http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com

The better your connections with your listeners - the better your connection with the EXACT people who can propel your podcast and brand forward. Just think about the way people feel connected to Apple or Southwest Airlines, or Tom’s Shoes - those things don’t happen by accident. And YOU have the opportunity to make it EASIER and MORE CONVENIENT for your listening audience to connect with you... and I’m going to tell you a way that you can do it, on this episode of Podcastification.

What I cover on this episode about making better connections:

• [2:03] Using the description portion of podcast apps to your (and your listener’s) advantage.
• [6:49] Where do you put all your cool information? This needs some explaining...
• [9:31] Do you know what feed you fed to iTunes?
• [12:15] Where do you post all your cool info that will help you make better connections with your audience ?
• [14:54] My best practices for what to post in your description (but make up your own mind).
• [19:40] Timestamps can be VERY useful to your listeners. Here’s how to include them.
• [21:22] Images can help your listeners trust you more. Talk about better connections! Trust is what you want!
• [23:09] Help your not-so-savvy listeners know HOW they can use your resources (it’s called marketing).
• [24:59] Helping your listeners help you (and them).

Do you know what feed you fed to iTunes?

If you’re going to make full use of the process I describe in this episode to better connect with your listeners, you’re going to need where your podcast feed is coming from. What? You don’t know what a podcast feed, is? That’s OK - I’ll tell you on this episode. But MORE IMPORTANTLY, I’m going to tell you exactly how to DISCOVER where your podcast feed is coming from and make use of that information to best effect. Sounds like a super-secret-government-conspiracy. But it’s not. It’s just learning the tech that is at your disposal to give yourself more opportunities to build better connections with your listening audience.

What is the point of making better connections with your listeners?

Whether or not you are using your podcast to generate money or not, if you think about the connections you make with your listeners from a marketing perspective, I think you will easily see why it's vital that you get this right. Your listeners are not just leads for whatever you are promoting, they are hot leads. They have self-selected to listen to your show and to receive counsel from you as their expert. That means they are chomping at the bit to receive your advice, apply it, and possibly even purchase whatever you create. And they are more likely to take that final step if they know, like, and trust you. That means they need to be connected to you in a way that they feel comfortable with. Are you getting my drift? Find out how to use the current technology to make it easier for them to make those connections with you, on this episode.

resources we talked about in this episode

• Pocketcasts
• Libsyn (podcast hosting)
• iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, iHeart Radio
• Blubrry PowerPress Plugin
• Podbean
• Regan Starr’s feed discovery tool
• HTML cleaner (pre-Libsyn step when copying from a doc of any kind)
• Blogtalk Radio

The Regan Starr interface for locating your feed address (click for a larger image) Connect with me...

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https://podcastfasttrack.com/

Get your free 7 day trial of Squadcast at https://Squadcast.fm OR if you use my affiliate link here you can say “thanks” to me for making the introduction.

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Way back when I started podcasting — it was 2013 or so — I recognized very quickly that whoever could solve the problem of recording conversations over a distance and do so with high quality audio, would have a leg up on everyone else.

I’m glad to know the two guys who did it. On this episode I walk through Squadcast (affiliate link) with co-founders Rock Felder and Zach Moreno. We dig into the tech they created that makes the app work so well, how they solved for quality and reliability, and even go step by step through the features and how the platform works.

You’ll also get to hear what’s coming down the pike that goes WAY beyond recording an interview podcast in audio - High Def Video recording through the same platform. It’s Squadcast, folks. Learn about it on this episode.

YOU'LL BENIFIT FROM LISTENING TO THIS PODCAST IF YOU...

• [2:10] Experience on the Google Chrome team that translates DIRECTLY into this app
• [8:55] Why Skype-type audio recordings are NOT the best quality
• [11:45] How the Squadcast team addressed quality and reliability in distance recordings
• [14:22] The tech details of what these guys did to address distance recording issues
• [21:08] My Squadcast walk-through with Zach and Rock explaining it to me
• [29:04] Lots of choices for the host to get better audio for them and guests
• [41:18] Squadcast pricing: from a 7 day free trial to huge networks
• [46:10] High quality VIDEO is on the way!

Resources mentioned during this conversation

• Edison Research Infinite Dial Report 2020

Connect with the Squadcast team

• On Twitter: @SquadCastFM
• Follow on LinkedIn
• Check out the Squadcast YouTube Channel

Audio drift on podcast interview recordings is a thing of the past

You know what I’m talking about, right? You get the audio from your online recording platform, toss it into your audio editing software (DAW) and discover that it isn’t synced. So you spend tons of time trying to connect the dots and make it sound normal.

