The How To Podcast Series - Podcast Co-Hosts, Practical Podcasting Tips, and Podcast Community

Dave Campbell - Podcast Coach, Cheerleader and Podcast Community Advocate
  • 4.9 (16)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The How To Podcast Series — your guide to podcasting success! Join host Dave Campbell and rotating guest co-hosts for practical tips on podcasting. Learn podcasting SEO, audience growth, guest booking, audio setup, social media marketing, and hosting platform suggestions. Get real-world advice, Podcasting Tips, creative inspiration, and the confidence to build your podcast community. Podcast smarter — your journey starts here! Join our free Podcast Community on Meetup to meet fellow listeners and podcasters at all different levels - HowToPodcast.ca is your home for podcasting!

  1. 18h ago

    E810 - LinkedIn, Podcasting, and the Relentless Sales Pitch - No, I Don’t Need 10,000 Downloads by Friday

    Episode 810 - LinkedIn, Podcasting, and the Relentless Sales Pitch - No, I Don’t Need 10,000 Downloads by Friday LinkedIn, Podcasting, and the Relentless Sales Pitch Podcast promotion can attract a steady stream of unsolicited offers promising more downloads, better rankings, new guests, greater visibility, and rapid growth. For podcasters, especially those new to the space, those promises can sound appealing. They can also create a lot of noise. Dave shares his experience with the growing number of LinkedIn connection requests and emails from people he does not know who want to sell podcast-related services. Some make impressive claims, including promises of reaching number one on Apple Podcasts. Others use generic praise that suggests they have listened to the show when they may have relied on AI instead. Pause Before You Respond A connection request does not create an obligation to respond. Before engaging, consider whether you recognize the person, whether they mention a specific episode, why they contacted you, and whether their service fits your current podcast goals. Dave recommends using the four P approach: pause, probe, protect, and proceed. Probe Before You Buy Ask specific questions. Which episode have they listened to? What problem do they think they can solve? What exactly does the service include? What methods do they use? What results should you realistically expect, and over what period? Ask for verifiable client references. Understand whether they use paid advertising, outreach, guest booking, playlist placement, or automated engagement. Find out who owns the accounts and data, and what happens if you cancel. Vague or defensive answers should raise concerns. Protect Your Podcast Never hand unsolicited contacts your passwords, two-factor authentication codes, email access, social media credentials, payment information, or remote access to your computer. Verify who contacted you before giving anyone access to the systems behind your podcast. Dave also shares an example of a promoter who damaged a podcast after the relationship ended, showing how much trust a podcaster can place at risk. Proceed With Care If the answers make sense and you have completed your homework, proceed with a written agreement. Define the services, cost, timeframe, expected results, and what happens if either side decides to walk away. Dave also encourages podcasters to remember that they do not have to be available to everyone who wants access to their audience, inbox, or money. Your podcast is your responsibility. Be selective about who you let into your business, verify the promises you receive, protect your accounts, and make decisions based on your goals rather than somebody else's sales pitch. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  https://howtopodcast.ca/ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  2. 1d ago

    E809 - 3 Overlooked Podcast Tools That Podcasters Should Adopt - A Hammer Doesn't Do It All

