Planning Episodes

I'm back from Podfest, and today, I want to talk about a strategy that gets way more attention than it needs: When to publish your podcast episodes. Recently, while browsing Reddit, I spotted a question about the best time to post — specifically, whether 5:00 pm is a good time. The person wanted to launch a podcast focused on creepy stories and thought evening uploads would create the right mood. However, most advice online suggested otherwise, which led them to ask if evening uploads are uncomm...

In this episode, I get into the impact of taking an extended break from podcasting and how it affects your show’s growth, audience engagement, and completion rates. Here are the main takeaways: I discuss a situation where a podcast grew to 500 downloads per episode but lost half its audience after taking a year-long break. Even with improved audio quality and more polished episodes after returning, both downloads and completion rates suffered. Consistency is key. I emphasize how taking long brea...

Hey there, it’s Dave Jackson, and in this episode I’m revisiting the challenge of podcast names —a topic I haven’t covered since 2019! I share a simple test I use for show names: I tell people the name and ask what they think it’s about. If their answer matches my content, I know I’m on the right track. I talk about how it’s tempting to get cute with names (like “The Dugout” for a baseball show), but if you skip keywords like “baseball,” your show might not appear in searches. If you want a clev...

First up, let's talk about the wild ride of launching a podcast. It's like trying to throw a birthday party and making sure every single balloon is inflated to perfection. Spoiler alert: it’s impossible. Our main speaker, Dave, dives headfirst into the chaotic world of podcasting, where he points out that there’s never a perfect time to hit that record button. Seriously, if you're waiting for the planets to align or for your cat to give you the nod of approval, you might be waiting forever. Inst...

So, you’re stuck reading a script for your podcast and it feels as exciting as watching paint dry, huh? Well, let's shake things up! The key here is to stop sounding like a robot and start talking like a human. We’re getting into how to ditch that crutch of a script and get comfortable just chatting it up. You’ll learn to write like you talk—because, spoiler alert, we don’t actually talk like we write. Trust me, it’s all about knowing your material and letting your personality shine through. So ...

Bad Environments Lead to Bad Decisions Bad environments lead to bad decisions, and boy, do we have stories to share! Ever looked back at some of your life choices and thought, “What on Earth was I thinking?” Yeah, me too! We run into the chaos of those moments when our brains were more frazzled than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We chat about how a little bit of panic can turn us into decision-making nincompoops, like forgetting to get a website for our podcast. Spoiler alert: Having a...

Algorithms are like that friend who bails you out one minute and then ghost you the next. Serving alogirthms can help you reach your audience or throw your content into the digital abyss. This episode looks into the wild world of serving both our lovely audience and those picky, mood-swinging algorithms. We’re talking about how they can boost small creators or stomp them into the ground based on some arbitrary rules they change on a whim. So, grab your favorite snack and let’s break down the dou...

Launching a corporate podcast can be an exciting yet daunting task, especially when you’re the one leading the initiative. In this discussion, I dive into the steps and considerations necessary to create a successful corporate podcast. The Right People One of the most critical aspects is choosing the right host—someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about the podcasting process rather than just fulfilling a corporate duty. From my experiences, including my time at Libsyn, I’ve seen how appointing...

Last week talked about gear. This week we are talking about being a good guests and finding a good guest.

Are you ready to start your podcasting journey but feeling overwhelmed by the wide array of microphone options out there? Look no further because this episode, I'm diving into the world of podcasting microphones! In the latest episode of , I share...

Hey there, podcasters! In this episode of Your Podcast Consultant, I delve into an important topic: why you should hold off on starting a podcast until you have a clear vision for your content. Drawing from my extensive 18 years of podcasting...

Welcome to this episode of Your Podcast Consultant. I'm your host, Dave Jackson, and today, I'll be sharing some valuable insights on ensuring that you are recording your podcast in the right environment. Using a relatable analogy, I'll discuss the...

In today's episode, we explore an intriguing topic - the impact of a cute name on your podcast's success. Inside jokes don't work unless you're on the inside. It Sounded Good at the Time A cute name can inadvertently shoot the podcaster in the foot....

In this episode, Dave Jackson, the podcast consultant, draws a parallel between learning how to drive a car and starting a podcast. He observes that some aspiring podcasters struggle to figure out what to talk about and advises them not to worry about...

As someone who has been helping people understand technology for over 20 years, I'm here to say words matter. Today I help you understand two confusing terms floating around the podcasting space so you can stop confusing your audience.  Show...

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about podcasting. I hear things like: But I'm a small show My podcast doesn't make any money I'm only playing (X amount of time) I bought the CD The reality is, it doesn't matter. You need...

Audience engagement is critical for the success of any podcast. It's important to know who your audience is and what they want to hear. By understanding your audience, you can create content that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for...

I was on a show this week, and first let me say that my ego was not bruised, and I wasn't upset. However, I was worried that the host of the podcast that was interviewing me was throwing away his credibility.  When interviewing someone, be sure...

In the past, I would recommend what we called, "episode zero" where you would share about yourself, what to expect, and why you started the podcast. Then I read something In the book, by Joe Pulizzi states, “Your customers don’t care about you,...

There is a simple exercise you can to pick the right publishing schedule. I did this and it help me immensely. WHY? As always it comes back to WHO is this for and WHY are you doing it? You might do a quick daily podcast to keep your brand in front of...

People are trying to launch their podcast with down to the second precision and I'm here to tell you that you're going to lose your mind or have a heart attack.  People will pick a release date (typically not far out enough) and then struggle and...

As I release this it's January which is a month where many people launch a podcast. Why? Because it's a new year and they are pumped up and ready to embrace the new year. That is great and I love the excitement. Here are some questions you need to...

I know it's hard to ask someone to review that first episode that you just spent 10 hours working on, but it makes no sense to promote something until you know it engages your listeners. THE BEST EXAMPLE In watching the documentary Get Back on...

I get this question alot, "Do I NEED a website for my podcast?" This is usually from a person who feels they are not a "technical" person and they fear making a website. They feel you need to be a "nerd" to create a website. Well, fear not, you don't...