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647- Daniel J Lewis — podcaster extraordinaire

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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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.

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646- The value of podcast networks

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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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Ashley Hamer and descript.com. All rights reserved.

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645- Mobile and Global Podfest events — support for conferences

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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.

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644- BONUS – Breakthrough strategies for entrepreneurs and podcasters

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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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Todd Henry and TheAccidentalCreative.com. All rights reserved.

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643- Suggestions for Optimizing podcast audio

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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

Zoom Settings for Optimizing Your Podcast Audio Quality

  • 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;
Ben Krueger

 

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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Ben Krueger. All rights reserved.

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642- The lost practice of Podcast bumpers

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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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Leo LaPorte and Daniel J Lewis and Ray Ortega and Matt Cox. All rights reserved.

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641- Perspectives from some podcasters after Podfest 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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Podfest 2023 and Podcast Movement and New Media Expo. All rights reserved.

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640- Stages of your podcast and resources for specific help

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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.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Ben Krueger. All rights reserved.

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639A- Podcast interviews — the same old song retold again

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we discuss the old tale of how to conduct an interview — since I feel that many today are especially boring and not well informed. I say this, as I have been interviewing in podcasting since 2006. And this is a skill that I learned and developed over the past 17 years.

Here, we review an article in the podosphere on conducting a “good” interview at this link: https://www.morningbrew.com/sidekick/stories/art-of-interviewing-work-life

and we summarize the steps that we have known about for the past 17 years (as if they were new). The subtitle is “Tips and tricks for asking good questions that get good answers.”

The steps are the following from duo interviewers and contributors of this article — namely “Sidekick spoke with legendary journalist, author, and contributor to the New Yorker, Ken Auletta; Spotify podcast host and storyteller, Lea Palmieri; and former CNN executive editor of international features and current editor of Spotify-owned channels, Neil Curry.”

Here are some more tips from these “experts”:

  • Listen carefully. You may have scripted questions, but be sure to let the conversation flow. “[When] you’re really listening to that person, at that point, you’re having a dialogue. And you’re taking them into areas maybe they hadn’t been. So you may get some surprising answers,” Auletta said. But also read the room, Palmieri advised. Evaluate whether the person is comfortable with sharing more, and then ask questions accordingly.
  • Don’t rush to fill the silence. Wait when there’s a moment of silence during your interview, Auletta advised. Often interviewees will speak more to fill the void themselves. “They’ll sense that you’re not happy with their answer…and they’re going to want to satisfy you with an answer,” he said.
  • Know your questions well. Connecting with your subject and maintaining an easygoing back-and-forth is important, but having a clear understanding of what answers you want to elicit helps keep the conversation on track, Palmieri said. If a subject steers off-topic because they connected with you, indulge for a moment and then bring it back.
  • Be agreeable. “When people are comfortable with someone in a conversation, they tend to be more open,” Auletta said. Palmieri and Curry agreed: Set the scene and make small talk or ask someone about their interests, but make yourself approachable. Let your body language and your demeanor reflect that you’re open-minded and willing to listen to their story without judgment.
  • Interview with confidence. “No matter who you’re interviewing, don’t be overawed,” said Curry. “You have a right to be in that room. They’re sitting down with you and they’re listening to your questions…and don’t be afraid of a cliché question [like] ‘How did you feel?’ That is the essential question of most interviews.”

Now, in the past, I have done literally hundreds (if not thousands) of creative podcast interviews. And I did listen to those who really knew the subject in the podosphere, some of which who had their own podcast shows and who really are “experts.” And here is a partial list, in my opinion:

  • Tom Schwab
  • Paul Colligan
  • Jason Van Orden
  • Dave Jackson
  • Rob Walch
  • Adam Curry
  • John C Dvorak
  • Daniel J Lewis
  • Ray Ortega
  • Jim Collison
  • Tee Morris
  • Bill O’Reilly
  • and many others since 2004…

However, the initial list in this article forgets to mention that you must know your subject very well by doing the right research ahead of time and knowing how to pursue the recording to make it sound natural, informative and interesting.

