Category: podcast

649- Choices for Podcast Production companies

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date March 17, 2023

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we deliver an interesting discussion of what a podcast production company may be like, and if it may be of benefit for you and your show. This comes from an article that is authored by Ben Krueger of cashflowpodcasting.com.

Ben Krueger

As I have mentioned in earlier posts of this show, I have known Ben since 2014, when he and I shared a booth at the very first Podcast Movement conference in Dallas, Texas. I do recommend him for his value that he delivers in his posts — many times, there are free resources with good documentation that are very helpful.

In this article, Ben lays out the format of information he delivers to the reader with the value that can be derived:
“Podcasting has exploded into mainstream media and choosing the right production company to help you create your podcast can be a daunting task…That’s why we’ve done the research and compiled our top 15 picks for podcast production companies in 2023. We’ve evaluated each company based on their reputation, experience, and the quality of their work….”

And Ben divides the discussion into these topics:

Is the Company Specialized in a Specific Content Niche or Industry

Top Business-to-Business (B2B) Podcast Production Companies

Top Narrative Podcast Production Companies

5. Lower Street

6. Quill

7. The Podcast Haven

8. Resonate Recordings

Top Podcast Production Companies For Businesses and Brands

9. Cashflow Podcasting

10. Castos Productions

11. Podfly

12. We Edit Podcasts

13. Freedom Podcasting Company

14. Podcast Fast Track

15. Pacific Content

In conclusion…

… and Ben discusses each theme with some details that can give you an idea of the topic, as well as an example or two as clarification proof points.

You have to ask yourself if the company that interests you is specialized in a specific content niche or industry that you find yourself and your show: “When selecting a podcast production company, it’s important to consider their area of expertise, whether it’s in a specific content niche or an industry.”

And you can gather from the firms that we listed for you the nature and the type of production company that may interest you. The list is a good starting point for the newer or aspiring podcaster, as it may help to understand what a production company is, what it does, what the strengths are of each firm, what the marketing hype may or may be, and how it can turn out to be a good introduction to a topic drowning in a lot of sales talk.

I highly recommend that you consume this article in detail and select one or several companies listed so that you can be thoroughly acquainted with these type of firms and the value that they promise for the podcaster. And since Ben has already limited the landscape of these firms for you, there is a good chance that your interest will be satisfied, and that you may find a good resource to help your show.

The end of the article delivers a “conclusion” that I feel is well stated for the podcaster. He says: “By partnering with an experienced podcast production company, you can be confident that you’re getting a team of professionals who will take care of everything from recording and editing to marketing and distribution. This allows you to focus on what you do best – creating high-quality content and engaging with your audience…Are you not seeing the results you were hoping for when you started your podcast? We encourage you to look for a podcast production company that offers strategy support or podcast coaching. With the right partner, your podcast has the potential to reach new heights and attract a wider audience than ever before.”

So I hope that you can determine if you need the services of a podcast production company, and that you can find one that will help you to make your show a success.

Thank you for your attention.

Tags Ben Krueger, cashflowpodcasting.com, Podcast production company, Podcastreporter.com

podcast

648- Podcasting AI tools for the podcaster

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date March 8, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter Show, we deliver some perspectives from an article that deals with AI audio tools in an article titled “Which AI Podcasting tools are worth using?”

In this article in ThePodcastHost.com, the author examines the idea of AI tools for podcasting, as well as using them to help the podcaster — especially the aspiring or new podcaster — in becoming more productive by perhaps using them in their workflow:

“AI podcasting tools are popping out like bunnies in springtime, promising quick, efficient and superhuman results. These tools vary, and none can exceed human ability, given enough time and resources. But if you need to have a task done quickly, some AI podcasting tools might be worth your consideration. Let’s look at processes like scripting and recording, marketing and promotion, and making your cover art or podcast logo. We’ll examine AI tools for these tasks, how they work, and whether or not they can help you.”

The sections in this article describe the following topics:

Text, speech and artificial voices;
Using ChatGPT and AI to a podcaster’s advantage in creating content or ideas;
Descript and dubbing and overdubbing voices;
Dubbing media and emotional impact;
Dubb Media and Podcastmarketing.ai
Marketing and PR tools — including emotional impact;
Can AI understand and promote your podcast?
AI and cover art and logos;
Example of AI art generators;
A discussion near the end of the article that asks you, the reader, if you should use AI tools, only because you can.

