1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,600 Welcome back to the deep dive. 2 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,100 Today, we're really getting into it, 3 00:00:04,100 --> 00:00:06,440 like really getting our hands dirty with this deep dive. 4 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,160 We're tackling podcast creation. 5 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:09,680 Yeah, getting down to the nuts and bolts. 6 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:10,520 Exactly. 7 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,640 And luckily for us, listeners have sent in 8 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,520 some amazing material on building a really successful show. 9 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:18,720 So we're excited to dig into it. 10 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:19,560 Absolutely. 11 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:21,240 We're talking about those little details, 12 00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:24,120 those insider tips that usually only hear it 13 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,360 like those podcasting conventions. 14 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,160 Yeah, the whispers in the hallways. 15 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:29,000 Exactly. 16 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:30,760 No secret handshakes here though, don't worry. 17 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:34,400 Just straight talk, actionable advice. 18 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,920 And we're gonna start with the foundation, 19 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,800 the bedrock of any good podcast, the microphone. 20 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:41,960 It's funny, because it really is, 21 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:44,000 it's the heart and soul of your show. 22 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,920 But there is this big misconception out there 23 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:48,920 that you need to shell out a ton of cash, 24 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:50,840 break the bank to get that, like, 25 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,120 you know, that radio ready professional sound. 26 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,320 Oh yeah, definitely fallen into that trap. 27 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:56,840 You know, like, oh, this is expensive, 28 00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:58,400 therefore it must be amazing. 29 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:01,520 But the expert we're learning from today, 30 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,680 they learned that lesson the hard way. 31 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:05,120 Right, exactly. 32 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,560 And they emphasize that microphone choice 33 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:09,200 should really be about compatibility. 34 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,800 It's like, how do you match this piece of tech, 35 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,520 this microphone, to your recording space, 36 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,120 but then also to your voice? 37 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,960 So like a really high end condenser mic, for example. 38 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:19,800 Okay. 39 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,520 While it's amazing in a treated studio, 40 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,280 it might pick up like every little, every little sigh, 41 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:26,200 every car, driving by, 42 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:28,560 if you're in a more, you know, 43 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,520 a more typical home setup. 44 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:31,360 Right. 45 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:32,600 In that case, you might be better off 46 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:33,920 with a dynamic mic. 47 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:34,760 Okay. 48 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:36,840 Especially one with what's called a cardioid pickup pattern, 49 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,480 so it's a little more focused. 50 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,600 So it's not just as simple as looking at the price tag 51 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,240 and going with the highest number. 52 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:44,080 Right. 53 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:44,920 There's nuance to it. 54 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,800 How would someone even know, like, where to begin? 55 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,800 What type of microphone is right for them? 56 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,000 Well, they suggested starting with an honest assessment 57 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,760 of your recording environment. 58 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,600 I mean, are you in like, you know, a soundproof booth? 59 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,200 Or do you have, you know, the occasional dog bark 60 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:02,840 or siren wailing in the background? 61 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:03,680 Right. 62 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:04,760 And I think if we're being honest, 63 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:06,960 most people fall into the second category. 64 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:07,800 Yeah. 65 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:09,080 And in that case, you know, 66 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,840 a dynamic microphone is probably gonna be your best bet. 67 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:13,400 It's about working with what you got 68 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,400 and choosing the right tool for the job, I guess. 69 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:18,720 They also shared a pretty funny story, actually, 70 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,560 about their cat nearly, 71 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:25,160 nearly making a guest appearance on their show 72 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:28,320 because of like a super sensitive microphone. 73 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:29,720 Oh no! 74 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:30,560 Yeah. 75 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,120 I think that highlights the real world stuff 76 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,800 that we as podcasters, you know, we deal with. 77 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:36,640 Absolutely. 78 00:02:36,640 --> 00:02:37,480 And they said that, you know, 79 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:41,600 a well-chosen dynamic mic can really be a lifesaver 80 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:43,120 in a noisy environment like that. 81 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,120 Just rejecting those unwanted sonic intrusions. 82 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:47,960 Love that. 83 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:49,480 Okay, so we've got the right microphone. 84 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:50,840 We've locked the pets out of the room. 85 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:52,480 And the sirens have stopped. 86 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:53,480 What's next? 87 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:55,680 So now we gotta get into that digital world, right? 88 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:57,600 We need to choose our recording software. 89 00:02:57,600 --> 00:02:58,440 Okay. 90 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,560 And this is where it can feel like, you know, 91 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,160 stepping into a digital jungle. 92 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:03,000 It really can. 93 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:03,840 There's so many options. 94 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,200 Free, paid, like where do you even begin? 95 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,440 Our expert definitely touched on this feeling 96 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:11,240 of being overwhelmed, you know? 97 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:15,160 They talked about using free options like Audacity. 98 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:16,000 Right. 99 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,880 But then also, you know, industry standard paid software 100 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:20,200 like Adobe Audition. 101 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:20,540 Yeah. 102 00:03:20,540 --> 00:03:23,640 And they underscored that each has its own quirks. 103 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:25,280 It's all about what works for you, 104 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,760 your workflow, your budget, all of that. 105 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:29,440 So rather than, you know, saying, 106 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,640 this is the software you have to use, 107 00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:34,760 they really focused on making sure people understand 108 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:36,000 like the fundamentals, right? 109 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,000 Exactly. 110 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,840 And they had this pretty relatable story 111 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,760 about a common mistake that I think a lot of us probably 112 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,000 mowed when we were starting out. 113 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:44,520 Oh, a call. 114 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,080 They once recorded an entire episode on Audacity 115 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:51,080 and then realized they'd forgotten to actually select 116 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:53,160 the correct input source. 117 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:53,720 Oh, no. 118 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:55,280 So silence. 119 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:56,080 Oh, my God. 120 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:57,520 A whole lot of nothing. 121 00:03:57,520 --> 00:03:59,040 That's terrifying. 122 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,080 So the takeaway, always double check your settings 123 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:03,400 before you hit record. 124 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,720 I can feel the phantom panic attack just thinking about it. 125 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:07,440 Oh, man. 126 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:07,760 Yeah. 127 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:09,360 It's a rite of passage. 128 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:11,840 Now, while we're on the technical side, 129 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,800 we should probably touch on audio formats, right? 130 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:14,280 Right. 131 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:16,200 WAV versus MP3. 132 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,000 It's like the constant debate, isn't it? 133 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:19,480 The age-old battle. 134 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:20,240 Yes. 135 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:24,800 It feels like choosing between a perfectly crisp vinyl record 136 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,840 or a compressed digital file. 137 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:28,960 That's a great analogy. 138 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,640 See, WAV files, they give you that pristine high fidelity 139 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:33,560 audio. 140 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,400 But the trade-off is you're going 141 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,520 to have a much larger file size. 142 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,200 MP3, on the other hand, that's all about convenience. 143 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:41,600 Shrinks those files down. 144 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:42,480 Downloads are quicker. 145 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:43,680 Storage is easier. 146 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,960 But, and this is a big but, it comes 147 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:47,880 at the cost of some audio fidelity. 148 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,360 So it's about finding that balance between quality 149 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,120 and practicality, I guess. 150 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:52,800 Absolutely. 151 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:56,280 But there's more to this whole WAV versus MP3 thing, right? 152 00:04:56,280 --> 00:04:57,360 What about byte-trate? 153 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:58,280 Excellent point. 154 00:04:58,280 --> 00:04:59,360 I know a little something. 155 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:00,680 Yeah, you're on top of it. 156 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:02,680 By-trade is basically the amount of data 157 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,840 that's being lost per second to encode your audio. 158 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:06,320 OK. 159 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:10,280 So a higher byte-trate generally means better sound quality, 160 00:05:10,280 --> 00:05:11,960 but again, a larger file size. 161 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:14,440 And with MP3s, you can actually adjust the byte-trate. 162 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:16,120 So there's a bit more flexibility there. 163 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,240 So for us as podcasters, it's all a balancing act. 164 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:20,960 Finding that sweet spot. 165 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:22,840 OK, so we've recorded our audio. 166 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:23,880 We've picked our format. 167 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,240 We've figured out this whole byte-trate situation. 168 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:31,120 How do we go from this raw audio to a polished episode? 169 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:32,240 That's where editing comes in, right? 170 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:32,920 Editing. 171 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,240 That's where the magic happens. 172 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,200 It's where you really get to transform raw audio 173 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,280 into that captivating listening experience. 174 00:05:40,280 --> 00:05:44,760 So that means we're going to remove distractions like ums, 175 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,640 long pauses, maybe a siren or two that 176 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:51,480 made it past the dynamic mic, background noise, all of that. 177 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:55,960 It's about crafting a smooth, engaging flow for the listener. 178 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:57,320 Like you're weaving a story, right? 179 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,440 It really is like taking this rough stone 180 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,160 and carving away at it until it shines. 181 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,080 But I imagine there's a balance, right? 182 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:06,320 Like you can over edit. 183 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,080 I know the expert talked about the importance of authenticity. 