My wife and I moved over the holidays – but this story starts way before that.  We couldn’t do Fiber internet in our old house for technical reasons, so we reluctantly switched over to Comcast and Xfinity. 

At the time, we were both working from home – and we BLEW through the data limits for their residential service. I figured it was all of these live podcast recordings, uploads, and downloads. Turns out, it was her being on Microsoft Teams calls all day. At any rate, we had to upgrade to a Comcast Business account.  Fine.

In December, we were fortunate in that we had a couple weeks of overlap, where we were still in the old house, but transitioning into the new house.  So I called Comcast, and explained I needed the service in BOTH locations.  The sales rep seemed OK with that, but told me to contact him as soon as the new service was installed, so he could try and keep up all my discounts, which were unusually high, in his estimation.  I emphasized, DO NOT TURN OFF SERVICE to the old house when the new house is turned on.

Cut to December 18th – my birthday, no less. I spent the entire afternoon at the new house, waiting for the install. The older gentleman tested the line and told me the connection wasn’t great. So he climbed the utility pole in our new neighbors’ yard, and ran a coax line across the top of their fence, and ours, into our house. Turns out, our electricity line is underground here – great for a storm – bad when the cable company has to, by law, follow that line. So they opened a ticket to have someone come out and bury the line once the ground thawed. Meanwhile, there’s a giant red coax cable strung across our neighbors’ yard (fortunately they are super nice), and ours.  Cable comes on, and my wife calls from the old house – sure enough, they turned the service off, over there. What followed was 15 minutes of me cussing out an automated system at Comcast, because it was after hours.  Finally, I get a human being, overseas, who tells me to unplug it and reset it.  I explain, no, it’s not a technical issue – it’s a YOU issue.  “Oh I’m sorry, you’ll have to call back after 7am.”  Uh, no. This may be a first world problem, but I have too much stuff in my house that relies on the internet to have it off overnight due to your incompetence.  I said it a little nicer than that.  Miraculously, they turned it back on.

First bill comes – for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. This includes the install (fine), and two months of service – at $50 per month more than I’d paid all last year.  That’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I called AT&T about fiber. They came in at $80 per month cheaper, no data limits, and excellent customer service. Not to mention they are symmetrical – their upload speed matches their download speed.  I’m doing more video for my podcast clients – and an hour podcast, at 1080p resolution can be around 6 Gigabites. To upload a file of that size would take an hour on Comcast.  With AT&T, it’s usually a few minutes. SOLD.

So I cancel Comcast. But in the interest of being a good neighbor, I need to get the cable removed from their yard and ours.  Dead end, after dead end on phone, and chat. I’m pretty sure, Comcast having the monopoly that they do – the system is designed to get you frustrated and just give up.

But then my good friend Diane entered the picture. She told me there’s a REDDIT thread for Comcast support. And she suspects the agents that are too good for the phone and chat get “banished” there. It’s some sort of secret society.

Long story short – I posted about the issue. A moderator DM’ed me, and despite a few hiccups, eventually someone came and removed the line. So THAT problem was solved.

That only leaves the bill. Reddit couldn’t help me there because once I admitted it was a business account, they very quickly said “not it!”

On January 15th when I cancelled the service, they had the audacity to tell me I was past my 30 day cancellation window. I told them no, I spent my BIRTHDAY on the 18th waiting around for your installer.  So they processed the cancellation. 

Look, I’m a reasonable person. I don’t expect a refund for the installation, nor do I expect to get my money back for the first month of service that I used. But I damn well better get my money back for the second month of service that was NOT used.  They told me to wait until the February 14th bill to see the refund.

I got the Feb 14th bill – and have a credit OF…18 dollars and 18 cents.  Still no refund for month 2.  So I tried the chat – oh you have to call our retention department – which sounds like AI but I think is a person.  After 30 minutes on the phone, I come to find out – they are insisting I’m was out of my 30 day window on the cancellation because even though the install was on the 18th, the CONTRACT started on the 15th. They waived my cancellation fee as a COURTESY. How nice.

As for the refund on the second month of service – when I went back over the fine print of the cancellation document I signed – it said the cancellation will take 30 DAYS to process and I’m responsible for those charges. You win, Comcast.  I’m tapping out.  When you own your own business, you have to think about what your time is worth. And even though I wanted to die on this hill, I can’t spend any more time fighting for $150. 

But I sure can post this rant on the internet and hope a bunch of people see it.  It’s the equivalent of the strongly worded letters my parents taught me to write in the 80s.

I will say though – if you are stuck in Comcast or Xfinity automation hell – try Reddit. You might find a diamond in the rough. And a note for podcasters – fish where the fish are. Leave no stone unturned for where your audience might be hanging out on the internet.

Next on my to do list – trying to get money back from Verizon. They charged me for an ipad I traded in – for 14 months after I no longer had the device. Wish me luck. 

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Last week, YouTube had an outage, which is prone to happen in all these big tech companies. And if you only have your podcast on YouTube, not on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else, you can get it on audio or video. Your listeners couldn't consume your content and they went somewhere else. Take it as a really important lesson.

Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. Similarly, today, Amazon Web Services AWS, they also had an outage which affected apps like, , Snapchat and others. I have a 15 and 20-year-old niece. Their primary method of communication isn't text. It's snap.

Good thing they were in class today, otherwise they would've been in trouble.

Here's the thing, we are very, very vulnerable as a country to cyber attacks. I'm sure there are bad actors all over the world licking their chops right now. Can't be a coincidence that YouTube had an outage. Amazon had an outage all within the span of a week. You never know what is going to go down when. So be sure to have your podcast in as many places as possible so that if something goes down, your content can be consumed somewhere else.

Because if your listeners and viewers can't find your content,. They'll go elsewhere. Hopefully they'll come back. ​

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Well, head coach Mike Vrabel from the Patriots knew that it was a homecoming of sorts for wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, he'd been traded from Buffalo and he really had something to prove. was getting older, he's getting past surgery. So what did they do? They threw him the ball, a lot, and Diggs had his best game as a Patriot. He was emotional before the game. He was emotional after the game. The Patriots pulled a huge upset win. And it all came down to knowing, for both Diggs and Montgomery, about them and what makes them tick. 

What does this have to do with podcasting? Well, for your podcast, if you're part of an ensemble, know what strengths your co-hosts have. Is someone really good at sports? Is someone really knowledgeable about food, current events, news? When something is going on in the podcast, you can tie back to your main topic, lean on those folks, make them feel like they are part of the team. 

And in doing so, you will have a much more loyal team member. It'll feel like much more of a group effort. And your show will be that much better. 

Know what makes each of your co-hosts tick, what they're good at and what motivates them, and it will make a better overall product. 

Okay, onto other podcasting news this week. WNYC, the public media outfit in New York, is making all of their locally produced programming available for all national public radio affiliates. Now this is huge, regardless of how you lean politically, with the recent funding cuts to public radio and TV and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Folks need content.

They don't have as much money to produce original content, so keeping them on the air is paramount. And if you aren't really feeling the tote bag and don't have a lot of money to donate to your public radio affiliate, listen to their podcasts. More and more public radio and TV affiliate revenue is coming from podcasting.

Listen to their shows, give them the download numbers, they'll sell it, they will make money that way. So you don't have to participate in a telethon. Just listen to your local public radio podcast.

The team at BuzzSprout, a popular podcast hosting service is releasing a name generator, or a name checker, we should call it. You don't have to be a paid BuzzSprout subscriber. You can simply go on their website and try it out. It will tell you that if the name you want for your podcast is taken anywhere else and will help you find the best ranking and best fitting title for your show. That is again linked in the show notes. 

And finally, also linked in the show notes, if you missed Podcast Movement, you know I rave about it every year, all sessions from podcast movement, everything from production to monetization to industry tracks, everything done at Podcast Movement is now available for free on demand. Even if you didn't buy a ticket to the show, it's on YouTube and you can watch it at the link in the show notes.

Finally, some big news this week. Chat GPT is integrating Spotify data. So if your show has good show notes, a good title and more, you may get your podcast to show up in chat GPT results. Always, spend time on your title and your show notes. Later.

BuzzSprout Podcast Name Generator: https://www.buzzsprout.com/podcast-name-generator

The Podcast Movement Archive on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastMovementArchive/featured

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Co-Creator introduces a major shift in how podcasters can handle post-production. Instead of manually editing timelines or transcripts, users can simply type what they want — like “make this episode more engaging” or “cut the part about watermelons” — and Riverside’s AI will handle the edits. The tool supports everything from layout changes, B-roll additions, branding overlays, to audio cleanup like EQ adjustments and filler word removal, all with user-guided flexibility. 

Kendall walks us through the evolution of the tool — how it started as a way to generate show notes and blog posts directly from transcripts, and now powers full post-production editing, video layout automation, and audio enhancements like Magic Audio and Smart Mute. Co-Creator’s AI capabilities also include adding royalty-free music, removing background noise, and even dynamically changing video composition based on prompts. While you still have full control to fine-tune manually, the tool helps users speed up their editing dramatically. 

We also discuss the importance of community feedback. Kendall emphasizes Riverside's commitment to implementing user suggestions quickly, with the Facebook group "Conversation Creators by Riverside" acting as a hub for ideas and feedback. In fact, several features — including the Editor Add-On that lets producers access client accounts — were born directly from community input. 

The conversation touches on pricing barriers for small-scale producers, the benefits of using iPhones as high-quality second cameras, and the addition of Safari support — making the platform even more accessible. 

We also explore Riverside’s live streaming capabilities, which let creators stream to multiple platforms including YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and custom RTMP destinations — with multi-channel live chat support. Kendall suggests this is a great next step for creators looking to deepen audience engagement, especially as platforms reward live content in their algorithms. 

Wrapping up, Kendall highlights Riverside’s free resources, like the Community Hub (riverside.com/community) and their live workshop series, which showcase workflows from everyday creators. She also teases future updates and encourages everyone to keep checking back — because the features keep rolling out fast. 

More: 

https://riverside.com/community 

Riverside Users Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264571558188791 

Superfriends' websites: Johnny Peterson - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johnnypodcasts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Catherine O’Brien -⁠⁠⁠⁠ Branch Out Programs ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.branchoutprograms.com

⁠⁠⁠ Jon Gay: Jag Podcast Productions ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jagpodcastproductions.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

David Yas: Pod 617 -⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Boston Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pod617.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Matt Cundill - ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Sound Off Media Company⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soundoff.network⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 

01:02 Big Announcement: Chat-Based Editing 

03:27 Evolution of Riverside's Editing Tools 

04:45 Community Feedback and Feature Development 

07:51 Introducing the AI Co-Creator: Coco 

09:33 CoCreator's Journey and Marketing Assets 

10:52 Editing with Coco: Enhancements and Control 

12:00 Advanced Editing Features and AI Capabilities 

14:03 Audio Enhancements and Magic Audio Features 

16:42 Filler Word Removal and Audio Quality 

18:54 Maintaining Creative Control with AI Tools 

22:32 Exploring Media Board Functionality 

23:44 Video Editing Techniques and AI Integration 

25:02 Enhancing Video Quality with Creative Edits 

26:57 Browser Compatibility and User Experience 

27:12 Safari and Cross-Browser Functionality 

29:01 Using Mobile Devices for Recording 

30:10 Community Engagement and Feature Awareness 

31:22 Community Resources and User Feedback 

34:05 Understanding Podcaster Needs and Trends 

36:42 Challenges in Podcast Promotion and Repurposing 

39:10 The Importance of YouTube for Discoverability 

42:56 Producer Tools and User Feedback 

44:58 Navigating Technical Challenges in Podcasting 

47:40 Enhancing Collaboration with Riverside's New Features 

49:37 The Rise of Live Streaming in Podcasting 

56:59 Riverside's Comprehensive Podcasting Solutions 

58:19 Community Engagement and Resources for Podcasters

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So I was sitting at a  Detroit Tigers game with a friend the other day. Sadly, we were at a Detroit Tigers game. And we were talking about the WJPZ at 50 podcast that I had done. And he was teasing me that the "whispered wow" is what he called the hallmark of any JAG podcast. When somebody says something compelling or interesting, I tend to sit back and say, "Woooow."

And I thought about it. He was probably right. And then he joked that other people have stolen it from me. I don't think it's original to me. That said, I was recording a podcast the very next day and I caught myself saying, "Wow," when somebody said something interesting. Now, there's nothing wrong with occasionally using a crutch or occasionally having a trademark of your podcast. And my friend wasn't criticizing me, but it got me thinking. We all have verbal crutches.

I know one podcaster that as she gets ready for her next question, she says, "aaaaand," until she thinks of what she wants to look for. Some people say, um, uh, you know, like- those words that we all use in regular conversation.

And this is not something that you are going to know off the top of your head what it is.

My challenge to you, once you're 10, 15 episodes deep in your podcast, go back and listen to yourself. Now, I know this is something that's difficult for a lot of people because physiologically, your voice does not sound the same on a recording as it does inside the bones conducting inside your skull. Nobody likes how they sound recorded. But go back and listen to yourself and see if you can find certain crutch words you use and be aware of them. That way you can sort of...try to avoid using them, or at least overusing them in the future. It's okay to have crutch words, but as with everything in podcasting, all things in balance.

Okay, one pet peeve for this week before we wrap up. The lavalier mic. These guys here. If you're a podcast or especially on YouTube, I see this all the time on YouTube.

Do not use a clip on tiny lavalier mic as your interview mic. I can't tell you how many times he somebody on YouTube go back and forth, hey, quick, quick, let's do this. These mics are designed to clip on to a lapel and be "this far" from somebody's mouth, not right up here. It's going to sound distorted. It's not going to sound good. Then that goes for these old school lapel mics, lav mics and these new school mics that clip on.

And Rode makes these, this is a knockoff version of a those. They're designed to clip on and be a certain distance from your mouth. You risk having the audio distort and clip and be too loud if you don't use mics as they're designed. If you're going to interview somebody, have a handheld mic and do it the old school way. Use mics the way in which they're designed.

If you need me, I'll be telling the neighborhood kids to get off my lawn and their music is too loud. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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In a candid conversation with Tom Webster and James Cridland, I asked for clarity on where indie podcasters stand. Tom acknowledged that not everyone will fit into the new model, but there will still be space carved out for us. So while we’re keeping an eye on how this transition plays out, we’re also considering events like Podfest, which may better cater to creators.

One of the most actionable takeaways came from producer Jay Yow, who stressed the importance of wearing headphones while recording. It’s not just a technical recommendation—it’s essential for clean audio. Poor sound can sabotage a good show, especially on remote platforms like Riverside or Squadcast. His argument? If Taylor Swift can wear headphones on camera, so can we.

We also revisited the ongoing debate between video and audio podcasting. While video is great for discovery—especially on YouTube—audio remains the foundation. As Johnny Podcasts puts it: audio is your shoes, video is your socks. You can skip socks, but you can’t skip shoes. Resources should go to audio first, especially since many YouTube “viewers” are actually just listening in the background.

The biggest research insight came from Hal Rood and Tim Bronsil's "The Podcast Study," who revealed that most listeners focus on just three main podcasts, spending 75% of their time with their favorite. To stand out, we need to avoid wasting those critical first 30 seconds of our show. Open strong, skip the fluff, and immediately give listeners a reason to stick around. It’s what separates a casual listener from a loyal one.

Rob Walch of Libsyn reminded us again that shortcuts like “buying downloads” are scams. Real growth takes time, and authenticity matters more than inflated numbers. Despite claims of 4.6 million podcasts, only around 354,000 are active. The space is wide open if we’re consistent and committed.

Finally, we dove into SEO and PSO strategies. SEO helps our episodes show up in search results, while PSO focuses on discoverability within platforms like Apple and Spotify. To win at both, we need smart titling, backlinking, frequent publishing, and full show notes on our websites.

All in all, the industry is changing fast—but with the right tools and mindset, there’s still room for independent voices like ours to thrive.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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We start with the well-advertised, terribly performing Blue Yeti.  I explain why you're better off to skip it, and buy a dynamic microphone for cheaper.

Next, the nearly interchangeable Samson Q2U and Audio Technica ATR-2100X.   The ATR has a USB-C option, but has been in very short supply lately.  The Q2U is only USB-A, but you can buy an adapter/dongle and use a USB-C port on a newer computer.  Both are around $60-$70.

Middle of the road, you can upgrade to the Shure MV7 - for around $300.  High quality mic for a little bit more than entry level.

If budget isn't a concern, or you're spending a marketing budget, splurge on the Shure SM7B.  You'll see it in most high-end podcast productions.  And it's been used by everyone from Michael Jackson to Eminem....to me.

Microphone questions, reach out any time.

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Listener surveys also serve as valuable content. By dedicating an episode to discussing survey questions and linking a Google form in the show notes, we can keep our audience engaged and gather data simultaneously. Credit for many of these survey strategies goes to Melissa Joy Dobbins of the Sound Bites podcast. Here are the ten questions we recommend asking:

1. How long have you been listening? This helps us gauge listener loyalty and the effectiveness of outreach over time.
2. How did you discover the show? Knowing whether it was through social media, a search engine, or word of mouth can refine our marketing strategies.
3. Where do you follow or subscribe? Asking this not only provides insight but also reminds listeners to follow or subscribe on platforms like Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
4. How do you consume the show? Identifying whether listeners prefer audio, video, or both informs future production plans.
5. What topics or guests should we cover more? This ensures our content aligns with audience interests.
6. What topics should we cover less? Feedback on what isn’t working is just as valuable.
7. Have you shared an episode? Understanding how listeners share the show helps us improve its reach.
8. Would you leave a review? While not a primary call to action, reviews offer social proof and strengthen credibility.
9. Would you support the show financially? Options like listening to ads, Patreon subscriptions, or buying merchandise can diversify our revenue streams.
10. Demographic insights: Gathering age, gender, and other details respectfully helps us better understand our audience.

By using these questions, we gain actionable insights to refine our content, marketing, and engagement strategies for 2025

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• Create Buzz and FOMO: Learn how to generate excitement and the fear of missing out to make your content irresistible, just like the buzz surrounding the Tyson vs. Paul fight.

• Embrace Viral Moments: Discover why you can't plan for virality but can prepare your content to seize the moment when it arises, illustrated by the unexpected viral moment from the fight.

• Ensure Reliable Technology: Understand why having robust tech is non-negotiable in 2024 and beyond, as seen with Netflix's buffering issues during the fight.

• Build Up vs. Payoff: Find out why the payoff must match the buildup, and how a lackluster main event can leave audiences disappointed, drawing parallels to the fight's outcome.

Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, these insights will help you create compelling content that keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

If you have questions about content creation, especially in the podcast realm, reach out to us at jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The world of podcasting is constantly evolving – and Spotify is now trying to keep up with YouTube.And that means PAYING its creators!

This week, Spotify announced they are rebranding their Spotify for Podcasters interface, now calling it Spotify for CREATORS.   This comes on the heels of allowing all podcasters to upload video files of their podcast to the platform – regardless of whether you use Spotify as your host.

Now, one of the reasons YouTube has made such strides in podcasting, in addition to video of course, is how easy it is to monetize the platform.  It’s way more turnkey than Apple or Spotify – with their subscription and advertising options.   Well Spotify figured this out too.

According to PodNews and Sounds Profitable, the new Spotify for Creators program is open to creators who’ve published 12 episodes, had 2,000 unique Spotify users interact with your show in the last month, and have 10,000 streamed hours in the past month. 

Now, those bars are much higher to clear than YouTube’s benchmarks of 1,000 all time subscribers and 4,000 streamed hours in the last year, but it’s a step in the right direction for Spotify.

Now, aside from the tougher requirements, here’s the million dollar question.   How do you want to track your analytics? In the old days of podcasting, your host tracked downloads or streams via your audio host, and who grabbed your content from your RSS feed.    To track metrics on VIDEO podcasts – be it Spotify OR YouTube, those views will NOT come from your RSS feed.  So now you’re in a position where you have to take your downloads, then add your views from YouTube and/or Spotify.   And of course, downloads, streams, and views are NOT apples to apples comparisons.

So you have to decide – is having your podcast on video important enough to you, to not have the same consistency in evaluating and reporting your numbers?   Maybe the video presence and monetization opportunities say yes.   Or maybe you have stakeholders that need consistent measurement and KPI’s, such as a corporate podcast, and audio is just fine.

These decisions are yours to make as a creator, as the world of podcasting continues to evolve.  And as always, if you have any questions about the industry, or your specific podcast, find me at JAGinDetroit.com.  Lata!           

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Here we are in the final days before the most consequential Presidential Election of our lives.Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are criss-crossing the battleground states – and the podcast studios!

Sure, we’ve got wall-to-wall TV and radio ads as always.  My wife and I have YouTube TV as our cable provider -the ads are also there, and on traditional YouTube, where we spend a fair amount of time as well.

But as Trump and Harris make their closing arguments to Americans, they’ve found a new arena this cycle– podcasts.  And with podcasts having pretty well-defined audiences, even the largest ones, both candidates are staying in their respective lanes.   No matter how you slice it, 45% of the country’s going to vote for Harris, and 45% is going to vote for Trump.  Now while both would love to reach that 10% in the middle, they are also trying to drive turnout among their predicted supporters.   Harris has been on one of the top podcasts consumed by females, Call Her Daddy, to talk about reproductive rights.  She’s also been on All The Smoke, with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Club Shay Shay with former NFL player turned analyst Shannon Sharpe, and Unlocking Us with Brene Brown.

For Trump’s part, he’s gone on the world’s biggest podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, as well as Barstool Sports’ Bussin With The Boys, and the comedy Podcast Flagrant.

Now, I’m not saying that podcasts are GOING to decide the election, but their influence and reach are certainly being considered by both campaigns.  Yes, our media landscape is split among ideological lines, and podcasts are no exception.  But media as a whole is now so fragmented.  Gone are the days were network news shows were the end-all be-all of media reach.  You’ve got to meet your audience – and your potential voters – where they are.   And they’re listening to – and watching podcasts. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Evan Lazar is an employee of my New England Patriots, who much to the delight of most football fans, have crashed back down to earth, hard, and are one of the worst teams in the league.  (Hey, no complaints here – we got 6 rings when I was young enough to follow sports more religiously). 

Anyway, Evan is a co-host of the Patriots Catch 22 podcast, produced by the team. And by and large, the show can be critical of the team when warranted.  But following a bad loss in San Francisco last week, Evan said there was a “mutiny” in the Pats’ locker room.  THIS did not sit well with his employer in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  The episode has since been taken down from YouTube, and Lazar has walked back the comments, essentially saying he got riled up in the moment, according to Boston media. 

Are podcasts journalists?Well, depends on who you work for.Lazar is an employee of the team, and while they give him a long leash, they ultimately have veto power over the content.  What if he worked for the radio station that has the contract to carry the team’s games?Well, that’s a little murkier.But unless he’s either employed by a news organization, or completely independent, he doesn’t have the freedom to say whatever he wants.

There are two lessons here.1) if you’re recording a podcast, always be mindful of WHO you are producing that content for, especially if it’s your employer.  And 2) While the beauty of podcasting is that it’s meant to be a free-flowing natural conversation, be wary of getting carried away and saying something that might come back to bite you.

Also of note here:The usually media-savvy New England Patriots have removed the podcast from YouTube. However, as of 9:15am on Friday, they have NOT removed it from Apple or Spotify.  This supports the argument that YouTube is now the biggest platform for podcasting.  If your show isn’t on YouTube, it NEEDS to be – even if it’s an audio only show.  If you need help, feel free to reach out to me.

Finally, I recorded this episode in the new Descript Rooms feature on Descript, a web-based studio that will eventually replace Squadcast.  I’ll keep you posted on how that goes.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Bonus: Here's a group of us recalling the day at WJPZ, our student run radio station:https://wjpzat50.simplecast.com/episodes/wjpzon911

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Today, I explain that downloads, while still industry standard, do not paint the whole picture of who's listening to your show, when, and for how long?  The real key data can be found on your dashboards within Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, the biggest change in podcast survey data between 2023 and 2024, per Tom Webster of Sounds Profitable, is the percentage of consumers who are discovering podcasts on YouTube.   Having at least your audio on YouTube is crucial at this point.   Should you have your video there as well?  Ideally yes in the world of SEO and algorithms, but Tom explained why it may not be a good idea for everyone.

Finally, what about growing your podcast?  I share some tips I learned on how to do that.   Spoiler: you have to do more than blast each episode onto all your social media channels.

Also, the Sounds Profitable Podcast Landscape webinar is this Wednesday, featuring a treasure trove of conumption data.  You can sign up here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1417244414089/WN_FmmkfieESZ69XqSSpXptlQ#/registration

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Lately, I've been seeing a number of large podcasts chasing additional revenue - everything from The Daily to Pod Save America to The Tucker Carlson show.   And they've all made critical errors, each in different approaches.  I explain.

Yes, there are ways to monetize your show, even if you aren't pulling millions of downloads and selling off your numbers.  Today, I give a quick overview - everything from sponsors, to premium content, to subscription models and more.  Please don't make the same mistakes corporate radio did as it continues its slow death spiral.

For a deeper dive on how to make money off of your podcast, check out our episode of the Podcast Superfriends at the link above.

Finally, will you be at Podcast Movement in DC next week? If so, let me know.  I'd love to say hello.

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This is from Edison Research’s Share of Ear Survey. In 2017, 66% of all spoken word audio was consumed over AM and FM radio.  Only 13% of ears went to podcasts.  Well fast forward to the second quarter of 2024.  Talk Radio is at 43%, and Podcasts are catching up at 36%. 

But if we dig a little deeper, among ages 13-64, Podcasting has ALREADY surpassed AM/FM Talk Radio – 41% to 39%.   So the only reason the radio still wins is the 65+ demo, who pick the radio 5-1 over podcasting.  So while talk radio listeners are yelling “get off my lawn!” podcasting will catch up – if not this year, probably by 2025.

This change will be accelerated by increased podcast discoverability.  According to PodNews, Matthew Passy and the folks at Custom Podcast Solutions will be debuting an NFC-enabled Bluetooth Beacon.  You can wear it on your wrist, and instead of telling someone to search, or scan a QR code, you can have them tap their phone to open your podcast.  This is supposedly going to be on display at the Podcast Movement this August in DC., so I’ll be sure to report back.

Some Spotify-related news to close with this week

First, Spotify is ditching polls and adding comments to podcast episodes.  And unlike Apple, you can approve comments, block trolls, and manage the comments on their new Spotify for Podcasters app, not to be confused with the Spotify App itself.

And finally, Spotify is now bragging that they have 250,000 Video podcasts on their platform.  I’m still leery of this – I don’t want to use Spotify for Podcasters to access this tool, because I don’t want Spotify to own my show.   For me, I’m going to stick to producing an audio podcast via my RSS host, Simplecast, for Apple, Spotify, and more.   And I’ll put the video directly on YouTube, which has a much bigger audience than Spotify.  And because these episodes are short, I’ll keep posting the video directly on my social media channels via JAG in Detroit.Because each social media app’s algorithm likes videos that keep people in their app.  I’m more interested in getting my content to as many people in as many places as possible.

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When you start a podcast, you probably have the exuberance of a puppy.  Henry has a habit of BOUNCING when he walks – he’s very excited, and it’s very cute.   But at some point, you need to learn HOW to walk.  And you can learn that by observing other podcasters.  Our cousin, Henry’s owner, said on walks, he’d just plop down on the sidewalk.  But when we walked our 10 year old coonhound Jules, Henry would follow her around, like, well, a puppy dog.  The added bonus, 3+ miles of walking per day makes for a very tired, and thus very well behaved, pup.

You may have a plan for your podcast, but in the early goings, you may have to change course.The plan was for Henry to sleep in a crate in our bedroom.  But his first night with us, this well behaved pup screamed and cried and barked from 11pm to 1am.  Now, I’m sure some neighborhood fireworks didn’t help, but around 1:15am, we called an audible.Henry would sleep in our bed all week.Sorry to his Mom and Dad if you’re listening – I’m sure he learned some bad habits here at Camp Jules.   Bottom line, you may think you know what you’re podcast is going to be – but if it’s not working, it’s OK to change – even after you’ve launched.

Then there were the puppy teeth – who knew they were so sharp?  Yes, they hurt when he nipped at my ankles – and yes, those first few podcast mistakes may leave a mark.   But outside something drastic, or outside the realm of common sense, you aren’t going to destroy anything in your first few episodes.  No matter how hard Henry went at those deer antlers or stuffies, he didn’t cause any real damage.  It’s OK as a new podcaster to be “teething.”

At the end of the day, your new podcast needs a lot of attention – you are still figuring out your new world.  But the more time and care you put into it, the better your results.   You might need constant reminders about mic technique and avoiding tangents – the podcast equivalent of “don’t eat that and don’t pee on that.”  Lata!

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First one, pretty straightforward.  Avoid the word “podcast” in your show title.   Two reasons.One, if someone is consuming your show, they already KNOW it’s a podcast.   Two: SEO.  According to James Cridland and PodNews, there are 700,000 podcasts that include the word “podcast” in their title – 16% of all shows currently listed.  How the heck is your show going to stand out in search, if it’s using the same words as a sixth of all PODCASTS?

Next mistake – assuming listeners skip ads.  Sure, we’ve all skipped ads from time to time when listening to a pod.  But a new study from Sounds Profitable shows 68% of listeners, more than two thirds, have listened to at least SOME ads in podcasts.Now maybe they’re multitasking and can’t reach the skip button, or maybe the ads are well executed.  But either way, in a world where it’s harder and harder to grab someone’s attention, don’t write off podcast ads.  Also, they don’t have to actually BE ads.  They can be promos, announcements about your show, calls to action.The possibilities are endless.

OK, final mistake to avoid.And bear with me because there’s some nuance here.   Spotify recently opened up video to ALL podcasts, not just the ones hosted ON Spotify.  So if you’re more invested in video views than audio downloads, great.  But if your show is audio first, and you use audio downloads and streams as your most important metric, DON’T put your video on Spotify.  Back to James Cridland and PodNews – who say if someone consumes your video content on Spotify, it won’t count as an audio download with your host.   And you’ll lose those numbers.  So if audio downloads are most important to you, leave your show on Spotify as audio only, just like you have been, and just like I’m doing.  Lata!

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I was helping a new client launch a podcast this week, and we were talking, as is often the case, about audio versus video.   In a perfect world, we’d all have a video team of several people who can put together something that would make Steven Spielberg proud.   But the cost of that – in terms of money AND time – don’t make it possible for most of us.

Also, the hardest part of starting a podcast is AFDI – Actually (hmm) Doing It.   The barrier to entry in podcasting is low, and we want to keep it that way.  We don’t want someone MORE scared of getting into the space.  Trust me, as an ex radio guy – it’s a lot easier to SOUND good than to LOOK good.

However - online video, particularly short-form video, has exploded in the last couple of years.   And Reels are helping with podcast discoverability.   And with our goldfish attention spans – you probably need a more compelling visual than a moving waveform and static image of your podcast artwork.

So here’s how to get the best of both worlds.  RECORD video of your podcast interview.  You can do this with any remote recording software, like Squadcast, Riverside….even Zoom.Or, if you’re in person, use your smartphone.   You’re still doing an audio podcast, but you now have all the video footage.  Grab some 30 second clips of your guest saying something great – and use a service like Descript or Headliner to make eye catching captions, and throw it up on Tik Tok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook and Instagram Reels, you name it.  Then link back to, or promote the actual podcast.

