Starting a podcast means you have to make a LOT of decisions. One decision many struggle with is how much they’re willing to pay for podcast hosting. Today I’m sharing my thoughts. https://toptieraudio.com/96

There are so many questions to answer when starting a podcast but some of them come up again and again throughout the lives of our shows. We start with, “What’s the best hosting company?” and “What’s the best microphone?”  But if we stay at it long enough, we also ask the question, “What’s the best computer?” or “What should I look for in a computer?” I recently helped Steven Brittingham of the Hollywood and Beyond Podcast with that question and I’m going to share with you what I shared...

A few months ago I shared a little about an audio issue I’d been able to help troubleshoot for another podcaster and I mentioned that I might come back and share exactly what was happening and why it happened, as well as how to fix it. Yesterday I FINALLY came back to it and explained what had happened (and we got a bit nerdy). But I dropped the ball AGAIN. Today I’m back to show you two ways to fix the problem that was caused by running a single stereo output into a balanced mono...

A few months ago I shared a little about an audio issue I’d been able to help troubleshoot for another podcaster and I mentioned that I might come back and share exactly what was happening and why it happened, as well as how to fix it. Do you know what happened? I forgot to come back and share that so I’m going to do that today. Here’s the scenario - a podcaster finished and published her episode. Everything sounded fine on her headphones and computer speakers. But then people started...

I have a few things for you today. It’s Christmas Eve in the US and I’d like to leave you with a couple of things. First, an answer to the question: should I let guests reschedule? I also have video to share with you and a little listener feedback. What to do if you’re blown off If you’ve had guests on your show for a while, it’s likely you’ve already faced this. If not, it’s almost inevitable. You get a guest booked You prepare and research You send them all the info they need You get...

I had a consultation earlier today (I mean REALLY early) with another podcaster. He was wanting to make sure that he was using Hindenburg and some plugins as best he could - some iZotope products and a Waves plugin. It was a real delight to talk with him about what he’s doing, to go through the workflow, and to offer a few (and I mean just a few) tips or suggestions. It’s just so fun to see a podcaster doing well. I’d like to do more of that, which got me thinking about this past year and...

Elementary school Christmas plays (or holiday pageants) are an interesting experience. In reality, you’re probably only there to see YOUR kids do their thing. But the reality is that you’re often unable to hear them for a reason that afflicts many podcasts, too. Signal to noise ratio. It’s one of the things I often talk with podcasters about when I’m consulting or even when I’m sharing strategies and insights in groups. I might not call it that and I might not go into all of the details....

Today as I was riding to work, I had a road construction experience that made me think about getting getting people subscribed to our shows. More subscribers. We all want more subscribers for our podcasts. There are all kinds of strategies out there for getting more subscribers. But here’s the problem: most of them are focused on the benefits for the PODCASTER. If we’re really serving our audiences, we’ll be focused on ways to serve them and some of the common strategies don’t serve them well...

Have you ever felt that fear before you hit publish? Before you published your first episode, did you wonder what people would think about you? Do you ever downplay what you do when you’re talking with coworkers because you don’t want to fully reveal what you’re doing in your podcast (and not for legal reasons)? All of those have impacted me at one point or another.  Today I’m going to share how I worked through it in the beginning, what I’m doing about it now, and six things that I have...

You might have noticed that I’ve been missing for a few days. After podcasting daily for over a month, you didn’t hear from me and I also didn’t give any explanation.

Being a podcast professional comes with its own special language. A very specific and detailed language. It sounds like English…sort of. Today I was given a small serving of Humble Pie while on a call with Tech Support at work and I was reminded of something that I need to be more carful of as a podcaster. Listen to Discover: What was going on at work (my day job) How that call went Where the call started going sideways What I took away from the situation as an employee What I took away...

Are podcast episode numbers needed? And if so, what is a good format and placement? Tom asks:  Bryan...if it would be an appropriate topic for your Top Tier show...it could be helpful to us if you gave your opinion about episode numbers. Have them or not...format...placement, etc. Tom Today I’m sharing my OPINION but I think it bears out in terms of a best practice.  Listen to discover: Whether episode numbers are required. Why you might want to have episode numbers. Why you might NOT...

A fire drill at work today reminded me of the power of perspective. Truthfully, our expectations and perspective can shape the kinds of experiences we have. And the same applies to podcasting. Listen to Discover: What happened with a fire drill at work The two groups of people I observed Which group I found myself in What I think I need to focus on How this can benefit you as a podcaster. What About You? Have you ever noticed how your perspective shapes your experiences (not just your...

