The Best Environments to Record a Podcast...and Ones To Avoid

Welcome to Podcast Theory!

This show has undergone some changes since its launch in 2021, including a couple rebrands, name changes, and format adjustments.

But overall, the mission of providing content to help you become a better podcaster has remained in tact.

Today, I am officially dubbing this show as Podcast Theory going forward.

In this brief introductory episode, discover what's on tap for Podcast Theory as new seasons get set to go live. 

Podcast Theory will be produced in seasonal format and each season will have a featured co-host joining me to talk about various aspects of podcasting. From production to hosting to guesting to marketing and every point in between, we've got the lowdown to help transform you into a straightshooting podcaster with upper management written all over you!

Upcoming seasons of Podcast Theory (combined with the archives of this show previously known as Pod Theory and, for a hot minute, Solo Podcasting Simplified) are designed to elevate your podcast game. Please feel free to submit any topics you'd like covered in future seasons or any burning questions you'd like answered to jason@bombtrackmedia.com.

The first season of Podcast Theory (Season 4 in this podcast's catalog) will come your way Spring 2024. In the mean time, take a moment to jump back in the archives and discover what you've missed so far.

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

It's been a long time coming, but here's the official wrap-up to Solo Podcasting Simplified.

In this episode, you'll find:

• An apology from me for not releasing this episode much sooner
• An explanation as to why I shifted course 
• What's going to happen with this podcast (HINT: What's Old Is New Again...with a slight tweak)
• How content will be produced going forward through this podcast
• A brief intro to my new brand, Bombtrack Media

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

The reasons why people love podcasts is pretty subjective.

For starters, they could get attached to the host and tune in every episode just to hear what he or she has to say.

Perhaps the podcast features valuable guests you don't want to miss.

Maybe it's because every time they listen, they learn something new that can be implemented into their life on a personal or professional level.

Hell, it could be because a podcast allows for an escape from their everyday life...even if for a few minutes.

It could be any of these reasons or something completely different, but there's one common denominator that makes podcasts such an important part of people's lives:

Podcasts are passive.

That means podcasts can be consumed without one having their full attention dedicated to said consumption.

You can put on a podcast and take a walk, get in a workout, make your morning or afternoon commute more enjoyable, even get some chores around the house completed.

All while swinging to the sweet sounds of your favorite podcast content provider.

Podcasts play a meaningful role in people's lives because they enjoy the content while partaking in something else they enjoy.

Or, at the very least, a solid podcast can make the not-so-enjoyable moments a little bit easier to stomach.

This is why you can't ignore bringing a podcast into your business practices. The connections you build are too powerful to forego.

In this episode of Solo Podcasting Simplified, it's another installment of Podcast Therapy and, just like the title suggests, I'll be sharing why people love podcasts so much, as well as why you can't ignore building a podcast of your own based on that love affair.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

If you listened to Episode 012 of Solo Podcasting Simplified, you know my guest, Mickey Anderson, and I spent our entire conversation unpacking strategies for leveraging a solo podcast within your brand.

And by far, one of the most important aspects we focused on was utilizing your website to feature your podcast content.

Or, building a separate website 100% dedicated to your podcast production.

Why is this so important?

We discussed a variety of reasons:

• The SEO benefits
• The value podcast content adds to your website
• The value podcast content adds to your overall brand should you ever choose to exit your business

Podcasting has evolved beyond just being an audio format.

The content found within your podcast can be extracted and used to provide impact and transformation to people who discover you, but may not necessarily listen to podcasts.

Today, podcast content is often discovered through search engines like Google and YouTube on a daily basis.

And if you don't optimize your content for discoverability through your website, you're leaving huge opportunity and a great deal of potential money on the table.

In this episode of Solo Podcasting Simplified, I'm diving deeper into the importance of leveraging your website to showcase your podcast content and sharing some tips to help you make it happen with ease.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Schedule a Podcast Clarity Session Today

Set up a website for your podcast in just 5 minutes!

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

Having a podcast is great. The value it brings to your brand cannot be overlooked or ignored.

The connection you build with current and potential clients is profound and each episode you publish provides further social proof that you're a true thought leader in your niche that people can learn from.

