Prologue
Podcast City, USA
When I say "Nashville," people think country music. Or "Music City, USA."
That's branding.
I want to help you have a similar thing happen when somebody mentioned your podcast. I want people to know exactly what you stand for, without you having to be there to explain it yourself.
Many podcasters are coming to Nashville over the next week for some major podcasting events. I've got a couple linked below, which you can attend free.
I've also got some things for you to implement when it comes to making it easier for people to find (and listen to) your podcast as well as how to monetize things once you have somebody listening.
Also, a very serious (and scary) situation for a well-known radio host and a big lesson for you as far as your evolution as a podcast host...
Podcast Marketing
This will help people find your podcast (and get you more listeners).
I'm going to let you in on a "dirty little secret" of podcasting...
Finding your podcast is a problem, even when somebody knows its name and is searching directly for it. And this is especially true if the name of your podcast is short, or a somewhat common expression.
Trust me on this, I have a podcast named RED and it's almost impossible to find via search. So I have to work around a few problems, which I'm going to show you how to work around.
Why bother? Because Better SEO = More Podcast Listeners.
Read the article and implement it.
Podcast Hosting Skills
The evolution of podcast hosts...
You've surely heard about Call Her Daddy and its $60 Million deal with Spotify.
Why? They're betting on the host and her relationship with her audience. But this has changed...at least according to Spotify.
According to Spotify, Call Her Daddy has evolved and the host's priority is now to “uncover the importance of therapy, self-care and personal growth by sharing her own mental health journey with her listeners.”
I hope so, for her sake...and for the sake of Spotify. The "old" (and still pretty current) content is mostly trendy stuff that, like a boy band, hits hard for people at a certain age, but soon gets stale and is utimately ignored as the audience moves on with other aspects of their lives.
What happens when you're wrong, the content you create no longer works for you, and want to change directions as a host?
This is happening right now with a local radio host named Phil Valentine. After months of posting anti-vaccination information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19, he got the virus. He's currently in the critical care unit of a local hospital, on a ventilator fighting for his life.
It's a situation that we've all been in – we believe something (and act on it), only to have that "reality" flipped on its head.
I got together with Jeff Sanders, the host of 5AM Miracle, to talk about evolving as a podcast host and what to do when you make mistakes with what you say or the guests you bring on your show.
Podcasting Events
MTV and Music Journalism – Live Radio Taping in Nashville
There are some major podcasting events happening in Nashville next week, so if you're in town, I hope we'll be able to connect.
On Saturday, August 7, I'll be sitting down with three music broadcasting legends to talk about music journalism.
- Mark Goodman - The very first VJ on MTV
- Matt Pinfield - Host of 120 Minutes on MTV and DJ on KLOS in LA
- Riki Rachtman - Host of Headbangers Ball on MTV and Racing Rocks
This is part of a biggest event that happens every year called RocknPod. It's the top event for podcasters involved with music as well as music fans, so if you're either, definitely give it a listen. Watch the video I've linked for info on how to attend free of charge.
Nashville Podcasters "Podcast City" Event – August 2
Nashville has offices from major podcasting companies like:
- iHeart
- Apple
- Spotify
- Amazon
Want to meet some of these people? This is a free event happening Monday, August 2.
Link has more info and gets you on the list to get in.
Podcasting Tools
Audio-Technica's $99 Podcasting Mic
I've been using mics from Audio-Technica since I was a teenager playing music, long before I ever got into radio or podcasting. My main podcasting mic is their BP40 model, which runs about $350.
Honestly, if I were to get another podcasting mic, I'd get an Electro-Voice RE20, which is what I use for radio. But if I ever need a low-cost, budget microphone, this new mic from Audio-Technica is worth a look.
I will be linking to a review shortly, so be sure to follow the Big Podcast Instagram account for that and more helpful podcasting info.
Podcast Monetization
Rob Dyrdek's Eye-Opening 'Ridiculousness' Salary Raises Eyebrows With Fans
This is an example of maximum ownership and monetization of your platform. This works for all media, not just podcasting.
Here's the thing... There is even more money for "the little guys" like you and me. We have to split it up a bit and it's not as much as people like Rob Dyrdek or Alex from Call Her Daddy, but it's still a TON of money.
Consider what Rob is doing here and apply it to your podcasting business.
The Business of Podcasting
The Biggest Podcast in the World? Maybe this week...
Alex Cooper from Call Her Daddy has built a brand that blends raunchy talk and, depending on who you ask, sex-positive female empowerment.
She is hot right now. Coming from the entertainment business, and seeing the ups and downs of new artists and brands on a regular basis, I think it's too early to bet on her longterm impact or success. But she seems to be evolving as a host, so she may just surprise a lot of people.
Regardless, she is worth being aware of. It's also worth looking at what she has done compared to her former co-host. Like her podcast or not, there is more to Alex Cooper than most people realize.
The Wrap Up
Like this newsletter? Tell a friend...
My goal is to better empower podcasters to be more successful spreading their messages and make more money with their podcasts.
I'd love it if you'll help me spread the word about this newsletter by sending your podcasting friends to bigpodcast.com/newsletter.