PodMov Daily: Monday, July 26

Episode 469: Your Monday Mix

At Conferences, Marketing Your Show Gets Personal

“The secret to podcast marketing at a conference: Just showing up is not enough, and just talking about your show isn’t enough.” One week from now, thousands will be fortunate to have read this always-applicable 2019 guide from Ma'ayan Plaut, currently in Audience Development and Engagement at PRX.

“Before, during, and after a conference, marketing your podcast is actually about marketing yourself,” Plaut says. While the quality of your pitch matters, the quality and balance of your interactions matters more. There’s no vaguery here, only actionable help ― like conversation starters you’ll actually use.

Not everyone is a natural ‘networker,’ and conference overwhelm is perfectly normal. Plaut suggests what to bring (literally and mentally) and how to engage people you meet well after the event. Remember this: “You’ll likely learn as much from the person standing next to you in line as the person on stage.”

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1,000 Podcast Interviews Later, an Ultimate Guide

Author and podcaster Srinivas Rao wrote about the art of the podcast interview at the 700 episode mark. Now, The Unmistakable Creative is up to 1,011 conversations. Rao’s new “ultimate guide” dissects the entire process of how he selects guests, develops questions on the fly, and gets people to open up.

Preparation and planning can be overdone, which Rao says is a double-edged sword. Too much research will make your conversations rigid, and a long list of questions may do the same. Practice attention instead of anticipation: “Your ability to listen is what leads to a conversation that compels others to listen.”

Rao’s advice covers selecting guests, interacting in the moment, and improving your skills after the fact. He explains his “off-the-wall questions” about the guest’s high school social group (a weird, humanizing story is guaranteed) and how listening back and taking notes has guided his process since 2009.

Riverside.fm: Remote Podcast Recording, Done Right 

Riverside.fm is a podcast recording software with outstanding quality — and user experience to match. Separate audio and video tracks for each participant are recorded locally, independent of internet connection. With WAV audio and up to 4k video, your content is clear and perfectly in-sync. 

Remote recording doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just ask Guy Raz, Hillary Clinton, Spotify, and Marvel. Thanks to automatic backup and progressive uploading, files are secure and quick to access. Guests love how easy it is for them to join: Your interview is just one mouse click away, with nothing to install or download.

With multi-platform live streaming, screen sharing, video call-in, and more, this is recording done right. Visit the Riverside booth at Podcast Movement for prize giveaways, and sign up now for a free trial, no credit card needed.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Double down: On Wednesday at 3:00 PT, Patreon will host the webinar “Podcasting In The Age Of Multi-Hyphenates.” The career of a podcaster-writer (-musician, -filmmaker, etc.) comes with flexibility and challenges. Creators like Podnews editor James Cridland have solutions.

• Just grillin’: On Thursday at 6:30 pm PT, the Asian American Podcasters Association will be hosting a virtual BBQ-themed summer meetup and pet photo contest. Registration is free and all are welcome. In partnership with the Asian American Journalists Association and AIR Media.

• Power play: The managing director of Spotify Australia has to convince podcast listeners that the service is essential, says a former colleague. The challenge is “to maintain [subscribers] long term so it becomes like electricity in your home, you don’t second guess that you need electricity.”

• Can’t explain: ‘Inside’ or referential jokes may alienate podcast listeners, writes radio presenter and journalist Belinda Lee. “If something funny happens before [recording or] behind the scenes, don’t feel compelled to share it with your audience unless it adds to their listening experience.”