Podcast PhD

Podcasting is quickly becoming a powerhouse for communicating on a mass scale, helping creators across the globe spread messages, education, and entertainment to engaged audiences. But with buzzwords and acronyms flying around–like RSS and metadata and does anyone actually know the difference between a condenser and a dynamic mic?–it can be easy to assume podcasting is out of the question for anyone that isn’t a technical genius. It shouldn’t be.
Hosted by podcast producers Marc Ronick and Larry Roberts, Podcast Ph.D. is the everybody guide to podcasting. Whether you’re looking to launch a new show and need help choosing your software and equipment or you’re five seasons in and want tips to grow your audience, head back to AV school with hosts who are passionate–not pretentious–about growing powerful podcasts.
By covering the basics, discussing best practices, and sharing expert insights for all levels of creators and editors, Podcast Ph.D. is proving that anyone can be a podcaster. Leave the jargon behind and join the talking heads who have made all the mistakes, learned from experience, and are giving you permission to do the same. It’s time to earn that Ph.D.
In their natural, laid-back style, Marc and Larry will be covering the topics you want to learn about in a way that is easy to not only understand, but to begin implementing on your own right away: What microphones and cameras should you be buying? How do you piece together a great episode without overediting? How can you grow an audience? How can you monetize and quit your day job? Whatever your questions or your experience level is, this show will teach you how to take the step that’s next in your personal podcasting journey.

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

In our season finale, we discuss the benefits of incorporating a call-to-action (CTA) into your podcast episodes. A CTA is a request to your listeners, asking them to visit your website, rate and review your show, subscribe, email you, etc. We'll explore ways to manage these requests in a way that won't overwhelm your listeners or cause them to tune out or bail on your show altogether.
We'll dive into the different types of actions you can call out and offer suggestions for incorporating them into your episodes. We'll also address the challenges surrounding reviews and ratings, not just for podcast hosts, but for listeners as well. To help solve these issues, we'll suggest a few tools that you may find useful.
Mentioned in this episode:
Robert Chaldini Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion
podpage.com
TIMELINE:
0:00 - Introduction to the show and the first CTA (leave a review, subscribe, give a rating, go to the website, give email and download a free gift)
0:59 - Discussion on the plural form of "Call to Action"
1:51 - Definition of a CTA
3:00 - the effectiveness of CTAs
4:03 - the importance of subscribing to the podcast
5:27 - Discussion on "Subscribe, rate and review"
7:05 - Sending people to your website and having a specific goal in mind
8:11 - Discussion on the value of ratings and reviews for social proof
10:15 - Difficulty in finding & leaving reviews on some podcast apps
14:41 - The "right" time to do the call to action
17:02 - Teasing your last question before doing call to action
18:18 - Strategic application and structure of the CTA
18:52 - Final thoughts

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

Everyone has to start somewhere. How do you decide when your podcast is ready to be launched to the world? In this episode, we’ll explain why we delayed our original launch date and some of the ways that we help podcasters prepare for a strong debut.
We’ll discuss ideas to help promote your show ahead of the launch date, how many episodes you want to have built up in your bank, how to know if it’s okay to “start messy” and when you might need to hold your horses and wait until you’ve got all your ducks in a row.
No matter what animals might be holding you back, we’ll reveal some of the best practices that'll help you be strategic with your launch.

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

On today's episode, we're diving into a topic that is near and dear to our hearts – growing an entertainment-style podcast. Whether you're a host of comedy, true crime, or any other form of entertainment podcast, we're here to help you take your podcast to the next level. From the beginning, we both started our podcasting careers with entertainment-focused shows and we know what it's like to struggle to grow and find success. But we also learned a lot along the way and we're here to share those lessons with you. So sit back, relax, and let's talk about how to grow your show!

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community

As podcasting has evolved, so too have the tools to make it easier for podcasters to produce high quality content that sounds as good as any professional show out there, even if you’re just recording in your closet. In this episode, we’ll start with the bare bones tools you’ll need to get started and tell you why it is that just because a tool is expensive or free, that doesn’t determine the value that it can bring to your podcast.
We’ll start with the tried and true microphones, and help steer you away from the novelty products that often come with issues. We’ll tell you about Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) programs that we use and the several other possibilities that could work for you. And Headphones might not be as important as you think they are, but we’ll explain why you need to find a pair of cans that work just how you like to hear yourself.
This is all to consider when you're beginning your podcasting journey and how much of an investment in the equipment you’ll want to start with right out of the gate. We also discuss ideas for advanced podcasters who might be looking to upgrade their equipment. And we tackle some of the situations where you might have several people participating in your show and some of the ways to set that up.
0:30 Importance of using quality audio equipment
4:15 Recommendations for microphones
10:40 Prevent feedback and improve sound quality
14:15 Transcription software for more than just show notes
19:00 Recommendations for advanced podcasting equipment
30:00 Final thoughts

To learn more about Larry Roberts & Marc Ronick, visit our websites:
podcastphd.pro
readilyrandom.com
ironickmedia.com
Join our Clubhouse community