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Is Your Content Worth Paying For?

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(Apologies for video glitches this week.)

Show Notes:

Have you seen Ted Lasso?  Well, I haven't, but everyone I know keeps telling me I need to. But I'm not a soccer fan.  You'll still love it.  I don't have Apple TV.  Get it!  So I finally decided yesterday to drop the five dollars a month so I can watch it, plus The Morning Show, and some other stuff.

I really didn't want to add another monthly bill - even $5 - on top of Netflix, Disney Plus, and YouTube TV. In fact, I just decided to drop an extra $10 a month so I can get 4K channels.  I figure I have a 4K TV, may as well watch the Olympics in 4K.  Not gonna lie, it's pretty sweet. Can't wait for football season.

What does all of this have to do with podcasts? Well, it appears a number of large media companies are offering premium (meaning paid) content through Apple, Spotify, or other means. But there's more of them than you can count.   Which ones do you choose?  For me, it took a TON of peer pressure to cave on Apple TV, and it took something brand new and cutting edge (sports in 4K) to up my YouTube TV.

Before you start asking your listeners to pay for what you put out - ask yourself - is it good enough?  Can it compete for that monthly $5 or $10 with Disney Plus and Hulu and Netflix?  Now, if you're providing some really unique, niche content, the answer may be yes. But I think for most of us, the answer is no.

I still think it's hard to monetize a podcast, but the easier route is through advertisers.  Your podcast listeners are much more valuable than those little hearts on Facebook or the Gram.  Why? Because they are more engaged.   They aren't scrolling through; they are actively listening. Even if you don't have many listeners, your basket weaving podcast might be really attractive to a basket company.

Speaking of advertising, Crooked Media's Pod Save America is now opening themselves up to ads in other countries -  apparently there's quite an appetite for American politics in Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. ACast will handle the international ads.

If you love the Olympics, NBC has FOUR - count 'em four - podcasts on their Olympics channel in Apple Podcasts - The Podium, In The Village, On Her Turf, and My New Favorite Olympian.  They're free to listen to.

Speaking of  Apple Podcasts, they're looking for a head of content.  I assume duties include screaming at the app development team daily, thinking you're the only game in town, and putting out dumpster fires.

Podcasting OG Evo Terra says we have entered the "chaotic era" of podcasting.  He says no huge companies are coming to save us, diversify your podcast's assets and footprint, and hold on for dear life. Here's his Podcast Pontifications https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/can-you-survive-podcastings-chaotic-era

Told you a couple weeks ago about everyone freaking out about the Audacity editing app and it's new privacy policy -well they've got a new policy, promising not to store IP addresses or scare away kids under 13.As James Cridland from PodNews points out, that's likely due to the reporting of podcast media and resulting outcry.  https://github.com/audacity/audacity/discussions/1353

Podcast host Buzzsprout is offering dynamic ad insertion on all plans.  Dynamic Ad Insertion puts ads in your show based on when a listener hears it, where they are, or other factors. For example, if you have something  time sensitive, like a Podcast Movement tease,  you can turn it on or off for any episode.  It's my hope that this will come to other podcast hosts for all tiered plans, making it the norm in the industry.

MTV is teaming up with iHeart to re-release classic episodes of Behind The Music, as a podcast.

A friendly reminder to check and see if your new podcast's name has already been claimed.  Maybe not a huge deal if you're an average Joe, but if you're rich and famous (or hope to be), you gotta do your homework.   Actress and Michigan native Kristen Bell tried to release a show called Shattered Glass.  Name was already taken, so she had to rename it - it's now called "We Are Supported By..."

For my fellow Syracuse grads, Carmelo Anthony is creating a podcast version of his YouTube series, "What's in Your Glass?"  Sadly, it's wine, not Orange Juice. (rimshot).

The Clubhouse app is now out of beta and available for everyone on iOS and Android.  Will be curious what Mark Cuban, who founded rival Fireside, has to say when he keynotes Podcast Movement in Nashville next week.

