School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your Podcast

The formula for many successful musicians is to take their influences and mix them into something new and unique. I recently watched a few documentaries, and as a musician, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to music history, especially around rock and roll, and today I've got some great stories that can help your podcast. SPONSOR: Podpage Podpage is the easiest way to build a website for your podcast that looks great without having to learn a bunch of technology. It's super easy to have a website in 5 minutes. Try it for free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage  Rockstar Lessons From the Beatles and Kiss Start with your why Same but different Sharpen your axes Make your show hard to copy Sacrifices will be made Friendly competition is good Don't promote until your audience says its good Get people talking about you Money changes everything Don't be bored I think the item that really made me go "Whoa!" was the Beatles having the option to come to the US, and they postponed it until they had a hit. Likewise, Kiss walking out on a record deal as the music wasn't right. Podcast Rewind I've been interviewed on the following podcasts: Monetization Nation Talk about Talk Podcast Question of the Month What would you miss the most if you have to quit podcasting? I need your answer by 7/23/21 Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question 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 have to spend a million dollars to sound great. Learn through our online tutorials, live group coaching and a private Facebook Group filled with brilliant podcasters. Join worry-free with a 40-day money-back guarantee. See schoolofpodcasting.com/start Mentioned In This Episode McCartney 3, 2, 1 on Hulu Kisstory on A & E Monetization Nation Talk about Talk Podcast Profit From Your Podcast Full show notes of 784  Mentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

"Is podcast success only for celebrities?" This is a question many podcasters ask themselves after they start their podcast and find out how much work it really takes to make it successful. Listeners don't care if you're an established celebrity or not. They want good content. Full episode description at  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/783 Ready to Get Into the Arena With a Podcast? I would love to help you get a professional-sounding, super targeted, extra-engaging podcast off the ground. Let me take my 16 years of podcasting experience to help you avoid the common pitfalls. Come work with me.  Enjoy the Podcast But Don't Need My Services? I've provided value, you can provide value here. SPONSOR: Podpage If you want a great-looking website for your podcast, quit trying to squeeze a podcast into a template for something that is not a podcast. Quit trying to learn Javascript. You get get a great-looking website for your podcast in 5 minutes. You can try it for free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage Mentioned In This Episode Podpage Learn Podpage (for free) Joe Rogan's first live stream Joe Rogan Interviews Adam Curry No Agenda Show, Mike Rowe - What Not How Episode Paris Hilton Podcast New Media Show Jerry Seinfeld Video Guitar Speak Podcast Join the School of Podcasting Book a Podcast Strategy Call Buy Me a Coffee Sign up for the NewsletterMentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

A brief summary of this episodeMentioned in this episode:I Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey2025 Audience Survey

Two Ways To Learn Things You can learn from your mistakes and do less of those. You can also look at anything that worked well and do more of that.  This week I talk about episode 780 with Adam Curry. I had more people connect with me to say, "Hey, I really liked that interviewed" and I started asking them WHY? What made it stick out? Today I share their answers.  SPONSOR: Podpage Podpage makes it super easy to make a website for your podcast without a giant amount of technical know-how. There is no need to cram a podcast into a theme made for a restaurant on Squarespace, a personal trainer on Wix, or the nightmares that are WordPress themes and plugin conflicts. Podpage is made based on podcaster feedback for podcasters!. You can try it for free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage Mentioned In This Episode Marc Maron Interviews Quentin Tarantino Podcasting 2.0 and the Podcast Index My Interview With Adam Curry Paul Colligan Glen the Geek Spark Christian Podcast Conference A Time For Horses Power of Podcasting Network (All of Dave's Podcasting Shows) Profit From Your Podcast (Dave's Book) Join The School of Podcasting Schedule a Podcast Strategy MeetingMentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

