Why Joe Rogan Beat Late Night TV

When I was a kid, hearing Johnny Carson’s theme music meant it was time for bed. Today, nobody has to stay up for anything. And that one shift explains a huge part of why late night is fading and why your podcast has to work harder to earn attention.

Conversation vs Promotional Appearances

In the early years of Johnny Carson, the show was 90 minutes and they actually had conversations as apposed to the "tell me about your family vacation, and let's roll the clip" interviews we see on late night shows

Appointment Viewing is Dead

The days of "must see tv" on Thursday night died with the VCR and DVR. I haven't watched live TV in years. So now the audience that is staying up to watch live is much older (somewhere between age 60-70), and is about HALF of the audience comparing it to the days wheh David Letterman get almost 7 million a night.

The Celebrity Mystique is Gone

I once stayed up to watch B.B. King on the tonight show. Why? Because I couldn't hear him on the radio. I was too young to go to a concert. If I did that today and wanted to see Joe Bonamassa I wouldn't need to wait to see him on TV. I could see him on his YouTube channel, or multiple interviews on podcasts.

#1 in Late Night is a Big Fish in a Much Smaller Pond

Keep in mind that Steven Colbert being #1 in late night in 2026 is way different than being #1 in late night in 1993. Late-night TV revenue has reportedly fallen from about $400 million a year to $200 million a year—a 50% decline—while some shows that once drew 7–8 million nightly viewers now struggle to reach 3 million.

YouTube Doesn't Pay the Same

According to one report, YouTube pays one tenth of what a network ad spot would go for. When you audience is cut in half, you have less advertisers. When the advertisers you have are paying you 90% less and your expenses stay the same that is a problem.

Keep Control of Your Content

Remember big companies with big payouts WANT CONTROL. Conan focused on owning his content and that resulted in a 150 million dollar payout.

Only Amazing Content Will Stand Out

If you want podcast growth, you need to make sure you are doing as many of the following as possible.

Make them:

• laugh
• cry
• think
• groan

Make Sure The Content

• Educates
• Entertains
• Saves the audience time
• Saves them money
• Makes them FEEL something

If it's information you can get any place else, even better. A great podcast can be boiled down to content and delivery. So this episode is focused on content.

Be Ready to Promote

When someone says, "Oh, you do a podcast?" be ready to explain what it is, what its about, and how people benefit from consuming your content (and say your website). We hear how Macaulay Culkin dropped the ball so bad on the Ellen show.

Housekeeping: How to Pitch a Podcast

I am still preparing to launch this show and I'm accepting stories. I had some things pop up that are taking my attention as they are time sensitive. It's coming...

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Podcasting in Six Weeks Starts Soon

If you've tried to start a podcast before and got lost in the jargon, and felt overwhelmed, this is the course for you. We will meet LIVE for six weeks and go step by step in launching your successful podcast. The best part, we are only charging $1 Check it out at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

YouTube Matching Just Got Cheaper

The amazing YouTube Matching feature available at Podpage was previously available on the top "Elite" tier, but is now available on the "Pro" tier. This give you MORE value for LESS money. Start your free trial today at Podpage.com

Podpage

So many people need remote recording for co-hosts and guests. Yet in the 20+ years of podcasting once we get a solid solution, they upgrade the software and we're back to always having a backup "Just in case." So I reached out to my audience to see what they used and they chimed in.

The History

Blog Talk Radio (now gone) was an EASY choice but sounded like the phone. There was Skype (also gone), but everyone needed an account, and for the technically challenged, it was intimidating. Squadcast came on with a winning strategy with a firm understanding of what podcasters needed. Make it simple. Make it reliable.

Then Video Entered the Picture

Then tools like Squadcast added video, and while I never had an issue I know people who spoke of "Drift" where the audio didn't line up with the video (making it look like a bad Godzilla movie). There are tools like Evmux (browser based), Ecamm (Mac Only), Descript (browser based), and Streamyard (brwoser based).

Text Based Editing

When Descript entered the picture with text based editing (you edit the transcript, and it edits the audio) it became impressive after a few years. They purchased Squadcast, but haven't implemented all the tech from Squadcast (like being able to schedule a future episode in their "Rooms.").

