1000 Podcasters

Do I REALLY need to pay for podcast hosting? What about free hosts? Starting a podcast means you have to make a LOT of decisions. One decision many struggle with is how much they’re willing to pay for podcast hosting. Today I’m sharing my thoughts. Spoiler: DO think you should pay for your media hosting. And I DO remember what it was like to be starting out on a limited budget and trying to control ongoing expenses. As you listen, you'll discover a little about that, as well as WHY I think it’s important to pay for media hosting and the ONLY time I think  it makes sense to go for free. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/96 Libsyn (the podcast media host I use) Blubrry (the podcast media host I considered) Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

There are so many questions to answer when starting a podcast but some of them come up again and again throughout the lives of our shows. We start with, “What’s the best hosting company?” and “What’s the best microphone?”  But if we stay at it long enough, we also ask the question, “What’s the best computer?” or “What should I look for in a computer?” I recently helped Steven Brittingham of the Hollywood and Beyond Podcast with that question and I’m going to share with you what I shared with him. No, I’m not going to tell you that you should go get the new cheese grater Mac Pro (they look great, though). I’m not even going to tell you what brand or operating system you should get. Because those things can change based on your needs and what’s available. Instead, I’m going to share with you how to determine the bare minimum that you need as well as the priorities I use when choosing what to invest in when I’m going to buy a computer. I might even share with you how I’ve sometimes saved some money when buying a computer. Here’s the original question from Steven: I am interested in finding a Windows laptop that can be used for recording/editing/researching for my podcast. The idea of more freedom is appealing and I feel extra beneficial as well. I am concerned about purchasing a laptop that would not fully meet all of my audio needs or expectations. I realize memory/ram is important, as is speed and storage. There are so many different options. I have researched online about laptops for podcasting, but still feel uncertain. Do you have any suggestions or at the very least are there certain specs that are absolutely needed for high quality results? I am willing to pay for a high end unit, but I also seek out a fair and good value. A laptop that doesn't make a lot of noise is important too. Any suggestions is appreciated! Listen to discover what I shared with Steven. In addition to being a podcast host, he’s also an actor and writer. As a host he always strive for "Meaningful Interviews". He’s have been on hiatus but a lot of new episodes on the way soon. Including a new show website! My show is on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, iHeartradio, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn and more.  Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/95 https://hollywoodandbeyond.podbean.com/ Video on YouTube Video on Facebook Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

A few months ago I shared a little about an audio issue I’d been able to help troubleshoot for another podcaster and I mentioned that I might come back and share exactly what was happening and why it happened, as well as how to fix it.  Yesterday I FINALLY came back to it and explained what had happened (and we got a bit nerdy). But I dropped the ball AGAIN. Today I’m back to show you two ways to fix the problem that was caused by running a single stereo output into a balanced mono input. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/94 Video: https://youtu.be/HVI52osIpQM https://toptieraudio.com/93 https://hollywoodandbeyond.com Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

A few months ago I shared a little about an audio issue I’d been able to help troubleshoot for another podcaster and I mentioned that I might come back and share exactly what was happening and why it happened, as well as how to fix it. Do you know what happened? I forgot to come back and share that so I’m going to do that today. Here’s the scenario - a podcaster finished and published her episode. Everything sounded fine on her headphones and computer speakers. But then people started contacting her to let her know they couldn’t hear one of the participants. She went back and confirmed that everything was in the original recording. Then she went and looked at the final file to make sure that there wasn’t a bunch of silence because the track had been muted. Everything looked fine. But when she listened on her phone, she couldn’t hear that other person either. If you can guess what happened, share it in the comments. Otherwise, let’s get into this because it’s going to get a little nerdy today. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/93 Video: https://youtu.be/1zos6jSq0-A Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

I have a few things for you today. It’s Christmas Eve in the US and I’d like to leave you with a couple of things. First, an answer to the question: should I let guests reschedule? I also have video to share with you and a little listener feedback. What to do if you’re blown off If you’ve had guests on your show for a while, it’s likely you’ve already faced this. If not, it’s almost inevitable. You get a guest booked You prepare and research You send them all the info they need You get ready to record They never show up If this has happened to you, you know it’s not fun. But what do you do next? Listen as I share four things you could consider, as well as what I do. How To Video There was a question in our Hindenburg users group on FB (hindyusers.com): How do I remove the in and out markers if I want to make an edit. I answered that with a video. Listener Feedback A few days ago I asked about your plans for 2020. Tom Hailey (@tomhailey) shared that he’s launching a podcast in February, 2020. The trailer’s up already, so you can check it out at bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com. I’m told it’s still under construction, so proceed with caution.  Tom will be sharing interesting places, people, and activities in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Check it out. What about you? If you don’t already have a plan for when (not if) a guest misses their interview, there’s no time like now to come up with something. Whether you already have a plan or are creating a plan, let me know. I’m @TopTierAudio on Twitter. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/92 https://hindyusers.com How to Remove In & Out Points in Hindenburg  Bluegrass Region Voices and Views Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

