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podcast

431A- Why should one start a podcast in 2020 — Ben Krueger

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we deliver our perspectives of a podcast episode (#E260) which is also an article written by Dennis Brown of the Growth Experts podcast show that highlights Ben Krueger of cashflowpodcasting.com and wonders if you should start a podcast in what is left this year. The title of the article is “Should you start a podcast in 2020?”

Now, Dennis does give us a good table of contents (with time codes from the audio episode) for his podcast interview episode in which he digs into the details of the question about starting a podcast in 2020 from a business perspective:

2:10 – Why did Ben choose Podcasting as a business 8 years ago?

5:26 – Ben shares to us the scale and size of his podcasting business as of today.

6:17 – He also mentioned some clients that he has been currently working with.

8:35 – Ben picked a business superpower he wished he had.

10:17 – The stats and standing of podcasting as of today in the world.

15:50 – How to be a leader in your podcasting niche.

16:53 – We talked about one of the huge indicators in whether or not podcasting is for you and Dennis’s personal opinion.

19:11 – Why a business podcast is a great channel for the right time and the right type of business.

21:49 – Dennis answered why did he not start a LinkedIn and social selling podcast.

23:36 – The right personality if you want to pursue podcasting as your medium.

26:15 – We talked about podcast types and how long is the duration of a podcast.


We mention this now, as we are about to close the third quarter of 2020 and enter into the last quarter. For many entrepreneurs, they may feel as if it is too late to begin one this year, and they may want to start a podcast in 2021 at the beginning of the year. In this way, the planning will be better, and the economy should pick up after the elections, and the virus crisis should calm down — thus, the outlook may be better for success in a podcast.

Ben Krueger

Ben is an experienced business podcaster, author and consultant. I have known him since 2014 (when I met him at the initial Podcast Movement conference).

Now, you can listen to the audio episode interview from the links given already, and there is a download button for you to download the episode, if you wish. It is a 30MB file, but the audio quality is good.

One interesting item is the “superpower” skill set that is described during the interview. Another one is Ben’s perspective of how to become a leader in a podcasting niche as a starter podcaster.

For this podcaster, I recommend this interview for any aspiring or new podcasters that want to go and be successful in a niche. I feel that the benefit for you could be the generation of ideas and the direction of your niche.


We hope that your podcast niche will be a successful one — and the year 2020 still offers opportunities for the newcomers, even though there are a million different shows available in the podosphere today.

Thank you for your attentions.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Ben Krueger and Dennis Brown. All rights reserved.

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podcast

427- Podcasts about podcasting

In this very brief episode of podcastreporter.com, we focus on a list of podcast shows whose subject is PODCASTING. This list was initially delivered in July of 2020 by Dave Jackson in his schoolofpodcasting.com site and was mentioned in various podcast episodes from him. In fact, the title of this list is “Podcasts about Podcasting — the never-ending list.”

When we look at the list, Dave has not only divided the entire list by different categories, but he also has let you know which of these shows is no longer active. He did this by striking a line through the title (e.g., the list has the podcast show of “Your Podcast Consultant” with the strike-through added.

As you will hear in this audio episode, the categories for the list include the following (and in the order in which they appear on the list):

  • Active “how-to” podcasts;
  • Podcasters being interviewed;
  • Occasional episodes; and
  • Shows on hiatus (podfaded),

We would like to mention that this show of The Podcast Reporter is listed in the first category of Active How-to Podcasts with the subject line of “Podcasting News.”

Now, this list has grown over the past 15 years under the watchful eye of Dave Jackson of The School of Podcasting as a key podcaster and content creator. You see, in the early days of the podosphere in 2005 and following, the list was rather small, and all the podcasters with shows about podcasting could have been gathered together in person at the first Podcast and Portable Media Expo in Ontario, California, in 2005 and 2006.

So, as a reference for the media, as well as the new and aspiring (and even older and experienced) podcasters, this list can show how much the podcasting community has embraced those shows whose topic revolves around podcasting and the podosphere.

By the way, this list also received an honorable mention in a recent issue of the podnews.net newsletter.

So, if you want to keep on top  of the podcasting space, you may want to review the list and subscribe to some of these more active shows whose subjects may be of interest to you. And in this way, you can continue to be on top of your game in podcasting, as well as become knowledgeable in the podosphere as a content creator and podcaster. We hope that his list will provide you with yet another resource for your own knowledge, education and be of value to you.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Dave Jackson from The School of Podcasting. All rights reserved.

