PodCraft by Alitu: Honing the Craft of Podcasting

We've run our annual Grand Gear Survey to find out what podcasters are using to record their shows in 2019? We also found out a bit about how they're recording.

Read the full article - complete with graphs and charts

In this episode, we talk through the results in full. You'll hear stats from our sample of 330 podcasters on the following;

• Top Microphone Brands
• Top Microphone Models
• Microphone Types
• Mic Stands
• Pop Filters
• Monitoring 
• Headphones
• Post-Production
• Recording Devices
• Recording Methods
• Video Recording
• Live Recording

A big thanks to NameSilo for sponsoring this episode. Use our coupon code podcraft to get $1 off your first order. 

In a world of YouTube views and Twitter followers, we've become accustomed to figures in the hundreds of thousands, and even millions.

Read the full article

It's important to realise though, these numbers are completely irrelevant to podcasting. The time and effort it takes for someone to click ‘Follow' on Twitter, or watch a few seconds of a Youtube video, should never be compared to podcast listening.

Podcast listening is a commitment, and an investment. It's long form content that isn't immediately accessible via shiny sidebars and viral social media clickbait.

So comparing your downloads to someone else's Instagram followers is like comparing the number of rooms in your house, to the number of trees in the Amazon. It's completely irrelevant and utterly pointless.

Does it (as usual) Just Depend?

Of course it does.

Could a podcast about breeding Russian white dwarf hamsters realistically expect to see the same downloads as a podcast about Game of Thrones? Absolutely not.

Does this mean that the podcast with more downloads is the more successful one? Again, absolutely not.

If you ran a podcast about a topic that was only interesting to literally 10 people in the world, and you were getting 7 downloads an episode, statistically, you'd be running the most popular show in history.

It's the size of your potential audience that's the big factor. Here are a couple of things to consider.

Firstly, how many folks out there are interested enough in your topic to actually want to consume content about it?

Secondly, how many of those people are current podcast listeners?

Thinking along these lines will help bring you closer to seeing what those cold hard download stats tell you. They can help you set realistic goals, that don't involve drawing comparisons with viral videos and celebrity social media accounts.

A Good Gauge 

One of the easiest ways to get a snapshot of podcast download stats as a whole, is to listen to Libsyn's official podcast The Feed.

Libsyn are one of the biggest podcast media hosting platforms in the industry.

Naturally, they can only provide stats based on the shows that host there. But there's over 50,000 of them, which makes it a pretty significant sample size.

Their show – The Feed – is also essential listening for any podcaster – even if you don't host with Libsyn. They provide great statistical data every other week. This can help you to see how your numbers measure up in the grand scheme of things. Remember, though, that it's far from the whole story.

At the time of writing, here were the latest figures. These are based on the number of downloads in the 30 day period following the release of a new episode.

If your new episode gets, within 30 days of its release:

• more than 136 downloads, you're in the top 50% of podcasts.
• more than 1100 downloads, you're in the top 20% of podcasts.
• more than 3200 downloads, you're in the top 10% of podcasts.
• more than 7,700 downloads, you're in the top 5% of podcasts.
• more than 20,000 downloads, you're in the top 2% of podcasts.
• more than 36,000 downloads, you're in the top 1% of podcasts.

Source: The Feed – Episode 145

A big thanks to NameSilo for sponsoring this episode. Use our coupon code podcraft to get $1 off your first order. 

Podcast advertising is just one of many ways to grow your show's audience.

Growing an audience, ultimately, starts with creating good content on a consistent basis though. Then, if you make it easy to find and share, you'll struggle not to grow your audience.

However, many early-stage and aspiring podcasters don't like to hear that it can take months, or even years, to build an established listener-base.

Podcasting is a long game though, and “overnight success” is a myth in this medium.

Getting More Plays

There's no getting away from the above facts. But, for those willing to spend some money, it is possible to get more ears on your podcast in a short period of time.

Of course, your content will still need to do its job in making these listeners stick around to hit subscribe. But, you're listening to this podcast, so naturally, you've already got that part nailed down!

So, where can you actually run some podcast advertising? And which options are the most suited to you and your target audience?

What are the Paid Podcast Advertising Options?

The following list is ever-changing, ever-growing. At the time of writing, here are the best options available to you.

They're in no particular order, because in podcasting it's rarely ever a case of “the best”, and almost always a case of “it depends”.

Read the full article

1. Social Media
2. Google Ads
3. Overcast
4. Spotify
5. Print Magazines
6. Podnews
7. Sponsor a Blog
8. Sponsor Another Podcast

A big thanks to NameSilo for sponsoring this episode. Use our coupon code podcraft to get $1 off your first order. 

In this episode I'm talking to Kennedy and Rob Temple from Responsesuite. Their speciality is using surveys to get your know your audience, and particularly to in using them to create great products or services that suit exactly what your listeners need. 

So, if you've been looking to grow your listeners, and start using your podcast to sell a product or a service, this episode is right up your street. 

You'll learn how Rob and Kennedy think about listener avatars, how that helps you create better content and grow awareness around your show, how that then leads to great products and services, and how surveys can be used throughout this to get the real detail that makes a difference.

Some might call this a "Pet Peeves" episode, but you can also think of them as "Growth Opportunities". 

Are you doing some things that might be costing listeners to drop off and unsubscribe? Or is your show set up in the way that it's really hard to even find listeners in the first place? Then you might want to check yourself against our 10 Commandments of podcasting (of which there's actually 14. Thou shalt not be able to count to 10, and all that...) 

1. Thou shalt not have an extra long theme tune
2. Thou shalt not spend 10 hours editing an episode
3. Thou shalt not do a podcast that's "for everyone" about "all sorts of stuff" 
4. Thou shalt not cram too much into your cover art
5. Thou shalt not make your listener adjust volume levels more than once in an episode 
6. Thou shalt not ask an interviewee to introduce themselves
7. Thou shalt not open your episode with an apology
8. Thou shalt not over-complicate your gear too early (or ever!)
9. Thou shalt not ask for reviews or Patreon support before delivering any content
10. Thou shalt not use copyrighted music for "7 seconds" or for "fair use" 
11. Thou shalt not only share links to places like Apple Podcasts or Facebook 
12. Thou shalt not call your episodes "podcasts"
13. Thou shalt not put the onus of growing your show on others
14. Thou shalt not "wing it"

Resources Mentioned

If you've realised you're doing any of the above, and are won over to changing your ways, here are some useful resources... 

• Designing Great Podcast Cover Art
• Finding Podcast Music
• What's The Minimum Equipment I Need to Podcast?
• The Minimum Effective Editing Approach
• How to Make Your Podcast Unique
• How to Prepare for an Interview
• Introducing & Ending Your Episode
• My Guests Don't Share My Episodes
• How to Promote Your Podcast
• How to Build a Podcast Website
• Best Podcast Hosting Services
• Alitu - The Podcast Maker App
• The Podcast Host Academy

A bit of a bonus episode to bring down the curtain on our Podcast Equipment Series.

You put a lot of work into creating your episodes, so let's have a chat about where (and how) your end product is actually consumed.

This episode starts with a discussion about why you should consider listening to less podcasts too. It was prompted by a great article by Greg Campion titled The Problem With Podcasts (thanks for the heads up, PodNews) and, for a deeper dive on this, check out the excellent Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.

On to the listening apps, Colin uses BeyondPod (Android) whilst Matthew uses Overcast (iOS) and both were in agreement that things like playlist and playback-speed customisation, as well as individual show and download settings were key factors here.

From a podcaster perspective, you'll be listed in these apps (and most other apps) simply by being listed in iTunes/Apple Podcasts. You'll still need to submit to Stitcher and Spotify independently though. For more on this, check out our Best Podcast Directories roundup.

And, if you've enjoyed this episode, this season, or our content in general, remember you can work directly with us inside The Podcast Host Academy. That's where you'll find all our courses, community forum, downloadable resources, and can join in on our regular live Q&A sessions! 

There are a few good reasons why you might want to broadcast the recording of your episodes live - and maybe even film them too. 

Doing live episodes can help build and harness community, as your listeners can feel more directly involved with your content. And the content itself can benefit from that immediate feedback. The ability to answer questions and offer help and advice in real time can really enhance your podcast. 

You can also double up your content output without doubling up your workload, by uploading the video recording to Youtube afterwards. 

The live approach isn’t for everyone though. Especially if you’ve just started out in podcasting and don’t have an audience yet. Try to keep things as simple as possible in those early days. 

However, if you feel you’re ready to jump in and start doing live shows, then this episode is for you. 

Resources Mentioned

• How to turn live broadcasts into podcasts that don’t suck
• Best Podcast making apps
• The Podcast Host Academy
• Alitu – The Podcast Maker

Software

• Spreaker Live
• Mixlr – Broadcast Live Audio
• Ecamm Live
• ManyCam

Equipment

• Logitech C920 Pro Webcam
• Rode SmartLav + Setup
• Samson Q2U
• Rode Rodecaster

Okay, granted, having a top-of-the-range mic doesn't necessarily mean you'll have top-of-the-range content. But the various bits of equipment different folks are using to create audio can become an obsession for some podcasters. 

We know this because the Equipment section of our site is by far the most viewed and visited. Combine that with your average podcaster's love of stats, and that's what led to us running our first podcasting gear stats survey back in 2017/18.

