Prologue
Are You (or Your Podcast) Stuck?
Over the last couple of months, since my latest book, 101 Podcast Episode Templates, was released, I've been getting a lot of nice messages from podcasters who have felt stuck and used it to come up with new ideas for episodes and other content.
But being "stuck" with your podcast can be more than just writer's block – sometimes we don't move forward for other reasons. Things like:
- fear of failure
- fear of success
- fear of being seen
If you're feeling stuck with your podcast, I'd love to hear more about it. This will help me come up with content that will help you!
Send me a message via Twitter to start the conversation.
We're still a few months away from 2023, but I'd like to set you up to win!
To help you get things moving, this issue of Big Podcast Insider has some easy-to-implement tricks to increase your download numbers, make your episodes better connect with listeners, and monetize your podcast.
If you have any questions, send me a message and I'll get you pointed in the right direction!
Podcast Marketing
Want More Podcast Downloads? Try This ...
The easiest way for you to get more downloads to your podcast is to make some simple tweaks to your episode titles.
Below are six strategies you can use, starting on your next episode, to get more people interested in what you've got.
- Appeal to self-interest
- Stimulate curiosity
- Personalize with audience data
- Quantify your promises
- Build urgency
- Keep it short and clear
See something that you need more info on? Complete details are here.
You can see how I am using these strategies here.
Want to run a title by me before you release it? Reach out to me via Twitter.
Podcast Production
Free Music for Your Podcast
If you know the melody behind these words ...
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine / Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind
... you know the power of music.
Music makes you feel something. And if you want your listeners to feel something when they hear your words, this free music for your podcast will help make that happen.
"Genres" include:
- Chilled Vibes
- Side Stage
- Swelling Emotion
- Something Curious
- Nature and Humans
Podcasting Deals
$149 - Zoom PodTrak P4 Multitrack Podcast Recorder
This is $70 off the normal $219 price and it's a deal. It's portable, allowing you to capture four different mics, each with their own headphone output, so it's perfect for multi-host podcasts. And it records everything straight to an SD card, so no computer is needed.
The best feature for me is that it allows me to hook up my phone, meaning I can take live calls (just like a radio station) or stream great-quality audio via Twitter Spaces or Instagram Live.
If you need a portable recorder, this is a good option. And B&H will throw in a free pair of pro headphones, too!
Podcast Humor
Is This a Joke? Not Really ...
Editing is serious business. I'd estimate that even the best host with the best plan could have a better episode with 20% of it being removed.
But what to remove? On the very least, here's some basic editing suggestions from Matthew McLean of The Podcast Host that are a good place to start:
- Extra Content (before and after what you wanted to record)
- Long Pauses
- Interruptions
- Filler Words
- Mistakes & Stumbling
- Overlapping & Crosstalk
- Entire Segments or Questions (that don't connect with the rest of the episode)
Think about these things when you record and edit your next podcast.
Podcast Monetization
7 Podcast Monetization Methods (with Examples!)
It's interesting to me how many people focus on "advertising" when it comes to generating revenue for their podcasts. Ad money is great, if you can get it, but it takes a while.
This info was written for writers who publish via text, but everything here can be modified for those who publish via audio and video. It basically goes into detail about the following monetization options:
- Tip Jar - PodInbox does this.
- Affiliate Offers - Impact has a bunch of companies waiting to work for you.
- Newsletter Advertising - Advertise in this newsletter.
- Selling Your Own Stuff
- Paid Podcast/Newsletter Subscriptions - Patreon can handle both.
The Wrap Up
Like this newsletter? Tell a friend...
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.