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

Today we talk about creating great content that people will share, and take a slightly deeper dive into the topic by looking at WTF by Marc Maron. When I reverse engineered the content I consumed, I noticed that no matter if its a book, magazine, TV show, or movie, whatever I'm consuming: Made me laugh Made me cry Made me think Made groan Educated me Entertained me. Ingredients in a Good Podcast When I look at other elements that make a good podcast they: Allow you to see the vulnerable side of the host or guest. Have a  host with great listening skills. Include "Behind the Scenes" information that you can get anyplace else. Include great follow up questions that reflect what the listener would ask. Know your audience. Create a focus group of listeners who will provide honest feedback. The courage to say things that will draw them closer to their target while separating them from some. Make me wonder what is going to happen next? Table of Contents for Episode 705 00:00:45.775 Boston Reflections 00:02:23.525 Because of My Podcast 00:07:29.325 If You Content Is Shunned By the Media 00:14:07.300 schoolofpodcasting.com/start 00:15:35.900 Question of the Month 00:16:09.500 What Made This Episode Good? 00:25:49.150 Being Vulnerable 00:29:20.175 Adding A Tease 00:29:59.475 Sharing Stories 00:31:16.225 What Was That Like? 00:32:50.800 Raw Emotion is Moving 00:34:43.875 A Great First Question 00:37:20.550 Technology Issues 00:38:28.850 Why Did They Leave it In? 00:39:17.700 Podcasting Boost Your Confidence 00:39:57.783 Great Follow Up Questions 00:40:49.291 Know Your Guest - Know The Show 00:44:33.712 Bloopers Because Of My Podcast: Fred Castenada Fred from the Podcast Reporter podcast heard about with a military background and podcast and reached out. Because Fred has a podcast they've connected and found out they both served in the 82nd airborne. Question Of the Month NOT PODCASTING YET? What do you feel is stopping you from starting your podcast? ALREADY PODCASTING? What are you going to do differently this year and why? I need the answers in by January 24th, 2020. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question to leave your answer. Mentioned In this Episode Join the School of Podcasting Erik K. Johnson's episode on creating a good tease. Robbie Samuels On the Schmooze Podcast ( great first question) Marc Maron's WTF Podcast. The episode with BRAD PITT & LEONARDO DICAPRIO Ed Sullivan's Sonic Cupcake Audio Editing The Cigar Authority Podcast. Which Dave uses to promote 2 Guys Cigars Check out the Studio 21 Cafe where they record the podcast. AMAZINGMentioned 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

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 How Many Download Should I Expect When I launch? I asked many different groups of podcasters and asked them how many downloads did they get for their first episode after one week. It wasn't 1000, or 500. It wasn't 100 or even 50. From what I've seen and heard very few people I talked to got more than twenty downloads to their first podcast after the first week. While you typically measure a podcast episode after a month of downloads, I wanted to let people know what to expect after a week. 00:09:58.450 How many downloads to episode 1? How Can I Make the Most While Working the least? 00:12:53.681 First of the year problems 00:15:22.916 How long does it take to be profitable? 00:17:18.811 Why Businesses Fail 00:18:27.966 Do any businesses succeed? If All You Can Aford is Free - You Have Other Issues That Need Your Attention 00:21:48.925 If Free is the Only Option - Then Pause is the Solution Because of My Podcast 00:28:47.815 Paul explains how he got to meet one of his podcasting heroes.  January Question of the Month 00:32:12.381 This month we have two versions of the question. If you don't have a podcast, what is holding you back? If you DO have a podcast, what do you plan on doing differently in 2020? Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question  I need your answers by 1/24/20. Where I Will Be 00:33:09.268 January 11th National Speakers Association  Waltham, MA Ready to Get Your Message Out There? I'm ready to help you and look forward to working with you. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start Mentioned in This Episode Make Noise: A Creator's Guide To Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling How long does it take to make money Another example of how long it takes Beyond Powerful Radio: Valerie GellerMentioned 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