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podcast

425- Importance of podcast Scripts

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we focus on an article found in the July issue of medium.com that dealt with scripts in podcasting. The title of the article is “Scripting Down Your Podcast : How Important is it?”

In this article, the topic of the importance of podcast scripts is reviewed from the point of view of the value to the podcaster.

In the beginning of the article, the key factor articulated is that “Having a script will help you deliver your message in a more effective manner.”

Then the article delivers some tips to frame a great podcast script. In addition to creating a road map of your episode topics, the article also suggests that you maintain a conversational tone (and not an overly technical one), as well as leaving some room (or markers) for impromptu topics that will suggest spontaneity in your content. And although I, myself, do not recommend the following tip, the article suggests that you even indicate certain patterns of speech: “mark out the specific lines for pauses, laughs, emphasis, and sighs.”  (You see, for myself, these audio noises should be natural and sometimes spontaneous)

And finally, the article even includes some tips for quality scripting with a suggested podcast script template. This framework would give you the following areas of content for a “quality script”:

  • 1. Sponsor message
    2. Introduction
    3. Musical jingle/sound effects
  • 4. A longer explanation of what’s in store
    5. Topic 1
    – Main point
    – Supporting point
    – Supporting data
    – Supporting quote
    6. Segue
    7. Topic 2
    – Main point- Supporting point
    – Supporting data
    – Supporting quote
    8. Sponsor message
    9. Topic 3
    – Main point
    – Supporting point
    – Supporting data
    – Supporting quote
    10. Segue
    11. Outro
    12. Call to action
    13. Sponsor message
    14. Musical jingle/sound effect

And, as you can see, the detailed script becomes quite a template for production of a full episode.

Now, for this podcast reporter, I have done scripting like the above in the early days of my podcasting experience — back from 2006. However, with practice and experience, I have been able to break away from the chains of such a strict template to a brief outline or a detailed outline (depending upon the nature of the topic, the interviewee involved, and the amount of minutia or details concerned).

For the novice or new podcaster, or for the aspiring podcaster, the above template can give an idea to the podcaster of how much detailed work there is to plan for a quality podcast episode instead of just “winging it” or doing a “roll your own on the fly” episode.

However, perhaps your episode need not be so rigorous or strict or detailed. A good, solid outline can be a perfect substitute once your audio conversational skills are perfected, and when you can learn to be spontaneous with a guest, or when you can have enough background in your topic to go “off script” (as they say in the media).

Whichever method you choose, a script can be a good training tool. It can also be the foundation for creating good show notes and ensure that you have good skills in planning your podcast episodes. And perhaps you may want to create your own template — suited to your skills, your personality, your podcast show and your topics.

So we hope that your scripting skills can be improved and that your planning for your episodes will help make your podcast show successful in growing your audience and making loyal fans of your listeners.

Thank you for your attention.

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

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podcast

422- Podcasting Pundit Paul Colligan at Podcast Movement 2020

In this issue of PodcastReporter.com, we repurpose a prior episode of this show (#328), where we interviewed Paul Colligan on the exhibit hall show floor of the Podcast Movement 2020 conference (known as Evolutions).

Now, Paul Colligan has been a podcaster since 2004, and he has been a strategist for profitable podcasting. He also developed and sold his own product in 2007-2008 that provided support for a one-to-one RSS feed delivery and key deliverables for good revenue streams and podcasts (which was known as PremiumCast).

In addition to being a luminary, a content creator with videos, blogs and other media deliverables, Paul is also a screencaster, a solution provider, a trusted advisor  and thought leader for the podcasting and New Media space. He is highly regarded by all of the early podcasters and has been not only a role model, but also a mentor to many (such as myself). As a matter of fact, my I was a member of his “member” program called New Media Inner Circle and also took his course called Podcast Secrets in 2007.

Now, we had interviewed Paul before a major event that was the key for podcasters in 2015 (i.e., the NMX or New Media Expo in Las Vegas). In that episode, Paul gave us not only the state of the podosphere at that time, but also where he felt that podcasting would be going in the next five years — that is, 2020). And here is the link to the audio file:

Paul plans to launch yet another podcast, and he will call it The Aging Tech Show. This is planned to be a model for podcasting that will be current with a lot of fun for strategies for profitable podcasting — among other things.

In addition, Paul also will update his book series on podcasting (originally started with the title of “How to Podcast” — since 2015 and 2016).

