Streamlined Podcaster: Tips to Help Solo Podcasters Save Time and Create Great Content

It's that time of year! The 2022 Podcast Liftoff Gift Guide is here, fully updated with new gear and a section for video podcasting. We'll go through the what and why of it all, and I'll highlight some other great gifts for podcasters. View the whole gift guide here: https://podcastliftoff.com/gift-guide/Contains Affiliate LinksShow NotesSamson Q2U Mic Audio-Technica ATR2100xPop FilterShock MountBoom ArmATH-M50XDT 770 Pro HeadphonesHexagonal Wall PanelsAuralexElgato FacecamFacecam ProMy live stream setup Hue LightsElgato Key Light | Key Light AirNeewer 2 PackLume Cube for Video ConferencingBuzzsproutCastosShure SM7BRode PodmicStellar X2Cloudlifter CL-1Focusrite Scarlett SoloRodecaster Pro IIStream DeckZoom Field Recorders8-in-1 USB-C Hub by AnkerCalDigit Element HubCalendlySavvyCalRiverside.fmDescriptEcamm LiveWork from Home Gift GuideDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group (00:00) - Intro (02:51) - Microphones (05:18) - Recording Accessories (12:18) - Video Podcasting (17:04) - Hosting (19:02) - Upgrading Your Setup (22:11) - Other Helpful Gear (25:10) - Working from Home (31:32) - That's it! ★ Support this podcast ★

One of the questions I've been getting on live streams and webinars lately is, "how are you dealing with video for your podcast?" For a long time, I've said you don’t need video for your podcast, or you don’t necessarily need compelling video. But as more platforms (like YouTube and TikTok) get into podcasting, I’m changing my tune. So I’ve been experimenting with “video first” podcasting. Here’s how I’m doing it. Show NotesTwitter ThreadMy Live Stream SetupCheck out the Podcast Liftoff YouTube ChannelDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Worried that you don't have enough downloads to get sponsors? It's one of the biggest concerns I see from podcasters who want sponsors, but aren't sure they have the audience to attract and keep them. But here's a secret: there are things we can do to add value for our sponsors that the big podcasts won't do. And that's what we're talking about today. Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s a listener questions week! For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I asked for your questions about launching, growing, and monetizing podcasts. I got some fantastic questions, so let’s dive into them: Questions01:54 How do you stay motivated?05:16 What are your top 3 tips for getting started?08:43 What platforms should you put your podcast on?10:27 Do you think BuzzSprout is the best audio host?11:25 How long should my podcast be?14:01 How many sponsor spots should you have per episode?15:25 How often should I publish?16:39 What is the best day and time to release new episodes?18:24 Should I rebrand my current podcast or start from scratch?20:35 What is your top tip for landing sponsors?22:00 What’s the most important podcast metric?23:11 Do you record with video on?Show NotesTwitter ThreadLinkedIn PostMy interview with Dan BennetMy interview with Justin MooreSend me your questionsDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group (00:00) - Intro (03:05) - How do you stay motivated? (06:27) - What are your top 3 tips for getting started? (09:54) - What platforms should you put your podcast on? (11:38) - Do you think BuzzSprout is the best audio host? (12:36) - How long should my podcast be? (15:12) - How many sponsor spots should you have per episode? (16:36) - How often should I publish? (17:50) - What is the best day and time to release new episodes? (19:35) - Should I rebrand my current podcast or start from scratch? (21:46) - What is your top tip for landing sponsors? (23:11) - What’s the most important podcast metric? (24:22) - Do you record with video on? (25:53) - Send me your questions ★ Support this podcast ★

Over the last couple of months I've been pushing hard on the idea that first time podcasters should start a mini podcast - that is, a solo podcast that's 20 minutes or less. But how do you actually produce that show quickly? The answer is Descript. Show NotesGet DescriptWhy You Should Start and Monetize a Mini PodcastDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Scott Cowan runs a podcast called Explore Washington State. It’s part of a greater site all about Washington. The podcast publishes 3-4 times per week, and he’s looking to grow his audience and potentially increase his output to 5 times a week. Listen in as I give Scott advice about SEO, website improvements, and pointing his enormous Instagram following to the show.Top Takeaways:Having a good website with easy-to-speak URLs is the best way to send people to your podcast. Easy to share on social media, and easy for listeners to share too.Optimize titles and descriptions. Use them to tell people what the episode is about, and use keywords that will help the episodes show up in searches.Instead of trying to grow your podcast directly, grow your newsletter and social media followings. Then share your show with those audiences — your newsletter especially can be ripe for growth and promotion.Check out Scott podcast. ---Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