Today we hear part 2 of my conversation with Joe from Stacking Benjamins (Hear Part 1) comes back to talk about joining Westwood One, why he has a coach and his attitude towards making his show better.  SPONSOR: Podpage Have you tried Podpage? Podpage makes it super easy to make a website for your podcast. You don't need any technical knowledge. Just put in your RSS feed from your media host, and Podpage does the rest. You can try it for free for seven days - no credit card required. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage TOPICS: 00:00 Gordon the Guided Missile 03:00 Welcome to the Show QUESTION OF THE MONTH 04:38 Podcasting Pet Peeves 04:54 York from Poetic Earthlings 06:59 Seth - Geekville Radio 08:53 Dan - Based on a True Story IS YOUR PODCAST GOOD? 11:33 Most Haters Just Leave 14:41 Do You REALLY Want Advice? 16:01 Before You Buy Facebook Ads 16:44 How to Not Feel SALESY 18:30 SPONSOR: Podpage JOE'S AMAZING ATTITUDE 20:40 Joe From Stackingbenjamins.com 21:12 Why Did Joe Join a Network? 24:20 "Messing" with his content? 25:54 Why Does Someone Successful Need a Coach? 27:27 What Innovations Did You Do? 31:04 How Joe Inspires You To Listen to the Ads 32:31 Knowledge is Powerful When Acted Upon 34:26 Being Everywhere 35:54 Great Points: recap GET MORE OF JOE Stacking Benjamins Podcast Pre-order his book, "Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management"  YOUR ATTITUDE 36:55 It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect 38:41 2 Quick Quotes JULY QUESTION OF THE MONTH 40:18 July Question of the Month If you had to stop podcasting (the reason doesn't matter) what would you miss the most? Answer at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question INSIGHTS FROM SPARK CHRISTIAN PODCAST CONFERENCE 42:20 Example of Standing Out 47:35 In-Person Events ROCK 50:30 Coming Soon MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ( 781 ) The Importance of Mistakes (John Cleese) Podpage (learn Podpage for free) School of Podcasting - Plan, Launch, Grow and Monetize Your Podcast Poetic Earthlings Geekville Radio Based on a True Story Author Media ( Thomas Umstattd Jr. ) Fantastical Truth Podcast (Zach Russell) Jordan Harbinger Asking Advice Episode Pre-order Joe's book, "Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management"  Focus on the Family Spark Christian Podcast Conference Part 1 of My talk With Joe (About Reviews) The Chosen (Online Series - Interesting Crowdfunding) Tara-Leigh Cobble Author Media - Thomas Umstattdt Jr. Fantastical Truth - Zachary RussellMentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

Today I am blessed to interview the man who helped invent podcasting. Many people know him from his time as a VJ on MTV but there is so much more to Adam than his leather jacket and golden locks of hair. Born in Va but moved to the Netherlands when he was 7. He built his first transistor radio when he was 15, and by 16 was a station announcer for a hospital. He later worked on Dutch Pirate Radio, and Radio Decibel in Amsterdam. He's also worked part-time in a computer store where he built his own modem. Yes, he was on MTV as a DJ from 1987-1994. Seeing the power of the Internet he started OnRamp which turned into Think New Ideas. 1996 Adam Curry served as CTO of Think New Ideas. He built websites for Budweiser, bud light, and put together the first Live Stream of the Grammys. (the sponsor was one of the first digital cameras). Podshow (a podcast network, later renamed Mevio) was launched 2004 to 2014. It focused on selling ads for a cast of podcasters. In 2005  hosted a show on Sirius Satelite Radio that spotlighted podcasts. In 2007 he launched the No Agenda Show with John C Divorak which uses the value for value model. He's part pirate, part broadcaster, part nerd, and part businessman, he's the Podfather, and today we are talking podcasting 2.0 SPONSOR: Podpage If you are a person who understands that having a website for your podcast is important but doesn't have a clue how to build one. You hate WordPress, and found Squarespace confusing, you can build a beautiful podcast website in five minutes (just enter your RSS feed and Podpage does the rest). See www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage Topics Covered With Adam: The problem with podcasting networks ( 7:20) The history of the No Agenda Show (14:50) What is Podcasting 2.0 and how to get started (27:05) Mentioned in This Episode www.noagendashow.com www.podcastindex.org www.coinbase.com  Strike Bitcoin Wallet James Cridland Article Join the School of Podcasting Avoid sounding unprofessional Learn how to connect with your audience Get your show listed in Apple, Spotify, Google and More Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/startMentioned in this episode:I Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey2025 Audience Survey

