Podcasting Morning Show | Podcast Growth, Launch and Strategy for Indie Podcasters

Join us on today's special episode of PMC, where Dominic Lawson and Nick Nalbach step in to host, bringing a fresh and engaging twist to our regular programming. Dive into discussions on podcasting techniques, character studies from old sitcoms, and marketing & advertising strategies.

Episode Highlights:

[4:31] Ice-breaker: If you had the chance to interview somebody a TV or movie character from a podcast, who would that be?

[6:08] TV shows and characters for podcast interviews.

[14:11] Podcasting, disabilities, and pop culture references.

[20:18] Podcast awards, disability representation, and interviewing movie/TV characters.

[27:07] Marketing and awards in the media industry.

[31:33] Podcast marketing strategies, including video, audiograms, Facebook, LinkedIn, and paid advertising.

[38:35] Podcast advertising strategies and platforms.

[46:04] Podcast advertising strategies and platforms, including Overcast, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

[51:19] Using newsbreak and medium to reach a larger audience with free content.

[55:51] Using AI tools for content creation and automation.

Links & Resources:

Newsbreak: https://www.newsbreak.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/

AudioGo: https://www.audiogo.com/

Make: https://www.make.com/

If you found the session informative or entertaining, please consider rating, following, and sharing the podcast. Your support helps us continue delivering great content.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠ 

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question:⁠ https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/⁠ or ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, we discuss podcast awards with moderator Dominic Lawson, a master of the craft with 23 awards to his name. Together, we explore what sets an award-winning podcast apart—think top-notch production, riveting stories, and real engagement with listeners. Dominic dishes out invaluable advice, from picking the perfect award categories to mastering the application process, and even how to campaign effectively if you’re nominated. Plus, one of our own community members discovers they won an award...TODAY!

Episode Highlights:

[3:18] Ice-breaker: Are you applying for any podcasting awards?

[5:00] Using AI in podcasting, with hosts sharing their experiences and opinions.

[9:50] Podcast awards and their impact on podcast quality and perspective.

[12:40] How awards changes our approach to podcasting

[14:44] Award-winning podcast revealed live!

[18:28] Elements of an award-winning podcast.

[21:54] Applying for podcast awards, with a focus on the do's and don'ts of the application process.

[22:30] Judging criteria and tips for success.

[27:48] Preparing for podcast awards by analyzing categories and seeking mentorship.

[33:25] Campaigning, marketing strategies, and community engagement.

[39:10] How to break through perfectionism.

[57:51] Entry periods and award scams to watch out for.

Links & Resources:

PMC: Awards Talk with Dominic (Part 1): https://www.podpage.com/pmc/s1e8

The AI Briefing: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RipE0JUGJDJGKqZs19WcW?si=k_o4fNI5SpOBGraxfmkAYA 

The Communicator Awards: https://www.communicatorawards.com/

Daddy Daughter Bookworms: https://www.communicatorawards.com/winners/winners-gallery/?event=1077&search=Daddy%20daughter%20bookworms

Signal Awards (Early Bird rates end May 10): https://entries.signalaward.com/#/enter

Black is America Podcast (Dominic Lawson): https://www.blackisamericapodcast.com/

Dominic Lawson Accepts his 23rd Award: https://www.instagram.com/p/C59is7bMGN8/

Empowered Podcasting Meetup on May 15th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcaster-meetup-charlotte-tickets-890979302077 

Empowered Podcasting Conference: https://empoweredpodcasting.com  

Check out my friend, Ana's episode on Podcasting Awards: https://bit.ly/3WuEyHi

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w 

Brought to you by ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ and ⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss podcasting tools as well as podcast sponsorships to help you navigate the logistics of podcasting. We’ll explore when it’s time to upgrade your podcast's video and audio quality, along with insightful advice on securing sponsorships that fit your brand.

Episode Highlights:

[2:47] Ice-breaker: Do you acknowledge May the Fourth as Star Wars Day? And did you celebrate it in some way?

[6:51] Podcasting, including upgrades for recording equipment.

[13:03] When to upgrade audio equipment, with tips on acoustic treatments and buying second-hand products.

