The Podcast Fast Track

49: Is this the best social media app for podcasters? Jan 17, 2017

Show notes

The best social media apps in the online space had better watch out. There’s a fairly new app on the scene that has integrated a TON of great features into its interface. It’s called eClincher and you need to know about it. (affiliate link)

What I love most about eClincher is that it enables you to reshare your older content - think podcast episodes from long ago - and keep it in front of the people who follow you on social media. And if you follow some great social media practices such as engaging with people and actually BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM (imagine that), that following should be growing all the time - so people who never heard your old podcast episode in the first place are able to see it for the first time.

I believe eClincher is the best social media app for managing your social accounts that I’ve seen.

Another reason I say that is that eClincher integrates the inboxes of all your social accounts into their app so you can see your Facebook notifications, LinkedIn notifications, Twitter stuff, Pinterest (a new platform they added recently), and Google + all at the same time, on the same screen. It’s right there in eClincher, and you can interact with people easily via the app, saving you tons of time.

Gilad Salamander is my guest on this episode, highlighting his amazing social media management tool.

I think you’ll find Gilad a very generous guy, eager to help you make your social media marketing, promotion, and relationship building more effective in less time. That’s what eClincher is doing for me. I hope you find it to be the same way.

Just in case you’re interested - here’s my eClincher affiliate link again. (An affiliate link means I get a cut of your first month’s payment for sending you - but you pay the same you would normally pay). Thanks!

Outline of this episode

[1:23] The problem most podcasters have - old content getting lost - and how eClincher solves the problem.
[3:01] The social platforms eClincher can connect to - and the additional features.
[3:53] How eClincher republishes your older content - over and over and over.
[6:59] Understanding the power of using queues in the best social media app - eClincher.
[8:28] How you can curate content from eClincher - and add it to your queues.
[12:20] The unified social inbox to give you greater engagement and save time.
[17:07] How the custom search feeds help you monitor certain keywords.
[21:01] How you can connect with Gilad and eClincher.

resources we talked about in this episode

eClincher website
Connect with Gilad on Twitter

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

Subscribe To Podcastification Here!

48: How to Make Your Podcast Stand Out From the Crowd Jan 04, 2017

Show notes

If you want to stand out from the crowd as a podcaster, you’re going to have to up your game. I don’t care how professional or expert you are in what you do as a business, if you want to grow your podcast audience you’ve got to give your potential listeners more reasons to listen to your show above all the others in your niche.

Make YOUR needle stand out from the haystack

You’ve really got to start thinking differently about getting your podcast heard. It’s no longer a “record it and they will listen” world. There are over 2100 NEW podcasts being published every day. EVERY DAY. That’s a lot of noise you’ve got to cut through.

The good news is that many of those shows are absolute JUNK. But there are probably just as many that aren’t. And when it comes to the ones that are in your same niche, you’ve got to stand out from the crowd, to be head and shoulders above them in terms of quality, content, and production values.

So how do you do it? How do you stand out from the crowd?

That’s what this episode of Podcastification is all about. I’m going to share things you can do to improve your podcast in ways that make it better than the other shows in your niche. If you don’t do something, believe me, YOUR COMPETITION WILL! So don’t get left behind.

Don’t blend into the the crowd. Don’t let your show sink into the iTunes directory of obscurity (there really IS a category like that. You didn’t know? ;). You’ve got to up your game.

Blending in is no longer an option. Here’s how you can up your game.

Outline of this episode

[1:18] The reality of the competition you face as a podcaster.
[2:12] Audio quality matters more than ever these days if you want to stand out.
[5:54] The one thing that can get people to click on your show above the others.
[8:50] The different types of intros and outros that can make a difference.
[10:39] One of the reasons you might consider unique music for your show.
[12:02] The REAL power of GOOD QUALITY audio editing.
[13:35] Speak directly to your listener - your IDEAL listener.
[15:49] How unique is your perspective on your topics? It matters.

resources we talked about in this episode

Audacity
Audio Technica 2005 microphone
Audio Technica 2100 microphone
www.PodcastFastTrack.com/clients
Check out my custom music (and contact me for a deal)
https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/ - Go change your cover art to stand out!

