Podcast listeners enjoy a variety of content categories, and someone was able to track the most popular ones in Apple for a year. The data and trends were not surprising, but it's how a podcaster uses that data for their own show that matters. The guest this week was, John Wilkerson, of the show The Wired Homeschool. He noted the importance of including additional content on your website, besides your podcast. This way, podcasters are increasing their search engine optimization and getting a higher number of potential listeners and downloads. NPR shared some wisdom on starting a roundtable podcast. An unfamiliar format for many, there are some dos and don'ts podcasters can learn now before they make them.
If you'd like to be a guest on the show, or recommend someone, please reach out and let MacKenzie know why you think it would be a good fit.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review.
Show notes:
Tracking Apple's Top 200: Learn the trends of the most popular podcasts in Apple, graphs included.
The Wired Homeschool: Tech, Tools, & Tips for Homeschooling a Digital Generation.
Roundtable Podcasting Best Practices: Getting the most out of this format, for the listener.
Email MacKenzie: Questions or comments about the show.
The Blubrry Alexa Amazon Skill is out, named MyCast. Podcast listeners are able to listen to podcasts in the Blubrry directory by using MyCast. The well-known podcast, Nerdist Podcast has been renamed ID10T, a change that came in early February. Long-time listeners, no worries, more of name change than anything else. Speaking of changes, there is a new writer at PodcasterNews.com – head on over to the site to look out for new content. Lastly, Squarespace has been causing some issues for Blubrry podcasters, which Blubrry is attempting to remedy as soon as possible.
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.
We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:
Blubrry “MyCast” Amazon Echo skill: Read our blog post on it to learn more about how to use it.
Nerdist Podcast now called ID10T with Chris Hardwick: Article from Jen at PodcasterNews.
Mike Wilkerson joins the PodcasterNews.com team. He has a couple of good articles over there now, one about Mic Booms and another called “Content Stagecoach: The Booth Junkie” where he talks about a podcast/YouTube series about voiceover and microphones.
MacKenzie had Mike and Shawn on the last PowerPress Podcast to talk about network setup in PowerPress and the Podfest conference.
Angelo and MacKenzie attended the NRB Proclaim conference in Nashville last week.
Topics:
Squarespace has been causing some issues with Blubrry statistics. We have reached out to the Squarespace team to try to get resolved, stay tuned. If you are using Squarespace and are having a problem with stats at Blubrry, please contact Squarespace support and Blubrry support.
Again, own your stack! Do not promote anything you do not own as your primary point of presence for your brand. Don’t let others control your RSS feed and your connection to your audience, that you work VERY hard to collect and grow. Always send them back to the Mothership (your own domain).
Support:
Do not cut and paste from Word docs or processors or Google Docs directly into WordPress. In WordPress there is a new setting that puts that visual editor into “Paste as TextMode.”
Learn to check your RSS feed when you publish a new post, add a plugin, change your theme or move your website to another web host.
1. Download FIREFOX for a quick look. Load your feed in the address bar of FireFox and it will be much more readable.
2. Use castfeedvalidator.com and/or podba.se.
3. What is listed in the feed will be what people see in the directories.
4. ONLY if you know what you are doing, you can use some of the blog feed validators (w3 or feevalidator.org) to find specific errors. Ignore most of the warnings.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL – These “old school” validators know nothing about SSL links (https) or any of the newer podcasting tags or namespaces.
Stats – What Blubrry stats do and do not track.
Mike personal note: Heil customer service is top notch! I have a PR40 (I’m a Ham Radio Operator and that mic is good for HF radio) with the shock mount and the bands for the shock mount got loose. I contacted support over there and even though my setup was over 7 years old, they shipped out a new set of bands to me, free of charge, and priority mail. (I was just asking where to buy them). Very good Bob Heil, you have a great team over there! Todd had the same experience with Blue Mics.
To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.
PowerPress offers a wide variety of options on how to set up a podcast. Two Blubrry team members, Mike Dell and Shawn Thorpe explain the pros and cons of using either option. Podcasters that have a network of shows on their website should be using the professional hosting option with Blubrry. It allows for easy management of multiple shows, all in one account.
Before they discuss the differences in PowerPress, Mike and MacKenzie recap Podfest, from earlier this month in Orlando. It was a first time event for both of them, and they're looking forward to seeing how the event evolves.
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe. If you'd like to be a guest on a future episode, reach out to MacKenzie and let her know why you think you'd like a great fit.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here.
Show notes:
Podfest: Tickets are on sale for 2019. Don't miss out.
Category Podcasting: Add a podcast to your new or existing WordPress categories. Mainly used for creating multiple podcast feeds from a single WordPress site.
Custom Podcast Channels: Add another podcast to your website. Very similar to category, but was designed to post multiple media formats.
Professional hosting: Learn more here or contact MacKenzie.
Email MacKenzie@Blubrry.com – Questions about Blubrry, the affiliate program, guest on the show, etc.
