Prologue
Why Podcast During the Holiday Season?
I talked to a podcaster earlier this week who had a question about releasing episodes over the holiday season – Thanksgiving (US), Christmas, and New Year's Day specifically.
If you feel like you need to take a break from your podcasting schedule, a holiday is a great reason to do so. But keep in mind that:
- Not everybody is where you are.
- Not everybody celebrates every holiday.
- Podcasts are time-shifted and can be listened to at any time, even if you release one on a holiday.
- People often travel during holiday periods and have extra time to listen to podcasts.
- People are often lonely during holiday periods will find a new episode of your podcast extra helpful in combating this.
- Because so many podcasters don't release new episodes over holiday periods, you'll have less competition for your podcast.
- Those who receive new "podcast-listening" devices, such as mobile phones and media players, will be actively looking for new content to listen to and new episodes during this period will help you take advantage of this momentum.
Overall, releasing a podcast on a holiday can be a strategic move that enhances the podcasting experience for both podcasters and listeners, fostering engagement and connection in a unique way.
RELATED: I've got more thoughts on the benefits of "holiday podcasting" in my new daily newsletter, Big Podcast Daily.
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Podcast Marketing
How Does Your Podcast Stack Up?
What do high-growth podcasters do differently as far as creating, producing, and marketing their shows?
The 2023 Podcast Marketing Trends study was just released and here are some things of note ...
Why do people podcast?
- 27% to build an audience
- 27% to build authority or personal brand
- 16% for fun
What's the business model?
- 25% Backend coaching or consulting work
- 20% Backend freelance services
- 13% Advertising
The median show gets 421 downloads per episode (and 1425 total downloads per month).
The median annual growth rate is 21%, but 21% of shows doubled listenership, so there is a lot of opportunity here.
The median frequency of episodes is one per week and the median episode length is 37 minutes.
I'll be sharing more thoughts on the results of this survey in the audio edition of this newsletter. If you're like to be part of it, let me know your thoughts via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads!
Podcasting Tools
Audio Audit — Automated Quality-Checking Tool for Podcasts
Audio Audit will analyze your podcast episodes and identify common problems that you might have missed, including:
- Volume/Loudness
- Silence at the beginning and end
- Restarted sentences
- Profanities/Swearing
- Encoding and Compression
- Metadata
It's not a bad "flight check" and, in the case of profanities/swearing or restarted sentences, can save you from something that's a potential embarrassment for you. I think the check for restarted sentences would be especially helpful for audiobooks and other scripted content.
With this said, things like loudness, compression, and metadata, depending on how you edit your audio and handle post-production, can easily be handled by automation. Although, I've known more than a few podcasters to publish the wrong version of a file and have these issues show up in the feed, so a check from Audio Audit may be a nice double-check.
How do you handle your audio files and prepare them for publication? Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads!
Podcast Production
10 Best ChatGPT Prompts for Content Strategy
Do you think ahead about the podcast episodes you want to release? Do you have a content schedule for your podcast? If so, you'll find these ChatGPT promps for content strategy helpful. And, even if you take things as they come with your podcast, you'll find these approaches to using AI helpful in the way you work.
These prompts will help you create:
- Episode Ideas
- Episode Outlines
- Episode Titles
- Episode Intros
- Headlines / Subject (for emails, episode notes, etc.)
- Social Media Posts
- Guest Outreach Emails
How are you using AI for your podcast? What are your favorite AI-related tools? Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads!
Podcasting Deals
If you use Descript ... check out Resound - Only $49!
Descript is a great option for first-round edits. But if you want another option for automated podcast editing, Resound is worth a look.
Resound was developed by the same professional audio engineers behind Culpable and 15 other #1 podcasts.
You can use it to:
- Automatically detect filler sounds (ums and ahs)
- Automatically detect long and boring silences
- Make your own edits
- Mix and master audio
- Export your favorite file formats
Right now, you can get it for only $49 (for life)!
Podcast Humor
We Need to Talk About Your Boundaries
Most of the podcasters I know got into podcasting in order to share their enthusiasm about a certain topic and help people. In addition, a lot of people make podcasts because they want to be liked.
When these elements are combined, it can make it difficult for podcasters to say no to requests for "audience access" from people, whether it's a guest interview, a mention on an episode, or a mention somewhere else, such as social media or a newsletter. Or feel like it's OK to do something on their own timeline.
These situations can be especially overwhelming at the end of the year, when people are looking for help with "holiday" promotions and getting ready to start the new year with "fresh start" promotions.
It's your podcast and you call the shots. You control the timeline.
And you can change your mind about working with a guest at any time, even if you've already recorded the interview.
Your podcast, your rules.
The Business of Podcasting
How Apple Shaped Podcasting
A lot of people hate the name "podcast." And for a long time, there was a movement to change the name to "netcast."
Whether podcast is a portmanteau of "iPod" and "broadcast" is up for debate. But what can't be denied is how Apple shaped podcasting (and is still shaping podcasting).
This 11-minute segment from WNYC about where podcasting is (and how it got here) is worth a listen. Especially the part about how Apple's latest iPhone update will affect how your podcast is downloaded.
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.
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.
Book Like a Boss - Automated Guest Booking for Podcasters
Tired of guests missing interviews? Book Like a Boss handles all the little details when it comes to guest booking.
- automated guest scheduling
- automatic reminders (including text messages) sent to guests
- integrates with all email and calendar software
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.