That shouldn’t happen. It’s called “audio drift” and one of the most PAINFUL parts of using any distance recording solution (when it happens). The Squadcast guys (Zach and Rock) KNEW it was an issue and took the time to figure it out. Don’t you love people who just figure it out?

If you decide to try out Squadcast you’re doing to discover that audio drift is no more. Really, NO. MORE.

The best way to control the audio quality of interview guests

It’s pretty typical for a podcast host to have great audio. She’s the one who’s invested a bit of dough in the right equipment and who has learned how to record effectively. But the guest... now that’s a different story entirely.

It’s just as typical for the guest’s audio to atrocious. They don’t understand audio, don’t know what to do to get good recordings, and don’t always see why it’s important. So what can a host do?

Number one: Help them get good audio the moment they come onto the recording platform. Zach and Rock over at Squadcast.fm got a suggestion from podcast guru Harry Duran (Podcast Junkies) that they should built out a way for the host to see the status of the guest’s audio setup — What mic are they using? What bandwidth do they have on their internet connection? And that was a BRILLIANT idea, Harry. Why? Because the host — the one who knows about how to get good audio — can now peek through the keyhole at the guest’s setup to help them tweak it into a reasonably good-sounding audio track. Listen to this episode. Rock and Zach explain how it works.

What if I told you that high quality distance video recording is almost here?

It’s currently late August, 2020. The guys at Squadcast.fm are ALMOST done putting together one of the most in-demand apps I can think of. It’s the ability to...

www.Podcastification.com

Podcast statistics can be one of two things - incredibly intimidating or incredibly intoxicating. Which is it for you? Since there’s so much ignorance and plain old misinformation out there about stats for your podcast I thought I’d invite Rob Walch, V.P. of Podcaster Relations at Libsyn (affiliate) to be on the podcast to tell us the TRUTH about stats. In this conversation we talk about download numbers, what they mean and where they come from, how they impact your iTunes ranking, whether New and Noteworthy is impacted by downloads, myths about podcast statistics, deep level stats and how to use them, Twitter bombing, and more. As always, it’s an entertaining conversation with Rob. You only have to listen to the beginning teaser to figure that one out!

[5:06] Checking your stats multiple times a day? You’ve got a problem. ;)

There are addictions of all kinds - and podcast statistics can be one of those. On this episode Rob tells us the kind of responses he gets from people when the Libsyn stats system is in maintenance mode for a few hours, why he thinks it’s unhealthy and unproductive for you to check your stats more than once a week, and how you can do that weekly checkup most effectively. It’s worth listening to whether you're the addict or apathetic. I guarantee you’ll learn something.

[12:20] How do you REALLY get into the iTunes New and Noteworthy listing? And does it matter?

There are tons of theories out there about how you can get your show into the iTunes New and Noteworthy section. But very few of them even hint at the REAL way your show can get into N&N. And it doesn’t really have to do with your podcast stats. Honest. Rob Walch speaks to the issue on this episode and clarifies the kind of “bump” to your downloads you might see if you do happen to get into N&N, and why it’s not what you really need to be focused on.

[21:04] Common myths about podcast statistics - and what the truth is. [23:55] Geography, traffic sources, technology: Do those stats matter for your podcast?

Libsyn and most other podcast media hosts are going to provide some pretty details statistics for your show. But do you know how to use them? There is a ton of insight in your stats dashboard and on this episode Rob shares how to interpret them and gives some practical examples of how to use them to make more money and understand exactly where you need to improve to gain more listeners.

[39:58] What IS twitter bombing and why does it mess up your stats?

resources we talked about in this episode

• You can reach Rob Walch at [email protected]
• Libsyn (affiliate)
• Lore Podcast
• Overcast App
• PocketCasts App
• iTunes App
• Casper Mattress
• Hello Fresh
• Storyworth
• Stitcher
• Google Play
• iHeart Radio
• Safari
• Firefox
• Mozilla
• Podcast Addict App
• Chrome

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Carey(AT)PodcastFastTrack.com

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HTTP://WWW.PODCASTFASTTRACK.COM

If you do an interview-based podcast you know the headache of booking qualified podcast guests. The internet (and the world, for that matter) is a very big place. How do you find, connect with, and book the people who your audience will benefit from the most? On this episode, I’m going to tell you how I recommend my clients do this - and I’m going to explain WHY I do. In the end, it’s up to YOU to provide the best content you can to your podcast listeners, and this could be the missing step you need.

