Strategies Episodes

Episode Show Notes: The "Urgency Trap" vs. Quality In this episode, we tackle the paradox of the "Urgency Trap"—why we feel an overwhelming need to rush our creative projects, even when we've been sitting on them for years. Key Takeaways The "Anus GPS" Effect: Why do we make bad decisions when we're close to the finish line? Much like the frantic urge to reach the bathroom in time, when we get close to launching something, we hit a panic button. We start rushing, and that's when mistak...

I Can't Tell What Is Working! When you just promote your podcast everywhere, it's hard to tell what is working. One way that makes it easy to see what's working is to track the links you share. Newsletters like Kit, Beehiz, Mailerlite enable you to see what is getting clicked on. I use Fathom stats on my website so I can see where my traffic is coming from (and enables to see where I get more traffic from my newsletter than social media). This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I...

How is this still happening? You ever have one of those moments where you see something so ridiculous you can’t help but roll your eyes? That’s basically the theme of this episode. I’m talking about the world of podcasting and, honestly, it’s kind of wild. It’s 2026, and people are still posting “New episode out! (and that's it)” on social media like that’s some kind of marketing strategy. Seriously? Yes, It's Better Than Nothing... In this episode, I talk about why podcasters need to s...

Podcast promotion breaks down to this: Identify who your audience is Go to where they are (online and offline) Make friends with them Tell them about your show Don't Overthink it So a person on Reddit mentioned they wanted to grow their podcast about horror movies. Let's see.... where could I find a bunch of people who like horror movies... if only there was a place where people who like horror MOVIES go. If only...... Go to Where They Are So go to the movie cinepl...

Hey, it’s Dave Jackson. In this episode, I’m talking directly to those of you who want to start a podcast but feel paralyzed by fear, perfectionism, or that nagging voice telling you you’re not good enough. I share my personal tips for getting your content out of your head and into the world—without letting things like criticism or imperfect editing stop you. I start by reflecting on a post I saw on Reddit, where someone struggled with overthinking, fear of criticism, and worrying about makin...

In this episode, I tackled a common issue solo podcasters face: what do you do when you need to reference a stat, date, or chart on the fly while recording while on a LIVE STREAM? I discussed some typical options: pausing to Google it (which can break your momentum), guessing (and risk sounding uninformed), or flagging it for post-production fixes (which adds editing time). But I pointed out a missed option: coming prepared! If you do your research ahead of time, you can minimize disruptions w...

Making your podcast better isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about engaging your audience right from the start. Think about the great sitcoms we all know and love—Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers. They all had something to grab our attention immediately. It’s like when you tune in to see what hilarious thing Jerry is going to say or how Joey is going to mess up this time. The key takeaway? Hook your listeners before you hit them with the ads. You Monetize an Audience Sure, we all need to m...

The struggle is real when you're launching a podcast aimed at answering listener questions, but you can't even get your mom to tune in. I tackle this conundrum with a blend of sarcasm and genuine advice, emphasizing that while it might feel like you're shouting into the void, there are ways to build that listener base. I suggest simple strategies like inviting friends and family to send in questions or creating fake ones to maintain the illusion of engagement. I also touch on the importanc...

Ever had that moment when your best buddy decides they want to jump on the podcast train with you? Yeah, it's all fun and games until you realize they might just be the anchor dragging you down. In this episode, we look at how to keep that precious friendship intact while navigating the choppy waters of collaboration. I share some painfully relatable stories about working with friends, like that time they left a stable job for a shiny new opportunity that turned out to be a total flop. The...

You talked about the promotion. You didn't talk about the content. I'm here to tell you, it's your content. How do I know? Because I've been helping podcaters grow their show. There are two phrases that go back to back . 1. I need help growing my podcast 2. My content is fine. Then I listen and it takes nine minutes to get to the topic. The episode title starts with "Episode XX" which is a giant waste of space (only your ego cares what number it is). Ask your audience to share it with a frie...

