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Big things are happening with Blubrry; we're moving and hiring! The headquarters and development office in Columbus, Ohio, is moving up town into a much larger space. The board just finished its annual meeting and planning session and is excited about the ideas we'll be expanding on in the next year. Some very cool things will be shared with podcasters in the next nine months or so. Todd and Mike talk about Apple Podcasts (iTunes) and how the ranking works (and doesn't work). Apple is cracking down on shows trying to game the system. As Mike heads the support team, he's well aware of how important it can be for podcasters to remember, 'Help us help you' in support. Stick around for the five things you really need to know about your podcast even if you are a very technical person.

Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.

We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:

Blubrry is moving to new digs.
RawVoice and Blubrry annual planning meeting.
Manipulating Apple podcast charts: a new (old) way to do this.
Shows found cheating the system: Pulled shows from Apple podcast charts. Five of the top 10 from a few days ago.

Topics:

Apple Podcasts charts are NOT based on ratings, reviews, downloads or anything other than new subscribers over time (Apple only knows). Also, Apple can (in rare cases) manually place a show. Getting ratings and reviews is NOT going to make you climb the charts. Good for social proof, but that is it.
Just keep making good content: Write blog posts for Google to go along with your show and promote your podcast in appropriate ways, and in the long haul, you will grow your show.

Support:

“I get an error… ”  When you contact support and tell us you have “an error” please explain what you are trying to do and where you are trying to do it, what the error is and any other information to let us find the account. In most cases, screenshots are not helpful, live links are better. Tell us where to see the problem you are having. It will save a lot of time in letting us help you.
Five things you MUST know (or learn).

5 things you MUST know about your podcast as a podcaster – Even a non-techie one

Where is your website hosted? (Godaddy, Dreamhost, Squarespace, WordPress.COM or ??)
What is your RSS feed address? RSS feeds are the transmitter for your podcast. Learn it, write it down, save it somewhere, but know your RSS feed!
Where are your media files hosted? (Blubrry, in a folder on your webserver, Amazon… )
What email address you use to log in to Blubrry.com?
PASSWORDS to everything. Use a password system on your browser like LastPass or something that will help you remember all the passwords.

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.

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It's been quite a while since Colin Gray was on the show, but he came back with lots of new things to talk about in podcasting. He's known as the Podcast Host and the man behind multiple podcasts. Based in Scotland, he is familiar with all the hosting companies and has been involved in podcasting one way or another for many years. Most recently he came out with a production app titled, Alitu. Released earlier this year as a web app, it spent considerable time in beta testing and will be available for purchase this summer. Hailed from the team that has spent years producing shows, this app aims to help podcasters create quality shows without the need for a highly skilled producer. Check out Alitu in the link below.

Become familiar with his site, The Podcast Host, as there is regular fresh content concerning podcast choices, outlets and general know-how. He also has a podcasting academy where you can learn the ins and outs of how to host and produce your own show. Colin will also be speaking at Podcast Movement later this summer sharing his knowledge of the overall podcasting process and nine ways to cut down your podcasting time. Find out more about his session at the link below.

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Show notes:
Alitu: Check out the new app here.
Keep up with podcasting with The Podcast Host blog and resource blog.
Speaking: Don't miss Colin at Podcast Movement.
Get your tickets to Podcast Movement: Use the code Blubrry to save 10%.
Audioboom: Triton and Audioboom merger called off

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Pocket Casts, one of the most popular podcast listening apps, has recently been acquired by a few prominent podcasting community members. RAD, better understood as podcast pingbacks, will have some affects on podcasting. In a day and age when everyone can make their voice known, Blubrry will draw the line at some instances; stick around to learn hate speech vs. violence on a podcast. There are many podcast directories out there, and listing your show in the Blubrry directory is one that podcasters should not miss out on.

Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.

We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News/Topics:

Pocket Casts, based in Australia was recently acquired by NPR, WNYC Studios, WBEZ Chicago, and This American Life. They've promised no big changes are coming soon.
Hate speech vs. violence in a podcast. Where does Blubrry draw the line?
RAD or Podcast Pingback: There will be some resistance to adding RAD to apps and directories. It's unlikely at this moment that Apple will implement it to its platform. They are not the only ones that will be hesitant to add the new statistics initiative as we expect some apps will hold back.

Support/Blubrry:

Yearly board meeting is quickly coming up at the Blubrry headquarters in Columbus.
When you move from Blubrry, there is no need to delete your account and listing. Just cancel your subscription/payment plan (after you migrate) and change your feed address in the blubrry.com directory to your new service’s RSS feed and continue to be part of the largest podcast directory in the world. In fact, if you stay on our directory, you can use our free stats and we may be able to find an advertiser for you so you can make some money.
The Blubrry directory will NOT hurt your Google search rankings or take any revenue from your podcast.

