Make Money Podcasting

Earlier this year, I set out to answer a simple question: can you reasonably record a podcast from your phone? As someone obsessed with gear and high-quality production, I assumed the answer would be no.But after some experimentation, I discovered that not only is it possible, but it can also be a game-changer for podcasters who want to create raw, behind-the-scenes content.Here's how I streamlined the process into a low-effort workflow anyone can replicate.Get this and every article at https://podcastadvent.org Want to start 2025 off on the right foot? What if you had an expert ready to give you the exact steps you need to take to get unstuck — in your podcast, your business, and your process? You can with the Unstuck Sessions. Get the most valuable part of my coaching at an incredibly affordable price. Get Unstuck Today. ★ Support this podcast ★

A few months ago I launched a free private podcast called Joe's Audio Notes. The episodes are very short (7 minutes or less), where I share my thoughts on being a solopreneur, a podcaster, a parent, and other thoughts related to being a productive member of society.I'm sharing 3 of the episodes here (which you can find in the chapter markers): Thinking About my Content StrategyHow do you pick the right idea?Battling the work hangoverIf you like it, I'd love for you to join! You can sign up for free here. (00:00) - Intro (01:22) - Thinking About my Content Strategy (07:00) - How do you pick the right idea? (12:42) - Battling the work hangover ★ Support this podcast ★

Today I'm I'm diving into a topic that helped my own show take off back in 2016—creating a great website for your podcast.I didn't realize it at the time, but my well-built podcast website played a massive role in growing my audience. Why? Because discoverability in podcasting is tough, and having a central hub—your own website—can give you a big edge.I'll cover exactly what every podcast website needs, from episode embeds and subscribe buttons to mailing list signups and easy navigation. And, I'll tell you about an incredible tool called Podcastpage.io that makes building your podcast's website a breeze, without needing to be a developer.Don't miss this episode if you're ready to level up your podcast's online presence. Hit subscribe, and if you want to try Podcastpage.io, use my code JOECASEBONA for 10% off!Watch my walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/q-SZnavCNwwDemo site: https://podcast-workflows.podcastpage.io/?v=w524 ★ Support this podcast ★

Are you leaving valuable listener feedback on the table? I've been thinking about that a lot lately, so today we'll talk about how to engage your audience, gather crucial feedback, and build a thriving podcast community — while making it as easy as possible. You can send your feedback to https://podcastworkflows.com/feedbackHere are the main takeaways: Ask for Feedback Early, Regularly, and Everywhere – The importance of actively seeking listener input through multiple channels like your mailing list, social media, and during your episodes. I shared tips on making it easy for listeners to give feedback, such as incorporating listener feedback segments.Build a Community Around Your Podcast – Creating a community is crucial for getting feedback, generating content ideas, and building trust. I discussed how podcasting doesn't have to be a lonely experience and why fostering a community can lead to better audience engagement and even monetization.Use Engagement Tools – I reviewed several tools to help facilitate listener feedback and community building, such as YouTube, Spotify, Ripple.fm, Circle, and Fan List. Each offers different features for community engagement, feedback collection, and potential monetization. (00:00) - Intro (01:28) - How to get more engagement from listeners (07:28) - Why you should build a community (13:32) - Tools for Engagement (23:32) - Wrapping Up ★ Support this podcast ★

Ever wonder how to make your podcast stand out in a sea of content? After a serendipitous conversation at Podcast Movement 2024, I uncovered a game-changing strategy that could revolutionize your approach. Spoiler alert: It involves segments.I'll break down why rethinking your podcast structure can make a big difference. We'll explore how segments can help you give more value to your audience, make your show more accessible, and even repurpose content more effectively. Plus, I'll share different segment ideas that work for both interview and solo episodes, ensuring you never run out of compelling content.Want more insights like this? Join my mailing list at https://podcastworkflows.comAnd check out my other podcast, https://streamlined.fm/Top TakeawaysImplement Segments in Your Podcast: To create a more engaging show, think about incorporating segments. Just like how late-night shows have defined parts, segmenting your podcast can make it more consumable and structured. You can dedicate parts of your episode to different topics or formats, such as opening monologues, interviews, and specific segments tailored to your audience's interests.Structure for Solo Episodes: If you're worried that solo episodes might become stale, develop a clear structure. For instance, discuss a main topic, then showcase an interesting tool related to that topic, and finish with an automation tip. This keeps the solo content engaging and valuable.Balancing Personal and Professional Content: For busy solopreneur parents, combining personal experiences with actionable business advice can create a relatable and impactful podcast. Consider dedicating a segment to how you manage parenting alongside your entrepreneurial duties. ★ Support this podcast ★

Do YOU feel like like you're spending too much time editing your podcast episodes?  If you're anything like the people on my email list and and people I met at Podcast Movement, you do. So today, let's talk about 3 things you can do to save time in the edit (one of these shouldn't surprise you). Check out Descript: https://go.podlift.me/descriptSend feedback to https://podcastworkflows.com/feedback (00:00) - Intro (01:24) - Hire an Editor! (06:26) - Take Good Notes (10:45) - Use Descript (17:33) - Wrapping up ★ Support this podcast ★

