PodMov Daily: Monday, June 22

Episode 231: Your Monday Mix

Monday Guest Feature: A Process for Stronger Podcast Production

This Monday’s guest feature is the latest in Doug Fraser’s Pro Storytelling series. The documentary filmmaker and podcaster behind What We Do finds that, for episode production, no tool beats a set process. A routine supports creativity, “breaking us free from the burdens of being a podcaster in a distracting world.”

Fraser completes his narrative episodes in about a week. With tasks divided approximately the same way each time, a “tidy mindset” is easier to achieve. He breaks down each day with what he does, and more importantly, why it matters. When looking ahead, “just a drop of organization tames a bucket of complications.”

Near the end of the process, Fraser suggests a tough pre-emptive test: “Ask yourself, ‘If this goes public now and fails, what will have caused it to fail?’ This thought exercise plucks you from your blinded headspace of getting the job done.” It’s a valuable question to consider, whether your process lasts a day or a month.

WWDC 2020: iOS 14, and a New Apple Podcasts, Debuts Today

Apple will officially unveil iOS 14 at its annual WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) today. Filipe Espósito of 9to5Mac reported on Thursday that Apple has been “working on some major changes to the Podcasts app.” A “For You” recommendation tab “is now expected to offer personally curated content just like Apple Music.”

Another expectation is “the option for podcast creators to offer bonus content to the audience, similar to what you get when you buy a movie in the Apple TV app.” Though Apple may be borrowing from its other apps, Bradley Chambers hopes to see at least some new features “copied from existing third-party podcast apps.”

Chambers suggests several additions, including “social listening” à la Breaker and a “Patreon style” direct donation option within the app: “I’d love to see Apple take podcast donations to the next level by allowing listeners to support shows directly inside of Apple Podcasts.” The WWDC stream begins at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Open mind: Recent research suggests 20% of Americans will pay for podcasts. Edison Research SVP Tom Webster explains why it's an impressive figure given consumer behavior: “I am a firm believer that any and every revenue model is applicable to podcasting.”

• Privacy please: “Ximalaya FM is reportedly requiring podcast hosts to give out the quoted prices of their advertising deals,” writes Jen Thorpe of Podcaster News. Thorpe calls attention to a now-deleted announcement demanding sponsorship details from content creators.

• In stages: Matt Wolf of The New York Times profiles The Lockdown Plays, a series of 10 British podcasts “created to help new dramatic writing flourish during the pandemic.” The shows are available indefinitely, including “Air” from acclaimed playwright Caryl Churchill.

• Fresh data: On June 30, Gabriel Soto of Edison Research and Martina Castro of Adonde Media will present the Latino Podcast Listener Report webinar. Tune in for the first-ever comprehensive research on Latino listeners in the U.S. at 1:00 pm EDT (English), 2:00 (Spanish).