Knowing you’re only going to take very short clips can take some of the pressure off of video – you don’t need to make eye contact with the camera at all times, the lighting doesn’t have to be perfect, and your hair doesn’t either.    It’s much easier to have TOO MUCH content, than NOT ENOUGH.  So, provided your guest consents to being filmed, grab the video to use, repurpose, and promote your show later.

As always, no matter what you budget, video or audio only, if you need help with a podcast, you can find me at jagindetroit.com.  Lata!

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I've long said that Anchor, or now Spotify for Podcasters, is a great tool if you're dipping your toe into podcasting.  They won't charge you a monthly hosting fee, and you can kind of get the hang of your craft.  Because the hardest part about doing a podcast - is actually starting one.

Well some previously announced changes for the platform are about to take effect.  The first one probably won't affect you - the "Music and Talk" pilot that allowed you to do a podcast that included full licensed songs on the platform.  I played with this in an experiment called "The JAG Throwback Show" - mostly to scratch the itch that comes with being a former radio DJ.  But you couldn't talk over the intros of songs (what's the point of doing a radio show if you can't hit a post?) and only Spotify PREMIUM subscribers would hear the whole song.   Users on the free tier would only hear the begining and end.   So fun idea, but no big loss.  Here's a link to that show: https://open.spotify.com/show/2j6cYPd7dmiPDuMdT2PLHr?si=56b8fc13bd824c0b

On the podcast side, Spotify is eliminating their internal production tools, and beginning a partnership with Riverside, the podcast recording platform.   Riverside has some great tools, and you can read and watch the announcement from Spotify here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/resources/learn/create/updates-to-spotify-for-podcasters

So again, if you want to do a podcast as a hobby and have a very limited - or no - budget, great.  But if your aim is to really put time and effort into a show and grow it, this isn't the place for you.  You are putting all you eggs in the Spotify basket.  You're hosting with them, you're editing with them, and you're getting all of your analytics from them.    This means you are at their mercy if there's a service outage, or if they decide to make any changes.   And when it comes to the analytics side, Spotify has decided to no longer participate in IAB download metrics - an industry standard that the majority of hosts use to track the number of people listening to your show.   I'll spare you all the tech stuff, but Bryan Barletta of Sounds Profitable wrote a scathing open letter to Spotify - mentioning that they are no longer a podcasting peer - they are their own game.  You can read that here: https://soundsprofitable.com/article/of-mice-and-megaphone

Bottom line: If you live entirely in Spotify's ecosystem, they control everything.  It's like having your entire retirement portfolio invested in stock of your employer.  That's great when things are going well.  But what happens when they take a turn?

Here's my recommendation.  Host on a platform like Simplecast, Buzzsprout, or Libsyn.  Their plans start at around $15 per month, which if you're investing in your show, isn't much money.   Your metrics will be legit, you'll still be on Spotify independently, and you won't be beholdent to them.    And if you're recording remotely, use either Riverside (I've got a referral code in the show notes), or Squadcast.  Both are excellent quality, and have a number of bells and whistles.   It's just figuring out which of the two is more intutiive for you.   Squadcast was recently acquired by Descript, which is where most of their editing and tools have migrated to.  And they've got an announcement of new tools coming next week. https://lu.ma/descript-season-6

And as always, if you have any questions at all about your podcast or how to start won, find me online at JAGinDetroit.com.  Lata!

Here's my referral code if you want to try Riverside: https://bit.ly/jagriverside

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The Edison Research Podcast Consumer 2024 report, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of podcasting. As we head into the holiday weekend, it's the perfect time to reflect on these insights and what they mean for podcasters and listeners alike.

Podcast listenership is at an all-time high, with two-thirds of the U.S. population aged 12 and up having listened to a podcast, and over a third tuning in weekly. The average time spent listening to podcasts has surged by 450% since 2014, Podcasts now constitute 11% of all audio sources and 20% of ad-supported audio sources, showing a substantial increase from previous years.

We also explore the diversity of podcast listeners. Podcasting spans all generations, with significant engagement across various age groups. For example, 59% of those aged 12-34, 55% of those aged 35-54, and even 27% of those aged 55 and older listen to podcasts monthly. Gen Z, in particular, shows a strong affinity for podcasts, often spending more time with this medium than older generations, drawn by the depth of topics and unique perspectives offered.

The demographic breakdown of listeners is becoming increasingly diverse. The percentage of Black Americans and Latinx Americans listening to podcasts monthly stands at 48% and 43%, respectively. Additionally, the gender gap is closing, with 45% of U.S. women now monthly podcast listeners, indicating a more balanced audience. Interestingly, female listeners tend to consume more episodes weekly compared to their male counterparts.

Podcasts are not just popular; they are also effective for advertisers. An impressive 46% of weekly podcast listeners report purchasing a product or service based on a podcast ad. This statistic highlights the medium's power to drive consumer behavior and its value for advertisers.

The top podcasts in the U.S. continue to draw massive audiences. Leading the list is "The Joe Rogan Experience," followed by "Crime Junkie," "The Daily" from the New York Times, "New Heights" with Jason and Travis Kelce, and "Dateline NBC." Other popular shows include "This American Life," "Call Her Daddy," "SmartLess," "Morbid," and "Stuff You Should Know."

As the industry continues to grow, it presents numerous opportunities for businesses. Podcasts can serve as a powerful tool for internal communication or as a platform to engage with a broader audience. If you haven't yet started a podcast for your business, now is the time to consider it.

Have a great holiday weekend, and remember to share this episode with friends and family to help grow your podcast network!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Smartless: https://smartless.com

Taylor Swift Hits Different Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@ithitsdiffpod

Games With Names: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFof_j6hnC2WaZWwwW41_gA

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Well, like most things in life, it’s all about knowing your audience.

OK, I’m not going to get into all the international politics about TikTok, and their Chinese-owned parent company, Byte Dance.   But as you may have heard, President Biden, depending on when you consume this podcast, is expected to sign a bill requiring Byte Dance to sell off their ownership in the company, or have the app banned in the US.   

In 2023 and 2024, the big discussion around podcasts has been about video.   And while I’ll spare you the audio only or video for FULL podcasts discussion today, short video clips can be a great way to market your show to new audiences.   I can think of two shows, New Heights with the Kelce brothers, and Games with Names, with Julian Edelman, that I’ve seen hilarious short clips from, and it’s resulted in me checking out the full podcast.

Now the jury is still out on what the conversion rate is between short term video clicks to podcast downloads, but the more places you can market your show, the better.

According to my favorite annual survey, Edison Research’s Infinite Dial, Tik Tok is now the #3 social media brand among Americans age 12 and up, trailing only Facebook and Instagram.91% of this total population is aware of it, and 35% use it.   (Some of that actually comes from Twitter and X being a dumpster fire lately. Thanks Elon!)

Now as you might expect, Tik Tok usage DOES skew younger. While 13 % of everyone age 12+ say it’s their MOST used social media app, that number jumps to 23% among age 12-34.  And it falls to single digits age 35 and up. 

So back to my original question.  WHO is your audience?  Who is your podcast talking to?  If it’s a younger demo, a Tik Tok ban could affect your discoverability.  And you’re going to have to keep tabs on WHERE your audience Is going, and be where they are.   If your audience skews older, keep banging the Facebook and Twitter drum.  If your audience is more in the professional space, don’t forget about LinkedIn too.   Fish where the fish are.

As always, if you have any questions about podcasts or the industry, you can always find me at JAGinDetroit.com.Lata!

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The problem arose when the concert, scheduled to end at 11:30 PM, was cut off prematurely by many CBS affiliates. This was due to automated or remotely controlled master control operations—a result of budget cuts and staffing reductions in the TV industry. Some affiliates managed to continue broadcasting the concert until its actual conclusion, while others could not, causing frustration among viewers and a flurry of complaints on social media. In response, CBS apologized, investigated the incident with affiliate stations, and scheduled a re-broadcast of the concert.

The episode serves as a cautionary tale for the podcasting industry, particularly large companies that might be tempted to overly invest without sustainable strategies. The podcast emphasizes the importance of prudent investment in quality personnel and sustainable practices rather than unchecked spending. It warns against the potential pitfalls of rapid expansion without solid groundwork, suggesting that a thoughtful approach can help avoid the kinds of disruptions experienced by CBS

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More: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/9/24125736/ted-cruz-podcast-verdict-iheart-fec-neon-hum-roost-sony

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/03/20/super-pac-backing-ted-cruz-received-215000-from-iheartmedia-fueling-ethics-concerns-after-podcast-deal/?sh=502dbd2b60ac

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ted-cruz-podcast-iheartmedia-19373225.php

Now we’ve all been warned about campaign shenanigans created by AI, and podcasting is certainly grappling with this emerging technology.    It’s the wild wild west out there.  And just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD.  A podcast company just settled with George Carlin's estate after they created a 60-minute episode of content with with him. The show has since been taken down..

More: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240404-podcast-sued-for-ai-george-carlin-settles-with-comic-s-estate

Speaking of AI – OpenAI, and Chat GPT say they ingested and transcribed over a million hours of YouTube content, including podcasts, in order to train its latest version, Chat GPT-4.  Now, this has lots of legal ramifications that are too complicated for me to get into here – but if you’re going to train a large language model – I guess it makes sense to turn to the largest source for content in the world.  Chat GPT can be a great tool.   I often use it to draft show notes based on podcast transcripts, which I then tweak. My theory on AI is that it’s always improving, but you need a human gatekeeper to check the work.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/6/24122915/openai-youtube-transcripts-gpt-4-training-data-google

As always if you have questions about podcasting, or are interested in starting a show – find me online at JAG in Detroit dot com.  Lata!

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Google Podcasts, as of April 3rd, is no longer available to listen to shows on.  Users are going to have to go elsewhere.  If you want to take your subscriptions with you, you can TRY.  Here's Google's how-to. https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/thread/249139848/migrate-your-podcast-shows-from-google-podcasts-us-only-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8?hl=en

Meanwhile, Apple Podcasts has unveiled auto-transcriptions, beginning with iOS version 17.4.   I found the transcriptions to be pretty good, except that there are no timestamps or speaker labels.  I found it very difficult to upload my own transcript, and my podcast host (Simplecast) advised me to just use Apple's automatic transcript for now.   Apple did not give podcast hosts an early heads up about this, and they are playing catchup.

Speaking of Podcast Hosts, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) is the decisive leader for episodes published in March, 2024.  I'll tell you why I'm very lerry of using Spotify as a host, though.

Finally, Edison Research's Infinite Dial survey is out.  This is THE benchmark survey for podcast listening every year.  I'll go through some key takewaways on podcasting being at an all time high, its growth among women, and its potential to steal ad dollars from television.

As always, reach out with any questions.  jag@jagindetroit.com

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So, quick background for those of you who aren't baseball or Red Sox fans, the Red Sox went 86 years without winning a World Series. They had a number of heartbreaks over the years, including Bucky Dent's home run in 1978, the ball going through Bill Buckner's legs in 1986, and then most recently, the Aaron Boone home run in game seven of the 2003 American League Championship Series off Tim Wakefield.

So to set the stage, Tim Wakefield was terrified at the end of 2003 that he'd be the next Bill Buckner. Flash forward to 2004. The Red Sox bring in star pitcher Curt Schilling. He embraces the whole break the curse thing. He even does a Dunkin Donuts commercial where he says, "I'm here to break an 86 year old curse." And then in the playoffs has a tendon in his ankle, surgically sewed on so that he's able to pitch in heroic fashion. And you would think at that point, as the Red Sox go on in the World Series, that Curt Schilling is never going to pay for dinner in Boston ever again.

Well, as the years go on, first Curt Schilling becomes a political troll. Now, whatever your political beliefs are, don't be a troll. Although being a right wing troll in Massachusetts is probably not a good idea. He then decides to invest in a video game company and somehow gets Rhode Island taxpayers to front millions of dollars before he bankrupts it and costs the taxpayers a whole bunch of money, and he's just generally a bad person.

Contrast that with Tim Wakefield, who spent years and years and years doing charity work and working with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Boston Red Sox Charitable Foundation and just did amazing things and was beloved. Well, flash forward to September 2023. Curt Schilling has a baseball podcast. He reveals on the podcast that Tim Wakefield has terminal brain cancer. And, oh, by the way, his wife also has pancreatic cancer. Not a very high survival rate. 

Now, nobody that wasn't close to the Wakefield family knew any of this. Curt Schilling decided that he had the right to go on his podcast and tell the world this very personal nugget about a terminal cancer diagnosis for Tim Wakefield. Naturally, Curt had a ton of blowback on this, and sadly, within about a week of this story coming out, Tim Wakefield passed away at 57 years old.

Now, what does all this mean to you? You may be privy to information in a podcast that's not public. You may know things. People may tell you things in confidence. It is your responsibility to maintain that confidence. It is not your right to tell somebody else's story that they don't want shared publicly. And this goes for, of course, social media, texting telephone, you name it. But it's true in podcasts especially. 

They say the Internet lives forever. Well, podcasting is part of that. Anything you put in a podcast can be picked up by anyone, anywhere, and amplified. Do not talk about something in your podcast that is not your place to talk about. You may think it's just an aside or a brief comment, but there are ramifications. 

How does all this turn out? Well, Tim Wakefield is recognized as a hero on and off the diamond all over Boston, and tributes have been pouring in for the last week.

Curt Schilling, after thinking he'd never pay for a meal in Boston ever again, and the World Series win, would probably come out from dinner in the North End and have his tires slashed for the terrible person he's become. Don't be Curt Schilling. And be careful what you say on your podcast. 

And a tip of the cap. Rest in peace, Tim Wakefield. 

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While Apple was the OG of the podcast space, podcasts were actually named after iPods, and Spotify was OVER aggressive, investing hundreds of millions, Google/YouTube have been more reactionary.

In fact, The company itself said at podcast movement that they've been more about responding to what podcasters are actually doing.   Their new tools are a RESULT of podcasters putting their content on YouTube.  

Earlier this year, Google began giving North Americans access to podcasts on their separate YouTube Music platform.   They're gonna roll out YouTube music globally, and sunset the Google Podcasts app.  It makes sense- they cite Edison research's study that says YouTube is the favorite podcasting platform for 23% of consumers, compared to 4% for Google Podcasts.  Those numbers track for me- of 12,000 total downloads of THIS podcast, exactly 3.24% were on Google Podcasts.

So what does all this mean for creators and consumers?   Google says they will have tools to let listeners migrate their favorite shows from Google to YouTube music.  And without a subscription, you'll be able to consume the pods while using other apps on your phone.

For creators, we don't have an exact time line for when the app will go away.  So continue to fish where the fish are.  Keep putting your show on Google Podcasts,  but also make sure it's on YouTube AND YouTube music.  Make sure your show can be found anywhere your potential audience is looking for it . 

More:

PodNews recap of this story: https://podnews.net/update/google-podcasts-to-close

Variety magazine: https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/google-podcasts-shutting-down-youtube-1235735517/

Google's announcement: https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/thread/236590252

From YouTube - Creating a Podcast on YouTube Music: https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/podcast-destination-on-youtube-music

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The best session I attended was from Jay Nachlis of Coleman Insights and Steve Goldstein of Amplifi media- their Thursday keynote was The New Rules of Podcasting on YouTube.

Yes, a show on YouTube is a podcast.   And you need to have a YouTube strategy, even if your show is audio only.  Your content needs to be on the platform, or at least a teaser directing to your podcast. I'll explain. Folks are consuming podcasts on multiple platforms, and you can get them to open their podcast player if your content is good enough.

YouTube itself was at Podcast Movement, talking about ingesting shows via RSS feed.   This seems like a giant step forward, but there are some important caveats.

Rob Walch's annual "That Marketing Advice for Your Podcast is BS" session yielded both some important info and stats, but also stirred the pot on some debates.  He says your episodic podcasts on Apple should include episode numbers.  We go deep on that.

AI was a big topic at Podcast Movement.   Use it as a tool, not a replacement, and always check the work with a human.

Spotify was there, talking about video and how huge it's become.  You can get your video podcast on Spotify, but only if they are your host.   And that leads to a whole bunch of other issues.

Finally, what does a bonsai tree have to do with your podcast?  Leave it to the great Tom Webster to explain.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Stitcher, one of the original podcast listening apps, has decided to shut down.  Now, for hardcore fans of the app, there's definitely going to be a "who moved my cheese" moment as they go elsewhere, likely to Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.  Bottom line, those three places are where the vast majority of podcast consumption via app is happening.   Apps like Stitcher, iHeart, Pandora, and others generally account for 2% or less each.

Now, Stitcher is owned by SiriusXM, which also owns Pandora, Stitcher Studios, and Simplecast, the platform I host podcasts on.  They company's going to focus on the SiriusXM umbrella, largely on the production side.  I doubt Stitcher users will go to the Sirius app to stream, but it will be an option.  What does all this mean for you as a podcaster?   While it doesn't hurt to be on all the apps, the holy trinity still remains Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.   (And yes, you can put an audio-only podcast up on YouTube).

The other big news as of late involves world's richest man and troll-in-chief Elon Musk, who is trying to rebrand Twitter as "X."  I don't know why he's throwing away the branding of one of the world's most important communication platforms.   (Remember, when you're that rich, you're not "crazy," you're "mercurial.")  But there's some question over copyright around X.  Does Microsoft own it from XBox?  Do Facebook/Meta/Instagram/Zuckerberg own it?   And speaking of the latter, great move to let everyone on Instagram enroll in "Threads" with just two clicks.  Privacy issues aside, you've now got a huge user base and an alternative to Twit...I mean, X.   I'll be curious to see how it does in time.   

But again, fish where the fish are.  Where is your audience going online?   Do they skew older and more on Facebook?  Is it a more professional set who are on LinkedIn?  Do they Tweet? Do they Thread?  Do they do it all for The Gram?    Now your podcast metrics aren't going to tell you this.   How do you find out? ASK THEM.  A quick listener survey, via Google Forms, is easy to set up.  And if you need to provice some motivation, like a $50 Amazon Gift Card, that information is well worth the investment.   Throw the link in your show notes and promote it in your podcast.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Two thirds of the US population have listened to a podcast, and half of them listen every single week.  That's 100 million potential podcast listeners that you can re-inforce your potential brand with.

I create podcasts, from the ground up, for organizations.   The podcast is used as a branding tool to both market yourself to your existing customers and clients, and as a lead generation tool to find new ones.

For many clients, I leverage my skillset as a 15 year radio veteran to co-host the podcast with them.  They are the subject matter experts, and I'm just there to ask questions and faciliate the conversation.    For other clients, I'm not on the mic - my role is as a live producer - to keep all the tech and content on track.    And finally, for others, I'm simply an editor.  They record their own podcast and send me the audio.  I take out all the ums and uhs, enhance the audio, add intros, music, and more.     The bottom line is, nobody knows your brand and story better than you - my job is simply to help you tell it.

And here's the biggest misconception I can clear up.  You don't need a podcast studio to record.   The technology has improved, especially since Covid.   All you need is a $60 USB microphone at your desk, and when we're done, it will sound just like a professional studio recording.  

The hardest part about a podcast is starting it, or AFDI.  Actually (bleeping) Doing It.  If it's something you've been thinking about, find me on social at JAG in Detroit, or shoot me an email  JAG@JAGinDetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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I used Descript to create a synthesized version of my voice.  This required me reading 30 minutes of copy, taken, interestingly enough, from a Planet Earth II script.  (Also, I had to read it twice because I had the wrong mic selected the first time - it happens to the best of us).   Each time, it took Descript about 24 hours to send back the new AI version of my voice.  I can type text, and it will be read in my own voice.

Next, I went to Chat GPT, and prompted it to write me a 3 minute podcast about the pros and cons of AI in podcasting.  What you'll hear is their script, minus of course the podcast stereotype features, like the name of the show, and unnecesssary musical transitions.   There are a couple moments where the audio hiccups, and it doesn't always get the inflection totally right.  But overall, I find it quite impressive.  Can you tell that it was AI and not me? Sure.  But not by a lot.  The script follows here.

Questions about podcasting, AI, or both?  Email me.  jag@jagindetroit.com.

Script:

Nearly everything in this podcast is AI generated.  I used Descript to create a synthesized version of my voice, by reading a 30 minute script. Then I asked Chat GPT to write me a 3 minute podcast exploring the pros and cons of AI in podcasting.  It’s only lightly edited. Enjoy.

Artificial intelligence has made significant advancements in recent years, and the podcast industry has not been left behind. Let's start by looking at the pros of AI in podcasting."

One of the most notable benefits of AI in podcasting is content creation. AI-powered tools can transcribe, summarize, and even edit audio recordings, saving podcasters a considerable amount of time and effort. These tools can automatically generate show notes, enabling hosts to focus more on creating compelling content rather than spending hours on administrative tasks.

Additionally, AI can enhance the listening experience for podcast audiences. With machine learning algorithms, AI can analyze listener behavior, preferences, and feedback. This data allows podcast platforms to offer personalized recommendations to their users. By suggesting relevant shows and episodes, AI helps listeners discover new content aligned with their interests, broadening their podcasting horizons.

Furthermore, AI can improve accessibility in podcasting. Through automatic transcription and closed captioning services, listeners with hearing impairments can engage with podcast content more easily. Transcripts also benefit non-native English speakers, those who prefer reading, or individuals in noisy environments where listening may be challenging.

Now, let's consider the cons of AI in the podcast industry.

One concern revolves around the potential loss of human touch and authenticity. While AI transcription and editing tools can expedite workflows, they may lack the nuanced understanding and emotional connection that human editors or producers bring. It's crucial for podcasters to strike a balance between AI automation and preserving the human touch that makes their shows special.

Another issue to consider is algorithmic bias. AI systems learn from vast amounts of data, and if that data contains biases, it can unintentionally perpetuate them. In podcasting, this could affect recommendations, leading to a lack of diversity or reinforcing existing inequalities. Careful attention must be given to the training data and the algorithms used to ensure fair and inclusive content recommendations.

Lastly, privacy concerns arise as AI collects and processes vast amounts of user data for personalization. It's essential for podcast platforms to be transparent about their data collection practices, provide clear privacy policies, and obtain informed consent from users before utilizing their data. Safeguarding listener privacy should be a top priority."

That concludes our exploration of how AI is shaping the podcast industry. Despite the challenges, AI offers exciting possibilities for content creation, enhanced listener experiences, and improved accessibility. As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial to strike a balance between the advantages of automation and the preservation of human connection. 

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Strategy #1 - Know when to get out.   Both shows left us at a place where they could have continued on.   Part of me would have loved to see how the Roy siblings moved on, and what happened to Waystar Royco.   And of course, how would AFC Richmond have fared with Roy Kent at the helm?  But both shows erred on the side of ending too early, as opposed to too late.  The last thing we would have wanted is a "How I Met Your Mother" situation, where the last season was awful.  It seemed like the writers were testing our loyalty, daring us to give up.   This idea holds true for both your podcast as a whole, and individual episodes.  When it's done, it's done.   Wrap it up, and as the cliche goes, "leave them wanting more."

Strategy #2 - Have characters that connect.   Now, I'm not saying be somebody you're not.   But as a host, or cohosts, what is it about you that makes your audience FEEL something?   Roy Kent is one of my favorite television characters of all time, played by the hilarious comedian Brett Goldstein.   Ted Lasso himself can be described the same way the show is - "relentless positivity."   On the other end of the spectrum, you have Kendall, Roman, and Siovann Roy.  They're all TERRIBLE people.   But we connect with them in their moments of humanity - as they're all complex in their own way.  Even if we may have been rooting for a meteor to hit them all in the end.   What is it about you and your show that CONNECTS?  Is it a personality trait? Is it humor? Or are you providing valuable information to your audience?  If you want them to come back, they have to feel something - even if that something is "smarter."

Strategy #3 - Set and meet your audience's expectations.   Ted started in the early days of Covid, and it was one of those rare things that made us feel good.   We came to expect to feel good after an episode.   And of course, the other side of the coing.  The Roys are all terrible people.   It appealed to the lesser qualities of the human condition.   Either you're an empath like me and felt terrible after each episode, or you are a sadist, looked at the Roy family, and said, "wow, I may have my issues, but at least I'm not them!"   Establish what listeners will get out of your show.  How will they feel? Will they learn something? What will resonate with them?  You won't figure that out in Episode 1, but when you find that secret sauce, go with it.

We'll miss you, Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond.   As for the Roys, you had it coming.   As you say to each other in every episode, "Fuck off."

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Here's what they're doing right - they are promoting the show on their flagship podcast.  The best way to grow your show is by targeting other podcast listeners.  It's the old "fish where the fish are" mentality.  By doing a promo swap with another show in your space, you can grow both audiences.  And also think about the actual user experience.  It's much easier to find another podcast when you're already in a podcast app, like Apple or Spotify, then having to click over from Twitter, Facebook, or another social app.

But speaking of podcast apps, here's where The Times gets it wrong.  While you can listen to "The Headlines" for free this week in the same feed as "The Daily," that will change next week, where the show will be available only in the new NYT Audio app.  Clearly this is an attempt to drum up some revenue.   But I don't know who's going to pay $6.99 a month (or $24.99 after the first year) to get the day's headlines in podcast form when you can just as easily get the same headlines from NPR, ABC News, or any other competitor, for free on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, etc.  Now, "The Headline" and NYT audio will be great for anyone who already pays for a digitial subscription to read article, play the crossword and Wordle, and anything else. And maybe you can justify this by it maybe being the final piece that grabs someone on the fence about subscribing anyway.   But this are the big mistakes that podcasters are making.

Just look at TV - do you really want to be paying for Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max (i'm sorry, Max), and Apple TV?  No, that adds up.   Yes, I keep Netflix for my parents, but I'll be dumping HBO when Succession ends and Apple TV when Ted Lasso finished up.  

So with all these video services nickel and diming us, do you want to have to pay separate subscriptions for Apple, Spotify, and a bunch of other places for your podcasts?  In my opinion, this is a short-sighted money grab on podcasters' part.  And unless your show is SO good that people are willing to spend money on it (like Succession and Ted Lasso), it won't work in the long-term.  Would I pay for the Daily?   Maaaaaaybe, but probably not - as I don't listen when I get busy.   Would I pay for 10 minutes of headlines I can get anywhere?   Absolutely not.

Podcast revenue is up year over year, but you won't make money selling ads on your shows until you spend a good year, or even two or three, building your audience (unless you're uber famous to start with).   So don't cannibalize yourself by limiting where your show is available.

As always, thanks for listening, and if you have any questions about podcasts, find me at JAG in Detroit.com.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Look, we all know the pandemic changed EVERYTHING.   From food delivery to media consumption to...PANTS.  As a recent New York Times Op Ed said - the best things to come out of Covid are "soft pants."  I've been working from home since 2018, and my wife has since March 2020 - and we openly complain when we have to wear jeans, or so-called "hard pants."   Denim's out, comfort is in.   

So how did I start my pants journey?   Much like podcast discovery, word of mouth.  My wife's hair stylist told her that she bought a pair for her husband, and he loves them.  So I started looking online -and of course my Facebook feed was soon filled with ads for Lulu, Birddogs, Public Rec, and Fabletics.   I also posted looking for recommendations, and was surprised by how many friends my age had suggestions!  Social media and Google - more drivers of podcast discovery.

My wife is a fan of dressing "age appropriate," and I think she's on a secret mission to gradually purge all the sports logo'ed clothes from my 20's out of my closet.   And yes, that includes sweatpants, which are being replaced by the more modern "joggers."     At this point in time, me wearing a jersey to anything other than a game, well it makes about as much sense as sitting by the radio waiting for your favorite song to play.

So I bought three pairs, all online of course.   The LuLus, a pair from the cheeky brand Bird Dogs, which might even be slightly more comfortable, and a pair from Fabletics. which I returned.   

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this new way of wearing pants.   It makes more sense for my lifestyle.   Just like podcast skeptics can often be won over by a show that entertains or informs them. 

I gotta admit, I stereotyped Lululemon - thinking it was a brand for wealthy suburban moms and sorority girls. But I was wrong.  Just like every SNL sketch you've ever seen stereotypes podcasts and podcasters.  Gone are the days of poor audio made in Mom's basement.  Now, every company needs a podcast as part of their brand strategy.   And podcasting consumption has hit an all time high. 83% of American adults are familiar with it, 64% have listened to one, and almost 100 million people tune in every week.

Now that I'm wearing comfy pants every day, I won't go back to jeans, except for those rare occasions when necessary.  I hope you can find a podcast that feels as good on your ears as these pants do on my....legs.   Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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What's important to remember in podcasting is that, in most cases, this isn't hard-hitting "gotcha journalism."  We aren't out to GET our guests or catch them with their pants down.  Usually, we are highlighting them, or something interesting and relatable about their story.  In fact, getting your guests to share the episode to their network is a great way to grow your show.   So why NOT accommodate them?   Yes, it can be more time out of your limited production schedule   But it's important to be kind.  Podcasting, like all things in life, is about relationships and how you treat people.   The better an experience your guest has before, during, and after your show, the more likely they'll be to recommend both your show, and you as a host and person.

Now here's a hack for you.  When it's time to edit, if you haven't already done the cuts on the main episode, edit the inserted content FIRST.   That way, you'll know how it sounds, in its edited form, and have a better idea of where it can fit in the context and flow of your main episode.

Of course, there will be times where a production schedule doesn't allow for changes, or you may have a guest who has an unreasonable request.  There are exceptions to every rule. But if you need some perspective, try being a guest on someone else's podcast.   That's a lot more nerve-wracking, at least for me, than hosting.   As a host, you have full control, both before and after.  But as a guest, you're at the mercy of the interviewer.   So, if possible, show a little kindness, and it can go a long way.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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First, YouTube.  Now don't be scurred.  If you're camera shy, this doesn't mean you need to shoot video of your podcast.  There are tools like Headliner and others that will take the AUDIO of your show, and either your show or episode artwork or an image of your choice, add one of those moving waveforms and boom, it's a video file that you can either download or just connect the app to your YouTube page. You can even automate it to go to YouTube whenever an episode publishes.  Example: https://make.headliner.app/download/e3a68b01-b965-4641-b345-af942d00ab37

Why is YouTube so important?  Because YouTube is now a top 3 platform for both podcast discovery AND podcast consumption.  You may have noticed that Google, who owns YouTube, is eliminating the Google Podcasts app, and they are folding it into the YouTube music platform.   In fact, as a creator, if you have a playlist on YouTube, you can now designate it as a podcast.   Podcast consumers are viewing, and even just listening, to podcasts on YouTube.   Sometimes the audio just plays in the background while they are driving, or working on their TPS reports, or however they're going about their day.  YouTube and Google's search engine can't be beat - so it's an easy way to find and consume content.

The only downside is that your YouTube views and podcast downloads are counted separately, because YouTube doesn't yet use an RSS feed.  But because of the exponential growth of podcasts, and the fact that Google is now all in, my prediction is that this problem will be solved by late 2023 or early 2024.   So get on YouTube now and don't be late to the party.

The other key to your podcast is an email list.  It's easy to set up with a service like MailChimp or Constant Contact, or AWeber, which is what I use because it's got a template for podcasts.  To quote my friend  and colleague Tiffany from Twiz Creative, by using an email list, you are creating your own algorithm.  You aren't relying on Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk to  display your content to your followers.  Sure, post your stuff on social.  It can't hurt.  But an email list guarantees your listeners will see that you've posted a new episode.    In fact, if you'd like to subscribe to the email list for THIS podcast, you can at JAGinDetroit.com/subscribe.

Thanks for listening, and for following and subscribing.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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When you start your show, it's April.   You've got big dreams.   You're going to be the next Serial, or the next Joe Rogan.  You're going to get millions of downloads, and sell enough ads to quit your job and buy your own private island.  Hope springs eternal, right?