The most common I question I get about pitching sponsors is, "how much do I charge?"While you might hear terms like CPM (cost per mille, or dollar amount per thousand downloads), starting out that's not going to yield a lot of results for you. There's a better way. You want to show brands the full picture when it comes to your audience. You want to tell potential sponsors about your overall reach, and how you can help them achieve their goals.Check out my interview with Justin Moore for more (ha!) on landing brand deals.---Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Contracts can be a scary and confusing thing...especially when the relationship is strictly ad placement on your own podcast. Listener Erin recently wrote in to ask about podcast sponsor contracts, and while I am not a lawyer, I'm happy to share my own experience. In this episode I: Answer if you actually need a contractGo over what an Insertion Order isTalk payment termsCover what to watch out forTell you it's OK to redline. It's a good one, and I'd love to hear your feedback! If you'd like to hear from an actual lawyer, let me know.Disclaimer: I AM NOT A LAWYER and this doesn't constitute legal adviceGet more info and full show notes at https://makemoneypod.com/213Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

In the past month or so, I've been experimenting with something that grew my podcast downloads by 21% and it wasn't paid ads. See, the best way to grow your podcast is to get in front of other podcast audiences. With that in mind, I decided to try some Podcast Swaps, and they've been working so well I'm going to do another round. Let's take a look at what they are, how they work, and how you can do them too. Show NotesTink Media's Podcast Swap Database@larenpassell on TwitterMy podcast growth in ChartableWhich Podcast Ad Placement Works Best?Get even more links and content at https://makemoneypod.com/212Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

They say it's easier to sell to current customers than to get new ones. It makes sense, right? Those customers have entered into a relationship with you, have shown they trust you, and have proved their open to giving you money. The same thing can be said of sponsors. Many people forget that sponsorship is a relationship, and as the creator, you can help the brand. So when a campaign is over, don't assume the relationship is too. Most of my sponsors from the past year have been former sponsors that renewed. Here's what I do to keep sponsors returning, and what you should do too. Check out Justin Moore's Creator Wizard newsletter.Get all of the show notes and a transcript at https://makemoneypod.com/211Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

As you start to pursue sponsors, especially those you don’t have a personal relationship with, you will surely be asked for more information. A great way to convey that information, as well a look professional, organized, and ready to accept sponsors, is a pitch deck (or a sponsor deck).Today, let's look at what a pitch deck is, what it should include, and how to put it together. You can get my free pitch deck templates at https://makemoneypod.com/pitchWant to accelerate your ability to get sponsors? Enroll in Podcast Liftoff!Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Today I want to talk to you about DAI, or Dynamic Ad Insertion. DAI is a way for you to automatically insert ads (or any audio clip) into your already produced podcast episodes. Let's dive into how exactly it works, how you can get started, and what indie podcasters should use it for.Show NotesProgrammatic Advertising for Podcasters: How to Get StartedMarco's TweetPodcast Ad Delivery: Make Better SandwichesTry BuzzsproutDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

I wanna share with you something fantastic advice my 5-year-old daughter gave me today about podcasting we were driving her to school. See, someone cut me off, which lead me to mutter under my breath. When she asked what I was doing, I said I was talking to nobody. And she said, "If you're talking to nobody, why are you talking at all?"And that my friends, is what we're going to address today. Because if you don't know who you're talking to, your podcast isn't going to grow, and it's not going to make money. Show NotesWhy You Should Start and Monetize a Mini PodcastHow to Define Your Show's Mission StatementDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

It's finally happened! After months of speculation and leaked slide decks, YouTube has quietly launched its podcast area in the US. You can get to it by going to the "Explore" page. So today, we discuss how to get your show on YouTube, how to leverage YouTube to make money, and some recommended tools for converting your audio to video. LinksFusionCastDescriptCastosRepurpose.ioDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

One of the most common calls to action is “leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.” I’ve long railed against this CTA, stating that you’re alienating a large portion of the audience. But what if this approach is wrong? That's what we'll explore today. Show NotesRate and Review on Apple Podcasts! Tanner Campbell on SubstackSubmit Your Review for a chance to win a gift cardDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

You want a sure-fire way to betray trust in your podcast? Invite a guest on just to ambush them with a sales pitch of your own services. Sounds farfetched, but it's happened to me 3 times in the last 6 weeks!Friendly Reminder: Your podcast guests are not part of your sales funnel. Not even close. Let's look at how this tactic works, why it's wrong, what to do instead, and how to prevent it from happening to you. Presented by Nexcess and Podcast Liftoff.Get all of the show notes at https://makemoneypod.com/009Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

