Lifestyle PodNetwork

Episode 20: Promoting Your Podcast Part 2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:55 — 49.4MB)

Pimping your podcastToday’s show continues on last week’s theme where we started to talk about the things you need to know to promote your podcast successfully.  We’ve got a whole heap more thoughts in this episode, plus your comments and some listener audio as well. This is a participatory show, so perhaps there are some things we haven’t mentioned, a promotional tip or technique you use on your show.  This is where we want you to contribute to the community and share your thoughts, hints and tips with us on the blog, or by email to podcastersemporium@gmail.com.

We also answer your questions on the show, so if you have something you’d like to know about then drop us a comment on the blog, or send an email to podcastersemporium@gmail.com and we will be happy to cover your question in a future show.

Thanks to everyone who contribued to the blog and sent us audio comments since the last show, we love getting your questions, feedback and thoughts on how to podcast better.

Here’s what we mentioned in today’s show:

Does paid advertising work?

  • Google adwords
  • Consider your audience – will they see or read and most importantly respond to an ad?
  • Banner ads
  • 150×150 spots on relevant blogs

Plugging your show

  • comments
  • twitter
  • guest spots
  • become a subject matter expert
  • actively seek out opportunities
  • Know your audience
  • Email Signature

Guerilla Marketing

  • Does it work?
  • How do you know it works?
  • Working with metrics
  • Where did you hear about us
  • Making a flyer
  • Cafe’ Press merchandise
  • Marketing Stunts 
  • Considering the legal implications of your actions

Community Promotion

  • Ask your audience to tweet they are listening with link
  • Ssocial Sharing tools e.g. StumbleUpon etc. 
  • Word of mouth
  • Use Caution with “walled gardens” like Facebook
  • Don’t waste too much energy

Be an an active member in your own community

  • Respond to comments
  • Post in forums
  • Respond to emails
  • Play voicemails
    tweet

Services we mentioned in today’s show:

Podcasts we mentioned in today’s show:

 

Our new Podcasters’ Emporium 30 second bumper

We’d love for you to play our 30 second Podcasters’ Emporium bumper in your show.  Let us know when you do, so we can mention you and your podcast on Podcasters’ Emporium

Download (mp3)

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • FriendFeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Live
  • NewsVine
  • Ping.fm
  • Posterous
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • RSS
  • Slashdot
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • Yahoo! Buzz
17 Responses to “Episode 20: Promoting Your Podcast Part 2”

  1. This episode is great and very informative and contains a lot of funny stuff. I have a lot more ideas about promoting my podcast! Thankyou James and Dave

    by hao3tricker
    on 09. Nov, 2009

  2. I have to agree with you guys on Why waste time on social network sites like facebook or myspace, when you have a social network right on your own Website. Now twitter on the other had I do use, it is something that every podcaster should use.
    As fair as ads on your website… I do have them and I just got my first check from google, But this did take about 6 months to get, although it isnt much you can pay for a month of hosting, a latte at for favorite coffee shop, or buy some beer and listen to 2 Schooners Wink Wink :D

    by Benjamin Straw
    on 10. Nov, 2009

  3. James and Dave,

    Great show and not just because you mentioned our show and played our promo! :) We always enjoy Podcasters’ Emporium. The topics are always very helpful. We’ve listened to several of the shows a few times as we continue to attempt to improve our show. Keep up the great work.

    by Joey and Luke Smith
    on 10. Nov, 2009

  4. Hey guys…..just absolutely loving your show.

    Finally leaving a comment as it has taken me until now to work out how to do so.

    I cannot tell you how much your show has helped me. The quality of my show has improved so much from listening to your advice.

    I am now in the process of moving the whole show from my business website to a blog type site of it’s own where my listeners can leave comments etc. My new blog is under construction and even has a player right there on the front page…woohoo.

    I will put your promo into my next show and on the new blog. I will also get my butt in gear and drop you guys a promo of my show.

    Keep up the great work and am looking forward to forging a greater relationship now that I have worked out how to interact on the blog.

    Coach Jeff
    The Powerfit Triathlon and MTB Podcast
    http://www.powerfit.net.au

    by Jeff Smith
    on 12. Nov, 2009

  5. Dear James and Dave,

    Thanks for all the fabulous podcasts! I do have another question for you. (You already answered on of my questions a couple of months back). For my dental podcast (which I am still hoping to get off the ground soon) I picked up a mixer and a Shure microphone as you recommended. My question is:
    If I go visit another dentist/specialist to interview for my podcast would you recommend I get them a separate microphone for them to speak into or should I turn up the gain on my Shure mic and place it strategically between us, i.e. on a desk.
    If you do recommend getting my “guest” their own mic what do you recommend, i.e. something user friendly for the guest….
    The people I interview will be in an office setting as opposed to the “man on the street” type of interviewee.
    I will be bringing my mixer and laptop with me when I visit other offices
    Thanks again. I really value your opinion and am extremely close to getting my show up and running!
    I look forward to your response and to your next instalment of the Podcaster’s Emporium!

