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

Dave Jackson: The Honest Podcast Consultant
Mar 15 2023
Dave Jackson: The Honest Podcast Consultant
Podcasting is an exciting way to share your ideas and passions with the world. But if you’re looking to monetize your podcast, then you need to have an audience. Unfortunately, many aspiring podcasters think that just by podcasting for a certain amount of time, they will be able to make money. This is not the case. As Dave Jackson, the honest podcast consultant, explains, you can’t monetize dust. To make money from your podcast, you need to have a sizable audience. While there are some rare occasions where you can make money with a small audience, the reality is that most podcasters need at least 10,000 downloads per episode to attract big sponsors. Unfortunately, only 10% of podcasters get 10,000 downloads per episode. The good news is that there are other ways to monetize your podcast besides advertising. Affiliate marketing, crowdfunding, and donations are all viable options (see the book Profit From Your Podcast). You also don’t have to make money from your podcast. If you’re doing it for fun, that’s perfectly fine. The key to monetizing your podcast is to grow your audience. If you have a small audience, you won’t be able to attract sponsors or make money from your podcast. You must focus on growing your audience and building relationships with your listeners. If you need help, you can sign up for my Podcast Consultant service. I'm truly not trying to crush your dreams and aspirations. I just want you to have accurate information for your to base your choices. Just because you have less than 10,000 downloads per episode doesn't mean you can't have a sponsor. I get between two and three thousand downloads per episode of the School of Podcasting. I've had sponsors in the past that wanted to reach podcasters. I prefer to be my own sponsor (as it is more lucrative).  In conclusion, if you want to monetize your podcast, you must grow your audience. This will take time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. With the right strategies and patience, you can turn your podcast into a profitable business. Do You Have a Podcast Plan? Creating a podcast plan is essential for success. Your plan should include a list of topics you want to cover, as well as a schedule for releasing episodes. You should also decide how to monetize your podcast, such as through sponsorships, advertising, or selling merchandise. Additionally, you should create a marketing strategy to promote your podcast and reach your target audience. This could include creating a website, engaging with listeners on social media, and leveraging influencers.  It’s also important to have a plan for dealing with any challenges. This could include dealing with technical issues, such as audio quality, or responding to negative feedback. Additionally, you should have a plan for how you’ll grow your audience. This could include guest appearances on other podcasts, running contests, or creating a referral program.  Finally, it’s important to have a plan for staying motivated. This could include setting goals, creating a timeline for achieving them, and rewarding yourself when you reach them. It’s also important to have a supportive team that can help you stay on track. A podcast consultant can be a great way to get advice and support. Need Help With Your Podcast? Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll create high-quality, engaging content quickly. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting.
Can I Play This Song in my Podcast?
Mar 1 2023
Can I Play This Song in my Podcast?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about podcasting. I hear things like: But I'm a small showMy podcast doesn't make any moneyI'm only playing (X amount of time)I bought the CD The reality is, it doesn't matter. You need permission from the songwriter, the performer, and whoever owns the mechanical rights (typically a record label). The problem is podcasts are downloadable. If they were streaming only, but because their not they don't fall under the same situation where a soundscape account could make you legal. Then throw on top of it that podcastin is global so what is legal in the US might be different in another country.  My friend Steve Stewart for a takedown notice from Spotify. (see tweet). These episodes from 2012-2014 and he just now getting notices.  The authors of the book Reclaiming Fair Use: How to Put Balance Back in Copyright might say it is fine as he didn't gave away the full song. However, when you use it as a bed (think soundtrack), things get murky. What I've seen people do is have a musician listen to the song they like and make one very similar to the original, and use it for their show.  There are places such as Music Radio Creative, Fiverr where you can hire people to write your own jingle. It won't be $5, but if you buy a logo at some place like Audio Jungle, it is often under $20 and then you can hire someone to do just a voice-over and put them together yourself. In the end, I would just stay away from playing unlicensed music (fair use or not). 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
What You Need to Know Before Starting a YouTube Channel for Your Podcast
Feb 15 2023
What You Need to Know Before Starting a YouTube Channel for Your Podcast