All in One Solutions

This is one of the symptoms of a "All in one" solution. They do most things about 75%, but the details in that last 25 is what makes the difference. Riverisde started as remote recording, added text based editing, clip generation, and recently podcast hosting (the podcast hosting is very basic see video as of May 2026).

It May Not Be All Riverside's Fault

I wrote a blog post about all the things podcasters could do to be ready to make great recordings with Riverside.

If you want Riverside to work, don’t overcomplicate it:

• Solid internet
• Updated browser
• Decent computer
• Enough disk space
• Don’t rush the upload

That’s it.

Do those things, and suddenly Riverside becomes “magically reliable.”

What I Use For Live Streaming and Recording

Before moving to a Mac computer, I use Streamyard, and loved it. When I got a Mac Mini, I switched to Ecamm. It's amazing and much you have more control over how things look. If you have a Streamdeck, you can do some pretty magical things. Worth that said, I'm considering going back to Streamyard even though it's $5 more a month (I used Ecamm for making recording for the School of Podcasting, but I now do those in Tella).

What is The Most Reliable?

For me, after talking with the School of Podcasting members and now hearing from the audience I would say Ecamm (mac only) and Streamyard (browser based).

That doesn't mean Riverside, Evmux, Squadcast are not reliable, but I feel Ecamm and Streamyard are more reliable. They also are primarily focused on one thing RECORDING (although streamyard just added clip generation).

So What If I Don't Want an All In One?

Then you record with something like Ecamm or Streamyard, if you need clips, there is Opus Clip. There is free video software like Davinci Resolve, and free audio editing like Audacity.

Thanks to The Contributors

Frank Bravo From Your Tech Makeover

Todd the Gator from Gaurdian Downcast

Chris From Cool Cars with Chris

Ed from the Days Dumpster Fire

Tim from My Solo MS Journey

Mentioned In This Episode

Streamyard

Ecamm

Riverside

Descript

EvMux

Cleanfeed

Zencastr

OBS Project

VDO Ninja

Podtrack P4Next

Zoom H6

Samson Q2U Microphone

Opus Clip

Boomer Bunker

War Room Online Journal

Takeaways:

• Remote recording can be a total pain if you don't have solid internet; trust me, I know.
• Zoom works great for audio-only shows but struggles with video quality when the internet hiccups.
• Streamyard's simplicity makes remote recording a breeze; just send a link and boom, done!
• Clean Feed is solid for high-quality audio, especially for those who want to keep it simple.
• For video, Riverside sounds fancy but can be hit or miss; make sure it meets your needs first.
• Discord is free and surprisingly powerful for remote recordings, even if you're not a gamer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcasting in Six Weeks Starts Soon

If you've tried to start a podcast before and got lost in the jargon, and felt overwhelmed, this is the course for you. We will meet LIVE for six weeks and go step by step in launching your successful podcast. The best part, we are only charging $1 Check it out at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Podpage is Now Included with Blubrry Hosting

Blubrry Podcasting — one of the longest-running podcast hosting platforms in the industry — has chosen Podpage to replace their built-in website tool entirely. That means every Blubrry hosting customer gets a professional, automatically updated podcast website powered by Podpage, included with their hosting plan. For Podpage, this is more than a partnership announcement. It’s validation that podcast websites deserve dedicated website tools built specifically for podcasters.

Podpage

So many people think the only way you can have a successful podcast is to be famous. Today we have a quick Interview with Jordan Blair from the Dreamful podcast and the Buzzsprout podcast Buzzcast. Jordan share all the straggles she is using to monetize her show.

Jordan's Been Podcasting For Seven Years

This didn't happen overnight, but you will hear where Jordan recommends starting monetization efforts from day one. This way your family and friends who want to support the show can actually chip in, and the audience gets used to hearing you ask for support.

If you feel weird asking for value in return for the value you have given to the audience, keep in mind PBS has been doing this for decades.

Where Do You Start?

