Podcasts by J Cleveland Paynes Creators Pep Talk
J Cleveland Payne offers a quick pep talk every week offering encouragement and the occasional spark to action to content creators.
Find out more about how Payne can help you with crafting your message by visiting http://jclevelandpayne.net/creatorspeptalk.
Further podcasts by J Cleveland Payne
Podcast on the topic Technologie
All episodes
Tell Non-Podcast Listeners About Other People's Podcasts - CPT 207 from 2023-10-18T05:05:01
You want to sell non-podcast listeners on joining the club. Do it by pushing content from creators they are likely to listen to, not just your content.
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Your Podcast Has Value Beyond Plays And Downloads - CPT 206 from 2023-10-11T05:05:01
The numbers are significant but not always the primary reason to start or continue a project. Documenting history, connecting with people, and learning from the process may be a stronger motivator ...
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'Make Better Content' Is Not Helpful Advice - CPT 205 from 2023-10-04T05:05:02
You don't help a surgeon with confidence by saying, 'Do surgery without killing the patient.' If making better content (or more engaging and entertaining content) is not second nature, consider why...
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Who Do You Expect To Replace? - CPT 204 from 2023-09-27T05:05:01
Who are your listeners not going to listen to from now on when they start listening to you? Knowing some answers to this question will help you target and capture more listeners.
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Drink More Water - CPT 203 from 2023-09-20T05:05:01
I am telling you to drink more water as a creator for the same reason I tell people on my health and fitness podcasts: your basic health. Proper hydration is good for your voice (as a podcaster) an...
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Yes, That Other Podcast Is Better Than Yours. So What? - CPT 202 from 2023-09-13T05:05:01
You can not be discouraged by other people's talent. You need to define your goals, polish up your performance, and keep producing content. Because, in reality, you have little to do with the perce...
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Batch Work Is Your Friend (Maybe Your Savior) - CPT 201 from 2023-09-06T05:05:01
Once you settle your content creation process, take advantage of the consistency and create more work in batches to save you creation headaches.
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Eventually, You'll Learn Not To Care - CPT 200 from 2023-08-30T05:05:01
As you see the number of episodes rising, you will gain comfort in your workflow and performance and won't worry as much about the things that seemed like nonstarters when you started.
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There Is No Best Day To Publish Your Podcast - CPT 199 from 2023-08-23T15:43:06
The best day to post is the day that works best for you and your content. Other than when your listeners need to hear it for it to be relevant, the day and time rarely matter, other than consistency.
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Other Creators Aren't Doing Better Than You - CPT 198 from 2023-08-16T15:41:28
They are better at marketing, basically doing a better job telling you (and the world that consumes similar content) they are better than you.
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Three Universal Tenants To Content Creation - CPT 197 from 2023-08-09T15:37:04
Content first. Gear Second. Audience always. These are the three universal tenets all content creators need to follow.
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Convert Your Original Content Into Other Formats (Plus Bonus Content) - CPT 196 from 2023-08-02T05:05:01
Turn your audio into a YouTube video. Turn your YouTube videos into audio. Transcribe all your non-text work into text to post for newsletters and blogs. Make short clips for other social media pla...
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Promote On Social Media In As Many Ways Possible - CPT 195 from 2023-07-26T05:05:01
You know you need to promote yourself on social media, but are you doing it effectively and on as many platforms as possible?
Know If You Are Not Any Good Versus Not Good Enough - CPT 194 from 2023-07-19T05:05:01
Can't get sponsors or mass adoption? Know whether you're getting a sign you should drop the project, retool, or keep pressing as is. There is a fundamental difference between seeing that you don't ...
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Be A Good Host And Be A Good Guest - CPT 193 from 2023-07-12T05:05:01
Ironically, the things one does to be a good guest also apply to being a good host.
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Leverage Your Guest's Audience - CPT 192 from 2023-07-05T05:05:01
You have guests on your show because they should be a draw for your audience. Find a way to ethically leverage the audience your guest has massed to help grow your own.
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Release At Least 3 Episodes On Launch Day - CPT 191 from 2023-06-28T07:27
This is not a necessity, but as a way to give quick validation to a new project (and give people more to watch and listen to early in the life of the project) you can launch with at least three epi...
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Most Of The Good Ideas Are Taken - CPT 190 from 2023-06-21T05:05:01
Don’t get discouraged when you find out there is already a podcast or video series that takes the same angle and approach as you have been dying to try. Just take a slight pivot and do the idea bet...
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Is It A Conversation Worth Listening To? - CPT 189 from 2023-06-14T05:05:01
A project you work on as a solo creator is still a conversation playing out. Just playing out between yourself and the ‘world’ of watchers and listeners out ‘there.’ The key to success in these pro...
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Obligations To A Sponsor Will Take Away From Content - CPT 188 from 2023-06-07T05:05:01
As much as we complain about the glut of sponsor reads in podcasts and videos, having a sponsor helps the creator fund their operation and give them the ability to keep working. But the more you do...
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Don't Talk Bad About Your Non-Target Listeners - CPT 187 from 2023-05-31T05:05:01
The key to success as a creator is to take good care of your target listeners, and the key to longevity is to take some consideration for your non-target listeners.
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A Music Bed May Be The Perfect Band-Aid For Your Poor Audio Problems - CPT 186 from 2023-05-24T05:05:01
Bad audio will ruin your work, whether pure audio or video creation. A music bed is not a real 'fix,' but it can get you over the poor quality you hear in your recordings while you are working thro...
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Expertise Is Easy. Execution Is Hard - CPT 185 from 2023-05-17T05:05:01
Being an expert is as simple as knowing a little more than your audience. Being an effective communicator and trainer doesn't require being an expert in a topic, but being proficient in communicati...
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Know Why You Want To Be A Creator - CPT 184 from 2023-05-10T05:05:01
There are four basic questions I ask everyone who comes to me for help in beginning their journey as a creator. First, why do you want to be a creator? Second, what do you know about (or want to kn...
