Prologue
It’s OK to Outgrow the Podcast You Thought You Wanted
This article made me think. And I imagine it will make you think as well.
You know what I wanted to be when I was a kid? The guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. And later, the guitarist for this band.
People change and goals change.
You may looking at your podcast right now and asking yourself if it's time to make a change.
Does this sound like you?
- You're losing interest in the topic (or podcasting in general)
- You're not enjoying any (or all) of the things you have to do to create your podcast
- You're not growing and learning
- Your podcast is keeping you from doing something else that's important
- The risk is greater than the reward (financially or otherwise)
- The topic is becoming obsolete
- Doing "more" isn't producing the needed results
You can quit a podcast for any reason. And sometimes the best thing you can do is quit. But I've found, more often than not, most podcasts can be "salvaged" with just a few small tweaks. And once these slight changes are made, podcasting becomes fun again and the people making those podcasts become reenergized with the work.
Thinking about making a change with your podcast? Feel free to reach out to me via Bluesky, Mastodon, or Twitter with what's happening and I'll be happen to talk about your options with you.
One option ... If you want to go deep with your podcast (and podcasting) and really work with me on taking what you do to the next level, check out Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program).
Just need some quick ideas to knock the dust off your podcast? Get this book of podcasting templates for only $.99!
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Steal This Idea
Newsjacking
Danny Meyers and Ilan Fong are adult nightclub DJs with a "countdown" music show, similar to what Casey Kasem did with American Top 40, but with a chart based on club play, not radio or sales.
When you're in the "adult nightclub" business, you run into plenty of people with opinions on your job, so it helps to have a sense of humor about it. Also, part of what Danny and Ilan do via the show is to show that it's a business of professionals, just like any other segment of the entertainment industry.
The result? Fun segments and clips, like The Strip Club Indicator.
This works because:
- it's not something that you'd expect from an "adult nightclub" podcast, or even a music one
- it's a different slant on a popular topic that people are talking about – the economy
- it gets to the point and has a nice call to action at the end
If you want to brainstorm short videos ideas for your podcast, reach out to me via Bluesky, Mastodon, or Twitter with what you're thinking of and we'll go from there ...
RELATED: Danny took my promotion advice from a couple of issues back and sent me stickers from his podcast, one of which I've already added to the clipboard I use during episodes.
Have a sticker for your podcast? Here's the address to send me one. When you do, I'll mention you in the same way.
Podcast Marketing
Get More Listeners with Podcast "Reward" Programs
In the previous issue of Big Podcast Insider, I mentioned a productivity tool called Centered and how it can help you to get more done as far as your podcast production.
One of the tools in the Centered toolbox is gamefication, basically awarding users with various levels of status and bonus content when they accomplish a task or stay focused.
When it comes to rewarding the listeners of your podcast, the best rewards are those that are:
- Easy and inexpensive for you to create and distribute
- Have a highly-perceived value
For example, the custom stickers that I mentioned above – those are great rewards for your best listeners.
Here are some other no-cost and low-cost options for you to consider:
- Posters, prints and postcards
- Referral leaderboard glory
- Sponsored referral giveaway
- Podcast/content bloopers
- Listener takeover
- Refer-to-get-access rewards
- Secret Newsletter Access
- Special group/team pricing
- Tour of your workplace
- Cross-promotional giveaway
- Branded Merch
- Newsletter/social shout-out
- A Lunch Invite
- Insiders club or community
- Message/call from a celebrity (or even you!)
- Event tickets (including webinars)
If you're looking to get more people subscribed to your email list or generally talking about your podcast on social media, KingSumo is a low-cost option that can handle this for your automatically.
Running a referral program or contest for your podcast? Let me know via Bluesky, Mastodon, or Twitter and I'll help you spread the word about it.
Podcast Humor
Every. Single. Time.
I'm a believer that you should edit your podcast. But what happens when you've got a situation where you need to record and there's not a quiet place to do it?
For example:
- convention floors where you have a booth
- airports where you run into somebody and have the opportunity for an interview
- locations with music/noise outside your space (such as backstage at a concert)
You press through.
Don't let lack of a perfect condition keep you from getting an interview when there are no better options. Instead, bring listeners along for the journey, describing where you are when recording and letting them know why there's noise in the background. This actually humanizes you and gets listeners even more attached to what you're doing.
And if the background noise is really bad, try Dialogue Isolate from RX.
Podcaster Spotlight
Money in the Middle? Sometimes ...
You've probably heard the phrase "There's no money in the middle." And this is generally true, when you define "middle" as generic or average.
But when everybody in your niche is picking sides, bringing those sides together, seeing where they agree (a.k.a. middle ground), you can do very well.
Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers from Pantsuit Politics know this. Their podcast about politics, democracy, and current events, looks at everything from two different sides.
The New York Times calls Pantsuit Politics "compelling and thoughtful listening." During its initial four-year period, the podcast had over four million downloads. And in December 2021, it was recognized as one of Apple Podcasts' "Shows of the Year."
So yes, there is "money in the middle" when the middle something different, not milquetoast.
How can you do something similar with your podcast? Feel free to reach out to me via Bluesky, Mastodon, or Twitter if you want to brainstorm.
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The Wrap Up
When you're ready to personally work with me ...
If you like the newsletter, you'll love Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program).
This personal coaching program has been designed to help you do three things:
- Grow your podcast audience.
- Get people talking about your podcast.
- Make more money with your podcast.
You can get details here.