    Episode 809 - 3 Overlooked Podcast Tools That Podcasters Should Adopt - A Hammer Doesn't Do It All Podcast Tools That Build Better Shows Recording from the backyard while basement renovation fills the house with saws and drills, this episode explores a simple truth. Podcasters need the right tools for the right job. A hammer drives nails. It does not tighten bolts. Using one tool for every task creates frustration. The same principle applies to podcasting. Building a Podcast Think of your podcast like constructing a wall. Microphones, software, and hosting platforms form the basics. Strong shows require more. Three overlooked tools separate amateur efforts from professional results. Content Stud Finder A stud finder locates metal behind drywall. It finds the solid structure holding everything together. Your podcast needs the same capability. A content stud finder helps you locate the strongest ideas inside each episode. Use transcripts to mine gold from your words. Collect listener questions. Draw from accumulated ideas. AI can help generate angles. Repurpose your best episodes for LinkedIn and Substack. Torque Wrench Quality Control A torque wrench applies exact pressure. Too little and bolts loosen. Too much strips threads. Podcasting needs this precision. Build a repeatable quality control checklist. Check your show title and episode title. Review intros and outros. Listen to audio quality. Verify names, facts, and links. Confirm your calls to action guide listeners. Inspect artwork and episode descriptions. Examine the final file before publishing. Fix small errors. Prevent rushed releases. Stop over editing. Many podcasters trap themselves in endless tweaking. Release your work. Level Alignment Your eyes lie to you. A wall can look straight while leaning off true. A level reveals the truth. Podcasters need their own level to maintain alignment between the show and its audience. Ask two questions before every release. Who is this episode for? What value does it provide? Professional sounding podcasts feel unfocused when episodes drift from the core promise. Your Podcast Toolbox The best podcast tools are not equipment. They are systems that help you discover ideas, improve quality, repurpose content, and deliver value consistently. Strong podcasts come from strong systems, not just strong microphones. Build your content stud finder to locate your best ideas. Create a torque wrench checklist to maintain consistent quality. Use your level to keep every episode aligned with your audience and your show's purpose. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  3. 2d ago

    E808 - How To Be A More Confident Podcaster - 3 Things that Can Build Your Confidence Not Your Ego

    Episode 808 - How To Be A More Confident Podcaster - 3 Things that Can Build Your Confidence Not Your Ego 3 ways to build confidence as a podcaster Here are three high‑impact ways to build confidence as a podcaster, drawn from what experienced hosts and coaches recommend. 1) Serve one specific listener (not “everyone”) Confidence rises when you know exactly who you’re talking to and why it matters. Instead of imagining a huge, faceless audience, picture one real person who needs your message—give them a name, a situation, and a goal—and speak directly to them in every episode. This narrows your focus, reduces performance pressure, and makes your tone more conversational and assured Practical moves: - Write a one‑sentence listener avatar and keep it visible while you record. - Start episodes with “If you’re a [type of listener] who wants [outcome], this is for you.” - Rehearse key lines out loud as if you’re explaining them to that one person 2) Build a simple, repeatable episode structure—and get reps in Structure lowers cognitive load so you can relax into your delivery, and repetition turns “new and scary” into “familiar and doable.” Confidence grows from clarity (a defined beginning–middle–end), a consistent publishing cadence, and enough recording reps that you stop overthinking each take Practical moves: - Use bullet points instead of full scripts; know your episode’s purpose before hitting record. - Warm up your voice for 5–10 minutes and run through your outline once before recording. - Commit to “progress over perfection”: if an episode is ~80% solid, publish it and improve on the next one. 3) Keep a “kudos collection/happy folder” and reframe your inner critic Imposter syndrome shrinks when you collect evidence that your work helps people—and when you challenge negative self‑talk with facts. Create a living document of testimonials, thank‑you messages, five‑star reviews, and moments you’re proud of; read it before recording to prime a confident state Practical moves: - When a thought like “This isn’t good enough” appears, counter it with specific evidence (e.g., “Three listeners said episode X helped them do Y”). - Celebrate small wins loudly (first review, tenth episode, a clean edit) to build resilience over time. - Connect with other podcasters; hearing that even pros have doubts normalizes the journey and boosts confidence ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  4. 3d ago

    E807 - What To Do When Someone Tries to Steal Your Identity and Your Podcast - How To Protect Your Podcast

