On Podcasting

Have you ever wondered if you’re podcast editing process is consuming too much time? This could be killing your show and taking time away from growing your show. Today, in episode number 10 we find out.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e10

E9: Evaluating the JustEricson Podcast

Have you ever wondered what kind of a podcast a narcissistic comedy would make? Today, in episode number 9 we find out JustEricson does it.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e9

Most podcast focus on a niche topic with the intent of promoting something.

But what would it be like to listen to an episode with a niche topic of one man? And better yet, what if the niche topic was one man asking his friends what they thought of him? Does it sound like comedy might ensue?

You'd be right.

~ On :

* Surprising your guests with the topic of your show

* Decoding the avatar

* Where's the money?

* Using a podcast as a personal brand building platform

* Giving listeners a way to connect with outside the podcast and what it can do for you

* Ron invents a new term: Outserps

* Should you give your guest a way for the listeners to connect with them?

* When Twitter makes sense in lue of a mailing list

* What makes good album art

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e9

Have you ever wondered what the big deal about email marketing is? Today, in episode number 8 we find out.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e8

Social media is the new kid on the block everyone is talking about today. Sure, she's cute. Sure, she's got an addictive personality.

But is it the best way to reach your audience and get them to take action?

Plus, she is a little crazy and fickle to boot...

The reality is this: Email marketing is not dead. In fact, this old-school communication method is still the champ when it comes to making marketing magic happen. Try a 44x ROI, for starters. (There are four more reasons, and we cover them in the episode.)

Yet, many podcasters ignore this powerful tool. For some, it is pure ignorance. For other's email seems daunting:

* What do you say?

* When do you say it?

* What is the best Email Service Provider?

* What if people unsubscribe?

* Come in close...

We have a secret to share...

You're overthinking it.

And because you're overthinking it you're leaving listeners wanting. They want to hear from you. Your listeners what to know when you share cool thoughts or products. Yes, they even want to give you money.

In this episode, we break it all down and share some tips with you on how to get started without a lot of hassle.

~ Email Marketing For Podcasters Topics Discussed:

* A case study of turning a podcast from money stuck to profitable overnight with an email list

* How email trounces social media marketing in ROI

* 5 Reasons email beats up social media and takes its lunch money

* Ownership vs. renting space on someone else's platform

* User engagement comparisons

* Market share: does email still own the world?

* Using segmentation to automate personalized conversations and not piss people off

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e8

Have you ever wondered how to build a successful podcast team? Today, in episode 7 we share how to make and use podcast job descriptions so you can avoid meltdowns and confusion.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e7

If you played a game with no rules or clear objectives could you win?

If you don't know what your job is or what the expectations are can you do it successfully?

Crafting Podcast job descriptions helps as your show succeed in one significant way: It manages expectations of the person doing the job.

And avoiding headaches with a solid organizational foundation makes building a successful podcast that lasts achievable.

Building and running a lasting podcast takes proper management. There are a lot of different skill sets needed and a lot of tasks to keep track of so things get done on time.

The tasks involved in starting and running a podcast must be broken down into specific job roles. Those roles must then grow into podcast job descriptions.

You may be doing this all by yourself right now, granted. Or you may be doing this with a co-host. You might even work with a full team. Regardless, it’s good to know what tasks belong to what job role.

And the time to make podcast job descriptions is before you need them. The alternative is to wait till a blow-up happens or someone quits the team in frustration.

* Podcast Job Descriptions Topics Discussed:

* Job Roles and Descriptions

- The Executive Producer / Showrunner: The shot caller

- Podcast Producer: The person who makes things happen and herds the cats

- Host and Cohost: The talent

- Content Editor: The person who cuts the boring bits

- Audio Engineer: The person who makes the hosts sound good

- Show Notes Writer: The person who scribbles a description

- Graphic Artist: The person who makes pretty images

- Transcriptionist: The person who writes down all the words

- Webmaster: The person who posts the show and manages the website

* 3 example case studies of Podcast job roles and production processes in action

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e7

E6: How to Podcast with a Cohost Complete Survival Guide

Have you ever wondered how to have a great podcast cohost relationship? Today, in episode number 6 we find out how to podcast with a cohost without destroying your show or friendship.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e6

Here's the thing: A podcast cohost can be a major asset to a show. They may skyrocket the energy level, help share the burden of the workload, add knowledge you don't have on topics you want to cover, or just make the whole process less of a lonely slog.

