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Content Strategy

Stop me if you've heard this, but what you put into your podcast is important. Surprise! But having a solid content strategy for your podcast is a lot more than show prep. It's bigger than what you say on mic. And yeah... it takes a lot of work

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Content Strategy

Stop me if you've heard this, but what you put into your podcast is important. Surprise! But having a solid content strategy for your podcast is a lot more than show prep. It's bigger than what you say on mic. And yeah... it takes a lot of work

How Podcasters Can Generate Great Ideas For Social Media Posts
July 27, 2022
How Podcasters Can Generate Great Ideas For Social Media Posts
Posting about your podcast on social media without posting ONLY about your podcast can be exhausting. I can't fix that, but I can give you 10 questions to ask yourself that make for great social post ideas.
5 New Reasons To Write Better Podcast Show Notes
July 13, 2022
5 New Reasons To Write Better Podcast Show Notes
Too many podcasters skip a key step when publishing: the episode details. Or show notes, as you've likely called them. This helpful text isn't optional. It's required. And I'll give you five new reasons why.
Breaking Free Of The Podcast Sandwich Paradigm
June 29, 2022
Breaking Free Of The Podcast Sandwich Paradigm
Listening to podcasts is like eating a submarine sandwich. Making a podcast is like making a submarine sandwich. But too many podcasters try to make one like they eat one. Let's fix that.
Less Is More: The Benefits of A Brief Podcast
March 10, 2022
Less Is More: The Benefits of A Brief Podcast
Two decades and millions of podcasts later, it's likely what you want to talk about is already talked about. But if you're not afraid of doing things differently, you can still make a splash with your new show.
Why You'll Never Get Ahead With Your Podcast
March 3, 2022
Why You'll Never Get Ahead With Your Podcast
A lot of podcasters live episode-to-episode, dreaming of getting ahead so they aren't always rushing to get an episode produced and publish. For many, that's an achievable dream. The trick is staying there.
Warning Our Way To Less Toxic Podcasting
February 14, 2022
Warning Our Way To Less Toxic Podcasting
It's hard to have a conversation about using technology to fight podcasting's misinformation and disinformation problems without being called an anti-free speech commie. But I'm going to do it!
Have Best Practices In Podcasting Made Us Boring?
February 7, 2022
Have Best Practices In Podcasting Made Us Boring?
There may not be a formula for success in podcasting, but there are many established best practices that we dutifully follow as we work to perfect our craft. But does that come at the cost of our creativity?
Making High-Concept Podcasts On A High-Value Budget
February 1, 2022
Making High-Concept Podcasts On A High-Value Budget
There's something to be said for making a high-value podcast, which is why many continue year after year. But making a high-concept show can also be rewarding. Do you have time to make both?
Two Paths To Podcasting Leaves No Middle Ground
January 27, 2022
Two Paths To Podcasting Leaves No Middle Ground
The future comes at every industry hard, including podcasting. Should you learn bleeding-edge skills you hope will emerge in the future, or relevant-now skills you hope will still be relevant in the future?
Content Strategies For Your Podcast's 3 Different Audiences
January 20, 2022
Content Strategies For Your Podcast's 3 Different Audiences
Successful podcasters know the importance of making content your audience loves. But your podcast has more than one audience—audiences with different needs. Are you making content for all of them?
Focus On The STORY Of Your Podcast's Episodes
January 18, 2022
Focus On The STORY Of Your Podcast's Episodes
Many podcasters say they want to improve their shows. One easily overlooked area of improvement is you. Specifically, your ability to tell better stories with your episodes. This mnemonic device can help.
Writing Your Way To A Successful Podcast
January 6, 2022
Writing Your Way To A Successful Podcast
Your podcast is more than just your audio file. And as podcasting continues to mature, the not-just-audio parts of your show will become more important factors that influence your podcasting success.
Breaking Your Podcast's Format Isn't Always A Bad Thing
October 27, 2021
Breaking Your Podcast's Format Isn't Always A Bad Thing
Consistency is often key in podcasting, and your show’s format is part of that. But your format is simply a tool that helps you better tell the story to your audience. Sometimes, a different tool may get better results.
They're Making Video Podcasts A Thing Again… Again And It Might Just Work This Time
October 25, 2021
They're Making Video Podcasts A Thing Again… Again And It Might Just Work This Time
On the whole, podcasting hasn’t been kind to video content producers. And video hasn’t been kind to podcasters’ wallets. But four developing trends could change how podcasters think about video in the future.