Today I am joined by Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins (which was recently added to the Westwood One Network). Joe recently took a class lead by Sinan Aral (author of the book The Hype Machine) and while it's been proven over and over that Apple ratings and Reviews do not help you in the apple podcast charts, but how much influence do ratings have for those looking for new podcasts? Sponsor: Podpage If you're not a technical person, and you're looking for a "Set it and forget it" solution to your podcast's website, look no further than Podpage. You can create a beautiful website in five minutes. I use podpage on the Podcast Rodeo Show, Podcast Review Show, Ask the Podcast Coach, and others. It is being built based on the Feedback of 1000 podcasters in their Facebook group. You can try it for free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage Check out this video to see how easy it is to setup your show. Mentioned In This Episode: Stacking Benjamins The Hype Machine Book Podpage Learn Podpage Free Course Leave a 5 Star Review For the School of Podcasting Take this quick three-question survey about Podcast Reviews Google Trends Jacobs Media My Podcast Reviews Join the School of Podcasting Topics: 05:26 The Importance of Reviews (outside of Apple charts) 12:35 Follow Trends ( see Google Trends ) 15:48 A Faster Way To Create Audiograms 16:38 Managing a Community (want a Facebook Alternative? Check out the Circle Platform) 20:26 SPONSOR:schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage 22:09 Give Your Listeners What They Want 25:13 78% of Podcast Discovery is Word of Mouth according to Jacobs Media 29:49 Looking at My Reviews via My Podcast Reviews ( 4 months free on your first yearly subscription ) 31:29 Another Strategy to Battle 1 Star Reviews 33:16 Have I Frightened You From Pressing Record? 34:05 Getting Out Of Our Own Way 37:14 You WILL Get a One Star Review 38:32 Getting Reviews Outside of Apple 39:45 Thanks To My Team 40:31 BloopersMentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

Podcast Movement Nashville is one of the Podcast Industries' first in-person events. While I'm excited to get in my car and make my way to Nashville, there are those who are nervous about being in crowds, while others have not been cleared to travel. I ask Co-founder Dan Franks how he weathered the storm of 2020, and what he's doing to address the needs of his conference attendees in 2021.  Check out PodcastMovement.com for more information SPONSOR: Podpage.com Automatically create a beautiful, listener-friendly podcast site from your RSS feed. Customize the design to create a professional look you’ll be proud of in a few clicks. No coding or technical knowledge necessary. You can build a beautiful podcast website in five minutes! Check out www.podpage.com  FREE COURSE: Check out www.schoolofpodcasting.com/learnpodpage to learn the ins and outs of Podpage. Full Show Notes at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/778 Mentioned In This Episode Podcast Movement Podpage.com Learn Podpage - Free Course John Lee Dumas Interview Kate Erickson Interview Sendfox Mailerlite Danny Elfman on Marc Maron David Lee Roth on Joe Rogan Question of the Month Tarzan Economics (free book on Audible) Wix Video Join the School of Podcasting Ready To Start Your Podcast? Get instance access to tutorials, private coaching, and a Facebook group filled with brilliant podcasting minds. You don't have to worry about sounding stupid, spending too much on equipment, or wonder how to get into Apple, Spotify, etc.  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/joinMentioned in this episode:I Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey2025 Audience Survey