Audio Over Video .When it comes to promoting your podcast, it is important to consider which medium you should use: audio or video. While video may seem more attractive, due to its visual appeal, audio is actually the more effective way to promote yourself. One of the main reasons to promote audio over video is because there are more opportunities to listen than there are to watch. People can listen to your podcast while they are driving, working, or doing other activities that don't allow them to watch a video. Additionally, audio files are generally much smaller than video files, which makes them easier to host and share. Another reason to promote audio over video is that it is often more cost-effective. Video requires additional equipment, such as lighting and editing software, which can be expensive. Additionally, video production and editing can be time-consuming, adding to the cost. Finally, audio is often more accessible than video. Not everyone has access to a device that can play video, but most people can access audio. Additionally, audio is more widely accepted in podcast apps, while some apps only stream the audio from video podcasts. In conclusion, when it comes to promoting your podcast, audio is the more practical option. It is more accessible, cost-effective, and has more opportunities for people to listen. While video can be an effective medium for some podcasts, audio is the better option for most. Audio Out Performs Video A famous comedian started a podcast that he wanted to be video only. He was talked into providing an audio option as well. When the show was launched the comedian's team only promoted the video version of the show and ignored the audio. Yet, the audio podcast out-performed the video version ten to one.  When Podcasters Launch a YouTube Channel A podcaster may think they are going to get more people to listen to their show on Youtube. Youtube viewers like to watch, so instead of growing your podcast audience, you are starting a Youtube channel from scratch. I had someone joined the School of Podcasting and said, "Oh you do audio stuff too?" (um, yeah for 17 years). So you will be growing a second audience.    Starting with Audio AND Video Can Burn You Out When you are a brand new content creator, it is hard to get into your rhythm. When you throw in video with lighting, backdrops, cameras and more, you can get overwhelmed very easily. Start with audio podcasting.  When it comes to podcasting, audio is the most accessible medium. It is easier to produce and doesn’t require expensive equipment or extensive knowledge of video production. Additionally, audio podcasts are easier to consume. They can be listened to while doing other activities, such as driving, cleaning, or exercising. This makes them more appealing to a wider audience. Audio podcasts are also more cost-effective than video podcasts. They require fewer resources, both in terms of equipment and personnel. This makes them a more viable option for those with limited budgets. Additionally, audio podcasts can be produced more quickly than video podcasts, meaning they can be released more frequently. Finally, audio podcasts have more opportunities for people to listen. They can be shared more easily, and they can be published on more platforms. This makes them more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, audio podcasts can be more engaging than video podcasts. They are more intimate, allowing the listener to connect more easily with the host and the content. When it comes to podcasting, starting with audio is the best option for most people. It is more accessible, cost-effective, and has more opportunities for people to listen. While video can be an effective medium for some podcasts, audio is the better option for most.
Are the Robots Going to Take Over Podcasting?
Feb 1 2023
Are the Robots Going to Take Over Podcasting?
AI is a Superpower. AI is often referred to as a superpower, and for good reason. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and dramatically change the way we live. From the ability to do our laundry to writing scripts and designing artwork, AI is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. The possibilities of AI are truly incredible. With AI, we can now ask it to write a script, create artwork, or even write a business plan. Chat GDP is a perfect example of this. It is an AI-enabled program that can write titles, blog posts, and even timestamp audio. It can even julienne! AI is changing the way we interact with technology and is quickly becoming an invaluable tool. However, AI is not quite ready to replace humans just yet. While AI can produce impressive results, it still needs some tweaking. AI cannot replicate humans' unique personalities, and this personal touch can make all the difference. AI is also prone to errors, as seen when a celebrity asked it how tall he was, and it got it wrong. In the end, AI is not an employee but an assistant. It can be used to help us come up with ideas, shape our ideas, and even grow our audience. It can be incredibly useful, but it still needs some human input. AI is a superpower, but it still needs some help from humans to reach its full potential. Start a Podcast Community. Are you ready to join the School of Podcasting? It provides a safe space for podcasters to come together, ask questions, and get help from one another. It also provides a platform for podcast creators to share their knowledge and experiences with others. This kind of community can be incredibly valuable and can help grow a podcast’s audience. The School of Podcasting (Dave’s membership site) provides a safe space for podcast creators to ask questions and get help from one another. Dave also provides a lot of support and guidance to his members, smothering them with attention to get them going in the right direction. This kind of support is invaluable and can help podcast creators reach their full potential. Join the School of Podcasting Are you looking to start your own podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and monetization. With our proven methods and expert instructors, you'll be creating high-quality, engaging content in no time. Say goodbye to the frustration and uncertainty, and hello to a successful podcasting career with the School of Podcasting. Not sure? That's OK, as you have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Join Today Mentioned in this Episode Capsho Swell AI Word Hero Chat GBT P.S. the first 5 paragraphs were written by Swell AI and tweaked by me.
Growing Your Podcast With Advertising On Other Podcasts
Jan 1 2023
Growing Your Podcast With Advertising On Other Podcasts
We mentioned in the last episode that advertising rates don't work for more podcasters trying to make a living with podcasting. Today we are looking at advertising from a different angle. That angle is to make an ad to run on other podcasts. After all the listeners of these shows are already listening to podcasts. So when you find a podcast that has an audience who should like your content, you might approach them and see if you can advertise on their show. The Movie Strategy While the movie Field of Dreams promises, "If you build it he will come," that is not true for podcasts. Just creating the podcast is only part of podcasting success. You need to promote it. Gary Arndt of the Everything Everywhere podcast follows what I call the "Movie Industry Business Strategy." That is: Make the best content you can.Spend are large amount of your budget on marketing your movie.Hope the audience tells their friends. Gary makes a good point. If the studios spent millions on promoting the Avengers movie (that was a sequel that everyone was waiting on), how do you expect to get any traffic without marketing your show?  Places You Can Buy Advertising I did a long-form interview with Gary on the School of Podcasting. Podcast Addict Overcast Buzzsprout Ads Spotify Ads Podbean Pocketcasts Castbox Fountain.fm You can track the activity and traffic using a tool like Switchy. Ready To Start Your Podcast? Along with step by step videos, a private podcasting mastermind, you get unlimited one-on-one consulting at the School of Podcasting. If you want to "Pick my brain" you can have Dave In Your Pocket.
Troubleshooting Your Podcast Growth While Keeping Your Sanity
Nov 1 2022
Troubleshooting Your Podcast Growth While Keeping Your Sanity
If there is a  problem with the sound of your podcast, the way you troubleshoot it is by isolating each part of your signal chain (the path your voice takes from the microphone to the cable to the interface to the recorder, etc.  I recently attended an event and came back with lots of ideas I want to try to grow my audience. These include: Using a tool to help with episode titlesPromoting the show on TiktokBetter Artwork  and many more.  So when we come back from these events we are excited and we want to see our download numbers soar and we put all these steps into place at once.  If this works, this is great and we keep doing all the steps. However, what if you chose five things to add to your already busy schedule and only one of them is responsible for your growth? That means you are wasting your time doing something that is not helping.  This is how podcast burnout happens. We watch YouTube, or go to events, read a book, etc and we get all sorts of ideas and we implement them all. Then later we get more content with more ideas and we feel overwhelmed. We feel we HAVE to do them ALL.  If you implement one strategy at a time, you can better see if doing that strategy moves the needle. I recently started using Tiktok. Consequently, I can see where it is driving more traffic to my website.  I am using a tool called switch which makes it very easy to monitor if people are clicking on things. Then you can see if something is working (or not) and if it is working, is it working enough to keep doing it? I will often create a coupon code to track and see if someone signs up for the School of Podcasting. That is my goal, and if I see multiple people have used a coupon such as YPC (for your podcast consultant) I can see where it is worth continuing to do this show.  The key here is you need to be patient and only implement ONE strategy at a time and then give it a month. If you can, give it two. Then you can look at your data, make informed decisions and only do those strategies and actions that are working, quit doing those that don't, and save your sanity as you watch your show grow.  I'm Dave Jackson and I want to be your podcast consultant who helps you plan, launch, grow, and monetize your show. Let's see what we can do together...
They Want Me to Pull Down Their Interview?!
Oct 1 2022
They Want Me to Pull Down Their Interview?!
I saw on Facebook that someone who has been podcasting for a while and has their guests sign a release form was contacted by a former guest who asked them to remove their interview.  They were going to school for psychology and they didn't want their clients to be able to find them.  So they have no legal leg to stand on. They signed a release. You put a lot of work into that episode. There is a certain amount of "How dare they even ask?!?!" This Isn't An Expose on Big Pharma - It's Your Podcast So yes, you could legally tell them "no, you signed a release." However, you would be missing out on one of the biggest benefits of podcast: the relationships.  I'm sure you have other episodes your audience can consume. It's not like you're going to lose your audience because you removed one episode.  If you're worried about "Setting a precedent," don't. Most guests are not thinking about your show. They've moved on.  Hopefully, you are doing interviews that make the guest look good. People don't ask to have things removed where they look good.  Conclusion I'm a big fan of "treat people the way you want to be treated." The guest is asking for a favor. Give it to them and pull down the interview. In the future, you will have a psychologist in your network who you might find useful.  Join the Best Podcasting Community Join the School of Podcasting using the coupon YPC to get 20% off your subscription (forever). Get access to: Courses - Step By StepCoaching - Unlimited one-on-oneCommunity - A mastermind filled with brilliant podcasting mindsA 30-day Money-Back Guarantee See www.schoolofpodcasting.com/ypc
I've been Gone so Long How Do I Bring My Podcast Back?
Aug 15 2022
I've been Gone so Long How Do I Bring My Podcast Back?
