Prologue
What Tom Petty Knew About Podcasting
"Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus!"
Tom Perry gets a lot of credit for this, but it was Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, that said it.
Regardless, it's good advice that will help you attract more people to your podcast.
But Tom Petty did know about the struggle of podcasting when he said, "The waiting in the hardest part."
What are you waiting for? More listeners? Sponsors? Better gear?
Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.
And while you're waiting, make sure you get the audio edition of this newsletter for additional commentary on everything mentioned here.
Sponsor
Big Podcast AMP
If you like the newsletter, you'll love Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program).
This personal coaching program helps you do three things:
- Grow your podcast audience.
- Get people talking about your podcast.
- Make more money with your podcast.
You can get details here.
Podcaster Opportunities
A Video for Every Creative Person Ever (Including Podcasters)
Does the world really need another podcast? Does it need your podcast?
As a podcaster, you've probably questioned what you're doing and, if you're reaching enough people with your podcast, definitely had some of them question what you're doing.
There are some great thoughts on self-reflection, time management, client interactions, and dealing with feedback here, that I think you'll connect with ...
What's your biggest frustration as a creative person? Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.
Podcasting Tools
AudioSurvey - Get Feedback From Your Listeners
AudioSurvey lets people choose which questions to answer, and respond by talking instead of typing. Then, it transcribes and summarizes their response, before sending it to you. It's by the same guy who created Audiopen.
It's free right now. And definitely worth a look, if you want an easy way to collect feedback from listeners.
Podcasting Deals
Video Tap - Convert Videos into Shareable Clips
Making a video and marketing that video are two different things.
Video Tap automatically converts your videos into shareable clips, social posts, and other written content. It's a great way to help you take advantage of YouTube's new features, including Community Posts.
Podcast Humor
You're Doing This, Right?
If you're interviewing authors, it's great to read the books ahead of time, so you can competently discuss them.
If you're interviewing a musicians, you should listen to their music, for the same reason.
But the best thing you can do to get a great interview on tape is a short, casual "pre-interview" call. This helps create trust and rapport, as well as gives both you and the guest an idea of what you're getting into ahead of time.
If you can't get time with your guest ahead of your interview, try somebody related—an assistant, a publicist, a co-worker, or even a spouse. These people know the backstory and will give you perspective nobody else can.
Same for asking your listeners for "pre-interview" help. I did an interview with Dolly Parton a few months ago and a single comment on Facebook changed the entire thing.
Are you doing a pre-interview with guests? Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.
The Business of Podcasting
Why does listener retention look different on Apple vs Spotify?
Want to go deep on this? Read the full article.
Here's what you need to know ...
Apple Podcasts evaluates listener habits on average. This covers the number of listens per person, the portion of the episode listened to, play button presses, sections skipped within the episode, and the moment listeners stop listening. The average provided represents a comprehensive summary of all this information.
Spotify evaluates listener trends by identifying the moment in an episode when half of the initial audience is still engaged.
All of this is great to know, but some advice ...
You don't want to be in a situation where you live or die by the algorithm. Remember that your podcast is for people, not tech companies.
Classifieds
Swell AI
Swell AI automates writing podcast summaries, articles, social posts, and more.
- Manage multiple shows in one dashboard.
- Build custom templates for each show.
- Connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zoom.
Riverside - Remote Recording Studio
Riverside records high-quality audio (and video) directly from your browser. No special equipment is needed and connecting with your guest is as simple as sending a web link!
You can try Riverside free (no credit card is needed) and, if you like it, save 15% on any paid plan by using the coupon code BIGPODCAST.
$100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite
This $100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite includes:
- Vocaster One audio interface
- Vocaster DM1 mic
- Focusrite HP60v studio headphones
- XLR mic/interface cable
It's perfect for a solo podcaster or somebody doing only remote interviews.
Have two people in the same room? This $200 Podcast Studio with Vocaster DM14v mic, studio headphones, and XLR cable will do what you need.
The Wrap Up
When you're ready, here's how I can help you even more ...
If you want the shortcut to building a podcast people care about, here’s how Big Podcast can help you …
Free of charge ...
- Big Podcast Extra – Short emails to help you build an audience, attract clients, and make money via podcasting
- Build a Big Podcast – The Marketing Podcast for Podcasters
- Podcast Growth Toolkit – The "Swiss Army Knife" of podcasting ...
For budgets under $750 …
- Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program) – Personalized coaching for indie podcasters to help you grow your podcast audience and build your authority, brand, and reputation
For budgets of $3000 or more …
We offer a range of podcasting services including:
- Full-service podcast production and marketing
- Podcast and radio hosting
- Podcast launch and development services