Who Will Win the Battle of Paid Podcast Subscriptions?

Apple Is Launching Subscriptions

Here is what we know:

In the US, it's $19.99 a year to participate

Your show is only available in the Apple podcast app but it's not exclusive.

You can set your monthly and yearly subscription price, and signing up will be super easy.

You can offer a free trial along with a freemium model (some free episodes and some paid).

The first year a person subscribes Apple takes 30% of the revenue from that listener, the second year of their subscription they take 15.

Apple will host your files and choose the output format.

Stats on your downloads for the subscribers will come from Apple.

When you sign up for a "regular" podcast you need to choose the one with an RSS feed.

Apple is having MAJOR difficulties this week and as I write this my dashboard has been reading

"We're setting up your account.

This could take a few hours. When we're finished, you can start adding new shows" since 4/21 (it's 4/25 as I write this).

If you're on Anchor and you let Anchor submit your show, you will need to get your show under your Apple ID.

Check out Apple's site

The Math of Subscriptions

Let's look at a podcast that is getting 150 downloads on every episode (after 30 days). 

If you have 150 downloads per episode. The typical percentage of people who will take action is 3%. This would mean 4.5 people which I will round up to 5.

If you charge $5/month that is $25 (Five people at $5/month). Apple is going to take 30% ($7.50) and leave you with $17.50

With this in mind when you start thinking of bonus content, and the effort it takes, you need to ask yourself is this worth $17.50.

In the same scenario your take-home pay is:
Glow.fm: $23.93
Supercast: $23.64
Patreon (8%): $22.88
Apple: $17.47

Is It Worth It?

All the extra work, how long is it going to take? You need to answer that question. If you spend four hours a month creating additional content, you want to take that $17.50 per month you are making from subscribers and divide by four hours to get $4.38per hour. Is missing time with your family, your sanity, your health, with it?

What We Don't Know About Apple Subscriptions

Are they going to release Apple podcasts on Android? This seems like something they should be doing.

Is it $20 per year (US) or $20 per year per country? IMHO, this is $20/year (US) for all countries. When I started to sign up last night Apple wanted to charge me $20

My Podcast Reviews Adds Follow Pages

On episode 709 Interviewed Daniel J Lewis from My Podcast Reviews (which is ONE place to get ALL of your reviews in ONE place from ALL Countries). Now they have added an easy way to get people to subscribe/follow your podcast (which really is something you want them to d0. You can see it live in action at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow

For more information check out My Podcast Reviews (aff link)

Podpage Has Added Multiple Updates

I interviewed Brenden from Podpage.com on episode 728. That was after Podpage first launched. If you need more than your "built in" website from your media host, but don't need all the complexity from something like WordPress, Podpage is for you. They've added features such as:

• Free voicemail
• Episode signatures (default text that is placed at the bottom of every episode
• A place for transcripts
• Multiple templates, more color options, and eCommerce
• Better search (which s great as WordPress search is awful)
• Email list building tool

Check out my free course at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/learnpodpage

Tidycal Adds Zoom Integration

If you need a tool to help schedule guests or consulting clients, Tidycal allows you to create free (or paid) appointments and now it automatically creates a zoom meeting. It also integrates with Paypal, and Google Calendar. Currently, you can purchase LIFETIME access to the tool for $20 (no monthly fees). 

Check out Tidycal

Get Your Podcast Audited By Two Consultants

Want some honest feedback on your show? Check out the Podcast Review Show where I and 30 years radio veteran Erik K Johnson go over your show, your website, and your goals to help you do more of what is working, and tweak anything that is not. Check it out at Podcastreviewshow.com/reviewme

Ready To Start Your Podcast?

Join the School of Podcasting and get access to:

• Step by step tutorials
• Live group coaching
• Private Facebook Group
• Priority Email Support.

Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

Download This Episode!

The Confusing World of Apple Subscriptions

Apple announced subscription options coming in May. This means you can sell your podcast on Apple podcast. There is an entry fee and they take 30%. There are a lot of confusing areas, and frustration as podcastsconnect.apple.com is broken. 

Every week Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting and Jim Collison from the Average Guy Network answer your podcast questions.
This episode 341 is part of the Power of Podcasting Network

SPONSOR: Podcastbranding.co 

If you need artwork, lead magnets, logos, a website or an overall branding audit, check out www.podcastbrading.co where fellow podcaster and award-winning graphic artwork Mark Des Cotes will make you look professional with a great brand. 

