Prologue
The Podcast Rebrand
There's a Japanese Proverb that says, "A man is whatever room he's in right now."
The phrase suggests that a person's identity or behavior is influenced by their current environment. It implies that we adapt to our surroundings and may change how we act or present ourselves based on the context we're in.
Are you happy with your current podcast? Is allowing you to be who you want to be?
If not, change it.
There's a Chinese proverb related to that ... "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
This week, I decided to make some changes to my podcast on podcasting.
The artwork has already changed. I've got some new episode formats coming. I'm looking at everything ...
Subscribe here to follow along ...
Not that I was "unhappy" with it. But there were some things that were getting stale. Plus, I'm always trying to improve and make things better for listeners.
I'll have an update for you next week. And I'll likely write a few things about this on Big Podcast Extra.
If you've done a rebrand for your podcast, reach out to me via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads. I'd love to include what you've done as an example.
Sponsor
Big Podcast AMP
If you like the newsletter, you'll love Big Podcast AMP (Audio Monetization Program).
This personal coaching program helps you do three things:
- Grow your podcast audience.
- Get people talking about your podcast.
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Podcast Marketing
7 Non-Negotiable Things Your Podcast Needs Right Now
This was written about newsletters, but everything here applies to your podcast.
There's a ton of noise in the world and, because of this, it's harder to get the attention of people. To combat this, many podcasters and online content creators jump on the "content treadmill" and do more—more episodes, more videos, more social media posts.
Do this and you'll wear yourself out.
A much better option is to be specific about what you talk about and who you talk to. And here is how to do that ...
- A clear niche - It needs to be obvious who your podcast is for.
- A clear POV within that niche - This is the distinct perspective from which you convey your message.
- A non-neutral voice - It needs to be obvious where you stand on related issues.
- Mostly insights; some promotion - People want "meat" (this includes entertainment), not just ads.
- A pillow over the face of anything with a whiff of “Dear Valued Listeners.” - You're talking to a single person on your podcast, not a nameless/faceless group of people.
- Lots of "yous" - Again, you're talking to a single person.
- Relax. Have fun. Loosen up; open your heart - Listeners want to connect with hosts who are real. Be that person.
Need help? Check out Big Podcast AMP and let's work together.
Podcast Hosting Skills
The 8-Step Podcast Interview Plan
It sucks to go into the studio with somebody you're excited about interviewing only to walk away without the great episode you imagined.
This happens to everybody, even the best hosts. But you can make it happen less by following this plan ...
- Do Your Research
- Create a Flexible Outline >> How I do it.
- Use open-ended questions that encourage storytelling >> Examples here.
- Listen Actively - It sounds obvious, but few podcasters do it.
- Maintain a Conversational Tone - Talk with people, not "at" them.
- Be Adaptable - If you’re thinking “I should ask additional questions about that,” the audience is also.
- Monitor the clock to ensure you cover important topics within the time you have available.
- After the interview, review the recording or notes to see what worked well and what could be improved.
Podcasting News
"Hawk Tuah Girl" Haliey Welch Has a New Podcast ... "Talk Tuah"
Haliey Welch signed a deal with Jake Paul's media company. It's connected to Betr, a mobile betting company and she is also doing social media content.
It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
Just looking at the promo video, it seems pretty basic "YouTuber content." I'm not sure how they're going to differentiate it from the hundreds of other YouTube videos and podcasts that are very similar, although she does have access to solid media coverage and some celebrity guests who will help to give things an initial push.
Haliey has done well so far, working with the hand she's been delt. She's had a lot of great publicity from her big donations to animal rescue groups and she's got an approachable personality a lot of people have connected with. Because of this, I think she's worth watching.
Podcasting Tools
One-Sheet Podcast Business Blueprint
Solo Business Canvas is a nice, one-page "blueprint" that will allow you to see your entire podcasting business on a single page.
You can get it free.
It will help you:
- Get clear on what you offer
- Spot new ways to make money
- Identify your ideal listener
- Map the resources you need
- Know your exact next steps
I've seen more and more people embrace "hobby" podcasting lately, which I love. But even if you don't think of what you do as a business, I encourage you to look at this document and work through the related process. Doing so will help you reach more people with your podcast.
Podcasting Deals
Persona Music - Royalty-free Music for Podcasters
The right soundtrack will bring your content to life—but only if you can afford to pay for the license.
Persona Music lets you access thousands of copyright-cleared tracks and protect content from copyright claims.
Podcast Humor
Don't Bet on It ...
You need a need a 20-sided die to get accurate odds on this one ...
Doing pre-interviews with guests will significantly enhance the quality of your podcast episodes. Even a quick conversation before you connect for an interview will help you gauge a guest's communication style, comfort level, and knowledge on the topic.
Take a few minutes and do it.
Classifieds
Podpage
Join over 25,000 podcasters and automatically create a beautiful, listener-friendly podcast site from your RSS feed.
Podpage is the simplest way to create a podcast website.
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.
The Wrap Up
When you're ready, here's how I can help you even more ...
If you want the shortcut to building a podcast people care about, here’s how Big Podcast can help you …
Free of charge ...
- Big Podcast Extra – Short emails to help you build an audience, attract clients, and make money via podcasting
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For budgets under $750 …
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For budgets of $3000 or more …
We offer a range of podcasting services including:
- Full-service podcast production and marketing
- Podcast and radio hosting
- Podcast launch and development services