School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

So many people think the only way you can have a successful podcast is to be famous. Today we have a quick Interview with Jordan Blair from the Dreamful podcast and the Buzzsprout podcast Buzzcast. Jordan share all the straggles she is using to monetize her show.
Jordan's Been Podcasting For Seven Years
This didn't happen overnight, but you will hear where Jordan recommends starting monetization efforts from day one. This way your family and friends who want to support the show can actually chip in, and the audience gets used to hearing you ask for support.
If you feel weird asking for value in return for the value you have given to the audience, keep in mind PBS has been doing this for decades.
Where Do You Start?
Jordan recommends starting off with enabling donations (technically a tip not a donation, unless you're a non-profit). Buzzsprout has this built in or you could use buy me a coffee, and many others. If you start with subscriptions, as you're just starting the show, it may be a little overwhelming and you end up making extra content for an audience that doesn't exist (yet). Just realize if you want people to chip in, you have to ask.
You can see Jordan's support page here.
Affiliate Links Are a Great Test
We talked about tools for using affiliate links in a previous episode. Affiliate links enable you to make a commission on a sale from someone using your special link. This is a great test and practice to get used to doing calls to action, promoting a product, and seeing what products your audience is interested
The Pros and Cons of Merch
Jordan shares how she created some swag for her audience, setup a store and received absolutely zero sales. This is when she realized she should ask her audience what they want first before making swag. For more on merch sales check out my interview with Jayna Marie.
First Person Endorsements Deliver Tons of Value
Jordan's show is for kids who are trying to go to sleep. She found some puzzles and bought them and tried them. She knew this would resonate with her audience, and talked about her own experience with the puzzles and the affiliate links came flowing in.
You Might Have to Take Partners to School
Jordan explains that her first sponsor knocked on her door, and provided an offer. Jordan had to explain to them how partnerships work in podcasting (this isn't radio, and we have a much stronger connection with our audiences). She renogiated and came up with a dela that worked for everyone.
She Didn't Plan on Making Money
Jordan started the Dreamful stories podcast as a resource for her own children. She launched it, and focused on delivering value and connecting with her audience. She found out what they wanted and delivered the show they wanted. This lead to her show's downloads escalating while she was on a break!
Check out Jordan's Shows
Dreamful Stories
Buzzcast
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Other Items Mentioned
Podnews Weekly Review
How to Turn Your Podcast Into Passive Income (With Tools I Actually Use)
Big Lash Energy: One Million Downloads Fueled by Coffee and Compliments
Profit From Your Podcast Book (by Dave)
This Old Marketing Show
Sponsor Magnet Book by Justin Moore
Mentioned in this episode:
Live Appearances
I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.
Where Will I Be?
Build the Website You Want with Podpage
Podpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/preview
Podpage
Question of the Month: Favorite Remote Recording Tool
So many podcasters us tools to do remote recording (guests, etc). It seems like people often go through a few before finding one they like. What is your current remote recording tool, and what tools have you used in the past (and why did you leave)? Also be sure to tell us a little bit about your podcast, and your website address so we can link to it in the show notes.
Question of the Month
Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks
Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence.

This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience.

Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear.