And speaking OF Podcast Movement, I'm vaxxed, masked, and really excited for the return of the in person event.  They will have recording areas set up, so time permitting, I may do a bonus episode next week from Nashville.  Otherwise, expect a TON of information when I get back.

Finally, a big thank you to Rock, Arielle, and the team at Squadcast - who were able to find a video solution that worked for me. This is my first video recorded on Squadcast.

So, until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

More Steps Forward – And Back – For Radio

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Show Notes and Transcript

Episode Notes

I've long said the only way for music radio to survive is by bringing personality back and differentiating itself from Spotify, Pandora, and other streaming services.  We've actually seen some movement on this front, with some stations going back to two-person afternoon shows.  Even SiriusXM seems to be adding more DJ's to their Pop2K, Pop Rocks, and other channels. Sadly, Audacy, the second biggest radio company in the country, seems to be doing the opposite.  They eliminated a boat-load of CHR, or pop, radio DJ's at the end of last week - this after doing the same previously with country and alternative.  Now, a handful of DJ's will be on double-digit stations across the country.

A disclaimer.  Middays for much of the country will be done by Julia, who is a friend of mine. I worked with her at Amp Radio here in Detroit and consider her to be one of the most creative people I worked with in my 15 year radio career.  So if you're Julia, and they say hey, we want to syndicate you nationally, that's a no-brainer.  No ill will toward her.

I guarantee Julia's show will have great content for the stations she's on, maybe even more compelling than the former local DJ's in some cases.  But more radio people are out of work, and there's more connections to local communities that are gone.  For Audacy, It's a great way to cut costs when you're moving all your resources to digital, but it doesn't bode well for the future of radio.

On to this week's podcasting news.

There's a new social audio app that focuses on short form content, called "Racket." It speaks to a larger trend in media toward shorter stuff.  Think about the recent success of TikTok and Instagram.  How does this translate to podcasting?  Well, maybe shorter episodes are the way to go. You can always go too long on an episode, but can you really be too short? Back to the old radio cliche: Leave 'em wanting more.  https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/16/22570683/audio-short-form-podcast-app-racket-beams

Auttomatic, the company that owns WordPress, has bought Podcast listening app  Pocketcasts - makes me wonder if that means easier integrations for podcast listening through websites. https://wordpress.com/blog/2021/07/16/popular-podcast-app-pocket-casts-joins-automattic/

If you still want to use Apple Podcasts as your listening app of choice, do yourself, and podcast creators a solid. Upgrade to the latest version of iOS - there should be some fixes for podcast download issues. James Cridland of PodNews, as always, is on top of it: https://podnews.net/update/podcast-download-bug

One more Jag Show next week, then a break at the beginning of August while I attend Podcast Movement in Nashville -  hope to see you there.   And finally, if you'll indulge me, two quick plugs.

This week, I was the featured guest on the "Do What You Love" podcast, from Las Vegas morning show host, and recent ESPN play by play man Jeff Kurkjian.  Jeff's a friend, and just such a great, solid, positive guy.  We talked all things podcasting, and a little bit of radio too.

Apple: https://apple.co/2W5YuTX
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UWjgEL

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WWhyDOMCtA 

Also, I'm  thrilled for JAG in Detroit's latest partnership - with Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications here in Michigan, and their client CARE HOUSE of Oakland County, a place that helps victims of abuse.   The podcast is called, "It Shouldn't Hurt To Be a Child." The trailer is up now, with Episode 1 to land shortly.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-shouldnt-hurt-to-be-a-child/id1569471566

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Muu591lk9Et22ev6PWIob?si=cNSDN4e8QoyvOhOLz0PxoQ&dl_branch=1

As always, if you need a podcast consult, you can always reach out to me at https://jagindetroit.com/

Show Less

Transcript

Note: Transcript is auto-generated by AI and may not be 100% accurate.

Jag: I frequently find myself at the intersection of my former career in radio and my new career in podcasting. And I've long said the only way for music radio to survive is by bringing personality back to differentiate itself from Spotify, Pandora, and other streaming services.

