As is well known from other podcasters like Dave Jackson of schoolofpodcasting.com and Daniel J Lewis of theaudacitytopodcast.com, a real measure of success is not just by the measurement of downloads of an episode or a series of them. In the podosphere, the real measure of success depends on much more than the numbers of downloads. As Ben states: “While this is an important metric, it’s not the only one that matters when measuring the success of a podcast…While this is an important metric, it’s not the only one that matters when measuring the success of a podcast…In fact, comparing download numbers to other podcasters can be misleading and discouraging, especially for niche podcasts that serve a specific audience.“
Ben continues as he looks at specific types of podcast niches and genres: “It’s time to take a holistic approach to understand the unique needs and expectations of your audience and track metrics that align with your podcast goals.”
In fact, Ben delivers to the reader a Podcast Success Tracker Spreadsheet, which is included in the article. This is a tool that can track the metrics that should really matter to the podcaster.
Now, the sections of content that Ben delivers in this article and which should be areas for podcasters to notice are the following:
Ben also recommends that you be specific in these areas, especially in the most common goals of:
Audience growth;
Becoming the go-to authority in your niche;
Client/customer acquisition;
Speaking opportunities;
Business development partnerships.
Goal-setting and planning are key elements, rather than emotion and impulse: “By defining clear and measurable goals, you’ll be able to stay on track and make informed decisions about the direction of your podcast.”
Ben also suggests which metrics should be tracked. He suggests on “Focusing on ONE PRIMARY goal, with 1 or 2 secondary goals (if you must) will help you prioritize and actually drive results toward your goal with focus and clarity….” such as:
Audience growth;
Downloads and email sign-ups;
Creating your podcast as an AUTHORITY;
Client acquisition;
Response to your calls-to-action;
Speaking opportunities: “This includes invitations to speak on other podcasts or at events, or inquiries that come through your podcast’s website or social media channels.”;
Opportunities for BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT partnerships;
Besides these, Ben recommends later in the article other metrics to track, such as listener behavior. And one of the most important metric to follow is the financial one: “Finally, track the return on investment (ROI) of your podcast.”
Ben also urges you to improve each metric, with some other tips, such as the “CTA templates” that he provides, in addition to your taking steps to own continuous growth toward your goals.
Copyright (c) 2023, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Ben Krueger of Cashflowpodcasting.com. All rights reserved.
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.
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:
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.
In this episode of The Podcast Reporter Show, we discuss the value of the checklists for launching a podcast and preparing to record your podcast episode. The former is delivered in a post by Ben Krueger of Cashflowpodcasting.com. The latter is delivered by Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast in his podcast show and prior episode.
Although this takes into account everything from the inception and idea of brainstorming to create the details for your podcast show up to the actual promotion and possible monetization of your podcast show, this is a good list to ensure that you can use very effectively the plans from others when you plot out the tasks needed to creating your podcast show.
In summary, the 21 steps from Ben (with a bit of description after each step, along with case studies after step 5) are:
☐ STEP #1: DECIDE WHAT PODCASTING WILL DO FOR YOU
☐ STEP #2: SELECT YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
☐ STEP #3: CRAFT YOUR CENTRAL MESSAGE
☐ STEP #4: PICK YOUR PODCAST FORMAT & FREQUENCY
☐ STEP #5: DECIDE HOW YOUR PODCAST WILL MAKE MONEY (AND BECOME A PROFIT CENTER!)
☐ STEP #6: GET YOUR PODCAST RECORDING EQUIPMENT
“The next section lays out the exact steps to actually create your new podcast and get it launched to the world!
☐ STEP #7: CHOOSE A PODCAST TITLE
☐ STEP #8: CREATE YOUR PODCAST COVER ARTWORK
☐ STEP #9: CREATE BRANDED INTROS & OUTROS
☐ STEP #10: RECORD YOUR FIRST EPISODE(S)
☐ STEP #11: SET UP PODCAST HOSTING
☐ STEP #12: SET UP THE PODCAST ON YOUR SITE
☐ STEP #13: PRODUCE YOUR FIRST EPISODE(S)
☐ STEP #14: CREATE A WINNING “LAUNCH PLAN”
☐ STEP #15: SUBMIT YOUR PODCAST TO DIRECTORIES
☐ STEP #16: LAUNCH DAY!