The best part? It's only $1

Classes Start June 3rd
Podcasting in Six Weeks

A Dialogue with Justin Jackson and Alban Brooke
Just in Jackson from Transistor.fm is so enthusiastic about Apple's new way to add video to their platform (called HLS). I have felt "Meh" about it since it was announced (I'm worried about using API's instead of using the RSS feed). So I wanted to see if I was missing something that might lead me to feel more like Justin.
Later that same week Alban Brook from Buzzsprout reached out and so I combined the interviews to show multiple points of view about Apple's HLS implementation not that more hosts are being approved to connect to Apple via their API.
Justin's View is Based On Younger People
While I have no children Justin has a few and he explained how watching them he sees them move from watching video to switching to audio. So the HLS video in Apple supports this (and it's already available on YouTube music, and Spotify. This explains why Justin would have a viewpoint different than mine.
Dialogues are amazing, and you just might learn something. Try one today. They are free!
Alban's View on The "Give People What They Want" focus of Apple Podcasts
When you go to YouTube, they drown you in options as they try to get you to click on anything. With Apple's new video options, when you log into Apple, you primarily see the shows that you've told Apple you want to see. Consequently, it may be a better experience. Kevin Finn on the Buzzcast show compared YouTube and the horrible experience to going to the movies, where everything is overpriced and the floor is sticky. The experience isn't as good.
Don't Take on Too Much
If you're a video creator already, adding your show to YouTube seems like a no brainer, and Alaban and Just both mentioned that when people signed up to be beta testers, many of the people chomping at the bit were already video creators.
Justin mentions that much like coloring, you start with three colors and learn how to keep people engaged. Then start adding more colors. With podcasting it may make more sense to start with audio, and then add video.
We are in a Wait and See Period
We don't actually know if this is going to take off. While we don't expect Apple to topple YouTube, we are interested to see just how many people jump on board. Both companies mentioned the benefits of being an early adopter.
Pricing for HLS Hosting
Transistor offers HLS video on any package of of $49 and higher.
Buzzsprout offers 6 hours a month for $30 ($25 if you purchase yearly).
Captivate is $19/month with an additional $12 for video.
Keep in mind Transistor and Captivate operate on a "As many shows and episodes as you want (but you bill goes up depending on downloads/traffic). Buzzsprout's model is a "per show" fee, but you can have as many downloads as you want.
For more information on other hosts as they are added see this article on Podnews.
The Bridge Podcast on YouTube
Justin shared the story of The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge a former Candaian broadcaster who has now moved to YouTube who is having great success without amazing Thumbnails and fancy studios.
Acquired Charges Millions for Sponsorship
There are always shows that break the mold, and Acquired is one of them. They do limited shows that engage a certain audience (CEOs), and consequently are charging millions for sponsor a season (and are already sold out). They describe their show as, "We (Ben and David) personally invest 100+ hours each to research and produce a ~4 hour "conversational audiobook,” telling a company's complete history and strategy.
Spotify's Video Options are Blurry
I am always cautious about Spotify. We all know they are not fans of RSS, and they like to make features that only work in Spotify. In a recent article at Podnews, Jame Cridlan explains how uploading a video from your media host into Spotify may lock you into using the media host (where an RSS enables you to redirect the feed). There is talk that Spotify may manually be able to switch your show back to RSS (with consequences). My point is we currently don't know so if you plan on posting video to Spotify, you might setup a free hosting account and uplaod the video there. ( I do that for my "Ask the Podcast Coach" show).
Mentioned In the Show
School of Podcasting
Podcasting in Six Weeks
Transistor Media Hosting
Buzzsprout Media Hosting
Captivate Media Hosting
The Video Podcast Show
Podcast Marketing Trends Explained
The Panel Podcast
Buzzcast Podcast
Links Mentioned In This Episode
Video podcast host pricing - comparisons from Podnews
Beware Spotify's video lock-in from Podnews

Mentioned in this episode:
Question of the Month: Favorite Remote Recording Tool
So many podcasters us tools to do remote recording (guests, etc). It seems like people often go through a few before finding one they like. What is your current remote recording tool, and what tools have you used in the past (and why did you leave)? Also be sure to tell us a little bit about your podcast, and your website address so we can link to it in the show notes.
Question of the Month
Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks
Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence.

This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience.

Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear.

The best part? It's only $1

Classes Start June 3rd
Podcasting in Six Weeks
See Your Show On Podpage
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Live Appearances
I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.
Where Will I Be?

Today we are talking about your show that just won't grow. It's time for a podcast experiment. I often say "You podcast is a recipe - not a statue." Well here is the good news. You know how to build a podcast to the current level you are at. The bad news is you've been here for a bit and it's time to try something to break you out of your plateau.
You Either Win Or You Learn
When you try something new with your podcast we often feel like everyone will leave immediately, and that just doesn't happen. Have you ever gone to a concert of a band you grew up listening to? They say "Here is one from our new album!" and half the theater goes for a beer, but most of them stay because they like the band.
What If My Numbers Goes Down?
So if you previously had 200 downloads an episode, and now you have 180 you learned something not to do. You've know how to grow a show to 200, so do that and try again.
Start With a Survey
Speaking of mistakes, I once did a survey that I talked about bear the end of my show. One of the questions was, "Do you think the show is too long?" Well, if you think about it (being near the end of the show) anyone who thought it was too long had already left.
Announce the survey, and really push it and explain how the audience will benefit. It could be as simple as:
Did you listen to the end of the episode?
If not where did you stop and why?
How likely are you to share it with a friend on a scale form 1-10?