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About The Niche Thing - CPT 183 from 2023-04-12T05:05:01
Niching down means focusing on your ideal target customer and aligning your marketing to match. So niching down is a popular topic for new podcasts and video creators to help find a consistent audi...
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All the Great Ideas Are Not Going To Work - CPT 182 from 2023-04-05T05:05:01
You are a creator because you have many ideas. And many of them are great. And many of those great ideas have no chance of success.
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Is It A Conversation Worth Listening To? - CPT 181 from 2023-03-29T05:05:02
A solo production is just a person giving a speech, and an interview or group chat production is just a few people at a party having a structured conversation together. The key to your success in w...
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Produce Your Boring Content Anyway (CPT 180) from 2022-06-22T12:08
Know what your content's true purpose is. It may not be the most entertaining, but if it hits its mark, you are doing it right by producing it.
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Is The Book Better Than The Movie? (CPT 179) from 2022-06-15T12:04
The format of your content makes a difference to the audience that consumes it, even if it is practically the same information.
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Welcome To J Cleveland Payne's Creators Pep Talk (CPT 178) from 2022-06-08T11:55
Not a new, but expanded focus for this micro podcast to help digital creators of all types master their messages and grow their followings.
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Don't Confuse Content Value With Production Value (PPT 177) from 2022-06-01T05:05
Either could be a hero or hindrance to your podcast growth, but they are not the same inherent issue.
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Do What You Like (PPT 176) from 2022-05-25T05:07
It's your work. If you are not getting the response you want to your offering, continue to do whatever you like to hear in the final product. Or at least keep doing what they don't seem to hate.
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Start Your Accolades List Now (PPT 175) from 2022-05-18T05:05
The road to finding 'success' in your work will be a very long journey. Start a list of accomplishments and accolades early in the journey to help sustain you.
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Are You Speaking The Language Of Your Listeners? (PPT 174) from 2022-05-11T05:02
Podcasting is an easy way to reach an audience beyond the borders of your home country. But do the norms you are used to flatter or offend those of other nations and cultures? If you don't know, yo...
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The Zero Audience Conundrum (PPT 173) from 2022-05-04T05:05
You know no one is checking out your content but you have more to present. Is now the time to quit and move on to something else?
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About The Niche Thing (PPP 172) from 2022-04-27T05:05:02
Working your niche can both work as magic and as chains of bondage.
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Sponsor Obligations Takes Away From What You Can Do With Your Content (PPT 171) from 2022-04-20T05:05:02
Having someone to underwrite your work is awesome, but it also binds you to those underwriters to produce certain things just for them, which may mean less of the things you want to produce for you...
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Don't Talk Bad About Your Non-Target Listeners (PPT 170) from 2022-04-13T05:05:02
You do have to take care of the listeners who are here for you and your content. But not at the expense of people you might not initially consider your target listeners. There are a lot more non-ta...
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If You Can Get One Subscriber… (PPT 169) from 2022-04-06T05:53
…you can get 10, then 100, then even more. What it really takes, is the talent to connect (one person at a time) and just the passage of time itself.
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People Are Looking Harder For You Than You Know (PPT 168) from 2022-03-30T05:05:02
Don’t give up hope that your audience isn’t out there looking for your content. Don’t stop trying to find easier ways for your potential audience to find your content.
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Bypass Luck With Intention And Solid Work (PPT 167) from 2022-03-23T05:05:02
Yes, lucky breaks can make a content creator. But luck can only be capitalized and sustained but a person already putting in hard work with an intention of what success looks like.
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To Script Or Not To Script (PPT 166) from 2022-03-09T06:05:02
Delivering a message without scripted lines is hard. Delivering a message with scripted lines is also hard.
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But What If No One Wants To Listen? Or Worse? (PPT 165) from 2022-03-02T06:05:02
How to manage the anxiety that is opening up to an audience when you're not so sure your audience even exists.
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Stop Tightening Your Abdomen (PPT 164) from 2022-02-23T06:05:03
Too many people hear the word “support” from voice coaches and think it means to create pressure in your abdomen as a means to somehow push more air out. The key is to relax your abdomen and create...
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Drop Your Jaw (PPT 163) from 2022-02-16T06:05:02
Most people simply do not open their mouths enough to let the sound come out unobstructed. This method will send more sound waves into the cheek area before exiting with a more resonant and full qu...
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Upgrade Your Gear, But Not To Quickly (PPT 162) from 2022-02-09T06:05:02
Gear is a great equalizer for all podcasters. Better can give better results but doesn’t make you a ‘better’ performer. Work toward acquiring better gear, but don’t be in such a hurry.
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What Are You Known For? (PPT 161) from 2022-02-02T06:35
Of all the things I am and I do the most memorable seems to bb 'JJ's dad.' you may think your audience knows who you are, but they probably don't identify you as the image you are trying to push.
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First Things First: Make A Logo (PPT 160) from 2022-01-26T06:05:02
No, the logo is not the *first* thing you should do in getting started, but by creating some identifying graphic very early in the process, you will give yourself a symbol for motivation and a simp...
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It Doesn't Have To Be Employment, But It Should Feel Like Work (PPT 159) from 2022-01-19T06:05:01
Your podcast may be a personal cash suck, but it should not operate as a wild night out. It should at least feel like a minor chore that you must do.
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Do I Need To Take Courses Or Hire Coaches? (PPT 158) from 2022-01-12T06:05:02
As a coach who sells courses, you would think this would be an unwavering yes. But, as a person who hires coaches and constantly signs up for courses, this one gets the standard, 'It depends.'
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Yes, Have Business Cards Made… (PPT 157) from 2022-01-05T06:05:02
…and mugs and stickers and all the things. Just don't expect magic from having all that swag to hand out.
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Don't Hate Them 'Cuz They Are Famous (PPT 156) from 2021-12-29T11:22:19
If you are having issues with the famous people pulling in all the listeners for your podcast, remember how much how care about famous people just because their famous, and don't care about regular...
