Learn How to Podcast: Is It Possible to Air Check My Own Show?

Back on episode 655, we talked about how do you know if your show connects with your audience? That focused on making sure your content was great. Your podcast is a presentation of information. As someone who speaks at conferences, and use to teach in the corporate world there are always three presentations.

The presentation you planned

The presentation you delivered

The presentation you wish you had delivered.

The way to avoid those regrets is through planning, but also by learning from your past mistakes.

I was asked by Ed Ryan who is the Editor of the Podcast Business Journal to write an article address how to "Air Check" yourself (and can you?). Here is the article.

Podcast Air Check Tips:

My buddy Erik K Johnson of the Podcast Talent Coach podcast says, "Nobody is getting on a bus without knowing where it's going." If you stop your show at the 1-minute mark do you feel like you know enough to get on the bus? Do you know where it's going? We are assuming your headline is in great shape (if not see my free guide to help you write better episode titles).

Speaking of episode titles, does this title accurately reflect what is being covered in this episode?

If you stop your show at the three-minute mark are you into some content (or are you still in chit chat mode).

You know your crutch words. We all have them. How are they in his episode?

Do you have advertising on your show? You might have a "30-second" spot. Take out your phone and time how long your 30-second spot.

For me, I often find typos in my show notes when I read the post with a fresh set of eyes.

If You Are Doing Interviews

I have a cheat sheet that you can use for this. Looking back at your interview answer these questions:

What are the strengths of the guest? Why did you bring them on?

What did you get out of this interview? What were the takeaways?

Then listen to the interview and take out a notepad (or open your favorite note-taking app) and use two columns. In the first column label in questions and in the second column put "Answer."

When I listen to Harry Durran of Podcast Junkies, Harry does a great job of asking the questions I would ask if I was interviewing the guest. So as you listen to this episode, did you miss any opportunities for follow up questions?

Did you promote the guest’s website/products/services? If so, was it enough, too much, too little?

Did you find yourself repeating what the guest said (ME TOO!). We heard it the first time.

Looking at why you brought the guest on, did you achieve what you set out to do? Did you get the expected takeaways? If so, what did you do to get to those answers? If not, what do you feel you could do differently next time.

Final Conclusions

What do you think you did well in this episode?
What was the best take away? ( maybe turn that into a social media post)
What lessons can be learned from this episode?
How was your call to action? Did you have ONE or twelve?

While a self-evaluation is hard to do (and just not as good as getting someone else’s opinion). If you do find yourself face to face with an actual listener, THIS IS HUGE. Ask them what they like (and they will tell you). Then ask you what they dislike (and often they will say nothing). Explain that you have thick skin and can take it, and then shut up. The awkward silence might nudge them to give you a pointer or two. If you really want to give them a “Safe” environment, when they start to give you notes state, “Do you care if I write this down?” and jot it down on paper or in your phone. This shows the person their opinion is important and might lead to more feedback.

Lastly, don’t get defensive and start explaining why you do something. JUST LISTEN and thank them for their feedback. Keep in mind, you are 100% in control and what you do with this feedback is entirely up to you.

Here Are Some Resources to Get Your Podcast Reviewed:

Podcast Review Show
The Podcast Whisperer
Podcast Rodeo show

If you know of others leave them in the comments below. As you might imagine if you Google the words podcast and reviews you get tons of articles about how to get reviews in Apple (which do nothing but provide social proof – they do not advance you up the charts or help you be found).

Question of the Month: Do You Pay For Any Part of Your Podcast Production?

Are you paying for any part of your podcast production, and if you are how much does it cost?

Thanks to Jonathan Bloom from Weekly Awesome

Fred from The Podcast Reporter

Robert from Happy Diabetic Podcast

Steve Stewart who produces the Military Money Podcast and runs the Podcast Editors Club

Pedro from My Stuttering Life

John From Professor Slots

Moxie from Your Brain on Facts (Moxie on the Podcast Rodeo show )

Brandon from Florida Focus Podcast

May Question of the month: What is your biggest pain point in podcasting?

Podcast Rewind

I appeared on the Project Egg show where we talked about podcasting, where I grew up, how I grew up, and I must say this was "not your typical" Dave Jackson podcast.