I had a consultation earlier today (I mean REALLY early) with another podcaster. He was wanting to make sure that he was using Hindenburg and some plugins as best he could - some iZotope products and a Waves plugin. It was a real delight to talk with him about what he’s doing, to go through the workflow, and to offer a few (and I mean just a few) tips or suggestions. It’s just so fun to see a podcaster doing well. I’d like to do more of that, which got me thinking about this past year and what I’d like to see in the year to come. Today I’m going to share some of the incredible things I’ve been able to do and a couple of tweaks I’d like to make for next year. And, I’d like to hear from you: First, what are you planning for next year? Tweet me (@TopTierAudio) to let me know. Second, as I plan for another series early in next year, what would you like to hear more of? Send an email or a voicemail to let me know. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/91 Just Podcasting Podcast Engineering Show Start to Finish Podcasting Leave a Voicemail Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Elementary school Christmas plays (or holiday pageants) are an interesting experience. In reality, you’re probably only there to see YOUR kids do their thing. But the reality is that you’re often unable to hear them for a reason that afflicts many podcasts, too. Signal to noise ratio. It’s one of the things I often talk with podcasters about when I’m consulting or even when I’m sharing strategies and insights in groups. I might not call it that and I might not go into all of the details. But it’s one of the things that is often overlooked and it can make a HUGE difference. In fact, many times the production questions we see are REALLY about signal to noise ratio. I have this recording and there’s something off. How do I fix it for my podcast? What’s the best podcasting microphone? How close do I need to be to the microphone? How do I get rid of the popping P (plosive) sounds? How many microphones do I need to use to record a panel discussion? In many ways, those questions are really about signal to noise ratio (and not making your editor crazy) and I’m going to illustrate three underlying issues (kinds of noise) and one fix today using my son’s Christmas play at school. Why am I such a stickler about this (I know I’ve talked about it before). Well, because you can’t control the listening environment because everybody’s listening by themselves. They’re inviting you into their daily experience and that comes with noise. So it’s all the more important that we minimize the noise in our delivery (things about our styles that make it hard to hear or understand), the noise in the recording environment (echo / room reverb, fan noise, neighbors mowing the yard, dogs barking), and that we do what we can to amplify or point a sonic spotlight on the most important parts - typically the dialog. Here’s your action:  Go back to an episode you published a month or two ago and listen again for the three things you can control - your delivery, your recording environment, and what you do to highlight what’s most important. Are there any adjustments you’d like to make moving forward? Let me know what you’re planning to do. Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/90 Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Today as I was riding to work, I had a road construction experience that made me think about getting getting people subscribed to our shows. More subscribers. We all want more subscribers for our podcasts. There are all kinds of strategies out there for getting more subscribers. But here’s the problem: most of them are focused on the benefits for the PODCASTER. If we’re really serving our audiences, we’ll be focused on ways to serve them and some of the common strategies don’t serve them well and where I think we can find the sweet spot. To illustrate how this can work, I’m going to share a little about my commute this morning. I'll share my thoughts on: The "just one link" strategy The "just one link with redirects" (the smart link) strategy The smorgasbord approach The McDonald's Fries approach What about you? What does your subscribe page look like? Tweet it to me at @TopTierAudio. And if you’d like to take a look at mine to get some inspiration, you’ll find it at toptieraudio.com/subscribe. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/89 Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Have you ever felt that fear before you hit publish? Before you published your first episode, did you wonder what people would think about you? Do you ever downplay what you do when you’re talking with coworkers because you don’t want to fully reveal what you’re doing in your podcast (and not for legal reasons)? All of those have impacted me at one point or another.  Today I’m going to share how I worked through it in the beginning, what I’m doing about it now, and six things that I have because I kept moving forward. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/88 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters Subscribe to the Top Tier Audio YouTube Channel Join the Hindenburg Users Group on Facebook Set up a Consultation Talk to me about editing your podcast Talk to me about launching a podcast @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

