Episode 506 - Naming Your Podcast Isn't As Hard As You Are Making It To Be - Here Are Some Tips

Why Your Podcast Name Matters:
A search-friendly podcast name helps new listeners find your show quickly in directories and search engines. It boosts your visibility, clarifies what your content is about, and gives potential subscribers a compelling reason to click.

In a crowded podcasting landscape, your title can be the difference between being discovered and getting lost in the shuffle.

Best Practices for Naming Your Podcast:

• Be Clear and Descriptive:
  Use words and phrases your ideal listeners might search for. Your title should immediately signal the subject, theme, or niche. For example, "Canadian Podcaster" clearly targets Canadian podcast creators and listeners.

• Include Relevant Keywords:
  Research common search terms in your category. Including target keywords (like "parenting," "startup," "true crime," or "author interviews") helps algorithms and humans alike understand your show's focus.

• Keep It Simple and Memorable:
  A short, easy-to-spell title is easier to remember and search for. Avoid complicated words, creative misspellings, or overly long titles.

• Check Podcast Directories:
  Before finalizing your name, search Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms for similar shows. Aim for a unique twist that sets your podcast apart but still makes your topic clear.

• Think Long-Term:
  Choose a name that will still fit if your content evolves. Avoid niche references or trends that might become outdated.

What NOT To Do: Bonus Segment

• Don’t Overuse Puns, Jargon, or Inside Jokes:
  Clever wordplay can be fun, but if new listeners don’t get it, they’ll skip your show.

• Avoid Generic Titles:
  Names like “The Podcast Show” or “Conversations” are so broad, they’re almost impossible to find in search.

• Skip Unusual Spellings or Special Characters:
  Creative spelling or too many symbols (#, &, ~, etc.) make your show hard to search for and remember.

• Don’t Copy or Mimic Popular Shows:
  Steer clear of names too similar to existing podcasts—this can confuse listeners and even cause copyright issues.

• • Don’t Ignore International or Cultural Differences:
    Make sure your chosen name won’t mean something unintended in another country, or be hard for non-native speakers to pronounce.Bottom Line:
    A clear, keyword-rich, and original podcast name not only helps you get found—it signals professionalism and makes your show more inviting to first-time listeners. Take time to get it right: your podcast’s discoverability depends on it

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Episode 505 - How to Use Zoom to Record, Save Money on Paid Services and Get Amazing Audio - Podcasting Tips

There are many online recording platforms that would love to grab your money on a monthly basis to record your solo or guest podcast recording time. Zoom has had a bad rap for poor audio quality, that it is not a podcasting first experience - a lot of gurus will direct you away from zoom (probably because they have an affilate link to get you to use)

What if you used zoom differently - I use zoom as a backup recording not my main recording. When I have a guest on my show I open audacity (free program) in the background and hit record as my guest joins me via zoom. Audacity is recording my microphone directly into the computer - no wifi drop outs to worry about. If you were to ask your guest to do the very same on their end, recording their audio via their microphone into their computer you end up with 2 separate recordings, one from your end and one from their end, shared via a free Google Drive link that you can assemble after the interview is over in Audacity.

Zoom therefore becomes a backup recording, providing you the opportunity to see your guest on screen during the recording which helps with visual cues, interaction and a better recording experience.

So I will encourage you to use zoom where others won't

Record locally and separately and use zoom as a backup

There you go! That's it! If you want to practice with someone, use my calendar link on my website and we can use, wait for it... Zoom and I can walk you thru all of this!

Dave

https://zoom.us/

https://www.audacityteam.org/

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Episode 504 - Newton's Cradle - Simple Desk Toy or Action Incentive to change for podcasters

You've probably seen this contraption before: Five small silver balls hang in a perfectly straight line by thin threads that attach them to two parallel horizontal bars, which are in turn attached to a base. They sit on office desks around the world.