I'm back from Podcast Movement and as an extrovert who works by himself, from his house, I couldn't feel more energized after an incredible event.I'm still processing all the great sessions and conversations I had, but there are a few topics that have floated to the top.Here's what I'm thinking about most after the conference.Read the article and discuss here: https://podcastworkflows.com/what-im-thinking-about-after-podcast-movement/Join the mailing list: https://podcastworkflows.com/join (00:00) - Intro (00:20) - New Podcast Workflows Home Page! (01:45) - Segments for Shows (06:04) - More Avenues for Monetizing Streamlined Solopreneur (11:28) - Podcast Communities are a Must (16:13) - Wrapping Up ★ Support this podcast ★

As I get ready for Podcast Movement, I've been thinking about this podcast and how it's been somewhat of a hodgepodge of content. I want it to be a great resource for podcasters who are looking to save time — or spend it the right way. And while it's always been an experimenting ground for me, I fear I've turned it into Frankenstein's Monster. So today, I'm talking about 3 things I'm struggling with for this podcast — and how I plan to fix that Here are the quick hits:1. Redefining My Podcast's Mission StatementI realize my podcast has lacked a clear, cohesive mission statement. I want to better define who my podcast helps (solopreneur podcasters), what problem it solves for them (spending too much time on their podcast), and how it helps solve that problem (providing process improvements and tools to save 12+ hours per week).2. Resurrecting and Updating My Old Episode TopicsI am considering revisiting some of my older episode topics from the podcast's early days and refreshing them to better align with my current focus on podcast workflows and processes. However, I want to be selective to ensure the topics fit with my updated mission.3. Consolidating and Optimizing My YouTube PresenceI have multiple YouTube channels that I have used inconsistently for my WordPress and podcasting content over the years. I want to consolidate my podcast content onto my main, monetized "Joe Casabona" channel to simplify things and better train YouTube to recommend my videos.Show Notes3 Things to Get the Most Out of Podcast Movement 2024Ripple.fmPodcast Workflows on Ripple.fm   (00:00) - Intro (02:19) - Rediscovering my Mission Statement (10:20) - Resurrecting older topics (15:59) - Fixing my Terrible YouTube Situation (20:39) - Join me on Ripple.fm! ★ Support this podcast ★

Artie, host of The History Buff podcast, came to me looking for strategies to monetize and grow his show. Check out The History Buff here: here: https://www.thehistorybuff.co/Here are the main takeaways:Artie should leverage his experience as a tour guide to build credibility, but focus the podcast on his passion for discussing a wide range of historical topics rather than just his tour guiding.Start an email newsletter using a platform like Substack to capture interested listeners and potentially offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content like behind-the-scenes material or local tour "extras".Continue uploading to YouTube, but optimize the content for the platformWant your own live coaching call? Book here: https://joec.pro/public-coachingWant a podcast audit? Grab one here: https://podcastgrowthaudit.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Want to know how to create killer podcast content without spending all your time writing scripts? In this live coaching call, I sit down with Alex Standiford, host of the Partnership podcast and founder of Siren Affiliates, to tackle this common podcasting challenge head-on.We dive deep into strategies for generating fresh content ideas, from repurposing blog posts, to, getting feedback, and targeting specific niches. I also share my [not so] secret weapon for conducting captivating interviews using a three-act story structure that keeps listeners hooked.Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this coaching call is packed with actionable tips and insights to help you create engaging content more efficiently. Don't miss out on this value-packed discussion!Do you want some one-on-one time with me like this? You can book a Public Coaching Call here: https://joec.pro/public-coachingTakeawaysConsider using a fat outline for podcast episodes, combining scripted elements with ad-libbing for a more natural delivery.Repurpose blog posts as podcast episodes to save time on content generation.Incorporate case studies and interviews to provide valuable insights and engage with listeners.Create niche-focused episodes to cater to specific audiencesLeverage LinkedIn for audience engagementStructure interviews with a setup, conflict, and resolutionKeep interviews focused and actionable ★ Support this podcast ★

In preparation for a recent vacation, I recorded and wrote a bunch of content to schedule in my absence.Today, I want to share with you how I churned out 9+ pieces of content over the course of 4.5 hours.For more content like this, join my mailing list: https://podcastworkflows.com/joinHere's the output:3 YouTube videos3 podcast episodes from those videos1 blog posts1 live stream1 short form videoAudio of live stream republished to a podcast feedAnd here are the tools I used:Ecamm LiveElgato PrompterLogic ProScreenflowiZotope RXCapsho / CastmagicTransistor / RSS.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Podcast Movement is the biggest industry podcast (at least in the USA), and nearly every recognizable name in podcasting will be there. It's also a great place to meet fellow podcasters — it's one of the best networking opportunities. If you're going, or thinking about going, there are a few ways to make the most of your experience. And that's what today's "3 Things in Podcasting" covers! If you're going to be there, let me know!  (00:00) - - Intro (03:38) - - Find Podcasters to Collaborate With (06:26) - - Find brands and companies to partner with (11:28) - - Find ONE way to improve your podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

