An in-depth conversation with Rob Walch, VP of Podcaster Relations for Libsyn, on every podcaster's favorite topic -- stats.  This episode covers everything from where and how to get your stats to downloads versus streams or plays as well as subscriber counts.  Plus, there is information on what is a good number to have (of downloads).  AND data is given on the top eight platforms that podcasts were listened through in December 2018 and January 2019. Plus, hear about how you can (and how you...

An in-depth conversation with Rob Walch, VP of Podcaster Relations for Libsyn, on every podcaster's favorite topic -- stats.  This episode covers everything from where and how to get your stats to downloads versus streams or plays as well as subscriber counts.  Plus, there is information on what is a good number to have (of downloads).  AND data is given on the top eight platforms that podcasts were listened through in December 2018 and January 2019. Plus, hear about how you can (and how you...

Guest Kristina Holifield not only is a Web designer but she has done more than 400 podcast episodes. Here she discusses a handful of reasons why podcasters should have a website and not simply rest on their show being available (just) on various podcast platforms. There is also a tip given for those who do have a website but haven't changed its look in a while - if at all.

Prepare to take notes as our show host gives you no fewer than ten different ways that you can use to find guests to interview for your podcast, all of which come at no cost to you to employ. It should be noted that these are all in addition to the five methods presented on the previous episode of "TASCAM Talkback," giving you at least 15 different ways to find more people to have on your show. Listen to the request for feedback at the end regarding whether or not to do a spinoff of this topic.

As a little bit of a follow up to the portion of the previous episode of “TASCAM Talkback” that dealt with interview shows, Aidan Vuocolo from the “Stories Behind the Grind” podcast checks in from Australia with steps that you can take to get guests without having to pay to accomplish such. Listen in as he describes the theory behind and application of each.

Being the only person on-air on your podcast versus having co-hosts, and, whether to do interviews or not.  These are all crucial considerations for the format of your podcast, but, what are the pros and cons of each approach?  This episode explores the pluses and minuses for why you might – or might not – consider one or the other.  There’s even advice for someone considering changing their format.  Plus, we make a big announcement about something new that we’ve launched for podcasters!

How serious are you about the quality of your sound? How do you want to come across to your listeners? How do you want your voice to sound? An all-in-one solution doesn't work as well as components, so listen to this episode and learn the differences between dynamic and condenser or between cardioid and omni-directional. You'll come away knowing about different types of microphones - how they work, why they work, and what they're for. Are you ready to step up from recording into your phone or...

As a complement to Episode 17, which dealt with vocal health, on this installment of TASCAM Talkback the host is joined by vocal expert Tracy Goodwin from Captivate The Room in addressing questions such as, Do you know how to use your voice? How do you want the listener to feel? For those podcasters who do interviews, what happens when you have a guest whose energy level sounds very unenthusiastic and uninspiring for the listeners? Did you know that we process everything in the voice on a...

While we talked about how to promote your podcast (in general) on an earlier episode, this time around the conversation centers specifically on steps that you can take to promote an episode before it ever even gets released.  Listen in as the host of The Danielle Daily shares seven angles you can leverage to gain attention and thus help overcome the challenge that podcasters face – especially those whose show isn’t daily – of what to post about on social media.

How do podcasters keep finding things to talk about? Always having a topic for each show is critical to keeping a show going.  The more often your podcast comes out, the more challenging it is to think of subject matter to present. On this episode, Mark Asquith, who has done over 500 podcast episodes, gives strategies and even covers "have I talked about this before?" and "what if someone else has already done a podcast on that topic?" Listen for tips on how to get ideas for something to...

How do podcasters keep finding things to talk about? Always having a topic for each show is critical to keeping a show going.  The more often your podcast comes out, the more challenging it is to think of subject matter to present. On this episode, Mark Asquith, who has done over 500 podcast episodes, gives strategies and even covers "have I talked about this before?" and "what if someone else has already done a podcast on that topic?" Listen for tips on how to get ideas for something to...

As a follow-up to a couple prior episodes aimed at those who record their podcast at home, we delve this time into a creative setup solution, thanks to a listener who wrote in with something anyone can take advantage of -- podcaster, YouTuber, or any other creator.  If you are unhappy with and battle against your current setup, listen as Craig Richard describes what he came up with to eliminate bumps and other obstacles that were impacting the recording of his podcasts.  We also refer you to...