We've actually seen some movement in the right direction. Lately. Some stations have gone back to two person afternoons. And Sirius XM stations like pop rocks and pop two K and others have actually added more DJs to their stations now, sadly Odyssey, which is the second largest owner of radio stations in the country, formerly CBS, formerly.

They actually eliminated a boatload of CHR or top 40 radio DJs at the end of last week, this, after doing the same thing with country and alternative formats, now a handful of DJs are going to be on double-digit stations across the country. Now I do have to throw in a disclaimer here. Um, mid days for much of the country are going to be done by Julia.

Who's. A friend of mine. I worked with Julia here at amp radio in Detroit. I consider her one of the most creative and talented people I work with. In my 15 year radio career, I think she's great. So if you're Julia and the company comes to you and says, Hey, we want to syndicate you nationally. That's a no brainer.

So no ill will towards her. She's doing what's right for her. And I can guarantee that Julia's show is going to have great content for the stations that she's on. Maybe even more compelling than the local DJs in the cases of some markets, but more radio people. And there's more connections to the local community that are lost because of it for Odyssey the company.

It's a great way cut costs when you're moving all of your resources from radio to digital, but it does not bode well for the future of music radio. Okay. Onto this week's podcast. There's a new social audio app that focuses on short form content. It's called racket. It appears to be part of a larger trend in media, towards shorter stuff.

Think about the recent success in the last year or two of tick talk and Instagram short form content. How does that translate to podcasting? Well, maybe shorter episodes are the way to go. You can always go too long in an episode. But can you really be too short back to the old radio cliche? Leave your audience wanting more interesting article about this in the verge.

LinkedIn today's shownotes automatic. That's with two T's at the front automatic, the company that owns WordPress, which you may have built your website on has bought podcast listening app pocket cash. That has me wondering if that's going to be maybe an easier integration for your website. If you have a podcast with a pocket cast in WordPress.

So keep an eye on that. The official release from WordPress links in today's show notes. If you still want to use apple podcast as your listening app of choice, do yourself in all podcasts, creators a solid and upgrade yourself to the latest iOS version on your iPhone, your iPad, or any device. This should come with some fixes to these podcasts, download glitches, where podcasts aren't downloading, and you're not getting the shows you want.

And the creators are having their numbers be hurt by it. Uh, James Cridland from pod news as always is on top of it. He's LinkedIn today showing him. Uh, one more JAG show next week, then a break at the beginning of August while I attend podcast movement in Nashville. I hope to see you there. And finally, if you'll indulge me two quick plugs this week, I was the featured guest on the do what you love podcast from Las Vegas morning show host and recent ESPN play by play guy, Jeff Curry.

Jeff is a friend and just a great solid positive guy. We talked at length about all things podcasting and it's a fun listen or watch got apple, Spotify and YouTube links in today's show notes. It's called the do what you love podcast highly recommended. Also I'm thrilled for jaggy. Detroit's latest partnership with Tanner Friedman, strategic communications here in Michigan and their client care house of Oakland county.

It's a place that helps victims of abuse. And the podcast is called. It shouldn't hurt to be a child trailer up. Now, episode one is coming soon. You can link to that in apple or Spotify from today's show notes as always stay healthy and stay safe. And I will talk to you next week later.

Is Your Audacity App Spyware?

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Transcript/Show Notes:

Audacy vs Audacity.. Audacity is a free audio editing software with 100 million users worldwide, according to the BBC.  Recently, they were purchased by a company called Muse, headquartered in Cyprus.  A future software update will have users connect to the web, and as a result, they've had to put out a statement confirming to European and other privacy laws.  They are going to collect your IP address, but it's unclear what else.  No don't freak out - almost every site you visit collects your IP address.  But the agreement also states some of your information can be shared with Muse's infrastructure...in Russia.   Now I'm not going to get political - but with the 2016 election interference and recent ransomware attacks, the Russia part is a little concerning.