Jordan recommends starting off with enabling donations (technically a tip not a donation, unless you're a non-profit). Buzzsprout has this built in or you could use buy me a coffee, and many others. If you start with subscriptions, as you're just starting the show, it may be a little overwhelming and you end up making extra content for an audience that doesn't exist (yet). Just realize if you want people to chip in, you have to ask.

You can see Jordan's support page here.

Affiliate Links Are a Great Test

We talked about tools for using affiliate links in a previous episode. Affiliate links enable you to make a commission on a sale from someone using your special link. This is a great test and practice to get used to doing calls to action, promoting a product, and seeing what products your audience is interested

The Pros and Cons of Merch

Jordan shares how she created some swag for her audience, setup a store and received absolutely zero sales. This is when she realized she should ask her audience what they want first before making swag. For more on merch sales check out my interview with Jayna Marie.

First Person Endorsements Deliver Tons of Value

Jordan's show is for kids who are trying to go to sleep. She found some puzzles and bought them and tried them. She knew this would resonate with her audience, and talked about her own experience with the puzzles and the affiliate links came flowing in.

You Might Have to Take Partners to School

Jordan explains that her first sponsor knocked on her door, and provided an offer. Jordan had to explain to them how partnerships work in podcasting (this isn't radio, and we have a much stronger connection with our audiences). She renogiated and came up with a dela that worked for everyone.

She Didn't Plan on Making Money

Jordan started the Dreamful stories podcast as a resource for her own children. She launched it, and focused on delivering value and connecting with her audience. She found out what they wanted and delivered the show they wanted. This lead to her show's downloads escalating while she was on a break!

Check out Jordan's Shows

Dreamful Stories

Buzzcast

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. 

Share Your Thoughts

Other Items Mentioned

Podnews Weekly Review

How to Turn Your Podcast Into Passive Income (With Tools I Actually Use)

Big Lash Energy: One Million Downloads Fueled by Coffee and Compliments

Profit From Your Podcast Book (by Dave)

This Old Marketing Show

Sponsor Magnet Book by Justin Moore

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Build the Website You Want with Podpage

Podpage is flexible. If you want to promote something you can put it in the sidebar, on the front page, or at the bottom of every episode (not to mention the navigation bar, the footer and more). Podpage is designed specifically for podcasts. Quit trying to squeeze your podcast into a website made for a yoga studio. Start your free trial at podpage.com/preview

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcasting in Six Weeks Starts Soon

If you've tried to start a podcast before and got lost in the jargon, and felt overwhelmed, this is the course for you. We will meet LIVE for six weeks and go step by step in launching your successful podcast. The best part, we are only charging $1 Check it out at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks

Podcasting in Six Weeks

A Dialogue with Justin Jackson and Alban Brooke

Just in Jackson from Transistor.fm is so enthusiastic about Apple's new way to add video to their platform (called HLS). I have felt "Meh" about it since it was announced (I'm worried about using API's instead of using the RSS feed). So I wanted to see if I was missing something that might lead me to feel more like Justin.

Later that same week Alban Brook from Buzzsprout reached out and so I combined the interviews to show multiple points of view about Apple's HLS implementation not that more hosts are being approved to connect to Apple via their API.

Justin's View is Based On Younger People

While I have no children Justin has a few and he explained how watching them he sees them move from watching video to switching to audio. So the HLS video in Apple supports this (and it's already available on YouTube music, and Spotify. This explains why Justin would have a viewpoint different than mine.

Dialogues are amazing, and you just might learn something. Try one today. They are free!

Alban's View on The "Give People What They Want" focus of Apple Podcasts

When you go to YouTube, they drown you in options as they try to get you to click on anything. With Apple's new video options, when you log into Apple, you primarily see the shows that you've told Apple you want to see. Consequently, it may be a better experience. Kevin Finn on the Buzzcast show compared YouTube and the horrible experience to going to the movies, where everything is overpriced and the floor is sticky. The experience isn't as good.

Don't Take on Too Much

If you're a video creator already, adding your show to YouTube seems like a no brainer, and Alaban and Just both mentioned that when people signed up to be beta testers, many of the people chomping at the bit were already video creators.

