Prologue
Two Kinds of Podcast Ripoffs
Issue 70 talked about a changing market of content distribution, including how it affects us as podcasters.
Here's an example that breaks this down in a way even your grandmother could understand ...
In 2004, there were over 9000 Blockbuster stores. Today, there's only one, in Bend, Oregon.
There's a documentary on Netflix about it, called The Last Blockbuster. And it's a fascinating story about how media (and how we consume media) changes.
Big lessons to always remember as a podcaster:
- Media changes.
- When it comes to media, people are missing personal connection with others – computers make all the recommendations now.
- Outlasting everybody else makes you legendary.
People are going out of their way to do business with this place. And it gets 1000x more media coverage than it would otherwise, because being "the only one" makes you interesting (and people have no other options, if they want what you've got).
There are way too many ripoffs in podcasting, both literally and figuratively. I've got the story of an alleged ripoff below ... and that's something to consider as you move forward with your podcast, but also something to consider, metaphorically, is if you're playing your game or trying to copy somebody else's.
You do you. That's the way to build an audience and get attention for your message.
Podcaster Opportunities
WarnerMedia is Looking for Upcoming Podcasters
This is a great opportunity for the right person.
In partnership with WarnerMedia Access, the Rooster Teeth Digital Creators Program provides historically underrepresented digital talent a platform to break through to new audiences while also providing the tools and opportunities to succeed as digital creators.
Eight aspiring creators will receive paid mentorship and training from Rooster Teeth over a three month period this fall, including a one-month residency in Austin (with housing and stipend provided).
This immersive program goes beyond independent content creation to give participants valuable experience working as part of a team on professional video sets, sponsored productions and more.
At the end of the three months, the creators will have a chance to meet with industry executives from across all of WarnerMedia’s brands - and will be eligible for a 1-year Rooster Teeth talent contract.
The program is open to creators with a passion for sports, pop-culture, comedy, gaming, and animation from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Podcast Marketing
How to Use Podcasts for Link Building
Podcasts are a great way to build links to your site. Not only can you get a link from a podcast's homepage, you'll also get links from other sites that syndicate episodes notes.
This is great for you, but it's also great for the guests you interview. And if you need something to help get potential guests who are "on the fence" to say yes to being on your show, you may find educating them on this to be helpful.
Bottom line – talking to you for an hour or less means more links for them. And adding podcasting to their link-building strategy can yield big results over time.
The same applies to you, by the way. When is the last time you were a guest on somebody else's podcast?
Podcasting Tools
Free Podcast Transcription (with Editing via Text)
If you like Descript, you'll want to check out Eddy.
Like Descript, Eddy imports your audio, gives you an automated transcription, and lets you edit audio via that transcription. It's a lot like editing a Word doc.
Right now, it's free to use. So jump in and try it for yourself.
NOTE: I still recommend editing your podcast by listening to it, because that's the way it's consumed. But "edit by text" tools can be VERY helpful for quickly removing big chunks of audio that you don't want to use in your final episode edit.
Podcasting Deals
Wordpress Hosting for $9.98/year
This is real. Competition and improved technology have brought the cost of web hosting down in a big way. It's not for somebody getting tons of traffic, but will work well for 99% of all podcasters who need a place for listeners to go.
You'll get:
- 50 GB SSD Disk Space
- 2 TB Monthly Transfer
- Host Up to 4 Domains
- Unlimited Databases, Free SSL Certificates, Softaculous, Daily Backups & More!
- cPanel Control Panel
- LiteSpeed Web Server w/ LSCache
- FREE Migrations
The Business of Podcasting
"This podcast series is a shameless rip-off ..."
A podcast called Soldier of Misfortune has been accused of plagiarism.
Brendan Koerner is a journalist for The Atlantic and wrote a story that took him nine years to report. He says Jesse Rapaport has stolen this work.
I don't have a dog in this particular fight, but it's an interesting topic in general and something it's good to get clear on for your own podcast. Much of what we consume online, from the photos used for memes, to rewrites of popular news stories on "clickbait" sites, borrows heavily from unlicensed material. But when does "borrowing" become theft?
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.