Podcasting Smarter

Jen & Vernon Spill The Podbeans On International Podcast Day: Season 05 Ep.1

Happy International Podcast Day! It's also Vernon's birthday--how fitting! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than producing a podcast on our favorite day of the year. It also gave Jen and Vernon an opportunity to spill the Podbeans on some recent Podbean updates as well as some podcast industry news. Thanks for joining us! 
 
Spilled Podbeans: 
Podbean recently enhanced its FREE podcast hosting plan to make it even more friendly to the beginner podcaster. 
You can now see your listener comments in your dashboard (in addition to the Podbean app.)
We've made our Podbean stats even better with comparison views and more geo data! 
Have you considered making an Alexa Flash Briefing for you podcast? Learn all about it on this guest blog post by The Alexa Guy! 
Speaking of smart speakers--as podcasters we may need to adjust our shows as people start listening to our shows differently. Thanks to smart speakers, family and friends can now listen to podcasts together in a more social way. 
Have you heard talk about a podcast bubble? After Buzzfeed laid off its podcast team, we started hearing murmors of a podcast bubble. We chat about our take on those rumours. 
 
Do you have a podcasting question? Feel free to email Jen at jennifer@podbean.com. We will be sure to discuss your question on the show and mention your podcast too. :)  
Thanks for listening and subscribing. You can listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and wherever you listent to podcasts. 

Podcast Your Passion and Find Your People: Season 04 Ep. 10

 
Today I get to chat with Podbean podcaster, Mike Troy who is the sole host and producer of the American Revolution Podcast: A chronological history of the Revolutionary War. Although Mike's family isn't into history like he is, he found a community of people who love history, and his podcast. Mike also shares a secret..one that is deeply buried on the internet. 
 
Podcasting Smarter Tips From Mike: 
To prep for the launch of his podcast, Mike wrote 100, yes 100 episode scripts in advance of his first recording. Impressive! 
As a solo podcaster, Mike imagines people listening and responding which got him comfortable solo hosting. He also has a script prepared and edits on the fly as needed with Audacity. 
Podcasting helped Mike become a better everyday speaker--another benefit of podcasting! 
Because Mike is very organized and well planned, Podbean's scheduling featured allows him to produce his episodes in advance of his publish date, and schedule them accordingly. Smart podcasting! 
The podcast helped Mike get out of his shell. Introverted and shy by nature, Mike found a community of fellow history buffs on and off line thanks to his podcast. 
Mike is active on social media and successfully connects with his audience online. Without the podcast, his knowledge of social media would never have happened. 
Don't focus on your downloads for the first 6 months. Just focus on producing a good episode every time. The numbers will come. Be patient. 
 
Hypothetical Podcast About Mike's Life: "Keep Plugging" 
Mike's Fantasy Podcaster: Thomas Paine
You can listen to the American Revolution Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Stitcher. Follow the podcast on Twitter and join the Facebook Group! 

Planning A Successful Podcast Launch With The RoShamBo Podcast: Season 4 Ep. 09

 
On this episode Jen gets to chat with Kim Drobes who is the co-host and executive producer of the RoShamBo podcast which features unique competitions and extraordinary competitors. Only ten episodes in, Kim's background in radio and a previous podcast gave her all the skills she needed for a successful podcast launch! 
 
Kim's Podcasting Smarter Tips: 
Treat your podcast like a business. Set money aside to spend on the show, and come up with a launch plan. Kim and her co-host Ted each contributed $1,000 to invest in the podcast. Find out how they spent the money! 

Plan a launch party! Not only is it a way for you to celebrate the work that went into starting your show, but it also gives you the opportunity to get friends and family excited, thank the people that helped you, and even attract your first fans. 

Consider a long running Facebook ad. We aren't talking about boosting a post. Kim spent several hundred dollars on a long running, highly targeted ad through Facebook Ads Manager. But first, they produced a nice video using the Headliner App. 

Kim and Ted also spent time creating a nice website on Squarespace. Check it out.

Having a launch plan also gave them time to work out mistakes. For instance, Squarespace was great for their website, but didn't work so well as a hosting platform. That's when they switched to Podbean. :) 

The launch plan also included distribution--before officially launching, they made sure their podcast was in all the places--including Apple, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart, Spotify, etc. 

They also produced a lot of content in advance so they could launch their show and schedule their pre-produced episodes smoothly. 

Kim wanted to produce the kind of show that she likes to listen to. Her episodes are highly produced, and thanks to her radio background, she has the skills to produce her ideal show. 