    Best regards,

    Jeff Shnall
    General, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry
    Toronto, Canada

    by Jeff Shnall
    on 12. Nov, 2009

  6. Jeff,

    Thanks for the feedback on the show, and you raise a great question about microphones. We do a show on gain which is probably relevant to the question you’re asking.

    I would always defer to using one microphone per person because then you can individually control both the gain and the levels for each person, resulting in an audio track with balanced volume.

    What you really don’t want is a track where the host is booming and the guest is too quiet – that situation is very difficult, if not impossible, to rectify in post production.

    What you’re aiming for is the best quality recording you can get up-front, so two microphones is definitely the better option.

    The turn up the gain is not great from an audio quality perspective because you’re going to pick up every bit of noise in the room (squeeky chairs, breathing, computer noise and probably even toilet flushes from down the hall!)

    What microphone to purchase, probably a Shure SM58 with a windshield/pop filter of some description. A quality microphone that is easy to use.

    Hope this helps, and looking forward to hearing your podcast when it comes out.

    Cheers,
    James

    by jameswilliams90
    on 12. Nov, 2009

  7. Hi guys. Great show. Here’s an article from Todd Cochrane (he of Geek News Central/Raw Voice) commenting on podcasters and what we do right/wrong on our websites based on nominations for the Podcast Awards he is running.

    Interesting stats that I’d love to hear you both comment on.

    http://bit.ly/U6pBL

    by Erk @ Channel Erk
    on 12. Nov, 2009

  8. James and Dave,
    Thanks for the answer on sample rate. It was explained in a way I could understand (not being very old) not many people can do that. Great show and looking forward to the next episode.
    Frank

    by Drank
    on 13. Nov, 2009

  9. that above comment is meant to be from Frank not Drank, sorry.

    by Frank
    on 13. Nov, 2009

  10. @Jeff Thanks for listening and I hope that your podcast planning is coming a long well.

    First up I agree with James – a separate mic is the way to go. Remember that you don’t have to spend as much cash on a second mic. Don’t skimp – but it can be an OK mic as opposed to the expensive one that you bought yourself (if that’s what you did!). But when I say “OK” – you can spend under 100 bucks and get something like that.

    The other thing is that having one mic makes for difficult positioning and chairs and generally people feel they have to be talking into it – regardless of the settings you have it on – just watch the awards shows on telly and you’ll see what I mean. Just doesn’t make for a relaxing conversation is all – and you won’t get the best out of your guest.

    Oh and don’t forget the cheap mic stand with that! Last thing you want is them holding it.

    Good luck and I hope all the advice helps!

    Thanks to everyone else that has left comments – much appreciated and keep the feedback coming!

    by Dave Gray
    on 15. Nov, 2009

  11. G’day Guys, Adam form NSW here, I’m launching the Very Small Farm podcast. I’m just getting started and have found your show a huge help, and it has saved me a lot in wasted time and money. I’ve made my web site & promo and will be releasing my first episode next week. I’d love it if you guys had a chance to listen & give feed back. Cheers Ads

    by Adam Fardell
    on 17. Nov, 2009

  12. James and Dave,
    Another awesome episode. My wife Anna and I use a lot of your tips for our show Southern Beer Review; still working on Get Off My Toes. Always a pleasure to hear.
    James Gass
    Southern Beer Review
    http://squaresouth.com/sbr

    by James Gass
    on 18. Nov, 2009

  13. Good point on Facebook. I think the reason it fails to be a good way of promoting a podcast (or anything) is that of all the social networking sites it is the most personal. I use my real name on Facebook, have met and am friends with everyone in my “friends” list. If I give a podcast access to my Facebook info I’m giving away a lot more information about myself than I’d be happy with.

    Compare to Twitter. I use a username rather than my real name, I’ve met about 10 of my 150ish followers, and the relationship between follower and followee is much more balanced.

    by Tom
    on 28. Nov, 2009

  14. Hey Guys!

    Finally got around to listening to this episode. Great stuff!

    Added your promo to the tail of my podcast after hearing you had it available –> http://adam-purcell.com/0278_lig

    Hang on, is that blatant advertising or does it just show I listened? Don’t stress, I am part of the LifeStyle PodNetwork (When I actually produce a podcast!)

    Keep up the GREAT work.

    by Adam Purcell
    on 02. Dec, 2009

  15. Some very useful tips for a newbie podcaster like me…..good stuff :-)

    by Pete Smith
    on 26. Jan, 2010

  16. Right, I’m all caught up with this now and eager for more – particularly the recording from skype episode you hinted at.

    I’m in the uk and my co-host is in Australia, so any tips would be very handy.

    Are you guys still doing this, or on an extended break?

    by Dan
    on 08. Feb, 2010

  17. I may have to go see Jeff the Dentist soon… I’m overdue for a cleaning and I have a previous root canal that needs a cap! I wonder if he gives discounts for podcast listeners?

    by Herne
    on 14. Feb, 2010

Leave a Reply