Viral Podcasting: Recent Episodes
Kerry Lutz
The show that helps you turn your podcast into a money maker. You'll learn how to earn a 6 figure income from your podcast.
The new Macs utilizing the Apple (Silicon) M1 Arm Chip are truly outstanding for Podcasters. I purchased the Mac Mini, fully loaded with a 2tb harddrive and 16gb of RAM. The increase in speed over the 2018 Mac Mini is dramatic and substantial. For unoptimized programs such as Adobe Audition, waiting times for effects, file saving and copying blew me a way. I’m not much of a video editor, but using iMovie to edit my videos, has resulted in dramatic decreases in rendering times. I estimate that this computer will save me between 50 - 100 hours per year. Even at $100 per hour, the computer more than pays for its $1800 cost. I can’t even imagine what the M1X is going to be like. Unlike many other purchases, I haven’t experienced a moment of buyers remorse.
I was having loads of problems dealing with Skype! during the pandemic. Seems like the call quality had just deteriorated past the point of no return. Video quality was way off, so after participating in a high quality Zoom call, my decision was made. I made the switch. Now I don't like platforms where you can't initiate the call to your guest, which you certainly can't do on Zoom. However, it's great calendar integration made up for some of that control. The quality of their video interface is excellent and their screen flow, where you can set the call to record the video of the person speaking, among other options. So I took the plunge and am happy I did. Skype! does have a few advantages though, their technology for preventing cross-talk is superior as is their ability to block out feed back during a call. But all things considered, Zoom is the better platform.
It's one thing to find your voice, it's another matter to hear it. Recently, I learned how to self-aircheck myself. I had delegated my editing chores to my my producer Melissa. When I started a new daily show, I needed to get my shows posted within 15 minutes of completion. This led to me back to the editor's chair and it has helped my overall show greatly. I got to see my mistakes and correct them first hand. And I found my things I could be doing better. It's a great feedback loop that has helped me grow. And it will help you too. I promise.
June 7, 2020 marked 9 years since I became a full-time professional podcaster. It took me 4 years to start earning a 6 figure income. Here's a few things that you can do to get it done faster. First, hire a coach to help you air-check and up your game. Produce the highest production values you are capable of. Your audience deserves it! Keep improving and find your voice. Once you've found it, start listening to it. You'll be amazed at how fast you'll progress. And of course, whether you're already podcasting or just starting out, make a business plan to compute your break-even point and put a value on your time and services. Then set goals and watch your show take off.
Interview based shows know only too well that the quality of your show is often limited by the quality of the audio connection. If you're using Skype to Skype domestically, sound quality issues are usually minimal. The problem occurs when you're going Skype to Cellphone, Skype to VOIP or Skype to Landline. Fortunately, the folks at Rode thought of almost everything when they released their Rodecaster Pro. And much of what they didn't think of, they've fixed in their firmware updates.
Your cellphone can be paired with the Rodecaster to enable wireless communication through the mixing board with your guest. But there is a quality issue. While it's certainly better than Skype, it still leaves much to be desired. That's why I tried a hardwire connection using a TRRS cable with a 3.5mm male jack that plugs into the Rodecaster. If you're using an iPhone with a Lightning jack, you will need an adapter, which is available on Amazon.
The sound quality improvement was amazing. The connections extremely clear and if you're going Verizon to Verizon, you'll get near HD quality. I'll never use bluetooth again unless I have to.
Next show, we'll discuss Ecamm Live software with green screen/blue screen capabilities.
My book is available on Amazon. Email us with your questions at kl@kerrylutz.com.
Happy Podcasting!
Every now and then a piece of equipment is created that has the ability to change an industry. While the Roadcaster Pro may not quite be in that category, it can help even the most green podcaster sound like a pro. It has a suite of features, including professional effects, bluetooth pairing of your phone, computer and mixer and sound pads to easily mix in those great sound effects. You might not need them all or even most of them, but you’ll come to view the Roadcaster Pro as invaluable to your podcast efforts as I do. And the ducking effect means you’ll never have another guest talk over you again. It’s truly worth every bit of the $599 it cost. I’m sure you’ll agree.
With the spread of Coronavirus, everyone is shifting and changing. It’s time to be a leader in these troubled times. A lot of things are shifting. Podcasting is one communicaiton option. There are many, video, writing articles and live events. Podcasting is an incredible option, especially now that being physically around people isn’t going to be an option. If you’re working from home or lost your job and you have a message, then podcasting could be an option. Will the current conditions lead to a large influx of podcasters? You should start by listening to podcasts. Find the types of shows you like and the topics that bring out your passion. Then you’ll have a direction and a focus. Start with a vision of what you want it to be as a finished product. Having clarity on your why will help all the other pieces fall into place.
I rave about my Cloud 44a Microphone. It's the successor to the orginal RCA 44a microphone from the 1940's. They are actually using the tooling and fabrication of the ribbon that was used in the original. Then add to that built-in Cloud Lifter preamp and you've got an active ribbon microphone that has unparalleled warmth and depth. It's expensive, retailing at $1599, but I was fortunate to pick-up two of them - very gently used for much less. It was truly love at first site/recording. The mic is so good that it requires very little post-processing, such as dreesser and multi-bank compressor. Truly an amazing find!
Just got back from Podfest. An amazing show that keeps on getting better and better. We actually exhibited there. We’re now offering full podcast editing services. We’ve been doing it informally for years now and figured it was a good time to help people out with their podcast.
Also discussed yet again the value of airchecking, getting an third party to listen to your show and provide feedback. I’ve been doing it ever since I got started, nearly 7000 episodes ago. It will really help you out a log in your podcasting career.
Finally, don’t forget that business plan. No matter what stage of podcasting you’re in, having a business plan will help you set goals and learn what you need to do to monetize.
And make sure you get my book at Amazon, Viral Podcasting: A Proven Process to Earn 6 Figures from Your Show.
Ann Bernard started The #365FirstsChallenge as a journey of adding new experiences, actions, and things into your life—that you’ve never done before. It’s a process of enhancing the way you live and squeezing all that you can out of life. Experiencing a wide mixtures of firsts will impact who you are and shape how you continue to live your life. It’s about change and stepping into the unknown. Reconnecting with your childlike mindset. Opening your mind, tapping in your creativity, self-discovery, stepping out of your comfort zones, facing you fears, learning, and growing. And thus the podcast was born.
Make sure you check out our book on amazon Viral Podcasting: A Proven Process to Earn 6 Figures From Your Show.
Naresh Vissa joined us today. When it comes to marketing and monetization, the two go hand-in-hand. Using digital marketing you can turbo-charge your podcast listenership. It means uploading your podcast to multiple platforms. Getting your show out there. And define your niche. Narrow-casting focusing on a particular subject to hone in on your audience’s interest. You want to be an early mover in your niche to maximize your audience. You have to be in it for the long-haul. Commitment and consistency are crucial, especially in the beginning. Fresh and new content is key. When you get started, always release multiple episodes for the first few months. This is actually a case where quantity can be as important as quality. Then scale back to one episode per week. Be passionate and love what you’re doing, have a plan and watch what happens.
