Your Podcast Consultant

Dave Jackson

Small Podcast lessons (less than 9 minutes) with big value to help you plan, launch, and grow your podcast from Hall of Fame Podcaster Dave Jackson read less
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Episodes

Unveiling the Truth About Programmatic Ads in Podcasting
Feb 2 2024
Unveiling the Truth About Programmatic Ads in Podcasting
Today's episode, "Unveiling the Truth About Programmatic Ads in Podcasting," is all about diving deep into the world of programmatic advertising for podcasts. We're going to have some fun with math as we explore the payouts and strategies behind programmatic ads. We'll compare host read ads to programmatic ads and see how they stack up in terms of earning potential. Plus, we'll discuss alternative ways to monetize your podcast, such as private podcasts and membership models. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just getting started, I've got valuable insights for you on planning, launching, growing, and monetizing your show. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Profit From Your Podcast Programmatic Income Calculator (Advertisecast) Supercast Patreon Substack Timeline 00:00 A Better Strategy Than Reruns 00:34 30 Percent Chance 00:58 Raised on Radio 01:33 Host Read Ads 01:45 Programmatic Ads 02:13 400 Downloads 02:35 ADD MORE ADS! 02:57 There are Other Options "Supercast"  04:07 Brand Alignment 04:38 Profit From Your Podcast "Profit From Your Podcast"  04:54 Substack "My Substack Site"  05:40 Be Careful With Free Stuff This show originates from https://www.podcastconsultant.com/165
When You SHOULD NOT Start a Podcast
Jan 20 2024
When You SHOULD NOT Start a Podcast
Hey there, podcasters! In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I delve into an important topic: why you should hold off on starting a podcast until you have a clear vision for your content. Drawing from my extensive 18 years of podcasting experience, I highlight the potential pitfalls of investing in expensive equipment too soon and stress the value of developing compelling podcast ideas first. I share real-life examples and offer practical advice on how to approach podcast planning, launching, and monetization. Plus, we feature a testimonial from Mark Lawley of Practical Prepping that underscores the impact of strategic podcasting. Join me, Dave Jackson, as I guide you through the essential steps to podcasting success. Avoid this mistake! Save Money, Start Smart: The Essential Steps Before Buying Podcast Equipment Key takeaways: 1. Starting a podcast? Don't underestimate the power of planning. Instead of rushing to buy expensive gear, take the time to identify 10 potential topics you're passionate about. Let your enthusiasm guide your direction. 2. Mark Lawley's success story from the Practical Prepping podcast is a testament to starting small and growing steadily. From humble beginnings with a $30 recorder to upgrading to the PodTrak P4, their gradual approach reaped long-term rewards. 3. Seek guidance from a seasoned mentor like Dave Jackson who provides tailored support for podcasters. Whether you need help with planning, launching, or monetizing your podcast, a trustworthy consultant can make all the difference. Mentioned In This Episode School of Podcasting Practical Prepping Show Zoom Podtrak P4 Recorder Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music
Features vs Benefits: Master the Skill of Describing Your Podcast for Maximum Impact
Dec 1 2023
Features vs Benefits: Master the Skill of Describing Your Podcast for Maximum Impact
We want people to listen to our show. To get them to listen we need to get them to click. To get them to click we need to convince them that they will BENEFIT from listening to your show.  Too often, we explain a feature and not the benefit.  When I was a copier technician I serviced Minolta copiers that had "micro-toner," which was a feature. The benefit was clearer and sharper pictures.  So many times we let our audience know that Tuesday is Tough Love Tuesdays, and Friday are Free For All Fridays Think of it this way, Do you care what box your next Amazon shipment comes in? No, you just want the product to be good. We don’t care how it’s packaged.  So when you’re trying to get people to click, quit leading with these types of “features” and instead lead with the benefits of listening to your show.  Understanding Features  A feature is an attribute or functionality of a product or service. It's what a product does or the use it has. Understanding Benefits A benefit is how a product or service can improve or add value to a customer's life. Benefits answer the question, "What can this product or service do for me?" for consumers. In marketing, it's helpful to describe how a product or service can solve an audience's particular problems. For example, a feature of an oven is that it can fully heat up in five minutes. The benefit of this feature is that it allows you to cook a meal quickly. One-on-one coaching is a feature of the School of Podcasting. The benefit is there can be a bit more accountability and it is less public for those that are shy.  “Insulated” is the feature of a mug. The benefit is it keeps the hot stuff hot, and the cold stay cold. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/consultant Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music  Mentioned In This Episode Tom Webster Article on Explaining Podcasting
