Prologue
Let's Get Real About Podcasting Gear
With the new year here, I'm seeing a lot of people trying to step things up as far as podcasting. And I've seen a couple of very common situations.
- Podcasters who think an equipment "upgrade" will make them better podcasters.
- People who think they can't podcast until they have the right equipment.
I challenge you to rethink both of these things and help others to do the same.
Yes, having nice equipment is helpful, but it doesn't make you a "better" podcaster. And you're never going to get "better" if you don't start, so if you're waiting until you have a pro-level mic, or whatever else you're waiting for, don't – start something today, even if it's just you talking into a laptop mic and posting it on a free hosting service like Anchor.
Here's a podcast episode on how to sound better with advice you can put into action now, using the equipment you already have.
If you had $100 to start a podcast, how would you spend it?
This is a question I recently asked on the Big Podcast Instagram and you can see the responses here.
Depending on where you are with your podcasting journey and what your situation is like, $500 (or even $100) can be a lot of money. So it's a good thing that, if you're reading this, you have all the equipment you need to make your podcast better right now.
Related... Mentioned below is an opportunity for you (or at least some of you) to get free podcast editor training, so if you meet the qualifications and it sounds like something you'd benefit from, take advantage of this.
Keep moving forward!
Podcast Marketing
How to Crack the YouTube Algorithm
A couple of days ago, I saw a video on YouTube that was only four-minutes long, but has AT LEAST fifty edits. It looked amateur as hell, but still had close to 300,000 views.
As a podcaster, you could do so much better as far as delivering content. But where most podcasters fail with YouTube is lack of understanding how YouTube selects videos to recommend – this is how the majority of videos on YouTube get their views.
If you're using YouTube to get more listeners for your podcast, this information will be helpful to you.
- How to Map Out your YouTube Content Strategy with Content Clusters
- How To Make your YouTube Videos More Interesting (to People and also to YouTube)
- How to Optimize Your Videos for YouTube SEO
Learn how to optimize your podcast and videos for the YouTube algorithm, so your content shows up on the YouTube homepage feed, suggested videos, and search results.
If you're on YouTube (or want to be), this information will help you.
Podcasting Events
Hot Docs Podcast Festival
Hot Docs' annual celebration of audio storytelling returns online, January 25-28. It's 100% virtual, which means you'll get intimate access to an incredible lineup of speakers from the comfort of your own home, wherever you are.
This year's lineup includes Samantha Bee, Ira Glass, Michael Lewis, Anna Maria Tremonti, The New Yorker’s Kelefa Sanneh, and more.
Tickets start at just $10.
Neon Hum's Podcast Editors' Bootcamp
Neon Hum Media’s Editors' Bootcamp is an eight-week training for people from underrepresented groups who want to become podcast editors.
The Bootcamp will run from March to May of 2022. The Bootcamp is free for all participants. At the end of the 2021 Editors’ Bootcamp, Neon Hum hired graduate Stephanie Serrano to work as an Associate Editor. At the end of the 2022 Bootcamp, one participant will also be offered an Associate Editor position.
Participants will get hands-on learning designed to prepare them to take on editing jobs. You will learn:
- How to edit actual scripts for structure and clarity
- How to give constructive feedback that will motivate writers
- How to make an outline for a limited-run podcast series
- How to run a table read and triage comments from multiple folks so that your writer doesn’t get overwhelmed
- What to listen for in a mix and what kind of notes to give at that stage of the process
- How to give critical and constructive feedback that motivates a producer instead of deflating them
There is no tuition.
Funding is made possible by Sony Music Group’s fund to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives and by Neon Hum Media.
Podcasting Tools
An Episode Idea Generator?
This "headline generator" works great for blog titles, YouTube titles, clickbait, and also podcast episodes.
Seriously, look at it now – you will walk away with some great episode ideas.
The Business of Podcasting
How to Build Podcast Leverage
You felt it as a kid shooting peas across the room with a spoon. Or when you first used a calculator, and wondered why your teachers made you do long division by hand for 3 years.
As we grow, our levers get bigger. And there are plenty you can use to grow your podcast audience.
How to build levers, extend levers, and get more done with less effort – this article shows you how.
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.