The digital economy went bust in 2001. Companies started seeking better more cost-effective ways of doing business. Now you can outsource everything, services and manufacturing, etc. It’s more efficient and improves the bottom line. When the next recession hits, it will be the next transformation of the global economy. Naresh is seeing it with his own business, his services have displaced employees and has increased client capabilities. The need to attend trade shows is diminshing. Their cost is making companies seek other web-based solutions. Online events and summits are becoming dominant. You’re no longer limited by space and geography.
Heather Havenwood was always different. While her friends in Texas were simply looking to get married and have a family, she always wanted to be an entrepreneur. She teamed up with a person she thought was trustworthy. They were succeeding beyond her expectations and then the unthinkable happened. Her partner absconded with all their company's assets, leaving Heather holding the bag. This led her to bankruptcy and couch surfing for many months. Finally, she went to an old mentor and asked the question, "Where did I go wrong." The answer was, you were too busy running the show to concern yourself with the really important issues. Today, she's successful and helping other female entrepreneurs to get their start. Truly an inspiration.
Paul Gibbons is a fellow podcaster using science and philosophy to further his audience’s knowledge. He’s opinionated and very secure in his beliefs, but that doesn’t mean he’s not open-minded. He’s willing to look at the facts and change his opinion when required. We talked about why media figures on the right succeed while those on the left fail. As I stated, “It’s not the message, it’s the messenger.” People connect with their favorite media figures and may or may not buy into their message. Paul, unlike most of his political grouping, acknowledges that Donald Trump is a genius of messaging and connecting with his followers. We could all learn a lot from POTUS 45 in that regard.
Lunide Louis has a gift and she decided to share it with an audience. But she didn't have one. So she started a podcast with very ambitious audience goals and so far she's exceeded. But her morning wake-up and goal setting program looks like a winner and that's why we're bringing here to you. We're trying some of her specific action steps. If you do too, please let us know how they work out for you.
You know that we're big believers in the constant quest to upgrade our equipment. Two recent additions have made a meaningful contribution to the quality of our shows and the ability to facilitate and expedite our workflow. First we purchased a slightly used Shure KSM 313 Microphone. This Red and Black microphone while being very attractive utilizes a Roswellite rare earth metal ribbon to capture sound. It's most useful for musicians, but it's also a great podcasting mic. The ribbon is great for picking up voice, but doesn't pick is limited in its ability to pick up breaths. So if you're a heavy breathing podcaster, this could do the trick. Until something better comes along, we're hooked.
Next is my 43" curved Samsung monitor. When it comes to workflow, this monitor is a godsend. It measures approximately 14" x 43" and has a slight radius. The beauty of this monitor is that it allows for three windows to be open, side by side at the same time. This makes editing documents, audio or video files a snap. It really helps declutter your desktop. I purchased it almost new on eBay for around $550, including shipping. It comes in a behemoth of a box, but is really quite simple to setup. Once you've got it set up the way you like it, you'll never go back to boxy monitors again.
Our continuous effort to improve is always reaping dividends. Stayed tuned for our next giant leap forward.
I've often preached the virtues of consistency, while not adhering to them myself. Finally, I decided to put my foot down and force myself to comply. I'm now doing 10 segments per month and have figured out that my producer can simply auto post them at 9am every morning. It's an easy system and it's working. It's one thing to produce the episodes, but it's quite another to actually release them on a schedule. But, it's not that easy. Now I do my show notes and the episodes are ready to go. If you're doing a weekly show, you need to release the show on a specific day at a regular time. Can you imagine if tv shows were released whenever they felt like it? There would be chaos on the air. So now I'm committed. Can you commit?
Ben Kreuger of www.cashflowpodcasting.com joined us and together we explored the evolution of a professional podcaster. Some people start out on a lark and find they have found their calling. Others start out with a distinct brand and business and realize that podcasting can help them to greatly leverage their business. It doesn't really matter how you get there, but Ben believes that once you become an advocate for your audience, you've made the transition. Eventually, if you keep at it, eventually you'll become a professional. And once you're there, you've developed the skills to keep it going. It's a process that unfolds over time. Are you ready to become a professional podcaster?
Kevin Dumont has always been a rebel. With some people, it's just the way they're wired. But not in a negative sense, but rather someone who doesn't go along with the crowd. His investment philosophy is really quite simple, look for gains but always avoid losses. That's rather non-traditional in the current economic cycle. It's a strategy for long term success. That's how his podcast was born, out of a desire to afford investors complete transparency while giving them opportunities to invest for the long term. While his podcast is relatively new, he's been quickly gaining traction. Evidently, listeners enjoy hearing the unvarnished truth and are always in the mood the increase their knowledge base. And that's what podcasting is all about.
Darren Paltrowitz was a veteran of the music business. Now he podcasts about the business and interviews many music celebs. We discuss a wide variety of issues facing podcasters and go into the business’s highs and lows. Perhaps of most help to those looking to build their podcasts is our in depth discussion of interviewing do’s and don’ts. Darren is a skilled interviewer with many, many interviews under his belt. We talk about disinterested interviewees, detached complacent subjects and how to take them out of their comfort zone. It’s all fun and part of what makes a successful podcaster. And Darren explains how he gets free trips and access to VIP Events.
David Hooper has done it. He’s written Big Podcast the definitive book on the Podcasting Business. Following in the footsteps of Viral Podcasting, David spent 4 years writing a book about every aspect of creating a Big Podcast. It’s 460 pages chock full of methods and techniques to propel your podcast into the big leagues. And David is well situated to take on the task. A radio/music enthusiast and expert with decades of experience, he goes way beyond simply telling you what equipment to buy and how to edit. This book contains actionable intelligence that lists the steps needed to become a podcasting superstar. His style is light, but informative and totally hits the nail on the head. Highly recommended!
Viral Podcasting is not intended to be a geeky show, highlighting the latest in wonderful life changing tech. However, at Podfest we came across a great unit from Shure - the MV88+Video Kit. It comes with a tripod, an adjustable smartphone mount, a high quality microphone and a great app (iPhone or Android). It makes doing on the fly video or audio a snap. Anyone can use it almost immediately with very little prep. It’s going to be our exclusive audio video setup for when we take our show on the road
Naresh Vissa has just written his 6th book. Several of them have gone on to become Amazon Bestsellers. His book about podcasting has sold over 12,000 copies, a remarkable achievement. His latest book From Nobody to Bestselling Author appears ready to follow the trend. He covers the basics from how to write, how to be interesting and how to be a marketable author. It's hard to believe that using free dictation software on your smartphone can help turn you into a bestseller. Naresh has a system and it has worked for him and many others. Of course there's no guarantees, but using it will give you the best possible chance for success and stardom.