Why Your Podcast Isn't Growing: The Problem I Found on Your Website
Oct 15 2023
Why Your Podcast Isn't Growing: The Problem I Found on Your Website
So someone reached out for help in a Facebook group, and they thought ratings and reviews would help (they don't per Apple), and they were having a hard time getting traction. YouTube and Podcasting So many podcasters think that starting a YouTube version of their show expands their show. What they don't realize is you are creating a SECOND SHOW. Rarely will a person who loves to WATCH come over to your show to LISTEN. Likewise, those who love to listen often don't go to YouTube to watch. I had someone join the School of Podcasting who found me on YouTube and she said, "Oh so you do audio stuff too?" (Um, yeah for 18 years...)  What Is Your First Sting Content? You need to decide if you are a video show FIRST who then strips out the audio? Are you audio FIRST who happens to have video version?  When you try to promote video and audio on the same post it can lead to paralysis through analysis and the potential audience member leaves.  So determine whatever you are (audio/video) and put those players on your site along with buttons to follow/subscribe to your show. Then put a link to your "second sting player."  You Might Spilt Them Up You might consider creating a post with an audio player, and another post with a video player (you could use AI to help generate to versions of the post). Then have a link to "listen" and another link to "Watch" with each link going to either the video or audio version. The bottom line is if you want to grow your audience, you need to make it easy to follow/subscribe on each post so they don't have to keep coming back to your site. READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/listener Follow the Show and Never Miss an Episode Apple - Spotify - Pocket Casts - Amazon Music
Authenticity: The Bridge that Brings Podcasters and Audiences Closer Together
Oct 1 2023
Authenticity: The Bridge that Brings Podcasters and Audiences Closer Together
Have you ever felt like you needed to put on a persona to be a successful podcaster? Well, I'm here to tell you that being yourself is the key to creating great content. Drawing from my recent experiences at various speaking gigs, I've noticed a recurring theme - be authentic and vulnerable with your audience.Now, being vulnerable doesn't mean you have to pour your heart out or cry on air. It simply means opening up and sharing bits of yourself that make a deeper connection with your listeners. Imagine that feeling of bonding you have when surrounded by like-minded people. That's the kind of connection you can create with your audience by being authentic.So if you've ever questioned how to act on your podcast or wondered if anyone is really listening, this episode is for you. Let's dive in and discover the power of authenticity in podcasting. I'm Dave Jackson, your podcast consultant, and let's start creating content that truly resonates. Sharing Your True Self If you've ever fired up the microphone and thought, is anybody really listening? I am there with you. When I do the question of the month on the School of Podcasting, I always think, "what if nobody replies?" When you try to be someone you're not, it's hard because it doesn't come easy. When you try to be someone you admire, you will never outdo them as they are just being themselves and it comes naturally.  2023 Top Podcast Influencer Speaking of wondering if anyone was listening... I was floored that I was named one of the top podcasting influencer in 2023. The thing that is quite humbling is this was not a list of names that people picked from, you had to write in my name. I am moved and deeply appreciate anyone who put down my name.   READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc
Why Being Obvious is Key: Avoiding Confusion in Your Podcast's Name
Sep 1 2023
Why Being Obvious is Key: Avoiding Confusion in Your Podcast's Name
