The Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting

Interview podcasts are a dime a dozen these days which means it's more important than ever for yours to stand out above the rest. Though it might be the least sexiest part, your interview prep is the thing that will most define your success or failure. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we're continuing our series on interview podcasts with a discussion about your preparation. I'll explain why your interview prep is important, what things you should focus on to get it done not just well but efficiently, and how you can get your guest's guard down to get better answers for your podcast.

As you begin to think about creating a podcast for yourself or your business, you need to figure out what style you want your podcast to have. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we're going to be discussing why an interview podcast should be on your radar. Join host Matthew Stevens as he takes a look at what an interview podcast entails, the benefits of having one, and the unique challenges you'll likely face along the way. If you're contemplating starting an interview podcast, this is a must-listen episode to learn what's needed to make it great.

It's that time of the year again . . . The new Infinite Dial report has come out, providing insight on how the podcast industry is moving. On this bonus episode of the Podcast Industry Experts, hosts John and Matt take you through the highlights of the Infinite Dial 2022 report. Matt and John look at important metrics that can help you as a podcaster. From what social media apps are most popular and the lack of emergence in social audio to how the pandemic continues to impact where and when people listen to podcasts. This episode will give you unique insights you can use on your podcast and in your marketing so you stay ahead of the curve.

Music is practically a necessity in podcasts these days. Listeners expect higher production value and one of the easier ways to improve the sound of your podcast is by incorporating royalty-free podcast music and sound effects. But where you get your music matters a great deal as a copyright strike can ruin your day or potentially even cost you serious money. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we're going to take a closer look at royalty-free podcast music -- from its importance to a list of reputable websites where you can find high-quality tracks that won't break your budget.

From independents podcasters looking to quit their day jobs to do this full time to brands wanting to offset their costs, podcast monetization is seemingly on everyone's mind right now. But is it actually right for everyone and where should you even start? That's what we'll be discussing on this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting. Join host Matthew Stevens as he discusses when you should begin thinking of podcast monetization and details a few of the best options available for both large and small podcasts alike. If you've been looking to make a few bucks from your podcast, this is the episode to listen to.

When writer's block hits, it hits hard and absolutely no one is immune to its effects. But did you know that writer's block can refer to a ton of different issues all with wildly different symptoms and solutions? That's precisely what we're talking about on this episode of Cover 2 Cover. Join host Isabelle Mongeau as she breaks down some different types of writer's block you'll likely come across and tips on how to overcome each of them. Whether you're a professional writer, an amateur, or you have to write anything ever; this is an episode you're surely going to want to listen to.

Everyone is searching for what I like to call the "golden brick road" in podcasting -- That single thing that, if done well, will guarantee you more listeners and a booming podcast. That's led podcasters to look for answers in all the wrong spots. On today's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, I'm going to give you the two main things that will truly give your podcast the best shot at success: great content and consistency. "If content is king, consistency is queen" is a phrase I've used often on this podcast and in discussions with our clients. Essentially, your podcast is nothing without great and engaging content that you deliver in a consistent way on a consistent schedule. Missing an episode or putting out a lackluster one because you were rushing is the quickest way to chip away at your audience and limit your growth as a podcaster. You should always be focused on making the best content humanly possible for every episode, so we turn our attention to the power of consistency in this episode with some useful tips that will help you become more consistent in everything you do.

Spotify continues to invest heavily in its podcast infrastructure, acquiring PodSights and Chartable most recently. It's a move that's sure to give Spotify a lot of relevant data, while boosting its ad network and the capabilities of both Anchor and Megaphone. But is that a good thing? On this month's episode of the Podcast Industry Experts, hosts John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take a look at what this deal means for the independent podcaster as well as the industry as a whole. Matt and John discuss the short- and long-term impact of third-party stat services getting acquired and what Spotify is likely really up to with these most recent acquisitions.

Every podcaster wants to sound like the pros, with that silky smooth voice and abundant confidence that pulls listeners into every minute of each episode. However, the veteran podcast hosts out there know it's easier said than done, especially for the new podcasters just starting out. It's time to level up your podcast hosting abilities with some tried-and-true techniques. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, I'm going to share some quick tips on how you can become a more expressive and entertaining podcast host. From speaking with confidence to emoting through your microphone and into your listeners' ears, we'll help you become a better podcaster.

Podcasting is still in the middle of its boom which means more listeners are listening to more podcasts. That also means more people are creating more podcasts too, making it harder for yours to be found. What that means is you cannot have a successful podcast without doing some podcast marketing. On this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, I discuss 7 free and paid podcast marketing options you can start doing right now to grow your audience. No matter if you have tons of money to spend but need results yesterday or you're flat broke, these podcast marketing strategies will give you a boost and give you a leg up on your competition.

"Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from" -- It's a great line isn't it? But is your podcast actually everywhere people can find it? Far too many podcasters aren't even on all the major platforms, leaving out a lot of potential listeners and making their podcast harder to find. If you want more downloads, more subscribers, and a bigger and better audience listening to your podcast, you'll want to be what we like to call "platform agnostic." Listen to this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting as we share the stats and facts behind podcast distribution.

Consistently creating and publishing a podcast can be really tough work at times. Creativity isn't always available when you need it most and burnout is a very real thing that can lead to a podfaded podcast. We here at Q'd Up Audio aren't about to let that happen, however. On this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we're talking all about replenishing your creativity and limiting burnout. We take you through a few tips that help us find our creativity and keep us moving forward so you can too.

Podcasting has boomed in recent years, becoming far more mainstream. That explosion in popularity might have you thinking about starting your own podcast. Whether you're just one person looking to talk about your passions or a Fortune-500 company toying with the idea of using podcasts for your internal communications or external marketing; starting a podcast could be a great decision. For those folks still on the fence, let's take a closer look at some of the main stats and reasons for starting a podcast on this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast On Podcasting.

Are you struggling with background noises, echoes, and poor vocals when you record your podcast? Want to learn how to fix those issues without breaking the bank or getting frustrated? Join us on this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting as we take you through the most common recording issues podcasters have, why they happen, and how you can fix it right now.

It's nearly the end of 2021, which means it's time to take a look at all the latest 2021 podcast stats to see how the medium has continued to evolve in the eyes of the public. The 2021 Spoken Word Audio Report was recently released by NPR and Edison Research, giving us some insight into how podcasting, audiobooks, and other spoken-word audio has grown and diversified. Join us on this episode of the Podcast Industry Experts as we take you through the Spoken Word Audio Report, analyze the findings, and make some pretty bold predictions about how things will continue to change in 2022.

Do you have a successful podcast? Are you not really sure if you do or not? While so many podcasters reflexively look at the number of downloads they have to determine their podcast's success, it's often not the thing they should be looking at. In order to figure out how successful your podcast is, you first have to figure out what your actual goal is.  On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, I look to reframe the idea that a podcast is successful only if it reaches a certain number of downloads. I also discuss some different types of podcast goals and how podcasters should be rethinking their own goals in order to find the right success for them.

Every podcaster wants to have the biggest audience possible for their podcast. But that doesn't mean you need to broaden your content in order to get there. In fact, not fearing the niche can be your biggest asset.  On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, I talk about why narrowing your content offerings can build fanatic audiences ready to gobble up everything you put out. I bring my years of experience in building content strategies that have resulted in millions of happy users, fanatic engagement on social media, and more ad revenue so you can make a better podcast that you're more passionate about too. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter)

We kick off the second season of the Podcast on Podcasting by first talking about starting a podcast. In my experience, there are two main personality types when it comes to planning and executing any creative vision -- those that plan and those that do. Though neither is better than the other, both have difficulties that will need to be overcome to produce the best podcast possible. Whether that's getting stuck planning every detail of your podcast but never actually getting in front of the mic or the polar opposite where you just record whatever comes out of your mouth without much thought, knowing what type of personality you have and the problems you're most likely going to deal with puts you in the driver's seat. Join me on this episode of the Podcast on Podcasting to better understand yourself and get your podcast up to snuff even faster.

Welcome to the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, the show where I teach you how to make better podcast content, sound better on the mic, and grow your podcast audience. Join me for just 10 minutes every other Wednesday as I provide actionable advice that will make your podcast better and set you up for podcasting success.

As podcasting continues to grow and attract new podcasters and listeners, it's important we're all speaking the same language. That means defining the key podcast terms everyone should know in 2021. On this bonus episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Matt talk to industry professionals to help us create the definitive guide to podcast terms. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/Izzys_ink_ (Izzy - Twitter) Izzy - Email Links from the show:https://twitter.com/evoterra (Evo Terra - Twitter) https://twitter.com/arithisandthat (Arielle Nissenblatt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee - Twitter) https://twitter.com/MrAsquith (Mark Asquith - Twitter) https://twitter.com/BryanBarletta (Bryan Barletta - Twitter) https://twitter.com/jsullivan47 (Dr. John Sullivan - Twitter) https://twitter.com/MeetJenAyres (Jennifer Ayres - Twitter)

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the last few years, especially during the pandemic. However, the industry still has some issues getting new podcasters and podcast listeners into the fold quickly and easily. It all starts with several key podcast terms that aren't nearly as clear as you might think. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we take a look at a bunch of important podcast terms, including a few that don't have just one definition. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/Izzys_ink_ (Izzy - Twitter) Izzy - Email Links from the show:https://twitter.com/evoterra (Evo Terra - Twitter) https://twitter.com/arithisandthat (Arielle Nissenblatt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee - Twitter) https://twitter.com/MrAsquith (Mark Asquith - Twitter) https://twitter.com/BryanBarletta (Bryan Barletta - Twitter) https://twitter.com/jsullivan47 (Dr. John Sullivan - Twitter) https://substack.com/profile/3803983-lauren-passell (Lauren Passell's Podcast The Newsletter)

