Prologue
YouTube is the New Podcasting?
In my office, I have two pieces of art, both framed photos. One is a stack of videotapes. The other, a stack of Atari 2600 and Intellivision cartridges.
Under 40? Here's what I'm talking about.
I have both as a reminder that distribution formats change, but good "content" never dies. This is why Microsoft just paid $70 billion for a company that started as an Atari 2600 developer, Activision.
Podcasting is changing too.
Fortunately, if you know how to create good episodes that are helpful to people and keep them entertained, you will have a place in "podcasting," regardless of where it goes.
The big change everybody is talking about this week is what's happening with podcasting and YouTube. Because of this, this issue of Big Podcast Insider is focused on keeping you up-to-speed about these developments and what you need to know to make the most of them.
BOOK UPDATE: New book is coming in June. Until then, get a free copy of my current book, Big Podcast, in exchange for a review.
Podcaster Opportunities
What are YouTube's plans for podcasting? Take a look at its pitch deck.
A YouTube pitch deck obtained by PodNews has details of the company's efforts to integrate podcasts into its platform
What I'm excited about:
- Automatic submission via RSS feeds, meaning you have a "set it and forget it" option for being on YouTube, regardless of your podcast host. You'll also be able to import hundreds (or even thousands) of existing podcast episodes with ease, so you can hit the ground running.
- A dedicated landing page for podcasts.
- If you're looking to make money via advertising, YouTube already has everything in place that will let you move into this very easily.
YouTube's Podcast Promotion Strategy
According to this guy, podcasts appear to be promoted with familiar, square, artwork thumbnails. So you'll want to start thinking about how you're going to create these, if you want your podcast to do well on YouTube.
This is my favorite tool for thumbnails and other graphics, by the way. It's how I've done all the graphics in this newsletter.
What kind of video is needed?
YouTube is best for podcasts with a video element. And to be clear, that means more than just a "talking head" video you made via Zoom or some other web conference software. We're all living in a Zoom world right now and don't want to participate any more than needed, much less watch somebody else from the sidelines.
But if you're up for investing in some video gear, learning how to use it, and developing the skills you need to broadcast via video, this is certainly an opportunity to get more people to what you're doing.
Can YouTube take on Spotify on the podcast front?
If you're wondering why all of this is happening now, it's likely because YouTube has seen the success Spotify is having in the space. They've been way ahead of YouTube as far as making heavy investments into podcasting, including several multi-million dollar deals with content creators, tech companies, and advertising platforms.
Which brings up something for you to ask yourself ...
Just because ______________ is doing something, does that mean you should too?
No. You are in a different place than Joe Rogan, Call Her Daddy, and Will Ferrell. You may be just a talented, but you need to play your own game, not copy other people, if you want YouTube (or anything else) to work for you.
Podcast Hosting Skills
How to Support a Struggling Friend (or Listener)
This has nothing to do with podcasting, yet everything to do with podcasting.
There are a lot of people who are struggling in the world, many of whom are listening to you and many of whom are your fellow podcasters. Sometimes you'll know, but many times you'll have no idea.
People listen to podcasts to learn things and be entertained, but they also listen because podcasts, including your podcast, connect us with people who feel the same way we do. And that can be important, because many of the people in our lives, including family and friends, don't understand us.
It's nice to be understood. It's nice to feel "known."
Yet even with those things, the world can be a lonely place.
This article talks about five things you can do to support a friend (or listener) who is going through a difficult time, including:
- Resist the urge to downplay your friend’s problems
- Ask questions and really listen
- Give emotional support first, cognitive support second
- Don’t take charge
- Avoid venting together
The full article is here and will be very useful to you, so I highly recommend taking a look.
Podcasting Deals
Free Book on Growing Your Podcast Audience
This is the book on podcast marketing and, right now, you can get it free in exchange for leaving a review.
Podcast Monetization
70+ High-Quality Websites Ready to Pay for Your Guest Posts
People like YouTube for two reasons:
- A built-in audience
- You can get paid (via the revenue-share program)
This is a list of over 70 sites that will give you both of these things, not for podcasts, but for written articles. You'll also get a nice credibility boost.
The Wrap Up
The Wrap Up
My goal is to better empower podcasters to be more successful spreading their messages and make more money with their podcasts.
I'd love it if you'll help me spread the word about this newsletter by sending your podcasting friends to bigpodcast.com/newsletter.