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

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Goodbye to Podpage - The Free Plan is Over, What Now, PodcastForFree.com will show you the way Jul 10, 2023

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Goodbye to Podpage - The Free Plan is Over, What Now, PodcastForFree.com will show you the way

So, a resource that I once promoted as a great free option is no longer free as of August 1 2023 - so time to pivot away from Podpage. For those of you that have followed my advice in the past around using Podpage, I wanted to give you my alternative going forward.

I am setting up PodcastForFree.com which will give you a list of the free tools that you can use as a podcaster to start your show! From hosting, to websites, to tools like Pod.link (my Podpage replacement suggestion) to free editing via Audacity - you do not need to pay for tools to start a podcast - you can do this for free and I want to help you with the tools that I use everyday to create my shows!

Why is this changing?

Podpage’s free plan allowed podcasters to create publicly accessible podcast websites so they could try our service. Unfortunately, a lot of non-podcasters abused it and posted illegal or stolen content on the free sites.

The good news is that a very small percentage of podcasters use the free plan as their official podcast website. Most upgrade to the Basic or Pro plan, so this change won’t impact too many legitimate websites.

However, I know there are some of you who rely on Podpage Free for your official site, and I’m very sorry about this change. To make it easier, we are offering discounts on upgrading before August 1.

How do I upgrade and keep my site?

If you’d like to continue your service with Podpage, go to https://podpage.com/upgrade/. There are currently two plans available, and here’s how to save money on each:

Basic: Use coupon FREEUP10 to save $10 ($10 off your first month or first year)
Pro: Use coupon FREEUP20 to save $20 on Pro ($20 off your first month or first year)
These coupons are only valid until August 1, 2023.

What happens if I don’t upgrade?

All your data will still be safe and accessible through the Podpage dashboard, but your website will “Expire”, which means anyone who visits it will see an “Expired” screen. At any point, you can upgrade and turn it back on.

https://podcastforfree.com/

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E103 - Five tips for creating artwork for your podcast episodes - The Podcast Owner's Manual Mini Series Jul 10, 2023

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E103 - Five tips for creating artwork for your podcast episodes - The Podcast Owner's Manual Mini Series

Here are a few tips for creating artwork for your podcast episodes:

Choose a consistent theme: It's important to have a consistent theme for your podcast artwork so that it is easily recognizable to your audience. This could include a consistent color scheme, font, or style.
Make it visually appealing: Your podcast artwork should be visually appealing and eye-catching to help it stand out in a crowded marketplace. Use high-quality images and graphics and be mindful of how it will look at different sizes and resolutions.
Keep it simple: It's generally best to keep your podcast artwork simple and uncluttered. Too much text or too many images can make it difficult to read or understand.
Use the right dimensions: Make sure that your artwork is the correct dimensions for the platform you are using. Different platforms have different requirements for artwork size, so be sure to check the guidelines before creating your artwork.
Use high-quality images: Using high-quality images in your artwork will help it look professional and polished. Avoid using low-resolution or pixelated images as they will not look good when displayed at larger sizes.

Overall, it's important to create artwork that is visually appealing, consistent with your brand, and meets the requirements of the platform you are using.

E115 - The Best Free Resource for Your Podcast is listening to your show - Your Audience Jul 07, 2023

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E115 - The Best Free Resource for Your Podcast is listening to your show - Your Audience

As a podcaster, engaging your audience and seeking their support can play a crucial role in maintaining and contributing to the creation and ongoing production of your podcast. Here are some ways your podcast audience can help:

Listener Feedback: Encourage your audience to provide feedback, comments, and suggestions. This input can offer valuable insights into what they enjoy and what can be improved, helping you refine your content.

Reviews and Ratings: Ask your listeners to leave reviews and ratings on podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts. Positive reviews can attract new listeners, and higher ratings can improve your podcast's visibility in search results.

Social Media Engagement: Build an active presence on social media and encourage your audience to share your episodes, tag friends, and interact with your posts. This word-of-mouth promotion can expand your reach.

Subscriber Growth: Encourage listeners to subscribe to your podcast. Subscribers are more likely to receive notifications of new episodes and stay engaged with your content.

Crowdfunding and Donations: Set up crowdfunding campaigns or provide a way for your audience to make voluntary donations to support your podcast financially. Platforms like Patreon can be useful for this purpose.

Participation in Q&A Episodes: Host Q&A episodes where you answer questions from your audience. Engaging with your listeners directly helps foster a sense of community and connection.

Guest Recommendations: Encourage your audience to suggest potential guests or topics for future episodes. This can help you cater to their interests and expand your network of experts.

Sharing Personal Stories: Invite your audience to share personal stories or experiences related to your podcast's theme. These stories can add depth and authenticity to your content.

Spreading the Message: If your podcast focuses on a particular cause or mission, encourage your listeners to spread the message to raise awareness and effect positive change.

Encourage Reviews of Products/Services: If you promote eco-friendly products or services on your podcast, ask your audience to leave reviews if they try them out. Positive reviews can support those businesses and reinforce your credibility.

By involving your audience in various aspects of your podcast, you can foster a strong community, gain valuable support, and create content that resonates with your listeners. Remember to express gratitude and acknowledge their contributions to keep them engaged and motivated to support your podcast's ongoing success.

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E102 - Audio Editing for Your Intro and Outro and Some Thoughts on Music In Your Podcast Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

EPISODE 102 - Audio Editing for Your Intro and Outro and Some Thoughts on Music In Your Podcast This episode focuses on your intro/outro with an example of a frequently used intro compared to a more impactful We also look at music options for your show, licensing considerations when you buy online music via a monthly subscription and my preferred method to having the rights to music used in my podcast All of my episodes across 7 podcasts have been recorded and edited with Audacity! Audacity is a free, easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. The interface is translated into many languages. https://www.audacityteam.org/ The intent for this episode is to give you the knowledge to approach an editor with what YOU want in your podcast - if you need an editor, I have a few spots available and would love to talk over your needs - reach me at the links below! ___ Everything you need to start a podcast - https://howtopodcast.ca/ Leave Dave a message - https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave Get a podcast review of your show! - http://podcastfeedback.ca/

Instagram Releases Threads - 4 Advantages and Disadvantages With New Social Media Platforms - The Daily Dave - Podcasting Tips Jul 06, 2023

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Instagram Releases Threads - 4 Advantages and Disadvantages With New Social Media Platforms - The Daily Dave - Podcasting Tips

Threads, the new Twitter competitor launched by Matt, is a text-based conversation app released by Instagram. It allows users to share photos and videos while primarily focusing on text-based interactions. The app enables users to follow others and participate in public conversations. The social feed displays posts from followed accounts and recommended content. Posts can include up to 500 characters, links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long. Users can log in with their Instagram account on iPhone and Android devices, search for and follow other users, and customize their profile. The app offers features such as liking, commenting, sharing, and sending posts as tweets or messages. Integration with Instagram allows for seamless sharing between the two platforms.

Advantages of Adopting a New Social Media Platform:

Increased Reach: Joining a new social media platform allows you to expand your audience and reach new users who may not be active on your current platforms.
Early Adopter Advantage: Being an early adopter of a new platform can give you a competitive advantage and help you establish a presence before the platform becomes crowded.
Unique Features: New social media platforms often come with unique features and functionalities that can enhance your content creation and engagement with your audience.
Tailored Content: Each social media platform has its own culture and user expectations. Adopting a new platform gives you an opportunity to create content specifically tailored to that platform's audience.

Disadvantages of Adopting a New Social Media Platform:

Limited User Base: New social media platforms may have a smaller user base compared to established platforms, which can limit your reach initially.
Uncertain Future: The success and longevity of a new platform are uncertain. It's possible that the platform may not gain traction or could be shut down in the future, resulting in wasted time and effort.
Divided Audience: Managing multiple social media platforms can be time-consuming and may result in a divided audience that follows you on different platforms, making it challenging to maintain consistent engagement.
Learning Curve: Adopting a new platform requires time and effort to understand its features, user interface, and best practices, which can be a challenge if you're already managing other social media accounts.

