The Content Podcaster: Recent Episodes
Rick Simmonds
A 'how to' podcast helping content creators deliver high quality shows and compete in a busy attention economy.
The series includes A-Z training, news from the podcast world that will help keep your production ahead of the game, and review other popular shows with a "how did they do that?" approach.
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Turning your audio podcast into a video podcast (we suffer together!)
How long should a podcast be? The latest stats
And why newspapers are benefitting from getting into the podcast game
Links:
Can I Tell You A Secret podcast featured https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2022/sep/23/can-i-tell-you-a-secret-episode-1-the-beginning
Our first attempt at the video version of this podcast will be uploaded in a couple of days time.
Find out all about Verbu's services at the website, www.verbu.co.uk
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Turning your audio podcast into a video podcast (we suffer together!)
How long should a podcast be? The latest stats
And why newspapers are benefitting from getting into the podcast game
Links:
Can I Tell You A Secret podcast featured https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2022/sep/23/can-i-tell-you-a-secret-episode-1-the-beginning
Our first attempt at the video version of this podcast will be uploaded in a couple of days time.
Find out all about Verbu's services at the website, www.verbu.co.uk
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
News of my birthday gift to you (hint, it involves video), developments in the podcast world over the last two years that we should all be taking notice of, and an Icelandic legend joins the podcast world.
To listen to the podcast we reviewed this week:
https://pod.link/bjork
To join The Podcast Incubator:
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
This is a special holiday podcast edition, where I talk to Lynne O'Halloran about her new podcast 'The What's For Dinner Show'.
As a Verbu Podcast Incubator alumni, what did she learn in the early days, what were and are the challenges, and what are her hopes for future episodes.
It's a really lovely listen - and has a superb warmth to it. Check it out here:
https://podfollow.com/1633074903/view
To join The Podcast Incubator (and get all the good stuff that Lynne talks about) for free:
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
I'll be back off my holidays next week so catch up then!
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
The money you should be asking for - from 1,000 weekly downloads to 10,000+
The new charts on Apple podcasts that go to show just how much they believe in subscription/premium podcasting
And we learn (for our own podcasts) from a new history podcast that's riding high in the New & Noteworthy section.
Empire (difficult to Google 'cause there's the Empire Magazine podcast that doesn't help the search!) https://podmailer.com/podcast/empire-2
To join The Podcast Incubator for free:
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
How to put the groundwork in to having a great conversation with your guest - and what to do if it still doesn't quite work out.
The news from the week includes why you need to make any commercial relationship in your pocast VERY clear.
And a review of a show that puts history very much in the present (there are loads of ideas from this particular show that you might want to consider for YOUR podcast)
Links:
The Rest Is History Podcast:
https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/c5ptp-16c70b/The-Rest-Is-History-Podcast
To join The Podcast Incubator for free:
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
What the music industry has learnt in a world of online streaming that could help us improve our podcasts.
The news from the week includes how just downloads COULD get you into a podcast chart.
And a review of a show that highlights the importance of being 'marmite' (spoiler alert... I hated it) and whether we like it or not, what we can learn from it for our own podcasts.
Links:
Nearly Weds Podcast:
https://play.acast.com/s/nearlyweds
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
How to record a remote contributor or co-host live - IN QUALITY. And if you are going to be a cheapskate, how to do the best you can using just Zoom.
The news from the week contains some intrigue from Apple Podcasts.
And a review of a show that demonstrates how research and preparation could be key to a long running, successful podcast.
Links:
No Such Thing As a Fish Podcast:
https://www.nosuchthingasafish.com/
Riverside:
www.riverside.fm
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
If you're not feeling inspired by your podcast, a whole load of award winning reasons from the British Podcast Awards as to why you shouldn't give up.
The value of the global podcast market and the male/female split of podcast listenership - including evidence that it's the blokes who like the sound of their own voices.
And a review of a show that demonstrates how you can bring value to a podcast, even though the starting point might seem a little lame.
Links:
The Everday Positivity Podcast:
https://podfollow.com/everyday-positivity/view
Amazing Starts Here Podcast:
https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/good-causes/amazing-starts-here-podcast
The Gender Stats Of Podcasting:
https://rephonic.com/blog/podcast-audience-gender-skew
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Using music in your podcast. Some of the legal pitfalls (caveat - I am NOT a lawyer), ways to use it to enhance your podcast and some of the places you can find suitable music.
The good news for on-demand content coming out of the BBC.
And a review of a show that backs me up on my mantra that podcasting is just a bit of digital audio - that just needs your creativity to make it into ANYTHING you like.
Links:
'Curl Up & D.I.' podcast:
https://www.podcastandradio.co.uk/podcast/curl-up-d-i/
The 'AIMEE Allen Show':
https://www.wonkybot.com/aimee/
For podcast music:
www.premiumbeat.com
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Making money with your podcast - subscriptions, tips and private RSS feeds. This was previously shared in the Podcast Incubator community - which you'd be welcome to join (for free) for weekly trainings and monthly Q&As.
The case against playing the same advert over and OVER again.
And a review of a show that was perfectly timed for a dramatic week in UK politics.
Links:
'The Rest Is Politics' podcast:
https://play.acast.com/s/the-rest-is-politics
Report a pirated podcast on Anchor:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJozDjcrtHuDvq36cIqB_YIZhwxOSnjnAUuVXUCXsYG_l_TA/viewform
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Making money with your podcast - advertising, sponsorship and presenter read ads.
The new Apple tool for promoting your podcast on social media.
And a review of a show that I - shock - HATED. But learnt loads from anywhere and would like to share with you.
Links:
'Wittering Whitehalls' podcast:
https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuUp/
Apple Podcasts Promote:
https://tools.applemediaservices.com/apple-podcasts-promote
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
What's the best download location for your podcast that will deliver best for your needs? Apple? Spotify? Google Podcasts? And why?!
How podcasting is kind of coming back to Facebook. Sort of.
And a review of a show that has been my favourite listen in a good while - and what we can learn from it to bring to our own podcasts
Links:
'Call Me Mother' podcast:
https://callmemother.libsyn.com/
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
What podcast equipment do you really need (and how do you make the decision on what to get?)
How video as arrived with Apple Podcasts, and the importance of the smart speaker in podcasting
And a review of a show that took me completely outside of my comfort zone, as I discovered that a Love Island podcast from a TikTokker could teach me a good few things about upping my own, boring, square podcast!
Links:
Apple's Video Podcasting:
https://podcasters.apple.com/support/3684-video-podcasts
'Saving Grace' podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVaKME1gchs
Things you can buy:
Riverside - www.riverside.fm
Zoom H4N - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoom-H4n-Pro-Handy-Recorder/dp/B01HQ3MIHQ?th=1
Izotope RX8 Elements - https://www.izotope.com/en/shop/rx-8-elements.html
Focusrite Vocaster: https://focusrite.com/en/vocaster
Final Cut Pro: https://www.apple.com/uk/final-cut-pro/
Descript: https://www.descript.com/
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
How to plan an effective podcast series
How the combination of music and podcasts are making Spotify a force to be reckoned with
And a review of a show that I really didn't enjoy, despite it being highly rated (but LOADS of good advice to use in your own podcast all the same)
Links:
'Parenting Hell' podcast
https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42Ks3b/
To join The Podcast Incubator for free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Are podcasts good for business? (I've tried to be as unbiased as I can be!)
The future of live social audio like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces (a personal view)
And a review of the popular Intelligence Squared show. What can we learn from the podcast and bring to our own?
Links:
Podcasting For Business Book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Step-Step-Podcasting-Business-Confidently/dp/B08WZGS4F3/
Intelligence Squared Podcast
http://www.intelligencesquared.com/
To Join The Podcast Incubator For Free
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
What I learnt at the brilliant Podcast Show 2022
Spotify's new (and very smart) advertising technology
And a review of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent. What can we learn from her podcast and bring to our own?
Links:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/comforteatingwithgracedent
https://ads.spotify.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/spotify-introduces-interactive-podcast-ads/
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Why video is essential for your podcast
We talk to one of the world's first podcasters
Travel Diaries - what we can learn for our own podcasts (even if you're not much of a travelller, like me!)
Links:
https://thetraveldiariespodcast.com/
https://westwoodone.com/2022/05/17/cumulus-media-and-signal-hill-insights-podcast-download-spring-2022-report-watching-podcasts-soars-as-youtube-edges-out-spotify-to-become-the-most-used-u-s-podcast-platform-and-li/
https://podknowspodcasting.co.uk/
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Why editing is key to your podcast's growth
How to get your podcast featured and highlighted on Spotify
Comfort Blanket - what we can learn for our own podcasts
Links:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/blog/how-to-get-your-podcast-featured-on-spotify
https://shows.acast.com/comfort-blanket
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses.
In this episode:
Podcasting On Twitch (and what Twitch is!)
The death of Facebook podcasts
Taking On Putin - what we can learn for our own podcasts
Links:
www.answerthepublic.com
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/taking-on-putin
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses. In this episode:
Which microphone to pick
Video podcasting on Spotify
Kermode & Mayo - what we can learn for our own podcasts
Links:
www.answerthepublic.com
https://www.kermodeandmayo.com/
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
Hello! I’m Rick Simmonds. My day job? I help entrepreneurs and SMEs start, maintain and grow their podcasts; alongside working on large UK commissions for charities, universities and businesses. In this episode: Why Podcasting Is The Future
Why a major broadcaster is making 25% of its TOTAL income from podcasting!
Diary Of A CEO - what we can learn for our own podcasts
Links:
www.answerthepublic.com
https://stevenbartlett.com/the-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/
www.verbu.co.uk/incubator
A delayed* upload of my review of the week ending 6th February 2022 considering the implications of BBC Sounds making some content exclusive to their platform (amongst other providers recently), good news for Buzzsprout and why the Apple vs Spotify podcasts debate continues to run as a result of their numbers AND why you might want a headphone splitter/amplifier but also why you might NOT. As always, get in touch here:
verbu.co.uk/podcast
For the headphone amplifier suggestion this week:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-HA400-Microamp-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000KIPT30/
*(my daughter fell off her scooter and faceplanted onto the pavement... she's ok, but it took a while to get her seen at the minor injuries unit etc. etc.)
Every week, Rick picks a couple of podcasts from Apple's 'New & Noteworthy' and gives them the once-over.
What can we podcasters learn from the podcasts that have grabbed Apple's attention - and how can we integrate what they do into our own productions?
This week it's 'Wild Things' and 'Death Of A Rock Star'.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wild-things-siegfried-roy/id1599176021
https://crowdnetwork.co.uk/podcasts/death-of-a-rock-star/
This is just a part of what members of the Podcast Clarity Community get on a weekly basis. To find out more, go to verbu.co.uk/podcast and see how Rick can help you.
Review of the week ending 30th January 2022 with 'that' Spotify story, an awesome microphone, developments with Apple Podcasts and why you should be considering TikTok.
As always, get in touch here:
verbu.co.uk/podcast
For the microphone recommended this week:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-Q2U-Dynamic-Microphone-Recording/dp/B0876TR1ZS/
On a Monday, Rick picks a couple of podcasts from Apple's 'New & Noteworthy' and gives them the once-over. What can we podcasters learn from the podcasts that have grabbed Apple's attention - and how can we integrate what they do into our own productions.
This week it's 'Conflicted' and 'The Coming Storm'.
https://messageheard.com/podcasts/conflicted
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001324r
This is just a part of what members of the Podcast Clarity Community get on a weekly basis. To find out more, go to verbu.co.uk/podcast and see how Rick can help you.
It can only be described as a 'hiatus'.
But Rick from Verbu is back with short, snappy podcasts. He'll tell you his reasons - and why you should consider cutting your shows into shorter chunks.
For a free 30 minute podcast checkup, contact Rick at verbu.co.uk
In this episode, we explore whether the new Clubhouse phenomenon is really anything like podcasting and whether you should script or ad lib your podcast.
Rick mentions the Crafting Your Digital Message, Fresh Start online event. For more details, and to book, head here: www.cloudhillproductions.com/fresh-start-workshop
And for more on Verbu, head to www.verbu.co.uk (sign up at the bottom of the front page to receive our Weekly Word newsletter)
This week, an introduction to some audio editing basics.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
6 C's Of Podcasting Challenge: www.facebook.com/groups/1778336122345783
Marketing Workshop:
https://www.cloudhillproductions.com/fresh-start-workshop
Verbu is - as always at www.verbu.co.uk
We asked our community what they most wanted to hear about in this week's podcast - and the answer was "publicising my podcast".
So here you go!
It was such a big subject that we didn't have the space to squeeze the other blog of the week into the recording - so you can read the most up to date ramblings from Verbu at www.verbu.co.uk/blog
In this week's episode:
When it comes to podcast distributors, it's worth taking a look at the minnows or you might be missing some audience.
Why you should never assume the listener knows what a podcast is... or what you do on your podcast!
And a free '6 C's Of Podcast Challenge' Facebook community launched this week! Click here
The other links mentioned include https://99firms.com/blog/podcast-statistics/ and www.verbu.co.uk
The importance of communicating one-to-one in your podcast and why artwork can be the fine line between success and failure.
Rick refers to canva.com, the book Marketing Warfare by Ries & Trout, the Waves Of Clarity Podcast and The Templars Quiz Book
Book your free podcast consultation at www.verbu.co.uk
Some MAJOR developments from the world of streaming audio and the opportunities they bring. Plus, an eight year old's brilliant advice on titles.
Links from the show:
Hear Rick from Verbu's guest appearance on two podcasts. Evolve To Succeed and Steer Your Business
Book your free podcast consultation at verbu.co.uk/book-online
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter with hints, tips and occasional offers by scrolling to the bottom of the page at www.verbu.co.uk
Like and subscribe to ensure this podcasts pops into your chosen bit of software every Wednesday - and leave a review if you're feeling kind.
Verbu. Helping You Find Your Voice. On Air, Online & In Person
How one idea can give you the content for two years worth of podcasts - and why podcasts skilled the radio star (with apologies to Buggles).
Links from the show:
Book your free podcast consultation at verbu.co.uk/book-online
Podnews at https://podnews.net/
13 Minutes To The Moon at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttx2/episodes/downloads
Business Wars at https://wondery.com/shows/business-wars/
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter with hints, tips and occasional offers by scrolling to the bottom of the page at www.verbu.co.uk
Like and subscribe to ensure this podcasts pops into your chosen bit of software every Wednesday - and leave a review if you're feeling kind.
Verbu. Helping You Find Your Voice. On Air, Online & In Person
Between now and Christmas, we'll bring you all the basics you need to start your own podcast - so what's holding you back?!
Links that Rick mentions:
Book your free podcast consultation: https://www.verbu.co.uk/book-online
We're a month old! And somehow we've carried on making this podcast without a miss... so far. So to celebrate, your most-asked question of the last 5 weeks: WHY the name 'Verbu'? We answer that. Plus, we start with the first of 12 episodes leading up to Christmas, giving you all the basics to start your own podcast.
Links that Rick mentions:
Book your free podcast consultation: https://www.verbu.co.uk/book-online
Why you need to be mindful of your audience when you're communicating (not just demographics but culturally, linguistically & geographically), why the thesaurus isn't always your friend and news of an exciting three month deep dive into podcast coaching.
Links that Rick mentions:
Book your free podcast consultation: https://www.verbu.co.uk/book-online
Why a goal and a coach are key to a successful communicator (and why Rick has put on half a stone by forgetting that fact). Plus - does audio quality matter on your podcasts? Spoiler alert - it does. Check out the helpful hints to improve that quality.
Links that Rick mentions:
Book your free podcast consultation: https://www.verbu.co.uk/book-online
Find your local Toastmasters club:
https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Sponsor Rick's Marathon Run:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-withers8
In our second episode, Rick Simmonds asks if it's true that more of us fear public speaking than death (!) and whether it's all about body language and tonality, rather than the actual content of your speech!
Sign up to our next free 'Ace Your Zoom Calls' webinar by emailing hello@verbu.co.uk
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter with hints, tips and occasional offers by scrolling to the bottom of the page at www.verbu.co.uk
Like and subscribe to ensure this podcasts pops into your chosen bit of software every Wednesday - and leave a review if you're feeling kind.
Verbu. Helping You Find Your Voice. On Air, Online & In Person
In our first episode, Rick Simmonds shares his two-decade journey to the launch of Verbu - and shares some of his top video-conferencing suggestions. Zoom calls may never be the same again!
Sign up to our next free 'Ace Your Zoom Calls' webinar by emailing hello@verbu.co.uk
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter with hints, tips and occasional offers by scrolling to the bottom of the page at www.verbu.co.uk
Like and subscribe to ensure this podcasts pops into your chosen bit of software every Wednesday - and leave a review if you're feeling kind.
Verbu. Helping You Find Your Voice. On Air, Online & In Person
We're back - with a new sound, new format and all the new learnings from the podcasting world.
Click 'follow' so that all three launch episodes drop into your app - and you could win your first podcast epsiode edited, mixed and finished for FREE (something that I would charge my corporate clients hundreds of pounds for).
Details at verbu.co.uk/podcast