Author: fcastaneda

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496- From podcasting hobby-preneur to full-time podcaster

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we deliver a REPURPOSED podcast episode on the topic of examining a case study of becoming a full-time podcasting entrepreneur from an earlier status as a hobby-preneur. We do this without music intro or outro, as the episode was recorded in an empty hotel lounge with construction and other ambient noise on a portable recorder.

As you will hear in this REPURPOSED audio episode, a hobby that you can pick up and enjoy (because you may have a “passion” for it) can be a “labor of love” at first. For me, it was podcasting. And then, after a while, your expertise will grow and you may see others in the podosphere being successful in monetizing podcasts within their businesses. And this activity may spawn the desire inside you to join the small business owners who podcast and make revenue from that hobby that can now become a revenue stream (toward perhaps a full-time business activity within your entrepreneurship).

And so, the passion that I had led me to create more podcasts. And then you can compare other environments and see how you can be a small business and lead the way with podcasting. In this case study, I actually compared my podcasting to working with automobiles — developing a hobby to become eventually a small business or startup or entrepreneurship.

Now, I have had prior experience in starting businesses since 1980. And so, I used the “hobby” and put it in “idle” mode, running and available for me — until the time arrives for me to be serious about the podcasting environment and move into the podosphere when I would launch an entrepreneurial venture and possibly be FULL-TIME. And I would position podcasting within the business environment, business model and create content or be a consultant. And, as you will hear, I did go down the path of being a luminary and subject-matter expert, a solution provider, then a trusted advisor, and finally a THOUGHT LEADER.

Perhaps you can relate your own situation with my story — especially if you want to become a thought leader and starting from a hobby.

We hope that you will enjoy this story of how I took a “hobby” and became a “hobby-preneur” and then moved into an entrepreneurial venture with podcasting. Although this episode was originally slated for a podcast show that was called “Boomers for Startups” (which has podfaded), it may provide evergreen content that can provide relevant VALUE to the aspiring and new podcasters.

Thank you for your attention.

NOTE: We do not have the active links which were mentioned toward the end of the episode, because they were out-of-date and many have been withdrawn. Thus, we just will go with the audio for the show of this REPURPOSED episode.

Also, we addressed the “necessity-preneur” in another episode, because with the virus crisis, many may have the NEED to become an entrepreneur, even though that was not their intended path or their desire at the time — but they had to provide for themselves and had to generate income in some way quickly.

Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation . All rights reserved.

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podcast

495- Podcasting for necessity-preneurs and vetrepreneurs

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we deliver a REPURPOSED podcast episode( from a prior episode # 149) that deals with ideas of becoming an entrepreneur, but in several different ways:

  • a “necessity-preneur”
  • a “want-a-preneur” or
  • a “vetrepreneur.”

As you will hear in this audio episode, these three types of small business owners have a different starting point and different set of goals to success. Some will do so out of necessity, due to the nature of their being laid off from corporate employment, etc. Others will be veterans returning from their duty in the Middle East and want to become small business owners. And others will just have “wanted” always to be an entrepreneur.

But they all have podcasting within their businesses. And you can imagine the goals and the struggles of each one. We hope that you can enjoy this story of these 3 roles for podcasting and becoming entrepreneurs.

NOTE: in this repurposed episode, we mentioned a course from Stanford University for starting a startup:

 

Also, other links have been deactivated, and so we do not list them here at this time.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Stanford University and Vetrepreneur Magazine . All rights reserved.

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podcast

494- Suggestions from real pros for the first 2 minutes of your episodes

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss the 10 tips suggested by the blubrry network for the first 2 minutes of your episodes in your show.

In this post called “10 tips for the first 2 minutes of your podcast,” we get some pointers and best practices from real podcast professionals from the blubrry network, headed by Todd Cochrane.

Now, I have known Todd since 2006, and I am a big fan of his work, his business and his contributions to podcasting. He was one of the very first podcasters and the author of the first book on podcasting. His business includes the rawvoice, the blubrry network (from which this post came) and Geek News Central.