[17:42] Audio quality vs video quality in podcasting.

[22:06] Audio equipment and tools for podcasting.

[28:32] AI tools for podcasting, with focus on customization and control.

[33:06] Video creation for podcasters, focusing on quality over perfection.

[36:49] Content creation challenges and tools, including Riverside FM and Squad Cast.

[42:04] Video editing tools, including Cap Cut and Opus, with tips and recommendations.

[45:25] Podcast sponsorship and partnership considerations.

[50:53] Sponsorship deals, tips for success, and avoiding awkwardness.

Links & Resources:

ATR-2100 Microphone: https://amzn.to/4bllPCa

Samson Q2U Microphone: https://amzn.to/3y4RQjE

Facebook Marketplace (Podcast Equipment): https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/107985955895893/search/?query=podcast%20equiptment

Minvo: https://studio.momento.fm/?via=1021c8 

StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/ 

CapCut: https://www.capcut.com/ 

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w  

Brought to you by ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ and ⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

Are you spending way too much time producing each episode of your podcast? You're not alone! In this episode, we dig into the mailbag and tackle audience questions all about finding time-saving hacks for podcasting.

From dealing with an overload of project files to managing intense pre-production prep, we share real-life strategies for streamlining your workflow. You'll hear valuable tips on when to keep or ditch raw audio files, how to efficiently research guests, maximizing live shows, batching recording days, and more.

Episode Highlights:

[4:33] Question from the Mailbag: Do you think keeping old files is a form of digital hoarding, or is it a necessary part of content creation? Where do you draw the line?

[8:46] Saving and organizing podcast content.

[14:24] Backup processes for audio files, including compression, storage, and retention.

[23:00] Podcast production time, preferences, and challenges.

[35:07] Podcast preparation time and use of AI tools.

[39:00] Podcasting strategies with guests.

[44:07] Time-saving tips for podcast preparation, including research, editing, and promoting.

[48:51] Live vs pre-recorded podcasts, editing, and theme selection.

[55:07] Podcasting strategies and organic conversations.

Links & Resources: 

Perplexity AI: https://www.perplexity.ai/ 

Hot or Flop Media Podcast with Apollo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8dFj87XxhhZ7kMQuGgpxBw 

Empowered Podcasting Meetup on May 15th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcaster-meetup-charlotte-tickets-890979302077 

Empowered Podcasting Conference: https://empoweredpodcasting.com   

Custom GPTs: https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpts 

StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring valuable content to our community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w (Coming soon to LinkedIn Live...) 

Brought to you by ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ and ⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

--- Send in your mailbag question at: https://www.podpage.com/pmc/contact/ or [email protected]

Today, we’re digging into some important updates and practical advice for all you podcasters out there. We'll chat about the upcoming Empowered Podcasting Conference—remember, early bird tickets are ending soon—and we've got a great question from Serena who’s curious about avoiding common newbie mistakes in podcasting. Plus, I’ll sprinkle in some of the latest podcasting news, including the top charts and a reminder about the Signal Awards application deadline. 

Episode Highlights:

[5:58] Mailbag Question from Sarina: What are some common podcaster mistakes for a new podcaster to avoid?

[11:08] Focusing on numbers vs enjoyment.

[14:52] Podcast awards, costs, and marketing strategies.

[21:04] ROI and social proof.

[27:11] Mistakes, awards, and health considerations.

[35:25] Podcasting tips and events.

[45:30] Branded podcasts, WNBA salaries, and podcasting opportunities.

[51:57] Women's basketball and podcasting, with a focus on Caitlyn Clark

[55:50] Recap of the Black Effect Podcast Festival in Atlanta

Links & Resources:

PodNews: https://podnews.net/

Signal Awards: https://www.signalaward.com/

Podpage: https://www.podpage.com/?via=ironickmedia

Grants for Creators: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/grants-creators-may-2024-deadlines-danielle-desir-corbett-lqlre/

Podcasting Seriously Fund: https://www.podcastingseriously.com/fund

Empowered Podcasting Meetup on May 15th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcaster-meetup-charlotte-tickets-890979302077

Empowered Podcasting Conference: https://empoweredpodcasting.com  

2024 Branded Podcasts Benchmark Report: https://signalhillinsights.com/branded-podcast-benchmarks/ 

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our show if you love our morning chats. Your support helps us bring more empowering episodes like this one!

