Podcast Pontifications

Yes, I think you, as a working podcaster, should attend a podcast conference if you can find the budget for it. The chance to build connections among, swap ideas with, and learn from other podcasters is reason enough to go. (And if we met while I was there and the sticker I gave you was enough to entice you to check this out, welcome!)

Beyond the personal connections, podcast conferences are used by many podcasters as an immersive learning experience...

Even if you’re turned off by the whole affair, podcasting can learn valuable lessons from America’s political primary process. When you swap out “voters” with “listeners”, the similarities snap into focus.

There’s a lot of drama in the podcast fiction world. And a lot of comedy. And while this genre of podcasting often times has the toughest time being accepted, it also enjoys perhaps the biggest collaborative spirit among creators and listeners alike.

For as democratic as the medium is, podcasting isn’t immune to a widening gap between the have and the have-nots. But is the hollowing-out a natural or unnatural phenomenon? And what are podcasters to do about it?

At the risk of sounding alarmist, COVID-19 is likely something we’ll all have to deal with. And while discussing the virus’ impact on podcasting might seem trivial, it’s good risk mitigation to be prepared.

Eventually, many podcasters have to make a choice between fame, fortune, and famine. OK, that last one less choice and more unfortunate reality. For the other two, there’s always the paywall option. Should you consider it?

Sure, your podcast sounds great now. But what about all those episodes where it wasn’t perfect? What about the advice you gave before your opinions changed? Do you worry about those un-enlightened jokes you told for shock value?

If you’re stuck just below the threshold of commercial viability with your podcasting efforts, you may be better served looking inward than outward to push you over the brink that brings in a wave of new listeners.

The promise most low-cost podcast media hosting providers make with you is for “unmetered” bandwidth. It doesn't matter how big your show gets, they say. They’ve got the bandwidth taken care of, and your monthly bill won’t increase. 

Well... what if I told you that wasn't always true? 

What I’m about to say should not cause the vast majority of podcasters to take drastic action...

Podcast advertising is how many podcasts achieve commercial viability. But that requires scale, and the amount of scale is always increasing. Here’s where the bar is set today and what that means to your podcast’s bottom line.