You might have noticed that I’ve been missing for a few days. After podcasting daily for over a month, you didn’t hear from me and I also didn’t give any explanation. I think there are a few things we can learn from this. Listen to find out: What was so important that I didn’t podcast for 3 days. Why I think this was the right choice for me. Three times you should consider reprioritizing your podcast - especially if it’s a hobby or passion podcast. The one thing I hope you don’t discover too late. Do you agree or disagree? Did I miss something? Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) and share your thoughts. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/87 Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Being a podcast professional comes with its own special language. A very specific and detailed language. It sounds like English…sort of. Today I was given a small serving of Humble Pie while on a call with Tech Support at work and I was reminded of something that I need to be more carful of as a podcaster. Listen to Discover: What was going on at work (my day job) How that call went Where the call started going sideways What I took away from the situation as an employee What I took away from the situation as a podcast editor What I’d like YOU to do How About You? Are there any terms or phrases I use that are confusing? Or maybe some things I’ve explained poorly (it wouldn’t be the first time). Let me know in the comments and I’ll see if I can clear things up a little. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/86 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Are podcast episode numbers needed? And if so, what is a good format and placement? Tom asks:  Bryan...if it would be an appropriate topic for your Top Tier show...it could be helpful to us if you gave your opinion about episode numbers. Have them or not...format...placement, etc. Tom Today I’m sharing my OPINION but I think it bears out in terms of a best practice.  Listen to discover: Whether episode numbers are required. Why you might want to have episode numbers. Why you might NOT want to have episode numbers. Where episode numbers should go if you’re going to use them. The ONE THING you should stop doing immediately with episode numbers? Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/85 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge Are Episode Numbers REALLY Necessary? - TAP175 Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

A fire drill at work today reminded me of the power of perspective. Truthfully, our expectations and perspective can shape the kinds of experiences we have. And the same applies to podcasting. Listen to Discover: What happened with a fire drill at work The two groups of people I observed Which group I found myself in What I think I need to focus on How this can benefit you as a podcaster. What About You? Have you ever noticed how your perspective shapes your experiences (not just your perception, but the actual experiences)? Share your story in the comments (https://toptieraudio.com/84). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/84 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

As podcasters, we might feel like we’re putting out an authentic image of ourselves. However, sometimes there are things that might be downplayed or maybe assumed incorrectly by our audiences. Today I’m going to share a few things to make sure the record is straight on me as a podcast editor. Listen to Discover: An incorrect assumption about me as a podcast editor What sometimes takes as long as editing an episode A “shortcut” tool that I sometimes use One thing that I’m not 100% comfortable doing manually What about you?  Do you have anything about your podcast or your production that you’d like to get off your chest? Share it in the comments (https://toptieraudio.com/83). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/83 Engaging Missions iZotope RX7 Advanced Auphonic.com BigPodcast.com National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

“What’s the best podcast microphone?” is asked so often that it’s almost a meme in the various podcasting groups on Facebook. And the similar question, “What software should I use?” could be a meme all its own. However, they’re still valid questions. Today I’m sharing the tools I use in my workflow as a podcaster and as a podcaster. Since I’m in the studio and this show is just me, I’ll focus on that. Listen to discover: What microphone I use What interface I’m using My headphones and headphone amp What speakers I’m using What software I use to edit How I remove mouth clicks, popping Ps, and what the EQ and compression do to my voice Some of my favorite stand-alone programs and plugins  What about you? What are your favorite tools for podcasting or editing? Hit me up in the comments (https://toptieraudio.com/82). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/82 Re-Pop Pop Filter Electro-Voice RE320 (commission) Auray SSM-BC10 (commission) Auray BAI-2X Rolls MS111 (commission) Sound Devices MixPre-3 (commission) Hindenburg Journalist Pro iZotope RX7 Advanced iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced (new version is 9) Scheps Omni Channel Vocal Rider AKG HP12U (commission) Audio Technica ATH-M30 (commission) Alesis M1 Active MK3 (commission) Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have you ever run an experiment that didn’t turn out exactly as planned? I have - and yesterday’s episode (https://toptieraudio.com/80) didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. The audio was good but I was confusing with the content and it was a little harder to produce than I’d hoped. I received a few follow-up questions (thanks Harry) that I am answering today. Listen to discover What went well and what didn’t with yesterday’s podcast experiment What I think Hindenburg Field Recorder is good for What I was using Backpack Studio, Ferrite, and Auphonic for Why I don’t have answers for Android users and why I’d like to Whether Auphonic is needed with working in Hindenburg Journalist Pro What about you? Have you ever run an experiment that didn’t turn out exactly as you’d hoped. Hit me up on email (bryan@toptieraudio.com) and share your story. And if you have questions or topic suggestions, let me know. Email me (bryan@toptieraudio.com). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/81 Yesterday's Episode: https://toptieraudio.com/80 Shure MV88 (affiliate) Backpack Studio (affiliate) Ferrite Recording Studio (affiliate) Auphonic Hindenburg Field Recorder (affiliate) Hindenburg Journalist Pro libsyn Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As a podcaster, you may not always be able to record in your studio (even if your studio is the kitchen). So what are you going to do when you’re traveling or on vacation? You can skip episodes, you can work ahead, or you can plan for recording while you’re out. I’m doing that RIGHT now. Listen to Discover Where I’m recording now Why mobile recording is important Some of the trade-offs What I’ve been doing recently What I’m trying to do in mobile recording What is happening to me as I’m doing this Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/80 Shure MV88 (affiliate) Backpack Studio (affiliate) Ferrite Recording Studio (affiliate) Auphonic Hindenburg Field Recorder (affiliate) Hindenburg Journalist Pro libsyn Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Do you like to make mistakes? Especially mistakes in public? I know that I don't and I think most other people would prefer to avoid mistakes, too. But sometimes trying to avoid mistakes will keep us stuck (another mistake) and curtail our opportunities to grow. But what if there was a way to gain the growth and learning that comes from making mistakes without the pain of the mistakes? I'm talking about learning from the mistakes of others. Listen to Discover One podcasting mistake that I made because I took "getting started" advice from too many people One podcasting choice that I would have done differently when getting started One mistake that I made multiple times as a host (and still struggle with) Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/79 Logitech Headset Microphone (not a great podcast microphone) Audio Technica ATR2100 (affiliate)  Samson Q2U Package (affiliate) libsyn  Blubrry (affiliate) Engaging Missions Show  Subscribe to 1,000 Podcasters @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