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w    

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

Today’s episode kicks off with an ice-breaker where we ask our community members to describe their podcast’s style. Then we move into an interview of sorts with one of our community members, Jonathan Howard. Jonathan shares with us how he curated his own signature style in podcasting, valuable tips for content creation on social media, and the impact of how storytelling led to significant changes in his industry and beyond. 

Episode Highlights:

[7:15] Ice-breaker: If you had to describe your podcast's style in three words, what would they be?

[10:33] Podcasting, social media, and community building.

[17:46] Using short-form videos for social media success, with tips on creating engaging content.

[22:16] Using hashtags and captions for podcasts and videos.

[27:54] Finding and showcasing unique signature styles in podcasting.

[35:54] Mindset, repurposing content, and building an audience.

[41:01] Repurposing old podcast episodes for continued value and sharing new content. 

[50:18] John shares a personal story that Made a huge impact.

[58:09] Podcasting, reels, and signature styles with tips for recording and developing a unique style.

Links & Resources:

Jonathan Howard’s free Signature Style book: https://bit.ly/signaturelookbook     

Jonathan’s Podcast, Coffee Social Podcast: https://coffeesocialpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Jonathan’s Signature Membership: http://bit.ly/signaturemember

Jonathan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanrhoward/

Billy Thorpe’s Daily Show https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-daily/id1614439133

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our show if you love our morning chats. Your support helps us bring more empowering episodes like this one!

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w   

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!

In today’s episode, we cover a wide range of topics as we go through the mailbag and hit some great questions from the community. First, we ask a simple but in-depth ice-breaker to find out some motivations behind why we podcast. We’ll also share various tools and suggestions to optimize your podcasting processes such as equipment, software, and documentation tips. Then the community provides some advice for navigating transitions within their show and how to continue to grow by learning and fine-tuning our podcasting skills.

Episode Highlights:

[7:17] Ice-breaker question, “Why are you podcasting?”

[7:56] Podcasting, including reasons for starting and goals for the future.

[16:21] Editing hacks for podcast audio.

[21:29] Podcast production techniques and tools, including stream deck use and sound quality editing.

[28:06] Software tools for automating audio editing processes.

[33:55] Podcasting, including reasons for pivoting and maintaining existing audiences.

[41:53] Podcasting goals, including helping people, making money, and being one of the best.

[46:59] Podcasting, learning, and growth with a focus on continuous improvement.

Links & Resources:

Empowered Podcasting Conference https://empoweredpodcasting.com/

Early bird registration for Empowered Podcasting - Ends soon! https://empoweredpodcasting.simpletix.com/

Discounted hotel rate for conference  https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CLTCT/G-EMPD

Podcaster meetup in Charlotte on May 15th https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcaster-meetup-charlotte-tickets-890979302077?aff=oddtdtcreator

John's podcast "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast" https://www.letradio.com/

Tango automation software https://www.tango.us/

Adobe Audition audio editing software https://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html

Ecamm Live video recording software https://www.ecamm.com/

Stream Deck by Elgato: https://amzn.to/49UN1GN

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our show if you love our morning chats. Your support helps us bring more empowering episodes like this one!

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w  

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! 

In today’s episode, we answer a question from the community mailbag regarding podcast recording schedules and share our thoughts about batch recording episodes. Nick and I will recap our time at Stacy Sherman’s ‘PodXperience’ event from 4/25 and our takeaways. And, of course, the community will share their podcasting wins from the week such as landing awesome guests to interview and hitting download milestones.

Episode Highlights:

[1:22] Podcasting, travel experiences, and gatherings.

[8:03] AI in podcasting, both in-person and remote.

[15:02] Leveraging AI for podcast growth.

[21:14] Mailbag question on batch recording.

[30:33] Efficient podcast episode management.

[37:42] Viral video success and social media algorithms.

[41:07] Creating viral content and audience targeting.

[46:05] Networking and podcasting achievements.

