E538 - Audiobooks, Guesting Tech Needs and Authors with CO-HOST - Ben Schenkman

Episode 539 - Why Your Podcast Should Come Before Your Social Media StrategyEmbracing a “podcast first” approach means prioritizing your podcast’s content, community, and discoverability directly within podcasting channels rather than relying on social media as your primary promotional vehicle. Many industry veterans and podcasters have observed that the most effective growth comes from focusing on producing high-value episodes consistently, engaging listeners where they already listen, and building credibility through genuine podcasting activity.Podcast First vs. Social Media FirstPodcast First PhilosophyFocuses on Regular Content: Delivering episodes on a consistent schedule builds trust and listener expectations—your audience knows when to come back, and reliable publishing grows organic reach and discoverability over time.​Listener Word-of-Mouth: Your most loyal fans become your promoters. When you offer value, your audience becomes likelier to share and recommend your show, which often outpaces what social media can achieve for many podcasts.​Embedded Community: Engaging in podcasting communities (via listening apps, collaborations, guesting on other shows) often produces direct subscriber growth compared to unpredictable reach on platforms like Instagram or Twitter.​Shareability of Content: High-quality, topical episodes naturally become shareable—listeners send episodes to friends or cite your show, creating a virtuous cycle of organic growth.Social Media First PhilosophyDemands Constant Content: Social posting means regular snacks of content are needed, which can drain creative energy from making the podcasts themselves.​Unpredictable Algorithms: Social media virality is unreliable, and engagement doesn’t always translate to new podcast subscribers.​Shifting Audiences: Your followers on social may not be avid podcast listeners—getting them to cross over can be difficult.Why “Podcast First” WorksTrust and Credibility: Showing up consistently earns trust. Your podcast catalog acts as proof of commitment, which is far more convincing than a few viral social posts.​Podcast-Adjacent Growth: Featuring guests, collaborating with similar podcasts, and appearing on other shows leads to quality listeners who already enjoy podcasts—rather than chasing generic social traffic.​Content Longevity: Podcasts persist and accrue downloads for months and years, whereas social content fades quickly.​Listener Referral Power: Listener introductions, word-of-mouth, and features in podcast apps regularly outperform social media impressions for discoverability.Best Practices for The Podcast First ApproachPrioritize consistent, quality podcast episode releases.Engage with listeners via podcast app reviews, email newsletters, and direct feedback.Network by collaborating and guesting on other podcasts.Encourage your existing audience to share episodes and spread the word.Use social media as a supplementary channel, not your main strategy.ConclusionFor many podcasters, particularly those serving niche or dedicated communities, a podcast first approach outperforms social-first tactics. Producing reliably great episodes and connecting directly within the podcast ecosystem builds sustainable, organic growth that’s hard for social channels to replicate.If you’re seeing stronger results “in the app” and through podcast collaborations, you’re not alone—this is an increasingly validated path for podcasters aiming for genuine, lasting growth.___https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 538 - Audiobooks, Guesting Tech Needs and Authors with CO-HOST - Ben SchenkmanIn this episode, host Dave welcomes Ben Schenkman—an author, audiobook narrator, and all-around creative force. Ben pulls back the curtain on the craft of audiobook narration and offers practical advice for authors who want to bring their own stories to life through audio. With a mix of humor, insight, and technical know-how, he shares how authors can take control of their creative output by learning the art of sound.Ben reflects on his journey from indie publishing to full-length audiobook production, revealing how he built his own recording setup from budget-friendly gear and a DIY booth made of mattress foam and packing blankets. His point is clear: professional sound doesn’t have to come with a professional price tag. He champions a hands-on, learn-as-you-go approach and breaks down the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones—offering straightforward advice on what independent creators actually need.But the conversation goes well beyond gear. Ben and Dave explore the deeper connection between performance and authenticity. Narrating a story, Ben explains, isn’t just reading words on a page—it’s performing them. Whether you’re recording an audiobook, appearing on a podcast, or giving an interview, being “on” matters. Ben draws from his theater background and years as an emcee to explain how to turn up your energy, engage your audience, and treat every interaction like a live performance. This, he says, is how storytellers can make listeners feel something real.He also speaks directly to writers who doubt their own ability to narrate their work, challenging the common fear of hearing one’s own voice. As Ben puts it, everyone