of people spreading the Carona Virus. This makes it very hard for teachers who still need to deliver lesson plans. With this in mind, I've made a video that shows you how to turn your lesson plans into a podcast. It's free, and the strategy uses free tools. Sponsor: Focusrite Focusrite is giving away a $2300 studio makeover. This includes the Scarlett 18i8, a ...
708
Feb. 3, 2020
Shaping Your Unique Voice with Eric Nuzum
Audience Engagement In a previous episode about Glow.fm I talked about how hard it is to obtain an engaged audience and you might be lucky if you get 5% engagement. This week on the finale of The Good Place they mentioned the Podcast Radio Lab, and on a previous episode of Radio Lab they mentioned how 29,000 people are helping to pay for the production of the podcast. The interesting thing is due to their massive audience 29,000 is not even 1% of their audience. I bring this up not to depress y...
704
Jan. 6, 2020
Podcast Launch Reality Check
Every January I get people who want to start a podcast and I am glad to help them, but there are some people who have absolutely unrealistic expectations. Today I want to talk about what to expect. Every podcaster starts with the same two things: A) No audience B) Integrity I Can't Make the Podcast Filled with Lies 00:00:19.728 Podcast Piggy Bank Can You Answer the Question? 00:02:52.782 The Scariest Podcast Question 00:04:51.045 Who Are You Talking To? 00:06:47.223 Targeting Your Audience ...
702
Dec. 23, 2019
Is it Too Late To Start a Podcast?
01:39 Because of My Podcast 06:33 Focusrite Scarlet USB Interfaces 08:35 Is it Too Late To Start a Podcast? 24:16 Great Podcasts Lead to Binge Listening 26:08 Question of the Month 28:09 Hindenburg Chapters Trick 30:45 The Importance of File Management 35:51 Podcastingevents.net 38:59 Bloopers Full show notes at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/702 Sponsor: Focusrite Ready to Podcast? www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start
696
Nov. 11, 2019
Where Should I List My Podcast?
In the same way that kids on Halloween want candy, podcasters want downloads. How much? MORE is the only answer. Should your list your show in (insert directory name)? Well, will it help you potentially grow your audience? Then the answer is yes. Yes, Stitcher and Luminary both run ads in between your episodes (and you get none of that revenue), but for me the potential of more listeners outweighs it. Luminary has also burned through 100 million and has received another 30 million to burn throu...
695
Nov. 4, 2019
8 Tools to Help You Generate Ideas For Your Podcast
How do I come up with an idea for episodes? This show just celebrated 14 years in podcasting, and I would be lying if I said it was easy to come up with ideas for an episode every week. I will say this. There are some episodes that I feel are great, and I get no feedback on, and others that I feel I took out of the oven a little early and maybe were not quite ready to go to the public, and I get tons of feedback. I've also had a few shows that finding new ideas for episodes took all the fun out ...
694
Oct. 28, 2019
The Biggest Regret From Starting a Podcast
We har about the benefits of podcasting on this show, and I attempt to get people to start their podcast and often ask, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" I wanted to hear what was the worst thing that happened to you by starting a podcast, what was the biggest regret? The Positive Side of Podcasting Here are some of the things people have reported happening "Because of my podcast:" I was able to get a dream trip to a Lambo field and watch my beloved Green Bay packers I improved my c...
690
Sept. 30, 2019
Help My Podcast is Stuck and Not Growing
Should I Even Start a Podcast? Yes, and here is why. Americans spend over 60 billion dollars a year on diet books. Now you might say that is why people write books because people buy books - because each year more and more people are getting fat. How many people move to Los Angelas to become an actor or actress or to Nashville to be Musicians. You have your talent. You have your goals. You have your unique insights and they aren't going to help or entertain anyone sitting on your computer. I'l...
682
Aug. 5, 2019
Personality, Creativity, and Diversity - Starting a Podcast With Kristen Meinzer
I was lucky enough to meet Kristen Meizner last year and the On-Air fest, and I heard her speak. I knew immediately I wanted to her come on the show. She was working on her new book So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen (also available as an audiobook ). If you're new to audible you can get the book for free. So You Want To Start a Podcast When I started reading this book you might think, "Oh great, a radio person telli...
675
June 17, 2019
Overcoming Your Fears So You Can Start Your Podcast
I Have A Fear of Heights True or False: Starting a Podcast is Hard Start a Podcast May Require Your To Overcome Fear Hiking in Utah is Different than Hiking in Ohio Get a Guide/Mentor To Help You Avoid Mistakes Everything Was Cool Until the Last Hike Getting Control of Your Mind The View From the Top Was Amazing The Confidence-Competence Loop Mentioned In This Episode Utah Podcast Summit Travel Gluten Free Podcast Shirts That Provide UV Protection TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack 3 Month ...
673
June 3, 2019
Don't Worry About Things You Can't Control
There are so many things that are changing in podcasting that can cause stress as you worry. Some things you have no control over. You may need to take some steps, but after that it is out of your control. Being Seen in Google Podcasts If you've followed the directions to set up your website, or you are using a media host like Libsyn.com or Blubrry you are good to go. From there, you just have to wait on Google. Being Found In Apps I have had people contact me about Apple, Spotify, iHeart an...
672
May 27, 2019
The Biggest Pain in Creating a Podcast
Starting a podcast is not hard. Starting a GOOD podcast takes time, dedication, talent, etc and today I asked my audience, "What is the biggest pain in starting and creating a podcast." Here is what they answered: Your Biggest Pain in Podcasting 01:23 Thanks to everyone who contributed Positioning My Podcast - from Timothy of kdoipodcasting.com Running Out of Content - Chris Nesi from the House of Ed Tech Scheduling - Todd from the Trucker Dump The Abundance of Choice - Stephanie from the Virt...