September was a big month in podcasting as new services launched, new features were added to already-existing services, and podcasting continued to grow. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take a closer look at some of the latest podcast news, including some new releases and what they'll mean for independent podcasters. From the new features iOS 15 brings to Apple Podcasts and Captivate improving, to the IAB refreshing its taxonomy; September was a month to remember. Listen as John and Matt discuss September's podcast news: Apple Podcasts speeding along (2:31) You can now zip through a podcast at 1.25-times normal speed on Apple Podcasts, allowing people to listen to even more podcasts. But are you actually able to comprehend the information you're hearing at that speed? Matt and John wonder just how many people speed up their playback and how many of those users actually digested what they heard. Apple iCloud Private Relay (8:40) Among the new features Apple released with the latest version of iOS 15 was the iCloud Private Relay. Matt breaks down what that actually is and the guys discuss Bryan Barletta's closer look at the impact it could have on podcasting. IAB refreshes content taxonomy (13:21) As more money pours into podcasting and other forms of digital media, advertisers apparently want more granular options. The IAB -- the foundation that is helping to set the technical standards behind digital media and advertising -- refreshed its content taxonomy, breaking down news content into different subsections for contextual advertising while adding new categories that should help the medium. Captivate releases a new web player (17:54) Podcast hosting platform, Captivate, continues to elevate the podcast game. Among a new slate of features they're rolling out is a new web player. John and Matt break down all the changes and how they'll help independent podcasters who use the platform. Podcast management software (24:22) For podcasters that are struggling with the process of creating and publishing content consistently, PodMatch has your back with a new service. PodcastSOP is a new service that is hoping to make your life easier by creating task lists. John and Matt took a tour of PodcastSOP and give their thoughts on how useful it could be. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/Izzys_ink_ (Izzy - Twitter) Izzy - Email Links from the show:http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/apple-podcasts-adds-a-new-playback-speed-option/article_e25c9d58-1c8e-11ec-8844-f741424ccf76.html (Inside Radio) - Apple Podcasts adds a new playback speed option https://soundsprofitable.com/update/apple-private-relay-for-podcasting (Sounds Profitable) - A real-time look at Apple's Private Relay https://iabtechlab.com/press-releases/tech-lab-releases-content-taxonomy-3-0 (IAB Tech Lab) - IAB Tech Lab releases content taxonomy 3.0 https://www.captivate.fm/player-demo/ (Captivate )- Podcast player version 2.0 https://podcastsop.com/ (PodcastSOP)

It's another podcast news special as we close out the first year of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting. On this week's episode, Matt and John break down some recent podcast tech news, further pointing to the changing industry landscape and how it'll impact independent podcasters.  John and Matt kick off the show by flying high with Virgin Atlantic after they inked an exclusive deal to make the “Celebrity Catchup” podcast a part of its in-flight entertainment options. YouTube is launching its first original podcast, which could speak to Google's desire to become a bigger name in podcasting after Google Podcasts' poor beginnings. Finally, the guys break down some news that Apple Podcasts is aiming to improve podcasts discoverability with the iOS 15 release, but will it truly help or will it be taken over by podcasts with big marketing budgets? Listen as John and Matt discuss the latest podcast news: Podcasts on a plane (1:25) The folks on Virgin Atlantic flights will now be able to get podcasts while thousands of feet in the air. Virgin Atlantic has signed an exclusive deal with the “Celebrity Catch Up” podcast, formally adding podcasting to its in-flight entertainment. YouTube is getting into podcasting (9:25) Potentially marking their entry into the podcasting game, YouTube is launching their first original podcast, “The Upload The Rise of the Creator Economy.” John and Matt discuss what this could mean for YouTube and if this is Google's path to a larger marketshare in podcasting. Apple Podcasts getting key new features (25:33) With the update to iOS 15, Apple Podcasts will begin giving personalized recommendations. However, Matt and John wonder just how good the recommendations will be or if this will be a pay-to-play situation that caters to the biggest budgets over functionality. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/Izzys_ink_ (Izzy - Twitter) Izzy - Email Links from the show:https://podnews.net/press-release/virgin-atlantic-celeb-catch-up (Podnews - Virgin Atlantic signs exclusive deal with podcast Celebrity Catch Up) http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/for-the-first-time-youtube-won-t-just-distribute-a-podcast-it-will-create-one/article_9484082a-1705-11ec-807d-3fea5e4d6af5.html (Inside Radio - For the first time YouTube won't just distribute a podcast, it will create one) https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/20/ios-15-apple-podcasts-personalized-recommendations-listen-now-tab/ (9 to 5 Mac - iOS 15 adds personalized recommendations to ‘listen now' tab in podcasts)

You have a podcast emergency plan, right? If you don't have a plan of attack for when problems arise, you're tempting fate and it can be a cruel mistress. While you might not have needed a podcast emergency plan quite yet, every podcaster ends up in a situation where something comes up and they have no episode ready to go live. Whether you're sick, the power goes out, a guest goes missing at the last second, or you just get overwhelmed and forget your publish date; you're eventually going to be scrambling to publish your podcast but won't have an episode ready. So what do you do when a crisis arises and how do you prepare your audience? No worries, we've got your back with this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting. We'll cover the reasons you need a podcast emergency plan, how you should respond to the most common problems, and who needs to step up when things go wrong. Listen as John and Matt discuss podcast emergency plans: New podcast discovery app: Marbyl (1:06) Marbyl promises to be the next big thing in podcast discovery. Marbyl uses AI to find the relevant topics within your podcast, allowing users to more easily find the things they're interested in and, hopefully, your podcast along with it. But is it more marketing fluff than reality? Matt and John break down what Marbyl is saying and what they're hoping to see when the podcast discovery app launches in the fall of 2021. HotPod acquired by Vox Media (13:08) The HotPod newsletter is going mainstream after being bought out by Vox Media. Though it won't be going anywhere, writer Nick Quah will become the new podcast reviewer for Vulture. It's a deal that further points to podcasting becoming mainstream. Reasons to have a podcast emergency plan (18:21) You might not have a podcast emergency plan right now but there are plenty of reasons to create one right this minute. Matt and John discuss the various problems you could run into as a podcaster that require quick thinking and a plan of attack.  How you should respond to common podcast problems (20:17) For every problem, there's a solution. However, not every problem is equal, and not every issue has the same solution. Matt and John break down the most common problems podcasters are likely to experience and the few solutions they should take to still get a high-quality episode up in time. Who is responsible for what in your podcast emergency plan? (26:40) Whether you have a team like Q'd Up at your disposal or you're doing it all alone, you need to figure out who is responsible for each part of your podcast emergency plan. Why should your podcast team be the first call? Who tells the audience if an episode is going to be late or missing? How do you get your listeners to hang around for when your next episode does drop? We've got you covered. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/Izzys_ink_ (Izzy - Twitter) Izzy - Email Links from the show:https://www.marbylvoices.com/home (Marbyl - Website) http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/vox-media-buys-hot-pod/article_14d70186-0ff8-11ec-90f0-2b54e9deb11f.html (Inside Radio - Vox Media buys Hot Pod)

So you want to start a podcast. Whether you've always wanted to or it's a new interest, you know you need the best podcast equipment to record the high-quality show you're envisioning. But we also understand you don't necessarily want to break the bank if you don't have to either. Don't worry, John Luckenbaugh, the Head Audio Engineer and Owner of Q'd Up has got you covered with the 5 essential pieces of podcast equipment you need. Listen as John breaks down the podcasting equipment you need to get started: Headphones (2:16) Before you record anything, you have to be able to listen. John discusses the important role headphones play in your podcast equipment list and what he personally uses in-studio and on location. Podcast microphone (3:35) There are so many microphone options out there and with the price ranging from $30 to thousands, it feels like a daunting task to pick the right one for your podcast. John gives his thoughts on the Yeti mics so often seen on YouTube and a few options depending on your budget. Microphone cable (5:16) You need a way to get that new microphone plugged in to record, right!? John breaks down which type of cable you should be looking at and why it can have a pretty big impact on your final sound. Microphone stand (6:51) While you can hold the microphone with your hand, it can be a little tricky to get a consistently good recording that way. As your arms move, the microphone moves closer and further from your mouth. But do you really need to drop hundreds on a microphone stand? Not at all and John has two great options, depending on your budget and how you want to mount it. Audio interface / Recorder (7:45) We're finally ready to start recording but how do you capture that magic in the first place? You can either record it directly into a recording device or use an audio interface to connect it to your computer. John gives his two picks, including a great all-in-one option.

If you're a podcaster, chances are you have hosted or will be hosting an interview. While it may sound as simple as having a conversation and pressing record, there is a lot more to keep in mind to make sure your interview is engaging and doesn't flop.  What steps can you take then? On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, Isabelle Mongeau joins John and Matt to discuss how to pick a guest, the importance of the pre-interview process, creating engaging questions, how to successfully record the whole interview, and much much more.  Listen as Matt, John and Izzy discuss hosting an interview. Introduction (0:28) Catch up with Matt and John as they chat about some quick life updates.  Feel Connected Through Podcasting (1:12) One of the incredible things about the podcasting medium is the intimacy that it provides. Oftentimes, interview podcasting tends to be one of the more intimate forms of podcasting. Celebrity interview podcasts are popular now, but are not the only interview podcasts that are incredibly engaging. So how do you become a better interviewer?  Introducing Izzy (2:24) Q'd Up Team Member and Head of Script Writing, Isabelle Mongeau, joins Matt and John on this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting.  John, Matt and Izzy hit the ground running by discussing their pet peeves when it comes to podcast hosting. From interrupting and over-talking, to being unprepared, and editing the show poorly, the hosts share things they recommend avoiding when podcasting. Consider diving deep into your topics and making sure you are educated about your guest to avoid these pet peeves. Using visual cues to communicate non-verbally with your guest keeps engaging conversations without unnecessary “mm-hmms” and “uh-huhs.”  The Art of Entertaining (6:49) What keeps something entertaining? Izzy's short answer: stories. Tell the stories of your guest and let their story unfold through the interview process.  Simple tips for better interviews.  Choose a topic that you and your guests are interested in. This lets your passion shine through. The audience can sense this through your delivery.  Charisma. If your guest has charisma, the audience will likely be more interested. Some people interview better than others, and understanding that is important.  Be knowledgeable. Your audience and your guest can tell if you do not know what you are talking about. So be informed or, at least, do your research.  Being niche is GREAT. Taking a small fact or story and running with that can lead to great discussions and trust with your guest.  Get to Know Your Guest (11:38) You are ready to research your guest; where do you look? It depends on the industry. Across the board, looking into your guest's social media can be a great tool. Turn to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. LinkedIn can be great for business and science fields. You have to dig deep though. Scroll way back and see what you find. This can help you delve into conversations of their past, since you have a small glimpse of it.   Stand out by asking questions outside of the span of the last six months. By expanding beyond the near past, your guest will be engaged and likely be excited to discuss non-repetitive questions.  Learn from Other's Mistakes (14:10) If your guest has other media appearances, go watch or listen. This may prompt follow up questions you want to ask. You can learn which questions to avoid, or which to dive further into. Even watching a compilation of bad interviews can teach you what NOT to do.  Structuring Questions (17:09) Avoid questions that can be answered with a ‘yes' or ‘no.' The ‘why' and' how' questions can evoke more emotion and provide more room for answers. Your guest will be reflecting more and you will likely get better answers.  Being flexible with your questions is also essential. You can have a question list, but be prepared to...