TOPICS:

01:01 Sponsor: podcastbranding.co
02:25 Apple Subscriptions
09:16 What Does this Mean?
12:40 What About Android
14:36 Patreon Vs Apple?
15:33 YouTube Verbiage?
16:38 API Stuff?
19:49 Step One of Monetization?
23:07 Removed Podcasts
24:28 Spotify Follow the Money
26:03 Payments and Fees
27:18 Stat Obsession
28:32 Awesome Supporters
32:02 Cost to Join
33:32 Himalaya Moving Away From Podcasts
34:43 Clubhouse: 57 Rooms of Nothing
37:54 Why Isn't Dave on Clubhouse More?
40:05 Chris Nesi on Clubhouse
45:47 Clubhouse For Branding
47:40 Will Clubhouse Post COVID Take a Hit?
49:44 More Apple Stats

Support the show by going to 

www.askthepodcastcoach.com/store

Download the Episode!

Podcasting in Cars

Today we talk about news from Amazon and the new Spotify "Car Thing."

Every week Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting and Jim Collison from the Average Guy Network answer your podcast questions.
This episode 340 is part of the Power of Podcasting Network

SPONSOR: PodcastBranding.com

If you are looking to have artwork, lead magnets, or an entire website updated then you need to go see Mark ( a podcaster AND award winning Graphic artist) at podcastbranding.co

TOPICS

00:59 Rode Connect
05:40 Sponsor:: podcastbranding.co
07:42 Spotify Car Thing
11:55 Opening the Window The Old Fashioned Way
12:37 Back to Car Talk
14:24 Changing the Channel on the Radio
17:10 Long Distance Podcast?
18:55 Amazon Expands Podcasts Into More Countries
21:07 Getting Replaced By Robots
26:42 Where do I find Royalty-Free Music
31:16 How is Dave Playing Kings X on his Show?
34:09 We Miss Music Alley
35:22 Our Awesome Supporters
37:56 Taxes
42:26 Listennotes Rankdings...
51:15 Keeping up with Content
53:41 Clubhouse Leaks
54:48 Because of My Podcast Story

Special shout out to the Dog Podcast Network for being the Teacher's Pet. 

Want To Support The Show?

Go to www.askthepodcastcoach.com/store

Download the Episode!

Podcasting Can Give Your Audience Something They Are Dying To Hear: The Truth

Currently, I think civilization has a serious problem. We are losing the ability to identify the truth. I'm not talking religion, or anything philosophical. I'm talking about doing research, looking at the evidence, and reporting what we find. Today I use the clip of then Donald Trump's "Very Fine People" press conference. That remark came at 01:07 but the 2-minute mark had him saying, "I'm not talking about the neo Nazi's or the white nationalists because they should be condemned totally." Because of hi"s "Very Fine People" clip, Joe Biden said he HAD to run for President. 

Please note I'm not either pro or against Trump. I liked his stance on China but saw MANY stupid things come out of his mouth. This is not about politics. It's about the media not focusing on delivering the truth, but more interesting in obtaining high ratings. 

Mentioned In This Episode

Very Fine People - video

Profit From Your Podcast - Book

Charles Barkley Speaks Some Truth

 

With a Podcast You Can't Be Cancelled

While you can be removed off of platforms, as long as you have an RSS feed, people can subscribe/follow your show. It may take them a couple of extra steps to do it manually but you're not "off the air." In some cases being edited is just great exposure. People want to hear what the big deal was that you were censored. 

 

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

If you have a co-host, I'd love to hear how you found/chose your co-host. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question

Be sure to mention your show, your website, and a little bit about your podcast.

Ready to Start Your Podcast?

The School of Podcasting is dedicated to teaching you the right way to launch, grow and produce your podcast so that you sound great. Membership includes step-by-step videos that will walk you through planning podcasts, launching them on Apple and other top directories, growing listenership and getting more listeners coming back for more episodes. The live coaching sessions are available via zoom -with a group coaching session every month during a call with other members who are also producing professional content. You have access to me via email as well as mentoring in our private Facebook community filled with brilliant minds such as yourself. 

See www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

 

Download This Episode!

Impacting People From Your Bedroom: Collin From Pet Sitter Confidential

Billie Eilish (super famous singer - especially to young teenage girls - records her music with her brother in their bedroom. She currently has 44 million followers on Spotify and 81 million followers on Instagram. She earned 25 million from Apple for the movie and her net worth is reportedly 53 million.
Not too bad for two people who are having fun recording things in their bedroom.

Pet Sitter Confidential

Today I talk with Collin who along with his wife produce the Pet Sitter Confidential podcast. They are truly impacting their audience, and due to their uber-niche topic, it is enabling them to get sponsors (Without 20,000 downloads per episode). 

SPONSOR: The School of Podcasting

Podcasting can feel lonely at times and that's why I created the School of Podcasting - to give you a place where like-minded podcasters can support, guide, challenge & grow. You'll have access to all the step-by-step tutorials so that you know how to launch your podcast without wasting money on equipment or trying to guess what to do when it comes to planning.