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.

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To improve podcasting you have to go through some trial and error. The episode opens discussing secrets that make some podcast hosts better than others. Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, Gary Leland, chatted with MacKenzie about what he has accomplished and seen change in the podcast industry since he started back in 2004. He's been involved in podcasting in a multitude of ways and is involved in the Podcast Hall of Fame ceremony at Podcast Movement later this summer. They wrap up by mentioning a content for students to start a podcast, put on by the New York Times.

Thanks for listening and please subscribe to the show on your favorite listening app or device.

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Show notes:
Secrets for Super Podcast Hosts: Dissecting some dos and don'ts of being an interviewer.
Podcast Pickle: One of the first podcast directories out there.
Crypto Cousins: Keep up with the bitcoin community.
4 Minute Crypto: Part of the Crypto Cousins network.
Gary Leland: Get to know the man behind so many podcasts in a variety of niches.
Student Podcast Contest: Hosted by the New York Times.

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Recently Google has been releasing some articles about podcasting and how they'll be diving into the industry in the near future. Google's new podcasting strategy is already compatible with those using PowerPress and Podcast Mirror. Todd Cochrane is back on this episode and discusses the NAB experience with Mike Dell. Stick around for a few support tips as well.

Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.

We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
Topics:

Todd's take on NABshow 2018. He's been to NAB, CES and other conferences countless times. He's got some takeaways that some others wouldn't be able to pick up on.
Podcast Movement!: Consider attending summer 2018. This is the main podcasting conference every year and once again we'll be there not only in attendance but as a partner and exhibitor. Use the code BLUBRRY to get 10% off your ticket.
Google’s “new” podcast strategy: Read here their 4 part series posted on Pacific Content. This is step in the right direction for the entire industry, but something we've been focused on for many years. We're looking forward to it improving discovery.
PowerPress is already compatible with this. If you are using PowerPress (or Podcast Mirror) you are already covered.

Support:

Again, we love social media but Facebook is not a good primary way to get help from support at any company (unless specified). Our Facebook Messenger and Twitter direct messages are not actively checked, so if someone is reached out that way we might not know for… a while. Please use support@blubrry.com or the contact form at blubrry.com for our support. Especially if we've responded via social media before in the past asking you to contact us via the contact form or email. For other companies, look for their support email or form on their website.
Recently Blubrry has been getting a lot of “My last episode hasn't update in (insert directory here)” tickets and emails. It can take 24 hours or so to get any new episodes listed in most directories. The best thing you can do is check your RSS feed yourself and make sure the episode is there, subscribe to your own show and you'll know when it shows up.

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.

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Quick recap of the NABshow in Las Vegas last week where Todd Cochrane, Mike Dell and MacKenzie Bennett were in attendance for the Blubrry booth. Three podcasts were nominated for a Peabody award this year, and one of the next events in the Pod Summit on May 5th in Western Canada. Stick around for these topics and more on Your Podcast by Blubrry. Only Mike is around for this episode as Todd is on assignment. Full show with both hosts coming up in two weeks!

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We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:

Had a great time at NABshow at the Blubrry booth. We were in the inaugural Podcast Pavilion in South Hall Upper. Made some nice contacts with people from radio, TV, digital and podcasters. It was a great show overall and we're looking forward to heading back next year.
Peabody Awards – podcasts nominated. Ear Hustle, S-town and Uncivil: The Raid.
PodSummit in Edmonton, Alberta Canada May 5th. If you're in that area, don't miss it.

Support:

Podcast Titles: How to change them – Look for “Feed Title” in the feeds tab of PowerPress settings if you are using PowerPress.  It takes a few days for it to update in the directories and Apps after you make the change.  Open your feed in Firefox browser to see what your title is currently.
Its now “Apple Podcasts” NOT “iTunes”. Apple is making a big effort to change the name of their podcast directory and apps to “Apple Podcasts” or simply Apple when it comes to podcasting. Whenever you hear someone say (or read the word “iTunes”) it should now only refer to the desktop application called “iTunes”.
Thank you to Shawn and Dave for covering for Mike last week in support! He got a little behind, but those guys took the brunt of the tickets and emails from me while I was on travel.  You Guys ROCK!

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.

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Podcasters can now purchase licensed music for their podcasts via SourceAudio and Blubrry. This new relationship comes from the increased risks associated with using licenses for music that do not pertain directly to podcasts. SourceAudio is providing great discounts to podcasts that come through Blubrry. Podcasters can purchase a monthly subscription or a buy out for a single track.

Doug Reed and Greg Riggle join the show to explain why this is such an important part of moving forward in the podcasting industry.

Thanks for listening and subscribe on your choice of podcast app. Think you'll be a great guest for the show, email MacKenzie with some information about your podcast.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here.