So, we encourage all podcasters to subscribe to his podcast show called The Podcast Report. It is delivered by Paul for each season, and it contains gems that do prove to be of value to all podcasters.

We hope that all you podcasters enjoy Paul’s books, his videos, his new show, as well as The Podcast Report — and that the content from his programs will help to make you successful in your podcasting.

Thank you for our attention.

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

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podcast

420- Podcasting Secret Sauce

In this episode of PodcastReporter.com, we focus on an article written recently by Steve Pratt at Pacific Content called “Podcasting’s Secret Sauce…REVEALED!”

Now, although this may sound like a lot of hype, this evergreen content may be useful and be of value to the new and aspiring podcasters who need to understand WHAT TO DO toward making their podcast show more successful — and more important, what NOT to do (or keep on doing) so that the show does not stagnate.

So, for the past 15 years of my experience as a podcaster or involved in the podosphere, I have seen many a book or publication or blog or have listened to many a podcast episode about what to do to “guarantee success” in podcasting. And this goes all the way from the 2013 episodes of John Lee Dumas when he emphasized the secrets of getting on the iTunes “New and NoteWorthy” listing and visuals to the courses that can just about convince you to quit your day-job and go into a full-time successful career in podcasting.

However, many of the so-called self-appointed pundits did not really call their strategies a “secret sauce.” As a matter of fact, the course that I took myself as a teleseminar and audio sessions was that by Paul Colligan called Podcast Secrets in 2007-2010. And this was really a business course that taught you how to design a business for creating a profitable podcast. And it did work for those interested into putting in the time, the trouble and the continuing effort to update, to nurture and to pursue the work of maintaining and growing the podcast show.

As you will read in the blog post from Mr. Pratt, many podcasters started in 2005 with the idea from The Field of Dreams movie that “if they build it, they will come.” Well, podcasting is one environment where they will NOT come if you build it — not with over a million shows giving stiff competition and with problems in discovery for your show.

You have to create strategies to plan, to record, to publish, to promote, to monitor and to nurture your podcast show and all its episodes — and also to be able to update your show from feedback resulting from the results of your show to improve over time and grow your audience. And also, you can do the same for any revenue streams that are created from your podcast.

And this article from Mr. Pratt allows the reader to consume the areas needed for the management of the podcast — from creation to nurturing, and then to go on to the follow-on strategies in case you have to pivot, due to the business conditions or other unforseen circumstances (e.g., the virus crisis of 2020).

He considers the “easy” tasks for the new podcasters to be the following (very much like the old television ads of the 1960s called “the lazy man’s way”): “In podcasting, here are some of the things that are easy:

  • Record an extended interview or conversation and don’t edit it
  • Publish your podcast on a wide variety of platforms
  • Promote your podcast by writing a single, easy cheque to a single publisher

If you only do the easy things, you’re much more likely to end up in the Field of Nightmares. You will build it and no one will come.”


But then you can see the different points that Mr. Pratt gives for seriously considering the effort in making your podcast successful — i.e., what he calls his “secret sauce.”

Among these are nine different elements that contribute to success. For, as he will tell you, If you do this type of hard work, you will build something great and tell all the right people about it. They will come and they will listen. There is no EASY button.”

Now, what is my perspective after having been a podcaster for nearly 15 years? I would strongly suggest that you reflect upon each of these elements and see if you have thought through and created plans and strategies that can help you to monitor the success of each one, just to ensure that your podcast is going in the right direction — whether it be a profit-making podcast or a hobby podcast or even a corporate podcast.

Although they seem to be overly simple and easy, please note that the most simple plans are usually the most difficult ones to create, implement and monitor to a successful conclusion. As I emphasize again from the article, you may have a lot of buttons for your business, but in the world of successful podcast shows, “there is no EASY button.”

I wish you the best in generating your strategies and putting in the hard work to create and implement your podcast and find your own “secret sauce” to success.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Steve Pratt at blog.pacific-content.com. All rights reserved.

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podcast

415- Opportunities for podcasters in screencasting

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we deliver a repurposed episode. This was originally published earlier when it was mainly a story about Lon Naylor of screencapturevideo.com (which was previously known as LearnCamtasia.com).

Note: Lon had been a joint venture partner with myself several years ago when we launched a training product called “Podcasting for Screencasters.” (with an earlier promotional pdf from before)

Lon is an entrepreneur who is a professional screencaster and Powerpoint instructor with his site and his background. He is a noted instructor in the video training and tutorial environment with Camtasia Studio from Techsmith.