You can use the built in survey with Podpage, or something like Tally forms.
Smart Experiments: One Step at a Time
When you test new parts of your show, change ONE thing only. If you change three things and one of them works, you won't know which one.
I would start with your episode titles, your opening two minutes (have a good hook), and get to the content ASAP.
My Current Experiment: Podcasting in Six Weeks
I tried this class about six months ago, and only told my email list. That was a dumb idea, but I learned to use ALL of my outlets when promoting a product or service.
The course starting June 3rd will be once a week covering the following topics:
Week 1: Concept & Planning Define your unique angle and target audience Choose your format and episode structure Create your content calendar for the first 10 episodes Develop your show name and description
Week 2: Equipment & Setup Essential equipment recommendations for every budget. Recording space optimization (even in noisy environments). Software setup and configuration Audio quality testing and troubleshooting
Week 3: Recording Techniques Professional recording techniques. Interview skills and guest management. Solo episode strategies. Overcoming "mic fright" and speaking naturally.
Week 4: Editing & Post-Production Editing basics that save time and sound professional. Intro/outro creation and music selection File management and organization systems Quality control checklists
Week 5: Hosting & Distribution Choosing and setting up your podcast host Submitting to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms RSS feeds and technical requirements Show artwork and metadata optimization
Week 6: Marketing & Growth Launch strategies that actually get listeners. Social media promotion and repurposing content Building relationships with other podcasters Long-term growth strategies and monetization
EXCLUSIVE BONUSES:
BONUS #1: "Podcast Equipment Starter Kit Guide" (Value: $97) No more confusion about what to buy. Get our curated equipment list with specific product recommendations for three different budgets – beginner, intermediate, and professional.
BONUS #2: "First 10 Episodes Content Planner" (Value: $67) Never stare at a blank screen wondering what to talk about. This detailed planner gives you proven episode templates and topic ideas to keep your content engaging from day one.
BONUS #3: "Podcast Launch Checklist" (Value: $47) A step-by-step checklist ensuring you don't miss any crucial steps during your launch. From technical setup to promotional tasks – it's all cover
Six hours of consulting with me would be $1200, but as we try this experiment it's only $1.
Why not free? Because we wanted people who would at least believe in themselves enough to spend $1 to help improve themselves.
In full transparency we hope you join the School of Podcasting when the class is over, but it is a free standing class. The sessions will be recorded.
Sign Up For the Class TODAY!
Got Feedback On This Episode?
I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer.
Share Your Thoughts
Resources Mentioned in Episode 1034
School of Podcasting
Pod SEO use sop10 to save 10%
Ausha SEO
Pod Analyist
Links Mentioned In This Episode
Dave Jackson #661 - New Media Show
Insight on Business - Dave Jackson Interview
Switchy Link Shortener
Stuck at 800 downloads per ep for almost a year. what actually moves the needle : r/podcasting
PodAnalyst - Podcast Measurement and Analytics For Growth
My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes - Author Media
Podcasting Truth & Myths Learned Over 500 Episodes
What are examples that were accidents that turned out to be great?

Mentioned in this episode:
Live Appearances
I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.
Where Will I Be?
Question of the Month: Favorite Remote Recording Tool
So many podcasters us tools to do remote recording (guests, etc). It seems like people often go through a few before finding one they like. What is your current remote recording tool, and what tools have you used in the past (and why did you leave)? Also be sure to tell us a little bit about your podcast, and your website address so we can link to it in the show notes.
Question of the Month
Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!
Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting

Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!
Podcasting Observations
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In this episode, we answer a question I know has been on the minds of so many podcasters: Where is podcasting headed?

What We Covered
Spotify, YouTube, and AI Slop: I kicked things off sharing my concerns about immoral creators, content exclusivity, and how blurry the definition of a “podcast” is getting.
Optimism vs. Pessimism: We heard from multiple voices on whether the future looks bright or grim, and what keeps each of us going.
Video, Discoverability, and Content Overload: How YouTube’s dominance and the rise of video (and AI-generated "slop") is shifting the landscape, sometimes making things more confusing than ever.
Monetization Woes and the Hopes for Crowdfunding: Many noted frustration with ads and the current monetization system, with hope for easier, more integrated crowdfunding in the future.
Government Regulation and Freedom of Speech: A Canadian listener shared real concerns about government overreach and its chilling effect on creators.
Defining Your “Why” and Staying True to Your Mission: Several contributors reminded us to focus on passion, purpose, and connecting with our audience.
Staying Resilient: Through all the changes—algorithm shakeups, new platforms, and shifting formats—what matters most is keeping your audience at the heart of what you do.