Every year I ask my audience: 1. What is their favorite podcast 2. Why is it their favorite?  I also want to know about their podcast if they have one, and where we can find these shows.  Time Table: This episode has been created with chapters. Your app may skip to the next chapter by clicking the right arrow button. 00:01:13 Focusrite Scarlet Interfaces 00:05:00 Emily Prokop 00:07:23 Scott Johnson 00:10:59 Randy Cantrell 00:12:23 Joan Wheeler 00:14:00 Arnie Chapman 00:15:52 Clayton Allen 00:18:06 Charles McFall 00:20:57 Ed Sullivan 00:22:00 Chris Curran 00:23:43 Clay Groves 00:25:31 Donald Winn 00:27:21 Fred Castenda 00:28:58 Terry Nords 00:32:13 Daniel J Lewis 00:35:57 Kim Krajci 00:38:47 Wayne Henderson 00:42:13 Jennifer Longworth 00:43:28 Jason Bryant 00:46:39 The Rafferties 00:47:55 Seth 00:50:25 York 00:51:38 Shane Whaley 00:53:33 Veronica Hugger 00:54:52 Steve Stewart 00:57:01 Timothy Brien 00:58:20 Troy Price 01:00:04 Dave Jackson's Favorite 01:01:50 Where am I going? 01:02:43 January Question of the Month 01:04:14 Bloopers 01:05:20 Easter Egg Full links at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/703 Ready To Start Your Podcast? Visit www.schoolofpodcasting.com/startMentioned 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

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/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 take a lesson from my nine-year-old niece who goes crazy about a Christmas toy that makes absolutely no sense at all. I also have a great conversation with Cole Raven of Podchaser to explain what it is, where it's going and how you can use it in your podcasting effort. See the School of Podcasting at https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/school-of-podcasting-64937 Here is my profile on Podchaser Table of Contents: 00:01:11.850 Question of the Month 00:02:19.600 Focusrite USB Interfaces 00:04:13.957 Different is Better Than Better 00:13:13.993 Cole Raven From Podchaser.com 00:35:01.521 How I Might Use Podchaser 00:36:56.585 Apple Podcasts Now on Alexa 00:41:09.000 Blooper Mentioned in this Show Sally Hogshead author of the book Fascinate Your Podcast Consultant Podcast Squdcast for Recording Interviews Ready to Start and Grow Your Podcast? 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 spend a small amount of time remember the past 700 episodes. Then I launch into a "Lightning Round" if you're a new podcaster or seasoned veterans you should get something out of this show.  Full show notes at  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/700Mentioned 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

