About this episode
In today's episode, we're going to pull back that curtain on podcasting best practices. And some of these conventions are grounded in logic and proven results, and others might just be myths that we're just blindly following. I explain why I think these are legit, and explain why some of these are not accurate. As always your audience may be different than mine, but based on 20 years in podcasting, these are the just some of the best practices I teach at the School of Podcasting.Why is Recording a Test Episode before launch a Podcast Best Practice?Authors have rough draftsAthletes have pre-seasonActors have dress rehearsalWhen you publish the first thing you record, you are essentially publishing a "rough draft." Anytime you do something for the first time, it's not as good as the second.Why is Defining a Clear Topic or Niche a Podcast Best Practice?It makes it easy to create content. If I'm making dinner for a bunch of vegans, I know what I can make and what I couldn't.This makes it easier to market. Now instead of marketing to Vegans, Carnivore, or those who are Glucose Intolerant, etc.You can also lump this in with the advice of "Know your audience."What appears is a downside may be an upside: a smaller but more loyal audience.Why Is Getting to the Topic ASAP a Podcast Best Practice?Do you have a ton of free time?Look at Netflix, when an episode is over it give you an option to skip the credits and go to the next episode. When you go to the next episode, it prompts you to skip the intro. This leads me to believe it is best to get to the content asap.Why is Knowing Why Your Are Podcasting a Podcast Best Practice?When a podcaster doesn't get the result they had hoped to receive, they quit (often before their 10th episode).If you were hired by a company to earn more money, and then they paid you the same (or less) would you stay?Why is Engaging with Audience and Creating a Community a Podcast Best Practice?The previous best practice was "Get to know your audience." This is how you get to know them.This can be on social, email, anyway you can interact with your audience you should do it.Why is Prioritizing Sound Quality a Podcast Best Practice?You want it to be EASY to consume your content. You don't want the audience to strain to consume your content. Reverb or "room noise" can become a serious issue when the listener is in a car with the noise of the tires on the road. Think of it this way, smear vaseline on your glasses and try to watch something. You can do it, but it takes extra effort. We need it to