Note: Lon’s current tutorials and training site for videos and screencasts is now at ScreenCaptureVideo.com. And this newer site has all the benefits and content of value from his prior flagship site.

As you will hear in this repurposed audio episode, new opportunities exist for current podcasters who want to extend their reach, gain new audiences and possibly monetize their business opportunities with screencasts.

This episode has been edited slightly to update the information for today’s environment. Lon still has his training series of screen capturing video tools in both Camtasia and Powerpoint.

However, the opportunity still exists for podcasters to move into the area of screencasting for extending the reach of their business to new audiences (in the video area and professional training arena) — but with complimentary skills that can shorten the learning curve for podcasters. And do not forget the possibility of generating some revenue streams to increase your income for your business with these new skills and creating valuable screencast content.

We hope that you, as a podcaster, can quickly acquire the complimentary skills and therefore make your own business more successful as also a screencaster.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Lon Naylor of screencapturevideo.com. All rights reserved.

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podcast

406- Podcasting as a beautiful anarchy

In this episode of PodcastReporter.com, we discuss a theme proposed in a podcast episode of Todd Henry’s The Accidental Creative recently.

The experiences of one’s life may be “living in defiance of conventions.” In fact, as you will hear in this audio episode, my own examples of detours from the rules and conventional wisdom seem to be anything but linear.

An example of a non-linear experience of a young podcaster is exemplified in The Savvy Creative — a detour from conventional wisdom and a rush to live the experiences of a “bucket list.”

Now, for myself, the podosphere has presented me the non-linear detours and passion of creativity that can be fulfilling as a “beautiful anarchy.”

We hope that you can learn from Todd and his episode and interview about the non-linear “beautiful anarchy” that perhaps can enrich your life in the area of creativity.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Todd Henry of the accidental creative. All rights reserved.

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podcast

402- Podcast success metrics — a discussion

Here at PodcastReporter.com, we discuss the age-old question of: what are the vital podcast metrics and factors for success in podcasting?

We address this theme by turning to discussions by a couple of advanced podcasters who have had many years of experience in the podosphere with their own podcasts. This theme is covered by these podcasters in recent episodes:

I feel that you will find the discussions, examples, motivators and results of great interest to you, as you determine how you will measure your success factors and metrics for your show.

We wish you the best in getting the results you desire for a great show.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Daniel J Lewis and Evo Terra. All rights reserved.

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podcast

399- Update on the fears of podcasting

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we re-visit the topic of some new media creatives that may have FEARS in thinking about podcasting.

The original topic was presented to us in episode number 55 in the back-catalog of The Audacity to Podcast from Daniel J Lewis. And we plan to add more fears in this update of this specific topic.

Now, in the original podcast episode in 2011, Daniel presented us with seven major fears, which were:

  • It is not worth the time;
  • I don’t have enough to say;
  •  No one will want to listen to me;
  • People will not like me;
  • Podcasting is too hard;
  • Podcasting costs too much;
  • I hate the sound of my own voice.

And in this episode update, we add the following reasons that may appear to be excuses that can be overcome (some may be similar, but not exactly the same in detail):

  • I don’t want to be a techie;
  • I cannot make any money;
  • I am scared to podfade;
  • It is too competitive;
  • I don’t want to learn or do SEO (search engine optimization);
  • I don’t want to become a loner or introvert;
  • It’s too time-consuming;
  • Any enthusiasm can die;
  • I don’t want my hobby to become an obsession;
  • I don’t want to burn out.

So, if you make a checklist for yourself and cross each one out when you overcome it. And we sincerely hope that you, as a podcaster, can learn to overcome any fears of these 17 reasons for podcasting — and then you can enjoy the passion of podcasting and be successful.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and episode TAP55 from Daniel J Lewis of theaudacitytopodcast.com. All rights reserved.

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podcast

391- Acoustic improvements for podcasting

In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss the audio issues from home studios that could be rectified by implementing improvements for acoustics. The article (and an earlier one mentioned in the audio episode) was published recently about acoustics from Buzzsprout.com by Kevin Finn

We also mention the 2006 suggestion for reducing the audio or acoustic problems of podcasting from home by Paul Colligan in his earlier podcast show called Podcast Tools Weekly Update (now podfaded) — and this suggestion was to record your episode with a blanket over your head.

We hope that your audio quality will be the best and be reverb-free and hissing-free, so that this will improve your podcast episodes.

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright (c) 2020, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Buzzsrpout.com and Paul Colligan. All rights reserved.