A lot of people spend time wondering what the next month or year will bring. Today I’m going to share my 2020 prediction for YOU. Earlier this week I was listening to Better Podcasting (a podcast about podcasting for hobby podcasters) and they challenged me and the rest of their audience to pick something that we will focus on in our shows for 2020. I’m still working on that, but it got me thinking about retrospectives and goals and predictions. Listen to discover: Why goals are important What changes I am thinking about for the Engaging Missions Show Where I’m planning to focus my energy What I’m doing now to prepare for next year Why our internal predictions may be as important as the goals What I predict about the next year for you (it’ll be a good challenge) What are you going to change in 2020? What are you going to focus on? Let me know in the comments (https://toptieraudio.com/78).  Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/78 Engaging Missions Show Better Podcasting 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Support the show Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Do you like being rejected? I don’t. But I know that rejection and even the occasional failure are likely for podcasters (really, for anyone who’s trying to grow and leave the world a better place). But then comes the question: If I’m likely to be rejected, what can I do about that? Listen to discover: What I did to help get over that initial fear of rejection How many times I’ve been rejected over the past 6 years as a podcaster What I try to take away from a rejection How I dealt with that one rejection that kind of stung a little Rejection is often part of life. But if we have a plan, we can come out the other side stronger and keep going. What about you? Have you ever been rejected as a podcaster? I’d love to hear your story. Hit me up in the comments (https://toptieraudio.com/77) and let me know. We can all grow together. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/77 Engaging Missions Show 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Starting a podcast is a lot like driving somewhere you’ve never been before. Even with a map and a great car, it’s possible to get lost. And what’s worse, many of us try to start our podcasts with an entire busload of backseat drivers. Listen to discover the ONE thing I recommend time and time again for new podcasters when they want that ONE piece of advice I’d give to every starting podcaster. Follow it and you’ll be able to avoid those wrong turns, the potholes, and the speed bumps. What about you? If you’ve been around for a while, what’s the piece of advice YOU would give to a new podcaster? Leave a comment in the episode notes (https://toptieraudiocom/76) so that we can all check them out. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/76 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

As podcasters, we create experiences for our audience. Today I’m going to share what I took away from my family’s experience with Frozen II. If you’ve been following for a while, you know that I’m in the middle of a challenge during November. You’ll find links to National Podcast Post Month and David Hooper’s 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge. However, I’m interrupting that challenge to bring this because I thought it was SO good. My family went to see Frozen II this evening. For most of us, it was a completely new experience (not just the movie - the WAY we experienced it). And what I took away from it is pretty powerful for us as podcasters. If we can create a “Frozen 2 at the drive-in kind of experience,” we can create something truly memorable. Listen to discover: Why we were willing to pay MORE Why we were willing to drive LONGER Why we were willing to pay even MORE to enhance the experience How the movie was only part of the experience How what we REALLY got was worth a somewhat inferior movie experience What it’s important for us to recognize this Why knowing this can both challenge us and also free us up to do our best How about YOU? What did you take away for your show? Or what would you like to suggest for this show. Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) and let me know. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/75 Stardust Drive-In Theatre 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Do you have any favorite plugins you use when editing your podcast? Today I’m going to share one that I use almost all of the time. This episode is part of David Hooper’s 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge over at Big Podcast as well as National Podcast Post Month. I have an assignment and I’m going to take a little liberty with it because I don’t think it was going to serve you very well. Listen to discover: What the assignment was Why I’m changing it What plugin I use almost all the  time Who introduced me to this plugin (hint: there’s value in investing in yourself and relationships) Why it’s such a powerful tool in my tool kit How you can get it too (for a discount) How about you? Do you have a favorite plugin or podcasting tool? I’d love to hear from you. Email me (bryan@toptieraudio.com). And if there’s something you’d like to hear me talk about, let me know (bryan@toptieraudio.com). Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/74 Podcast Engineering School (affiliate) Scheps Omni Channel (direct link, no discount) Get a 10% discount on Waves plugins (affiliate) 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if things were different? That idea - the idea that things could have been different or that doing one thing may cost us the ability to do something else is called opportunity cost. And that’s the kind of thing that has us making trade-off decisions. It affects our lives in many ways and podcasting is no exception. Choosing a format or a hosting company or even simply choosing to have a podcast will cost something. The thing is, sometimes those opportunities we miss are difficult or impossible to recapture. Today I’m going to share one of the times when I missed out because I let my focus wander. As you listen, consider whether you’re happy with the trade-offs you’ve made. Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) and let me know about a time you were happy with the way things turned out. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/73 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