We've been attending Podfest for the last three years. During that time it's really grown. This year from March 7-9, 2019, over 1000 people from around the globe will attend. We've vowed to never miss it again. Whether you're an aspiring podcaster or just someone who's looking to expand your audience, you'll find lots here for you. The networking events are second to none and the people are amazing. We've made some extremely valuable lifetime contacts here. For many of us, it's the only opportunity to emerge from our studio bunkers and mingle with kindred souls from around the planet. You never know what you might learn until you take the plunge and find out. Chris Krimitsos has done our burgeoning industry a real service. And according to him, it's about to take off on its next growth phase. So be part of it and join us there. Make sure you look for me. If you're a VP audience member, I'll give you a free copy of my book, Viral Podcasting: A Proven Process to Earn Six Figures from Your Show!
In podcasting as in so many other areas of business/life, you always need to be upgrading, your skills and equipment. I was having some sound quality issues with my set-up. I tried isolating each item to deduce the cause. I checked the microphones, mixer, cables, computer, etc. I finally concluded that my Behringer 4400 Multigate gate/expander was the culprit and so reluctantly disposed of it. I still wanted the ability to have effects, so I decided to seek out a new digital mixer. There's a number of brands on the market, but the Behringer x-18 stood out. If you haven't seen a digital mixer, it looks just like an analog model, except all the buttons, dials and faders are missing. The only dial left controls headphone volume. I managed to find an open-box special on eBay for just $377. It was being sold by a well known audio store and came with a 6 month warranty. I got the unit 2 days later and proceeded to plug it in and try to make it work. You control the mixer with apps on your computer and iPad.
I'm fairly handy with most electronics, but this was a challenge to set-up. It worked fine with my USB into my Mac but I couldn't get the guest's skype feed to go back into my computer and record on Adobe Audition. I watched a few YouTube tutorials on the subject and finally figured it out. However, there's still so much to learn. Once fully working, the sound quality is amazing. Very little hiss and virtually no hum. The preamps are so clean and powerful that I was able to do away with my inline mic preamp altogether. I couldn't be more pleased with the unit. It has exceeded my expectations in every way. Let us know what you think at www.ViralPodcasting.com.
Dave Jackson was a professional trainer and almost too good at his job. Several times he was called into his boss’s office and regrettably shown the door, through no fault of his own. It was always the same story, you’re doing a great job but sales, not so much. The last time it happened, he had a Plan B, become a professional podcaster and teach others how to do the same. Dave started podcasting at a time when almost no one knew what an RSS Feed was. A lot of the podcasting conveniences we take for granted, didn’t exist when Dave started. But he prevailed and has dedicated his career to helping hundreds of podcasters find their way through the jungle. And he does a great show too.
Recently I was feeling like the show wasn’t progressing; I was in a rut. I still loved podcasting, but I just felt stymied. I called up my radio coach Valerie Geller to get an air-check along with some advice. She reminded me that 9 months earlier I had lost a loved one and it takes a good year to process grief. This was an aha moment that led to the realization that I was in a low-grade depression. We worked on a some better interview techniques, critiqued my audio quality and made a follow-up appointment. I’ve been flying high ever since. I can’t emphasize enough the need to periodically have a friendly critique to review your work and identify areas for improvement. Some of my best breakthroughs have come after such sessions. Unfortunately, while radio personalities go through the process throughout their careers, few podcasters follow suit. With all these potential benefits and very little downside, isn’t it time you got air-checked. I’ll help you do it, just email me at kl@kerrylutz.com. Make sure you visit the site www.ViralPodcasting.com.
Andrew Alleman started http://PodcastGuest.com to help podcasters solve the always present problem of getting guests for your show. But what do you do once the guest is on the air? How do you crush interviewing?
Andrew brings many great techniques and strategy for nailing the interview. We talk about what to do when your guest is a dud and how to turn them into a star. Interviewing is all about mastering the situation and brining out the best in your guest. Do it right and it’s magic. Do it wrong and you’ll lose your audience.
It’s very easy to get into a podcasting rut. Everything seems to be going fine and why should you want to upset the applecart. However, investing in technology that will actually improve your show is almost always a good investment. We’re not talking about vanity upgrades where you buy something new just to satisfy an emotional desire. Rather we’re talking about investing in innovations that actually improve the quality of your show. I recently purchased a new Mac Mini 2018. I didn’t buy the top of the line, but invested in the best processor and a 1 giga byte hard drive. The results have exceeded my expectations. The computer has virtually eliminated all latency on my videos. It’s way faster and saves my files in a fraction of the time of my last generation Mini. And this is just one small example. There are many more. Remember, your show is a living, breathing entity and you need to always be striving for continuous improvement. New tech can help get you there.
We spoke with bestselling author Kasim Aslim. He shared his life story with us and it was quite touching. At 20 years old he had a booming business and then all of a sudden he lost it all. He was having trouble making ends meet. It was a hellish experience that was life altering. However, rather than be defeated by this defeat, he used it as a learning experience. Today, he credits that experience with his current success and solvency. It’s a matter of learning far more from your successes than your failures. And he believes that these lessons can be applied to building podcast audiences. Marketing like podcasting is all about building relationshps and Kasim has become a master at it.
Amy Domestico is the Customer Success Manager for Voxnest. She's been in podcasting for more than a decade and takes the industry very seriously. There's probably no better source for the latest scuttlebutt than her. Amy believes that the opportunities for making podcasting a career and a high income earner have never been greater. Since Spreaker and Blogtalkradio were combined into Voxnest, there's greater opportunities for monetization than ever. While you might not be able to retire off your earnings there, they provide an opportunity for immediate income, which is rather unique in this field. And now, there's the ability to post to many more platforms in just easy to access place. Voxnest/Spreaker are making big waves in podcasting. You need to check them out.
Marla Isackson became somewhat of a reluctant podcaster. At the urging of her team, she hesistantly begans podcasting. That was nearly 40 episodes ago and she's going strong. In the process she uncovered an opportunity to create a network for female and minority podcasters. She's got nearly 150 shows on her site now and expects to be at 250 by year's end. She's going to monetize the site by attracting advertisers with excellent show analytics and metrics. The space is booming now and when Marla finally releases the site to the public, she's expecting big results. Today it's iTunes, tomorrow the world!
Doing a great interview is an acquired skill and art. Unfortunately there really aren’t any great books on the topic either. Maybe it’s time to write one. There’s a lot more to it than just asked no a bunch of questions. Canned interviews sound canned and will not generate interest. You’ve got to find the angle. You need to find a side of your subject that isn’t well known or common knowledge. Are with a different perspective you can make a difference. Just put your mind to it and think differently. When it comes to interviewing it’s all about practice and point of view. You need to stand out. And remember that the most difficult subjects provide you with an incredible challenge to grow and improve your skills
This is our 45th episode. We're very big on paying it forward. That's why I'm making this personal offer to you now. Write to me at kl@kerrylutz.com and I will listen to your podcast and evaluate all of your branding and marketing and furnish you with a SWAT (strengths, weaknesses and threats) report to help you grown at no cost to you. What are you doing right and what are you doing wrong? You probably don't know and no one is out there telling you. Usually you only need to make minor corrections on the course you're following, but that's enough to show huge results. And that's what we're after. Again, just email me at kl@kerrylutz.com for your complimentary podcast evaluation. Happy podcasting!