cringes at first—but getting past that hesitation opens up an entirely new way to connect with readers. Along the way, he touches on mastering, consistency in recording, and why treating your host and audience like friends leads to more natural, memorable conversations.Ben shares stories from his own experiences in both narration and podcasting—offering grounded advice on leaning in, adding a little extra energy, and always remembering that someone out there is listening. Whether you’re a new author looking to build a personal brand or a podcaster hoping to stand out, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom and a dose of good humor.Key takeaway: Great audio storytelling isn’t about expensive equipment—it’s about showing up with confidence, learning the craft, and treating your voice as part of your creative toolkit. Be genuine, stay energized, and remember that your audience is right there with you.Listen and explore more episodes at howtopodcast.caBen's recommended tech setup for Audiobooks and Podcast GuestingBudget Microphone: Fifine K688, https://amzn.to/3XqK7FWAlternative, slightly brighter sound, slightly cheaper than K688: Fifine AM8, https://amzn.to/4ovpNz8Budget Interface: Fifine SC1, https://amzn.to/4hWjDFVBudget Headphones: Koss UR20, https://amzn.to/4nQ3TW8Dave's MicUSB Microphone, MAONO 192kHz/24Bit Plug & Play PC Computer Podcast Condenser Cardioid Metal Mic Kit with Professional Sound Chipset for Recording, Gaming, Singing, YouTube (AU-A04) - https://amzn.to/43qAJFV

EPISODE 537 - Stories Beyond Borders - powerful journeys of migration, self-discovery and resilience With CO-HOST - Urmi HossainStories Beyond Borders is a podcast that explores identity, culture, and belonging through raw, real, and inspiring conversations. It is a place that celebrates voices that defy labels and stories that transcend geographic and emotional borders.Whether you're a third culture kid, a global soul, or someone navigating life between worlds, you'll find connection, courage, and community here.Each episode features guests who share powerful journeys of migration, self-discovery, resilience, and what it means to live beyond borders—literal or not.https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/___Everything you need to start a podcast - https://howtopodcast.ca/Leave Dave a message - https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDave

EPISODE 536 - PodMatch, Designing with Love - instructional design and curriculum planning with Guest Co-Host Jackie PelegrinJackie Pelegrin - Instructional Designer, Author, College Professor, and Podcast HostJackie, an Arizona native, leverages decades of experience as an instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role, Jackie serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. During her leisure time, she delights in reading books across a range of genres, enjoying movies and TV shows, playing games, listening to uplifting music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.Designing with love, purpose, and heart.This show explores instructional design, e-learning, and how to incorporate AI technology into different aspects of the field.Tune in for expert tips, real-world insights, and inspiring stories from students, alumni, and leaders in the field.https://www.designingwithloveblog.com/___Everything you need to start a podcast https://howtopodcast.ca/Leave Dave a message https://www.speakpipe.com/HelloDaveGet a podcast review of your show! https://podcastfeedback.ca/

Episode 535 - A Strategic Growth Mindset for Podcasters That You Won't Hear on other Podcasts About PodcastingIn this episode, Dave introduces a perspective on podcast growth that stands in sharp contrast to the “get big fast” advice pushed by many industry gurus. Rather than chasing viral moments or obsessing over top one percent rankings, he argues for a mindset built on sustainability and long-term consistency. The core idea is simple but powerful: stay small enough long enough and you will be big enough soon enough.Dave challenges the industry’s obsession with rapid growth and vanity stats, pointing out that most podcasters do not make life changing money and do not need to be in the top hundred to have meaningful impact. Instead, small shows offer unique advantages. With no pressure from sponsors or production teams, creators can experiment freely, refine their voice, test new segments and learn what their audience actually wants. Early stage podcasting becomes a creative sandbox where mistakes are inexpensive and discovery is personal.He emphasizes that smaller audiences create deeper relationships. When listeners choose your show in a world overflowing with content, that choice matters. Responding to comments, recognizing listener patterns and building community becomes far easier when your audience is intimate and manageable. These early listeners often become the strongest supporters of the show as it grows.Dave also explains the importance of developing reliable systems before scale arrives. From recording workflows to analytics understanding to promotional habits, staying small gives creators space to build the processes that larger shows rely on. Success becomes far more sustainable when the groundwork has already been done during the “small enough” phase.Longevity and consistency are highlighted as