If you've been listening to podcasts for a long time, the idea of show notes is intuitive. It's the text that accompanies a podcast episode. It usually has some description about the episode and links mentioned in the episode.This is CRUCIAL real estate for you to convert listeners into a more engaged audience. So today, we'll discuss what are show notes, why you need them, and how to format them. To learn more, and save 12+ hours per week on your podcast, join my FREE mailing list at https://podcastworkflows.com/joinMain Takeaways: The main function of show notes is twofold: get people to listen to your episodes, and make it easy for listeners to find the resources you mention during the showYour format matters! You should provide a great description, a primary CTA, takeaways, and resources, in that order. That way you hook listeners and keep them reading. You must create a frictionless experience. It's hard enough to get listeners to take action. Any additional steps make it that much harder, so meet them where they are: in the app they're listening. Show Notes! What Are Show Notes (and do you need them)?More Thoughts on Why You Need Detailed Show Notes (00:00) - - Intro (01:45) - - What are show notes? (04:03) - - Why you should have show notes (07:12) - - How You Can Do Show Notes (09:34) - - Formatting Show Notes (11:20) - - Do you need show notes? (13:00) - - Answering Feedback (15:19) - - You must create a frictionless experience ★ Support this podcast ★

In a shift in focus for 3 Things in Podcasting, I'm going to look at industry news and try to align it with a trend so that you can better improve (and optimize) your podcast processes. There's been a lot in the news lately about stats and YouTube, and video podcasting in general — so that's what we'll look at today: how you should approach video for your podcast. LinksI'm seeing YouTube Music appear in my podcast host stats. Why?How do YouTube stats work for podcasters?Podcast hosting company changes (00:00) - - Intro (02:28) - - Switching Podcast Hosts (08:37) - - Podcasters who use Video (13:21) - - How You Should Approach YouTube for Your Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

As I was watching the movie Se7en, I had a very strange thought: are your bad podcasting habits leading you down a path of (podcast) destruction? The movie is about the Seven Deadly Sins of the soul...but it got me thinking about how they might apply to podcasting. What “podcasting sins” are so great that they'll lead to podfade (the unceremonious death of a podcast).How do the Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride) translate to the world of podcasting. Let's take a look. Want to read the entire article, and join the free mailing list? Head over to https://podcastworkflows.com/sins (00:00) - Intro (02:25) - Lust: Chasing Fads (08:37) - Gluttony: A Show for Everyone (12:45) - Greed: Revenue Above Audience (17:12) - Sloth: Not Editing Your Podcast (24:26) - Wrath: Controversy for Clicks (29:11) - Envy: Chasing Downloads (33:45) - Pride: Doing Everything Yourself (39:08) - You got this! ★ Support this podcast ★

Top story for me this week is schools in NYC replacing the bell with 60 second podcast episodes! "ABF Creative, the award-winning producer of Kids & Family podcasts, is proud to announce its innovative 'Mini Pods' initiative in partnership with education technology company SonarCloud. This initiative replaces traditional school bells with 60-second educational podcasts, currently in over 120 New York City public schools, with plans to expand to Chicago and Los Angeles in the upcoming school year."Plus, how to do an interview podcast while also establishing your authority, and the Seven Deadly Sins of podcasting. Want to save 12+ per week with your podcast? Sign up for my free newsletter: https://podcastworkflows.com/join Show NotesMini Pods educational podcasts drive funding for classroomsHow to Showcase Expert Guests Without Sacrificing Your AuthorityThe Seven Deadly Sins of Podcasting (00:00) - Intro (01:24) - NYC School Replace bells with podcasts (06:24) - How to do interviews and establish authority (12:34) - The Seven Deadly Sins of Podcasting ★ Support this podcast ★

Have you ever been in a situation where someone wants something from you, but they won't come out and ask for it? They'll hint at it, tip toe around the issue, or just hope you figure it out based on the look they give you. My kids do that all the time. A common problem I hear among podcasters is “no one shares the show/leaves reviews/sends in feedback.” I always ask the same follow up: “Are you asking for it?” It's the same lesson I give my kids. Don't ask don't get.That's why today, we're going to look at the best way to ask (and enable) your audience for feedback. Want more content like this?  The best way to do it is to subscribe to my free newsletter over at https://podcastworkflows.com/join Top Takeaways: Ask early. That's early in the episode, and earlier than you need the feedback. You want to maximize the amount of times your audience hears the ask so they take action. Ask often. Repeat your ask multiple times throughout an episode. It might feel like too much, but trust me, it's not. Ask everywhere. Don't just ask on your podcast. Ask you mailing list, your social media following, and any other place you have an audience. Make it easy. Set up an easy to remember URL, and check everywhere you ask! Read the article here ★ Support this podcast ★