Viral Podcasting
From a young age Karen Kataline wanted to be a performer. Later she went on to earn her masters in social work from Columbia. This prepared her well for her later role as podcaster. Karen says you've got to learn how to make connections quickly when you're a social worker and the same holds true for podcasting. She fills in for local radio hosts in her area and started her podcast a year ago. She continues to build audience and is looking to monetize and expand. There's a lot of options, but she will probably start another show dealing with women's issues and business matters. Right now it's all politics, all the time, but she's learning the benefit of being flexible as any accomplished podcast must. For more info go over to ViralPodcasting.com.
When it comes to success in podcasting, consistency is the key. Whether it's releasing shows at regular intervals and times or consistent quality, when you deliver your audience comes to trust you and you insure that they download all your episodes as they become avaialble. They understand that you are reliable partner who can be counted upon. When you fail at consistency as I have at numerous times, your credibility will take a hit. You also need to be consistent in self-improvement and improving your show. Until we're all perfect at everything we do, there's always room for improvement. Whether it's cutting down on verbal stumbles, annunciating words more clearly, doing a better job with show notes, you can take small steps towards improvment that lead to big gains in audience and income. It's all up to you. Just promise to make one improvement per week and watch your listernship take off.
Liz Soria hosts a podcast called Tax Advisor & Biz Coach Success. She's been doing it for nearly two years and has over 2000 listeners. She's anxious to monetize the show and she need only look at her audience as potential clients for her services. While there are many other ways to monetize, converting listeners into paying customers is perhaps one of the easiest and most tried and true methods for podcasting success. After all, if someone is listening to a niche podcast, they probably have an interest in that product or service. So why not start monetizing your podcast by offering your own services. Figure out what your annual revenue per client works out to. Multiply that by 10, 20, 50 or 100. You could be looking at some serious sales increases for an incredibly low financial outlay. Perhaps the greatest takeaway from Liz's interview is that you need to make a commitment to yourself and your audience to keep on improving your show's quality and your level of expertise.
Jason Hartman has been podcasting since 2005. During that time he's attracted thousands of clients and 10's of millions in revenues. Being first or among the first always helps, but so does being an investment visionary. Jason has shown over and over again that income property, particularly single family homes for rental, have the best long term returns of any asset class. Even during the 2008-09 financial crisis, most of Jason's clients who listened to him came out better than when they started. As far as podcasting is concerned, Jason concentrates far more on content than on the technicals. At any given time he's got his stalwart Creating Wealth show as well as 7-8 others in production. He interviews world leading authorities on a variety of financial and non-financial topics and his show is often found at the top of iTunes charts and others. While it's definitely more difficult to start a successful podcast in 2018, Jason believes that it can still be done, if you know what you're doing and what your audience wants. Jason plans to keep on podcasting for as long as he possibly can, and that probably means decades. We can only imagine what his numbers will look like in 30 years.
FSN Link
Naresh Vissa wrote a best selling book about podcasting Podcastnomics several years ago. It's become must reading in the Podcast Industry. He shows how people in many fields have created podcasts that have greatly increased their businesses, sometimes making them millions. Naresh helps podcasters create and produce successful podcasts. He handles all the grunt work, from guest acquisition to production, and from promotion to PR. It's all about connecting with an audience and becoming a vital part of their lives. The formula is very simple but the execution is where the winners are seperated from the losers. But the best part is that even if you're not succeeding now, Naresh can help you change all that. Go over to ViralPodcasting.com and find out more.
Bill Powers started his Mining Stock Education Podcast 2 years ago. He read Viral Podcasting and has implemented many of the strategies. He's now profitable and is still building the company. He's been getting great guests and widespread distribution and the clients are starting to jump on board. He's joined a growing group of people that actually earn a respectable income from their work. He shares with us his journey and his vision for the future. It's all up from here.
According to Rob Walch of leading podcast server site Libsyn, 62% of the traffic on their site emanates from iTunes. That's still a very commanding share, but if 100 million people listen to podcasts regularly, that means that 38 million get their podcasts from non-iTunes aggregators. That's a lot of listeners and it opens up tremendous opportunities for aggressive, clever podcasters. Mike Gazzola gets more than 2000 downloads per day from Tunein Radio. He gets similar results from other podcasts. Isn't it better to be a large fish in a small pond, than a small fish in the Pacific Ocean? These smaller sites all have their featured and top picks. If you make it there, your traffic could escalate way beyond your most modest expectations. Try examing these other aggregators and see what happens to the popularity of your show. You might be very surprised.
Colin Gray was a college professor in the UK when he got bitten by the Podcast bug. It wasn't long before he was giving up his day job and pursuing podcasting as a full time profession. Now he runs multiple podcasts and teaches everyday folks how to start and maintain successful shows. Much like your humble host, Colin has learned all the ins and outs as well as advanced interviewing techniques. He agrees that it is among the hardest things a newbie host must learn.
Now he's trying to give aspiring hosts an even easier solution with his new site www.Alito.com. It's a website that takes your raw audio file and turns it into a high quality ready to distribute episode. What could be easier than that?
Colin is very optimistic about the future of podcasting and believes that we've only just scratched the surface.
The biggest problem I've had doing my podcasting career is the quality of my Skype connection. For such a well established service, it has a number of deficiences. Dropped calls, fadeouts, clicks, latency issues, etc. And yet it appears to be the cleanest shirt in the laundry. Other services promise the moon and the stars, but can't deliver. Worst part is that they rely upon you sending a connection link to get your interviewee on the call. This is often problematical. As a host, you want to be in control of the call. You don't want to be sitting around waiting for your guest to remeber to connect. With Skype, unlike all the other services, either party to a call can initiate contact.
For seven years I've looked for a solution. Finally, my good friend Joe Messina has found one. Used properly, it will reduce your Skype issues by a large percentage. It's called QOS - Quality of Service. Found on your router settings, it enables you to allocate bandwith to different apps, programs and devices, either dynamically or in a fixed priority listing. It works amazingly well. If you're using a cable company combo modem/router you probably don't have access to DOS. However, you can simply configure your modem to shut down the built-in router and then connect an after market router. I'm using a Netgear AC1900 Nighthawk. It's way faster than my cable co's router and has QOS. Thus far I'm using the dynamic QOS setting and it's working like a charm. You might also want to consider it, especially if you're having too many Skype issues.
Jay Soderberg has been a podcaster since 2005. He was a producer at ESPN and his boss ordered him to become the resident podcasting maven. Not having a choice in the matter, Jay took to the challenge with the passion and intensity he's know for. Now he works for Voxnest, a company which recently acquired Blogtalkradio and Spreaker. He's now working with 10's of thousands of podcasters around the world. The company will be releasing an ad insertion tool that will work with other podcast server sites and allow individuals to monetize their shows. Jay has followed the careers of many well know podcasters and believes that passion is the driver. Knowing your audience and how to communicate with them will go a long ways towards success, but you've got to learn the craft and live it. Podcasting keeps getting more popular and as smartphone automobile integration continues to advance, so will growth. There's a lot more growth coming down the pike.
When it comes to podcasting, everyone knows John Lee Dumas. He's a modern day legend. From starting a podcast with modest goals, he's built an empire. After serving as an officer on the battlefields of Iraq, he went through a number of profitable careers, but always lacked a sense of fulfillment. But he kept at it and eventually gravitated to podcasting. We first connected during a Cliff Ravenscraft mastermind group, when he was just getting started. Fast forward 6 years later, John is living the dream and has taught thousands of others how to master the art of podcasting. As John puts it, "You start out with very few people actually listening to your show. You keep at it and then all of a sudden 2 years, you're an overnight sensation." But remember, just because you know how to talk doesn't mean you can be a podcaster. There's a lot more to success than being able to string a catchy sentence together. You need that something extra and John has obviously found it.
I've said it many times before, podcasting can be a solitary profession. Much of the day, you're at your desk working on future episodes, writing articles and trying to figure out ways to be successful. It's not unusual to have self doubts and question whether your decision to become a podcaster was a wise one. Especially when you're trying to monetize and nothing seems to be happening. On a recent episode of my Financial Survival Network Podcast I shared with my audience that my sister was in the last phase of a chronic illness and that her impending death had led to a number of family reconciliations. I urged them not to put it off, if you're estranged from a loved one or a friend, take action and get back together. After all, in the end the only people you can really count on is your family. Several days later I received an email that moved me to tears.
John, a long term FSN member, told me that he was so moved by my words that he immediately texted his son, with whom he had had no contact with in past 10 years. His son texted back along with pictures of a grandchild John didn't even know he had. They're talking again, taking the necessary steps to restore and improve their relationship.
The next time you're wondering whether what you do matters, think again. You have more impact upon people than you would ever believe possible. You make a big difference, so start acting like it.
Once you've perfected your interview skills and you've developed a list of companies who you'd love get on board as sponsors, your work has just begun. But use this technique properly and it's virtually guaranteed to work. First, research out everything you can find on the company and it's CEO. All those small details. How did the company start? Where was it founded? What are their sales? Make a list of facts. Then on to the CEO. Where did she grow up? What college did she attend? How did she wind up with the company? Study this info and become a virtual expert on the company and the CEO. Now listen on to learn how to turn that information into gold. It's guaranteed to work. And it will make your podcast a financial success. It's so simple and yet so powerful.
Michael Harrison, owner of Talkers Magazine and Talkers.com joined us. Michael has been watching out for internet radio since before the advent of the RSS Feed. The moment someone got the bright idea of hooking up a pair of speakers to a computer, Michael knew what was coming. The idea of so-called nonprofessionals doing a radio show was something he welcomed. Now, traditional 20th century media is slowly eroding and making way for a more democratized media marketplace. All you have to do to join is have a modicum of talent and a willingness to work your butt off to get noticed and build an audience. Perhaps anyone can do it, but not everyone is willing to invest the time and frustration into it. It could be years before you realize a monetary profit. But somehow, against all the risks, it's worth it! That's why we do what we do. Michael also believes that 21st century media is part of humanity's evolution. As our media outlets evolve, so too do we as individuals. In a few short years, the Internet will be the major source of all media distributed world wide. Think how things will look then.
I came across Tina Conroy at Podfest 2018. Last year she was on the fence about rebranding her podcast and website. Her show was entitled Get Into It. From that title, no one could tell what she was selling, what her podcast was about. I implored her to rebrand. It was a difficult process for her but finally she came up with The Intuitive Woman. This title oozes power. You know exactly what it's about and why you should be listening. And best of all, success almost immediatley followed. She's getting thousands of downloads and has an active Facebook group with hundreds of women following her. It's not always this easy, but it certainly can be. Rebranding and reinvention is a part of life. Embrace it now!
Chris Krimitsos is the founder of Podfest. I've been to a number of podcasting conferences and new media shows, but this one is by far the best! Chris puts his heart and soul into producing it. And the end result is amazing. Podcasting is a solitary profession. Most of us slave away in our home studios producing shows and content and forgetting about the world around us. Podfest gives you an opportunity to connect with kindred souls from around the globe. And this year promises to be the best Podfest yet! With nearly 1000 attendees, Chris is doing his best to keep the show's intimate feel. He's arranged a number of activities to insure that you get to meet and greet your fellow podcasters. And the fact that it's set in beautiful Orlando Florida in February gives you a great excuse to escape the cold weather and join in the fun and learning. Sign up now at Podfest.us.
I belong to a podcaster mastermind group. It's a group of experienced podcasters who are right in the thick of things. We had a guest on last week, Michael Harrison, owner of Talkers.com. He was very pessimistic about the future of terrestrial radio. Over the last 15 years, what used to be local independently owned radio stations have become part of massive radio station empires. This led to a decline in programming, especially local, and the rise of the bean counter. Management no longer listens to the radio shows that their companies must produce to succeed. Their only concern is cutting costs and paying off debt. They're dinosaurs heading for the dustbin of history. Podcasters are poised to make great inroads because they are original, focus on their content and show production and they are flexible. Live radio and podcasts aren't relevant unless they deal with breaking news. Otherwise, following the video model of YouTube and the DVR is where it's at. People want to listen to their shows at their convenience, whether on their drive to work or when they're at the gym working out. This is why the future belongs to podcasters. Check out our site ViralPodcating.
Rob Walch started out podcasting in 2004. The field was wide open. He quickly learned that it's all about the content. Invest the time to make a great show and the world will beat a path to your doorstep. And it's been working out that way ever since. He's written two books on the subject that have become bestsellers. While there's a lot of people out there plying the trade, Rob believes that the opportunity to excel is greater than ever. It just takes the right mix of getting the technology right and total commitment to excellent content. Successful podcasting is never an accident of fate, it's the result of hard work and effort.
Successful podcasting requires a number of values and skills. The biggest investment you will make is your time, assuming that you really want to make a go of this. Your time is your most valuable commodity. We all have limited amounts and therefore any time we undertake a project, we are making the ultimate investment. But your time alone is not enough. Spend a few hundred dollars and get decent equipment. A mixer, a quality microphone, a microphone boom arm and shock absorber at a minimum. Invest in your work space. Make sure you have a very comfortable chair, adequate work area and a pleasant environment that will help you give the best you have. These resources won't make you a success, there are other factors involved. Rather, they will help you to become the best you can, which is what successful podcasting is all about.
Todd Cochrane is one of the pioneers of podcasting. He wrote the first book on podcasting. He had been a blogger and by his own admission, not a good one. He was in the services and was injured. He volunteered to go to Waco, TX and had a lot of down time. He heard about podcasting and picked up a $14 headset. He made a lot of mistakes out of the gate. There was no formula for success back then. It always helps to be early in an industry. The audience skyrocketed and the rest is history. Now, he's taken the solutions he created for his own show and made it into a business. And to think this all happened before Facebook and Twitter. The people who listen make all the difference. And so had Todd.