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But Are You My Friend? (PPT 155) from 2021-12-22T06:05:02
Call outs to other people are find, but be careful in calling a name of a person you don’t really know your friend.
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Find Dedicated Space And Keep It Sacred (PPT 154) from 2021-12-15T06:05:01
Finding dedicated space that is suitable for use for your creative purposes will be difficult. When you find adequate space, make sure to protect it.
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Find Dedicated Space And Keep It Sacred (PPT 154) from 2021-12-15T06:05:01
Finding dedicated space that is suitable for use for your creative purposes will be difficult. When you find adequate space, make sure to protect it.
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Create Content You Don’t Hate (PPT 153) from 2021-12-08T06:05:02
You may be your only audience for longer than you like, so you might as well entertain and enlighten yourself.
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Addressing Bad Audio From A Different Recording Source (PPT 152) from 2021-12-01T06:05:01
I have been away from the main studio I use to record because of college football. Using portable equipment in lease than favorable conditions, I have been plagued by bad audio for a while. Hear ho...
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Options For Using Pre-Recorded Opens (PPT 151) from 2021-11-24T06:05:09
Using canned opens and closes can save you time, can help keep you on time, and alleviate some of the need for come up with ‘clever banter’ for your opens and closes.
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Consider Buying A (Few) New Computer(s) (PPT 150) from 2021-11-17T06:05:08
Even if you buy lower quality computers, assigning them to dedicated tasks may be easier on your wallet and your stress than trying to push more life out of your already overworked current machines.
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Recorded Audio And Video Is Recorded Audio And Video (PPT 149) from 2021-11-10T06:05:08
The reason you look and sound different in your recordings is that it is a recording. Because it is a recording, it can be manipulated to your benefit, mostly.
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Paying For Music (PPT 148) from 2021-11-03T05:05:11
First, don't steal copyrighted music. Second, find unique sounds and options. But if you are okay with a simple, possibly overly sampled sound (especially if this a early attempt or throw way effor...
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Podcasting For Cheap Versus The Alternative (PPT 147) from 2021-10-27T05:05:05
You cannot produce a podcast for ‘absolutely free,’ but you can produce a decent product for extremely low cash down. However, the more you choose to invest in your productions, the more you can ge...
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Think Like Your Audience (PPT 146) from 2021-10-20T05:05:13
If you cannot pinpoint how your audience would thing, work harder to define who your audience should be.
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Your Podcast Is Unique Because You Are Unique (PPT 145) from 2021-10-13T05:05:04
You do need to come up with unique angle to make your podcast stand out in the crowd. But your podcast is itself ‘unique’ because you yourself are an unique person.
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Start Like You're A Veteran (PPT 144) from 2021-10-06T05:05:01
Go ahead and do those veteran moves you like as you begin your podcast journey. If you find they are not you, stop doing them.
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Podcasting About Your Place Of Employment (PPT 143) from 2021-09-29T05:05:06
You can easily podcast about what you already know. Podcasting about your actual job sounds like a subject you can easily get into. But should you?
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Unrealistic Podcasting Goals (PPT 142) from 2021-09-22T05:05:12
There are plenty of stories of people finding their personal 'pots of gold' directly from the labors of their podcast. Statistically speaking, 'plenty' is not a sound case to bet the farm on anythi...
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Lack Of Feedback Does Not Equate To A Bad Podcast (PPT 141) from 2021-09-15T05:05:09
You're not getting feedback from your work. This is not a sign that your work is not good. This is more of a problem of sample size and the newness of your podcast.
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Think Like Your Audience (PPT 140) from 2021-09-08T05:05:16
If you cannot point out how your audience would think, work to define who your audience should be and then go find those people and see how well it lines up.
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What Is Old Can Be New-ish (PPT 139) from 2021-09-01T05:05:14
Assume all the podcast ideas that can every have come are completely exhausted. Start your podcast anyway.
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Asking Podcasting 101 Questions (PPT 138) from 2021-08-25T05:05:15
Basic podcasting questions, not-so-nicely know as Podcasting 101 Questions, will always come up if there are new podcasters. They oddly come up frequently from expectance podcasters as well.
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Stop Worrying About Who You Offend (PPT 137) from 2021-08-18T05:05:04
Always play to your audience but never be a jerk about it If your audience lives by a certain code that you agree with, worrying about insulting someone not in your audience is worthless to you, ev...
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There Is Always More Advice You Can Take (PPT 136) from 2021-08-11T05:05:02
Don't worry about taking every piece of advice offered to you as you work on your podcast. Some is counterintuitive. Some is just bad. And the bulk of it is so much that you can never try it all an...
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When To Quit (PPT 135) from 2021-08-04T05:05:14
The question that all creators know they will have to eventually face, despite how amazing they think their work will be at the start. But knowing when to quit is not as simple as realizing you are...
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How To Manage Stutters And Other Verbal Tics (PPT 134) from 2021-07-28T05:05:18
As a life-long stutterer, I am constantly battling verbal tics and other stammers. Here are some techniques I have used over time to get past them.
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Where Were You A Year Ago? (PPT 133) from 2021-07-21T05:05:07
Do a comparison of how well you are doing now to how you were performing a year ago. You will see the progress you have made and keep yourself in check for forward progress.
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Interviews Versus Conversations (PPT 132) from 2021-07-14T05:05:14
Interviews are controlled and directed, building up and down on with a purposeful cadence. Conversation are meant to flow, and just go as they are want to go, while you hope for the best in coheren...
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Your Downloads Are Not Directly Correlated To The Value Of Your 'Art' (PPT 131) from 2021-07-07T05:05:09
Being a popular podcaster is more about market timing and less about how good the product, or how much production value goes into the podcast.
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Out Of Ideas? Tip Number Three: Binge Similar (Or Not) Content From Other Creators (PPT 130) from 2021-06-30T05:05:10
I often suggest taking in less media from other creators to maintain the purity of your ideas. But if you are short on good ideas, sifting through the work of other to ‘borrow’ a few creative ideas...
