Short Podcasting Tips: Simple Advice To Help Your Podcast Succeed

Mark Des Cotes, Podcast Brand Specialist at Podcast Branding
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Are you new to podcasting? Learn how to podcast with Short Podcasting Tips, a 20-episode limited series that offers simple advice on starting and growing your show. Learn from host Mark Des Cotes, founder of Podcast Branding, as he shares advice he's acquired from publishing more than 1,000 podcast episodes over a decade.

  1. Define Your Niche

    EPISODE 1

    Define Your Niche

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 1: Define Your Niche: So, you want to be part of the exciting world of podcasting!  The first thing you will want to do is define your niche and decide what your podcast will be about.  Making it something you’re passionate about will help with longevity and make it much easier to come up with episode ideas. Choosing a specific topic for your show ensures your podcast stands out and resonates with your audience.  If you let your passion guide your content, your listeners will hear it in your voice and will come back for more. So, how do you find your niche?  Think of the knowledge you have. It could be scholarly knowledge. Work knowledge, life knowledge, and knowledge of hobbies. You name it. Anything you know something about can be a niche. And you don’t need to be an expert in a subject to talk about it.  Some very successful podcasts are journey-style shows where the host or hosts use their show to learn and explore a topic. They’re bringing their audience along the ride to experience their failures and victories with them. What about passions? Is there something you are passionate about that you would love to discuss with others who share your passion? Do you enjoy gardening, camping, pets, travel, investing, movies, and exercise? The list is endless. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you think others may also be interested. The trick is finding a niche you know you can continue and enjoy producing for many, many episodes. There’s no reason your show can’t succeed when you find the right niche for you. If you want the best chance at podcast success, check out podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including artwork and websites for podcasters.  After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Brand Specialist

    2 min
  2. Decide Your Format

    EPISODE 2

    Decide Your Format

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 2: Decide Your Format:  As you know, there are many different styles of podcasts. There are solo-hosted shows, co-hosted shows with two or more people, interview-based shows, and panel or roundtable shows. There are also narrative-type shows, story-based shows, fiction shows, and instructional shows. The list goes on and on. Before you start your podcast, your job is to decide what format of show you want to produce. And it may be a combination of more than one. You may decide to do some solo episodes and have guests on others. You may have a regular co-host or perhaps a revolving group of co-hosts, depending on the topic. It’s entirely up to you. But keep in mind that there are challenges with each format of podcast. Co-hosted, pannel and interview-based podcasts require coordinating schedules, which may be difficult. Especially the more people who are involved. Solo-based podcasts allow you to record when it’s convenient for you but require more discipline and willpower. Since you’re not coordinating with anyone else, there’s less urgency, and it is easy to put off until later.  I’ve produced a solo-base show for the past 9 years and believe me, it’s very easy to put off recording since you have nobody to account to except yourself.  Deciding on a format for your podcast early in your journey will make it easier to prepare for your launch and what comes afterward. And if you want the best chance at podcast success, whether you do a solo or co-hosted show, check out podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including artwork and websites for podcasters.  After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    2 min
  3. Plan Your Content

    EPISODE 3

    Plan Your Content

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 3: Plan Your Content:  When it comes to podcasting, planning is key!  You should create a content calendar or list outlining the topics and episodes you want to cover.  Create a note, a document, or a spreadsheet and jot down all your ideas. I suggest a minimum of 20 ideas to start. The more, the better. If you have trouble coming up with 20 ideas, maybe you should consider a different niche for your podcast. A content calendar keeps you organized and helps you maintain a consistent release schedule, building anticipation among your listeners.  And it keeps you focused on the reason you’re podcasting. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you need to release an episode but don’t know what to talk about.  With a content calendar or list, you have a ready-made plan, and all you need do is decide which topic from the list you feel like discussing in your next episode.  A well-thought-out plan sets the foundation for podcast success. And if you want the best chance at podcast success, check out podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including artwork and websites for podcasters.  After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    2 min
  4. Invest In Quality Equipment

    EPISODE 4

    Invest In Quality Equipment

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 4: Invest in Quality Equipment: Clear audio quality is crucial for retaining listeners. If you want your podcast to succeed, a good microphone, headphones, and recording software are non-negotiable.  Your audience deserves clear audio.  In fact, bad audio quality is one of the main reasons people stop listening to a podcast. But good equipment doesn’t have to break the bank. The Samson Q2U and the Audio-Technica ATR2100x are good-quality microphones at a reasonable price. Audacity is top-quality recording and editing software that is entirely free. Quality equipment is an investment in your podcast's professionalism and listener satisfaction.  Ensuring you have good podcasting equipment will go a long way towards the success of your show. And if you want the best chance at podcast success, check out podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including artwork and websites for podcasters.  After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    2 min
  5. Choose A Catchy Title

    EPISODE 5

    Choose A Catchy Title

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 5: Choose a Catchy Title: First impressions matter! You know it, and I know it. Your podcast's title is your introduction to the world. You must make your title catchy and reflective of your content.  Most importantly, make it relevant. A great podcast title tells listeners what the show is about and makes them want to listen. A confusing title will leave listeners, well, confused. Avoid cute names or inside jokes unless they indicate what your podcast is about.  And don’t be cryptic. A podcast titled In The Fast Lane could be about anything from Formula 1 Racing to Grocery Shopping Tips to Business Ideas to help you climb the corporate ladder.  You want potential listeners to get an idea of what your podcast is about from the title. So make it clear. In the Fast Lane: An F1 Weekly Recap In the Fast Lane: Grocery Tips from Cart to Checkout. In the Fast Lane: Helping you climb the corporate Ladder. Title clarity wins almost every time. Once you settle on a title, come visit me at podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including cover artwork and websites, for podcasters.  I would love to turn your title into stunning podcast artwork. After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    2 min
  6. Invest In Good Podcast Cover Artwork

    EPISODE 6

    Invest In Good Podcast Cover Artwork

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 6: Invest in good podcast cover artwork: Like your podcast title, your cover artwork is often people’s first interaction with your show. You want your podcast cover artwork to catch their eye as they scroll through search results. If your artwork looks cheap and amateurish, people will assume your podcast is cheap and amateurish and skip over your show. However, professionally designed, eye-catching artwork entices potential listeners to hit that play button where you can capture them with your brilliant content. Good artwork is often the difference between a podcast's success or failure. Luckily for you, I can help you with this. At podcastbranding.co I offer professionally designed visual branding for podcasters. Including podcast cover artwork. I would love to help your show stand out. After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    1 min
  7. Write A Captivating Description

    EPISODE 7

    Write A Captivating Description

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 7 - Write a Captivating Description: Next to your podcast title and cover artwork, your show’s description is its most important feature. These three things, title, cover and description, form the trifecta of why people press play on your show or what causes them to try a different podcast instead. Your description tells people about your show and why they should listen. Don’t make your podcast description about you. Make it about your listeners. Use the “what’s in it from me” approach and write it from your listeners’ point of view. For example. While describing your show, don’t say, “On [insert podcast name] we talk about [your topics]” Instead, say something like, “On [insert podcast name] you’ll learn about [and your topic].”  Do you see the difference? The first one is about you. The second is about the listener. Or If you need to describe yourself, don’t just say, “I’m a [whatever you are]”  Instead, try writing something like, “As a [whatever you are] I help you to [whatever you help them with]” Make your description about your listener. Here’s a full before and after example for a fictional podcast. Before: “Welcome to the Carpet Laying Podcast. My name is Wally, and I’ve been laying carpets for over 20 years. I love talking about what it takes to run a carpet-laying business. From time to time, I’ll talk with industry experts to discuss the world of carpet laying. If you’re interested in laying carpets, I would love for you to join me.” Pretty boring, right? That's because it’s all about the podcaster. Now listen to this: "Welcome to the Carpet Laying Podcast, where each week, you benefit from the knowledge I’ve gained from over 20 years of laying carpets. You’ll learn everything from how to make the perfect seam joint, to how to handle difficult clients. If you run or are thinking of running a carpet-laying business, this podcast is for you. Let my successes guide you, and learn valuable lessons from my mistakes and failures.  My experience, paired with insights from industry experts, will help you succeed with your carpet-laying business.” Do you hear the difference? The first example is all about the podcaster. The second example is all about the listener. Make your description about your listener to attract a bigger audience. If you want the best chance at attracting a big audience, check out podcastbranding.co, where I offer professionally designed visual branding, including artwork and websites for podcasters.  After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    3 min
  8. Create Compelling Intros And Outros

    EPISODE 8

    Create Compelling Intros And Outros

    Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding. Simple advice to help your podcast succeed. Episode 8: Create Compelling Intros and Outros:  Your podcast title, artwork and description are working hard to entice people to press play on your show. Now, hook your listeners by crafting an engaging introduction that captures their attention. Think of it as audio branding for your podcast. The idea is to quickly let people know they’re in the right place by telling them who you are, what your show is about, and why they should listen. Use the “What’s in it for me” approach when crafting your intro, and think about it from your listener’s point of view. Why should they listen to your podcast? Tell them the value you’re offering in exchange for their time. Include some pod-safe music to make it catchy and memorable. Be sure to keep it short and get to the meat of the episode as soon as possible. You can end your episodes with a memorable outro.  Your outro may contain a call to action encouraging listeners to subscribe, leave a review, or visit your website. You could also include contact information and encourage feedback. Use your outro to encourage listener engagement.  A good intro and outro strengthen your podcast’s brand. Speaking of brand, at podcastbranding.co I offer professionally designed visual branding for podcasters.  You want your well-crafted intro to be heard, don’t you? Great artwork entices people to press play on your podcast. After all, they see you before they hear you. Mark Des Cotes Podcast Branding Specialist

    2 min
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About

Are you new to podcasting? Learn how to podcast with Short Podcasting Tips, a 20-episode limited series that offers simple advice on starting and growing your show. Learn from host Mark Des Cotes, founder of Podcast Branding, as he shares advice he's acquired from publishing more than 1,000 podcast episodes over a decade.

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