Podcasts about thepodcasthost

Jon discusses the opportunity and benefits of being a podcast guest with podcast expert, Colin Gray. The conversation covers how to prepare effectively, the importance of standing out with unique viewpoints, and the value of personal stories in connecting with audiences. Additionally, they provide practical advice for pitch strategies, the significance of post-appearance promotion, and insights on content creation for architects. Colin, founder of The Podcast Host and Alitu, shares tools and tips to help prospective guests thrive in their podcast debut and offers resources to aid new podcasters. Colin encourages simplicity, content quality, and authenticity as key elements of successful podcasting.Today's Guest...Colin Gray is a podcaster, speaker, PhD, and founder of ThePodcastHost.com and Alitu. ThePodcastHost.com is a huge audio, video, and written resource on how to create a successful show. Alitu.com is a podcast maker tool, designed to help you create your podcast in the easiest way possible, and with full creative control, including call recording, audio cleanup, audio editing, building your episode, and hosting your show.Episode Highlights...00:00 Introduction01:28 Meet the Expert: Colin Gray03:59 The Power of Podcasting for Architects08:04 Crafting Your Unique Pitch16:26 Preparing for Your Podcast Debut21:43 Avoiding Common Podcast Pitfalls26:24 The Importance of Spontaneity in Podcasting27:22 Vocal Warm-Ups and Technical Preparations30:35 Leveraging Podcast Appearances for Growth38:10 Creating and Promoting Your Own Podcast43:50 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways46:54 Favorite Travel Destinations48:41 Conclusion and ResourcesKey Takeaways...Preparation is Key for Being a Podcast Guest:Spend time identifying and crafting your unique viewpoints and stories that differentiate you in your industry. Proactively send prep questions to the host, which can guide the conversation and ensure you cover important points during the interview. Plan technical preparations, like testing software, ensuring no updates disrupt the recording, and doing vocal warm-ups to enhance your speaking performance.Promote and Leverage Your Podcast Appearance:Actively promote your podcast episode on your social media channels, email list, and website to help grow the show and build a favorable relationship with the host. Use the episode content in various ways, such as embedding it on your website, creating clips for social media, or adding it to playlists to maximise its value and reach. Consider reusing the episode content for your marketing materials or as a feature on your "About Me" page, which can be powerful in showcasing your expertise.Simplify the Process When Starting Your Own Podcast:Focus on the content rather than getting bogged down by gear and software choices. Use simple, reliable tools to begin with. Embrace a 'live recording' mindset for the first few episodes to avoid the overwhelming task of editing and improve your speaking skills naturally. Start recording and publishing episodes as quickly as possible to gain experience and feedback, which will help you refine and improve your show over time.Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about where to buy podcast music. You *can* buy song licenses outright. But the most common route is to pay a monthly subscription for a service where you can use anything on there for the duration of that subscription. These libraries usually include sound effects, too. Many services grant you a lifetime license here, so you don’t need to go back and remove music from previous episodes after you’ve cancelled your subscription, and there are rarely download limits, either. Obviously, you should always check the Ts and Cs of any platform you decide to use, though. Two of our favourite places to buy podcast music are Epidemic and Shutterstock. If you head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/music we regularly have coupon code deals for them, too. Music Radio Creative are another great service that can produce voice-branded intros and outros for your show. And you’ll also find a link to them over at http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about finding free podcast music. There’s no shortage of tracks out there that you can use 100% free of charge, so long as you credit and link back to the creator in your show notes. We run a free podcast music library ourselves, and you’re totally welcome to pick something from there. Head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/freemusic for a look. http://Incompetech.com is probably the most famous creative commons music resource on the web, too. There’s tonnes of top-quality stuff over there. The big downside of free music is that a lot of other podcasters are using it. And it can be hard to build a memorable brand if your theme tune pops up again and again on countless other shows. If that’s is a concern for you, then we’ll cover paid options in our next episode. For our free music library though, that link once again is http://ThePodcastHost.com/freemusic

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “so, what music CAN I use in my podcast?”. Whilst Harry Styles’ latest track is strictly off-limits there are plenty of music options that are safe, legal, and - in some cases - free to use on your podcast. Two terms you’ll often come across are “Creative Commons” and “Royalty-Free”. Creative Commons usually means you can use music for free, so long as you credit and link back to the creator. Royalty-Free, on the other hand, usually means that you’ve paid up-front for a license to use a piece of music, going forward. There are variations on Creative Commons and Royalty-Free licenses - for example, commercial and non-commercial - so our definitions shouldn’t be taken as blanket terms. On the next couple of episodes we’ll point you towards some resources for actually finding music for your show. In the meantime, though, be sure to check out our full guide at http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “can I use ANY music in my podcast?” The short answer here is “no”. And any music you hear on the radio or on your favourite Spotify playlist is probably off-limits. Be wary of myths like “it’s fine if it’s less than seven seconds” and “it’s okay so long as you’re not making money with your podcast”. “Fair Use” gets quoted a lot, too. Fair use is a defence you can use if you get in trouble. But who wants to get in trouble? In short, avoid this altogether. Your podcast isn’t going to live or die based on whether you have Bohemian Rhapsody as your theme tune. And if it does? Well, then we need to get back to the content planning stages, don’t we? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Copyright