    Episode 807 - What To Do When Someone Tries to Steal Your Identity and Your Podcast - How To Protect Your Podcast Protecting Your Podcast Identity When someone pretends to be a podcaster, steals a show’s identity, and asks potential guests for money, the damage reaches far beyond one fraudulent email. The scam can exploit unsuspecting guests, weaken audience trust, and take advantage of years of work spent building a podcast brand. A potential guest for Living The Next Chapter contacted Dave after receiving a suspicious message from someone using his name, the podcast name, and a Gmail address. The impersonator appeared to charge authors for guest appearances. Dave has never charged guests to appear on his shows, including after producing more than 2,500 episodes. Recognizing the Warning Signs Podcast guests should pause when an email feels unusual, especially when someone requests payment, sends unfamiliar documents, or communicates through an address that does not match the host’s official contact details. Visitors should verify the information through the podcast website and use a trusted contact method before responding or sending money. Podcast hosts can reduce confusion by clearly explaining their guest policies. If appearances cost money, hosts should disclose that arrangement openly. If guests appear free of charge, the host should state that on the website, in show notes, and occasionally on the podcast. Paid placements may also create disclosure responsibilities. Dave encourages creators to seek qualified legal advice instead of assuming that silence protects them. Build Trust Through Visibility A visible online presence helps audiences identify the real host. A current photograph, video content, an official website, one clearly identified contact address, and consistent social profiles give guests practical ways to verify someone’s identity. Creators should make impersonation harder by directing all communication through reliable channels. Suspicious activity deserves a prompt response. Dave contacted the impersonator, warned them to stop, and informed the affected potential guest. He also plans to alert his audience so others can recognize the scam. Podcast creators must protect the identity behind their shows. Make your contact process obvious, state your guest policies clearly, encourage verification, and respond quickly when someone misuses your name or brand. Guests should trust their instincts and confirm every request through an official source before sharing information or paying anyone. For podcast related legal advice: https://firemark.com/ _____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  5. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    BONUS - 25 Years Later, September 11 Brought The World Together in the Worst and in the Best Way

    BONUS - 25 Years Later, September 11 Brought The World Together in the Worst and in the Best Way Remembering September 11 Twenty-five years after September 11, Dave reflects on the morning that changed the world and the feeling of helplessness that followed. He remembers driving to work when reports began coming through about New York, the World Trade Center, and the unfolding attacks. Work suddenly felt meaningless as the scale of what had happened became clear. The day brought unimaginable loss. It also revealed extraordinary courage. Humanity Without Borders Dave remembers how Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed passengers whose planes had been forced to land in Canada. Local people opened their homes, shared what they had, and cared for strangers regardless of where they came from. That same human connection appeared at Ground Zero, where people rushed toward danger to help others. Firefighters, police officers, first responders, workers, passengers, and ordinary people made choices that put someone else's life ahead of their own. Twenty-five years later, families still carry the loss. Some continue to receive fragments of remains. Children grew up asking where a parent had gone. A lawn could become a painful reminder of someone who never came home. The Responsibility of Podcasters Dave uses the memories of Howard Stern's live broadcast from September 11 as an example of how a familiar voice can help people process a traumatic moment. Stern did not plan to become a voice for people experiencing the attacks. He stayed on the air because he felt that was where he could help. Podcasting gives creators a similar platform. People listen because they trust the person behind the microphone. Words carry influence, especially when listeners face uncertainty or difficult moments. Dave asks listeners to pause on September 11 and remember. Those who lived through the day can reflect on where they were. Those born afterward can take time to understand what happened and why people still carry its impact. September 11 remains a day of profound loss, courage, sacrifice, and human connection. Dave encourages podcasters and listeners to acknowledge the day, remember those who died, recognize those who continue to serve, and find a way to care for someone around them.Morning Timeline of Events (September 11, 2001) 8:14 AM: American Airlines Flight 11 is hijacked.8:46 AM: American Airlines Flight 11 strikes the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.8:51 AM: United Airlines Flight 175 is hijacked.9:03 AM: United Airlines Flight 175 strikes the South Tower of the World Trade Center.9:28 AM: United Airlines Flight 93 is hijacked.9:37 AM: American Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.9:45 AM: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders a nationwide ground stop, grounding all civilian flights in U.S. airspace.9:59 AM: The heavily damaged South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.10:03 AM: United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew revolt against the hijackers.10:28 AM: The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

    BONUS - 25 Years Later, September 11 Brought The World Together in the Worst and in the Best Way

  6. 4d ago

    E806 - Promote Your Podcast on Purpose and Without Burning Out - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series

    Episode 806 - Promote Your Podcast on Purpose and Without Burning Out - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series Promote Your Podcast Without Burning Out Launching a podcast with no existing audience demands intentional promotion, yet many creators stall after publishing because they fear making noise or lack a clear plan. This episode tackles podcast promotion, podcast launch strategy, and audience growth without burnout. You will learn a soft launch approach that protects your reputation, practical ways to share your show with purpose, and how to pick one platform where your listeners already spend time. Why a Soft Launch Beats a Big Splash A soft launch opens your show to a small inner circle before you tell the world. You get to test audio quality, artwork, titles, descriptions, and distribution across apps. You catch spelling errors, fix broken links, and confirm your feed shows up on Pod.link and major directories. This prevents the embarrassment of announcing a show that is not ready. It also gives early listeners a chance to leave reviews and offer feedback while you still control the narrative. Big launch events create excitement, but they do not guarantee success. A flashy launch without consistent follow-through often leads to pod fade, where creators stop after a few episodes and never tell anyone. A soft launch reduces pressure and sets you up for steady growth. Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are Promotion is not optional when you start from zero. You must tell people your show exists. That does not mean posting constantly on every platform or following rigid guru rules. One successful show grows with only a website, YouTube audio uploads, and intentional thumbnails. No Instagram, no newsletter, no paid ads. The key is consistency and clarity, not volume. Practical Ways to Share Your Show Short clips work well on TikTok and YouTube. You can record a quick phone video summarizing an episode, or layer audio over B-roll footage in Canva. Quote graphics extend reach on visual platforms. Repurpose strong episodes into articles for Substack and LinkedIn to reach new audiences with the same core message. The most powerful tactic is appearing as a guest on other podcasts. Podcast listeners discover shows through other shows. You meet your ideal audience where they already listen. You build relationships, earn trust, and create bridges that drive organic discovery. Share With Value, Not Noise Frame every post around listener benefit. Explain why this episode matters to them. Highlight a specific takeaway, not your ego. People respond to value, not hype. Avoid the bullhorn approach of constant self-promotion. Pick One Platform and Own It Choose the single platform your audience uses most. Business podcasts thrive on LinkedIn or Substack. Entertainment shows benefit from YouTube. Visual content fits Pinterest. Ask listeners how they found you, then double down on that channel. Do not waste time or money promoting where your audience does not exist. Start with a soft launch to ensure quality, then promote with purpose on one platform where your listeners already spend time. Share value, not noise, and appear as a guest on other shows to grow without burning out. ____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  7. 5d ago

    E805 - Submit Your Podcast to Every Directory, and Verify - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series