Chances are, you have at least one social media profile for your podcast. Whether that's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or any number of social media platforms; podcasters have been led to believe simply being on social media will cure all that ails us in podcast marketing. But it's not really that simple, and in my opinion, podcasting's unrequited love of social media is often to blame when a show podfades.  So then what is social media actually good for? Should you be spending any time on your podcast's social media presence? Do you even need a social media account for your podcast in the first place? On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, let's break down how useful social media can be for your podcast and what you can do right now to improve your social media marketing results. Listen as Matt discusses podcast marketing with social media:Introduction (0:29) You likely already have at least one social media profile for your podcast and if you're like most podcasters, you're frustrated with the lack of results. The problem with social media for podcasts (1:32) Despite every marketing and business guru telling you social media is where all your clients or users are at, it's not the entire truth. Unfortunately, too many podcasters have either received that terrible advice or have gotten it into their heads that social media is how they can grow their audiences easily. When it doesn't pan out, they turn to other gimmicks to inflate their following and ultimately podfade away. Social media uses (2:49) While there are many uses for social media as just a normal person, you have to think of it differently for businesses and, like it or not, your podcast IS your business. There are really only three main uses for social media for a business and you need to carefully think about the value each brings to your podcast. Social media uses: Audience engagement (3:26) The thing social media nails every single time is engagement. No matter the topic, people are ultimately on social media to engage with others. For your podcast, that means your biggest fans want to talk with you and other fans about your podcast. Luckily for you, the intimacy that podcasting has plays perfectly with the sense of community social media brings to the table, so use that to your advantage. Social media uses: Establishing authority (4:39) You might not think your podcast allows you to establish authority but you absolutely can. And the best way to gain new followers is to flex that authority a bit on social media. I give some real-world examples of ways different podcasts can establish their authority on social media and boost your podcast's discoverability. Social media uses: Discoverability and brand awareness (5:35) If you do the first two things well enough, you'll be gaining new followers regularly and turning your already-existing supporters into fanatics. It's a roundabout way to podcast discoverability but it's the best way to do it successfully and sustainably. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter)

Some old moves are finally beginning to shine in the podcasting world as Pocket Casts and Amazon begin realizing their potential. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Matt break down the latest podcast news from Pocket Casts, including some of the changes they're working on after being acquired by Automattic earlier this year. The guys also discuss Amazon's costly dive into podcasting being more about the advertising dollar than a desire to push the medium forward.  Matt and John also talk about some of the latest podcasting trends, including some encouraging words about the future of audio from a former internet industry leader and esports organizations getting into podcasting for its benefits over other types of media.  Listen to John and Matt discuss Amazon's and Automattic's foray into podcasting:Pocket Casts scaling up after Automattic acquisition (1:51) After being acquired by Wordpress developer Automattic, podcast app Pocket Casts has been scaling up. They're working on improving how quickly Pocket Casts gets new episodes after they've been published, localizing the app into 12 languages, and bringing back Emmeline Berry as a “podcaster liaison.” Former industry leader says audio will be around forever (8:02) Ben Horowitz, a former executive at AOL and current venture capitalist, believes in the power of audio. He claims audio broadcasting is a big deal and will be around forever. Matt and John discuss why you should believe his opinion a little more than what some other financiers have been saying. Online gamers are using the power of podcasting (11:44) Brian Awadis -- perhaps better known as the co-founder of esports organization FaZe Clan -- is jumping into podcasting. And according to EVP of content for FaZe Clan, Bill McCullough, they're seeing the audience engagement and loyalty as a massive selling point. John and Matt break down why this is great news for podcasters and what they should be focusing on. Amazon loves money (17:00) Why is Amazon investing so much money to get into podcasting? As might be obvious already, it's to make even more through advertising revenue. The guys discuss how much money Amazon has actually sunk into podcasting, where it's gone, and if it's going to be a good investment for them. Another musician is making podcasting waves (23:00) We recently talked about Metallica's dip into podcasting, releasing some behind-the-scenes footage of recording the Black album for its 30th anniversary. But another famous musician's podcast is making some waves after B-Real, of Cypress Hill fame, has sold the exclusive sales and distribution rights to his Dr Greenthumb podcast. John shares some of his favorite B-Real songs and he breaks down the recent trend of celebrity podcasts getting paid with Matt. Follow Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:https://blog.pocketcasts.com/news/one-month-update/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-08-17 (Pocket Casts) - One month update http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/venture-capitalist-ben-horowitz-says-audio-broadcasting-is-100-a-big-deal/article_db284948-fc4e-11eb-bc32-f3d330b283d7.html (Insider Radio) - Venter Capitalist Ben Horowitz says ‘audio broadcasting is 100% a big deal' https://digiday.com/marketing/as-gaming-influencers-rise-in-prominence-their-podcasts-provide-new-branding-and-sponsorship-opportunities/ (Digiday )- As gaming influencers rise in prominence, their podcasts provide new branding and sponsorship opportunities...

Are we still in Podcasting 1.0? Of course not. But if you're billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who is trying to sell everyone on his newest business venture, you might just be misinformed enough to say such a thing on stage. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Matt take a deep dive into Mark Cuban's comments at the Podcast Movement conference and how Fireside may (but likely won't) revolutionize podcasting.  The guys also discuss Megaphone's newest audience insights tool, some of the latest podcast charts, and how podcasting is slowly taking over AM/FM radio stations. Matt and John end with Metallica entering the podcast game, their favorite Metallica songs and how Teddy Ruxpin is somehow involved. Listen to John and Matt discuss the latest podcasts statistics:Mark Cuban believes podcasting hasn't changed (1:37) At the Podcast Movement conference, billionaire Mark Cuban hyped up one of his newest companies, Fireside, in a panel. In doing so, he also disparaged podcasting, saying it hasn't changed since 2005. Matt and John discuss how Cuban is both right and wrong, and how Fireside doesn't look to be changing that. Fireside & Libsyn's alliance (9:16) Fireside is getting a huge boost in the form of partnering with Libsyn, one of the most well-known podcast hosts around. John and Matt break down what the partnership means for both companies and how it might help podcasters. Megaphone launches new insights (13:28) Libsyn wasn't the only one making big announcements. Megaphone is launching an audience insights tool powered by Nielsen, the famous ratings company. However, is all that information actually useful to the average podcaster? iHeart's second-quarter revenue report (20:16) iHeart, the current network leader in podcast downloads, saw significant growth in the second quarter of 2021. It points to continued growth in podcasting, something all podcasters surely love to hear. Podtrac - July 2021 (23:09) Matt and John take a look at the latest Podtrac numbers for July 2021 and talk about what's changed since last month, and how Apple might somehow be responsible. The most downloaded podcasts (28:35) It's not just about whole networks, however. John and Matt look at the most downloaded podcasts of the second quarter of 2021, both from Podtrac and Edison Research. NPR station adds podcast to its lineup (33:34) Podcasting continues to take over the AM/FM airwaves with NPR station WITF added “The Daily” to its schedule.  Metallica is coming to podcast form (35:25) Legendary band Metallica is releasing an 8-episode series, taking a look at behind-the-scenes footage of making the Black album 30 years after it debuted.  Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/fireside-ignites-at-podcast-movement-announcing-libsyn-alliance-to-bring-creators-to-podcasting/article_c81a61a0-f6d2-11eb-9697-efb66434a377.html (Inside Radio) - Fireside Ignites At Podcast Movement, Announcing Libsyn Alliance https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/megaphone-launches-insights-tool/ (Podcast Business Journal) - Megaphone launches insights tool http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/iheart-s-podcast-revenue-soars-152-during-second-quarter/article_7645e386-f6d2-11eb-9dd0-8715a7b84037.html (Inside Radio) - iHeart's podcast revenue soars 152% during second quarter http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/podtrac-iheart-held-number-one-in-july-but-apple-woes-impact-most-publishers/article_10dad108-f6d4-11eb-bbf5-5bbab5c4f1d2.html (Inside Radio) - Podtrac July 2021 http://analytics.podtrac.com/podcast-publisher-rankings (Podtrac - Website)...

Having crossed the halfway point of 2021, companies are beginning to release their second-quarter financials and show downloads are more established. These podcast stats give us some unique insights into how the business is performing and what moves we might see in the coming months. On this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take a closer look at Edison Research's Share of Ear study, how many new podcasts have been started in 2021, Spotify's earnings report, podcast advertising, and Apple Podcast subscriptions. Listen to John and Matt discuss the latest podcasts statistics:Edison Research's Share of Ear study (2:39) Edison Research ran a study, looking at what types of audio people spend their time listening to. Though AM/FM radio leads the pack, online and streaming audio stacks up well against the old format. Podcast statistics: New podcasts (9:33) Coming out of the pandemic, many feared the meteoric rise we saw for podcasting would deflate just as quickly. As it turns out, that's not a problem at all with the first half of 2021 seeing more podcasts started than all of 2019 and on par to nearly match 2020's million-plus new shows. Podcast stats: BBC Sounds (16:18) The BBC has been investing in its podcasting lineup and seeing quite the return. BBC Sounds reports it had an audience of 3.7 million users with a peak of 3.9 million show up a week between April-June. Bernstein says podcasting is a “slowing market” (17:47) When reflecting on Spotify's investment into podcasting, investment firm Bernstein called the medium a “slowing market” causing Spotify's stock to take a hard dip. However, it's not quite that simple. Matt and John pick apart Bernstein's take and correct some issues with their podcast stats. Spotify Earnings (20:47) Spotify recently released their second-quarter earnings numbers, giving us a peak behind how the company is actually performing and some other unique insights. John and Matt talk about how rising subscription numbers point to podcasting's continuing boom. Podcasts are the best place for ads (23:46) Podsights' latest quarterly analysis continues to prove podcasting's worth in the ad market. Listeners are more likely to buy after hearing a podcast ad, giving a massive return on investment. But podcast ads also work for service industries, earning a significantly higher website conversion rate than Google, Facebook, Tik Tok, or Twitter. But what does this mean for podcasters right now and over the next few years? Matt and John have some answers Apple Podcasts subscriptions (35:24) Apple Podcasts recently opened up its subscription service, allowing podcasters to make their shows subscription-based. With the service finally launching, a surprising number of podcasts took Apple up on their offer. John and Matt discuss if it's still a good deal for podcasters or if they should stay away. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:http://www.insideradio.com/free/how-a-global-pandemic-changed-audio-habits-in-the-u-s/article_8075df72-f101-11eb-b90a-374f61839c54.html (Inside Radio - Edison Research Share of Ear) https://rainnews.com/in-mid-year-2021-alread-more-new-podcasts-than-in-all-of-2019/ (RainNews - In mid-year 2021, already more new podcasts than in all of 2019) https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/bbc-sounds-q2?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-08-02 (BBC - Listeners were obsessed with Line of Duty, football and festival music mixes on BBC Sounds this quarter)...

We have too much news to cover, so we're dedicating an entire episode to the latest podcast news. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take you through the most interesting and important stories that have popped up recently. Matt and John cover Linktree hiring a Head of Audio, an independent podcast forcing actress Kristen Bell to change her podcast's name, some recent branded podcast news The guys also break down recently-announced big partnerships between Libsyn and Canva, and Sports Illustrated and iHeartRadio, as well as Stephen King joining the podcast industry. Listen to John and Matt discuss the latest podcast news:Linktree hires Head of Audio (1:27) According to former MouthMedia Network's Marc Raco's LinkedIn profile, he's the new Head of Audio at Linktree. John and Matt look at what that might mean for the link-sharing platform and if podcasts will take a front-row seat in their plans. Kristen Bell forced to change her new podcast's name (7:17) It looks like someone might have forgotten to Google their podcast name before starting. Actress Kristen Bell's new podcast has been forced to change its name after hosts of a podcast of the same name wrote a public cease and desist letter. NBC creating extra Olympics content via podcast (13:10) It's officially time for the 2021 Olympics, taking place in Tokyo. With the Olympics on everyone's minds, NBC is taking advantage. They've added at least five new podcasts to their lineup, all focusing on Olympics coverage for those rabid fans. Netflix explains its podcast strategy (15:25) We've already known Netflix was getting into the podcasting game, hiring N'Jeri Eaton as its Head of Podcasts. Netflix CEO Reed Hasting was incredibly transparent with the company's podcast strategy, however, pointing to it being a way to further engage with fans of its shows. Libsyn partners with Canva (19:27) The barrier to entry in podcasting is getting smaller and smaller, especially with deals like this one. Podcast host Libsyn announced a partnership with the graphics-creation application Canva. John and Matt take a look at how this could help podcasters quickly and more consistently put out social graphics to promote their shows. Sports Illustrated teaming up with iHeartRadio (23:03) iHeartRadio continues to add to its podcast library, this time teaming up with Sports Illustrated. iHeart will distribute all of Sports Illustrated's existing podcasts and help develop, produce, and market some new shows.  Stephen King coming to a podcast near you (25:38) Horror icon Stephen King is having one of his short stories adapted to a podcast. Starring a handful of big names, King's Strawberry Spring will hopefully be his latest successful adaptation and a major win for podcasting. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcraco/?utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2021-07-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=podnews.net (Marc Raco - LinkedIn) https://uk.style.yahoo.com/kristen-bell-prompted-rename-podcast-213706923.html?guccounter=1&utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2021-07-26&utm_medium=email&utm_source=podnews.net (Yahoo - Kristen Bell prompted to rename podcast series) https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/nbc-sports-producing-daily-podcasts-during-the-tokyo-olympics/?vgo_ee=RgZ3x1XVlgFYzuAExN0bYwMmBY0ES2kA67bhuDAdIII%3D (Podcast Business Journal - NBC Sports producing Olympics podcast) http://www.insideradio.com/free/netflix-ceo-podcasts-are-designed-to-promote-us-not-make-money/article_596c4496-ea64-11eb-b129-efdab598deb8.html (Inside Radio - Netflix CEO says podcasts are designed to promote us, not make money)...

As podcasting continues to grow, independent podcasters and networks aren't alone in creating podcasts. Businesses and organizations are finding branded podcasts offer quite a lot of benefits with audiences willing to listen Companies are looking to do things like further engage with their customers, improve their brand awareness, and advertise their products and services; and branded podcasts check all those boxes. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, Matthew Stevens and John Luckenbaugh take a closer look at branded podcasts and how they can help companies. From creating engaging content that is effectively just an ad without feeling like one to creating even more content for your marketing strategy, branded podcasts offer a wide variety of benefits.  Listen to John and Matt discuss branded podcasts:Scribd going public (1:43) Amazon competitor Scribd is looking to go public with a $1 billion valuation. Scribd offers many of the same services Amazon does, including audiobooks and podcasts. Matt and John discuss what Scribd's valuation and IPO could mean for the podcasting industry. Pocket Casts gets bought (6:50) Wordpress developer Automattic has acquired the podcast app Pocket Casts but why? John and Matt take a look at what Automattic might be thinking with this purchase and what we could see coming to Wordpress. BBC Sounds launches Audio Lab (11:21) The BBC is looking for the next wave of podcast creators. Launching something called the “Audio Lab,” the BBC is looking to team up with a few podcasters to produce, distribute, and market new shows. It's a great opportunity for independent podcasters to step their game up and for the BBC to find some unique ideas and new content creators. What is a branded podcast and why are they needed? (14:37) Matt and John go over what a branded podcast really is and some of the reasons they are great opportunities for brands. The value of branded podcasts (16:36) Podcasts have already shown their value, seeing a majority of listeners take an action after listening to a podcast. This means they're perfect for businesses looking to extend their reach, further engage with customers, and improve brand recognition. What makes a successful branded podcast (19:13) There are a number of goals a brand could have with their podcast. Matt breaks down some of the most common ones. KPIs that are most important for branded podcasts (20:27) The number of downloads isn't the most important metric branded podcasts need to be paying attention to. Matt provides some KPIs (key performance indicators) that brands can use to tell how successful their podcast is at meeting its goals. 3 keys for a branded podcast (24:23) There are three things every branded podcast needs to have in mind before ever sitting down at the microphone. 5 important characteristics of a successful branded podcast (26:03) As we've noted, branded podcasts offer so much more value than simply downloads. Matt gives over five things a branded podcast will leverage to guide them closer to their goals. Long-term strategy (30:46) Whenever a new marketing initiative is launched, looking at the long-term picture is critical. For those brands thinking about doing a podcast, Matt believes thinking of it as tentpole content that you can turn into other forms of marketing content is a great idea. John provides some of the advantages for those companies that integrate podcasts into their marketing strategy. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-15/audible-rival-scribd-eyeing-going-public-at-1-billion-valuation (Bloomberg) - Scribd plans to go public at $1 billion valuation...

Podcasters are all about discoverability and increasing the number of people following them on social media. It's a great strategy to build engagement and a community. But with a larger following comes some unwanted attention and it can get bad in a hurry. On this very special episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we have special guests Isabelle Mongeau, Crissy Froyd, and Lindsey Ok on to talk about the dark side of internet fame. They share their experiences with targeted harassment, stalking, and even death threats simply for existing online. What can be done about it and how can people protect themselves and their mental health online? We take a closer look at those issues and more on this must-listen episode. Listen as Matt, Isabelle, Crissy, and Lindsey discuss cyberbullying:Introducing the panelists (2:04) Matt introduces the guests on this episode and where you might know them from. When does criticism go too far (6:00) Any content creator should be prepared for criticism, even when it's outright mean. But some internet trolls like to use criticism as a way to launch personal attacks and begin harassment. Lindsey and Crissy provide their experiences with comments that go beyond professional criticism. The volume of hate and victim blaming (14:05) While all social media platforms allow users to block other users, sometimes the sheer number of hateful comments can become overwhelming. Our experiences (24:41) Matt, Crissy, and Lindsey talk about the times they've experienced things like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, stalking, and even death threats. Biggest surprises and supporters (34:52) With some pretty vile things said and done, it can be easy to dwell on that. However, connecting with others in your field to provide assistance or even just an ear to bend can seriously help. Crissy and Lindsey talk about the biggest surprises and supporters during their worst nightmares. Going offline (42:42) It's not easy to handle consistent, targeted harassment. It takes a toll on your work and your life far more than many people realize. Though it can be difficult for a content creator who is based online to shut things down for a bit, both Crissy and Lindsey admit to needing to do so. Public vs. personal personas (44:55) With so much online hate, Lindsey, Crissy, and Matt talk about the difficulties of putting your personal life on social media. From not being able to tag or mention family and friends to second guessing the type of their personal lives they post. What can social media companies do? (56:53) Now that you know how terrible online hate can get, it's time to start figuring out how to combat it. We start off with the social media companies themselves -- How little they've done thus far and what they should be doing to stop this type of harassment. What can employers do? (1:12:43) Companies that employ public-facing personalities aren't completely out of the mix either. Though many companies have their employees run social media accounts and even monitor what they say and do on those platforms, few have clear and detailed plans in place on how to handle cyberbullying and harassment. What can victims do to protect their sanity? (1:20:30) With few others willing or able to help, victims have to work even harder to protect themselves. Having gone through it themselves, Crissy and Lindsey provide their personal advice to those people currently going through harassment and cyberbullying. What can law enforcement do? (1:25:05) How effective is law enforcement when dealing with cyberbullying and online threats? Matt and Lindsey have gone that route and haven't found much success. So what needs to change to improve law enforcement's response to such matters? How can bystanders help? (1:28:00) Too often, people see online hate and simply move on. But as everyone agrees, the more bystanders that stand up and publicly condemn such behavior when they see it, the better. Lindsey and Crissy tell

Some of the best and most celebrated podcasts have really just been amazing stories told well. As podcasts gain more traction in popular culture, the importance of podcast storytelling has increased as well. No matter if you're doing a dramatic series or just telling the news, the foundations of storytelling can elevate your podcast to new heights. To discuss the importance of storytelling in podcasting, Isabelle Mongeau joins the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting once again. Isabelle is the Head of Script Writing at Q'd Up and is responsible for many of the great stories you'll find within our clients' podcasts. Isabelle provides her unique insight and experiences so you can tell a better and more engaging story. Listen to John and Matt discuss podcast storytelling:Facebook Podcasts nowhere to be seen (1:29) At the time of recording, Facebook Podcasts had officially launched but none of the promised features had been seen live on the site. Matt and John break down the latest news and what is likely happening as Facebook slowly rolls out features. Amazon pays $80 million for the Smartless podcast (3:47) Amazon is the latest to pay big bucks to lock up podcast creators, paying up to $80 million for the Smartless podcast featuring actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes. While the deal only features one week of exclusivity, Matt explains why there might be more to this deal than seems on the face. NPR reporters wins Pulitzer award for ‘No Compromise' podcast (7:24) Podcasts have been steadily earning more attention in mainstream culture and once again, a podcast has reached new ground. Reporters for NPR podcast “No Compromise” became the first to win the prestigious Pulitzer Award as a podcast. Tribeca Festival features podcasts (9:10) Continuing on the trend of podcasts getting more exposure, the Tribeca Festival highlighted 12 podcasts across fiction and narrative non-fiction categories. That puts independent podcasts right alongside independent films and television, creating opportunities never before seen. Isabelle's introduction (11:52) Segueing from the importance of storytelling in podcasting, Q'd Up's Head of Script Writing Isabelle Mongeau joins the show. History of storytelling (12:23) Isabelle shares her personal insight into the importance of storytelling podcasts. She also takes a look back at history to show storytelling has been a mainstay in every medium, from cavemen to new media. The impact of storytelling podcasts (17:52) John and Isabelle explain why storytelling can be so impactful, at times being more engaging than a visual medium. Between painting the picture in your head to the release of  The chemicals behind storytelling (20:10) When a story creates tension, it creates and releases oxytocin -- the empathy chemical. That means you as a storytelling podcast listener relate to the characters and want to keep following along to see how it ends. Beginning your story (23:41) As Isabelle notes, the beginning can sometimes be the most important part of a story. If you're looking to build a world-class story, start with a question that your story is looking to answer. Using an outline to build your story (26:24) Isabelle believes every podcaster should be creating an outline of their show, no matter if it's a narrative podcast or not.  Diversity and inclusion in screenwriting (38:03) Having a diverse background or group of writers can help elevate a story and be more authentic. Matt and Isabelle discuss how diversity and inclusion can provide unique insights and eliminate potential blindspots to make your show better. John provides some stats to show just how diverse podcasting is. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter)...