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “do I need podcast music?” There’s no rule to say that your show *must* have music. But many podcasters stick some at the beginning and end of the show to add that extra layer of professionalism and identity. Just be wary of letting music play on its own for any longer than ten seconds on your podcast. Whilst TV and film can get away with this because of their visual elements, it doesn’t work that way in audio. Your listeners are plugging in to hear from you - not an extended version of your theme tune. You can also use music as transitions in-between segments, or as “beds” underneath speech. For most podcasters though, this is overkill, and you run the risk of annoying your listener rather than impressing them. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about encouraging guests to share your episodes. Whether we like it or not, no guest is obliged to share your content with their audience. But if you follow the advice in the previous episodes, your chat should be memorable enough to make them want to. The key is to ask nicely, and to make it easy for them. Be sure to succinctly remind them why you think the conversation will be interesting and valuable to *their* audience. Some podcasters even pre-write a tweet so all the groundwork is done for them. If you go the extra mile and create some nice blog and social graphics around the interview, that’s going to make it more shareable, too. Oh, and one final tip - why not have some branded podcast swag sent over to them via a service like GuestBoxLove? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/GuestSharing

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about “super” podcast interview questions. When you cover the basics well, you can go the extra mile to help make your guest stand out from everyone else. Here are some fun questions that can entertain your listener whilst still leaving them with a few useful insights, too. - What are you NOT Very Good at? - Tell me something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on. - When did you last change your mind about something? - Room, desk and car – which do you clean first? - What’s the very first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? These questions allow for that essential human touch. They can throw up humility, authenticity, wisdom, and even, a wee bit of controversy. They’ll leave a lasting impression in the minds of your listeners, and that’s ultimately what gets them sharing your content, and keeps them coming back for more. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about core questions around the conversation topic. Here we can dig in and explore by asking your guest some seemingly provocative questions. They’ll usually be glad to answer these as it gives them a chance to counter claims they’ll hear a lot. “So, you’re a Vegan Baking Specialist – isn’t it really hard to bake without eggs?” Or “Doesn’t home schooling just deprive kids of making friends?” Here, you can pick out some common myths or misconceptions to talk through and clarify. You might also want to ask a question like “what’s the most common reason people fail at this?” which sounds negative, but can throw up some really actionable answers. Then there’s the classic “what’s the one thing you wish you knew when you were just getting started?” which puts a much better spin on the old “advice for folks just starting out” question. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about core questions to ask your guest. This is another wing to your storytelling angle. It lets the listener focus on the guest themselves. People love to hear things in context, after all. “Believe in yourself and never give up!” is all well and good. But people often can’t see that applying to them… until they hear a story about it happening to someone else. Here are some examples of questions that can lead to engaging and insightful podcast interviews. - Which hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them? - Was it obvious or did you stumble upon the answers? - How did you get started? Talk me through it. - What compelled you to become a screenwriter? Again, this gives your listener a peek behind the curtain and shows them that the guest was once in a similar position as they are now. And what could be more encouraging than that? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about seeking out stories in podcast interviews. As we’ve mentioned on the show before, stories are the original and best type of shareable content. There’s a subtle but powerful difference between “here’s how to grow a business” and “here’s how *I* grew *my* business”. Stories are never just straightforward routes to success either. They’re littered with setbacks, conflicts, emotions, and even seemingly “all is lost” moments. Your listener wants to live through these with you and learn from the experiences, not just the end product. It’s worth asking your guest if they have any interesting or entertaining stories before you hit the record button, too. Don’t let them actually tell you the story there and then. All you need is a heads up so you can prompt them about it during their interview, then, introduce it naturally. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to ThePodcastHost.com/interviewprep

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “should I send questions over to guests in advance?” You’ll probably have a list of pre-written questions as a framework for your interviews. But as we’ve covered already, you won’t want to ask these in a linear ‘game show host’ style. On top of that, sending a guest a list of questions in advance can cause them to overthink and rehearse answers. This doesn’t make for a very engaging or authentic conversation. Certain questions *are* worth pre-warning about, though. These are what’s known as “thinkers”. An example might be something like “what’s your favourite book?” or “what advice do you have for someone just starting out?”. It’s unlikely anyone can give genuine answers to questions like these on the spot, so they’re definitely worth a heads up in advance. But - these are the exception to the rule. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/interviewprep

