Podcast Insider Todd Cochrane, Mike Dell & MacKenzie Bennett

Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast! In this episode, we discuss the world of video podcasting and specifically just how easy it can be with Blubrry. Podcasters and creators of all levels will learn about the unique opportunities and challenges video podcasting presents. Join us as we discuss the technical aspects of video production, content creation techniques, and how to effectively engage with your audience through visual storytelling.



When it comes to podcasting in general, a video podcast is not that much harder to publish in an RSS feed than audio is. Simply upload an mp4 (the best format for a video podcast) and the rest is the same. On the production side, it’s a bit more complex.



Doing a video podcast via RSS is more cancel-proof. It also allows you to distribute to more than one platform.

Here are some things to think about if you are going to do a video podcast:

Technical Setup



Quality Equipment: Invest in a good camera, microphone, and lighting.

Editing Software: Use reliable video editing software to ensure high-quality production.

Hosting Platform: Choose a hosting platform such as Blubrry that supports video files and can generate an RSS feed.



Note: Video files are much larger than audio files.







Content Preparation



Script/Outline: Prepare a script or outline to keep the podcast organized and engaging.

Consistency: Maintain a regular schedule for releasing episodes.

Target Audience: Know your target audience and tailor content to their interests.



Recording



Environment: Record in a quiet, well-lit space to minimize background noise and visual distractions.

Testing: Test your equipment and settings before recording to avoid technical issues.

Backup: Always have a backup recording to prevent data loss.



Post-Production



Editing: Edit for clarity and pacing, and remove any mistakes or unwanted sections.



Video can be more challenging to edit than audio.

If you are going to do an audio version of your video, edit the video and then extract the audio for your audio podcast (in that order).





Branding: Add intros, outros, and any branding elements to create a professional look.

Transcripts: Provide transcripts for accessibility.



Distribution



RSS Feed: Ensure your RSS feed is properly configured to distribute video content.

Platforms: Submit your RSS feed to various podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Podcast Index and some others. (Video is not used on as many platforms as audio is.)



As a secondary distribution, upload to YouTube, Facebook, X, Spotify if you're careful and other social media.





SEO: Optimize episode titles, descriptions, and tags for better discoverability.



Marketing



Promotion: Use social media, email newsletters, and collaborations to promote your podcast.

Engagement: Engage with your audience through comments, social media interactions, surveys and feedback.

Analytics: Monitor analytics to understand viewer behavior and improve future episodes.



Legal Considerations



Copyright: Ensure you have the rights to all content used, including music and images.

Disclaimers: Include any necessary disclaimers or disclosures for transparency.



Miscellaneous



Storage: Have adequate storage for video files and backups.

Updates: Keep your equipment and software updated to avoid technical issues.

Adaptability: Be open to feedback and willing to make changes to improve your podcast.



Thanks for tuning in to this episode all about video podcasts!

We've got a special episode of Podcast Insider as the Blubrry team celebrates our 400th episode! Join us as we reflect on our journey, share highlights and stories from past episodes, and discuss what's next for Blubrry Podcasting. This milestone is a testament to our incredible community of podcasters, listeners, and supporters. Thank you for being part of our journey!



Episode 400 is likely not completely accurate. We guessed when we started Podcast Insider by adding up all the prior episodes of all the prior podcasts, but it’s close enough :)

Cathy and Todd reflect on attending the Podcast Show in London in May

Different names of this podcast



Blubrry community podcast - Just about anything, no schedule.

PowerPress Podcast - MacKenzie interviewed PowerPress and Blubrry users -  Weekly(Ish)

Your Podcast - Todd and Mike talked about deep subjects around podcasting - Weekly(Ish)

We combined PowerPress Podcast and Your Podcast into Podcast Insider - The current show with Mike, Mac and Todd weekly





Todd has been a podcasting pioneer for 20 years Inaugurated into the Podcaster Hall of Fame in 2015, wrote the first book on podcasting

Humble beginnings - Started with just Todd in 2004 and then brought on other staff in 2005 and then added more full-time employees in 2015 and have continued down that road.



We want to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have been part of this incredible journey. Your support, feedback, and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our success. We've shared countless stories, learned valuable lessons, and built a community that thrives on the passion for podcasting.



Here's to the next 400 episodes and beyond—continuing to innovate, inspire, and celebrate the world of podcasting together. Stay tuned for more exciting content, and as always, happy podcasting!