There's a reason lots of podcasters fall victim to podfade. Podcasting can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you are doing long episodes with guests. But recently over on The Podcast Host, they wrote an article about how Mini Podcasting is on the rise. I shared this article with my newsletter and it's one of the most clicked on links in the history of my newsletter. Lots of people are interested in Mini Podcasting and for good reason. So today, we'll look at what mini podcasting is, why it works, how to start one, and of-course, how to make money with it.LinksMini-Podcasting Is on the Rise – Here’s What You Need to KnowJoin my mailing listDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Sponsorship is the main monetization goal for a lot of podcasters, but there are often some misconceptions around how it happens. You might think that you don’t have enough downloads to get sponsors. Or that once you *do* get enough downloads, brands will magically start reaching out to you. You might assume that you need an “in” with any company to get a brand deal. I’m here to tell you: you don’t need a ton of downloads, brands will not just reach out to you, and you don’t need an in! So how do you find potential sponsors for your podcast? We'll talk about 3 ways: 1. Tapping your network and connections2. Reaching out companies where you're already using their products.3. Finding sponsors of similar podcasts. Presented by Nexcess and Podcast Liftoff.Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Your show's mission statement is more than just some words on a page. It should determine the direction of your show, the format, who you're talking to, and ultimately how it will make money. Much like a map (well, Google Maps) when you're going to a new destination, your mission statement will guide your podcast from losing money to generating enough income to support your business.The framework for your mission statement is this: My podcast helps [AUDIENCE] solve [PROBLEM] by [GOAL OF EACH EPISODE]. Listen on to get the prompts to help you craft the perfect mission statement for finding sponsors and selling products. Presented by Nexcess and Podcast Liftoff.Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

If you're a podcaster and you're wondering how in the world you'll make money off your podcast, you're in luck! Today we're covering the SMASH Framework, which is designed to help you understand all the ways you can make money as a podcaster. The SMASH Framework is: SponsorshipMembershipAffiliatesSelling (products)Helping (with services)The approach to your podcast should depend on how you want to make money, and understanding your options is a crucial first step! Presented by Nexcess. Get your own version of the SMASH Framework for free at https://makemoneypod.com/smashDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Make Money Podcasting is coming back with better focus! While talking about landing pages and calls to action is helpful, they don't get to the meat of the show's mission: to help you make money as a podcaster. That all changes in Season 2. Stay tuned and be sure to subscribe at https://makemoneypod.com. New episodes drop in July. Presented by Podcast Liftoff and NexcessDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Recently on Twitter, I asked a series of questions about podcasting, the challenges, and what would make it easier. The conclusion I came to based on the answers was consistency is the biggest pitfall for podcasters (or would-be podcasters).As someone who puts out 3 weekly shows, I totally get that. Podcasting can be a grind, which is why 75% of shows don’t make it past 7 episodes. So this week, I decided to put together some of my best tips to avoid the dreaded podfade and be consistent.Presented by Nexcess. Get all the show notes and a written to be read article at https://makemoneypod.com/004Get your free 52+ episode ideas PDF at https://makemoneypod.com/ideas/Show NotesHow to Create Content Consistently - Joe CasabonaPodcasting Consistently: How to Prevent PodfadeFinding Your Podcast's FocusOn Coming Up with Content Ideas - Joe CasabonaCreate Consistent Content, Make Money, and Get Sales | Creator CrewWho is the Pro iPhone for, and Other Creator Tools - How I Built ItDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

In Episode 2, I talked to you about having one, clear, call to action for your podcast. There, I recommend your CTA should be to join the mailing list. This will allow you to capture your audience to directly communicate with them. From there, you can further promote sponsors, sell products, or provide more benefits for your membership (along with providing real value, of course).But you still need a good place for the mailing list sign-up form to live. There’s no way to add a form in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app.No - You need a good landing page.Presented by Nexcess. Get all the show notes and a written to be read article at https://makemoneypod.com/003Get your free SMASH Framework PDF at https://makemoneypod.com/smash/Show NotesYou Need a Clear Call to ActionFinding Your Podcast’s FocusConvertKitCastosTry CarrdHow to use Carrd to Build Your Landing PageDon't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

What’s the balance between offering choice and getting people to take action? That really depends on the medium. For example, you may notice podcasts have a ton of calls to action (CTAs). Maybe you do. My podcast does at times. Is that really the right route? And if not, what should your podcast’s CTA be? Let’s explore.Presented by Nexcess. Get all the show notes and a written to be read article at https://makemoneypod.com/002Get your free SMASH Framework PDF at https://makemoneypod.com/smash/Show NotesCheck out ConvertKitGet a FREE ConvertKit Account with Subscribers and Broadcasts Unlocked!Pointing a Custom Domain to a ConvertKit Landing Page (Step-by-Step)Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

I think a crucial misstep in nearly anything business related is lack of planning. I’ve made the mistake multiple times. I get an idea, I launch, I figure out how it will support me financially later. So when you’re thinking about your podcast, going a little slow to smooth out the process with help you earn money faster.Presented by Nexcess. Get all the show notes and a written to be read article at https://makemoneypod.com/001Get your free SMASH Framework PDF at https://makemoneypod.com/smash/Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Trying to make money with your podcast through sponsorship can feel like trying to work while handcuffed to a bench. It works, but it's really constrained. You can think of this show as the key to get you out of those handcuffs.Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.Support the show--------------------------------------------------------Send Feedback | LinkedIn | Facebook Group ★ Support this podcast ★