☐ STEP #17: EMPLOY “GRASSROOTS MARKETING”
☐ STEP #18: PUBLISH REGULAR CONTENT
☐ STEP #19: GROW YOUR AUDIENCE & EMAIL LIST
☐ STEP #20: FURTHER MONETIZE YOUR PODCAST
☐ STEP #21: LEVERAGE YOUR NEW PODCAST AUTHORITY
And then Ben includes in this checklist summary several case studies to add proof to his system. He delivers this content with the approach of his “What?” and “How” method. And for those who like this approach, Ben also adds his call-to-action for his site to provide solution-based value of podcast consultancy to any podcasters who wish to become a client of Ben for his services.
So, after you are ready and prepared to launch a podcast, you may be wishing for a simple — but mainly complete checklist for the preparation of recording your episode (especially if you are a newer or aspiring podcaster). This has been provided FREE to podcasters by Daniel J Lewis of the podcast show called The Audacity to Podcast.
This free resource is called “Podcasting preflight checklist” from episode 164 of his podcast show. And I strongly recommend that you download this and use it to ensure that you are fully prepared before you press the RECORD button on your system to capture the audio that you will deliver to your audience.
This checklist will go into the details of preparation for Ben’s checklist (above) step number 10.
This one-page single sheet resource can be downloaded as a pdf file and it should be used as a reference when you prepare to record your audio portion of your episode. I, myself, used this for several episodes until the routine became automatic — and I did not have to worry or back-track or forget anything important during the preparation phase before recording the audio.
So, for novice or aspiring podcasters, these checklists can be integrated into your planning and production systems and tasks to save you time and effort and energy (and frustration, in case you have to go back and include some forgotten tasks in your workflow). These professionals have already learned the secret to time-saving methods in a checklist format that can help you be productive and successful in planning and launching your podcast, as well as recording and producing effective episodes for your podcast growth and success.
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Ben Krueger of cashflowpodcasting.com and Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast.com and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.
In this episode of The Podcast Reporter show, we deliver some suggestions for creating a podcast workflow for your show and its episodes. These came from a post at the following site of rss.com/blog/:
And the post goes on to give you a sample workflow for creating an episode in your podcast show (assuming that you have your site ready and your content management system ready to take on your creative juices for constructing your content):
“Podcast episode ideation phase →
Decide on episode subject and search for guest possibilities →
Schedule interviews →
Write questions and/or outline of the episode →
Record the episode →
Edit the show →
Load episode to your podcast host to share with iTunes/Stitcher/Google Play etc …→
Your podcast workflow may look a little different, but hopefully, this gives you an idea of just how many pieces you’ll have to manage for your show.”
The post then addresses the reasons why managing your podcast workflow really does matter when you are creating content — mainly because it can become overwhelming to the aspiring podcaster and the newer podcasters (especially true if the latter are not full-time podcasters buy have a day-job or are treating the podcasting environment as a hobby).
And for this, the article explains that you will need a task-management tool to manage this: “We recommend using a tool such as Trello, Asana, Monday.com or some other similar software to keep track of your tasks.”
With both screen shots and an example of going down this path, the article tries to explain the necessity for good management of the entire process in the form of an organized workflow. The post encourages both the concept of scaling your workflow by batching, as well as using key delegations to others (if you can afford to do so) to maximize your productivity and prevent becoming overwhelmed.
The later part of the post goes over resources that an aspiring podcaster can include in the management of content creation — namely, other podcasters, colleges, key software, sites online to get help from possible freelancers (with some examples), etc.
For this podcaster, creating a workflow is something that should be paramount in the early stages of planning and creating your podcast content. For myself, this idea was very important and was discussed when another podcaster was interested very much in my workflow during an interview in 2010 (that podcaster was Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast Show). And it was at this time that the real significance and importance of a good workflow became paramount to my content creation — so much that it helped me to create, launch and publish over 16 different podcast shows at the same time that year, as well as creating 5 more podcast shows since that year until the present day. And while there were no posts like this one during the early stages of the podosphere with these suggestions, I was able to create my own workflow (having been a professional project manager during my career as a systems engineer in corporate America) that was very similar. And I still use this workflow today as part of my productivity in podcasting, so that I can be as prolific as I want while creating content that has VALUE for my listeners.