Deciding what to keep and what to cut in podcast editing can seem hard, but with a little insight it becomes easy. So fear not, because we dig into this conundrum with all the sarcasm and irony you can handle. First, we chat about the importance of knowing your audience. Seriously, if your guest starts rambling off nonsensical answers that have nothing to do with the question, it’s a clear sign that something’s gotta give. It's simple: keep the stuff that brings value, even if it’s wrapped in a...

The burning question on every wannabe podcaster's mind: do I really need a podcast coach? Spoiler alert: no, you don’t *have* to have one, and you could just jump in, flail around, and figure things out for yourself. But let’s be real for a sec. Imagine setting off on a cross-country road trip without a GPS. Sure, you could just guess which way is west, but wouldn’t it be easier to have a reliable map guiding you? That’s what a coach can do for your podcasting journey. They help you dodge the ...

So, you’ve taken a long break from your podcast—like a “I forgot how to talk to a mic” kind of break—and now you’re wondering how to get back in the game. Well, I’m here to explain on how to restart without losing your marbles or your listeners. First off, if you ditched your show for a while, don’t sweat it! Just let your audience know you’re back and ready to rock. No need for a dramatic apology; they might not even remember why you vanished. Seriously, just dive back in, figure out what yo...

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. S...

In this episode, we look at essential strategies for fitting podcasting into a hectic schedule. Whether you're balancing a full-time job, family, or other commitments, maintaining consistency in podcast creation can be challenging. I share time management hacks and scheduling tips tailored for busy podcasters like you. Episode Highlights: Introduction to Consistent Podcasting: Why consistency matters and how it can enhance your connection with your audience. Understanding Your Time: Learn ...

Should you put your audio podcast on YouTube? The answer, as Dave Jackson explains, is a resounding yes if you’re not currently utilizing the platform. With YouTube being the second largest search engine, it offers a valuable opportunity for podcasters to expand their audience without any significant investment of time or resources. Even if you have an audio podcast, uploading it to YouTube can lead to greater visibility and potential growth, thanks to the YouTube algorithm's recommendation engi...

I saw this question from Stanley Adoyi in a Facebook group and thought I'd use it today. If you have a question you can leave it at www.podcastconsultant.com/voicemail Seasons makes sense in two situations: 1. You have a team of 19 flying around the world to do interviews and they are tried. 2. You are having so much mental stress that your health and family are affected (and maybe should have thought a little more about your podcast schedule before launch). If you're not in the above t...

Today we're diving into a topic that might not seem connected to podcasting at first glance—McDonald's. When you think of McDonald's, you might picture those golden arches and maybe even crave an Egg McMuffin or those unforgettable fries. But what does McDonald’s have to do with your podcast? Well, today I will break it down for you and show you why McDonald’s consistent success holds valuable lessons for podcasters. So, stick around as we uncover how you can become the McDonald’s of your podc...

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

Fraud is a broad legal term that refers to situations where someone is intentionally dishonest in order to receive some kind of benefit from a person, business, or entity. If you sell cookies for a charity that doesn’t exist, that’s fraud. If you use a handicap sticker in your car so you can park up front, but you don’t have a disability. That is fraud When a sponsor pays to get in front of your actual audience and you pay a company to artificially inflate your stats, that is fraud. This Hur...

In this episode, I explore the process of shutting down a podcast. Drawing from my own experience with ending a long-running show, and what happens when you quit paying your media host. I discuss options for keeping your podcast files accessible and...

Welcome to “Your Podcast Consultant,” where every episode brings you actionable insights to elevate your podcasting game. Today, we've got an eye-opening discussion on the crucial differences between pitching and networking – and why knowing...

Today I point out that as cool as AI can be, you need to be careful. You may end up accidentally lying to your audience. My buddy Elsie Escobar made a great point on her show The Feed, and I wanted to bring this topic to you. READY TO START YOUR...

Today we talk about the common podcasting dilemma of whether to rerun old episodes or take a break. I offer a fresh perspective on this issue, emphasizing the importance of leveraging previous content in a way that can boost engagement and downloads....