So if you have been hearing a lot about AI and the tools within this atmosphere, we encourage you to review the general comments in this article. It may give you a better idea of the rage which is now covering much of the podosphere circles — and you will be able to make intelligent decisions relating to the use of AI tools.

We would like to thank you for listening to this podcast episode, and we shall see you next time.

Tags AI, Artificial Intelligence, Podcastreporter.com, The, thepodcasthost.com

podcast

647- Daniel J Lewis — podcaster extraordinaire

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date March 4, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter Show, we discuss and applaud Daniel J Lewis, as well as his show, The Audacity to Podcast, as a valuable asset for podcasters. He is, by my book, a podcaster extraordinare

Even though he went a couple of times on a hiatus and took time off from his podcast business and shows, he is now back and has returned to the podosphere with full force and able to give us valuable content in many areas.

In addition to his role as a podcaster, he is also present in the Saturday morning show called Ask the Podcast Coach, which is hosted by Dave Jackson and Jim Collison and greatly contributes both to the chatroom and to others while live in the area of discourse.

Since his recent return to the podosphere as a full-time podcaster, his flagship show, The Audacity to Podcast, has covered in detail with valuable information, key topics that are critical for new and aspiring podcasters. Among some of his subjects are:

A discussion of the top audio editing apps;
Some key suggestions for creating a title for your show;
A discussion of whether your photo image should be in the cover art of your show;
The best link to share your podcast show;
Should your guest names be in the title of the episode?
What is the best time of day to release episodes?
The best day of the week for publication of episodes;
How to make episode artwork greater for your show;
What you need to know about seasons for your podcasts;
What about episode numbers in your podcast shows?
Promoting older podcast episodes;
Ways in which you can thank your podcast audience;
Video episodes where he conducts interviews live with expo hall demonstrators at conferences, like Podcast Movement;
The good, bad and ugly of Podcast Networks — with personal history as to why he shut his down;
and more

In addition to his content within his podcast show(s), Daniel also has his business where he is promoting and selling products that he, himself, created and marketed — such as My Podcast Reviews.

Another business is his Podcasters Society community. This is a program that I joined at its inception, and which can provide great value for all its members. On the site of this COMMUNITY (which is somewhat like Mastermind Group), Daniel describes it in this way:

“Improve the quality and success of your podcast through an encouraging community, inspirational training, and expert support!

Refine your content
Enhance your presentation
Streamline your production
Boost your promotion
Increase your PROFIT”

Now, I have known Daniel since 2010, when I first interviewed him at the time on my podcast show called The Struggling Entrepreneur. And I have been in conferences (like New Media Expo) when he was recognized with the award for his podcast show. And, yes, I have participated in several offers and offerings he has had.

My respect for Daniel J Lewis nothing less than exceptional. As a podcaster and developer and marketer, I highly promote him and his content and podcast shows to all podcasters, especially the newer and aspiring podcasters.

So I would continue to recommend and suggest that you check out and consume his podcast show, The Audacity to Podcast, as well as his conference demo interviews from the expo hall of the conferences.

This is detail explained in plain English terms and will be of value to podcasters worldwide.

Thank you for reading and listening to this episode, and we shall see you next time.

Tags Daniel J Lewis, podcasterssociety.com, Podcastreporter.com, theaudacitytopodcast.com

podcast

646- The value of podcast networks

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date February 25, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter Show, we focus on the possible value of podcast networks. This is discussed a bit in an article by Ashley Hamer in which the description and value of podcast networks are given, along with some of the more popular podcast networks today. The article is titled “What is a Podcast Network? Everything you need to know.”

The following sections are included in this article:

A definition of a podcast network: “A podcast network is a collection of podcasts under the umbrella of one company, which promotes those shows with a shared platform of advertisers.” Or another definition of it may be: “A podcast network is a company or organization that manages a group of shows. Sometimes they’re centered on a theme, like pop culture or politics, but often the only common thread is the network itself.”
A caveat: some creative control may be at stake for the podcaster in some instances, as the network negotiates the revenue contracts due to bulk advertisements for many shows.
How the networks help podcasts with their marketing and advertising: “…you may gain access to better sponsorship opportunities.”
They may offer production help;
They may help with audience growth, since they pride themselves on their protected audience already;
They offer cross-promotion on other podcasts;
A discussion on common requirements to join a podcast network, including metrics and cross-promotion duties, as well as agreeing to the revenue-sharing percentages offered;
But some benefits can be convincing– including taking the marketing and advertising “off your plate.” This includes identifying, contacting and negotiating with sponsors;
There are also benefits for the sponsor: “Some advertisers prefer to spread their investment across multiple podcasts, instead of making one large ad purchase on a single show.”
The sponsor may help you get discovered by a “warm audience.”
You can put more time and effort and energy into the creative process than advertising or administrivia;
However, you may NOT receive 100 per cent of the revenues from participating in a podcast network;
You may also have to “cede some creative control” in a network;
The author also gives some tips you may consider before joining a podcast network — including details on the revenue-sharing model, services provided, metrics used, length of a contract and early terminating consequences, as well as possible production services, etc.
And there is a list of 5 of the most famous podcast networks (including Wondery and iHeartRadio).

For newer and aspiring podcasters who have a key objective of monetizing their podcasts and growing audiences through cross-promotion, I would highly suggest this article for basic education of podcast networks.

Also, there is a past podcast episode that gives much detail and experience from podcaster Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast show. This could be very important, since he was part of a podcast network in his early years (and was probably instrumental in setting one up). He tells the good, the bad and the ugly about podcast networks, just as he did when he created his “mastermind” group called PodcastersSociety. I would definitely suggest that you would educate yourselves by consuming those two episodes from his library of podcast episodes on The Audacity to Podcast show. The episode on podcast networks is located at:

https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-we-retired-our-podcast-network/:

We sincerely hope that you can be successful in joining (or, if you are bold enough) starting a podcast network, so that your show will grow and that you can monetize your podcasts to your benefit.

Thank you for listening and for your attention.

Tags Ashley Hamer, Daniel J Lewis, podcast network, Podcastreporter.com, theaudacitytopodcast.com

podcast

645- Mobile and Global Podfest events — support for conferences

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date February 23, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we review the concept of both virtual and global and local Podfest events. This is now growing, and the mobile podcast conferences are reaching many podcasters in the local area, as well as the virtual events — in addition to the global online event.

In this unrehearsed and live episode, we explore in an impromptu manner the various events (and at one point we even compare and contrast the podfestmovement.com events) and describe how the local events are very much like the older podcamp events that took place in the first decade of the podosphere.

You may be interested in participating in the Podfest Global Online event.

Thank you for listening and we hope to see you at one of the Podfest virtual online events soon.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Podfest Multimedia Expo and virtual and global Podfest and Daniel J Lewis and podcamp and podcastmovement.com. All rights reserved.

Tags Daniel J Lewis, podcamp, Podcastreporter.com, Podfest, podfestglobal.online

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644- BONUS – Breakthrough strategies for entrepreneurs and podcasters

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date February 17, 2023

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In this Bonus episode, we discuss some ideas on capturing and implementing BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES. It does not matter whether you are an entrepreneur seeking ideas to improve your business and creating revenue streams. And if you are a creative professional or content creator (such as myself, as a podcaster), this can also be the roadmap to take advantage of those moments — whether accidental or not — to grasp ideas and turn them into manageable and actionable plans for successful execution.

Now, when I first thought about breakthrough strategies when I first saw the terms “Business Breakthrough Strategies” in a business card which I received from a conversation with another at a conference that I had just attended. I really studied this more while on a plane when returning back from the event. Of course, those 3 words were the ones that were in the name of the small business. What I saw on the back of the business card was the 4 x 4 square with the words underneath the image: “How many squares do you see?”

Of course, the answer to that question is one that I already gave in my course of personal productivity to try an get the students to get the mind primed for patterned recognition and making thoughtful leaps into the data and going beyond. So this is the tale of the entrepreneur who called his firm “Business Breakthrough Strategies” (since 1998).

So now, when I hear those terms again, it gave me the pattern to create and form an idea for either revenue-generating tactics and projects, or else some creative strategies.

And here are three questions that Todd Henry in his podcast show called The Accidental Creative said that should be used in looking for the breakthrough strategies:

what does a good idea even “look like?”
do you have the appropriate level of FOCUS to identify and define it effectively (i.e., will you recognize it)?
will you know how to implement this idea effectively after refinement of the idea?

Now, Todd gives detail about ideas and tasks that you need to include in your daily life and workflow to generate these ideas and move them into actionable strategies for your business or your content creativity. He describes them within the term “showmergence.”