Then you get into the season, and you realize that this is a LOT harder that it looks - and sounds.   You need to be consistent.  And you need to spend a lot more time practicing - or prepping - than you do actually playing (or recording).   And even if you're a knock-it-out-of-the-park type player, you can't do it without teammates.  That could be cohosts, guest, virtual assistants or VAs, editors, and more.   It sure is fun to start, but it's a grind.    And while everyone wants to win - would you be happy with a .500 record? Making the playoffs? Winning the pennant?  What does that mean for you in terms of downloads and either sales leads or ad revenue?

Here's one more comparison.   Baseball interest has plummeted in recent years.  Why? As our attention spans wane, the game has gotten slower.   Time between balls in play has gone from 3 to 4 minutes, which added up over a whole game is a lot.  And the longer your content, the more compelling it needs to be.   News flash: you're not Sarah Koenig or Joe Rogan with a full staff behind you.   Chances are, your show can be more compelling if you keep it under 30 minutes.  And lose the fluff.  If it doesn't interest your audience, leave it on the cutting room floor.

If you follow baseball, you'll know this year has brought - forgive the pun - a seismic....shift.    For reasons too long to list here, baseball has gotten away from putting the ball in play, and just going for the home run.  New rules have gone into place for the 2023 season to encourage more singles, doubles, triples, and steals - to keep the action and momentum going. Similarly, podcasting has swung for the fences - look at the hundreds of millions of dollars Spotify and others have thrown around over the last few years.  It wasn't sustainable.   And now, like many other industries, the podcasting world has started to contract - with cuts at many bloated companies.   As Vanity Fair put it, "The Dumb Money is Gone."  Or, as Steve Goldstein of Amplifi Media says, "Belt Tightening will be good for podcasting."

More and more folks are listening to podcasts.  After a brief dip in 2021-2022 as we came out of the pandemic, podcast consumption has once again grown this year, to another all time high, according to Edison Research's Annual Infinite Dial Survey.  Four out of 10 Americans age 12-54 have listened to a podcast this week, and weekly podcast listeners average 9 shows per week. 

Chances are, your show is not the next Serial, Smartless, or Stuff You Should Know.   Those shows are home runs.  Your show might be a single, double, or triple.  Heck, maybe it's a steal.  Baseball is learning that those plays are key to keeping the game exciting.   And that's why your show is important to podcasting.   

If you have any questions at all about podcasting, you can find me online at JAGinDetroit.com, where I have a new guide to all the equipment you'll need to get started: https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-equipment-recommendations/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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First, apologies for the hiatus.  I've spent much of the last six months on a passion project - the WJPZ at 50 podcast - interviewing alumni from a half century of my college radio station.  Look for a case study on that show soon in this space.

Also, on Tuesday, April 4, I'll be co-presenting "How to Launch a Podcast," with my client Angela Buccellato of The Resume Rescue.  I'll be talking about how to get started, and Angela will talk about how she's used her show, That's Business, as a marketing and lead generation tool.  If you're local, the event will be at Bamboo in Royal Oak, Michigan.  If you're not local, you can watch virtually.  https://bit.ly/startapodcastwithjag

Now, onto March's podcasting news.  The biggest news is the integration of podcasts into YouTube.  YouTube  is one of the top discovery methods of podcasts, and I've long said that even if your show is audio-only, it still needs to live there for SEO purposes.  Well, if you've organized your episodes into a playlist on YouTube, you can now categorize that playlist as a podcast.   Also, YouTube's got some great analytics available to creators - from watch time to device type and operating system, as well as the traffic source they came from.    For me, the only downside is that YouTube isn't pulling from your podcast's RSS feed (yet), so the YouTube metrics and your podcast download numbers will have to remain separate - for now.

For audio podcast consumption, the debate rages on between Apple and Spotify.  Spotify has the most listeners from a quantity perspective, but they only download 3 episodes on average.   Apple's listeners download 30.   So more listeners on Spotify, more consumption on Apple.

Edison Research's Annual Infinite Dial Study was released in early March, possibly the most important analysis in podcasting, IMHO.   Key takeaways are that after a bit of a COVID dip, podcasting is back on the upswing.  This of course relates to the return of commutes.  Two thirds of Americans age 12+ have listened to a podcast, almost half have listened this month, and a third have listened in the last week.   Full study here: https://www.edisonresearch.com/infinite-dial-2023-from-edison-research-with-amazon-music-wondery-and-art19/

The PodFest Global Summit is live this week https://podfestglobal.online/tickets/

Some fun tools for podcasters include PodSqueeze, which uses AI to generate show notes, summaries, and social media content from your uploaded audio file. I tried it this morning.  Pretty good, but like most AI, not nearly as good as a human doing it the old fashioned way.

Auphonic, a popular online production tool, has revamped its system.

And Podfast is an app that's coming soon which will deliver short audio summaries of longer podcasts, like a Cliff's Notes version.  They claim it's totally legal. We will see.

Here's my key takeaway - as AI continues to get better and better, the list of potential tools for podcasters keeps growing.   But we aren't at "set-it-and-forget-it" levels yet.  We'll get closer, but we'll never be all the way there.  The best thing for you to do, as a podcaster, is see which of these tools can cut down your production time for your podcast, but check and tweak everything.

Hope you continue to be well, and I'll see you next Tuesday in Royal Oak.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

First, a programming note.  Yes, I've "pod faded" with this show a bit.   That's largely because I've been dedicating a lot of time to a passion project, a show called WJPZ at 50.   It celebrates 50 years of the radio station at my alma mater, Syracuse University.  We are releasing interviews with alumni every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the beginning of March and our annual reunion banquet.  After that, the show will slow to a once-a-week cadence, and I'll be able to re-focus on this show and other areas of my podcast production business. Thank you by the way, PodNews and Podcast Business Journal for the mentions. OK, onto the news....

What about video podcasts?  I'm asked this all the time.  A new study from Cumulus/Westwood One and Signal Hill Insights show that 28% of podcast listeners want to watch video of their podcast, and 29% want video playing in the background.  This changes a bit by format - like true crime for example is often best suited to audio only.  But here's MY key takeaway: 43% of listeners prefer audio only.    My position on this hasn't changed.  I'm a radio guy by trade, so I'm always audio first.  A podcast goes where video can't - in the car, walking the dog, and more.  Now YouTube is huge for podcast discovery, but you can get all that SEO benefit but uploading your audio to YouTube with a static image or moving waveform, or even auto-generated captions.   Make sure you have good show notes, and a transcription of your content if available.  But don't feel the need to shoot video of your podcast- to me, the ROI on your time investment just isn't there.   And yes, I know what you're thinking - Jag, aren't you doing a video version of this podcast?  Well, yes, but only because it's very short.  If this thing were 30 minutes, no way I'd be shooting and editing video.

Speaking of YouTube, they've put out a 67 page guide to podcasting.  If you've got some time - you can link from the bottom of this article at TubeFilter: https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/11/23/youtube-podcast-guide/

Podcast Hosting App Anchor seems to be losing market share.  I've long been concerned about Anchor, its connection to Spotify, and the murkiness around who owns your content.  Remember, free is never really free.  Anchor, however, HAS announced an audio enhancement tool that will clean up your audio in noisy environments.   Add this to the existing Studio Sound feature in Descript, and an AI audio enhancement tool in beta from Adobe, and podcast audio is going to get much better in 2023.    If you're going to use these tools, however, proceed with caution.  They aren't perfect, and unless you check through them, or employ a professional editor, you can get some WEIRD stuff in your "enhanced" audio.

Spatial Audio could be the next big audio tech breakthrough.   Theoretically, if you're listening to a podcast with headphones, you'll be able to hear the conversation from different angles depending on how you move your head.  The New York Times has a website demo.   I think it will be a couple of years before this is common place, but the cutting edge stuff is pretty cool. Link: https://rd.nytimes.com/projects/a-guide-to-creating-spatial-audio-podcasts

There seems to be a growing sentiment in podcasting to remove email addresses from RSS feeds.  Up until now, you needed an active email address to verify ownership of a podcast in Apple, Spotify, and more.   But with the rise of two-factor authentication, that may no longer be needed.  Why the pushback against email addresses?  They inordinate amount of spam that you get from every bot on the planet as a podcast owner.  And think you have it bad?  Try being the email on the RSS feed of 25 or so client podcasts.    It's a daily pain I incur so my clients don't have to.  You're welcome. :)

New research shows that podcast listeners are OK with content that's, shall we say, not squeaky-clean.  The reason seems to be: they've sought out a particular show. So for the most part, they know what they're getting into.  As opposed to something broadcast over a television network or FM radio station.  I will say, however, always mark an episode as "explicit" if someone swears.   It keeps our evil Lords at Apple happy, plus it's a nice courtesy to give your listeners.  However, explicit content and offensive content can be two very  different things.   Tom Webster has a great article on "brand safety" as it relates to podcasters and advertisers in Sounds Profitable: https://soundsprofitable.com/update/podcasting-superpower

And finally, I leave you with some good news.  Adnan Syed, the wrongly convicted subject of the podcast Serial, has a job.  Georgetown University has hired him to work with their prison reform initiative.   I'll give credit where credit is due to Georgetown, even as a Syracuse grad.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The biggest story is Edison Research's Spoken Word Audio report, released at the end of October, and surveying Americans ages 13 and up.  Some of the key takeaways: 131 million Americans listen to Spoken Word Audio daily, that's up 25% since 2014.   Also, 29% of all audio consumption is now spoken word. That's up 1.5x from eight years ago.  And Gen Z specifically, their consumption of spoken word audio has nearly tripled.   And that's not just because today's pop music sucks.  Also, it's too loud and GET OFF MY LAWN!   Here's a link to the takeaways and the study: https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-spoken-word-audio-report-2022-from-npr-and-edison-research

Podcast host Buzzsprout has gone viral with their video on how to be a podcast guest.  It's a classic 90's instructional video throwback - complete with a rapping PSA.  Link: https://youtu.be/mes-wril-Gw

Some news specific to Apple Podcasts:  Beginning in 2023, they'll no longer require an email address to be associated with a show.   I love this idea - because I'm the admin email for many of my clients, I can't TELL you how much spam I get.   Your email address doesn't need to be in the back end RSS data.  But it should be in your show notes, so your listeners have a way to contact you.    Also, Apple has started auto-tagging individual episodes by category.   On one hand, Big Brother is listening, but on the other, it might help your discoverability!

You may have noticed a new look to Apple Podcasts in iOS 16.  If you listen on an iPad, you'll have a new sidebar to help you navigate between shows.  And on iPhone, you'll be able to navigate easier from the lock screen.  That said, Apple is raising prices on Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One.   Man, I hope that last season of Ted Lasso is worth it...

Amazon Music still represents less than 1% of US podcast listening, but it's Amazon, so I expect that number to grow.  They've added more ad-free podcasts for Prime members.  Maybe instead, we'll just keep seeing ads for terrible Thursday Night Football games.  Titans-Packers this week.  Yawn.  Can't Wait.

Tom Webster, in Sounds Profitable, has a two-part series on Radio's Seven Warnings For The Podcast Industry. They are:

1. Painting With The Same Brush
2. Please Don't Destroy Us With Ads
3. Don't Neglect the Farm Team
4. Never Be Content With Content
5. No One Will Thank You For Killing Their Joy
6. You Don't Start Smoking at 30
7. Never Forget Joey Bag O'Donuts

https://soundsprofitable.com/update/radio-warnings-for-podcast-industry-1

https://soundsprofitable.com/update/radio-warnings-for-podcast-industry-2

You know I'm a fan of Squadcast as a remote audio recording platform.  They announced they've received several patents for their behind the scenes tech. https://squadcast.fm/blog/patent-awarded-the-squadcast-recording-engine

A podcast called Canadian Politics is Boring is putting out an episode of their show on cassette.  Yes, cassette.  It's a cool novelty - but unless you've got a device that plays cassettes, it seems the tapes are just going to be glorified paperweights.

Finally, a quick shoutout to Evo Terra, who wrapped up his show Podcast Pontifications.  He was one of the first big names in podcasting two decades ago, and he was always gracious to me with his time, including being a past guest on this show.  You can find his episode here: https://thejagshow.simplecast.com/episodes/podcast-og-evo-terra-consumed-only-beer-and-sausages-for-a-month

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With that in mind, here's a demonstration of how that works.   I'm working on another project - a podcast commemorating the 50th anniversary of my college radio station in Syracuse, WJPZ.   Episode 1 of the podcast debuted today, with interviews of our longtime faculty advisor, Dr. Rick Wright.     I've taken the artwork and audio from that podcast's trailer, and added it to my feed for my followers to see and hear.  And it's up now, classified as a "Bonus" episode. Maybe you'll be interested and follow that show after hearing it here.  Enjoy.

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Now I realize Disney has about a 90 year head start on you, and 50 for Disney World specifically.  Nor do you have a multi-billion dollar marketing machine and 4 generations of super fans at your disposal.  But here are 8 takeaways from the Mouse House that you can scale down to your podcast.

1. Exceptional customer service.  
2. Don't be afraid to change - AND to change back.
3. Upcharges had better be worth it.  
4. Be recommendable.  
5. Ties to emotion.  
6. Where and how are you advertising? 
7. Branding
8. Finally, Be Inclusive. 

To talk more about podcasts and how I can help you, find me online at jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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PodNews, via AudioMeans, reports that there is a new "bot scraping our feeds." Or, in English, another party is starting to look at our podcasts.  And it traces back to TikTok servers.  Details are scant so far, but this makes total sense.   TikTok has been rapidly gaining on other social media apps, so it only makes sense they'd want a bite of the podcast pie as well.   What I find REALLY interesting is, will they work out deals with record labels so you can include commercial music in your podcast like you can on TikTok?  We're probably a long way out from the answer on that - but definitely something to keep an eye on.

Speaking of big names in podcasting, YouTube is continuing to increase their efforts in the space.  You can now purchases ads in YouTube podcasts through Google Ads.  If you haven't seen what YouTube's podcasting space looks like, you can go to  https://www.youtube.com/podcasts

Just know it's only available in the US at this point.

How often does shared podcast listening happen?  As in more than one person listening together?  In a new study from SiriusXM and Edison Research, as much as 12% of podcast listeners report listening with someone else, including in-car and in other places.  This can result in a 5% boost to impressions for podcast advertisers.  And co-listening happens in the home, too - usually while cooking or eating together.  Here's a link to the survey:https://www.sxmmedia.com/insights/5-reasons-brands-shouldnt-sleep-on-co-listening

And speaking of Edison Research, you know I'm a big fan of almost everything they put out.  Next Thursday, they're releasing their Spoken Word Audio report for 2022.  It's going to look at how Spoken Word Audio fits into overall audio listening in the US, and there will be special focus on Gen Z listeners.   If you're not paying attention to them, you should be.  They were born between roughly 1995 and 2010.  Which means the oldest ones are close to 30 now, and have significant disposable income to spend.   Here's a link to sign up for the Edison Webinar. https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-spoken-word-audio-report-from-npr-and-edison-research-save-the-date-3

As always, appreciate you listening, and if you have any questions about podcasting or starting a podcast, find me at JaginDetroit.com.  Stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-cancel-podcasts-parcast-gimlet-1235234758/

These shows are Spotify exclusives. While it's true Spotify is one of the biggest players in podcasting, they are far from the only game in town.  When you keep a product off of certain distribution channels, that content had better be an absolute home run, and worth the price of admission to Spotify.  

Another bad look for Spotify - and a reminder that you need to be crystal clear who owns your show's content.  Their show "Sex, Lies, and DM Slides" was created in September 2020.  The hosts parted ways, and now the show is being made without them - same name and everything.  Spotify says they own the intellectual property of the name.  More from PodNews: https://podnews.net/update/old-show-new-hosts

Another piece of advice for your podcast - make it recommendable- to listeners and to Google.   Connect with your audience and make them WANT to tell their friends and family about your show.  And don't forget about Google and SEO.  More: https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/podcastings-paradox-of-choice

Finally, some podcasting quick hits:  Arthur the Aardvark is launching a podcast series next Thursday, October 20th, repurposing some content from the former kids show.  

Adnan Syed, the subject of the groundbreaking serial podcast, has had all charges against him dropped, after serving 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.

And speaking of true crime, Kim Kardashian is investigating the case of Kevin Keith, who was convicted of a triple murder in 1994.  He maintains his innocence.    The Spotify show is called "Kim Kardashian's The System."  And some of the survivors of the attack are NOT happy with the show.  Well, I mean frankly, if you can't trust Kim Kardashian as a serious investigative reporter, who can you trust?

As a reminder, I'm here to help you with all your podcasting questions and needs.  And you want this show emailed to you every week, just visit jagindetroit.com/subscribe.

Until next week. stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Last week it was iHeartRadio, and their sketchy practice of buying podcast downloads as ads in video games.  How sketchy was that? Well depends on who you ask.   This week, it's Audacy, formerly Entercom, and CBS Radio before that.  They're the company that saw how badly ClearChannel and iHeart screwed up the radio business, and said, effectively, "Hold my beer."

Most radio companies have invested heavily in the digital space, specifically in podcasting.  Audacy is no exception, having purchased Cadence13, and Pineapple Street Media, two leading podcast studios.  Well flash forward to late 2022, and Audacy's stock price is in the crapper, below $1, and facing de-listing from the New York Stock Exchange.  So in a desperate move, they're selling off...you guessed it, Cadence13.  It's the classic "company is in deep trouble, so we need to sell something valuable to save our butts today, future be damned."  Mortgaging the future to save the present.  

Now we've seen this before, and it's what happens when companies - radio or otherwise - get too big.  They've got to satisfy bean counters and stock-holders, and they get away from their core missions and what they do well.   That's what happened to ClearChannel when they went public, sold to private equity, declared bankruptcy, and seemingly had layoffs every step along the way.  That's why in a market like Syracuse, New York, there may be more radio stations than live DJ's.

The more I think about it, I'm actually kinda glad Audacy is selling off Cadence13.  Maybe it will end up in the hands of someone who can invest in the product, not rob Peter to pay Paul.  Keep screwing up radio, Audacy.  Stay out of podcasting.

Onto other podcast news this week.  Kara Swisher is leaving her New York Times podcast and returning exclusively to Vox Media.   But there are reports that the New York Times, who owns all rights to the show, has repurposed her feed to do a new show.   On the surface, it seems like a good idea for marketing and downloads.  Start a show standing on third base, with an already dedicated number of listeners to a certain feed.   Nothing illegal, either.  But what I don't like here is the idea of eroding trust with your audience.   They expect certain content from a show they subscribe to.   Maybe they'll give the NEW content a chance, but I've got to think they'll unsubscribe.  A story to keep an eye on for sure.  The lesson: always be sure who owns your content before you start a show.   For a deeper dive on that, you can check out this months Podcast Superfriends episode, which I cohost.  Link in the show notes. https://www.soundoff.network/show/the-podcast-super-friends/podcast-married/

Twitter is rolling out its premium features within Twitter Blue, including podcasts, to Android users.  It had previously been available on just iOS devices.  Personally, it's not enough to get me to pay for Twitter, which I guess differentiates me from Elon Musk.

Finally, if you're looking for a higher-end podcast microphone, Logitech has unveiled the Blue Sona Dynamic mic.  It's designed to compete with the microphone I use, the Shure SM7B.  Now the Shure has been used in many radio stations, and by artists from Michael Jackson to Eminem.  I love it.  The Blue Sona is about $50 less ($350 instead of $400), and is designed not to need a signal booster, like a Cloudlifter or a Fethead.  For me, I'm going with the tried and true mic that's been used for 40 years.  Plus, I already have it.  But if you're watching your budget as you build your podcasting setup, the Blue Sona might be worth looking into.  Link in the show notes: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Blue-Sona-XLR-Microphone/dp/B09MRSQDJ7

Finally, I'm not one for shoutouts in my podcast, but do have to give one to my colleague Johnny Peterson, aka Johnny Podcasts. He does what I do, based out of Fort Worth, Texas.  He's getting married this weekend,  and Johnny, looking forward to celebrating with you.  His podcast is called Pod Logic, and that he's a great follow on Twitter at Johnny Podcasts. 

Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Johnny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnnypodcasts

Pod Logic Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/pod-logic/id1469902956

Pod Logic on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PtfPZDon9qB9yfWuQvlE9

JAG in Detroit Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The story is from Bloomberg and written by Ashley Carman, one of the most respected reporters in our industry. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-27/inside-podcasters-explosive-audience-growth

Advertising buys in podcasting are based on audience size - downloads and streams.  According to Carman, publishers are buying ads inside mobile games.  The publisher can claim a dubious download, as WELL as an ad impression for a commercial that may not be heard.

Are they gaming the system?  Well, opinions are all over the map on that.  For a deeper dive, you can check out this week's Podcast SuperFriends Roundtable where I discuss it with four of my colleagues.   https://www.soundoff.network/show/the-podcast-super-friends/podcast-married/

Tanner Campbell suggests in his Good Morning Podcasters newsletter that iHeart isn't doing anything wrong here.   https://tannerhelps.substack.com/p/iheartradio-isnt-doing-anything-wrong?r=19niz3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Here are my key takeaways. Will the industry correct for this practice?  After this much publicity, I believe it will.  Much the same way as Apple Podcasts and Google Search always find a way to punish folks who try to game the system.  

Also, will this affect your show?  No.  Unless you are in the rarified air of a large podcast, with huge download numbers, that sells advertising based off of those numbers, this has no bearing on you, or your show. 

But there is a concern over that anything that hurts the credibility of the podcasting industry.   

In other podcasting news, PodNews reports that the average length of a podcast is shrinking, from 53 to 37 minutes.

https://rephonic.com/blog/podcast-episode-length

New podcasts are out from Stephen A. Smith and the CIA this week.

Don't miss an episode of The JAG Show Podcast - you can subscribe in your favorite podcast app, or have it emailed to you every week.  I promise not to spam you.  Just go to https://jagindetroit.com/subscribe

Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe - especially our friends in Florida.   Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Now, whether you release, weekly, biweekly, monthly, whatever, the key to growing your show is consistency.  As your show grows, your listeners will learn when to expect new content - whether that's the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month, or every Wednesday morning, whatever.  We are creatures of habit.

The Detroit Auto Show was always in mid-January, usually when it was about 0 degrees  here in Michigan. It sucked, but we were used to it. In 2019, they decided to move it to the summer or fall, where it could become a hybrid indoor-outdoor event.  Seemed like a good idea.  But then the pandemic happened, and this week's auto show ended up being the first since January 2019.

I checked it out with some friends yesterday, and it was pretty meh.  Was it cool to have monster trucks at Hart Plaza downtown? Sure, I guess.  Inside, it was fun to drool over exotic Corvettes, Mustangs, and concept cars.  And there were the ridealongs to check out the acceleration in the F-150 lightning electric, as well as the off-road capabilities of the Bronco and Jeeps.   But the show seemed quiet.    Was it, as one friend suggested, the fact that people have way more going on in September than in the dead of winter?  Maybe.  But when people think of the Auto Show, they think of January.  Now, this could be a great event again if they can get more buy in and participation from car companies,  and if they get the public used to the idea of it happening in nice weather.  But it's going to take time.   The pandemic gave them a reset, but now they have to build a new habit from scratch.  That's why it's important to be consistent with your podcast release schedule.

Amazon Music celebrated two years of featuring podcasts on its platform.  If you don't use it, don't feel bad.  They boast a whole 0.7% of podcast listening.   But putting your show on there is as easy as giving Amazon Music your RSS feed.  And it's free, so why not?

Could we be one step closer to using copyrighted music?  YouTube is testing out a program called Creator Music, that will allow you to either purchase a use-license for commercial music, or enter a revenue share with the artist.  It's still in Beta, they're hoping to launch in the US later this year.   So it's a baby step, but if it works, that could provide a blueprint for podcasters.  Via PodNews: https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/20/youtube-announces-creator-music-a-new-way-for-creators-to-shop-for-songs-for-use-in-videos

Are audio ads more effective than video ads?  Well, yes, according to a press release from Mars Media Group, linked in today's show notes, via Podnews.  They claim a 25% revenue increase for audio ads over video.  The reason, they suspect, is with so much screen time, visual ads just become more clutter.  They also say that audio ads, in their research, haven an 85% listen-through rate.  Pretty impressive. https://podnews.net/press-release/audio-ads-mmg

On Medium, Adam Rostad says you should stop buying ads on big podcasts and, instead, create your own podcast for the same investment- or less, I might add.  Among his other reasons, the "skip" button in your podcast player, podcast ads aren't forever, and honestly, listeners just crave that human connection. More: https://medium.com/@a.d.rostad/3-reasons-you-should-stop-paying-for-ad-space-on-podcasts-e5bc7ce93f30

What was the first podcast you listened to?  For me, it was Serial.  Well this week, a judge quashed the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, ordering a new trial.  He's been released from jail and is on home confinement, pending his new trial.  That's at least in part due to the power of a successful podcast.

Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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How did you hear about it?  For me, it was a combination of social media post after social media post, and hearing friends talk about it.    Was it the same for you?  Did you run to YouTube to see it?  Or did you actually pull up the Paramount Plus app to watch the one hour highlight reel?

There are so many lessons here when it comes to podcast discoverability.  As we heard over and over at Podcast Movement, make your show SHAREABLE.  Have some kind of hook.  Have content that folks will want to tell others about.  Make is so they'll post about it, and tell their friends.

Also, and I mentioned this last week.  Getting folks to change platforms is hard.   When I watched this show, it was probably the second time in months I've used the Paramount app.  The first was to watch the new Beavis and Butt-head movie and channel the inner 15 year old in my head.  Huh Huh.  I said....nevermind.

Anyway, this was content that was worth opening a different app for.  If you're promoting your show on TikTok or Instagram, THATS the criteria you need to hit to get someone to open Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Onto this week's podcasting news.

Meghan Markle seems to have paused her podcast in the wake of the Queen's passing.  We will see if she resumes it, against (allegedly) the new King's wishes.

Twitter is upping their podcast game - rolling the feature out for their Blue (paid) subscribers).

Research from Amplifi Media and Podnews recently showed that there are only 155,000 regularly-updated podcasts out of the 4 million shows in existence.  The space is not as competitive as you might think.

There's a new podcasting publishing king - in terms of total audience of shows.  Spotify now leads the pack, followed by SiriusXM. iHeart rounds out the top 3.

I record my show on a Shure SM7B microphone.  It's the same mic that Michael Jackson recorded the Thriller album on.  And I just found out another, more contemporary big name in music uses it for his podcast.  And there's a Detroit connection.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The first thing you should know about is video.   Your show needs to be on YouTube.  According to Edison Research, 48% of the podcast audience has consumed a show on YouTube.   So even if your show is audio only, put a graphic, or an audiogram with a moving waveform up, and upload that audio to YouTube.  

OK, what about short-form video?  One of my big curiosities this year was around the world of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and now YouTube shorts.  The goal of every social media platform is to keep users on that platform.  It's not going to be easy to "STOP THE SCROLL" and get someone to switch apps.  The bar is very high.  So unless your highlight is absolute gold and will get someone to want to hear more, consider a different approach.  

So how do you grow your podcast?  Well, the easiest ways are to "fish where the fish are."  Two ways to do this are 1) a "promo swap," where you find a similar podcast and agree to promote each other.  Or 2) what's known as a "Feed Drop."   You post an episode of someone else's podcast in your feed, and they return the favor.  

So how do podcast listeners find shows?   Well, back to Edison Research:

1. Recommendations of Friends and Family
2. Google Search
3. YouTube
4. Other Social Media

This advice comes from James Cridland of PodNews, don't be afraid to advertise IRL - in real life. 

But don't be scared by the total number of podcasts out there.  By some counts, there are now 4 million shows.  But most of them died on the vine!   The podcasting space is NOT as crowded as you might think.  

Another great session I went to was presented by Jay Clouse, where he talked about using Twitter and Email to grow your show. Email especially, is a great way to grow your show.

I also get into what I learned about branded podcasts, and the interesting approach iHeart is taking.

And yes, we address the Ben Shapiro controversy, mostly online, that happened in Dallas.

Finally, you'll notice some tweaks to The Jag Show - now into Season 4 after a summer hiatus and re-tool.  New artwork, new music and voiceover, and new format.   I'm trying some different things out, and I hope you'll enjoy.   If you'd like to have new episodes emailed to you, you can sign up at JAGinDetroit.com/Subscribe. 

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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My wife and I are doing a lot of traveling this year - call it pent up wanderlust from COVID, scratching an itch, whatever.  Well, as a small business owner, you're never really fully "on vacation."   So I would work a lot of long nights and weekends prior to and just after a trip.   I thought I had a plan for this podcast - I had created some bonus content and planned on releasing that weekly.  Well, that worked in April.  But as we turned the calendar to May, June, and soon July, the work kept piling up, and the further away I got from creating new content, the less of a priority it became.   Now don't get me wrong, I have some amazing podcast clients, and the influx of new business is certainly a good thing - it just wasn't for this podcast.

So I've decided to pause The JAG Show for the summer, and perhaps re-tool it.   Summertime often sees a dip in podcast listening, as people's habits change for trips, being out of routine with school and work, and more.  So if you do need a break, this is the time to take one.   Here's what I would like to know from you, though.   What about this show have you liked and disliked?  Do you prefer more of the podcast industry news, practical tips for your podcast, or a combination?  I'd really like your feedback as I think about what Season 4 of the JAG Show will look like.  Let me know on social at JAG in Detroit, or drop me an email - jag@jagindetroit.com.

One thing I HIGHLY recommend for you if you're taking a break - learn a lesson from me.  Tell your listeners if you're taking some time off.   It wasn't until a colleague asked me the other day, "Hey, what's up with your podcast?" that I realized I owed you an explanation.  By the way, thanks for that, Stacey.

So my telling you that this show will be back in the fall, I'm committing to it.  And this will help hold me accountable.  There may be some bonus content between now and then, but I will be back in the fall.  Just let me know what you want to hear in the show.

So until then, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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We cover lessons learned, and how they can apply to our clients.   What's changed since the show started?   Should you "batch record" or do one episode at a time?  What about live vs recorded?

The five podcast "Superfriends" are:

Johnny "Podcasts" Peterson of Straight Up Podcasts in Fort Worth: https://straightuppodcasts.com

Catherine O'Brien of Branch Our Programs in Baton Rouge: https://www.branchoutprograms.com/

David Yas of Pod 617 in Boston: https://www.pod617.com/

Matt Cundill of the Sound Off Media Company in Winnipeg: https://www.soundoff.network/

And Jon "JAG" Gay of JAG in Detroit Podcasts: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Show Notes:

Today, we turn the tables on our co-host, Jon Gay of JAG in Detroit Podcasts, and put him in the hot seat.  We talk about his radio-turned-podcasting career and get some insight into his personal backstory too!

Jon left radio in 2017 after a 15-year career in the industry.  While he saw radio on the decline, he saw podcasting blowing up.  So he started JAG in Detroit Podcasts, creating broadcast-quality podcasts for businesses and non-profits, in 2018.

We talk about what a podcast is -and isn't - and some stats showing how big the industry has become.

Jon explains the different levels of service he offers his clients, from basic editing to co-hosting shows with them.  We also ask him the two big podcast questions.  How long should your show be and how do you make money off of it?

We also cover the rise of YouTube and the importance of having a presence there, even if you don't shoot a video version of your podcast.  And once the show is published, how do you promote it?

The Blue Yeti is a terrible podcast microphone.  Jon tells us why, and which mic to get instead. (Spoiler: it's cheaper.)