I've got several articles linked in today's show notes about this, including a FANTASTIC video from Jeni Wren Strottup of Gritty Birds podcasting.  Here are the key takeaways.  The current version of Audacity, up to 3.0.2 does NOT connect to the web, and you can download it and use it as always, just never updating it as long as it works on your computer.   You can also switch to another editing program.  Most share your data as well - but if the Russia thing freaks you out, and you're willing to climb the learning curve of different software, you can do that too.    Or, you can just shrug and hit yes to all the new terms of service.   But bottom line, Jeni says, the new Audacity is NOT spyware.  It's not sneaking onto your computer and stealing your data.  It's being upfront about what it's doing.  And no, it can't listen in on your audio files.

Bottom line, from where I sit.  I've never liked Audacity as an app, but everyone likes their own flavor of audio editing programs.  If you swear by Audacity, you've got options.  But I still think you might like something else better.

Audacity spyware articles:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57721967

https://github.com/audacity/audacity/discussions/1225

https://www.audacityteam.org/about/desktop-privacy-notice/

And a great video from Jeni Wren Strottup of Gritty Birds Podcasting:
https://youtu.be/HQ7NfZKVWxM

Other Podcasting News This Week:

Apple, Google, and Spotify now all display show notes uniformly, with links and more.  James Cridland of PodNews says this is true for the first time, but keep your show notes to  Apple's limit of 4,000 characters.

Nothing free is really free. Podcast One is offering free hosting for podcasters.  But the catch is they can put ads in your show and keep the profits.  The one benefit - they can market your show to a new audience. However, I still think it's better to use a paid host like Simplecast, Blubrry, LibSyn, or RSS.com.  https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/8/22568221/podcastone-launchpadone-hosting-service-free-podcast-monetize

Twitter thread on how much podcast editors and producers should be paid - the numbers are eye-popping.  https://twitter.com/meuceph/status/1412224182687911940

Two new podcasts centering around big celebrity news stories.

Audible's "Chasing Ghilane" is out today.  That's a profile on Jeffrey Epstein's partner Ghilane Maxwell.

Stitcher is now three episodes deep into "Toxic: The Britney Spears" story, exploring her conservatorship and more.  From my days as a radio DJ, I can tell you that Britney is an icon to an entire generation.  With the volume of the "Free Britney" movement, this could be a huge show.

Podthon is virtual this weekend, and geared toward Podcasters of Color: https://podthon.com/

Finally, I'm really looking forward to Podcast Movement, in person, in Nashville.  It's the first weekend in August - and if you want more info, you can visit https://podcastmovement.com/

For help with your podcast - find me online at https://jagindetroit.com/

How To Record Your Podcast Over Zoom – If You Have To

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Transcript/Show Notes:

The last 18 months has taught all of us how to use Zoom.  It's great if you need to do a face to face meeting with someone who may not be great with technology. Most people have learned it by now.  Up until recently, however, I told my podcast clients to avoid it.   It can be glitchy over a bad internet connection, causing you to lose words and phrases. And if two people talk at the same time, it can be a nightmare.  While those things are still technically true, Zoom HAS addressed its biggest audio issue. Typically, it only records part of of the frequencies in the human voice.  Previously, Zoom had figured out which frequencies in the human voice we needed to hear in order to understand each other. To save data and bandwidth, it chopped out everything else.

Recently, Zoom added a setting on their app called "Enable Original Sound."  With the advent of podcasting, Zoom realized they needed an option to make people sound like...well...people.   Now it's not QUITE as good as other apps or an in person recording. But if you have a decent microphone,  it's close.  You'll find a link for how to do enable original sound here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115003279466-Enabling-option-to-preserve-original-sound

Now, other platforms that are designed for podcasts, like Squadcast, Riverside, and Zencastr are still better options.  They record on your local machine. This way, internet buffering doesn't happen.  And if you wear headphones, it's no issue if people speak over each other.  But if you have a hard-to-get guest, or someone who isn't likely going to learn a new program, that's how to make Zoom sound better.