Some people are exceptional at delivering an entertaining and engaging monologue. Then there's the 99.9% of the rest of us. A cohost can inject life into a show by creating a dynamic back-and-forth atmosphere. They can also bring specialized knowledge making each episode much deeper and juicer.

A podcast cohost can also save a show from being just another interview podcast. (Don't let Ryan Holiday catch you doing that - or do because if it's great who cares.)

But here's the rub: proceeding with the choice to have a co-host on your podcast can also be disastrous. And a show can go down in flames because you decided podcasting with a cohost was the way to go.

There are a few common causes. These destroyers of shows include lack of communication, unmanaged expectations, dereliction of duties, planned and unexpected life changes, and creative differences. We could go on. However, the resolutions and solutions just aren't that difficult.

And worst of all, friendships can be destroyed. Yeah, it sucks to say. It's sad to write. And the aftermath is worse. You started off with high hopes and a we're-going-to-take-on-the-world-through-our-Wings-with-West-Wing-Podcast! and devil-may-care attitude. Then you never spoke to each other again. (Let's not do this, ok?)

The solution is nearly at hand, though. Just listen to this episode, do a little work, and you'll save the world from another failed show. (Do it for the kids.)

~ Podcast with a Cohost Successfully Topics Discussed: ~

* Ron wonders aloud if the ISS has a honeymoon suite

* Two real-life examples where podcasting with a cohost nearly destroyed a successful show

-What caused the breaks

-How we saved friendships

-How the show moved forward with a careful show format and brand pivot

* Knowing why you want a cohost

* Defining roles ahead of time

* The different types of roles, how they're each different, and how they help

-Cohost

-Podcast Producer

-Business Partner

* Communication, Communication, Communication

* Handling unthinkable gracefully: the breakup

* Developing a contingency plan for the lose of your cohost

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e6

Have you ever wondered if big brother was listening to you and if he liked your podcast? Today, in episode 5 we find out how good the Privacy and Security Podcast is and what could improve.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e5

Justin and Michael are privacy and security experts. Both possess a long resume of white hat spookiness. Their show targets individuals and industry professionals interested in keeping information and systems safe.

That is to say safe from breaches, instructions, theft, and compromises. And it's is not for the neophyte or casual identity theft concerned person. (But tinfoil hats are sold separately in the lobby.)

Aaron and Ron reviewed episode 54 of the Privacy and Security Podcast and applied their vast podcasting minds to find the good and helping with the less good. So they give Justin and Michael feedback on what he’s doing right. And Ron and Aaron share their advice on what Justin and Michael can do to make their show better, more impactful, and more effective at reaching his intended audience.

You can learn a lot by listening here now...

~ Evaluating The Privacy and Security Podcast Points Discussed:

* Ron ponders if "they're" watching us

* The energy level and presentation of the hosts

* How closely does the show keep to its ideal listener (aka listener avatar)

* Sound quality and style that's good enough

* How tightly does the show stick to its brand

* Is the intro focused and did it draw listeners into the episode

* The use of bumper music and the impact on the brand and listener experience

* Breaking up segments with audible cues

* Does the host interact well with guests and ask good follow-up questions the audience would want

* Are clear calls-to-action used sufficiently

* Is the show monetized

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e5

Have you ever wondered why some of your episodes are hits, and others are duds? Today, in episode 4 we find out how to increase downloads with podcast titles.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e4

Copywriting sages can often be heard sharing the wisdom of spending nearly as much time on a headline as the body copy. This is for a good reason: Great headlines get people to read the body.

...Stay with me here. The use of headlines does directly translate to success with podcasting...

And this is extremely important because if the reader doesn't read through, they will not take the intended action. The reader taking action can mean the difference between a successful sales campaign and a complete waste of months worth of work. (And then Ron's mad because he doesn't get his astronaut ice cream.)

The newspaper industry also knows the importance of headlines. You'll hear managing editors yell out, "Headlines sell papers." (Or if you're Ron, "The headline made me click on the useless BuzzFeed article!")

Guess what.

Your episode titles are headlines. And they're the first thing existing listeners and new listeners interact with. If an episode had a less than exciting and exciting title, your episode will get skipped.

You're fighting for "ear share." Ear share is how much of a person's listening time you get. Podcast listeners have a lot of options these days. And if you fall face first on the title, you're listener will opt to listen to someone else's episode.

Yes, even if they are a subscriber, the majority will pass up your latest episode.

But there is a caveat we should acknowledge here: Die-hard fans will proceed forward without further enticement. These are the superfans who will download whatever or buy whatever you've got. However, these superfans are extremely rare no matter who you are or what you have.

So check out this episode to hear how to increase podcast downloads like a pro.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e4

Podcast sound quality confounds and wastes the time of most new podcasters. We're here to put your mind at ease and get you past that particular hurdle. Aaron, the audiophile of the team, and Ron, the pragmatist of the team, discuss how good your audio has to be. (Pisst, probably not as perfect as you think)

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e3

Your podcasting adventure guides will also share practical action steps you can take to improve your podcast's sound quality. And we discuss how to get the best podcast sound quality for your stage of podcasting.

Here's the thing: Your microphone is not as important as you've been led to believe. And your podcast's audio quality is not what's holding you back from growing a giant audience. They may not care all very much, in fact.

And the significant sound problems often have simple fixes. None of these solutions include spending $500 to $5,000 on a microphone. Most answers are relatively cheap and sometimes only mean getting a little creative!

We'll share what's hurting your sound, thoughts, tips, and even give you an example of how expensive microphones aren't usually the answer.

So what are these answers? Find out in this episode...

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e3

We pose a question: Why do podcasters seem to hate money and not focus on how to monetize a podcast? Your hard work should reward you. We explain how.

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e2

Many podcasters and pundits lament the lack of money in podcasting. Some give the excuse of saying it is simply the nature of the beast. Other's further belay their fear by telling you to focus on podcasting for the love of podcasting.

We say this is total crap, plain and simple!

When you monetize a podcast you incentivize yourself to keep doing the hard work. And you're able to pay for needed equipment, marketing, and other things that can grow your audience and make the show better.

But when a podcaster doesn't figure out how to monetize a podcast, they eventually left feeling like the only person paying for a big dinner over and over.

Making money isn't evil or bad. And it doesn't mean you have to be a "sell-out" or "Salesy". It just means podcasters need to provide value to their audience and receive value in return.

We discuss overcoming the problem and how to monetize a podcast in detail in this episode...

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e2

In this episode, we give in-depth feedback on the DIY Artist Route Podcast. D. Grant is an experienced radio host, author, and teacher to musicians. So what advice do Ron and Aaron have to share? Find out...

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e1

The DIY Artist Route Podcast is hosted and produced by D. Grant Smith. The podcast targets musicians and artist who are trying to build a community on their own.

D. Grant is an experienced radio host, author, and teacher to musicians. Each episode he interviews an expert that can help a budding artist get the word out about their art and music.

The show is well polished, as you might imagine. But even pros can use an outside ear to hear about the things they may miss.

Aaron and Ron reviewed the latest episode and applied their large podcasting brains to find the good and helping with the less good. So they give D. Grant feedback on what he's doing right. And Ron and Aaron share their advice on what D. Grant can do to make his show better, more impactful, and more effective at reaching his intended audience.

You can learn a lot by listening here now...

~ Get resources and show notes here:

https://pod.launchapod.com/e1