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about asking follow-up questions. So your guest just finishes telling you they built a time machine, travelled back 70 million years, and shot a T-Rex. You take a look at your next question and ask “so, what’s your favourite WordPress plugin?”. Interviewers who actually listen to their guests and ask good follow-up questions often find the real gold. Questions like “why do you think that?” “what was that like?” Or, “could you explain what this means?” can lead you to some fantastic content. Sure, have a list of pre-written questions. But use these as a framework or backup if things fall flat. Always pick up on threads that seem interesting or curious. Even if you know the answer, your listener might not. And you’re here to bring value to them, not to make them feel dumb, left out, or wanting more. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about introducing your podcast guests. It’s those dreaded words “so, tell us a bit about yourself” that can lead to you waking up, six hours later, listening to an interviewee ramble on about his toy car collection. This isn’t the guest's fault. They’ve just been handed the mic and let off the leash with no real direction. They don’t know your audience. But you do. And it’s your job to succinctly introduce your guest to them with a quick rundown of who they are, and *why they’re here.* Remember we talked about the value your guest will bring? Well, let your listener know that as soon as possible. Keep them engaged and tuned in. Sure, there’s room to explore personal and off-topic stuff, but that should be done towards the end - after you’ve given your listener the content they’ve been promised. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “why is this guest on my show?”. Now that might sound a little rude, but don’t worry, this is the question we ask ourselves *before* we even invite someone onto our podcast. In order to answer this question, you need to put yourself in the shoes… or earbuds… of your audience. Ask yourself “what value can this person bring to my listener?”. Will they teach them something? Motivate them? Make them laugh? Your listener’s attention is precious, and you’re one of the few people they trust with it. So once you know *why* you’re bringing a person onto your show, you can prepare properly to make sure they get the maximum value from that time. Everyone wins here - your audience enjoys it, your guest sounds great, and your show has its desired impact which helps it to grow. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about finding podcast guests. If you run an interview podcast, it can be challenging to get folks to come on your show at first. A great starting point is to approach other podcasters in your niche. They already know how it all works, and you know they’ll sound great, too. On top of that, if they share the episode with their own audience it’s going to send some early traffic your way. Then, there are YouTubers, bloggers, or authors who’re typically always up for a chat, too. There are even dedicated services to help you find interviewees. Or even, to get booked as a guest on other shows, too. Check out Podchaser Connect, PodcastGuests.com, or Matchmaker FM for three of our favourites. Or, get our full guide to this topic including links to the sites mentioned here, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/guests

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about organising guests or co-hosts. If you think tech and equipment can be challenging, then you should try wrangling humans. Your guests or co-hosts could live in any time zones around the globe. They might be super-organised, but they might also be pretty shambolic, easily distracted, and forgetful. Then, there’s the conversations themselves. How do you make people sound their best on your show? Even if they’re giving you little more than one-word answers. OR, aren’t letting you get a word in edgeways? On the next few episodes we’re going to give you some essential tips on organising and talking to your guests and co-hosts, so make sure you’re subscribed to Pocket-Sized Podcasting on your listening app of choice. You won’t want to miss this. Finally, we always love to hear your feedback on the show. What do you like about it? And what might we do to make it even better? Be sure to let us know, quickly and easily, over at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about booking tools for organising guests or co-hosts. Different time zones and scheduling conflicts can drop you into an endless cycle of messages where days and times are suggested but never agreed upon. If you’re regularly trying to arrange suitable dates and times with others, it’s well worth using a tool like Calendly or Book Like a Boss. These platforms can show folks all the times you’re available, and they simply need to pick a slot that suits them. Another great tool is Doodle which comes in handy for organising groups of three or more. A Doodle poll lets people pick all their available times, and then you’ll see - at a glance - the ones that everyone can manage. Again, those three tools are Doodle, Calendly, and Book Like a Boss. For a deeper dive on this topic, and for links to the platforms mentioned, head on over to ThePodcastHost.com/booking

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about what you should eat before a recording session. It’s worth saying right away, that, unless you run an ASMR podcast, you probably want to avoid eating *during* a recording session. Some podcasters feel they have more energy if they’re in a bit of a fasted state when they get behind the mic. Others will snack beforehand on foods that aren’t likely to dry out their mouth or cause brain fog. Many voice coaches swear by green apples for hydrating the mouth. Some other podcasters we know use liquorice to soothe their throats. Nuts and seeds also make for useful pre-recording snacks, whilst common things to avoid are dairy, overly-salty foods, and refined sugars. But, you should always get to know your own body and your own reaction to foods. Everyone’s different, after all. So only ever do what works best for you. And, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/food