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant changes in the podcasting world? You're not alone. With new tools and trends emerging every day, it can be challenging to keep your workflow streamlined and your audience engaged. That's why I do 3 Things in Podcasting — and this week was uncharacteristically busy following a holiday. Here are the links: YouTube's Growth As A Podcast Power Player Revealed What Gear, Software & Setups Do (500+) Podcasters Use in 2024? Announcing The 2024 Ear Worthy Indie Podcast AwardsComments on Podcasts Gives Creators and Listeners More Ways To EngageFirst, we'll take a look at a survey of podcasting gear and software. Then we'll shine a spotlight on the inaugural Ear Worthy Indie Podcast Awards, a celebration of the unsung heroes of the podcasting world.Finally, we'll look at Spotify's game-changing move to introduce comments on podcast episodes. Imagine the possibilities of fostering a deeper connection with your audience and receiving invaluable feedback in real-time. Explore the potential implications of this newfound interactivity and discover how you can leverage it to take your podcast to new heights. (00:00) - Intro (00:35) - Youtube #1 Listening App? (03:17) - The Blue Yeti is the Most Popular Podcast Mic (12:26) - First Annual Ear Worthy Independent Podcast Awards (15:16) - Spotify added Comments to Podcasts (19:41) - That's It! ★ Support this podcast ★

Does it feel like your podcast isn't growing no matter what you do? You're busting your butt trying to grow your podcast. You're creating good content, promoting it on social media, asking your guests to share, and telling anyone who will listen about it. But nothing seems to be working.What if you could make a few small changes and see an increase in your listenership? I'm not talking a huge shift in your content, hiring a team, or putting tons of time and money into ads. Those things CAN help — but only if you already have a good foundation to attract the right listeners to your podcast.What I'm talking about is the fundamentals. That's what we'll talk about today. Get your own podcast audit at podcastgrowthaudit.comLinksYour Podcast Needs a Mission StatementWant to Increase Podcast Downloads? Change Your Tagline!The most and least crowded podcast categories Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Should my podcast have seasons? It's a common question, and honestly, I think there's a lot more nuance than people realize. That's certain true of me...at least until the last time I was asked.  My answer was “yes, probably.” There are a lot of reasons to have seasons. However, a friend of mine, Doc Rock, has a more tempered answer. He said that seasons should serve a purpose.That's when I realized he and I were using the term “Season” differently. While Doc was differentiating between seasons and breaks, I was not.Let's take a look at when seasons make sense, the difference between seasons and breaks, and the importance of planning for the long-term success of your podcast.Read the full article here Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

We're diving into the art of repurposing content with the "sawdust" approach, exploring the New York Times' bold move to put many of its podcasts behind a paywall, and dissecting the key reasons why podcasts fail. Whether you're looking to maximize your content's potential, understand industry shifts, or avoid common pitfalls, this episode has got you covered. Let's get started!Shadow Clock Zoomed-In Moment | "For the Love of Baseball"New York Times to Move Podcasts Behind PaywallWhy Podcasts Fail (00:00) - Intro (00:21) - Creating Sawdust from Your Content (04:24) - NYTimes to Paywall Podcasts (09:19) - Why Podcasts Fail (14:44) - That's It! Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

It's another Q&A Episode! I gather some question from listeners, particularly focusing on the length and frequency of episodes, content creation, and branding. I tackle:Episode Length: There is no ideal length for a podcast episode; it should be as long as necessary to adequately cover the topic. Short, complete episodes are better than long, rambling ones.Content Creation: Confidence in having enough content comes from choosing a topic within your expertise. Answering one question per episode can help maintain focus and provide valuable content.Frequency: For new podcasters, weekly episodes are ideal, but bi-weekly can also work. Monthly episodes are not recommended unless the podcaster already has a large audience.Branding: A branded podcast should be hosted on the brand's website to leverage SEO benefits. However, the podcast name should be something people are searching for, rather than the brand name itself.Sponsorship: For branded podcasts, it's advisable to avoid competitor sponsorships. Initially, focus on driving traffic to the brand rather than seeking sponsors.Want to submit a question? Fill out the Feedback Form (00:00) - Welcome! (01:42) - Finding enough to talk about (05:28) - Integrating the podcast with your brand (11:36) - How often should you publish episodes? (14:09) - How long should episodes be? (15:29) - Wrapping up Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

3 Things in Podcasting for June 21st, 2024: Libsyn Adds YouTube API SupportLibsyn has integrated with YouTube's new podcast API, allowing creators to easily publish video versions of their podcasts directly to YouTube. This is a major development for video podcasters.When to Start Monetizing Your PodcastContrary to popular belief, you don't need massive download numbers to monetize a podcast. I argue that you should plan for monetization before even launching, through methods like sponsorships, product sales, affiliates, or memberships - don't just rely on CPM advertising.Advice on Podcast Trailer SwapsI share great tips from Kieran McRae on creating effective 30-60 second podcast trailers for swapping with other shows to cross-promote audiences.Libsyn adds YouTube video support if you're in it to just make money don't do it.Kieran MacRae (@KieranMacRae) on XJoin the mailing list Write in and give feedback (00:00) - Introduction (00:24) - Libsyn Adds YouTube API Support (03:36) - When Should You Think About Making Money with Your Podcast? (09:35) - Grow Your Podcast with Trailer Swaps (13:19) - That's It Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