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Out Of Ideas? Tip Number Two: Find Out What The People Are Asking About (PPT 129) from 2021-06-23T05:10:20
Two websites that offer you a chance to see what other people are asking questions about are https://answerthepublic.com/ and Listen
Out Of Ideas? Tip Number One: Go For A Walk (PPT 128) from 2021-06-16T05:10:19
In order to shake of the stress of writer block, simply get out of your seat go for a walk. Get moving to get your blood pumping and you brain firing off ideas again.
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Five Pieces To A Great Podcast That You Have Total Control Over (PPT 127) from 2021-06-09T05:10:06
With the exception of talent, connections, and a large following, there are only five pieces to create a great podcast. And everyone has total control of all five.
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Five Pieces To A Great Podcast That You Have Total Control Over (PPT 126) from 2021-06-02T20:52
With the exception of talent, connections, and a large following, there are only five pieces to create a great podcast. And everyone has total control of all five.
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Moderate Your Expectations (PPT 125) from 2021-05-26T05:05:14
The band playing at the bar you were already going to that made you pay a $5 cover should not be expected to provide an experience on par with front row floor seating from a mainstream act on a maj...
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Should I Be On Clubhouse? (PPT 124) from 2021-05-19T05:05:02
It the latest craze and podcasters are worried if it is a threat or a blessing. It is exclusive to iOS, and not yet oversaturated with marketers. Should you be there?
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The Problem With 'Good' (PPT 123) from 2021-05-13T00:44:37
Try to gauge your success and failure on real criteria that can me measure and tracked. Less about feeling, more about metrics.
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Most Who Call Themselves Fans Don't Do A Good Job Of Being Fans (PPT 122) from 2021-05-05T05:05:06
Very few people who call identify themselves as a part of your fans will put forth minimal effort beyond basic to support your work. Don't worry about it. This is normal.
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It Is Harder To Start A New Podcast Then You Think (PPT 121) from 2021-04-28T05:05:10
Think you've mastered podcast launching with your first? You'll see just how hard it is to do the second time around.
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Whatever Planning Tool Works For You Is The One To Us (PPT 120) from 2021-04-21T05:05:12
Any tool to help your planning is excellent, but there is no magic tool that works as a universal fix for all.
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Your Marketing Matters (PPT 119) from 2021-04-14T05:05:16
Other's podcaster's glossy websites and fancy audiograms help them promote their show over yours. It is not about how good the show is or how well it resonates with the audience. This is the sellin...
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Interview Yourself (PPT 118) from 2021-04-07T05:05:20
One of the frustrations you will find when you finally get interviewed about your podcast are the questions you are asked do not reflect well on explaining your podcast. Do some 'interviews' of you...
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Is It A Bit Too Much? (PPT 117) from 2021-03-31T05:05:20
Trying to be a marathon podcaster (posting more than one episode of a show within a week) can make you a standout to potential audiences, or maybe a quick ticket to burnout and giving up on podcast...
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Love The (Podcast Hosting Service) You're With (PPT 116) from 2021-03-24T05:05:05
It can be a pain to change your hosting platform. Unless you see a significant boost in moving to a new one, see what you can do to fall in love, or at least kinda like, the one you are already pay...
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Your Level Of Financial Tolerance May Vary (PPT 115) from 2021-03-17T05:05:15
You may be a podcaster looking to do your work on the cheap. You may be itching to spend big dollars on shiny new gear. All are welcome at the table of podcasting.
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Three Main Barriers To Getting Started (PPT 114) from 2021-03-10T06:05:12
There are three main barriers that keep people from pulling the trigger in starting podcasting: the tech (do I have the stuff to do it), the talent (do I have the ability to do it), and the time (d...
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Is It Too Late To Start A Podcast? (PPT 113) from 2021-03-03T06:05:17
A question that stymies and stalls potential content creators is whether the medium is too saturated to enter. It’s not. Every year there are award winners for new entries to all media, so do what ...
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Is Linear Speaking Necessary? (PPT 112) from 2021-03-03T06:05:17
Do you need to produce content that is linear, i.e., follows a pattern logical pattern. It depends on if you are teaching, commenting, storytelling, or a combination of the three.
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What's In A Name? A Lot And Not Very Much (PPT 111) from 2021-02-24T06:05:10
Does a 'good' podcast name matter? It never hurts, but there are plenty of cases where it does not help all that much.
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Great Conversations May Not Equal Great Podcasters (PPT 110) from 2021-02-17T06:05:12
Maybe you and your buddy can talk for hours on arrays of topics. Does that mean you two should launch a podcast project? Maybe. Maybe not.
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Roleplay Your Way To Success (PPT 109) from 2021-02-11T17:43:32
Struck down with fear because of imposter syndrome? Stand up while you record like a voice-over artist does. Dress up as if you were speaking in front of a crowd. And of course, smile. Believe it o...
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No Man Is An Island . . . Unless They Are Wanting To Be Interviewed On A Podcast (PPT 108) from 2021-02-03T06:05:14
You have to find ways to get yourself noticed by the people producing shows you want to appear on.
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Content Advice From Kent Julian (PPT 107) from 2021-01-27T06:05:17
This is advice from a blog post by Kent Julian on how to Become a Motivational Speaker, but it is truly about delivering great content in an unforgettable way that you can use for any audience. Fin...
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Don’t Be So Picky With Your Sound (PPT 106) from 2021-01-20T06:05:19
Working with musicians over the years has taught me that they are a superstitious lot about how they like their sound. But their individual mixes in their ears is meant to help them perform. It is ...
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Overcoming Objections Is Not Necessary (PPT 105) from 2021-01-13T06:05:12
The most common debate tactic you will see used against you is not at an attack to counter the good you intend to do, but to highlight the bad, real or perceived, that you can possibly do if left u...
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Are You 'Your' People? (PPT 104) from 2021-01-06T01:13:13
You should be making content that you enjoy that will be consumed by strangers who also enjoy it. If you do not enjoy it, you will not stick to the process to get it produced.