I would suggest that you consume that podcast episode that explains this concept, for it may give you some creative thoughts to help you develop some tactics that improve your creative suggestions and benefit your business, as well as your content creation.

We would like to thank you for your attention, and thank you for listening. We shall see you next time.

Tags breakthroughs, Podcastreporter.com, the strugglingbiz.com, theaccidentalcreative.com, Todd Henry

podcast

643- Suggestions for Optimizing podcast audio

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date February 11, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we deliver a summary of the suggested publication by Ben Krueger called “How to Optimize Your Podcast Audio Quality” in 2023.

Ben Krueger

From his previous podcast shows and episodes — as well as his written posts with free pdfs and suggestions that actually brought value in the form of suggested theories and tasks — Ben delivers some steps and general practices that could, indeed, help your podcast audio quality improve and be more attractive to the listener.

Most of these are free or can be done very cheaply using a DIY approach.

Key suggestion: One major point to note if you want to improve the audio quality of your podcast is the importance of “taking a bit of time (about an hour or two) to test these things out and experiment to find what works best for you to optimize your podcast audio quality.”

After reading and implementing the tips, Ben recommends that you review and “tweak things if it isn’t sounding quite right and then record another test to listen back on and critique.”

Obviously, the important item to remember is to record your audio in the highest quality (e.g., bit rate, less ambient sounds and noise, etc.). And Ben reminds of this before he begins his survey of audio quality.

Ben then deals with the topics of:

equipment — reminders to wear earbuds or headphones for analyzing sound quality at the time of recording;
avoiding the use of speakers;
use of microphones — including the use of pop filters and mic stands with the list of suggested mics;
setting the mic input levels in your DAW (i.e., digital audio workstation);
then setting up the environment — whether you may be in a studio or use your closet or your home rooms as your “studio” to cancel any noise and have a silent area for you to record:
minimizing background sounds and noises;
And TECHNIQUES of audio recording — including placement and care during your recording;
And he gives some general suggestions for audio settings for Zoom calls on separate audio tracks:

ZOOM SETTINGS FOR RECORDING SEPARATE AUDIO TRACKS

And he also recommends some “pro tips” for those who may run into the land-mine areas of novice mistakes (e.g., keeping the temporary recording files), including TESTING the mics beforehand and BONUS Zoom tips;

So, we hope that the new and aspiring podcasters can get a few tips from Ben in his quest to help out the newbies to avoid common mistakes and improve the audio quality of their podcast recording.

We thank you for listening, and we are grateful for your attention.

Tags Ben Krueger, cashflowpodcasting.com, Podcastreporter.com

podcast

642- The lost practice of Podcast bumpers

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date February 6, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we discuss the eroding practice of podcast bumpers. This is, for us, a sad loss in creating and recognizing podcasts of value (since 2005).

As you will hear in this podcast, we mention both Leo LaPorte of TWIT and from The Audacity to Podcast show creator, Daniel J Lewis, as well as others.

So why is this very famous and heavily used practice now fading from the podosphere today?

As cases in point, we deliver some examples of past podcast bumpers which I have delivered to others, as well as other podcasters’ delivering them to myself and my shows:

Leo LaPorte and his bumper in 2013 at the NMX show;
Daniel J Lewis from his show of The Audacity to Podcast;
A bumper from myself for the show Brunch with the Brits; and
A bumper from myself to Ray Ortega in 2 examples — one that proves the value of Ray’s show.

As you will hear in this episode, they are included.

In my opinion, the practice is eroding due to the following reasons:

Loss of value by the branding podcaster delivering the bumper (e.g., Leo LaPorte of TWIT);
Not being able to promote or deliver a bumper due to the podfading of the recipient podcast show or podcaster (e.g., Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast, who earlier sent a bumper to the now-faded podcast show of mine, The Struggling Entrepreneur;
The change of political recognition of the podcaster who delivered a podcast earlier, but is now going woke — and the receiving podcast does not want to be affiliated by the woke podcasts;
The trend to be self-recognizing and refusing to be part of a group or podcaster that once mentioned your show of value;
Not being able to incorporate bumpers from the marketing tactics of promoting podcast conferences. This was a practice that was used by the Podcast Brothers podcast show, in preparation for the Podcast and Portable Media Expo in 2006 and 2007. Unfortunately, the owners of the new conferences tend not to include these at all any more.

