Are the Podcast 'Experts' Actually On Track?
Some members of the Blubrry team provided insight into what they believe will happen in the podcasting space in 2024. Todd, Mike and MacKenzie share their own thoughts and hopes (and some unfortunate expectations as well) in today's episode of Podcast Insider, giving listeners a thorough assessment of the current podcasting landscape.

Happy New Year, we're happy you're here.
Today's Hosts: Todd Cochrane, Mike Dell and MacKenzie Bennett
Blubrry's Podcast Predictions for 2024
Todd

 	Video will continue to advance
 	AI is going to change everything
 	Real voices will be more important than ever

MacKenzie

 	Without getting too political, 2024 is a major election year in the US; I imagine we’ll see an increase in political commentary shows. Perhaps continued shows or even new shows based on ongoing relations in the Middle East and Ukraine, Congo, Sudan, etc.
 	AI releases from numerous platforms and major increase in usage among creators
 	Continued accessibility improvements
 	Apple Podcasts - creator program for non subscription based shows

Mike

 	Soundcloud will shut down (Same every year and they keep going)
 	YouTube will fail at “podcasting,” and Google will announce something else by the end of the year.
 	AI will become a bigger deal in podcasting this year.
 	I think more and more podcast apps/platforms will adopt some of the Podcasting 2.0 features.
 	Joe Rogan will renew his contract with Spotify (unfortunately)
 	I will have as my New Year’s Resolution to be less opinionated about “podcasting’. Podcasting has always had no rules! I just have to remember, even if I don’t think someone is doing it the correct way, it’s not my place to correct them. I will offer my advice, but leave it at that 

Blubrry’s Podcast Predictions for 2024 – PCI 378

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The podcasting path has been long and prosperous for our Podcaster of the Month, Greg Thompson.

Greg Thompson

Since its launch in 2016, Thompson's show, PodWheels, has produced more than 1,500 podcast episodes while generating more than 200,000 downloads. In this episode of Podcast Insider, he shared with us the long and winding road that led his career from sports celebrity interviews to the shared wisdom and important insights of truckers. Join Mike Dell as he learns of the incredible journey of Greg Thompson and the impactful stories from the world of trucking.

Check out the Podwheels network here

Find his Podcaster of the Month article here



The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.

Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider

Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.
todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com

On the Road to Success: Podwheels’ Path with Greg Thompson – PCI 398

Today we dive into the cutting-edge world of advertising strategies tailored specifically for podcasters. The monetization opportunities for podcasters is always changing, but there are a few ways that will always stick around. In this episode, we explore innovative ad techniques that go beyond traditional methods, helping you maximize your revenue while maintaining a seamless listening experience for your audience. The Blubrry team's expert advice on this topic can helps with actionable insights and advice to elevate your ad game. Discover how to transform your advertising approach to stand out in the ever-competitive podcasting industry.
Two Main Types of Podcast Ad Strategies:
1. Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI): (Programmatic) This allows podcasters to insert ads into their episodes dynamically, so different listeners might hear different ads depending on factors like location, listening platform, or time of day. This flexibility means that ads can be more relevant and timely.
2. Content Insertion: You manually set this up to insert ads, promos, intros, outros, and other such content. It’s less dynamic than DAI as it’s the same for everyone who listens during the time period set in the system.

Ad insertion technology offers podcasters a variety of ways to enhance their podcasts and monetize their content effectively.

Here are some key uses of ad insertion tech in podcasting:

 	Time-sensitive Advertising: Podcasters can insert ads that are relevant only for a certain period, such as promotions for an upcoming event or a sale that is about to end. After the event or sale, they can replace the ad with another without altering the original content of the podcast.
 	A/B Testing: With ad insertion technology, podcasters can test different ads to see which performs better with their audience. This can be done by alternating between different ad versions across different episodes or even within the same episode over time.
Improved Listener Experience: By using ad insertion, podcasters can place ads in natural breaks within the content, making the listening experience less disruptive. This strategic placement can help maintain listener engagement and reduce the likelihood of listeners skipping ads.
 	Back Catalog Monetization: Podcasters can monetize older episodes by inserting new ads into them. This makes the entire catalog a potential source of revenue, not just the latest episodes.
 	Tiered Subscription Models: Some podcasters offer ad-free versions of their podcasts to subscribers while using ad insertion to monetize the free versions. This can encourage more subscriptions while still generating revenue from non-subscribers.
 	Sponsorship Flexibility: Ad insertion technology makes it easier for podcasters to manage sponsorships. They can switch sponsors across different episodes or seasons without needing to re-record anything.
 	Performance Tracking: Podcasters can track how well different ads perform in terms of listener engagement and interaction. This data is crucial for improving ad strategies and demonstrating value to advertisers.
 	Replacing Beg/End: Change your intro messages/music/outros at the beginning or end of your shows.

Ad insertion tech (or, more accurately for this discussion, content insertion) is available in three ways at Blubrry; htey can be used for more than just advertising.
Here is what we offer at Blubrry:

 	Manual ad insertion (Pre-roll only). Pre-roll ads for Thrive Bundle or Pro Hosting
 	Manual ad insertion (Pre, Post, and Mid-roll). Full ad insertion with Blubrry Pro hosting
 	Programmatic ad insertion. (DAI) Ads are automatically sold and inserted for you. You share in the revenue. $ This is available to ALL Blubrry hosting customers at no additional cost.

