🎤 The Barbie Issue (Issue 138) July 21st 2023

Prologue

"Looks Good, but Not Very Deep."

Barbie is everywhere right now. If you haven't seen the trailer for the movie (46 million people have), watch it and get in on the conversation.

There are so many things I could say about this movie that are related to your podcast. And I'll give you a couple of the "big ideas" here. For the rest, make sure you get the audio version of this newsletter via the podcast.

Big Idea #1

Notice these two things about the pitch ...

If you love Barbie, this movie is for you.
If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you.

This is something that every podcaster is up against. Yes, there are people who "hate listen" to your podcast.

There's a name for these people ... fans.

I used to do this with Rush Limbaugh whenever I needed to stress test my heart. On one hand, I respected his hosting skills – it's VERY difficult to do a daily three-hour show at that level. And on the other hand, which is the part I didn't like, he spread a lot of misinformation and laid the groundwork for the circus we're living in right now.

More thoughts in the audio version of this newsletter.

NOTE: It's OK if you want to "hate listen." I don't judge.

Big Idea #2

"Looks good, but not very deep" is a quote from a review of the movie. And thoughts like this are also something that podcasters may be up against.

There's nothing wrong with pure entertainment. Not everything has to be "educational" or provide a lesson. Making somebody's life better, even if you're just helping them to pass the time in a fun way, can be meaningful work.

But there's always an opportunity to "go deep" and sneak in an important message if you want ... Barbie did this.

For example, the "Dreamhouse" that Barbie got in 1962. That doesn't sound progressive now, but women weren't even allowed to get a credit card in their own name until 1974. And while women were allowed to own property, it was still very common for a mortgage to list a man's name with "and Spouse" to refer to his wife – my own mother was listed like that on her mortgage.

And the Barbie dolls that exist today are diverse ... There are dolls of various colors, with different body types and jobs. There's a Barbie in a wheelchair, a Barbie with hearing aids, and a Barbie with vitiligo.

If you really want to spread a message, sometimes "looks good, but not very deep" is the way to do it.

Are you sneaking in an important message in your podcast? I want to know about it! Reach out via Threads, Bluesky, or Mastodon and let me know what you're doing.

Podcaster Opportunities

YouTube Tests "Video Comments" Option

YouTube has announced that it’s testing out a new option that lets users respond via videos to comments on other people’s channels.

Hardcore "social media" people know that you can often get more attention for your message by responding to somebody else's message than you can posting something yourself. Thinking like this, there may be an opportunity for you here.

Learn more here.

Podcast Marketing

Instagram Provides Key Ad Creative Tips

Some advice on how to best use Instagram to promote your stuff ... from Instagram:

Tell a story. Show how your brand can be part of your listener's lifestyle.
Inspire action. Show real people to build trust.
Create visual interest. Use different layouts, colors, perspectives, and textures that align with your brand.

This is the exact same thing you should be doing with your podcast, even "create visual interest." Everything you can do visually on Instagram, you can do via your audio-only podcast.

Yes, it requires modification ... but the result is the same.

"Creating visual interest" in an audio-only podcast requires leveraging the power of theater of the mind, where listeners imagine scenes and visuals based on the audio cues they receive.

Here are some techniques you can use to enhance this "visual experience" for listeners:

Vivid Descriptions: Use descriptive language to paint a detailed picture in the listeners' minds. Be specific about colors, shapes, textures, and other visual elements. Engage multiple senses by incorporating sounds, smells, and tactile sensations.
Engaging Narration: The way you deliver the content matters. Vary your tone, pitch, and pace to match the emotions or actions in the scene or situation. Adjusting your voice can create tension, excitement or a sense of calm, for example.
Sound Effects (SFX): Utilize sound effects strategically to enhance the atmosphere and immerse the listener in the story. For example, if you're describing a bustling city street, add background sounds of cars honking, people talking, or footsteps echoing.
Music and Ambience: Select appropriate background music or ambient sounds that complement the theme or mood of your podcast. Just like at an event, music sets the mood for your podcast!
Dialogue and Characterization: Give the people whom you talk about (your "characters") distinct voices and personalities. Describe how they look and what situations they are in.

This works! To hear an example, get the audio version of this newsletter.

Podcast Hosting Skills

Media Lessons From Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is at the top of my list of guests I want to interview. She's given away over 100 million books to kids via her Imagination Library program and makes me proud to be from Tennessee, which is rare these days.

She also delivers a kick ass interview, even when the host is a jerk.

That's a second reason for you to watch this interview – Barbara Walters is an example of what not to do.

Every podcaster (host or guest) should watch this video.

Who is your dream guest? Let me know via Threads, Bluesky, or Mastodon.

Podcasting Tools

How Good is Your Podcast Title?

Streamlit analyses the title you have chosen for your podcast episode. Enter your summary and the title of the episode and its Large Language Model (LLM) will let you know how suitable it is for SEO.

And if your title doesn't do so well, it generates optimized SEO titles that you can use.

Run your title through Streamlit and let me know what it says! Reach out via Threads, Bluesky, or Mastodon.

Podcast Humor

A Really Hot Podcast

I work out of a small production studio to produce my radio show. It's maybe 8x8' and so packed with equipment that it's the warmest place in the building – if people ever get snowed in or don't leave the office, because they're worried about not being able to make it back in, this is where they sleep.

What do you do to keep cool when you record? Let me know via Threads, Bluesky, or Mastodon.

As far as plosives ... Here's an easy way to remove them that can be done with any audio software and without any special plugins.

Classifieds

Swell AI

Swell AI automates writing podcast summaries, articles, social posts, and more.

Manage multiple shows in one dashboard.
Build custom templates for each show.
Connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zoom.

Get started for free.

Riverside - Remote Recording Studio

Riverside records high-quality audio (and video) directly from your browser. No special equipment is needed and connecting with your guest is as simple as sending a web link!

You can try Riverside free (no credit card is needed) and, if you like it, save 15% on any paid plan by using the coupon code BIGPODCAST.

Caveday

Be more productive with Caveday, the virtual coworking solution used by creatives at Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon.

Try it for $1.

The Wrap Up

When you're ready, here's how I can help you even more ...

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.