While streamers (especially YouTubers) will benefit from this episode too, since there is talk of using the following in videos too, setting the emotion, the tone, what you want your listeners to feel – before you even speak your first word – can be accomplished by having the right music playing to intro your podcast.  Listen to not only a conversation with Ryan Allen from StockMusic.net, who discusses the logistics and legalities and other considerations around royalty-free tracks, but,...

While streamers (especially YouTubers) will benefit from this episode too, since there is talk of using the following in videos too, setting the emotion, the tone, what you want your listeners to feel – before you even speak your first word – can be accomplished by having the right music playing to intro your podcast.  Listen to not only a conversation with Ryan Allen from StockMusic.net, who discusses the logistics and legalities and other considerations around royalty-free tracks, but,...

Some podcasters say that audio quality isn’t super important, that it’s good content that keeps listeners coming back.  However, if your audio isn’t friendly to the listener’s ear, it could be a deal breaker.  How can you make your episodes sound better?  On this episode the host and TASCAM Director of Marketing Eric Larsen talk about EQ’ing – what it is, the features and benefits, plus when, where, why, and how to take advantage of it.  They also discuss the topic in relation to what was...

Is the content in your podcast dated?  Is what you present time-sensitive, such that it's no longer relevant if a listener finds it "too late"?  Listen to a conversation with someone who does a daily podcast and intentionally aims to deliver content in such a way that it doesn't have a limited shelf life.  Hear how you might pivot to reposition your podcast so that a new listener that discovers it will find current and prior episodes helpful and thus be more likely to become a subscriber. ...

Our host did man-on-the-street interviews in Nashville, asking folks who have been interviewed on a podcast before what their experience was like. Are podcast interview opportunities welcomed in the same way that radio and TV are?  Did they feel the host did a good job interviewing them? Were they pleased with the finished product (the podcast episode they were interviewed on)?  What could have been done better?  Hear the feedback from the five individuals who spoke to TASCAM – as well as our...

At the core of what podcasting is (or was) supposed to be for many podcasters is using it as a digital marketing tool.  On this episode the host admits to first-hand straying and how podcasters can easily get sidetracked into chasing monetization channels that aren't that first one -- using your podcast to promote your business.  Joining him on this episode is Mike Stewart, who has been on the leading edge of digital marketing for years and who talks about how he successfully used one of the...

As TASCAM Talkback hits the one-year mark, our show host merges his experience putting this show out every other week and releasing his other podcast every week with an on-location discussion with David Hooper from Big Podcast, who has experience releasing a podcast every day of the week, once a week, and doing a radio show too.  The two address the challenges and the benefits of these various release schedules as well as how this all intertwines with audience building.  And, be sure to stick...

Our longest episode ever! Users of top streaming platforms discuss Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Periscope, and even one other website that has live broadcast capabilities and a monetization aspect that feels like Patreon. This episode helps podcasters consider additional avenues for getting notice for their show, for their brand, and it lets them know about hardware, software, and relevant considerations.  Hear from three individuals who are using these services on a very regular basis.

Where do you record your podcast?  At home?  At a studio?  At a library?  What is the difference?  What are the pros and cons of each?  Our show host walks you through the need-to-know for each of those environments, based on his own first-hand personal experience.  Regardless of whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or pro podcaster, this episode will help you make an informed decision on where is best for you to record, now as well as 6-12 months from now.

As a logical continuation from our previous episode -- and thanks to a listener request -- we delve into your podcast's show notes page; what it is and what it isn't, the reasons why you might or might not include or withhold certain information for it, the bare bones basics you should have, how it differs from your episode description, and relatable examples as well as some tips. This episode will help you give your listeners a reason to come to your podcast website, even if they are regular...

The Do's and Don'ts of a podcast episode title and description, including why and why not, plus results of a poll taken for this episode.  Our show host also presents two exercises that a podcaster can do to help with their episode titles and episode descriptions.

Having good content is always key, but making your podcast sound even better can go a long way towards building and keeping an audience.  This episode features a conversation between the show host and TASCAM’s Eric Larsen about compression – what it is, why you would use it, how it will affect your podcast’s sound, and even where it came from.  Audio samples are included to give a demonstration of a clip where no, some, or too much compression is used.

Conversations were recorded in the Podcasting Pavilion at the NAB Show in Las Vegas last month, centered around what questions the broadcasters were asking relative to adopting our medium.  Listen as seven individuals talk about the type of response broadcasters had/have to podcasting during their face-to-face conversations at the tradeshow in Las Vegas.  This episode also helps current podcasters see the many facets of the business from a different perspective and even learn a new option or...