Hello again!
Can you believe we're nearing the end of another year? I'm at that stage of December where I'm looking back over 2023 to take stock of what I've done to see what worked in my business (and life, in general) and what didn't.
This was the year I tried incorporating these monthly newsletters into my workflow. And it's been one of the best decisions — thank you for allowing me into your inbox, for writing back, signing up for strategy sessions, buying me coffees, and letting others know about this newsletter!
This was certainly one of my highlights of the last year 🙂
Another highlight of my year was trying to write more blog posts over on the EPodcastProductions.com website, many of which were inspired by people replying to the newsletter or common questions that come up in Strategy Sessions.
I went through my posts from the year and shared some tips from them below. Maybe I'll turn some of them into a book (future plans, perhaps?)
Without further ado, let's get into our 2023 Podcasting Tip Round-Up!
Podcasting tips from 2023
Stay hydrated and have lots of water on recording day. Be sure to take water breaks if you’re talking a lot. Stay as safe and healthy as you can, especially in the months when the weather can affect your voice even more.
— From Choir-Inspired Podcasting Lessons
You may want to put reminders and notes toward the top of the show, which is usually when the majority of your audience will be tuning in and engaged. Beware, though: Many podcasters will read that sentence and think they should do this for every episode, but the drawback to that is these segments can tend to get long and repetitive for listeners.
— From Do You Need a Housekeeping Segment for Your Podcast?
When Apple Podcasts listeners find a podcast they love, instead of the usual option to Subscribe, they now see a prompt to Follow, instead. This is right in line with Spotify’s and Audible’s “Follow” wording, as well.
It might sound like a trivial change, but one reason for the change was the assumption from those who don’t listen to podcasts that subscribing means paying $$$.
— From 'Subscribe' vs. 'Follow' in Podcast Calls-to-Action
The best consultants I know who are still consulting have niched down and gotten specific about the types of podcasters their knowledge and skills can bring the most value to, whether it’s a small business doing an interview show as part of their marketing efforts, a journalist doing a true crime investigation podcast, a college professor doing an academic and educational show, or someone who wants to create the theater-of-the-mind audio drama they’ve always imagined.
— From Pick My Brain: Getting Started in Podcast Consulting
One thing about podcasts is as they get bigger, the hosts/creators don’t have as much time for behind-the-scenes as they do in the beginning. They get busier and busier working on upcoming content or promoting their podcast. This is usually the point at which a solo podcaster ends up hiring assistance. Having a workflow already in place can help you identify which tasks you don’t like doing or don’t have time for so you can easily hand them off to your team.
— From Podcasting Made Easy: How a Workflow Can Simplify Your Production Process
Having a pre-interview or sending general questions ahead of time can help give the guest an idea of what ideas will be covered on the podcast. Some guests find outlining their talking points and practicing them ahead of time removes some of those nerves.
— From 5 Types of Challenging Podcast Guests (and How to Handle Them)
Here’s the answer I give most often when asked if a podcaster is ready to monetize: You’re ready to monetize when you feel confident you are providing your audience value that you feel OK (and not icky) taking money for. If you’re putting your time, knowledge, and energy, (and sometimes your own money) into making a podcast that helps people, it’s not a bad thing to put out a tip jar or let people know how they can support you in return.
— From Professional vs. Amateur Podcasting + Ways to Monetize Your Podcast That AREN’T Sponsorship!
It can be tough to hand over the reins of your podcast to someone else, even if you're only offloading one or two things. The better you know what to expect from your podcasting service provider, the better you'll be able to shift your focus to your content and the parts of podcasting you truly enjoy.
— From What Types of Podcast Production Help Are Available?
As much as I adore all the podcast hosts I've listened to over the years, she was probably the first parasocial relationship I really felt with a podcast host — I knew so much about her and felt like a close friend, in a way, and yet she had no idea who I was, aside from the few interactions we had in the comments of her blog.
— From Story Time: Your Podcast Audience Will Change (And That's OK!)