Andrea, Trish, and Lisa ask Jon about remote podcasting, and talk about how it's worked for this show.

Finally, we learn a little bit about Jon personally.  He talks about his job, and the wanderlust for travel he and his wife share.  And our fishbowl question leads to a very interesting story about Mr. Gay in high school, involving his last name.

Links:

Samson Q2U Microphone Mentioned: https://amzn.to/3tVE3rF

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Trish Carruth from The Personal Jeweler - https://www.thepersonaljeweler.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Keller Williams - http://soldbylisab.com/

Andrea Arndt of Dickinson Wright - https://www.dickinson-wright.com/

Know a Chamber member that wants to be a guest on our show? Email us!  theroccpod@gmail.com

And if you'd like to know more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, or join, find them here:  https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Elon Musk is buying Twitter for $44 billion.  And while much has been discussed about the political and free speech ramifications of this move, the podcasting piece has largely been overlooked.  Earlier this week, I asked, via Twitter of course, what this move would mean for podcasting.   My good friend, colleague, and collaborator Johnny Peterson suggested we have a conversation about it.  That's what you'll find here.

Johnny joins me to explore different ways Twitter could help podcasting. We start shrinking the "funnel" of having to tweet a link to a podcast, hope the algorithm doesn't penalize you, having someone click the link, then click play on your podcast.  There are a number of ways that Elon and his team could streamline this.

We also talk about live audio - specifically Twitter Spaces, which effectively ended Clubhouse's relevancy.  Could Twitter re-boot its Periscope platform?  Johnny's got a great new name for it.  And how can we improve the quality?  Twitter's goal is to keep users on their platform for as long as possible - there are a number of ways podcasting can help with that.

Musk has talked about verifying all "people" on Twitter, to differentiate from bots and trolls.  Could something similar happen for podcast accounts?

Also on Johnny Peterson's wish list - the ability to play your podcast direct from a tweet.  Twitter has done this with play buttons before - but could they partner with Apple, Spotify, or even just pull directly from your RSS Feed?

What about a virtual tip jar?

To connect with Johnny Peterson, find him on, of course, Twitter here on his great username: https://twitter.com/johnnypodcasts

To connect with Jon Gay of JAG in Detroit, follow him here: https://twitter.com/jagindetroit

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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After a brief intro on how important podcasts have become and the power of audio, we broke the presentation down into three key areas:

1. Before You Present
2. During Your Presentation
3. After Your Presentation

We talked about microphones and equipment, recording environment, recording software, and how to handle visuals in your presentation to be compatible with an audio-only version. 

From there, we talked about the power of editing the audio, and how to create, publish, and promote your podcast. 

For more info:

Full video webinar: https://youtu.be/r3DuVu9C7x8

Download a PDF of the slides here: https://bit.ly/LinkedInLivesToPodcasts

Find Brenda Meller and Meller Marketing Here: https://www.mellermarketing.com/

JAG in Detroit Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Here are this week's podcasting headlines:
Wanna know which advertisers are investing in the top 5,000 podcasts?  Podchaser has a new tool to track that. https://features.podchaser.com/api/?

There's a new service to rate podcasts for kids - it's from Common Sense media and will let you rate shows for audiences 17 and under: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/podcast-reviews

Old school journalists will remember the "inverted pyramid" approach to telling a story.  Where the deeper you go, the less important the information.  This was great in the days of newspaper editors needing to make cuts.  See, a newspaper was this thing that you held up at the kitchen table....ah, nevermind.   Well NPR has a storytelling guide that's relevant to podcasts.  They suggest more of a trapezoid.  There's no hard stop in a podcast - keep bringing in good info to keep your audience engaged. https://training.npr.org/2020/08/20/for-digital-flatten-the-pyramid-and-embrace-the-trapezoid/

I told you about my experiment on Anchor, "The JAG Throwback Show."  Still dropping episodes there, available only on Anchor and Spotify.   While I'm not a huge fan of Anchor, it's interface is now available in an industry leading 35 languages, which will help podcast discovery around the world. https://blog.anchor.fm/updates/anchor-web-localization

Code Switch, the popular podcast from NPR about race and identity, is getting a $600,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Brodcasting.  Not sure if the hosts also get a free tote bag. 

Apple Podcasts Connect is now showing you more data about your podcast listeners. I took a quick spin through it, and I'm not super impressed. I think you're better off to focus on the analytics from your podcast host - Simplecast, Blubrry, Buzzsprout, Libsyn, whomever you use.  However, if you want to play around with the Apple interface, The Podcast Host has a guide to the new features here: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/business-of-podcasting/apple-podcast-follower-metrics

According the LA Times, Facebook is losing interest in podcasting.   You may remember, they allowed you to  add your podcasts' RSS feed to Facebook business pages, not personal pages or groups.  And it was only available on mobile, not desktop.  But even with those limitations, Facebook still grabbed half a percentage point of all podcast listening.   Remember, while it's fading with the younger crowd, Facebook is still the #1 overall social media platform.  And its got the potential to bring more of the older demographics in.    I really hope Facebook is only temporarily pulling back here, and will revisit the space soon. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-04-14/facebook-is-pulling-back-from-its-foray-into-podcasting

OK, now, onto iHeart and its building of an NFT network for podcasts.   If you want a deeper dive here, the great Tom Webster of Edison Research covered this in today's column.  https://tomwebster.media/podcastings-most-important-investment/

I don't understand much about NFT's, and you don't have to either, in order to hear my take on this.  For those who understand NFT's, there's a short term gold mine while they are hot.  But my personal opinion is, the concept is too complicated for folks to understand for it to be a long-term play.   NFT stands for Non Fungible Token, so iHeart's network is actually going to be called - and I'm not making this up - "The Non Fun Squad."  The jokes are endless - I'll let you fill in your own punch line here.  But this really cements the fact that iHeartMedia is focused on digital and the future.  They are NOT focused on the radio stations that built the company.    As I mentioned in a previous episode, the wonderful Beata Murphy, program director of KISS FM in Los Angeles, told our WJPZ Alumni Banquet in Syracuse that SHE believes the company will need to sell off radio stations in smaller markets.   As a former radio guy, I think that's the only way for music radio to survive - is to be locally owned and programmed.   Because as of right now, there isn't a heck of a lot of appeal in radio outside spoken word (meaning news, talk, and sports) and morning drive.  The personality just isn't there.

In fact, I'll leave you with an example of this.  My wife and I are back from a long weekend in Las Vegas.  Monday night, we were in a cab on the way to the airport.   The cab driver had on KLUC, the once legendary pop station in Sin City.  What did we hear at straight up 9pm?  A legal ID introducing the most popular songs on TikTok.  No voice track, no identification of the songs.  Just a flat out admission of "hey, you don't come to us for new music anymore, so here's some stuff from TikTok."  Unless I missed a break, I heard no DJ (not even the syndicated one they have listed) through 9:15, when they ran a pre-recorded liner to text in to win tickets.   To be transparent, and so I'm not only picking on iHeart here, KLUC is owned by Audacy, the second biggest radio owner in the US.  Their stations used to be CBS and Entercom, before a buyout and a rebrand, respectively.    And Vegas isn't even a small market, it's in the top 30!   Do you mean to tell me that nights in LAS VEGAS aren't worthy of a live DJ interacting not only with tourists, but with the thousands of service industry workers that start and end their shifts at all hours of the night?   

iHeart, Audacy, and the other big players, being more focused on digital, need to hand the keys of their radio stations over to people who can properly run them as part of the communities they serve.   It's actually been a bit of a "circular firing squad."  Why are the radio companies investing so heavily in podcasting?  That's where all the content went after the kicked it out of music radio.   

If you know one person who will enjoy the content of today's show, I ask that you please send it along to them by text, email, or social media.   And if you have any questions about podcasting, find me on my website, jagindetroit.com.  Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Deep Dive from Tom Webster:https://tomwebster.media/what-to-do-when-the-line-stops-going-up/

Infinite Dial 2022: https://www.edisonresearch.com/podcastings-key-statistics-for-2022/

Spotify hopes to make a profit off of podcasting investments "soon."  You can preview Spotify's new "Tik Tok" esque interface here:: spotify:internal:podcastclips

Other New Tools: 

Podcast host Blubrry updates PowerPress plugin for Wordpress websites. Don't need to host your show on Blubrry to use it. 

Substack and ACast are getting into podcast hosting.  ACast is spamming people, though.

Headliner's "Edit Eddy" is a new transcription service.  I think it's more accurate than Descript, but Descript has an easier editing interface.

Need help with your podcast?  Reach me at https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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I read about Amazon's new "Amp" project that lets you create audio shows with music from Amazon's library.  But when I tried it, I couldn't play music until I had live viewers/listeners.  Not an easy ask for a program that's still in beta.

Then I remembered that Anchor allows you to create shows using Spotify's music library.  This is content that's available on demand as a podcast.  So I decided to create the Jag Throwback Show, telling stories from my 20 year radio career, and counting down my 5 favorite songs each year from 1998-2017.  You can check the show out here:

https://anchor.fm/jagindetroit

Just before we "went to press" this morning, James Cridland broke some pretty significant news in PodNews.  YouTube is working on a podcast strategy, that will include pulling data from podcast RSS feeds, even for audio-only shows.  This is a game changer.  If YouTube can pull from your feed, your podcast host will be able to give you ONE aggregate number of plays across all platforms.  You won't have to add your downloads to your YouTube views anymore.  Here's the PodNews piece:

https://podnews.net/update/youtube-podcasting-plans

As always, if you need help with your podcast, or have any questions about podcasting, find me at jagindetroit.com or email me: jag@jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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James Cridland broke this in PodNews this morning. Next month, Apple will begin to add follower counts to your Apple Podcasts Connect Dashboard.  (Remember, podcasting switched from "subscribers" to "followers" because susbscriptions often cost money.) Previously you had to guess at your number of followers, based on how many downloads when you first released an episode.  This will be extremely helpful to podcasters who want to know how many people are actively following their show.  Since Spotify already does this, you'll now be able to add the two numbers and see how many followers you have on the world's two biggest podcast platforms.  Hopefully that means the smaller ones follow suit.  And ideally, maybe your podcast HOST can aggregate all the numbers together at some point in the future.

My other main topic today - when you should you leave the "ums" in your podcast? This is very subjective - and I explain a challenging edit I had - on a Ukrainian refugee.

6 Reasons Why You and Your Business Need to Leverage Podcasts https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/414029

According to PodNews, only 1% of podcasts included a transcription in 2021.  This needs to change - podcasts hosts will let you add transcripts, but they don't display in podcast player apps.

BetterHelp is still the #1 podcasting advertiser - went from $7.2 mill in Jan to $7.8 in Feb.  We need to take care of our mental health.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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A programming note: a student at the conference told me TikTok is allowing you to upload videos longer than 3 minutes. So this podcast may get a little bit longer, but not by too much.

Amazon is rolling out an App called "Amp" that will let you mix your voice with music - and essentially turn you into a radio DJ.  I'm hoping to check it out soon and report back.

UC San Diego released a study showing how much more  headphone listening sticks more than speaker listening. https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/a-voice-inside-my-head-the-persuasive-power-headphones-have-over-speakers

Twitter working on podcasts tab - Facebook has 0.5% of podcast listening in a short period of time, so you know Twitter wants a piece of that pie.

YouTube offering $50k to creators and $300,000 to networks to create video content, Kai Chuk to speak at Podcast Movement Evolutions later this month: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-04/youtube-offers-up-to-300-000-to-get-podcasters-to-make-videos

iHeart has launched a tool to send quick audio messages to podcast hosts.https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/28/iheartradio-modernizes-the-radio-call-in-with-launch-of-talk-back-a-tool-for-sending-voice-messages-to-show-hosts

Sabrina Tavernise named second host of The Daily: https://www.nytco.com/press/sabrina-tavernise-joins-the-daily-as-a-host

Ukraine's Hidden Voices Podcast: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuSz/

If you know one person who's interested in podcasts, and would enjoy today's content, I invite you to share the show with them.  And if you or someone you know needs help or has questions about podcasting, feel free to reach out. jag@jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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First off happy Mardi Gras to everybody in Louisiana, I may be a native of Massachusetts and an adopted Michigander. But I really do miss y'all around this time of year. Laissez le bon temps rouler! 

Okay. Back to my main point of today's podcast. Can your podcast be found? Now what the word podcast is, can be different things to different people. For the OG crowd that's been in a podcasting for 10, 15 years they may feel that it has to technically be a podcast, meaning it has to have an enclosed RSS feed, fed by a URL, to make it a podcast. And that might technically be true. But what those folks think doesn't matter! What matters is what the consumers think is a podcast. 

The two big podcast apps are still Apple and Spotify. So if you tell me you've got a podcast, those are the two places that I'm going to go to first. However, YouTube is becoming a major third player in this realm. So while it might not technically be a podcast, if it's on YouTube, people are finding podcasts and consuming podcasts on YouTube. 

Keep in mind, Google owns YouTube. How many times have you Googled how to do something and you get YouTube in the results? Your podcast should also be on YouTube. The bottom line is this. If you tell someone you have a podcast, they're going to look for you wherever THEY consume their podcast content. So if you want to be found, don't be where you want to be. And what you just think is a podcast. Be where your audience can find you. 

Other podcasting news this week, Spotify has acquired third-party measuring services Chartable and Podsights. That did raise a few eyebrows around the podcast and community. It would be kind of like if IHeartMedia bought Nielsen ratings, which hasn't happened at least yet. As Brian Barletta of Sounds Profitable says, "Grading your own homework is not third-party measurement." So keep an eye out for that. 

Maybe Spotify is still just continuing to generate headlines as opposed to content to keep the stockholders happy. As James Cridland of PodNews points out: they've announced shows with everybody from Megan and Harry to Kim Kardashian and more, but none of them have actually launched yet. He has a full list of all these shows that have been promised, but not yet delivered in PodNews. https://podnews.net/article/missing-spotify-shows

And of course the situation in Ukraine has affected the podcast world. Podcast live streaming service Restream had to relocate its staff out of Ukraine. They did make a donation to the Ukrainian red cross though.

And if you want a deep dive of the conflict, of course, there is a podcast for that. The BBC has launched the Ukrainecast.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bqztzm

Funny, when you think about it, how Vladimir Putin has spent the last six years trying to divide us as a nation. What he's done over the last week has brought us together and agreeing on something in a way, which we haven't agreed on something in a long time. Of course, thinking of everybody involved in that situation.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

For any questions at all you have about podcasts, find me at https://www.jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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For example, did you see the "bouncing QR code" commercial during the Super Bowl?  It was for Coinbase, the Cryptocurrency exchange.   The ad was a huge success - in fact, the website crashed when I tried to sign up.

The pandemic has resurrected QR codes, which were dead before 2019.  Now it's how you read a restaurant menu, it's how I host bar trivia, and there are a number of other applications.  Today, I explain how to set one up for your podcast and what destination(s) to point that QR code to.

We also take a look at the top 5 podcasts of 2021, in terms of weekly listeners, as ranked by Edison Research.

Need help with your podcast? Find me on social @JAGinDetroit or on my website at www.jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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No.  You can't, and you shouldn't.

This is a question I'm  frequently asked by clients and potential clients.  And I've heard every excuse in the book.  Oh, it's only a few seconds, so it falls under "fair use."   Oh come on, are Guns N Roses really gonna sue me?  Well, remember when Metallica did sue Napster back in the day.?

So let's dive a little deeper.   The bottom line is, when it comes to podcasting, the law hasn't caught up to the technology.  I think there's a day coming when you'll be able to pay a small fee to use a big artist's music in your show.  But that day isn't here yet.  Do I know people who have pulled it off? Sure. But I don't think it's a risk you want to take.  We'll start with music.

Music artists, to me, fall into three categories.  Big names, smaller names that have a record label deal, and independent artists.  The first group, the big name A-listers,  have the money, lawyers, and resources to come after you.  You might think, "oh, well only a few people listen to my show."  Well, it only takes one listener, or one episode to go viral. Then you have a target on your back.   

Now, the second group, signed to a label, but not quite A-list.  The music industry has radically changed over the last 20 years. They aren't making money from CD sales anymore.  And if you spend a buck for their song on iTunes, how many pennies do they get?  Touring has been non-existent since the pandemic, so it's not easy to make money.  And using their music on your show, without their permission, is essentially stealing. Also, even if they love the idea of you using their song on your show, they no longer own 100% of it. You need to get sign-off from ALL the stakeholders.  And that can be a legal nightmare.

The final group, independent musicians - COULD be your answer.  If they are unsigned to a label, and own 100% of the rights to their music, you can use their music - but you better get their permission, in writing, before you do.     And if you don't personally know an aspiring aritst to work with, there are services for royalty free music on the web - a simple Google search will get you there.

What about movies?  Kind of the same thing as A-list artists.  They  may not find you, but if they do, they have deep pockets and very expensive lawyers.   I'm actually told Disney is diving headfirst into this crackdown.   So you better think twice before using that "We don't talk about Bruno" clip in your show.  In other words, we don't talk about Bruno in your podcast.

Look, I don't want to be a total downer here.  But Spotify, Apple, and others have AI built in that can find copyrighted content and immediately yank your show if you're in violation - the same way YouTube does.   Do people get away with it? Yes.  Do you want to take the chance of having your show removed, being sued, or even getting  a cease and desist letter with very fancy letterhead on it?  I don't think so.

There will be a time you can use this stuff on your show - it's coming.  It's just not here yet.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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If you haven't heard, the Joe Rogan Experience, one of the biggest podcasts in the world, has come under heavy scrutiny for promoting COVID misinformation.  Several artists, led by Neil Young, have pulled, or are in the process of trying to pull, their music off of Spotify.   And while we still don't have hard numbers, the hashtag "Delete Spotify" has been trending.  The response from Spotify was....lukewarm at best.  The usual talk about free speech but not wanting to promote dangerous misinformation, blah blah blah.  Oh, and they're going to put a warning label in front of podcasts that discuss COVID.  No idea what criteria will have to be met to get the warning.  After all, ubiquitous warnings have worked SO well for Facebook...

The bigger issue here is Spotify's desire to be a closed ecosystem - a sort of podcast and music monopoly if you will.  They've invested hundreds of millions of dollars into podcasting, including $100 million to Rogan himself to become exclusive to Spotify, and not available anywhere else.  In terms of market share, the gamble paid off - Spotify is already the number 2 podcast app behind Apple.  Some believe it's ahead of Apple or will overtake it this year.  But when podcasting started, the idea was for it to be an open ecosystem for all.  That's why shows went up through RSS feeds, allowing anyone, or any app, to pull and display the content for users.  But Spotify is trying to take over.   

Just look at the Anchor platform, owned by Spotify.  It's enticing for new podcasters - you can host your show for free.  But there are questions around who owns your content, whether it will connect to Apple, and even if it will play everywhere!  A change in their file type made Anchor shows unplayable on some podcast players earlier this month.  Trust me, you're better off spending the $15/month on a paid host like Simplecast, Blubrry, or Libsyn - plus you'll get more accurate stats about your listeners.

OK, back to Joe Rogan.  Imagine he was not exclusive to Spotify.  Would it be in Neil Young's best interest to pull his music off of the Internet entirely, or at least everywhere Joe Rogan was?  That means Apple, YouTube, Google, Facebook, and more? Probably not.  But by being exclusive, Spotify puts a giant target on their own back.  It's a good goal to be a leader in the podcasting space.  But when you try to be the only space, you could end up with a major PR problem.   They have an earnings call on Wednesday.  That should be interesting.

For a deeper dive, Podnews published a special edition about Rogan and Spotify today: https://podnews.net/update/spotify-rogan-problem?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2022-01-31

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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We covered three main topics:

1. Why a podcast can be a great marketing tool for your business
2. Current podcasting stats, aka how big the medium has become
3. Best practices and equipment recommendations for starting a podcast.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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You may have a 2022 New Year's Resolution to start - or even restart- a podcast.  Today I'll tell you how to start your podcast for under $100.

The first thing you need to do is plan.  Plan out a limited number of episodes.  If you don't have a goal in mind, you'll do a bunch, then fall off - same as going to the gym or losing weight.  Your process has to have an end point.  Whenever I bring on a new podcast client, we start with one season, then decide how many episodes that one season will have.

Next, plan out your episodes.  Doing a podcast is like driving a racecar.  Do all your work in the pit, so when the race starts, all you have to do is drive.   Knowing where you want to go will not only cut down on ums and uhs, but it will also prevent you from going on a tangent about your holiday travels.   Random tangents will get you away from your topic, and cause listeners to turn out.   The other big reason listeners will turn off your podcast is of course, bad audio.   Which leads me to the next step - buy a microphone.

Now, I can recommend some really nice $400 microphones to you, but most folks aren't working with that kind of budget.  My GO-TO first podcast microphone is going to be about $70.  You can find it on Amazon and I'll link it in the show notes.  https://amzn.to/3JNHKFk

It's the SAMSON Q2U. It comes with a mic cable if you're using a standalone recorder, and it also comes with a USB that you can plug right into your computer.  It's got its own little stand, and the Samson even has a headphone jack in the back to plug your existing headphones into.  Add a foam windscreen for a dollar, and you're in business.

If you've got other people on your podcast with you, recording remotely - look into a broadcast quality internet recording platform like Squadcast, Riverside, or Zencastr - most have free trials.  If your budget is tight, you can use something like less quality like Zoom, but have each person record themselves separately, then merge the files together.

Finally, you need a host - not a human host - but an online home for your podcast.  Much like a website, your show has to physically live somewhere on the web.  There are free hosts out there, but you get what you pay for, don't get good analytics, and there are sometimes even questions around who owns your content.   Reliable hosts include Blubrry, Libsyn, and Simplecast.  I use Simplecast myself, but compare features and see what works for you.  I've seen paid hosting for as low as $5 per month, but most plans for individual podcasters are under $20. Once you pay for the host, it's free to submit to Apple, Spotify, and more.

We've all failed at New Year's Resolutions - and I don't want cost to be what stops you from joining the ever-growing podcasting world in 2022.   Make a plan, buy a microphone, and get online with a host.  It will cost you less than that gym membership you'll stop using by February.

And if you need help with podcasts - find me at JAGinDetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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When I consult a podcast from the jump, I always recommend solo podcasters get the Samson Q2U or ATR 2100x microphones - they're actually about the same cost as the Yeti. But occasionally I consult clients who have already bought the Yeti, and they may not be able to return it, or are on a  tight budget and can't swing a 100 plus dollar mistake.  ThePodcastHost.com has a great review of the Blue Yeti - and it echoes may of the things I've been saying.   Plus, if you click the link in the show notes, you'll hear the fantastic accent of the author, Matthew McClean.   Essentially, if you have a Blue Yeti, it's best for solo podcasts - the settings to record multiple guests aren't ideal.  And most importantly, position the Yeti so you're talking into the SIDE of it, not the TOP.  And if you're not sure, plug in headphones and listen to yourself. Most people hate doing that, but it's important.  https://www.thepodcasthost.com/equipment/blue-yeti-podcasting-review/

I've spent a lot of time in this podcast bemoaning the downfall of radio - in it's pre-internet heyday, radio DJ's broke new artists.  Even 10 years ago - my program director here at Channel 955, Michael McCoy, broke local artist Mike Posner when he heard "Cooler Than Me" on a mixtape.  Now, most new content seems to come from YouTube, TikTok, etc.  But podcast guru Tom Webster thinks once we figure out music licensing, podcasters will be next to break new artists.  Imagine what someone like Mistress Carrie in Boston could do with her show.  https://mistresscarrie.com/

Also, Webster and his wife Tamsen are doing a webinar next week on making your podcast pitchable.  You just have to subscribe to his newsletter at tomwebster.media.  And here's a link to this week's column. https://tomwebster.media/the-last-best-frontier-for-podcasting

Speaking of webinars, the folks at Podfest are doing one, for $10, on best practices using Facebook ads to grow your podcast.  Now I've seen mixed results on this strategy, but maybe that's my problem - I didn't have a blueprint. The webinar is Tuesday December 14th. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podlab-workshop-tickets-182204858637

Naming your podcast is important.  It needs to be found easily by both Google and actual people.  You want something searchable, but unique. Before you name your show, search to see if there are other shows with the same or similar names out there.  PodNews has a nice article on the 100 most popular podcast names.  It's a good deep dive. https://podnews.net/article/most-popular-podcast-names

OnlyPod.com has a new service that will create a universal link for all things related to your podcast - it will link to various podcast apps, your social media profile, and even donation pages. https://onlypod.com/link

 Seems like a good idea - until you click and see it's $49 to buy one.   There are tons of other smart link services out there.  And the best way to market your show - is with its own website.  Even if you use a service like Podpage - here's my referral link. https://www.podpage.com/?via=jon

Next time, I'm doing a special episode of this show - where I'll compare audio between Zoom, Skype, Riverside and Squadcast.  Until then, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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It seems almost every podcast you listen to - the host asks you at the beginning - or end - or both - to rate and review the show.  But do ratings and reviews actually matter?

Before COVID, my wife and I really got into cruising.  Rather than pay extra for excursions through the cruise line, she'd find the local businesses on trip advisor and look at the reviews.  Same is true for restaurants.  Whether we were local or travelling, Yelp became a trusted source.   Heck, even Amazon purchases - how many stars do the products have?

Well, I'm here to tell you that those same reviews do not matter when it comes to your podcast.   First of all, the only major platform that lets you rate and review is Apple.  Spotify and Google do not.  But more importantly, your podcast is not a restaurant. People don't find you by reviews.   The top 3 methods of podcast discovery are, in order, 1) Google Search, 2) Recommendations of Friends and Family, and 3) Social Media.   If you want to drive listenership, downloads, and discovery of your show - ask people to share the show with someone they know.  You can also ask them to follow your show. To subscribe can mean a cost.  To follow is free.  If someone is following your show, they'll get each new episode when you release it.

And further adding to the confusion - ratings of the Apple Podcasts APP itself in the app store have gone from 1.8 to 4.7 stars.  Why? People are hearing "rate and review on Apple podcasts," and rating the app, not your show.

Now, what are ratings and reviews for your podcast good for? Well, there's the attaboy and the ego boost - the social proof that people like what you're putting out.  And if someone discovers your podcast, they may look at the reviews, but please don't make that your primary ask.

Other podcasting news this week - Medium dot com is getting into audio with the purchase of Knowable, an audio learning platform. https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/16/medium-acquires-knowable-to-bring-audio

If you've added or changed a show within Apple Podcasts, they've brought back the refresh feed button if you're not seeing updated content.

Spotify is allowing anyone to buy ads on their platform - that is, anyone who's got a budget of at least $500.

Facebook is really trying to make their audio space matter - website theinformation dot com reports they are giving influencers tens of thousands of dollars to host sessions there. https://www.theinformation.com/articles/facebook-hands-out-cash-to-creators-to-boost-clubhouse-rival

And finally, CNN has re-released Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown series as a podcast - not sure how I feel about that.  And there's a new podcast called The Big Big East Show - it's just 30 years too late.

I leave you this week with the immortal words of Adam Sandler.  Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

To contact me for help launching or improving your podcast - email me.  jag@jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Bear with me as I'm going to hit you with a lot of numbers today, but I'll try to keep this moving with some context and key points.

For the purpose of the survey, "spoken word audio" is everything from news to sports to talk to audiobooks.  And yes, that includes podcasts.  The survey's been around since 2014.

In the past month, 75% of US adults listened to spoken word audio.   3 out of every 4 people.   And 45% of US adults, almost half, listen to spoken word audio every single day.   By the way, that's 22 million more daily listeners than 7 years ago.

Back in 2014, spoken word only accounted for 20% of all audio consumption. Today, it's 28% - that's a huge jump of 40%, and 8% in just the last year.  There have been even bigger jumps among 18-34 year olds, and persons of color - two demographics that are very attractive to advertisers.

Today, spoken word audio listeners consume, on average, 2 hours and 6 minutes every day of spoken word audio.  And among the most frequent consumers - daily listeners - they actually split their time between music and spoken word 50/50.

As far as podcasts, 57% of Americans have now listened to a podcast.   Podcast’s share of time with spoken word audio has increased by 176% over the last seven years, including  16% in just the last year.

Mobile devices are also driving the industry's growth - people are now listening to spoken word audio on mobile at almost TRIPLE the amount as when this survey started.   And once again, don't worry about your ratings and reviews - the top ways people find podcasts are, in order - internet search, recommendations of friends and family, and social media.

OK - we covered a lot of numbers.  Let me leave you with some QUALITATIVE data from this report. Podcast listeners are more engaged because they are actively seeking out the content - it's not just being shown to them in an algorithm.   They want information and different perspectives.  And they want to be able to consume that information while multitasking.  And in a surface level, digital world, a majority of listeners in the survey feel spoken word audio is an effective use of their time.

Spoken word audio is a rapidly growing medium, and I think it's only going to get bigger in 2022.  If a podcast is part of your plans for next year, let me help - my contact information follows.  Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.   Lata!

Link to survey: www.npr.org/spokenwordaudio

Link to JAG in Detroit Podcasts: www.jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Typically I use this show to give you industry trends and podcast tips.  But I want to share with you a project that I was honored to be part of, and really shows the power of audio and podcasting.

Recently, I teamed up with my colleagues at Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications, to create a podcast for their client, CARE House of Oakland County.  CARE House is a CAC, or Child Advocacy Center, providing resources to victims of child abuse.

I gotta admit, I was a little nervous about this project, especially when we decided I would be the one interviewing survivors of some pretty awful stuff.  I wanted to be sure I could conduct these interviews with the appropriate level of professionalism, and, well, CARE.  Turns out, I learned a lot.

First, I learned how amazing these individuals are.  I was able to talk to several women, their parents, and even an adult male who had been abused.  They had two things in common.  One, they were able to explain the incredible specialized treatment that places like CARE House offer.  Two, they are doing, or planning to do, amazing things in their own lives.   Additionally, I was able to speak to our local county prosecutor here in Oakland County, Michigan and find out was goes into holding perpetrators of child abuse accountable.

Child Abuse happens in all forms, across all demographics, and in all places.  You won't hear my voice on this series - it's a narrative podcast, narrated by a voice well known in Detroit - Karen Newman of the Detroit Red Wings.   It's not an episode of SVU - yes, you'll hear what happened to these kids, but just as importantly, you'll learn how they've been helped by CARE House and what's next for them.  We've released 5 episodes with 1 more to come - and most are about 10 minutes.

Again, I don't typically use this space to promote individual shows I've produced.  But I'm so proud of the work we've done on this project - I really hope you'll check it out.  The name of the podcast is easy to remember.  "It Shouldn't Hurt To Be A Child."  You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts, or check the link in today's show notes.  

More:

It Shouldn't Hurt To Be A Child Podcast: https://www.podpage.com/it-shouldnt-hurt-to-be-a-child/

CARE House of Oakland County: https://www.carehouse.org/

Not local? Find a Child Advocacy Center Near You: http://nationalcac.org/

JAG in Detroit Podcasts Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Welcome in to episode 100 of this season of the Jag Show Podcast. Spotify says it's now bigger than Apple in terms of users.  That's from their Q3 numbers.  As always, Tom Webster from Edison Research has a great explainer on this. (Full disclosure: Spotify and Apple are both Edison clients). Webster says that more users prefer Spotify, but Apple still leads the pack in total downloads.

https://tomwebster.media/the-crux-of-the-kurfuffle/

 Bottom line, use whichever one you like.  I tried going back to Apple after they worked out their bugs, but found I personally liked Spotify's user interface better.  Your mileage may vary.