It's another 3 Things in Podcasting! In today's episode, I cover: Sounds Profitable's Ad Nauseum report - I share my biggest takeaways and insights from this fascinating deep dive into how people listen to podcast ads and what we can do to improve them.RSS.com and Transistor.fm's new Podroll feature - Discover how this cool community feature makes podcast discovery easier and why I hope to see more hosts and apps support it.The debate: Should podcasts only be listened to at 1X speed? - I weigh in on this hot take and share my thoughts on how listening speed affects content consumption.1. Sounds Profitable Ad Nauseam Report2. RSS.com and Transistor add Podroll: - What is Podroll?- RSS.com's announcement |  Transistor's announcement3. Should you listen to podcasts on more than 1x?  (00:00) - Intro (00:58) - Sounds Profitable Ad Nauseam Report (17:15) - RSS.com and Transistor add Podroll (20:53) - Should you listen to podcasts on more than 1x? Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I'm trying a new series on this channel where I cover 3 things in podcast from the past week. Let me know on Twitter (@jcasabona) or via email (joe@casabona.org) what you think! 3 things Danny Brown would do different if starting a podcast today. Neil Veglio's take on Spotify for Podcasters Riverside's VideoDub Bonus: RSS.com rolls out LIT Chapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:32 Three Things I'd Do Differently If I Started Podcasting Today05:20 Neil Veglio's Take on Spotify for Podcasters10:53 Riverside's New Video Dub Feature13:06 Honorable Mention: Live Podcasting with rss.com Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

It's time for a live coaching call! Today, I'm sitting down with Joseph and Kelsey from Greater Than Zero Percent, a podcast dedicated to sharing the incredible stories of nonprofits around the world.They're struggling with gaining engaged listeners, so that's primarily what we focus on. Want to book your own coaching call? - Go here to do a live one like Joseph and Kelsey: https://calendly.com/jcasabona/podcast-consultation-live- Go here if you want to keep the call private: https://calendly.com/jcasabona/podcast-coachingWe're diving deep into tips for podcast positioning, creating valuable social content, boosting engagement  through a newsletter, and converting those clicks into real business opportunities! We also explore how to front-load interviews with impactful content — looking at the best way to hook, and keep, new listeners. If you feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to grow your show, this coaching call could be hugely helpful!   Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I wouldn't call myself an avid Jurassic Park fan. I was a little shy of 8 when it came out, and being a young boy I did enjoy dinosaurs…and man did those dinosaurs look real at the time.There are a few scenes I remember vividly from the movie. One is the scene where they're in the car, the water rippling as the T-Rex approaches. The other is a commonly memed (is that right?) scene of Jeff Goldblum's character, Dr. Ian Malcom, saying this:“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could…they didn't stop to think if they should.”What does this have to do with podcast ads? Today, I'm exploring if I was so preoccupied with whether or not I could use Dynamic Ads, I never stopped to think if I should. Show NotesRead the ArticleSubmit feedback Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

When I came up with the idea for Podcast Workflows — nearly a year ago at CEX 2023 — one of the aspects of the site was to have a “Tools” page — something that could showcase the tools used in the deep dives I was doing.But I didn't want to rush it. I wanted to focus on the content and see where the site went. Well, I'm happy to announce that the Tools Guide is finally live! Show NotesCheck out the GuideRead the announcementSubmit feedbackSwitchyKadence Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

One of my favorite scenes from Scrubs happens in Season 3, Episode 1. Sarah Chalke's character, Dr. Elliot Reid, is sitting on her bed, reflecting on the fact that she gets walked all over at work — and she decides to do something about it. With Tom Petty's American Girl playing, she wrecks her room. She changes her look. She goes back to the hospital much more confident and as a result, she's much more respected.The confidence in her appearance matched the confidence she wanted to convey to her colleagues and patients.I hate my podcast artwork.I think a lot has changed in the space since my show launched —so I decided to explore what makes good podcast artwork in 2024. Read the full article here Join the mailing listBecome a member Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

A family walks into a talent agency, and says, “Have we got the act for you…”If you're familiar with this opening to a joke, you may have had a visceral reaction to it — either you think it's hysterically funny, shamefully disgusting, or both. It's the opening to the joke, The Aristocrats, and if you have a weak stomach, I don't suggest you look it up.See, the point of this joke isn't actually the punchline, which is right in the title. The point is to see how long you can improv a shocking, disgusting, offensive story.You can think about it as a secret handshake among comedians, that became not so secret after a 2005 documentary came out about it.It going me thinking about the importance of telling a story.This week, I got to speak to my friend Nick Benson's college classes about Digital Storytelling.Don't worry, I didn't tell The Aristocrats.Instead, I spoke to them about why storytelling is so important in any content you create, especially podcasting.Read the article here: https://podcastworkflows.com/podcast-storytelling/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Spotify has made a couple of big announcements this month. First, their second-biggest show, Call Her Daddy, ended exclusively rights. While the show will still be a Spotify show, it will be widely distributed (though video will still be exclusive to Spotify).Then, the following weekend, the same thing is happened with The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE). It will soon be available on other platforms, after being completely exclusive to Spotify for the past 3+ years.JRE's renewal was also apparently a massive deal monetarily. It's got me thinking a lot about podcasting and what's in store for us. Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

