The Friendly Podcast Guide

Andi Smiley
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The Friendly Podcast Guide

Hi, I'm Andi Smiley, the Friendly Podcast Guide! I’ve been in the podcasting world for 4 years. I’ve learned so much during that time, but I still don’t know everything. That’s why on my show I talk to podcast hosts I admire about their skills and insights so that you and I can improve our shows in a way that leaves us feeling empowered and not bogged down by more busy work. I help women who still have kids at home elevate their podcasts by sharing conversations I have with fabulous podcasters and sharing my own podcasting journey.

  1. 12/03/2024

    The Highs and Lows (and Everything in Between) of Season 2

    I can’t believe this is the last episode of Season 2! As we are wrapping up my first “official” season of the Friendly Podcast Guide I am so excited to talk about last month’s episodes and some of my thoughts about Season 2 overall. In this episode I answered these questions: How many downloads did my episodes get in November? What experiments did I try in November? (And did they work?) What are my thoughts about how Season 2 went? What am I doing between seasons? Topics discussed during this episode: Podcast download numbers Experimenting with your podcast How much money I made as a podcaster Starting a new podcast Podcast coaching calls Video podcasting Podcasts on YouTube The main takeaways from this episode are: Season 2 of the Friendly Podcast Guide was a rollercoaster Download numbers aren’t everything Experimenting with your podcast is the best way to podcast Creating a video podcast isn’t as hard as you think it is For help launching your podcast you can join The Podcast Launch Club! Links: The Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/ The Allusionist podcast: https://www.theallusionist.org/ Brittany Herzberg’s (SEO Queen) website: https://brittanyherzberg.com/ Get on my email list: https://friendlypodcastguide.com/podcast-checklist/ Timestamps (00:00) Introducing the episode (00:50) Get to know Andi (03:18) November’s download numbers & money (06:57) Podcast coaching calls (07:51) Podcast experiments (11:06) My thoughts on Season 2 (15:23) What I’m doing between seasons

    21 min

  2. 11/26/2024

    Answering 9 Common Podcasting Questions

    Here are answers to all of the questions you have, but don’t have the time to find individual answers for on the internet. As a podcast coach I love answering questions about podcasting. It’s my job. So here are answers to all of the common podcasting questions I get. Here are some of the questions we will cover: What is a podcast hosting platform? And which ones are good ones? What kind of microphone should I buy? How do I get approved by Apple Podcasts? Topics discussed in this episode include: Podcasting equipment Podcast release schedule Podcast workflow Seasonal podcasting Podcast episode creation Podcast hosting platforms Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:27) Podcast hosting platforms (01:11) Podcasting tech (02:20) Seasonal podcasts (04:33) First podcast episode/release schedule (05:34) Podcast content buckets (07:27) Podcast Editing Software (08:20) Apple Podcast Approval (09:18) Choosing a podcast niche (10:04) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions (10:58) Recap Links Descript: https://get.descript.com/yjkxjv7z0u54 Dynamic microphone I use: https://amzn.to/3YZtNh6 Next Day Podcast: https://clients.nextdaypodcast.com/r/21GG21 how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy

    13 min

  3. 11/19/2024

    Podcast Tips from Top Sleep Podcaster, Nothing Much Happens

    Learning from the host of one of the top sleep podcasts in the world today. Yes. It’s a dream come true that I get to talk to Kathryn Nicolai who is the host of Nothing Much Happens, my favorite sleep podcast that I use at least once a week to fall asleep. She has some amazing insights into how to serve your listeners, which will then help your show grow. Here are some of the insights Kathryn shares during our conversation: Creativity is a practice Your listeners notice when your main priority is to serve Know what your listener needs and give it to them Meet people where they are  Stop waiting to feel ready, start now Topics discussed in this episode include: Podcasts on YouTube Serving your podcast listeners Starting a podcast Making money from your podcast Connecting with podcast listeners Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:33) Get to know Kathryn (04:56) Creativity as a practice (06:26) Serving your listeners (09:06) Why people love Nothing Much Happens (12:43) Responsibility to the listeners (16:03) The podcast on YouTube (17:36) Money side of the podcast (22:48) Donating to charity weekly (24:58) Writing the stories (28:15) Advice for podcasters (30:51) What Andi learned from this chat Links: Nothing Much Happens website: https://www.nothingmuchhappens.com/ The podcast Kathryn talked about at the beginning of our conversation is called Bad Women: The Blackout Ripper: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/bad-women-the-ripper-retold Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/