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about what you should drink before or during recording. Getting behind the mic whilst dehydrated is a bad idea for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you’re just going to have less energy and feel a bit groggy. Secondly, you’re going to make more dry lip-smacking mouth noises that’ll have your listener reaching for the ‘unsubscribe’ button. So be sure to have some water before and during your session. Don’t go overboard, though, as over-hydration can lead to excessive mouth noises, too. Plus, There’s nothing worse than needing a pee ten minutes into an engaging interview. For some podcasters, coffee is their superpower. For others, it can really dry out their mouths. Only you’ll know best what camp you fall into here. In summary, though, a moderate amount of water before and during recording works best for the vast majority of podcasters. But, for a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/drink

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about pre-recording practicalities. This is the less glamorous but still vitally important side of recording. Your gear and environment aren’t the only factors that’ll determine whether you sound like a seasoned pro or a complete beginner. As the old saying goes - “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. Or, here’s a good one to test your mic’s pop filter - “prior preparation prevents poor performance.” On the next few episodes, we’ll take a look at things like mic technique, minimising interruptions, and even how what you eat or drink can affect your show’s audio quality. Finally, we always love to hear your feedback on Pocket-Sized Podcasting. What do you like about the show? And what might we do to make it even better? Be sure to let us know, quickly and easily, over at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the “Cold Open”. You know when you sit down to watch your favourite TV show and the episode starts before you’ve even opened your bag of Doritos? Then, after about five minutes, the intro kicks in? Well, that’s what’s known as a “cold open“. Many podcasters use cold opens at the beginning of their episodes. You’ve probably heard them before. You hit play and immediately seem to have landed bang in the middle of a guest explaining “…so it was at this point I decided to wear a diving suit made of sirloin steaks and go swimming with sharks.” Obviously, the idea is that you think “wait, how is this idiot still alive to tell the tale? I need to get the full story.” And you keep on listening. Cold opens can be a compelling way to hook listeners. And, for a deeper dive on how to get the best from them, head over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/ColdOpens

