Have you ever given your podcast a top-to-bottom inspection and discover some changes are in order?

Of course you have, we've all been there. And if you're just getting started, believe me...that day will come.

I'm currently in this position as we wind down Season 2 and, to discuss winning strategies for bringing big changes to your show, I'm welcoming my friend Jay Franze back to Let's Blow This Up for the Season 2 finale!

Jay and I will be sharing some real-life stories of questions we asked ourselves when changing things up with our shows and will provide our insights on things that worked...and things that didn't.

We also discuss:

• Best practices for creating immediate engagement with your guests (and listeners, too)
• How to properly utilize Calls to Action in show notes
• Implementing new formats and segments in your show
• The three different episode formats you'll hear when Season 3 of Let's Blow This Up kicks off next year

Thank you for making this a memorable season, Bomb Squad! I'll see you again in February 2025!

Connect with Jay Franze: www.jayfranze.com

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

If you've experienced past episodes of Let's Blow This Up, you've learned many reasons why podcasters throw in the towel on their production after only few episodes...

Lack of strategy. No buy-in. Unrealistic expectations. Starting for all the wrong reasons.

And in today's episode, we're going to talk about a reason you've probably never pondered. And considering where things are headed with AI and technology in the podcast industry, it's a big one.

For the second-to-last episode of Season 2 of Let's Blow This Up, I'm pleased to be joined by my friend Alex Sanfilippo, Co-Founder of PodMatch and the man behind Podcasting Made Simple Live. Alex, his wife Alicia, and the entire team at PodMatch have built one of the strongest communities in the podcast space and place major emphasis on giving back to podcasters across the globe.

In addition to tackling this not-talked-about-enough factor of why creators throw in towel on their shows, Alex and I will also dive into many important aspects you need to keep front of mind as we embark on a new year in podcasting, including but not limited to:

• The PodValue Initiative that's helped put over $500k back into podcaster's pockets
• Why the fundamentals of podcasting will never lose relevance (regardless of the new shiny objects that enter the game)
• How to effectively navigate your way around new technology and platforms (and not burn yourself out in the process)
• Will AI-hosted podcasts ever be en vogue? 
• The importance of your message being an inch wide and a mile deep (and how to set yourself up to make an impact with said message)
  
  
  

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

You don't need a Ph.D to realize the face of social media has changed over the past few years. And, without question, the change and evolution will continue to be part of our lives as we utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others to promote our brands AND our podcasts.

So what does this mean for you? How do you adapt to these seemingly daily changes and stay ahead of the curve so your content gets seen by the right people and your visibility continues to increase?

If you've been wondering the best ways to use social media in today's climate - specifically how to implement strategic, impactful paid ad campaigns - then this episode of Let's Blow This Up is one you don't want to miss.

The incomparable Megan Shields, co-founder of Chimehouse Media, returns to the show to help me take a deep dive into the direction of social media marketing for podcasters as we move closer to turning the calendar to 2025.

In this episode, we'll be discussing the role social media managers need to play to help their clients succeed, the results Megan has delivered to her clients thanks to her Tri-Fecta Ad Strategy, and what podcasters need to focus on to build listenership for their show.

We'll also be talking why you can't chase virality with your content, some mistakes brands make with their advertising strategies, and the power of retargeting with dynamic ads that take a customer on a journey YOU curate!

Megan and I also spend a few minutes talking about our joint podcast production and advertising program known as The Ultimate VIP Experience. With this program, you can literally have your podcast up and running WITH an effective ad strategy to build your listenership in 30 DAYS!

You read that correctly. 30 DAYS!!

Click here to learn more about The Ultimate VIP Experience

CONNECT WITH MEGAN: Instagram | Website

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

At Let's Blow This Up (and Bombtrack Media as a whole), we're all about helping you utilize the podcast platform to grow your brand. 

There's no denying the significant role a well-curated podcast can play in your marketing strategies - allowing you to make meaningful connections with your audience while, at the same time, creating a wealth of content that can be utilized for social media, websites, blogs, email newsletters, and more.

In addition to that, it serves as a powerful networking tool that connects you with like-minded professionals in your industry, presenting the opportunity to grow your knowledge base, expand your contacts, and position yourself as an authority in your space.

