Prologue
"It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."
Dolly Parton gets it. If you want to play the game, you have to invest in yourself.
Fortunately for podcasters, it doesn't cost nearly as much to sound great. We're very fortunately to have open-source software like Audacity that can record us for free.
But you need a mic. And you need a good interface.
Right now, Focusrite has a $100 Podcast Studio that has everything you need as far as podcasting hardware—a great interface, a mic, studio headphones, and even the mic cable.
This is perfect for you, if you're doing a solo podcast or interviewing people remotely.
Two people in the same room? Try their $200 Podcast Studio, which has an even better mic and a Vocaster Two interface.
True story ... Focusrite equipment saved my interview with Dave Jr. from Megadeth. To hear that story, subscribe to the podcast.
Podcast Marketing
Death of the Follower & the Future of Building an Audience Online
Jack Conte is the founder of Patreon and this presentation about creative work online and building "true fans" is worth a look.
Highlights:
- The evolution of the internet from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, highlighting the significance of platforms like YouTube that allowed creators to easily share their work.
- The importance of followers, especially "true fans," in a creator's journey.
- The shift towards algorithmic ranking on social media platforms like Facebook and how it has affected creators' ability to connect with their audiences.
- The emergence of platforms like TikTok and their impact on the creative ecosystem, which has lead to a decline in organic reach for creators.
- Patreon's response to these challenges, focusing on building deeper connections between creators and their true fans.
- Patreon's vision to become a true fan company, emphasizing the importance of building a better internet for creators where they have control over their businesses and careers.
- Building deep connections with true fans and how to prepare for shifts in the online landscape without solely relying on tech platforms.
It's a very good presentation and will give you a lot to think about.
Are You Using Patreon?
Are you using Patreon to connect with your true fans? I'm always looking for good examples to use here, on my podcast, and in my books. Reach out to me via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads to let me know what you're doing.
Podcast Production
How to Make Podcasts That Spread
I'm hijacking this idea ... The original article is called How to Write Articles That Spread.
It applies to your podcast.
This is a great way to think about why some podcast episodes take off and why others don't ...
He calls is "thrust and drag." The thrust of an episode is what motivates somebody to invest the energy necessary to listen, understand what's being said, and share with others.
Drag is everything that makes listening harder, such as bad (or missing) episode notes, off-topic intros, and even little things, sloppy editing.
When your episodes have more thrust than drag, your work is consumed and spread.
To boost the "thrust" of your podcast episodes and ensure they resonate with your audience, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Identify and Promote Unique Insights: Each episode should offer something new or a unique perspective that listeners can't find elsewhere. Highlight these insights early to hook the listener.
- Leverage Engaging Storytelling: Use compelling narratives to convey your message. Stories are memorable and can help your content stand out.
- Guest Selection and Diversity: Invite guests with engaging personalities or those who are thought leaders in their field. A diverse range of voices can cater to a wider audience.
- Interactive Content: Encourage listener participation through Q&A sessions, polls, or incorporating listener feedback into episodes. This builds a community around your podcast.
To reduce "drag" and make your podcast more accessible and enjoyable, consider these adjustments:
- Improve Audio Quality: Invest in good microphones and editing software to enhance the listening experience. Clear audio is fundamental.
- Streamline Episode Structure: Keep introductions brief and on-topic, and ensure the episode flows logically. A well-structured episode keeps listeners engaged.
- Enhance Show Notes and Accessibility Features: Detailed episode notes with timestamps, summaries, and links can make your podcast more accessible and useful to the audience.
- Regular Editing: Remove unnecessary tangents, long pauses, or any elements that don't add value to the episode. Tight editing keeps the content focused and respects the listener's time.
Applying these strategies can significantly increase the likelihood of your podcast episodes being listened to, enjoyed, and shared by your audience.
Want to go deeper? The article is worth reading.
Podcast Humor
You vs. World Leaders
Why does Kim Jong Un have seven mics on his lectern?
Almost all world leaders have a similar setup. Sometimes it's because of different news agencies getting their own recording, but most of the time it's for redundancy—you don't want a mic to fail during an important moment.
As podcasters, we don't need this kind of redundancy with our mics. But many of us have it with equipment (mics and otherwise) that's sitting in the closet.
I'm curious about the equipment you've got, but aren't using ...
- Why did you buy it?
- Why aren't you using it?
- What do you do with equipment you no longer use?
Reach out to me via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads and let me know!
The Business of Podcasting
Lizzo Quits ... Can You Relate?
I'm sure there is more to the story regarding this Lizzo lawsuit, so I don't want to pick a side. I'm mentioning this here, because it's part of the backstory to a message she posted last week (see image) regarding the pressure that comes from being a public figure who releases content for public consumption.
You open yourself to criticism. You also open yourself to misinterpretation of what you create.
You don't have to have the status of Lizzo to experience the difficulty of being a "public figure." You walk a razor's edge and, no matter what you do, you're doing to make somebody mad.
One of the things I love about working with podcasters is that podcasters care deeply. But things can get messy for us when we "keep going" for listeners at the expense of ourselves.
Take care of yourself. Sometimes you have to take a break to "keep going."
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.
$100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite
This $100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite includes:
- Vocaster One audio interface
- Vocaster DM1 mic
- Focusrite HP60v studio headphones
- XLR mic/interface cable
It's perfect for a solo podcaster or somebody doing only remote interviews.
Have two people in the same room? This $200 Podcast Studio with Vocaster DM14v mic, studio headphones, and XLR cable will do what you need.
The Wrap Up
When you're ready, here's how I can help you even more ...
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