As I write this, I feel stuck between two idioms. The first is, “Shoot for the moon, and you'll land among the stars.”The second is, “he's always swinging for the fences.”The former has a positive connotation. If you aim high, even if you fall short, you'll still do something great. The latter can be negative. You're constantly trying to hit a home run (and striking out) when a single will do.Last year I was pretty set on doing a daily podcast. I loved the idea of combining that with a mini podcast to create a fantastic back catalog of podcasting tips for anyone at any stage of podcasting.It also allowed me to experiment and really understand what goes into creating a daily show.The short: it's a lot of work. I'm going to share everything I learned with you. Then you can decide if I was shooting for the moon to land among the stars, or swinging for the fences and striking out.Read the full article here Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Back when I started my podcast, if I wanted clear, uncompressed audio that didn't have that random robot voice you'd get from an unstable connection, I'd need to do a few things: Use Skype + eCamm Recorder (RIP) to record my audio cleanly. Send my guest clear instructions on how to record their audio with either Quicktime on the Mac, or Voice Recorder on Windows. Walk through the process with my guest to make sure they're getting clean audio (that is, audio with no echo). Still record a backup, just in case. Give my guests a place where they could upload the audio. Painstakingly sync the audio when I combined them in GarageBand or Audacity. Things are different now. Now, we have Riverside.Check out the full article here. Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

 At the beginning of 2023, it seemed that the maxim “repurpose your content” reached a fever pitch. More agencies are offering repurpose services, and we see lots more people posting the same content across multiple platforms. More people (myself included) are keeping video on for their podcasts to create clips from podcasts. With AI tools, that became easy. Feed one format into an AI and it spits out a different format.  Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

On my wedding day, I was standing inside the church, in front of the altar, welcoming the 200+ guests we had invited as they came in and found their seats.My friend Alex came up to me at some point at said, “Joey — you look so calm and comfortable. On my wedding day, I was a nervous mess.”It's true. I was feeling great on my wedding day; I didn't feel those nerves because I was used to being in front of people, and unlike some talks I gave, this was a friendly audience, ready to help us celebrate.That experience reminds me of a question I got while speaking at a conference back in 2019: “How do you get more comfortable speaking into the microphone.” I loved it because while I often focus on the technical aspects of creating a podcast, there can be a real issue with getting comfortable recording, especially if you're doing a solo show. So my answer: get your reps in.Read the full story here: https://podcastworkflows.com/how-to-get-more-comfortable-behind-the-mic/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Upgrade is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to for Apple and tech industry news. I think they have some of the most measured takes and don't fall victim to hyperbole.One interesting thing about Upgrade and many (if not all) of the shows on that podcast network, Relay.fm, is that the hosts don't see each other. They keep the video off, even for them.Read the full story here: https://podcastworkflows.com/upgrades-short-form-strategy-is-worth-trying/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

One thing that's as sure as the sunrise during the Christmas season is that kids and adults alike will look at the gifts under their tree and wonder what's inside. They'll stare at the box, hoping to find the answer without opening it.Before the gifts are open, they can be anything. It's left up to our imagination.Podcast stats can feel a lot like that sometimes. That's why today's helpful podcaster tool is Voxalyze. I like to call it the Google Analytics of Podcasting.Read the full story here: https://podcastworkflows.com/voxalyze/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

There's a reason that movies have teaser trailers. That TV shows have short “hits.” “Tonight, on a very special Blossom,” came from somewhere.They are designed to create buzz, and entice viewers to go and watch the entire movie or episode when it comes out. And while they are a tried and true method for TV and movies, do they…or something analogous…work for podcasts?Read the Entire Article HereSubscribe to Podcast Advent Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Anyone can make a podcast, right? Just pull up a microphone, hit record, then publish it out to the world. While it can be that easy, it's not always that straightforward, particularly if you're looking to use your podcast as a source of revenue. If you're not considering who you want to reach and what would actually help them, you're just a person on a mic shouting into the void. With just a little attention to your intentions, you won't just have a tuned-in, active audience, but you'll also have an easy pitch for sponsors and affiliates.Read the full article hereSign up for Podcast Advent Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

