Prologue
"That's Not a Podcast!"
I see a lot of tech guys who say if it doesn't have an RSS feed, it's not a podcast.
I get it – the technical version of "podcast" means the audio file is delivered via a feed.
But here's the reality ... Nobody who actually listens to podcasts cares!
This means that, as far as listeners are concerned, "podcasts" can be delivered via:
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Satellite
In the previous issue of Big Podcast Insider, I talked about how it's good for podcasters to have options. Distribution of your podcast is one of the things you want options for.
It doesn't matter how your "podcast" is distributed as long as it's an effective method for getting your message to listeners who care.
Focus on the content and finding the right listeners for it, regardless of how they listen.
Podcaster Opportunities
How to Get Your Work on NPR
Radio Race 2022 happens Saturday, November 12.
Think 24-Hour Film Project, but for podcasts. The goal is to do a 4-minute, standalone audio segment in just 24 hours.
I did it last year and it's great. It's a lot of fun and you'll meet a lot of amazing people. You can do it by yourself or put together a team and compete as a group.
The winner gets:
- $1000 contract for your piece to air on KCRW
- Apogee HypeMiC + FX Rack Complete Bundle & MetaRecorder
- One-year PRX Exchange Producer Account for each team member + consideration for placement on PRX Remix
- One-year Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) Professional Membership for each team member
Want to hear about my experience from last year? Listen to this episode of Build a Big Podcast.
Want to hear the final piece I submitted? You can listen to it here.
It's a fun weekend and I highly recommend jumping in, if you're interested in narrative, non-fiction podcasts.
Podcast Marketing
Will Changing the Color of Your Podcast Art Get You More Downloads?
True story ...
I was at an event in Chicago several years ago. It was one of these pitchfest-style things, where the speaker would give you maybe 15 minutes of OK information, then spend the next 45 minutes trying to sell you something.
A guy got on stage and talked about how wearing a different color shirt and tie would get you different results.
The entire time, I was rolling my eyes, thinking, "This guy is an idiot. Nobody is taking this seriously."
At the end of his presentation, the dude next to me leans over and says, "Was that amazing or what?!"
Then he went to the back of the room and purchased a $5000 package that included a dozen color combinations to help him achieve his goals.
Did I miss something? Maybe.
It's true that the colors of a logo (or podcast art) do convey things about brand identity and personality. The right colors can help you connect with the right listeners on a deeper level.
The Satanic Temple, for example, uses black, gray, and red, not Kelly green, fuchsia, and cyan.
RELATED: One time, I went to a goth show wearing a brand-new white t-shirt. It was me and about 500 other people, all of them wearing black from head to toe.
You can hear the story on the audio edition of Big Podcast Insider. Subscribe here to get it.
Podcasting Tools
Free Sound Effects for Your Podcast
If you've listened to the audio version of this newsletter, you've heard the sound effects I use to transition from one story to another. Many of these come from Sample Focus.
And they're free.
This is a site used primarily by music producers, but it's got a lot of great stuff for podcasting. It's definitely worth a look.
Need music for your podcast? Reach out to me via Twitter with more info on what you need and I'll give you a personal recommendation on where to get it.
Podcasting Deals
A Website for Your Podcast – Only $69!
SupaPass is a powerful website builder made just for podcasters and other content creators.
Is it perfect? No. Will it get the job done? Yes. And for $69, it's a bargain. You can literally have a great-looking website online within minutes.
Podcaster Spotlight
The Podcast That Sells Itself
Shameless Acquisition Target is clever. Its host, Laura Meyer, was a producer at WNYC, became "employee number one" at Slate’s Panoply network, moved to Stitcher as the Executive Producer in charge of new show development, and then cofounded the production company Three Uncanny Four with Sony Music Entertainment.
She knows a little something about "big business" in podcasting.
She also knows that sometimes things just don't work out like you want. Or at least you don't always get paid like you want.
Will Shameless Acquisition Target finally be the podcast that makes Laura rich? We'll see ...
This podcast has a clever, entertaining format. And as a podcaster yourself, you're going to learn a lot about the business of podcasting and "how the money works."
Definitely check it out.
The Wrap Up
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If you like the newsletter, you'll love the podcast. It's called Build a Big Podcast and it will help you do three things:
- Grow your podcast audience.
- Get people talking about your podcast.
- Make more money with your podcast.
You can subscribe for free.
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