So, thus, we may ask if there will be a return to podcast bumpers in the near future? I, myself, do not see this, mainly because of the ideologies of the owners of the conference, and the refusal of podcasters to be aligned or recognized with the political views of the show owners. That is, they do NOT want to damage their brand by being aligned with the political beliefs of the owners of the show.

And that also goes for the podosphere, as well. Podcasters want to be neutral in the podopshere and do not want to be canceled or censored or be discriminated because of the title or nature of their show.

So, my perspective is that the politics of the podcasters must not be included or recognized and politicized by the listeners in the podosphere so that we can all celebrate the value from the shows which we want to promote — and that means keeping political views and ideologies out of podcasting shows, conferences and potential podcast bumpers.

Thank you for your attention.

Tags Adam Curry, bumper, Daniel J Lewis, Leo Laporte, Podcastreporter.com, ray ortega, The audacity to podcast, twit

podcast

641- Perspectives from some podcasters after Podfest 2023

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date January 30, 2023

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we deliver to you a REPURPOSED audio clip from another podcast episode called 2030Podcast.com.

The six minutes that we deliver to you are completely natural, impromptu and NOT rehearsed in any way.

The dialogue was from a show that had 2 co-hosts discussing several topics, one of which was an explanation of perspectives on the last day of Podfest Expo 2023. The co-hosts were both myself (known as Sergeant Fred) and my co-host, Matt Cox (who is a podcaster himself with his flagship show called BrunchwiththeBrits.net).

On the last day of the Podfest 2023 conference, we were discussing my views of the conference, as I had supported the event with my virtual ticket (as I cannot travel due to medical and health reasons).

As you will hear in the 6-minute discussion, we first are grateful to both Darren O’Neill and Sir Ryan Bemrose of the podcast show called GrumpyOldBens.com for their “atta-boy” to us about our other show, 2030Podcast.com.

Then we explain the positive aspects of the growing conference. And sadly, as we compare this conference with the upcoming Podcast Movement events, we also deliver the ugly news of how the latter devolved into a racist, bigoted and censorhip-oriented woke-based event where you will be canceled and not allowed to participate due to any political beliefs that are not in line with the administrators of the conference. This was proven in the last PM conference, where bigotry, hatred, cancelation and censorship were practiced against a company that had bought themselves a booth for $20,000 for the event. So we see that there is no adherence to the claim of inclusivity, since there was pure discrimination practiced at Podcast Movement. And therefore, I do NOT support that show at all (even though I did participate in the very first PM conference in Dallas in 2014 and have supported the show until now).

So, with this discussion, we clip for you our dialogue that described our feelings of PM, along with Podfest, and our memories of how wonderful the New Media Expo was in Las Vegas in 2015.

We hope that you will enjoy a candid discussion that was completely natural and unrehearsed about these Podcast events.

Thank you for your attention.

Tags darren o'neill, grumpyoldbens.com, New Media Expo 2015, podcast movement, Podcastreporter.com, Podfest 2023, randumbthoughts.com, Sir Ryan Bemrose

podcast

640- Stages of your podcast and resources for specific help

Post author By fcastaneda
Post date January 27, 2023

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In this episode, we refer to a post by Ben Krueger (creator of site and podcast at cashflowpodcasting.com) that presents links to resources that can help newer and starting podcasters in several stages of making your podcast shows successful.

Ben Krueger

These stages do have help and support from offerings by Ben from is site of CashFlowPodcasting.com:

So, depending on where you are in the stages of podcasting, perhaps the tools and support offered by Ben Krueger can be a life-saver by saving you time and giving you the education for that specific element.

Now, I have known Ben since 2014, when he and I shared a booth in the expo hall at the first Podcast Movement conference in Dallas, Texas. I have also received and downloaded some of his tips and help from pdf files which he distributed to all at no cost.

Note that these links in his post at the link given to the recipients of his email list in an email note take the user to the site where he lists elements needed for success, along with offers and offerings which he can deliver to the starting of newer podcasters.

I would strongly suggest that you check out his site for the topics that he has listed and see if there can be information of value for you the specific stage of your podcasting. I would think that you may find gems of help and some value for you at any of the stages.

Thank you for your attention, and thanks for listening.

Tags Ben Krueger, podcastmovement.com, Podcastreporter.com