David Hooper's Blog: Build A Big Podcast, page 16

Is Your Podcast Stuck? Try this ... (Big Podcast Insider Issue 132)

Topics covered in this episode:​

A way to get you podcast "unstuck" Coal mining safety stickers as a form of manipulation AI tools for podcast editing - two you need to know about The importance of sound and subtitles in videos for message comprehension and retention Combining audio and printed text to enhance memorability The trend of buying both audio and printed versions of books Hearing problems Consuming video content - how people do it and what you need to know Limited-edition merchandise stores Encouraging listener participation Good manners and preparedness in podcast interviews

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:00:25] "Get the newsletter at newsletter.bigpodcast.com"

[00:06:16] Using video? You must have subtitles for best conversion, comprehension.

[00:07:31] How to boost podcast listeners with stickers.

[00:12:13] What to do with unprepared guests ...

[00:15:31] Two AI tools for podcast audio summarized.

[00:16:30] How to subscribe to this podcast ...

The Newsletter for Podcasters

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 132 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

         

Podcast Jumpstart - Get FREE Access!

If you're interested in growing your podcast, you have a limited-time opportunity to get into the beta version of my updated Podcast Jumpstart program ... FREE! 

It's already started, but it's not too late for you to catch up. The doors to this offer will only be open a couple more days, so if you're interested, get in now.

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

         

Podcasting Fame Has a Shadow (Big Podcast Insider Issue 128)

On this episode of Build a Big Podcast, David discusses the importance of having a strong reason for creating content beyond just praise or money and the potential dangers of overexposure. He delves into the vulnerability of creators when publishing their work and gives tips on how to deal with criticism. David also talks about his approach to focusing on certain things and not others when it comes to external validation. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of sustainability for creative individuals like podcasters, suggests focusing on sustainable practices, and introduces a Podcast Jumpstart program to help reinvigorate your podcasting and grow your podcast audience. 

Topics covered in this episode:​

Finding purpose in creative work Overexposure risks on YouTube and podcasting Importance of vulnerability in creativity (and its double edge) Dealing with criticism and rejection in podcasting Creating sustainable creative practices for your podcasting work Burn-out in podcasting (and an opportunity for you to fix it)

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:03:06] A story about a pioneer mommy blogger and the dark side of online fame

[00:05:49] Feedback can be both positive and negative, but it helps creators grow. The rawness felt after creating something is why people enjoy podcasts - it feels good to know others can relate.

[00:12:52] The importance of purpose in content creation, YouTube's potential for overexposure, and using it for attention and discoverability.

[00:16:00] Podcasting ideas from popular YouTube videos

[00:21:42] A podcast would be a great addition to your existing YouTube content, providing more detailed information for listeners.

[00:29:15] 70-something podcaster creates content for an older audience – using YouTube to reach this audience

[00:32:20] An all-in-one promotion platform that turns podcasting into engaging social media posts and helps you find the best influencers in your niche. 

The Newsletter for Podcasters

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About this episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 128 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

         

Podcast Marketing (Taylor's Version)

Taylor Swift knows a lot about how to connect with an audience. This episode of Build a Big Podcast talks about three ways she is doing this and how you can do the same thing with your podcast audience.

Topics covered in this episode:​

​Taylor Swift and Her Connection with Fans Taylor Swift's success in connecting with fans Starting with a strong foundation and mastering craft before aiming bigger CMA Fest and Taylor Swift's dedication to her fans – a lesson for podcasters The importance of "showing up" physically and emotionally for listeners Small changes can result in big results in impact, money, marketing, and audience size The Importance of Audience Engagement Increasing audience engagement by showcasing listener feedback Podcast community building Connecting emotionally with the audience How to right clothing can help you build an audience and increase connection with fans

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:00:20] Podcasting Jumpstart 2.0: Improve your podcast impact, engagement, and marketing.

[00:01:34] Tips for podcasters from Taylor Swift's fan connection strategies, directly from her former manager.

[00:02:38] Be present, engage with the audience, market yourself, and maintain enthusiasm. 

[00:06:50] Taylor Swift signs fan autographs for 13 hours despite feeling ill.

[00:16:56] How to build a feeling of community with listeners by reading listener letters on your podcast.

[00:20:57] Wearing pink at a Mary Kay convention ...

[00:23:00] Embrace feelings and connecting with listeners.

[00:23:44] Making your audience feel that they matter. 

[00:24:16] Start small to build a strong podcasting foundation.

Want More?  

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​      

         

Podcasting to a Small Audience – How to Make the Most of It

Want to grow your podcast? You need to bring your best performance, content, and personality regardless of how many people are listening to you now and before you worry about additional audience growth. 

Topics covered in this episode:​

​The importance of content quality and effort for audience growth. "Madison Square Garden" performance aspirations Playing for current and "unseen" audiences The power of word of mouth Pre/post-production work for successful podcasting How your podcasting performance extends beyond the your current audience The real value of caring for your podcast audience

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:05:30] Large room capable of seating hundreds, possibly thousands ... and what not to do.

[00:10:08] Playing for both present and potential audiences.

[00:11:36] Singer is angry about having fewer fans than previous shows ... don't do this.

[00:12:54] Authentic and unique experiences and how they help build a podcast audience

[00:13:20] How word-of-mouth can boost podcast listeners.

[00:15:58] Play hard, even if the audience even is small. How to navigate it.

[00:16:46] Madison Square Garden ... most people can't handle it.

[00:17:27] If you can't "bring it" every episode, you won't have a successful podcast.

  Want More?   Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​
         

Podcasting is Messy – Embrace It!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

All activities can be empowering or disempowering Podcasting and social media platforms can help you reach people who need to hear your message Building audience interaction is crucial to have a successful podcast​

Additional topics covered in this episode:

Twitter and Spotify are great platforms for interacting with the audience (even if you hate them)​ Nashville Public Radio's decision to keep posting on Twitter​, even when NPR dropped it Prioritizing platforms your audience is using over personal preference Doing things that may be considered messy to spread a helpful message You don't have to say "yes" to every opportunity

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:02:51] Spotify partnership debated; NPR stops posting on Twitter due to false labeling.

[00:03:25] Nashville Public Radio uses Twitter to share factual information during breaking news events and will continue to provide trusted journalism. Concerns remain about misinformation on platforms like Spotify and ethical concerns with certain podcast content.

[00:04:46] How do people with Android devices listen to podcasts?

[00:05:32] Spotify is the only competition for Apple podcasts on Android and iPhone. Though there are many other podcast apps, they are not popular. 

[00:06:31] Why to use Spotify or Apple for podcasting, even if you don't like them. The world is messy, but sometimes you have to do what it takes to spread your message.

[00:08:44] Human trafficking and when spreading your message gets "messy."

[00:10:37] Should you be in Twitter right now? 

[00:13:24] Avoiding isolation and silos. 

The Newsletter for Podcasters:

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

Want more from Big Podcast?​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

         

Getting Your Podcast "Unstuck" (Big Podcast Insider Issue 127)

  Topics covered in this episode:​ Customizing Your Podcast with Social Media Engagement​ Audience-Driven Podcasting: Creating Maximum Engagement with Direct Guest Questions Take Your Podcast to the Next Level: Expert Tips for Hosting Engaging Guest Interview Guest participation is an excellent way to generate audience interest and interaction Inconsistent recording practices may lead to a lack of practice and skill development Past success or experience does not guarantee current ability Prioritizing Listeners Success is dependent on the match between the podcast topic, social media following, and listener interests.​

Episode Timestamps:​

[00:05:13] Compiling multiple takes to create one seamless performance. 

[00:05:56] Studio engineer turns a bad session into something good

[00:06:54] People underestimate the need for practice and training, which can lead to a decline in skill level, similar to how podcasters may become complacent and lose initial excitement.

[00:07:36] Challenges in podcasting lead to inconsistent recording and dwindling audience engagement.

[00:11:29] Improve your podcast with small changes. Join the jumpstart program and email your goal for a chance to be featured on this podcast

[00:13:42] Want more downloads for your podcast? Promote your podcast beforehand and provide a recap afterward. Encourage subscribers to sign up for the mailing list or RSS feed.

[00:15:55] What a gay metal singer has to do with your podcast.

[00:16:33] Make your podcast about the listeners by giving them direct access to exclusive guests and answering their questions, regardless of the celebrity status of the guest.

[00:18:30] Engage your audience by asking for topics/questions and hyping up episode with their contributions.

[00:22:20] Manage emails without distractions. Newsletter available for more information and contact details.

The Newsletter for Podcasters

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter ​

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...​

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.​​

About This Episode of Build a Big Podcast:​

This is the audio companion to Issue 126 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   ​

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.​

         

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of "AI Podcasting" (Big Podcast Insider Issue 126)

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Consistency is more than just frequency. It's about showing up with the right energy and preparedness. While AI can be helpful in organizing and time-stamping content, it lacks the ability to bring personality to your podcast. You must infuse your unique personalities into AI-generated content to get the most from it. Taking breaks and downtime are crucial behaviors that podcasters (and people in general) don't do enough of. 

Additional topics covered in this episode:

Jeff Sanders' time management approach that will help you get more done with your podcast – setting up focused blocks for specific podcast tasks How working near "railroad tracks" can be a good thing for podcasters The importance of tightly edited podcasts How sharing podcasts can enhance reach and attract a broader audience – how to get more people to share What is the most important factor in podcast consistency? How often should you release new podcast episodes? What's a good approach for scheduling podcasting time? What's the role of AI technology in podcast production? How can podcasters stand out from the "AI" crowd? Why is editing raw podcast output crucial for best podcasting results? Why is taking breaks and downtime important for podcasting production and productivity?

