Podcasting Smarter

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter, we delve back into the world of branded podcasts with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). We continue speaking about the creation journey of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) anniversary branded podcast, 200 Voices with Rory Stamp from the RNLI and Dan Jones, a former BBC producer, who elucidate their approach in creating impactful narratives for the RNLI's 200th-anniversary podcast. Rory paints a vivid picture of how the concept of 200 Voices evolved, articulating the navigation through the complexities of representative selection to ensure a diversity of roles, locations, and milestones. Get inspired as Rory shares how the podcast was the product of a desire to celebrate RNLI's colossal impact and inspire a futuristic vision. "200 years, it's got to be 200 voices (episodes). Okay, let's see if we can do it." - Rory Stamp, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution Dan shares fascinating behind-the-scenes tales of the production, expounding on t

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter, we delve into the world of branded podcasts with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Honoring its 200th year anniversary, the RNLI has launched a powerful podcast, sharing personal stories of bravery and service from hundreds of their volunteers. The episode is the first of three in our event replay and is perfect for podcast enthusiasts and those interested in creating impactful content for their brands. "The RNLI is about its people, and for me, as a storyteller, this podcast is about the people, and it's about the community of the RNLI, and it's about how it brings people together, sometimes collectively, as a community." - Dan Holland, Adventurous Audio In this riveting conversation, we invited Rory Stamp, the RNLI’s Strategic Content Manager, and Dan Holland, Director of Adventurous Audio, to share their experiences of producing the RNLI's anniversary podcast. This podcast commemorates 200 years by sharing 200 distinct, emotional stories from RNLI's vast

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter, Norma Jean Belenky, Podbean's Head of Events, hosts an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Podcast Specialist Roni Gosch and Director of Content, John Kiernan. This episode uncovers the value of serving unique niche content, emphasizes the importance of consistent messaging, and the significance of a well-executed retention strategy in podcast success. Understanding the impact of building a community around your podcast, we deep dive into leveraging social media and community platforms for cultivating discussions and fostering a dedicated listener base. Experts also reveal the importance of consistency, and provide insights on aligning with industry professionals to maximize your podcast's reach. As we move into the era of short-form content, we share how to effectively plan your content to generate promotional-shareable clips. We share success stories and strategic guidelines to help boost your podcast's visibility across different platforms. "Go hard on your niche. Comm

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter, Norma Jean Belenky, Podbean's Head of Events, hosts an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Podcast Specialist Roni Gosch and Director of Content, John Kiernan. We have a lively discussion on various strategies for bootstrapping your podcast, Podbean swag and how to pace and communicating interview styles and preferences.   We highlight the capabilities of the Podbean app for recording and live streaming directly from a smartphone, emphasizing the value of utilizing available tools to their fullest.  "You don't have to have hundreds or thousands of dollars to start. You just have to start. I think starting is the hardest thing. So don't let maybe the lack of funds or the lack of whatever you're able to start with stop you because literally with the Podbean app, we have an app where you can record and edit and publish directly from your phone from a free app. You can get started today." - Norma Jean Belenky We also highlight the significance of podcast merchandise and discu

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter, Norma Jean Belenky, the Head of Events at Podbean, hosts an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Podcast Specialist Roni Gosch and Director of Content, John Kiernan. We have a lively discussion on various strategies for monetizing podcast content and engaging the audience. We cover a wide range of topics, including the benefits of live streaming, using Podbean's ad marketplace, the importance of consistency, and various ways podcasters can monetize their work. We also discuss the Podbean patron program, Apple Podcast subscriptions, and how you as a podcast host can increase awareness about these different revenue streams among listeners. "We're not there yet where when you google something, it's going to scan audio. We're not there. And so when people are searching for content, they're using text, right? We're searching via text." - Norma Jean Belenky, Head of Events Aside from Podbean tools, non-Podbean monetization options, such as PayPal donation buttons and 'Buy me a C

