PodMov Daily: Thursday, July 8

Episode 457: Your Thursday Podthoughts

Why All Podcasters Need the Freedom of RSS

Every show needs an RSS feed, writes Acast CEO Ross Adams. An outspoken advocate of open podcasting, he explains why this “cornerstone” depends on each creator’s approach to ownership and distribution. “It’s the only way to reach everyone,” and “It’s the only way to make money everywhere.”

Adams’ position isn’t about gatekeeping the definition of a ‘real’ podcast. In fact, RSS is the system that allows podcasters to define their own shows: what goes into them, where they can be found, and how they can be monetized. When a creator is rooted to one platform, it’s the platform that tends to benefit. 

An RSS feed is particularly important for paid subscriber retention, Adams says. (Request one, new Anchor users.) “We know how passionate podcast fans are about their favourite listening apps, so make it easy for them — if you want them to keep listening, don’t ask them to change their behaviour.”

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How Has Podcasting Changed You as a Human?

There’s no way around it: Becoming a podcaster is life-changing. For host and producer Stephanie Fuccio, founder of the Geopats Podcast Network, the benefits have been profound. Her piece for The Podcast Host is a blueprint for reflecting on your own story, especially when stuck in the weeds.

Fuccio warns that her post will be “cheesier than your favorite pizza,” but it’s not in the least. What was meant to be a quick project ended up getting her through some hard times. Fellow introverts may recognize the feeling: “I no longer had to choose between being socially comfortable and being creative.”

A longtime expat (or “global misfit”), Fuccio says that interviewing has helped with complex states of anxiety. Regardless of how you podcast, speaking into that microphone was likely terrifying the first time. After 5 episodes or 500, it can’t hurt to appreciate the broader impact of audio in your life.

Disctopia: Truly Creator-First Podcast Hosting 

Podcasters deserve a hosting platform just as outstanding as their content. Disctopia offers creators unparalleled control, from monetization to distribution. With more features and flexibility than any other platform, it’s a creator-first experience — there’s no catch and no compromise. 

Subscriptions are simple and streamlined on Disctopia. Simply choose what to make available for streaming and what to make exclusive. Merch is completely integrated, allowing you to offer fan gear alongside your content. Your secure (HTTPS) site engages listeners with an embeddable web player and more.

Above all, Disctopia supports podcasters on their own terms. You’ll have unlimited storage, uploads, and downloads. Be everywhere with universal RSS distribution, and stay informed with detailed analytics and unique listener reports. Ready to see what’s possible? Upgrade with code “Podmov” for 3 months free.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Seeing stars: The 8th of every month is Podcast Review Day. Celebrate #podrevday by reviewing a show and posting it on Twitter. Founder Stephanie Fuccio says it best: “This impact, this connection, this feedback, this is why many independent podcasters do what we do.”

• Scavenger hunt: Ashley Grant asked 13 podcasters for their guest-finding tips after trying to Google best practices. (“I was instantly inundated with a buttload of places to sign up.”) Recommendations include joining Help a Reporter Out, a platform that connects journalists with sources.

• Social hour: This Saturday is Podcast Share Day by Podcasts in Color. From 11:00 am to noon CT, Berry will be resharing shows from podcasters of color anywhere in the world. Twitter posts and Instagram stories must include a description, link, the creator’s city/state, and #PodsInColor.

• Either/or: No one really knows what “biweekly” means, but that’s how often most podcasts release new episodes. Dan Misener of Pacific Content takes a look at Apple Podcasts’ new-ish (iOS 14.5) feature that lets publishers choose to display an “Update Frequency” for their shows.