    Episode 805 - Submit Your Podcast to Every Directory, and Verify - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series Submit Your Podcast to Every Directory Launching a podcast with no following starts with one critical step. Your show must live on a proper podcast hosting platform that distributes via RSS feed to every major directory. Without this foundation, even great content stays invisible. This episode walks through why directory submission matters and how to verify your podcast appears everywhere listeners might search. Why RSS Feed Distribution Matters Podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout, Captivate, Spotify for Creators, and Libsyn handle the heavy lifting. You upload once. They push your episode to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Audible, Amazon Music, and dozens more. These directories then report listening data back to your host so you can track growth. YouTube does not function this way. It keeps content inside its own ecosystem. If you publish only to YouTube, Android users on Spotify cannot find you. Apple users cannot subscribe. You limit your reach before you even begin. Verify Your Podcast on Pod.link Pod.link acts as a free verification tool. Search your exact show title. If nothing appears, your RSS feed likely does not exist or has not propagated. If multiple listings appear, your show may have migrated between hosts without proper redirection. This splits your stats and confuses listeners. Fix duplicates through your hosting provider. One clean listing ensures all downloads count toward one growing audience. Claim Every Available Directory Think of directories like Halloween houses. Visit all fifty. Do not skip forty-eight because two feel easier. Regional apps like JioSaavn and Gaana serve massive English-speaking audiences in India. Arteropods reaches listeners in Japan. These platforms welcome global content. Compare your directory list against established shows. Missing fifteen apps means missing fifteen potential discovery channels. Submit manually where auto-distribution fails. Share Episode-Specific Links When promoting guest episodes, share the pod.link episode page, not just your show page. This gives listeners direct access to that specific conversation and lets them choose their preferred app. Android users get Android links. Apple users get Apple links. You remove friction and increase completion rates. Your podcast cannot grow if it lives in only one place. Distribute widely through a legitimate host. Verify visibility on pod.link. Submit to every directory that accepts your content. One upload, many destinations. That is how zero becomes something. Tools to help you with your podcast delivery - It’s more than just Apple Podcasts. Similar to how your website needs to be browser compatible, your podcast feed needs to be compatible with services (platforms) that read podcast RSS feeds. If your feed can’t be read, it will most likely be skipped and not be included in other podcast apps and sites. https://www.castfeedvalidator.com/ https://podnews.net/ https://pod.link/ _____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

  8. 6d ago

    E804 - Make Your Show Discoverable (Podcast SEO) - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series

    Episode 804 - Make Your Show Discoverable (Podcast SEO) - How to Launch a Podcast with No Following Mini Series Make Your Podcast Discoverable With Podcast SEO Podcast SEO starts with a clear content strategy. When you launch a podcast with zero followers, you need to give potential listeners a reason to find and choose your show. Dave recommends selecting one main keyword or central idea for each episode, then building supporting terms around that focus. Use those terms naturally in the episode title and show notes to reinforce what the episode covers. Build Useful Show Notes Show notes should help listeners quickly understand the episode and find resources mentioned during the conversation. Keep them focused. Include relevant links, calls to action, guest information, and connections to related episodes. Transcripts provide another useful resource. They support accessibility and can also give podcasters source material for creating additional content. Own Your Podcast Website A podcast needs a home that you control. Dave compares a personal website domain to owning internet real estate. Hosting platforms and third-party profile pages can change, while your domain can remain your consistent destination. A dedicated page for each episode can provide room for an embedded player, transcripts, and expanded information. Dave chooses a simpler approach for his own podcast because maintaining hundreds of individual episode pages would require more time than he wants to spend. Your domain can also point wherever you choose. The key lies in owning the address and directing your audience through it. Build Your Discovery Strategy Podcast SEO starts before listeners discover the show. Plan your content around clear subjects, make your show notes useful, and establish a website domain that gives your podcast a permanent online home. Give your podcast a clear path to discovery from the beginning. A focused keyword strategy, useful show notes, accessible transcripts, and a website domain you control can strengthen your podcast SEO foundation. _____ Helping Podcasters Everyday!  ⁠⁠⁠https://howtopodcast.ca/⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey! ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

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Welcome to The How To Podcast Series — your guide to podcasting success! Join host Dave Campbell and rotating guest co-hosts for practical tips on podcasting. Learn podcasting SEO, audience growth, guest booking, audio setup, social media marketing, and hosting platform suggestions. Get real-world advice, Podcasting Tips, creative inspiration, and the confidence to build your podcast community. Podcast smarter — your journey starts here! Join our free Podcast Community on Meetup to meet fellow listeners and podcasters at all different levels - HowToPodcast.ca is your home for podcasting!

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