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Embrace The Cost Of Extra Batteries (PPT 103) from 2020-12-30T06:10:02
Or power cords. Or cables. Or whatever random accessory that is rarely thought of until they fail and ruin your recording session.
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Carry Business Cards (PPT 102) from 2020-12-23T06:05:12
A business card may seem like a primitive form of networking and marketing, but it is a simple and fairly inexpensive way to spread the word about your podcast.
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There Is Space For Your Voice. But That's What Makes Being Heard So Difficult. (PPT 101) from 2020-12-16T06:05:13
The internet makes it simple to find a place in bytes for your podcast to be found by the world. Finding a place in the listener's hearts for your particular podcast is not that simple.
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Respect Your Audience(s) (PPT 100) from 2020-12-09T06:05:13
With so many people creating content for so many different platforms (and even some with video), it can be difficult to maintain your personality for every one of your distinctly different audiences.
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Simplify Your Story (PPT 099) from 2020-12-02T06:05:09
Speaking about your podcast is just you telling a story. And like all stories, the more complicated it is, the easier it is to lose listeners in the telling.
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Don't Worry About Your Voice (PPT 098) from 2020-11-25T06:05:12
You may not like the way your voice sounds after you start recording yourself and you hear a ‘true’ version of your voice. Get over yourself and your voice.
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Warm Up Your Voice (PPT 097) from 2020-11-18T06:05:03
A runner would never start a race without stretching prior to the event. You should take time to ‘stretch’ your voice as well before you record. Do a few minutes of vocal exercises every day to exp...
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Do You Assume They Know Who You Are? (PPT 096) from 2020-11-11T06:05:18
This is not about know, like, and trust. This is about the literal open to your podcast. Do you approach it as an explanation of who you are or do you just get on with it and let the new listeners ...
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People Have The Attention Span Of A Goldfish. Or Do They? (PPT 095) from 2020-11-04T06:05:19
Podcast Consultant Dave Jackson took a deep dive into the expression to find that the man it is sourced from was basically taken out of context. This goes to not believing everything you hear on th...
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Did I Mention Consistency In Content? (PPT 094) from 2020-10-28T05:05:02
Consistency in delivering content is a mantra than cannot be said enough. But you have to deliver consistent styled content (that is hopeful consistently good) to make a real impact with being ther...
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You Are Always Your Key Demo (PPT 093) from 2020-10-21T05:05:06
Even when you have no audience, you always have you to cater to what you want to hear in a show you are voicing and producing yourself. Otherwise, why put in the work?
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Don’t Let Their Fame Move You Off Your Claim (PPT 092) from 2020-10-14T05:10:07
Someone extremely famous popped-up with a new podcast just like the one you were preparing to launch? So what? Create and launch yours anyway.
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Technology Should Not Be A Barrier To Making Yourself Heard (PPT 091) from 2020-10-07T05:10:16
Podcasters have a fear of not owning enough quality tech to produce a good podcast. Don’t let the fear of producing a bad podcast get in the way of trying to deliver a message to the world.
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Podcasting And Red Ocean Strategy (PPT 090) from 2020-09-30T05:05:18
Podcasting is becoming more of a cut-throat business as the medium matures. But you can still work it like a geek focused hobbyist.
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Your Podcast Successes Are Built On Many Failures And Near Misses (PPT 089) from 2020-09-23T05:05:05
Learning doesn’t come from success. learning comes from failures and finding solutions to overcome those failures. Success is the validation of a failure you have successfully overcome.
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Stop Trying To Explain What A Podcast Is (PPT 088) from 2020-09-16T05:10:16
A podcast has a very distinct definition, which few people care to understand. If you want more listeners, but don’t want to target more techie types, don't be some stuck on training the world to u...
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Radio As A Metaphor For Social Proof (PPT 087) from 2020-09-09T05:15:06
When I Was In High School, Radio Airplay Was Social Proof. And the band none of your friends listened to is akin to the indie podcast host who is a star in the making.
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Better Equipment Does Not Equate To Better Podcasting (PPT 086) from 2020-09-02T05:05:02
The better the gear you own doesn’t instantly translate to being a better podcaster. But these tools can help a proficient podcaster be better.
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Give Credit Where It Is Due (PPT 085) from 2020-08-26T05:05:15
None of your ideas are original. So, give props to the fact that you are trying our new things you've observed working from others. Even generic credit shows good spirit.
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Your Audience Will Change Over Time (PPT 084) from 2020-08-19T05:05:14
It is not difficult to publish a lot of podcast episodes. It is really hard to keep the same people listening to your podcast over an extended period of time.
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Wear Your Headphones (PPT 083) from 2020-08-12T05:05:16
If your set up allows you to monitor your recordings in real time, take advantage of it. And get over whatever ick factor you have with wearing your headphones.
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Record At The Right Energy Levels (PPT 082) from 2020-08-05T05:05:05
Setting your audio levels properly are just one key to recording good episodes. Showing up to record without the right amount of physical and mental energy can be heard just as clearly as the hiss ...
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Are You Meant To Go Solo? (PPT 081) from 2020-07-29T05:05:06
Before you get started working on the recording of a podcast, you have to know if the intent of your show to be solo, interview, co-host, or a hybrid.
Can You Stay Consistent? (PPT 080) from 2020-07-22T05:05:13
While there are exceptions to this rule, podcasts generally need to be published on a consistent basis to maintain a following.
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Get Out Of Your Bubble (PPT 079) from 2020-07-15T05:05:12
A comfortable routine may make for an easy-going life, but not a very informed one.
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The Most Important Reason People Will Listen To Your Podcast Is... (PPT 078) from 2020-07-08T05:05:13
Any question that asks for ‘the best’ will create controversy. But I believe there should be a universal top answer for why 'people' (not necessarily you) actually listen to certain podcasts.