Well, that survey is back, and we want to see what the podcast equipment landscape looks like now, in 2019. Has anything changed in this bold new era where you can launch a media hosting service one morning, and sell it an hour later for $400 million? Take a minute or two to fill out the survey and help us find out. 

But it's not just hard data that could be your reward here. We've put together some great prizes which will be drawn and distributed at random amongst six lucky entrants.

Platinum Prize
Rode Procaster (XLR) OR Rode Podcaster (USB) – your choice! (worth ~$250)

Or a $200 podcast equipment equipment budget on Amazon.

Gold Prize

One year's free membership to The Podcast Host Academy.

That's our membership site where you can use our comprehensive catalog of courses and resources to plan, launch, and grow your podcast. In there, you can join in with our active community and take part in our regular live Q&A sessions. 

Silver Prize

Six month subscription to Alitu: The Podcast Maker App.

With Alitu you can record your content, build your episode, and publish to your media host without having to learn the ins and outs of audio production. 

Bronze Prizes

Three copies of Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel. This book is a masterclass in audio storytelling, and an essential read for podcasters of all levels.  

Survey Closes: 11:59pm Pacific Time, Tuesday 4th June

Take the Survey

In this episode we're looking at Audio production software, commonly know as 'Digital Audio Workstations' in the audio production industry. We'll look at the most common options out there to give you an idea of which one might suit you.

A Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW, for short) is simply an audio editing package that lets you cut out mistakes, splice together different clips and add in music or sound effects. It also allows you to process your audio with a range of different effects, all of which can make your Podcast sound much better.  Listen to the episode here to find out more!

Resources Mentioned

• The Podcast Host Academy
• Alitu: The Podcast Maker App
• Audacity
• Hindenburg Journalist
• Adobe Audition
• Reaper
• The Complete Podcast Software Guide
• Best Podcast Editing Software
• Best Podcast Making Apps
• The Minimum Effective Editing Approach
• Best Tools for Recording a Podcast Online

Cables, stands, jacks, plugs, pop filters – the less glamorous, but still utterly essential part of the podcasting equipment pantheon.

It’s common for podcasters to spend three figure sums on both their mic, and their recording device, then link the two together with a cable they’ll spend $5 on.

On this episode, we look to better understand all these different ‘Bits & Bobs’ by running through what they are, what they look like, and what they do.

Types of Audio Cable & Connection

XLR Cables

XLR cables and inputs. XLR cables are commonly known as microphone cables.

They have a male end and a female end, and are used to connect microphones to equipment, or to create a link between two pieces of equipment (like a mixer to a recorder).

Quarter Inch (1/4”)

The 1/4″ (6.35mm) plug looks like a bigger version of the 3.5mm plug.

They’re commonly used to connect microphones and other gear to recording equipment such as mixers or preamps.

Most mixers and recorders will allow you to connect either an XLR cable or a 1/4″ jack to the same port. These are known as ‘Combo Ports’.

The Standard Headphone Jack

The 3.5mm plug/connection is most commonly found on headphones and earbuds. They’re also found on some smaller microphones too, like ‘lavalier' clip on mics, and headsets.

TS, TRS, & TRRS Plugs

Audio plugs (like the 3.5mm plug) have markings on them to determine exactly how they work.

These markings come in the form of little black bands that run around the shaft of each plug.

These bands separate each different function of the plug in question.

A plug with one band is known as a tip sleeve or TS jack. That's because the single band separates the tip from the sleeve.

A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring sleeve, or TRS jack, because the bands have separated a ring in the middle, between the tip and the sleeve.

A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring ring sleeve, or TRRS jack, because that has two rings separated in the middle.

So what's the purpose of all these tips and rings, and how do they work differently?

TS plugs are traditionally known as mono plugs, because the tip is feeding all the audio to the source in one dose.

TRS plugs are traditionally known as stereo plugs because the tip is now being used to feed the left channel of your audio to the source, whilst the ring is feeding the right channel.

In recent years, a third option was added to this setup – the TRRS plug.

The extra ring was brought in to accommodate a microphone or video option. The most common use of TRRS plugs is talking through a headset on your PC, or making a hands free call on your phone.

RCA

RCA connectors are also known as phone cables or AV jacks.

Mixers have RCA ports on them, and these enable you to connect and play media through them.

RCA cables are usually Y shaped, with the white and red stereo audio plugs at one end, and a single plug on the other end, such as a 3.5mm or 1/4″ connection.

We also cover headphone splitters, microphone stands, and pop filters.

Resources Mentioned

• The Best Boom Arm for Podcasting
• Studio Cable Management for Podcasters
• Finding the Best Audio Cables: The (Not So) Fascinating Truth
• Best Podcast Microphones on the market
• Alitu - Our Podcast Maker App

Work With Us

No matter what kind of studio setup you think you'll need, or whatever kind of podcast you'd like to do, you can get all the help, suppor