Making Your Podcast Better By Controlling The Narrative
October 21, 2021
Making Your Podcast Better By Controlling The Narrative
Far too many podcasters cede control of the narrative of their episodes to their subject. Here’s how to take that power back, make better episodes, and wind up with even more content to share.
Don't Be Afraid To Showcase Your Podcasting Talents
October 14, 2021
Don't Be Afraid To Showcase Your Podcasting Talents
Conflicting advice plagues podcasters. Be yourself, but also follow this exact format, or you won’t have a successful show. Resolving that conflict isn’t easy. But it starts by trusting your talents.
The Problems With Podcast Marketing Funnels
August 25, 2021
The Problems With Podcast Marketing Funnels
A lot of podcast marketing advice starts and ends with: build a funnel and keep feeding people into it! And while that can and does work for some, it’ll frustrate a lot of podcasters. Here’s why:
Finding Your Podcasting Style And Leaning Into It
August 18, 2021
Finding Your Podcasting Style And Leaning Into It
Of all of podcasting's problems, “sameness” isn’t one. Listen to 10 different podcasts, and you’re likely to hear 10 different approaches to sound. Are those differences from intentional design choices?
Making Your Podcast More Than Just An Interview
August 3, 2021
Making Your Podcast More Than Just An Interview
Most interviewing podcasters know how to trim the fat. It’s a much smaller set who can identify only the best bits while still keeping the guest at the center of the episode. Done right, it can set your show apart.
The Best Way To Control Your Podcast's Quality
July 19, 2021
The Best Way To Control Your Podcast's Quality
Not every guest you interview is going to be amazing. Not every monologue you write is going to be stellar. There’s no way to fix that reality. What do you do with a sub-par episode? Don’t release it.
How To Add Legs To Your Content With Podcasting
July 13, 2021
How To Add Legs To Your Content With Podcasting
For many, podcasting is an end goal. But many creators are using podcasting as a way to reach more people—people who prefer listening to podcasts—by reformatting their previously created content.
Facing Podcasting's Round Peg Square Hole Problem
May 24, 2021
Facing Podcasting's Round Peg Square Hole Problem
Podcasters tend to take a monolithic view of podcast listening apps, as evident by “wherever you get your podcasts.” But human behavior is more complicated than that, and it’s up to us to adapt.
Discovering What Makes Your Podcast Uniquely Yours
May 12, 2021
Discovering What Makes Your Podcast Uniquely Yours
Podcast directories are littered with abandoned shows. Shows someone thought would be a hit, but failed to thrive. For many, it wasn’t an audience growth problem. It was a problem of missing value.
Have Evergreen Podcasts Gone Out Of Season?
April 14, 2021
Have Evergreen Podcasts Gone Out Of Season?
“Stick to a format and a release schedule for your podcast!” is a common refrain. But consumption habits change during the year. Are we sacrificing opportunity in the name of evergreen content?
Making Bigger & Better Podcasts By Sharing The Wealth
April 12, 2021
Making Bigger & Better Podcasts By Sharing The Wealth
Podcasting's sense of “coopetition” isn't as common as it was, but podcasters collaborating with other podcasters still happens, creating better shows than possible from solo efforts. Here's proof!
Five Additions To Move Your Podcast's Episodes From Good To Great
April 5, 2021
Five Additions To Move Your Podcast's Episodes From Good To Great
Making your podcast better doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Here are five small, incremental additions you can make at the episode level to move your podcast from good to great.
Finally! A Podcast Website That Doesn't Suck
March 25, 2021
Finally! A Podcast Website That Doesn't Suck
Crazy as it sounds, more people read Podcast Pontifications than listen to Podcast Pontifications. That’s happening on a podcast about podcasting. Now imagine the audience your podcast isn’t reaching.
If Podcasting Can't Please Everyone, Should We Even Try?
February 23, 2021
If Podcasting Can't Please Everyone, Should We Even Try?
Two decades in & podcasting still draws ire from high-profile detractors whose broad brushes paint us in unflattering shades. But there’s truth in their criticism if only we’re brave enough to look.
Making Your Podcast Better With Dynamic Content
February 1, 2021
Making Your Podcast Better With Dynamic Content
If you think dynamic insertion is only for flooding a podcast with bad ads; think again. Here’s how one new podcast is pushing the boundaries of dynamic insertion, and how it makes the show better.