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

Subscribe To Podcastification Here!

47: Podcast Show Notes That Work! Dec 06, 2016

Show notes

If the enthusiasm for your podcast is lagging because you are getting stuck in the rut of podcast show notes creation, I feel your pain. Show notes are definitely one of the less enjoyable aspects of putting together a complete production of a show. But it doesn’t have to be such a painful thing - there are ways you can make the process smoother, easier, and more efficient.

DC Podfest and the Triple Power of Killer Show Notes

I was recently asked to speak at DC Podfest and the topic I chose was, “The Triple Power of Killer Show Notes.” The session was very well received and you know what - since I’m a podcaster myself I decided to record it so you could hear what I had to share with the great folks who were at DC Podfest. By the way, you can meet some of them on my last episode.

So if you want to learn how to create your own podcast show notes - exactly like the professionals on my team here at Podcast Fast Track do - I’m going to unload the truck on you in this presentation. Heck, I’m even giving you my slide deck from the presentation in the resources below.

Here’s how you really CAN produce your own podcast show notes easier and quicker.

Creating show notes for your podcast doesn’t have to be such a pain, so why not take the time to listen?

Outline of this episode

[1:18] The setting and reason for this presentation.
[2:46] 3 purposes of killer show notes.
[3:20] Smartphones change everything and make show notes powerful.
[4:59] How show notes work as an organic traffic magnet (keyword research).
[7:47] Making your show notes an appealing thing to future guests.
[8:41] QUESTION: What ARE show notes?
[11:34] How the PFT team easily writes show notes quickly, sort of. :)
[12:04] The power of high speed playback.
[12:50] Why we use Google Docs to create our show notes (it’s powerful).
[14:30] The format we use when creating our notes.
[16:57] Why it’s VITAL that you clean the HTML of your show notes before it goes to your media host.
[19:23] Should you include transcripts in your show notes?
[25:05] You’ve GOT to repurpose your show notes for social media.
[28:08] The MOST underutilized social media hack for podcasters.
[35:49] Tips for making the show notes writing process easier.

resources we talked about in this episode

See my slide deck for this presentation on the Triple Power of Killer Show Notes right here.

Audacity
Google Docs
www.Grammarly.com
https://html-cleaner.com
Blubrry PowerPress Plugin
Find out where your podcast feed is coming from (thanks Regan Starr).
www.PodcastsConnect.com - the iTunes source to manage your show feeds.
http://hashtagify.me - for hashtag research
Hootsuite
Buffer
AgoraPulse
Edgar
eClincher (my favorite social media platform)
Zapier
IFTTT

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

46: Building Relationships Through Attending Podcast Events Nov 29, 2016

Show notes

Building relationships with other podcasters is a very cool thing.

I’ve experienced it online for a long time with people in various groups I’m a part of. But there’s something even COOLER about meeting people in person and sharing the love of podcasting together.

I was invited to speak at the recent DC Podfest (about the Triple Power of Killer Show Notes - I’ll share that presentation in an upcoming episode). And just being at the event made building relationships so much easier. The conversations were natural, the people were great, and it was a lot of fun to boot!

So… on this episode I want to help you start building relationships with other podcasters by introducing you to some of the great people I met. I walked around with my digital recorder and got some great clips from some of my new friends and wanted you to hear who they are, what they are doing, and maybe even make a new podcast friend. I hope you enjoy this!

Outline of this episode

[1:18] The reason I’m doing this episode.
[1:51] Jen Hemphill - host of Her Money Matters.
[5:49] Jon Harper - host of My Bad
[10:26] Kip Clark - host of Stride and Saunter
[15:29] Ben & Chris - The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
[26:21] Sean RIchardson - Artup Bootcamp
[31:22] Kyle Bondo - Merchants of Dirt
[37:51] Amy Young - Future Podcaster
[44:26] Vincent Pugliese - Freelance to Freedom (coming January 2017)

resources we talked about in this episode

DC Podfest
Podcast Movement
DC Podfest
The Her Money Matters podcast
The My Bad podcast
The Stride and Saunter podcast
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
ArtUp Bootcamp podcast
Merchants of Dirt
Vincent Pugliese - future podcaster (Freelance to Freedom)
Podcast Movement

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

45: Does Your Podcast Have A Subscribe Button? Or two? Or three? Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

The all important SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

It’s one of the most overlooked things podcasters leave off of their websites.

Me included.

On this episode I’m responding to a listener comment on the blog. In all honesty, she was very kind in what she said, but didn’t shy away from taking me to task.

What was she concerned about? It was the SUBSCRIBE BUTTONS on my own website.

She pointed out that on my own website I only provide one subscribe option for my listeners - and it’s the iTunes subscription button.

The funny thing about that is that I’m NOT an Apple guy. I use Android. I love Android. And I really don’t like Apple products.

resources we talked about in this episode

www.iTunes.com
www.Stitcher.com
Google Play
www.PodBean.com
My client page - www.PodcastFastTrack.com/clients

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

44: Do I Get More Podcast Subscribers by Sending Them to iTunes or My Website? Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

Podcast subscribers are important people to us podcasters.

They are the ones who make the show possible - I mean, very few of us would be doing a podcast at all if we knew that absolutely ZERO people were listening to our shows. Right?

Because we all want to get more listeners we should be continually asking ourselves questions about how to go about getting in front of our ideal audience and how to get them to subscribe. One of the questions I often get from clients about getting more subscribers to their podcast is this?

In the things I say on my show and the links I share, should I be sending people to iTunes, to my website, or someplace else? Which is most effective?

That is an absolutely GREAT question.

On this episode (it’s a very short episode this week) I’m going to answer that question from my perspective after working with over 40 clients over the course of this business (we’ve been in business since early 2013) AND from how I see it as a podcaster.

I’ll give you a hint… my answer begins with… IT DEPENDS…

Click the play button to find out what I recommend for getting more podcast subscribers… or maybe I recommend that subscribers are not your best goal.

Curious yet? It will take less than 6 minutes of your day. I promise.

here's and outline of this fun episode for you...

[1:19] A question from one of my clients: Where should I send people when I’m promoting my podcast episodes?
[2:01] Is more podcast subscribers your most important goal?
[2:51] What about promoting your brand? Are you trying to get more buy-in to your stuff?
[4:18] A hack to aim at BOTH at the same time?
[4:41] What about Stitcher, iHeart radio, and others?

resources we talked about in this episode

www.iTunes.com
www.Stitcher.com
www.iHeartRadio.com
My client page - www.PodcastFastTrack.com/clients

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

43: Libsyn: A Deep Dive Into the Features of an Amazing Media Host, with Rob Walch Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

Libsyn has been around for a very long time…

since 2004 to be exact - and has carved out it’s own massive space in the podcast industry. Hosting and delivering media files for some of the most popular and lucrative podcasts in history like Mark Maron, The Nerdist, and Dan Carlin’s Hard Core History, Libsyn is definitely the big dog in the media hosting backyard!

I’ve known about Libsyn for a long time. Heck, I’ve worked with the Libsyn interface for over 3 years now since about 90% of my clients are hosting their files on Libsyn. But it wasn’t until this interview that I fully understood some of the amazing things I can do for my podcast using the Libsyn interface.

Automated social media sharing
I can create premium content to sell in a membership style arrangement
Affordable smartphone apps for my podcast
Publish to multiple destinations and keep stats on each one individually

And the list goes on…

Today’s show features Rob Walch, a newly inducted member of the Podcasters Hall of Fame and a very gracious guy to come on my humble show. Rob is the voice of Libsyn, serving as the Podcaster relations guy. In his words…

“I have the best job in the world. I get to talk to podcasters all day.”

Check out the outline below to see what we talk about on this episode… it truly is a DEEP DIVE into all the wonderful things you can do with your podcast when you host your files with Libsyn.

For a long time I’ve tried to experiment on my own shows to be able to talk from experience about how various platforms and options work. As a result, I’m currently hosting my media files in all sorts of places (you don’t want to know) . But in this conversation I was so impressed with the incredible things Libsyn has to offer, I’m in the process of switching my files over to Libsyn for good.