184 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,240 Those little imperfections, those human moments 185 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,320 that actually make a podcast relatable. 186 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:17,000 Absolutely. 187 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:20,360 And they actually cautioned against getting too buttoned up, 188 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,960 too over edited, saying that sometimes those little unscripted 189 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,960 moments, a little laugh, a little stumble, 190 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,080 actually those can really draw the listener in more. 191 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:32,280 It makes it feel real. 192 00:06:32,280 --> 00:06:32,920 Exactly. 193 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,320 Not like some robot is talking to me. 194 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:35,820 Right. 195 00:06:35,820 --> 00:06:38,280 You're listening in on a real conversation. 196 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:41,480 And they shared a funny story about accidentally mixing up 197 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,720 their guests' names during an episode. 198 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:47,720 And instead of editing it out, they just they left it in. 199 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,640 And it became kind of a running joke throughout the episode. 200 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:51,320 Oh, that's great. 201 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,080 And it ended up being one of their most downloaded episodes. 202 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:54,560 Wow. 203 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,200 So it's really about being OK with putting yourself out there, 204 00:06:58,200 --> 00:06:59,960 even with the little mistakes. 205 00:06:59,960 --> 00:07:02,560 Because that can sometimes be a good thing. 206 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:06,440 OK, so we've tackled the importance of editing. 207 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,440 But what about another thing that's so crucial? 208 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:09,440 Sound quality. 209 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:10,560 Oh, this is a big one. 210 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:14,440 Even if you've got the most amazing content in the world, 211 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,720 if the audio quality is bad, people are going to tune out. 212 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:22,800 Our expert was a huge advocate for simple but effective tools 213 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:24,120 like pop filters. 214 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,400 OK, so explain it to me like I'm five years old. 215 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:27,480 What's a pop filter? 216 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:31,120 It's like a little shield that sits between your mouth 217 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:32,160 and the microphone. 218 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:32,560 OK. 219 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:36,640 And it basically stops those plosive sounds. 220 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:37,200 PS? 221 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:37,680 Yes. 222 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:41,120 The PS and the BS that can kind of like blast the microphone. 223 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:41,640 Yeah, you get that. 224 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:42,520 The big puff of air. 225 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:43,080 It's not good. 226 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:43,880 Exactly. 227 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:45,880 They're a game changer, especially if you're 228 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:48,080 recording in a home studio setup. 229 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:49,520 Yeah, makes sense. 230 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:50,960 And what about acoustic treatment? 231 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:55,520 That always sounds so official and kind of intimidating. 232 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,480 It sounds fancy, but it doesn't have to be. 233 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:03,880 Like it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. 234 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:07,440 But essentially, it's about managing those sound reflections 235 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,040 within your recording space. 236 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,200 So you know those like foam panels 237 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,000 that you see on the walls of recording studios? 238 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,800 Those are basically there to absorb sound waves, right? 239 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:19,360 And that's going to prevent echoes, 240 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:22,240 going to reduce that background noise. 241 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,360 So you're basically creating like a little sound cocoon. 242 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,400 Exactly, a little sound optimized cocoon for your podcast. 243 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,040 The expert talked about converting a spare room 244 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,400 into their home studio using acoustic panels 245 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,800 and even like thick curtains, anything to kind of like manage 246 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:39,680 the sound. 247 00:08:39,680 --> 00:08:41,920 And they were blown away by the difference it made. 248 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:42,400 Wow. 249 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,160 OK, so it sounds like that's worth looking into, 250 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:47,200 even if it's starting small. 251 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,280 We've covered recording, editing, even sprucing up our sound. 252 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,160 But how do we get the podcast out there? 253 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,240 Like how do people actually listen to it? 254 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:57,560 That's where we got talk about hosting platforms. 255 00:08:57,560 --> 00:09:00,640 That's the bridge, right, between your audio files 256 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,600 and your listeners ears. 257 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:05,240 So it's like finding the perfect distribution network 258 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:06,160 for your podcast. 259 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:06,920 Exactly. 260 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:07,440 Gotcha. 261 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,920 But just like with everything else we've talked about, 262 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,640 there are a ton of options out there. 263 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:14,960 And our experts stress that this is not 264 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:16,360 a decision to be made lightly. 265 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:16,880 OK. 266 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:18,800 Really approach it with a long term mindset, 267 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:24,400 thinking about reliability, ease of use, scalability. 268 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,120 Like can this platform grow with you as your podcast grows? 269 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,280 So it's almost like you're choosing a business partner 270 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:31,800 in a way. 271 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:32,840 That's a great way to put it. 272 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:34,040 You got to vet them. 273 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:35,040 Exactly. 