Today I am joined by Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins (which was recently added to the Westwood One Network). Joe recently took a class lead by Sinan Aral (author of the book The Hype Machine) and while it's been proven over and over that Apple ratings and Reviews do not help you in the apple podcast charts, but how much influence do ratings have for those looking for new podcasts? Sponsor: Podpage If you're not a technical person, and you're looking for a "Set it and forget it" solution to your podcast's website, look no further than Podpage. You can create a beautiful website in five minutes. I use podpage on the Podcast Rodeo Show, Podcast Review Show, Ask the Podcast Coach, and others. It is being built based on the Feedback of 1000 podcasters in their Facebook group. You can try it for free at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage Check out this video to see how easy it is to setup your show. Mentioned In This Episode: Stacking Benjamins The Hype Machine Book Podpage Learn Podpage Free Course Leave a 5 Star Review For the School of Podcasting Take this quick three-question survey about Podcast Reviews Google Trends Jacobs Media My Podcast Reviews Join the School of Podcasting Topics: 05:26 The Importance of Reviews (outside of Apple charts) 12:35 Follow Trends ( see Google Trends ) 15:48 A Faster Way To Create Audiograms 16:38 Managing a Community (want a Facebook Alternative? Check out the Circle Platform) 20:26 SPONSOR:schoolofpodcasting.com/trypodpage 22:09 Give Your Listeners What They Want 25:13 78% of Podcast Discovery is Word of Mouth according to Jacobs Media 29:49 Looking at My Reviews via My Podcast Reviews ( 4 months free on your first yearly subscription ) 31:29 Another Strategy to Battle 1 Star Reviews 33:16 Have I Frightened You From Pressing Record? 34:05 Getting Out Of Our Own Way 37:14 You WILL Get a One Star Review 38:32 Getting Reviews Outside of Apple 39:45 Thanks To My Team 40:31 Bloopers