How to Plan Podcast Episode Structure

TOP 5 Reasons Why You Should Start a Podcast

The TOP 5 reasons why you should start a podcast are that (1) a podcast is a strategic marketing channel, (2) a strategic monetization channel, (3) a traffic source over which you have total control, (4) it is a great learning and growth opportunity, and finally (5) it develops your skills.

Full episode transcripts are available at: improvepodcast.com/school

There are already over 3 million podcasts out there, and that number grows daily. So the field is crowded, and competition is getting better and more experienced in capturing listeners' attention.

Q1 Podcast Advertising Benchmark Report by Podsight, which measured over 3.5 thousand campaigns for 900 brands, estimated that the average conversion rate from listeners to site visitors was 1.42% in Q1.

The lead conversion rate increased to 13.58% this quarter. The lead events are all the custom events, such as a sign-up or email capture. That is huge, and multiple industries are performing better, reaching 15% and even over 20% lead conversion.

On top, the average purchase conversion rate from attributed visitors across industries was 4.9%. 

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Research Key Findings:

1. Podcast is a Strategic Marketing Channel
2. Podcast is a Strategic Monetization Channel
3. It is a Traffic Source which you Control
4. It is a Learning and Growth Opportunity
5. Podcasting Develops Your Skills

If you are struggling with starting your own podcast, and need professional advice, go to improvepodcast.com/pro

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Setup used for recording:

(if you use the below affiliate links you will support the show with no additional cost to you)

* Microphone - Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3bikQXj

* Audio interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - amzn.to/3sR6gMg

* Preamp - Cloudlifter - amzn.to/3bfFreF

* Music - Soundstripe - improvepodcast.com/soundstripe

* Full Podcasting Gear Recommendations improvepodcast.com/gear

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Need help with podcasting?

* Check what I can do for you at improvepodcast.com/pro

Starting a Podcast with no Existing Audience

To start a podcast with no existing audience, you need to build a listener profile, define problems you will solve, and ensure your podcast satisfies listeners’ expectations. Before you start, you should also collaborate with authority people in your niche to introduce you to a wider audience.

Full episode transcripts are available at: improvepodcast.com/school

From what industry publications say about podcasting, you may think this is a new gold rush for content that automatically generates thousands of satisfied listeners and attracts hundreds of hungry advertisers, all wanting to join this new experience and participate in the next big thing.

Research Key Findings:

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1. How do people start off podcasts?
2. TOP 3 major mistakes people make starting a show with no existing audience
3. How to Plan a Show Launch with no Existing Audience?
4. Industry Research Can Improve Odds of Your Success
5. Leverage All Your Existing Connections

If you are struggling with starting your own podcast, and need professional advice, go to improvepodcast.com/pro

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Setup used for recording:

(if you use the below affiliate links you will support the show with no additional cost to you)

* Microphone - Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3bikQXj

* Audio interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - amzn.to/3sR6gMg

* Preamp - Cloudlifter - amzn.to/3bfFreF

* Music - Soundstripe - improvepodcast.com/soundstripe

* Full Podcasting Gear Recommendations improvepodcast.com/gear

-

Need help with podcasting?

* Check what I can do for you at improvepodcast.com/pro

Starting a Podcast with no Existing Audience

To start a podcast with no existing audience, you need to build a listener profile, define problems you will solve, and ensure your podcast satisfies listeners’ expectations. Before you start, you should also collaborate with authority people in your niche to introduce you to a wider audience.

Full episode transcripts are available at: improvepodcast.com/school

From what industry publications say about podcasting, you may think this is a new gold rush for content that automatically generates thousands of satisfied listeners and attracts hundreds of hungry advertisers, all wanting to join this new experience and participate in the next big thing.

Research Key Findings:

–

1. How do people start off podcasts?
2. TOP 3 major mistakes people make starting a show with no existing audience
3. How to Plan a Show Launch with no Existing Audience?
4. Industry Research Can Improve Odds of Your Success
5. Leverage All Your Existing Connections

If you are struggling with starting your own podcast, and need professional advice, go to improvepodcast.com/pro

-

Setup used for recording:

(if you use the below affiliate links you will support the show with no additional cost to you)

* Microphone - Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3bikQXj

* Audio interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - amzn.to/3sR6gMg

* Preamp - Cloudlifter - amzn.to/3bfFreF

* Music - Soundstripe - improvepodcast.com/soundstripe

* Full Podcasting Gear Recommendations improvepodcast.com/gear

-

Need help with podcasting?