A.J. Wilcox joined us for a discussion of social media promotion with an emphasis on LinkedIn! Most people considering using paid advertising to promote their brand do not think of LinkedIn. It's much costlier than Facebook or Google. However, if you have a high dollar, high margin product or service that is geared primarily towards the B2B market, it might be the right fit. LinkedIn gives you the ability to more narrowly target your potential audience better than any other platform out there. You can target CEO's, CFO's, sales managers, etc. And you can also target specific industries. Therefore, knowing your potential customer is essential. You can also test your campaigns to develope a winning message. Once you've mastered the message, you're ready to go big time with LinkedIn. It's certainly not for everyone, but if you've got the right product/service and can afford a higher budget, the results can really boost your brand and your show.
During Podfest Chris Krimitsos had an inspiration. Why not do a movie about Podcasters and Podcasting. He traveled throughout the US and even went to Guatemala to capture the essence of podcasting. In a way all podcasters are messengers and that's how they came up with the name. It's all about spreading ideas and getting a message out. Financing the movie was a challenge. Within two weeks Chris had run out of money. It's hard to appreciate how quickly costs run up when making a movie. Chris self-financed and used crowd source funding. Chris interviewed over 100 people and 40 wound up being featured in the film. At the end of the day all podcasters want to leave people better off than they found them. Financially successful podcasters either got off to an early start or they're in a super-niche. But other paths to monetization are emerging. It's a perfect competitive marketplace, easy entry and exit.
Editing is a sticky issue, especially with beginning podcasters, but even more experienced ones are often guilty. The purpose of editing isn't supposed to make you sound perfect. Over-editing/over-productions makes you sound unnatural and fake. You can edit your way to perfection, but is that really what you want. Don't be overcritical of yourself. It was cause you to be disappointed with your performance, no matter how good it might be. Edit out obvious blunders, mistakes and miscues. Filter out pops, clicks and hiss. The best way to insure good post-production is to do good work in the first place. Skype can cause issues with your sound quality. Hardwire Skype, take it off of wifi.
If you interview guests, you'll quickly discover that most of them are not technically proficient in audio settings and quality. Never let them use the built-in a microphone with built-in computer speakers. Get them to at least use earbuds or headphones. You'll get better quality all around.
Echo can never be eliminated. You sound quality is only as good as your original setup.
Develop your feel for the money lines in interviews. Highlight them at the beginning of the segment. If you run over on your show, mark good spot and figure out what you want included. Remember you can always hire an editor to do it for you, however, make sure they don't overproduce. Always make sure you sound natural and authentic.
As a podcaster you need to be obsessed with your brand. But you can never take it for granted. Just because you've been successful in the past, doesn't mean that you can say or do anything you please. The United State's business history is littered with companies who have jumped the Branding Shark. Coca cola, General Motors, Ford, IBM and the list goes on and on. Bigger companies may have the ability to reverse their mistake, but for smaller entities - such as podcasters - this move can be fatal. Here's rule that you can safely live by. Unless your podcast is about politics, don't ever talk about it. The only thing you'll succeed in doing is self-immolation. Look at what's going on in the NFL today. Where you stand politically is completely besides the point. You have nothing to gain and 50 percent of your audience to lose. Is the risk worth the reward? I don't think so and neither should you. You have nothing to lose except your business. If you want to start a seperate podcast to highlight your political viewpoint, then go right ahead. Just don't taint your existing show with extraneous matters. If you have a healthy eating podcast and you start talking sports, the net result will be the same - lost listeners. Unless of course you're talking about dining options at sporting events.
You've invested so much time, effort and money into building your brand, why risk throwing it away?
Anthony Rigogliosi is a podcastninja. A relative newcomer to the podcasting scene, Anthony felt himself attracted to the community after hearing his first podcast several years ago. From a young age, he preferred to get his information via the spoken word. He wasn't much of a reader and graphics wasn't his thing either. Like so many podcasters, once he started listening, he was hooked. He started learning everything he could about the medium and now he produces podcasts for other hosts. It's one stop production, record your show, send it off to Anthony and his staff of ninjas and everything else is taken care of. His advice to the aspiring podcaster, "Don't try to be perfect. It will stand in the way of your future greatness." If you want to become a professional podcaster, purchase my book Viral Podcasting. Just click the link.
Just moved my studio once again. What a pain it can be. I can hook up the mixer and microphone and all the equipment within 15-20 minutes. But then comes the hard part, making your show sound as good as it was in your old studio. This was a real challenge in my new studio, because it had a lot of echo and it's a very lively room. In addition, the Skype signal was constantly dropping and getting garbled. I even received several complaints from our listeners saying that the show's audio quality had noticably declined. What to do? I didn't want to foam the place, which is the obvious solution. I hate the way it looks and it ruins the pain. I was watching an episode of the hit tv show The Profit. Marcus Lemonis invested in a firm Overtone Acoustics. They manufacture acoustic panels to reduce echo and help the sound profile of your room. I figured, probably won't work but I'll give it a try. I ordered 6 2'x4' panels. They weigh about 7 pounds each and look like cloth panels. They're stuffed with acoustic absorption material. I mounted them and the change was amazing. They're not cheap at around $80 each, but well worth it. To fix the Skype issues, I connected an ethernet cable right from my computer to the WiFi router. Presto, no more Skype issues. Evidently, I had a misbehaved WiFi signal that was causing all the problems. I guess the answer is don't move unless you absolutely have to. I should probably put together a moving check list, should I move again.
Find Overtone Acoustics products right here. Order my book Viral Podcasting here.
While podcaster server5 websites come and go, YouTube is by far the largest podcast server in existence. Literally millions of podcasts have been posted there. Many are unaware that YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world after it's parent Google. This means that when you post a podcast to YouTube, there are potentially billions of YouTubers who can discover your work product. Until recently, it was a pain to post your podcast to YouTube. It required taking you WAV or MP3 file and converting it and uploading it to YouTube. It was a very time consuming project. Now however, it's much easier. Simply go to LIbsyn or Spreaker, click a box and presto your podcast is automatically posted to YouTube. You're limited to have your podcast square as the artwork and you'll have to manually add tags and key words, but most of the work is already done for you. It's a great way to expand your show's outread and dramatically broaden your potential audience. Start doing it now! Dont' forget to purchase my book Viral Podcasting. Just click the link.
Tyler Sheff's podcast took off when he found his inner voice. An introvert by nature, podcasting allowed him to connect with large numbers of people and break out of his shell. Following his passion for real estate and his desire to get potential investors accurate and actionable information, he conceived of the CashFlowGuys Podcast. In a little more than a year, he's gotten over 200,000 downloads. It's helped him get clients and he's helped change people's lives. By far, it's the most satisfying career he's ever engaged in. While there's many real estate podcasts, Tyler prides himself on cutting through the hype and getting the real story out there. At this point in his life, there's nothing he'd rather be doing, for which we applaud him. Dont' forget to purchase my book Viral Podcasting. Just click the link.
As it becomes more mature growth of the US podcasting industry is slowing, however in the rest of the world it's just beginning to take hold. Giorgio Minguzzi started his Italian digital marketing podcast nearly 2 years ago. While the equipment was easy to come by, except for his Heil PR-40, the expertise required to produce a great show wasn't. Especially in his native Italian Language. Giorgio spent nearly a month discovering the intricacies of the good old Mix-Minus. If only he had found Cliff Ravenscraft, his problems would have been solved. But Giorgio has learned the intricacies through the School of Hard Knocks approach and it's paying off. There's very little competition in the Italian Marketplace. He's already doing monthly 5 figures in downloads from his weekly show. Of course he's avidly consuming my book Viral Podcasting in his quest to become a profitable podcaster and just landed his first sponsor. Keep up the great work Giorgio!
Doing interviews in a live setting can be a lot of fun or a nightmare. The first time I ever did a live interview was in a grand ballroom with 5000 present. I didn't have time to prepare interview questions or do proper preparation. I was truly on my own. Somehow the adrenaline kicked and the questions started spewing from my lips. The interviewees seem to respond well and I began to relax. Later when I played back the interviews they sounded pretty good. The crowd noise in the background really added a sense of reality to the interview. It was an epiphany. I finally understood what the report on the street went through. It was a real growth experience. Next time you have the opportunity, try it. It will help you grow. You'll have to think on your feet and you'll have to make the interview pace flow. Flow is everything! Your rhythm and temp will help determine whether your interview is interesting and exciting or boring and humdrum. It's your decision, reach for greatness through a live interview. It will change you. It's all in my book. Order it on Amazon here.
Ben Krueger of CashFlowPodcasting is an accomplished podcasters and helps others to create successful and profitable podcasts. Ben looks for cliets who are already successful. As the saying goes, "Nothing succeeds like success." Ben says, if someone is already successful in their business pursuits, then creating a profitable podcast is almost guaranteed. Like so many other podcasters, Ben's career kind of took off after some lucky breaks. He was already a major podcast fan and listener. Then everything else seemed to flow naturally from there. He acquired the technical tools and then it took off from there. He already had some familiarity with video production. So audio production was easy. It seems to be a common pattern among our industry. Ben has some very practical tips if you're looking to start your own podcast today. But you have to get started, have a plan and have passion. The rest will follow.
Very few successful people in life have done it all on their own. Talk with anyone at the top of their profession and the odds are they've had a number of mentors or coaches along the way. A good coach is often hard to find, but you'll no doubt be rewarded for your efforts. But make sure you listen to your coach. You don't have to agree with everything they say, but if you've got the right person, they won't tell you to do something unless they absolutely know it works. It's really that simple. For someone who's succeeded in their profession, the idea of mentoring or coaching someone is one of the best experiences they'll have. One thing that students often don't understand is that the coach will learn as much or more than the student. It forces the coach to look objectively at the things they've done in life and to obtain a better understanding of how things work. Finding a podcast or media coach can be difficult. There's just not that many people around who actually know how to create successful shows and podcasts. Valerie Geller is the person I go to. I also coach on a limited basis by application only. Email me and let's see where it goes.
Daniel J. Lewis has been podcasting since 2007 and also help people find podcasting success. Daniel got his start by listening to other people’s podcasts such as TWIT and Grammar Girl. Daniel launched The Audacity to Podcast in 2010. Longevity in podcasting means a lot. Starting out Daniel’s biggest obstacle was building an audience. He learned this skill by the seat of his pants. It was easier in 2010 than it is today. How do you get people to discover your content? You have to find your audience, not wait for them to find you. Turn them into ambassadors for your podcast. Daniel believes that there will never be saturation of the podcasting market. There will always be niches and opportunities. So what are you waiting for?
audacitytopodcast @danieljlewis #viralpodcasting
I hear so many people bemoan the fact that they don't have a good voice. Fortunately, there's no requirement that you have an operatic or Shakespearean quality voice to become a great podcaster or radio talk show host. Some of the most famous people out there have not so pleasant sounding voices. Look at Howard Stern. His voice is nasally, twangy and highly New Yorked. It hasn't seemed to hinder his success in the least. If you do have a great, it by no means guarantees your success. A guy in New York who will go unamed has one of the best voices I've ever heard, even better than mine (a lot are) and yet he's never made it because he lacks susbstance and compelling content. He just sounds superficial and not deep enough. Which shows that content is indeed king, but so is your ability to connect with your audience and get your true voice through. That means practicing the techniques we discuss here. If you really are hung up on the quality of your voice, then please get a voice coach and make it sound the best you possibly can. Self-improvement seldom ever goes to waste. But always keep your eye on the basics. Never sound like you're reading. Nothing bores your audience more and will cause them to turn you off quickly. Remember, it's a process of continuous self-improvement and evolution. Your goal should always be to do this show just a little bit better than the last. You'll be amazed how great you sound in a very short period of time.
In business branding has become an essential element of success. Nowhere is branding more important than in making a podcast go viral. Branding will help make your show become sticky. Cliff Ravenscraft is a perfect examply of successful branding. He is the Podcast Answerman. Or Pat Flynn of Simple Passive Income. You're going to invest a lot of time, effort and money into building your brand. Don't do things that will damage your brand, i.e. politics and religion, unless your show is dedicated to these topics. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose. That's not to say that you should avoid controversy, quite the contrary. Controversy sells, for sure, just don't let it damage your branding efforts. Don't get carried away with your ego. It's amazing that Hollywood can't or won't figure this out. They're alienating half their audience and don't seem to care. Branding also means that you must be consistent with your show. Release it the same time every week. Make it the same length each time. These are things your audience will come to expect.
Go back to your podcast's name. It is the first big branding decision you will make. Then its designing your website, your marketing materials, your intro and outro and show music. Everything you do and every decision you make is going to effect your brand. Don't make any rash decisions, think everything through and do things that will enhance your brand.
In podcasting as in radio, the first thing you must understand is what my good friend Wayne Allyn Root says, "Facts tell and stories sell!" Telling facts doesn't create audience engagement, in fact it will often do the opposite. Telling stories is our greatest asset as everyone wants to hear a good story. If you want to buiild a large audience you've got to become a master storyteller. That's not an easy task, I'm always learning how to better tell a story, even after all these years. If you closely look at the greats of radio or podcasting, you will find they have one thing in common, the ability to tell a story in a compelling manner. I'll go back to Valerie Geller's Beyond Powerful Radio, speak visually, create images in the listeners mind. Then you'll have them exactly where you want them, which is in the palm of your hand. It's not an easy, but anyone - with enough practice and effort can do it . And it will open up doors that you never even realized were closed to you.
Time to get down to monetization. Always be monetizing if and when you're ready to. First you need to build an audience. You've been guest posting, you've been promoting, you've been crushing it! Doing a podcast is no guarantee of success. However, if you've got superior content, excellent audience engagement, you're being real and your numbers/analytics are starting to take off, then it's time. You're skills as an entertainer have really come into their own. Do it right and your show will support you in a very comfortable lifestyle. It really works! Is your model working, you'll soon find out. Whether you're a spokesman, a guru, or an advertiser supported or a brick and mortar operation looking to expand - monetization is the goal, but be certain that you don't put the cart before the horse. If you try to soon, you'll hurt your show and you will fail. Doing it too late and you might go out of business before you succeed. Always look for balance and the right timing is essential.