Justin mentions that much like coloring, you start with three colors and learn how to keep people engaged. Then start adding more colors. With podcasting it may make more sense to start with audio, and then add video.

We are in a Wait and See Period

We don't actually know if this is going to take off. While we don't expect Apple to topple YouTube, we are interested to see just how many people jump on board. Both companies mentioned the benefits of being an early adopter.

Pricing for HLS Hosting

Transistor offers HLS video on any package of of $49 and higher.

Buzzsprout offers 6 hours a month for $30 ($25 if you purchase yearly).

Captivate is $19/month with an additional $12 for video.

Keep in mind Transistor and Captivate operate on a "As many shows and episodes as you want (but you bill goes up depending on downloads/traffic). Buzzsprout's model is a "per show" fee, but you can have as many downloads as you want.

For more information on other hosts as they are added see this article on Podnews.

The Bridge Podcast on YouTube

Justin shared the story of The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge a former Candaian broadcaster who has now moved to YouTube who is having great success without amazing Thumbnails and fancy studios.

Acquired Charges Millions for Sponsorship

There are always shows that break the mold, and Acquired is one of them. They do limited shows that engage a certain audience (CEOs), and consequently are charging millions for sponsor a season (and are already sold out). They describe their show as, "We (Ben and David) personally invest 100+ hours each to research and produce a ~4 hour "conversational audiobook,” telling a company's complete history and strategy.

Spotify's Video Options are Blurry

I am always cautious about Spotify. We all know they are not fans of RSS, and they like to make features that only work in Spotify. In a recent article at Podnews, Jame Cridlan explains how uploading a video from your media host into Spotify may lock you into using the media host (where an RSS enables you to redirect the feed). There is talk that Spotify may manually be able to switch your show back to RSS (with consequences). My point is we currently don't know so if you plan on posting video to Spotify, you might setup a free hosting account and uplaod the video there. ( I do that for my "Ask the Podcast Coach" show).

Mentioned In the Show

School of Podcasting

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Transistor Media Hosting

Buzzsprout Media Hosting

Captivate Media Hosting

The Video Podcast Show

Podcast Marketing Trends Explained

The Panel Podcast

Buzzcast Podcast

Research Links

• Video podcast host pricing - comparisons from Podnews
• Beware Spotify's video lock-in from Podnews

Mentioned in this episode:

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Podcasting in Six Weeks Starts Soon

If you've tried to start a podcast before and got lost in the jargon, and felt overwhelmed, this is the course for you. We will meet LIVE for six weeks and go step by step in launching your successful podcast. The best part, we are only charging $1 Check it out at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/sixweeks

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Podpage is Now Included with Blubrry Hosting

Blubrry Podcasting — one of the longest-running podcast hosting platforms in the industry — has chosen Podpage to replace their built-in website tool entirely. That means every Blubrry hosting customer gets a professional, automatically updated podcast website powered by Podpage, included with their hosting plan. For Podpage, this is more than a partnership announcement. It’s validation that podcast websites deserve dedicated website tools built specifically for podcasters.

Podpage

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Today we are talking about your show that just won't grow. It's time for a podcast experiment. I often say "You podcast is a recipe - not a statue." Well here is the good news. You know how to build a podcast to the current level you are at. The bad news is you've been here for a bit and it's time to try something to break you out of your plateau.

You Either Win Or You Learn

When you try something new with your podcast we often feel like everyone will leave immediately, and that just doesn't happen. Have you ever gone to a concert of a band you grew up listening to? They say "Here is one from our new album!" and half the theater goes for a beer, but most of them stay because they like the band.

What If My Numbers Goes Down?

So if you previously had 200 downloads an episode, and now you have 180 you learned something not to do. You've know how to grow a show to 200, so do that and try again.

Start With a Survey

Speaking of mistakes, I once did a survey that I talked about bear the end of my show. One of the questions was, "Do you think the show is too long?" Well, if you think about it (being near the end of the show) anyone who thought it was too long had already left.

