Monetization is a super common problem for many podcasters. Most think they'll start a podcast, get a bunch of downloads, and sponsors will come looking for them. That is almost never the case — nor is it the case that sponsorship is the only option. And what I LOVE sponsorship. After all, I'm a sponsorship coach for my friend Justin, and RSS.com, for whom I'm the evangelist, just launched our PAID feature to make ads easier than ever. But depending on the goal of your podcast, you might seek other monetization paths. That's why I came up with the CAMPS framework: CoachingAffiliatesMembershipProductsSponsorshipListen to learn more! Read the full article here: CAMPS: Updating the Podcast Monetization FrameworkAlso check out: RSS.com to learn about PAID, our dynamic ads featureWizard's Guild for sponsorship coaching
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12:18
Why I REFUSE to Record Podcasts Without Headphones (And You Should Too)
Hot take: If you're not wearing headphones while podcasting in 2025, you're doing it wrong. I don't care how good Riverside's echo cancellation is or what magic AI audio cleanup you're using - I will literally refuse to record with guests who won't wear headphones.In this episode, I explain why "fixing it in post" with apps like Descript and Adobe Podcast AI is actually making your audio WORSE, not better. I've been on shows where my studio-quality audio gets destroyed by automated filters that were never needed in the first place.The truth is, these AI audio tools make assumptions about your recording environment and apply blanket fixes that can create weird artifacts, dropped sounds, and unpredictable results. When you wear headphones, you get clean, "unopinionated" audio that gives you or your editor full control over the final sound.🎙️ What you'll learn:Why automated audio cleanup often makes good audio worseThe difference between surgical editing vs. sledgehammer approachesHow echo cancellation can hurt when it's not neededMy hardware setup for clean audio (without over-processing)The guest who got floored when I cancelled our interview🎧 Are you team headphones or team "the software will fix it"? Let me know at streamlinedfeedback.com!
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10:54
Red Flags: When "Podcast Invites" Are Actually Sales Calls in Disguise
Have you ever been invited on a podcast only for it to be turned into a sales call? Yeah, me too. And it's getting worse.In this episode, I break down the sneaky tactics some "podcasters" use to get you on what they claim is an interview, but is really just a thinly veiled attempt to pitch you their services. From deleting your episode when you refuse to buy, to publishing 5 episodes a day with bathroom-quality audio, these red flags are easier to spot once you know what to look for.I'll share real examples from my own experience (including the guy who pitched me SEO services right after asking "did you have fun today?") and give you the exact questions I ask to weed out these fake opportunities before wasting your time.🎯 Major red flags covered:Repeatedly mentioning "no cost" to be on the showSuper vague topics like "the future of [your name]"Publishing 3-5 interviews daily with multiple hostsTarget audience that matches their ideal customer profile💡 Bonus tips from the community:What Krystal and Jeff noticed about fake showsHow to respond without missing real opportunitiesWhy "thousands of downloads" doesn't mean what they think it meansSee the LinkedIn post🤔 Ever been bamboozled by a fake podcast invite? Share your story at streamlinedfeedback.com!
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12:16
My "Brown M&Ms Test" for Filtering Bad Podcast Pitches
Remember Van Halen's famous "no brown M&Ms" rider clause? It wasn't because they were divas - it was a genius test to make sure venues actually read their contract. I've borrowed this concept to create my own screening system for podcast guest pitches.With 4-8 pitches hitting my inbox daily (and most being AI-generated garbage), I needed a better way to separate serious guests from spray-and-pray agencies. In this episode, I share the exact screening question I use that instantly reveals whether someone actually researched my show or just copy-pasted a ChatGPT template.I'll also share some real examples of terrible pitches I've received (spoiler: one agency sent me the SAME pitch twice for different shows), plus the simple criteria that save me hours each week in pitch evaluation.What you'll learn:Why Van Halen's M&Ms clause was brilliant (and life-saving)My specific screening question that AI can't fakeReal examples of hilariously bad AI-generated pitchesThe exact criteria I give to agencies to stop wasting my timeHow this system helped me find amazing guests like Jackie Schiff and Elizabeth HowellRead the full articleWhat's your "Brown M&Ms test"? Share it at streamlinedfeedback.com
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12:03
AI is Making Podcast Pitches WORSE (And How to Fix Yours)
Remember the alien in Men in Black asking for "sugar in water"? That's exactly what AI-generated podcast pitches sound like - almost human, but missing something fundamentally authentic.As someone who receives dozens of guest pitches, I'm seeing a disturbing trend: more people are using ChatGPT to write their outreach, and it's backfiring spectacularly. From generic "hope this email finds you well" openings to completely irrelevant topic suggestions, AI pitches are easier to spot (and delete) than ever.In this episode, I break down why AI pitches fail so badly, share some cringe-worthy real examples I've received, and give you a proven template for crafting pitches that actually get responses. Plus, I'll tell you about the one pitch that was so good it led to an amazing interview.What you'll learn:Why "recently discovered your podcast" is the new spam signalThe ChatGPT summary that made me laugh (and cry)My 4-step framework for pitches that actually workRead the full article Have pitch horror stories to share? Send them to streamlinedfeedback.com
About Streamlined Podcaster: Tips to Help Solopreneurs Improve Their Podcast Systems
Do you love having a podcast, but hate the amount of time you spend on it? Feel like you’re spinning your wheels trying to grow while also putting out a quality show?
So far, it’s been way too much work for very few benefits…and even fewer downloads. It doesn’t have to be like this. You can have a successful show. You just need the right podcast systems in place.
Subscribe and learn how to automate, improve your processes, and win back your time to spend it on things that matter most.
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