You get live group coaching, a network Facebook group, and priority email support so that you never go into this alone - learn from me and fellow podcasters.

Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/join

TOPICS COVERED

04:57 Topics on Your Show?
05:33 Who is it For?
05:59 Their Niche Lead to A Sponsor
07:16 Pricing Your Ad Spot
08:27 The Lifetime Value of a Customer
14:32 Building Their Community
15:49 Sponsor Renewal
16:59 Patreon Thoughts
19:18 Did you think anyone would listen?
22:08 Who Are You?
23:24 How to Balance Life?
24:27 The importance Having a Buffer

I loved that some of his best guests aren't people with huge followings. Also, when someone is filling up notepads with information from your show, you KNOW you are delivering value. 

Collin has multiple streams of income. He has the sponsorship along with a Patreon account. 

Find their show at https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

If you have a co-host, I'd love to hear how you found/chose your co-host. Go to www.schoolofpodcasting.com/question

Be sure to mention your show, your website, and a little bit about your podcast. 

Download This Episode!

One and Done

We are back from a quick hiatus and having a great time. There were some interesting articles on the number of podcasts in Anchor that only have one episode. 

SPONSOR: PodcastBranding.co

If you need artwork, a website, or a Podcast Branding Audit, then go see Mark at www.podcastbranding.co

TOPICS:

00:00 Welcome!
01:08 Sponsor: PodcastBranding.co
03:19 67% of One and Done Are Anchor Shows
05:55 Are Crap Shows Inhibiting Discovery
09:30 Should You Edit Your Show?
13:37 I Launched My Podcast Today
17:12 Mike Rowe Changed His Format
18:26 No Safe Places Adam Carolla Documentary
23:46 Awesome Supporters
26:23 Meeting Listeners
29:11 Managing a Big Group
30:19 Attending Conferences
32:17 Speakers Who Don't Time Themselves
36:24 Clubhouse Mic Hogs
41:07 Zealous.space
43:29 Conference Schedules
49:18 Stopping Microphone Bleed

Ready to Start Podcasting?

www.schoolofpodcasting.com/workwithme

Support the Show

Go to www.askthepodcastcoach.com/store

Download the Episode!

Where Will Your Podcast Take You in Five Years?

So many times we identify ourselves not by our values or beliefs but by what we DO. I'm a cashier, or I work in accounts payable, the warehouse. That may be what you DO, but it may not be who you are.

Podcasting allows you to reinvent who you are. To be your true self.

Today we talk with Scot McCarthy of the Moving Forward Leadership Podcast.

Scott joined the military when he was 18 and will be retiring soon, so he is using podcasting to reinvent himself and help establish himself in the space of leadership. 

I love that Scott knows it's not easy to start a business and that why I brought him on. You need to dig the well BEFORE your thirsty. Scott doesn't have a month-week plan, he has a five YEAR plan. He constantly researching to work smarter, to better understand his audience (through Facebook groups), and hiring people for those things he needs help with. He's not talking into a phone set on speaker and looking for money to fall from heaven.

Can I Play Music in My Podcast?

When it comes to legal questions in the entertainment space there is one (and only one name) and that is Gordon Firemark

Gordon helps answer that question along with a new spin on that question. What if they perform the song live on my podcast (or for those older DJ's they did on your show) can I play that recording (it's a different recording than the one on the record). 

What about fair use? Keep in mind that fair use is the defense you use when you go to court.

Check out Gordon's book, The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer's Legal Survival Guide: An essential resource for content creators

For more information check out Gordon at thepodcastlawyer.com

Do We Need Your Guests Backstory?

Nobody asked about the Lone Ranger until after he saved the day. Read my full article on Medium

How Did You Find Your Co-Host?

This is the question of the month (due by April 23rd, 2021). Record your answer (and be sure to mention your podcast and website) on how you found your co-host. Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question

Ready To Start Your Podcast?

 The School of Podcasting is the best place for anyone looking to learn how to make podcasts. We have step-by-step tutorials, live group coaching, and a private Facebook group for networking. Join today with our 30-day money-back guarantee!

You'll be able to create your own show in no time at all. Our team of experts will teach you everything from A-Z so that you can get started on your first episode right away. And if it's not for you, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee on your membership fee! It doesn't matter what skill level or experience you have - we've got something for everyone here at The School of Podcasting!

Sign up now and start making great content today!

This is episode 769 of the School of Podcasting. You can subscribe/follow the show at schoolofpodcasting.com/follow 

or just text  " sop " to 31996

Download This Episode!