Clay Groves is one of the nicest guys on the planet. I always smile when I see him at an event. I know I'm going to be smiling and laughing soon. He is the host of Fish Nerds, and over the years when I saw him in person he would tell me a "Because of My podcast" Story and when I heard his last one, I said, "I need to have you come on the show and share these stories. In today's interview you will hear: 6:44 Clay sold some of these stories 12:11 Clay has been paid to speak 14:59 His relationships have lead to more and more opportunities 16:09 Clay launches a business doing fishing tours 20:28 What equipment does Clay use to record on a boat? 22:51 Clay builds a path to radio 28:54 Clay gets the call 39:20 Clay quits his day job. 43:24 Clay's 12-Year-old daughter is podcasting Podcasting is Like Fishing 46:58 Question of the Month for December I do this every year. Please record your response and include the following: Your name and the name of your podcast Your website where we can find your podcast A brief synopsis of what your podcast is about (who it's for, and what to expect) What is your favorite podcast from 2019? Why is it your favorite? What is the website of this podcast? I need the answers in by December 27th, 2019 so it can be heard on December 30th. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question (I really need these in audio format) Mentioned In This Episode Fish Nerds Podcast Clays Equipment: Zoom H4n ATR 2100 Microphone 93.5 WMVW National Podcast Publishing Month Join the School of Podcasting Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start and get access to the courses, group coaching, and private network. Put your worries about getting the wrong equipment, sounding stupid, and shaping your show behind you. Join worry-free with a 30 day money-back guarantee  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/startMentioned 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 are talking about Plugins. Plugins are things you add to your audio editing software to make it better, more efficient, etc. The best way to avoid buying these (or using these) is to record good audio in the first place. That is not always an option (especially with interview shows with guests) so there is a company that has a bundle on sale 72% off and I put it through some tests. Please note this is an affiliate link (but also note - some of these are not great).  For videos and more information see www.schoolofpodcasting.com/era Videos and more at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/698 Question of the Month 20:00 What is bugging you? Brandy Henry from engaging on social media with Brandy Henry Karrie Bond from the Keywest Perspective Podcast  Jason Sacco from The Ankylosing Spondylitis Podcast Libsyn and Spotify Changes Spotify no longers makes a copy of your file and puts it on their website (they serve it directly from Libsyn). This makes it much easier to replace a file. This also means your stats are going to shift in the Libsyn dashboard. Instead of being in a separate section, the Spotify stats will go under the "normal" Libsyn stats (so don't panic).  Question of the Month for December I do this every year. Please record your response and include the following: Your name and the name of your podcast Your website where we can find your podcast A brief synopsis of what your podcast is about (who its for, and what to expect) What is your favorite podcast from 2019? Why is it your favorite? What is the website of this podcast?  I need the answers in by December 27th, 2019 so it can be heard on December 30th.  Mentioned In This Episode First Things First (Book by Steven Covey)  The Stephen R. Covey Interactive Reader - 4 Books in 1 (includes audio and video) Audphonic Levelizing and Noise Removal Tool Start Your Podcast - Grow Your Influence (and numbers) Join the School of Podcasting and quit worrying about buying the right equipment, sounding stupid, unprofessional, etc. We take you from idea to influencer and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Sign up for a monthly or yearly subscription.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

So many people jump to podcast advertising when they think of making money with their podcast. This may be partially due to listening to the radio which makes its money via advertising. About Heather Osgood She started her career in advertising sales and quickly learned the valuable lessons in what it meant to be a business owner. Additionally, she has served as a business coach to hundreds of small business owners. With a background in radio advertising and a love for podcasting, Heather was in a unique position to start an agency that could help both advertisers get better results as well as assist podcasters in finding sponsors. She founded True Native Media in January of 2016 with the hopes of helping everyone find a bigger piece of that advertising pie, and acquired j/k media agency in the fall of 2017 to further those goals. Check out the Market Success with Podcast Advertising show. Podcast Advertising Insights In this episode with Heather Osgood we learn: What expectations both the podcaster and advertiser should have in place. How many downloads advertisers are looking for in a podcast. The best stat to measure your podcast in regards to advertising. What the current CPM rates are. The different types of advertising. How long you should run an advertisement Why dynamic ad insertion may be a way to get enough downloads to meet the advertiser download requirements. Key Points Going forward it may be more important when someone listens instead of when the show was published (especially for evergreen content). If you use programmatic advertising (which pays from what I've calculated .0017 cents per download) why would an advertiser agree to pay more when they know you will accept less? Check out the Market Success with Podcast Advertising [click_to_tweet tweet="Everything you wanted to know about podcast advertising" quote=" Everything you wanted to know about podcast advertising" theme="style3"] Mentioned in This Podcast Spark Christian Podcast Conference February 21-20, 2020 Houston Texas Podcast Movement Evolutions February 12-15, 2020 Los Angelas, Ca Book Me to Speak at Your Event. I'd love to hear from you Work With Me Join the School of Podcasting or let me be your podcast mentorMentioned 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

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 through.  Links Mentioned In This Episode Social Subscribe and Follow Plugin Podlords Text Expander Karen Jackson A long look Slow Art Your Podcast Consultant School of Podcasting Podcasting Resources More Information There are tutorials, videos, and links to directories at  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/696Mentioned 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