So we hope that this post can give you some ideas in creating your own podcast workflow, and thus you can become more successful with your podcast show and its episodes.
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and rss.com. All rights reserved.
In this episode of The Podcast Reporter Show, we discuss an email-episode from Daniel J Lewis, the award-winning podcaster from his show called The Audacity to Podcast (currently on hiatus with sparse episodes being released on demand within important announcements). He has specialized in helping podcasters be aware of podcast reviews. In this current email sent out in 1st quarter of 2022, he goes one step further — he helps to solve some complex issues with getting podcast reviews.
What is the problem? And how does Daniel go about trying to help the podcasters who want reviews from any location worldwide? Well, Daniel states in his email content:
Here’s the problem. There are so many podcast platforms out there and so many of them don’t allow ratings or reviews, it’s hard to give the right call to action for your audience to rate and review your podcast.
It gets worse. Android devices can’t access Apple Podcasts, non-Android devices can’t access Podcast Addict, and Apple Podcasts is actually still “iTunes” on Windows and older macOS versions.
So how can you ensure your listeners are going to the right place to leaving ratings and reviews for your show and without overloading your audience with incompatible options or complex instructions?
Here are two solutions:
Learn all the coding necessary or find and buy the right tools or plugins to build your own solution.
Use the LovethePodcast.com feature included with all accounts on My Podcast Reviews!
LovethePodcast.com provides the smartest way to get more ratings & reviews! It automatically displays only the rating and review platforms compatible with your listener’s device. For example:
Only Android users will see Podcast Addict.
Windows and older macOS versions will see iTunes.
New macOS, iOS, and iPadOS will see Apple Podcasts.
All platforms will see Podchaser since it works on everything.
And so on.
Plus, this gives you a memorable and easily speakable URL you can customize to your needs! For example, I can say in my own podcast, “If you love the podcast, please give it a rating and review at LovethePodcast.com/audacity and I might read your review on the show!”
But whether you use My Podcast Reviews or make your own page, make the process as easy as possible for all your listeners, and your non-Apple audience will probably feel more valued and more likely to give you those positive reviews!
Thus, Daniel has made this easy for the podcaster. I would highly recommend that you subscribe to Daniel’s email episodes being delivered now and for the foreseeable future. And then you can get the emails directly sent to your inbox.
Now, I have known Daniel since 2010 when I interviewed him on my flagship podcast (at that time), The Struggling Entrepreneur (now podfaded); and Daniel later interviewed me on his show, The Audacity to Podcast (in 2 episodes). I have always admired his contributions to the podosphere and the great value he delivers in his podcast episodes, as well as his products and membership site (Podcasterssociety.com) and his training and exhibitions at Podcast conferences in the past.
So with the products that Daniel has released, you, as a podcaster can benefit from his content if you are interested in maximizing the rewards from podcast reviews worldwide. And his several products have all been very thorough and technically competent (in fact, many podcasters have used him and his content as the authority).
Thus, I hope that your decision in dealing with podcast reviews worldwide will benefit from the content, training and products from Daniel J Lewis. In this way, you can get closer to your audience and benefit in the community of your own podcast show.
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Daniel J Lewis. All rights reserved.
In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we mention very briefly how the cancel culture has invaded the area of the podosphere and podcasting. We also see that this can be the start of censorship and the forcing of opinion by the radical left into the area where your own podcast may be found.
We talk briefly about the situation with one of the most dynamic, intelligent, fair-minded and helpful podcasters, Daniel J. Lewis, who had several podcasts such as the award-winning The Audacity to Podcast, as well as several tools which he created for the podcast community to help from email newsletters to improve your podcast content to SEO (search engine optimization).
My experience with Daniel J Lewis has been a great one. Not only have I interviewed him several times in this podcast show, along with a previous show called The Struggling Entrepreneur, but I had subscribed to his shows and I had also purchased some of his intellectual property and items, as well as had been one of the key subscribers when he started his online membership of Podcasters Society.
