Greetings from Juergen!
This edition of our insights is packed with updates and tips that are shaping the podcasting world. From the latest in AI editing tools making our lives easier, to new YouTube features that could change how we monetize content. Dive in to discover tools and strategies that could refine your podcasting game.
Podcasting Strategy Insights
Podcasting Tech News
Alitu Introduces Magic Filters — to remove ums, ahs, breaths & dead air
Alitu has recently introduced new AI-based "magic filters" that automatically remove filler words like "ums" and "ahs," as well as unnecessary silences from audio tracks. This innovation marks a significant leap forward in podcast editing technology, making the editing process quicker and more user-friendly.
I am looking forward to more widespread use of AI time-saving editing tools. Kudos to Alitu for rolling this out. While we currently use Adobe Audition at Polymash, which offers robust editing capabilities, it doesn't yet include these AI-driven filters for removing filler words. Adobe's progress in other AI technologies suggests potential future enhancements that could match these innovations.
Other tools in the market, such as Descript, Resound and Cleanvoice AI, are also harnessing AI to streamline audio editing, offering features that reduce editing time significantly by removing unwanted sounds and background noise. TimeBolt extends similar capabilities to video content, ensuring that both video and podcast productions are more engaging for audiences. The evolution of these tools underscores a growing trend in the integration of AI within digital content creation, promising exciting developments for podcasters and digital creators alike.
alitu.com
Spotify leaves the IAB; no longer certified
Spotify recently stepped back from its Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) membership, a move that could ripple across the podcasting industry. As reported by Podnews, while Spotify still adheres to IAB's v2.1 standards, its decision to pause membership could set a precedent that might encourage other large platforms to reconsider their own commitments to standardized measurement practices.
"For 2024, we’re taking a pause to make sure that we can participate in an active way and will reevaluate a formal membership later this year," a Spotify spokesperson remarked to Podnews. This strategic pause, though seemingly temporary, speaks volumes about the potential shifts in how industry giants will engage with regulatory bodies.
In the broader context, this decision might not just reflect a strategic realignment but could be seen as distancing from a collective industry effort—despite the high costs of certification that even smaller platforms manage to meet. Such a move by a market leader like Spotify, with significant ad-supported revenue, could influence industry standards and expectations, impacting the landscape of digital advertising in podcasts.
podnews.net
Review: The Lewitt Audio Ray - a microphone with laser-powered autofocus
James Cridland's review of the Lewitt Audio Ray microphone introduces a notable innovation in the world of audio equipment: a laser that automates muting and adjusts voice focus. This feature, as Cridland notes, simplifies recording processes significantly, especially in settings where users may not be well-versed in microphone techniques.
"It’ll cope happily with someone moving while they speak to you, in a way that many microphones won’t."
The Lewitt Audio Ray could be an ideal choice for podcasters looking to enhance their studio setup with a microphone that compensates for movement and varying distances from the sound source. This technology not only ensures consistent audio levels but also maintains the natural tone of the speaker, despite the acoustic challenges of different environments. As described in Podnews, this microphone blends technical sophistication with practical utility, making it a compelling option for anyone serious about audio quality.
podnews.net
Video Podcasting
YouTube lets creators group together their favorite items with shoppable Collections
YouTube's spring update introduces "Shoppable Collections," a feature allowing creators to curate themed collections of products directly in their videos. This evolution from simple affiliate links in video descriptions to more integrated and visually appealing product displays could significantly enhance how creators engage with their audience and monetize their content. As reported by Tubefilter, this functionality is part of a broader enhancement of YouTube's shopping features, which also includes an Affiliate Hub and expanded access to affiliate product tagging.
It's common to see a list of affiliate links in the description of a YouTube video. This ability to create "Shoppable Collections" represents progress beyond merely having a bunch of links in the description.
For podcasters utilizing YouTube, this raises questions about the relevance and application of such features in podcast formats, especially considering the visual nature of "Shoppable Collections." While the feature enriches the video content experience, its utility for podcasters, who often focus on audio-first experiences, remains to be seen. This development, as explored by Tubefilter, continues to highlight YouTube's efforts to enhance creator monetization tools and audience engagement on the platform.
tubefilter.com
Tips & Tricks
11 Tips for Sharing URLs in Your Podcast
OMG, there are so many good points in here I cannot contain myself: This is a complete, and perhaps a bit geeky, guide to sharing URLs on podcasts.