Podcasts have steadily grown in popularity but not every podcast has to be for the general public. More companies are turning to internal podcasts and finding great success. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, Matthew Stevens and John Luckenbaugh discuss internal podcasts. John and Matt break down why businesses should be considering internal podcasts for things like employee engagement and employee training, as well as what it takes to get started on the right foot. The guys also break down Amazon's recent acquisition of the podcast hosting platform, Art19 and Signal Hill Insight's look at why people listen to podcasts. Show highlights:Amazon buys out Art19 (1:12) Amazon is digging more into podcasting as they've agreed to terms to buy out podcast hosting company Art19. Though the terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, Matt and John give their thoughts on the deal and what it likely means for both Amazon and Art19. Podcast listener makeup (4:50) We know more people are listening to podcasts than ever before but why? Signal Hill Insights took a closer look at that question and found out why people listen to podcasts, AM/FM radio, music streaming services, and owned music. They also looked into the activities people do for each audio type, giving some valuable insight into what makes people tick. What is an internal podcast? (13:06) John breaks down what an internal podcast is at its core, including what separates it from a more typical public podcast. Why should businesses have an internal podcast? (14:07) Now that you know what an internal podcast actually is, why would a business want one? John and Matt discuss what benefits internal podcasts can bring to an organization. What businesses should have an internal podcast? (19:07) A company with just two employees probably doesn't need an internal podcast, but what businesses do need one? Matt and John give some examples of types of internal podcasts and how they'll boost things like employee retention and onboarding. What's needed to start an internal podcast (26:58) John breaks down the key needs for any business creating their own internal podcast -- from content strategy and an engaging host to podcast hosting and the equipment to record it.  Final tips (31:00) John and Matt give a few final tips for an organization that's interested in starting their own podcast and recap some of the lessons learned in this episode. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/QdUpAudio (Q'd Up - Twitter) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:https://art19.com/ (Art19) - Website http://www.insideradio.com/free/signal-hill-insights-all-audio-is-not-created-equal/article_5047f41a-d000-11eb-a74e-bbd612a720c2.html (Inside Radio) - All audio is not created equal

On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, Matthew Stevens and John Luckenbaugh talk about all the most recent podcast industry news, and it's been a busy few weeks. Facebook and Squadcast launched some major new features that make podcast creation and discoverability easier while Apple did the exact opposite with their newest Apple Podcasts app update. John and Matt provide some insight on what it all means for independent podcasters right now and what it could mean for the industry as a whole in the near future. Show highlights:Facebook launches live rooms and podcast integration (2:53) Facebook has finally launched its podcast features, integrating with Spotify, as well as live rooms similar to Clubhouse. However, only a few select podcasts are allowed onto the platform right now. John and Matt break down some of the podcasts you'll find on Facebook now, what features Facebook is giving podcast creators, why they're taking it slow, and how this could help your podcast discovery. SquadCast 4.0 launches (10:18) Podcast hosting platform SquadCast has launched a serious update to their platform that makes podcasting even easier to do. With features like 1-click mastering, Dolby.io and spatial audio functionality, and 10 users in a session; SquadCast has stepped up in a big way. Matt and John break down each of the features and just how useful they'll be to most podcasters. Podcast listener breakdown (19:04) Nielsen, the famous ratings group, ran their own study to find out how often people listen to podcasts and the results are interesting. They found that listeners can be broken down into three groups – light, medium, and heavy podcast listeners – depending on just how many shows they consume every month. Matt and John discuss the findings and how a huge uptick of light listeners could point to another influx of newcomers to podcasting. Apple Podcasts app update goes wrong (23:10) Apple recently updated their podcasts app and it created far more problems than it solved. John and Matt talk about the various problems users are complaining about and wonder if Apple really cares about podcasts. Support Q'd Up:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) Links from the show:https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/16/22537023/facebook-podcast-rss-feed-publish-clips-pages (The Verge) - Podcasts start coming to Facebook next week https://squadcast.fm/ (SquadCast) - Website https://digiday.com/media/cheat-sheet-nielsen-studies-show-light-listeners-make-up-nearly-half-of-podcast-audience/?utm_campaign=podnews.net%3A2021-06-22&utm_medium=email&utm_source=podnews.net (DigiDay )- Nielsen studies show ‘light' listeners make up nearly half of podcast audience https://qd-up.com/blog/qd-up-podcast/apple-spotify-become-too-big-dr-john-sullivan/ (Q'd Up Podcast - Have Apple & Spotify Become Too Big? With Dr. John Sullivan)

While there are more than 2 million podcasts currently out there, one of podcasting's dirty little secrets is just how many have podfaded. But is that really a bad thing and if so, who should be responsible for cleaning up all the podfaded podcasts? On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcast, Matthew Stevens and John Luckenbaugh are joined by Mark Asquith, the CEO of Captivate, a podcast hosting company. Mark lays out amazing insight into why dead shows aren't really the issue and why it would be difficult for hosting providers to sort it out. He also takes us through some of the newest features of Captivate 2.0 and why he doesn't do free hosting. Show highlights:Introduction Captivate 2.0: Feature list (1:28) Captivate just released their newest version of their platform. Matt and Mark break down the biggest changes coming to the platform, including their omni-search and custom short links. Captivate 2.0: Why build a new platform (2:11) Mark explains the reasoning behind building a revamped version of their Captivate podcast hosting platform. He says it was a challenge to be better and to help podcasters get to monetization as quickly as possible. Podfaded podcasts (15:03) Out of all the podcast hosting platforms out there, Captivate has one of the largest percentage of still-active shows. Mark explains why he believes so many podcasts podfade and what should be considered a “dead show” The responsibility of hosting providers (20:42) As the CEO of a podcast hosting company, Mark provides some insight into whether hosting platforms should be curating the podfaded shows from their platform or if players like Apple and Spotify should be responsible. Why does Captivate not have more podfaded podcasts? (22:59) Roughly 60% of podcasts hosted on Captivate are still alive, which is second among top hosting providers. Matt and John wonder what sets Captivate apart. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/MatthewS_NFL (Matt - Twitter) https://twitter.com/MrAsquith (Mark Asquith - Twitter) https://www.captivate.fm/ (Captivate - Website)

As podcasting has grown, so too have the companies associated with it. But have companies like Apple and Spotify become too big and hold too much market share for the industry to continue to grow like it has?  On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Matt are joined once again by Dr. John Sullivan to discuss the future of podcasting and whether the biggest players might control too much of the medium. Show highlights:Introduction iHeart held the top spot in May (1:22) As has become common, iHeart once again held the top spot on Podtrac's chart, including some significant growth over last month's total. The guys break down what the stats actually tell us and what it means for independent podcasters looking to compete. The consolidation of podcasting (12:16) The podcast industry is beginning to be dominated by the biggest players. The same goes for the podcast apps as well, with Spotify and Apple owning the bulk of the market share. John, Matt, and Dr. Sullivan take a closer look at the potential oligopoly happening in podcasting. Are Apple and Spotify too big? (19:56) With Apple and Spotify being the biggest players on the field, can others step up to dethrone them or are podcasters at the behest of these corporations? Dr. Sullivan gives his thoughts about the battle between Spotify and Apple, and whether other options even have a shot at competing. The walled garden (24:20) As John points out, Spotify and Apple are starting to create something called a “walled garden” by controlling so much of podcasting. However, Dr. Sullivan notes the garden might not be so green and a recent lawsuit could knock down the wall. The open ecosystem (28:36) The opposite of the “walled garden” is an open ecosystem. Dr. Sullivan explains how various platforms view you and your data, and what  Can independent podcasts still thrive? (38:28) With Apple, Spotify, and major podcast networks creating their own content and owning the space, are independent podcasters relegated to a niche or can they hang with the big players? While Dr. Sullivan believes the goal of those large organizations isn't to run small podcasters out of the business, he does believe it's becoming increasingly difficult to launch strong. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/jsullivan47 (Dr. John Sullivan - Twitter) https://www.muhlenberg.edu/ (Muhlenberg College - Website)

You might not realize it but live streaming is one of the largest markets out there and podcasters aren't taking advantage of it. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take a closer look at why live streaming podcasts make too much sense and how you can get started sooner than you think. With more than 16 billion hours of live streaming content watched in 2020, it's clearly a great way to distribute engaging content. While live streaming might not make sense for every podcast and every podcaster, there are plenty of ways businesses and independent podcasters could be leveraging this audience. Show highlights:Introduction New equipment (0:49) Matt upgraded his setup a little bit, moving on from the Blue Snowball microphone and onto a more conventional condenser mic. Matt and John talk about all the equipment Matt is using and their price points. Apple Podcast stats: May 2021 (5:11) With May just wrapping up, John and Matt check in on Apple Podcast stats. As Matt and John note, the insane growth we saw over the pandemic is starting to slow down but should those numbers be fully believed? Apple Podcast subscriptions slow start (8:16) Despite Apple saying they're happy with the results, Apple Podcast subscriptions haven't garnered the type of submissions many would have expected. Matt and John take a look at what that actually means for short- and long-term. Netflix hiring for a podcast director (10:44) Netflix is launching another platform called N+ but with their recent job posting, they appear to be getting into podcasting. Netflix is looking for a director of podcasts, which points to the streaming giant creating a bunch of podcasts to accompany their other content. What is live streaming? (12:41) While the answer will likely differ, live streaming is simply the act of streaming live content online.  Why should you be live streaming? (13:51) Live streaming doesn't make sense for everyone but it can be especially valuable to a few types of content producers. John and Matt look at why podcasters should consider live streaming their shows. The stats behind live streaming (15:41) There's a lot of power behind live streaming that you might not realize. With more than a trillion minutes of content watched in 2020 and a bunch of other impressive stats, live streaming is a market worth looking at a little closer. Who should be live streaming? (18:45) Clearly live streaming is big business but who should be taking advantage of it? Matt and John discuss what type of organizations should be considering live streaming their content Live streaming software (21:28) John breaks down some of the top live streaming software and where you might want to consider streaming to.  Live streaming equipment (23:13) John gives a quick rundown on the basic equipment you'll need to start live streaming. Live streaming graphics (26:00) If you're thinking about starting, you'll need to consider what live streaming graphics you'll need. While that will depend on what type of content you're producing, you'll likely need some type of background. Matt provides a few reminders of things you'll need to do before hitting the broadcast button. Audience engagement when live streaming (27:49) One of the benefits of live streaming is the ability to interact with your audience on the spot. John and Matt talk about the different ways you can improve audience engagement during your live streams and what considerations you should make about monitoring the chat. Choose your live streaming location carefully (29:19) As John points out, the location you're recording at will have a major impact on your quality. The same goes with your internet connection, according to Matt.  Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn)...