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about introducing and ending your episodes. Obviously, the most important part of any podcast episode is its main content. But the way you open and close your episodes is vital when it comes to listeners even getting to that stage. Think about it, each episode you release is going to be someone’s first impression of your show. On top of that, you only have five minutes to “hook” a third of all podcast listeners. That’s according to recent data from our Podcast Discoverability survey. So you need to leave them in absolutely no doubt that this episode is a must-listen. Then, after you’ve delivered on your promise, you need to finish strongly enough that they’ll come back for more. On the following episodes, we’ll have some tips and pointers to help you do just that. For a deeper dive on this topic, head over to https://www.thepodcasthost.com/strongstarts And, remember to leave your feedback for Pocket-Sized Podcasting at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the rough podcast script. This one is near the ‘make-it-up-as-you-go-along’ end of the scripting spectrum. Here, you’ll mainly use bullet points to remind you where you’re going. You’re relying on your expert knowledge on the subject to fill in the gaps. This leads to the most conversational type of podcast and is often the most engaging. When you’re speaking from experience, your voice becomes a lot more active, and a lot less monotone. The problem, of course, is that there’s a chance that you’ll miss stuff out or maybe even get something wrong. So the time you might’ve saved in doing a more detailed script can easily be spent on extra editing or re-recording. For an in-depth look at podcast scripting, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/scripting And on top of that, we’d love your feedback on Pocket-Sized Podcasting, which you can quickly and easily leave for us at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the ‘detailed episode plan’ podcast script. This is the most common way of scripting a podcast. It’s a great alternative to the word-for-word method. Here, you can write down every point you want to hit, every resource you want to mention, and every story you want to cover. You’re not trying to script every single word, though, so you still have that freedom to talk naturally *with* your listener, instead of reading *at* them. Your personality can shine through here, without the risk of going off-track or forgetting something. For an in-depth look at podcast scripting, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/scripting On top of that, we’d love your feedback on Pocket-Sized Podcasting, which you can quickly and easily leave for us at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the word-for-word podcast script. This method is great because you’ll never forget or leave anything out. It can also help a lot if you lack the confidence to speak for any length of time. But, there are big cons, too. Scripting a show this way takes ages. Few podcasters can also pull off word-for-word reading and make it sound conversational. You run the risk of your episodes being a bit flat and monotone. By all means, give it a shot. But it’s likely not going to be the best option for you in the long run. For an in-depth look at podcast scripting, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/scripting On top of that, we’d love your feedback on Pocket-Sized Podcasting, which you can quickly and easily leave for us at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the how-to method, when it comes to creating shareable content. This is the classic problem-solution pairing. What are your audience struggling with? What do they need help with? You might already have a decent idea of this, based on our recent ‘Question Research’ episode. Starting your title with, “How to” is arguably the most effective way of getting folks to click on it. You might say “well, that’s just clickbait”. But is it really “just clickbait” if it delivers what it promises? Some examples of ‘how-to’ episodes that’ll have their target audience hitting play without a second thought are - ‘How to become a scratch golfer’ - ‘How to improve your sleep quality’ - ‘How to talk to your kids about grief’ - And, ‘How to pass your driving test’ For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the case study method, when it comes to creating shareable content. Case studies use examples of people doing things, or events taking place. For example, a biking podcast might do a deep dive into how one rider prepared for and won a big tournament. Or a football podcast might chronicle the journey of a team of underdogs from a small village who won a national trophy. You can almost think of it as a movie. It’s a great opportunity to tell a story - and stories are the ultimate and oldest form of shareable content. Try to answer questions like “what’s their main motivation?”, “what are their biggest obstacles?”, and “what are they doing differently?”. This is going to leave your listener feeling clued up, motivated, and inspired! For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the cost method, when it comes to creating shareable content. When people buy things these days, they do their research online first. So here’s where you can help your target audience get the info they need. What cost-related questions do you think they might commonly type into Google? For example, a nutritional therapy podcast might run an episode titled “how much does a food intolerance test cost?”. Or a show about living off-grid might run one about, “how much does a wood burning stove cost?”. You might even do a costs list where you compare your own product or service to your competitors. This honest approach can help build trust and authority, too. To sum up, cost episodes are helpful, discoverable, and highly shareable. For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the comparison method, when it comes to creating shareable content. Mac versus PC, Pepsi versus Cola, Nike versus Adidas. This is the celebrity death match episode format where you’re going to throw two rivals into the arena and see who comes out on top. Here, you’d tend to look at key relevant factors such as cost, quality, and ease of use. This is almost like the review method but you’re looking at two things, rather than one. We’ve created these ourselves in the past where we’ve had showdowns between popular mics or audio software programmes. Again, this is totally topic dependent. Do you podcast about mountain biking? Well, let’s hear your take on the two most popular brands of tyres. Are you more of a business coach? Then maybe your listeners would like your help deciding on one of two popular types of accounting software. For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the review method, when it comes to creating shareable content. Before people try or buy things themselves, they generally like to hear the opinions of others. You probably do this yourself each time you nip on to Amazon. Reviewing products, services, or other topic-relevant things can help your listeners to make more informed decisions. They’ll really appreciate you for this, and they’ll want to share these episodes with others each time they see this particular thing being discussed in future, too. It’ll always depend on exactly what you’re reviewing, but common points to hit are factors like cost, quality, and ease of use. Can you write up a list of four or five things you think would make for great review episodes on your own show? This is another super-shareable type of content, and it can be handy for SEO, too. For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the list method, when it comes to creating shareable content. Let’s face it, we all love lists. There’s something compelling about content that promises knowledge like “the top 7 guitarists of all time”, or “the best 11 beers in the world right now”. So it’s just a case of taking this method and re-working it for your own topic. You can base this on products your listeners might use, places they might visit, recipes they might cook-up, or movies they might watch. Don’t get overly hung up on the word “best”, too. Just be clear that this is your personal opinion, and that you welcome all feedback and differing viewpoints. The engagement these episodes brings is all part of the fun - and, the wider benefit! For an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about how to create shareable content. Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to grow your podcast. According to our Discoverability survey, over 33% of listeners find new shows to listen to based on what others have shared or recommended. So how do you make your podcast episodes shareable, or “recommendable”? There are actually six frameworks you can build your episode around. And, after hearing them, your listeners will be dying to tell others about them, too. These frameworks are - lists, comparisons, reviews, case studies, how-tos, and costs. Over the next six episodes, we’re going to take a look at each one and see how you might best use it in your own podcast. So make sure you’re subscribed to or following Pocket-Sized Podcasting in your app of choice - trust me, you won’t want to miss these! And, for an in-depth look at creating shareable content, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/shareable

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about coming up with episode ideas. As is often the case in podcasting, this depends a lot on your topic. But there are some common themes we see with podcasters coming up with episode ideas. Maybe a recent personal experience or funny anecdote can tie in to your subject or topic. Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from a book you’ve just read, or a movie you’ve just watched. Or maybe there’s something in the news right now that your audience would be interested to hear your take on. It’s a good idea to keep a document of all the evergreen episode ideas you think of, too. That way, you know you’ve always got something to fall back on if you go through a challenging creative period in the future. For a deeper dive on how to come up with fresh podcast episode ideas, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/ideas