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Ask Your Audience Without Pandering (PPT 077) from 2020-07-01T05:10:08
Your audience will be your greatest source of support, whether financial or emotional, in your podcast journey. This week we quickly cover how to engage with your audience to get them to be willing...
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There Are Not Too Many Podcasts (PPT 076) from 2020-06-24T05:10:02
There are a lot of podcasts. There are way too many podcasts for you to personally listen to, especially if you aspire to have a top-rated podcast yourself. There are not too many podcasts.
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Are You Worth Listening To? (PPT 075) from 2020-06-17T05:10:08
You can be boring and informative, or dynamic and totally trivial. But what makes your podcast, and you as a host, worth listening to?
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You Are (Probably) Not Competing With John Lee Dumas (PPT 074) from 2020-06-10T05:10:20
If you are listening to this, I want to give you hope as a podcaster. But I also need you to set a realistic floor and ceiling for your expectations.
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Don't Website Shame Other Podcasts (PPT 073) from 2020-06-03T05:10:18
A good website to funnel podcast listeners is a great tool to have if you can effectively keep it updated and fresh. If not, your generic website created by your podcast host is just fine, assuming...
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Add It To The List (PPT 072) from 2020-05-27T05:15:02
Looking for topic ideas? 'Borrow' a few from your fellow podcaster to pull and use at a later date.
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Only Podcasters Care Where You Host Your Podcast (PPT 071) from 2020-05-20T05:15:21
If your podcast finds a way to a platform where real listeners can find it, it doesn't matter what your podcasting peers (or haters) think about your plan for hosting.
It Takes Time And Effort To Do It Right (PPT 070) from 2020-05-13T05:15:15
All the bells and whistle of a 'good' podcast require a lot more time and effort than you think, even if you are a veteran producer. And sometimes, the effort is not worth it for the audience you...
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Quality Is A Problem IF It Is Noticeable (PPT 069) from 2020-05-06T05:10:15
The problem is probably not how bad it sounds, but the range of how good it sounds. Consistent use of the same equipment, same settings, and same locations make more of a difference than how expens...
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To Be Or Not To Be . . . Search Engine Optimized (PPT 068) from 2020-04-29T17:57:26
Should you scrap a possible podcast topic because it is not currently trending?
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There Are Two ‘Too Many Podcasts’ Problems You Will Face (PPT 067) from 2020-04-22T05:25:17
Too many podcasts in the wild is a problem for new podcasters. It’s actually two separate problems that must be overcome: too much noise to filter out with bad podcasts and the proper pitch to get ...
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Too Much Chatter On Too Few Topics? (PPT 066) from 2020-04-15T05:15:20
How to battle the fear that you are just adding noise to what could be real discussions and dialog.
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There Are Too Many Good Tip For You To Implement (PPT 065) from 2020-04-08T05:05:18
There is an over-abundance of advice in the podcasting world, and surprising more of it is helpful than not. But there is so much advice out there that you cannot possibly implement the bulk of wha...
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Audio Over Video Because...Your Face (PPT 064) from 2020-04-01T05:05:18
The extra work it takes to record, edit, process, and publish a video may not be worth the effort it takes to comb your hair and wash your face.
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Five Star Reviews Are Only As Useful As You Can Make Them (PPT 063) from 2020-03-25T05:05:16
We all ask for them and hope to get them. But how useful are those five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts? Or elsewhere?
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Keep Asking For Feedback And Responses (PPT 062) from 2020-03-18T05:05:15
Not seeing enough response to your call to action? Whatever you do, don't stop giving your call to action.
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Yes, You Can Do Better Than Them, But... (PPT 061) from 2020-03-11T05:10:16
Strive to be a better quality podcaster and not to show up the local radio guy who is not your competition.
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The Perfect Formula For Your Podcast Elevator Pitch (PPT 060) from 2020-03-04T14:32
The Perfect Formula For Your Podcast Elevator Pitch is: [PODCAST TITLE] is a podcast where host(s) [NAME(S) OF HOST(S)] discuss(es) / interview(s) / analyze(s) [TOPIC OR FOCUS OF PODCAST]. It has ...
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Are You Too Educational, Too Entertaining, Or Both? (PPT 059) from 2020-02-26T06:20:08
is your podcast not getting traction caustic the audience is not getting what they want from an entertaining or educational aspect.
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Make More Podcasts Than You Listen To (PPT 058) from 2020-02-19T06:20:03
Put more work into you podcasting efforts that you put in listening to other people's podcast. If you need to put yourself on a 'podcast diet,' then do it.
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Is Your Podcast All About You Or Them (PPT 057) from 2020-02-12T06:15:16
Know if the point of your podcast to get a message out to the public or just to hear yourself talk.
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Don't Worry About Stats While You Worry About Stats (PPT 056) from 2020-02-05T06:15:03
Your downloads are not the only measure of success. Knowing your listener count can help you steer the direction of your show, but it should not dominate any aspect of your show.
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Radio Listeners Only 'Hear.' Podcasts Listeners Aren't Much Better. (PPT 055) from 2020-01-29T06:15:20
People believe they are listening to what you are saying when they are actually barely hearing the words you are speaking. This is a hazard of the business of broadcasting and podcasting.
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Getting To Know You Happens In Pieces (PPT 054) from 2020-01-22T06:35:05
People don’t have time to devour your entire story in a single sitting. They will get a fuller picture from the bits and pieces they pick up along the way. Be patient.
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What A Difference A Year Makes (PPT 053) from 2020-01-15T06:25:09
Podcast Pep Talk is one year old, and we've learned and grown a lot in the past 52 weeks. How much have you learned over the course of your podcast's life?
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Picking Your Niche Will Solve Your Scattered Content Problems (PPT 052) from 2020-01-08T06:35:09
Trying to be all things to all people never works. Not in business, not in relationships, and definitely not in podcasting. You don’t have to go hyper-niche but having a definite vision for who you...
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Take A Break In You Can’t Connect With An Audience (PPT 051) from 2020-01-01T22:29
Ironically, no one will really notice you’re gone if no one is listening intently to your program. But they will notice that you come back stronger after a break.