    37 min

  4. 11/12/2024

    10 Things I Would Do if I was Starting a Podcast in 2025!

    Starting a podcast in 2025 is really pretty simple. Podcasting changed my life for the better in so many ways. If you want to start a podcast, here are the 10 things that will help you make it happen in 2025! I’ve been in the podcasting world for almost 4 years and I’ve been helping a lot of women start their own podcasts in the past year. Here’s what I would do if I was starting a podcast in 2025: Do video from the beginning Use Descript Figure out your niche Have a workflow Do seasons Buy a dynamic microphone Have a month’s worth of content before launching Create a trailer Find a couple of podcast coaches to follow on social media Don’t have download goals have number of episode goals Topics discussed in this episode include: Podcast microphones Video podcasting Podcast editing Avoiding podcast burnout Podcast trailers Podcast niche Takeaways from this episode: Doing a video podcast isn’t as daunting as you think it is. Having a seasonal show will help you avoid burnout by giving you built in breaks. Only have one or two podcast coaches that you take advice from. If you have more than that you will get overwhelmed. Links: Descript (affiliate link): https://get.descript.com/yjkxjv7z0u54 The microphone I use (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3CfnInV Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:49) 1- Video podcasting (02:07) 2- Use Descript for editing (03:21) 3- Sticking to your niche (04:41) 4- Podcast workflow (06:26) 5- Pros and cons of seasonal podcasts (07:36) 6- Buy a microphone (08:42) 7- Episodes before launch (09:46) 8- Podcast Trailer (11:11) 9- Podcast coaches (12:08) *Bonus tip* Download numbers goal (12:58) Podcast Jumpstart Sessions (13:57) Episode recap (15:40) Next week’s episode how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy

    16 min

  5. 11/05/2024

    Why I’m NOT Embarrassed About My Low Download Numbers

    I didn’t reach my download numbers goal…and I thought I was embarrassed about it, but I’m actually not. I didn’t take my own advice about goals around download numbers and it shows. In this episode I talk about: How many download numbers I got last month How much money I made as a podcaster  How close I am to my podcast coaching call goal You’ll also hear about the experiments that I tried out last month. Which ones worked and which ones didn’t. Along with the experiments that I’m trying in November. Topics discussed: Podcast marketing strategy Podcast download numbers Tips on starting a podcast Experimentation in podcasting Podcast SEO Advice for starting a podcast My favorite takeaways from this episode are:  It isn’t a good idea to have a goal around download numbers until you have at least a couple of podcast seasons under your belt Experimenting with your podcast is the fastest way for your podcast to improve Not every experiment is going to work for your show, and that’s okay! Links from the episode: LIsten to The Popcast with Knox and Jamie: https://knoxandjamie.com/episodes/ Friendly Podcast Guide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendlypodcastguide/?hl=en If you want to learn more about Brittany Herzberg (the queen of SEO) here’s her website: https://brittanyherzberg.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to Friendly Podcast Guide (00:52) Get to know Andi a little bit (02:51) November’s theme: Start a Podcast (04:28) October download numbers (08:26) Podcast coaching calls (9:49) October podcast experiments (17:26) Podcast experiments for this month (20:08) Share this episode with a friend how to start a successful podcast, podcast, podcast tips, starting a podcast tips, tips on starting a podcast, advice for starting a podcast, podcast download numbers, podcast seo, podcast marketing strategy

    21 min

  6. 10/29/2024

    What I’ve Learned from Putting my Podcast on YouTube

    Almost HALF of podcast listeners find new shows through YouTube, according to research done by Sounds Profitable. I wanted to take advantage of all of those eyeballs that are using YouTube to find new shows so I’ve been putting my podcast on YouTube for the past two months and I’ve learned a bunch about how to do it. I’ll answer common questions like: Why podcasters should put their podcast on YouTube How to put your podcast on YouTube in less than 15 minutes How I easily edit my video podcast  More pointers on how to create and grow a video podcast on YouTube Topics discussed in this episode: Creating a video podcast Benefits of putting your podcast on YouTube Getting your podcast on YouTube using your RSS feed Using YouTube Shorts to grow on YouTube How to make money on YouTube Thumbnails for YouTube Takeaways from this episode: Getting your podcast on YouTube is a really good idea If you don’t have the capacity to create a video podcast you can still get your podcast on YouTube using your RSS feed Editing your video podcast doesn’t have to be hard or overwhelming Timestamps: (00:00) Podcasts and YouTube (00:47) Why to put your podcast on YouTube (4:10) Using your RSS feed to get on YouTube (5:12) What I’ve learned from putting my show on YouTube (15:54) Recap of today’s episode Links: Sounds Profitable research: https://soundsprofitable.com/research/the-power-of-brands-in-podcasts/ Descript affiliate link: https://get.descript.com/yjkxjv7z0u54

    18 min

  7. 10/22/2024

    Increase Your Podcast Downloads through Curiosity & Variety - Don't Drink the Milk

    There is so much we can learn from this history podcast with a unique twist. Rachel is one of the creators of the history podcast Don’t Drink the Milk, a podcast that traces the unexpected backstory of everyday things. We talk about the pros and cons of choosing a unique name, bringing variety and fun to tough topics and Rachel gives amazing advice to podcasters at every stage of our podcasting journey. Topics discussed in this episode include: How to name your podcast Choosing a podcast niche Using curiosity to your advantage Bringing unique voices to your show Just pushing record Podcast topic ideas There are so many things that I wrote down that I am planning on implementing into my own show. Here are the top 5 takeaways I had from our conversation: Have a plan for the episode, but also be flexible Do the uncomfortable thing now for great results later Add variety to your show Be curious Stay true to your niche, so you can serve them well curiosity  Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to Don’t Drink the Milk and the host Rachel (10:23) Bringing different voices to the podcast (15:55) Advice for creating a podcast like this (19:07) Curiosity about the world (22:45) Money side of Don’t Drink the Milk (24:56) Episode Deep Dive: Passports: Freedom for Sale  (30:37) Rachel’s advice for podcasters (33:10) Podcast communities (34:25) Where to find Rachel and the show (35:26) What Andi learned from this chat

    41 min

  8. 10/15/2024

    Make Money & Build a Lovely Podcast Community - For the Love of History

    Creating a community around your podcast can be tricky, but this week’s host has figured it out and shared the secrets to her success. Tehya is the host of the For the Love of History podcast. She has a thriving community of loyal listeners after being in the podcasting game for the past 4 years. In this episode she talks how she helps her listeners feel like friends, her journey to finding a network and many other behind the scenes info about her and her show. Topics discussed in this episode include: Building a podcast community Finding a podcast network Dealing with imposter syndrome Social media marketing for podcasters Being vulnerable with your listeners Using patreon as a podcaster Tehya is such a wealth of knowledge for so many aspects of podcasting, but ESPECIALLY in building a community through your podcast. Here are the top 5 takeaways I have from my conversation with Tehya: Create inside jokes that help your listeners feel like a community Have an imposter syndrome folder Have fun with your show, if you aren’t having fun change something Treat your listeners like friends  Be vulnerable with your listeners Links from the episode: For the Love of History website For the Love of History Patreon For the Love of History YouTube channel Hilarious Gertrude reel Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing TK and For the Love of History  (11:43) Tehya’s nickname for her listeners (13:33) For the Love of History podcast community (16:22) Vulnerability in your podcast (19:53) Social media for podcasters (25:22) Money side of For the Love of History (29:53) Episode deep dive: Sobek The insatiable crocodile God (39:47) Where to find TK and For the Love of History (41:24) What Andi learned from this chat

    47 min
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4.9
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About

Hi, I'm Andi Smiley, the Friendly Podcast Guide! I’ve been in the podcasting world for 4 years. I’ve learned so much during that time, but I still don’t know everything. That’s why on my show I talk to podcast hosts I admire about their skills and insights so that you and I can improve our shows in a way that leaves us feeling empowered and not bogged down by more busy work. I help women who still have kids at home elevate their podcasts by sharing conversations I have with fabulous podcasters and sharing my own podcasting journey.

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