Some people may see a microphone and get antsy around it, but if you have a storyteller in the family who’s known for their tales, trust me, you’ll be glad you have these recordings as time goes on!
— From The Most Important Recordings You'll Ever Create
It's essential to determine whether podcasting aligns with your interests and goals. If you find that it feels like too much work or isn't enjoyable, it's okay to reconsider. Not everyone needs a podcast, and it's better to discover this early on. And maybe it’s not in the cards for you at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never have a podcast.
— From Starting Your Podcasting Journey: 10 Tips for Your First Episode
I recommended to this client to create a “No List” that lays out all the things that shouldn’t be mentioned on the podcast or referred to. She said it would be difficult, but doable, especially if she kept vague about things that don’t specifically have to do with the story she was trying to tell.
— From Podcasting Privacy: Do You Have a "No List" for Your Podcast?
You might be a Creative Independent Podcast if you take pride in your ability to learn to lean into your natural strengths, knowing they’ll work better for you long-term than any “get-rich-quick-or-burnout-trying” solutions you see from marketing bros and podcasting snake oil salespeople.
— From What is a Creative Indie Podcaster?
Looking Ahead …
This is the time of year when we'll be seeing a lot of “Podcasting Predictions for 2024” posts and articles coming out.
It's fun to imagine what podcasting will evolve into as time goes on. I like the idea of being surprised by the podcasting space and then adapting.
If you're looking for some 2024 Podcasting Predictions, I enjoyed this Thread 🧵 from Danielle Desir.
My plans for 2024 include creating space for rest in between production and promotion of my latest podcast, “That's Hysterical! Now, Get Out!” and my clientwork.
As it turns out, working ahead to give myself a few weeks off and some ease at the end of the year is super helpful when it comes to holiday plans, kids’ school events, last-minute parties, and last-minute cancellations for unexpected colds, bugs, and flus! Phew!
Maybe I'll add my predictions for 2024 in next month's newsletter. Do you have any podcasting predictions or things you want to incorporate or try for your podcast in the New Year?
Let me know 🙂
Check Out the Latest Blog Posts + Appearances
E Podcast Productions — Podcasting Blog
Emily: Out Loud — ADHD/Creative Lifestyle Blog
“That's Hysterical! Now, Get Out! | My Adenomyosis, Hysterectomy & Recovery Journey” — *NEW PODCAST!*
Until next time, Happy Podcasting!
♥ Emily Prokop
Like What I Do?
Enjoying this newsletter and my content? You can find additional tips over at BuyMeACoffee.com/emilyprokop where you can support me and my work by buying me a cup of coffee to say thanks!
☕ And thank you to Roxanne for last month’s coffees! As soon as I was cleared to drive after my surgery, I got to treat myself to a Dunkin’ Run! 🙂 Supporters will be able to read more and get this month’s bonus podcasting tip over at my BMAC.
About Me
In case you’re new to me and my newsletter, I’m Emily Prokop, a podcaster, editor, author, and podcasting consultant and mentor. I created & hosted the Webby-nominated podcast, The Story Behind, among a number of other podcasts I’ve been a part of since starting my podcasting journey in 2015, and I wrote a book based on it in 2018 (and another is on the way!). As the owner of E Podcast Productions, a podcast editing and consulting business, I’ve been helping podcasters plan, improve, and grow their shows since 2017.
I’m also an introverted, neurodivergent married mom of 2. When I’m not wearing a pair of headphones to record or edit a podcast, you can find me singing in choir, wandering in the woods, roller skating around my living room, or talking about a new hobby or ADHD hyperfixation over on Instagram and Threads! Find out more over at EmilyProkop.com.
Sign up for my newsletter for creative independent podcasters to receive monthly podcasting tips and updates!
Want to connect between posts? Follow me over on Instagram and now Threads! 🙂
Check out my latest podcasting blog post here
Check out my Podcasting Microphone and Setup and what gear I recommend for new podcasters
Looking for a podcast host? Use my Promo Code EMILY to get your first month of hosting free at Libsyn! (Code automatically applied when you click that link 😉)