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What Is The Worst Thing That Can Happen? (PPT 050) from 2019-12-25T22:18
You will probably not be jailed for your opinion on a pod cast. If you could be that is something to seriously consider if you feel the need to speak your mind in audio form. If not, stop fretting ...
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Zombie Podcasts And Podcasters (PPT 049) from 2019-12-18T06:10:11
After a few months of podcasting, you may find yourself asking a few specific questions. Is the love still there? Is the purpose still there? If you answer no to either of those questions, you may ...
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Podcast Like You Have A Massive Following Already (PPT 048) from 2019-12-11T20:16:39
Put your best 'fake it till you make it' moves in action, because in podcasting unless you are extremely famous already, expect no following from your initial launch.
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Always Have A Spare Piece Of Tech (PPT 047) from 2019-12-04T06:10:05
Always have a spare piece of tech: All your tech is just a worst-case scenario moment from going bad on you. Within reason and budget, you must always have a backup plan and equipment for just the ...
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How Do You Sound At X Speed? (PPT 046) from 2019-11-27T06:15:14
There are people who because of time constraints and preference listen to podcasts at 1.5X speed and faster. Does your podcast stand up to being sped up?
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Clean Audio Is Important (Crystal Clear Is Not) (PPT 045) from 2019-11-20T06:05:09
Sound quality a greater factor in the delivery of your message when all you have is pure audio to send to listeners. But perfect is not the goal. Clear and airable is.
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Can You Take Some Time Off? (PPT 044) from 2019-11-13T06:05:16
There is pressure to keep a podcast publishing schedule consistent, but there is pressure to maintain a life, especially when your podcast is more of a labor-intensive labor of love than a vehicle ...
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Show And Episode Titles Should Pop, But Not Blow People Away (PPT 043) from 2019-11-06T06:05:18
Have titles that are catchy and draw people in without reading like clickbait that turns people away.
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Maybe You Are Not Very Good (PPT 042) from 2019-10-30T05:20:07
At the beginning of your podcast journey, you will probably not be very good. But as you continue, if you are not gaining the response you want, you may not be improving. This is not the sign to qu...
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Becoming A Podcaster Puts A Target On Your Back (PPT 041) from 2019-10-23T05:05:18
A podcast is an audio recording...and a for-the-record recording of the words you said. So make sure the words you say on any podcast are understood in context, and that you are willing to face the...
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All You Need Is Apple Podcast! Maybe? Maybe Not? (PPT 040) from 2019-10-16T05:20:05
Apple Podcasts is your direct way into the iPhone ecosystem and the directory many other podcatchers use to update their listings. But it may not be the most important home for podcasts for your au...
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Periodically Explain Your Inside Jokes (PPT 039) from 2019-10-09T05:10:06
Breaking down the inside jokes your older listeners to your podcast enjoy so that your newer listeners can understand them does not make them less funny. It makes your show more inclusive, and less...
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You Are Making This More Complicated (PPT 038) from 2019-10-02T05:20:06
Stop trying to keep pace with the big-time podcasters. Run your own race, which is very easy to say and very hard to do.
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Know What Score You Are Keeping (PPT 037) from 2019-09-25T05:20:19
What metrics are you using to gauge success for your podcasts? Is it really about listener engagement or cash from sponsorships?
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Are You Talking To Your True Target Audience? (PPT 036) from 2019-09-18T05:20:09
As you get started in podcasting, you may think you are talking to yourself, and you just might be. But when do you determine if you are podcasting to a real target audience or just as an excuse fo...
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Separate Your Podcast Spending (PPT 035) from 2019-09-11T05:20:18
Whether podcasting for business or as a hobby, you need to have a handle on your podcast-related spending.
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Your Listeners, Fans, And Haters Are Real People (PPT 034) from 2019-09-04T05:20:20
Unless your podcast is just for a proof of concept, you need real people to become listeners of your podcast. That means producing a podcast for real people to listen to.
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Your Podcast Needs A Home (PPT 033) from 2019-08-28T09:10:15
It is nearly impossible to get someone to subscribe to your podcast by simply saying find it on your favorite podcatcher. Your podcast needs a website home to direct subscribers to the exact locati...
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Know Why Your Podcast Exists (PPT 032) from 2019-08-21T14:28:34
Your podcast does not take a timeslot on broadcast television without literally has to fill that time with something. So why are people going to take the time to listen to your podcast?
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All The Advice In The World Won’t Fix The Problems You Know You Have (PPT 031) from 2019-08-14T06:05:09
Stop using the excuse of asking for help to stall. You should take action on whatever issues you seem to be having and be okay with doing it your way.
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Record Every Idea In The Moment, Evaluate Them Later (PPT 030) from 2019-08-07T06:05:10
In order to have a bank of good ideas for topics for your podcast, you need a bank of ideas. Find a way to record every idea you have with no worries about their viability. You can determine that l...
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Your Mom Is (Probably) Not Your Target Audience (PPT 029) from 2019-07-31T06:05:04
Having your family and friends as a support system is awesome. But these people who love you unconditionally may not be the same type of people you are looking to reach with your podcast, and their...
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Keep Your Podcast Run Time Consistent...For Your Sporadic Listeners (PPT 028) from 2019-07-24T05:05:17
Much of the podcast advice from the early days of syncing with iTunes is no longer valid, and just bad advice in general. In this episode, I flip-flop on a piece of advice that I always hated, and ...
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The Simplest Call To Action Is To Just Come Back For The Next Episode (PPT 027) from 2019-07-17T05:05:17
You probably have many ideas to add to your podcast episodes as potential calls to action, but a basic request to just listen to the next episode is a very powerful one.
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The Trouble With The 'New' Podcast Overlords (PPT 026) from 2019-07-10T05:05:08
Independent podcasters are beginning to beef with the radio faction and high investor groups on their corporate approach to podcasting. But this is a setup akin to a knife fight with some stranger ...
