Podcast mini-series wrap up

Part 1: Review and recap of compression

Let's do a quick review of compression to make sure the concept is clear. I also refer you back to episode 270 for a discussion and illustration of compression.

The idea is that if you choose a host service provider that provides a monthly storage queue such as?Libsyn, then you will have to take that into consideration as you plan out your episodes.

With a storage queue, you can upload and plan out episodes that fit within that plan; whether it’s 50 MB, 200 MB or more. Compression allows you to keep the math easy, using a 1 MB to 1-minute ratio.

The reason why I bring this is up is that as we’ve covered, a podcast may have many sound “ribbons” or components. You may have multiple conversation tracks, music, intros and outros and transition effects all within one episode. When you export all of this together, using GarageBand or some other platform, the file may end up larger than a 1 min : 1 MB ratio. A 20-minute convo may end up 40 MB or 50 MB, depending on which editing suite you use. By running the file again through a platform like iTunes (now Apple podcasts) and exporting it using a 128 KBPS (“good”) rate, you will create a new file that fits within the easy math framework. iTunes also has the benefit of being a great editing suite to stamp your file: you can add title, author, a descriptive blurb, and your artwork.

Keep in mind, compression is only necessary for those host providers that provide monthly queues. If you use a host service provider with an unlimited storage plan, this won’t come into play. When Moving Forward was hosted on?Libsyn, I would pick the plan I needed each month or keep it the same if I were producing the same amount (and length of content). As of June 2022, I've migrated the podcast to Anchor which provides free hosting so I don't have to worry about storage math.

Podcast mini-series recap and roadmap

• Episode 262: Start your podcast with an exit strategy
• Episode 263: Pick a topic and niche for your show
• Episode 264: Podcasting styles and an introduction to hosting
• Episode 265: Getting started with equipment and software
• Episode 266: Building arcs into your show and best practices for recording
• Episode 267: Repurposing content into a podcast (and vice versa)
• Episode 268: Scheduling interviews and best practices for editing
• Episode 269: Getting guests for your show and adding music and sound effects
• Episode 270: More on editing, file compression and creating podcast artwork
• Episode 271: Podcast mini-series wrap up

You can also check out my?Podcast roadmap?on LinkedIn.

Part 2: It’s time to launch your show!

Now, it’s time to wrap up the podcast mini-series. Over the past two months, we’ve covered a lot and if you’re new to this podcast and want to start at the beginning, start with?episode 262, where I talk about the exit strategy.

Podcasting is a lot of work. If you decide to do this, it will become a part of your weekly or daily life. Make sure you pick a topic or subject matter that you enjoy talking about and have fun with it. However, you should also treat it as a responsibility. The point of this is that you are creating content that will reach an audience, whether it’s to share a skill or expertise or to entertain.

Finally, have goals with your podcast, have an exit strategy, and be realistic with your expectations. When you launch your show, my hope is that it will be a massive hit and you’ll have many downloads and streams. But don’t be disappointed or surprised if that’s not the case. Today, the podcast landscape is so crowded that standing out is harder to do and building an audience and traction takes time. Be patient. Don’t give up if things don't happen overnight. The key is to pick a topic or subject that you could talk about for hours on end without a microphone. Think of putting it on a podcast as gravy; whether you reach 50 or 5 million, these are people you otherwise wouldn’t be connecting with.

Homework

Launch your podcast. You’ve practiced, you’ve learned how to record, and edit and you’ve probably practiced some more. At some point, you need to stop practicing and just launch it. Do it. Even if you’re not sure or don’t feel quite ready, put it out there and see what happens. Work on improving and learning as you go rather than waiting and working on it until it’s “perfect.” Set the launch date, get those first episodes ready, and get it out there. Have fun with this and much success to you as you move forward.

[Note: links to equipment, software, and books are affiliate links for which I may receive compensation for purchases through those links.]

John

John's coloring book,?Corporate Cliches,?is available for sale on?Amazon?and?Barnes & Noble online.

Moving Forward?271?is available on all major podcast outlets.

John Lim (Twitter:?@bemovingforward) is a?TEDx speaker, author, and Poshmark ambassador. His articles on Cobra Kai:?How Cobra Kai is kicking butt at storytelling, marketing, and business?(2018) and?Why 'Cobra Kai's' move to Netflix is the perfect sequel?(2020) are his most read on LinkedIn to date. John has been featured in?Cracked.com,?Authority Magazine, and Inc. John currently hosts the?Moving Forward?podcast. He is the creator of the?Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book, available now on Amazon.