In a way it doesn't matter WHY you were away, but you started a podcast and were consistent in your schedule, until you weren't.  Life happened and what was supposed to be a few days turned into a few weeks, maybe months, or even years.  Now you want to come back, but you feel a bit weird. Maybe a bit embarrassed that you started and then just vanished. Don't be.  I haven't bowled in years. I have a ball and bag around here somewhere and if I walk into an Alley to score some games, nobody cares that it has been decades. Go back to the basics.  Identify why you're podcasting. Identify who this is for and what they need. Identify what you want them to do.  Give them what they want, ask for what you need, and don't be being.  SCHOOL OF PODCASTING NOW WITH UNLIMITED CONSULTING Join the School of Podcasting When you join the School of Podcasting you can quit worrying about: Are people going to listen to me? (Yes, cause I'll show you how to see what they want). Am I going to sound stupid? (No, as I'll show you the magic of editing) It will cost a million dollars (No, I'll have you sounding like a million bucks without spending a million bucks).  I don't anything about this technology (You said the same thing about driving).  Get access to: Step-by-step tutorials, live group coaching, a mastermind group filled with brilliant podcasting minds,  and the ability to schedule as many one-on-one quick fix calls as you like at no extra charge.  Join worry-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee  Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/start
Embracing Constructive Feedback
Jun 15 2022
Embracing Constructive Feedback
I was at an event and went to lunch with an old friend and he asked if I would like some feedback (I'm always open for advice)? He mentioned that sometimes when I'm talking about a mistake someone makes I may be coming across a bit more like a curmudgeon. I didn't get defensive and realized that there may be times when bad advice is being circulated and people are going down the wrong path. (I get frustrated when bad advice goes viral).  When I launched the School of Podcasting, the original price was $5/month. This was one of my first products, and like everyone else I undersold my value.  A friend of mine name Marcus (who had much more insights into marketing) asked, "Do you know of anything else on the Internet for sale for $5?  This lead me to research and find out that when you price things too low, the perceived value goes way down (and hence less sales). EVERYONE NEEDS A STEVE OR MARCUS You need someone who is going to let you know when there may be room for improvement. Realize they aren't trying to hurt or discourage you, but because they care about you they want to make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot. SPOTTING BAD FEEDBACK When you ask your friend and family for feedback you might hear things like, "Oh you sound so professional! Look at you with the microphone! You're going to be a star."  Let's put this into the kitchen. You cook someone a recipe and they say, "Look at you in the kitchen with the forks and knives! You look like a cook!." You asked them to sample the food, and they're not talking about the food.  They might ask you to explain what podcasting is. Here again, you have a conversation but nobody is talking about you episode.  There is an episode of Friends where Joey has a spot on TV and he asks, "So what do you think?" and then his phone rings. Ross yells out, "I get good lighting!" as Rachel says, "You had good lighting last time! It's my turn."  Give them an episode and ask some hard questions such as: 1. Did you listen all the way through? 2. If not where did you stop and why? 3. What was the biggest takeaway? Realize if the show isn't resonating with the audience you want to know this NOW so you can figure out what needs to be tweaked. It takes a bit of maturity to step back and realize things could be improved, but your goal is not just to produce a podcast, but to produce a good podcast.  FREE PODCAST LAUNCH CHECKLIST Ready to start podcasting but not sure what steps to take and in what order? This free checklist will help you launch your podcast in the correct sequence for maximum effect.  www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklist NEED SOME HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? Go to www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule and set up a strategy call to get you going in the right direction and start increasing those downloads.
Getting the Most Out of Conferences
Jun 1 2022
Getting the Most Out of Conferences
There is a conference about your topic, and you decide to attend. If you are traveling to get there, this won't be cheap so today I'm going to tell you how to get the most out of going to a conference. Wear Comfortable Shoes In some cases, these are in giant hotels that will have you going way over 10,000 steps. Also, you will be standing a fair amount in the hallways and having great conversations. Bring Chap Stick As you will be talking more, all that air going over your lips makes them dry Bring Breathe Mints Um, yeah... pretty obvious.  Bring Business Cards Business cards are cheap and I typically make a card to promote my product or services (it may have my email, but not a phone number, it is more about getting people to my site).  QR Code? Thanks to Covid, most of us are now familiar with those square images with dots. When you point your phone at these you can click a link and be taken to someone's website. If your niche is a bit more tech-savvy, you can create and download one to your phone. Show it to someone, and they go to your website.  I use a service called Linq for this.  Step Out of Your Shell Many podcasters are introverts. That's is why we love podcasting. It's a great way to meet tons of people without meeting tons of people. That won't work here. The biggest takeaways from these conferences are the relationships you build. Just walk up to anybody and ask them, "What brings you to the conference."  Get Some Rest You probably had to get up early if you're flying to the event, and then you stay up late talking to everyone. Your body needs rest. You want to be sharp.  Drink Lots of Water Your voice will get dry, and often then have loud music at these events, so when you throw in shouting over the music in addition to lots of talking, your voice/throat needs water, and your body needs to stay hydrated. FREE PODCAST LAUNCH CHECKLIST Ready to start your podcast but you're not sure what steps to take first? This will walk you through the steps in the right order www.schoolofpodcasting.com/checklist FREE PODCAST CLASSES www.schoolofpodcasting.com/freeclasses NEED HELP WITH YOUR PODCAST? I can help! Schedule a strategy session today at  www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule