School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast
You want to start a podcast, but you’re unsure where to start. You need advice on how to grow or monetize your show, and stop being so scared that it won’t work! I can help by showing you what mistakes NOT TO MAKE and much more. Subscribe to the show and soak in the 18+ years of podcasting experience from Podcaster Hall of Fame Inductee Dave Jackson.
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How do you feel about the future of podcasting in 2026?
<p>In this episode, we answer a question I know has been on the minds of so many podcasters: Where is podcasting headed?</p><p></p><h3>What We Covered</h3>Spotify, YouTube, and AI Slop: I kicked things off sharing my concerns about immoral creators, content exclusivity, and how blurry the definition of a “podcast” is getting.Optimism vs. Pessimism: We heard from multiple voices on whether the future looks bright or grim, and what keeps each of us going.Video, Discoverability, and Content Overload: How YouTube’s dominance and the rise of video (and AI-generated "slop") is shifting the la...
Lavalier Shootout - Weighing the Lift of Apple HLS
<p>In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a good old fashioned microphone shootout—this time, it’s all about wireless lavalier mics! I (quickly) run through a lineup of wireless lavalier microphones including the DJI Mic Mini, Hollyland Lark M2, Rode Wireless Micro, Rode Wireless Go, and Shure Move Mic. Not only do I compare how they sound right out of the box, but I also show how a little post production can level the playing field between even budget and premium options. If you’ve ever wondered whether it matters which one you pick, you’ll defin...
How to Turn Your Podcast Into Passive Income (With Tools I Actually Use)
<p>Welcome to this episode of the School of Podcasting! I’m Dave Jackson, and today I’m pulling back the curtain on the precise tools and strategies I personally use for affiliate marketing on my podcast. Whether you’re brand new to monetizing, or just looking to add another income stream, you’ll find this episode packed with actionable advice and real-world numbers.</p><h4>What I Cover in This Episode</h4>How affiliate marketing works and why you don’t need a massive audience to benefitReal comparisons between ad revenue and affiliate commissions—including how I made $51 per 1,000 downloads promoting ChronometerWhy finding the right product for your specific audience trumps audienc...
From Listeners to Advocates: The Magic of True Fans
<p>Have you ever wondered if the reason your podcast hasn’t “exploded” is actually the very thing that could help it last—and make it more rewarding? This week, I look into why having a smaller, passionate, and loyal audience often leads to more meaningful wins (personally and professionally) than simply racking up big download numbers.</p><p>If you want to learn how to create enduring engagement, avoid common pitfalls, and connect with listeners in a way that actually matters, this episode is for you.</p><p>Here’s what I cover in this week’s “Podcast Stew” styled episode...
Stop Pushing Listeners Away: The Biggest Podcasting Pet Peeves (and How to Fix Them)
<p>If listeners are quitting your podcast in the first five minutes, this episode is for you. In this annual ‘podcast pet peeves’ roundup, I asked my audience what makes them bail on a show— and they did not hold back. </p><h2>Participants</h2><p>You’ll hear from Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist’s Voice, Perrysburg Podcast), Steve Stewart (podcast editor extraordinaire), Todd ‘the Gator’ (Guardian Down Roundtable, Lessons in the Rear View), and York (Welcome to Earth Stories) as they unpack the habits that drive them nuts: from bad audio and buried leads to ad overload, lazy interview questions, slo...
School of Podcasting's Big News with Podpage
<p>The School of Podcasting has been acquired, and yes, that means changes are coming. But don’t panic! The essence of what we do is staying intact. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of what this acquisition means for our loyal members and anyone thinking about joining.</p><h2>New Free Tier</h2><p>We’re adding a free tier, more courses, and even a way for you to connect with podcasting experts. This is all about making the podcasting journey smoother and more accessible for everyone.</p><p>Brenden and I have a vision for the future, and it’s a...
How to Grow Your Podcast Audience with SEO and Keywords
<p>When it comes to podcast strategies to grow your podcast, one strategy that often gets overlooked (because it takes time) is Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Now people are starting to market a "New" thing known as PSO (Podcast Search Optimization).</p><h2>Podcast Search Optimization VS Search Engine Optimization</h2><p>So what is the difference? In reality not much. Tools like Podseo and PSO and Ausha show you information on how often keywords are being search in Apple and Spotify (and others). SEO tools show what people are searching for in Google and other places (YouTube, TikTok, and...
Big Lash Energy: One Million Downloads Fueled by Coffee and Compliments
<p>Welcome to the world of Big Lash Energy, where Jayna Marie takes us on a no-holds-barred journey through the ups and downs of her life and career. As a makeup artist, Jayna decided that her life was too colorful not to share, and she jumped headfirst into podcasting.</p><p>It's like she hit the ground running, with tons of awards, 200 episodes, and one million downloads you might say she's unstoppable.</p><h2>Do You Need a Video Podcast?</h2><p>The conversation kicks off with Jayna reflecting on the pressure to include video in her podcasting journey, but...
Podcast Short Cuts and Sacrifices: What Worked?
<p>In this episode, I tackled the question submitted by Emily Kate: What sacrifices and shortcuts did you take in your podcasting journey, and did they work out well? A fantastic lineup of podcasters shared their wisdom, experiences, and favorite tools. Here’s an organized list of all the contributors with their URLs, plus every resource/tool we mentioned to help you on your own podcasting path.</p><h3>Contributors & Their URLs</h3>Emily Kate :<br/><p>emilykatecreative.com</p>Kim Newlove ("The Pharmacist’s Voice" & "Perrysburg Podcast")<br/><p>thepharmacistsvoice.com</p><p>perrysburgpodcast.com</p>Ralph ("Ask Ralph Medi...
The Pros and Cons of Going Video: Let’s Talk
<p>Hey, it's Dave Jackson! In this episode, Ishare my talk that I did at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) about video podcasting. What are the real benefits, the costs, and the drawbacks? I also tackled the recent Apple announcement about HLS video, shared my NRB event experience, and got into some real stats and stories about YouTube and podcasting.</p><p>This episode uses chapters to enable you to jump to the most important parts for you.</p><p>Key Topics Covered:</p>The difference between a podcast and a YouTube showStats on how many podcasters are actually doing "...