He has been an excellent resource, very technically competent and one of the very highly regarded podcasters who won an award at one of the New Media Expo for his podcast show from the People’s Choice award for his flagship show. He has been one of the very trustworthy, honest and fair-minded people whom I have known in the podosphere.
In fact, when The Podcast Academy was introduced, he encouraged us to sign up and be part of that organization. Thus, with the trust I had in him, I did sign up. And when he was nominated to be on the Board of Governors for this organization, I wholeheartedly voted for him, and he won a seat in that group.
Now, in 2022, there was a controversy in which he tweeted his views on a matter on twitter. He did voice his opinion, and I believe (from knowing him personally) that he would engage in healthy and open and honest debate with others on the opposing view. However, the radical left charged at him and savagely tore him down by demanding his removal from the board. Well, he was “beat up” and “bullied” for his beliefs (in what should be an open and free-speech environment) and the Board succumbed to the woke ideology and asked him to leave. So he left the Board.
Well, I immediately canceled my subscription to the Podcast Academy and had enough of their radical left ideology in canceling someone with the great honesty and fair play that Daniel has.
What was Daniel’s remarks after this bullying?
On 8May2022, he wrote an email to his trusted distribution list, and I received this email from him:
“I am deeply saddened and hurt by the campaign of harassment, false accusations, and bullying against The Podcast Academy and me. I tried to slow the abuse by removing some of my comments, but to little avail. Regardless, I apologize to those I failed to extend equal grace while I was defending a baby’s right to life. I also apologize for using a common label I did not know offended some of the same people I was fighting for.
TPA members voted me in for who I am and how I promised to advocate for them, but a disinformation campaign disrupted TPA’a operations and compelled the board of governors to vote me out. I regret that I will not be able to keep my promise to the diverse podcasters I was eager to serve. I hope that TPA’s efforts to be inclusive will not further exclude people for expressing conservative, pro-life, or Christian values.
Sadly, after years of supporting The Podcast Academy, I’m now compelled to believe they are unable—at least at this time—to truly serve or represent the large diversity that the rest of the podcasting industry has welcomed since its grass roots. I cannot, in good faith, endorse an organization that let disinformation bully itself into kicking out one of its most passionate supporters.
In respect for the short-lived opportunity TPA and its members allowed me, I will not publicly discuss this further. I do not wish TPA to fail; I only wish The Podcast Academy to be truly inclusive and supportive of all podcasters, so that—together—we can help podcasts, podcastING, and podcastERS improve.
I will continue taking some time away from podcasts and social media to heal, reflect with thought and prayer, and refocus (but you’ll still receive my email series). No matter what, I continue to believe that podcasting is the most powerful way for anyone to share a message to change the world.”
So, in my opinion, Daniel still is a strong advocate for podcasters and is still a great resource for the podosphere. I will continue to look forward to his contributions in Askthepodcastcoach.com and his email newsletters.
For now, I have been left with a sour taste in my mouth for The Podcast Academy and I will not say anything positive about it, but only have the memory of an evil-minded organization that falls into the clutches of the radical left, where debate is prohibited, and the only thing that applies is the saying “my way only or the highway for you.” So damn the Podcast Academy, and I will NOT support them in any way.
Daniel, as one of the biggest contributors to the positive elements of the podosphere and your care to help podcasters, I salute you and say “Long Live DJL and down with TPA.”
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Daniel J Lewis. All rights reserved.
In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss the theme of podcast episode and show reviews — but not their value or how to get more of them, but instead why some podcasters do NOT want to get any reviews or even feedback from people in the podosphere.
Since the dawn of the podosphere in 2004 and 2005, there have been numerous episodes from podcasters that dealt with the tutorials, the themes of how to get more podcast reviews from around the world and how to use them to your benefit as a positive sign of social proof.
In fact, there have even been some applications that were created to deliver the message to the podcast content creator that a review had been posted — even in countries outside the USA. As an example, the famous podcaster, Daniel J Lewis, even created an application and program called My Podcast Reviews, where a podcaster can purchase a license to get the information of reviews of an episode from anywhere in the world on the internet. There are good means of delivery and good analysis of the results of the podcast review.