As podcasters, we might feel like we’re putting out an authentic image of ourselves. However, sometimes there are things that might be downplayed or maybe assumed incorrectly by our audiences. Today I’m going to share a few things to make sure the record is straight on me as a podcast editor. Listen to Discover: An incorrect assumption about me as a podcast editor What sometimes takes as long as editing an episode A “shortcut” tool that I sometimes use One thing that I’m not 100%...

“What’s the best podcast microphone?” is asked so often that it’s almost a meme in the various podcasting groups on Facebook. And the similar question, “What software should I use?” could be a meme all its own. However, they’re still valid questions. Today I’m sharing the tools I use in my workflow as a podcaster and as a podcaster. Since I’m in the studio and this show is just me, I’ll focus on that. Listen to discover: What microphone I use What interface I’m using My headphones and...

Have you ever run an experiment that didn’t turn out exactly as planned? I have - and yesterday’s episode (https://toptieraudio.com/80) didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped. The audio was good but I was confusing with the content and it was a little harder to produce than I’d hoped. I received a few follow-up questions (thanks Harry) that I am answering today. Listen to discover What went well and what didn’t with yesterday’s podcast experiment What I think Hindenburg Field Recorder is...

As a podcaster, you may not always be able to record in your studio (even if your studio is the kitchen). So what are you going to do when you’re traveling or on vacation? You can skip episodes, you can work ahead, or you can plan for recording while you’re out. I’m doing that RIGHT now. Listen to Discover Where I’m recording now Why mobile recording is important Some of the trade-offs What I’ve been doing recently What I’m trying to do in mobile recording What is happening to me as I’m...

Do you like to make mistakes? Especially mistakes in public? I know that I don't and I think most other people would prefer to avoid mistakes, too. But sometimes trying to avoid mistakes will keep us stuck (another mistake) and curtail our opportunities to grow. But what if there was a way to gain the growth and learning that comes from making mistakes without the pain of the mistakes? I'm talking about learning from the mistakes of others. Listen to Discover One podcasting mistake that...

A lot of people spend time wondering what the next month or year will bring. Today I’m going to share my 2020 prediction for YOU. Earlier this week I was listening to Better Podcasting (a podcast about podcasting for hobby podcasters) and they challenged me and the rest of their audience to pick something that we will focus on in our shows for 2020. I’m still working on that, but it got me thinking about retrospectives and goals and predictions. Listen to discover: Why goals are important...

Do you like being rejected? I don’t. But I know that rejection and even the occasional failure are likely for podcasters (really, for anyone who’s trying to grow and leave the world a better place). But then comes the question: If I’m likely to be rejected, what can I do about that? Listen to discover: What I did to help get over that initial fear of rejection How many times I’ve been rejected over the past 6 years as a podcaster What I try to take away from a rejection How I dealt with...

Starting a podcast is a lot like driving somewhere you’ve never been before. Even with a map and a great car, it’s possible to get lost. And what’s worse, many of us try to start our podcasts with an entire busload of backseat drivers. Listen to discover the ONE thing I recommend time and time again for new podcasters when they want that ONE piece of advice I’d give to every starting podcaster. Follow it and you’ll be able to avoid those wrong turns, the potholes, and the speed bumps. What...

As podcasters, we create experiences for our audience. Today I’m going to share what I took away from my family’s experience with Frozen II. If you’ve been following for a while, you know that I’m in the middle of a challenge during November. You’ll find links to National Podcast Post Month and David Hooper’s 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge. However, I’m interrupting that challenge to bring this because I thought it was SO good. My family went to see Frozen II this evening. For most of us, it...

Do you have any favorite plugins you use when editing your podcast? Today I’m going to share one that I use almost all of the time. This episode is part of David Hooper’s 30 Day Solo Podcast Challenge over at Big Podcast as well as National Podcast Post Month. I have an assignment and I’m going to take a little liberty with it because I don’t think it was going to serve you very well. Listen to discover: What the assignment was Why I’m changing it What plugin I use almost all the  time Who...

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if things were different? That idea - the idea that things could have been different or that doing one thing may cost us the ability to do something else is called opportunity cost. And that’s the kind of thing that has us making trade-off decisions. It affects our lives in many ways and podcasting is no exception. Choosing a format or a hosting company or even simply choosing to have a podcast will cost something. The thing is, sometimes...