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter we return with our third of three episodes with with Bethany Hawkins, the founder of Crackers and Soup, a podcast production company.   Explore the essence of building and utilizing a faithful, interactive podcast community and monetize that community in this episode of 'Podcasting Smarter'. Learn about the importance of consistent listener engagement and innovative methods, such as the 'question of the episode' and interactive Q&As on Patreon. Discover how a listener-centric approach can revolutionize your podcast outreach and enhance your revenue. We dive into the art of humanizing communication to build a stronger audience bond, emphasizing that every listener should feel personally connected with despite the thousands of downloads per episode. The conversation expands on podcast monetization methods, illuminating the idea that monetization could mean a new follower or client, not just revenue. The episode moves forward to the significance of collaborations with br

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter we return with our second of three episodes with with Bethany Hawkins, the founder of Crackers and Soup, a podcast production company.   Uncover the surprising key to making your podcast stand out in a sea of competition. It's not just about content, but the strategic use of branding and design. Find out how to captivate your audience and create a lasting impression. Stay tuned for the unexpected twist that will change the way you approach podcasting. "Your podcast is your brand. If you have a business that has particular hex codes, that has a particular mood board, you're going to want to incorporate those type of things that make your business aesthetic you into your graphics, into your cover art so that everybody knows all of this flows and coincides." - Bethany Hawkins, Crackers in Soup Bethany Hawkins is a seasoned podcast consultant with a knack for elevating shows through intentional branding and design choices. Her expertise lies in crafting show notes optimized f

In today's episode of Podcast Smarter we speak with with Bethany Hawkins, the founder of Crackers and Soup, a podcast production company.   We'll share a look into the effective strategies that have empowered black-owned podcast businesses to excel. The conversation sheds light on Bethany’s distinctive methods for creating engaging podcast content, offering valuable insights for podcasters aiming to attract and retain a diverse listener base. This episode not only highlights Bethany’s success in the industry but also prompts podcasters to consider how they can adopt similar tactics to enhance their own growth and reach. "You really have to know and understand what you're doing in your business... So you are getting your audience excited about that particular topic before you even drop it, before you even launch it." - Bethany Hawkins, Crackers in Soup Bethany's journey from the corporate world to becoming a successful black-owned business owner is nothing short of inspiring. With her keen insights, Bethany ha

Welcome to a captivating episode of Podcasting Smarter, the second episode with special guests Oliver Wellington, the founder of Headliner, and their marketing manager, Elissa Craig. Together, they share invaluable tips and practices for promoting podcasts and unravel strategies such as visual engagement and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of social media. We kick off with exploring the concept of content repurposing and how Headliner, equips creators to share their podcast content across various platforms. Next, we share insights about the blend of strategies that successful podcasters employ, including the use of automated clips and crafting custom clips.   Not shying away from experiments, Oliver and Elissa advise podcasters to dabble with in-depth videos, animated content, and AI tools along with the potential of AI as a game-changer within the podcasting domain, with robust tools at creators' disposal to convert creative concepts into dynamic and engaging content. Delving into audience engagement

Welcome to a brand new episode of Podcasting Smarter, where we delve deep into the world of podcast promotion with two experts from Headliner, founder Oliver Wellington and marketing manager Elissa Craig. Get firsthand insights into Headliner, a game-changing tool that has transformed the way podcasts are promoted and marketed. Find out how Headliner offers a 'set it and forget it' approach to creating engaging visual aids, audiograms, and social media clips to enhance your podcast's visibility and reach. Hear about the company's beginnings, its transformational journey, and how the team is constantly innovating to equip podcasters with the best marketing tools. Guiding you through the nuances of using AI in podcasting, Oliver and Elissa discuss 'Eddy,' Headliner's new tool that employs AI to provide optimization options and promo packs. By bringing to you effective strategies, top tips, and a fresh perspective, this episode throws light on how to make the most of the digital landscape for podcast promotion.