If you pull a ball up and out and then release it, it falls back and collides with the others with a loud click. Then, instead of all four remaining balls swinging out, only the ball on the opposite end jumps forward, leaving its comrades behind, hanging still. That ball slows to a stop and then falls back, and all five are briefly reunited before the first ball is pushed away from the group again.

This is a Newton's cradle, also called a Newton's rocker or a ball clicker. It was so-named in 1967 by English actor Simon Prebble, in honor of his countryman and revolutionary physicist Isaac Newton.

Despite its seemingly simple design, the Newton's cradle and its swinging, clicking balls isn't just an ordinary desk toy. It is, in fact, an elegant demonstration of some of the most fundamental laws of physics and mechanics.

The toy illustrates the three main physics principles at work: conservation of energy, conservation of momentum and friction. In this article, we'll look at those principles, at elastic and inelastic collisions, and kinetic and potential energy. We'll also examine the work of such great thinkers as Rene Descartes, Christiaan Huygens and Isaac Newton himself.How does this relate to podcasting? What you put out to the world will come back to you in equal measure - whether that is kindess or unkindness, encouragement or discouragement - if you are looking to grow your podcast, help someone else grow their podcast. If you are looking for money for your podcast, give to another podcast. If you want reviews, give reviews. Don't give to get - give to give and it will be returned to you - it might not come back to you exactly as you gave but it will return to you with the same impact, just like Newton's Cradle

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Episode 503 - Dave Plays with PodStatus - Get Your Podcast Reviews and Rankings All in One Place - Podcasting Tips

Reviews and rankings of your podcast.

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Your podcast under control

The tools you need to monitor your podcasts, know your listeners, and get more downloads.

Turn reviews into useful feedback with automatic review collection, and detailed filters. 175 countries.

Analyze your podcast's position over time in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Ivoox charts. Updated every hour.

Check the daily performance of your podcast on the charts in every country.Reviews and rankings daily in your inbox.

Receive a daily email with the information you want to know about your podcast.

Reviews from 175 countries. Updated daily. From platforms such as Apple Podcasts, or Podchaser.

You will know the position of your podcast in the charts of 175 countries. From platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Ivoox.

Integrated with podcast platforms

Your most important podcast metrics in one dashboard. We are continuously working on integrating new platforms.

Intelligence to study the competition.

Check out the live podcast rankings on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify and information about each podcast.

Coming soon: Know the number of competing podcasts per category/country

Affiliate link - when you click and shop this link, I will receive a commission

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Episode 502 - Should I have a One Sheet for My Podcast as the Host - The Daily Dave - Podcasting Tips

What is a Podcast One-Sheet?

Podcast one-sheets tell a podcast host why they should choose you as a guest and which topics you can eloquently speak about. You should view it as your podcast resume!

Unsurprisingly, a one-sheet is one piece of paper filled with brief information that helps steer conversations during a podcast. While these sheets will cover quite a bit of information, one-sheets shouldn’t seem crowded. The layout of compelling one-sheets flows seamlessly; podcast hosts and guests should have the ability to skim the sheet to find the subtopic they’re looking for. Here are the main components of a podcast one-sheet:

• Headshot
• Bio
• Suggested interview topics
• Suggested questions
• Social media/contact information
• Appearances on other podcasts (if applicable)

Why Are One-Sheets Important?

If you’re a podcast host, would you want to invite a guest onto your show without knowing about them? You would be rolling the dice. On the flip side, podcast guests might not appreciate recording a podcast if the host had little to no information about them. It might not work well if a real estate agent randomly appears on a podcast without the host having any background information.

One-sheets have become an industry norm because they help keep the podcast space organized and help podcast hosts choose the right guests to bring onto their show.

Simply put: podcast hosts need one-sheets to find the right people to contribute to their show’s value. If you’re interested in being a guest on a podcast, you should use a one-sheet to market yourself.

How Do You Design a One-Sheet?

