What Would You Do With All Those Downloads?
What Would You Do With All Those Downloads?
What is the REAL Reason You Are Podcasting?
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99.9% of podcasters want more downloads. I think we can all agree on that. Now let’s fill in the blank So You Can _________?
For those that say, “Sell ads” um… OK (less than 10% of people get enough downloads for the “big” sponsors - and you CAN get NICHE sponsors if your show has a NICHE). But let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
I can only talk about me. I saw podcasting as an educational tool. I saw how much I could learn from people all over the world. I saw podcasting as a platform that lets me help people all over the world. The last time I checked my Libsyn stats, I was heard in eighty-six countries (from a spare bedroom).
So here are some of the reasons I podcast:
I EAT FOOD AND PAY BILLS: As someone who has worked in education and support, your job is not always safe. When I was let go from my last corporate teaching gig, the School of Podcasting supported me until I got a new job (with health benefits).
BE HEARD: If I lay back on the psychiatrist's couch, I would probably say that I could never get my Dad to listen to me (we are a lot alike - if we know the answer, we don’t need to hear your point). With this in mind, Podcasting helps me scratch an internal need to be heard. Parents. Am I right?
HELP PEOPLE: I LOVE TO HELP PEOPLE. I remember being at a church picnic and all the other kids were doing a three-legged race with their Dads. Mine was out of town on business. I felt like an outsider or some sort of freak. There was something WRONG with me. So when I find others who feel they are on the outside looking in, I want to let them know they are not freaks, not outcasts, and podcasting is for everyone (and that other people DO think the way they do).
I could go on, but note, aside from needing people to join my membership so I can eat (and I’m about 50+ lbs overweight so skipping a few meals wouldn’t be such a bad thing) the rest are not reliant on downloads. Sure if I get five downloads and later ten I feel more heard? but that is the question we need to answer:
How many downloads do you need?
OK, OK, We want more…. but HOW MANY?
When we start we get ten, then fifty, one hundred….
Over the years I used to hit 3000 downloads per episode. I’ve weathered through a few Apple “haircuts” and technology changes (IAB) and that is no longer the case. Because I don’t have sponsors, I’m not stressed.
So the next time you hear someone has 10,000 downloads and you think, “I wish I had 10,000 downloads!” Why? Stop a second and think about it.
What would you do with those? Would it be more of a feeling benefit? Is it validation? In the end, that somewhat answers the question, “Why are you podcasting?
One last point. I’ve had nice weather this week so I’ve visited three parks and gone hiking.
I didn’t make a dime after all that walking.
I recently went to a concert with my brother. That COST me money. Some things we do to keep our sanity, foster relationships, make memories, and get our faces out of those screens.
Follow Up On This Book
I mentioned this book in my last edition (we are in the attention business). Serj is an artist. He made some great points like, “The true art is in the making of the art, not the result.” That can be seen as a kind of woo-woo, but he doesn’t do things he doesn’t want to do.
He HATED the physical and mental toll of touring, so he doesn’t. At one point his band System of a Down went YEARS without a single concert. When they come back each year to do a few (they did ONE in 2023) they get paid BIG BUCKS to play. The pay is so much he said that he made as much as if he had toured every year.
So maybe that “be everywhere all the time” thing needs a second look.
New Service (and show): Podcast Hot Seat
I recently launched a new podcast “Your Podcast Website” and now I’m rebranding an old one. I previously did “The Podcast Rodeo Show” where I grab a podcast and see how long I hang on.
This has been rebranded to Podcast Hot Seat where I grab an episode from a willing/paying participant and I;
Listen to their episode (all of it)
Check out their website
Help them identify the good things about their show
Help them polish those things that need polishing (many times very low hanging-easy to fix fruit).
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE - One Month FREE at the School of Podcasting
If you want get sit on the hot seat use this link
My Latest Episodes
Podcast Lessons from 400 Episodes with Matt Cundill- School of Podcasting (Follow)
Birth As We Know It - Reviewed- Podcast Rodeo Show - Podcast Reviews (Follow)
The Power of Starting With the End in Mind - Ask the Podcast Coach (Follow)
Simple Image SEO Tactics to Boost Your Podcast Website Rankings - Your Podcast Website (Follow)
Why One Size Doesn't Fit All in Podcasting - Your Podcast Consultant (Follow)
Avoiding Bad Podcast Advice - YouTube (Subscribe)
Pensight
If you’re thinking of selling courses, digital products, sending emails, or in other words, “I need a less expensive Kajabi” you might check out Pensight. I HAVE NOT TRIED THIS YET, but their prices ($29/month) almost has me asking, “Wait, what’s the catch.” They’ve been around since 2020. You might want to check it out.
Shure Wireless Movemics
Shure has come out with the “Movemics” some really small microphones that sound great for their size. You can record directly to your phone with you (and your interviewee). It’s a bit pricy at $500.
State of Podcast Marketing Mini Summit
There is a free summit from the people at Capsho.
Here’s what they’re unpacking:
What marketing platforms are top podcasters using to scale their shows?
Insightful discussions on how strategic content creation leads to more subscribers and higher engagement
Forward-looking trends that you need to know and plan for
Get the free report HERE.
What’s Coming In The Future
As I mentioned above, I’m working on an episode to identify the different elements of content that are so good that people HAVE To share it. I’m ready to deliver this, but nervous because I want it to be AMAZING.
Follow the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow
Need Help With Your Podcast?
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned podcaster, the School of Podcasting can help. Helping podcasters is what I do, and I’ve been doing it since 2005
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