Prologue
Do You Need to Upgrade?
Izotope RX11 was released this week, which makes this a good time to remind you that you might not need that "update" you're thinking about.
I was recommending a Kensington Expert Mouse to a client this week and realized I've had mine since 2010. It's still going strong, so why replace it?
It's fun to buy things. It's also fun to try all the new technology available to us. However, sometimes the best choice is to appreciate and make the most out of what we already have.
Don't let "old equipment" be your excuse for not putting out a great podcast!
Reviews of the new RX are great, by the way. Dialogue Isolate, a feature I use in the Advanced version of RX10, is now available in the Standard (and much less expensive) version of RX11, so an upgrade may make since for you, if that's a feature that you need.
If you have upgraded (or are thinking about it), let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Podcaster Opportunities
Can You Write 12 Books in 12 Months?
The answer is yes.
Will any of the books you write be significant? Probably not.
Womp womp.
Still, this plan is worth a look, even if you just use it to organize your podcast episodes.
How he suggests planning everything out:
- Create a list of 20 topics revolving around a niche.
- Order these topics into a series.
- Outline each topic to have at least seven chapters/main points.
If you're looking for content for your podcast, this would also work. For example, taking an overall topic for each month and dividing that into 5-10 smaller elements, of which each could be an episode.
It will certainly get you thinking about different ways to approach what you're already talking about.
I'm curious to know what you do with it. Let me know via Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.
Steal This Idea
The Five-Finger Trigger
I love this concept for people who are starting a new podcast.
Will your idea work? Will anybody care? Should you actually start?
These are just a few of the questions you may ask yourself.
According to The Five-Finger Trigger, start once you find five people who are really interested. A lukewarm “maybe” doesn’t count—you need an emphatic “YES.”
Get your five people, then start building.
Need help? Here's how to work with me.
Podcast Marketing
A Model for Viral Content
Is there a formula for "viral" content? A lot of people promise this, but leave out the key ingredient, which we'll call "luck and algorithms."
But here are three things to start with that will help you take advantage of "luck and algorithms" when it comes your way.
- Grab Attention, Make a Promise
- Deliver on the Promise, Trigger Emotions
- Make the Message Last, Inspire Sharing
No, there's not a guaranteed formula for viral success. But focusing on these three principles will significantly improve your chances of creating content that resonates and spreads.
Podcast Hosting Skills
Ted’s 10 Rules for Public Speaking
I love these rules for public speaking, which also work great for podcasters ... with some modification.
- The Podium is Death
- Invade the Audience’s Space
- Embrace Spontaneity—Even (or Especially) When It Seems Risky
- Remember That the Audience Always Wants You to Succeed
- Don’t Be Afraid of Humor
- You really don’t need slides, and if you insist on using them you must deal with the consequences
- Tap into Your Own Craziness
- Don’t Be Shy About Giving Your Roadmap to the Audience
- Pay attention to other speakers, and steal all their best techniques
- Be a Rock Star and Savor the Moment
Something to chew on ... I go deeper on these in the audio edition of this newsletter.
Classifieds
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$100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite
This $100 Podcast Studio from Focusrite includes:
- Vocaster One audio interface
- Vocaster DM1 mic
- Focusrite HP60v studio headphones
- XLR mic/interface cable
It's perfect for a solo podcaster or somebody doing only remote interviews.
Have two people in the same room? This $200 Podcast Studio with Vocaster DM14v mic, studio headphones, and XLR cable will do what you need.
The Wrap Up
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