While adopting a new social media platform like Threads can offer advantages such as increased reach, early adopter advantage, unique features, and tailored content, there are also potential disadvantages such as a limited user base, an uncertain future, a divided audience, and a learning curve. As with any decision to adopt a new platform, it's important to weigh the benefits against the challenges and consider how it aligns with your overall social media strategy and goals.

http://howtopodcast.ca/

https://www.threads.net/@howtopodcastseries.ca

E100 - Looking Back and Ahead As We Celebrate the Amazing Guests and Listeners of the How To Podcast Series Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

E100 - Looking Back and Ahead As We Celebrate the Amazing Guests and Listeners of the How To Podcast Series

If you have been here for 100 episodes or if this your very first time here, welcome to our 100th episode of the How to Podcast Series! At the time of recording, our little podcast has now surpassed 45,000 combined listens over the past 100 episodes - I can't believe it, really! The list of countries joining the How to Podcast Series Family continues to grow!

Thank you! We love to see that this podcast is connecting with you, what has meant the most is speaking to you, the listener - jumping on a zoom call, trading Speak Pipe messages back and forth and spending time together planning out the next steps for your show!

Our weekly Zoom Rooms brings Podcasters together from around the globe, It is great to see you connecting with other fellow listeners!

We want to remind you about our Podcast Feedback Offer - get a review of your show and give back to the charity of your choice!

If you need help with your podcast editing, website design, YouTube Channel, Artwork, Social Media, Show details and more, reach out and let's get together to answer your questions!

Be sure to check out our new survey on our website! We want to hear from you!

Thanks for all your support - here is to the next 100!

Dave

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E99 - My Message to Radio Hosts About Podcasting In The Light of Recent Media Layoffs in Canada Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

E99 - My Message to Radio Hosts About Podcasting In The Light of Recent Media Layoffs in Canada

http://howtopodcast.ca/

E98 - How We Can Help Every Podcaster With One Easy Step - Finding New Listeners Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

E98 - How We Can Help Every Podcaster With One Easy Step - Finding New Listeners

http://howtopodcast.ca/

E97 - Balancing Life and Podcasting, Growing Your Audience, Being Authentic with CO-HOST - Dr. Lj Johnson Jun 26, 2023

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Episode 97 - Balancing Life and Podcasting, Growing Your Audience, Being Authentic with CO-HOST - Dr. Lj Johnson

Dr. Lj Johnson is the host of The Wholistic Endo Expert, hosted by Dr. Lj Johnson, is the ultimate combination of all things endometriosis and women's health. After waiting 16 years for a diagnosis she knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to deal with all the misinformation online and the medical gaslighting which plagues our endo community. This podcast will help take the weight off your shoulders by providing you with practical holistic options so that you can get back in the driver's seat of your health!The Wholistic Endo Expert, hosted by Dr. Lj Johnson, IHP. AFDNP. IIN, CHEK is the ultimate combination of all things endometriosis and women's health. After waiting 16 years for a diagnosis she knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to deal with all the misinformation online and the medical gaslighting which plagues our endo community. This podcast will help take the weight off your shoulders by providing you with practical holistic options so that you can get back in the driver's seat of your health!

___

https://howtopodcast.ca/

E96 - Battling the Fear of Failing At Our First Attempt As Podcasters Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

E96 - Battling the Fear of Failing At Our First Attempt As Podcasters

Define Failure: Failure can be subjective and has different interpretations for each person. Generally, it refers to not meeting a desired outcome or falling short of expectations. In the context of podcasting, failure could mean not achieving the expected listener numbers, lacking engagement, receiving negative feedback, or discontinuing the podcast prematurely.

Examples of Failure: a) Low listener numbers b) Lack of engagement c) Premature discontinuation

To combat the fear of failing at the first attempt, podcasters can take the following steps:

Set realistic expectations and understand that success may take time.
Focus on continuous learning and improvement rather than striving for perfection.
Seek feedback from listeners and use it constructively to refine the podcast.
Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow podcasters who can provide guidance and encouragement.

In summary, failure in podcasting can be defined as not meeting desired outcomes, such as low listener numbers, lack of engagement, or discontinuation. The fear of failure often revolves around the fear of not succeeding with the first attempt. However, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, realizing that many successful podcasters experienced setbacks, and focusing on growth and iteration can help overcome this fear and pave the way for long-term podcasting success.

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