Your Podcast Consultant: Podcast Tips To Avoid Podcasting Mistakes

I Can't Tell What Is Working!When you just promote your podcast everywhere, it's hard to tell what is working. One way that makes it easy to see what's working is to track the links you share. Newsletters like Kit, Beehiz, Mailerlite enable you to see what is getting clicked on. I use Fathom stats on my website so I can see where my traffic is coming from (and enables to see where I get more traffic from my newsletter than social media). This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!Resources MentionedSwitchy Link TrackerWhispr FlowSchool of PodcastingWhat is A Link Shortener/Tracker?There are tools like bit.com but my favorite is called Switchy (as you are switching out links). It does a ton of stuff:Creates tracking links for things you shareMakes it easy to organize you data so you can see what is workingMakes trackable QR codes (which I use in my slides when I speak)Can make a "Linktree" type website (all with trackable links)It's only $39 for a lifetime deal at App SumoTakeaways:Starting a podcast takes more time than you think, especially at the beginning.Using tools like Switchy helps track what works for your podcast and what doesn’t.Exercise can do wonders, like biking, which also relates to consistency in podcasting.Measuring your efforts in podcasting allows you to focus on what actually brings in listeners.Changing multiple things at once in your podcast can confuse results, stick to one at a time.Your newsletter might outperform social media for traffic, so don’t overlook it.Mentioned in this episode:Your Voice is Your LegacyYou have lived things that need to be heard. You can help other people, and I'm here to help. Don't let your story die within you, release your legacy today and start your podcast. I've helped hundreds (thousands?) of podcasters and I can help you. It's time to do it.School of PodcastingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Making your podcast better isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about engaging your audience right from the start. Think about the great sitcoms we all know and love—Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers. They all had something to grab our attention immediately. It’s like when you tune in to see what hilarious thing Jerry is going to say or how Joey is going to mess up this time. The key takeaway? Hook your listeners before you hit them with the ads.You Monetize an AudienceSure, we all need to make a buck, but drowning your audience in pre-roll ads will probably send them clicking away faster than you can say 'next episode.' Instead, sprinkle in the ads after you've given them a reason to stay. This way, they’re invested enough to endure a few promos. After all, nobody tuned in to hear about a new brand of socks—they came for the laughs or the insights. So, start strong, keep it relevant, and remember: nobody's Joe Rogan, so don’t act like you can throw endless ads at your audience and keep them around. They’ll just take a hard pass and move on to something more entertaining.How Many is Too Many Ads?On the flip side, let’s chat about ads. We all know they’re a necessary evil in the podcasting world, but there’s a fine line between making a living and making your audience feel like they’re watching a commercial marathon.Take a look at the Hallmark Channel—32% of their airtime is ads when I watched one of their Christmas movies.. That’s not just a little excessive; that’s a full-on assault on our patience.Aim for around 10% ad time in your episodes. If you’re doing an hour-long show, 6 to 10 minutes of ads sprinkled throughout isn’t too much to ask. But please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t start your show with a three-minute ad block. You’ll have listeners fast-forwarding to the good stuff and wondering if they accidentally clicked on a commercial instead of a podcast.Remember, the best way to monetize is to sell your own stuff or create premium content. It’s way easier to get one person to buy a coffee than to chase thousands of downloads.So, to wrap it up, if you want to keep your podcast thriving and your audience engaged, think like a sitcom writer. Get them hooked, keep the ads reasonable, and leverage your unique content to build a loyal audience.I’m Dave Jackson, your podcast consultant, and I’ve been helping podcasters find their voice for over 20 years. Join me at schoolofpodcasting.com to take your show from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’!Links referenced in this episode:profitfromyourpodcast.comschoolofpodcasting.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Hey there, it’s Dave Jackson, and in this episode, I'm exploring what we, as podcasters and content creators, can learn from none other than Barbra Streisand—specifically, the infamous "Streisand effect." What Does It Mean?If you've ever wondered what that term means, I break down the story behind it, starting with a 2003 lawsuit involving her Malibu home and how trying to hide something can actually make it go viral.Be Careful What You Try to "Ban"I share my own experiences dealing with promotion in podcasting, including the challenges that come with companies making big promises about starting your podcast and, yes, my mixed feelings about Spotify’s practices in the early days. I also talk about how, as much as we sometimes want to warn our audiences loudly about something, we might end up giving it more attention than it deserves.You’ll hear a few stories from my past, like the time with Podshow and an NDA, and what I've learned about arguing with trolls or competitors. Bottom line: sometimes pushing back just amplifies the thing you’re trying to keep quiet!As always, if you need help with your podcast, I’d love to work with you. Head over to schoolofpodcasting.com/start and use the coupon code “listener” for a special deal. Can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!Thanks for listening!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

The struggle is real when you're launching a podcast aimed at answering listener questions, but you can't even get your mom to tune in. I tackle this conundrum with a blend of sarcasm and genuine advice, emphasizing that while it might feel like you're shouting into the void, there are ways to build that listener base. I suggest simple strategies like inviting friends and family to send in questions or creating fake ones to maintain the illusion of engagement. I also touch on the importance of persistence and creativity in building a connection with potential listeners. It's a lighthearted yet insightful look at the early days of podcasting, reminding us that every popular show started somewhere, often with a few awkward moments along the way.Takeaways: Launching a podcast with no listeners means you gotta get creative with listener questions. It's totally fine to pretend you have questions from imaginary friends to fill the void. Use your website to encourage questions and make it sound like you're super popular. Engage your cousin or friends to send in questions, because why not? Links referenced in this episode:podcastconsultant.comschoolofpodcasting.comLeave a Voicemail!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy