Hey everyone and welcome to another deep dive.
You know how much we love dissecting
all the latest tips and tricks
and today we're taking a look at Think Media's advice
on launching a podcast in 2024.
It's a good one.
It is.
Their YouTube video is a gold mine.
But let's be real, I could only absorb so much
from just watching it.
So I brought in an expert to really break it down.
Well, I'm excited to dive in.
You know the thing that really struck me
about the Think Media video
is how they just cut to the chase.
Yeah.
Their big message, don't overthink it, just hit record.
I love that because it's so easy
to get bogged down in the details.
Especially when you're starting out.
You know, you can spend weeks just researching microphones.
Oh, absolutely.
And then you never even hit record.
Yeah, you get stuck in that analysis paralysis.
And they're just like cut through the noise.
The most important thing is to start creating.
So true.
So you're inspired, you're ready to hit record.
What do you name this thing?
That's the age old question.
Yeah.
Think Media actually has a really interesting tip.
Okay.
They suggest combining a random word with your name.
Like seriously.
Okay, I'm listening.
It sounds kind of simple,
but it can actually be really effective.
They give the example of Omar from Think Media.
Okay.
His podcast is called The Department with Omar Ellery.
Oh, the department, I see.
It's catchy, right?
Yeah, it is.
It's memorable.
Yeah, and it kind of makes you curious
like what's the department about?
Right, what is that department?
Exactly.
So what random word pops into your mind right now?
Oh gosh.
Yeah.
I don't know, WaveLinks is coming to mind.
WaveLinks.
Yeah.
I like it.
It's intriguing.
Okay, so we've got a name for my new podcast,
WaveLinks.
Now what?
Well, you need some artwork.
Think Media emphasizes that even though podcasting
is audio visual branding is still important.
Right.
You gotta have that cover art.
Exactly.
They recommend Canva and Fiverr for creating your artwork.
Canva makes sense.
Super user-friendly.
Yeah, you can find some great templates on there.
Or if you want something more custom,
you can connect with a designer on Fiverr.
Perfect.
Okay, so we've got our catchy name.
We've got our eye-catching artwork.
How do we actually get this podcast out there
for people to listen to?
Distribution.
That's where a podcast distribution site comes in.
Think Media describes it as like a central hub.
So you upload your audio to the site,
like Podcastle, for example.
Okay.
And it handles distributing it
to all the major platforms like Apple Podcasts,
Spotify, Google Podcasts, you name it.
That is so much easier than what I had to do
when I first started podcasting.
Oh, I bet.
It was a nightmare.
Figuring out how to get it on all the different platforms.
Yeah, it can be a lot of manual work,
but these sites just streamline the whole process.
Technology saving us time and headaches.
Absolutely.
Now here's a tip that might surprise you.
Think Media recommends starting with at least three
episodes ready to go.
Wait, really?
I always thought the advice was just start with one
and see how it goes.
That's a common misconception.
They actually advocate for having multiple episodes
ready to go.
Huh, interesting.
Why is that?
Well, it gives you more options for your release strategy.
You could launch with all three at once.
Like a binge drop.
Exactly.
Give your listeners a binge-worthy experience,
or you can space them out and release them weekly.
I see.
So you've got that buffer.
You're not scrambling to create new content every week.
Exactly.
It takes the pressure off,
especially when you're just starting out.
That makes a lot of sense.
Okay, three episodes ready to go.
What do I need to record them?
You might be surprised to hear this,
but Think Media actually suggests starting
with what you probably already have, your smartphone.
Hold on, my phone can actually produce
decent audio for a podcast.
You'd be surprised.
Especially with the help of some AI audio enhancement tools,
Think Media demonstrates this in their video
using podcast.
Okay.
And the results are pretty impressive.
Even basic phone recordings can sound really professional.
Wow, technology is amazing.
Right, it really makes podcasting so much more accessible.
You don't need a fancy studio or expensive equipment
to get started.
I love that.
So someone's listening and they're thinking,
I've got this great podcast idea.
They don't have to go out and buy a bunch of gear.
Exactly.
Just grab your phone and start recording.
Love it.
Now I know some people might be thinking,
okay, but what about background noise?
That's a valid concern, but Think Media has you covered.
Okay.
They highlight some AI-powered editing tools in podcastle
that can clean up your audio.
Oh, nice.
Like removing background noise, long pauses,
even those ums and aas that we all tend to do.
It looks like magic.
Pretty much.
It can really elevate the quality of your recordings.
I bet, especially if you don't have
a perfectly quiet recording space.