Participants
Steve Stewart (Podcast Editors Mastermind, Podcast Editor's Academy, Steve's Site)
Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast, Perrysburg Podcast )
Todd the Gator ( Guardian Down Roundtable, 50 Years Experience Required, Lessons in the Rearview
Leslie Marting (Greatland Media)
Ralph Estep Jr. ( AskRalph.com )
Podcasting Morning Show
York Welcome to Earth Stories
Cool Cars with Chris

Mentioned In This Episode
JJJAck Film's Video on youTube Demonetization
New Media Show Rob Greenlee and Brendan Monaghan
Podcasting 2.0 on the Slop Factory at Spreaker
Podnews on More AI than Human Shows
Profit From Your Podcast Book
Thanks for Sharing
This episode became a great sharing of opinions, experiences, and predictions. Some worry about gatekeepers and algorithmic noise, while others find hope in podcasting’s unique intimacy and power to connect. No matter where things go, staying true to your purpose, your “why,” and serving your audience will always be the foundation.
Keep your ears open, your content honest, and your passion high. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and as always: if you loved this conversation, hit that share button and keep the School of Podcasting growing!
Mentioned in this episode:
Give Your Podcast A Home
When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home.
It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe.
At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site.
If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow.

Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.
Podpage
Question of the Month: Favorite Remote Recording Tool
So many podcasters us tools to do remote recording (guests, etc). It seems like people often go through a few before finding one they like. What is your current remote recording tool, and what tools have you used in the past (and why did you leave)? Also be sure to tell us a little bit about your podcast, and your website address so we can link to it in the show notes.
Question of the Month
Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks
Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence.

This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience.

Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear.

The best part? It's only $1

Classes Start June 3rd
Podcasting in Six Weeks
Live Appearances
I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.
Where Will I Be?

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a good old fashioned microphone shootout—this time, it’s all about wireless lavalier mics! I (quickly) run through a lineup of wireless lavalier microphones including the DJI Mic Mini, Hollyland Lark M2, Rode Wireless Micro, Rode Wireless Go, and Shure Move Mic. Not only do I compare how they sound right out of the box, but I also show how a little post production can level the playing field between even budget and premium options. If you’ve ever wondered whether it matters which one you pick, you’ll definitely want to listen.
This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!
The Weight Of Adding Video - The First Look at Apple HLS
The second big theme of today’s show is the pressure, and potential pitfalls, of adding video to your podcasting workflow. I break down what’s happening with Apple HLS video, what hosts like Captivate are charging, and why you need to seriously consider the “weight” video adds before taking the plunge.
Getting Your Edited Audio To People In Apple - You Can't (If you add video)
Can you maintain your audio quality? Should you be editing audio and video together, or keeping them separate? I also share some spot-on advice from Elsie Escobar about only adding video if it makes sense for your goals—not because you feel FOMO or outside pressure.
Whether you’re mic shopping, contemplating a shift to video, or just want a sanity check on your podcasting process, this episode is for you. Enjoy!
Gear Mentioned In This Episode
DJI Mic Mini
Shure Movemic
Hollyland Lark M2
Rode Wireless Go 3
Rode Wireless Micro
DJI Mic 2
Captivate Media Hosting
Other Items
Ecamm Video Software
Streamdeck
Accentize Plugins (DeRoom, Revive)
USB-C extenders
Blue Ocean Strategy Book
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing (specifically, the "Law of Category" chapter)
The Audacity to Podcast
1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelley
Captivate Webinar on Apple HLS Implementation
New Media Show Rob Greenlee with Sharon Taylor
Media Roundtable with Dan Granger, Tim Ferriss (Entrepreneur & Host, The Tim Ferriss Show) and Dr. Laurie Santos
WordPress Plugins Compromised
Monica Rivera on Episode 613
Zoom Handyrecorder App
David Draiman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Transistor Media Hosting
Buzzsprout Media Hosting
Justin Jackson Apple Podcasts Demo
Mentioned in this episode:
Live Appearances
I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.
Where Will I Be?
Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks
Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence.

This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience.

Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear.

The best part? It's only $1

Classes Start June 3rd
Podcasting in Six Weeks
Question of the Month: Favorite Remote Recording Tool
So many podcasters us tools to do remote recording (guests, etc). It seems like people often go through a few before finding one they like. What is your current remote recording tool, and what tools have you used in the past (and why did you leave)? Also be sure to tell us a little bit about your podcast, and your website address so we can link to it in the show notes.
Question of the Month
Give Your Podcast A Home
When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home.
It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe.
At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site.
If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow.

Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.
Podpage