Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes

Some other things you might want to ask is: What is the maximum size of the audience (If everybody on the planet that was interested in this topic listened, how many people are we talking about?) Do those people really care about that topic? Are they "rabid fans?" How passionate are you about this topic See the full show notes at www.podcastconsultant.com/9Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

When it comes to creating a podcast you need to use a podcast media host. Here is my criteria 1. Don't mess with my file. What I upload is what I want people to download. 2. Give me the ability to have an unlimited back catalog (unlimited storage) 3. Don't limit my audience size (unlimited bandwidth) 4. Don't control my feed, and make it easy to leave if I choose to do so. I need to be able to put in an iTunes redirect script. 5. Give me support. 6. Charge me for your service so you can stay in business 7. Give me stats so I can see what's working. It would be nice if they were accurate. 8. I need to own my content and control how it is used. 9. Be 100% Apple compatible Here are some popular options Libsyn.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) Blubrry.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) Podbean.com (get a free month using the coupon code sopfree ) What about spreaker.com, Pinecast.com? Simplecast.com? Simplecast re-encodes your file, "If encoded as an 128kbps or less MP3, we will not re-encode or transcode the audio. If an audio file is over we will encode it to 128kbps in MP3 format." Now I realize if you export at 128 this isn't a problem (it does add a small amount of time to publishing as you wait for it to re-encode your file). There are some music podcasters who want to export at a lower bit rate (case in point Marc Maron). Podcaster should be able to export in whatever format they want source Spreaker does not offer an unlimited back catalog Pinecast does not offer episode numbers for Apple podcast unless you have configured your show to be serial (I guess episodic shows don't have episode numbers?) Soundcloud - Does not offer all of the Apple fields, and their stats are not recognized by many services as you can purchase plays (and are not reliable) Squarespace - While they make pretty websites, you miss out on some great syndication options Anchor.fm - This free service has HORRIBLE terms of service and enables people to do whatever they want with your content. They also offer to submit your show to Apple "for you" and forget to inform you that they then own your show in Apple. Most free media hosts go out of business after three years (see more information) What Is Your Favorite? I was a Libsyn custom for 10 years. I love their syndication option, their flexibility, their ability to make a smartphone app for me, as well as syndication into iHeart Radio, Spotify, LinkedIn, and many other options. I can sell my back catalog, or even create a private podcast for my business. Here is the problem. I became an employee two years ago, and now people call my credibility into question. They think I will always say that Libsyn is the best (even though I have 10 years of me saying that they were the best in 400+ episodes before I became an employee). So Libsyn, Bluburry, and Podbean are not band choices. There are others mentioned here that are not horrible. I always tell people I don't say Libsyn.com is the best because I work for them. It's the opposite because Libsyn.com is THE BEST, I chose to work for them when I found myself unemployed. What Media Hosts to Stay Away From If you are shopping for a media host, be sure to ask them if they follow the above criteria. ESPECIALLY the ability to do a 301 redirect. If they don't do that, and you want to leave, they own your audience. For me the ones I steer people away from are anchor.fm soundcloud.com squaspace.com (for your podcast) streamcast.com talkshoe.com As I said before, use my criteria and make sure they pass (they should) If you have any questions, please contact me Schedule a Coaching Call Click here to start planning, launching and growing your audienceMentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

I have had had many people tell me I hate the sound of my own voice! This is natural as it has to do with science. It's called Bone Conduction. Bone conduction is the conduction of sound to the inner ear through the bones of the skull. In other words, there is bass added to your voice through your skull. Here is a test, talk while putting your fingertips on your forehead. You will feel the vibration. These vibrations add bass to your voice. When you listen only using your ears and not your skull, your voice can sound thin. This can cause some people large amounts of stress. Here is the truth: Your voice sounds different, but different does NOT equal bad. The only way to get over it is to just keep recording and get used to it. I just need you to trust me and know you sound fine. This is just one of the tips I've picked up over my decade of podcasting and I'd love to help you. Go to www.podcastconcultant.com and lets start working together Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

When it comes to starting a microphone you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a single microphone. Some of the best "starter microphones" for podcasting are The Audio Technica ATR2100 The Audio Technica AT2005 The Samson Q2U All of the above microphones with via USB or you can plugin them into a mixer. When Do I Need a Mixer For My Podcast? You need a mixer when: You have more than one person in the room with you You have more than one source of audio (i.e. you and an iPad that you are playing sounds through) If you don't have one of the above scenarios you don't need a mixer (but they are nice to have around). You can add bass and treble to your voice and other items. Speaking of the sound of your own voice, we will be talking about why most people hate the sound of their own voice in a future episode.Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