Another battle in podcasting that's heating up is automated transcriptions.  As Amazon makes a big push into the space, they've begun transcribing some of their bigger shows.  If that gets rolled out to all shows, that could make Amazon a bigger player in the podcasting space.  Here's their press release, via PodNews: https://podnews.net/press-release/amazon-music-transcripts

Podcast production house Pineapple Street Media is looking for paid interns for the first half of 2022.  If you want to get into the space, this could be a great opportunity.  Radio people are you listening? I said PAID internships. https://pineapple.fm/internship

As expected, podcast ad revenue is exploding in 2021, still rising after the initial pandemic boost of 2021. Magellan AI has a deep dive into ad revenue, but the key takeaways are podcast ad spending is up 87% year over year, and 22% since just Q2.  You can download their Q3 full report here: https://www.magellan.ai/resources/reports/q3-podcast-advertising-benchmark-report

How much can you charge advertisers on your show, and when can you start?  Advertisecast has rates starting at 1,000 listeners per episode.  Rates have gone up in 2021.  For a 30 second ad, it's $18 CPM, so $18 for every thousand listeners you have.  For a 60 second ad, it's $25 CPM.   They also have a cool interactive calculator to figure out your spend, or maybe what you can charge. https://www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-rates

Meanwhile, we'll find out Friday what the going rates are for podcast editing.  Steve Stewart and Mark Deal of the Podcast Editor's Club do an annual survey of their members to figure out average rates and more information.  They will show their results on Friday at 5pm Eastern, in the Podcast Editor's Club and on YouTube.  https://www.podcasteditoracademy.com/2021survey

And finally, I still don't understand Facebook's podcast rollout.  I listened to the New Media Show's interview with two Facebook employees, and still don't have much clarification - except that you can connect a show to a page, not a personal profile and not a group.  And it will only show up on mobile, not desktop.     It looks like last week's Jag Show Podcast showed up, with the show notes as a huge glob of text, with the audio under it.   If you have a moment, cruise on over to Jag in Detroit Podcasts on your Facebook mobile app, and let me know what you see.  Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Respected podcast journalist Ashley Carman reported in the Verge this week about an Amazon plan called "Project Mic."  The idea is to combine elements of Clubhouse, traditional radio and more, to turn anyone into a DJ - with the ability to create content with music.  These programs can be then streamed over Audible, Amazon Music, Twitch, and Alexa-equipped devices.  You can read Carman's scoop here: https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22744585/amazon-project-mic-launch-live-audio-app

I wonder what affect that could have on podcasting, as Amazon is already diving into the space.  And they've already shown they have the power to disrupt industries.   Also, what affect could that have on radio?  Will it take someone from outside the industry to revolutionize it?  Great piece on this from Fred Jacobs of Jacobs media this week. https://jacobsmedia.com/if-radio-wont-reinvent-itself-maybe-someone-else-will/

A couple of Facebook execs made an appearance on the New Media show with Blubrry's Todd Cochrane and Libsyn's Rob Greenlee, to talk about what their company is doing with podcasts and audio. You can see or hear the show here. https://newmediashow.com/2021/10/21/facebook-podcasting-team/

Podcast guru Tom Webster says to remember that Facebook isn't looking to help you boost your audience - it wants to bring your audience to THEIR platform.  Webster's suggestion: use short clips to get people's attention, then they can easily find your show.  Think about it.   For as much as we mindlessly scroll through our feeds, how often do we consume a very long piece of content - audio, video, or text?  Not too often.  He's not wrong. https://tomwebster.media/look-for-the-flowers/

Spotify is dipping its toes in the water of video.  They are allowing select users of their Anchor platform to publish video versions of podcasts, which can then be consumed on Spotify, Smart TV's, and other devices.  My take: it's something to keep an eye on to see if it gets any traction.   But the Anchor app is still largely for hobbyists and has its issues.  Don't use this news as a reason to head over there. https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/21/spotify-opens-up-access-to-video-podcast-publishing-to-anchor-creators/

Finally, I often speak about the intimacy of audio.  It's why a podcast can connect with an audience the way video can't.  It's why you feel like you "know" your favorite podcast host just like you felt you "knew" your favorite morning show host.  Well, someone is taking the phrase "intimacy of audio" and running with it.  Enter "Heart to Heart," a new dating service that uses audio as a matchmaking tool.  The startup has raised $750,000 in pre-seed funding. Sounds intriguing for those of us that have the proverbial "face for radio." https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/25/heart-to-heart-dating-pre-seed/

Quick reminder - if a podcast is part of your 2022 marketing strategy, that's what I do.  Let me help - find me online at jagindetroit.com.   Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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There was a podcasting company called Ozy Media.  They claimed “to vault you ahead of the curve – and spark change.”  Then, to stand out in an overcrowded space, they faked audience metrics and even a Goldman Sachs fundraising call.  And, eventually, like all supposed podcast "hacks," the house of cards came tumbling down.  Steve Goldstein of Amplifi Media had a nice write up on this. https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/the-one-part-of-the-ozy-story-podcasters-cant-afford-to-ignore

Alex Cooper, who hosts the hugely popular Call Her Daddy podcast, told the BBC that any podcaster should have a plan, and be authentic.   She's done both well - Spotify gave her $60 million bucks. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-58719364

I still maintain that if you're going to hustle with your podcast, it's not a good idea to be on only on platform.  Sure, if Spotify offered ME $60 million I'd take it gladly, but most of us aren't in that podcasting stratosphere.   For example, the comedy-horror show "Last Podcast On The Left" is actually EXITING the Spotify-exclusive deal they signed in February of 2020.   They're moving to SiriusXM and Stitcher, where they will be free on all platforms, and oh-by-the-way, have a show on satellite radio.   They want to grow, and they realize they need to hustle in multiple places.  https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-12/last-podcast-on-the-left-spotify-stitcher

Don't worry about getting millions of followers.  Focus the first couple years on building to 1,000 true fans.  1,000 people who are loyal to you and can become evangelists for your show are far more valuable than 10,000 Facebook fans who will click "like" on your post and move on.  Good article on this from Medium. https://skooloflife.medium.com/in-an-age-where-we-can-circumvent-gatekeepers-1000-true-fans-is-more-relevant-than-ever-49e0df585a23

The audience is there for you.  Edison Research's Tom Webster says when podcast listening spiked early in the pandemic, it never really dropped off. The medium is here to stay.  https://tomwebster.media/normal-but-not-back-to-normal/

Told you last week about She Podcasts Live outside Phoenix.  It's getting rave reviews all over the web for its inclusivity, its collaboration, its self care breaks, its pool, and especially its swag bag with a nice pair of headphone.  Traci Long Deforge has a nice writeup in Podcast Business Journal: https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/she-podcasts-live-together-we-rebuild

Finally, radio company Audacy (formerly Entercom and CBS Radio) has bought digital streaming platform Wide Orbit for $40 million.  Audacy and iHeart continue to invest heavily in digital, while continuing to let their traditional radio properties dangle in the breeze. 

If you're looking to start a podcast as part of your 2022 marketing strategy, drop me an email and we can have a consult.  jag@jagindetroit.com.  Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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So for a few months, I recorded video down here in the JAG in Detroit studio.  There are some podcasts who love doing video. My podcasting collaborator Johnny Peterson has really had the video side of his business take off.  But for me, I had to know what I don't know.   I worked in radio for 15 years. I'm an audio specialist.  I am not a professional video editor.  And the time I was spending editing the video for just this 3-5 minute podcast was resulting in diminishing returns.  Yes, you'll still be able to get this show on Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok as a video.  I'll just be using the Headliner app to create a video with a static image and transcription of the show.  It still lives in the same ecosystems as video, just without some bells and whistles. 

In Rob Walch's presentation at Podcast Movement this summer, he looked at the top 200 podcast in Apple.  How many of them were video?  Zero. That's right. None.    Now, I'm not saying DON'T do video if you've got a good workflow for it.  But as a business owner, I need to focus my attention on the things I do well and that bring in revenue.  The same is true for you as a podcaster. Your email box is likely stuffed with offers from a bunch of third party podcasting apps you haven't even heard of.  Keep your eye on the ball.  Only spend your time on what's important to you and your show.

OK, some podcasting headlines from the last week.  Facebook now has an audio tab on its mobile app - it's going to be for podcasts and more.  If you wanna explore, open the "Watch" button at the bottom of your app, then look at audio.

The New York Times is working on a new app to consume news - you guessed it, by audio.  It's going to be called, simply, New York Times Audio - and they are looking for beta testers for it now.

Podcast editing app Descript has rolled out a bunch of features with its latest release - including something called Studio Sound, which will use AI to improve audio quality and reduce background noise.   It also includes improvements to its editor and a Slack integration.  More here: https://www.descript.com/blog/article/new-in-descript-studio-sound-overdub-model-pro-audio-effects-and-more

She Podcasts Live is now...well...live...in Scottsdale Arizona through Sunday.   I know some of the people involved with this and it's an amazing event.  Looking forward to some second hand nuggets from the event I hope to share with you next week.

And finally, the nominees are out for the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.  I'd tell you more, but except for nominees and the folks that work for iHeart and are forced to run promos for it on their radio stations.....NOBODY CARES.

Stay healthy and stay safe.  I'll talk to you next week.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Apologies for not getting a podcast episode out last week.  With Facebook rolling out podcasts for business and fan pages, I was ready to do a how-to episode on that. After all, with podcasts hitting Facebook, we can get more ears on your show, and podcasting in general.  Well, turns out the Facebook podcasts process is far from perfect, and there's no rhyme or reason as to whether your podcast will actually show up on your page.

Of course, add to that the drama around Facebook being down Monday, and their whistleblower appearing before Congress Tuesday.  I don't think podcasts are Mr. Zuckerberg's top priority at the moment.  But there IS a lesson here - and thanks to JAG Show listener Andrew for this point.   Don't put your eggs in one basket.   You should be promoting your podcast in as many places as possible.   Sure, Facebook and Instagram are huge.  But don't forget LinkedIn, Twitter, an email list, maybe even TikTok.  I put all my episodes on all of those platforms.  Should "The Facebook" go down - you're promoting your content in other places as well.

In his show "I Hear Things" last Friday, podcast data guru Tom Webster wondered if podcasting is a way to create genuine connections with people.  Is there something more pure about that than a platform like Facebook, where everything is superficial and you may not trust what you are seeing?  Here's his podcast and article: https://tomwebster.media/podcasting-for-connection/

As I've mentioned before, a great place to be with your podcast is YouTube - even if you don't shoot video.  Audio podcasts can live on YouTube as well, and they are noticing.  YouTube is looking to hire its first Podcast Executive, per Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-05/youtube-looks-to-hire-its-first-executive-focused-on-podcasts

Yes, audio without video CAN be very successful.  A study from iHeartMedia and research firm WARC says that for the average consumer, 31% of their media consumption is audio.   That means 1 out of every 3 minutes they spend consuming media is listening, not watching.  The study goes on to say that advertisers are behind the curve on this. Less than 9% of ad spending is on audio.   Again.  31% of media consumption - but only 9% of ad spending - is on audio.  It's only a matter of time before advertisers start catching up.   The study was reported in PodNews here: https://podnews.net/press-release/warc-iheart-investment

Finally, we are now into the final quarter of the year - the time when folks start thinking about their 2022 marketing plans and budgets.  If podcasting is something you're considering for next year, I'd love to help you.   I've got a list of services available at a price point that will work for you.   Wanna know more?  Email me.  jag@jagindetroit.com.  Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Last night, a friend of mine posted a meme that said "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."  On one side was a baseball fan, at a game, with a COVID-vaccinated QR code on a bracelet.  On the other side - a tattoo from a concentration camp.  Needless to say, I was offended, particularly as a Jewish man.  But before I chimed in, I read the other comments.  My friend, as it turned out, had heard on Joe Rogan's podcast that in Australia, the unvaccinated were being banished to certain areas.  I looked into this, and there's NO evidence that's the case.   I stated as such, and politely told my friend I was offended by the meme.   He messaged me this morning, told me he took the meme down, appreciated my feedback, and gave me permission to tell the story on today's show.   I should mention, the meme itself didn't come from Joe, but when my friend posted it, he saw it through the prism of the Rogan podcast, which he took to be a reliable source.

OK, what does this have to do with your podcasting and the industry as a whole?   Well, Joe Rogan is the single most successful solo podcaster on the planet.   Regardless of your politics, he entertains and offers compelling content.  

Here's the problem.  

He's not a news source. 

When an entertainment show's popularity hits the stratosphere, people take it's information to be reliable.  Popularity does not equal credibility.    So whether you're listening to a podcast, or watching CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC, please know whether you're consuming news or entertainment.  The line is often blurry.  And when you're producing content, make it clear to your audience which of the two they're listening to.

OK, on to this week's podcasting news.

Apple released iOS version 15 on Monday - which includes personalized recommendations in the Apple Podcasts App.  For example, if you liked this show, you may like this one. More info:  https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/20/ios-15-apple-podcasts-personalized-recommendations-listen-now-tab/

Speaking OF Apple, will this be the year Spotify finally overtakes them in podcast listenership?  Website eMarketer thinks so.  They feel Spotify will have 28.2 million podcast listeners by the end of 2021, compared with an even 28 million for Apple.  They think the gap will widen after that, and don't sleep on YouTube and Google for podcasts either. https://www.emarketer.com/content/spotify-poised-overtake-apple-podcasts-this-year

A new study from Nielsen says podcast growth is being fueled by light listeners, those who listen to 3 or less podcasts a month.  This may seem concerning on the surface, but I think this is a good thing.  This means the space is growing to a wider tent, and if these listeners can find good compelling shows, they won't be "light users" for long. https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/why-are-heavy-podcast-listeners-declining/

And finally, a perfect example of when it's appropriate to re-release an old episode.  With the passing of Norm MacDonald this week, Marc Maron re-released a 2011 interview he did with the late, great comic.  Rest in piece, Turd Ferguson.

http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/repost-norm-macdonald-from-2011

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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How much should you charge advertiser in your podcast?  Libsyn and AdvertiseCast have crunched the numbers, and average CPM for a one minute ad is $23.57. That means podcasters are charging $23.57 for every thousand listeners to their podcast.  So if you want a statistic, there it is.  But here's the thing - every podcast is different, and your listeners are valuable to advertisers in your space.   So I say, charge whatever you think you can get.   But if you want a number, it's $23.57. More from PodNews: https://podnews.net/press-release/libsyn-advertisecast-adrates-pr

How Do I Prioritize My Podcast?

A podcast, like most endeavors, can only be successful if you commit the necessary time and resources to  it.  But that's much easier said than done.  You've got Zoom meetings, personal commitments, and activities that bring in revenue for your business. The only way to succeed at a podcast is to be consistent - how the heck are you going to do that?

Make a bite sized commitment.  Do a podcast season.  That can be 5 episodes, 10 episodes, 3 episodes - whatever you feel you can manage.  Commit to a certain number of episodes, released at regular intervals.  This could be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, you name it.   And if your content isn't time-sensitive, you can even record several episodes at once, and stagger the release schedule. My point is this.  Don't commit to a weekly or monthly podcast from now until eternity.  Commit to a finite number of episodes in a finite time frame and see if you like it and get traction.   And if you, or you clients, find value in it, extend from there.

In a perfect world, you'd do all of the things when it comes to podcasting.  Writing, recording, editing, promoting across an endless horizon of social media platforms.  Well, chances are, unless you have a huge marketing team, you just don't have the bandwidth to do all of that.  Mark Asquith of Captivate suggests dividing podcasting tasks into three categories - things I like doing, things I hate doing, and things I like doing that take too long. Once you have your lists, then you can prioritize what you want to spend your time on. https://www.markasquith.com/the-podcast-accelerator/295/

Upcoming Podcast Events

Two upcoming podcast events I should mention: PodFest Origins will be both live and virtual this year.  You can watch online at the end of October or in person in Tampa November 4th and 5th.  https://podfestexpo.com/

She Podcasts is an amazing event for women and non-binary podcasters.  That is October 14th-17th in Scottsdale Arizona. https://www.shepodcasts.com/

Help With Your Podcast

As always, if you enjoyed today's content, please share with someone you know - that's how we grow the show.  And if you need help launching or improving your podcast, find me at jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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After countless recommendations, I subscribed to Apple TV and started watching Ted Lasso.

I'm just into Season 2 of Ted Lasso, and I figured out why it's so popular.  In a world of political divisiveness, climate disasters, and general ugliness, Ted Lasso is a show of, as my friend put it, relentless positivity.   Now I'm not saying your podcast needs to be all sunshine, rainbow, and homemade biscuits, but Ted Lasso is a runaway hit because it offers something unique.  And if you want your podcast to be successful, it also needs to be unique.  Of the 300,000 active podcasts out there, what sets you apart? If someone asks, "Oh, why should I listen to your podcast," you'd better have an answer ready.  And for the love of Roy Kent, please don't let that answer be "Because my friends think I'm funny."  

Podcast Ad Spending in the first five months of 2021 is up 24% over the same period last year. That's significant because this year, we weren't all locked up in our homes listening to podcasts - or at least, as  locked up.  

Google Podcasts is now the clear #3 podcast app you have to have your show on.  PodNews, via Android Police.com, reports that Google Podcasts now has 100 million downloads. If you want an Android user to listen to your show- they don't have Apple Podcasts on their phone and they may not have Spotify.  But a Google Podcasts link will automatically open your show on their phone.  Also, the Google Podcasts App just got full makeover and is now easier to navigate. https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/08/30/google-podcasts-gets-a-fresh-ui-that-simplifies-sorting-through-your-endless-library-of-episodes

Many podcasters get frustrated trying to record multiple cohosts in the same room, with only one computer.  Most computers will only support one USB mic at once, and that Blue Yeti in the middle of the table ain't gonna cut it.  Well Rode, the microphone company, has devised a way around that - but you will need to buy their specific NT USB Mini  microphones, one per person, at around $100 each. https://rode.com/software/rode-connect

I've told you to be very wary of Apple Podcast Subscriptions for your show.  To make it work, you've got to have really good content and a unique audience.  I've linked to an Apple Subscription success story in today's show notes.  But guess what? It was a podcast that was already pulling 300,000 downloads per episode. Tread VERY carefully if you are considering asking your listeners for money. https://blog.lime.link/first-45-days-with-apple-subscriptions/

I've also told you to stop asking for Apple Podcast reviews - because they don't help people find your show.  I still believe that. But Evo Terra says if you do get a great review, celebrate it.  Tell the world. He's not wrong. https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/celebrate-your-podcasts-reviews-like-a-boss

Finally, if you are thinking about a podcast as part of your 2022 marketing strategy, please let me help.   I'm happy to do a discovery call with you. Book a time that's convenient for you at jagindetroit.com/calendar.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Are Show Notes Important?  YES!  Your show notes are important to the success of your podcast.

Why Show Notes Are Important:

Google Search is still one of the top ways people find podcasts. And, at least for now, Google can't search audio - it can only search text.   So if you write show notes with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in mind, you can get help your ranking in Google Search.   Think about your title, and how that relates to questions, ideas, or guests that your potential audience is Googling.  There are a number of SEO tools out there (some free, some paid) that can help you with all of this.

I have to take a moment and credit Steve Stewart and Mark Deal for putting on the Podcast Show Notes summit this past Saturday.  They had eight incredible panelists explaining all things show notes in detail.  You can watch the replay for $99 at http://shownotessummit.com/

Also a tip from Rob Walch of Libsyn: if your show notes are on the longer side, put any key links at the TOP, not the bottom.  Some podcast players will only display the beginning of your notes.  If you've got something important, put it at the front.

Did Joe Rogan's Move to Spotify Hurt His Guests?

One other point on the importance of searchability - since Joe Rogan became a Spotify exclusive and full episodes are no longer on Apple, Google, and YouTube - it appears the social media "bump" his guests normally get is waning.  I just Googled Joe Rogan podcast - best I could get was his website, where I had to hunt for the show.   Now, I'm not gonna say Joe Rogan was wrong to say yes when Spotify backed the Brinks truck up to his front door.  However, not appearing in search results isn't good for your show.

Who Is Listening to Podcasts?

More data out from Westwood One again proves that the typical podcast listener is- are you listening, advertisers? -  young, employed, educated, and upscale.   https://www.westwoodone.com/2021/08/30/the-westwood-one-2021-audioscape-who-are-podcast-listeners

New Tascam Device To Compete with Rodecaster Pro:

Tascam, a well respected audio equipment maker, has come out with their own mobile recording studio, the MixCast 4. Looks similar in price and features to the RodeCaster Pro, at $600, but the Mixcast does come with editing software. https://tascam.com/us/product/mixcast_4/top

Finally, a reminder, I'm trying to put this content out everywhere - my website, all the podcast apps, YouTube, even Instagram and TikTok.  And it's also available in a weekly newsletter.  You can subscribe at jagindetroit.com/subscribe.  Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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I have not been shy in recent weeks about sharing my dismay at Apple Podcasts' new updates.  Starting in May, shows weren't updating, new shows were taking forever to be approved, and people who make money off of their podcasts were getting hit hard.  Well, there's good news.  James Cridland of PodNews says Apple seems to have fixed their bugs by the end of July, and numbers are coming back up.

Here's what I've seen.  The most recent podcast I created, Crazy Radio Stories, was approved the day I submitted it, and new episodes seem to be appearing in Apple Podcasts very quickly.  And for podcast listeners, the most prominent button is "Latest Episode."

Then, this week, I started getting notifications about dead podcasts being removed from Apple.  Turns out for clients that stopped podcasting, and even cancelled their podcast hosting service, the shows were still sitting there in Apple Podcasts.  Seems a purge is happening.  Now important to note - Apple is not deleting your podcasts if you haven't created content in awhile - they are deleting shows that no longer have an active RSS feed.

The other big name in podcasting - Spotify - put out a press release last week explaining how more of its shows are now on Spotify only.  The release reads, in part, "It is also our priority to keep our world-class content both accessible and free to all users across the globe."  If you ask me, that sentence rings pretty hollow if you want the content to be on your platform and nobody else's. Read the release here: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-08-19/making-spotifys-exclusive-content-inclusive-to-creators-and-listeners/

Speaking of Spotify, they're launching a new weekly exclusive podcast called "Sunday Scaries" - focused on dealing with the sense of impending doom that hits you on Sunday as the work week approaches.  It's actually produced by Headspace.  Mental Health companies have become a big player in podcast advertising - nice to see them getting into the content side as well. The show launches this Sunday. The trailer is out now. https://open.spotify.com/show/0C3OMp75h8fS9yxB5lueoZ

Bill Simmons' The Ringer, also owned by Spotify, has announced an expanded partnership with the WWE on a series of podcasts: https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-podcasts-the-ringer-spotify-bill-simmons

NPR has launched paid subscriptions to some of their biggest shows - including Fresh Air, Code Switch, and How I Built This. $2.99 per month for each show will help support the show and get you sponsor-free content.  I go back to my original point about paid podcasts - you'd better have a well-established, exceptional, unique product if you're going to expect people to pay for it.  If anyone can do it, it's NPR, who was into podcasting before almost anyone.  More: https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-extra/2021/08/17/1028079276/npr-podcast-subscription-platform-is-launching

There are tons of ways to promote your podcast across social media and the web, and depending on your team and bandwidth, you really can do a lot.  Arielle Nissenblatt of Squadcast had a great Twitter thread that went viral last week, talking about all the things they do to promote their show, Between Two Mics: https://twitter.com/arithisandthat/status/1429549172156518406

And Riverside's remote video recording platform has launched the 2.0 version of their platform, which features a "Magic Editor,"  AI to switch between speakers depending on who's talking, and automatic transcription.  Here's a link to their press release in PodNews: https://podnews.net/press-release/riverside-2dot0

As always, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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In 2007, I was working for a radio station in Vermont, where (fun fact) billboards are illegal.  I was trying to convince my boss that the station needed a page on this new thing called Facebook.  "Ben," I asked him, "if you could have a billboard in South Burlington in Interstate 89 with your morning show on it, would you do it?" 

"Of course," he said.

"That's why we need to be on Facebook," I said.  "We need to be where our listeners are."

14 years later, the same is true of podcasts.  Be everywhere your listeners are, so more people can find you. I told you last week about Tom Webster of Edison Research talking about YouTube.  Among weekly podcast listeners, 18 percent said YouTube is their primary destination for listening to shows - behind only Spotify and Apple. Do you really want to miss out on nearly 1 in 5 weekly podcast listeners?
 

Also, Apple is still having issues. Yes, the recent iOS update was supposed to fix the bug that was stopping downloads, but according to PodNews, many creators still aren't seeing their new episodes pop up in Apple Podcasts, a full 72 hours after submission.   If your show is only on Apple, and this happens to you, why bother to even publish the show?

Yes, you need to be on the Holy Trinity of Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.  But you should also be on YouTube. While you're at it, it wouldn't be the worst idea to submit your show to Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Amazon and more.  None of these services represent even 2% of podcast listening, but why not take a few minutes to connect them to your host's RSS feed to make sure your content goes everywhere your potential listeners are?

Once you ARE on many different platforms, there are ways to share one link on social media and let your listener pick their app of choice.  There's a great guide from Podnews on how to do this here: https://podnews.net/article/universal-links?utm_source=podnews.net

Onto other news this week:

I mentioned last week the importance of SEO and show notes.  Google Search is still one of the key methods of podcast discovery.  There's a seminar next Saturday, August 28th, on writing show notes.  Here's my affiliate link: https://www.podcasteditoracademy.com/show-notes-summit-2021/?aff=jagindetroit

iHeartRadio now has a partnership with the TuneIn app - this will create better reach for their radio stations and podcasts.  Also, smart speakers aren't a huge chunk of podcast listening, but they are growing.  And out of the box, Alexa defaults to TuneIn when you ask it to play a radio station.   iHeart is also teaming up  with France's NRJ Group to translate some of its biggest shows into French, starting with Stuff You Should Know.

The fine folks at Podcast Movement have come launched Podcast Movement University, which is currently free to join and has a bunch of classes to watch.  https://university.podcastmovement.com/

If you weren't able to make it to Podcast Movement in Nashville, they've got a highlight video up on YouTube.

Quickly, two technical items.   Audio Technica has released their new AT2040 microphone, for about $100.  The good news: it's hypercardioid and dynamic, which in English means it's designed to pick up your voice and very little background noise.  The bad news, it's only got an XLR connection - you'll need an interface to connect it to your PC or Mac. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at2040

If you're a Windows user and are looking to start editing but don't want to spend money on software yet, The Windows Club has a guide to free Windows audio editing apps - Audacity, WaveShop, SoundEditor, and Jokosher. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/open-source-audio-editor-software-for-windows

And finally, my man-crush is getting his own podcast.  NFL Goat Tom Brady will be teaming up with Larry Fitzgerald for a weekly show on SiriusXM called, what else but "Let's Go!"  Starting in September. it will air live Mondays at 6 on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio (Channel 82), and will be repurposed as a podcast after each episode.

Finally, if you want to get my podcast news every week, you can get it sent straight to you inbox, and not hope some social media algorithm decides to show it to you.  I'll only email you once a week, and I won't sell your info.  You can sign up at jagindetroit.com/subscribe.

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(NEW OPEN)

Welcome in, I'm Jon Gay.  You'll notice I shortened the intro.  I talked to some listeners at Podcast Movement, and the consensus was that while a bunch of artists saying my name sounds cool, it has nothing to do with podcast news.  It was great for my ego, but that's about it.  Also, after a week of networking and socializing, my voice isn't 100%, but here goes.

Podcast Movement started out with Kate Erickson of the successful podcast Entrepreneur On Fire. She talked about podcast workflow in four steps.  1) Idea, 2) Commitment 3) Support 4) Plan.  She also discussed tools such as an application form for guests, an online scheduler, Google Alerts, and more. My big takeaway was the Google Alerts. If you find yourself coming up short on topic ideas, use Google Alerts for the topic of your show.  Link to Kate's workflow: https://www.eofire.com/podcastworkflow

The keynote we were all waiting for was Tom Webster of Edison Research.  People always ask “How can I grow my audience?” What they should be asking is “Why did it stop growing?” Well, it's because people stopped recommending it! Recommendability: know who you are here for, and WHY they are there.  Make the show easy to recommend, and master your craft, aka be recommendable!

Webster is also Bullish on the soon-to-be-released Facebook audio tools.  Facebook is still the biggest social media player out there, and among non-podcast listeners, it's huge.  So if Facebook users get their hands on podcasts, that can be a growth opportunity for all of us.

Tom says that in 2021, YouTube has become a major player in podcast discoverability.  In fact, it's now third in terms of apps behind Spotify at #1, and Apple at #2.   Think about it.  Google Search is still dominant - and Google owns YouTube.  So if your podcast is on YouTube, and the description is search engine optimized, you'll pop up in results.   Now this isn't to say you have to have a video version of your show.  But at least put the audio with a logo on YouTube with a good description. It will help your searchability.

Email is an important tool in marketing your podcast.  Great session from Meghan Neasta of AWeber.  Social media is great, but you're dependent on someone else's algorithm.  Email lets you reach your audience directly, and see data on open rates and clickthroughs.  It's also a great way to build personal connections and offer bonus content.

Another great Wednesday session was Todd Cochrane of Blubrry.  Having a website for your podcast is absolutely crucial.   Now I caught Todd in the Starbucks line and he told me you don’t have to have a separate website for your show if it’s a branded podcast and you’re trying to get people to YOUR website.  But if the show stands alone, it needs its own site – not just the one your host gives you.  

However, whichever way you do it, with Google Search so big, search engine optimization is KEY.  Todd’s action items include having great episode titles and supporting show notes, making it easy to subscribe, contact, and listen, asking for reputable backlinks to your content from folks (Google loves this), and making sure your website is not just mobile friendly, but mobile first.

As Wednesday wrapped up, I saw my buddy Jay Nachlis from Coleman Insights, talking about using Blue Ocean strategy to find your podcast niche.   If you don’t know the analogy, red ocean is where the sharks are, looking for chum.  Blue ocean is wide open with endless possibilities. For example, your science podcast may have a lot of competition. But if you focused just on chemistry, you’d be more unique.  There are podcasts about the Golden State Warriors, but none specifically about Steph Curry.  If you niche down your podcast, you’ve got a greater chance of success.

Thursday’s opening keynoter was Shark Tank entrepreneur Mark Cuban.  He and co-founder Falon Fatemi were talking about their fireside platform. The idea behind fireside is that you’ll get better real time analytics than podcast hosts, but the whole session turned into an infomercial, where they became pigeons and they made podcasting their park bench.  This in front of an audience of podcasters. Read the room, dude.  Not only did you shamelessly plug your new venture, you insulted your audience in the process.

On the flip side, Thursday’s highlight was Rob Walch from Libsyn, and his annual “Yes, that marketing advice for your podcast is BS.”  His 2021 version was VERY informative.

I’ve spent a lot of time dunking on Apple Podcasts in recent weeks, but according to Libsyn’s stats, they are still far and away #1 for podcasts. Part of the reason is that there’s 120 DIFFERENT podcast apps that pull FROM Apple!  So while Spotify is spending money, grabbing headlines, and is, in my opinion a better user experience, Apple is still king.  Your podcast HAS to be on Apple.

When you start a podcast, it might be intimidating to hear that there are now 2.3 million podcasts out there.  Well guess what?  The number of ACTIVE shows are declining.  Of those 2.3 million shows, only 322 thousand have done at least 10 episodes and are still creating content– that’s only 14%!