What did you want to see happen when you started your podcast? Did you have a goal for reach or cultural change or growth or money? Today we’re going to talk about goals and wins. It’s important to have goals and also to celebrate any progress we make towards them. I have goals for this show and I’ve also had some recent wins. Listen to Discover: Why I started this podcast and the jumble of goals that I had How I started to get clarity around my goals and how I baked it into the show How I failed miserably at first A recent win working with another podcaster  What about you? Do you have a recent win you’d like to share? Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) and let me know. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/72 One Funnel Away 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Podcasting is both a creative and a technical medium. It’s creative in that we CREATE content. But it’s also technical in that there are a lot of little things to do. Because of that, there’s also a LOT of jargon. I know that when I got started, there was still a pretty steep learning curve. And I’d already been involved in music and audio production.  There were so many new terms to learn. Not to mention that there were best practices and little tips here and there that i needed to pick up. Today I’m going to talk about 5 common terms in podcasting that confuse a lot of people but we’re going to use them in relation to podcasting only. Are there any podcasting or audio production terms that have you stumped? Leave a comment in the episode notes. Resources Mentioned Full episode notes: https://toptieraudio.com/71 What is a decibel, and how is it measured? Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Why It Matters What is LUFS and Why Should I Care? Add a Mastertrack How the Master Track Can Improve and Streamline Your Podcast Workflow 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Today I’m going to share something I never imagined would come from my podcasting experience. In fact, when I thought of it as a potential outcome, I even worked against myself for a while. But, as it turns out, one of my biggest surprises has become one of my great joys as well. Listen to discover: Some of the things I originally though might come out of the Engaging Missions Show There was one thing I always tried to push aside Why I tried to avoid it How I found myself accidentally jumping into it What it’s done for me One other surprise has been how much I’m enjoying this short from solo show. It was originally just an assignment that I wanted to make valuable for you but now I’m really enjoying it. What’s surprised you in your podcasting journey? Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) and let me know. Resources Mentioned Full episode notes: https://toptieraudio.com/70 Foundational Missions Leadership Moment 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Podcast Engineering School (affiliate) Podcasters' Society (affiliate) One Funnel Away Subscribe to this show @TopTierAudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I have something to share that you won’t often hear a podcaster say: I ran out of ideas. Truth be told, most of us run out of ideas from time to time. Or maybe we just don’t “feel” the spark. Today is one of those days for me. I have an assignment for @DavidHooper’s 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge but I can’t come up with anything. I guess that makes me a podcaster who can’t seem to come up with anything to talk about. Weird, right? Listen to Discover What assignment I’m totally stumped by Three things you can do if you’re drawing a blank (take a break, redirect, draw from the list you’ve been preparing for a rainy day) How to prepare for the day you’re coming up empty 8 tools to help you generate ideas for your podcast Listen to discover what the assignment is and what I’m doing instead because I still want to give you something you can use. Then choose at least ONE of the suggestions and start preparing today. Hit me up on Twitter (@TopTierAudio) to let me know what you’re doing. Resources Mentioned Full episode notes: https://toptieraudio.com/69 8 Tools to Help You Generate Ideas For Your Podcast Yesterday’s episode 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Creating a podcast is hard work. It’s a labor of love that requires A LOT and podcasters are special people. Today I’m going to share three things I hate to see podcasters go through. You’re a podcaster. You’re special. You have a message or a mission or a goal. And it matters – at least to you. But podcasting is hard work. It takes an emotional toll. There’s a lot to figure out. Even on your best days, you may still feel like a failure. Listen to Discover: 3 common things I hate to see podcasters go through What can happen when these aren’t addressed What you might be able to do My hope for you If you’re facing one of these 3 things, hit me up on Twitter (@toptieraudio) and let me know. Maybe there’s a way for you to get through this. Resources Mentioned: Full episode notes: https://toptieraudio.com/68 Yesterday’s episode 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Subscribe by Email https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Ask a question about podcast editing and you’ll discover something: podcasters have opinions. Huge surprise, right? But here’s the thing - just because we all have our opinions (I have mine and I’m sharing them here) doesn’t mean that our opinions, approaches, and perspectives will always be right for you. Listen to discover what a T-Shirt, a funeral, and meetings can teach us about podcast editing. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/67 “I’m Silently Editing You in Post” T-Shirt on Amazon (affiliate) 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month @toptieraudio on Twitter Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  Does it seem like editing your podcast is taking forever? I know that it used to be that way for me...and the results weren’t nearly as good as what I get today. If you’re in the same boat, you’re gong to want to to listen to today’s episode where I share 3 things that could be slowing you down. There are certainly more than 3 but these are the ones that I see most often. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/66 Podcast Engineering School (affiliate) 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @toptieraudio on Twitter Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

