Big Podcast Playbook - Grow Your Podcast. Build Your Audience.

In the world of podcasting, celebrity interviews are often hailed as the pinnacle of success. But what goes on behind closed doors, or rather behind the microphone, during these remote interviews?    In this episode of Build a Big Podcast, we peel back the curtain and delve into the exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience of doing a "live" celebrity interview. I share my first-hand account of interviewing my #1 dream guest, Dolly Parton, and the rollercoaster of emotions that ensued, giving you before, during, and after-interview tape.   The "Big Idea" Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Behind-the-Scenes Setup and Host Prep

[00:16:04] Pre-Interview Call with Producer

[00:33:08] "Live" Interview with Dolly Parton

[00:44:24] Post-Interview Commentary

[00:45:43] Post-Interview Call with Producer

[00:48:30] Behind-the-Scenes Wrapup

Episode Topic Timestamps:​

[00:00:34] Pre, during, and post junket interviews explained.

[00:03:50] Lead up conversation, nerves, dream guest.

[00:08:23] Talking "new and old" during junket interviews.

[00:11:09] Pressure to interview A-listers in remote format.

[00:14:27] Tennessee – Infant mortality, gerrymandering, and Dolly's humanitarian work.

[00:16:33] Why people love Dolly Parton.

[00:19:32] Avoiding LGBT topic due to time constraint.

[00:23:48] Elvis offered to record "I Will Always Love You" but declined.

[00:30:36] Remote work has its advantages and dyslexic mishaps.

[00:39:45] "Keep singing, playing, be true to yourself."

[00:41:39] Writing books, rock album, creative brand, new things.

[00:49:33] Podcasters create celebrities.

[00:51:21] "Dolly inspires me to be myself unapologetically."

[00:54:00] Podcast success – attract, engage, monetize.

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Topics covered in this episode:​

• Friday 13th and common podcasting folklore
• Misconceptions about Apple Podcasts
• 10,000 downloads per episode?! No!
• A great question? Not really ...
• Focusrite 4th Gen audio interfaces
• Using Instagram Reels for podcast promotion
• Afros and Audio (and why middle-aged white guys should care)
• A new daily newsletter for podcasters

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:00:39] Friday 13th, lucky day? 

[00:06:12] Hurry to launch? Forget about "New and Noteworthy!"

[00:11:05] Meta's Creators Program and Instagram Reels

[00:14:19] Afros and Audio – an event for black creatives and professionals.

[00:17:40] Create "soundproof" podcasting studio in a closet.

[00:20:48] Like YouTube? Thank the adult industry!

[00:23:54] Monetize your podcast voice and skills. 

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 150 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Topics covered in this episode:​

• Spreading your podcast: Learn how to make it beneficial for others to spread your message and ways to use people to promote your podcast.
• What would mother nature do?: How podcasters can apply this lesson to their podcast promotion strategies.
• DIY Podcast Touring: Discover the benefits of doing in-person events to build an audience, and learn tips for organizing and promoting successful live events.
• Feign ignorance and other interviewing tips from NPR: Get insights from NPR on how to conduct engaging interviews, including the technique of feigning ignorance to encourage detailed responses.
• How to decide what to cut or not in an interview: Learn strategies for editing interviews and deciding which parts to keep or cut to ensure the final content is engaging and concise.
• Podcast bait and switch: Explore the concept of podcast bait and switch and how it can be utilized to surprise and engage listeners.

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:05:42] The DIY Podcast Tour – Behind-the-scenes story and how to do it yourself

[00:06:48] Live events bring people together and connect

[00:12:51] Podcaster feeling like an outsider in radio

[00:14:31] Treat your podcast like a vinyl record

[00:18:06] Fake Podcasts! Sales calls and paid podcast interviews ...

[00:22:31] Big Podcast AMP - Audio Monetization Program

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 149 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Topics covered in this episode:​

• Spotify's partnership with OpenAI to clone podcasters' voices and translate them into other languages
• The difference between hobbyists and pros
• Google Podcasts is shutting down
• How to edit your podcast with your ears
• Booking podcast interviews with a clear agenda and purpose
• Podcasters = audio engineers
• Tips for making the most out of limited time with a guest

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:06:03] Subscribe and access exclusive behind-the-scenes podcast content.

[00:08:26] Don't rush your interviews, trust the natural flow.