A recent favorite podcast of mine is American History Tellers from Wondery. After finding History Daily back in April, I followed host Lindsay Graham's work more closely — I was already a fan of him from American Elections: Wicked Game and 1865. One of the great things History Daily does is a “Saturday Matinee” episode, where they publish a full episode of another podcast. And in October of this year, he used that slot to promote the latest American History Tellers series on the Salem Witch Trials.But while I strongly recommend podcast swaps, that's not the workflow recommendation I have.Read the full article hereSign up for Podcast Advent Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Batman's utility belt. The Doctor's Screwdriver from Doctor Who. Tommy Pickles' toy Screwdriver1. These things could get our heroes out of whatever pinch they found themselves in.They were a tool for any occasion. And that's what Descript is for Podcasters.Read the full article hereSign up for Podcast Advent Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I am one of the unholy people who commits the seasonal crime of listening to Christmas music too early. I get the itch around early November, but exercise restraint until a week before Thanksgiving.Every year, I set aside some time to review and update both of my lists: the family-friendly one, and my personal list — a combination of classics and slightly more vulgar songs from my youth. This year, I came to a realization…Read the full article here*Sign up to have Podcast Advent delivered to your inbox* Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I actually think there are two misconceptions here. The first is we have shorter attention spans. TikTok increased its video length to 10 minutes, and the sweet spot for YouTube appears to be 12-20 minutes. People's attention spans are short when they don't care about the content. But when it's good content, we can capture their attention.And Podcasters can absolutely leverage short-form content, with just a little extra effort. They can keep the camera on while they record their podcast, and with some planning, make clear, succinct points to the camera…then repurpose those clips on social. OR after they record an episode,  they can recap it in short form video OR audio.Plus, episodes can be less than 5 minutes — and daily short podcasts are increasing in popularity. Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I had a rough weekend a while back, my friends. One Thursday I started to feel sick with the plague my children brought home from school. And I thought I had successfully avoided it.Still, I was feeling well enough to write scripts for one of my solo episodes before resting up. I figured I'd record it on Saturday...after I did rest.And I did. But it was a disaster. I was rambling, coughing, getting winded, and stopping...a lot. It was not quality content.I could have just released that, knowing I had an arbitrary deadline of Monday at 2am ET. But episodes like this —long, no single focus, hard to find a clear story — needed to be tight and helpful. This was not.So I decided to take Sunday and rest some more, hoping Monday would see me with more energy and stamina.Which it did! I re-recorded the entire episode and released it later than usual...but in much better shape.You don't always need to hit your arbitrary deadlines. And while most of this show is dedicated to helping you build a system to not be in the same position I was…well, sometimes it doesn't work out.When that happens, it's better to take a moment and prioritize quality content over a deadline most people won't notice you missed. Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

One of my least favorite things in the whole world is traffic. Mostly because traffic without a big causal event (like an accident, or road work) has always been super confusion to me. It seems like there no traffic, then traffic for NO reason, then all of a sudden it's gone. But the truth is, traffic is usually not due to one big event. It's a bunch of little things that add up to one big bottleneck. Your podcast process can be similar. Here's how to prevent the bottleneck.  Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I'm a huge Friends fan. Like...watch the whole series multiple times per year. Did you know they did something in Season 1 to grow their viewership 25%? Season 1, Episode 16 was called, “The One with Two Parts, Part 1,” it was the first of a crossover event with two other NBC shows.Before landing the role of Phoebe on Friends, Lisa Kudrow was a waitress named Ursula on NBC's hit show Mad About You, also set in NYC. The show wrote them as twin sisters, and Ursula was introduced to the Friends audience in Episode 16 when Joey started dating her. Helen Hunt and Leila Kenzle, who played the main characters on Mad About You, also make an appearance, mistaking Phoebe for Ursula at Central Perk, a common hangout in Friends.But it doesn't stop there. At the end of Episode 16, Rachel falls and hurts her ankle. Episode 17 opens with her and Monica at the Hospital, where they meet two young doctors, played by George Clooney and Noah Wyle, the stars of ER. The results of that cross-over event? The most-viewed episode before that arc had 26M views and guest-starred Morgan Fairchild as Chandler's mom. After that, the average viewership was 29.8M per episode. What can podcasters learn from this? Get in front of other people's audiences. The Friends team knew that pulling in Mad About You and ER cast would bring the fans. After all – they were similar shows (daily lives of young people in big cities), at similar times, on the same network. You can replicate this strategy 2 ways: Going on other people's podcasts as a guest Doing podcast swaps, where you and another podcast plug each other shows I did each of these and grew my own show from 33,000 monthly downloads to 72,000 monthly downloads in 10 months. Not bad, right? Now it's your turn. Write back and let me know: what are 2-3 podcasts you can work with on a podcast swap? Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I want you to think about the times you make introductions to people. Maybe you're introducing a coworker to your spouse, or a friend from one area of your life to a friend in another area of your life. You likely say something like, “Bob, this is Jean. Jean, Bob. Bob is one of the best copywriters I know! And Jean is fantastic at graphic design.”What you don't do is say, “Bob, Jean. Jean. Bob. Now tell each other what you do,” because they'd both be caught off-guard. If you ask me, “What is the worst question podcasters commonly ask their guests,” you'll get one, unequivocal answer from me:So tell us who you are and what you do.And while I've spoken about [why podcasters shouldn't ask that question], if you go on podcasts, chances are you're getting it.So how, as a podcast guest, do you turn that into a way to stand out?Let's start with what not to do first. Perhaps the worst answer you can give is a rehash of your bio. It's likely that the host already told people who you are, reading a provided bio or recording an intro after your interview. Plus, people can just read your bio. Instead, what you want to do is deliver value right out of the gate. What I try to do is tell a story that clearly illustrates how I help people — which means I need to know the topic and audience ahead of time. If we're talking about podcast sponsorship, I'm telling people about how podcasting saved my business. If we're talking about workflows, I'm telling people how I knew something needed to change when I completely burned out in 2020. This does a couple of things: It helps people learn a little bit more about me without me just rereading my bio. It makes people emotionally invested in my story. The people I help can empathize with stories I tell. It illustrates the kind of transformation I can do for them. So how can you do this? The answer is tell a story. I write [all about digital storytelling here]. Your goal is to tell a story of transformation, make the listener the hero, and position yourself as the guide. You want to communicate to the listener that: I see you I've been where you were I know the way out I can help you Why does this matter? Because a great podcast interview can do a lot of things for you. It can grow your authority. It can get people onto your mailing list and reach new clients. It can be a gold mine for creating your own content. But a bad one is basically just wasted time. It won't be good for the podcast, and it won't be good for you. But if you start strong, win over the audience early, and steer the conversation in the direction you need it to go in, it can be a huge boon for you in both the short- and long term. Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Let's talk about memberships….specifically the platforms. In the last few years, setting up a membership has gone from “hire a developer to build a custom site” to “I barely need a dedicated website anymore.” So let's look at a few options that are good for podcast memberships.  Memberful. They are really trying to corner the market on podcast memberships, and they're doing a good job. Rich features, lots of integrations, and is free to start. The only drawback in my eyes is the price: $0 + 10% transaction fee or $25/mo + 4.9% transaction fee. Both transaction fees are higher than you should pay.  Patreon, on the other hand, pretty much only charges you if you make money. They are also the first major membership platform for creators and have added lots of great features, including private podcast feeds.  LemonSqueezy  +  Transistor.fm : This one takes a little bit of duct tape to work perfectly, but since you can sell subscriptions (and a members-only newsletter) with LemonSqueezy, you can use a tool like Zapier or Make to connect those purchases to a podcast host that supports private podcasts, like Transistor. When someone purchases via LemonSqueezy, you can have Zapier create a private subscriber.  ConvertKit has ConvertKit Commerce, but if you're considering this route, be aware: it's only really good for a premium newsletter. One of the many WordPress membership plugins. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention WordPress…but to be honest, I wouldn't recommend starting with it. If you'd like to see an in-depth comparison,  my friend Chris did one.  Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