Here, he delivers WHY the intro to a podcast episode in your show is so important for success:  “The first two minutes of your podcast are the most important of your show. And even if you don’t agree with that statement, you surely agree that your podcast must quickly achieve the following goals based on these suggestions:”  (and then he gives a short list of three suggestions from experience of the VALUE that your intro can have:

  • Confirm your branding and the ‘feel’ of your show.
  • Let your audience know what to expect with your episode.
  • Make your audience want to listen more.

and then he delivers the ten tips, which you will also get with some detailed explanations. These tips can be a good cornerstone or checklist for your own episodes, because many podcasters can tell you that they are very much like BEST PRACTICES:

  1. Limit your intro music.
  2. Use a brief prerecorded intro to convey the ‘feel’ of your show.
  3. Let your audience hear your voice as soon as possible.
  4. If you use a ‘highlight’ clip from your episode as part of your intro, make it brief.
  5. Share key takeaways that your audience can expect from listening to the episode.
  6. Greet the listener.
  7. Segue into the main part of your show.
  8. Seek the best audio quality.
  9. Validate that your first 120 seconds is connecting with your audience through podcast analytics and statistics.
  10. Do not alter the first 120 seconds frequently. Your listeners like consistency: Do not drastically change the format of the beginning of your show once you have created something both you and your audience like.

I know that I have used many of these practices for improving the quality of my shows and their episodes. And it has paid off big-time for me with more audience growth and downloads. In fact, other shows have taken it upon them to repurpose my episodes, and thus it provided a win-win result.

I hope that your shows can be improved by including some of these best-practices into your podcasts.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and blubrry network. All rights reserved.

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podcast

493- Approaching the twilight years of podcasting — perhaps

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we ask ourselves the perpetual question of:  “When do we approach the ‘twilight years’ of podcasting?” or “Have we reached our twilight years of podcasting?”

This theme was approached once before in 2018, but it is certainly an important issue for those of us who have been podcasting for the last 15 years, as I have. In fact, I started my first podcast when I was in my mid-50s, and I am still continuing to produce podcast episodes for my two main podcast shows, PodcastReporter.com and 2030Podcast.com — as well as adding a newer podcast series called The Struggling Biz.

As you will hear in this audio episode, although there is a lot of personal perspectives and my own history in this episode, it is important for us to reflect that we owe the benefits of podcasting to those who did pioneer the path for us today from the beginning of the podosphere in 2004. Their names are mentioned in this audio episode.

But, as for the senior podcasters involved, the question that has to be answered is:  “Are you in your own twilight years for any type of reason?” and “Are you approaching your own twilight years for podcasting?” I hope this provides some food for thought.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

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podcast

492- Podcasting is on the rise — 8 reasons why

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we summarize an article’s content about the gaining popularity and consumption of podcasting today. The article is from whatsnewinpublishing.com and it is titled “Why podcasting is on the rise: 8 trends publishers cannot ignore.”

As you will hear in this audio episode, there is a short summary for each of the 8 reasons, and we explain the graphs, charts and images that accompany this article.

“As the podcasting market continues to expand across the globe, here are eight ideas and implications shaping podcasting continued ascendancy: “

1. Podcasts can offer advertisers flexibility in an uncertain world

 2. Seamless integration with content can help

3. Ad Spend is becoming more strategic 

4. We’re seeing growth in programmatic audio ad buys

5. Investment in original content is growing

6. Major audio platforms are expanding overseas

7. Podcasts offer opportunities to drive membership and subscriptions

8. Podcasting and Audio remain growing markets

We recommend that you peruse this article and see if you can either create a strategy for your own podcast show, or try to see if your show does fit into one of these reasons, so that you can exploit the cause and have an effect that will provide a path for success of your show.

Perhaps one of the ways you can put to use a tactic for implementing one of these reasons would be to attend or participate in some of the podcast conferences (like Podcast Movement, either in person or virtually online). You can get to know the players that can be most influential in these areas of interest and see if you can result with either a joint venture or a marketing/sales plan for your show — or even just a growth plan for your audience strategies. If so, then you may have come upon a small golden nugget for your podcast show, podcast business and podcast episodes.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and whatsnewinpublishing.com . All rights reserved.