And so, for the past 15 or 16 years, the podosphere has had the idea that podcast reviews are good — not so much for monetization-based statistics, but more for social proof. And so it was that lots of podcasters tried to request reviews in their outros and their key messages on their apps and their web sites, as this was one way to try and increase their numbers of subscribers and also indicate the popularity of their podcast shows and the warm reception (or negative result) of their messages with their audience. And so has it continued for the majority of podcasters.
However, other podcasters want NOTHING to do with podcast reviews — and sometimes, even nothing to do with feedback from listeners of their shows. And this has been growing amidst the censorship movement, as well as the woke attitude and perspective of today’s social media and lame-stream media tendencies.
For instance, one podcaster commented on this: “Why should I clutter up my web site or review sections with woke-based or extremist-based content where they want to shout you down because you may not agree with their views or their ideology? There is no favorable situation where feedback or reviews could be a positive for both the reviewer or the podcaster — it is just an opportunity for a platform to carry their own message of negativity and censored content by being the means of shouting down all other communications outside of their own dominion.”
Thus, some successful podcasters have removed any type of feedback loops and reviews from potential audience listeners. They don’t want to deal with this negativity — that is, they don’t want negative reviews from a radical ideology to be seen all over the world and deliver a wrong message to the audience. And so, what have they done? Well, they have eliminated any and all reviews — and in some cases, they have eliminated all feedback mechanisms. Instead, they rely on download numbers and acceptance from other feedback by podcasters in audio format for any type of responses to their shows and episodes.
In fact, some of these podcasters have limited the audiences to whom their shows will be posted and published. As long as the media host is not woke, then the podcast episode will be available to all those who care, but the feedback and reviews will NOT be posted for the world to see or to consume.
This strategy seems to work for a few successful podcast shows that are available on certain streams that are limited to the ears of certain individuals who follow more of a “free speech” mentality — and the results are, indeed, great as far as acceptability and downloads of each episode to their intended and like-minded audience.
And the result?
Well, for a few podcast shows, the results indicate that their downloads are growing and that their message is being accepted by more people who are choosing to be willing listeners to get the content of their show just from their web site (or other locations delivered to the listeners). In fact, the podcasters don’t have to sift through all the noise of the woke-based potential audience just to see if there is anything that is “socially redeeming” in the feedback or reviews. And this seems to be working in a very positive way for the podcaster.
So now, for this podcaster, we hope that you can find such a place for your content, should you wish to eliminate all the negativity and narrow-mindedness of the podosphere shouters who only want to criticize and marginalize, but do not wish to contribute any suggested improvements or solutions. And if you do find a spot where your podcast content can reside and grow without reviews, we wish you the best in seeing the results of your content be positive in the areas of growth, downloads and success for your podcast shows.
For this podcaster, I had one occasion very early in my podcasting career in 2007, when I had a couple of podcast shows. For my flagship podcast at that time, I had been soliciting reviews and feedback (as all “good” podcasters did in their intros and outros and other content), and I had been receiving many good reviews (most of “excellent” or “very good” ratings in the old iTunes reviews, for instance). However, I did receive one review from an individual called Ann at SoCal. This scathing review was negative, with typical negative criticism with no redeeming value — in fact, the only thing that this individual stated that was aside from the always-critical role was that my episodes had good audio quality (which she found very difficult to believe). So after that, I quit asking for reviews in all of my 18 podcast episodes that I had in my podcasting career since 2007. And even today, there is no call-to-action for reviews or for feedback, as I know that the new generation of “know-it-all” reviewers will only talk you down negatively and shout you down when they promote their own idiot ideologies with no rhyme or reason or ability to conduct a conversation where both sides may be deliberated.
And you know what? I do not miss the podcast review process at all, because I have seen this resource grow into a place where the reviewer is just spouting off ideology or negative opinions — and remember what was said about opinions from old philosophers?…”opinions are like ******* — everybody’s got one.”