274 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:36,800 They mentioned Libsyn and Podbean. 275 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,360 These are a couple of popular and generally reliable options 276 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:40,880 out there. 277 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:41,280 OK. 278 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,920 Highlighting their user-friendly interfaces 279 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:45,600 and consistent performance. 280 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:49,520 But they also emphasize, do your research. 281 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:50,840 Don't just jump in. 282 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:51,680 No. 283 00:09:51,680 --> 00:09:53,960 Read reviews, look at different pricing plans. 284 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:56,080 A lot of them offer free trials. 285 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,240 Take advantage of that. 286 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:58,200 Try before you buy. 287 00:09:58,200 --> 00:09:58,880 Exactly. 288 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,400 Because our expert actually learned this the hard way. 289 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:06,200 They admitted that they once rushed into choosing a platform 290 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,320 based purely on price. 291 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:09,800 And then quickly discovered that it 292 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,880 lacked essential features and had terrible customer support. 293 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:14,360 Oh, no. 294 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,040 The classic, you get what you pay for situation. 295 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:18,520 Exactly. 296 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,400 Yeah, that's a good reminder to really do your homework. 297 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:25,720 OK, let's shift gears a little bit from the tech side of things 298 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,720 to something that's equally important, 299 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,040 engaging with your audience. 300 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:30,760 Oh, yeah. 301 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:33,720 Because what's the point of having an amazing podcast 302 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:35,080 if nobody's listening? 303 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:35,760 Exactly. 304 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,280 You're preaching to the choir here. 305 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:41,200 Our expert really emphasized that building a community 306 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:43,880 around your podcast is crucial. 307 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,960 If you want to see long-term success, 308 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:47,320 you've got to find your people. 309 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,760 You want it to be more than just a one-way broadcast. 310 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,800 You want that two-way connection with your listeners. 311 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:54,360 I'm 100% with you on that. 312 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,600 And luckily, there are a lot of really easy ways to do it. 313 00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:01,360 They're all about using tools like Google Forms, social media 314 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:05,200 polls, anything to get that feedback from your listeners. 315 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:09,000 So it's about really understanding what your audience wants, 316 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,440 what they're responding to, and using that to shape future episodes. 317 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:13,080 Yeah. 318 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:15,280 Yeah, it's, like you said, a two-way conversation. 319 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:18,160 They actually told this story about how a simple poll 320 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:20,880 on their Instagram completely changed their perspective 321 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:22,840 on a topic they were going to cover. 322 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:26,360 And it led to a much more nuanced and engaging episode. 323 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:27,240 They said. 324 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:27,840 I love that. 325 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,760 So it's about being open to changing course, 326 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,720 even, based on what you're hearing from your listeners. 327 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:34,400 Absolutely. 328 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:36,080 And it's so easy to do these days. 329 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:36,760 Right. 330 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:39,640 So we've talked about those direct interactions. 331 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:43,200 But what about actually creating a community, a space 332 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,640 for listeners to connect with each other? 333 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:48,560 That's where things like Facebook groups and Discord 334 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:49,600 servers come in. 335 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,360 Those can be really powerful for bringing people together 336 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:53,640 around your podcast. 337 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:55,280 Yeah, because it's one thing for them 338 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,200 to connect with the hosts and give feedback. 339 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,000 But then to be able to talk to each other, 340 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,320 share their own experiences and thoughts, 341 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,200 that adds a whole other level, doesn't it? 342 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:06,000 100%. 343 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,160 It's like you're taking it beyond just the podcast itself. 344 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:09,400 Right. 345 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:12,560 It becomes more of a shared, I don't know, like a club 346 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:12,880 or something. 347 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:13,560 Exactly. 348 00:12:13,560 --> 00:12:15,040 It's a community. 349 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:15,480 Yes. 350 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:17,960 And that actually ties into another really interesting thing 351 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:21,240 they talked about, which is embracing new technology. 352 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:21,800 OK. 353 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,440 Specifically AI. 354 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:24,960 Ooh, AI. 355 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:30,960 Right, so is this robot co-hosts, AI-generated jingles? 356 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:32,720 Not quite yet, although that would be pretty cool. 357 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:34,840 I mean, it's for somebody who's working on it as we speak. 358 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:35,240 Probably. 359 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:37,240 But no, they highlighted how AI is really 360 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,880 becoming more and more integrated into the podcasting 361 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:41,560 workflow. 