Next myth from Rob Walch: your podcast needs to be on video.  Not true – many of the top podcasts are audio only.  We have more time in the day to consume audio than video, because audio is portable.  Now, again, it’s good to have a presence on YouTube, but that can be as simple as uploading your audio with a logo.

Rob also had some best practices to share from Apple Podcasts.  #1, the first 30 seconds of your last episode are your most important – that’s what people will hear first.  Also, don’t worry about picking a third category in Apple.  Fill out the copyright field and content rating (explicit or not).Also, while you can swear in your show, DON’T swear in your title or description – Apple’s bots can kick you out for that. 

Submit a trailer to Apple 30 days prior to launching your show.  It’s rare that it takes that long, but if you’re planning a campaign around launching your show, you want to be sure that the show exists before you promote it.    Also, I can’t say this enough – ratings and reviews DO NOT MATTER. This isn’t Yelp or Trip Advisor.  Yes, they’re great for your ego and positive reinforcement, but it has nothing to do with Apple charts.  The best way to grow your show is to get people to FOLLOW it (don’t say subscribe) and recommend it to your friends.   To be successful, you need both good content AND interaction.

Finally, Rob was really passionate about privacy.  Yes, your IP address is personally identifiable information. That’s why we are seeing restrictions on collecting IP addresses in Europe, California, and Colorado, with more regulations to come.  This will likely have an effect on Dynamic Ad Insertion going forward.   Think about it – if a potential employer or foreign government could learn which podcasts you searched for or listened to – that’s potentially VERY dangerous.

You know who commands more revenue than all of podcasting, without knowing their users’ IP addresses? The Super Bowl.  Rob didn’t say this specifically, but if you take the time to get to know your listeners, you’ll be able to serve them relevant ads just fine.

Link to all of Rob's outstanding info, shared with his permission: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/lilith/411_PM21_Marketing_BS.pdf

My two big action items coming out of Podcast Movement: optimize my podcast and website for SEO, and start an email list, where I can send you my content every week.  If you'd like to sign up, you can do so here: https://jagindetroit.com/subscribe

Finally, it was really great to attend an in person event.  Yes, there was some angst about the Delta variant, but as a vaccinated person, I took some calculated risks.   I don't have any symptoms, but I got COVID tested before I left and when I got back, because I felt it was the responsible thing to do after being around so many people.  Seth Resler of Jacobs Media did a great write-up on the "weirdness" of attending an event in person at this stage in the pandemic. You can read it here. https://jacobsmedia.com/what-its-like-to-return-to-an-in-person-conference/

There were so many panels that I wanted to attend, but couldn't be multiple places at once.  Once the videos are posted online, I'll have more to consume, and hopefully more to report back to you.   Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The first keynote was from Kate Erickson of Entrepreneur on Fire - she spoke to the importance of systems, workflows, plans, and accountability.  Another nugget: if you're out of ideas for episodes, set up Google Alerts for keywords in your niche.  Here's a link to her slides: https://www.eofire.com/podcastworkflow

The star of the day is no surprise to anyone who's attended this conference - and that's Tom Webster of Edison Research.  As always, he came armed with the latest and greatest podcast data.

Podcast discovery comes from, in order:

1. Recommendations
2. Internet Search
3. Social Media

Podcasters often ask, "How can I grow my audience?" In reality, they should be asking "Why did my audience stop growing?"  And the answer is almost always: "Because people stopped recommending it."  So how do you solve this "recommend-abilty" problem?

1. Know who you podcasting for, and why they are there. You can't give the unexpected if you don't know what they expect.
2. Make your show easy to recommend - both technically and in terms of your content.
3. Master your craft!

Next, Webster tackled YouTube.  Old school podcasters will tell you if your show is on YouTube, it's not a podcast, for a variety of technical reasons.  And, technically speaking, they'd be right.  But in 2021, the top apps for podcast discovery are, in order:

1. Spotify
2. Apple
3. YouTube

So, even if you don't have video for your show, putting the audio on YouTube is not a bad idea.  In 2007, I had to convince my boss in radio that we needed a Facebook page - because you go where your audience is.

Speaking of Facebook, it's still the most popular social media app.  And interestingly, it's HUGE among non-podcast listeners.  So when Facebook audio rolls out soon, Tom thinks this will be HUGE for podcast growth.  Pay attention there too, so long as you're not in Facebook jail for a post you made 6 years ago that you totally forgot about.  Hasn't happened to me yet (knock wood).

Other items of note from Day 1: Your podcast should have its own website, for SEO purposes.  Google can't search audio, but it can search text.  Think about that when you write your show titles and show notes.  And the built in page that your podcast provider gives you - that may not be enough - because bad shows in the same domain could hurt your rankings.  That's from Todd Cochrane of Blubrry.

Another marketing tool you may want to consider for your show is an email campaign.  You'll get better analytics here, and you won't just have to hope a social media algorithm delivers your content.  Just send it straight to your listeners' inboxes.  Solid presentation by Meghan Nesta  of email platform Aweber.

And I wrapped up the day with Jay Nachlis of Coleman Insights, talking about "Blue Ocean" strategy.  If you're not familiar with the term (or the book), there are two oceans.  The red ocean is crowded, and infested by sharks.  Blue ocean is wide open.  If you have a podcast idea that lands in the blue, your chances of standing out are much higher.  For example, Jay mentioned there are tons of science podcasts, but not as many about say, specifically chemistry.  Lots of religion podcast, but not many about Hinduism.  Lots of Golden State Warriors Podcasts, but NONE specifically about Steph Curry.  Don't be afraid to do something different.

As for me, different has been recording this show in a hotel room at 11:30pm Central Time  I'm off to bed - with hopefully more nuggets to soak and and pass on - soon.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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I really didn't want to add another monthly bill - even $5 - on top of Netflix, Disney Plus, and YouTube TV. In fact, I just decided to drop an extra $10 a month so I can get 4K channels.  I figure I have a 4K TV, may as well watch the Olympics in 4K.  Not gonna lie, it's pretty sweet. Can't wait for football season.

What does all of this have to do with podcasts? Well, it appears a number of large media companies are offering premium (meaning paid) content through Apple, Spotify, or other means. But there's more of them than you can count.   Which ones do you choose?  For me, it took a TON of peer pressure to cave on Apple TV, and it took something brand new and cutting edge (sports in 4K) to up my YouTube TV.  

Before you start asking your listeners to pay for what you put out - ask yourself - is it good enough?  Can it compete for that monthly $5 or $10 with Disney Plus and Hulu and Netflix?  Now, if you're providing some really unique, niche content, the answer may be yes. But I think for most of us, the answer is no.  

I still think it's hard to monetize a podcast, but the easier route is through advertisers.  Your podcast listeners are much more valuable than those little hearts on Facebook or the Gram.  Why? Because they are more engaged.   They aren't scrolling through; they are actively listening. Even if you don't have many listeners, your basket weaving podcast might be really attractive to a basket company.

Speaking of advertising, Crooked Media's Pod Save America is now opening themselves up to ads in other countries -  apparently there's quite an appetite for American politics in Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. ACast will handle the international ads.

If you love the Olympics, NBC has FOUR - count 'em four - podcasts on their Olympics channel in Apple Podcasts - The Podium, In The Village, On Her Turf, and My New Favorite Olympian.  They're free to listen to.

Speaking of  Apple Podcasts, they're looking for a head of content.  I assume duties include screaming at the app development team daily, thinking you're the only game in town, and putting out dumpster fires.

Podcasting OG Evo Terra says we have entered the "chaotic era" of podcasting.  He says no huge companies are coming to save us, diversify your podcast's assets and footprint, and hold on for dear life. Here's his Podcast Pontifications https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/can-you-survive-podcastings-chaotic-era

Told you a couple weeks ago about everyone freaking out about the Audacity editing app and it's new privacy policy -well they've got a new policy, promising not to store IP addresses or scare away kids under 13.As James Cridland from PodNews points out, that's likely due to the reporting of podcast media and resulting outcry.  https://github.com/audacity/audacity/discussions/1353

Podcast host Buzzsprout is offering dynamic ad insertion on all plans.  Dynamic Ad Insertion puts ads in your show based on when a listener hears it, where they are, or other factors. For example, if you have something  time sensitive, like a Podcast Movement tease,  you can turn it on or off for any episode.  It's my hope that this will come to other podcast hosts for all tiered plans, making it the norm in the industry.

MTV is teaming up with iHeart to re-release classic episodes of Behind The Music, as a podcast. 

A friendly reminder to check and see if your new podcast's name has already been claimed.  Maybe not a huge deal if you're an average Joe, but if you're rich and famous (or hope to be), you gotta do your homework.   Actress and Michigan native Kristen Bell tried to release a show called Shattered Glass.  Name was already taken, so she had to rename it - it's now called "We Are Supported By..."

For my fellow Syracuse grads, Carmelo Anthony is creating a podcast version of his YouTube series, "What's in Your Glass?"  Sadly, it's wine, not Orange Juice. (rimshot).

The Clubhouse app is now out of beta and available for everyone on iOS and Android.  Will be curious what Mark Cuban, who founded rival Fireside, has to say when he keynotes Podcast Movement in Nashville next week.

And speaking OF Podcast Movement, I'm vaxxed, masked, and really excited for the return of the in person event.  They will have recording areas set up, so time permitting, I may do a bonus episode next week from Nashville.  Otherwise, expect a TON of information when I get back.  

Finally, a big thank you to Rock, Arielle, and the team at Squadcast - who were able to find a video solution that worked for me. This is my first video recorded on Squadcast.

So, until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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A disclaimer.  Middays for much of the country will be done by Julia, who is a friend of mine. I worked with her at Amp Radio here in Detroit and consider her to be one of the most creative people I worked with in my 15 year radio career.  So if you're Julia, and they say hey, we want to syndicate you nationally, that's a no-brainer.  No ill will toward her. 

I guarantee Julia's show will have great content for the stations she's on, maybe even more compelling than the former local DJ's in some cases.  But more radio people are out of work, and there's more connections to local communities that are gone.  For Audacy, It's a great way to cut costs when you're moving all your resources to digital, but it doesn't bode well for the future of radio.

On to this week's podcasting news.

There's a new social audio app that focuses on short form content, called "Racket." It speaks to a larger trend in media toward shorter stuff.  Think about the recent success of TikTok and Instagram.  How does this translate to podcasting?  Well, maybe shorter episodes are the way to go. You can always go too long on an episode, but can you really be too short? Back to the old radio cliche: Leave 'em wanting more.  https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/16/22570683/audio-short-form-podcast-app-racket-beams

Auttomatic, the company that owns Wordpress, has bought Podcast listening app  Pocketcasts - makes me wonder if that means easier integrations for podcast listening through websites. https://wordpress.com/blog/2021/07/16/popular-podcast-app-pocket-casts-joins-automattic/

If you still want to use Apple Podcasts as your listening app of choice, do yourself, and podcast creators a solid. Upgrade to the latest version of iOS - there should be some fixes for podcast download issues. James Cridland of PodNews, as always, is on top of it: https://podnews.net/update/podcast-download-bug

One more Jag Show next week, then a break at the beginning of August while I attend Podcast Movement in Nashville -  hope to see you there.   And finally, if you'll indulge me, two quick plugs.

This week, I was the featured guest on the "Do What You Love" podcast, from Las Vegas morning show host, and recent ESPN play by play man Jeff Kurkjian.  Jeff's a friend, and just such a great, solid, positive guy.  We talked all things podcasting, and a little bit of radio too.  

Apple: https://apple.co/2W5YuTX
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UWjgEL

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WWhyDOMCtA 

Also, I'm  thrilled for JAG in Detroit's latest partnership - with Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications here in Michigan, and their client CARE HOUSE of Oakland County, a place that helps victims of abuse.   The podcast is called, "It Shouldn't Hurt To Be a Child." The trailer is up now, with Episode 1 to land shortly.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-shouldnt-hurt-to-be-a-child/id1569471566

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Muu591lk9Et22ev6PWIob?si=cNSDN4e8QoyvOhOLz0PxoQ&dl_branch=1

As always, if you need a podcast consult, you can always reach out to me at https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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I've got several articles linked in today's show notes about this, including a FANTASTIC video from Jeni Wren Strottup of Gritty Birds podcasting.  Here are the key takeaways.  The current version of Audacity, up to 3.0.2 does NOT connect to the web, and you can download it and use it as always, just never updating it as long as it works on your computer.   You can also switch to another editing program.  Most share your data as well - but if the Russia thing freaks you out, and you're willing to climb the learning curve of different software, you can do that too.    Or, you can just shrug and hit yes to all the new terms of service.   But bottom line, Jeni says, the new Audacity is NOT spyware.  It's not sneaking onto your computer and stealing your data.  It's being upfront about what it's doing.  And no, it can't listen in on your audio files.   

Bottom line, from where I sit.  I've never liked Audacity as an app, but everyone likes their own flavor of audio editing programs.  If you swear by Audacity, you've got options.  But I still think you might like something else better.

Audacity spyware articles:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57721967

https://github.com/audacity/audacity/discussions/1225

https://www.audacityteam.org/about/desktop-privacy-notice/

And a great video from Jeni Wren Strottup of Gritty Birds Podcasting: 
https://youtu.be/HQ7NfZKVWxM

Other Podcasting News This Week:

Apple, Google, and Spotify now all display show notes uniformly, with links and more.  James Cridland of PodNews says this is true for the first time, but keep your show notes to  Apple's limit of 4,000 characters.

Nothing free is really free. Podcast One is offering free hosting for podcasters.  But the catch is they can put ads in your show and keep the profits.  The one benefit - they can market your show to a new audience. However, I still think it's better to use a paid host like Simplecast, Blubrry, LibSyn, or RSS.com.  https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/8/22568221/podcastone-launchpadone-hosting-service-free-podcast-monetize

Twitter thread on how much podcast editors and producers should be paid - the numbers are eye-popping.  https://twitter.com/meuceph/status/1412224182687911940

Two new podcasts centering around big celebrity news stories. 

Audible's "Chasing Ghilane" is out today.  That's a profile on Jeffrey Epstein's partner Ghilane Maxwell.

Stitcher is now three episodes deep into "Toxic: The Britney Spears" story, exploring her conservatorship and more.  From my days as a radio DJ, I can tell you that Britney is an icon to an entire generation.  With the volume of the "Free Britney" movement, this could be a huge show.

Podthon is virtual this weekend, and geared toward Podcasters of Color: https://podthon.com/

Finally, I'm really looking forward to Podcast Movement, in person, in Nashville.  It's the first weekend in August - and if you want more info, you can visit https://podcastmovement.com/

For help with your podcast - find me online at https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Recently, Zoom added a setting on their app called "Enable Original Sound."  With the advent of podcasting, Zoom realized they needed an option to make people sound like...well...people.   Now it's not QUITE as good as other apps or an in person recording. But if you have a decent microphone,  it's close.  You'll find a link for how to do enable original sound here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115003279466-Enabling-option-to-preserve-original-sound

Now, other platforms that are designed for podcasts, like Squadcast, Riverside, and Zencastr are still better options.  They record on your local machine so that internet buffering doesn't happen.  And if you wear headphones, it's no issue if people speak over each other.  But if you have a hard-to-get guest, or someone who isn't likely going to learn a new program, that's how to make Zoom sound better.

Onto this week's quick hit podcasting news:

Amazon has bought ART19, a podcast hosting and ad sales company.  Look for Amazon to continue their push into podcasting in the second half of 2021.   While Apple and Spotify are still the big dogs, it probably wouldn't hurt to add your show to Amazon Music.  It's free and you can do it here: https://podcasters.amazon.com/

Commercial Radio Australia's head of digital thinks that in the future, half of all podcast consumption will be quick 3 minute episodes.  It's a good reminder that shorter is often better. https://www.radiotoday.com.au/jaime-chaux-podcast-power-player-qa/

I mentioned last week that I've moved my podcast listening from Apple to Spotify.  I don't see myself going back any time soon.  But if you want to try and navigate the new Apple Podcasts interface, this guide from lifehacker might help: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-sense-of-what-apple-has-done-to-the-podcast-1847129209

American radio company Audacy, formerly Entercom, and CBS Radio before that, continues to shift resources from traditional radio to podcasting.   Because they own many of the biggest sports stations in the country, and have a partnership with Major League Baseball, they're launching 2400 sports, a sports podcasting operation.  Audacy is also bringing Crooked Media's "Love It Or Leave It" podcast, with former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett to, its Channel Q.   Channel Q is a digital LGBTQ+ station that's also over the air in 32 of the company's media markets.    Sadly, while Audacy does all of this, they are expected to replace more local music DJ's with national shows.  More of the same for hardworking, underappreciated radio folk, sadly.

Finally, a quick programming note - no JAG Show next week, but I'll be back on July 15.  So until then, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find JAG online at https://jagindetroit.com/

or on social media @JAGinDetroit

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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The big news in podcasting this week was the launch of Facebook's new podcasting feature.  Problem is, it's only available in the US, and by invite only.  So to learn more about this new Facebook feature, I went to - you guessed it- Twitter.  Buzzsprout's Head of Marketing, Alban Brooke, has a great Twitter thread about the features of Facebook Podcasts.

https://twitter.com/AlbanBrooke/status/1407066754476646405?s=20

But don't worry if you haven't seen it yet.   I just gotta remember to check the old AOL email I use for Facebook notifications.

Last week I mentioned hating the new Apple Podcasts app, and this week I finally made the switch.  I'm now listening to shows on Spotify.  I'm on the free plan, it's much easier to find episodes of my favorite shows, and I have more control over playback speed.   It's a much better user experience.  And I wouldn't have known about it - had Apple not driven me away with a truly hard to navigate app.

More Spotify news this week - they've acquired Podz, a podcast discovery platform.  Spotify also launched Greenroom, an audio service that's their answer to Clubhouse.

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-06-16/get-to-know-some-of-the-features-in-our-live-interactive-audio-offering-greenroom

Remote recording app Squadcast has a new update - it allows Dolby surround sound, one-click mastering, video recording, and up to 10 participants. The plans seem a little pricey though.  For me, it makes more sense to stay grandfathered in to the 4 people, audio only, unlimited recording time package, and supplement with a small plan on Riverside for when I need video or have more than 4 people.

Stitcher is now the number one listened to podcast network, according to new metrics from Triton Digital.  They are owned by Sirius/XM and now have a bigger weekly audience than NPR and Audacy (formerly Entercom).

According to the Podcast Index, there are now FOUR MILLION podcasts.  But don't be overwhelmed if you're getting into the space. Only 10% of them, have put out a show in the last month.  Podfading is real.  https://tritondigitalv3.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/PodcastReports/USA_Podcast_Ranker%20May%202021-2.pdf

Finally, as I mentioned, I broke my foot Saturday.  Long story short, I was walking the dog - she zigged, and I zagged.  Landed funny and broke the fifth metatarsal, right below my pinky toe.  Fortunately it should heal with a walking boot, and not cast or surgery.  Also, not my driving foot.   So for now, I'll be recording in my office, not my studio down a scary flight of stairs.  The podcasting moral of the story - if this sounds OK to you - you don't need a fancy studio to record in.  An office without background noise or echo should do just fine.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Apple Podcasts released their subscriptions and channels on Tuesday.  Channels might be good to aggregate content, but I'm still not sold on subscriptions.  As I've said before, if you're asking someone to spend money every month on top of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc - you'd better a) have some KILLER content and b) it can't be available anywhere else.  

Meanwhile, Apple's latest iOS update has a totally revamped Apple Podcasts app.  Personally, I hate it.  I find it hard to navigate, but then again, this is what we said whenever Facebook changed their layout.  I'll give it a little while, but I'm strongly considering moving to Spotify for podcast listening.

Incidentally, that's what Tommy Vietor, one of the hosts of Pod Save America, suggested on Monday via Twitter.   Seemed their latest episode uploaded but wouldn't show up on Apple right away.  But it was right there on Spotify.  When you've got a host of a top 10 podcast actively encouraging you to move to Spotify.....well, Cupertino, we have a problem.

https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1404570745783521280?s=20

Speaking of Spotify, they are continuing to spend like the drunken sailor of podcasting. It does seem to be working for them.  They just lured the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast away from Barstool Sports.  Like Joe Rogan, Call Her Daddy will become a Spotify exclusive. Spotify's price tag: $20 million.  The show moves to Spotify only on July 21.

Big changes coming to Spotify's Anchor platform.  One of the knocks on it was that they auto-submitted to Apple, and it was hard to claim ownership of your show there.  Now, Anchor will allow you to submit to Apple yourself.  Also, as podcast monetization grows, they will only supply you with an open RSS feed if you ask.  This will be a benefit to those who only want their shows in specific places.  Here's the post from Anchor: https://mignano.medium.com/evolving-anchor-distribution-to-meet-the-needs-of-new-creators-efe0b89f8c5a

If you use the Riverside platform to record your audio or video podcast, they've added a "media board" to let you play sound and video clips as you record your show. The idea is that in doing so, you won't have to add them in later when editing. https://podnews.net/press-release/riverside-mediaboard

Other quick hit podcasting news:  The award winning "Ear Hustle," about life behind bars in San Quentin, is being released as a book: https://bookshop.org/books/this-is-ear-hustle-unflinching-stories-of-everyday-prison-life/9780593238868

Greed and hubris can ruin anything, including podcasts.  The Verge has an expose about California's "Podcast Hype House" that Chinese-backed company Ximalaya created to lure podcasters.  It quickly devolved into a frat house and worse: theverge.com/22526502/himalaya-histudios-notorious-llc-podcast-audio-hype-house

Podcast Movement is coming together for Nashville, the first week in August.  There's a contest to get a VIP tour of the nearby Jack Daniels distillery.  I've seen it, and it's awesome, by the way. Enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUpCWEt7V0R_xqFgBHkG6fMa6dgI1xg7kFHIDeDj7d0n93qQ/viewform

And finally, I tell my podcast clients not to promote yourself until the end of your show, after you've provided valuable information. With that in mind, if you'll indulge me, I'm offering a new service - a comprehensive podcast audit of your show.  Send me one episode, up to an hour in length, and I'll evaluate it for accessibility, audio quality, content, flow, and more, for just $99.  If you're interested - drop me a note - jag@jagindetroit.com.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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There are many "sins" of podcasting. Some you can get away with, but there are 7 that will sink your show and turn listeners away before you even get going.  We examine them today.

1. Bad Audio (echo, inconsistent levels)
2. Overly chatty and going on unrelated tangents, especially at the start of your show
3. Being overly "sales"-y, trying to sell your listeners something.
4. Copyright infringement - still a grey area, but best to play it safe.
5. Not being on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify
6. Talking about upcoming events without context for when you're recording it
7. Analysis Paralysis - not just actually doing your podcast.

Thanks to many of you connected with me on social or email to tell me your podcast pet peeves.  It's a long list, but these 7 are the most egregious.  Got any more? Send me a note - jag@jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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There's a long standing tradition in the news, politics, and business worlds known as a "Friday News Dump."  When there's negative information to release about yourself, conventional wisdom is to do  it on a Friday afternoon or evening, when nobody is paying attention.

Well Apple must have some news types in their PR department, because they FINALLY acknowledged the issues around Apple Podcasts.  And when did they blast an email out to all podcast creators?  5:31 Eastern time last Friday afternoon, at the start of a long weekend. 

Naturally, it starts off all positive - regarding the announcement of subscriptions and channels: "We've been delighted by the response and its exciting to see the hundreds of new submissions every day." 

Then, they admit they are pushing the launch of these products to June...when exactly? Well, dunno.  Apple kept it nice and vague by sending this note out on May 28th. And of course they soft pedaled the myriad issues that users have been having. 

• Over the last few weeks, some creators have experienced delays in the availability of their content and access to Apple Podcasts Connect. We’ve addressed these disruptions and encourage creators experiencing any issues tocontact us.
  
  We’ve also heard from listeners and made adjustments based on their feedback with iOS 14.6, which was released on Monday. We will introduce additional enhancements to Library in the coming weeks.
  
  Thank you for your understanding. We can’t wait to see your new subscriptions and channels and we are looking forward to launching them to listeners around the world soon.
  
  Best regards,
  The Apple Podcasts team

It's an archaic, stock response like this that makes me wonder about Apple's long-term future in podcasting.  Apple used to be regarded as one of the most forward-thinking, dynamic companies on the planet.   Now it seems they are trying to tread water as the podcast leader, while Spotify and others invest heavily in the space and in the user experience.   Maybe podcasts just aren't a priority.  Podnews reported last week that Apple now makes more revenue from their App store than the entire music industry earns from music.  Think about that for a second.

We're getting closer to Podcast Movement, the world's biggest (and best, if you ask me) Podcast Convention.  It's August 3-6 in Nashville, and organizers have revealed more details. Those attending in person will have access to 20 bars and restaurants on site, a waterpark, and more.  Those attending virtually can do via the SwapCard app, which Podcast Movement 2020 Virtual used last year. https://podcastmovement.com/featured/details-on-the-pm21-venue-and-virtual-platform/

Podchaser has upgraded its interface as it looks to become the IMDB of podcasting.  I actually created a profile that lists every show I've hosted, produced, edited, and even guested on.  You can see how it looks here: https://jagindetroit.com/podcastcredits

If you're looking to get donations from your podcast listeners, and don't want to go the Patreon route, you can now use the Stripe platform without a website. 

Want help with your new, or existing podcast?  Find me online at www.jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Last week, Matty ended up in some hot water over comments he made around Demi Lovato's announcement of being "non-binary" and wanting to be referred to as not "he" or "she," but rather "they."   And the brass at iHeartMedia told Matty not to talk about it. Now I'm not going to delve into any culture wars here - there are strong opinions on all sides.  For me, the more cut-and-dry issue is what happened Thursday.   Here's the audio, as posted to Twitter.  And I'll warn you - it's cringeworthy.

Now look, you can argue about censorship and corporate control all you want.  And we've all had a toxic, abusive boss like this - whether you've worked in media or elsewhere.  Berating an employee like this was never OK, but there was a time when it was accepted.   But this is 2021, not the set of Mad Men.   And for Matty to throw a temper tantrum like this, over his co-worker abiding by the direction of her direct supervisor is beyond the pale.   

https://twitter.com/JAGinDetroit/status/1395472477422292994?s=20

Were you cringing when you were listening?  Now imagine how YOUR listener would feel if you did that on your podcast.   Some hosts live in the "controversial" realm, and have strong opinions about sticky subjects.  And some are snarky and sarcastic.  But to be a truly terrible person to someone who is undeserving of such wrath paints you in a terrible light.  Whenever you're recording your show, be mindful of how your words and tone come across to your audience.

And it matters off the air too.  Bob Garfield, a 20 year public radio host in New York City was just fired. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/23/business/media/wnyc-public-radio-bullying.html

Onto this week's podcasting news: Netflix is expanding into podcasting - looking to hire someone to be in charge of it.  There are also rumors of an offshoot called "N Plus," which is a HORRIBLE name and hopefully not true. https://www.protocol.com/netflix-survey-nplus-show-playlists

Apple has announced an affiliate program to help with its new subscription service. Like the new Apple Podcasts, it's got plenty of glitches.  I wouldn't dive too deep into it yet.

Spotify will now work for podcasts on your Apple Watch.  Meanwhile, according to PodNews, Spotify's Anchor platform booted a musician....for using his own music in his podcast.

Some folks use the online file service Auphonic to mix and master their podcasts with AI.  They will now have integration with Microsoft OneDrive. https://auphonic.com/blog/2021/05/20/microsoft-onedrive-integration-auphonic/
 

Samsung was the biggest new US podcast advertiser in April.  But BetterHelp is still spending the most money.  That's looking good for May too, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Until next week, stay safe and stay healthy - both physically and mentally.  And don't be a jerk. 

To connect, find me on my website: www.jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Incidentally, that's a lesson that baby radio DJ's have to learn.  When we first crack the mic, the world is our oyster. But to succeed as an entertainer, you have to make the content about the listener.  Memo to college senior Jag: No pop radio listeners in Syracuse, New York care about the Patriots winning their first Super Bowl?  Get the idea?

Seth Rogen is developing a podcast for SiriusXM and Stitcher.  And Spotify will exclusively host Michigan Native Dax Shephard's Armchair Expert podcast.   They'll still be free, but only on Spotify as of June 1st.

Speaking of Spotify, they'll soon roll out high fidelity audio for music and transcription for podcasts. Also, combining both sides of their business, they have now figured out a way to let podcasters use full songs, not just clips, in their podcasts.  It has to do with their music licensing deals.  Sounds great, right?  Well, hang on a second.  This will work on Spotify, but you still can't legally publish that same show on Apple and other platforms.  And that's important, because Apple and Spotify are still the biggest two platforms out there. Who's got a bigger slice of the pie? Well, depends who you ask.   Podcast host Libsyn has Apple way ahead, but podcast host Buzzsprout has Spotify in a dead heat.  Now there's a lot of technical back-end reasons for this discrepancy. James Cridland, as always, breaks this down brilliantly in Podnews here: https://podnews.net/article/spotify-apple-podcasts-market-leader

But the key takeaway is this.   Be everywhere you can be.  At the very least, make sure your podcast is on Apple, Spotify, and Google.  And you can consider other desintations like Stitcher, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, and Pandora.  It doesn't cost you a dime to be on any of these, so you may as well do it.

Podcast advertising grew 19% in 2020, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau.  And listeners don't mind commercials.  In fact, they are more effective in the podcast medium, according to a study from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights, as reported by PodNews: https://podnews.net/press-release/cumulus-signal-hill

Podcast Movement first week of August in Nashville: They've announced their first group of speakers, and have a scholarship program open to students: https://podcastmovement.com/featured/1st-round-of-pm21-speakers-announced-plus-scholarship-applications-are-open/

I'm looking forward to my first in-person podcasting event in two years. And if you're coming to Nashville, I'd love to connect.  Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Speaking of audience, podcast Facebook groups are always littered with the question "How do I grow my audience?"  Some are looking for hacks or cheap tricks.  Others are willing to invest time and effort into tried and true strategies.  But this week's newsletter from Vancouver podcast company JAR audio breaks it down so beautifully simply: 

• The One Question to Answer to Grow Your Brand Podcast Audience. Why should someone listen to my brand's podcast?

There are a million ways to try to game the charts, artificially increase your downloads, and otherwise stroke your own ego with numbers.  But if you want true, honest growth on your podcast, start with the content.  Why would someone else want to  listen?

The IAB, or Interactive Advertising Bureau, projects that not only will podcasting revenue hit ONE billion dollars this year, but it will hit TWO billion dollars by 2023.  https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/iab-projects-2-billion-in-ad-revenue-by-2023

For example, The New York Times has announced their Q1/21 results. Revenues overall are up 6.6%; digital advertising revenue, which includes podcasts, grew from 48.2% of the company’s revenue a year ago to 61.3%.

Also, iHeartMedia reported their first quarter earnings, with Year over Year numbers doubling, from nearly $16 million to over $38 million.  Worth noting their total revenue is DOWN 10% year over year.    But hey, they have launched a self service ad platform where you can create an ad to run on your favorite podcast or radio station.   Looks like they're automating away sales people the way they did on-air DJ's.   I feel like I say this every week, but it's worth repeating.  iHeartMedia, Audacy, and many other companies are focused on podcasting and digital audio.  These are huge companies that have to answer to stockholders.  The only way that radio will survive is if it's owned by smaller companies that can afford to invest in local markets and local talent that can connect with their audiences.   For iHeart, it's hard to care about  Cheyenne when you're worrying about New York.