Kim's advice to new podcasters: Just start! Starting is the harder part. Don't get bogged down in all the nuances and the desire for it to be perfect. Have a plan, make it happen. You can always delete it later. 
 
Surprise Questions:
Kim's hypothetical podcast about her life: Travel and Ping Pong
Kim's fantasy podcaster: Her grandmother! 
Kim's Favorite RoShamBo episode: Frozen Dead Guys Days' Coffin Race
 
You can listen to RoShambo wherever you listen to podcasts and you can find them on social media @roshambopodcast on all platforms. 

Jen and Vernon Spill The Podbeans On PodAds: Season 4 Ep. 08

 
Jen and Vernon are fresh from their experience at Podcast Movement 2018 with lots of news to share! After 5 years producing The Social Strategy Podcast, Vernon calls it quits and tells us why. He is also excited to announce the launch of his new podcast, The Space Between! We also learn that there is no shame in pod fading, there is only shame in doing something that no longer inspires you. 
Podbean recently launched PodAds, and it has a lot of podcasters talking! PodAds was designed to help the indie podcaster monetize their show, and help the local advertiser reach audiences located in specific areas of the United States and the world. It's all very exciting and Jen and Vernon break down how it works, and encourage you to check it out for yourself. 
Podbean contributed to Rev's FREE Podcasting 101 Guide along with Resonate Recordings, Samson, Podcast Engineering School, and Social Media Rescue. The guide is available on Rev's site--no email required! While you are there you can enter for a chance to win a podcast launch package with items from all the contributors, including a year of free hosting (Unlimited Audio Plan) and a featured spot on Podbean's App, from Podbean! 
Vernon is excited about speaking at B&H Photo on August 2nd at 1pm in New York City for their recorded workshop: Connect, Communicate and Create: Starting Your Podcast Sponsored by Samson 
 
Thanks for listening to another episode of Podcasting Smarter! Be sure to subscribe on Podbean, iTunes or Stitcher! You can message us through Twitter @Podbeancom if you have any questions you want answered on the show. :) 

How A Podcast Can Build Community And Open Doors In Your Profession with Jon Thurmond: Season 4 Ep. 07

 
On this episode of Podcasting Smarter, Jen is joined by Jon Thurmond. Jon is the co-host of the HR Social Hour Podcast where he and fellow HR-pro Wendy Dailey talk to other HR professionals about connecting, giving back, and building your network. Jon is also a co-host on the long-running Star Joes Podcast which is a show dedicated to Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and everything in between.
 
Jon's Podcasting Confession: Jon failed to hit record on his fourth episode with a great guest. Luckily his guest was happy to record again, and improve on his first podcast interview. 
 
Jon's Podcasting Smarter Tips: 
Before he hit record for the first time, Jon and Wendy hopped on Skype and practiced so they could work on their timing and be confident that their podcast was professional sounding from the beginning 

Jon knew there were a lot of HR podcasts out there already so he know it was important to find a hook. He and Wendy chose to concentrate on humanizing their industry and building community. 

The HR Social Hour Podcast came about after Jon created a weekly Twitter Chat, #HRSocialHour in order to connect with other HR professionals that like him, were not able to attend SHRM, a large, annual HR conference. That twitter chat was so successful, that it inspired the idea for a complementary podcast. 

Podcasters may want to consider starting their own Twitter Chats as a way to connect with their audience. Be sure to advertise the date/time, and attach a hashtag to it. Jon uses the tool, Wakelet, to capture the content from his Twitter chats. 

Jon has benefitted professionally from his podcast. He even got invited to be part if the Blog Squad for this year's SHRM Conference in Chicago. This gave him the opportunity to connect with respected leaders in his industry. 

His biggest piece of advice is to do our homework. It is easy to start a podcast, but difficult to keep it going unless you prepare by organizing your time, planning your content, and committing to being consistent. 
 
Jon's Hypothetical Podcast About His Life: "The Professional B.S. Podcast"
 
Jon's Fantasy Podcaster: Hal Needham
 
Check our the HR Social Hour Podcast on Podbean, iTunes, and Stitcher! Follow HR Social Hour on Facebook, and you can find Jon on Twitter too!  You can also listen to Star Joes Podcast in all the places as well! :) 
Remember, you can join Jon and Wendy the 4th Sunday of each month at 7 PM Eastern for the #HRSocialHour chat on Twitter!  See how they do it, and consider starting your own! 

Paying Attention To Audio Quality Pays Off with Netflix 'N Swill: Season 4 Ep. 06

 
 
This week Jen talks to Dan Brenic, co-host of Netflix 'N Swill. Dan and his podcast partner, Caleb started podcasting after being inspired by their friends, The Epic Film Guys--another podcast in the Podbean Family. 
 
Key Podcasting Smarter Tips From This Episode: 
Dan prefers remote recording with Discord much better than Skype, and he tells us why he likes it so much better than Skype. 
Use decent mics--Dan uses the ATR2100 (so does Jen!) #micbonding
In the competitive genre of movie and T.V. review podcasts, it helped them to specialize in Netflix programming, and it happened to work for them as active Netflix subscribers. 
To market their podcast, Dan and Caleb use their Facebook Page, Twitter, and some Instagram. They also contribute to the community associated with the hashtag #PodernFamily. Twitter is working for them the best. 
They are constantly searching for new ways to market their show in order to reach new listeners. He feels they can only go so far with an existing audience. 
You are doing yourself and your listeners a disservice if you don't listen back to your podcast episodes. It is the most efficient way to improve your broadcasting skills, and speech patterns. 
They are currently monetized through listen support via Podbean's Patron program and Patreon. However, their podcast is not dependent on listener support, but it lets them know they are doing something right to have it. 
They got creative with their Patron rewards by coming up with rewards that engage their listeners by allowing them to choose what painful movies and shows they have to watch next. Fun! 
Dan's most sage piece of advice to concentrate on good audio quality because good content doesn't matter if it's painful to listen to. 
 
Dan's hypothetical podcast about his life: "Oh Boy: The Dan Brenic Story"
Dan's Fantasy Podcaster(s): The Founding Fathers
Please connect with Dan, and listen to Netflix 'N Swill here: 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/netflixnswill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/netflixnswill/
Podbean: https://netflixnswill.podbean.com/
Website: https://www.netflixnswill.com/
  
Thank you so much for listening to another episode of Podcasting Smarter! If you have an idea for a topic, or know a Podbean podcaster who has something to share, please email Jennifer at jennifer@podbean.com 
 
 

Jen and Vernon Spill The Podbeans On Why Listeners Stop Listening To Podcasts: Season 4 Ep. 05

 
Jen and Vernon from the Podbean team, co-host this episode, and delve into the reasons people may be unsubscribing to your show based on unscientific data from a Reddit thread. After that they discuss more scientific data derived from the 2018 Podcast Consumer Report by Edison Research. 
 
Podcasting Smarter Tips For Not Losing Listeners: 
Make sure your audio quality is good. It doesn't have to be studio quality, but it should be pleasant to listen to and easy to understand with a consistent, level volume. 
Unless you have a political podcast, be careful how much time you spend on your political opinions. 
Listen back to your show so you can catch vocal ticks, mouth noises, heavy breathing--all things that can distract from yoru content. 
Show your personality! If you are a boring host, your listenership will suffer despite the content quality.
Put on your positive pants! Being angry, ranting, and sharing a lot of negativity might be entertaining at first, but that negative energy can repel listeners. 
Too many ads can cost you listeners. Sponsors are great, and we love to see shows attract sponsors, and even most listeners understand that sponsors help keep the shows they love going strong. But, there seems to be a tipping point when the ads start detracting from the content. 
A couple we didn't get to on the show:
Hosts that constantly talk over each other are a big listener turn off. 
You may lose listeners when you stop releasing on a predictable schedule. 
Listeners get annoyed when hosts don't stay on topic and forget about what the fans are tuning in for. 
 
Thank you so much for listening to another episode of Podcasting Smarter! If you have an idea for a topic, or know a Podbean podcaster who has something to share, please email Jennifer at jennifer@podbean.com 

More Than A Few Customers Through Podcasting: Season 4 Ep. 04

 
Hey pod pals! After having the privilege of being a guest on her podcast, Lorraine Ball is joining me on this episode for a friendly episode swap! Lorraine is the host of the podcast, More Than A Few Words, a marketing conversation for business owners, AND a production of her marketing company, RoundPeg. Lorraine is a great sport during "podcast confessions", and is generous with what she has experienced and learned after years of producing a show to complement her marketing agency. 
 
Podcasting Smarter Tips From Lorraine: 
Don't be afraid to experiment with formats for the longevity and success of your show. Keep what works and dump what doesn't.