In this installment of Let's Blow This Up, I'm sharing the mic with someone who's all of that and then some - Ian Hoover, Co-Owner of Deacon Hoover Real Estate. Ian and his partners have grown one of most successful real estate investment firms in Western Pennsylvania with Ian, a podcaster, author, and sought-after public speaker, playing a critical role in that accomplishment.

Throughout this conversation, we'll discuss: 

• The role podcasting has played in Ian's business growth
• Why he's looking to get back to more consistent podcasting going forward
• What it's meant to connect with other like-minded people in his space to and grow his network
• The value of sticking to your creation efforts
• Why we all need to focus on teaching the younger generation about winning and losing, work ethic, and perseverance

Connect with Ian: ianhoover.com

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

The physical act of production can be pretty intimidating - especially new podcasters who've never edited a single episode. 

In many cases, the thought of trying to edit and build a piece of content that grabs people's attention and delivers a strong message with little to no experience is enough to keep people from starting a podcast in the first place.

Production, just like hosting and guesting, is an art and a skill set that requires plenty of reps to master. The more content you edit, the better you get at your craft.

All that said, if you want to dive into the world of podcasting WITHOUT learning the ins and outs of production, there are companies at your disposal who specialize in making you sound like the top-tier podcaster you aspire to be without you having to do the heavy lifting.

And two of them are joining forces to bring you this episode.

On this installment of Let's Blow This Up, I'm sharing the mic with Traci DeForge, an international podcast expert who brings over 30 years of experience in media production, business consulting, and broadcasting to the show. 

Together, we're taking a deep dive into the production side of podcasting and discussing many of the do's (as well as the don'ts) that go into making a high-quality show that attracts listeners and drives revenue for your brand. 

We also discuss:

• Monetization strategies
• Establishing an unbreakable WHY for your podcast efforts
• Gauging time when it comes to production and creation
• Season productions vs. weekly
• Leveraging podcast content for your brand's marketing strategy 

Traci also shares information about the newly-formed Podcast Professionals Association.

CONNECT WITH TRACI:
produceyourpodcast.com
podcastprofessionalsassocation.com

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

Think your podcast isn't ready to earn an award?

Think again.

The fact is, even if your podcast is brand new to the scene, it still features aspects that could earn you an award for your hard work. And that award could open up a world of opportunities for you, your brand, and your show!

On this installment of Let's Blow This Up, I'm sharing the mic with Dominic Lawson, podcast host and the foremost authority on what it takes to gain the recognition you deserve through the podcast award circuit.

Dominic and I dive deep into:

• What an award can do for the visibility and credibility of your podcast
• How to EFFECTIVELY submit your podcast content for award consideration
• Mistakes that independent podcasters AND large companies make when submitting their content (and what you can do differently)
• The top awards to strive for (and featuring the right content so you get taken seriously by judges)

Connect with Dominic: LinkedIn | Instagram

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

Utilizing social media for your podcast can be a multi-faceted endeavor. When I say podcasting has a lot of moving parts, how you promote and market your show, as well as how you utilize social media to gain visibility, are major parts of the overall podcasting equation.

How you utilize mediums like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (I refuse to call it X), Threads, and others will add new layers of discoverability and connection to your show while, at the same time, helping you develop a social presence that could open up a world of opportunities for you.

Additionally, how you view your audience plays a significant role in how you'll measure success with your show.

In this episode of Let's Blow This Up, I'm joined by none other than Ana Xavier, Founder of The Podcast Space. Ana is a podcast strategy extraordinaire and has tapped in to game-changing ways to leverage social media and human psychology for your brand's podcast growth.

Throughout this conversation, Ana and I explore different ways you can utilize social media to your advantage when it comes to amplifying your podcast's reach, as well as tips and strategies for making captivating content that puts your podcast on an elevated level and mistakes too many podcasters make as they market their show.

We also talk about the legacy your podcast content creates and why we both believe seasonal podcast can change the game for podcasters.

CONNECT WITH ANA:
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

THIS JUST IN: A podcast can serve as a key pillar in all of your marketing and branding efforts! 

From a single podcast episode, you have at your disposal a bank of content that can be utilized throughout your entire digital footprint - social media, blogs, website, videos, emails, and much more.

If you want to adopt podcasting as a key component of your business strategies, it's important to utilize it properly and get maximum value from the content you create.