In today's episode, we explore an intriguing topic - the impact of a cute name on your podcast's success. Inside jokes don't work unless you're on the inside. It Sounded Good at the Time A cute name can inadvertently shoot the podcaster in the foot. In this episode, I analyze the show "iCantCU Podcast" and offers his recommendations for improvement. He points out that retaining the word "podcast" in the show's title is unnecessary, as it is already implied.  Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of having a straightforward spelling and avoiding unusual punctuation, as it simplifies searchability and prevents confusion among potential listeners. TRUST ME - You Will Get Tired of Explaining How To Spell Your Name This valuable lesson from his experience at Libsyn, a company whose name often requires clarification. He advises against getting too cute with the show's title, as it can become a source of frustration when constantly explaining it to others. The episode also explores the significance of having a clear tagline or description to convey the podcast's content. By adding a colon and a tagline, the podcast creator can effectively communicate that their show showcases the abilities of blind individuals to the sighted world. They Have to Find You To Click You Drawing an interesting parallel to the world of YouTube, Dave highlights the importance of a compelling title to attract potential listeners. He shares insights from a successful YouTuber, Mister Beast, who emphasizes the significance of engaging titles and thumbnails to entice viewers. The same principle applies to podcasting - an obvious and intriguing title can greatly increase the chances of attracting listeners. Finally, if you need assistance brainstorming podcast names I can help. By joining the School of Podcasting community, you gain access to a supportive network of podcasters, step-by-step tutorials, and unlimited one-on-one consulting with Dave himself.So if you're ready to take your podcast to the next level, head over to schoolofpodcasting.com/ypco and join us today!
Your Magical Community: Double-Down on What You Do Right (Lessons From Ecamm)
Aug 15 2023
Your Magical Community: Double-Down on What You Do Right (Lessons From Ecamm)
In today's episode, we are diving into the world of the magical community. Join me as we explore the importance of unity, finding the perfect software to enhance your podcasting journey and the power of finding your niche. Get ready to unlock the secrets of creating engaging and successful content as we navigate the fascinating world of podcasting. So grab your headphones and let's get started!   " if you hang around guys that play with video all day, you're probably gonna end up playing with video" - Dave Jackson The power of unity and how it can transform your podcasting journey is amazing. I looked into the importance of having a like-minded community, where everyone shares the same goals and insights. Trust me, it makes all the difference!  I know we want to be liked by everyone, but that's not realistic. It's also OK not to be liked by everyone. I have a name for those people, "Not my target audience."  I recently bought a Mac mini, and that means I can now use Ecamm Live. When I first started using it, I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz going from black and white to color. I've used Streamyard for years, and it's a good product. If I only had a PC I would still be using it.  I like options, and Ecamm Live gives you those. As an educator, typically, options come at the expense of a learning curve, and I was surprised by how intuitive this software it. But I'm not really here to talk about the software. I want to talk about difficult choices and the Ecamm Community. I'm sure over the years, Ecamm has had MILLIONS of PC users begging them to make a version of their PC, and yet they haven't. While this surely costs them some income, it also enables them to do the following: Develop for ONE platformMake your software rock solid because you only deal with one platform.You can integrate easier because everyone's computer is much more similar. So when you start building a community, you need to figure out who will be in your community, but the more difficult but necessary thing you need to do is figure out who will NOT be in your community. This will upset some people, and that is OK. They can go build their own community.  Double down on the people who want your content. Serve those who are already consuming your content.  Speaking of Communities In addition to having step by step tutorials (in bite-sized chunks) and UNLIMITED one-on-one consulting with me, I love, love, and love the brilliant podcasting minds in the School of Podcasting community.  You can join now with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Mentioned In This Episode Ecamm Live StreamYard Dave's YouTube Channel School of Podcasting   See you on the inside. Go Podcasting! I may financially benefit from some of the links in this episode, but the price is the same. The links to the School of Podcasting result in me being able to eat.