The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.



Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider



Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.

todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com

Today Blubrry discusses the essentials of building and maintaining a podcast website. We explore why having your own site is crucial for total control over your content and audience engagement. Specifically, we'll focus on the advantages of using WordPress paired with our plugin, PowerPress. Your show is never safer than when it's in your hands.



If you are using WordPress and PowerPress for your podcast publishing, YOU are the platform. This is good. You own the feed address and get all the SEO benefits to your brand. BUT, with great power, comes great responsibility!

Here are the main pros and cons of being your own podcast platform.

Pros

1. Control and Customization



Full Control: You have complete control over your content, layout, and feed settings.

Customization Options: PowerPress offers various customization options for your podcast, including episode-specific settings, SEO features, and advanced feed settings.



2. SEO Benefits



SEO Integration: WordPress is SEO-friendly, and PowerPress enhances this by allowing you to optimize your podcast episodes for search engines.

Increased Visibility: Proper SEO practices can increase your podcast's visibility, attracting more listeners.



3. Integrated Website



Unified Platform: Having your podcast and website on the same platform can simplify management and provide a seamless experience for your audience.

Additional Content: You can easily add blog posts, show notes, and other content related to your podcast episodes.



4. Monetization and Analytics



Monetization Options: You can integrate ads, affiliate links, and other monetization methods directly on your site.

Detailed Analytics: PowerPress provides detailed podcast analytics, helping you understand your audience and improve your content.



5. Community and Support



Large Community: WordPress has a large community of users and developers, providing extensive support and resources.

Regular Updates: Both WordPress and PowerPress receive regular updates, ensuring your site remains secure and functional.



Cons

1. Technical Knowledge Required



Learning Curve: Setting up and managing a WordPress site with PowerPress can be complex, especially for beginners.

Maintenance: Regular updates and maintenance are required to keep your site secure and running smoothly.



2. Hosting Costs



Additional Costs: You need to pay for web hosting, domain registration, and possibly premium plugins or themes, which can add up.



3. Potential for Technical Issues



Compatibility Issues: Plugins and themes can sometimes conflict, causing issues that need troubleshooting.

Security Vulnerabilities: A poorly maintained WordPress site can be vulnerable to security threats, requiring vigilance and security measures.

Too much security: Your RSS feed needs to remain public and not behind any firewalls or other blocking for security reasons. Some systems can block your feed from Apple and other destinations which defeats the podcasting works. In most cases, you are not trying to protect Fort Knox!



4. Time-Consuming



Content Management: Managing a WordPress site can be time-consuming, especially if you're also focusing on creating podcast content.

Backup and Recovery: Regular backups are essential to avoid data loss, adding to the time and effort needed.



5. Dependence on Plugins



Plugin Reliance: Relying heavily on plugins to from the way your site LOOKS can sometimes lead to issues if plugins become outdated or unsupported.

Performance Impact: Too many plugins can slow down your website, affecting user experience and SEO.

The podcasting path has been long and prosperous for our Podcaster of the Month, Greg Thompson.



Greg Thompson



Since its launch in 2016, Thompson's show, PodWheels, has produced more than 1,500 podcast episodes while generating more than 200,000 downloads. In this episode of Podcast Insider, he shared with us the long and winding road that led his career from sports celebrity interviews to the shared wisdom and important insights of truckers. Join Mike Dell as he learns of the incredible journey of Greg Thompson and the impactful stories from the world of trucking.



Check out the Podwheels network here



Find his Podcaster of the Month article here







The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.



Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider



Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.

todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com

Today we dive into the cutting-edge world of advertising strategies tailored specifically for podcasters. The monetization opportunities for podcasters is always changing, but there are a few ways that will always stick around. In this episode, we explore innovative ad techniques that go beyond traditional methods, helping you maximize your revenue while maintaining a seamless listening experience for your audience. The Blubrry team's expert advice on this topic can helps with actionable insights and advice to elevate your ad game. Discover how to transform your advertising approach to stand out in the ever-competitive podcasting industry.

Two Main Types of Podcast Ad Strategies:

1. Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI): (Programmatic) This allows podcasters to insert ads into their episodes dynamically, so different listeners might hear different ads depending on factors like location, listening platform, or time of day. This flexibility means that ads can be more relevant and timely.

2. Content Insertion: You manually set this up to insert ads, promos, intros, outros, and other such content. It’s less dynamic than DAI as it’s the same for everyone who listens during the time period set in the system.



Ad insertion technology offers podcasters a variety of ways to enhance their podcasts and monetize their content effectively.



Here are some key uses of ad insertion tech in podcasting:



Time-sensitive Advertising: Podcasters can insert ads that are relevant only for a certain period, such as promotions for an upcoming event or a sale that is about to end. After the event or sale, they can replace the ad with another without altering the original content of the podcast.

A/B Testing: With ad insertion technology, podcasters can test different ads to see which performs better with their audience. This can be done by alternating between different ad versions across different episodes or even within the same episode over time.

Improved Listener Experience: By using ad insertion, podcasters can place ads in natural breaks within the content, making the listening experience less disruptive. This strategic placement can help maintain listener engagement and reduce the likelihood of listeners skipping ads.

Back Catalog Monetization: Podcasters can monetize older episodes by inserting new ads into them. This makes the entire catalog a potential source of revenue, not just the latest episodes.

Tiered Subscription Models: Some podcasters offer ad-free versions of their podcasts to subscribers while using ad insertion to monetize the free versions. This can encourage more subscriptions while still generating revenue from non-subscribers.

Sponsorship Flexibility: Ad insertion technology makes it easier for podcasters to manage sponsorships. They can switch sponsors across different episodes or seasons without needing to re-record anything.

Performance Tracking: Podcasters can track how well different ads perform in terms of listener engagement and interaction. This data is crucial for improving ad strategies and demonstrating value to advertisers.

Replacing Beg/End: Change your intro messages/music/outros at the beginning or end of your shows.



Ad insertion tech (or, more accurately for this discussion, content insertion) is available in three ways at Blubrry; htey can be used for more than just advertising.

Here is what we offer at Blubrry:



Manual ad insertion (Pre-roll only). Pre-roll ads for Thrive Bundle or Pro Hosting

Manual ad insertion (Pre, Post, and Mid-roll). Full ad insertion with Blubrry Pro hosting

Programmatic ad insertion. (DAI) Ads are automatically sold and inserted for you. You share in the revenue. $ This is available to ALL Blubrry hosting customers at no additional cost.



By leveraging these capabilities,

Creating exclusive content for paying podcast listeners is an excellent way to provide additional value and encourage more listeners to subscribe to premium tiers. Blubrry offers premium podcasting for creators to offer to their audience in hopes of not only creating special, specific content for them, but monetizing said content as well.

Here are several ways podcasters can offer exclusive content to their paying subscribers:

Bonus Episodes: Offer additional episodes that are available only to paying subscribers. These could include deeper dives into topics discussed in regular episodes, interviews with special guests, or entirely unique content not available in the main feed.

Early Access to Episodes: Allow paying subscribers to listen to episodes before they are released to the general public. This early access can be a significant draw for dedicated fans who eagerly anticipate new content.

Ad-Free Listening: Provide an ad-free experience for subscribers, which can make listening more enjoyable and streamlined.

Extended Episodes: Offer longer versions of regular episodes with extended discussions, additional segments, or uncut interviews that non-paying listeners don't get to hear.

Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share insights into the podcast production process, including planning sessions, bloopers, and discussions about how episodes are put together. This type of content gives listeners a sense of involvement in the creative process.

Exclusive Q&A Sessions: Host live or recorded Q&A sessions where paying subscribers can submit questions. These could be about the podcast content, general advice, or personal questions for the host.

Interactive Content and Polls: Allow subscribers to vote on upcoming episode topics, guests, or other elements of the show. Engaging listeners in the content creation process can increase their investment in the podcast.

Member-Only Community Access: Create a private forum or chat group, such as on Discord or Slack, where subscribers can interact with each other and the hosts. This community aspect can be a strong incentive for fans to subscribe.

Exclusive Merchandise: Offer merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or stickers that are only available to paying members or at a discounted rate compared to general availability.

Special Events: Invite subscribers to exclusive online or in-person events such as live recordings, meet-and-greets, or workshops.

Personalized Messages or Content: Provide personalized shout-outs, birthday messages, or other personalized content that makes subscribers feel valued on a personal level.



By leveraging these strategies, podcasters can create a compelling subscription offering that enhances listener engagement and boosts revenue, all while rewarding their most loyal fans with valuable content.







The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group.



Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider



Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call with Todd or a tech checkup with Mike.

todd@blubrry.com and mike@blubrry.com