Announce the survey, and really push it and explain how the audience will benefit. It could be as simple as:

• Did you listen to the end of the episode?
• If not where did you stop and why?
• How likely are you to share it with a friend on a scale form 1-10?

You can use the built in survey with Podpage, or something like Tally forms.

Smart Experiments: One Step at a Time

When you test new parts of your show, change ONE thing only. If you change three things and one of them works, you won't know which one.

I would start with your episode titles, your opening two minutes (have a good hook), and get to the content ASAP.

My Current Experiment: Podcasting in Six Weeks

I tried this class about six months ago, and only told my email list. That was a dumb idea, but I learned to use ALL of my outlets when promoting a product or service.

The course starting June 3rd will be once a week covering the following topics:

Week 1: Concept & Planning Define your unique angle and target audience Choose your format and episode structure Create your content calendar for the first 10 episodes Develop your show name and description

Week 2: Equipment & Setup Essential equipment recommendations for every budget. Recording space optimization (even in noisy environments). Software setup and configuration Audio quality testing and troubleshooting

Week 3: Recording Techniques Professional recording techniques. Interview skills and guest management. Solo episode strategies. Overcoming "mic fright" and speaking naturally.

Week 4: Editing & Post-Production Editing basics that save time and sound professional. Intro/outro creation and music selection File management and organization systems Quality control checklists

Week 5: Hosting & Distribution Choosing and setting up your podcast host Submitting to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms RSS feeds and technical requirements Show artwork and metadata optimization

Week 6: Marketing & Growth Launch strategies that actually get listeners. Social media promotion and repurposing content Building relationships with other podcasters Long-term growth strategies and monetization

EXCLUSIVE BONUSES:

BONUS #1: "Podcast Equipment Starter Kit Guide" (Value: $97) No more confusion about what to buy. Get our curated equipment list with specific product recommendations for three different budgets – beginner, intermediate, and professional.

BONUS #2: "First 10 Episodes Content Planner" (Value: $67) Never stare at a blank screen wondering what to talk about. This detailed planner gives you proven episode templates and topic ideas to keep your content engaging from day one.

BONUS #3: "Podcast Launch Checklist" (Value: $47) A step-by-step checklist ensuring you don't miss any crucial steps during your launch. From technical setup to promotional tasks – it's all cover

Six hours of consulting with me would be $1200, but as we try this experiment it's only $1.

Why not free? Because we wanted people who would at least believe in themselves enough to spend $1 to help improve themselves.

In full transparency we hope you join the School of Podcasting when the class is over, but it is a free standing class. The sessions will be recorded.

Sign Up For the Class TODAY!

Got Feedback On This Episode?

I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode. If you have a minute or two, it's less than five questions and works great on your phone or computer. 

Share Your Thoughts

Resources Mentioned in Episode 1034

School of Podcasting

Pod SEO use sop10 to save 10%

Ausha SEO

Pod Analyist

Research Links

• Dave Jackson #661 - New Media Show
• Insight on Business - Dave Jackson Interview
• Switchy Link Shortener
• Stuck at 800 downloads per ep for almost a year. what actually moves the needle : r/podcasting
• PodAnalyst - Podcast Measurement and Analytics For Growth
• My Worst Takes & Mistakes Over 500 Episodes - Author Media
• Podcasting Truth & Myths Learned Over 500 Episodes
• What are examples that were accidents that turned out to be great?

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

Tired of AI Support Bots? Try Podpage.com

While other companies are shoving more AI down your throat in support, Podpage hosts WEEKLY new user orientation meetings (with open Q&A) and if you have more questions you can schedule a live support call. Podpage is not just the best website building tool for podcasters by podcasters, it has the best support. Start your Free 14-day trial at www.podpage.com/preview

Podpage

In this episode, we answer a question I know has been on the minds of so many podcasters: Where is podcasting headed?