Are you ready to step up your podcast game and achieve enhanced content quality and a loyal listener base? We've got the solution to help you make it happen as we speak to the Dear Alice Design podcast about how the keys they've used to grow their audience.  On this episode we'll dive deeper into their success and share strategic podcast marketing tips to take your show to the next level. "Trust, show up for them every time. It's great. We actually record three at a time when we sit down to do it, when we actually have the space carved out and the lights are set up and the cameras and we're actually doing it, it's just easier to bang out a couple." - Cori Place, The Dear Alice Podcast In this special episode of Podcasting Smarter, we take you behind the scenes of Dear Alice, a popular interior design podcast renowned for their effective strategies in community building and fan engagement. Discover how they've skillfully integrated visual elements like Instagram to complement their audio-centric content, how t

If you're feeling frustrated about not being able to effectively monetize your podcast and grow your audience, then you are not alone! You may be struggling to find the right balance between providing valuable content and promoting your products or services and in this episode we hear how the team from the Dear Alice interior design podcast found success!   "I think that monetizing your brand should not be top of mind when you're starting a podcast, if that is. That's going to come off in your episodes and it's going to turn people away." - Suzanne Hall, The Dear Alice Podcast In this episode of Podcasting Smarter, we speak with Suzanne Hall, Jessica Bennett, and Cori Place, the creative forces behind the Dear Alice design podcast. With decades of experience in interior design, their expertise shines through in their podcast, where they share valuable insights, tips, and tricks for creating a personalized lifestyle through interior design. The podcast's unique "Dear Abby" format, where they answer listener qu

In this episode of Podcasting Smarter, Podbean's Head of Events, Norma Jean Belenky, speaks with Podbean's Podcast Specialist, Roni Gosch on Podbean's new Podbean AI tool, how it works and what it can do for your podcast!  "We want people to get their voice out there. We want people able to share their stories. And podcasting already has a pretty low barrier of entry compared to other publishing mediums. But by adding these tools here and giving people the access to the tools, we're lowering the barrier of entry even more. So everybody can start podcasting and start making their audio sound professional without having to invest in the tools or the software right away." - Roni Gosch This episode introduces Podbean's innovative new AI feature, Podbean AI, designed to dramatically enhance your podcasting experience. Joined by podcast specialist Rone Gosch, we explore the game-changing capabilities of this advanced tool that promises to push the boundaries of traditional podcasting. Discover how Podbean's cuttin

Have you heard these myths about podcast marketing and audience development? 1) You need a big budget to grow your audience. 2) Video has no place in audio content. 3) Audience engagement is all about downloads and numbers. This episode will reveal the truth behind these myths that will transform your podcast growth strategy. Stay tuned for the game-changing insights! "It's important to look at all available tools and gain insight to as much information as you can. So audience, demographic, listening habits, engagement patterns, downloads, unique listeners... even social media. And these things will help you identify the trends to retain audience, optimizing the content and the growth strategies to grow your listenership, but also retain listenership". - Catrin Scaperdas In this episode, you'll learn how Catrin Skaperdas has succeeded in growing her client's podcasts and podcast networks and apply the following to your podcast: Master podcast marketing and audience development for explosive growth. Di

Uncover the unexpected secret to skyrocketing your podcast's visibility and audience expansion. You wouldn't expect a podcast marketing expert's advice to be tied to middle school memories and the power of personal connections. But what if I told you that forming genuine partnerships with major podcast platforms and using their preferred communication methods could be the game-changer for your podcast growth? Imagine the impact of understanding the platform partner's app priorities and utilizing social media in a way that goes beyond conventional strategies. It's all about creating a strong foundation through personal connections and innovative cross-promotion techniques. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Get ready to discover the strategies that will take your podcast from under the radar to the spotlight. Stay tuned for the surprising key to unlocking your podcast's full potential. "Another thing to find a balance with is call to actions in the content. So I've had hosts who are hesitant to ask for