Initially, her podcast allowed her to showcase companies she worked with, and they would often return the professional favor by mentioning her company on their marketing channels.

Live call in shows are a bad idea. 

Longer shows are not always better. Her show improved when she gave herself permission to do a shorter show and to edit out the less compelling parts of a recording. 

Know why you are podcasting, and let that direct all of your decisions. 

She started including the podcast in RoundPeg's weekly newsletter and it drastically improved the open rates. 

Her podcast has helped her land clients.  

She now makes social media graphics for her guests. The images showcase them nicely, making it more likely for them to promote their episode. 

More than anything else, have fun. If you are enjoying the show, your guests will too. 
 
Lorraine's hypothetical podcast about her life: "Well, I Didn't Expect That!"
 
Lorraine's Fantasy Podcaster: Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
 
Listen to More Than A Few Words on Podbean, iTunes, and Stitcher! 

Podcast Credibility Comes With Visibility And Reliability: Season 04 Ep. 3

On this episode Jennifer speaks with Chris Stafford, the President & CEO of  WiSP Sports Inc. which was formed in 2015.  Chris is a veteran sport’s broadcaster and journalist with more than forty years experience covering international sports and has reported at Olympic Games, World and European Championships and World Cups. Chris leads a team of women from around the world that produce and host 25 different podcasts reaching a global audience with more than 760 episodes covering all women’s sports and topics.
WiSP Sports tells the stories of sportswomen with integrity and respect while promoting gender equality, diversity, fairness and access. We celebrate women’s achievements both in and out of competition through articles, video, blogs and podcasts. As thought leaders we are shifting the narrative from a mainstream perspective of women in sport by enabling women to tell their own stories without bias.
 
Chris' Podcasting Smarter Tips: 
You want you guests to say, "Wow, I forgot we were recording!". 
Chris passed on the mainstream sports and focused on the fringe sports that weren't getting their stories heard, and whose followers were hungry for the attention. 
Chris was able to find a lot of knowledgable atheletes who made perfect podcast talent for her network. 
While interviewing atheletes, she would often find talented hosts for her shows. 
Chris describes herself as the narrow end of the funnel and still does the production for all the shows in the Wisp Network. 
As they've grown, they have developed partnerships and co-productions with relative organizations which helps with attracting sponsors. 
Although, Wisp began two years ago, Chris wanted to build a robust website with quality content and a large audience before approaching sponsors. So, they just recently started getting sponsorships. 
Chris has a business plan, but it is always evolving so she has to shift as opportunities,  technology, and trends change unexpectedly. 
It's hard to be patient when she sees the potential for the network. She would like a show for every female sport on the network. 
Keep your antenna out or you might miss an opportunity! 
The more visable and reliable you are, the more credibility you will achieve
Twitter is her best social media platform--this is where they get the conversations going
Do your research on the content you are planning and be familiar with your competition 
Know your topics and book great guests
Know your voice--what it is capable of and how it changes throughout the day
 
 
Chris' hypothetical podcast about her life: "She Tried" 
Chris' fantasy podcaster: Martina Navratilova
 
You can listen to Wisp Radio on Podbean, iTunes, and Stitcher. 

Podcasting In A Car Named Betty With The Podbean App: Season 4 Ep. 02

 
On this episode I get to chat with Lisa and Sam from the very fun and funny podcast, I Shake My Head with Lisa and Sam. Their show follows their friendship as two funny women in their mid 40’s who find themselves having some of their best conversations in the car! They have opinions and they love to laugh about everything that life throws at them! They throw a lot of great stuff at us in this episode! 
Podcasting Smarter Tips from Lisa & Sam: 
You don't need a fancy studio to produce a podcast. Lisa & Sam record from a car named Betty using the Podbean App and a Zoom H1 for back up. 

Podcasting was a natural extension of their rich conversations they were having anyway. 

The key to their podcast success is their authentic friendship

Do your homework and try to be something unique. 

Be true to your vision, but not so true that you aren't open to constructive feedback. In the beginning they got some hard-to-hear criticism that they couldn't ignore. 

Be part of the podcasting community. Join Facebook groups, and connect with other podcasters on social media. 

Listen to your episodes and learn from them. 

Lisa and Sam are very active on social media--Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Their most successful platform is Twitter, but they are on their a lot. 

They are using Podbean's Patron Program as a means to monetize their show. 
 
You can listen to I Shake My Head on Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. You can also join the fun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!  Look forward to an episode every Friday!