Prologue
New Year, Better Podcast, Old Technology
It's a new year and I'm looking forward to helping you grow your podcast.
What's the first step when it comes to getting more listeners and making more money with your podcasting? Obviously, it's important to have some basic things in order, such as a focused format, clear branding, etc. But even before that, it's important that you are in order.
Look, these next 12 months are going to pass regardless. We can spend them messing around, "pretending" to have a real podcast, or we can get a few simple habits in order that will help us to get better organized, attract better guests, and publish great episodes.
This issue of Big Podcast Insider covers a few basic truths that you need to commit (or recommit) to this year. Especially interesting to me is the CIA manual from World War II that applies to podcasting, even though podcasting wouldn't be invented for another 60 years.
Yes, technology changes and it can be fun to get caught up in the latest shiny object, but what really moves the needle hasn't changed much during the time you and I have been alive and it's almost always better to focus on that.
Let's make it happen!
FUN FACT: The #1 radio mic is over 50 years old. And the #2 radio mic was released in 1973.
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Podcaster Opportunities
Ryan Reynolds' Voice Outperforms His Face
I don't know why this is, but a lot of people think video outperforms just audio. I think a lot of it has to do with podcasters "playing in traffic" and being amazed at the number of crumbs available to them to a popular site like YouTube.
But audio is more powerful than video when it comes to really connecting with people. It lets "theater of the mind" take over and that creates a custom experience for each person listening.
Remember S-Town from a few years ago? If not – it was by the same people who did Serial and arguably as good.
Here's what one listener said:
No matter where I was listening I was transported to Alabama amongst the tree's and the s**t. Could not stop listening to this twisted tale.
A marketing agency decided to test an "audio-only" ad and the results were really astonishing – 117% better than the video (and also cheaper to make).
This is a big opportunity for you.
Details in the article.
Podcast Production
Time Management Trick – Add delays to everything!
I met a "Type A" guy at an event in Las Vegas a few years ago and we talked about how he gets everything done. He told me one of the best time-management strategies he ever stumbled upon was to never put anything on his to-do list for the same day – even "urgent" tasks had to be added for tomorrow (at the earliest). since this kept him focused on what needed to be done immediately.
His big idea is to delay everything. This very short Twitter thread has similar, but more detailed advice on this subject.
Examples:
- no email gets answered for 48 hrs
- no meeting gets scheduled before 1 week out
- no project gets launched w/ less than a one-month notice
This is a quick read and worth the couple of minutes it will take you to go through it.
What's your best time management strategy? While you're on Twitter, let me know.
7 Actions to Craft Your Best Year Yet
Jeff Sanders of 5AM Miracle Podcast has a way to get more done, reduce stress, and achieve your goals without just moving faster.
Abraham Lincoln (supposedly) said, “If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe.” And "sharpening your axe" for the new year is what this quick video will do for you.
1944 CIA Manual on How to Sabotage Productivity
The Simple Sabotage Field Manual, declassified in 2008 and available on the CIA's website, provided instructions for how everyday people could help the United States and its allies weaken enemy countries by reducing production in factories, offices, and transportation lines.
Again, this is from 1944, but how many of these things are you doing to yourself today?
- Never permit shortcuts to be taken
- Hold meetings when there is more critical work to be done.
- In making work assignments, always sign out the unimportant jobs first. See that important jobs are assigned to inefficient workers.
There are lots of things on the full list that I know you'll be able to relate to. Take a look and try to avoid these in the new year to do the most with your podcast.
The Business of Podcasting
Does your podcast pass the "Netflix Test" of success?
This article explains why Netflix doesn’t share viewing figures and it 100% applies to your podcast.
HINT: It has to do with download numbers, etc.
It's funny to me to see how many podcasters get caught up in "podcast stats." For most independent podcasts, it doesn't matter. Yeah, you want people listening to your podcast and, if you have an offer, buying from you, but "stats" mean nothing when it comes to growing your podcast.
Embracing this philosophy will help you enjoy podcasting so much more...
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.