Podcast Pontifications

Why am I pumped about making podcasts accessible for those of us with hearing loss? (Hint: it’s the word “us” in that sentence.)

This may come as a shock, but people with hearing loss listen to podcasts. Or rather, we listen to podcast made by conscientious podcast creators who work hard to make sure their content -- all of it -- is accessible to those of us with less-than-perfect hearing.

I assume all the dialogue you wrote for your episode is important, right? Too bad I can’t hear some of it, so I’ll never know.

You know that noisy world you live in? We do, too. And that noisy world isn’t something you can avoid. Neither can we. So if you’re designing your content for someone sitting down with perfect headphones in an anechoic chamber, you’re limiting your audience. You do want to grow your audience, right?

More bad news: making your audio accessible to the hearing impaired isn’t a push-button or after-the-fact solution. Software is advancing fast, but you still need to use proper techniques inside your episodes to make sure people like me can hear all your hard work. Transcripts alone aren’t enough. Nor is making sure to export at -16 LUFS. Yes, you should do both of those things. But you need to do other things too.

 Other links mentioned in the episode:

• BuyMeACoffee.com/evoterra
• The new Flick group/app you should join

Speaking of accessibility, here’s where you can find a re-written in-depth article based on the audio of the episode: https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/hearing-loss-accessibility-and-your-podcast

Podcast Pontifications is published by Evo Terra four times a week and is aimed at the working podcaster. The purpose of this show is to make podcasting better, not just easier.

Follow Evo on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come.

And if you need a professional in your podcasting corner, please visit PodcastLaunch.pro to see how Simpler Media Productions can help your firm. Podcasting is our only business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

"What? A Friday and a Saturday show, Evo?"

Don't worry. I'm not making a habit out of this. It's just that you people keep going to BuyMeACoffee.com/evoterra and demanding more. So... thanks!

With the sounds of the vendors at Podcast Movement 2019 tearing down around us, I sat down with Alban Brooke, Head of Growth at Buzzsprout, in the fancy Buzzsprout recording booth. They had two lovely-looking SM7Bs (my studio mic is back in my studio), and Alban has shared with me his theory on podcasting's "Two-And-A-Half Men" Problem.

(Oh, and 2hile it was great fun to do an interview, I don't plan on changing the format of the show!)

I'll be back on Monday with a brand new miniseries! 

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Podcast Movement 2019 Day Four:

Yes, it's a special Friday episode! You can thank the fine folks who went to Buymeacoffee.com/evoterra and... bought me a coffee! They asked for a final recap of the show after the last day, and who am I to refuse those who've bought me a virtual coffee?

It's late here in Orlando, so I'm making these episode notes brief:

The reason I come year after year to Podcast Movements and other events? It's to see my friends. It's to make acquaintances into friends. And it's to make a whole lot of new friends. Because the friends I make are the kinds of people who'll make podcasting better.

I'm putting my money where my mouth is, and I'm registering for Podcast Movement 2020 -- both of them! -- as soon as this episode posts. You should buy yours too before the price goes up.

Because yeah... you wanna come meet my friends. And make them your friends too.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Podcast Movement 2019 Day Three:

You still have one day to meet me for coffee, lunch, breakfast, or whatever! Hit me on Twitter or send me an email. Let's get together this Podcast Movement!

Even though my voice crapped out -- I hope I'm not getting sick, but I probably am -- I'm back with another recap of another fantastic day at Podcast Movement 2019. Here's who I had great conversations with today:

Jijo and Aleesha from BuyMeACoffe.com/evoterra. No, they didn't make that just for me. In fact, that's not even how I first met Jijo. But that's what happens when you understand product/market fit, and he's back to a product that does work. And yeah, I'm trying it!

I caught up with Andrea and her brother John of Andrea Sager Law. They're helping podcasters protect their IP with trademark protection services, something many podcasters -- big and small -- fail to think about. And I'm guilty of it too!

Alban was very gracious with his time, explaining to me Buzzsprout's approach to the market. I really love that they're making podcasting better by "down-coding" audio files to podcast-appropriate steps, even if their customer accidentally(?) upload uncompressed .wav files!

I downloaded the Flick app some time ago, but didn't immediately get the value. Spending a few minutes with Andy changed that, and now I have an app-based chat group for Podcast Pontifications listeners. You can have one too... and it's free!

Hindenburg Journalist Pro is the editing tool we use for engineering our client's shows (and this one!). There was one feature that I wondered if I fully understood. After chatting with Nick, it was clear that I hadn't grokked the full usage. But good news: I didn't need to! Stellar support.

I rarely conduct interviews, and most of my clients pull their interviewees from their own personal contact list. So I'd never considered much the need for services like Interview Valet. But after talking with Karen for a few minutes, I really saw the value. And did I mention her service is free for podcasters looking for guests?