The one question you need to answer when starting a podcast is WHAT are you going to give up. EVERYONE who starts a podcast says one thing. This is taking more time than I originally thought. This is because it is new. You can tie your shows quickly now, but when you were five you really had to concentrate I say at my best, I use a 4 to 1 rule. Meaning for every one minute of the podcast it will take four minutes to produce. That 15-minute podcast will take you an hour. You might be thinking but how can that be? I just talk into the microphone for 15 minutes and I'm done. Well, you have to decide what to talk about. That might require some investigation. Then you record it. This takes time, and you might need to edit it unless every single word out of your mouth was perfect (and trust me, it won't be), Then you have to upload the file to your media host, and create a post on your website. This takes some time. You might want to make an image to go with the episode. Consequently, when you start a podcast you have to ask yourself what am I willing to give up? Most of us don't have a ton of free time, so what are you going to give up to create a podcast. For me, I stopped watching a lot of bad TV. I might've stopped watching reruns of Friends and Seinfeld. I quit being sucked into rabbit holes on YouTube, and I turn off Facebook and Email so I can focus better. We all have 24 hours in a day, and often the time to podcast is there. Sometimes it's not. When I get a message saying "I'm in a long-distance relationship, I'm in med school, and I'm working part-time in a restaurant. My initial reaction is you don't have time to podcast. You have a relationship that has built-in hurdles, you have homework, and a job. You have priorities that need your attention. While a podcast might be a fun hobby, wouldn't you hate to find out you got a bad grade on a test because you were up until 2 am editing when you should've been studying? I had a similar situation. When I got my first degree in electronic engineering I was the editor of the student newsletter. I worked as a waiter to put myself through college. I had a girlfriend, and I was running the house as my father was a long distance truck driver and my mother was deceased. Being the editor was fun and exciting as I was doing investigative journalism and spotlighting policies that were horrible at my college. There was only one problem. I wasn't going to school to get a degree in journalism. My grades started to suggest, so the next semester I had to look at the big picture, look at my goals (in this case my degree) and go back to being just a writer for the Newspaper and not the editor. I know as a podcast consultant I should tell everyone they need to start a podcast NOW, but as someone with a little bit of life under his belt, I'm here to say your podcast is not more important than your family, friends, and jobs. So there may be times when you don't start your podcast NOW, but you can start planning for it and launch it later. Ready To Launch Your Podcast? Are you ready to launch your podcast? I would love to help you plan, launch and grow your podcast. I want to be your podcast consultant.Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

People ask me, "How Long Should My Podcast Be?" What is the ideal podcast length? For a while, everyone wanted to make a 20-minute podcast as that was the average commute in the US. I prefer the answer from Valerie Geller in her book Beyond Powerful Radio A Communicator's Guide to the Internet Age: News, Talk, Information which is, "There is no such thing as too long, only too boring." You can get the audiobook for free. Longer Podcasts Are Doing Very Well In episode 93 of Libsyn.com's The Feed Podcast, VP of Podcaster Relations Rob Walch states that at Libsyn.com 84% of shows with 100,000 downloads are 51 minutes are longer Those that were 2.0 hours or more with 100,000 downloads per episode or more made up 13.2% of the podcasts on Libsyn. Those that were 30 minutes or less made up 9.9% of shows. This Doesn't Mean All Podcasts Should Be Long The bottom line is, your podcast should be as long as it needs to be and not a minute more. When I reverse engineered all the content I consumed, I found that the content did one or more of the following: It made me Laugh It made me Cry It made me Think It made me Grown It Educated me It Entertained me If you can do more than one of these at the same time, you're on to something. If your content does not of the above, do NOT press record. I would love to help you shape your message. I want to be your podcast consultant.Mentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

You might be thinking, "Technology and I are not friends." I hear this all of the time from clients, "But Dave you don't understand my VCR blinked 12:00 for years." I know. I've heard this many times. To this, I ask: Have you ever uploaded an image to FaceBook, or a file as an email attachment? Then you can upload a media file to your media host Have you ever been listening to the radio in the car and your phone rings and you turn down the radio? Then you know how to mix audio Have you ever press record on a VCR, Cassette Deck, Tivo, or DVR? Then you press record in audio recording software (hint, it's the red button with "REC" on it) Do You Know How To Talk? Then you can talk into a microphone. I Use to Be Afraid Like You Today I share a story about how I was fired for being too shy. I reveal the advice I got from a teacher who got me over the hump, and I want to be the person who can help you over your hump. Don't let the technology stop you from getting your message out to the world. If you want to be heard, then please let me know help I look forward to working with you. I want to be your podcast consultantMentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Have you ever wondered if you should start a podcast? I've asked my audience and clients this question, "Because of my podcast _______" and today you will hear how: Their networks have grown Reaching a global audience They are getting free stuff They are being offered opportunities They are building an audience They are getting paid They are getting hired They are earning awards They are being seen as the media They are speaking to celebrities in their field They have a purpose and direction in their life They are adding dollars to their bottom line They are changing the lives of their audience I've been helping people understand technology for over 20 years, and I've been podcasting for over a decade and I want to help you. I want to be your podcast consultantMentioned in this episode:Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!Get insights into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. Each issue of our newsletter offers a glimpse into what's shaping the podcast landscape, with actionable advice to boost your podcasting journey. You also get a glimpse "behind the scenes" and bonus content from the School of Podcasting. Go to www.podcastingobservations.comPodcasting ObservationsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy