The How To Podcast Series - Podcast Co-Hosts, Practical Podcasting Tips, and Podcast Community

Latest Episodes:

E112 - Co-Hosting a Podcast, Being Unique and Podcasting Courses with Guest CO-HOST - Debbie Weiss - Maybe I Can Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

E112 - Co-Hosting a Podcast, Being Unique and Podcasting Courses with Guest CO-HOST - Debbie Weiss - Maybe I Can

Hello, I'm Debbie...

For most of my life, my set of beliefs was fairly consistent with my upbringing and life experience. Certainly, all of us are shaped by the people, places, and circumstances of our lives. I was not one to ever question those beliefs. I just assumed they were correct and to be quite honest, I never really gave it any thought.

My life changed forever the day after I graduated from high school when my Dad had a massive stroke. He survived and I was his primary caregiver for the next 30 years. This was the beginning of me taking care of everyone else at the expense of myself.

I was and still am a "fixer" and a "problem solver". I have a strong desire to be the one to help, which is admirable (if I do say so myself 😋), however, I sacrificed my own well-being in the process.

My belief was "it is what it is". It's not like I have a choice.

My life has always been about doing everything for everyone else without giving much consideration to my own needs and wants. I would hear what other people were doing and often be jealous and think, "that must be nice, but I can't do that". Anyone who offered a suggestion, I always had a reason why "I can't do it". Other people can, but I can't.

Until I turned 50 and realized that this is it. This is my one and only life and I don't want to look back years from now with regret for the things I haven't done.
Maybe I can try something new.

Maybe I can put myself first.

Maybe I can take control of my future.

Maybe I can live the life of my dreams.

After all, other people do it, so why not me?

I'm done with my excuses and ready to take back my life and I know exactly how I'm going to do it.

https://www.debbierweiss.com/

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

E111 - Questions to Ask When Hiring a Podcast Editor - Get Better Results By Asking Better Questions Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

E111 - Questions to Ask When Hiring a Podcast Editor - Get Better Results By Asking Better Questions

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Podcast Editor

Why do you need a podcast editor right now? Consider your reasons and goals for hiring one.
Describe your podcast to someone else: topic, audience, format, episode duration, finished length, and publishing frequency.
Envision your ideal future with a professional editor in three years. Detail the production process, roles, and benefits.
Identify tasks that are not getting done or are being delayed in your podcasting workflow.
Do you require additional services besides editing? Think about graphic design, consultations, writing, social media, research, and guest booking.
If you didn't have to edit, what would you focus on instead? Consider other aspects of your life or podcasting that you'd like to prioritize.

List any non-negotiables, preferences, and decision criteria you have for selecting an editor.
Determine how much you can afford to pay an editor, both per episode and on a monthly or seasonal basis.
Create a list of potential editors or companies to consider before setting up calls.
Ask prospective editors about the types of editing services they offer and inquire further if needed.
Learn about their work process, including turnaround times, revisions, and methods of collaboration.
Discuss how they handle non-standard requests or special events, such as corrections, urgent requests, or vacations.

Find out how they ensure compliance with production standards and maintain their technical skills.
Ask for evidence of their expertise and experience, such as references, a portfolio, or sample edits.

Remember to take notes of their responses and impressions of their work to compare against your expectations for your show.

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E110 - Finding Your Red Door - Making your podcast stand out in a crowded market Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

Episode 110 - Finding Your Red Door - Making your podcast stand out in a crowded market

Making your podcast stand out in a crowded market requires a combination of creativity, authenticity, and strategic planning. Here are four steps to help you create a unique podcast that sets itself apart:

Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Target Audience

Action Steps:

Conduct market research to identify your target audience and their interests.
Choose a specific niche or topic that aligns with your passion and expertise.
Look for gaps in the existing podcast market and identify areas where you can offer something different.

Step 2: Define Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Action Steps:

Clearly articulate what makes your podcast special and different from others.
Highlight the key benefits and value that your podcast provides to listeners.
Emphasize your strengths, such as your personality, storytelling style, or expert guests.

Step 3: Create High-Quality Content

Action Steps:

Invest in good-quality recording equipment and editing software to ensure professional sound.
Craft compelling and well-researched episodes that offer valuable insights or entertainment.
Incorporate engaging storytelling techniques to captivate your audience.
Consistently deliver fresh and relevant content on a regular schedule.

Step 4: Leverage Marketing and Promotion

Action Steps:

Develop a strong branding strategy, including a visually appealing logo and cover art.
Utilize social media platforms and engage with your audience regularly.
Collaborate with other podcasters or influencers in your niche to cross-promote each other's shows.
Encourage listener participation through contests, surveys, or Q&A sessions.

Remember, building a standout podcast takes time and dedication. Stay consistent, listen to feedback from your audience, and continuously look for ways to improve and innovate. By following these steps and taking action, you'll be well on your way to creating a unique and successful podcast in a competitive landscape.

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E109 - The Limitations of an Explicit Podcast - Advantages and Disadvantages of being explicit on your podcast Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Episode 109 - The Limitations of an Explicit Podcast - Advantages and Disadvantages of being explicit on your podcast Setting Up Your Podcast: Understanding the Limits of an 'Explicit' Podcast When starting your podcast, it's essential to know the limitations that come with producing explicit content. Here's a simple guide to help you make informed decisions: 1. Censor Yourself or Be Labeled 'Explicit' You have the freedom to create a podcast with strong language, explicit discussions about sex, or graphic content. However, major podcast directories, like Apple Podcasts, prioritize child safety. If your content is explicit but not labeled as such, they may take action against your podcast. To avoid this, clearly mark your podcast as explicit when necessary. 2. Consider Your Audience Reach Creating an explicit podcast may limit your potential audience. Some countries, numbering up to 17, ban explicit podcasts, impacting hundreds of millions of potential listeners. Before going explicit, think about whether your content will attract more listeners than it might deter. 3. Impact on Advertising Revenue Certain advertisers avoid supporting explicit shows. So, if your podcast contains explicit material, it could limit your opportunities for advertising revenue. Consider whether the explicit label might affect your chances of attracting advertisers. 4. Popularity and Top Podcasts Only a small percentage of the most popular podcasts are explicit. If your goal is to be among the top podcasts, you might want to look at what the majority of successful shows are doing. Decide if you want to follow the path of the 85% non-explicit shows or the remaining 15% explicit ones. Carefully consider both options before making your choice. Remember, it's essential to know the potential consequences of producing an explicit podcast. Make informed decisions that align with your podcasting goals and target audience. By understanding the limitations, you can set up your podcast for success and avoid unnecessary setbacks. Happy podcasting! https://howtopodcast.ca/ Share our other podcast with your favourite Dad! https://dadspace.ca/

E108 - Confidence versus Ego in Podcasting - is there room for either as a Podcaster Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

E108 - Confidence versus Ego in Podcasting - is there room for either as a Podcaster

When it comes to podcasters, confidence plays a crucial role. It's important to have confidence and approach things with the mindset that success is attainable. Assuming the sale and expecting opportunities are valid strategies to adopt. However, it's also worth noting that you mentioned not expecting things or opportunities. So, how can we navigate this dilemma between being confident and believing in ourselves versus refraining from those expectations?

Ultimately, confidence is key, but it shouldn't stem from ego. Rather, it should come from acknowledging the hard work and preparation invested in the podcasting journey. Speaking with confidence arises from knowing the subject matter thoroughly and being able to discuss it intelligently. Whether the topic of your podcast is, confidence comes from personal experience, thorough research, and the ability to substantiate one's arguments.

Confidence is critical for progress. It's essential to assume success and envision yourself landing speaking engagements or being a guest on your dream podcast. This kind of confidence propels you forward. However, it's important to differentiate between confidence and ego. Ego arises when you begin to expect certain outcomes and results, and when they don't materialize, you blame external factors.

To address this, it's necessary to examine your thinking. Ask yourself if you have done the necessary groundwork, laid the foundation, and paid your dues. Reflect on whether you have truly put in the effort. While the ego might still sting, it should not dictate your actions. Instead, use it as an opportunity for self-reflection. Consider what you could have done better and how you can improve.

If your ego is causing distress, look inward for answers. Avoid blaming others or feeling entitled to opportunities. Instead, focus on personal growth and self-improvement. Take a moment to evaluate yourself honestly by standing in front of a mirror and asking, "What could I have done differently to ensure a positive outcome?" Remember, the key lies within your own actions and approach.

By distinguishing confidence from ego and maintaining a healthy self-awareness, you can overcome obstacles, learn from experiences, and continue progressing in your podcasting endeavors. https://howtopodcast.ca/

E107 - CO-HOST - Whitney Knox Lee Host of the Impostrix Podcast, Bloopers, Learnings and Newsletters Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

E107 - CO-HOST - Whitney Knox Lee Host of the Impostrix Podcast, Bloopers, Learnings and Newsletters

Whitney Knox Lee, Esq. is a Civil Rights attorney and Fellow Podcaster starting her new podcast! Whitney is a listener of the How To Podcast Series, it is great to get her insight on the show and her suggestion for a newsletter was great!

We talk podcasting bloopers, lessons learned and tools that she uses to get her podcast out into the world!

⁣⁣⁣⁣Connect with Whitney:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Instagram: @impostrixpodcast⁣

Website: http://www.impostrixpodcast.com/⁣

Twitter: @impostrixpod⁣

Tiktok: @whitneyknoxlee⁣

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-knox-lee/⁣ ___

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E106 - How to understand podcast stats - Your Listening Habits Can Shed Some Light on This Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

E106 - How to understand podcast stats - Your Listening Habits Can Shed Some Light on This

How to understand podcast stats

It’s always nice to look at the numbers to see how your podcast is doing. But, podcast statistics can be confusing and complex.

Here are some details about how the different figures work, and how to read them.

Let’s get this out of the way first.

A download is just a download of an episode.
A stream doesn’t exist in podcasting.
A listen, or a play, is when we know a human being has pressed the play button.
Total audience numbers cannot be accurately worked out from downloads.

In podcast analytics, no audio ever “streams”: the audio is always downloaded. In this article, we use the word “stream” to convey the action of pressing play on a podcast you’ve not downloaded yet. To a podcast hosting company, that looks the same as a download: because it technically is.

Audio can be automatically downloaded to your phone, in case you want to hear it later. Or, audio can be downloaded when a listener wants to hear it - a “user-initiated download”. Your podcast hosting company doesn’t know if it’s an automatic download or a user-initiated download. It just knows it’s a download.

No podcast hosting company knows whether a piece of audio has ever been listened-to (a “listen” or a “play”). It can only ever know it’s been downloaded. (Podcast apps do know: but most don’t share that data).

And, of course, if an episode has had 2,000 downloads, that doesn’t mean it has 2,000 listeners. Automated downloads mean a podcast may be downloaded, but never listened-to. Or it might have been downloaded twice by someone.

13% of podcast downloads are never listened to.

https://podnews.net/article/understanding-podcast-statistics

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https://howtopodcast.ca/

Question from Jen Mac - Thoughts on Niching Down, Narrowing Your Focus and How to do this - The Daily Dave Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Question from Jen Mac - Thoughts on Niching Down, Narrowing Your Focus and How to do this - The Daily Dave

Thanks Jen Mac for your question! Appreciate your contribution to the podcast! Please be sure to tell us about your show so that we can tell our audience about your podcast as well!

What does ‘niching down’ mean?

Niching down means identifying a smaller segment of your audience to target, so you can deliver a more specific and tailored offering that speaks to them directly, as opposed to a general offer that reaches a larger audience.

When approaching the topic of niching down, many podcasters worry that by alienating a large group of listeners. But actually, the opposite is true – instead of just using a blanket approach to a large group of listeners, when you determine your niche, you increase your engagement with your community. Instead of trying to solve everything for everyone, niching down enables businesses to focus on the content that their listeners really need. It also offers the opportunity to really hone your expertise in a specific area and become the go to podcast for your niche, which can benefit your community in the long term. https://howtopodcast.ca/

E105 - Mark Gordon - Coaching and Podcasting, YouTube Premieres, Streamyard and Overcoming Mic Fright Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

E105 - Mark Gordon - Coaching and Podcasting, YouTube Premieres, Streamyard and Overcoming Mic Fright

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E104 - Show Me The Money - How to Make Money with very few listeners Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

E104 - Show Me The Money - How to Make Money with very few listeners

Podcasting has become immensely popular in the last decade, and with podcast listeners being the fastest growing media audience, you know there’s a ton of potential fans for your show.

But even if you have a great idea for a new podcast and a knack for building engaged, online audiences⁠—how do you make money podcasting?

Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts pay out for streams, but the payout tends to be very low. Podcast sponsorships are one way, but for new podcasts, the likelihood of finding a high-paying sponsorship is slim unless you’re already a well-established figure.

Traditional sponsorships tend to be out of reach for new podcasters because businesses are less willing to risk investing in a podcast without an established audience.

So is it even possible for new podcasts to make money? The answer is yes.

By setting up a few automated revenue streams, new podcasters can accrue passive income that grows alongside their audience, giving them time back to focus on podcasting.

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based form of marketing where a business offers rewards to affiliates who are able to successfully bring customers to them. Affiliate marketing is a great way for any creator to monetize their content.

In affiliate programs, businesses only payout after customers complete an agreed-upon action. Usually this action is making a purchase, but some affiliate programs may payout for email signups, page clicks, downloads, or content engagement.

Best affiliate programs for podcasters

Amazon Associates. Amazon’s affiliate program is one of the largest in the world. With millions of unique products and retailers, it’s easier to find products that are relevant to your audience.

Skillshare Affiliates. Skillshare is a learning community with thousands of online courses and videos covering a wide variety of topics. Skillshare’s affiliate program allows you to direct audience members to any online course, making it easy to find one that’s specific to your target market.

Sell custom merchandise to fans

Give your fans the opportunity to show their support for your podcast by selling custom merchandise like t-shirts, stickers, posters, mugs, tote bags, journals, and more.

Perhaps the easiest way to run a merch store is by using a print-on-demand distribution model. This is where a third-party prints and ships products on your behalf, at the point of purchase. That means there’s no overhead costs, no time wasted on shipping, no need to store inventory, and lower financial risk.

It might take a little time to create an online store and add products, but once finished, the process of running your store can be almost fully automated.

Although some of these platforms offer monetization options, it’s a good idea to include an additional tool to collect tips. Here are the most common tip-collection tools used by podcasters:

The great thing about these tipping tools is that they don’t need to be exclusively housed on your livestreams. Add a tip URL to your social media pages, web pages, and show notes to make it easy for fans to show their support by tipping.

Write and self-publish a book for your fans

Like authors, podcast hosts are typically viewed as being a voice of authority on a particular subject, making the transition from podcast host to writer almost seamless. Perhaps that’s why so many popular podcasts have been spun off into books written by their creators.

Podcasters have a ton of advantage when it comes to selling books online:

Learn more: How to Self-publish Your Own Book in 8 Steps ____

https://howtopodcast.ca/

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

https://www.teepublic.com/user/true-media-solutions