So we hope that your podcast show can grow successfully to meet and exceed your objectives — either with or without the call-to-action to receive reviews or feedback. It is YOUR show, and you should not have to put up with destructive content from the idiots who want to criticize and marginalize, since this is all they do all day because they have nothing positive in their existence today.
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.
This is a repurposed episode of The Podcast Reporter, where the original podcast episode was published on 4May2020. The reason we submit this for repurposing is that the subject is very heated now in conversation and action in the podosphere, with the Chinese virus-crisis now simmering down in the US — and with people now interested in both podcast networks and membership sites.
If your passion for podcasting has grown such that you want to join or even create your own podcast network, perhaps you should listen to the questions asked by Evo Terra, as well as listen to the experiences (the good, the bad and the ugly) from Daniel J Lewis (who did shut down his own podcast network that he started years ago).
My own experiences with podcast networks
Now, I have had experiences with the thought of joining a podcast network. In 2006 and 2007, I dipped my toes into the waters of joining what looked like a growing podcast network at Podango (this was the podcast company that had acquired Gigavox, the firm that created the Levelator in 2006). I wanted to be a part of what was called a “podcast station” (which was the category or genres of podcasts) called the Business Station. I wanted to include my flagship podcast at the time, Struggling Entrepreneur. And the sharing, the community and the financial benefits all seemed like a great beginning. However, I did have second thoughts about letting someone else run my show and own my RSS feed and content. So I decided NOT to join and just kept being on my own. And, by the way, I do not regret that decision, as Podango later went out of business in another year or two.
Then, in 2007, the podcast network bug bit me again. This time, I wanted to start a podcast network which I had temporarily called the “Content Creator and podcaster network.” This was going to be basically a membership site with 4 founders — one for the technical side of podcasting; another for the financial side of startups and podcasting; another for the marketing side of podcasting and its promotion; and my contribution, the personal productivity side of creating content and podcasts.
For this membership site, we even had a meeting which I had called. And I used the prior method of getting buy-in and commitment and dialog used by Tim Bourquin when he had founded the Podcast and Portable Media Expoin 2005. That is, I invited everyone to join me personally (at my expense for travel, lodging and meals) for a couple of days in Austin, Texas, so that we could discuss all day the creation of this membership site which would then create the network shortly after launch. In fact, we even had an attorney, who was himself a podcaster, join us via Skype to get the details of the contract which he would create for all of us to agree and sign as a commitment. Well, that meeting gave me an indication of how much CONTROL and OWNERSHIP and FINANCIAL EXPECTATION that podcasters desired. As a result, I saw that this arrangement would not suit all the parties involved — what seemed like an exciting discussion and proposal went down in flames when “the devil is in the details.” So we never gave the green light to create the contract (with legal fees of $1300 in those days), and we disbanded the idea. And the survivors were only two of us who started another podcast based on Finance for Startups (which has since podfaded).
What was obvious to me at that time, after some pre-investment expenses and time, was that podcasters were too much desirous of control and ownership of the direction. And this is only natural, since podcasting at that time was individually run, owned and managed by the solo podcaster. And these people were not used to SHARING any intellectual property or revenue with others, especially under contract.
So the notion of a podcast network or membership site was erased from my mind as a creator — and maybe one day I might join one already in session.
In this audio episode, Evo asks the most important questions: (1) What is it that you want to get out of the network?; and (2) what is it that you will be willing to sacrifice to belong in it?
He not only goes over what his own backstory was in creating his own network back “in the day” of 2004 and following, but also how a loose confederation of podcasters can be just a social club rather than a really serious podcast network (and he describes what should be in a podcast network from his point of view).
So the benefits vs. the contributions is a matrix that you should put together to evaluate an existing podcast network that you may feel compelled to join. Also, if you wish to start one, you should examine deep in yourself what you really want to get out of managing this type of organization and see if you have the talent and skills to do so effectively, without having the passion of podcasting be lost due to frustrations because of your potential lack of skills.
And Evo relates what, in his opinion, is really needed for a good podcast network today.
Now, the other example with some lessons learned comes from Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast show. He describes how he put together his network shortly after he joined podcasting in full force — and also the end of his network, along with the reasons why he ended it.
