In this bite-sized episode of The Podcast Podcast, Pete and Andy dive into the world of podcast subscriptions and memberships. They discuss the differences between Apple's subscription model and running your own membership program using a third-party service like Memberful.

Pete explains that Apple's subscription service is easy to use but comes with limitations, such as being exclusive to the Apple Podcasts app and lacking integration with other services like Discord. He also points out that Apple takes a 30% cut of the subscription revenue.

On the other hand, using a service like Memberful allows for more flexibility and control over your membership program. It enables you to offer bonus content, access to multiple podcasts, and integration with other services. However, it requires more setup and management on the podcaster's end.

They also touch on the recent report suggesting that Apple Podcasts may favor shows with subscriptions in their recommender algorithm. They consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of participating in Apple's subscription program.

Tune in to learn more about the pros and cons of each approach and decide which one might be right for your podcast.

In this episode of the Podcast Podcast, hosts Pete Wright and Andy Nelson challenge the conventional wisdom that bigger is always better when it comes to podcast audiences. They argue that focusing too much on massive download numbers can cause you to overlook the immense value and potential of smaller, more engaged listener communities.

As you'll hear, having a niche topic and a highly committed audience can be incredibly profitable, even if your show doesn't reach millions. Pete and Andy discuss real-world examples of podcasts with modest listener counts that are on track to generate six-figure revenues through leveraging the depth of their audience engagement.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share innovative strategies for making your listeners feel valued and connected to your show, no matter the size of your podcast. From recording personalized birthday messages to creating interactive Discord communities, they explore creative approaches that become harder to sustain as a podcast scales up.

Pete reveals a surprising statistic: if your show surpasses 1,000 downloads in the first week, you're already in the top 5% of all podcasts. He and Andy discuss how to celebrate and nurture your founding audience members who are passionate about your content from the very beginning.

Press play to discover why building affinity with your podcast community at a micro level can be so powerful, and how you can harness the potential of your small but mighty audience. This episode will reshape how you think about podcast growth and success in an industry obsessed with big numbers.

Picking the right mic is one thing. But how do you keep your scripts and research and back-end episode history in proper order? Andy and Pete share a little about the TruStory process.

Links & Notes

• Coda.io
• Transistor FM
• Obsidian
• Synology
• Backblaze for Business