[2:01] Why you MUST research your podcast guests.

There are many people you COULD invite to be a guest on your podcast. But there are only a handful that you SHOULD extend the invitation to. It’s your job to search out that handful of experts who will be of the greatest benefit to your audience. On this episode, I’m going to explain to you what it really means to do your homework when it comes to reaching out to potential guests for your podcast and tell you some slightly easier ways to go about it.

[4:54] Focus on your podcast guests and benefits to THEM.

Every person you invite to be a guest on your show has their own goals and dreams that they are trying to fulfill. When you contact them to ask if they will be on your podcast, they are trying to figure out if doing so will help them fulfill those goals and dreams. On this episode, I’m going to tell you how you can help them make that decision by inviting them in a way that focuses on THEM instead of on you and your listeners. This tip alone could amplify the quality of your podcast guests if you will apply it.

[5:45] Potential guests for your podcast will be more likely to accept your invite if you do this...

Want to know the one thing that can make all the difference to a potential podcast guest saying “Yes” instead of “No”? Here it is: You’ve got to give them the opportunity to accomplish everything they would hope might happen by being on your show. That means helping them promote things they want to promote, giving them the opportunity to reach out to your audience and more. Find out what it takes to get the best guests for your podcast AND make it worth their time to be on your show, on this episode. Who knows, you might also build some lasting relationships with professionals and experts in your field in the process.

resources we talked about in this episode

• Interview Valet
• My conversation with Tom from Interview Valet
• www.InterviewConnections.com
• www.PodcastGuests.com - from Andrew Alleman
• www.YouCanBook.me
• Schedule Once
• Acuity Scheduling

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http://www.PodcastFastTrack.com

In the last episode of Podcastification I gave you my best tips on getting that ideal podcast guest to say “Yes” to your invitation to be your show. Today I’m going to take you to the next step. What do you do once a guest has agreed to be on your show? Are there things you can do to help them prepare, make the most of the opportunity, and get the best recording possible?

Is the Pope Catholic?

On this episode we’ll be covering a TON of helpful things you can do to make the guest at home on your show, ready to give their best, and able to help YOU promote and publicize it powerfully.

[2:43] Step 1: Get the info you need to make it a great interview.

Your podcast guest is just that - YOUR GUEST. You need to practice some good old fashioned hospitality and help them do their very best on your show. It’s your responsibility to bring out the great value they can deliver to your audience - and that starts with helping them to help you as you prepare for the conversation. This episode has some very practical tips and tools to help you set up an efficient system that enables your guest to EASILY give you the info you need and set the stage for a great interview and a powerful promotional effort on both your parts.

[6:49] The kinds of things you NEED from your podcast guest (stuff to ask for). [15:38] What kind of instructions does your podcast guest need?

Whether your podcast guest has ever been interviewed for a podcast before or not, they’ve never been on YOUR show before, right? You have particular things you do and specific things you’re looking to get out of your interviewees - and your guest knows nothing about those. On this episode I’m going to help you think through the things your guest needs to know in order to bring their A-game to your conversation, optimize their side of the recording for great audio, and make it an enjoyable and valuable experience for your listeners.

[19:18] Why it’s good to provide your podcast guests with a “best practice” sheet.

It’s a great idea to provide your podcast guests with a sheet of some kind that they can keep for easy reference that tells them the best practices for being on your show. What sort of things should go on that list? Here’s a short-list: and you can hear them broken down in detail on this episode of Podcastification.

• Emphasize that you want to promote them in best light possible.
• Tell them you will go over some of this again briefly when you connect.
• Ask them to plan to record in a quiet setting with a low amount of echo.
• Encourage them to be mindful of sitting still (no activity, driving, treadmill).
• Let them know to use a hard-wired computer connection (not wifi).
• Emphasize that they need to use an external mic. Here are my recommendations in order of preference: USB microphone, USB headset, earbud microphone.
• Stress that they must wear headphones, earbuds.
• Ask them to turn off all external speakers from computer (and other noisemakers).

resources we talked about in this episode

• www.PodcastFastTrack.com/59 - Part 1 of this episode
• Google Forms
• Zencastr AND the tutorial video I created
• Ringr (affiliate link) - AND the tutorial video I created
• AT-2100 microphone
• AT-2005 microphone
• Rode (microphones)
• Blue microphones

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