Podcast Insider

Beyond the excitement of starting and maintaining your own podcast, there are a handful of things that you should avoid doing as well. Today we are here to discuss what not to do in podcasting; for the peace of mind and enjoyment of the creator as well as the listener. We start off strong getting right into what not to do on the technical end of podcasting.

Creating a successful podcast involves not only knowing what to do but also what not to do. Here are some common mistakes to avoid in your podcasting endeavor:

Avoiding these mistakes can help you create a more professional and engaging podcast that will likely attract a larger and more dedicated audience. Lastly, have fun podcasting!

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After much preparation and anticipation, half of Blubrry’s Podcast Movement attendees headed to Colorado from Michigan while the other half simply headed from their homes in Denver. It was refreshing to see the conference so well attended and the team was excited to talk to would-be podcasters, newbies and, of course, to catch up with veteran podcasters and friends.

Here’s a quick fun-down, err, rundown of our time at Podcast Movement Denver, Aug. 21-24. Were you there? Tell us what you thought of the conference in the comments. Also, if you are a Blubrry hosting customer and didn’t get your conference badge, take a photo and email it to any of us and we’ll make sure it gets added to your site.

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All three of us hosts on Podcast Insider are avid podcast listeners. There are things that annoy us – and I’m sure we are not alone. Here are a few things that really annoy us about podcasts we listen to. We’d love to hear what annoys you, too, or if you disagree with our angst.

Here are our pet peeves while listening to a podcast.

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Live podcasting offers several advantages . . . and disadvantages. On the side of pros, it enhances audience engagement by enabling real-time interaction through chat or comments, for a more dynamic listening experience and adding authenticity because its unscripted. Instant feedback from the audience allows for quick adjustments and a better understanding of resonating topics. However, live podcasting comes with downsides. Technical glitches can harm audio/video quality, impacting the listener’s experience. The fixed broadcasting schedule demands more time commitment than pre-recorded episodes. And in live shows, mistakes are uneditable, potentially affecting content quality.

Live or no live?

Increased audience engagement: Viewers or listeners can interact live through chat or comments. This creates a more dynamic listening experience.

Technical issues: Streaming live has more potential for tech problems like audio/video quality or disruptions. This can negatively impact the listener experience.

Overall, the best option depends on your goals, resources, and audience. Many podcasters find benefits in both live streaming and traditional episodes. A mixed approach can allow you to get the pros of each.

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Mike and MacKenzie discuss the various dos and don’ts that comprise useful podcast show notes. Show notes add a plethora of information into your episode and, most importantly, allow search engines to easily pick up your episode topics. We highly encourage all podcasters to write thorough show notes to accompany their audio and/or video content.

Tell us what you think of today’s show notes.

Show notes are a vital part of your podcasting strategy. They not only serve to inform listeners about the content of your episode, but they also improve discoverability on podcast directories, i.e SEO.

Include a brief summary: Start with a 2-3 sentence summary that quickly tells listeners what the episode is about. Make it catchy and engaging.

Links to resources: If you mention a book, article, website, product, or any other resource, include the link in your show notes. This is valuable for your listeners and shows that you are a resourceful host.

Guest information: If you have guests on your podcast, provide their bio and links to their website or social media platforms. It’s a good way to show appreciation to your guest and it provides your listeners with a way to connect with them.

Contact information: Make sure to include your podcast’s website, your email, and social media handles, making it easy for listeners to get in touch or follow you for updates.

Call to action: Whether it’s subscribing, leaving a review, signing up for your newsletter, or following you on social media, always include a call to action. This can help grow your audience and engage listeners.

Don’t write a transcript: Show notes are not supposed to be a word-for-word transcript of the podcast. Focus on key points, topics discussed, and resources mentioned.

Don’t forget SEO: Optimize your show notes for search engines by using relevant keywords related to your episode. However, don’t keyword stuff – it should read naturally.

Don’t make them too long: While it’s important to include key details, remember that show notes should be concise and easy to scan. Too much text can be overwhelming and most people won’t read it.

Don’t forget to proofread: Spelling and grammar mistakes can look unprofessional and can be confusing for your audience. Always proofread your show notes before publishing.

Don’t ignore feedback: If your listeners give you feedback about your show notes, take it into consideration. They can provide valuable insights on how to improve them.

Remember, show notes can enhance the listening experience, increase audience engagement, and help drive traffic to your website or products, so it’s worth investing time and effort into creating them well.

Additional information on how to get the best of your show notes can be found here.

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In today’s episode we’ll be discussing eight factors to consider when hiring a paid podcast consultant for your podcast. Often times the podcast host is a jack of all trades for their show, which while admirable can be improved with hired help. If you’re looking to expand your podcast team, look no further to decide if that may be a good idea. First things first, what exactly do we mean when we say podcast consultant – read below for our explanation.

Podcast Consultant: A podcast pro that provides guidance and expertise related to podcasting. Encompassing but not limited to: technical, developmental, and creative know-how; can be across the board or more dedicated to a specific aspect or task such as equipment and setup or audience growth tactics.

Budget: Be upfront about what you are wanting to spend and make sure you can sustain that budget for the long run.

Experience: How much experience does the consultant have with podcasting? Have they worked on successful podcasts before? Their past experience can provide you with a sense of their skills and capabilities.

Knowledge of the Industry: The podcasting industry is constantly changing. A good consultant should be up-to-date with current trends, technologies, and strategies in podcasting. They should understand the podcasting market and the specific niche that your podcast falls into.

Technical Skills: Podcasting involves both content creation and technical setup. Your consultant should have knowledge about podcast recording, editing, equipment, software, and hosting platforms. They should also be familiar with podcast distribution and analytics.