Podbean is another company I thought I knew all about. You'll recognize this tune by now: I was wrong. Jennifer shared with me the great things they are doing to enable internal corporate communications -- a big part of their business!

It's always great to catch up with Chris and Josh from the Podcast Engineering School. If you really want to step up your game behind the board, these guys know what they are doing.

I've known Paul Colligan -- long time podcast consultant -- for almost as long as I've been podcasting. But what I didn't know until today was his methodology of getting businesses on the path to successful podcasting. I had no idea the Podcast Partnership was so comprehensive!

If you forced me to pick one company that's leading the charge in advancing podcasting, I'd have a tough time not picking RadioPublic. I've been talking with Joshua for years now, and it was good to put a name to a face. But I also got a chance to meet Jake, Nicola, and Chris, spending a little time with each to learn more about how they are actively working to make podcasting better. Fabulous! 

Spotify certainly wins for the most impressive booth at the show, and Rollie was kind enough to spend some time with me. Not surprisingly, he didn't divulge any of Spotify's upcoming plans. But I was surprised that the tech team for Spotify's podcast initiative is based out of Mesa, AZ! That's just a few miles away. I wonder if I can get a tour? Probably not.

Mattia from Voxnest started to catch me up on all the things their company has going on. Talk about a wide net that goes beyond what we think of as podcasting!

And of course, I always enjoy my time with Zach and Rock from Squadcast (seriously, why would you use any other remote recording solution?) and Mark and Kieran from Rebel Base Media (who work the lovely Lucy and Sam way too hard!) (DISCLAIMER: I'm on the advisory board for one of Rebel Base Media's products, Captivate.)

... but even with all of that, I still haven't made it to all the vendors I want to see. So I guess that means a bonus bonus episode coming tomorrow?

Cheers!

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Podcast Movement 2019 Day Two:

My offer to meet you for coffee, lunch, breakfast, or whatever still stands! Hit me on Twitter or send me an email. Let's get together this Podcast Movement!

My approach today was simple: Forget I know anything and ask people what they are doing to make podcasting better.

I received some amazing answers. It's amazing what happens when you get your ego (read: Evo) out of the way and let other people talk.

I spent a lot of time with Adori Labs, who bill themselves as a "business-in-a-box platform for the modern audio publisher". But that doesn't tell you they're making content for the next generations of consumers. (And hi, Kartik!)

I talked with Adswizz and suddenly I'm excited for the future of ads inside of podcasts, because they know how to separate form from function.

The smart people at Audimute helped me select the right kind of sound conditioning for my studio, so the show will sound even more amazing in a week or so.

I had a lovely sit-down with Amira from Glow. She and I have been talking since before it was called Glow. I'm excited for her lightweight solution to make premium content an option for any podcaster.

Even Headliner, a tool I know and have used for a while, had people in the booth who helped me see opportunities I had missed.

Peter from the newly spun-off-from-Himalaya content shop HiStudios sat down for a long conversation about where podcasting has been and what excites both of us about the future.

Cole from Podchaser showed me all the opportunities I'm missing (and your missing) by not fully utilizing his totally free service.

... and the helpful guys at the Samson booth showed me how to actually hear myself when using the Q2U mic, so this episode should sound better.

And I'm missing lots of others, because there's just so much to mention. So much, that I'm at it again tomorrow. 

Can you tell I'm excited about what I'm learning at Podcast Movement 2019? 

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Podcast Movement 2019 Day One:

Yes, I want to meet you for coffee, lunch, breakfast... whatever! Hit me on Twitter or send me an email. Let's get together this Podcast Movement!

Today I walked the vendor exhibition hall. I'm blown away not only by the companies attending -- the usual suspects but also some new big players -- but by what the reps from the companies are saying. They have big plans for podcasting.

Today I met a dozen new podcasting friends, many of which were not OG pioneers, but with amazing drive and passion for how podcasting fits into their lives, as well as how they're shaping podcasting to fit their needs and better serve their audiences.

And really, the show hasn't even begun. There's something in the air that... I can't put my finger on. Yes, it's hunger and excitement. But those are common at any podcasting event. And as much as I love Podcast Movement, I don't necessarily think it's the event itself that's causing the change. I just think it's here and now.

There are two things I'm certain of after the first day of Podcast Movement 2019:

1. The next 15 years of podcasting will bear little resemblance to the next 15 years of podcasting.
2. I look forward to bringing you another live report tomorrow.

Cheers!

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

In a couple of hours, I fly out to Orlando Florida to attend Podcast Movement 2019. I was a keynote speaker at the first-ever Podcast Movement back in 2014, so I'm excited to see how the event -- the very large event -- has changed over five years.