Social media is just one of the tools in the podcasters toolbox but it can be a very valuable (and free) one. However, there's more to social media marketing than just spamming your episode link on every platform and crossing your fingers.  On this week's episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, hosts Matthew Stevens and John Luckenbaugh take a deep dive into social media. John and Matt talk about how you should handle your profiles and tone on each platform, as well as how to get your audience to do what you want them to. In addition, Matt and John break down some interesting news about how radio listeners are flocking to podcasts and Joe Rogan being dethroned by YouTuber Markiplier. Show highlights:Introduction Radio listeners flocking to podcasts (1:03) According to Techsurvey 2021, AM/FM radio listeners have been listening to podcasts more and more. With some saying podcasts are cutting into their radio habits, could we be seeing the beginning of podcasting truly taking over for traditional radio? Matt and John take a closer look at the survey and what it could mean for both radio and podcast in the coming years. YouTuber Markiplier dethrones Joe Rogan as the top podcast (11:14) Famous YouTuber, Markiplier, has started his own podcast which has managed to garner quite a bit of attention. Almost immediately, “Distractable” shot up the Spotify and Apple charts, claiming the top spot away from Joe Rogan. John and Matt take a look at what the “Distractable” podcast is about and how it was able to achieve so much interest but dropped off just as quickly. Social Media Marketing: Should you have separate or combined profiles? (18:11) One of the top questions we get at Q'd Up is if podcasts need separate social media accounts or if they should be combined with the larger brand. Matt and John discuss the pros and cons of each and the situations that make the most sense to combine or separate your social media marketing. Social Media Marketing: Matching tone (22:16) Now that you've got your podcast on the various social media platforms, should each platform get the same content? The short answer is no, probably not. Matt breaks down why it's important to take a closer look at each platform and your audience to tailor your content to match them. Social Media Marketing: Call to action (25:32) What do you want your listeners and fans to do? That's likely going to be your call to action. It could be as simple as reminding them to listen to your newest episode or to rate you on their platform of choice, but with a good call to action, you can engage with your audience to get them to do something for you. Social Media Marketing: Strategy (27:50) You've finally got your social media accounts set up, the graphics created, tone set, and an idea of what you want users to do. Now, how can you apply it all together to create a social media marketing strategy? Matt and John touch on the various types of posts podcasters should be using to create better engagement and improve their cross promotion. Social Media Marketing: Best times to post (35:31) Another question we get a ton here at Q'd Up is when podcasters should be posting on social media. While there's no easy answer as it's dependent on your specific audience, there are some good rules to follow to get started before you can track your own metrics. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/among-radio-s-biggest-fans-a-growing-number-are-dialing-into-podcasts/article_d4f83426-ba4e-11eb-94a5-737f41e82036.html (Inside Radio) - Among radio's biggest fans, a growing number are dialining into podcasts http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/youtuber-turned-podcaster-markiplier-knocks-joe-rogan-out-of-number-one/article_db3b8d8a-bcb3-11eb-b051-b7b8231526bd.html (Inside Radio) -...

Podcasters are always looking for ways to grow their audience. While it can be tempting to go all-in on a single marketing tool, that's rarely the best podcast marketing strategy. Combining different platforms and methods is the key to sustained growth, but where do you even start? On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens sit down with podcasting veteran Arielle Nissenblatt to discuss all the different ways to grow your podcast.  Arielle is both in front of and behind the scenes in the podcast community, giving her a ton of experience and insight on what works and what doesn't. She's a co-founder of Podcast Taxonomy, founder of the Earbuds Collective, co-creator of the Outlier PodFest, community manager at Squadcast, and the host of several podcasts. Arielle shares her insight on podcast marketing through cross promotion, social media, in-app promos, and communities so you can grow your podcast quickly and effectively. Show highlights:Introduction Podcast news: iHeart remains the king in April (0:56) Podtrac reports that iHeart remained the biggest podcast publisher in April. Matt and John take a closer look at the report to see where the top publishers rank and why the total numbers might be a little deceiving. Introducing Arielle Nissenblatt (7:43) Arielle joins John and Matt to discuss how podcasters can improve their discoverability and increase their reach. Podcast cross promotion marketing (8:07) Arielle believes promo swaps are one of the best ways to improve your podcast discoverability. She details how to pull it off, including how to network properly and what podcasts you should target. Podcast social media marketing (13:03) Social media is a great piece of the podcast marketing puzzle but it shouldn't be all you're doing. As Arielle points out, social media is best when used to further engage with your audience and build up a community . . . not so much for discoverability. In-app promotion (14:34) According to Arielle, reaching out to third-party podcast applications to be one of the featured shows can be a great way to boost your podcast's discoverability. While there are both free and paid options available (depending on the application), she details what's essential to have when doing in-app promotions. The importance of creating a podcast community (21:41) Building your listeners into a community isn't easy and it isn't for every show but there can be serious benefits on your audience engagement. Arielle explains what's needed to get started and how a formal community might not be right for every podcast. Moderating your podcast community (27:09) If you're focusing on your podcast community and building it up, moderating is essential. As Arielle and Matt discuss, there's nothing worse than a community that is full of cliques and promo after promo. Arielle gives her insight as a community manager about the fine line that's needed by a good moderator. Podcast Taxonomy (30:16) As a founding member, Arielle explains what the Podcast Taxonomy is and the importance of defining roles within the medium as podcasting continues to grow. Squadcast (36:49) John and Arielle talk about the streaming program Squadcast and what makes it such a special platform. Recap (46:15) With such a value-packed episode, Matt and John recap what was discussed and how it impacts independent podcasters. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://podcasttaxonomy.com/ (Podcast Taxonomy) https://twitter.com/arithisandthat (Arielle Nissenblatt - Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/ariellethisandthat/ (Arielle Nissenblatt - Instagram)

Podcasters are always looking for new ways to engage with their audience but you could be missing one of the best and easiest ones. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens continue their deep dive into podcast marketing with newsletters. There are so many good reasons to be using newsletters with your podcast. From it being another way to engage with your audience and keep people listening to each episode to it being another avenue to monetize your podcast, newsletters can be easy to create but incredibly effective. Show highlights:Introduction The Peabody Awards (1:58) The 2021 Peabody Awards are now including podcasts. This continues a trend of major awards beginning to recognize and celebrate podcasts. 1st quarter earnings reports (6:13) With the first quarter of 2021 in the books, companies have been releasing their earnings reports and providing some more context to their business strategies. To no one's surprise, podcasting continues to grow with several major media companies reporting huge jumps up in revenue thanks to their podcasts. Meanwhile, the New York Times is predicting even bigger things for the future. Podcast monetization: Subscriptions (11:39) If you're an independent podcast, you likely don't have the distribution and sales teams to truly monetize your podcast in the same way a network like iHeart does. While iHeart Media CEO Bob Pittman wonders about the usefulness of subscription models, they're clearly working for independent podcasters. Matt and John take a closer look at using the subscription model via platforms like Patreon. Podcast marketing: Newsletters (14:00) After touching on the benefits of websites in the previous episode, we're on to the next important piece of the podcast marketing puzzle: newsletters. Matt and John break down how newsletters can help your discoverability, audience engagement, and even potentially your podcast monetization. Step 1: Define your goal (20:04) You've decided to do a newsletter but where do you start? Matt says you have to first figure out what you want readers to do. That could be as easy as getting them to download the newest episode or it could be highlighting blog posts, appearances on other shows, or even trying to sell more merchandise and sponsorships. Step 2: Find a newsletter service (22:47) Now that you've defined your goal, you need to find a provider to help you build it and send it out. With free options available, it doesn't have to cost you anything but you'll be a little limited in some way. Paid options might have more bells and whistles but you also might not need them. Steps 3 and 4: Capture emails (23:46) No matter what provider you chose, they should have a way of capturing emails. The most common way is to add something to your website so people can easily sign up themselves but don't forget about social media and the outro of your podcast either. Step 5: Find a template (26:54) With your goal in mind, your newsletter service chosen, and a bunch of emails in your database, it's time to start building your newsletter. Most newsletter services will have some templates available or a way to build your own easily but you can also find both free and paid templates online too. Step 6: Your eye-catching subject line (27:57) This is the most important thing in this whole process. You'll only have one shot at someone's attention and the only way your email is getting opened is if the subject line is interesting enough. But don't get too crazy or people will assume it's spam. Step 7: Create engaging copy (30:17) You've got an excellent headline that you'd want to click on, so now it's time to write the newsletter to back it up. John and Matt discuss the handful of things you could and should put into your newsletters. Steps 8 and 9: Send it and track your results (32:13) Now that you've got your newsletter designed and written up, it's time to send it out to your email list...

It's 2021 and if you take your podcast seriously, you should have a podcast website to go along with it. In an ever-increasingly competitive landscape, a website is essential to stand out and grow your podcast.  On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and new co-host Matt take a closer look at why you need to have a website up immediately, Spotify's first-quarter financial report, and Tribeca Festival including podcasts. From how a podcast website can elevate your discoverability and ability to monetize your show to some exciting things going on in podcasting, you won't want to miss this episode. Show highlights:Introduction New voice (0:28) The Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting has a new co-host in Matthew Stevens. John and Matt go over his past experience. Spotify's 1st quarter financial report (2:49) Spotify released their financial report from the first quarter of 2021. While the money is always interesting, Matt points to the split between free and paid users Spotify has and how that might relate to Spotify's recent launch of paid subscriptions for podcasts. John focuses on the total number of podcasts Spotify reports they have on their platform. Tribeca Festival announces podcast selections (7:41) For the first time, podcasts will be featured at the Tribeca Festival! They've unveiled 12 fiction and nonfiction podcasts from emerging creators as well as special panels and events for podcasts. As Matt and John discuss, it's a big sign that podcasting is becoming more mainstream. Podcast websites (9:42) Every podcast wants more subscribers and more listeners but how can you get them? As podcasts become more mainstream, websites are becoming vital for the success of a podcast. Matt and John explain the importance of websites for podcasts and why you need to have one right now. Podcast websites - Discoverability (11:50) With millions of podcasts online, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and be found. Having a website gives you a better opportunity to be discovered, especially when combined with your SEO show notes. Podcast website - Engagement (14:05) Once you've gotten your listeners on your website, you can further engage with them. Whether that's pushing them to your social media channels, additional content like blogs, and email newsletter signups. Podcast website - Archive (15:32) With your show notes and podcast player on your website, you've got a makeshift archive of your content as well. You should still have other backups but it's another bit of insurance against things like computer failures. Podcast website - Analytics (16:28) While most podcasting hosting companies provide some form of analytics to track, not all of them are created equal and none are as robust as what you can find from a service like Google Analytics on your website. By having a website, you can better track where your listeners are coming from, how they discovered you, and a far clearer picture of your audience to further market to them. Podcast website - Provide value (23:08) You can provide more value to your listeners by having a website. Whether that's providing the show notes so listeners can more easily find the links you mentioned in the show, additional content that goes deeper, or unique content you aren't placing anywhere else; your website can allow your subscribers to get more from you. Podcast website - What you need (24:39) So you're convinced that you need a website but now what? Matt details how you can build your own site easier and cheaper, or who you should contact for something custom. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/tribeca-podcasts-festival-official-selections-1234965709/ (Variety) - Tribeca unveils official podcast selections...

Apple and Spotify are entering the paid podcast subscription game, allowing podcasters to monetize their content through a subscription model. Is it all it's cracked up to be? Find out on this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, as Jay (Pod Vader) and John take a closer look at the pros and cons of using either service, what other options are available to podcasters, and how this might impact the industry over the long term. In addition, writer and SEO expert Matthew Stevens is back again to talk about the importance of show notes. Matt breaks down why every podcast should have show notes, what should go into them, and how they can affect your podcast marketing efforts. Show highlights:Introduction Apple Podcasts announce paid subscriptions (1:08) Apple Podcasts recently announced they'll be allowing podcasts to provide paid subscriptions within their feeds. Jay and John talk about the details, including Apple's fees, what Apple is allowing, and how podcasters can create unique content for it. Other subscription services (2:50) While Apple and Spotify are just getting into the subscription game, hosting platforms have been doing it for quite some time. John and Jay take a look at some of the other subscription platforms out there and how Apple's service differs. What Apple Podcasts Subscriptions means for podcasters (6:40) Apple Podcasts allowing subscriptions could be good for podcasters but it also could have some negatives as well. The guys look at the short- and long-term effects of Apple's new service on podcasters themselves, including what it broke immediately. Spotify's paid subscription service (11:38) At the same time Apple Podcasts announced their paid subscription service, Spotify has done the same thing. Spotify teams up with Facebook (13:12) Along with their new podcast subscription service, Spotify announced a deal to include their player on Facebook. John and Jay talk about how that will potentially impact your statistics and audience engagement. Podcast show notes: Why have them? (17:18) Matthew Stevens returns for the third time to talk about podcast SEO. This time, it's all about the importance of show notes. Matthew explains how show notes are useful both for marketing and further engaging with your listeners. Podcast show notes: What should go into your show notes? (21:00) Now that you know why you should have show notes, what should you put into them? Matt points out a few key things you need to include -- from the beat-by-beat points from that episode to where you sourced your information. Podcast show notes: Transcription (30:15) Jay and Matt discuss whether using a transcription service is a useful alternative to show notes for those that might not have the time to do them. Podcast show notes: Length (32:13) Matt and John break down how long your show notes should be, both from an SEO perspective and from what people will typically be interested in reading. Podcast show notes: Quotes (36:09) As Matt points out, writing your show notes is a great opportunity to find great quotes and pieces of information that could help your marketing. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - LinkedIn) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn)

With the boom in podcasting over the last year, the landscape is ripe for change and that seems to be on the horizon with Apple Podcast Subscription, a new service Apple is launching in May. With Libsyn recently acquiring their own subscription service in Glow, it appears as though the industry might start pushing towards better monetization in this way. To help talk about the change in business model and much more, John and Jay (Pod Vader) are joined by podcasting legend Evo Terra on this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting. The guys look at the subscription model, how Apple's announcement will impact the industry, how podcast categories need to evolve, and they do a deep dive on Omny Studios' recent report on the stats they're seeing. Show highlights:Introduction How many downloads is “good” (1:55) Omny Studio released a report that benchmarks the number of downloads a month after launch. John, Jay, and Evo discuss what those stats could mean and the issues with the report itself. Top-10 categories for programmatic spending (9:16) https://blog.omnystudio.com/by-the-numbers-844df71fd6fa (According to Omny Studio), sports is the top category for programmatic spending. Jay and Evo take a look at why sports podcasts get the most money compared to other categories. When are episodes listened to (13:12) Only a third of people listen to podcasts on the day they were released. While the bulk of listens come within the first three days, a sizable chunk of people listen months later. Jay, John, and Evo discuss the statistics and how podcasters can use the information to promote their own shows better. What metrics actually matter (18:03) No one seems to agree on what metric is the best to determine a podcast's success. Some consider downloads to be the answer while others look at user ratings. Evo shares some other ideas to determine your podcast's real audience. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions (20:29) With Apple recently announcing their own subscription-based service; Evo, John, and Jay all discuss whether Apple will release more data on those using the service and what Apple Podcasts Subscription service means for the podcast industry. Exclusivity (23:31) As podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts fight for dominance in the market, signing content producers to exclusive deals, what does it mean for the landscape moving forward? As Evo and John note, discovering new podcasts will likely become a lot harder. Subscription services (26:03) With the recent announcement that Apple is starting their own subscription service, others like Glow -- which was recently acquired by Libsyn -- now have to go up against the behemoth. Will any of them survive? Evo believes some will but they better do something unique, though the entire landscape is going to be shaken up. Podcast categories (32:28) As Evo notes, categorizing digital content is difficult because of the lack of limitations. He believes people will happily place their podcast in a ton of different categories, making it difficult to discover podcasts. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - LinkedIn) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://blog.omnystudio.com/by-the-numbers-844df71fd6fa (Omny Studio - By the numbers) https://podcastpontifications.com/ (Podcast Pontifications - Website) https://twitter.com/evoterra (Evo Terra - Twitter)

Podcasts are a great medium to create engaging and unique content while building up a community. However, unless you're a celebrity or a part of a major network, there hasn't been a ton of money funneling down . . . Until now that is. With some recent news and projections, podcast advertising has exploded to start 2021. If you're looking to monetize your podcast, this is a must-listen episode. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Jay (PodVader) discuss eMarketer's recent projection that digital audio advertising will reach nearly $8 billion within the next four years, Libsyn's acquisition of Glow's subscription payment system, and what podcast advertisers are going to be looking for when buying ads on your podcast.  Show highlights:Introduction Podcast advertising: Growth and projections (1:33) http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/digital-audio-ad-spending-to-jump-16-in-2021-predicts-emarketer/article_2d5f1a6e-9d3d-11eb-b037-ef4dcb539033.html (According to eMarketer), there's about to be a massive boom in digital audio advertising. Forecast to go as high as $7.89 billion by 2025, podcasts will get a large slice of that pie, with eMarketer projecting $1.28 billion in podcast ad revenue in 2021. Podcast advertising: What's an audio impression (4:13) For podcasters excited to start raking in the podcast advertising money, knowing what counts as an impression is key. Jay and John discuss what's needed to count as an impression while breaking down some of the important notes for advertisers and podcasters to consider. Podcast advertising: Downloads vs. impression (10:37) With downloads being a major metric to determine a podcast's success, John and Jay discuss the differences between downloads and impressions, and what advertisers likely care most about. Libsyn acquires Glow (28:38) Libsyn has been making some acquisitions recently and they're back with another one. This time Libsyn has acquired Glow, which offers subscription payment system. Jay and John break down what the purchase of Glow will mean for Libsyn and for podcasters using those platforms. Audioboom had record revenue (38:49) The first quarter has been great for Audioboom, who had record revenue to start 2021. Jay dives into some of the numbers, including their average CPM, which points to a ton of podcast advertising dollars flowing in. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up - Website) https://www.instagram.com/qdupaudio/ (Q'd Up - Instagram) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - LinkedIn) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/digital-audio-ad-spending-to-jump-16-in-2021-predicts-emarketer/article_2d5f1a6e-9d3d-11eb-b037-ef4dcb539033.html (Inside Radio - Digital audio ad spend expected to jump) https://rainnews.com/how-long-is-an-audio-impression-pandora-prepares-audibility-initiative/ (Rain News - How long is an audio impression) https://www.axios.com/libsyn-glow-podcast-deal-d4ea593c-dc54-4241-9201-4ecacc45ad35.html (Axios - Libsyn acquires Glow) https://rainnews.com/audioboom-q1-a-breakthrough-with-double-digit-revenue-gains-quarterly-profit-41-cpms-more/ (Rain News - Audioboom had a “breakthrough” Q1)

Podcasting has boomed over the last year. There are more podcasts, more listeners, and more episodes being heard than ever before. But as the medium continues to grow and evolve, with it comes changes to the podcast categories and the podcast demographics. Rob Greenlee -- the vice president of content and partnerships at Libsyn -- joins Jay and John on this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting to share his insight and thoughts on the recent reports by The Infinite Dial study and Nielsen, and what it could mean for everyone moving forward. Show highlights:Introduction Diversity in podcasting (2:15) As we learned in both The Infinite Dial study and Nielsen's podcasting report, podcast audiences are more diverse than the population of the country. Rob and Jay share their thoughts on why that might be. Hispanic growth (3:29) The latest Nielsen report points to massive growth in podcasting among the Hispanic population. Rob and John share insights from what they've seen and why they believe that market is currently booming. Using demographics to improve advertising (6:20) Brands want to advertise to their target audience, so as a podcaster, knowing who listens to your content is critical. Podcast categories: Music (7:03) One area of the Nielsen report that confused both Jay and Rob was that among light podcast listeners, music was the top podcast category. They walk through how that might be an error on behalf of the study. Podcast categories: History (9:04) While light listeners are going with music, heavy listeners are actually diving into history. Once again, Rob explains how that might not be entirely accurate. Podcast categories: Content opportunities (9:54) Using his insights at Libsyn, Rob points out that the religion podcast category has a ton of episodes but people aren't listening. However, he details a few categories that have a great base already built up. Podcast categories: Creating new categories (14:02) John provides an example of a podcast https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) recently launched but couldn't find a direct category for. John and Rob discuss why the industry should expand into new subcategories. Podcast categories: Listening location (15:47) Jay shares another piece of the Nielsen report that details people's listening habits in different locations. From in the car to at work and at home, people tend to want to listen to different things at different points of their day.  Podcast demographics: Median age (18:29) Nielsen's report says the median age of all podcast listeners is 38 years old. Rob discusses how the median age is getting younger and how certain podcast categories show it happening already. Podcast categories: News (22:50) Jay and Rob break down how news has changed and evolved over time, including how it's becoming more entertainment-based. Evolution of podcasting (25:05) Though podcasting has boomed and we've seen so many advances in technology, Rob believes the core of podcasting has stayed the same. Still, Rob points to Apple's iPhone and the Serial podcast as big milestones in the evolution of the medium. Biggest challenges of podcasting (30:05) Whether for good or bad, Rob believes the limited monetization of podcasting has been one of the biggest hurdles still. If and how that changes in the coming years will help shape the medium as a whole. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - LinkedIn) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - LinkedIn) https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/02/Nielsen-Podcasting-Today-Feb-2021.pdf (Nielsen - Podcasting Today) https://blog.pacific-content.com/the-most-crowded-categories-in-apple-podcasts-april-2021-edition-273b3d59866e (Pacific Content - Most crowded categories) https://twitter.com/robgreenlee (Rob Greenlee - Twitter)...

Voice assistants and smart devices were an emerging market that has since exploded onto the scene during the coronavirus pandemic. With more people embracing the technology in their everyday lives, it's an area podcasters should look to if they want to get in early. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, John and Jay (PodVader) are joined by Jason Fields, the chief strategy officer at Voicify, to talk about how voice assistants can create unique podcasting experiences. Whether it's a custom voice assistant app to expand upon topics brought up in your podcast or a way for new listeners to find you, savvy podcasters can use this technology to their benefit. Show highlights:Introduction What is voicify? (1:05) Jason explains what Voicify is and how it's being used to create better experiences using a voice assistant. How smart speakers promote more audio listening (3:20) Jason details how the explosion of smart speakers has helped to promote more audio listening -- podcasts and audiobooks. COVID-19's impact on smart speakers (4:30) Jay shares some of the stats from https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial study) that shows smart-speaker use boomed in 2020. With the coronavirus pandemic keeping people home, Jason believes they were exposed to the full breadth of what voice assistants could do for them. Going from the novelty of setting a timer or playing music to more specific forms of voice entertainment, the additional home time allowed and encouraged people to experiment, especially when working from home.  Brand loyalty (8:51) As Jay notes, the use of a specific smart assistant didn't necessarily mean the adoption of that company's music services. Jason expects there won't be much brand loyalty from consumers, with most choosing features Integrating voice assistants with podcasts (11:08) With voice assistants making it easier for people to find and consume audio content, podcasts are a natural partner. Jason explains how podcasters can use voice assistants to present listeners with a deeper dive into their content and provide more interactive advertising opportunities. Discovering podcasts with voice (21:48) Jason gives some examples of how using voice assistants could help people find your podcast easier and how it can be integrated as business solutions.  The demographics of voice assistant users(25:28) As Jay points out, https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial study) determined smart speaker usage skews heavily towards younger generations. However, both Jay and Jason discuss how that statistic might not be entirely accurate. Voice search (28:33) With voice assistants becoming a bigger part of the market, brands are trying to figure out how to be at the top of the charts, leading many to wonder about voice search. However, Jason believes the trend will lean more toward creating custom solutions that fill a specific need. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - Linked In) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - Linked In) Edison Research - https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial 2021) Tom Edison - https://webby2001.medium.com/the-state-of-podcast-listening-for-2021-podcasting-finds-a-way-b485c530c55a (The State of Podcast Listening for 2021) https://voicify.com/ (Voicify - Website) https://www.linkedin.com/company/voicifysoftware/ (Voicify - LinkedIn) Jason Fields - Emai

On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, we're back with part 2 of the podcast statistics miniseries.  Jay (PodVader) and John are back with special guest Dr. John Sullivan, a professor of Media and Communications at Muhlenberg College, to break down some of the key stats in The Infinite Dial study and how they can be applied to podcast marketing. From the social media platforms people are using to the demographics that make up podcast listeners, knowing your audience is essential to properly promoting your podcast. John, Jay, and Dr. Sullivan also discuss how the medium has grown and what podcast statistics point to potentially even more growth in the next year. Show highlights:Introduction 2 million podcasts! (1:18) Apple Podcasts has officially passed the 2 million mark. Jay, Dr. Sullivan, and John discuss the meteoric rise and what we could see over the next year. 2021 Podcast statistics: Social media (7:23) As https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial study) shows, the use of TikTok is up but all platforms still fall underneath the behemoth that is Facebook. Dr. Sullivan and Jay discuss how to use that information to better market your podcast. 2021 Podcast statistics: Listener demographics (13:06) As Jay notes, while listening is up compared to previous years, the growth has come among younger users while the middle-aged group has actually fallen. However, Dr. Sullivan explains how the coronavirus pandemic might have skewed those stats. The guys also break down how the increase in certain demographics really points to something even bigger. 2021 Podcast statistics: The trouble with surveys (17:26) Dr. Sullivan explains how surveys aren't necessarily a perfect way of determining certain metrics. 2021 Podcast statistics: Live stream podcast (21:23) Jay found the number of people watching live streams fascinating. Dr. Sullivan broke down how a live stream podcast could fit certain audiences and how radio might want to look to podcasting for building and engaging with their community. 2021 Podcast statistics: Apple vs. Spotify (29:40) Dr. Sullivan believes Apple might have nearly reached the top of their potential growth, leading to apps like Spotify potentially becoming even larger in the near future. But as Jay points out, podcasting might just be tied to Apple Podcasts. 2021 Podcast statistics: Cars (37:58) As expected, https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial study) said car usage was down dramatically during last year's coronavirus pandemic. It's a spot Dr. Sullivan believes could have immense growth, especially if voice assistants begin getting added to cars. 2021 Podcast statistics: Diversity in podcasting (43:22) According to several studies and surveys, podcasting is more diverse than the population of the United States. Dr. Sullivan is excited about that diversity because it means podcasting is reflecting the shift of the country itself and what that means for the continued growth of the medium. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - Linked In) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - Linked In) Edison Research - https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial 2021) Tom Edison - https://webby2001.medium.com/the-state-of-podcast-listening-for-2021-podcasting-finds-a-way-b485c530c55a (The State of Podcast Listening for 2021) https://www.muhlenberg.edu/academics/mediacom/facultystaff/johnsullivan/ (Dr. John Sullivan - Muhlenberg College website) https://twitter.com/jsullivan47 (Dr. John Sullivan - Twitter)

In the first episode of what will be a miniseries, the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting breaks down the 2021 podcast statistics found on The Infinite Dial study. John and Jay explain the finer points of the study, including how podcasting has grown over the last decade, which platforms are rising, and how these latest podcast statistics could point to content changing to meet emerging demographics. If you want to know where podcasting is heading and what all the stats mean for you as a podcaster, this is a must-listen miniseries. Show highlights:Introduction 2021 Podcast statistics: Interesting stats (3:55) Jay covers some of the interesting stats that didn't quite fit into a category. That includes the percentage of people who have smartphones and tablets, as well the latest changes in both podcast and radio listenership. 2021 Podcast statistics: Platforms (8:13) There are more weekly listeners of online audio than ever before but the top platform might surprise you. Jay and John break down the rankings and what platform might become the largest soon. 2021 Podcast statistics: Growth of podcasting (12:19) Edison Research's latest podcast stats point to continued massive growth in podcasting, both in the percentage of people that are familiar with podcasts and those that actually listen to podcasts. 2021 Podcast statistics: Monthly listening (18:51) Continuing to point at the growth of podcasting, monthly listening is up several percentage points from last year. But as Jay notes, the key demographic of 35-to-54-year-olds is actually down a percentage point, which could change how content could change to reflect that. 2021 Podcast statistics: Weekly listening (22:38) Just like the monthly listeners, there are more people listening to podcasts on a weekly basis than ever before. Jay discusses the breakdown in the number of podcast shows and podcast episodes listeners had within the last week and what that means for podcasters, including those thinking about a daily podcast. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - Linked In) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - Linked In) Edison Research - https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/ (The Infinite Dial 2021) Tom Edison - https://webby2001.medium.com/the-state-of-podcast-listening-for-2021-podcasting-finds-a-way-b485c530c55a (The State of Podcast Listening for 2021)

Your podcast description is one of the first things people see when deciding whether they should listen to your podcast. On this episode of the Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting, Matthew Stevens joins Jay and John again to discuss podcast descriptions. From how they play a pivotal role in attracting a potential listener's attention to what you need to consider when writing yours, Matt breaks down all the key things you need to know. Show highlights:Introduction Apple Podcasts: Follow or subscribe (1:35) With Apple's latest BETA iOS release, they've changed the term “subscribe” to “follow.” Jay breaks down the facts of the situation and his thoughts on whether it really matters. Podcast descriptions (9:19) We welcome back Matthew Stevens to the show to discuss SEO for podcasts. Matt breaks down what a podcast description is and what you should be including in yours. Podcast description: SEO (13:30) Your show description isn't just the book cover of your podcast, it's a great opportunity to tell Google what it's about. By applying some best practices and making sure to include your main keyword, your podcast can be found on search engines easier. What should go into your podcast description? (15:00) As Matt notes, content is king when writing anything. It has to catch someone's eye and be worthy of their time, which means including the right information. Matt says a podcast description has to include who you are, what you're going to be talking about, when your episodes air, and other pertinent information for someone looking to subscribe. Character length in a podcast description (17:36) Figuring out the right length of a podcast description is going to depend on your host but it's not quite that simple. You don't want it to be too long because people won't read it, but it has to be long enough to get all the information needed. Writing a better podcast description (24:45) Matt goes over some of the best tips for writing your podcast description. Links:https://www.qd-up.com/ (Q'd Up) https://twitter.com/TheRealPodVader (Pod Vader - Twitter) Pod Vader - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/podvader (Pod Vader - Linked In) John - Email https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-luckenbaugh (John - Linked In)