essential ingredients of success. Many podcasters give up too soon, interpreting slow growth as failure rather than part of the natural learning curve. Dave reminds listeners that it may take twenty, fifty or even several hundred episodes for one to truly take off. The only way to reach that moment is to keep going.He also warns against the dangers of going viral before a show is ready. Growth only works when craft, consistency and systems align. Stay small enough long enough allows podcasters to find their voice, understand their data and iterate based on real listener behavior so that when growth comes, the show can sustain it.As the episode closes, Dave invites listeners to invest in their craft, not shortcuts. Whether through free resources, community meetups or one on one coaching, he encourages podcasters to choose tools they feel confident with, practice often and avoid getting overwhelmed by technology or comparisons.Key Takeaway:Podcast success is not about starting big. It is about staying committed through the small stages long enough to develop the skills, systems and confidence that create meaningful, lasting growth. Consistency compounds, and podcasters who stay the course eventually become the shows people want to discover and keep listening to.____Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 534 - Saying No To Sponsors For Your Podcast - Making Money With Your Podcast is Not Every Podcaster's Main DesireIn this episode of The How To Podcast Series, Dave explores one of the most misunderstood truths in the podcasting world: not every podcaster wants sponsors, needs sponsors, or should build their show around sponsorship deals. While sponsorships dominate the conversation in podcasting circles, they’re not the only path—and for many creators, they’re not even the right one.Dave begins by challenging the assumption that sponsorship is the “gold standard” of podcast monetization. For newer podcasters especially, the race to secure sponsors can add pressure, obligation, and creative compromise long before a show is ready. He explains how ads can shift the tone, interrupt the flow of episodes, or create a sense of performance anxiety when the joy of creating should be the priority.To show what’s possible outside of the traditional sponsorship model, Dave highlights the Savannah Bananas, a wildly successful baseball team-turned-entertainment brand that flipped the industry on its head without relying on sponsors. They built a powerful, loyal fan base by focusing on:experience and communityinnovative ideasa product worth talking aboutdirect value for their audienceMore importantly, Dave reminds listeners that you don’t have to monetize at all—and many podcasters don’t. For some, the show itself is the reward: a creative outlet, a networking tool, a way to serve others, or a chance to document ideas and conversations worth sharing.He emphasizes that saying “no” to sponsors isn’t a failure or a missed opportunity—it’s a choice that podcasters can make intentionally, based on what kind of creator they want to be and what kind of relationship they want with their audience.As the episode closes, Dave encourages podcasters to build a show that aligns with their values rather than chasing industry pressure. If sponsorships someday make sense, they’ll be there. If they don’t, the podcast can still be wildly successful on its own terms—just like the Savannah Bananas.Key Takeaway:You don’t need sponsors to have a meaningful, impactful, or successful podcast. Saying “no” to sponsorship can actually open the door to more creative freedom, stronger audience trust, and monetization paths that fit your show—not someone else’s definition of success.Their success proves that sponsorship isn’t the only path—and sometimes avoiding it altogether leads to more creativity, flexibility, and long-term loyalty.Dave then helps podcasters evaluate whether a sponsor model is the right approach for their show. Sponsorships can be great for podcasts with large, consistent reach and a clear niche audience. But for many indie creators, alternatives may be more aligned with their goals, values, or production style.He walks through additional ways podcasters can think about value, impact, and income without depending on pre-roll ads or mid-roll breaks. These include:creating paid bonus content or membershipsoffering coaching, consulting, or servicescreating products or digital downloadsleveraging affiliate relationshipsbuilding a community-supported model (Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee)using your podcast as a tool for connection rather than monetizationhttps://thesavannahbananas.com/https://shop.thesavannahbananas.com/products/fans-first-book-by-jesse-cole___Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 533 - Why Your Listeners Are Tuning Out of Your Podcast Before You Even Start - Podcast Intros Minus The Word SaladLet’s address the elephant in the studio: podcast intros have gotten out of hand.They’re supposed to welcome listeners in, set the tone, and give a sense of who’s talking — not serve as an unsolicited 12‑minute autobiography with background music. But lately, pressing play on a podcast feels less like joining a conversation and more like getting cornered at a networking event by someone who really wants you to know about their “journey.”It starts innocently enough: “Welcome back to the show.” Then it spirals. Suddenly, we’re knee‑deep in a monologue about the host’s morning smoothie, a gratitude practice, how they “manifested” their microphone through persistence and purpose, and the deeply transformative experience they had after reading a book on leadership by someone named Chad. Before you know it, you’ve learned the full academic lineage of the guest, every brand they’ve ever worked with, and the host’s reflections on vulnerability, hustle culture, and the seasons of life — and you still haven’t gotten to the actual episode.Here’s the painful truth: audiences don’t need your life story. They just pressed play. They don’t want a keynote; they want a conversation. Long intros often signal the worst impulse in podcasting — the desire to prove legitimacy and authority before earning the listener’s trust through content. They’re not audience engagement tools; they’re ego performances disguised as “context.”Front‑loading every accolade, anecdote, and alliterative tagline doesn’t make your show sound professional — it makes it sound like a hostage situation with music fading in and out. Every “Before we begin…” pushes your audience closer to the skip‑ahead button, or worse, the unfollow.So what’s really going on here? It’s insecurity, dressed up as branding. Many hosts fear that without a long intro, their show won’t seem serious, credible, or “polished.” But here’s the irony: listeners are actually more likely to value your credibility if you respect their time. The human attention span is not your sandbox for personal catharsis.You don’t need to narrate your hero’s journey, read your guest’s LinkedIn bio word‑for‑word, or deliver a five‑minute dissertation on “why this episode is special.” Listeners already made that decision when they hit play.The cure? Trim the fat. Let your audience breathe. Start strong, be human, and get to the thing they came for. The magic isn’t in the fluff — it’s in the flow.Your audience is already listening. Don’t punish them for it.____https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 532 - Sorry Your Wrong Podcast Guru - Your Podcast Does Not Need To Be A Business to be CredibleIn this episode, Dave pushes back against a rising narrative in the podcasting space that claims a show is not credible unless it functions as a business. Reacting to advice from a so-called guru, Dave calls out the damaging assumption that a podcast only matters once it makes money. He highlights how out of touch this perspective is with the reality of independent creators.Drawing from the Independent Podcaster Report 2025, Dave explains that eighty five percent of indie podcasters make no money from their show. Of the small group that does, most barely break even. Only a tiny eight percent earn enough to consider podcasting a primary income source. Yet this minority is often the loudest, appearing on stages, writing books and shaping the conversation about what success should look like.Dave argues that treating the eight percent as the standard misleads new podcasters and discourages the ninety two percent who create for passion, community, or personal fulfillment. He rejects the idea that monetization defines credibility. For many creators, podcasts are hobbies, creative outlets or ways to connect with listeners, and those motivations are entirely valid.He also cautions that monetizing comes with obligations. Sponsors may expect oversight, restrictions or consistent publishing schedules that remove the freedom many podcasters cherish. Money can be helpful, but it can also create pressure and limit creative control.Dave emphasizes that credibility comes from showing up, serving an audience and offering value. Whether a podcast brings in revenue or not, a creator who impacts even one listener is credible. Podcasting has always been a space without gatekeepers, and he urges the community to keep it that way.The episode closes with encouragement for podcasters of all levels. Whether monetized or not, your voice matters. You do not need to fit into the eight percent to belong in the industry. Dave reminds listeners that the show and community remain free, while offering optional coaching for those who want more direct guidance.Key takeaway: Credibility in podcasting is earned through meaning, consistency and impact, not through monetization. The majority of independent podcasters do not make money, and that does not make their work any less real or valuable.___https://howtopodcast.ca/

Episode 531 - Better Listener Data Beyond Your Podcast Hosting Site - YouTube PodcastsIn this episode, Dave digs into the creator side of YouTube and explains why the platform offers some of the richest listener analytics available to podcasters today. After previously exploring Spotify for Creators and Apple Podcasts Connect, he turns his attention to YouTube, a platform many podcasters either fully embrace or fiercely avoid. Dave argues that YouTube now belongs among the essential trio for podcasters alongside Apple and Spotify. Whether you prefer audio, video or a hybrid approach, YouTube’s discovery engine and analytics suite make it too valuable to ignore.Dave challenges the belief that podcasters must choose between YouTube and a traditional RSS feed. Instead, he encourages using both: YouTube for discoverability, search