There are six essential components in a one-sheet:

• The headshot section
• The bio section
• The suggested questions section
• The suggested topic question
• The podcast appearances section

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Episode 501 - What is more important - Audience Growth or Audience Retention - Create a Home For Your Listeners - The Daily Dave

In this short and insightful “Daily Dave” episode, Dave explores a key question for every podcaster: Is audience growth more important than audience retention? Drawing from his own experiences and frequent conversations with podcasting co-hosts, Dave challenges listeners to reflect on what success really means for their show and how to build a community that truly cares.Audience Growth vs. Retention: The Crucial Question

• Growth brings in new listeners, but retention keeps your podcast “in business.”

• It’s not enough to attract listeners—what makes them come back for more?

• Retention is likened to creating a favorite restaurant or coffee shop—a place your audience loves and never wants to leave.

Lowering the Barrier to Entry, Raising the Barrier to Exit

• Make it easy: Ensure new listeners find and fall in love with your content.

• Make it hard to leave: Consistently deliver valuable, genuine episodes that build loyalty.

• Regularly producing helpful, audience-focused content honors listeners’ time and commitment

Beyond Listener Counts—What Is Podcast Success?

• Numbers are just part of the story. Whether you have one or 1,000 listeners, what matters is building community and connection.

• True success comes from serving your core audience—your “true believers,” not just chasing metrics.

• Dave prompts reflection: What number of listeners feels like success to you? What happens when you reach it?

Building Community and Long-Term Engagement

• Lasting podcast growth results from personal engagement, caring about your listener, and treating your show like a “home” for your audience.

• Leading by example—regular releases and a commitment to show up—encourages audience loyalty.

• Focus on keeping listeners excited, engaged, and feeling valued.

Practical Takeaways

• Challenge for Listeners: Don’t just work to grow your podcast—strategize to retain and serve your current audience.

• Lower entry barriers (easy discovery, accessible content); raise exit barriers (consistent value, genuine connection).

• Reflect on what success means for you and define it on your own terms—not just by download stats.

Get Involved

• Feedback & Questions: Dave welcomes episode ideas and listener thoughts at howtopodcast.ca.

• Stay Connected: Subscribe, follow, and keep listening—more valuable content and fantastic guest episodes are coming up on the How To Podcast Series!

Thank you for listening—let’s build community, encourage one another, and make your podcast a home for listeners who can’t wait to come back.

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Episode 500 - Celebrate Your Milestones - You've Earned It, What Are You Celebrating For Your Podcast

In this special 500th episode of the How to Podcast Series, host Dave takes a heartfelt pause to reflect on the incredible journey that brought him—and thousands of podcasters—this far. Five hundred episodes may sound like an impossible number, but as Dave reminds listeners, it all starts with episode one. Over the past few years, he’s learned that podcasting success is built one milestone at a time, and every small victory deserves celebration.

This episode is both reflection and rallying cry: a moment for podcasters to acknowledge their achievements instead of rushing to the next project. Dave shares how easy it is to get caught up in the rhythm of producing content—recording, editing, posting—but urges creators to slow down and celebrate every sign of progress. Whether you just released your tenth episode or your hundredth, take the time to mark your success and feel proud of your consistency and growth.

Pulling from the latest PodMatch podcasting statistics (as of July 2025), Dave offers a reality check on longevity in the industry. Over 93% of podcasters quit before episode 100, and only 6% ever hit that milestone. Yet, those who persist are in rare company—the longer you stay, the smaller your competition becomes. To reach the top 50% of podcasters based on downloads, you only need twenty-seven listens in the first seven days after release. That’s an achievable goal even for new creators and a reminder that podcasting success isn’t about massive numbers—it’s about consistency, connection, and endurance.

Dave also celebrates the community that has grown around the show. From the free weekly meetup group that connects creators around the world to the countless messages he’s received from listeners and guests, he highlights how podcasting fosters genuine relationships that can lead to unexpected opportunities—like a guest whose appearance led to an invitation to a book event in Germany years later.

