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

As I mentioned yesterday, I fell off the wagon with my other podcast. But the good news is that my complete lack of professionalism time away gave me perspective on something I'd been considering doing for a while -- changing my intro.

Your podcast intro is a funny thing. You don't hear it that much because you plug it in your final mix. And your regular listeners might not hear it that much either, because they fast-forward past it.

What about new listeners though? You need a way to let them know who you are and why you have a podcast.

But is your long ass intro the best way to go about this?

Maybe not.

More thoughts on this episode...

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

I fell off the wagon with my other podcast, but I'm back.

I had a guy email me about a sponsorship and he asked, "It looks like you haven't done an episode in a couple of months. Are you still doing this podcast?"

Ouch!

It happens. You get out of the habit of doing something, or something comes up, who knows... But it happens.

Then what? You've got a great opportunity... And that's what I talk about on this episode.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

I just finished up the manuscript for my upcoming book on podcasting. I've been actively working on this project for the last three years and my hope is to have it released within the next couple of months.

That's my hope. Originally, I wanted to get it out a couple of years ago.

But I kept adding things, rewriting, and reorganizing it. In fact, this is about the fifth version. For this one, I took every individual section I had, some as small as just a few hundred words, and reorganized them from the ground up.

It's going to be good and I want to make it better. To do that, I want as many examples of great podcasts as possible.

Does your podcast fit what I'm looking for? Listen to this episode for more details and reach out to me if it does. 

As I go through the editing process, I'l be sending out more specific requests. To get these updates, get on my mailing list.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

One more thought from this week's meetup with Dan Miller...

We all want a podcast that makes an impact on people. It's very easy for podcasts to get lost though especially in today's "churn and burn" culture where it's so easy to create and distribute new episodes.

Are the days of single audio programs (or podcast episodes) that make real impact, such as Earl Nightingale's Strangest Secret, over?

Maybe.

You still have an opportunity to make big impact with your podcast though. In this episode, I share my thoughts on how to make that happen...

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Something else came up from yesterday's meetup with Dan Miller, which I think is worth discussing here...

As I mentioned in yesterday's episode, Dan has been doing a weekly podcast for the last nine years. In that time, he hasn't missed a single episode.

How does he do it? Does he record his podcast episodes in advance?

The answer is no.

As this is a daily podcast (at least for right now), this is a question I get a lot too. 

On this episode, I talk about the reasons why Dan gave for not recording his podcast episodes in advance. I also talk about the pros and cons of gang recording, podcast seasons, and other options for getting your podcast out in a timely (and efficient) manner.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Every month, I get together with a few dozens podcasters from Nashville. This month Dan Miller of 48 Days did a presentation on how to make lasting impact with your podcast and one of the things he focuses on to do that, audience engagement.

In this episode, I talk about how Dan engages 48 Days listeners via podcasting and how you can do the same during your podcast to grow your audience and build a better connection with them.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Dave Jackson of School Of Podcasting recently launched a new podcast called History Of Six Shooter that I think showcases a perfect format for podcasters who want to work on solo podcasting.

Basically, he's working off a journal which has already been written, telling a story that has already happened. This gives you a good foundation to play around with as you'll have an experience you're already familiar with and the content to work on both reading and improvised speech. 

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Unless your podcast is a hobby, you should always edit your podcasts. Always.

Andrew Deitsch feels differently. And I get where he's coming from. 

The discussion continues on this episode... Want to jump in? Send me your thoughts.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh does extremely well with his brand of right-wing media. The big difference between the two is Rush Limbaugh is actually a great radio host.

How did he get so good? That's what I talk about on this episode. I also play some old airchecks from the 70s, back when Rush was a Top 40 DJ known as Jeff Christie.

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.

Sean Hannity isn't known for being an objective journalist. In fact, most people in media don't consider him to be a journalist at all.

I'm fine with that. Most podcasters aren't journalists either. Like Sean Hannity, they're commentators.

My issue with Sean Hannity is that he sucks are interviewing people.

Unfortunately, a lot of podcasters suck at interviewing people also. And in this episode, I talk about how you can avoid the same interviewing mistakes Sean Hannity makes on a daily basis...

Don't Let Your Podcast Be Ignored - Download my free "Audience Attraction Cheat Sheet" to get 25 podcast episode (and segment) templates.