and granular audience insights, and the RSS feed for distribution across Apple, Spotify, Audible and other listening apps. He emphasizes that YouTube can easily ingest your existing RSS feed so episodes automatically appear without extra work. His own author-focused show provides proof that audio-only podcasts can thrive on YouTube, generating thousands of watch hours without a single frame of video.The episode highlights YouTube Studio as the central hub for creators, where podcasters can manage episodes, access YouTube Music distribution and examine powerful first party data. Dave explains how YouTube’s analytics differ significantly from what podcast hosts like Buzzsprout, Captivate, Libsyn or Blubrry provide. Traditional hosting dashboards report downloads and basic trends, but YouTube offers retention curves, traffic sources, minute-by-minute drop-off data, subscriber actions, engagement behavior and real-time results. These insights allow creators to pinpoint what their audience is responding to and refine their intros, pacing and content choices more effectively.Dave also underscores the importance of comment engagement. Unlike most podcast players, YouTube creates a real conversational space under each episode. Hosts and guests should reply to comments, pin meaningful questions and foster community. This interaction strengthens listener loyalty and signals to YouTube’s recommendation system that the episode is active and valuable.Throughout the episode, Dave encourages podcasters to view YouTube as one piece of a four-part data ecosystem: their hosting site, Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts Connect and YouTube Studio. Together these platforms provide a holistic view of listener behavior that no single dashboard can offer. Making content decisions based only on hosting-site downloads leaves creators blind to how people actually consume their episodes.He closes by reminding listeners that he’s available for one-on-one walkthroughs of the major dashboards and invites anyone curious about improving their analytics literacy to book time with him.Key Takeaway:YouTube offers unmatched insight into listener behavior, making it an essential tool for podcasters who want to understand, grow and better serve their audience. Combining YouTube analytics with data from Apple, Spotify and your hosting site provides the clearest picture of what’s truly working in your show._Helping Podcasters Everyday! https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6

Episode 530 - Better Listener Data Beyond Your Podcast Hosting Site - Apple PodcastsIn this episode of the How to Podcast series, Dave opens up an often overlooked part of podcasting success. While most creators rely heavily on the stats inside their hosting platform, Dave explains why those numbers only tell part of the story. Hosting dashboards can show downloads and basic reach, but they cannot give the deeper, first party insights that come directly from the listening apps themselves.After exploring Spotify for Creators in the previous episode, Dave now guides listeners into the world of Apple Podcasts Connect. Even as an Android user who does not personally live in the Apple ecosystem, he emphasizes that avoiding the platform means missing a significant portion of your audience. Apple remains one of the original foundations of podcast distribution, and its backend tools offer data that no hosting site can replicate.Inside Apple Podcasts Connect, podcasters can claim their show, update their RSS feed, manage availability, organize channels, and set up subscriptions. But the real value lies in the analytics. Apple measures actual listening behavior rather than downloads. You can see followers, listeners, engaged listeners who consume at least twenty minutes or forty percent of an episode, average consumption, geographic breakdowns, time listened, and detailed performance by episode.Dave explains how these metrics help identify what keeps listeners engaged, where they drop off, and which content formats work best. He also highlights the importance of comparing episodes over time, watching for consistent patterns in retention, and understanding that not every drop off is a reflection of your content. Sometimes people simply step off a treadmill or arrive at work.Unlike Spotify, Apple does not offer comments within the app, so audience feedback still relies on social media or email. Even so, the listening trends within Apple can reveal what listeners would say if they had typed it out.Toward the end of the episode, Dave invites listeners to connect with him directly for a conversation about their podcasting journey. He also shares a gentle reminder that podcasters often underestimate their own progress. Feedback and curiosity help creators improve, but stepping forward and publishing episodes already puts you ahead of most people who only dream of starting.Key Takeaway: Your hosting platform shows reach, but Apple Podcasts Connect reveals true listener behavior. Understanding how people actually consume your episodes gives you the clarity you need to make smarter decisions and improve your show with confidence.https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/___https://howtopodcast.ca/We would love to hear from you - here is our listener survey!https://forms.gle/GbrFv9DGszV8N4PW6