Smarter Podcasting – Avoid These 7 Time Wasters

This is another episode where I share some of the “mistakes” that I see people are making in the podcasting space. We need to focus on our audience, not the technology. There are times when we focus on the technology because you are using the wrong tool. Here are some things that may be burning you out, wasting your time, and stopping your podcast from being successful.

Sponsor: Focusrite

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I got to play with a Focusrite 2i2 and if you are looking for an easy to get your microphone into your computer (and have the option to have a co-host as well) without having to look at a TON of knobs, check out the Focusrite 2i2. As I'm on a PC, I downloaded a driver, plugged in the unit, and was ready to record. If you're on a Mac computer, you just plug it in.

If you want a backup copy of your recording, plug a cable into the monitor out and send the signal to your portable recorder.

It's built like a tank and is a lovely shade of red.

Check out the interface selector tool that helps you pick the right model for you at their website.

Sometimes Obsess Over Details that Don't Effect Our Episode

As a tech support person, I see people obsess over details that will have little or no effect on their episode or podcast growth.

• • I want to know how many people listened in Mongolia on December 12, 2017. Unless you're going on tour, why?

• The music in my add is of beat
• The video on Facebook that NOBODY is watching more than 2 seconds.

Using The Wrong Software to Create Your Podcast

I often refer to this as painting with peanut butter. When you use the tool for the job, you make creating your podcast a hassle and you are likely to get burned out and quit.

If the tool you are using to create your audio doesn't allow you to create an mp3 – it's the wrong tool as you will have to use a different program.

I see people who use the wrong software go to Facebook groups trying, and trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole.

I recommend Hindenburg Journalist (I use Pro), Audacity, and Adobe Audition.

I'm not saying all video programs are bad, but they need to be able to export as an mp3.

If you need help turning a WAV or AAC file into an mp3 I've got a free tutorial for you.

Troubleshooting Trying to Get Something Bright and Shiny

For whatever reason, I could not use Belive.tv. My computer would lock up. I had tried a couple of things, but it would always lock up. Again, this was not their problem, it was a problem with my machine.

I could have wiped my computer clean, and reloaded all my software, backed up all my files and spent a TON of time. This is where you need to ask FOR WHAT? Lower thirds on my video, and video switching. This is where you need to ask a question, has my audience asked for the feature I'm trying to add? Is this really something that is going to help me grow my audience?

Missing the Off-Ramp to Happy Town

There are times when you want technology to work, and it doesn't. Then someone alerts to a solution, but you don't like it. Instead, you decide to go back and bang your head against a wall.

Different platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn change how they handle podcasts on a somewhat frequent basis. You want it to work one way, but it doesn't. You can manually post to any of these places taking the same steps. You found success – follow it.

Maybe you're trying to do something and it won't work with Safari, but it would work with chrome. Instead of using Chrome you decide to band your head against the wall using Safari. You just discovered a solution. You can move forward using a new tool, or troubleshoot Apple's product for free.

Working Outside Your Zone of Genius

I spent some time playing with the Divi WordPress theme on one of my sites, and I hit some issues that is probably with the Media host. It might be a problem with some plugins. I am working with the tech support team, but web design, in general, is not my best skill, and it might make more sense to let an actual web designer take over, and then let me maintain.

Confusing Activity with Productivity

I was spending hours listening to podcasts about podcasting that were not bad shows. However, I am blessed with my students, my audience, and lots of contacts in the podcasting space. With this in mind, I'm not learning anything from these show. For the investment in time, I'm not learning anything that I can share with you. Meanwhile, I'm reading books that have me thinking, and coming up with new ideas for episodes.

Creating Garbage Audio to be Cleaned Up Later

If you are doing a podcast with Interview is have the potential guest record something and send it to you. This will help separate the good from the not so good. If this is not a strategy you want to follow I would urge you to make sure the quality of the recording is the best you can get. Recently I've been having people with what we call “Popping P's” where they have the microphone positioned in the wrong place. If you have this situation,  stop the interview and have them reposition the microphone and save “Happy Peanut Butter” if they can do that without causing a pop (technically called a “Plosive”) then you are good to go. It not, you or your editor has a long day in front of them.

Think Long Term

I realize that some of the things we mentioned today cost money. Everything in life will be paid for in one of two currencies: time or money. While I could take the time to brush up on the Web Design skills, it might be smarter to pay someone. It might take money (although Audacity is free) to buy the right software (or to buy a pop filter). Most of the ideas here are based on two things

Focus: Know the audience

Action: Take steps to serve them and deliver value.

My Favorite Podcast Is Rewind

I had two people Fred Castenada of the Podcast Reporter and Kim Krajci from Toastmasters 101 send in files for last week's My Favorite Podcast is.. episode that I do every year.”

Fred loves the No Agenda show for the information you can't get any place else and Kim loves Forking Bullshirt as it makes her laugh.

Ta for Ta https://supchina.com/series/ta-for-ta/ a great interview show featuring Women from China sent in from Stephanie from Changing Scripts insights from an Ex-pat who is on the journey to learn Mandarin Chinese

New Backpack Studio Replaces Bossjock Studio

Backpack Studio is a $10 app for iOs only that makes creating a podcast on your iPhone or iPad super easy. You can even add your image, and show notes and publish them to Libsyn using FTP (are you listening Anhor.fm people).

• A HUGE amount of slots for sounds for you to play (great for anyone looking for a jingle pallet
• A nice help screen when you start the app
• Ability to export in many formats
• The audio while recording still has an weird echo, but this is not on the recording

Buy it in the Apple store

Mentioned in This Episode

Podfest in Orlando in March

Podcast Movement in August

Logical Weight Loss Podcast

Podcasting Mistakes Part II

Common Podcasting Mistakes

Let Me Be Your Podcast Guide

Daily Podcast Tips! Put Your Inbox to Work