Daniel J. Lewis in his article "11 Tips for Sharing URLs in Your Podcast" provides a comprehensive exploration of the nuances involved in effectively communicating web addresses during podcasts. His insights are particularly valuable for any podcaster or brand looking to leverage audio-based advertising effectively. The discussion on minimizing URL mentions to enhance recall and the recommendation of using a unique URL for each episode to ensure relevance over time are standout strategies.
Lewis also highlights the potential pitfalls of spoken URLs, such as the confusion between similar sounding words or numbers, and the importance of making URLs memorable and easy to type. This guidance is indispensable for maintaining professional and listener-friendly podcast content. For those invested in maximizing their podcast's accessibility and audience engagement, Lewis’s article acts as an essential resource.
theaudacitytopodcast.com
Survey Reveals How Listeners Want to Engage With Your Podcast
Striking a chord with your listeners is only the beginning—what often propels podcast engagement to the next level is your invite for participation. Colin from The Podcast Host elucidates this very premise through a revealing listener survey: People respond positively to simple requests for sharing and interacting with your podcast.
The Lesson is: "Ask, and you shall receive."
For hosts tentative about requesting reviews or interactions due to self-doubt, the survey offers compelling evidence to lay those apprehensions to rest. It's not desperation, it's strategic community building.
As this study points out, an astonishing 13% of podcast shares are prompted by hosts soliciting them directly. Moreover, it emphasizes the value of multi-platform accessibility for listener engagement, underscoring the diverse methods your audience prefers to connect with you and your content. You might think it's trivial, but sometimes, all you need to foster a thriving podcast community is the courage to ask.
thepodcasthost.com
Podcast Monetization
How podcasters are making money on Substack
In podcasting, there seems to be an emerging trend toward subscriber-based revenue models over traditional ad support. On platforms like Substack, creators are forming a more direct financial relationship with their audience, which can lead to a more stable revenue stream, particularly when the ad market is in flux.
"Perhaps most importantly, though, great shows based on the subscriber model are far less vulnerable to the ups and downs of the ad market."
Reflecting on this, while this model wouldn't be my initial recommendation for a podcast just starting out, it has merit for shows with an already established listener base. Platforms like Medium offer advantages for initial audience growth thanks to their existing user base, whereas Substack can be more suitable for monetization efforts once a podcast has gained traction.
Substack's suite of tools offers podcasters a unified system to manage various aspects of their podcasting business. This integration can provide a more streamlined process for creators, making it simpler to handle publishing, payments, and community engagement in one place. As the podcasting industry evolves, prioritizing audience relationships through these platforms can lead to a more secure and potentially prosperous podcasting business.
substack.com
Why Our System for Valuing Podcasts Is Broken
Podcasting's value system is under scrutiny, and Mia Lobel's recent article on Current offers a critical look at why the traditional CPM model isn't the best fit for most podcasts. As Lobel points out, the pitfalls of this model include unreliable download numbers and the challenges faced when new shows estimate their potential reach. This resonates with my view that the CPM model benefits only a select few at the top. Instead, I see sponsorships as a more viable and personalized approach for monetizing the vast majority of podcasts.
"The bottom line is this: Any system that relies on download numbers to determine the value of a podcast is unreliable, unfair, and untenable."
Advertisers often seek out podcasts for their niche audiences, and sponsorships allow for a deeper connection between the content creators and the brands that support them. This model is not only easier to manage but also aligns better with the authentic nature of podcasting. It's time to shift towards a system that values content on more than just numbers, embracing the unique qualities that make podcasting such a powerful medium for storytelling and connection.
Credit to Mia Lobel for sparking this necessary conversation and bringing to light the complexities of podcast monetization. It's a discussion that impacts all of us in the podcasting space, from creators to marketers, and it's crucial for shaping a more equitable future for the industry.
current.org
