The School of Podcasting Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Doc G (Dr. Jordan Grumet), the author of The Purpose Code: How to unlock meaning, maximize happiness, and leave a lasting legacy, to tackle one of the biggest challenges podcasters face—not the technology, not the gear, - but the mental game. Whether it's "head trash," imposter syndrome, or the overwhelming pressure to succeed, Doc G shares practical strategies to help you push past mental barriers and create a podcast you truly love. Doc G shares his journey fro...

Every year, I ask my audience, "What is your favorite podcast - and WHY." When we hear what resonates with people, we can ensure we include those ingredients in our show. Participants Steve Stewart from The Podcast Editor Academy and the Podcast Editors Mastermind loves Stacking Benjamins. Ralph Estep Jr from the Ask Ralph Podcast (Christian Finance) loves the Ask the Podcast Coach show. Randy Black from Bible Bytes loves the No Agenda Show. Kim Newlove from The Pharmacist’s Voice and Perry...

Video podcasting offers unique advantages and challenges, making it essential for creators to weigh the pros and cons before diving in. While video can enhance engagement through visual cues and body language, audio podcasts provide greater portability and simplicity in production. Dave Jackson explores the contrasting benefits of both formats, highlighting that audio often leads to better memory recall and a more personal connection with listeners. As the landscape of podcasting evolves, partic...

Creating an effective audience survey is essential for understanding what your listeners want and how to enhance their experience. This episode dives into the crucial steps for crafting survey questions that engage your audience and encourage participation. Dave Jackson emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience and keeping surveys concise, ideally under ten questions, to boost completion rates. He also discusses strategies for increasing responses, such as using incentives and clear c...

Being open to receiving feedback is crucial for growth, especially as we head into 2025. If podcasters are unwilling to listen to their audience, they risk repeating the same mistakes and achieving the same results. This episode delves into the importance of having a receptive mindset regarding advice and input from listeners. Today, I share anecdotes and examples, including the cautionary tale of Elizabeth Holmes and the pitfalls of ignoring expert advice. He emphasizes that understanding your ...

Choosing the right media host for your podcast is crucial, and in this episode, we dive deep into the features offered by some of the top podcast media hosts. I discuss how each host brings unique capabilities, helping you determine what aligns best with your needs. Whether you’re looking for dynamic content, AI tools, or detailed analytics, understanding these features can significantly impact your podcasting journey and wallet). From the importance of an RSS feed to the nuances of pricing plan...

Don't let past regrets or harsh words hold you back from podcasting. This episode highlights inspiring stories from podcasters like Zita Christian, who turned her struggles with Alzheimer's into a powerful platform, and Ray Arnott, whose model train podcast has garnered a passionate community. Dave Jackson emphasizes that everyone has a unique voice and experience to share, and it's essential to push through the self-doubt that might stem from past failures. He also discusses the phenomenon of ...

This week, we had something that doesn't happen often outside of the Super Bowl—lots of Americans watched the same thing at the same time. Today, I thought we could look at WHY and what podcasters can learn to add those winning ingredients to their podcasts. Audience Survey Help make the show better, and you'll be entered to win a year of membership at the School of Podcasting. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/survey Takeaways: Building anticipation for your content is crucial; promoting months in...

OK, I realize this seems a little odd, but stay with me. Bowling and podcasting share surprising similarities that can inspire you to start your own podcast. Just like in duck pin bowling, where mastering the basics and adapting your technique is crucial, podcasting requires a solid grasp of content creation and delivery. Throughout this episode, Dave Jackson draws parallels between the two, emphasizing the importance of feedback, practice, and finding your unique style. He also introduces an AI...

If you want to add something new to your podcasting routine, you need to subtract something else from your schedule. Time management is crucial for podcasters; today, I'm pointing out the importance of making intentional choices about allocating our time. Let's examine the balance between new opportunities and existing commitments. I emphasize that every addition comes with a necessary subtraction (unless you want to lose your mind). This episode is filled with practical tips and personal insi...

Today we look at how to encourage guests to promote their episodes. Host Dave Jackson opens the show by discussing the importance of reciprocity in the podcasting world, emphasizing that hosts and guests benefit from effective promotion strategies. Got Feedback On This Episode? I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. Share Your Thoughts Contributors: Kim Newlove - The Pharmacists...

This episode serves as a guide for content creators to learn from the mistakes of the movie industry. It advocates for creativity, genuine audience engagement, and strategic marketing that resonates with today's consumers. The movie industry is falling fast. I share my childhood memories of the joy of watching movies and how attending a movie now has changed dramatically. We need to understand the power of audience engagement, noting that the film industry is often playing it safe with sequels ...

Starting a podcast can feel overwhelming, but understanding the essential questions to address can simplify the process significantly. Join Dave Jackson as he coaches Alex Lorre through a consulting call, highlighting crucial considerations for both aspiring and established podcasters. From identifying your target audience to defining the goals of your show, this conversation covers the fundamental aspects that every podcaster must contemplate. Dave emphasizes the importance of a clear podcast n...

Chapters in podcast episodes allow listeners to easily navigate content, enhancing their listening experience by allowing them to skip to segments they find most intriguing or relevant. Dave Jackson explores the evolution and utility of chapters, reflecting on his initial disdain and eventual reliance on them. Dave invites podcasters to share their perspectives, highlighting a range of opinions from enthusiastic advocates to skeptics who worry chapters might disrupt the listener's engagement. T...

Today we’re unpacking a world of AI tools and their applications in podcasting. I start by asking ChatGPT what the top uses for ChatGPT (and you'll be surprised) are. We also discuss the crucial balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining the credibility and trust of your audience. If you lose your integrity, you may never get it back. Above all, NEVER have AI make content that is made public without human interaction. Full description at schoolofpodcasting.com/950 Check out ...

In this episode of the School of Podcasting (episode 949), we get some great insights from media research expert Tom Webster. With a focus on optimizing podcast content and strategy, Tom and Dave explore common pitfalls that podcasters face, particularly the importance of engaging content from the outset. They discuss practical tips on improving podcast narrative and editing, handling advertiser concerns, and leveraging audience feedback to refine your podcast. Whether you're a seasoned podcaste...

If you're thinking of outsourcing some of the tasks involved with your podcast, this episode is for you. What is involved with creating an episode? What parts should I outsource? Where do I find an editor? How much does it cost? Mentioned In This Episode Join the School of Podcasting Community Profit From Your Podcast Book Power of Podcasting Network Dave's YouTube Channel Dave's Podcasting Newsletter Buy Dave a Coffee Put Dave In Your Pocket Where Will Dave Be? Question of the Month Ask Ralph ...

Value for Value or (podcasting 2.0) is NOT just about streaming Satoshi's (a very small amount of bitcoin). Today, we will discuss asking for support and what tools fit best for your situation. I may earn a small commission for some of these as I participate in their affiliate program. This costs you nothing and supports the show. Got Feedback On This Episode? I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on you...

Today I reflect on my trip to Washington DC to Podcast Movement 2024. We talk about the gear, some presentations, some things that could only happen at Podcast Movement in DC, and why there wasn't any carpet. I used the Rode Interview Pro Portable Microphone to record some interviews in the very noisy vendor hall. With this in mind, I thought I'd talk about plugins that can clean things up. Full show notes are on the website. Join the School of Podcasting Community Risk-Free Are you looking t...

DISCLAIMER: Today's show contains adult content. Maybe listen to this one when the kiddies aren't around. Today, I share some insights that will explain why I spent close to $400 to fly to Atlanta for one day. Then I share some stories about some strange laws in the UK that are getting people arrested for posting memes and two words that cost a comedian millions of dollars. Mentioned In This Episode Join the School of Podcasting Community Profit From Your Podcast Book Power of Podcasting Networ...

Are you confident your podcast content is truly resonating with your audience? Many podcasters assume their content is "fine" without digging deeper. But there's a powerful way to gain invaluable insights directly from your listeners. In this episode, I share a game-changing strategy I recently used at my new job with Podpage. By conducting one-on-one Zoom calls with users, we uncovered crucial feedback that transformed our product. This approach can work wonders for your podcast too! Got Feed...

70% of podcasts are discovered via word of mouth (Jacobs Media). So if we can understand what makes someone recommend something, we can start to do that in our show. We heard words like affordable, quality, and unique. Some people recommend based on a relationship that delivers value. When you deliver something you can't get any place else. Got Feedback On This Episode? I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works gr...

My last day at Libsyn was July 12th, 2024. I'm starting a new chapter in my podcasting career, and so to announce the next chapter, I thought it might be fun (and maybe inspirational? ) for newbies to see what is possible with a podcast. Last week I talked about my journey through technology. I explained that where I am now is NOT where I started and it took years to get here. Today I'm talking about the most important benefit of podcasting (and it's not money, or fame). It's relationships. You...

I had two people ask me about the "Behind the Scenes" operations of the School of Podcasting. I was nervous about doing this episode. If you're new to the show, I normally don't talk about myself for 47 minutes. As I had two people ask similar questions, I thought I'd share information about: Where I Started (start ugly - great book) My first podcast setup My first "business office" Why and how I upgraded (and why you probably don't need to). What I'm using now for the podcast and the busin...