Exactly.
These tools are lifesavers.
Now another thing Think Media emphasizes
is the importance of music.
Oh yeah.
Music can totally set the mood.
Absolutely.
It adds another layer to the listening experience.
And podcastle actually has a library
of royalty-free music you can use in your episodes.
That's awesome.
So you don't have to worry about copyright issues.
Exactly.
It's all ready to go.
You know, even something as simple
as adding a little intro music can make a big difference.
Oh, for sure.
I remember when I first started my podcast,
a friend suggested I add some intro music.
And it instantly elevated the whole feel of the show.
It's those little touches
that can really make a podcast stand out.
Okay, so you've recorded your episodes,
you've edited them, you've added some music,
now it's time to publish them.
Okay, take us through that process.
Think Media makes it sound pretty straightforward.
First, you give your episodes catchy titles,
something that will entice people to click and listen.
Right, gotta hook them in.
Exactly.
Then you publish them to your distribution site.
And from there, it automatically sends them out
to all the major listening platforms.
So it was really a one-stop shop.
Pretty much.
It takes care of all the technical stuff for you.
I love that.
So convenient.
Yeah.
But Think Media emphasizes
that publishing is just the first step.
Right.
Promotion is key.
You've gotta get your podcast out there in front of people.
Makes sense.
You could have the best podcast in the world,
but if nobody knows about it,
Exactly.
It's not gonna reach anyone.
So what are some ways to promote your podcast?
Well, I'm glad you asked.
Because Think Media has some great tips for that.
Okay, lay them on us.
They recommend creating, engaging social media content
around each episode, like short clips.
All like teasers and buying the scenes stuff.
Exactly.
Things that will pique people's interest
and make them wanna listen.
They even suggest using platforms
like YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
Makes sense.
Short form video is huge these days.
It is.
So get creative.
Think outside the box.
What are some ways you can get people excited
about your podcast?
Ooh, that's a fun challenge.
I like that.
Right.
It's all about getting that word out there.
Building that buzz.
Absolutely.
And that's what this whole deep dive is about, right?
Taking inspiration from the experts
and turning it into action.
Exactly.
We've got all these amazing tools and resources
at our fingertips.
So it's time to use them.
Let's do it.
You know, it's really inspiring to see
how accessible podcasting has become.
It is, right?
I mean, the tools and the resources
that we've been talking about,
they really empower anyone to share their voice
with the world.
Absolutely.
It's like Think Media says, just hit record.
You don't need a ton of fancy equipment
or a big budget to get started.
Right.
And that's what's so exciting about this whole thing.
It is.
But with so many podcasts out there.
Right.
Finding your audience and standing out, that's key.
That's a good point.
Yeah.
So it's not just about having great audio quality.
No.
It's about connecting with the right people.
Exactly.
Think Media talks about the importance
of finding your niche.
Yeah.
And creating content that really resonates
with your target audience.
Yeah.
It's about having something meaningful to say.
Mm-hmm.
Building a community around your content.
Yeah.
Not just chasing downloads or trying to go viral.
Right.
It's gotta come from a place of passion.
Yeah.
It's gotta be something that you're genuinely excited about.
I've experienced that firsthand
as both a listener and a creator.
Mm-hmm.
There's something so intimate and engaging
about listening to a podcast.
Oh, for sure.
It's like having a conversation with a friend.
Yeah.
Even if that friend is a complete stranger
on the other side of the world.
Exactly.
And that's what keeps people coming back for more.
It is that connection.
Mm-hmm.
That feeling of being part of something bigger
than themselves.
Yeah.
And that's something that any aspiring podcaster
can achieve.
Absolutely.
Regardless of experience or resources.
Yep.
As long as they have a passion for something
and a desire to share it.
Passion is contagious.
It is.
When you're genuinely excited about something,
it shines through in your voice.
It does.
And your content.
Right.
And that's what draws people in.
So if someone is listening to this right now
and they're thinking,
I have an idea for a podcast.
Yeah.
But I'm not sure where to start.
I would echo, think media's advice,
don't overthink it.
Just press record.
Yes.
Start with what you have.
Experiment.
And most importantly, have fun.
That's great advice.
Yeah.
Don't let perfection be the enemy of good.
Right.
Just get started and let your passion guide you.
Absolutely.
And remember, there's a whole community
of podcasters out there.
Yeah.
Willing to support and encourage you along the way.
That's so true.
The podcasting community is surprisingly supportive
and collaborative.
It is.
It's inspiring to see people helping each other succeed.