You also have an amazing opportunity to connect with fellow like-minded professionals, thus amplifying your reach and expanding your network.

A podcast serves as a consistent, reliable content distribution channel that allows you to effectively project your message to a targeted audience and communicate how you can help them achieve the transformation they seek.

The content found within your podcast can be repurposed and utilized on other channels, such as websites, blogs, YouTube, and social media.

This, in turn, fuels the growth of your brand presence and moves you closer to closing new business, thus fueling more growth, and so on, and so on.

And when your podcast is of the solo variety (meaning you're the primary voice on the majority of episodes delivering value, wisdom, and transformative insight), listeners who resonate with your message will feel the impact from you...and you alone. 

Building a solo podcast directly related to your brand and leveraging the content you create to the fullest extent is going to provide you with a bona fide path to connectivity with current and potential customers the likes of which you've never experienced.

That type of impact is impossible to exclude from your overall brand-building strategy.

In Episode 012 of Solo Podcasting Simplified, I'm proud to share the mic with this podcast's first guest, the Marketing Closer herself, Mickey Anderson. 

Mickey is a wealth of knowledge on content strategy, marketing concepts, and how to best use solo content to position yourself as a resource your industry needs.

Join Mickey and I for an in-depth conversation about:

• Solo podcast strategy
• How to use solo content to position yourself as a thought leader
• The value a podcast adds to your brand
• The importance of using your content to amplify your website presence

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Connect with Mickey on her website

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

Consistency is vital to success in podcasting.

The more consistent you are with content creation, actively communicating with listeners, and having compelling, captivating conversations with guests (when and if you feature guests), the more well-rounded podcaster you'll become.

You'll also develop and hone skills that transfer to other aspects of your life, including but not limited to how you communicate with friends, colleagues, clients, and loved ones, and how you present your message on stage, on conference calls, and in virtual and in-person meetings.

But consistency in podcasting doesn't just refer to a commitment to mastering your craft.

Consistency is also about being there for your audience when you say you'll be. 

When you bring new content to your audience on a consistent basis, they will not only get more invested in the content you produce, but they'll begin working this content into their routine.

For example, if you publish new episodes every Thursday, a loyal listener will use their time at the gym or on their morning commute to consume your latest release.

They expect it. And when it's not there, they will find something else to fill the void.

When that happens, you run the risk of losing that listener and it may be hard to get them back simply because they only have so many hours a week to dedicate to podcast consumption.

Maintaining consistency will keep listeners in place and continue to establish a high level of trust with each of them.

But it's also important to understand that consistency in podcasting does not mean you need to overextend yourself and let burnout creep into the equation.

Episode 011 of Solo Podcasting Simplified features the next installment in the Podcast Therapy series and I'm revealing the truth about consistency in podcasting.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

Social media has woven itself into the fabric of society.

At this point in time, is it even possible to imagine a world without it?

The sheer connectivity networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc. have brought to our lives cannot be overlooked, overshadowed, or under-appreciated.

I've been part of the social media vortex since the early 2000s since MySpace wasn't just a thing, it was the thing.

Hell, if you go back into the late 90s (yes, I'm totally dating myself here), I was all over the trailblazing outlets like Yahoo! Chat, AOL Instant Messenger, and ICQ. Those platforms may not have been considered social "media," but they certainly served as a precursor to the far more cutting-edge, innovative networks we inhabit today.

Over the years, I've leaned into social media heavily. 

From extolling its virtues through a small social media marketing company I operated with my best friend to once claiming you don't need a website if you have a strong social media presence on a podcast (crazy, right?) to leveraging it in a variety of ways both personally and professionally, social media has been a major part of my life.

So why, after all this time and all this love for the world of social media, have I made the decision to break up with these platforms?

In Episode 010 of Solo Podcasting Simplified, I share why I've made the decision to break up with social media and focus my attention where it can best serve you. I also share some commentary on the state of social media and why this is the right time for me to make this move.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

How long should a podcast episode be?

If you've been looking for a question that has a myriad of answers, this is the one.

