PodMov Daily: Friday, July 9

Episode 458: Week Download Complete

‘Free’ Podcast Hosting with a Major Catch

The podcast network PodcastOne has expanded its free hosting service to appeal to indie creators, reports Ashley Carman of The Verge. Podcasters keep 100% of the revenue from ads they insert, but there’s a significant catch. PodcastOne can insert two ads into any show that it hosts, and keep that revenue.

“This is a steep exchange for free hosting, especially because those two ads could become a nuisance to listeners, worsening their experience,” Carman says. It’s certainly a gamble with one’s audience: Podcasters are automatically opted in, and obviously can’t choose the sponsors, which are arranged by PodcastOne. 

However, shows hosted on the platform will be marketed across its network, “a benefit that many hosting services don’t or can’t offer.” Carman expects that larger tech companies will start implementing this strategy more broadly. Claiming more ad space is as simple as subsidized hosting with tempting perks.

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An Update: What to Know About Audio on Facebook

There’s a lot we don’t know about podcasts on Facebook, including how the new setup will impact independent creators. Niki Kottmann of SquadCast has compiled clues and expert observations about all things audio on Planet Zuckerberg, from Live Audio Rooms to podcasts and promotional features.

As Buzzsprout marketing head Alban Brooke said last month, “The ability to comment on podcast episodes as they play is a big deal.” Social feedback features also set Live Audio Rooms apart from Clubhouse, Kottman points out. Attendees can even buy ‘Stars’ that will bump them to the ‘front row’ of a Room.

As far as podcast promotion goes, News Feed posts will automatically be created for new episodes, and Soundbites (audiograms) are coming this year. Still, Facebook isn’t the entire internet: “The potential for audience growth is there, but you’re still going to need to build a following on the platform.”

Ramsey Call of the Day: 10 Minutes with Money Experts

For nearly 30 years, money expert and national radio host Dave Ramsey has delivered life-changing advice to listeners. With the impactful podcast Ramsey Call of the Day, 10 minutes is all you need to get quality, common-sense guidance when you need it the most.  

Every weekday, you’ll hear from experts like Dave Ramsey, Ken Coleman, Rachel Cruze, Anthony ONeal and Dr. John Delony. Callers into the show have challenges just like yours — tune in for timely solutions you can trust.

Whether it’s knocking out debt or dealing with loss of income, Dave’s team inspires real people to overcome real concerns. Ready to build a more confident future in 10 minutes a day? Subscribe to Ramsey Call of the Day wherever you get your podcasts.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Route 666: Last Podcast on the Left and Welcome to Night Vale have announced tour dates, a sign that other creators may be back on the road to essential revenue. LPOTL will put on 28 live shows by the end of the year, and Night Vale is hoping to confirm dates in the UK and Europe.

• First place: The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund has raised over $32,000 to cover the costs of applying to awards for BIPOC, queer and trans audio creators. On Twitter, AIR Media’s Lynn Casper encourages those eligible to apply for reimbursement: “That’s money that YOU have access to.”

• House blend: Lemonada Media (Last Day, Add to Cart) is launching a studio for “part doc-reality and audio-first podcasts.” The executive producer of BEING Studios, an Emmy-nominated Kardashians veteran, describes the upcoming narrative series as “reality TV meets podcasting.”

• Sounds legit: According to Anchor (not The Onion), starting a podcast really takes less than an hour. Simply “choose your podcast topic and format (10 mins),” and let it rip. Don’t be misled by step-by-step guides: “They often make it seem way more complicated than it actually is.”