Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone thinks podcasts are easy until they decide to actually start one. How hard can it be to talk, right? Turns out, much like everything else, if you want to do it well, it requires quite a bit of planning, effort, and courage. Over the past several years of working with authors, speakers, small business owners, and hobbyists I’ve picked up a few tips that might be helpful to you no matter your level of podcasting experience.

WhICH podcast hosting SERVICE do you recommend?

If you’re just getting started, Spotify for Creators is a great free option. They allow video uploads, clips, polls, and have pretty excellent analytics.

If you’re looking at monetizing your show, check out options like Acast, Audioboom, or Podbean. Then there are classic hosts like Libsyn, Buzzsprout, and Blubrry. Truthfully, each service is pretty user-friendly, but what’s “best” will depend on your priorities.

Even if you’re not making video content, I recommend everyone upload to YouTube for show discoverability. (Believe it or not, they’re one of the biggest podcast platforms.) Also, if you’re looking at listener-supported options, check out Patreon and Supercast.

Where Do I find Music for my podcast?

There are heaps of fantastic music resources. My top recommendations are AudioJungle, Storyblocks, or searching YouTube Audio Library for royalty-free (or creative commons) music. If you’re feeling really fancy, you can have a custom song created for you through Songfinch or Music Radio Creative.

What software should I use to edit my audio?

I personally use Adobe Audition which requires a monthly subscription. However, if you know what you’re doing, the built-in filters and features are worth the expense. But if you’re just getting started, there’s no need to invest right away. If you’ve got a Mac, GarageBand comes as part of your iLife Software Suite. For PC users (or Mac, if GB isn’t your thing), download Audacity. It’s absolutely fantastic.

(Terminology tip: editing software is often referred to as DAW - digital audio workstation.)

How do I record my interviews?

At this point, most of us are more familiar with video conferencing than we’d probably like to be. Fortunately, that will come in handy for podcasting. You can record your calls on one or split tracks through Zoom, just check the options. If you’re meeting through Microsoft Teams or another video conferencing software, you can record the audio directly in your DAW. Squadcast is another popular option.

My top recommendation is Riverside. They record up to 4K video and separate audio tracks for each participant, plus they make it easy to clip video to use for your social media.

How can I make cover art and graphics for my show?

Canva makes designing graphics almost too easy. Find a template and make it your own or design from scratch. (And most of the features are free!) I cannot recommend this service enough for anything from album art to invites to your kid’s birthday party.

I see those graphics on social media with audio clips in them. How do I make those?

I refer to those as audiograms, and there are several web services that you can use to make them, but I use OpusClip.

How can I get my show transcribed?

A lot of hosts will do this for you automatically now, but if you want free transcription independent of those, try FreePodcastTranscription.

Can you help me get advertising?

Ad sales aren’t currently part of my services. However, regardless of your stats, affiliate links are a great way to recoup some of your expenses. If there’s a program or product that you refer to often or something that you just personally love, check to see if the company offers an affiliate program. When you partner with them, you get money every time someone uses your promo code or link to purchase the product. If you can’t think of an advertiser that fits your show’s demographic, consider starting with Audible. If they listen to podcasts, there’s a solid chance they also listen to audiobooks.

Another option is to seek listener support from your community through Patreon.

If your show is attracting a larger audience, you may be eligible for monetization through larger podcast ad agencies like AdvertiseCast (minimum of 1,000 downloads per episode) or Audioboom (minimum of 10,000 plays per month).

New Client FAQ

How do I send You my files?

My preference is for you to share access to a Google Drive folder where you will upload all of your content. The main folder should be titled your show name and new folders should be added for every episode.

You may send files via Dropbox, but please be sure to send me direct links to download the files, not shared access to your Dropbox.

How far in advance do you need my audio?

7 days before its publishing date. I know it can be hard to stay on schedule, especially when it comes to recording interviews, so I build flexibility into my schedule, but in order to ensure all my client’s episodes are delivered on time, I ask that you please notify me if your audio is going to be delayed so I can accommodate you. Raw audio delivered with less than a 48-hour turnaround time may be subject to a rush fee. I will always let you know as soon as possible if I cannot deliver the episode by your deadline.

This particular episode is longer than usual. will there be an upcharge?

Possibly. I’m pretty flexible when it comes to raw audio length, but if your raw audio comes decidedly longer than its typical run-time, you may incur an upcharge. I will notify you by email of the upcharge before I perform any edits.

I’m having recording issues. can you help me?

Since there are so many different types of programs, equipment, and ways to set up your studio, I can’t guarantee that I can solve your problem, but I’ll do my best. If I can’t help, I’m happy to direct you to resources that should assist you. If you need answers quickly and I am unavailable, start by Googling it or asking a Facebook podcast group.

Oops! My audio is damaged. Can you repair it?

I’ll do my best, but some problems are easier to solve than others. If you hear a problem before or while you record, it’s always best to address it then. I know it’s embarrassing to hold up a guest with technical issues, but it’s more embarrassing to waste their time recording an unsalvagable interview. (Trust me, I’ve done it.)

How do I pay you?

I invoice monthly through Quickbooks. Online payments are accepted through PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle and are due within 30 days of the invoice date. I also accept checks.