Onto this week's quick hit podcasting news:

Amazon has bought ART19, a podcast hosting and ad sales company.  Look for Amazon to continue their push into podcasting in the second half of 2021.   While Apple and Spotify are still the big dogs, it probably wouldn't hurt to add your show to Amazon Music.  It's free and you can do it here: https://podcasters.amazon.com/

Commercial Radio Australia's head of digital thinks that in the future, half of all podcast consumption will be quick 3 minute episodes.  It's a good reminder that shorter is often better. https://www.radiotoday.com.au/jaime-chaux-podcast-power-player-qa/

I mentioned last week that I've moved my podcast listening from Apple to Spotify.  I don't see myself going back any time soon.  But if you want to try and navigate the new Apple Podcasts interface, this guide from lifehacker might help: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-sense-of-what-apple-has-done-to-the-podcast-1847129209

American radio company Audacy, formerly Entercom, and CBS Radio before that, continues to shift resources from traditional radio to podcasting.   Because they own many of the biggest sports stations in the country, and have a partnership with Major League Baseball, they're launching 2400 sports, a sports podcasting operation.  Audacy is also bringing Crooked Media's "Love It Or Leave It" podcast, with former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett to, its Channel Q.   Channel Q is a digital LGBTQ+ station that's also over the air in 32 of the company's media markets.    Sadly, while Audacy does all of this, they are expected to replace more local music DJ's with national shows.  More of the same for hardworking, underappreciated radio folk, sadly.

Finally, a quick programming note - no JAG Show next week, but I'll be back on July 15.  So until then, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

Find JAG online at https://jagindetroit.com/

Facebook Launches Podcasts – Sort Of

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Editor's note: No video this week due to me breaking my foot and my studio not being super accessible.  More on that later.

The big news in podcasting this week was the launch of Facebook's new podcasting feature.  Problem is, it's only available in the US, and by invite only.  So to learn more about this new Facebook feature, I went to - you guessed it- Twitter.  Buzzsprout's Head of Marketing, Alban Brooke, has a great Twitter thread about the features of Facebook Podcasts.

https://twitter.com/AlbanBrooke/status/1407066754476646405?s=20

But don't worry if you haven't seen it yet.   I just gotta remember to check the old AOL email I use for Facebook notifications.

Last week I mentioned hating the new Apple Podcasts app, and this week I finally made the switch.  I'm now listening to shows on Spotify.  I'm on the free plan, it's much easier to find episodes of my favorite shows, and I have more control over playback speed.   It's a much better user experience.  And I wouldn't have known about it - had Apple not driven me away with a truly hard to navigate app.

More Spotify news this week - they've acquired Podz, a podcast discovery platform.  Spotify also launched Greenroom, an audio service that's their answer to Clubhouse.

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-06-16/get-to-know-some-of-the-features-in-our-live-interactive-audio-offering-greenroom

Remote recording app Squadcast has a new update - it allows Dolby surround sound, one-click mastering, video recording, and up to 10 participants. The plans seem a little pricey though.  For me, it makes more sense to stay grandfathered in to the 4 people, audio only, unlimited recording time package, and supplement with a small plan on Riverside for when I need video or have more than 4 people.

Stitcher is now the number one listened to podcast network, according to new metrics from Triton Digital.  They are owned by Sirius/XM and now have a bigger weekly audience than NPR and Audacy (formerly Entercom).

According to the Podcast Index, there are now FOUR MILLION podcasts.  But don't be overwhelmed if you're getting into the space. Only 10% of them, have put out a show in the last month.  Podfading is real.  https://tritondigitalv3.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/PodcastReports/USA_Podcast_Ranker%20May%202021-2.pdf

Finally, as I mentioned, I broke my foot Saturday.  Long story short, I was walking the dog - she zigged, and I zagged.  Landed funny and broke the fifth metatarsal, right below my pinky toe.  Fortunately it should heal with a walking boot, and not cast or surgery.  Also, not my driving foot.   So for now, I'll be recording in my office, not my studio down a scary flight of stairs.  The podcasting moral of the story - if this sounds OK to you - you don't need a fancy studio to record in.  An office without background noise or echo should do just fine.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.  Lata!