362 00:12:41,560 --> 00:12:44,240 So less about replacing humans and more about giving us 363 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:44,920 superpowers. 364 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:45,480 Exactly. 365 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,400 Like imagine having an assistant who 366 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,840 can handle some of the more tedious tasks 367 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:52,640 so you can focus on the creative stuff. 368 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:53,000 Yeah. 369 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:53,600 OK, yeah. 370 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,760 For example, they talked about AI-powered transcription 371 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:58,960 services, which are amazing. 372 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:00,720 Yeah, that would save so much time. 373 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,800 Hours and hours, especially for those of us 374 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:08,360 who aren't exactly known for our lightning fast typing skills. 375 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:09,760 Yeah, I'm very seen right now. 376 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,080 But, and it goes beyond just transcription, 377 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:15,800 there are tools now that can actually analyze your audio 378 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,320 and identify the most engaging synopets 379 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:19,560 to share on social media. 380 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:20,000 Oh, wow. 381 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,080 So you don't have to listen back through the whole thing 382 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:23,560 and be like, where was that juicy part? 383 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:24,600 Exactly. 384 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:25,840 It does the work for you. 385 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:27,800 OK, AI is sounding better and better. 386 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:28,400 Right. 387 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:30,600 It's all about working smarter, not harder. 388 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:31,480 Exactly. 389 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:33,680 So it sounds like AI can be a really powerful tool 390 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:36,800 for podcasters, especially those who are just starting out, 391 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,120 maybe don't have a huge budget or a team of people helping them. 392 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:41,200 100%. 393 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,040 It really levels the playing field, 394 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:47,320 giving everyone access to these really sophisticated tools. 395 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:48,360 That's awesome. 396 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:51,680 It's amazing to see how technology is changing the game. 397 00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:52,440 It really is. 398 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:57,800 And as we wrap up our deep dive here into the world of podcasting, 399 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:00,080 I think there's something really important to remember 400 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,000 that our expert emphasized. 401 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:03,640 What's that? 402 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,640 It's easy to get caught up in all the technical aspects, 403 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,240 the microphones, the software, the editing tricks, 404 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:11,840 everything we've been talking about. 405 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:12,440 Right. 406 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:16,640 But at its core podcasting, it's about storytelling. 407 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:17,920 It's about connecting with your audience. 408 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:19,040 Exactly. 409 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,760 They shared a story about how they almost gave up on podcasting 410 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,720 early on because they were so focused on trying 411 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,640 to sound perfect. 412 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:29,520 But then they realized that their listeners, 413 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:33,200 they connected most with their authenticity, 414 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,320 their raw enthusiasm and their willingness 415 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,920 to be vulnerable, to be themselves. 416 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:42,600 It's a good reminder that sometimes those imperfections, 417 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,160 they're what make us relatable. 418 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:45,120 100%. 419 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:46,920 And at the end of the day, I think that's what people 420 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:48,080 are really looking for. 421 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:50,000 Yeah, that genuine human connection. 422 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:50,680 That's awesome. 423 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,720 So for anyone out there who's listening to this and thinking, 424 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,400 I want to start a podcast, what's 425 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,280 the one piece of advice would you say 426 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,000 that our expert would give them? 427 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,200 I think they would say, just start. 428 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:04,600 Yeah. 429 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:08,080 Don't let the technical stuff hold you back. 430 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,120 Don't wait for the perfect microphone, the perfect software. 431 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:11,640 Exactly. 432 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:13,840 Embrace the learning process, have fun, 433 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:16,120 and let your passion shine through. 434 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:17,360 I love that. 435 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:19,400 Awesome advice. 436 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:20,640 Well, there you have it, everyone. 437 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,800 A deep dive into the multifaceted world of podcasting. 438 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:27,080 We've covered it all, from choosing the right microphone 439 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:29,200 to harnessing the power of AI. 440 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:30,480 And everything in between. 441 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:32,760 And most importantly, staying true to your voice 442 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,120 and connecting with your audience. 443 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:35,560 Couldn't have said it better myself. 444 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:38,200 So if you're feeling inspired to embark on your own podcasting 445 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,080 journey, remember the most important step 446 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,040 is taking that first leap. 447 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:43,720 And who knows, maybe one day, we'll 448 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,880 be deep diving into your incredible podcast. 449 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:46,680 That's right. 450 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:47,160 All right. 451 00:15:47,160 --> 00:16:09,120 Until next time, happy podcasting, everyone.