From my perspective, if you really want to be a good interviewer, then check out the value that the real “experts” (whom I have listed, above) can deliver to you, instead of the recent newbies that say they know how to conduct an interview.

And finally, if you wish to see the other side of being in the interview, there is an evergreen episode that describes how to be a great guest by Max Flight (see a prior episode in this podcast show with the title of the episode called “Being interviewed” — it is activated by the following audio player).

As a side note, you yourself may be called upon to be the GUEST and BE INTERVIEWED. And we have a past audio episode from this series that is delivered by Max Flight on the issues and the preparation of being interviewed:

And so we deliver the podcast content from episode #20 of this series, you will notice that Max had a very good ear for quality content, and he brings his suggestions and experiences from being interviewed on the previous show.

Thank you for your attention, and we shall see you next time.

Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.

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638- Creating New year resolutions and podcasting

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we reflect on the fresh new year of 2023 and our own resolutions as podcasters for the coming year.

Many podcasters are giving their opinions and details about what they plan to do in looking forward to their success in the podosphere for 2023. Some of these are glimmers of hope for growing your audience and being successful in monetization of your podcast shows.

However, with the millions of podcast shows now in the podosphere (and still growing on a daily basis for the launch of new podcasts), the competition for both your eyes and ears in selecting content and consuming it becomes very acute.

So a key question would be: what would make your podcast show (especially if you are going to be launching a show or improving it in 2023) so desirable for a possible listener or viewer to consume your content? And how does the all-being problem of discoverability pervade the podosphere now as a challenge for you?

Perhaps you can answer this question by focusing on the first part of the problem and making it attractive to your audience — that is, if you have done the groundwork necessary to create, grow and nurture an audience (once you have proven to yourself that you know what your target audience is)? The results of surveys, background research for those who want to listen to your topics and just plain “gut feel” for this type of listener or viewer to consume your content could be the formula that you can use to address the topic.

For the second part of the question which we just introduced, we have to look into the podosphere for all the tools available to us in order to get the discoverability problem addressed. Not only do we have to put our podcast show in front of our targeted audience, our prospects, and even our suspects — but we have to ensure that our messages present a clear and dynamic statement to those who are looking for great content. Perhaps one way to do this is to go back to 2008 from the advice of podcaster, Paul Colligan, who labeled the acronymn ISYOT (i.e., “I see you out there”) and execute strategic inclusion of your show into the various networks for podcasting and today’s directories. For today’s environment is not merely the iTunes directory — there are a myriad of directories and sites where your podcast may have to exist, so that discoverability of your show can see some success, and thus your audience can grow — and not just in terms of downloads, but also on episodes completed by the listener and action taken by the listener due to your calls-to-action.

And finally, once you may have the attention of your intended audience, how clear will your call-to-action(s) be? Will they be appealing enough for the audience to take action and pursue the tasks which you outline? And these may be as simple as just signing up for your show and follow it (or “subscribe”), or it could reach all the way to being sold on a solution that you present and following through and ordering it (be it for money or for content)?

Of course, the ultimate goal may not be financial. While most entrepreneurs wish for monetary success with orders for your solution or content due to your podcast show, please remember that many of us still like to listen to “fun” podcasts from hobby-podcasters who engage in their craft of creating episodes as a labor-of-love, without regard to any financial results. If you fall into this category, you have to be serious and create final goals for your show (in terms of acceptance or downloads or following) that are beyond the dollars that many people consider “success” from a podcast show.

So for this new year, what would be your considerations for success in growing your audience (and move them from prospects or suspects to subscribed ‘followers’? And what can you plan in 2023 for monitoring your success in seeing positive results for your calls-to-action? These are the big questions you may have when creating and solidifying your planning for adapting new year’s resolutions for 2023.

Thank you for listening, and we’ll see you next time.

Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.