A Lesson From Wheel of Fortune

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Welcome in, I'm Jon Gay. We start with a great point from Amplifi Media's Steve Goldstein. Watch any episode of Wheel of Fortune, and the game starts within the first FORTY FIVE SECONDS of the show. Take that approach with your podcast. Lose excessively long intros, and endless banter, and hit the ground running.  I'll try to do that here.  (Link: https://www.amplifimedia.com/blogstein/what-every-podcaster-can-learn-from-wheel-of-fortune-and-jeopardy)

Apple Podcasts released their subscriptions and channels on Tuesday.  Channels might be good to aggregate content, but I'm still not sold on subscriptions.  As I've said before, if you're asking someone to spend money every month on top of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc - you'd better a) have some KILLER content and b) it can't be available anywhere else.

Meanwhile, Apple's latest iOS update has a totally revamped Apple Podcasts app.  Personally, I hate it.  I find it hard to navigate, but then again, this is what we said whenever Facebook changed their layout.  I'll give it a little while, but I'm strongly considering moving to Spotify for podcast listening.

Incidentally, that's what Tommy Vietor, one of the hosts of Pod Save America, suggested on Monday via Twitter.   Seemed their latest episode uploaded but wouldn't show up on Apple right away.  But it was right there on Spotify.  When you've got a host of a top 10 podcast actively encouraging you to move to Spotify.....well, Cupertino, we have a problem.

https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1404570745783521280?s=20

Speaking of Spotify, they are continuing to spend like the drunken sailor of podcasting. It does seem to be working for them.  They just lured the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast away from Barstool Sports.  Like Joe Rogan, Call Her Daddy will become a Spotify exclusive. Spotify's price tag: $20 million.  The show moves to Spotify only on July 21.

Big changes coming to Spotify's Anchor platform.  One of the knocks on it was that they auto-submitted to Apple, and it was hard to claim ownership of your show there.  Now, Anchor will allow you to submit to Apple yourself.  Also, as podcast monetization grows, they will only supply you with an open RSS feed if you ask.  This will be a benefit to those who only want their shows in specific places.  Here's the post from Anchor: https://mignano.medium.com/evolving-anchor-distribution-to-meet-the-needs-of-new-creators-efe0b89f8c5a

If you use the Riverside platform to record your audio or video podcast, they've added a "media board" to let you play sound and video clips as you record your show. The idea is that in doing so, you won't have to add them in later when editing. https://podnews.net/press-release/riverside-mediaboard

Other quick hit podcasting news:  The award winning "Ear Hustle," about life behind bars in San Quentin, is being released as a book: https://bookshop.org/books/this-is-ear-hustle-unflinching-stories-of-everyday-prison-life/9780593238868

Greed and hubris can ruin anything, including podcasts.  The Verge has an expose about California's "Podcast Hype House" that Chinese-backed company Ximalaya created to lure podcasters.  It quickly devolved into a frat house and worse: theverge.com/22526502/himalaya-histudios-notorious-llc-podcast-audio-hype-house

Podcast Movement is coming together for Nashville, the first week in August.  There's a contest to get a VIP tour of the nearby Jack Daniels distillery.  I've seen it, and it's awesome, by the way. Enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUpCWEt7V0R_xqFgBHkG6fMa6dgI1xg7kFHIDeDj7d0n93qQ/viewform

And finally, I tell my podcast clients not to promote yourself until the end of your show, after you've provided valuable information. With that in mind, if you'll indulge me, I'm offering a new service - a comprehensive podcast audit of your show.  Send me one episode, up to an hour in length, and I'll evaluate it for accessibility, audio quality, content, flow, and more, for just $99.  If you're interested - drop me a note - jag@jagindetroit.com.  Lata!