10 Tips To Unlock Podcast Growth: The Equation for More Downloads
Jul 15 2023
10 Tips To Unlock Podcast Growth: The Equation for More Downloads
Today we're diving deep into the world of podcast growth and unraveling the secrets behind creating a successful show. I'm tackling the podcast growth equation and providing valuable insights for all you aspiring podcasters out there. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your podcast to the next level, we've got you covered. We'll be breaking down the key elements that contribute to podcast growth, sharing practical tips, and shedding light on some common pitfalls to avoid. From clarifying your podcast goals and identifying your target audience to crafting compelling content, we'll explore it all. We'll also dive into the importance of building relationships with your audience, seeking feedback, and making strategic decisions when it comes to monetization. It's not the tech. You can use a Samson Q2U or an Audio Technica ATR2100X microphone (both under 100) Figure out WHY you are podcasting (be seen as an expert, make money, get the word out, grow your network...) Figure out WHO your audience is. Get specific. For example, "widows" is not specific enough, as a 70-year-old widow is different than a 32-year-old widow who lost their partner in a war. Then figure out WHAT to talk about that will hold the attention of the WHO and inspire them in a way that helps you achieve your why. Get ready to do it for free for a few years if the goal is monetization. Less than 10% of podcasts have enough downloads to get "big" sponsors. If your show has a hyper niche topic, you might have a better chance as your niche will eliminate the need for GIANT numbers (10K downloads per episode) because you have the RIGHT people listening. Starring at your stats will not make your downloads grow. Starring at your audience will. Spend $100 on a mic and 100 hours getting to know your audience. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Most podcast promotion (social) brings in a trickle. Go to where your audience is and make friends. THEN tell them about your show. You grow your show one listener at a time. Ask your audience to share and have links to Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon on YOUR website (and yes, you need one). Don't promote your show until you have someone not named Mom to listen to it and give you honest feedback. Go into recording the first episodes knowing you will delete most of them. Authors have rough drafts. Athletes have pre-season. The first thing(s) you record will need some tweaking. When picking names either for your show or episodes ask yourself, "What would make the audience click more?" It's not the media host. While some hosts have easier-to-use interfaces and make promotion easier, in the end, it is your content that grows the audience. The equation for downloads is downloads = value X promotion. No amount of promotion will grow a bad show. The second Avengers movie still had a marketing budget, and everyone in the world was waiting for it. You need to promote your show, "Building it and they will come" is a bald-faced lie. Mentioned in This Episode Rode PodMic USB READY TO START YOUR PODCAST? When you join the School of Podcasting you get: Step-by-step tutorials A private podcast mastermind filled with brilliant podcasters Unlimited one-on-one consulting (not a typo) A 30-day money-back guarantee Join today at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc
It's not how many are listening it's who is listening to your podcast
Jul 1 2023
It's not how many are listening it's who is listening to your podcast
In this week's episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I play a clip of Sting on the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon.  Sting and The Police started out playing to a small audience, just like many of us. There were three people in the audience.  One of them was a DJ who started playing their music which helped them gain traction. Dave reflects on his own experience playing in a band with a small audience but landing a highly profitable gig for a birthday party. The lesson here is that a small audience can still have a big impact. So, why should you focus on the quality of your audience rather than the number of downloads? Dave explains that the number of downloads alone doesn't determine the success of your podcast. Instead, he encourages you to visualize the size of your audience using Google Images. Remember, these are real people choosing to listen to your show, and their engagement and feedback are what truly matter. Listeners have the power to delete or unsubscribe, so it's crucial to have the right people engaged. Don't get discouraged by low download numbers. Remember, the people who are listening are giving you their time, and that is valuable. Each listener represents an opportunity for your podcast to make an impact. If you're seeking expert guidance in launching, planning, growing, and monetizing your podcast, Dave Jackson wants to be your go-to podcast consultant. Visit schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc to access our services, including a private mastermind group and one-on-one coaching. Don't let the numbers discourage you. Focus on quality, engagement, and the value you bring to your listeners. Join our podcasting community and let us help you take your show to new heights.