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about how to link to and share your podcast. This is a big mistake many podcasters make when they promote their content - they share a link to somewhere like Apple or Spotify. Sure, these places are where a lot of podcast listening happens. But remember, there are hundreds of other apps and directories, too. You definitely can’t link to them all, especially not in a tweet, so what do you do? Quite simply, you send them to one place - your website. We’re going to take a deeper dive into making your podcast website on a future episode, but you already have one as soon as you’ve signed up for your hosting account. You can even buy a domain name and have it point to that whilst you work on setting up something a bit more personalised. And, for an in-depth look at how to link to your show, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/sharing

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about getting listed in any directories and apps your show isn’t yet appearing in. As we mentioned before, the fact that you’re in Apple Podcasts means you’re automatically in a hundred other places. Google Podcasts will start noticing you without you needing to do anything, either. Well, they are in the search business, after all! But, there are three other platforms you’ll want to log in to or create an account for, in order to submit your RSS feed to. Those are Stitcher, TuneIn, Amazon, and Audible. I know, I know, that’s actually four. But if you’re in Amazon, you’re in Audible, and vice-versa. We’ve got full guides on submitting to each of these platforms, which you can find at http://ThePodcastHost.com/directories

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about getting listed in Spotify. Spotify is hot on the heels of Apple when it comes to global podcast consumption. You’ll definitely want to get your show listed here. And, it’s even easier than submitting to their fruit-loving rivals. Most hosting providers have simple one-click “submit to Spotify” buttons in their distribution sections. What’s more, some of our recently launched shows have appeared on Spotify less than an hour after submitting. You can easily submit manually, too, if your host doesn’t have a one-click button. Just copy your RSS feed link, go to http://podcasters.spotify.com and paste it to the ‘Add a Podcast’ section. The novel thing about the Spotify podcasters portal is that you’ll see some data on what music your listeners tend to enjoy. Can you imagine the irony of your death metal podcast throwing up “favourite artists” like The Cheeky Girls and S Club 7? By the way - if that happens to you, please let us know! And, for a deeper dive on submitting your show to Spotify, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/getonspotify

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about getting listed in Apple Podcasts - AKA, iTunes. Apple has always been - and remains - the number one place where podcasts are consumed. We also know that, by being listed here, your show will automatically pop up in a trillion other apps you’ve never heard of. To submit to Apple you just need to create a free Apple ID. Or, you might have one already. Bottom line, you need to log in to [PodcastsConnect.Apple.com](http://PodcastsConnect.Apple.com) and click on the ‘Add’ button. Then, just copy and paste your RSS feed from your hosting account, check the details, and submit. It can take 2-3 days for your podcast to appear in Apple Podcasts, so don’t panic if you don’t see it in there right away. Apple will email you if there’s any issues, too! For a deeper dive on submitting to iTunes, including screenshots and a video, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/ApplePodcasts

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about getting listed in podcast directories. People listen to podcasts on hundreds of different apps and platforms. In a previous episode, we learned that you only need to upload your content to one place - your hosting account - and it’ll appear in all these places automatically. But how do we make sure these directories know our podcast exists in the first place? For this, we use a unique URL called an RSS feed. You’ll get one of these when you create your show in your hosting account. You can easily submit this to any directory or app you like. And because Apple Podcasts and Spotify account for about 65% of global podcast listening, you’re over halfway there simply by being listed in those two. And there’s more good news. Being listed in Apple Podcasts means you’ll automatically be listed in almost all of the other apps and directories out there. So what initially might’ve looked like a mammoth task is really just a few minutes of work! For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to ThePodcastHost.com/directories

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the myth of the podcast “launch”. The term “launch” is ambiguous, because, creating your show and publishing your first episode means you’re “launching” your podcast. But we might also think of our launch as something glitzy and hyped-up, like the release of the latest iPhone or Xbox console. When new tech, or even new books are released, they only have a few weeks to “sink or swim” because of how sales and charts work in these fields. The good news? This has absolutely nothing in common with podcasting whatsoever. Some of the most successful podcasters spent months or even years talking to tiny audiences, before their consistency and hard work eventually paid off. So, sure, promote and market your new pod as best you can when it’s released. But the most important thing isn’t how much hype you drum up - it’s how soon you get back to work on your next episode! For a deeper dive on your podcast launch, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/yourlaunch

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about why you might make an ‘Episode Zero’. This is the name given to a type of introductory or “pre-launch” podcast episode. It isn’t *essential* to create an Episode Zero. But many podcasters do – and there’s a few good reasons why it might be worth considering for your own show. An Episode Zero can be similar to a promo trailer in the way it introduces your show and your topic. The main difference is length. An Episode Zero would ideally still err on the shorter side of, say, 3-6 minutes. But that still gives you a lot more time than a 30-second trailer. One of the biggest benefits of an Episode Zero is that it gives you that “one published episode” needed to submit your show everywhere. That means your podcast can be fully set up and ready to go by the time you publish your first “proper” episode. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/epzero

