TASCAM Talkback

An in-depth conversation with Rob Walch, VP of Podcaster Relations for Libsyn, on every podcaster's favorite topic -- stats.  This episode covers everything from where and how to get your stats to downloads versus streams or plays as well as subscriber counts.  Plus, there is information on what is a good number to have (of downloads).  AND data is given on the top eight platforms that podcasts were listened through in December 2018 and January 2019. Plus, hear about how you can (and how you shouldn't) obtain demographics about your listeners. This episode is a must-listen if you have any interest in talking to potential sponsors about advertising on your show.

Guest Kristina Holifield not only is a Web designer but she has done more than 400 podcast episodes. Here she discusses a handful of reasons why podcasters should have a website and not simply rest on their show being available (just) on various podcast platforms. There is also a tip given for those who do have a website but haven't changed its look in a while - if at all.

Prepare to take notes as our show host gives you no fewer than ten different ways that you can use to find guests to interview for your podcast, all of which come at no cost to you to employ. It should be noted that these are all in addition to the five methods presented on the previous episode of "TASCAM Talkback," giving you at least 15 different ways to find more people to have on your show. Listen to the request for feedback at the end regarding whether or not to do a spinoff of this topic.

As a little bit of a follow up to the portion of the previous episode of “TASCAM Talkback” that dealt with interview shows, Aidan Vuocolo from the “Stories Behind the Grind” podcast checks in from Australia with steps that you can take to get guests without having to pay to accomplish such. Listen in as he describes the theory behind and application of each. Learn more about him at www.aidanvuocolo.com.

Being the only person on-air on your podcast versus having co-hosts, and, whether to do interviews or not.  These are all crucial considerations for the format of your podcast, but, what are the pros and cons of each approach?  This episode explores the pluses and minuses for why you might – or might not – consider one or the other.  There’s even advice for someone considering changing their format.  Plus, we make a big announcement about something new that we’ve launched for podcasters!

How serious are you about the quality of your sound? How do you want to come across to your listeners? How do you want your voice to sound? An all-in-one solution doesn't work as well as components, so listen to this episode and learn the differences between dynamic and condenser or between cardioid and omni-directional. You'll come away knowing about different types of microphones - how they work, why they work, and what they're for. Are you ready to step up from recording into your phone or through your computer microphone? This episode is for you too! (You'll even hear about what sound is and how it works.)

As a complement to Episode 17, which dealt with vocal health, on this installment of TASCAM Talkback the host is joined by vocal expert Tracy Goodwin from Captivate The Room in addressing questions such as, Do you know how to use your voice? How do you want the listener to feel? For those podcasters who do interviews, what happens when you have a guest whose energy level sounds very unenthusiastic and uninspiring for the listeners? Did you know that we process everything in the voice on a subconscious level? Hear how this relates to podcasting. Hear also what not being in the now does to our voices. You'll also learn why, "Words are everything, and they are nothing." The discussion also addresses the debate of whether to script or not to script.

While we talked about how to promote your podcast (in general) on an earlier episode, this time around the conversation centers specifically on steps that you can take to promote an episode before it ever even gets released.  Listen in as the host of The Danielle Daily shares seven angles you can leverage to gain attention and thus help overcome the challenge that podcasters face – especially those whose show isn’t daily – of what to post about on social media.

How do podcasters keep finding things to talk about? Always having a topic for each show is critical to keeping a show going.  The more often your podcast comes out, the more challenging it is to think of subject matter to present. On this episode, Mark Asquith, who has done over 500 podcast episodes, gives strategies and even covers "have I talked about this before?" and "what if someone else has already done a podcast on that topic?" Listen for tips on how to get ideas for something to cover from episode to episode of your show.

As a follow-up to a couple prior episodes aimed at those who record their podcast at home, we delve this time into a creative setup solution, thanks to a listener who wrote in with something anyone can take advantage of -- podcaster, YouTuber, or any other creator.  If you are unhappy with and battle against your current setup, listen as Craig Richard describes what he came up with to eliminate bumps and other obstacles that were impacting the recording of his podcasts.  We also refer you to a website that he established simply to help (not sell to) other podcasters and creators for informational purposes.  This episode just might challenge you to reevaluate the layout and positioning of your podcasting gear!