I know you’re going to be amazed by at least one thing on this episode. And I almost guarantee you that even if you already host your files on Libsyn, you’re going to learn something you didn’t know.

Here goes… enjoy this one with Rob Walch.

here's an outline of this fun episode for you...

[1:19] My introduction and welcome chat with Rob Walch.
[1:50] The summary of what I’m talking about with Rob.
[2:40] Did you know that Libsyn is a blogging platform?
[6:20] What is a download-only file supposed to be used for?
[7:52] Adding new content to the LIbsyn interface.
[8:43] Episode level bonus content - WHAT?!!!???
[11:07] Does the Libsyn website create a duplicate content penalty with Google?
[13:00] What populates your iTunes feed for your episodes - and what’s the best way to optimize for user experience?
[14:49] You do NOT want to run your feed through your Wordpress site!
[17:13] Episode specific bells and whistles you can create!
[21:08] Do you need to insert tags and keywords on your episodes?
[24:05] A little known fact about your content ratings in iTunes.
[26:15] How to publish to social media automatically through the Libsyn interface. Really.
[33:06] Extra tags, TV ratings, etc.
[35:39] How Libsyn can provide you a customized app for your podcast.
[38:26] Get into Google Play Music and iHeart Radio - through Libsyn.
[41:15] Social media integrations in Libsyn.
[45:11] Learn about how Libsyn’s STATS are the best!
[47:52] How Libsyn can monetize your podcast for you.

resources we talked about in this episode

www.Libsyn.com
Rob(at)Libsyn.com
www.Podcast411.com - Rob’s site
www.KCStartup411.com - Rob’s other site :)
Today in IOS
The Feed: The Libsyn Podcast
support(at)Libsyn.com

Connect with me…

Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

42: Interview Valet: a Full Service Podcast Guest and Promotion Service Jul 18, 2016

Show notes

Interview Valet is a pretty cool service...

Tom Schwab and company are working hard to help people with a...

Book to promote
A business to run
A course to launch
A story to tell

Get exposure through being a guest on podcasts where the audience is the EXACT people the person is trying to reach.

On this episode you're going to hear from Tom about how Interview Valet works. We talk about:

The basics of what Interview Valet is
How it works for podcast guests
The monthly pricing for the service
How it works for podcast hosts (it's FREE)
And the amazing affiliate program Interview Valet offers to all podcasters (not guests)

If you've ever thought that being a guest on a podcast would be a great way to promote your thingie-ma-bob - you're right, and Tom and the team at Interview Valet can help you make it a reality.

And if you need quality, vetted guests for your podcast - contact the folks at Interview Valet to get some guests for your show lined up.

Resources we talked about

www.InterviewValet.com - Go here to sign up to get guests on your show

www.InterviewValet.com/Podcastification - the special page designed just for you - the PODCASTIFICATION listener.

DIRECT DOWNLOAD OF THE EPISODE AUDIO

41: Another perfect audio recording solution – with Tim Sinclair of Ringr Jun 01, 2016

Show notes

I'm talking today with Tim from Ringer.

Ringr is one of the first apps available to do recordings native from each side of a distance conversation, but until now it's only been available as a smart phone or smart device app.

But no more.

Ringr is now available in a desktop version, which is very cool because that makes it possible now for podcasters or broadcasters of any stripe to record a distance conversation with the ability to include their entire recording "chain" - their own mic, their own mixer, their own processors, etc.

As you can tell, that's a great asset to anyone doing a show where quality is of concern. My conversation with Tim today centers around the new desktop app.

We chat about:

How the desktop app differs from the smartphone app.
What you're able to do with the new desktop app.
The varying accounts you can get for Ringr.
What the service costs (and there IS a free version).
The affiliate program Ringr is offering.
What Ringr has in store in terms of future upgrades.
The "enterprise level" subscription they are working on.
How you can get Ringr and try it out for free.

It's a great, short little conversation where Tim gives us the clear lowdown on a great option for recording conversations over distance. I think you'll find something very helpful in this one.

RESOURCES:

http://www.Ringr.com