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about creating a trailer for your show. A promo trailer can help you win over potential new listeners by giving them a flavour of your podcast. They can easily be played on other shows, too, which can help you grow your audience. A podcast trailer should be between 30 seconds and 1 minute. The shorter, the better. There are certain things you *definitely* want to mention in your podcast trailer. What’s the show called? What’s it about? Who is it for? And where can we find it? If you can add a bit of creative tone, personality, and production, too, then great. But these things are “icing” and shouldn’t go in at the expense of the key details. A podcast trailer is also useful because you need at least one published episode on your feed before you can list your show in places like Spotify and Apple. As far as these platforms are concerned, even a short trailer counts as “an episode”. Another option here is to create an Episode Zero, which we’re going to look at next. In the meantime, for a deeper dive on creating your trailer, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/promotrailer

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about podcast hosting options. Your podcast hosting provider - also known as your “podcast host” - is *the* place you create your show and upload all of your episodes to. There are plenty great hosting options out there catering to all needs and budgets. Hosting providers will offer you stats so you can see how popular your show is. Some of these go really in-depth and can give you geographic and device stats, too. Hosting providers will also give you a basic website for your show. Some offer tools for monetization, growth, and even for creating private “members only” podcasts. A few of our favourite podcast hosts are Captivate, Transistor, and Castos. You’ll find a full rundown of these services and their offerings at [http://ThePodcastHost.com/Hosting](http://thepodcasthost.com/Hosting) And, our podcast-maker tool Alitu also has hosting included in your subscription. That means you only need one login to record, edit, and publish your podcast, which keeps things cost-effective, and super simple. Thanks very much for listening to Pocket-Sized Podcasting. And, for a deeper look at podcast hosting, and a full range of options, features, and prices, head on over to [http://ThePodcastHost.com/Hosting](http://thepodcasthost.com/Hosting)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about publishing your podcast. This stage can cause some confusion for new podcasters. You might think that you need to upload your episodes to listening platforms like Apple and Spotify, but that isn’t the case. Instead, you create an account with a podcast hosting provider. That’s the place your podcast “lives”. Your cover art, your show description, and your episodes all go in there. Then, there are a couple of small steps needed to “tell” platforms like Spotify and Apple that your podcast exists. After that, your show will be listed there, as will each episode you publish within your podcast hosting account. So you only ever need to upload to one single place to have your episodes pushed out to hundreds of listening platforms. To use an analogy, if your podcast was a magazine, your hosting provider would be the printing press, whilst all of the listening apps and directories would be the shops that your magazine could be found in. For a deeper dive on how to publish a podcast, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/upload

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about where to get your podcast transcribed. There are two types of transcription service out there - human, and AI. The AI options are cheaper, but generally less accurate, especially if you speak with a Scottish accent. An AI transcription might take a wee bit more time to run through and correct manually. Our podcast-maker tool Alitu now automatically generates transcriptions of all your episodes, so that’s one single place you can go to record, edit, publish, and transcribe your show. Alternatively, if it’s human transcription you’re after, then our favourite option here is Rev, which you can find at [ThePodcastHost.com/rev](http://thepodcasthost.com/rev) Obviously, with any human service, it’ll take up to a few days to get your transcriptions back, whereas, AI can do it almost immediately. There’s no right or wrong approach here, though. Only what works best for you. For a deeper dive on podcast transcriptions, with a full range of options, head on over to [http://ThePodcastHost.com/transcription](http://thepodcasthost.com/transcription)

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about why you should be providing transcriptions of your episodes. Podcasting *is* predominantly an audio medium, and so, word-for-word episode transcriptions were traditionally seen as a luxury form of bonus content. These days, however, things are different. Podcasters should *always* be providing transcripts for each new episode they publish. This is for two main reasons. Firstly - accessibility. Millions of people out there are deaf or hard of hearing. Providing a transcription means that you’re not shutting them out from any insights or info on your show that could potentially benefit them. Secondly - you’re keeping yourself on the right side of the law. We’ve seen recent examples of podcasters facing legal action over their failure to provide transcriptions. It goes without saying that you don’t want to risk joining that club. Transcriptions can be pasted directly into your shownotes, or, you can link clearly to them on a separate page on your site. Some hosting providers even offer dedicated sections where you can publish your transcriptions. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for getting your show transcribed, too - as we’re going to cover on the next episode. In the meantime, for a deeper dive on this, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/transcription