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See How Easy It Is To Reach 25 Episodes? (PPT 025) from 2019-07-03T05:05:21
One plus one equals two. Add one again and it equals three. And if you keep adding ones, in eventual time, it adds up to a significant amount. This is how we got to 25 episodes of this podcast, and...
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Do Your Listeners Have To 'Join The Club?' (PPT 024) from 2019-06-26T05:05:19
A problem many podcasters have once they get their rhythm is their show becomes an inclusive club that requires a good amount of effort to understand so that new listeners can join.
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Are You Really Ready For Sponsorship? (PPT 023) from 2019-06-19T12:32:31
Sponsorship sounds wonderful because it is a way for your podcast to make money to support itself and you. But with great revenue possibility come great responsibility.
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Ideas Are Prolific And Perishable (PPT 022) from 2019-06-12T12:14:09
You have more idea than you can actually use, and all those ideas come to you with an expiration date for effectiveness and relevance.
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You Can't Publish 100 Episodes Without Producing 100 Episodes (PPT 021) from 2019-06-05T05:05:07
It's not as much a matter of time, but a matter of consistency and resolve. Longevity is all about sticking around for whatever milestone you wish to accomplish.
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Don't Fret Too Long Over Your Media Host Decision (PPT 020) from 2019-05-29T05:10:15
Where you host your podcast files is important. But not so important to stall your start because you fear making the wrong choice. Make a choice, get started, and change hosts later if you think yo...
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Know And Respect The Rights Holders To The Music You Use (PPT 019) from 2019-05-22T05:05:09
Madonna sang 'music makes the people come together,' but if you use any of her music in your podcast, her people will come after you for a check. Copyrights and royalties are not issues to be ignor...
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YouTube For Podcasters (PPT 018) from 2019-05-15T05:05:22
There are plenty who can give a solid argument that having your show's audio on YouTube does not equate a true podcast. Whether you fall into that camp or not, I give a reason why it doesn't hurt y...
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Failing To Get Into The Clique (PPT 017) from 2019-05-08T05:05:10
The odd thing about podcasting is that it is populated with many people who call themselves misfits and outsiders, but it still has a weird high school hierarchy vibe within pockets of the communit...
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Your Commitment to Social Media (PPT 016) from 2019-05-01T05:05:10
Your social media profile can be a window into your life, or the life of your podcast. It should not be both under the same username.
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Less People Notice Your Podcast 'Issues' Than You Think (PPT 015) from 2019-04-24T05:05:13
You will quickly begin to worry about various 'issues' with your podcast, and those worries may have serious merit. And most of your audience will not notice, and most of those that do will not par...
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Time And Priorities (PPT 014) from 2019-04-17T05:05:20
Things that become priorities take up time. Time that is taken away from things that can not be priorities, or you would not be able to relinquish the time. Make note of what podcasting duties beco...
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You Will Run Out Of Fresh Takes Much Faster Than You Think (PPT 013) from 2019-04-10T05:05:12
If you got into podcasting after complaints of hearing other podcasters recycling episode topics and ideas, this lesson may be a hard one to accept, even if obvious.
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Podcasters Can Lie As Well As Hunters&Fishermen (PPT 012) from 2019-04-03T18:14:30
Tall tells are not just the expertise of sportsmen. The tech-heavy world of podcasting allows plenty of room for embellishment of stats and figures.
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Getting Off Schedule Is Not That Big A Deal In The Beginning (PPT 011) from 2019-03-20T18:40:57
Consistency is important in podcasting, but it is not as important to the listeners you really don't have in the early stages of your podcast.
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Humans Have An 8 Second Attention Span (PPT 010) from 2019-03-13T05:05:21
Don't get to upset about a lack of initial traction in getting people listening to your podcast. There are a lot of podcasts to choose from, and not enough capacity to for many people to get past t...
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Podcast Killers Are Real (PPT 009) from 2019-03-06T06:05:08
It is usually some side issue that scuttles your progress in podcasting before the real podcast problems can begin to creep into the process.
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No One Will Hate You If You Quit (PPT 008) from 2019-02-27T14:24:58
The workload of podcasting is more than people believe, and the more obsessed the podcaster, the more overly excessive the podcast process. If it ain't for you, it ain't for you.
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Everyone Starts At Zero - Everyone (PPT 007) from 2019-02-20T06:05:10
The famous and the no-so-much all have one thing in common when they record that first podcast episode. That podcast doesn't yet exist, and it has no audience.
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Gear Matters, But Not As Much As You Think It Does Right Now (PPT 006) from 2019-02-13T06:05:12
The debate about the best gear to use for podcasting is a red herring. Use what you have or what you can get to get started.
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Fight The Temptation To Ask ‘New’ Questions (PPT 005) from 2019-02-06T06:45:09
There are reasons why interviewers don't ask subjects certain questions. Those questions are not very good.
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If You Are In It For The Money, Be Honest About It Upfront (PPT 004) from 2019-01-30T06:05:09
It's okay to launch a podcast for the sake of turning a profit. If you're getting in the game for the money, just be honest about it upfront.
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Low Barrier To Entry Brings In Many, Work Harder To Become The Few (PPT 003) from 2019-01-23T17:23:04
Podcasting has an extremely low barrier to entry to muddle through the science. Being good at the art, and consistent with the science is a whole other level you will quickly learn about.
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There Are Stupid Questions And You Will Ask More Than A Few (PPT 002) from 2019-01-16T16:21:45
There are such things as stupid questions, and you will ask plenty as you learn the art of podcasting. Try not to ask too many up front and fight the urge to continue to ask them once you know better.
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No One Knows How Good You Are, Or Are Not (PPT 001) from 2019-01-09T06:00:05
You’re new at this, so no one knows the limits of your potential, or your potential to not be so great. Have patience at the start of any project.
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Welcome To The Family (PPT 000) from 2019-01-02T22:01:37
Welcome to the (extremely dysfunctional) family that is the podcasting community.
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