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podcast

BONUS — Podcasting community is now free at PMU

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we deliver a BONUS episode with news that the community that was announced a while back — Podcast Movement University — is now free. This came from the Podcast Business Journal. The podcastmovement.com team saw that they were not getting much of a response with their unfair pricing, and so they have decided to make it no charge (i.e., free) to join and participate.

And so I have joined and participated in some of the discussions. I also plan to participate in some of the webinars and discussions on line and live audio and video.

You can also sign up for free for this community (I highly recommend this as a free resource — but advise you to cancel if they start to charge for their site):

Podcast Movement Team: We Were Wrong!

Thus, as I do suggest for new and aspiring podcasters, this seems to be a good idea to join a community of podcasters that can be of benefit to you and your plans for improving your show and becoming a better podcaster.

Thank you for your attention.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation . All rights reserved.

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podcast

491- Podcast conferences and virtual tickets — a decision for podcasters

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In this episode of the Podcast Reporter, we REPURPOSE a prior podcast episode about the differences for the podcaster  of:

  • Live inbound in-person conferences in a venue with others;
  • Live virtual podcast conferences;
  • Live telesummit podcast conferences;
  • Live “unconferences” that implement the barcamp-style meeting; and
  • Virtual tickets for podcast events.

As you will hear in this 20-minute audio episode, each one of these types of podcast conferences/events is discussed, along with some examples of each from my own past experience.

Please note: since this is a REPURPOSED episode from an earlier podcast show, we deal with some of the events that may have shut down or may have been put on “hold” due to the travel restrictions of the 2020 virus crisis.

We hope that for new and aspiring podcasters, this episode may be helpful — so that the podcaster can decide which event will be worth the effort and time and money in which to participate, so that the event can help the podcaster’s show become a success.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2019-2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

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490- A request to end the myths of podcasting

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss and list for you some of the most common myths about podcasting. This was an article that was written recently, and it should help the new and aspiring podcasters understand what is magic-vs-myth-vs-reality.

In this article by M.R. Brown at medium.com, we see that the author reminds us of the Villanova study that presents the theory that if you consume by audio or video a meme or theme multiple times, then you may start to believe it to be real.

“Repetition of podcast myths is not helpful. And it sure won’t make you a better podcaster. You’ll fumble along, finding out what’s true and what’s not throughout your years. Well, let me save you some time.”

And the author then will go on to list the most common myths from his point of view. But he also warns that there is a cause-and-effect environment:  “All these myths affect you. Of course. But they also have a direct line to your listeners, too. You don’t want to turn them off to your show. Because without an audience, there’s not much of a reason for your podcast.”

And so the list of myths to be “busted” are:

  • Buy a Blue Yeti or a Snowball microphone (instead, the author suggests “What to do instead? Buy a Shure SM58 microphone, an xlr cable, and a simple recorder. If you’re looking to splurge a bit more, tac on a Focusrite Scarlett Solo and record directly into your software. Cut out the recorder middleman.”
  • Podcasts are expensive — and so, a budget should be made;
  • Podcasts have a low barrier to entry;
  • “If you make it, they will come…”
  • We can be like “the Daily” or “How I built this…”
  • One producer is enough;
  • Minimal editing on interview recording;
  • Blog posts can be podcast episodes;

Now, for this podcaster, a large part of these “myths” do reside in the hopeful mind of the aspiring or new podcaster. Perhaps you should read the article in detail, as the author does at least try to provide you with an alternative of what you should do instead of acting on the myth.

Hopefully, this content may be a good “lessons learned” from the personal experience of the author and help you to avoid what others have tried to reach for in the world of possible podcast myths.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and M.R. Brown of medium.com. All rights reserved.

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podcast

522- Podcasting Resource Guide — many categories to help podcasters

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss an earlier blog post that is a no charge site which allows a podcaster to access many categories and listings of podcast resources — from hardware to services, etc.  The site is delivered and promoted by Chris Krimitsos at podcastingresourcesguide.com.