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about, funnily enough, Podcast Maker tools. A ‘Podcast Maker’ is basically an app or tool that brings everything like recording, editing, production, and publishing together into one place. They can be less flexible and powerful than having a dedicated tool for every job, but so much more simpler, convenient, and cost-effective. Naturally, because we run Alitu, we’re a bit biased and think it’s the best option out there. We certainly strive to be. But that said, we recognise that there are a few other great options out there too, and we always want to help you make up your own mind. Podcast hosting giants Podbean, Spreaker, and Anchor each have their own Podcast Maker tools. Their editing and production options can be a bit more limited, but they really shine for those looking to do live shows with real-time audience interaction. We can’t speak for the other platforms here, but we’re constantly working on new tools and features in Alitu to make it the world’s best all-in-one podcasting software. We’d love you to be part of this journey too, so be sure to try us out free for 7 days by going to [Alitu.com](http://Alitu.com) And, for a deeper dive on all the best Podcast Maker options, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/maker

Making a podcast requires a lot more than just sitting in front of a microphone, hitting "record," and talking with a guest--as I've learned over the past few years.  To find out what it takes to make a good podcast, and make it grow, I turned to an expert: Colin Gray, the founder and CEO of ThePodcastHost.com.  Colin gave me tips and advice that can apply to other podcasters as well--and many of his tips can be used by anyone, in any field: be a good listener,  stop being a perfectionist, and more (listen to the interview to get his many other useful tips!).In this episode:Why do most podcasters get into podcasting? (02:42)How best to approach launching a podcast (03:42)Finding your "niche"--demographics vs. psychographics (07:51)Choosing which ways to market a podcast (13:49)The "strength" and "sticking points" of podcasting (16:47)How Colin got into podcasting and created ThePodcastHost.com (18:46)Various ways to make money from podcasting (21:32)How to make the process efficient and sustainable (27:09)Ideas to cut down on editing time (30:26)Marketing with video clips vs. still images (37:50)Advice to avoid "podfade" (41:21)Want to know more about Colin?Find out about his company: ThePodcastHost.comLink up with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmcgray/?originalSubdomain=ukWant to know more about "What It's Like To..."?Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)Follow us on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInSupport the showSupport the show

Founder of Prepared Fathers - Jay Gabrani shares how his background in real estate helped him establish the foundation of his company helping single parents by empowering them financially. JAY GABRANI'S SOCIALS:WEBSITE: https://www.preparedfathers.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/preparedfathers/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/preparedfathers/The Investor Friendly Real Estate AgentWelcome to the Investor Friendly Real Estate Agent Podcast where we look at real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Start your Podcast!Launch your dream podcast with our full guide, at thePodcastHost.com/start We're interested in buying your apartment building from you! Our highly skilled team is here to assist you during the hassle-free process.Contact Us Now!EMAIL: team@premierridgecapital.comWEBSITE: https://www.premierridgecapital.com/Support the show

Can you believe that a single one-star review cost a company my business? I was on the hunt for new bunk beds for our Airbnb, and just as I was about to make a purchase, I stumbled upon a negative review that made me question everything. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the incredible power of online reviews and how they can make or break a business, whether you're a social seller or a business owner.We don't stop at just discussing the importance of reviews – we share actionable tips on how to start collecting and using them to your advantage. By leveraging reviews and testimonials, you can build trust with potential buyers and ultimately convert more sales. And don't worry, when those pesky negative reviews come your way, we've got you covered with advice on how to handle them and even turn them into a positive learning experience.Surprisingly, negative reviews can actually benefit your business or podcast in some cases. We'll share some hilarious one-star reviews of the Grand Canyon that are sure to leave you laughing, and discuss why a perfect five-star rating isn't always the most trusted. Plus, we'll reveal the astonishing number of positive reviews needed to counteract the damage of just one negative review. So go ahead, embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly of reviews, and remember: you can't please everyone, but you can learn and grow from the feedback.Here's a sneak peak of our bear lake cabin:VRBO https://www.vrbo.com/2092802?unitId=2657335Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/cambrycabinHere's the Bunk Beds I purchased https://amzn.to/3J56idYTry my favorite Collagen! Use discount code JENNYP at checkout to save up to 25% OFF ! https://lddy.no/zgjhAttention social media influencer, content creators, social sellers, I would LOVE to work with you! Click here to apply for the Yu Affiliate Program! http://yu.jennyleepeterson.com or http://www.beautifulyu.comLet's stay connected OFF social media! Text the word PODCAST to 385-220-8658 or click here and text PODCAST https://my.community.com/jennypetersonFOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow me on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/jenny_peterson/Follow Yu on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/beautifulyu.official/Follow me on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv6JDQ0Kt_Sjum7DcqRyk7QFollow me on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/jenny.peterson.549My FB Business Page is BACK! https://www.facebook.com/jennypetersonstyle/Follow me on TikTok here https://www.tiktok.com/@jennypeterson5Start your Podcast!Launch your dream podcast with our full guide, at thePodcastHost.com/start