Mm-hmm.
And it's a growing and diverse community, too.
It is.
The future podcasting is looking bright.
It really is.
Where do you see podcasting headed?
Ooh, that's a good question.
What excites you about the future of this space?
Well, one trend that I find fascinating
is the rise of interactive podcasts.
Oh, yeah.
You mentioned, choose your own adventure story lines earlier.
Exactly.
I could see how that would be a game changer
for audience engagement.
Oh, for sure.
It transforms passive listening into an active experience.
Right.
And it opens up so many creative possibilities.
Yeah, I can see this being a huge opportunity for education
and training, too.
Oh, absolutely.
Imagine interactive podcasts where
you can test your knowledge or even practice real-world skills.
The possibilities are endless.
They are.
What else?
Well, another area that I'm excited about
is the increasing integration of AI into podcasting.
We talked about AI-powered editing tools earlier.
What other applications of AI are you seeing?
Think about AI-powered transcription and translation
tools.
These can make podcasts accessible to a much wider audience,
breaking down language barriers, and reaching people
all over the world.
That's incredible.
I didn't think about that.
Yeah, it's amazing.
AI can also be used to personalize the listening experience.
I too.
Imagine podcasts that adapt to your interests,
your learning style, even your mood.
OK, now we're getting really futuristic.
Right.
But I love it.
It sounds like the future of podcasting
is all about pushing boundaries and creating truly immersive
experiences for listeners.
Absolutely.
And at the heart of it all is the power of human connection.
Podcasts allow us to connect with each other,
share our stories, learn from each other's experiences.
That's what makes this medium so special.
It really is.
You know, listening to you talk about the future of podcasting,
it makes me feel so optimistic.
I too.
It's clear that this medium has the potential
to make a real difference in the world.
I wholeheartedly agree.
So to anyone listening who's been thinking
about starting a podcast, I encourage you to take that leap
and share your voice.
The world is waiting to hear what you have to say.
Exactly.
And remember, think media emphasizes.
The most important thing is to just start.
Start somewhere.
Yeah.
Don't let fear or doubt hold you back.
Embrace the journey.
Have fun.
And connect with your audience.
The possibilities are limitless.
I love that.
So much good stuff to think about as we move
into the final part of our deep dive.
It is.
There's a lot to unpack here.
There is.
But I think that's a good place to pause for now.
OK.
We'll be back soon to wrap things up
and explore even more of what the future holds
for this amazing medium.
So one trend that I find fascinating
is the rise of interactive podcasts
where listeners can actively participate in the story.
You mentioned Choose Your Own Adventure story lines earlier.
I can see how that would be a game changer
for audience engagement.
Exactly.
It transforms passive listening into an active experience.
And it opens up so many creative possibilities
for storytelling and content creation.
I can also see this being a huge opportunity
for education and training.
Imagine interactive podcasts where you can test your knowledge
or even practice real world skills.
The possibilities are truly endless.
Another area I'm excited about is the increasing integration
of AI into podcasting.
We talked about AI-powered editing tools earlier.
What other applications of AI are you seeing?
Think about AI-powered transcription and translation
tools.
These can make podcasts accessible to a much wider
audience, breaking down language barriers
and reaching people all over the world.
That's an incredible point.
It really devocatizes access to information
and allows for greater cultural exchange through podcasting.
AI can also be used to personalize the listening
experience.
Imagine podcasts that adapt to your interests, learning style,
and even your mood.
Now that's what I call a deep dive.
It sounds like the future of podcasting
is all about pushing boundaries and creating truly immersive
experiences for listeners.
And at the heart of it all is the power of human connection.
Podcasts allow us to connect with each other,
share our stories, and learn from each other's experiences.
That's what makes this medium so special.
Listening to you talk about the future of podcasting
makes me feel so optimistic.
It's clear that this medium has the potential
to make a real difference in the world.
I wholeheartedly agree.
So to anyone listening who's been thinking
about starting a podcast, I encourage you to take that leap
and share your voice.
The world is waiting to hear what you have to say.
And remember, as Think Media emphasizes,
the most important thing is to just start.
Don't let fear or doubt hold you back.
Embrace the journey.
Have fun and connect with your audience.
The possibilities are limitless.
Well, I think that wraps up our deep dive
into the world of podcasting.
We've explored everything from finding your niche
to the exciting future of this dynamic medium.
We've unpacked some great insights from the Think Media
video and hopefully inspired you to take your podcasting
journey to the next level.
Thank you for joining us and happy podcasting.