Now, being offered for free, this site seems to be a good idea for the new and aspiring podcasters. So what used to be an arduous task of searching for — and rarely finding — an ideal resource for any part of podcasting now can be more organized and can be presented in a more logical manner to the podcaster. The sub-title of this site is “Find the tools + guidance you need” and as of the date of this post, it is available free (at no charge) for anyone to come and peruse and search the site for any podcast resource, software, hardware, service — i.e., anything related to podcasting.

Adverstisements in newsletters and blogposts call this site “The FREE SUMMARIZED Resource Guide EVERY Podcaster/Vidcaster Needs.”

For the past 16 years, I have seen so many sites try to advertise themselves as the “one-stop-shop” or “one-all-and-be-all” of podcasting resources (very much like the wealth of podcast newsletters that have sprung up in the last 5 years, stating that they are the most comprehensive and necessary newsletter for the podcaster).

But, however, this site caught my eyes by the various categories that were delivered. Over 23 categories allow the podcaster to choose from the landing page what tools or resources would be of interest. And if you land on there without planning for your search, there is even a GUIDE ME button that can help a new podcaster, or an experienced podcaster, or perhaps take a question from you.

In my quick search and test of the site for hardware and software tools and devices and programs, I found a number of resources in the double-digits. But this can be a good start for creating a rich library of resources that can be used very efficiently by the podcaster.

However, like so many sites before them, the efficiency and durability of a site like this is the contribution of the podcasting audience who attends this site for searching, as well as the number of resources that can grow with the help of other podcasters in the podosphere — but without having to pay for it.

So while the resource listing is free, I heartily recommend that you go to this site and check out the podcasting resources that are available to you — perhaps not as many as you would like now, but maybe you can help out by recommending a resource or two to be included. Then the site can really help all the podcasters out there.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Krimitsos and podcastingresourcesguide.com and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.

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podcast

488- Getting other podcasters to collaborate with you

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we reflect on a recent brief episode from buzzsprout.com in the form of a six-minute video. The subject was how to collaborate with other podcasters — and what was covered was how to get on other podcasters’ shows and how to get other podcasters to come to your show(s).

You can watch this six-minute video at this link:

This video suggests the following ways for podcaster collaborations (that is, by bringing influential guests on your podcast show and being a guest on others’ podcast shows):

  • Make your dream list of those podcasters or guests with somewhat similar relation that would be a good fit for your audience;
  • Pitch each person on your dream list to collaborate with you (including suggestions for initially getting in contact with them);
  • Decide which of 3 main ways to collaborate:
    • Guest star appearance;
    • Podcast “takeover” — i.e., dropping one of your episodes into the guest’s podcast feed to share the episode;
    • Record a podcast segment for the other podcaster’s show.

 

Now, for this podcaster, I have had experience in podcaster collaboration in both getting interviewees for my podcast shows (especially both The Struggling Entrepreneur / The Struggling Biz, as well as Podcast Reporter). And I also used what I learned from these collaborations for my other podcast interviews, such as the ones for veterans’ service organizations and podcast meetups. And I have, indeed, used all these strategies from this video at one time or another — and in one way or another — in my collaborations.

And I had developed a type of structured approach and workflow for doing this — from the idea stage, the planning stage, the preparation stage, the communication stage with the other podcaster, as well as the timing and synchronizing stage, the recording stage, the post-production and editing stage, the other podcaster’s reviews-and-approval stage, the posting of the episode stage, the publication stage and the promotion stage (with follow-up).

While the video goes into just 6-minutes of an overview, there is a lot more work to doing the collaboration correctly. In fact, I would compare the 6-minute video to the tip of an iceberg — that is, what was suggested is merely 5 per cent of the work involved to do it right.

I sincerely hope that you have all the right pieces in your project plan and project workflow to do podcaster collaboration correctly, so that you can have a successful interview, collaboration and episode — and thus, make your podcast successful.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and buzzsprout.com. All rights reserved.