When you look at the number of podcasts actively producing content today, it's hard to pinpoint a specific timeframe because all of them are so different.

Some podcasts clock in around five minutes.

Others go 2-3 hours.

According to The Social Shepard website, the average podcast length is 20-40 minutes.

OK, so how do you make sense of this wide range of times and determine what works for your solo podcast?

It's not as complicated as it may seem.

In reality, there are just two key factors to focus on that will help you create content your ideal listeners want to consume without putting you in a position to break your back trying to keep up with a laborious production schedule.

In Episode 009 of Solo Podcasting Simplified, I'm sharing the ideal length for your solo podcast productions, as well as debunking some of the common misconceptions about podcast episode length you've most likely encountered.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

Why do so many podcasters fail?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a podcaster pulling the plug on their show in the very early stages.

Many times, new podcasters enter the fray with unrealistic expectations about podcasting being easy and the whole world showing up to listen just because a new episode was published.

In addition, new podcasters often get fixated on download metrics and believe this is the only way to gauge success for their show.

Sometimes, podcasters get overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to manage and maintain a podcast, meaning they didn't properly plan time into their schedule to carry out the tasks of production, communication, and promotion.

And in some instances, new podcast creators venture too far outside their zone of genius and try to create content that doesn't excite them or doesn't speak to their target audience, causing them to become disengaged, burnt out, and unhappy with the act of creating new content.

These are just a few potential reasons why someone may abandon their podcast efforts...

...and each of these items could've been avoided if these creators took time to establish a winning mindset before they ever pressed record.

Episode 008 of Solo Podcasting Simplified features your first dose of Podcast Therapy! I'll be airing these therapy sessions weekly to help you with various aspects of podcasting. In the premiere installment, I'm zeroing in on what I feel is the most important element of successful podcasting: establishing the right mindset.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production

The digital landscape you and I exist in today is filled with a plethora of answers and information as far as the eye can see.

What's good about this is the fact that answers are always at our fingertips.

What's bad is it can get incredibly difficult to filter through the minutia of content thrust upon us to find relevant information that resonates and brings game-changing wisdom into our lives.

If you're a coach or consultant who's adding content to the mix in any capacity, it's incredibly important not to get lost in the aforementioned minutia and, instead, generate content that serves a specific purpose and connects with people when they intentionally search for it.

Let's break that down...

Simply posting a link to your most recent podcast episode, blog post, etc. on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. will do little to bring new listeners over to your show...as you may have experienced.

With the sheer amount of content that's being spilled on to social media simultaneously, it can be next to impossible to even get your posts seen...let alone have them break someone free of their 'scroll hole' to listen to your podcast.

But if you build content for a specific purpose that's aimed at a specific person looking to solve a specific problem AND you build it in a way that's SEO-friendly and easy to discover when intentional search is conducted, your chances of making a genuine connection and gaining a loyal follower/listener/viewer/reader increases dramatically.

When you DO make connections on social media, your first step should be to move the conversation to a channel where you have more control (i.e., an email list).

And you have a much better chance of making that happen if you give your new connection exactly what they're looking for. 

This can be accomplished with a solo podcast, but the philosophy of niching down, providing more focused content, and leaning into an area of specialization transcends the podcast medium and should be applied to everything you do.

In Episode 007 of Solo Podcasting Simplified, I break down why getting laser-focused with your solo podcast content, as well as the products and services you provide your customers, will help you cut through the noise and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Click here for this episode's feature blog post, resources, and more

Thank you for being part of the Podcast Theory experience! Past seasons of this podcast include:

Season 1: 125 episodes of podcasting tips and strategies (known as Pod Theory)
Season 2: Debunking Myths & Misconceptions of Podcasting (known as Pod Theory)
Season 3: A Deep Look at Solo Podcasting (known as Solo Podcasting Simplified)
Season 4: The Debut Season of Podcast Theory - COMING SPRING 2024!

Get hands-on, comprehensive assistance with your podcast efforts. From developing your ideas to taking production off your plate, we've got you covered at Bombtrack Media! Click here to learn more

Current Theme Music courtesy of Alex Grohl via pixabay.com

Podcast Theory is A Bombtrack Media Production