In his recent episode called “Why we retired our podcast network,” Daniel mentions that he had clear-cut goals when he created his podcast network: “My goal was to bring together like-minded podcasters with high-quality shows to grow together through synergy, community, support, cross-promotion, and sponsorship.”
However, what seemed to me to be more or less a society of like-minded individuals with different podcast shows from different genres and possibly some unrelated themes soon grew into a long list of participating shows in the network, like the following:
The Ramen Noodle
Are You Just Watching
The Audacity to Podcast
Beyond the To-Do List
The Productive Woman
Christian Meets World
The Sci-Phi Show
ONCE
Welcome to Level Seven
WONDERLAND
Under the Dome Radio
Resurrection Revealed
Podcasting Videos by The Audacity to Podcast
Inside the Podcasting Business
As you can see, this could appear to be a community of disjointed themes and topics, with possibly the intent to generate sponsorship, financial rewards from downloads and advertising, as well as cross-promotion. And Daniel then explains what things he did well in the network and what things that were done poorly:
Audience-relevant common theme
Cross-promotion
Cross-integration
Full and consistent community
and you can listen to his audio podcast episode to get the details. Then he states why he retired the network, including the ability for him to focus on fewer things, as well as giving each podcaster more room to expand.
So Daniel’s experiences deliver some lessons learned about starting a podcast network, and I would suggest that you take these into account if you get the passion to go beyond your own podcast shows and want to start your own network.
Considerations for the podcaster about Podcast Network
As a podcaster, what passion can be driving you toward wanting to start a great podcast network? Will you have the time? Will the additional workload and timetables and schedules and management of the network be something you will embrace, as well as have time for? Will you have the necessary skills to manage your network? Will you have the right temperment for being in the network? And will the podcasts in the network be the right ones, or will they be a hodge-podge collection of your favorite podcasters and additional genres and other topics that might not relate well to some audiences? Will the network be governed by contract or by word-of-mouth agreements?
So, whatever your decision may be concerning podcast networks may be (i.e., either joining one or starting one of your own), we hope that these two audio episodes can give you enough food for thought to know what to expect both from the contribution side and the giving side to the network.
So we hope that your podcast show will be successful, whether it be a part of a podcast network or not.
Thank you for your attention
Copyright (c) 2021, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Daniel J Lewis of Theaudacitytopodcast.com and Evo Terra of Podcastpontifications.com and michaelandmike.com. All rights reserved.
This is an announcement for FREE training and education modules that Daniel will be distributing with his email notices shortly. And here are the content modules from Daniel J Lewis’s new free training:
“How to make your podcast stand out
How to improve your audio quality
Quick fixes to improve your podcast
How to get more podcast reviews
Law-related answers podcasters need
Podcasting with cohosts
And much more I’m still writing!”
Daniel reassured his audience that the emails will be “short enough that you can read them in only a couple minutes, but still informative and actionable.”
He also wanted each module to stand on its own, without any dependence on earlier modules: “And each of the above are separate miniseries, so if you’re not interested in a particular miniseries, you can easily cancel that one miniseries and be moved on to the next one.”
Now, I have known Daniel personally since 2010. I have interviewed him that year, and I also had met him in person in 2013 at the New Media Expo conference in Las Vegas. Also, I have been interviewed on his show, and he has been my interviewee several times — not only as a struggling entrepreneur, but also for more details on his membership program, Podcasters Society.
I have always regarded Daniel as a very technically competent podcaster and content creator. His attention to detail and his specific deconstruction of technical facts is second to none. And so, I have trusted his comments, counsel and recommendations. So, would I expect great value from something FREE from him?
Absolutely.
By the way, in an earlier episode last week of the Ask the Podcast Coach show, I asked Daniel when he would have a future episode of his flagship podcast, The Audacity to Podcast. And he replied that he was going to announce something soon to announce to us.
So, thus, I am passing this announcement to my audience so that everyone may be prepared to receive the free email content. I do predict that there will be great VALUE in them for both older podcasters, as well as the new and aspiring podcasters.
Thank you for your attention.
Copyright (c) 2022, Matrix Solutions Corporation and michaelandmike.com and Daniel J Lewis. All rights reserved.