The great thing about podcasting is that there aren’t really many rules. Most of us, as indie podcasters, aren’t beholden to anybody. That’s a blessing. But it’s also a curse. If you’re just starting out, there are LOTS of things you’re going to have to learn how to do or find someone to do. There’s artwork. There’s music. There’s audio recording. There’s editing. There’s show notes. There’s... The list goes on. And on. Fortunately, there are LOTS of people willing to share what they know to help you get going. But if you’re not careful, you can still find yourself paralyzed. Here’s what to do so you don’t get stuck. It might not get you to perfect. But it’ll get you started and help you keep going. Resources Mentioned Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/65 Christian Podcasters Association 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge National Podcast Post Month Subscribe to this show @toptieraudio on Twitter Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Podcasting can seem like a lonely gig. As a solo podcaster, interview host, editor, marketer, and more, it can be lonely. But there’s significant value in having people who can give you insight and guidance. You need mentors. Whether they’re people you know in person or people who mentor from afar, you need one. Listen to discover what having a mentor has done for me. Resources Mentioned https://toptieraudio.com/64 http://toptieraudio.com/podsociety (affiliate) https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://napodpomo.org https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The cool thing about podcasting is that there really aren’t any rules. As an indie podcaster, your show can be as complex or as simple as you’d like. As long or as short as you’d prefer. As many or as few participants as you desire. I’ve recently begun to discover the joy of having a short-form solo show. While this show certainly isn’t as simple as it could possibly be, it’s much simpler than my other show - the Engaging Missions Show. That show has guests, multiple segments, detailed episode notes, custom graphics, special equipment and more. This podcast is pretty much just me, my podcast microphone, and my script. OK…I do record and edit. But I think you get the picture. Listen to learn more about what I like about it. Resources Mentioned https://toptieraudio.com/63 https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://napodpomo.org https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” I remember that from some of the training I went through as a McDonald’s manager. Now, nearly 2 decades later, I still focus on learning and growing. Sometimes through courses. Sometimes through relationships. Sometimes through introspection and air checks. And sometimes by reading books (I know...what a concept). Listen to discover a book I read and I course I took last year that, together, helped me reframe how I approach making my podcast. Resources Mentioned Out on the Wire (affiliate) What’s So Amazing About Grace (affiliate) Power Your Podcast with Storytelling  https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://napodpomo.org https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have you ever heard a question like this, “Why does making my podcast take forever?” You might also see it in questions like, “How long does it take you to edit your podcast because it takes me hours and hours to do mine?”  Maybe you’ve asked those kinds of questions yourself. The truth is: it doesn’t have to take forever and it might be YOUR choices that are at the root. Listen to discover the TWO trade-offs you will need to consider. Resources Mentioned https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://napodpomo.org https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio https://toptieraudio.com/60 Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Does the thought of making a public mistake give you the cold sweats? If you’re like most people, even the thought of public speaking will give you the cold sweats. And the thought of making a mistake, even more. But what if you recorded a mistake? Then published it? Then found it? How would you feel? And here’s the hard truth - there are two kinds of podcasters: those who have made and published a mistake in their podcast and those who haven’t done it yet. Mistakes happen but we don’t want to be remembered forever by the mistakes we have made. And it can certainly feel permanent if you record and publish a mistake. I made a mistake with this podcast this week. And a video. It even happens to me. More often than I’m comfortable with (which would be never). Listen to discover what I did with my podcasting mistake. Resources Mentioned https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe/a> https://napodpomo.org https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://toptieraudio.com/58 Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

