School of Podcasting - Plan, Launch, Grow and Monetize Your Podcast

I'm diving deep into the pros and cons of doing a live podcast, inspired by a question from Ralph over at askralph.com. If you’ve ever considered going live with your show—whether with video or audio—you’ll want to hear my honest take after years of experience.

I break down what it’s really like to start live streaming, especially if you’re new to podcasting or just thinking about expanding into video. From gear recommendations, background setups, and green screens to my latest waste-of-money purchase (ouch!), I share what works, what doesn’t, and what you should really consider before investing.

You’ll hear why consistency in scheduling is key and how I built a loyal live audience for Ask the Podcast Coach, which now feels like the new Saturday morning cartoons for my regulars. I talk candidly about realistic audience expectations—don’t be shocked when only a handful show up at first!—and why you shouldn’t start live if you're overwhelmed by tech.

I run through my favorite live streaming platforms, like Restream, eCamm Live, EVMux, and Streamyard, and why I personally steer clear of Riverside despite its flashy features. I talk camera options, from affordable 4K webcams to fancy DSLRs, and stress why you should practice, practice, practice before going live in front of folks.

You’ll also get my advice on handling live chat, co-host dynamics, the need for two monitors, and the occasional awkwardness of booting guests off gracefully. I share war stories about live mishaps, from surprise guests to technical gremlins, and why your audience is nearly always rooting for you.

If you’re weighing whether the extra expense, learning curve, and time spent prepping for live shows is worth it, I’ll walk you through how it’s brought me closer to my audience and generated great content for my main show. Spoiler: For me, the connection, fun, and instant feedback have made it worthwhile—even if those first few live shows felt like talking to a brick wall!

Takeaways:

• Going live can totally change your podcast game, but it comes with a whole load of tech headaches.
• There are so many tools out there for live streaming, but honestly, they all have their quirks and bugs.
• You really need to be consistent with your live show schedule, or folks will forget about you faster than a sneeze in a windstorm.
• Interacting with your audience live can spark some killer ideas, so don't shy away from it!
• Don't overthink your video background; if they care more about your messy room than your words, that's a problem.
• Prepare like you're about to run a marathon, because going live isn't just 'turn it on and chat' - it's a whole production!

Equipment Mentioned

Neewer Keylight Kit

Obsbot Meet 4k Camera

Yolo 3 4K Camera

Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD 4K

Sony ZV-E10 II DSLR...

Welcome back! In this episode, I tackle this month’s big question: "How long did it take you to bring your podcast from an idea in your head to execution—and how long to find your audience?"

I share stories from guest contributors and reflect on my own process after launching nearly 40 different shows over the years. Todd the Gator kicks things off describing how his gaming show “Guardian Downcast” was born, with community members pulling him into hosting after another podcast called it quits. He recalls the whirlwind of learning what a podcast actually is, how to publish it, and how long it took their show to fully find its identity—hint: half their existence!

Steve Stewart joins in, sharing that his first podcast took a full year to go from idea to launch. Facing the usual fears and uncertainty, Steve found accountability and guidance with a coach, which made all the difference. He also talks about the slow climb to finding an audience and how connecting with similar podcasts really helped boost those early numbers.

Chris shares a personal journey that traces 20 years of tinkering before launching his current show “Cool Cars with Chris.” After plenty of experimenting and previous podcasts, he finally returned to his passion for cars and found a format that felt true to himself.

I reflect on my own timelines, explaining that those first launches tend to take much longer thanks to the steep learning curve. Once I got the hang of things, I could launch new shows in a day or even a weekend. That said, good planning is key. I break down a suggested six-week timeline for new podcasters—everything from concept and audience research to equipment, recording, editing, feedback, and hosting. Trust me, the more time you spend planning in the beginning, the less time you’ll be spending fixing things later.

We also dig into the importance of feedback. Whether you’re getting listeners’ reactions or setting up listening parties to watch how your core audience responds, feedback is what helps you refine and grow your show.

I wrap up with tips for making your podcast stand out, advice for building a website and collecting email addresses, and a reminder that your launch strategy matters as much as your content. Plus, a quick book recommendation for anyone working on their visuals—and a little movie review, just for fun!

As Always - It Depends

If your podcast is "just for fun" then maybe you don't need to spend so much time thinking about how your show will be different. You do need to check and make sure someone else is not using your name.

Check out the Podcast Launch Checklist

When It Comes to Podcast Marketing

At it's basic form, podcast marketing strategies start with knowing who your audience is (specifically) and going to where they are. Then make friends with them, and finally tell them about your show.

Thanks To The Contributors!

Steve Stewart - Podcast Editors Academy

Chris Smith - Cool Cars With Chris

Todd the Gator - Guardian Downcast / Fifty Years Experience Required

Links referenced in this episode:

• schoolofpodcasting.com
• guardiandowncast.com

In today's episode, we're going to pull back that curtain on podcasting best practices. And some of these conventions are grounded in logic and proven results, and others might just be myths that we're just blindly following. I explain why I think these are legit, and explain why some of these are not accurate. As always your audience may be different than mine, but based on 20 years in podcasting, these are the just some of the best practices I teach at the School of Podcasting.

Why is Recording a Test Episode before launch a Podcast Best Practice?

1. Authors have rough drafts
2. Athletes have pre-season
3. Actors have dress rehearsal
4. When you publish the first thing you record, you are essentially publishing a "rough draft." Anytime you do something for the first time, it's not as good as the second.

Why is Defining a Clear Topic or Niche a Podcast Best Practice?

1. It makes it easy to create content. If I'm making dinner for a bunch of vegans, I know what I can make and what I couldn't.
2. This makes it easier to market. Now instead of marketing to Vegans, Carnivore, or those who are Glucose Intolerant, etc.
3. You can also lump this in with the advice of "Know your audience."
4. What appears is a downside may be an upside: a smaller but more loyal audience.

Why Is Getting to the Topic ASAP a Podcast Best Practice?

1. Do you have a ton of free time?
2. Look at Netflix, when an episode is over it give you an option to skip the credits and go to the next episode. When you go to the next episode, it prompts you to skip the intro. This leads me to believe it is best to get to the content asap.

Why is Knowing Why Your Are Podcasting a Podcast Best Practice?

1. When a podcaster doesn't get the result they had hoped to receive, they quit (often before their 10th episode).
2. If you were hired by a company to earn more money, and then they paid you the same (or less) would you stay?

Why is Engaging with Audience and Creating a Community a Podcast Best Practice?

1. The previous best practice was "Get to know your audience." This is how you get to know them.
2. This can be on social, email, anyway you can interact with your audience you should do it.

Why is Prioritizing Sound Quality a Podcast Best Practice?

1. You want it to be EASY to consume your content. You don't want the audience to strain to consume your content. Reverb or "room noise" can become a serious issue when the listener is in a car with the noise of the tires on the road. Think of it this way,  smear vaseline on your glasses and try to watch something. You can do it, but it takes extra effort. We need it to be EASY
2. Even in videos, the key ingredient is not lighting but audio. If I can see you but can't hear you what's the point.
3. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on equipment. You can get started with a Samson Q2U microphone. If you want to do video, you can get a pair of Rode Wireless Micro microphones and use your phone as a camera.

Why is Knowing What You're Going to Say Before Your Press Record a Best Practice?

1. I always say, less planning equals more editing. This can lead to it taking longer to produce an episode
2. While you want it to feel conversational like a phone call with your best friend, it is a performance for a global audience.
3. Without focus, you again tend to ramble, repeat...

Podcasting is a wild ride, and who better to ride along with us than Cassian Bellino? She's got this killer attitude that turns failures into stepping stones. Seriously, if you think you need a perfect setup to start podcasting, think again! Cassian talks about how she built her Instagram following to over 113,000 by just being herself and sharing her journey. It's not about how many people listen or follow; it’s about the fact that you’re doing what you love. We dive into the nitty-gritty of social media strategies, like how she engages her audience and drives them from Instagram to her podcast. And let’s be real, if you’re not experimenting and embracing the cringe, are you even trying? So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your podcast game, this episode is packed with gems that remind us it’s all about attitude, authenticity, and that sweet, sweet journey of learning.

Takeaways:

• Cass's secret weapon for success isn't her tools, but her killer attitude that keeps her going.
• In podcasting, it's essential to embrace failure as a learning experience, not a setback.
• Even if nobody listens, keep podcasting for yourself and the joy it brings you.
• Automations and social media strategies can effectively funnel your audience back to your podcast.

Links referenced in this episode:

• schoolofpodcasting.com
• bibspeak.com
• Instaclub - learn Instagram
• Stampede Social
• Manychat

Mentioned in this episode:

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

I'd Love T See you!

I will be at the following events: November 8, Podindy.com Whiteland Indiana January 15-18 Podfest Multimedia Expo in Orlando, Fl February 17–20, 2026 NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention, Nashville, Tennessee

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

How many episodes do you listen to in a week? And of those episodes how many different podcasts are there? I need your answer by October 24th. Don't forget to tell us a little about your show and your website address.

Question of the Month

The past year we've lost some great people in the podcasting family. Neil Guilarte and Todd Cochrane both died suddenly with no warning. If you're not prepared, you leave your family in a lurch adding to the stress of your passing. I bring on The Podcast Lawyer Gordon Firemark to explain some of the ins and outs (Gordon doesn't do wills and such, but can explain the process). As law change based on location you may want to hire someone locally, or use an online tool that adjusts to your location.