Episode Timestamps:

[00:05:41] Using AI to organize and timestamp podcast episodes is nice, but editing your own podcast will make you a better host 

[00:06:38] Podcast production needs human touch – stand out by bringing more personality and using AI for basic tasks like episode notes and tweets.

[00:14:20] Don't waste time during "stops"

[00:15:11] Consistency is crucial in podcasting, not frequency. Showing up once a weekif plenty, if you do this ...

[00:15:48] Jeff Sanders' productivity method involves focusing on one task block at a time, like podcasting. How to use it for your podcast production ...

[00:17:47] Edit your podcast to save time for listeners and attract more listeners through shareability.

[00:20:47] Low-cost classified ads to help independent podcasters grow an audience quickly.

The Newsletter for Podcasters:

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.

About This Episode:

This is the audio companion to Issue 126 of Big Podcast Insider. If you're interested in more info on what I talk about on this episode and also links, that's where to go. On this episode, I dive into where the money is made in podcasting. how to get more reviews (and subscribers) for your podcast, podcast hosting, and more.   

Big Podcast Insider is a weekly newsletter on podcasting. If you like the content of this episode, you can subscribe here – it's free and you can unsubscribe at any time with a single click.

         

Anonymous Podcasting and Podcast Host Privacy (Big Podcast Insider Issue 125)

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is about anonymity in podcasting and using anonymous podcasting as a way to take advantage of social media without exposing too much of yourself online.

Topics covered in this episode:

Introduction to anonymous and anonymous podcasting as a way to take advantage of social media without exposing too much of yourself Balancing the demands of numerous podcast interviews and the impact on scheduling flexibility Using a caricature or icon as a podcast persona Audio podcasting vs. "YouTube" and other video options Utilizing QR codes for your podcast The Streisand Effect and the consequences of trying to hide or censor information Why anonymity may not be the best option for podcasters looking to establish themselves as experts Finding a middle ground between anonymity and oversharing personal information

Episode Timestamps:

[00:06:05] Podcasting is less exhausting than YouTube due to less pressure to present oneself in a specific way and less energy needed for discovery.

[00:07:16] Podcasting can be an energy suck, even with help, and can throw off your schedule, but it may be worth it if you consider the other factors involved.

[00:08:04] Anonymous Podcast Example – Swindled shares true stories of white-collar crimes and corporate evil.

[00:10:06] People removing drugs from their medicine cabinets to avoid nosy guests, and the Streisand Effect, which happens when attempting to hide information.

[00:12:45] Grammar Girl and using an icon or "official photo" to control your image.

[00:14:02] Why I grew a beard ... and why you didn't know.

[00:18:21] The evolution of email addresses and tips for maintaining anonymity in podcast fan mail.

[00:20:54] A $19 tool to generate custom QR codes for podcast subscriptions, which can be tracked and changed on demand, offering flexibility for directing listeners.

The Newsletter for Podcasters:

Big Podcast Insider - Podcasting Newsletter

This episode is brought to you by Riverside ...

Riverside is online recording software that makes it easy for podcasters to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere. Try it free and, if you like it, get 15% off any membership plan when you use the code BIGPODCAST.

         

Podcasting Lessons from Tucker Carlson and FOX News

This episode of Build a Big Podcast is about podcasting lessons related to the current state of FOX News and Tucker Carlson. 

I explore the importance of authenticity, connecting with your audience, and avoiding misinformation and dumbing down your content. Plus, I may or may not mention a woman I met at the gym who was Tucker Carlson's #1 Fan and the current opportunity for Brian Kilmeade (and you).

Topics covered in this episode:

FOX News vs. podcasting as platforms for news and commentary The potential profitability of podcasting and the importance of honest and transparent content Recent scandals surrounding Tucker Carlson and FOX News The specifics of FOX News' business model and the difficulties of breaking into major broadcast companies The importance of creating loyal and connected audiences

Episode Timestamps:

[00:03:11] Tucker Carlson's credibility and FOX News' viewership (and alleged misinformation)

[00:05:36] Why FOX News has traditionally had more viewers than other cable television networks

[00:09:03] How FOX News makes money (and how they've lost it via legal and sexual harassment settlements)

[00:10:00] Why people still defend FOX News despite court evidence saying the network and hosts lie to viewers

[00:16:58] A warning against blindly following popular figures on FOX News

[00:18:34] Why Tucker Carlson is the next Bill O'Reilly

[00:20:53] Connecting authentically with your podcast audience and why this is crucial to building a loyal following across different digital platforms

[00:22:01] Why FOX News dumbed-down its content (and how this is biting it in the ass)

[00:28:32] Why podcast hosts shouldn't talk down to their audience

Want More?

Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast here.