PodMov Daily: Friday, July 23

Episode 468: Week Download Complete

Learning What It Takes to Keep Podcast Subscribers

As opportunities expand for podcast subscriptions, creators are told they’ll have to go above and beyond to retain supporters. This flashback Friday, Fable and Folly co-founder Sean Howard shows what ‘above and beyond’ actually means — and how any podcaster can identify exactly what attracts paying listeners.

After enduring a “constant struggle” to grow on Patreon, Howard had a realization: “I was seeing it all backwards. And it took becoming a patron for me to wake up.” The creator he supported was dedicated, enthusiastic, and personally engaged. The insights that followed led Fable and Folly from $20 to $900 per month. 

That feeling of being cared about, of being listened to, is what keeps subscribers. Howard’s advice? “Pledge $5 or higher to a quality show that is making more than double what you want to make.” He kindly made a free Google Sheet you can use to monitor tier performance and see what changes impact growth.

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Why Should Podcasters Read Advice for Guests?

Pre-interview preparation often means looking for ways to connect with a guest. ‘Guest guides,’ like this one by Alex Greenwood (Mysterious Goings On, PR After Hours), can help podcasters understand the other side. As you perform routine research, think about your guest’s current perspective as well.

In a reassuring way, Greenwood advises against asking for a ‘do-over.’ Right there, he reveals something your guest is likely nervous about: “If you say something you did not mean to say or zone out, say so and correct the record right there on the show. We’re all human, and the audience will roll with it if you do!”

These tips don’t just help put guests at ease in the moment. They can inform practices that make you a better host. “Sending a prepared intro increases the odds they will intro you the way you want,” Greenwood counsels. Hey, you’ve just learned how to prevent a common worry. Less tension, more conversation.

Dynamic Content: A Powerful New Tool from Buzzsprout

With Buzzsprout, it’s faster than ever to keep your podcast fresh — and your listeners up-to-date. The new Dynamic Content tool lets you easily add and remove short pre-roll (intro) and post-roll (outro) content to your episodes. It's the perfect solution for timely messaging.

Whether you’re promoting a virtual event or giving a special shout-out, Dynamic Content makes it simple to swap, automatically add content to new episodes, or apply it to your existing catalog with a click. Old files are removed and replaced, so there’s no clean-up.

For podcasters, this new tool offers more than flexibility. It benefits your audience in more ways than one: Buzzsprout respects your listeners’ privacy. Unlike most Dynamic Ad Insertion, the Dynamic Content tool includes no tracking or targeting. Ready to make the switch?

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Here's what else is going on:

• No filter: Twitter Spaces is developing a “Voice Transformer” feature, reports Saqib Shah of Engadget. First outed by reverse-engineering expert Jane Manchun Wong, the update appears to include effects like ‘helium,’ ‘karaoke,’ and ‘bee.’ Incognito mode for social audio may soon be a reality.

• Dive in: Curious about preparing for Nashville? PM President Dan Franks sat down with Raz Kaplan of Audioburst to drop some tips. Surprises are still under wraps, but Dan recommends studying the lineup and building a “choose your own adventure” custom schedule on the app. Agreed.

• Hug squad: Hey, NYC gang. This Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 ET, SquadCast.fm and Gotham Podcast Studio are hosting (IRL!) a local Podcast Get Together. It’ll be a casual afternoon of “networking, drinks, food, and swag” at the studio, 39 West 38th in midtown Manhattan. RSVP here.

• Leap year: With a background in publishing, Yolanda Sangweni was shocked to learn she was a fit for NPR. “A lot of our skills are transferable,” she says, now Senior Director of Programming. Here’s how she went from being “fairly into podcasting” to overseeing hit shows like Code Switch.