Do you want to increase your podcast's visibility and attract new listeners? Want to know the strategies that professional podcast networks are using to achieve audience growth? We've got a great episode to help you grow your podcast audience and reach the next level. Uncover the surprising podcast growth strategies from an expert in the field. Join us as we unravel the unexpected tactics that both indie podcasters and seasoned podcast networks can use to skyrocket their audience numbers. From leveraging cross-promotion opportunities to the untapped power of SEO and keyword search, these game-changing strategies will leave you amazed. But that's not all. There's a secret tool that AI platforms are using to suggest top podcasts, and it all comes down to ratings and reviews. And the best part? You don't need a big team or a huge budget to implement these strategies. Get ready to be blown away by the simplicity and effectiveness of these growth tactics. Are you curious to learn more about the hidden gems of podc

Do you desire to elevate your podcast's audio quality and enhance the overall listening experience? Our guest, Dan Hughley, will be sharing some solutions to achieve improved sound production and elevate the overall auditory journey. If you seek to take your audio quality to the next level and provide a more immersive experience for your audience, then this is the episode you won't want to miss. Join us as we delve into the world of podcast audio improvement and microphone techniques. Stay tuned!  "Experiment, get weird. As podcasters, there's already a level of weird, right? So make sure that you experiment with your gear and that you know how all the settings work and you know what all the possibilities are." - Dan Hughley, Focusrite Dan Hughley, a seasoned audio engineer and representative of Focusrite, brings a wealth of knowledge on podcast audio quality improvement and microphone techniques. With a passion for helping podcasters elevate their sound, Dan's expertise in developing podcast-specific audio i

Does the struggle of producing high-quality podcasts while juggling multiple tasks sound familiar? You may have been told to simply work harder and put in more hours to improve your podcast production. However, this approach often leads to burnout and frustration as you still struggle to achieve the desired results. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted while not seeing the quality improvement you desire in your podcast can be disheartening. But there's a better way to enhance your podcasting process and achieve top-notch content. Stay tuned!  "Keep it simple. Get the best gear that you can afford, but also, you don't have to go overboard on it. You don't have to get a 500, $600 audio interface. You can stay in the under $200 price range, and you'll get something great." - Dan Hughley, Focusrite In this episode of Podcasting Smarter, we speak with Dan Hughley from Focusrite to delve into the latest trends and essentials in podcast production. Dan shares valuable insights into the use of artificial intelligence

Are you an aspiring or experienced podcaster looking to enhance your skills? Join us as we delve into the world of podcasting formatting, discoverability, and monetization strategies. With valuable insights and practical tips, this podcast will leave you wondering what the next step is in your podcasting journey. Stay tuned for more! "Formatting your show can really come down to breaking up your podcast into different sections. This accomplishes a couple of things. Number one, if you're formatting your show to have various sections, what kind of sections are they? Maybe you can create different sections within your podcast to build listener engagement." - John Kiernan We discuss the resources available in Podbean Academy for podcasters including the importance of getting started and shares insights on the different tracks and modules in Podbean's Academy resources, underscoring that they're not just for beginners but cater to podcasters at all stages. The conversation covers podcast formatting, strategic plan

If you're feeling frustrated because you've been pouring hours into creating high-quality podcast content, only to see minimal returns on your efforts, then you are not alone! You may have already tried running ads on your episodes or seeking sponsorships, but instead of seeing a significant increase in income, you're barely covering your production costs. You might be feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the lack of sustainable growth in your podcast audience and income. But there are proven monetization strategies that can help you turn things around and start seeing the financial rewards you deserve. "So those would be two that I say really get underlooked from a serving perspective. The other thing that I will say is, I think a lot of podcasters don't take enough advantage of things like PayPal donations or coffee donations or things like that." - John Kiernan, Podbean In this episode, you will be able to: Explore diverse podcast monetization strategies to boost your income and grow your show. Under