Prologue
What Do You Use for _____________?
The most common podcasting question I'm asked is "What do you use for __________?"
I have a lot of people ask about the equipment I use. I'll go deeper into this on the audio version of this newsletter, but I've basically got five things in my "podcast stack."
- The Mic - RE20 by Electro-Voice
- The Interface - Scarlet 4i4 by Focusrite
- The Backup Recorder - Zoom F3
- (...and 5!) The Software - Audacity to record/edit, RX 11 for polish
There are a couple of "optional" extras ... a mic activator to boost the gain and also a channel strip.
It's worth noting that my setup has simplified over the years. I believe that "less is more" in podcasting. It's fun to buy new gear, but if you don't watch your consumption, it's easy to end up with a setup that's way more than you need.
What do you use for podcasting? Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.
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Steal This Idea
This Will Make Your Podcast Better
Looking to improve your mental health? You may find Digital Minimalism helpful.
This will definitely improve your podcast.
The TL;DR version is ... Touch grass! Get outside and live a life people will be interested in hearing about.
I've worked with hundreds of podcast hosts over the years and even more celebrity entertainers. The best have life experience and stories to share.
Are you currently adding to both? If not, what can you do to make yourself more interesting to listeners.
Don't let your best years (and podcast stories) be behind you! Live a great story, then share those experiences (and maybe the lessons from them) with listeners.
Related ... I've got a story to share on the audio version of this issue. It involves jazz music and heroin ... another "day at the office" for some people. Also sad. But a great lesson for podcasters that I know you'll take something away from.
Podcast Marketing
Yes, but will somebody actually LISTEN to your podcast?
Have a great idea for a podcast? We all do.
But will people actually care?
This is a great article on customer validation that you'll find helpful for your podcasting efforts.
But ... I want you to keep in mind that it's fine for you to do a podcast just for yourself. Or just for a few people.
Not having a ton of people interested in your podcast doesn't mean it's not a great podcast—you simply have a podcast that isn't made for "a ton of people."
You do you. One of the great things about podcasting is that we have that ability.
And a funny thing ... Sometimes the "you do you" podcasts are end up being the most profitable, even without a ton of listeners. More thoughts in the audio version of this issue ...
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Podcast Humor
The Workaholic
I had an interesting experience recently ...
I was talking "daily routine" stuff with a lady and mentioned "work."
"Every day?" she asked.
"Yes."
She was shocked. And that got me thinking ... "Am I crazy?"
Maybe so. But "daily work" is so common within podcasting that it seems normal.
Since that conversation, I've thought a lot more about how hosts/producers can take better care of themselves. You can hear my story of burning out and what I've done to remedy that in the audio version of this issue.
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The Wrap Up
When you're ready, here's how I can help you even more ...
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