Takeaways:

• If you don't have a will, your podcast may not end up where you want it to.
• Dying without instructions for your podcast can lead to chaos for your family.
• Setting up a will or a plan for your podcast is just plain smart business.
• Don't wait until it's too late; get your podcast plans in order now.
• Having a podcast prenup can save your loved ones from a lot of headaches later.
• Make sure your family knows how to access your podcast info if you suddenly vanish.

Mentioned in this Episode

• School of Podcasting
• Gordon Firemark
• Gordon's YouTube Channel
• 1password
• Bitwarden
• Article by James Cridland from Podnews
• Law Depot

Mentioned in this episode:

Question of the Month

How many episodes do you listen to in a week? And of those episodes how many different podcasts are there? I need your answer by October 24th. Don't forget to tell us a little about your show and your website address.

Question of the Month

I'd Love T See you!

I will be at the following events: November 8, Podindy.com Whiteland Indiana January 15-18 Podfest Multimedia Expo in Orlando, Fl February 17–20, 2026 NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention, Nashville, Tennessee

Where Will I Be?

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

Growing a podcast isn’t just about hitting record and hoping for the best. If you’ve been tuning in, you know we’re all about making remarkable content that actually resonates with listeners. Last week, we dug deep into what successful shows are doing differently, and trust me, it’s not rocket science. It’s about conversation, not just broadcasting.

Today, I’m sharing free tools and insights to help connect with your audience better and some juicy news from Spotify that might just change the way you think about your podcast. Spoiler alert: it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

I looked at some of the big names in the biz and guess what? Most of them have one thing in common — they interact with their listeners. They don’t just talk at you; they want to talk with you. We’re talking newsletters, voicemails, and even knowing the eye color of your audience. Because if you can relate to your listeners on that level, you’re doing something right. I even had a hilarious blunder with my email list that turned into a goldmine of feedback — the kind of feedback that makes or breaks your show. So, if you’re still wondering why your podcast isn’t growing, it might be time to roll up those sleeves and get face-to-face with your audience, even if it’s over Zoom.

The best way to find out what your audience wants is to ask them. I’m inviting you into my podcast kitchen to help shape future episodes. Because at the end of the day, your podcast should feel like a recipe that everyone can enjoy together. Join me for a live chat on October 16th where we’ll dive into what you want to hear, and let’s make this show the best it can be. Remember, if you want to grow, you have to listen first. Now, go out there and start those conversations!

Tools To Get In Touch With Your Audience

You could do this via

I am still in shock about the loss of Todd Cochrane.

I just saw him a few weeks ago 30 lbs lighter and looking great. I've known Todd for 20+ years. The man who wrote the very first book on podcasting. In looking for pictures, I only have this one in a group. Why? Because you always think a person will be there to do it next time.

Todd was a character. Unique. There will never be another one. At every event I would end up at a table with Todd, "The Robs" (Greenlee and Walch) and other OGs. Always great to catch up and share insights with the goal of making sure the podcast space was doing OK.

I will remember Todd as the courageous advocate of the independent podcaster. At one point he would get deals by grouping shows together. This was a HUGE nightmare of paperwork, but he wanted to see the "indies" make some money. I was one of those indies, and it was one of the first times I made money with a podcast. That wouldn't have happened without Todd.

On a recent show he talked about he wouldn't do a deal where the podcaster made less than 70%. Other companies are taking deals of 50%. Not Todd. The podcaster must be paid.

I loved that he had a wider view of the podcast space as the CEO of Blubrry and was always sharing what he saw. My favorite phrase to hear Todd say was, "I probably shouldn't say this but..." because you knew what was coming was a doozy. When you hear the stat, "Most podcasters don't make it past episode seven" that was first delivered by Todd Cochran. He was always open to share so if there was a problem so we could all solve it together.

Todd was the man behind the People's Choice Podcast Awards. When some shows didn't win, he received death threats. Did it stop him from holding the awards next year? No. Todd earned next to nothing for doing those awards, but did it for the indies (noticing a pattern yet?). Lots of work for next to no pay as long as the indie would benefit.

One of my favorite memories of Todd was way back at the New Media Expo. There was an off site party at a bar. I was running the podcast track, and got there late. The bar was at the top of a slope, so I was walking up this slight hill as Todd exited the bar. I believe the ol' sailor had consumed some spirits.

Todd had not made it down the two or three steps to the parking lot, so there I was gazing up at Todd who looked 10 feet tall. They had been talking about bigger companies getting into podcasting. Before I could even say hello, Todd raised his fist in the air and shouted, "There is a fox in hen house boys! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!"