Let's do a quick check-in on Apple Podcasts - James Cridland at PodNews says they are now crawling his feed for new content every 20 minutes as opposed to two hours. And it seems the bugs are slowly being worked out of the new system.  However, for some users, the new iOS update seems to be downloading every episode of every podcast you subscribe to - this can be a major issue if you've got limited storage space left on your device.  Here's an article on how to fix that: https://tidbits.com/2021/05/04/prevent-apples-updated-podcasts-app-from-eating-your-storage/

Now, while Apple struggles, Spotify continues to revolutionize the podcast space.  If you like a particular story in a podcast, you can now share that exact SPOT in a podcast to social media through Spotify.  For example, share today's episode at this spot....right here.

Finally, if you want to know more about Clubhouse - now available on Android in the US - the venerable Edison Research is doing a webinar about all things Clubhouse this Tuesday, May 18th, at 2pm Eastern. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6516203299295/WN_U80SXPDQROenIIxcNmYPJA

As always, if I can help you start or improve your existing podcast, feel free to reach out to me on social media at JAG in Detroit or on my website, JAGinDetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Personally, I've had no issues with the Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard - under either of the two accounts I use it with.  But I think I'm one of the lucky ones - every podcast newsletter I get is littered with horror stories of folks who can't get in, can't add new shows, or can't get new episodes to show up.  Also, according to PodNews, Apple Podcasts is no longer taking your info straight from your RSS feed.  Instead, they are crawling your show, the way Google does with a website.  But while other podcast apps check every few minutes, it appears Apple only crawls every two hours or so, which has resulted in a delay of new episodes showing up, even for subscribers.  Just to be safe, I recorded this on Wednesday and set it for a Thursday midnight release, so hopefully you have it by the time you wake up on Thursday.

Here's the explainer from PodNews: https://podnews.net/article/apple-podcasts-new-episode

Speaking OF show notes, you may not see them this week - particularly if you're listening in the new Apple Podcasts.  Those aren't showing up correctly either.  You will see them, however, if you're listening in Spotify, Google Podcasts, or if you're watching or listening at  JAGinDetroit.com.  Frustrating.

As I mentioned last week, Apple was first in to the podcasting space, and they got fat and lazy as a result.  As the space blew up over the past year they though, "We'd better make some changes."  Looks like the bugs weren't worked out before the big launch, and now, sadly, it's messing with people's livelihoods.  Do better, Apple.  Do better.

With all the news last week about paid subscription models from Apple and Spotify, no news from Google.  They seem to be taking the opposite approach.  They are moving at a glacial pace, but seem to try to get it right before releasing anything new.

A new "um removal" service is online - Cleanvoice claims to use AI to remove "ums" and "uhs" from your audio.  The website is Cleanvoice dot AI, if you wanna give it a try.  It's been my experience that AI isn't as smooth an editor as a real human being, but I'd be curious how it works if you try it.  Again, CleanVoice (all one word) dot AI. 

As far as the real human editors, some news around popular free audio editing software Audacity this week.  A company called Muse Group claims to have bought Audacity.  Now the program is free and open source, so it's not clear what the Muse Group actually owns besides the trademark, according to PodNews.  But it could mean better support for the app?  Stay tuned.  Again, that's the AUDACITY app, not to be confused with AUDACY, the new name of the second biggest radio station owner in the US, who thought Audacy would be a better app name and website than...oh i dunno....RADIO DOT COM.

While corporate radio continues to corporate radio...Podcasting is  continuing to grow in all areas:  Nielsen, the company that does ratings for TV, radio, and lots of web stuff, has launched a Podcast Ad Effectiveness tool to measure the success of ads: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-releases/2021/nielsen-launches-podcast-ad-effectiveness-to-measure-digitally-inserted-podcast-ads-in-real-time/

And on the content side:  A podcast is coming from Chelsea Handler (an advice column). Pop duo The Chainsmokers are launching a singing competition via podcast on Audible in the near future.  And the Tribeca Film Festival in New York will include podcasts this year.

Finally, I'm planning on attending Podcast Movement in person this August in Nashville.  If you're on the fence about going, they've got a cool program where you can buy the Virtual Ticket, then upgrade and pay the difference if you decide you'd go in person this summer.  https://podcastmovement.com/featured/pm21-virtual-attendance-southeast-meetup-tour-and-more/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Here are the key takeaways.  For podcast listeners, you'll be able to "group" shows, and the new "smart play" button will know which episode to start you with on a show - for example, the first episode of Serial vs the last episode of The Daily.  

The big changes are for podcast creators.  Apple will be rolling out a subscription model that will allow you to charge users for your podcast.  Apple will take a 30% commission of whatever you charge in year one, then 15% after that. Yikes.  They are supposedly also improving the Apple Podcasts Connect Dashboard.  So if you haven't logged in over the last 10 days or so, hop on over there and accept the new terms of service.   If you're like me, and don't read those things, Cridland also spies a mention of Windows and Android.   After all, Google Podcasts are available on iOS - maybe Apple Podcasts will finally come to Android?

So what do Subscriptions in Apple mean for you as a podcaster? Likely, nothing.  Think about this for a second.  Realistically, for someone to pay for your podcast on Apple, two criteria need to be met.  One, your podcast needs to be exclusive to Apple so it can be found for free somewhere else.  Two, your content has to be SO good, that people are willing to add one more line item to their monthly budget, on top of Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and any other subscriptions.   I don't have the hubris to think THIS show meets that mark.  I hope you don't either.

Now, you've heard me say for awhile that Apple, despite being "first in" to the podcast space, is fat and lazy.  Well, it would have been hard to screw up this launch any worse than they did last week.   Shows disappeared, people couldn't log in to their dashboards, people couldn't add new shows, and more.  There's a list of bugs as of Tuesday here: https://transistor.fm/apple-podcasts-problem

Apple, if you truly want to be a leader in the space, you gotta work out the bugs ahead of a giant launch.  And when problems happen, you should probably not go "radio silent" for the better part of a week.  If you listen really closely...you can hear Steve Jobs rolling over in his grave.

For me personally, as recently as Wednesday of this week, I was trying to catch up on The Daily and some other shows.  And my Apple Podcasts app would NOT play them.  Seems to be OK today after restarting my phone, but yesterday, I just hopped on over to Spotify, and I can't be the only one.

Speaking OF Spotify, THEY are also hopping on the monetization train.  Following revenue and subscriber gains in Q1 of this year, they are giving you the opportunity to monetize your show through their Anchor platform.  Now they won't take a cut the first two years, and only 5% starting in 2023.  Shots fired, Apple.  The catches: to pay, listeners have to be re-routed to the Anchor website and creators will have to part ways with credit card processing fees.   But again, if your show isn't platform specific, and worth paying for, is it really worth it?  

And with the debate raging over privacy, and Tim Cook saying Apple will share less of your data, how much will you really know about your subscribers?  That's why Tom Webster of Edison Research says the best thing you can do right now - is get your listeners to subscribe to an email list.  https://tomwebster.media/archive/preparing-for-paid-subscriptions/

And Evo Terra adds, you shouldn't have anxiety around these podcast changes. https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/reducing-your-anxiety-around-big-podcasting-changes

Facebook jumped in on the audio fray in the last week as well with a suite of what they collectively call "social audio."   Thanks to SoundBites, you'll be able to post short audio clips like you do pics and video.   You'll also be able to listen to podcasts within the Facebook app, thanks in part to their continued partnership with Spotify.  (Facebook, after all, wants to keep you in their app as long as possible).  And, they are launching an audio-only version of their "Rooms" feature - which previously had been a video chat version.  This, ostensibly, will compete with Clubhouse.

Here's the link to their press release. https://about.fb.com/news/2021/04/bringing-social-audio-experiences-to-facebook/

Finally, as I mentioned at the top, my wife and I loaded up the car and took our pandemic pup to Hilton Head Island last week.  After both staring at these same four walls for 13 months, it was nice to have a change of scenery, warm weather, and walks on the beach.  We mainly got takeout, masked up in public, and folks down there were pretty compliant with masks as well.   It was a much needed break, and we were able to do it because we both got vaccinated.   Please go out and get the shot.  And if you post to social, as my friend Matt Friedman says - don't focus on the side effects - you will scare away those on the fence.  Talk about the things you can't wait to do, not that you had chills and a fever for a day. https://tannerfriedman.com/blog/heres-how-you-can-help-the-looming-vaccination-crisis

These new variants are highly contagious and not to be messed with.    Someone in my life passed away from COVID complications last night.  Until next week, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata.

Additional Content:
Wall Street Journal Breakdown on Apple Podcast Changes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-spotify-and-the-new-battle-over-who-wins-podcasting-11619170206

JAG in Detroit Podcasts Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don't.

People have such limited attention spans - don't ask them to spend time with content that, as a creator, even YOU aren't confident in.  Case in point - yesterday's press conference from Michigan's governor, Gretchen Whitmer.  The CDC was pressuring her to shut the state back down, since we lead the nation in COVID numbers right now.  Governor Whitmer, who, full disclosure, I'm a fan of, initially refused but called a presser yesterday afternoon. Rumors swirled about the announcement of a 45 day lockdown and more.

What did the Governor do?  Nothing.  She emphasized the importance of vaccines, and new COVID treatments, but she changed nothing.  I was expecting news, and I got none.  Just more jokes about governments having meetings to decide to have a meeting.  When delivery doesn't meet expectation, you turn people away.  The same is true of your podcast.  Which reminds me, no JAG Show next week due to some scheduling conflicts.  

Onto this week's news- more from Steve Goldstein and James Cridland's look at Apple's 2 million podcasts.  Only EIGHT PERCENT have over 10 episodes AND have released in the last week.  Competition is not as stiff as you thought.  https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/m7ei93yk38uivdv5llgbfkv7li87xw

On the other side of the device divide - Google Podcasts is now at 100 million installs, that's up from only 50 million 4 months ago.  Podcasts hosts now say Google Podcasts is the CLEAR #3 platform behind Apple and Spotify so make sure your podcast is listed there.  Theoretically, Google will crawl your podcast like a website, but you can help it along my claiming your show at https://podcastsmanager.google.com/

From two of the biggest podcasters around.  Mark Maron will take home the first ever Governors Award from the Podcast Academy - their highest honor . Meanwhile Spotify quietly deleted 42 more episodes of the Joe Rogan experience.  I won't get into a debate about censorship here, but when you take $100 million from a company, you gotta play by their rules.  Speaking of Spotify, they've debuted their own charts for top podcasts and top episodes.  Beware Apple - objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-14/5-fast-facts-about-spotifys-new-podcast-charts

If you're looking to record a podcast with multiple people in the same room, Rode Microphones announced the Rode Connect, which will allow you to connect 4 of their NT USB Mini microphones to one computer with its own mixer.  Definitely better than putting a Blue Yeti in the middle of a table, but I'd say beware of mic bleed.  Press release, via Podnews: https://podnews.net/press-release/rode-connect  Also, there is new software for the Rodecaster Pro mobile studio in Beta - I haven't tried it yet.  Let someone else work out the kinks.

Podcasting continues to be a silver lining in the pandemic - UK podcast host producer AudioBoom tripled their revenue in 2020 - to $26.8 million, according to Podcast Business Journal.

The New York Times has it's 4th annual student podcast competition: it's open to ages 11 to 19. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/learning/our-fourth-annual-student-podcast-contest.html

Libsyn buys podcast monetization platform Glow, and Vox Media has acquired Cafe Studio, founded by former United States attorney Preet Bharara. 

And finally, a big piece of news in the evolution of podcasting.  Gimlet Media and Bill Simmons' The Ringer, both owned by Spotify, have ratified a union contract with the Writers Guild of America, East. It establishes job security and paid vacation for writer, and get this, a starting salary of $57,000, or, roughly, three times what I made in my first radio job in 2004.

If you need help getting started with your podcast, contact me via my website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Twitter almost bought Clubhouse. Business Insider says they were in talks to buy the platform for $4 billion, but those talks fizzled out.  As far as this week's actual acquisitions, Spotify bought Locker Room, sports version of Clubhouse. and Libsyn bought Advertise Cast.

Speaking of Spotify, have they overtaken Apple?  Looks like we're going to get some competing data for awhile.  Podcast host Buzzsprout says they had more downloads on Spotify than Apple Podcasts in March. As far as podcast hosts, they appear to be on their own with this claim.   Other hosts still say Apple is number one, but we could be seeing the beginnings of a sea change.

At the other end of the spectrum, Samsung mobile phones are going to come with the Samsung Free app, which you can also use to listen to podcasts.  We'll see if that affects Spotify and Google Podcasts on Android devices.

iHeartMedia is continuing to pad its All Star roster, announcing podcasts  with Robin Roberts, Bethany Frankel, and Chelsea Clinton.  They've bought and leveraged their way into being the top podcast publisher by audience, according to Podtrac.  As for their app, not a ton of use outside radio circles.

Amazon continues to invest in the podcasting space. Podcast producer Wondery, now owned by Amazon, going to double its staff, hiring in California. https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/wondery-jen-sargent-podcast-double-staff-1234942792/

This morning, I had a client ask if she should ask for reviews at the end of her show.  It's a common misconception that reviews will get you to the top of Apple's charts.  What actually gets you to the top is an algorithm that Apple won't share, but we have learned that gaining new subscribers, now called followers, helps.  But more importantly, the charts aren't how people find podcasts.  Top 3 methods of podcast discovery are internet searches, social media, and old school word of mouth.

While we're on the topic of Apple's charts, Dan Misener of Pacific Content says a year ago, so-called "G-dCasts," or religious podcasts, were the top category. Now, in 2021, it's Education, followed by Society and Culture.  Misner also says, if on the fence, pick the least crowded category for your show. https://blog.pacific-content.com/the-most-crowded-categories-in-apple-podcasts-april-2021-edition-273b3d59866e

PodChaser has brought back its Reviews For Good program, donating 20 cents to Meals on Wheels for every review you leave on their platform. https://www.podchaser.com/articles/reviews4good/reviews4good-2021

I often get asked how to monetize your podcast. It's not easy.  Generally speaking, you've got to have a ton of downloads, or have a really specific niche to your podcast.  But here's some good news.

The IAB, or Interactive Advertising Bureau, says advertising in the digital audio space was up 12.2% in 2020, despite the pandemic. 

If you are wondering about the effectiveness of podcast ads, consider this.  I heard enough live read ads on Pod Save America for Magic Spoon cereal that I finally decided to try it.  The idea is that its sweet like the cereal you had as a kid, but high in protein and low in carbs and sugar.  And they say it's less than 2 bucks a bowl.  Problem is, minimum purchase is 4 boxes, and even with discount codes, that's $35.  I finished my first box, the chocolate, which is basically a Cocoa Krispies knockoff.  Little sweet, but not bad.  I still have the Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Frosted Flakes knockoff flavors to try. Bottom line, not bad, but not worth $35.  Now I'm not saying go back to sugary cereal, but some carbs are OK.  We need to stop vilifying them, just ask my registered dietician client, Melissa Joy Dobbins, host of the Sound Bites podcast.  But my point is, podcast advertising works.

Squadcast has a blog on monetizing your podcast, including promo exchanges, targeting advertisers, working with large agencies, and even trying a service like Podcorn to pair podcasters up with advertisers.  I'm going to try it.: https://squadcast.fm/blog/make-money-heres-how

Squadcast is still my preferred remote recording app, but they have a limit of 4 participants.  I have been using Riverside.FM for larger groups on a recording.  And big news from Riverside this week - they have an iOS app in public beta.  The idea behind it is that if your guest has an iPhone or iPad, you can have them on your podcast or video, using their device's camera and microphone.  Again, it's still in beta, but could be a game changer if you have remote guests that aren't easily in front of a computer.

Other tech news this week - Spotify is testing a "Hey Spotify" feature that will work like Google, Siri, or Alexa to allow your Spotify app to play music or podcasts.   And for those of you, who like me, use the Rodecaster Pro box, THEY have a firmware update, also in Beta.  It's got enhanced features for the sound pad buttons, a button to mute audio on the fly, and something they call the "trash talk" button, that will mute everything being sent over Bluetooth or USB to your guest.  Not a huge fan of the name, and remember that golden rule of broadcasting.  Always assume any mic you are around is hot.

Finally, a huge thank you to Professor Tina Perkins and her Newhouse class at Syracuse University, who had me join them via Zoom as a guest speaker this week.   It's been quite a journey over the last 20 years, working my way through radio, then eventually starting my own podcasting company and watching it grow.  To be asked to come back and speak to some really insightful and engaged students at my alma mater was a really cool and humbling moment for me.  A bucket list item for sure.

As always, if I can help you create or improve your existing podcast, find me online at www.jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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When in radio, I rolled eyes at those "bitter old radio guys" who said "back in my day." This is not me being bitter about being out of radio.  Professionally, I'm really happy.  But what upsets me is what's happened to an industry that I loved.  

Radio has been around for over 100 years, and traditionally, rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.   But there's been a perfect storm of threats to music radio over the last 25 years.  Music and personality have been music radio's two unique selling points, and now it has neither.

Today, I'll tell you how we got here - through corporate consolidation, voice tracking, and an overreaction to a new rating system.   I'll also tell you how the two biggest radio owners in the country are running away from that very word, "radio."  First it was iHeart, now it's Entercom, with their rebrand to "Audacy" and abandoning of all things radio dot com.

Finally, I explain what could still save radio.  Its a longshot.  But I'm saying there's a chance.

Connect with JAG online: https://jagindetroit.com/

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LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongay18/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Nielsen says podcast audiences are getting diverse and there could be some great advertising opportunities in the space: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/report/2021/podcasting-today/

BetterHelp still #1 at $4.3 million spent on podcasts in February.

That's good because another study says people aren't ready to pay for podcasts - so revenue would have to come from advertisers:  https://variety.com/vip/most-podcast-listeners-still-lukewarm-on-paying-for-podcasts-data-suggests-1234934767/

New group measures how polarizing podcasts are. Just because you CAN say it doesn't mean you SHOULD! :) https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/podcasting-advertising-media-roundtable-1234932495/

Spotify tweaking its interface to help you find podcasts based on previous listening: https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/spotify-just-made-your-podcast-life-easier

Captions in Podcasts on Desktop Chrome Browser: https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/17/22337074/chrome-real-time-live-captions-audio-accessibility

(via Podcast Business Journal) Does being a podcaster help your chances of getting a job? Ginni Sarawati writes in Vault:  https://www.vault.com/blogs/workplace-issues/how-podcasting-boosts-your-chances-of-getting-hired

1. Highlights and Increases your communications skills
2. Helps build your personal brand
3. Showcases your expertise
4. Expands your technical skills

Signal Hill Insights has looked at Clubhouse, finding that its users are mainly men 35 and under (article via PodNews): https://signalhillinsights.com/whos-in-the-clubhouse/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-03-25

As always, if I can help you create, or improve your existing podcast.  Find me online:

https://jagindetroit.com/

Or email me: jag@jaginderoit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But mindset is also important too.  I recorded last week's pod in my office, because I was also doing video and the lighting was better.  But when I went back and watched the video, my energy was down. I was in an "office" type of mindset - the same room I take conference calls in.  And oh by the way, my wife is on a lot of conference calls for her job a few rooms away.  So this week, I'm back in my studio, with sound padding on the walls, where I can project and have a little more energy.  And hopefully the lighting is better thanks to this Logitech Brio webcam and ring light. 

OK on to this week's podcasting news:

Remote recording apps are adding versatility.  Squadcast now has a video option (I haven't tried it yet).  Riverside (which I use when I have more than 4 participants or clients want video) now has an option to only record audio.   And Zencastr now has a video option which you can turn video on or off for.  Also, tip of the cap to my fellow podcast producer Johnny Peterson of Straight Up Podcasts - who  points out that Zencastr announced they'd be free during the pandemic.  Problem is, there's no end in sight to the pandemic. What's the cutoff.  Great marketing for Zencastr,  but better for the consumer. If you want to try something for free - try Zencastr.  Also popular, StreamYard, which I know Steve Steward and the Podcast Editors Academy use - and I may jump onto a live stream with fellow podcast producer Matt Cundil of the Sound Off Media company in the coming weeks.

The new version of Apple's iOS, version 14.5, will have some tweaks to the Apple Podcasts app.  There will be a big "latest episode" button so folks can sample podcasts they aren't subscribed to.  Also, beware starting your show with an ad.   You've only got one chance at a first impression.  It works for some (Joe Rogan), but it may not be the best idea. Source: The Feed Podcast https://thefeed.libsyn.com/186-follow-us

Some news on big podcasting convetions.  The in-person of PodFest Expo, originally scheduled for Orlando, has been postponed, with the rescheduled dates TBA.  As of right now, Podcast Movement 2021 is still scheduled for Nashville the first week of August - which I'm planning on attending at least as of this recording.  Podcast Movement has also released their 2022 schedule - with Podcast Evolutions happening in Los Angeles March 22-26, and Podcast Movement returning to Dallas (after 2020's postponement) August 23-26th.

Told you last week about the release of biggest annual study in podcasting- the 2021 Infinite Dial from Edison Research.  http://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Infinite-Dial-2021.pdf

Here are some additional takeaways.

First from Podcast Business Journal: https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/podcast-listening-booming/

The amount of monthly podcast listeners jumped 10% in the last year alone - 116 million American adults (41%) now listen to podcasts every month.

The amount of weekly podcast listeners jumped 17% since 2020 - to 80 million weekly listeners.

The percentage of audio listening dedicated to podcasts has tripled since 2014.

As James Cridland of Podnews points out: 12-34 year olds now make up half of US podcast listeners, with 56% listening to podcasts every month.  This is a GREAT way to reach an otherwise tough-to-pin-down demographic. https://podnews.net/update/infinite-dial-21

And finally, for those of us Xennials - those are borderline Gen X and Millennials...actually maybe Millennials too - everything old is new again.  There's a DUCKTALES podcast coming from Disney. It's called "This Duckburg Life." Here's a preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByqmF4c9C9c

As always, if you need help creating or improving a podcast, find me at https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you're watching this on video, I bought a new webcam- the Logitech Brio. It's got multiple angles and zooms, with great definition.  If you want to do video professionally, that's the one to get.  I still think video is better for shorter podcasts, but YouTube can be useful as discovery engine.

On Thursday, Edison Research unveiled its 2021 Infinite Dial Survey, which for my money, is the gold standard in podcasting data. Now the study of US Adults covers everything from smart devices to social media to in-car listening, to even video games, but the podcasting data is what I'm drawn to every year.

Weekly time spent listening to all online audio is now at an all time high, with a jump of one hour in TSL this year to 16 hours, 14 minutes. And Spotify is now the biggest player in online audio. It hasn’t yet beaten Apple in podcasting specifically, but it’s making huge gains overall. 

 Demographics are continuing to diversify – still majority white, but gains in Black and Hispanic Americans have gotten closer to an overall representation of the US Population.

US Weekly podcast listeners listen to an average of 8 episodes per week, across 5.1 different shows.

US population 12+, regarding podcasting compared to a year ago, pre-pandemic:

• 222 million (78%) now familiar with podcasting – up from 75% in 2020
• 162 million (57%) have ever listened to a podcast – up from 55% in 2020
• 116 million (41%) are monthly podcast listeners – up from 37% in 2020
• 80 million (28%)  are weekly podcast listeners  - up from 24% in 2020

Finally, seemingly proving my theory that the iHeartRadio app is well promoted, but not widely used among people who don't actually work in radio:  72% of survey respondents had awareness of the iHeartRadio brand, thanks to its massive push on terrestrial radio - but only 10% had actually used the app in the last month. Womp Womp.

Here is a link to the entire Infinite Dial study.  It’s long, but mostly graphs and a quick skim.

http://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Infinite-Dial-2021.pdf

Other podcasting news this week:

Better analytics coming to Google Podcasts, including like and dislike buttons.

Entercom buys Podcorn for $22.5 million - a platform to connect podcasters with advertisers. They already bought Pineapple Street Studios and Cadence 13. Want to own vertical.

Cuban's fireside in Beta on iOS: https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/5/22315866/mark-cuban-fireside-app-podcast-platform-clubhouse

Twitter "Spaces" rolling out to all in April.

Apple curating podcasts for kids: https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/08/apple-teams-with-common-sense-media-to-curate-podcasts-for-kids/

If you want to know more about podcasting, or if I can help you launch or improve your existing podcast, find me at www.jagindetroit.com or send me an email: jag@jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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In my presentations, I always talk about podcast listeners.  Statistically, they are more educated and earn more money than your average American. It's an audience that my clients want to reach.  Well, one more stat to add - podcast listeners are more diverse than the rest of the population.  According to Nielsen, the US is 67% white, but American podcast listeners are only 59% Caucasian, with Black, LatinX, and Asian Americans all better represented among podcast listeners. https://www.warc.com/content/paywall/article/warc-datapoints/podcast-listeners-more-diverse-than-us-population/135819

eMarketer says Spotify will surpass Apple this year: https://www.emarketer.com/content/spotify-podcast-listener-numbers-will-surpass-apples-this-year

Scientia Mobile: Android use 60% in North America to iOS 40%.   I'm still an Apple guy, but make sure you're on at least Spotify and Google Podcasts. (via Podnews): https://podnews.net/update/android-gaining-on-ios

Howie Mandel, my celebrity doppelganger, is launching a podcast this month with his daughter Jackie, called, simply, Howie Mandel Does Stuff.   Also getting a podcast, Lady Bird Johnson, the former first lady. ABC News is releasing her audio diaries, in an 8 part podcast, in celebration of Women's History Month.

Looking for a new computer to podcast with? The Podcast Host has an article on the best computers for your needs. https://www.thepodcasthost.com/equipment/best-computer-for-podcasting

And as far as the rest of your equipment, I have recommendations for the rest of your equipment - microphones and more - here:  https://bit.ly/jagpodcastequipment

LinkedIn is rolling out a marketplace to compete with Fiverr and Upwork. They've seen the gig economy, particularly in the pandemic, and they want a piece of the action.  As for me, I'm leery of these services - I think you get what you pay for. 

The country's largest radio station owner, iHeartMedia - is continuing it's dead sprint away from radio - splitting the company into two divisions.  One will be the iHeart Digital Audio Group - including, you guessed it, podcasting.  The other division will simply be called the iHeart Multiplatform group.  Yes, that's right - radio isn't even in the name.  The writing is on the wall, everyone.  iHeart does not see terrestrial radio as important to its long-term future.  Here's the press release, via PodNews: https://podnews.net/press-release/ihm-biz-structure

If you're watching this on video - I'm presenting at PodFest, tonight - Wednesday - at 7:30 Eastern - doing a demo and Q&A on how I use the newest features of Adobe Audition to edit podcasts.  If you're listening to this as a podcast on Thursday, well, hopefully it went well!  Well, Evo Terra wonders about the future of podcast conventions - or any convention really.  Yes, we all miss doing these things in person - but Evo makes a good point - it's easier to bail on a bad presenter on Zoom than it is to walk out of a room in real life.  It's a good read: https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/the-future-of-podcasting-conferences-post-pandemic

Finally, last tip - too many times podcasters clutter the end of their show by asking you to do 10 things.  I'm going to focus on one, to grow my audience.  If you like The Jag Show, please consider sharing it with someone else who may enjoy it - social media, email, however.  Sharing the show will help me grow my audience.  I'll leave the rest of the housekeeping stuff to Michelle O'Dell, the voice of my outtro.  Until next time, stay healthy, and stay safe. Lata!

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Apple: https://itunesconnect.apple.com/login

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/

Google Podcasts: https://podcastsmanager.google.com/

OK, today's main topic: My first impressions of the Clubhouse App.  Yes, it's only available on iOS at this point, not Android.  Sorry guys.   At first, I wasn't going to join - after all, my newly-turned-40-year-old self had decided I was too old for TikTok, and my Snapchat account has been dormant since the end of my radio career 3 1/2 years ago.  I didn't want to deal with another app.   But my client Melissa Joy Dobbins (Shout out to the Sound Bites nutrition podcast) suggested it might be a great vehicle for me to connect with clients and potential podcasters.  

So far, I like the spontaneity. When I joined, all of a sudden I was in a room having a conversation with a college buddy in Miami.  Yesterday, I saw a professional contact pop up and I said hello to her - giving me a chance to reconnect.  And I'm going to talk to some fellow podcast producers about potentially doing an AMA - or ask me anything about podcasts.    Yes, the app has some security concerns - most do.  But if Facebook is already sending me targeted ads for Schitt's Creek t-shirts and online casinos, how much privacy do I really have?

Here's how I know Clubhouse is something to take note of.  Facebook and Twitter are already testing out products to compete, and Mark Cuban is launching something called  Fireside to compete with Clubhouse. Their point of differentiation - the ability to monetize.  Cuban's big audio takeaways from an interview with Erica Mandy in Business Insider:

1. Streaming is the future, and legacy companies need to get on board in order to survive
2. These days, audio is just as competitive as video because the barrier to entry is lower and there’s no pressure to look nice.
3. As new technology emerges, media will continue to evolve — and creators must keep up.
4. Anyone can be a broadcaster, but you still need to figure out how to gain traction with an audience.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/mark-cuban-dives-into-the-future-of-podcasting-and-media-2021-2

Podcasting continues to grow among big names. New podcasters include Bill Clinton, Kurt Angle, Paris Hilton, Mike Pence and a new show co-hosted by Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen.  Even a radio station in Jacksonville has launched something called the TrevorCast. It's going to focus on Clemson  quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars are almost guaranteed to select with the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.  But the draft isn't until April 29th - can you imagine if Jacksonville traded the pick?

Podcasting is now big enough to attract hackers and ransomware.   Hosts Buzzsprout, Podbean, Spreaker, and Captivate were all targets of DDOS - or denial of service attacks this week.  Leave it to Podnews founder James Cridland to track down the Russian hacker who appears responsible.   Cridland says the hacker made a bunch of stuff up about exposing vulnerabilities and needing Bitcoin to pay for a sick mother's surgery.  What's more likely, according to Cridland, is that this hacker saw how big podcasting is getting, and wanted to make a quick buck.  https://podnews.net/article/ddos-team-podcasts?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-02-24

Spotify launched new tools for podcasters this week, including interactive polls, ability to add video, and most notably to me - a way to turn Wordpress content into a podcast. Stay tuned on that: https://www.axios.com/spotify-interactive-podcast-tools-218eb4d1-9a9f-4dd4-b0fc-5d56a22b3e12.html

The Wynn hotel in Vegas is buying sports podcast network Blue Wire and putting a podcast studio in their lobby.  One more thing to check out if I ever make it back there after quarantine - my favorite vacation spot in the continental US.

Blubrry: 10 Tips for Connecting with Your Audience on Social Media: https://blubrry.com/podcast-insider/2021/02/15/10-tips-for-connecting-with-your-podcast-audience-on-social-media/

The Podcast Host: Why Your Podcasts Are Like Pets: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/mindset/podcasts-are-like-pets/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-02-12

Finally, I'm doing a 30-minute Demo and Q&A with on the audio editing features of Adobe Audition on Wednesday 3/3 as part of the Podcast Editors Conference at  Podfest Global. More here: https://podfestexpo.com/

As always, if you need help fine tuning, or even creating a podcast, you can find me at jagindetroit.com - or email me - jag@jagindetroit.com.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also in the last week, Adam Corolla went on Fox Business with Robert Ellin, the CEO of a company called LiveXLive. They said podcast video will drive the industry's growth over the next 5-7 years, to somewhere between $5 and $10 billion annually.   Look, I get it, podcasters want to be on video.  And as a radio purist, I've always been against it.  But I started offering my clients video recording, because 1) they were asking for it and 2) it would be foolish for me, as a business owner, to turn away a potential revenue stream.  So there is an upside.

