Podcasting Strategy Insights

Greetings from Juergen!

Welcome to this month's Podcasting Strategy Insights! In this edition, we're exploring AI's continued influence on everything, YouTube Studio's podcast support, and the considerations of video podcasting. Additionally, we're introducing our title sponsor, SwellAi.com, an AI-driven show notes generator.

Join us as we navigate the latest trends and insights in the podcasting world. Together, let's learn, grow, and enjoy the art of podcasting!

Video Podcasting

YouTube Studio rolls out podcast support and tools for Creators

YouTube Studio now allows users to create and set playlists as podcasts. This is done by selecting the “Podcasts” tab in the Content page.

A podcast show is considered to be a playlist, with each video in that playlist serving as a podcast episode that can be played in audio-only format.

When a video is designated as a podcast, it will be identified with a badge and will appear with a show card in search results. Creators must include a square podcast thumbnail, as well as a title and a comprehensive description.

Podcasters weigh the cost-benefit of producing video podcasts - Digiday

Is your goal with video podcasting to just rank on YouTube? According to this article:

For what it’s worth, a YouTube spokesperson said video and audio-only podcasts are not weighed differently by the platform’s recommendations algorithm.

I thought this was interesting, a lot of our clients and podcasting friends put a lot of effort into producing a finished show that seems like a TV or Netflix product, with backgrounds, lighting, camera, angles, and all sorts of pro video accoutrements.

Perhaps all this effort is not strictly necessary, at least not if all you want to do is rank?

On Artificial Intelligence

Opinion | Everything, Everywhere Is Going to Change All at Once - The New York Times

Yes, I know, another link to an A.I. article:) People are waking up to the massive scale of the impact AI will have on all of us, and even Thomas Friedman, author and thought leader on global issues, as well as columnist at the New York Times, is taken aback.

While not particularly about podcasting, I feel that our industry has been an early adopter and ahead of the curve. But at the same time not truly reflective of the all-encompassing and disruptive changes that are coming.

Thomas Friedman comments on the saying that "Any sufficiently advanced form of technology is indistinguishable from magic":

I just saw magic, and it’s the future.

Our Title Sponsor

Fuel Your Podcast with SwellAi.com - Currently The Best Show Notes Generator (IMHO)

As someone who has tested every AI show notes generator on the market, I can confidently say that SwellAi.com is the best I've evaluated.

With ChatGPT integration, uploading an .mp3 file is all you need to get started. The transcript is accurately processed, ensuring that the resulting show notes article has sub-headings, paragraphs, and follows the topics covered in the show. The feature of "staying on topic" sets SwellAi.com apart from other generators. Just by asking SwellAI via the built-in ChatGPT, you can also generate excellent Instagram, LinkedIn, and social media posts which are relevant and engaging.

Don't just take my word for it, go try it out for free and upload or link to your own video or podcast episode. SwellAi.com is the perfect solution for any content creator looking for accurate and engaging show notes generated quickly and easily.

I recently tested this for a podcast that records in a super noisy restaurant, with a lot of back and forth conversation while ordering food — And surprisingly the resulting story and show notes were still right on topic.

Search Engine Optimization

Podcast SEO: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Podcast Rank

Podchaser just released a new eBook on Podcast SEO.

Tips & Tricks

Avoid These Words in Your Podcast Title

When it comes to creating a podcast, choosing the right title can be a crucial factor in attracting listeners. We often help prospective podcasters with SEO research for their show. By incorporating well-researched keywords into the title and URL, podcasters can increase their visibility and attract more traffic to their website, even if they are just starting out. And while SEO research can help in selecting an optimal title, it is also important to consider what words to avoid. Certain phrases or terms may have negative connotations or be too generic, making it harder for the podcast to stand out in a crowded field.

In his informative article, podcasting expert Daniel J Lewis shares useful tips for selecting a compelling podcast title that resonates with the target audience and avoids common pitfalls.

Podcast Monetization

Pluralistic: Podcasts are hearteningly enshittification resistant

Cory Doctorow on Podcast monetization

Where others were cautious, Spotify was reckless. It bought popular podcasts and podcast networks, then severely enshittified their programs by locking them inside Spotify's walled garden. Audience numbers plummeted, demoralizing podcast creators who were uninterested in the future date when Spotify and its Magic Underpants Gnomes would figure out how to wring more money out of the tiny cohort that stuck around.

And there you have it, folks! That's a wrap for this month's Podcasting Strategy Insights. I hope you enjoyed exploring the world of podcasting with us. Thank you for your company and for reading!

Get ready for next month's issue, where I'll shift the focus to the mighty world of podcast SEO. I believe it's a key area that deserves your attention for growth, particularly for new podcasters with smaller audience sizes. So, let's take a step back from the monetization and social media frenzy and dive into the realm of podcast SEO together!

I'd love to hear back from you—just hit reply and let me know what topics you'd like to see us focus on in future editions. Your input is invaluable as we continue to bring you podcasting insights. Until then, happy podcasting, and see you in the next edition! 🎧🎉