Streamlined Podcaster: Save Time Podcasting with Systems and Automation

If you’ve been listening to podcasts for a long time, the idea of show notes is intuitive. It’s the text that accompanies a podcast episode. It usually has some description about the episode and links mentioned in the episode.

This is CRUCIAL real estate for you to convert listeners into a more engaged audience. So today, we’ll discuss what are show notes, why you need them, and how to format them.

To learn more, and save 12+ hours per week on your podcast, join my FREE mailing list at https://podcastworkflows.com/join

Main Takeaways:

• The main function of show notes is twofold: get people to listen to your episodes, and make it easy for listeners to find the resources you mention during the show
• Your format matters! You should provide a great description, a primary CTA, takeaways, and resources, in that order. That way you hook listeners and keep them reading.
• You must create a frictionless experience. It's hard enough to get listeners to take action. Any additional steps make it that much harder, so meet them where they are: in the app they're listening.

Show Notes!

• What Are Show Notes (and do you need them)?
• More Thoughts on Why You Need Detailed Show Notes

• (00:00) - - Intro
• (01:45) - - What are show notes?
• (04:03) - - Why you should have show notes
• (07:12) - - How You Can Do Show Notes
• (09:34) - - Formatting Show Notes
• (11:20) - - Do you need show notes?
• (13:00) - - Answering Feedback
• (15:19) - - You must create a frictionless experience

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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!

In a shift in focus for 3 Things in Podcasting, I'm going to look at industry news and try to align it with a trend so that you can better improve (and optimize) your podcast processes.

There's been a lot in the news lately about stats and YouTube, and video podcasting in general — so that's what we'll look at today: how you should approach video for your podcast.

Links

• I’m seeing YouTube Music appear in my podcast host stats. Why?
• How do YouTube stats work for podcasters?
• Podcast hosting company changes

• (00:00) - - Intro
• (02:28) - - Switching Podcast Hosts
• (08:37) - - Podcasters who use Video
• (13:21) - - How You Should Approach YouTube for Your Podcast

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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!

As I was watching the movie Se7en, I had a very strange thought: are your bad podcasting habits leading you down a path of (podcast) destruction? The movie is about the Seven Deadly Sins of the soul...but it got me thinking about how they might apply to podcasting. What “podcasting sins” are so great that they’ll lead to podfade (the unceremonious death of a podcast).

How do the Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride) translate to the world of podcasting. Let's take a look.

Want to read the entire article, and join the free mailing list? Head over to https://podcastworkflows.com/sins

• (00:00) - Intro
• (02:25) - Lust: Chasing Fads
• (08:37) - Gluttony: A Show for Everyone
• (12:45) - Greed: Revenue Above Audience
• (17:12) - Sloth: Not Editing Your Podcast
• (24:26) - Wrath: Controversy for Clicks
• (29:11) - Envy: Chasing Downloads
• (33:45) - Pride: Doing Everything Yourself
• (39:08) - You got this!

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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!

Top story for me this week is schools in NYC replacing the bell with 60 second podcast episodes!

"ABF Creative, the award-winning producer of Kids & Family podcasts, is proud to announce its innovative 'Mini Pods’ initiative in partnership with education technology company SonarCloud. This initiative replaces traditional school bells with 60-second educational podcasts, currently in over 120 New York City public schools, with plans to expand to Chicago and Los Angeles in the upcoming school year."

Plus, how to do an interview podcast while also establishing your authority, and the Seven Deadly Sins of podcasting.

Want to save 12+ per week with your podcast? Sign up for my free newsletter: https://podcastworkflows.com/join
 
Show Notes

• Mini Pods educational podcasts drive funding for classrooms
• How to Showcase Expert Guests Without Sacrificing Your Authority
• The Seven Deadly Sins of Podcasting

• (00:00) - Intro

Have feedback? Send a voice note to the show!

Have you ever been in a situation where someone wants something from you, but they won't come out and ask for it? They'll hint at it, tip toe around the issue, or just hope you figure it out based on the look they give you. My kids do that all the time. A common problem I hear among podcasters is “no one shares the show/leaves reviews/sends in feedback.” I always ask the same follow up: “Are you asking for it?” It’s the same lesson I give my kids. Don’t ask don’t get.

That's why today, we're going to look at the best way to ask (and enable) your audience for feedback.

Want more content like this? The best way to do it is to subscribe to my free newsletter over at https://podcastworkflows.com/join

Top Takeaways:

1. Ask early. That's early in the episode, and earlier than you need the feedback. You want to maximize the amount of times your audience hears the ask so they take action.
2. Ask often. Repeat your ask multiple times throughout an episode. It might feel like too much, but trust me, it's not.
3. Ask everywhere. Don't just ask on your podcast. Ask you mailing list, your social media following, and any other place you have an audience.
4. Make it easy. Set up an easy to remember URL, and check everywhere you ask!

Read the article here

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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!

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant changes in the podcasting world? You're not alone. With new tools and trends emerging every day, it can be challenging to keep your workflow streamlined and your audience engaged. That's why I do 3 Things in Podcasting — and this week was uncharacteristically busy following a holiday.

Here are the links:

• YouTube’s Growth As A Podcast Power Player Revealed
• What Gear, Software & Setups Do (500+) Podcasters Use in 2024?
• Announcing The 2024 Ear Worthy Indie Podcast Awards
• Comments on Podcasts Gives Creators and Listeners More Ways To Engage

First, we'll take a look at a survey of podcasting gear and software.

Then we'll shine a spotlight on the inaugural Ear Worthy Indie Podcast Awards, a celebration of the unsung heroes of the podcasting world.

Finally, we'll look at Spotify's game-changing move to introduce comments on podcast episodes. Imagine the possibilities of fostering a deeper connection with your audience and receiving invaluable feedback in real-time. Explore the potential implications of this newfound interactivity and discover how you can leverage it to take your podcast to new heights.

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:35) - Youtube #1 Listening App?
• (03:17) - The Blue Yeti is the Most Popular Podcast Mic
• (12:26) - First Annual Ear Worthy Independent Podcast Awards
• (15:16) - Spotify added Comments to Podcasts
• (19:41) - That's It!

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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!

Does it feel like your podcast isn’t growing no matter what you do? You’re busting your butt trying to grow your podcast. You’re creating good content, promoting it on social media, asking your guests to share, and telling anyone who will listen about it. But nothing seems to be working.

What if you could make a few small changes and see an increase in your listenership? I’m not talking a huge shift in your content, hiring a team, or putting tons of time and money into ads. Those things CAN help — but only if you already have a good foundation to attract the right listeners to your podcast.

What I’m talking about is the fundamentals. That's what we'll talk about today.

Get your own podcast audit at podcastgrowthaudit.com

Links

• Your Podcast Needs a Mission Statement
• Want to Increase Podcast Downloads? Change Your Tagline!
• The most and least crowded podcast categories

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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!

Should my podcast have seasons? It's a common question, and honestly, I think there's a lot more nuance than people realize. That's certain true of me...at least until the last time I was asked.

My answer was “yes, probably.” There are a lot of reasons to have seasons. However, a friend of mine, Doc Rock, has a more tempered answer. He said that seasons should serve a purpose.

That’s when I realized he and I were using the term “Season” differently. While Doc was differentiating between seasons and breaks, I was not.

Let’s take a look at when seasons make sense, the difference between seasons and breaks, and the importance of planning for the long-term success of your podcast.

Read the full article here

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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!

We're diving into the art of repurposing content with the "sawdust" approach, exploring the New York Times' bold move to put many of its podcasts behind a paywall, and dissecting the key reasons why podcasts fail. Whether you're looking to maximize your content's potential, understand industry shifts, or avoid common pitfalls, this episode has got you covered. Let's get started!

• Shadow Clock Zoomed-In Moment | "For the Love of Baseball"
• New York Times to Move Podcasts Behind Paywall
• Why Podcasts Fail

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:21) - Creating Sawdust from Your Content
• (04:24) - NYTimes to Paywall Podcasts
• (09:19) - Why Podcasts Fail
• (14:44) - That's It!

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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 another Q&A Episode! I gather some question from listeners, particularly focusing on the length and frequency of episodes, content creation, and branding. I tackle:

1. Episode Length: There is no ideal length for a podcast episode; it should be as long as necessary to adequately cover the topic. Short, complete episodes are better than long, rambling ones.
2. Content Creation: Confidence in having enough content comes from choosing a topic within your expertise. Answering one question per episode can help maintain focus and provide valuable content.
3. Frequency: For new podcasters, weekly episodes are ideal, but bi-weekly can also work. Monthly episodes are not recommended unless the podcaster already has a large audience.
4. Branding: A branded podcast should be hosted on the brand's website to leverage SEO benefits. However, the podcast name should be something people are searching for, rather than the brand name itself.
5. Sponsorship: For branded podcasts, it's advisable to avoid competitor sponsorships. Initially, focus on driving traffic to the brand rather than seeking sponsors.

Want to submit a question? Fill out the Feedback Form

• (00:00) - Welcome!
• (01:42) - Finding enough to talk about
• (05:28) - Integrating the podcast with your brand
• (11:36) - How often should you publish episodes?
• (14:09) - How long should episodes be?
• (15:29) - Wrapping up

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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!