More companies are merging in the podcasting space and digital media companies, the latest of which is, AudioBoom purchasing Triton Digital. It's important to keep track of what companies you're using and who they are merging with. Blubrry recently released the ability to submit to Spotify. Hosting customers are able to submit directly to Spotify via the Podcaster Dashboard.
iOS11 is now on 65% of all Apple devices, and the latest iOS update is what attributes to your Apple podcast statistics. Blubrry wants to remind podcasters to be polite and nice to your support people (no matter what company you are working with).
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.
We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:
Audio Boom buying Triton Digital (reverse acquisition)
Podcast Awards registration open: Podcasters need to register their shows on the Podcast Awards website to participate.
Spotify: The destination is now available at Blubrry (in the Podcaster Dashboard). Remember, Blubrry HOSTING customers only.
Podfest Report: Mike talks about how Podfest was this year in Orlando last week.
Topics:
iOS11 is now in use on 65% of all iOS devices
Support:
Migrating to Blubrry from XXXX: We have guides on how to migrate from whatever service you are on now. See create.blubrry.com and search for the site you are on now.
What feed are you using for YOUR podcast?: WordPress has built-in feeds (known as a site feed) but with PowerPress, you should use your special podcast-only feed.
General advice: Be nice to your support person! They are doing the best they can.
To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.
Podcasts do not truly belong on Youtube, and you most likely should not be putting your episodes on that video platform. Most podcasts are audio and by putting them on YouTube you are risking your content rights, channel and more. Daniel J. Lewis explains why podcasters should shy away from this practice.
The two hosts, Chase and Bradley, of the show Some Guy and the Bug Man joined MacKenzie to discuss the multiple reasons why YouTube can hurt your podcast and share information on their show(s). Both shows in the Some Bug Man Studio are quick and to the point. They're hoping to make some changes soon.
Lastly, the group talks about how Blubrry is now offering submissions to Spotify to it's hosting customers. Stick around for the PowerPress tip at the end of the episode, courtesy of Shawn Thorpe.
Thanks for listening and please subscribe via your favorite podcast platform. Want to be on the show? Email MacKenzie and tell her why you think you would be a great fit.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here!
Show Notes:
Why You Should NOT Post Your Audio Podcasts on YouTube: From Daniel J. Lewis, Audacity to Podcast
Some Guy and the Bug Man: Listen to their episodes here.
Twitter: @somebugman
Facebook: /somebugman
YouTube Archive: Some Bug Man
Chase (Some Guy) Twitter: @chasetherev
Bradley (Bug Man) Twitter: @BugMan_Bradley
Get on Spotify via Blubrry: Hosting customers only.
Excited news coming from the Blubrry team concerning Spotify; it will be available to hosting customers. E.W. Scripps is getting out of the radio business, entirely, and headed in the podcasting direction. Apple is also focusing on podcasting more so and is hiring. Catch MacKenzie and Mike at Podfest in Orlando soon, and much more including support information and tips on 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:
Coming soon – Spotify! Submissions will be available to Blubrry hosting customers soon.
Goodbye radio – from E.W Scripps: The owners of Stitcher and Midroll are selling ALL of their radio stations.
Apple Podcasts is hiring in Cupertino, CA: Digital Supply Chain Technical Producer
MacKenzie and Mike will be at Podfest this week in Orlando, Florida! Stop by and see them if you are going.
Topics:
Apple emailed most podcasters last week with an update.
Podcast analytics beta: Another update from Apple
Specification update: Put iTunes new feed URL tag in the NEW feed when moving to a different RSS feed.
Easier podcast submission for hosting partners: Blubrry has implemented this on our Subscribe to Apple Podcasts / iTunes page.
Support:
Support was VERY busy the last couple of weeks.
Sharing your episodes to social – Know WHAT you should share.
Moving your website/RSS feed – Be careful that you do not lose your subscribers in the process!
WordPress questions – Blubrry might not be the right place to ask these questions. Seek help from your theme developer.
New hire: We've got Dave Clements, host of Geek This! Podcast, on the Blubrry team for weekend support.
To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com.
Big changes are coming to some 30 radio stations around the country. E.W Scripps is cutting their radio department and will be selling off their 34 stations. In a move to focus more on podcasts, the multimedia company is also restructuring in other departments to improve all resources. Adam Symson, Scripps' relatively new CEO, has been influential in the move to podcasts.
Edible-Alpha, a podcast from the Food Finance Institute in Madison, Wisconsin is making waves with the food business. Tera Johnson, host and Zac Smucker-Bryan, producer, began this podcast in November of 2016 and have been sharing crucial information for those aiming to gain investors and finance knowledge for their food business. They have unique perspectives as a former radio host and someone coming in fresh to the entire industry.
Thanks for listening and please subscribe to the show.
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here.
Show Notes:
Scripps Reshapes for 21st century: Including employee cutbacks.
Food Finance Institute: Learn about their organization.
Bigger things to come for the Edible-Alpha podcast: What they're planning for 2018.
Zac's most proud of episode: A Steady, Slow Growth Path for Quince and Apple's Niche Domination.
