Buzzsprout Weekly

A weekly roundup of podcast industry news and updates from the Buzzsprout team! Each episode aims at making podcasters successful with tips, tech reviews, upcoming events, and links to content aimed at making new and seasoned podcasters successful.

  1. 1 day ago

    Buzzsprout Creator Spotlight: Got Any Cows?

    Send a question for 'Ask Megan' Hey Podcasters! One of the reasons I love highlighting Buzzsprout creators is that they often find uses for podcasting that most of us would never think of! Take ​Got Any Cows​. It's a podcast hosted by Seth Christensen, who runs a cattle operation in Idaho. He originally started the show because he wanted a more consistent way to connect with customers than the occasional Facebook post. Then listeners started asking: "Can we see the cows?" And that question changed the podcast! Instead of recording in a studio, Seth and his producer Jacob started recording on the ranch, in the truck, and anywhere the work was actually happening.  Video became a way to bring listeners into the story. When Seth talks about a cow he's selling, people can see the animal. When he's discussing ranch operations, they can see the ranch itself. What stood out to me is that they didn't add video because they felt pressure to. They added it because it made the podcast better! And they didn't build a giant production around it either. Most episodes are recorded with a couple of cameras and a lavalier mic. The focus is still on the conversation and the story. It's easy to get intimidated by video podcasts, but that feels like an important lesson for the rest of us: you don't need a lot of fancy gear.  Jacob, the producer of Got Any Cows?, recommends, "If someone is considering starting a video podcast but feels overwhelmed by the amount of work involved, start small. Sit in front of a window for natural lighting, skip buying equipment at first, use your phone to record, and get a simple $20 tripod to hold it." The best video podcasts are shows where video adds something listeners couldn't get from audio alone. And for ​Got Any Cows​, that approach is working!  They've been early adopters of video on Apple Podcasts, using Buzzsprout to help them stand out in a niche where very few creators are doing the same. If you've ever thought about trying video, I'd take a page from Seth and Jacob's playbook: start with what makes your podcast interesting and ask yourself whether video helps tell that story. And if the answer is yes, you can upgrade to a Buzzsprout video plan and start publishing video episodes to Apple Podcasts! Learn About Video Have a question for Megan? Send a text! That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    3 min
  2. 16 Jun

    Apple Podcasts or Youtube?

    Send a question for 'Ask Megan' Hey, Podcasters! One of the questions we've been hearing a lot lately is: "If I'm making video for my podcast, should I put it on Apple Podcasts or YouTube?" The good news is that you don't necessarily have to choose. In this week's video, Tom Buck breaks down the differences between the two platforms and why they actually serve different purposes. A simple way to think about it: YouTube helps new people discover your content Apple Podcasts helps existing listeners watch your show Both can play an important role in your podcast growthHe also walks through video distribution in Buzzsprout! Upload one video file, and Buzzsprout will send the video to Apple Podcasts while continuing to deliver the audio to all your other directories. If you've been curious about video podcasting or wondering whether Apple Podcasts should be part of your strategy, check out this video! Watch Video Mark Your Calendar Great podcast artwork doesn't happen by accident!  In ​an interactive session​ on June 25th, Arielle Nissenblatt and Buzzsprout's Head of Marketing, Alban Boorke, will break down what makes cover art effective.  They will offer live feedback on attendee submissions and share practical ways to improve your cover art design. If you've been wanting to update your artwork, ​sign up​ to reserve your spot!  Have a question for Megan? Send a text! That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    2 min
  3. 9 Jun

    Should You Start a New Show?

    Send a question for 'Ask Megan' Hey, Podcasters! Most podcast advice focuses on how to keep your show going. But this week on Buzzcast, we explored a different question: When is it time to start something new? We're not talking about quitting podcasting. In fact, quite the opposite. We're talking about when a podcast naturally reaches the end of its run.  Sometimes it's because your interests evolve. And other times, you've learned so much from your first show that you're ready to apply those skills to a new idea. One of my favorite takeaways from the episode was that some projects end like a funeral, but others can end like a graduation! You finished what you set out to do, and now you're excited about what's next. In this episode, the Buzzcast team talks about several reasons podcasters start a second show: • They've discovered a new topic they're genuinely excited about • They've outgrown the original format • They want to experiment with a different style of podcasting • They have uncovered a new idea while creating their current show The good news is that none of the work from your first podcast goes away! You still have the skills, the experience, the confidence behind the mic, and everything you've learned along the way. So if you've been kicking around a new podcast idea or wondering whether it's time to explore something different, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation!  Listen to Buzzcast Episode of the Week The past few weeks, you've heard me talk a lot about video podcasting. It's an exciting time to be thinking about video, but it can also be confusing to know if it's the right fit for your podcast.  In this episode of ​Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer​, Alban and Courtney discuss how to know if video is worth adding to your show and what it takes to do it well!  Listen to Episode Have a question for Megan? Send a text! That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    2 min
  4. 12 May

    Video Distribution to Apple Podcasts Is Here

    Send a question for 'Ask Megan' Hey, Podcasters! I have big news to share: video distribution to Apple Podcasts is now available to all Buzzsprout podcasters. You can now upload video files to Buzzsprout and send video episodes directly to Apple Podcasts, while Buzzsprout continues distributing audio everywhere else. Apple Podcasts is one of the best places to reach podcast listeners, and now your audience can choose how they experience your show: Watch the episodeListen like a traditional podcast Or read along with the transcript...all inside Apple Podcasts. This is especially useful for podcasters who already record video but haven’t wanted to manage a more complicated workflow! We recently talked through what video on Apple Podcasts means for indie podcasters on ​Buzzcast​, including why we think this creates a real opportunity for growth right now. If you’ve been curious about video podcasting, this is a great time to experiment with it! Get Started with Video Mark Your Calendar Buzzsprout and ​Podnews​ are headed to ​The Podcast Show London​, and we want to hang out with you!  Join us on May 19th from 4-7 PM for a fun night of networking, food, and drinks. RSVP to save your spot! We hope to see you there! RSVP Grow Your Craft ​What PR Actually Means for Podcasters:​ PR gets talked about a lot in podcasting, but most creators still aren’t sure how to use it to grow their show. In this live session on May 14th, you'll learn how podcast PR really works and how it differs from marketing and advertising. Sign up for the event to reserve your spot! ​Jacksonville Podcasters - Join us for Age of Audio: ​WJCT Public Media and Jax Podcasters United are showing a special screening of Age of Audio, a documentary about the rise of podcasting, followed by a live panel discussion and Q&A with director Shaun Michael Colón. The event on June 3rd is free, but RSVPs are requested because space is limited. Reserve your spot today! Have a question for Megan? Send a text! That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    3 min
  5. 5 May

    How to Keep Old Content Fresh

    Send a question for 'Ask Megan' Hey, Podcasters! If you're anything like me, updating ads and announcements used to be a hassle. Anytime I wanted to swap a promo, update a sponsorship, or change a call-to-action, I had to go back and edit each episode one by one. That was until I learned about Dynamic Content! Dynamic Content lets you add and remove time-sensitive content across your entire back catalog, without re-uploading anything. So instead of old promos and outdated messages sticking around forever, you can keep your ads and announcements aligned with what you’re doing right now. Dynamic Content makes it easy to: • Swap in new promos across old episodes • Update sponsorships • Run time-sensitive announcements • Keep your call-to-actions fresh Once you start using Dynamic Content, your podcast becomes a lot more flexible and a lot easier to manage. If you haven’t explored Dynamic Content yet, now’s a great time to learn how it works!Join us this Wednesday, May 6th, at 1:00 PM EST, for a Buzzsprout Features Orientation where we’ll take a closer look at Dynamic Content and answer any questions you have in real time. You can sign up today to reserve your spot! Sign Up for the Orientation Mark Your Calendar Buzzsprout and Podnews are headed to The Podcast Show London, and we want to hang out with you! Join us on May 19th from 4-7 PM for a fun night of networking, food, and drinks. RSVP to save your spot! We hope to see you there! RSVP Have a question for Megan? Send a text! That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    2 min

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A weekly roundup of podcast industry news and updates from the Buzzsprout team! Each episode aims at making podcasters successful with tips, tech reviews, upcoming events, and links to content aimed at making new and seasoned podcasters successful.

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