* Check what I can do for you at improvepodcast.com/pro

TOP 10 Podcasting Success Factors

TOP 10 Podcasting Success Factors

I’ve run an extensive survey of podcasters, trying to find out what works and what doesn’t to make a podcast successful. Trying to see if there are some things that successful podcasters do more often and do those things impact how much money you can make from podcasting.

One of the core findings from this survey was the podcasting success factors. The TOP 10 Things Successful Podcasters, who make over $50,000 per year from their show, do differently, unlike podcasters who still struggle with monetization.

If you want to see the chart of those TOP 10 Podcasting Success Factors, simply go to improvepodcast.com and download the full deck with study results.

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1. Detailed understanding of target audience
2. Researching the competition
3. Being very active in promoting their shows
4. Using narration and storytelling
5. Publishing case studies, research, and analysis
6. Sponsorship is the main monetization method
7. Using 4+ marketing channels
8. Monetizing with sponsors and host-read ads
9. Using a full script for recording
10. Use 3+ monetization channels

If you are struggling with starting your own podcast, and need professional advice, go to improvepodcast.com/pro

-

Setup used for recording:

(if you use the below affiliate links you will support the show with no additional cost to you)

* Microphone - Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3bikQXj

* Audio interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - amzn.to/3sR6gMg

* Preamp - Cloudlifter - amzn.to/3bfFreF

* Music - Soundstripe - improvepodcast.com/soundstripe

* Full Podcasting Gear Recommendations improvepodcast.com/gear

Mentioned resources:

*  Eric Ries, The Lean Startup - amzn.to/37T6cGF

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Need help with podcasting?

* Check what I can do for you at improvepodcast.com/pro

Recording Fully Scripted Episodes vs. Working with Outlines

The sooner you start recording scripted podcasts or even recording podcasts with outlines, the faster your podcast will reach a new level of quality, unlock new opportunities and be on a path towards a successful monetization.

Full episode transcripts are available at: improvepodcast.com/school

Research Key Findings:

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Recording Fully Scripted Episodes vs. Working with Outlines

The study of over 1,000 podcasters has revealed that:

• 38% of higher-income podcasters record their episodes having a full script ready.
• On top, an additional 36% have a very detailed outline. 

This means that 76% of successful podcasters come highly prepared for their recordings.

Doesn't this limit creativity? Not at all. It Actually shifts when your creativity is being used. When recording scripted podcasts, you focus your creativity during the writing of the script. And when recording, you focus on a perfect delivery of what you have already prepared.

The study of podcasters has found that higher-income podcasters, those who earn at least $50,000 per year from their show, are 2.2 times more likely to use a full script for recording. 

This was determined to be one of the TOP 10 things that successful podcasters do differently.

Should You Record Scripted Episodes or Use Only Outlines?

A single-person podcast should be scripted. When doing interviews, you need to have a target your interview is trying to accomplish, the information you want to obtain. Reach this target using an outline of questions. When you mix interviews and narration, the narration part should be scripted.

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1. What are the Benefits of Recording Scripted Podcasts?
2. What are the Benefits of Recording Podcasts with Outlines?
3. How Do You Make a Podcast Script Sound Natural?
4. How Much Practice Do You Need to Sound Natural?
5. How To Improve Your Podcast Script?

If you are struggling with starting your own podcast, and need professional advice, go to improvepodcast.com/pro

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Setup used for recording:

(if you use the below affiliate links you will support the show with no additional cost to you)

* Microphone - Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3bikQXj

* Audio interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - amzn.to/3sR6gMg

* Preamp - Cloudlifter - amzn.to/3bfFreF

* Music - Soundstripe - improvepodcast.com/soundstripe

* Full Podcasting Gear Recommendations improvepodcast.com/gear

Mentioned resources:

* Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - amzn.to/3tnR9xf

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Need help with podcasting?

* Check what I can do for you at improvepodcast.com/pro