Why would build your podcast on someone else's platform when you can build your own?

In 2020, the podcast industry added over 1 million shows.  Out of 1.7 million shows listed on Apple, 60% (ish) are inactive. 

Here is what I do. I do more show prep.  It seems I get more motivated to podcast if I do show prep on a show I'm about to record. 

There are lots of apps you can use to play podcasts.   As a podcaster I'm sure you are also a podcast listener.  Here is my top 6 (in reverse order of use).

RSS is what powers podcasting.  In fact, this is why podcasting even exists. The enclosure tag in RSS2 allows you to “attach” a media file. Mainly an MP3 but you can also attach just about any media like a video file, a PDF or ebook file.  “Podcasting” is mostly audio but there are some that do video via RSS. 

Podcast Index: "Lets preserve podcasting as a platform for free speech!"

I failed miserably at completing the NaPodPoMo 30 episodes in 30 days this year.  OH well,  Such is life getting in the way.  The Good News and part of the "big" announcement I teased is this show is going 2 times weekly starting on Dec. 16, 2020.  

I'm not only a podcaster, but an avid podcast listener.  I have something like 30 shows that I subscribe to plus I listen to a lot of one-off shows that I don't subscribe to.   Here is my top 8 (as of late November 2020) Also, not in Rank order.

Keeping it simple makes it easy for you to produce your podcast and not worry about waisting a lot of time if you don't have a lot of time.  

YES, I really did just say don't look at your stats for 3 months! THIS MEANS YOU!

So, who exactly is your show for?    When you try to make a podcast for EVERYONE, you really are making a show for NOBODY.  

There are many things about a podcast that a podcaster needs to know even if you don't do everything for your show.  A lot of indie podcasters do everything.  Prep, Talent, Recording, Editing, Producing, Publishing, Booking guests and ALL of it.  Some only do the parts of it.  Sometimes it's a whole team.  BUT, YOU as the owner of your show, need to know some things no matter if you do them or not. 

As a Podcaster, your RSS Feed is your connection to the world for your podcast.  The transmitter for your "Radio Station".  Your RSS feed address is just like a "Frequency" Like "101.9 FM".  

Do you use ID3 tags? If not, no worries. It's only used in very unique circumstances.

There are reasons you might want to number your episodes in the title of your post. Also, there are reasons you might not want to.

We talked yesterday about why you need a website.  Here are my top 6 web hosting platforms and why (Plus a few I don't recommend). 

Do you need a website for your podcast?  YES! Here are my 5 reasons.

Do you do advertising in your show?  Do you WANT to do advertising in your show? 

I don't care how you listen to Podcast Help Desk.  I just want you to listen.