Show notes:
SourceAudio and Blubrry: Get the details on subscriptions and buy outs.
Press release: Both companies are very excited about this new opportunity.
NAB: Las Vegas April 8-12, both companies will be attending.
Email MacKenzie: Comments, questions, etc.

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Blubrry is proud to introduce a new way for podcasters to get 'pod-safe' music on their podcast. Soundcloud has added technology that everyone else has had for podcasts for the past 11 years. The world-famous podcast, Serial, is back in the news again; that is the case from season 1 is being talked about.

Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.

We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
 News:

Blubrry announces podcast music: Podcastmusic.blubrry.com and buyoutmusic.blubrry.com via SourceAudio
Soundcloud: Finally, a way yo schedule a release…something everyone else has had from the beginning.
Serial: All the way back from season 1 in 2014. Adnan Syed has been granted a new trial.

Topics:

NABshow next week! Check out Blubrry's series on radio and podcasting at PowerPressPodcast.com
Join us at NABshow next week for only $50 (floor pass).
Rebranding a poddcast: When is it time?

Support:

Changing the title of your podcast: The Feed Title setting in PowerPress will change it everywhere, but with some delay. Most things in podcasting are hardly instant.
Apple Podcast Subscribe Links and Buttons in PowerPress: You need to put the link to your listing in the 'Destinations' tab of PowerPress settings for Apple Podcasts option to show up in the Subscribe Widget.
Remember how RSS feeds works. They are a pull technology, not push. Directories (even Blubrry) update when they pull your feed, not right after you publish a show.

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:49 — 57.6MB) | Embed

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The National Association of Broadcasters is coming up soon, April 9-12 in Las Vegas, and this year a Podcasting Pavilion has been included; expect to see the Blubrry team and Chris Curran there. He's made a name for himself with his audio engineering skills, and Blubrry has stood out in the podcasting industry being not only one of the first but, one of the most utilized companies out there for podcasters.

This year the new Podcasting Pavilion will be featuring an Ask the Expert booth that includes an area not only to test out 10 different microphones, but the opportunity to Chris Curran and his team any podcasting question you'd like.

 
Chris Curran:
Founder and lead instructor for the Podcast Engineering School, has an extensive history of working in audio, including loads of album credits. Founder of Fractal Recording he has been working in the podcasting industry for the past six years.

Radio executives, video creators, etc, stop by the Blubrry booth to talk with veterans in the field, and find out how you can get your podcast started, or take it to the next level with our help. We'll see you there!

Thanks for listening to this episode and please subscribe. If you'd like to be on the show, email MacKenzie@Blubrry.com.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here.

Show notes:
NAB: April 9-12 exhibit area
Podcast Engineering School: Graduate from this school and become a full-time podcast producer.
Ask the Expert and Podcasting Pavilion: Check in with Chris.
Blubrry at NAB: Stop by or email to make an appointment to speak with us.

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The yearly Infinite Dial report from Edison Research and Triton Digital is out, after their 2018 presentation recently. Podcasts hosting with Blubrry are now starting to show up in Spotify. Enjoy this slightly manic, nicotine-free new episode of Your Podcast.

Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.

We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
 News:

Edison / Triton Infinite Dial
Blubrry hosted podcasts are starting to show on Spotify.
Join the Blubrry Team at NAB Show

Topics:

Podcast discovery: Is there really a problem that needs to be solved?
Echo, Google assistant, Apple Home Pod and Cortana are not perfect. Finding your podcast on them can be a challenge if the name is hard to pronounce, or is too long, or….  or… Your hosting provider (us) has no control over whether your show isn’t easy to find.
Caching, what it is? And why you should care?
– Website caching (Cloudflare, WP plugins, server caching)
– CDN caching (content delivery)
– Browser caching (web history on most browsers now)
– Feed caching (FeedBurner, PodcastMirror, others)
– Podcast directory (just another website) caching

Support:

MP3 encoding. We have been getting lots of questions about file formats. The best format for an audio podcast is MP3, 44.1khz (44100hz) sample rate, 128kbps stereo bit rate (or 96kbps mono) -16LUFS (loudness) for stereo and -21LUFS for mono. .Wav files WILL NOT WORK! We recommend Auphonic for final processing of the loudness. It used to be that the lame MP3 encoder was bad, but improvements have made it just as good as Fraunhofer (which is included with Audition, iTunes desktop, and other software). AAC files (m4a) from GarageBand do work 90 percent of the time.  BUT, not 100 percent. Mp3 is currently the best way to go.
Video is a whole other ball of worms! (.mov, .flv do not work) Only mp4 and m4v work. Make sure they are optimized for the web or they will not play right away.
Paid consultations: If you are not a hosting customer but still need help or guidance with your podcast, you can hire Blubrry to rectify the issue. See: blubrry.com/contact/ for prices and options.

To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.