As a podcaster you need to become an expert in analytics. What are analytics? Simply stated, they're statistics. How many downloads are you getting? How many of them are duplicate downloads? Where does you audience come from? What countries? What percentage of your audience is male/female? All of these numbers are interesting, but they're very important. Before I started making money off the show, analytics was all I had. Also, make sure that you've enabled your site for Google Analytics where you can very easily track visitors. As a rule, the more downloads you get the better. It's a measure of how well your show is being received and you'll learn a lot about who's listening to you.
How to make your show go viral. First, you need to determine your show's format. In podcasting there are no courses to really show you how to create a successful show format. Now, it's starting to catch on and there are podcasting courses in school. There are many formats, including: interview, monologue, commentary, hybrid and many more. Of course as previously stated, you need to pick the right name. Trademark your name as soon as you can. My show's name wasn't be best. I looked for great guests. Interviewing techniques will help you make your guest look good. Find guests who have broad followings and may have their own podcast. Everyone running a blog or website is always looking for content for their site, especially high quality interviews of themselves. Make them look good, but don't be a pushover. Don't interrupt, be a good listener, treat them with respect and deference. Send them a link of the finished interview, send them a tweet to retweet. Use Faceboo. Guest posts on other's sites and getting your post up on popular sites are very effective. Post to 3rd party websites that aggregate content are another very effective means of promoting your show. Some aggregators have huge followings, so seek them out and take great advantage where possible.
Should you write a script for your podcast or just wing it. It depends upon you. If you're a subject matter expert and can talk without notes about your topic, then by all means go ahead and don't use one. If not, at least come up with bullit points for your commentary or discussion. When interviewing a guest, often times your guest will ask for a copy of the questions up front. We do this on the show, however with the proviso that we will not be bound by the questions. There's nothing worse and more boring than a canned interview. If you choose to go this route listen to your finished product and see how it sounds? Does it sound canned and pre-planned? You'll know. The answer to these questions will determine your best practices. I always shoot for excellence, however, it's a moving target. Therefore, I'm willing to settle for doing the best job I can. Sometimes, I will write the show notes to an interview before I actually do the interview. This has the effect of focusing the interview and it allows me to visualize the finished performance. Generally these interviews are among my best. The key is to develop techniques that work for you and that allow you to find your comfort zone.
Air checking is vital to every podcaster, but the odds are you don't even know what it is. Simply stated, you sit down with your producer or other respected party and critically review a recent episode you've done. You cover the good, the bad and the ugly. It's best done in a non-judgmental, constructive manner. The goal is to improve your game, not to crush you. When I sit down with Valerie, we check my use of imagery, how am I using the word "you" to connect with the audience, am I using radio speak, which in today's world is a major no-no. How could I have better done that intro? Air checking plants those seeds in your mind. I never consciously implement Valerie's suggestions, however, they seem to grab hold unconsciously and blossom. Before I know it, my shows have transformed to another level and my analytics and downloads start going up. That's what Viral Podcasting is all about!
There's loads of equipment choices out there for every budget. You can start with a cheap $20 headset and move on from there. We use a Heil PR-40 Microphone, the gold standard of podcasting, a Mackie PRO-FX8 Mixer, a Behringer Gate/Compressor/Limiter and some other things to give the best possible sound. Quality equipment and sound editing practices go hand and hand with high production values. As Cliff Ravenscraft says, "High production values won't get people to listen to your podcast, but it will get them to come back again and again." But there are many choices available to you to produce a quality podcast. You can use a USB microphone, many of which have excellent sound. You have to do what's right for you and your budget. Don't overproduce your show. It will wind up sounding fake and unnatural. Do the minimal edits required, a little bit of compression, a small amount of tweaking and let it go. I know a number of people who cut out every breath and every verbal stumble. That's a big mistake. You're not a rock star. You're not aiming for perfection, just excellence.
This seems so obvious I almost hesitated to bother with it, and yet there's so many people out there doing podcasts and being inauthentic. Like myself, many of you grew up in the 1970's with the crazy, zaney radio guy. You know the voice. It's as fake as a three dollar bill. There's just no room for it in our society today. And yet so many people try to emulate it and they succeed and thereby fail. Don't be something you're not and don't be somebody you aren't. Proudly admit your faults and your audience will bond with you. Of course keep it appropriate at all times and never admit to a felony, unless of course the statute of limitations has run. But you get the point.
Before you start podcasting you'll need to identify the people who you think will be listening to your podcast, your target audience. What is their sex, their income level, their geographic location, their marital status, employment status etc. Look at your Google Analytics, your podcast server analytics, as well any other information you can accumulate about your likely audience. Look at market surveys, there's plenty of them available to you on the internet at no cost. Never assume your audience composition, because invariably you will be incorrect and suprised. You can never do enough research to make these determinations. Once you've been running your show for a while, go back and reexamine your demographics and analytics and see if your audience is who you expected it to be. Are there more males than you thought? More elderly, less retirees. Perhaps you'll need to adjust your content accordingly. Never pander to your audience, but it's okay to cater to their wants and needs. Remember, there's often a fine line between pandering and serving.
This could be the most important thing you do. Naming your podcast is perhaps the first major decision you will make once you decide to do a podcast. Too many would be podcasters put too little thought into this important task. A great name can propel your podcast into the stratosphere. A bad name could condemn it to obscurity. All too often podcasters choose mediocre names that do nothing to help them promote their brand and their podcast. You need to put a lot of time and thought before you name your podcast. Get feedback from friends and family. Search trademark and copyright databases to be certain that no one has used it before. Make sure that you're unique. Remember that consumer product companies and big pharma spend untold millions every year naming their products. And it pays huge dividends for them. Tide, Crest, Clorox, , Lipitor. The list goes on and on. So what's in a name? It could be your very success or failure.
Welcome to Viral Podcasting. If you want to start a podcast or you're looking to bring your existing podcast to the next level, you've come to the right place. I suggest your purchase two books that I believe you will find extremely useful and perhaps indispensible to your podcasting career. First, my mentor, Valerie Geller's book Beyond Powerful Radio: A Communicator's Guide to the Internet Age?News, Talk, Information & Personality for Broadcasting, Podcasting, Internet, Radio and my book Viral Podcasting: A Proven Process to Earn a 6 Figure Income from Your Show. They will help you succeed and become an effective communicator and podcasting business person.
I've been podcasting for nearly 6 years. During this time I've had 10's of millions of downloads. I've figured out the formula for audience success and monetary success. It's not easy, but if you're willing to do the work, you can do it too. It requires a committment of time, effort and love. There are many others out there far more successful than I, but if you asked them how they did it, most would be unable to explain it to you.
There was a lot of soul searching, second guessing and perserverance involved. Many times I thought about quitting and selling real estate or something else. But when I really thought about it, I knew that podcasting was a calling for me and that there was nothing else that I wanted to do.
So here I am, nearly 6 years later, showing others how it's done. Remember, it's not the destination, it's the journey!
Kerry Lutz, March 2017