Build a Big Podcast - The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters

This is the audio companion to Issue 58 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• New Year, New Podcast? Get real...
• Ryan Reynolds voice may be sexier than his face – at the very least, it sells more...
• 7 things you can do to make this the best year for your podcast
• A time management trick for podcasters that you an implement right now
• The 1944 CIA manual that will help you grow your podcast
• The "Netflix Test" – Use this on your podcast

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

After over a year of ZERO in-person interviews, I jumped back in working on a new project that took me various "studio" situations, including living rooms, front porches, and offices.

I was surprised at how intense it was.

Maybe it was that unknown element of COVID that made me wonder If I'd ever be able to safely do an in-person interview again. Or maybe that fact that it wasn't really safe to do it at all, even with vaccines and masks. Or maybe it was simply that I was dealing with some very heavy subjects, like murder, sex work, drug addiction, racism, and homelessness.

I reached out to Brandon Hall of the true crime podcast, Music City 911, to talk about his experience taking 911 calls and how he keeps grounded in intense and emotinal situations. And that's just one of the topics covered on this episode. 

Topics:

• Taking control of an interview
• When guests are booked on "the wrong show"
• Empathy and interviewing
• Getting emotionally involved with guests
• How to really help your listeners (and your guests)
• Learning how to be an effective podcaster
• Promoting your podcast
• What topics are really important?
• How to keep a guest on topic
• Keeping calm during tense situations in the studio
• Being confident on the mic

Links To Things We Talk About:

• Music City 911

     

A few episodes ago, I talked about my experience with KCRW's Radio Race, a 24-hour "contest" where participants produce four-minute radio segments based on the same brief.

In this episode, I talk with Scott Wen, who co-produced one the contest's finalists, The Persimmon Tree.

Topics:

• What to do when you do an interview that you can't use (or don't want to use)
• Getting ideas for radio segments
• Working with a team/partner
• Using non-English languages on an English radio station
• Keeping guests on track during interviews
• Competition in radio (and how to look at it)
• Comparing yourself to other podcasters and radio journalists
• Using your non-podcasting skills to make a podcast
• What to do when your first (or second...or sometimes your third) idea doesn't work out

Links To Things We Talk About:

• KCRW's Radio Race
• Round Breaking Podcast
• David Gonzalez Music

     

This is the audio companion to Issue 57 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• When is it time to quit your podcast?
• Breaking the Law (and Getting Caught)
• The Best Time to Post on Instagram
• Want to Build a Strong Podcast Brand? Here Are 8 Strategies...
• Double Your Podcast Audience for $49?!
• Your Podcast Could "Steal" These Advertisers

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

This is the audio companion to Issue 56 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• The step-by-step processes to write for top-tier pulications like Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Fast Company
• How to get the most out of Twitter
• Email is not dead – I learned this the hard way!
• Why your podcast should have a newsletter (and where to go to do it on the cheap)
• How to be a better writer
• Content curation for podcasts (and more)

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

This is the audio companion to Issue 55 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• Recurring revenue for your podcast that goes beyond Patreon or advertising
• A podcast award opportunity
• Why your social media and podcast downloads are slowing down this month
• The "Mystery Box" marketing strategy
• How to get promoted on Apple Podcasts
• Podcast marketing lessons from Banksy
• 14 steps to $1.3M in revenue

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

There's a trend in podcasting right now — it's podcasters doing this, not necessarily listeners. Buf it you've got a "podcast on podcasting," it may work well for you. And even if you don't, it's something to be aware of.

Topics:

• How taking "donations" for your podcast can hurt you
• Bitcoin vs. Dollars
• Hooker vs. Wife
• What podcast listeners need more than anything
• Can you buy your way out of bad behavior?

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Podcast Index
• Big Podcast Book
• Big Podcast Blueprint

     

This is the audio companion to Issue 54 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• Black Friday for podcasters
• The best mic to grow with?
• A great option to get royalty-free music
• Two "mastering" options for your podcast audio – one with a lifetime deal
• A free tool to make social media videos from your podcast episode notes

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

This is the audio companion to Issue 53 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.   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, consider subscribing – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Topics:

• Bitcoin and Podcasting
• A very "unsexy" podcast genre that will make you money
• The death of local newspapers and what it means for podcasters
• Cancel Culture and podcasting (HINT: It doesn't exist.)
• A free (and virtual) event for podcasters
• Why you should connect with "podcasting" fans (not just fans of your podcast)
• How to make more money with podcast advertising
• The last ad pitch I received (and why I ignored it)
• Where to find advertisers for your podcast...maybe

Links To Things I Talk About:

• Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

     

Last week, I was in middle of KCRW's Radio Race, a 24-hour audio production content very similar to The 48 Hour Film Project.   The task: Make a non-fiction radio story of 4-minutes or less within 24 hours.   This week, I'm sharing my experience with you.   I hope this episode is helpful to those who are curious about getting into narrative non-fiction podcasting as well as podcasters interested in getting better guests and telling better stories on their current podcasts. Topics:

• KCRW's Radio Race (and why I decided to enter...)
• Working from a production brief
• Jumping into podcast production
• How to find a great story for your podcast
• Podcast editing tricks from a standup comic
• Why so many NPR-style shows have narration
• What many NPR-style shows get wrong (in my opinion – don't hate me!)
• Lessons from hosting hundreds of radio interviews
• A 5'7" fashion model who is "Big in Japan" – REALLY!
• How I used my dog to build guest rapport (twice)
• Black man in a white neighborhood
• White kid in a black neighborhood
• The "just a DJ" curse (and how to break it)
• Helpful podcast production advice from my "NPR Friend"
• How I'd spend $1000 on a mobile recording rig
• 32-bit Float – WTF?!
• What Back to the Future has to do with recording great podcast audio
• Counterfeit microphones (and how to make sure you don't get stuck with one)

Links To Things I Talk About:

• KCRW's Radio Race
• Izotope
• Audacity
• Zoom F6 Field Recorder
• Shure SM58 Microphone
• How to spot a fake SM58