School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

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Podcasting's Most Frequently Asked Questions

Jul 20, 2015

01:07:39

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Today I will answer the questions that I receive on a regualr basis.

Podcasting News:

Popular Science has launched a Podcast caled Futuropolis

Salary.com listed "On Air DJ" as one of the the top 12th jobs on the brink. Speaking of that, CBS Radio eliminated more than 200 positions in companywide layoffs this week, including an unconfirmed number in Chicago

Ira Glass now owns This American Life. The interesting thing is this artcile mentions that he has 22 employees. In March 2014, This American Life ended its relationship with PRI, who had served as the show’s distributor since 1997, flexing its muscles in a way that suggested long-running intent towards independence. Speaking of employees on the latest "But wait theres more" episode of Startup, Alex Blumberg states that he has a staff of 19 people to produce three pdocasts and they are making 2 milloin dollars this year (and spending 2 million).

FREQUNETLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does it cost to start one?

$91 Mic, Stand, Pop filter

$60 Mixer

$20 Libsyn (use the coupon sopfree)

$8 Hostgator

$60 Artwork

$24 Intro MRC

$263

Xbox One, 500GB Hard Drive $342

What Microphone

The Audio technica 2100, 2005, or a Electrovoice RE320. I hear good things about the Heil PR40 as well. I like the EV RE320 as no matter where my mouth is, the tone doesn’t change (with other microphones the close you get the bassier it gets).

How Long Should it Be?

As long as it should be, and not a minute more. Vallery Geller in the book Beyond Powerful Radio says, “There is no such thing as too long, only too boring.” This is proven by Dan Carlin’s Hardcore history which can run around 3 or 4 hours and published irregularly.

How Often Should I Publish

As I previously mentioned Dan Carlin’s show, you should publish a podcast that consistently delivers value, and impacts your audience. However, if you can establish a schedule that your audience can count on, they will make you part of their routine. My advice is record a few test shows so you can fully understand the work it takes to create a podcast, THEN pick your publishing schedule. While you will hear people talk about doing multiple episodes a week, keep in mind these are multiple shows that deliver value.

Where do I get Music For My Show?

Podcasting-Resource.com

I like Audio Jungle

Can I play Music in My Podcast?

No. Not Legally?

Do People do it? Yes

Will it get you banned from iHeart Radio? Yes

What’s the Best Media Hosting?

Libsyn Great stats, ease of mutli location publishing.

Blubrry - Great Stats, Ease of Publishing your podcast

Spreaker - Good stats, built in audience.

Podbean - OK Stats,

Can I Use my Web Host as My Media Host?

You can, but should you? No.

Listen to SDR Show. It took him 6 weeks to get shut down.

How Many Downloads Should I Have?

Take the value the value you provide and multiply it by the effort your put forth to promote it, and there is your number. For the average Joe, it should be between 10 and 200 downloads per episode.

Here are my download numbers:

Ask the Podcast Coach 250

Jillian Michaels Fan Cast 2000

Building a Better Dave around 300

Marketing Musician 600

Weekly Web Tools 325

SOP 1600

Feeding My Fatih 150

Wost Podcast Ever 10

How Do I Grow My Audience?

Figure out who your audience is

Make content people want to talk about that impact them