Membership…that is, charging a listener monthly for bonus content…is a great way to make money with your podcast. But you need to be cautious. It's tempting to offer a TON of bonuses to make the membership seem more valuable.But what if no one…or even worse…ONE person…signed up. If one person signs up, you're on the hook for all of those extras.Instead, take this approach:First, test the waters. Ask your mailing list or listeners what they want to see more of. Don't ask them if they would pay (most people will say yes to theoretical spending). Just ask what they want to see more of. Guage response. If no one responds, focus on building your audience first. But if a good number of people respond, it's time to start thinking about your perks.Start with low-hanging fruit. I like to call those things low effort, high reward. In my membership, it's an extra 10-minute conversation with my guests that's for members only. It's removing ads. It's an extra video or episode. These are raw, but they are behind-the-scenes looks that only they get. Come up with 2-3 of these perks that won't take you a TON of time. Then email the people who responded with a special price. If you want to price it at $6/mo, offer it to them at $5/mo for a limited time. Tell them you'll even extend it to friends and coworkers. See how many people buy in. Then announce it to the world — your mailing list, on your podcast, on social media. And make sure you deliver. Low effort and high reward perks make it easier for you to do that.  Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Aaron Eckhart's version of Harvey Dent said that in Christopher Nolan's penultimate Batman film, The Dark Knight.Since its release in 2008, that quote has been referenced and misappropriated to fit situations because, let's be honest, it's a cool quote.Well, you can add another reference to the pile because it's the first quote that came to mind when I thought about prolific podcaster Matt Medeiros: “You either podfade or you podcast long enough to try every format.”Matt has certainly been around the block. He had perhaps the first popular WordPress business podcast, The Matt Report. He has a short-form news podcast called The WP Minute. Finally, he has a locally focused podcast, We Are Here, celebrating businesses from South Coast, MA.And now he hosts Breakdown, a podcast by the popular forms plugin, Gravity Forms, for Gravity Forms users and web builders.Even though podcasting has been around for a while, most brands are just now coming around to their importance as part of a greater content strategy.I wanted to capture Breakdown's story as it's starting. It's easy to say after it's worked that it was the right decision. We're still at the point where Matt and the Gravity Forms team are experimenting. And that's a great thing for brands and podcasters alike to see.IN THIS EPISODE No matter how many downloads your podcast gets, it can be an integral part of your overall content strategy. Create case studies from interviews you publish on your podcast — whether you're a brand or a solopreneur. Be open to experiments. You never know what will resonate with your audience. Read the full article here: https://podcastworkflows.com/branded-podcast-case-study/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★

I've decided –  with a push from my new video editor, Zach – to create short-form videos for episodes. This required me to do a couple of things.The first is actually recording video. I've toyed with this in the past, and with other podcasts, but I've never done it consistently for How I Built It.Part of it was that I never thought straight interviews were compelling videos. But the other part was I didn't think the effort for short form was worth it.It still might not be. But now I'm willing to try. More on that in a minute.The other thing I needed to do was update my guest notes. I made it pretty clear in the notes that it was an audio-only podcast – so I updated that to say “Video will be recorded, but only for social media.”This wasn't crucial, but courteous, as some folks want to make sure they're camera-ready.So what's my strategy?Right now, I'm mostly testing. I'll post 3-4 videos per week on TikTok, X (neé Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube Shorts and see what happens.I also made a discovery about TikTok as it relates to podcasting. I've added a new video for members of the Foundry and will be more open about my experiments there.For now, I'd love to know if you have a short-form video strategy. If so, respond to this email and let me know! Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★