Apple And Spotify Announce Paid Podcast Subscriptions

Apple and Spotify are entering the paid podcast subscription game, allowing podcasters to monetize their content through a subscription model. Is it all it’s cracked up to be? Find out on this episode of the Q’d Up Podcast on Podcasting, as Jay (Pod Vader) and John take a closer look at the pros and cons of using either service, what other options are available to podcasters, and how this might impact the industry over the long term.

In addition, writer and SEO expert Matthew Stevens is back again to talk about the importance of show notes. Matt breaks down why every podcast should have show notes, what should go into them, and how they can affect your podcast marketing efforts.

Show highlights:

Introduction

Apple Podcasts announce paid subscriptions (1:08)

Apple Podcasts recently announced they’ll be allowing podcasts to provide paid subscriptions within their feeds. Jay and John talk about the details, including Apple’s fees, what Apple is allowing, and how podcasters can create unique content for it.

Other subscription services (2:50)

While Apple and Spotify are just getting into the subscription game, hosting platforms have been doing it for quite some time. John and Jay take a look at some of the other subscription platforms out there and how Apple’s service differs.

What Apple Podcasts Subscriptions means for podcasters (6:40)

Apple Podcasts allowing subscriptions could be good for podcasters but it also could have some negatives as well. The guys look at the short- and long-term effects of Apple’s new service on podcasters themselves, including what it broke immediately.

Spotify’s paid subscription service (11:38)

At the same time Apple Podcasts announced their paid subscription service, Spotify has done the same thing.

Spotify teams up with Facebook (13:12)

Along with their new podcast subscription service, Spotify announced a deal to include their player on Facebook. John and Jay talk about how that will potentially impact your statistics and audience engagement.

Podcast show notes: Why have them? (17:18)

Matthew Stevens returns for the third time to talk about podcast SEO. This time, it’s all about the importance of show notes. Matthew explains how show notes are useful both for marketing and further engaging with your listeners.

Podcast show notes: What should go into your show notes? (21:00)

Now that you know why you should have show notes, what should you put into them? Matt points out a few key things you need to include -- from the beat-by-beat points from that episode to where you sourced your information.

Podcast show notes: Transcription (30:15)

Jay and Matt discuss whether using a transcription service is a useful alternative to show notes for those that might not have the time to do them.

Podcast show notes: Length (32:13)

Matt and John break down how long your show notes should be, both from an SEO perspective and from what people will typically be interested in reading.

Podcast show notes: Quotes (36:09)

As Matt points out, writing your show notes is a great opportunity to find great quotes and pieces of information that could help your marketing.

Links:

Q’d Up - Website

Q’d Up - Instagram

Pod Vader - Twitter

Pod Vader - Email

Pod Vader - LinkedIn

John - Email

John - LinkedIn