In this special bonus episode of Let's Blow This Up, I'm joined by Erin Marks and Pete Mansmann of Precise, Inc. Erin is the Marketing Director and Pete is the CEO of Precise, a law firm that specializes in digital forensics and e-discovery - assisting other lawyers and law firms with gathering critical data from digital devices in an effort to win cases.

Precise just launched the first season of their new podcast, known as Data Discourse, with the help of yours truly at Bombtrack Media. Erin and Pete joined me to talk about what it's like to work directly with me and bring their podcast to life.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why the team at Precise felt launching a podcast would benefit their brand
• The amount of digital content that's generated from repurposing your podcast content
• What they learned in the creation process (and how I made it easy for them as first-time podcasters)
• What it was like to work directly with me (and the steps I took to ensure their initial podcast season was successful)

Click Here to learn more about Precise, Inc. and check out their new podcast

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

Podcast guesting is a tremendous way to grow your brand presence, network at a very high level, and make genuine connections that can open up a world of opportunity.

IF...you do things right.

Too often, podcasters welcome professionals to collaborate with them on their podcasts only to get hit with a transactional approach and nonstop sales pitches.

Believe me, no one tunes in to a podcast hoping to hear an infomercial. In order to gain traction as a podcast guest, you need to think value first and, ultimately, understand how you can deliver a meaningful experience listeners want to consume from start to finish.

In this episode of Let's Blow This Up, I'm joined by Mischa Zvegintzov, Chief Influence Officer and Founder of The Influence Army and host of The Table Rush Talk Show. Mischa helps entrepreneurs and professionals utilize podcast guesting to grow their brands and, just like me, believes firmly in the art of storytelling in the podcast space.

Throughout this conversation, Mischa and I dive deep into podcast guesting - focusing on the following topics:

- The value podcast guesting brings to your brand
- Why going into sales mode on a podcast will crush your results (and what to do instead)
- The art of a great guest pitch (and why you're probably overthinking it)
- The worst pitches we've ever seen from prospective podcast guests (or bookers and firms they're ACTUALLY PAYING MONEY to get them booked on shows)

Connect with Mischa
Mischa's Podcast Guesting Guide | LinkedIn

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!

I've got some breaking news for you: There's more than one way to grow a successful podcast.

I'll say that again for everyone in the back: THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GROW A SUCCESSFUL PODCAST!

Too often, podcasters get locked into a specific way of producing their content because someone else told them it's the only way to do it.

In reality, growing your podcast should be centered around your needs, your goals, and your visions for your brand and business - taking into consideration important factors such as time, other responsibilities, spending time with loved ones, and more.

In this powerful episode of Let's Blow This Up, I'm joined by the one and only Nichole Eaton, author of "Rock Your Comeback" and host of the podcast that goes by the same name.

Nichole is living proof that you can produce your podcast based on the season of your life you find yourself in as she's taken her show from the home base of her first audiobook to a Top 5% podcast with a huge following...

All while running her coaching business, speaking on stages, spending quality time with her family, and diving into hobbies like pottery and doing arial silks.

In addition, Nichole and I dive into some effective podcast strategies that, quite frankly, don't get enough press - including but not limited to:

• Taking breaks from your podcast instead of burning out (and how to effectively communicate to your audience what they should do while you're off)
• What TikTok Live can do for your podcast's growth
• The value of doing "re-runs" of your podcast (instead of airing an episode that doesn't meet your standards)
• Transforming your "podcast voice" into an "on-stage voice" 

Without question, this episode is a straight shooter with upper management written all over it. Join us!

Connect with Nichole:
Website | Instagram | TikTok

🎟️ Get Your Ticket to The Empowered Podcasting Conference! Use code EPCJASON20 at checkout and save 20% on your ticket

📆 Schedule a Free Discovery Call with Jason Cercone

📲 Or Contact Me Directly: [email protected] | 412.965.8428

👉 Got a question you'd like featured on Monday's 5-Minute Questions Series? Send it to me via SpeakPipe

🚀 Did a tip or strategy from this podcast change the game for you? Buy Me a Coffee to say thanks


MUSIC CREDITS:

Podcasting Strategy Simplified: Burn The Track (Inspiring Rock Trailer) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Let's Blow This Up: Aggressive Metal Trailer (Dragon Heart) by Alex Grohl on pixabay.com

Thank you for listening and becoming an official member of The Bomb Squad!