Listeners are encouraged to create a “happy folder”—a space (digital or physical) where they collect positive feedback, inspiring messages, and moments of appreciation from their podcasting journey. When motivation feels low, these reminders can reignite purpose and gratitude.

To keep the momentum going, Dave issues a “Milestone Mindset Challenge.” Podcasters who haven’t yet hit double digits should aim for their tenth episode—since most shows never reach that point—and celebrate the achievement when they do. For others, it’s about setting the next goal, whether that’s hitting episode 25, 100, or beyond. Each milestone deserves acknowledgment, because growth in podcasting reflects not just output but personal development and dedication.

The episode closes with gratitude to all who have tuned in—whether you’ve listened since the beginning or just discovered the show now. Dave invites you to join the conversation by leaving a message on his website via SpeakPipe, connecting through the How to Podcast meetup community, or supporting the show through Buy Me a Coffee. As he looks forward to episode 1,000, his message is simple: stick with it, celebrate your wins, and keep podcasting—one episode at a time.

Key takeaway:
Podcasting success isn’t defined by numbers; it’s defined by longevity, community, and celebration. No matter your stage, slow down to recognize your achievements—because every episode is a milestone worth honoring.

https://podmatch.com/report

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Episode 499 - Happy Birthday Dave - What Dave is Asking For This Year on His BirthdayIt’s a celebration at the How to Podcast Series!

Episode 499 marks Dave’s birthday, and he’s inviting listeners to join in for a lighthearted, heartfelt conversation about gratitude, community, and the joy of podcasting.

Though recorded in advance, this episode feels personal and in-the-moment as Dave thanks listeners for being part of the How to Podcast movement and for showing up day after day throughout November’s podcast-a-day challenge.Instead of birthday gifts or grand gestures,

Dave shares the one thing he truly wants this year: for more people to start their own podcast. After nearly 500 numbered episodes, his message remains unwavering—stop overthinking, stop waiting, and start creating.

Whether you’ve been a long-time listener or are just finding the show, this episode is a reminder that motivation is built through action, not hesitation.

Dave also opens up about one of the cornerstones of his community—the How to Podcast meetup group.

Meeting twice weekly, the group has become a safe and collaborative space for podcasters of all experience levels to connect, ask questions, share successes, and learn from one another. No paywall, no membership fee—just a genuine community built on encouragement and curiosity.

He describes how sessions alternate between open Q&A discussions and themed learning events, where participants even get to watch live recordings of real episodes from start to finish.

As Dave puts it, podcasting doesn’t have to be complicated, and this meetup is proof that anyone can learn with the right support.In true birthday fashion, Dave also takes time to celebrate his co-hosts, collaborators, and community members who have helped make the show what it is.

He highlights how the variety of perspectives featured on the show creates a richer, more rounded conversation about podcasting—without the gatekeeping or one-size-fits-all advice that too often dominates the space.Throughout the episode, Dave’s warmth and humor shine—especially when he confesses his ongoing struggle with cold coffee, the unofficial fuel of podcasters everywhere.

For those inclined to “fill the cup,” he mentions his Buy Me a Coffee link, reminding listeners that every small act of support helps keep the show going and pays it forward to help other indie creators succeed.Approaching episode 500, Dave reflects on how much he still loves hosting this show. He’s never run out of ideas, never lost his spark for podcasting, and never stopped enjoying the conversations that make this community special.

His only challenge now? There’s so much content that newcomers don’t know where to begin. But that’s the kind of problem every podcaster dreams of.

For Dave, this birthday isn’t just about milestones or recognition—it’s about watching new voices take their first steps behind the mic. His wish is simple: that listeners use what they’ve learned here to start a podcast of their own and reach out to tell him about it.

Key takeaway: The best gift you can give this year isn’t a coffee or a subscription—it’s taking action on your creative dreams.

Start the podcast you’ve been thinking about and share your voice with the world.Join the community, connect with Dave, or pitch in for that all-important cup of coffee at howtopodcast.ca___

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