But I'm not speaking at the event, which is weird. I'm just an attendee. And because I want to maximize my time at the event, I'm making some modifications to this week's episodes of Podcast Pontifications. 

Yes, this will be a miniseries once again, but an abbreviated, audio-only version. No video component (not that many people watch the video) and no 1,500-word accompanying blog post (which many people do like to read), and a little less rigor to the self-imposed time-constraint. 

Also, the focus and tone will be different. Normally, I draw from my own thoughts and experiences when I create these episodes. But my promise to myself at PM19 is to shut up, get out of smart people's way, and do a lot of listening. My intent is to then take what I've learned -- me, the old dog learning new tricks -- and report back to you on the items I found most compelling. Services, models, and people who also wish to advance podcasting.

That's the plan as of right now. But also the plan is to get back to packing. If you are attending PLEASE GET IN TOUCH so we can meet, even if it's only a quick meet-and-greet. 

See you in Orlando!

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

For the final episode of the miniseries, I’m turning your focus to podcasting events and enlisting you in the cause of Advancing Podcasting.

It's worth revisiting the tenets of Advancing Podcasting to help illustrate why your appearance at conferences can help make podcasting better. 

1. We believe that technology should make podcasting better, not just easier.
2. We believe that new models are required to bring the ~75% of non- and infrequent listeners into the fold. 
3. We believe in and respect the inherent choices made by podcast listeners, podcast creators, and podcast enablers.

I third tenet is something you should always have in mind, so this episode will focus on the first two. Specifically, I want you to: 

• Submit a talk centered on ways to use technology to make podcasting better.
• Be on the lookout for new approaches to podcasting that will bring in new listeners.

If you're going to be a Podcast Movement 2019, I will be there too! And I would love to meet you for coffee, drinks, dinner, or just a quick meet and greet. Get in touch with me wherever you can.  I'm @evoterra on Twitter, or you can email me at [email protected]. Get in touch with me and we'll book a time to sit down together. Let's not leave it to  random chance. Since I’m not presenting, I have plenty of time to meet other people who were interested in Advancing Podcasting. 

Pass along the good info in this episode via this totally re-written in-depth article based on the audio of the episode: https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/advancing-podcasting-at-big-events-on-stage-or-in-the-audience

Podcast Pontifications is published by Evo Terra four times a week and is aimed at the working podcaster. The purpose of this show is to make podcasting better, not just easier.

Follow Evo on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come.

And if you need a professional in your podcasting corner, please visit PodcastLaunch.pro to see how Simpler Media Productions can help your firm. Podcasting is our only business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Today, we're going local with your own influence as you strive to make all of podcasting better. Why not go to the larger online communities? One reason: Going local means you can become the big podcasting fish in the little podcasting pond.

Here are three ways you can do that:

1. Join local podcasting meetups
2. Pitch podcasting stories to your local TV news outlets
3. Attend networking events that have nothing to do with podcasting

All of these suggestions work better -- much better -- when they are done on a regular, periodic basis. You know… just like podcast episodes. 

I go into much more details in the episode itself and have also created a totally re-written in-depth article based on the audio of the episode if you’d care to share it with someone:  https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/becoming-the-local-podcast-advocate

Podcast Pontifications is published by Evo Terra four times a week and is aimed at the working podcaster. The purpose of this show is to make podcasting better, not just easier.

Follow Evo on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come.

And if you need a professional in your podcasting corner, please visit PodcastLaunch.pro to see how Simpler Media Productions can help your firm. Podcasting is our only business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.

Today the focus in on you as an advocate for podcasting made better, spreading the good news of better podcasts to friends, co-workers, and people you meet in the course of your day. But not in a pushy or self-promotional sort of way.

When someone asks you about the podcasts you listen to, they’re really asking you for a recommendation. And if that person isn’t already into podcasting, you really should make a recommendation to hook them for life, rather than trying to just get more listener to your show. 

Trouble is: it’s hard to remember “noobie friendly” shows. So I’ve a simple recommendation: use a secondary podcast listening app and subscribe to shows that are IHNIs. Now you’ll never be at a loss when it comes to a solid recommendation.

I go into much more details in the episode itself and have also created a totally re-written in-depth article based on the audio of the episode if you’d care to share it with someone:  https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/how-to-be-a-not-so-pushy-podcast-pusher

Podcast Pontifications is published by Evo Terra four times a week and is aimed at the working podcaster. The purpose of this show is to make podcasting better, not just easier.

Follow Evo on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come.

And if you need a professional in your podcasting corner, please visit PodcastLaunch.pro to see how Simpler Media Productions can help your firm. Podcasting is our only business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th.