Marketing and Promotion: It’s not enough to just create a podcast, you need to get it heard. Your consultant should know how to effectively promote a podcast, including social media strategies, SEO for podcasts, and partnerships or sponsorships.

Good Communication Skills: The consultant should be able to communicate clearly and effectively. They should be able to understand your vision for the podcast and help you achieve it. Regular updates and feedback are essential for a successful working relationship.

References and Reviews: Check the consultant’s references and reviews from previous clients. This can give you a sense of their reliability and effectiveness.

A Passion for Podcasting: Finally, a good podcast consultant should be passionate about podcasting. This passion will drive them to stay updated on industry changes, put in the extra effort to ensure the success of your podcast, and provide the energy needed to keep your project moving forward.

Just a tip…Make sure YOU keep all admin logins/passwords for your site, your hosting plan and make sure YOU are paying the hosting bills directly.

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.

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This week we’re exploring the ways that employees of any organization can podcast. Join MacKenzie and Mike as they discuss the best practices for employees that are podcasting for their company, cause, etc. If you’re thinking of starting a show in any professional capacity consider reading here to learn more facts about the current podcast environment.

Podcasting offers immense potential for professionals interested in expanding their careers and skillsets. Tapping into the power of audio content opens doors to new opportunities and growth. Tell us how you have factored in podcasting to your job.

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The inspiration behind starting a podcast is unique to each creator. This week we dive into the reasons why people choose to start a show, ranging from personal passion of sharing your own knowledge to showcasing your business.

Sharing Knowledge: Many podcasters are experts or enthusiasts in a specific field and want to share their knowledge and passion with others. This can range from academic subjects to hobbies and everything in between.

Building Community: Podcasting can be a way to build and engage with a community of like-minded people. This is especially true for niche topics, where podcasters can create a space for people with similar interests to gather and learn from each other.

Creativity and Self-Expression: Podcasting is a form of media that allows for creative freedom. Podcasters can experiment with format, content, style, and more. It’s a platform where they can truly express themselves.

Career Opportunities: Some podcasters start podcasting as a way to advance their careers. This can be by building a personal brand, demonstrating expertise or networking within an industry. Podcasts can also serve as a portfolio for individuals in fields like journalism, media production or entertainment.

Monetization: While not all podcasts generate significant revenue, some podcasters are able to monetize their content through sponsorships, advertising, Patreon support, selling merchandise or other means.

Education: Podcasts can be a great tool for education. Educators and institutions may create podcasts to supplement traditional teaching methods or to reach a wider audience beyond the classroom.

Storytelling: Some podcasters are natural storytellers and podcasts provide a unique platform to share these narratives. This can range from true crime stories to science fiction narratives.

Interviews and Conversations: Podcasting can provide an opportunity to have long, in-depth conversations with interesting people. Many podcasters enjoy the chance to learn from their guests and provide a platform for diverse voices to be heard.

Advocacy: Podcasts can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about social issues, causes or movements. They can give a platform to underrepresented voices and provide nuanced discussion around complex topics.

Personal Development: The process of creating and maintaining a podcast can result in valuable personal growth. Skills such as public speaking, audio editing, marketing and networking can all be honed through podcasting.

Entertainment: Simply put, podcasting can be fun! Whether it’s a comedy show, a movie review or a role-playing game, many podcasters enjoy entertaining their listeners.

Note that these motivations often overlap and a single podcaster might be driven by several of these reasons.

Direction: Having a clear goal provides direction and focus for your podcast. It helps you determine what content to produce, who your target audience is and how you will reach them. Without a clear goal, you may find yourself floundering or producing content that feels disconnected or inconsistent.

Motivation: Creating and maintaining a podcast requires a significant amount of effort and time. Having a clear goal can help keep you motivated, especially during periods when you might feel discouraged or overwhelmed.

Measurement of Success: Goals give you a benchmark to measure your progress and success. If your goal is to reach a certain number of listeners, for example, tracking your listener statistics will give you a clear idea of how well you’re doing. Without clear goals, it’s difficult to measure whether you’re making progress or achieving success.

Resource Allocation: Knowing your goal can help you decide where to invest your resources. For example, if your goal is to maximize listener engagement, you might choose to invest more time into creating interactive content or building a community on social media. If your goal is to generate revenue, you might invest in advertising or high-quality production equipment.

Branding: Your goals can help shape your podcast’s brand. If your goal is to be the go-to source for industry news, for instance, this will influence the tone, content and marketing of your podcast.

Audience Retention: When you have a clear goal, it helps to create a consistent experience for your listeners. They know what to expect when they tune in and, if they like what they hear, they’re more likely to keep coming back for more.

Strategic Partnerships and Monetization: If your goal involves partnerships or monetization, it’s vital to be clear about this upfront. Potential partners and sponsors will want to know your podcast’s goals to see if they align with their own.

Remember that your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and relevant to set yourself up for success.

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When it comes to promoting your podcast we have laid out some of the things to remember, the dos and don’ts have you, of promoting your podcast. Lastly, know that promoting your podcast is an ongoing effort. It may change over time, but following these steps may help me gain a larger audience more effectively.

Promoting your podcast can be a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience. Each show is different, but that is part of the experimentation. Luckily there are a number of ways to promote your show and that comes with some overall dos and don’ts, which we’ll share with you today.

If you have any dos and don’ts that we left out and you’ve had your own experience with, please share them with the team!

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On today’s Podcast Insider, we review why podcasters should have a website of their own and just how easy that can be utilizing Blubrry tools and services, as well as other platforms. Your online presence is essential to growing a podcast and creating a loyal audience.

The Blubrry way is a thing we came up with a while back to explain the method of total ownership of your brand, show and website. Basically it’s the way we do this show. The way Todd and Mike handle their shows.

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