However, I will say - don't turn your back on pure audio.  There will always be a place for it - for example, I listen to podcasts when walking my dog or driving somewhere.  And especially during the pandemic, I am sooo  burnt out on Zoom calls and video chats.  Step away from the screen, close your eyes (as long as you're not driving), and listen.  It's a much more immersive, connected experience.  We spend enough time staring at screens as is.

PodNews reports that on Spotify's quarterly earnings call, they said a quarter of all their users listen to podcasts.  And they host more shows (2.2 million total) than Apple. https://podnews.net/update/spotify-q42020?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-02-04

Speaking of Spotify, there's a report about a new patent of theirs that will terrify privacy advocates.  They want to use the microphone in your phone to determine your mood and other demographic data to better suggest music for you. Yikes. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotifys-latest-invention-will-determine-your-emotional-state-from-your-speech-and-suggest-music-based-on-it

Chartable reports there were almost 900,000 new podcasts in 2020.  That's two per minute.  Also worth noting -these are worldwide numbers - and only half of those shows were in English.  And internationally, Spotify does better than Apple Podcasts.  The latter of which is expected to redesign their app once again in iOS 14.5.   Here's a link to the Chartable study: https://chartable.com/blog/2020-year-in-review

Colin Cowherd and iHeart are teaming up to launch the Volume podcast network.  iHeart continues its strategy of landing big names, as opposed to growing talent, like, you know, when they staffed radio local radio stations.

If you liked today's Five Minute Friday version of the Jag Show, please share it with someone else you think will enjoy it - sharing the pod is how you can help the show grow.  And as always, if you need help with YOUR podcast, you can find me online at https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apple still subscription model for podcasts within Apple Plus.  Meanwhile on the video side, NBC's new Peacock platform has made the conscious decision to roll out the platform with a focus on Advertiser Supported Video On Demand (AVOD) vs Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD).  If you really want to go ad-free, you can drop $5 a month (if you're not with Comcast), but ads will be less than 5 minutes an hour (compared to 15 on broadcast and 8 on Hulu).  There are also caps to make sure the ads aren't competitive, with big advertisers State Farm, Target, Unilever, and Eli Lilly already signing on.  As I said last week, there may be a market for  an ad-based model as opposed to subscription, in audio as well.   I'll gladly sit through an ad or two if it keeps the content free.

https://adage.com/article/media/nbc-reveals-ad-strategy-and-initial-sponsors-peacock/2227926

https://www.adexchanger.com/tv-2/the-year-in-tv-a-major-shift-to-streaming/

Speaking of free... Spotify's Anchor platform is buying ads in podcasts - and the most popular advertiser....is Anchor.  Apparently they are ponying up the dough to try and boost their numbers. https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/21/22241066/spotify-anchor-sponsorships-ad-money-spend-podcasting

In terms of paid podcast hosts, PodNews is reporting that The Daily and The New York Times have switched from Art19 to Simplecast.  https://podnews.net/update/office-ladies-podcast-of-the-year

I'm happy to hear this, as Simplecast has long been my host of choice, including for this show.  I even have a referral link in the show here: http://bit.ly/simplecastjag

Told you about the protests outside a Niagara Falls podcast studio over hate speech - they've been evicted. https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/podcast-company-gets-evicted/

A study from Westwood One and Magellan AI shows podcast advertising bounced back strong in Q3 last year, after an initial pandemic dip. https://www.westwoodone.com/2021/01/25/westwood-one-magellan-ai-podcast-advertising-analysis-shows-podcasts-are-pandemic-proof-after-modest-dip-in-april-ad-volumes-roar-back-in-q3-2020/

Speaking of Magellan AI, they've got their top 15 podcast advertisers for December.  Headspace and  BetterHelp were #6 and #1 respectively.  This tells me two things.  1) We could all use some talk therapy after the events of the last year, and 2) maybe the stigma around it is finally starting to ebb away. https://www.magellan.ai/blog-posts/december-2020-top-spenders-movers-and-shakers

One of the biggest questions potential clients ask me is about making money from your podcast.  Well, it can be done, and one of my podcast mentors, Stacey Simms in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a free quiz to see if you're ready to cash in.  You can find it here:  http://www.bitly.com/podcastmoneyquiz

Finally, I'm thrilled to announce that Steve Stewart and the Podcast Editor's Club have asked me to do a short presentation on Adobe Audition as a workspace to edit podcasts.  I'll be doing that at Podfest Global in early March. You can sign up here: http://bit.ly/podfest2021jag

Find JAG on the web: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apple is also beginning to test versions of Apple Podcasts and Apple Music on Windows.  That would be nice, to not have to use iTunes on my HP laptop.  https://9to5mac.com/2021/01/14/apple-working-to-release-music-and-podcasts-apps-on-microsoft-store

Some former Conde Nast Audio employees have written an open letter trashing their former employer for how they were treated.  They allege long hours, low pay, poor communication, and essentially being taken for granted.  My take - you get out what you put in.  Like anything, audio production can be done right, or it can be done on the cheap. And the difference is obvious: https://formerlycneaudio.medium.com/our-experience-making-podcasts-for-cond%C3%A9-nast-1cc802807891

Bloomberg had an article last week talking about Spotify's big bet on podcasting: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-01-12/spotify-spot-views-joe-rogan-more-podcasts-as-path-to-profitability

But this week, Citi (as in the financial company) is not impressed. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/15/spotifys-big-bet-on-podcasts-is-failing-citi-says.html

Pocket Casts being sold - NPR owns about a third of it.

Michael Barbaro apologizes for blocking critics of Caliphate: https://twitter.com/mikiebarb/status/1350537776874315777

Are Podcasts the new home for domestic terrorists? https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-conspiracy-theories-media-misinformation-social-media-b7bb0ace8a617af733357f6ee15aca03

There were protests at a podcast studio in Niagara Falls this week, alleging that some hosts were recording shows with hate speech:  https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/protesters-call-podcast-studio-racist-demand-it-be-removed-from-cultural-center

Infinite Dial 2021 will be March 11.  Can't wait to see the numbers.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Podcast Editors Mastermind for having me on an episode of their show, released yesterday.  We talked about my journey from radio to podcasting, and how I run my business. You can hear the show here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/503e76e1-61e9-4b16-b9ac-d8ef0a38de73

Need help with your podcast? Find me:

https://jagindetroit.com/

Email: jag@jagindetroit.com

On Social: @JAGinDetroit

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does this have to do with your podcast? If two broadcast partners can describe a football game from remote locations, you can easily do a high quality podcast the same way. You may not have a national television network's budget, but there are now a number of different online recording platforms that will record your audio on your local machine, free of internet buffering, THEN upload it to match your cohosts.  I've long been a user of Squadcast, but I also know folks who use Zencastr and others.  And some folks still use Zoom.  Now I think of Zoom as a last resort, but some people are comfortable with If you're going to use Zoom, make sure you use the "original sound" option and, if you're going to edit the audio, be sure to record everyone on a separate track. You'll thank me later.

For folks who want to record a video copy of their podcast as well, apps like StreamYard and Riverside are gaining popularity quickly.  And Squadcast is rumored to be adding video this month.

Pandora worth a BILLION less, due to music royalty issues. Sorry, SiriusXM. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9508785/siriusxm-pandora-royalty-costs-impairment-expense/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-01-11

Update: Told you last week about Breaker joining Twitter.  Now it turns out their TEAM is, but the Breaker app itself has been acquired by Los Angeles based Maple Media: https://blog.breaker.audio/the-breaker-team-is-joining-twitter-f8c1721d66c6

Finally, podcasting is not a free for all. What you say and do - both on and off "the air" have consequences.  By now you've heard that YouTube banned Steve Bannon, and President Trump was kicked off of basically every platform out there. This week, Cumulus Radio threatened to fire any talk show hosts that perpetuate misinformation about the 2020 Election.

The big drama in podcasting surrounds the team at The Daily from the New York Times. Two years ago, they did a riveting mini-series, released on Saturdays, called Caliphate, which was the story of a radicalized Canadian turned ISIS fighter.  The only thing wrong with the story - it wasn't real.  In an interview published December 18th on Caliphate's feed, Michael Barbaro sat down with Times head honcho Dean Baquet, who said his organization was duped - the supposed ISIS fighter made it all up.  The interview seemingly owned up to the organization's mistakes, explained what happened, and what they will do better.

I didn't hear the interview this week, a month later. Why? Yes, it was in the Caliphate Feed, but not in The Daily's feed, where the podcast was repeatedly promoted.  Seems the Times wanted to create separation between The Daily and Caliphate, despite the fact that Caliphate was produced by the team at The Daily, which includes Lisa Tobin, now engaged to Michael Barbaro, and Andy Mills, who has had a bevy of #MeToo allegations levied against him in recent weeks.  And perhaps most egregiously, there are reports of Barbaro privately encouraging reporters to back off their stories on the SNAFU.   I once had a boss say, "You Eff up, you Fess Up."  And while I'm a huge fan of The Daily, it seems they really missed the mark here.  Again, behavior matters.

https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955873886/public-radio-stations-rebuke-times-for-ethical-lapses-related-to-caliphate-podca?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2021-01-13

If you'd like help with your podcast, I've now added video recording to my services. You can check them all out here. https://bit.ly/39wRF0D

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Also getting into the podcast/audio world - Twitter.  Podcast app Breaker is folding after 3 years, and joining Twitter.  Now Breaker had positioned itself as social media for podcasts, but by joining Twitter, that's going to expand Twitter's audio only tweet capabilities.  If you use Breaker as your podcast listening app or host, they've posted instructions on how to move elsewhere: https://blog.breaker.audio/the-breaker-team-is-joining-twitter-f8c1721d66c6

What do all of these big moves by big players in podcasting mean?  Well, former Jag Show podcast guest and OG podcaster Evo Terra thinks it means a dethroning of Apple as king of podcasting, but the flip side is that podcasters are going to have to make sure their shows are available on many, many different platforms as they get market share.  https://podcastpontifications.substack.com/p/the-death-of-podcasting-dominance

Of course, Apple falling from the dominant spot might not be a bad thing - back to James Cridland of PodNews - who understands the tech side of podcasting far better than I do.  He highlights that Apple Podcasts may be sharing more of your data than anyone else.  See, other podcast apps check the RSS feeds of shows you subscribe to, then give you new content when available. Apple Podcasts, however, check in a way that reveals your IP address and other info - and does it frequently.  Cridland explains: https://medium.com/curious/apple-podcasts-poor-for-privacy-db7a826a6123

While Spotify has made strides toward getting copyrighted music into podcasts, there is a downside.  It's now becoming, like Soundcloud, a place for bootleg - and questionably legal - songs.  Variety has an article about the loophole that people are exploiting: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/spotify-podcast-remixes-bootleg-songs-1234853328/

Finally, the first time you hear your voice "on tape" - or recorded in some way, you'll almost always be surprised - it often sounds nothing like you'd expect.  Why? Physics.  The way you hear your OWN voice is how it rattles around in the bones between your jaw and your ear canal.  That's not how it comes out to the rest of the world.  I always tell clients that, but there's a nice deep dive on medium from Ryan Fan. https://medium.com/publishous/i-still-hate-how-my-voice-sounds-in-recordings-464d6e56cfb9

If you enjoyed today's show, feel free to share it with your network, and For help with your podcast, or with creating a new podcast, feel free to reach out.

https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Overall/Technology:

Pandemic paused things, we all scattered but came back. Desktop listening ticked up, overall listening shifted later in day as we got up later and didn't get in our cars, but new routines formed. Another pandemic affect - technology. Grandparents are now on Zoom, Facetime, and more. Which means more people listening.  It also means more people creating. We went over a million podcasts in 2020, and at our current pace, we could hit 2 million in 2021.   The key will be quality -  anybody can create a show with mediocre content or audio quality.  But if you can excel at both, the cream will rise to the top.

Nick Hilton in Medium, tech more accessible: https://medium.com/pod-culture/podcasting-in-2020-the-audit-9b5d495a4b3a

Also, look at  shorter shows - increasingly on demand world, with more online content competing for our attention. Better too short than too long.  Leave your audience wanting more.

Advertising:

Over $1 billion industry in 2021 - woulda been 2020.  Top Tier shows are starting to hit a saturation point - Bank of America and McDonalds dropped $3.5 million on podcasting in November.  Blubrry CEO Todd Cochrane tells Podcast Business Journal that  "second tier" shows will start seeing more advertisers - those are shows between 1k and 20k downloads.

https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/8150-2/

Something to keep an eye on in 2021 is dynamic, or targeted advertising. The industry is getting better at sending custom ads to you based on your location, interests, and more.  (YouTubeTV). But privacy concerns are growing - opt in/opt out? How much info will advertisers have access to?

Music in Podcasts:

Anchor/Spotify allowing - kinks to work out - but could position them as leader in 2021.

Diversity:

Podcast Movement looked different last year, international online this year, and with the racial reckoning we've seen this year, more and more voices.  More countries too.

Big Names in Podcasting:

Spotify on fire - Apple is going to have to do more - Google finally getting it together - iHeartRadio all in - big one to watch is Amazon - Prime had big year, Alexa integration.    I do think there's a medium market - me, as opposed to $25k per show

Finally, Soul Stories on Spotify: Trent Reznor, Jon Batiste, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett: https://open.spotify.com/show/1bGcQtW0E298G8N4xQo4hG

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My tip of the week - using your smartphone as a webcam.  Now again, I'm more focused on the audio side of things, but there will always be some folks who want a video component.  So I've been working with Abel Grunfeld and the folks at Riverside FM to begin offering this to my clients.   When I started, I wasn't wild about my new HP laptop's built in webcam, nor the USB one that I got on Amazon.  Well, turns out, the best camera I own is my iPhone Xs.  And there are apps that will allow you to sync your smartphone to your laptop and use that as a camera.  I've done some testing, and now my video quality can match the audio quality in my studio.   Abel recommended Camo for Mac users.  For Windows, I like an app called iVCam.  There's a free version, but the high end version was a one time cost of only about 25 bucks.

Next week, I'll do a look back at 2020 and a look ahead to 2021 in terms of podcasting, but for now, some quick news tidbits if you're looking to plug in your headphones and get some "me time" over the holiday.  Incidentally, that's what tell new clients.  Everyone's burnt out on Zoom, so give them a podcast and a chance to walk away from their screen.

Speaking of families, nice primer by Lindsay Harris Friel from The Podcast Host for how to deal with different family members as it relates to your podcasting career.  Those relatives include the "I Don't Get It," the "Reckless Cheerleader," the "Unintentional Underminer," the "Intentional Underminer," and of course "The Partner."  Lindsay breaks down each of these types, and how to deal with them. https://www.thepodcasthost.com/mindset/what-my-family-thinks-of-podcasting/

Is spoken word audio cutting into music streaming?  An article in no less than Billboard suspects that may be the case.  While music streaming subscribers are up, time spent listening is flat.  Also, the article cites research from Edison that spoken word streaming was up 20% from 2014 to 2019 - with music down 5%, and that's before the pandemic and 2020 Election Cycle. https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9500546/streaming-music-growth-stalled-factors-attention-economy

I opened this show talking about audio producers wanting to include video, but turns out, the opposite is also true.  There's a big video producer...wanting to do audio. Netflix, after months of rumors, has debuted an audio-only mode on their Android app.   The idea is you can "watch" a show by just listening to dialogue and narration.  Not sure if this will take off, but if Netflix is taking notice of audio consumption, that's worth noting.

If you like this show, please feel free to share it with a fellow podcast enthusiast - that will help it grow.  As always, if you need help with your podcast, you can reach me at jagindetroit.com. I leave you with my Uncle Jeff's two rules for life - today seems a good time to mention them.

1. Know Your Audience.
2. Be Kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle 

Depending on when you listen to this, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy new year. 

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Steve Goldstein, a brilliant radio turned podcasting mind, writes about the resurgence of audio in his 2020 recap. Highlights include Apple, Amazon, and Google all getting into the space, as well as C-suite executives now seeing the power of audio.  https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/s5yixzq7ir85mclsvw6tewrxy8nyq9?mc_cid=d5cf6b7f30&mc_eid=0629248349

Speaking of which, Spotify and The Drum have partnered on a three part podcast series on the future of audio, and how powerful it is.  https://www.thedrum.com/news/2020/12/10/spotify-and-the-drum-launch-podcast-series-educate-the-future-audio

And of course, Spotify continues to land the biggest names in the world.  They've announced a new podcast hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Maybe their friend Michelle Obama had something to do with it. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-15/spotifys-new-multiyear-partnership-with-the-duke-and-duchess-of-sussexs-archewell-audio-promises-podcasts-that-will-inspire

There's an effort to create a universal definition of every role in podcasting - from host and guest to editor and producer.  There's a white paper on this called Podcast Taxonomy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pkkb6_Kg7Dc33IVgTopJO7QNka3FnH7m/view

I tell all my clients not to sweat downloads, and building your podcast is a process, a marketing tool.  But there will always be folks who want some way to measure success.  Bryan Barletta of $ounds Profitable, a weekly newsletter, does a nice job of breaking down "Lift Reports." https://soundsprofitable.com/update/understanding-podcast-lift-reports?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-16

Substack, a popular email and blogging platform, has gotten into the podcast hosting space. https://library.substack.com/p/how-to-use-substack-for-podcasts

If you want to start a podcast but have zero budget to do it, Tal Minear has a piece that shows how he created audio drama with 10 free tools.  https://talminear.medium.com/free-tools-ive-used-to-make-my-audio-drama-81746291d1be

And finally, this episode is being released Friday, December 18th, which happens to be...gulp....my 40th birthday.  It's crazy to think what a difference a decade makes.  The night I turned 30, I rented out the back of a nightclub in Burlington, Vermont, and had a bunch of friends in from out of state. 6 months later, I got my dream radio job here in Detroit.  Three months after that, I met the woman who I'd later marry, even though I didn't know it at the time.   The last decade has been filled with travel, a huge career change to start my own business, dogs, and of course a global pandemic.   At 40, a nightclub has no appeal to me, COVID aside.  But a nice night in, with steak, lobster tails, and Johnnie Walker Blue should do just fine.  Thanks in advance, honey.

I hope that whatever your holidays look like this year, you enjoy them in good health, and here's to a much better 2021.  I'll talk to you next week.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Why do I bring this up?  It's easy to think your podcast sounds fine - until you are presented with a much nicer alternative.  Your sound can be better.  Your content can be better.   Your music can be better.  And by you, I mean all of us.   If you'll indulge me for a quick plug, I am running a special through the end of the year.  If you want a professional critique of your podcast, I'll listen to an entire episode and give you detailed feedback and suggestions for improvements.  Normally I charge $99 for this - but it's only $49 through the end of the year.  Here's a link: https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/

If you read one podcasting article this week, make it this one from Pacific Content: 14 Predictions for podcasting in 2021. They talk to experts about an increase in diversity, tech, ad revenue, and more. https://blog.pacific-content.com/14-podcast-predictions-for-2021-from-industry-leaders-60e2b63f477e

You may have seen your "Spotify Wrapped" for the music and/or podcasts you listened to most in 2020.  Turns out the product has some pretty good advertising insights too. https://www.adweek.com/media/spotify-first-2020-wrapped-for-advertisers-listening-insights/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-09

Spotify also says most Podcast listening in India happens at night. I wonder if that corresponds to daylight hours in the US, when content is released.  I had a consult with a gentleman in India this week - at noon my time. It was 11pm there. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-12-08/new-insights-reveal-podcast-patterns-in-india/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-10

Tom Webster of Edison Research says before you ask your listeners to take a survey, consider all of these: https://tomwebster.substack.com/p/what-do-listeners-wantpart-one

Forbes says Amazon is in exclusive talks to by podcasting's Wondery.  That could set up an interesting war between Amazon and Spotify in podcasting: https://www.forbes.com/sites/billrosenblatt/2020/12/04/amazons-acquisition-of-wondery-would-put-podcasting-on-a-path-to-a-crossroads/?sh=4ce5ef144e33

Two thirds of advertisers feel that podcast advertising is either as effective or better, as compared to a year ago. http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/advertisers-have-growing-confidence-in-podcast-advertising-survey-shows/article_aff86ae2-38b2-11eb-be60-3393b6765951.html?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-08

It used to be that TV Shows and movie ideas came from books. Now, ideas are increasingly coming from podcasts and other audio intellectual property, says Deadline.com. https://deadline.com/2020/12/podcasts-hollywood-film-tv-adaptations-trend-deals-1234636040/

UK podcast host Podiant is offering a workshop on how to grow your podcast for 2021- it's next Wednesday at 11am Eastern. https://uk.podiant.co/xp/dec20/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-09

The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards will be virtual this year.  Memo to anyone who works at that company. Nobody cares. :)

And finally, the website Midroll (owned by Stitcher) has a case study on the company Manscaped - and its increased spend on podcast advertising.  They have really seen a value in host-read ads.  So Manscaped, if you're listening, and you wanna send me a few bucks, my listeners can learn waay more about me than they ever wanted.  https://www.midroll.com/manscaped-and-podcasting-are-growing-together/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-12-04

As always, if I can help you with your existing podcast, edit it for you, or help you design and create one, I'm here to help. https://jagindetroit.com/

Or by email: jag@jagindetroit.com

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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OK, this is a podcast about podcasts, so let's get caught up.  Apple still has the lion's share of in-app listening, but there are actually MORE podcasts now in Spotify.   Apple has roughly 1.7 million shows, but Spotify is up at 1.9 million.  

So that's who has the most shows - what about the most listening? I told you in November that Buzzsprout says Spotify listening is quickly catching up to Apple.  Well, not according to Libsyn.  Apparently the jury is still out. https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/libsyn-apple-still-dominates-by-far/?vgo_ee=MYFFchsNQquCI9pBrYt34RwUnRnlmwiuCIJkd9A7F3A%3D

Also, Spotify released their top shows of 2020.  They are, in order:

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2. TED Talks Daily
3. The Daily (New York Times)
4. The Michelle Obama Podcast
5. Call Her Daddy

All the stress of 2020 got you up at night?  Some would suggest listening to a light hearted podcast in bed.  But here's a podcast designed to help you fall asleep,  It's called Sleep Cove - here's the story from PodNews. https://podnews.net/press-release/sleep-cove?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-27

A service called Poise claims to turn your text into speech - not with AI, but with professional voice actors - with rates of $11 for every 500 words.  I'm intrigued, but don't know much about them: https://www.narratedbypoise.com/

And finally, Resonate Recordings says it's best to publish your podcast super early in the morning, and in the middle of the week.  As for me, I'm sticking to my current schedule for 5 Minute Fridays - partly for consistency, and partly because I don't want to change the name. https://resonaterecordings.com/2018/05/when-to-release-your-podcast/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-27

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That's exactly what happened here in Detroit with Woodward Sports, the brainchild of former Detroit radio personality Sam "Stick" Day.   Stick takes us through the personal tragedy in his life that spurred him to finally start this passion project, his partners, and the personalities that left traditional radio to join the enterprise.

What started as an idea for a podcast blossomed into a full blown network, thanks to a partnership with Chad Johnson of Lady Jane's, a men's salon chain.  Woodward Sports currently boasts a three-person morning show, the aptly named "Morning Wood,"  broadcast digitally every day from 8-10am.  Stick hosts with Joey Namou and Krissy T.   Soon, Detroit sports talk veteran Sean Baligian will team up with former Detroit Lion Joique Bell for a midday show, and an announcement of an afternoon show will come soon enough.

Stick and I (and Joey, who joined us for the first half of the conversation), talked about the quickly changing media landscape.  Stick and Joey were able to leverage some of their relationships that started at the radio station - and turn them into station vehicles, paid sponsors, and more.  We talk about digital ad spend, and its value over traditional media.

We also covered the out-dated model of music radio stations, who often have room to cultivate only one personality, with the rest of the airstaff being a jukebox.  Woodward Sports hopes to bring dynamic personalities back to Detroit.  And as for the sports station in town - Stick sees plenty of weaknesses there too.

Finally, I asked the face of Woodward Sports who he thinks is capable of bringing the next Championship to the Motor City.

Detroit's newest media entity may only be a few months old, but sports teams and other media outlets alike are taking notice.   This will be a story worth watching.

Resources:

Woodward Sports Website; https://woodwardsports.com/

JAG In Detroit Website: https://jagindetroit.com/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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As 2019 ended, my wife and I were trying to maximize our time with our first dog Brady. He'd had a leg amputated and was dying of cancer.  We were extremely lucky to have him as long as we did, and he wasn't suffering.  But as the months wore on, this cloud hung over our head.  We always wondered, "will today be the day he decides he's ready to leave?" That's how we spent the last quarter of 2019, with New Year's Eve fireworks being the moment that he decided to give up the fight.  New Year's Day, we had the whole family over to say goodbye, and that's what we did the morning of January 2nd.  My wife and I looked at each other and said, "we're gonna chalk this up to 2019, the worst year ever.  2020 will be better, and it starts now."

Famous last words, right?

You don't need me to tell you how bad 2020 has been.  We've been isolated, we've lost friends and relatives, jobs, and more.   And as we approach the holiday tomorrow, maybe the advice of "Be thankful for what you do have, it's 2020" rings hollow.   Maybe you're struggling and it's not easy to have "perspective."

But at the risk of being cheesy, be grateful not to appease your mother, or your friend who's had it worse than you this year, but for yourself.  According to Positive Psychology.com - the health benefits of gratitude are countless.  They include a reduction in depressive symptoms, a drop in blood pressure, improved sleep, and just overall well being.  https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-gratitude-research-questions/

I'm not here to preach perspective.  But in this giant turd-burger of a year, we could all use a pick-me-up.  Find something, however small, and be thankful - not for anyone else, but for your own physical and mental health.

With that in mind, if you'll indulge me for a moment.   I'm thankful, of course, for my health and my business, and the fact that my wife and I are both still working.  And of course I'm thankful for her - we've been here together, all day, every day, in our small house for the last 8 months...and here's the thing.  We still LIKE each other.  In fact, it's been the running joke.  I really can't think of another person on the planet I could have been confined with for this long and still genuinely like.   And we are almost through our big pandemic project - 220 episodes of the Hawaii Five-O reboot down, 30 to go.  Because you gotta have goals.  Also, I'm thankful for our new dog, Jules.  She's the sweetest thing ever...shows pure love, and keeps us honest and moving, with twice daily walks of 2 miles or more.

This year in particular, I'm grateful for all things podcasting.  The ability to record remotely, some amazing clients - both new and established - and the fact that after leaving a career I knew for almost two decades, I was able to find my new passion in the field.   I'm also thankful for my peers in podcasting and podcast editing.  There's Steve Stewart's Podcast Editors Club on Facebook, Editing courses from Carrie Caufield Arick, Tom Kelly, and Tanner Campbell, and of course my monthly meetup with Catherine O'Brien in Baton Rouge, Johnny Peterson in Fort Worth, Matt Cundill in Winnipeg, and David Yas in Boston.  In fact, Johnny's podcast this morning about thankfulness, in part, inspired today's show.

I was listening to The Daily from the New York Times this morning - they profiled a food bank in New York City.  There was a woman who had fallen on hard times and was so thrilled to get cucumbers for salad and chocolate milk for her kids.  Look, there's no doubt that 2020 has been anything BUT sunshine, puppies, and rainbows.  But find something - anything - to be grateful for.   As we prepare for a long winter, we have to take care of our mental health.  So be thankful - not because someone told you to.  But because it will help.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Something I pride myself on is above-and-beyond customer service. This relationship building has allowed me to build my business organically, without paid marketing or ads.  I was reminded of this twice in the last few weeks.  First, I had a non-profit client who's been with me since the beginning.  She never had much money, but I helped her out wherever I could.  Well, she got a grant for 2021 and is now going to pay me above my normal rate to produce a series of shows for her.  Turns out the time I invested in her was well spent.

This week, one of my clients told me she was giving me a raise.  I had been on the fence about raising my rates with her, but she felt my work was worthy of additional compensation.  Some might say "if she's offering you more money, you're not charging her enough."   But I say, which makes her more likely to recommend me to a colleague?  Me asking her for more money, or her telling me I deserve more money?

Onto this week's podcasting news....

Apple now allows you to embed a podcast onto your website - something Spotify did long ago. https://tools.applemediaservices.com/apple-podcasts

Nice to see Apple do something as Spotify keeps closing the gap between them. According to Buzzsprout (and as reported in PodNews), Apple now accounts for LESS than half of their total downloads. It's still far and away #1 at 47%, but second place Spotify is at 24%, and Google Podcasts still lags in third place at 2.4%. After that is everyone else.  See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuzzsproutCommunity/permalink/3800456513307468

Nielsen, the ratings people, say Podcasting will be a $1 billion industry in 2021. And with 20% annual growth, total audience is on pace to double by 2023. https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/news-center/2020/nielsen-at-podcast-movement-2020-opportunities-in-a-skyrocketing-industry/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-18

Podcasting event tomorrow, Saturday November 20th.  Audio Recess from PRX and the Google Podcasts Creator Program: https://googlecp.prx.org/audio-recess

Two new podcasts that I WON'T be checking out - That's Messed Up - which breaks down episodes of Law & Order: SVU - and Hunting Ghislane, about Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislane Maxwell.  2020 has been depressing enough.  Hard pass on both of those.

Finally, the ex-radio guy in me would be remiss if I didn't pour one out for 89X, the Windsor Ontario based rock station that served Detroit for thirty years.  Their owners, Bell Media (now, shockingly, owned by iHeartMedia), flipped the station to country yesterday.  In response, Entercom flipped a frequency I used to be on 98.7, from soft rock to alternative to fill the hole.  What does all of this mean?  Music radio has spent the last two decades squeezing out most of its personality.  So today, if you don't have a spoken word (news, talk, sports) station, or at least an outstanding morning show, you don't have a chance.

If you need help with your podcast, feel free to reach me here. https://jagindetroit.com/podcast-recording-packages/

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com

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Riverside.FM has officially launched, as a remote video recording platform.  Plans go from $20 to $50 a month, depending on if you want video and how much.  I haven't tried it yet - but it's getting good reviews, including from Hillary Clinton.https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/09/rverside-fm/?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-12

Spotify has its biggest acquisition yet - buying podcast host Megaphone for $235 million.  Spotify has already bought The Ringer, Anchor, Gimlet and more.  Reaction to the deal is mixed.  It really seems Spotify is, to paraphrase Pinky and the Brain, trying to take over the world.

Also this week, Spotify seemed to float the idea of a subscription model - surveying its listeners to see if they'd pay anywhere from $3 to $8 monthly. https://gizmodo.com/looks-like-spotify-is-considering-a-subscription-servic-1845613780

Anchor is now IAB certified - meaning your downloads are real, not just from bots.  I still don't trust them, but here's their press release. https://blog.anchor.fm/updates/iab?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2020-11-06

Daniel J. Lewis of MyPodcast Reviews says Apple added another 100,000 podcasts in October, bringing its total to over 1.6 million shows. https://mypodcastreviews.com/podcast-industry-statistics/

But don't be intimidated - as Libsyn's Rob Walch reminded us at Podcast Movement Virtual, 8 of 9 new shows don't even make it to a tenth episode.  If you can commit to good quality content for the long haul, you've got much less competition than you thought.

As always, if you want help launching, editing, consulting or anything else with your podcast, you can find me online at www.jagindetroit.com - send an email to jag@jagindetroit.com, or find me on social @JAGinDetroit.

Find jag on social media @JAGPodcastProductions or online at JAGPodcastProductions.com