Streamlined Podcaster: Save Time Podcasting with Systems and Automation

Today’s episode is the first in a new series of coaching calls I’m doing for the show. I’m talking to Aaron Lee, who got his start in radio before pivoting to podcasting in late 2020. He’s seeking advice on how to improve his process, how to turn his podcast into lead gen for consulting, and get an answer to the question, “do I need transcripts?”

• Listen to Aaron's Podcast
• Apply to have your own coaching call for the show

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

One of the most common questions I get when I tell people that they should do more podcast swaps is, "Where should I go to find podcasts to swap with?" You can just look on Apple Podcasts or reach out to the podcast that you listened to. But that might not be the best strategy. You want to find similar audiences -- look alike audiences where the listeners will be more likely to tune into your show.

Here are 5 great places to look:

Tink Media’s Podcast Swap database. There are people who’ve opted-in to doing podcast swaps and have made their email address easily accessible. I found 20 podcasts to work with using this database.

Apple Podcasts. Go to your podcast page page and look for You Might Also Like. These are podcasts that have similar audiences. If that doesn’t work, you could also look at the podcasts in your category.

Arielle Nissenblatt’s Podcast Community Discord. This is a community of podcasters that are looking for collabs and networking. There’s even a #swaps-collabs area.

Podchaser. If you go to your podcast page there, they have a “Similar” tab. This is much more robust than Apple Podcasts…though you’ll have to watch the quality/activity of the shows. Still a great starting point for outreach.

ListenNotes’s Community/Curation pages. Go to your page on ListenNotes and click on the Community tab. You’ll see lists your show is a part of. If there are no lists, check out the curated tab and search for lists relevant to your show!

So there you have it! 5 ways to find podcasts to swap with. Which are you going to try first?

Show Notes

• Tink Media's Podcast Swap List
• The Podcast Community Discord
• Podchaser
• ListenNotes
• 6 Ways to Double Your Podcast Downloads in 2023

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Last year, I more than doubled my monthly downloads for my already popular podcast, How I Built It, from 34,000 downloads per month to 71,000 downloads per month. Today, I want to give you 6+ ways you can do the same thing.

1/ Podcast promo swaps. Easily the best way to do it. I saw a marked increase in the number of downloads on weeks I swapped promos with another podcaster.

Why do you think Wonder, iHeart, and the other big networks do it?

2/ Feed drops. If you want to give an audience a taste of what they can get by subscribing, trade episodes with another podcaster and put them in your feed on an off-day.

You could even go the extra mile and create a custom CTA to subscribe to your show.

3/ Podcast guesting. Borrowing audiences is a tale as old as time, and that's exactly what you do when you go on other podcasts. Provide a TON of value then make your CTA to check out your podcast. They can do it from the same app.

4/ Promote your podcast in your newsletter. It can be dedicated broadcasts just for the episode, or a feature in your weekly newsletter, but make sure you're telling your own audience about it. Don't just assume they know.

5/ Create better titles. You want episode titles that stoke the need to listen through curiosity. Don't just use your guest's name. Open a thread that can only be closed by listened. If you need ideas, check out the incredible Creator Hooks by Jake Thomas.

6/ Know who you serve! When you clearly define the problem your podcast solves, it makes your episodes more shareable. Define your mission statement and who you help. Then serve them!

Show Notes

• Podcast Swaps Grew my Show by 21%
• Podcast Liftoff Playbook
• Creator Hooks
• Ways to get in touch

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

I want you to start 2023 strong, so today I'm telling you all the tools you need to start a mini podcast. It's no secret I think a mini podcast is the way to go, but how do you get started? Is there a complicated process?

The truth is, you only need 2 tools...but I'm going to tell you about a few more :-)

Show Notes

• Free Podcast Planner
• Descript
• Buzzsprout
• Hover
• Switchy
• Canva
• ConvertKit
• Airtable

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Welcoming to the first ever Setup Saturday, where I take a look at interesting podcast setups. I've partnered with my friend and longtime podcaster, Matt Medeiros and his new website, thepodcastsetup.com to bring you the gear and software that podcasters around the world use.

This first setup is from podcast collective Multitude. Let's dive it!

Show Notes

• Check out Multitude's post on The Podcast Setup
• Subscribe to The Podcast Setup
• Shure SM7b
• RME Interface
• Zoom H3-VR Ambisonic and Binaural Recorder
• Stedman Proscreen Pop Filters
• Rode Professional Studio Boom Arm
• ProTools
• iZotope RX 10 Advanced
• Audiohijack

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Not all sponsorship campaigns are created equal, and some are better for small podcasters than others. In fact, the best type of sponsorship for smaller podcasters is Awareness campaigns. They don't rely on ROI or number of conversions from listeners to buyers. They rely on you leveraging your trust to talk about their product.

Here's what you can do to better pitch sponsors with awareness campaigns.

Show Notes

• Justin Moore's Thread on the 3 types of brand campaigns
• How to Calculate Your Overall Reach

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Sponsorship is one of the many ways to make money podcasting. It's maybe the most well known way, but it's not necessarily the best way. In a previous episode of this podcast, I walked through my SMASH framework,- five ways that you can make money with your podcast. The M in SMASH is membership, and that's what I want to talk to you about.

What are memberships, why and when should you do them? What you should consider, and a couple of ideas for actually implementing the membership.

Show Notes

• Buy Me a Coffee
• ConvertKit
• Castos
• Hello Audio
• Creator Crew
• Relay.fm Memberships
• Check out the YouTube Channel
• Podcast Liftoff Playbook

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

It's that time of year! The 2022 Podcast Liftoff Gift Guide is here, fully updated with new gear and a section for video podcasting. We'll go through the what and why of it all, and I'll highlight some other great gifts for podcasters.

View the whole gift guide here: https://podcastliftoff.com/gift-guide/

Contains Affiliate Links

Show Notes

• Samson Q2U Mic 
• Audio-Technica ATR2100x
• Pop Filter
• Shock Mount
• Boom Arm
• ATH-M50X
• DT 770 Pro Headphones
• Hexagonal Wall Panels
• Auralex
• Elgato Facecam
• Facecam Pro
• My live stream setup 
• Hue Lights
• Elgato Key Light | Key Light Air
• Neewer 2 Pack
• Lume Cube for Video Conferencing
• Buzzsprout
• Castos
• Shure SM7B
• Rode Podmic
• Stellar X2
• Cloudlifter CL-1
• Focusrite Scarlett Solo
• Rodecaster Pro II
• Stream Deck
• Zoom Field Recorders
• 8-in-1 USB-C Hub by Anker
• CalDigit Element Hub
• Calendly
• SavvyCal
• Riverside.fm
• Descript
• Ecamm Live
• Work from Home Gift Guide

Don't burn out trying to create content for your podcast! Create your own content flywheel through my free webinar. Register today.

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• (00:00) - Intro

One of the questions I've been getting on live streams and webinars lately is, "how are you dealing with video for your podcast?"

For a long time, I've said you don’t need video for your podcast, or you don’t necessarily need compelling video.

But as more platforms (like YouTube and TikTok) get into podcasting, I’m changing my tune.

So I’ve been experimenting with “video first” podcasting. Here’s how I’m doing it.

Show Notes

• Twitter Thread
• My Live Stream Setup
• Check out the Podcast Liftoff YouTube Channel

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Worried that you don't have enough downloads to get sponsors? It's one of the biggest concerns I see from podcasters who want sponsors, but aren't sure they have the audience to attract and keep them.

But here's a secret: there are things we can do to add value for our sponsors that the big podcasts won't do. And that's what we're talking about today.

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About Streamlined Podcaster: This is the show for solo podcasters who love their podcast but hate how much time it takes. Each week, host Joe Casabona shares the systems, workflows, and podcast automation that let you run a great show without burning out.

Joe has been a solo podcaster for 15+ years and helps solopreneurs replace manual tasks with reliable systems so they can take time off worry-free. He knows firsthand what it takes to produce a quality show solo — and he's here to help you do the same.

Get Joe's favorite podcasting tools: https://streamlinedpodcaster.com/tools

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!