A Brief Lesson Podcasters Can Learn From Politicians
January 12, 2021
A Brief Lesson Podcasters Can Learn From Politicians
Whether podcaster or politician, those in the upper echelon tend to be better communicators. Here’s an unlikely tip you can implement to tighten up your show, senator-style.
Sir, This Is Not A Wendy's Podcast... And That's OK
August 24, 2020
Sir, This Is Not A Wendy's Podcast... And That's OK
Wendy’s has a new podcast, and it’s not great. At least, not on the surface. But what we see as a low-effort offering might mark a new inflection point in podcasting that few of us saw coming.
Do Androids Dream Of Being On Your Podcast?
August 12, 2020
Do Androids Dream Of Being On Your Podcast?
There’s a wave of advancements in both text-to-speech and AI-generated text that will impact podcasting as we know it. But rather than replace humans, this might be a boon for creative podcasters.
Are Video Podcasts Back From The Dead?
July 28, 2020
Are Video Podcasts Back From The Dead?
Beyond a few pockets of interestingness, video podcasting never really became a thing, and audio reigned supreme. But all of that could change in the ‘20s, and it’s the pandemic’s fault.
Podcast Episode Planning For Hip-Shooters
April 7, 2020
Podcast Episode Planning For Hip-Shooters
Few issues are more polarizing than the question of how much plan/prep time should go into a podcast episode. But if you cut out the extremists (who I think just like to argue), you’ll find there’s plenty of room for podcast planing and spontaneity.
Busting The Myths of COPE and CORE For Podcasting
April 6, 2020
Busting The Myths of COPE and CORE For Podcasting
The concept of both COPE & CORE -- Create Once, Publish Everywhere and Create Once, Repurpose everywhere -- sound great. But are they take a lot of strategy and time. Are they worth the trouble for podcasters?
Everything Has Changed. Why Hasn't Your Podcast?
March 24, 2020
Everything Has Changed. Why Hasn't Your Podcast?
The odds that your podcast serves an audience unimpacted by COVID19 is vanishingly small. Virtually everyone is facing a new reality and adjusting their habits. Should you adjust what your podcast delivers to them?
Disassembling Your Podcast Media Stack
March 18, 2020
Disassembling Your Podcast Media Stack
Your podcast is bigger than the audio episodes you create. And your media stack is more than the channels you use to promote and distribute your show. Are you approaching content creation strategically or taking a shotgun approach?
Make The Most Of Podcast Bonus Episodes
March 17, 2020
Make The Most Of Podcast Bonus Episodes
Podcasting has a super-power that beats broadcasting: The ability to put out a bonus episode when you need to. Or want to. Come to think of it, there are lots of ways podcasters can make better use of bonus episodes.
Should You Produce An Episode About COVID19 (Or The Next Crisis)?
March 16, 2020
Should You Produce An Episode About COVID19 (Or The Next Crisis)?
Does your audience expect you to say something about the pandemic? How do you balance your compassion as a human with your content production plan as a strategic podcaster? Or should you just stay silent?
The Long & Short Of Better Podcast Episodes
July 31, 2019
The Long & Short Of Better Podcast Episodes
As the podcast producer, you get to decide how long your episodes should be. But if you’re aiming to make a better podcast, you should consider what your show’s potential listeners’ expectations, which are already set for everything else they do in a day.
Podcasting At The Top, Middle, & Bottom Of The Funnel
May 28, 2019
Podcasting At The Top, Middle, & Bottom Of The Funnel
Are episodes of your podcast “the thing” at the bottom of your marketing funnel? Or are you using them at the top of the funnel? What about as content in the middle of the funnel? And what the heck is a marketing funnel?
The Future Of Podcasting Might Be Stealing From Instagram Stories
May 23, 2019
The Future Of Podcasting Might Be Stealing From Instagram Stories
Instagram stole the idea of Stories from Snapchat. Can podcasters steal it again to provide a new approach to (and service for) podcasting?
How To Produce A Podcast On Your Business’ Schedule
May 15, 2019
How To Produce A Podcast On Your Business’ Schedule
Conventional wisdom will have you believe that you have to produce a podcast every single week. But that's not true for most businesses. Here are three better ways, with three great benefits, to take your brand’s podcast in a better direction.
Google Just Made Podcast Websites Really, Really Important
May 9, 2019
Google Just Made Podcast Websites Really, Really Important
Google has finally incorporated podcast episodes in search results in listings that are playable directly from SERPs (search engine results pages).