You’re a podcaster and sometimes you have questions. Often, the easiest way to find answer is to ask the broader community. And there are many pockets of the podcasting community in different areas and online. But not all the advice you’ll receive is created equal and sometimes you’ll get conflicting opinions, answers to questions you didn’t ask, follow-up questions, and more. Today I’m sharing the best advice you can receive as a podcaster. Sound too good to be true? Listen and see... Resources Mentioned https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://napodpomo.org https://1000Podcasters.com https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio https://toptieraudio.com/58 https://youtu.be/PKC6bm3IJ8U Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

  Want your podcast to stand out?  Sure, we all do. But there’s a question you need to answer or you’ll always be playing “catch up.” Listen to discover the question you need to answer, as well as how I answer that question for this podcast. Resources Mentioned https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://onefunnelaway.com https://libsyn.com https://1000Podcasters.com https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio https://toptieraudio.com/57 https://youtu.be/PKC6bm3IJ8U Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

“Why did you start 1,000 Podcasters?” That’s the question I’m answering today. Full Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/57  There are many possible reasons to start a podcast. Maybe it’s about money. Maybe it’s about having a voice or shedding light on a critical issue. Maybe it’s to be popular or to have a chance to hang out with friends and have conversations with a purpose. Whatever the reasons, there’s one thing you’ll always need to make sure you keep in mind. Listen to discover what led to this podcast, some of the other ideas I’d entertained, and how I’ve tried to keep the most important thing the most important thing. Resources Mentioned https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://onefunnelaway.com https://libsyn.com https://1000Podcasters.com https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://twitter.com/toptieraudio Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation?   Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Will I make money with my podcast? Can I become famous as podcaster? Will my wildest dreams come true? Those might be questions you’re asking yourself right now. When I was starting the Engaging Missions Show about 5 years ago, I had some ideas of what I hoped would happen because of my podcast but what actually happened surprised me more than I can say. Listen to discover how mistaken ideas, missed chances, and unexpected opportunities might lead you to something better than you could have expected. Resources Mentioned https://napodpomo.org https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://engagingmissions.com https://toptieraudio.com/subsribe Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

There’s a lot to do when starting a podcast. Can it be done in less than 2 months? Listen to hear about how I got started in podcasting and the two things you need more than you think. Full Show Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/55 Are you thinking of starting something new? Maybe a podcast? If you are, you might be looking for a path to follow or you might be looking for patterns in the lives of successful people and wondering if you can get it all done in time. But here’s the think: those paths are almost never linear (and seldom as clear as we remember them). Even if you do all the research you possibly can, you'll find things you didn't prepare for. I had that experience when I started my podcast. And I’ve had that experience since I started editing as well. If you're not careful, those things can derail you. Listen to discover the difference key people can make in your life – even if you’ve never met them in person. Resources: https://toptieraudio.com/subscribe https://bigpodcast.com/subscribe https://1000Podcasters.com https://napodpomo.org Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

If you want to become a better podcaster, you need to learn and grow. You need to accept feedback. And you need to accept challenges. Full Show Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/54 Do you want to become stagnant as a podcaster? Of course you don’t. As a podcaster and a podcast editor, I always want to be getting better. I always want to be better tomorrow than I was today. And to do that, I do a few things. * I do the work. * I seek feedback. * I take courses. * I participate in communities. But there’s something else that I do and it’s more uncomfortable than the other things: I accept challenges. Listen to this episode as I share with you a recent challenge that I accepted and how I hope that it will help me. And if you want to join me in this challenge, go to http://bigpodcast.com/subscribe for your daily challenge over the next 30 days and email me (bryan@toptieraudio.com) to let me know you joined the challenge. Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

There’s a lot of confusion about what podcast editors do - and rightly so. Listen or watch to discover what the best podcast editors do - and it’s more than just cutting dialog. Full Show Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/53 Video: https://youtu.be/ypOZGBqAX9A What do the best podcast editors do? That's a good question. Podcasting is young and editing is both an art and a science. There are many different views and approaches, but if you're looking for a podcast editor, "it depends" probably isn't a good enough answer, so I'll share with you my perspective on this. Today we’re talking about what podcast editors do. It seems like there’s a lot of confusion about this, so I want to shed a little light on it. But just be aware that you'll need to have a detailed and specific conversation with any editor you're considering to ensure that you know exactly what they plan to do, what their approach is, and how you can best work with them. Listen to discover: 3 different kinds of dialog editing The 4 additional things that great podcast editors do How your editor might become your trusted advisor The one stage that many editors miss (hint: it's more important than you might think) Visit https://toptieraudio.com to set up a consultation or to see if we might be a great fit for each other. Visit https://1000Podcasters to get this show delivered right to your favorite podcast app every time a new episode is released. Now go out there and make a great podcast.