How do you decide if something should stay in your podcast episode? For when I listen to the question I asked, I look for: 1. When did their response start to actually answer the question I asked.  2. Is it a good answer? Does it deliver value? Today I play some clips of Sean Evans from Hot Ones being interviews by Drew Barrymore the actress turned talk show host.  SPONSOR: SCHOOL OF PODCASTING Get the best equipment for your budget Sound professional Learn what your audience wants Network with brilliant podcast minds Private Group Coaching Priority Email Support 30 Day Money-back Guarantee Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join Avoid the Been There Done That The guest provides an answer and you have a similar situation that will answer for the second time your question. Was the answer from the guest so unclear that you need to repeat what is essentially the same point? If not, remove your story. The interview is about the guest (not you).  Avoid the Back Story Sometimes we provide some back story so the guest understands the motivation behind the question. Many times the audience doesn't need to hear the back story. You can edit it out and just leave the part  Don't Forget to Ask a Question? I find it off that Drew Barrymore often does not ask a question. She says nice things about the guest and just stops.  June 2021 Question(s) of the Month 1. What would the ultimate podcast community look like to you? (This will remain between you and me). 2. What are your top pet peaves? (this will be public) Don't forget to provide: The name of your show/ The website. A brief description Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question by 6/25/2021 Need Help With Your Editing? Check out Affordable Audio Editing Where I Will Be Spark Christian Podcast Conference June 22-24 2021Grapevine, TX Podcast Movement Nashville Aug 306 20201 Thanks for sharing this show with a friend Mentioned In This Episode Join the School of Podcasting Steve Carter Easy Stress Cures and EFT Tapping Junction Drew Barrymore Interviews Sean Evans Last Week Tonight on Paid Placement (with their Fake Product) Episodes 776 Nobody Gets On a Bus Without Knowing Where It's Going – Your Podcast's Intro Episode 771 Podcasting Can Give Your Audience Something They Are Dying To Hear: The Truth Question of the MonthMentioned in this episode:2025 Audience SurveyI Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey

My Co-host of the Podcast Review Show Eric K Johnson has a saying, "Nobody Gets on a Bus Without Knowing Where It's Going." Today we talk about how it is 100% up to you on how you start your episodes. I also talk about insights from reading the book, "The Creator’s Compass" which talks about three different levels of presenting content.  Sponsor: School of Podcasting Get your podcast off the ground, sounding professional, without spending money on equipment you don't need by using the step-by-step tutorials, the private Facebook Group (filled with brilliant podcast minds) and live group coaching. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee when you go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join The Generic Show Introduction Welcome to (show name) where we (what you do) so that you can (benefit of listening) our website is (website address). Then introduce the episode, and if you can explain why people should listen to you, throw that in as well.  Smooth Transactions Don't Happen By Accident When I do the Podcast Review Show with Erik K Johnson so we both can see the points each person wants to make. If needed we loft up a "softball" comment so the person can make their point. Consequently, when I see we have hit all the bullet points I don't have to ask, "Are you ready to move on."  James and Sam on Podland do a great job of organizing the many topics they cover into stories that easily transition from one to the next. They transition into interviews by providing just the information that resonates with the listener (do we really need their whole LinkedIn bio? No!) and consequently when the show is over I find myself asking, "Already?" It just flows nicely. This doesn't happen by accident. When you have multiple segments take some time to think about how you are going to transition from one to the other. If you don't do this, it's not the end of the world, but it is often the little things that separate good from great. It's the little things that other people don't take the time to do that can really set you apart.  I actually use transition music (SHORT music) to signal my audience that we're moving to a new topic. The bottom line is it is YOUR SHOW and you can do WHATEVER you want. Don't let this stop you from creating your show because it's not "perfect."When in doubt ask someone (not related to you) for feedback and/or do what feels right to you.  Three Levels of Content I read the ebook The Creator's Compass from Jay Acunzo and I loved it. It really made me think, and it's pretty creative. Here is one thing that made me go, "Oh yeah, that is better." Level 1 Content You have some gold. (You drop facts in their lap) Level 2: What Could Happen Here’s some gold. You have some now. And because you have some now, you can do all kinds of things: create some jewelry to feel beautiful or make someone else feel beautiful, etc Level 3: Your Opinion When you say the phrase, "I think" you take all the information, all the pros and cons and insights you have, and put them into an opinion.  Everyone will have their own opinion and that makes your show different than anyone else's sow.  Coming Soon: Dissecting Hot Ones on YouTube Hot Ones is an amazing show, with AMAZING questions.  Mentioned In This Episode Podcast Review Show  School of Podcasting  Podnews Podland The Creator's Compass from Jay Acunzo Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man Kindle and AudibleMentioned in this episode:I Want Your OpinionI am doing an audience survey and I want your input to help me make this show exactly what you want. If you have a few minutes, I have a quick survey at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/survey252025 Audience Survey2025 Audience Survey