Today we talk about some updates to the spreaker platform where you can now see how many people are listening on iHeart radio. We also hear from Mignon Fogarty who has appeared on Oprah and the Today to talk about grammar.

Rem from the Sci-Fi Movie Podcast has this to say. Because of my podcast:

My podcast is now being downloaded over 2000 times a month.

Building great friendships, and meeting people from all over the world

I’m going to the New Media Expo

I no longer feel restless or bored at home

I have a greater sense of purpose, direction, and very clear career path.

I’m meeting podcasters I’ve listened to for years.

I’m building relatinships with people I never would’ve met otherwise

I’ve change from full time to part time so I can invest more time in my podcast.

I have used Ask the Podcast coach in the past for the Ask the Podcast Coach show and it allows me to be on iHeart radio. Here is a quick video that shows the break down of where this content is being consumed.

I always say, the best way to build your platform is to have a self hosted WordPress website where all other platforms point at your website. I prefer Libsyn.com and blubrry.com as they offer the ability to have an unlimited back catalog and they make it easy to leave their service if you want to (Spreaker does not allow you to do this). Also if you use their RSS importing tool it currently deletes your ID3 tags inside your media (a problem that have noted and are working to fix). Also they create an additional RSS feed for your podcast (I would prefer it points at my RSS feed that I control). I’m glad to see them improving their interface and adding more functionality. 

Don’t get too excited if you have a lot of followers on spreaker.com When I crunched my numbers only 2% of my followers are actually listening to my show. This reminds me of the early days of MySpace where people just followed in hopes to get a follow back. 

If you are using Spreaker as a media host, don’t use the link to the download link under the “Download” option you will see in the video that it doesn’t point to an actual mp3. 

Mignon Forgarty is a podcaster who has been on Oprah, and the Today Show. She is the author of many books. She’s launch a podcasting network at www.quickanddirtytips.com as well as written her own App, and now is working on a card game. She has done this by building her Grammar Girl brand. 

Her first podcast took too much time and she decided to follow another passion. 

She hates her first episode (like every other podcaster on the planet). 

You see where creating content takes time. She is not “winging it.” She won a podcast award this year. 

She started by creating content to attract an audience, and now her audience feeds her ideas for new episodes. 

If you are being courted by a big book publisher, get a book agent. 

Be careful creating a networks with friends. 

The Quick and Dirty tip hosts use scripts for their podcasts. 

Previous to being on Oprah she was contacted by Martha Stewart. 

If you’re interviewing Mignon, she likes it when you do more than ask her grammar questions.

Balancing family and work is hard as her husband Patrick also works from home. She hopes to devote more time to family this year.

She often re-writes an episode if the rules have changed. 

You don’t need to buy the most expensive equipment to start. 

What were the last five podcasts that you listened to? Mignon’s last five in 5 were:

Planet Money - Great Stories

On the Media

Revolutions - history podcast

Skeptoid 

Writing Excuses  

If you have something to say, then say it. If you have the need to make people laugh, cry, think, entertain or educate, then I can help you. Here are the three ways I help people start podcasts.

1. Join the School of Podcasting

2. Take my “Podcasting in Six weeks” class (see www.howtopodcast.com). The next class starts January 18th.

3. Hire me for one on one consulting.

I can help get your message out to a global audience. I can help you build a relationship with potential customers. I can help you be seen as an expert in your field. Podcasting is my passion, and I look forward to working with you.

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