So there he was, larger than life, fist in the air, up against the dark Vegas sky fighting for the indies.

There will never be another Todd Cochrane.

RIP My Friend.

Todd's Presentation from the New Media Expo 2015 - Reflections on 10 Years of Podcasting

• Todd Cochrane shared insights from 10 years of podcasting, covering 1024 episodes
• Spent 7,291 hours (303 days) creating content
• Emphasized the importance of audience relationship and engagement

Key Topics:

Audience Relationship

• Concept of "Ohana" (family) - treating listeners like close family
• Building trust and personal connection with audience
• Sharing personal stories and being authentic

Podcasting Journey

• Started in 2004 after a military injury
• Grew from zero to 45,000 listeners within 60 days
• Developed relationships with sponsors (e.g., GoDaddy for 10 years)

Monetization

• Showed actual earnings from podcasting
• Discussed sponsorship models (CPM, flat rate, CPA)
• Emphasized creating value for sponsors

Podcasting Challenges

• Need for accurate download statistics
• Importance of content...

Over the 20 years there are certain questions that get asked over and over, and today I share my thoughts on How Do I Grow My Podcast Audience? The part that will get me in hot water, is I'm pointing my finger at your content (and delivery).

Get the Remarkable Episode Checklist

Who and Why

When it comes to growing your podcast, there are two things that drive the content and the first one is who is your audience. It can’t be “everybody” and it can’t be “men 25 to 50” as there is a big difference between those two men. There is one situation that I’ll talk about in a minute that is an exception.

The Three R’s

Relative Content: Shows the audience, ““I understand where you are, and here’s something useful for you today.”

Remarkable Content: Create episodes worth talking about or sharing.  A good podcast reliably informs or entertains with quality, while a remarkable podcast emotionally connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression through exceptional storytelling, unique content, or innovative presentation

When you have relative, remarkable content it resonates with your audience (and they tell a friend).

Examine Your Show

podcastsconnect.apple.com and creators.spotify.com allow you to check your completion rate.

Community, Community, Community

You can use tools like Heartbeat, Systeme, and Circle (Systeme has a free version) to build a community.

How many checks does your episode check on the Remarkable Content Checklist?

Create a survey for your audience (to find out what they want, and how you're doing delivering value). Podpage has a built in survey based on the book The Audience is Listening by Tom Webster ( a must read).

More Ways to Grow Than Downloads

Your podcast leads to relationship which lead to opportunity.

Your network grows.

You can become THE person in your niche - if you don't quit.

Feel Like Giving Value Back?

Say thanks by giving back (it makes you feel wonderful)

Mentioned In This Episode

• Growthinreverse.com
• schoolofpodcasting.com
• Podcast Hot Seat
• castahead.net

Outsourcing for your podcast is a bit like dating—you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince (or princess). This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of hiring help for your podcast, featuring stories from our listeners who’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt (or the horror story).

Kim Newlove shares her success with hiring a coach and how that investment paid off in spades. On the flip side, York's experience is a cautionary tale about the perils of hiring without doing proper research. It’s a mixed bag of outcomes, and we’re here for all of it. We also explore the broader theme of investing in your podcast and the balance between saving money and getting quality help. After all, sometimes you gotta spend a little to save a lot—like time, sanity, and the integrity of your podcast. Tune in for laughs, lessons learned, and a whole lot of real talk on the do’s and don’ts of podcast hiring.

Need Help Finding an Editor?

If you need help finding an editor use THIS LINK which will go to Steve Stewart who co-runs the Podcast Editor Academy and he will send your information to people in that group. 

Takeaways:

• Hiring help for your podcast can feel like tossing cash into a bonfire, trust me on that.
• Not every graphic designer is a wizard; sometimes they just wave a magic wand and call it a day.
• If you think a cheap website designer will give you a Gucci site, you’re dreaming, my friend.
• Outsourcing editing can be a lifesaver, especially if your vacation plans involve avoiding the editing cave.
• Remember, folks, you either pay in time or in money, so choose wisely, even if it hurts.
• Always check the credentials of the person you hire for your podcast; a fancy title doesn’t mean they won’t mess everything up.

Links referenced in this episode:

• schoolofpodcasting.com
• podcastbranding.co
• thepharmacistsvoice.com
• perrysburgpodcast.com
• welcometoearthstories.com
• askralph.com
• mediavoiceovers.com
• sounddogs.com
• tunereel.com
• podpage.com
• schoolofpodcasting.com
• podcasthotseat.com
• empoweredpodcasting.com
• marriedandloveit.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Question of the Month

How many episodes do you listen to in a week? And of those episodes how many different podcasts are there? I need your answer by October