Prologue
Spotify's Podcast Problem (and Opportunity)
Remember middle school science class? Every action has a reaction.
Words have power. Internalize that for a second.
When you say something, it's going to connect with some people and you're going to get pushback from others.
Don't fight it. To have the good, you have to take the bad. And "pushback" isn't bad – it's just what happens when people feel strongly about something.
You want pushback. What you don't want is for people to ignore you, because they don't care at all.
I'm not saying to be a jerk, or be hateful – if you're doing those things, do better. But if you're simply getting pushback, embrace it, because it means that your message is connecting with somebody, even if it's not in the way you might have hoped.
Keep moving forward!
In this issue of Big Podcast Insider, I've got some great ways for you to get your podcast in front of more people as well as monetize it.
WANT THE AUDIO VERSION? Get it here.
Podcast Marketing
Steal These Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Podcast
This is going to do two things for you:
- Give you ideas on how to get more listeners for your podcast.
- Give you ideas of how to sell ads on your podcast.
Obviously, combining the two will make everything more powerful.
Favorites:
- Quality episodes, not quantity – people are overwhelmed with noise
- Ditch paywalls and "exclusive" barriers – find another way to make your money, if you want your message to reach as many people as possible
- Sponsor other
newsletterspodcasts (or newsletters ... either will work for you) - Use giveaways and sweepstakes (use this tool to do it)
- Acquire an existing
newsletterpodcast
About the last one – this is a goldmine. Podcasts podfade all the time and plenty of people are more than willing to have you take over their feeds to make sure their listeners are not left hanging.
Setting Up the RIGHT Welcome Email
This is timely as my latest episode of Build a Big Podcast talks about the "welcome email" I received from The Satanic Temple.
If you're looking to engage more people with your podcast, you need a couple of things:
- A newsletter (or some kind of email), so you can go directly to listeners when needed.
- A very clear "belief system" to let listeners know what you stand for.
If you can combine the two, these elements are even more powerful. Read this quick Twitter thread and listen to this 5-minute podcast episode, then get going.
Need a good (and cheap) way to send email. I recommend SendFox. It's not fancy, but it's only $49 for life and it's great for most podcast emails.
Podcasting Tools
Castopod – Your Free & Open-Source Podcast Host
Sick of paying a third-party to host your podcast? Castopod may be for you.
I love open-source software. There's something very powerful about being able to take control of your message and tools like Castopod and Audacity help you do exactly that.
The downside can be slow development, the need for more technical skills, and lack of support. But the upside (usually – and definitely for Audacity) is a great community of people who are willing to share their expertise with you.
This is worth a look, if for no other reason than to know it's an option for you. And options are always good.
Podcast Production
How to Run Your Podcast
I used to think I was a "business" person, then I worked on a project with a bunch of startup/tech bros. Those dudes had a fetish for spreadsheets and I couldn't connect.
But I'm definitely more business than the majority of podcasters, many of whom will delay an episode release or cancel on a guest for something like the wind blowing a little too hard.
If you want a big podcast, you need to take care of your business.
This is a detailed look into how planning, preparation, and communication will improve meeting success and everything here applies to your podcast.
- Great episodes start before you hit record, or even book a guest
- Great podcasts focus on what’s not working, then make it work
- Great podcasts are not a "host" show
- Great podcasts have a clear, repeatable structure
- Great episodes continue after the episode has been published
Read it and get your podcast business together.
The Business of Podcasting
How to Turn Listeners Into Paying Customers
A defined conversion strategy will help turn more of your listeners into paying customers. If you're not actively thinking about this, now is a good time to start.
Here's why people will pay you:
- People will pay for distinct and differentiated content.
- People will pay for content that saves them time.
- People will pay to support meaningful movements.
- People will pay to support individuals they value.
- People will pay for content that gets them results.
Make it happen!
The Wrap Up
The Wrap Up
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.