By leveraging these capabilities,

Innovative Ad Strategies for Podcasters: A Deep Dive – PCI 397

Creating exclusive content for paying podcast listeners is an excellent way to provide additional value and encourage more listeners to subscribe to premium tiers. Blubrry offers premium podcasting for creators to offer to their audience in hopes of not only creating special, specific content for them, but monetizing said content as well.
Here are several ways podcasters can offer exclusive content to their paying subscribers:
Bonus Episodes: Offer additional episodes that are available only to paying subscribers. These could include deeper dives into topics discussed in regular episodes, interviews with special guests, or entirely unique content not available in the main feed.
Early Access to Episodes: Allow paying subscribers to listen to episodes before they are released to the general public. This early access can be a significant draw for dedicated fans who eagerly anticipate new content.
Ad-Free Listening: Provide an ad-free experience for subscribers, which can make listening more enjoyable and streamlined.
Extended Episodes: Offer longer versions of regular episodes with extended discussions, additional segments, or uncut interviews that non-paying listeners don't get to hear.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share insights into the podcast production process, including planning sessions, bloopers, and discussions about how episodes are put together. This type of content gives listeners a sense of involvement in the creative process.
Exclusive Q&A; Sessions: Host live or recorded Q&A; sessions where paying subscribers can submit questions. These could be about the podcast content, general advice, or personal questions for the host.
Interactive Content and Polls: Allow subscribers to vote on upcoming episode topics, guests, or other elements of the show. Engaging listeners in the content creation process can increase their investment in the podcast.
Member-Only Community Access: Create a private forum or chat group, such as on Discord or Slack, where subscribers can interact with each other and the hosts. This community aspect can be a strong incentive for fans to subscribe.
Exclusive Merchandise: Offer merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or stickers that are only available to paying members or at a discounted rate compared to general availability.
Special Events: Invite subscribers to exclusive online or in-person events such as live recordings, meet-and-greets, or workshops.
Personalized Messages or Content: Provide personalized shout-outs, birthday messages, or other personalized content that makes subscribers feel valued on a personal level.

By leveraging these strategies, podcasters can create a compelling subscription offering that enhances listener engagement and boosts revenue, all while rewarding their most loyal fans with valuable content.



The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.

Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider

Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.
todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com

From Listeners to Fans: Crafting Content That Pays Off – PCI 396

A Rising Tides Raises All Ships
As the world of podcasting continues to grow, creators must find innovative ways to expand their audience. Today, we're diving into the art of cross-posting, a powerful tactic that leverages the magic of collaboration. Podcasters that team up with fellow hosts can amplify their reach and introduce each other's content to a whole new crowd. Take note of these strategies and join us as we explore how to make cross-posting work for podcast hosts and their podcasting allies.
Today's Hosts: MacKenzie Bennett and Todd Cochrane
Cross-post Strategies for Podcaster Collaboration

 	Guest Appearances: One of the most common forms of collaboration is inviting a podcaster from another show to be a guest on your podcast and vice versa. This exposes both podcasts to each other's audiences, potentially increasing listenership.
 	Co-Hosting Episodes: Occasionally co-hosting episodes on each other's platforms can mix things up for listeners and offer fresh perspectives and discussions, which can be particularly engaging and attract followers from each host’s base.
 	Cross-Promotions: Podcasters can agree to promote each other’s shows. This could be through shout-outs during episodes, sharing each other’s content on social media, or including links in newsletters. It’s a simple yet effective way to reach new listeners who trust the recommender’s tastes.
 	Content Collaboration: Working together to produce content, whether it’s a series, a special episode, or a segment within an episode, can blend the strengths and unique styles of each podcaster. This might involve thematic discussions, debates, or joint investigations.
 	Community Events: Hosting live events, whether online or in person, can generate buzz and deepen engagement with audiences. These events can include live podcast recordings, Q&A; sessions, or meetups, providing an interactive experience for listeners.
 	Social Media Takeovers: Allow a fellow podcaster to take over your social media accounts for a day or vice versa. This can add variety to your content and introduce your audience to new voices and styles.
 	Shared Resources: Pooling resources such as editing software, studio space, or marketing tools can reduce costs and increase production quality. Collaborators can also share knowledge and skills in these areas to enhance each other’s podcasts.
 	Joint Ventures: Launching a new podcast together that combines the unique elements of each host’s existing podcasts can attract listeners from both audiences and capture new ones interested in the joint content.
 	Affiliate Marketing: If both podcasts discuss similar topics or products, they can arrange to use affiliate links and promote products they genuinely like, earning commissions and providing valuable recommendations to their listeners.
 	Network Partnerships: Joining or forming a network of podcasts that share a similar theme or audience can enhance cross-promotion opportunities and streamline various aspects of podcast production and marketing.

Be sure to implement today's tips on collaboration and cross-promotion into your podcasting strategy.

Thanks for joining us on Podcast Insider, where we bring you insider access to the tools you need to succeed. Until next time, keep podcasting!



The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.

Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider

Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.
todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com

Cross-post Strategies for Podcaster Collaboration – PCI 395

Todd and Mike sprinkle bits of advice about what podcast statistics that podcasters should pay more attention to as well as the ones that are less crucial to creators overall understanding of their success. Podcasters should focus on key statistics that reflect their unique goals and aspirations instead of getting caught up in every available metric.

Remember the importance of not stressing over stats but focusing on consistency and quality of the content to ensure steady growth and audience retention in the long term.
Today's Hosts: Mike Dell and Todd Cochrane
Podcast statistics can be an important way of measuring your podcast's success. Depending on your goal, stats can give you insights that can help you adjust your show’s content and marketing strategy.
What to Look For In Your Podcast Stats
Aka these are the important podcast statistics in our opinion 

Blubrry’s Podcast Predictions for 2024 – PCI 378

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