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PodMov Daily: Tuesday, December 21

Episode 560: Testing, One Two-sday

How to Get Your Podcast Pie, and Share It, Too

Our favorite post from this year is one to keep with you into 2022. Darknet Diaries creator Jack Rhysider writes that a podcaster’s goal is to ‘get pie’ in one way or another. Despite rising competition, an unselfish approach is essential to long-term growth: “The more you help others get their pie, the more pie you'll get.”

Success as an independent podcaster takes years of work, but it can’t be done alone. The best way to pay that forward is to help others “bake their pies.” For Rhysider, that means offering advice on r/podcasting (a Reddit forum), building relationships with other creators, and sharing valuable firsthand knowledge.

If you treat podcasting like a pie-eating contest, “it'll be gone before you know it and you'll have nothing left.” He explains how creators of any size can help listeners, peers, new arrivals, and industry connections get that pie — and how it tends to come full circle. (We’ll be making this one, and wish we could pass you a slice.)

Who’s Responsible for the Podcast Transcript Solution?

The lawsuit brought against SiriusXM by deaf advocacy groups is a step forward, writes Steven Aquino. The tech accessibility reporter spoke with a podcaster and an executive at Descript about the state of transcriptions. “AI-generated transcriptions are now inexpensive and nearly instant,” so what’s the holdup?

The New York Times is one podcast publisher that uses Descript, which allows for linkable transcripts that creators can put into show notes. However, as The Verge reported last week, SiriusXM, Stitcher, and Pandora don’t offer those NYT-provided transcripts through their services, directly impacting hard-of-hearing audiences.

The industry clearly needs a flexible, large-scale solution. Podnews editor James Cridland makes the case for the open-standard podcast:transcript tag, which is already supported by hosts like Buzzsprout and Omny Studio. Auto-transcripts aren’t the answer, and neither is waiting on streaming services to change.

Timber: Shape the Future of Quality-First Podcast Hosting

Timber is looking for craft-loving, independent podcasters to beta test its new hosting service. Testers will receive a year of free hosting with a quality-first approach. The interface is clean and intuitive, the analytics are beautiful and user-friendly, and import is lightning fast.

The service is nearly two years in the making, and it shows. From episode management to analytics, each feature is designed to serve passionate, experienced podcasters. Your feedback will shape an even better experience for a growing community.

This offer is limited to the first 50 shows that commit. If you’re interested, please email jon@timber.fm or fill out this form. Need another reason to sign up? Someday, when all the best independent shows are hosted on Timber, you'll be able to say you were here first.

Here's what else is going on:

• Center stage: Podcast Radio will be hosting a new conference, Podcast Futures, on February 22. The London event is themed around “getting podcasts heard” with “a bold new idea for presenting content.” In-person and virtual registration will be free, and a full speaker list will be out next month.

• Wider net: “When you're thinking of audiences you want to target, don’t just think about the kind of people you already have, think about the kind of people you don’t have, but want.” This is just one of 100 podcast marketing tips from Lauren Passell that will actually help in 2022. (We like #86, too.)

• Chosen path: How do podcasts manage to consistently feature one big sponsor? Courtney Kocak of Podcast Bestie spoke with Jay Acunzo (Unthinkable) about how he landed a long-term partnership. Acunzo explains the difference between sponsors and advertisers and offers a handy resource.

• Bonus round: BuzzFeed’s list of 2021’s Best News Corrections might make you feel better about the mistakes made this year on your podcast. Enjoy these clarifications on Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, crowbars vs. energy bars, and a tall duck named Long Boi who may or may not have earned a degree.