The Audacity to Podcast®

This fundamental question that has been challenged and even abused: what is a podcast anymore? There's plenty of misinformation and disinformation out there about what a podcast is. My efforts to help set the definition straight may be fruitless, but there's more to consider here than only the meaning of the word.

This is my 400th episode of The Audacity to Podcast, to to commemorate this milestone, I want to jump back to this fund...

Podcasting guesting is consistently the #1 way to grow your own podcast. This works because it gives you the opportunity to get in front of more ideal listeners, provide value and demonstrate your knowledge, and it's easy for them to follow you over to your podcast.

But how do you find the first shows you should try getting on?

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Und...

I see podcasters often think that their podcast might grow faster if they switch podcast hosting providers, like from Blueberry to Captivate or vice versa. But is this true? Short answer, no. Now, of course, I'm going to give you more details about that.

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Short answer: no

1. Podcast stats may be measured differently

...

Intentional growth requires regular evaluation and adjustment. That applies to so many areas of life and business, and your podcast is no different. I've put together five things I suggest you evaluate about your podcast every year so that you can make the changes necessary to keep growing your podcast.

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• Why You Should Put Podcast...

How long should your episode closing be? While your episode openings should be as short as possible, the length of your episode closings can be a bit more dynamic. The answer is actually a little different this time: as simple as possible.

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Answer: as simple as possible

Spread out your calls to action

Give your aud...

What is the first thing your audience hears when they play your latest episode? Are you providing value in your opening, or just keeping your audience from what they came to hear? Although the terms "intro"/"introduction" and "opening" are often used interchangeably, I'm going to be more specific to call the "opening" everything your audience hears before your episode's unique content.

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As The Audacity to Podcast celebrates 15 years of professional podcasting, I invite you to take a critical look back at the biggest mistakes I've made and things I wish I did differently with my show. My hope is that this will inspire you to either fix these things early for yourself, or avoid them altogether!

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(As an affiliate, I earn from...

Whether by choice or beyond your control, your podcast might have to go on a hiatus—and it could so long that the podcast seems dead! How do you come back from that and get back into your rhythm? It will take some work, but here are my recommendations (and what I'm practicing myself, too!).

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1. Review your podcasting goals (your "why")
2. Treat...

Redirects come in multiple types. When misused, they can cause some major problems, as even happened to me recently. Here are some warnings to watch for whenever you use redirects.

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• “Redirects and How to Use Them in Podcasting”: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/redirects-and-how-to-use-them-in-podcasting-tap280/

Cautio...

There comes a point in every podcast when it's necessary to say a URL. If for nothing else, at least your podcast's own home on the Internet. (And you should have a domain for your podcast!)

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1. Speak as few URLs as possible (per episode)

• Pretty Links Pro: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/go/prettylinkpro

2. Defer ...

Inside jokes can offer fun potential for your podcast, but also some potential costs. Here are some brief things for you to consider as you engage with your podcast audience.

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Where inside jokes come from

What about the new listeners?

Turn inside jokes into swag

Community Corner

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Start and grow your ...

Apple provides a portal for you to submit and manage your own podcast in Apple Podcasts. It's called Podcasts Connect. Plus, countless other podcast apps and podcasting tools rely on Apple's data through their free API. Whether your podcast has been in Apple Podcasts for years, or you're just starting out, I suggest you check these 8 things right away!

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You might have heard people talk about IAB podcast stats, measurement guidelines, compliance, and certification. Here's what all of that means, and whether it even matters!

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Who is the IAB?

What are IAB stats

• These IAB guidelines get updated every few years. As of March 2024, the latest version is 2.2 still in proposal...

Transcripts have long been promoted as ways to make your podcast more findable and accessible. But it's only recently that podcast transcripts have become actually useful!

Although I didn't plan it this way, the timing of this episode is perfect because I just launched a new feature on Podgagement that automatically transcribes audio feedback from your audience!: https://podgagement.com/

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Podcasting 2.0 is revolutionizing podcasting for podcasters, audiences, and developers. Here are what I think are the best features you should try now, if you can.

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1. Cross-app comments

• Podgagement: https://podgagement.com/

2. Live streaming

• Learn more about the Podcasting 2.0 live streaming feature fr...

If your podcast is listed twice in Apple Podcasts or another podcast directory, STOP! Don't do anything about it until you read or listen to this!

Please share this episode from your podcast app or https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/fixduplicates

How duplicate podcast listings happen

Reason 1: a secondary feed was automatically discovered and indexed

• Podpage: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/podpage
• a feed prox...