Canned vs. Fresh: (Podcast Intros, Not Veggies)
May 7, 2019
Canned vs. Fresh: (Podcast Intros, Not Veggies)
The intro of your show is incredibly important for setting the style and the tone of your program. But trends are changing. Are you keeping up?
Daily Podcasting: Should You Make The Switch?
April 9, 2019
Daily Podcasting: Should You Make The Switch?
Do you have what it takes to give your listeners 5x more content than you deliver today?
Focus on One Topic The Whole Podcast Season
March 12, 2019
Focus on One Topic The Whole Podcast Season
Avoid burnout and make a better podcast? What's not to love?
The Future of Video In Podcasting
February 12, 2019
The Future of Video In Podcasting
Will video-focused podcasters ever overtake audio-only shows?
Live Podcasting Is Not Dead Simple
February 11, 2019
Live Podcasting Is Not Dead Simple
Podcasting is sort of the antithesis of live radio. But those lines are blurring.
In Defense of Seasons
January 8, 2019
In Defense of Seasons
Many podcast pundits poo-poo seasons. So naturally, I have to take the contrarian opinion.
Why A Business Podcast Is Better Than A Website
January 2, 2019
Why A Business Podcast Is Better Than A Website
Breathing new life into your static values and mission statements with a podcast.
Podcasting Pillars for 2019: Character, Conviction, & Conceit
December 12, 2018
Podcasting Pillars for 2019: Character, Conviction, & Conceit
You gotta have all three -- on every episode -- if you really want to connect with your audience.
Cooking Up A Podcast With Leftovers
November 26, 2018
Cooking Up A Podcast With Leftovers
Repurposing content is a great way to feed your podcast.
Podcasting Is The New Book Publishing
November 21, 2018
Podcasting Is The New Book Publishing
How skipping the printing press may be the best thing for your career.
Niche-ing Down On Daily Podcasts
November 5, 2018
Niche-ing Down On Daily Podcasts
Five things to consider before you start recording your daily podcast.
What NOT To Put In Your Podcast Outro
October 24, 2018
What NOT To Put In Your Podcast Outro
Three things to think about, and one thing to never, ever do.
Overcoming Podcasting's Creativity Paradox
October 22, 2018
Overcoming Podcasting's Creativity Paradox
How adding artificial constraint helps you be more creative with your show.
What's The Frequency, Podcaster?
October 9, 2018
What's The Frequency, Podcaster?
3 things to consider to find the right publishing cadence for your podcast.
In Support of Single-Issue Podcasting
October 8, 2018
In Support of Single-Issue Podcasting
Don't fall into the trap of thinking your listeners (or potential listeners) are monolithic.
Exploring Podcasting's Effort Hockey Stick
September 25, 2018
Exploring Podcasting's Effort Hockey Stick
4 types of podcasts and their efforts explained.
Your Strategy Is Showing, Podcaster!
August 23, 2018
Your Strategy Is Showing, Podcaster!
Should be subtle or overt in your messaging?
Stop Podcasting Too Close To The Ball
August 13, 2018
Stop Podcasting Too Close To The Ball
Don't let your release schedule drive your production schedule!
There's More To Podcasting Than Just Interviews
July 25, 2018
There's More To Podcasting Than Just Interviews
5 ideas for your business podcast to take you beyond the interview.
What IGTV Can Teach Business Podcasters
July 18, 2018
What IGTV Can Teach Business Podcasters
What podcasters can learn from Instagram TV stars.
What Podcasters Can Learn From Sandwich Makers
July 16, 2018
What Podcasters Can Learn From Sandwich Makers
Why you should stop building your show the way listeners consume your episodes.
Angling for Titles That Are More Than Just The Topic
September 25, 2019
Angling for Titles That Are More Than Just The Topic
If the most interesting thing about your podcast episode is the name of your guest… it's probably not a very interesting episode. Here's why you need to think more about your angle and your title for your episodes.
How A Newsletter Can Catch Your Podcast's Overflow
October 15, 2019
How A Newsletter Can Catch Your Podcast's Overflow
When is a podcast not a podcast? When it's a newsletter from a podcast. No, I'm not talking about just sticking a link to your latest episode in your existing newsletter. That's just being lazy. And it ignores the changing newsletter landscape.
Podcasting: Precursor To Publishing Pizzazz
October 17, 2019
Podcasting: Precursor To Publishing Pizzazz
When is a podcast not a podcast? Well, let's see: When it's a book, a video series, a community, or anything else that makes business sense as you expand your publishing empire.