If you’re editing your podcast or production in Hindenburg, you might have noticed that it can take quite some time to export or publish - especially if it’s a complex production with a lot of effects where you need to match a loudness standard. Listen or watch to discover why it might be taking twice as long as it could and a three step workaround that might cut that time in half (or more). Here’s the workaround Export the mix to your hard drive without any loudness normalization. Import that file into your mix and solo it so that’s the only track to be processed (disable any effects you might have on a Master Track). Export or publish that file to its final destination Episode Notes: https://toptieraudio.com/52 Video: https://youtu.be/LYKjd6S9awU Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Do you work hard on your show but wonder how to reach more people? If you're like me, you certainly do. What if I told you that there are some new tools that can help you build relationships, extend your reach, and help signal Google and the other search engines that what you're sharing is valuable? Listen to discover nine things that you can do today to make the most of Podchaser. Don't know about PodChaser? Well, I'll share a little about that, too. Resources Free Checklist: http://toptieraudio.com/podchaserfreebie Podchaser: https://podchaser.com Bryan on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/creators/bryan-entzminger-107ZzlNYS9 1,000 Podcaseters on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/1000-podcasters-853336 Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Sometimes I hear things in podcasts that make me want to go off on a rant. Stuff that's not hard to fix before hitting "record" but difficult (if not impossible) to fix during the editing process. Today I'm going to share a quick checklist of ONLY 8 items that will set up up for success and make your podcast editor (even if it's you) want to give you a hug. This isn't a long, exhaustive list of EVERYTHING that could go wrong. It's a list of things to check to fix what seems to pop up most commonly in podcasts.  If you just check these 8 things before you record EVERY TIME, you'll consistently get a better recording, be able to focus better, and be able to produce your show faster. And you won't get overwhelmed by a LONG list that'll make you feel like a failure. Grab the free download: http://toptieraudio.com/recordingchecklistdownload Get some water Gather any resources you may need Restart your computer / device Close any apps & browser windows you don't need Plug in your mic and headphones Test to make sure everything is working properly Close all doors & windows Turn off things that make noise or create distractions Grab the free download to get an additional list of 6 common noise makers and distractions to check: http://toptieraudio.com/recordingchecklistdownload Enter your email address for email updates Download and print checklist Put it where you can use it EVERY time you record your podcast Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

If you’ve ever made a mistake with your podcast you’ve probably done step one of fixing it - fix it. But have you also moved on to step two? Mistakes are a fact of life - even for podcasters. When you make a mistake, you might want to bury your head and hide. You might want to fix it and move on. But there might be something missing. Let’s assume for a minute that you want to fix your mistake and keep going. you have the perspective to fix the issue, take it as a learning, and keep creating. That’s admirable. But it’s incomplete. Unless you move on to step two of fixing your problem, you’re almost certainly destined to keep fixing the same kinds of mistakes over and over. Those mistakes add up over time and cost you more than you might think in time, attention, confidence, rest, and even money. So…make sure that you do one more thing when you fix your mistake to ensure you don’t make the same mistake again. Listen to find out more. Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

Thinking about starting a podcast? Maybe you've heard that EVERYBODY should have a podcast. And, while I love that podcasting makes it possible for nearly everyone to have a voice, there are some questions you might want to ask yourself before you start planning and spending. The easy questions are things like "are you comfortable sharing your thoughts verbally?" But there are harder, deeper questions that you should ask yourself before you get started. Listen to six key questions to ask yourself before you start planning your podcast launch, creating artwork, and buying equipment. What about you? If you have a podcast, what did I miss? Share your thoughts in the comments. If you don't have a podcast and would like help launching your show, I can do that. Just visit TopTierAudio.com to set up a consultation and we'll get you started in the right way. Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com

I was recently asked this question: "Should I use my Apple AirPods to record a podcast?" There are some good reasons you might want to record with them but also some reasons why they might not get you the best recording. Listen to discover what I shared. Resources Mentioned ART Dual Pre (interface that works well with iPhone, when connected with the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter) Shure MV88 (the microphone I used to record this, while sitting in my car. Subscribe for Free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have each episode delivered right to your favorite podcast app as soon as it's available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You want to make your podcast sound great and you want everyone to be able to hear clearly but you’re struggling with how to get the volume on a track to be more consistent. Listen to discover four ways to do just that. Subscribe for free! Make sure you never miss an episode of 1,000 Podcasters. Subscribe for free to have episode delivered to your favorite podcast app as soon as it’s available. https://1000Podcasters.com Want to set up a consultation? Facebook: https://m.me/TopTierAudio Email: bryan@toptieraudio.com