Edible-Alpha™: Edible-Alpha™ is a digital resource hub providing consultants, lenders, investors and entrepreneurs with actionable insights, training, resources and tools that empowers them to build and fund the next generation of profitable food, beverage and value-added farm businesses.
Tera Johnson: Serial entrepreneur whose mission is to create the next generation of environmentally and economically regenerative food and farming businesses. The founder of teraswhey®and host of the Edible-Alpha™ podcast, Tera participated in the full arc of creating a successful investor-financed company. Now the founder of the Food Finance Institute at UW-Extension and winner of the Chancellor’s 2017 Wisconsin Idea Award, Tera is a frequent speaker, teacher and financial consultant to sustainable food and farming businesses, social venture funds and investors.
This Week in Tech (TWiT) is suing Twitter for two reasons; and they might actually have a viable case. CES has officially concluded and Todd is back on this episode of Your Podcast to give his recap of 2018. Facebook has some changes coming and listen in to see how they might affect you and your show. Lastly, debating if podcasts will save radio.
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.
We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:
TWiT is going after Twitter for breach of contract and copyright infringement. TWiT sues Twitter
Todd is a frequent flyer at CES and 2018 was no different.
Topics:
Podcasts Will Be The Savior of Radio, But Don't Call Them Podcasts: “A 'podcast' is a meaningless term left over from that historical piece of technology called an iPod. Your dad might have had one. It’s nothing more than a delivery method for audio, but holy moly it has opened the floodgates to a whole new world of possibility.”
Join the Blubrry Affiliate Program: Affiliate payday was last Wednesday. Lots of BIG payments went out! We had a very successful 2017 with the affiliate program.
Facebook Changes — How will it affect your podcast?: You might be seeing more from your aunt than the businesses that you Liked on Facebook.
Support:
Passwords — The biggest problem tech support sees is that people do not write down passwords or remember them. Set yourself up with LastPass or another password management system. It will make your life easier (not just for podcasting).
Program Keywords / Web Friendly Names / Blubrry Directory URLs — Don't overthink them. They are not THAT important.
NOTE: They can’t be changed after the fact if you are hosting or using stats at blubrry.com.
To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com
Podcasting is not slowing down in 2018, at least that's what these pros and experts have to say. 2017 was a very successful year for many podcasters, networks, newbies, etc, and 2018 will be no exception, with quality content and delivery taking precedence this year, based on the predictions from experts in the media industry. Host of the show, Working Cows, Clay Conry discusses with MacKenzie what we'll see later on and how he got started with his show this past fall.
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe. If you're interested in being a guest, please email MacKenzie (must be PowerPress user).
Fan of PowerPress? Leave us a review here!
Show notes:
20+ Blogging, Video, and Podcasting Predictions for 2018 from the Pros: Posted on Jan 11, 2018. Read up on what the people in this industry think will be happening this year – get in early on some of these ideas.
Social Media Examiner, hosting the Social Media Marketing World conference: Learn social media marketing tips from some of the world's most knowledgable.
Working Cows: From host Clay Conry. Thinking out of the box for the ranching industry, from someone whose been involved for countless years.
Working Cows social media: follow on these outlets for updates on the show and blog – Facebook, Twitter
CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, is up and running in Las Vegas, with Todd Cochrane in attendance. Mike and guest-host, MacKenzie discuss CES and Todd's Tech Podcasts Network coverage happening all of this week. The Blubrry team is looking for multiple team members to join, and Midroll is also hiring. Become more familiar with MacKenzie, Services and Affiliates Coordinator on the Blubrry team. RIP Combat Jack, long-time and loved podcaster, he passed away from colon cancer.
Thanks for listening to the show and please subscribe at PowerPressPodcast.com.
We love our PowerPress users, please leave us a review.
News:
Todd, along with the Tech Podcasts team are in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Check out their coverage starting tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan 8th, 2018) on TPN.tv and GeekNewsCentral.com.
Looking for a job in podcasting? Midroll Media is seeking a Production Coordinator at Earworlf.
Condolences to the family, friends and audience of Combat Jack. Combat Jack has passed away
Podfest in Orlando, FL Feb 8 – 10th. Make your plans to get to sunny Florida to see Mike and MacKenzie and the conference.
Topics:
Meet MacKenzie, Services & Affiliates Coordinator at Blubrry / RawVoice Inc.
Blubrry is hiring a full-time developer. Email jobs@rawvoice.com for more info or questions.
Support:
Statistics – Blubrry had a hardware failure. It's been resolved now. See this post for a full explanation.
3rd party media players and themes. There are lots of players available for WordPress to play podcasts, they are all fine but not all play well with PowerPress. We can help you with the stuff that PowerPress does, but we really can’t help much with the 3rd party players. If there is an issue with one of the players that we do not supply with PowerPress, you need to contact that player’s support team to troubleshoot it. If you have trouble with your RSS feed from PowerPress, we can help.
Do not pre-load or autoplay your podcast in the player on a page. Lot's of reasons to not integrate either of these on your website.
To ask questions or to comment on the show, contact Todd and Mike here: yourpodcast@blubrry.com. For MacKenzie, email MacKenzie@blubrry.com