[00:11:36] Fundamentals matter; details matter in podcasting

[00:14:17] NPR's editing tips: engage listeners, create tension.

[00:17:08] Give your story space

[00:20:24] Minimize interview problems for only $29

[00:26:27] You are the media

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 148 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

In this episode of Build A Big Podcast, I talk about my experience of pursuing Dolly Parton as a guest for my radio show on the music business. I also share the behind-the-scenes of how this show started, what we were trying to build, and the two types of guests we wanted.   Topics on this Episode:  

• My efforts over the past 18 years to connect with Dolly Parton
• The challenges of competing with major media outlets for an opportunity to interview high-profile guests
• What to do with a "short" interview.
• National press campaigns
• What can (and will) go wrong during interviews ... maybe

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

Want more?

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

And if you want to make sure you never miss an episode of Build a Big Podcast, subscribe here.

Topics covered in this episode:​

• Your number one job as a podcaster
• Lessons learned from being ignored
• The importance of showing up consistently
• How to deal with rejection and not being for everyone
• The value of building a supportive community
• Avoiding generic and overused words in podcast descriptions
• Creating content that stands out and resonates with your audience

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:02:58] A podcasting lesson ... Struggles releasing albums and promoting shows

[00:05:38] Missed opportunity to sell

[00:08:40] Understanding and utilizing the benefits of short episodes.

[00:11:29] Advantage of an engineer or producer during recording (and how to get the same results without either)

[00:18:03] Dolly Parton interview on the schedule.

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 147 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Topics covered in this episode:​

• The importance of being present and recording live for your podcast episodes and advertising.
• The value of going through your podcast with your audience and being in the moment.
• Ways to grow your email list or podcast and keep people listening.
• The role of quality audio in building trust with your audience.
• A framework for creating successful podcast episodes.
• The challenges of podcast editing and potential solutions for independent podcasters.

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:00:58] Editing is crucial, but be present live.

[00:05:25] Haven't started your podcast? This may be why ...

[00:07:21] Independent radio clusters disappearing and the problem with media consolidation

[00:10:28] Bringing your podcast community together

[00:14:43] People "hate listen" to feel something

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 146 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Mistakes happen in the studio and, if you do this long enough, some of those mistakes will get out.

Despite what you might read online, for most people, this isn't the end of the world. In some cases, bloopers and outtakes getting released, whether accidentally or on purpose, will actually help you.

I dive into this subject on this episode.

What you're going to hear in this episode:

• Mistakes and bloopers that happen in podcasting studios
• If you're in a studio, bloopers will happen ... and some will get out
• Example of a New York Times bestselling author with a blooper in his audiobook
• Should you fix bloopers?
• The positive aspects of bloopers
• Casey Kasem's famous blooper and its impact on his image
• The power of good editing in shaping the listener's experience and perception of your show

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:02:02] Mistakes in audiobooks and podcasts can enhance listener experience

[00:03:55] Humanizing mistakes

[00:11:57] Be mindful of words, be kind to others.

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

Want more?

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

And if you want to make sure you never miss an episode of Build a Big Podcast, subscribe here.

Topics covered in this episode:​

• The importance of connecting with people and having business sense in podcasting
• Diversifying income – a lesson for podcasters
• Using present tense to create anticipation and engagement with the podcast audience
• The role of money in podcasting and options for monetization through the Big Podcast Audio Monetization Program (AMP)
• The difference between a great interview and a random interview
• Embracing the opportunity to become a great host and interviewer, connecting with different guests, and having purposeful conversations.

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:00:20] Persuasive messaging, finding story ideas, podcast sponsorship. Netflix DVD shutdown, classified ads, podcasting tips. 

[00:04:27] Musician's success: connecting with fans, business savvy.

[00:09:01] Want more people to buy your message? Understand past and present tense

[00:09:51] Teasing future episodes without spoiling surprises.

[00:12:55] You can't recreate moments. 

[00:16:56] Quick thoughts on podcast research and ideas.

[00:19:59] Become a great host and interviewer.

[00:22:32] A "sales trick" for podcast ads 

The Newsletter for Podcasters

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 145 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

Topics covered in this episode:​

• Bob Barker
• DUH!! The importance of using a microphone for podcasting (or Zoom meetings)
• Strategies for achieving and maintaining chart success
• Engagement pods and reaching genuine listeners
• The impact of a podcast beyond its topic
• Influencing the next generation
• ...

Click for more ... »