Prologue
Podcasting Isn't Easy – We Just Make It Look Easy
I'm coming to you today from my wife's office. She's upstairs, in the middle of a photoshoot for a jewelry company.
The makeup artist came with a ton of stuff earlier (you never know what you're doing to need on a job like this), so I helped her load in. During that time, she told me about working the CMA Awards this week.
Live television, especially awards shows, can be crazy. Behind the scenes, it's literally thousands of people running around, hoping to be in the right place at the right time.
But they make everything look easy to the people who watch it on television. Sure, there were awkward moments, but nothing was a complete train wreck.
Sound familiar?
We're pros and we make podcasting look easy. That doesn't mean it is easy.
Still, there is "ease" when it comes to producing (and growing) a great podcast. And I've got some great resources in this issue of Big Podcast Insider to help you do just that.
RELATED: I've got an audio version of Big Podcast Insider with bonus content available via my podcast, Build a Big Podcast. You can listen to it here.
Podcaster Opportunities
The next big thing in podcasts is "talking back."
Think about the biggest musical styles right now. Or even the biggest songs.
You don't just listen to the popular ones – you interact with them. You sing along, you dance, you make TikTok videos and use them in the background...
The same is true for podcasts, which is why it's so important for you to have a way for listeners to call in and otherwise interact with you.
When you dance to a song, you are the star, not the musician playing it. And the same is true for listeners of your podcast when you play a voicemail or read a letter – you make them the stars.
When people feel like they have a part in creating your podcast, they'll be more engaged and be more likely to stick around. Beyond that, this will help you grow your podcast audience and keep you better connected to your listeners.
I'm working on new book and looking for stories of how podcasters are interacting with listeners. If you've got a good example, or you are a good example, reach out to me.
Podcast Marketing
How to Grow Your Podcast Using Influencers
This is what I call "borrowing" an audience.
If you can leverage the right influencers and access their followers , you can strategically grow your podcast and increase its exposure.
I did an entire episode about influencer marketing.
This article shows you how to use influencer marketing to increase your podcast audience (and revenue) by doing three things:
- Finding the right influencers for your podcast
- Using free giveaways to gain subscribers
- Using email to tie it all together
The best part is, you can do it again, and again, and again. We live in a big world with a lot of niche influencers with people in their audiences who would love to know what you're doing and be a part of it.
Pabst Blue Ribbon wants to buy ad space in your house (or podcast studio)
How much would it take for you to turn your acoustic panels into a Pabst Blue Ribbon ad?
Have you seen Happy Jail? Some dude paid other inmates to get tattoos of his name. And 20 years ago, a couple named their kid after a music website for only $5000.
You have to be careful with whom you associate. Still, this may be a good opportunity for your podcast, either paying people to use and promote your merch or using and promoting the merch of somebody else.
Podcasting Deals
Zoom ZDM-1 Dynamic Microphone - $50
It's not quite Black Friday, but we're already seeing some really great deals on mics and other podcasting equipment.
Every mic company has its own version of a "broadcasting mic" and this is the one from Zoom – now available for just $50.
Here is a video review that compares it to other popular mics, including SM58, PodMic, SM7b, and RE20.
It's arguably a step up from the common "starter" mics used by many podcasters and a solid deal.
Podcast Monetization
102 Six-Figure Creators Share Their Best Advice
One of the best things about growing up in Nashville is that I saw it was possible for people to make money with their ideas and creativity. I know more than a few people who have made millions from things that took just minutes to create.
That's not to say every creation is quick (or makes money). Like the saying, "Every overnight sensation takes seven years," most people don't hit a home run on the first swing.
This is "advice" from 102 creators who've earned over $100,000 each from selling digital products. As a podcaster, you will find it helpful.
The Wrap Up
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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.