[54:25] Personal and professional victories.

[1:02:20] Podcasting challenges and motivations.

Links & Resources:

Podcaster Meetup (Charlotte, NC – May 15, 2024): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcaster-meetup-charlotte-tickets-890979302077

Billy Thorpe’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLuHC5fs/

Ana (The Podcast Space) Viral Reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/C50z4KzOR71/

ChatGPT Memory feature: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8590148-memory-faq

Photo Dump of PodXperience NJ: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6O0hLcLl8e/

More Photos from PodXperience: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting/permalink/627375556262783/

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our show if you love our morning chats. Your support helps us bring more empowering episodes like this one!

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w  

(Coming soon to LinkedIn Live...)

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which supports the hosts of the PMC. Thank you! 

In today’s episode, we’re taking our own advice from yesterday’s show and doing something different with our intro music, making it shorter and getting straight into our chat faster than ever. Nick and I will share our thoughts on why this might be the key to a more engaged audience. Then we’ll share insights and innovations for podcast events. After just attending one, I have some strategies to share that could be game-changers for those planning their own. Stacy Sherman covers some great tips for maximizing audience engagement after an event with tools like Google Forms and QR codes.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] Podcasting headlines, shortened intros, and convention planning.

[4:52] Using an event app for a podcasting conference.

[10:14] Using podcast content as educational content in presentations.

[16:02] Using QR codes for event feedback, with tips on how to create and display them effectively.

[21:46] Podcasting statistics and tips for success.

[32:39] Podcasting challenges, advice for new podcasters.

[38:34] AI news and podcast events.

[46:02] Podcasting trends, including audiobooks on Spotify and YouTube's struggles with audio podcasts.

[53:28] YouTube podcast hosting and optimization.

[58:01] Podcasting, Spotify changes, and upcoming live event in New Jersey (and online).

Links & Resources:

PodXperience, (Stacy Sherman’s Hybrid Event) Today at 6:30pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcast-and-youtube-creators-community-enhance-efficiency-with-ai-vas-tickets-873291286747?aff=ebdsshios 

The Lewitt Audio Ray: https://podnews.net/article/lewitt-audio-ray-review

Rabbit (AI): https://www.rabbit.tech/rabbit-r1 

Canva website for creating QR codes https://www.canva.com/qr-code-generator/

Empowered Podcasting Conference (June 28-30): https://empoweredpodcasting.com/

Houston podcaster’s meet-up on May 6th: https://share.hsforms.com/164PDJ84NQleF8haCRcNGmg5g7fm 

Charlotte podcaster’s meet-up on May 15th (Save the date, Link coming soon)

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our show if you love our morning chats. Your support helps us bring more empowering episodes like this one!

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w  

(Coming soon to LinkedIn Live...)

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

In today’s episode I initially planned to pull questions from our listener mailbag. However, as it often happens, our pre-mailbag conversation took center stage, which turned into an awesome discussion that we just couldn't cut short. The community shared their opinions about podcast intros and why we should or shouldn’t have one and what the intro should include.

Episode Highlights:

[9:06] Podcast intros, including length and content.

[12:48] Preferences and storytelling in podcast intros.

[25:43] Music selection and audience preferences in podcast intros.

[33:39] Creative podcasting, featuring an interview with a vending machine…?

[40:09] Use of music and guest bios in podcast intros.

[45:33] Audio branding, interviewing techniques, and strategies for podcast intros.

[54:56] Branding and audience engagement in podcast intros.

[59:06] Podcast intros' significance across various platforms.

Links & Resources:

Time to Get Rid of the Intros:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EjMzOrgo7/?img_index=1

Hark Podcast Player: https://harkaudio.com/

An Interview with a Vending Machine (Everything is Alive): https://harkaudio.com/april-22-2024-258711/258876

A Date for a Toaster (The Moth): https://harkaudio.com/april-10-2024-256725/256726

As always, if you enjoyed today’s episode, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your feedback not only supports our community but also helps others discover our podcast.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w  

(Coming soon to LinkedIn Live...)

Brought to you by iRonickMedia.com and NextGenPodcaster.com

Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which supports the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!