What We Covered

• 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 landscape, sometimes making things more confusing than ever.
• Monetization Woes and the Hopes for Crowdfunding: Many noted frustration with ads and the current monetization system, with hope for easier, more integrated crowdfunding in the future.
• Government Regulation and Freedom of Speech: A Canadian listener shared real concerns about government overreach and its chilling effect on creators.
• Defining Your “Why” and Staying True to Your Mission: Several contributors reminded us to focus on passion, purpose, and connecting with our audience.
• Staying Resilient: Through all the changes—algorithm shakeups, new platforms, and shifting formats—what matters most is keeping your audience at the heart of what you do.

Participants

• Steve Stewart (Podcast Editors Mastermind, Podcast Editor's Academy, Steve's Site)
• Kim Newlove (The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast, Perrysburg Podcast )
• Todd the Gator ( Guardian Down Roundtable, 50 Years Experience Required, Lessons in the Rearview
• Leslie Marting (Greatland Media)
• Ralph Estep Jr. ( AskRalph.com )
• Podcasting Morning Show
• York Welcome to Earth Stories
• Cool Cars with Chris

Mentioned In This Episode

JJJAck Film's Video on youTube Demonetization

New Media Show Rob Greenlee and Brendan Monaghan

Podcasting 2.0 on the Slop Factory at Spreaker

Podnews on More AI than Human Shows

Profit From Your Podcast Book

Thanks for Sharing

This episode became a great sharing of opinions, experiences, and predictions. Some worry about gatekeepers and algorithmic noise, while others find hope in podcasting’s unique intimacy and power to connect. No matter where things go, staying true to your purpose, your “why,” and serving your audience will always be the foundation.

Keep your ears open, your content honest, and your passion high. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and as always: if you loved this conversation, hit that share button and keep the School of Podcasting growing!

Mentioned in this episode:

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

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 definitely want to listen.

This content may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I trust and believe will provide value to you. Thank you for your support!

The Weight Of Adding Video - The First Look at Apple HLS

The second big theme of today’s show is the pressure, and potential pitfalls, of adding video to your podcasting workflow. I break down what’s happening with Apple HLS video, what hosts like Captivate are charging, and why you need to seriously consider the “weight” video adds before taking the plunge.

Getting Your Edited Audio To People In Apple - You Can't (If you add video)

Can you maintain your audio quality? Should you be editing audio and video together, or keeping them separate? I also share some spot-on advice from Elsie Escobar about only adding video if it makes sense for your goals—not because you feel FOMO or outside pressure.

Whether you’re mic shopping, contemplating a shift to video, or just want a sanity check on your podcasting process, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

Gear Mentioned In This Episode

DJI Mic Mini

Shure Movemic

Hollyland Lark M2

Rode Wireless Go 3

Rode Wireless Micro

DJI Mic 2

Captivate Media Hosting

Other Items

Ecamm Video Software

Streamdeck

Accentize Plugins (DeRoom, Revive)

USB-C extenders

Blue Ocean Strategy Book

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing (specifically, the "Law of Category" chapter)

The Audacity to Podcast

1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelley

Captivate Webinar on Apple HLS Implementation

New Media Show Rob Greenlee with Sharon Taylor

Media Roundtable with Dan Granger, Tim Ferriss (Entrepreneur & Host, The Tim Ferriss Show) and Dr. Laurie Santos

WordPress Plugins Compromised

Monica Rivera on Episode 613

Zoom Handyrecorder App

David Draiman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Transistor Media Hosting

Buzzsprout Media Hosting

Justin Jackson Apple Podcasts Demo

Mentioned in this episode:

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

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.

What I Cover in This Episode

• How affiliate marketing works and why you don’t need a massive audience to benefit
• Real comparisons between ad revenue and affiliate commissions—including how I made $51 per 1,000 downloads promoting Chronometer
• Why finding the right product for your specific audience trumps audience size every time
• How I save time, track, and update my affiliate links with tools like Switchy, Genius Link, and TextExpander
• The nightmare that is Amazon’s terms of service (and how to avoid getting banned)
• A quick walkthrough of getting approved for affiliate programs, even with a smaller show
• How to place and talk about affiliate links for maximum return

Tools, Companies & Resources I Mentioned

Here’s a list of all companies, tools, and platforms I talked about in this episode, along with URLs where applicable:

• School of Podcasting
• schoolofpodcasting.com
• Chronometer (the calorie tracking app)
• Switchy – My go-to for creating, tracking, and managing affiliate links (Available on AppSumo as one-time purchase)
• Genius Link – For multi-storefront affiliate management, especially for Amazon and international sales
• TextExpander – Saves time by expanding keystrokes into text and links
• 1Password – My recommended password management tool for affiliate accounts
• Amazon Associates – Amazon’s Affiliate Program
• Sweetwater – For gear links; includes an affiliate program
• Podpage – For website and link management (and affiliate program info), and where I work as Head of Podcasting
• Ask the Podcast Coach – My live Q&A show
• Captivate – Podcast hosting (with affiliate program)
• Blubrry – Podcast hosting (with affiliate program)
• Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting (with affiliate program)
• Transistor – Podcast hosting (with affiliate program)
• RSS.com – Podcast hosting (with affiliate program)

Affiliate Marketplaces I Use and Mentioned:

• Awin (formerly Shareasale): awin.com
• CJ (Commission Junction): cj.com
• Rakuten: rakuten.com
• Partnerstack: partnerstack.com

Other Resources

• Profit From Your Podcast Book – My book on podcast monetization (Amazon and audio options).
• School of Podcasting Free Resources – Where you can find my full list of affiliate links.
• Jesse Lakes on Profit From Your Podcast
• 9 Reasons Affiliates Get Banned from Amazon (How to Avoid)

Final Takeaways

• Affiliate marketing isn’t “get-rich-quick,” but it’s a valuable stream—even if it just covers your hosting bill and some extras!
• Use tools like Switchy or Genius Link to keep your links organized, tracked, and up-to-date.
• Always disclose your affiliate relationships up front, per FTC guidelines.
• If you mention a company on your podcast or in your show notes, tag them on social—sometimes they’ll amplify your reach!

If you’ve got an idea for an episode or want to leave feedback, head to schoolofpodcasting.com/voicemail.

Thanks for tuning in! If this helped you, please share the episode or link a friend to schoolofpodcasting.com/1031.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the #1 Podcast Education Site - The School of Podcasting

Adam Curry is the co-founder of Podcasting (and the co-host of the No Agenda Show). When asked about learning how to podcast Adam said, "The place to go with the guy who has taught more people how to podcast than anybody I know - Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting.com"

School of Podcasting

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

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.

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.

Here’s what I cover in this week’s “Podcast Stew” styled episode (which includes chapters).

1000 True Fans

• Why a “thousand true fans” might just be your biggest business advantage (and how focusing on your core audience beats chasing the casual crowd).
• Lessons from YouTube experts (Rocks Codes, Stephen Bartlett, Mr. Beast, Marques Brownlee) on where to put your energy if you want to succeed, and the role thumbnails, titles, and discovery play in growth
• My thoughts on competing with “the big guys” - what you should (and shouldn’t) compare against, and why joy matters
• Independent vs. networked podcasting: Candid stories from the Young and Profiting team, the Midas Touch podcast, and why control is crucial
• The truth about monetization—when is the right time (and why “3% conversion” is the real number to expect)
• Behind the curtain of podcast business stats: Lessons from Goal Hanger, ad revenue, and memberships
• Platform realities: Spotify’s “walled garden,” why I recommend “anybody but Spotify” for hosting, and insights from James Cridland at Podnews
• The importance of fun and fulfillment: advice from LeBron James and Charlie Puth on why loving the work is the true engine for longevity
• How to effectively use calls-to-action: Taking lessons from an Audible ad in “Project Hail Mary” and why going “deeper” with your fans matters

Links mentioned this week:

School of Podcasting

Podpage

Podnews Report Card

How to Pitch a Podcast Show (Coming Soon!).

Creators Hub in Spotify

Apple Podcasts Hub

Whether you’re launching, growing, or just rethinking your show’s direction, this episode is packed with honest stories and actionable advice, plus a dash of inspiration to help you stay true to your voice and audience. As always, if you want to go deeper, join the free School of Podcasting

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to share with a friend who needs a reminder that influence starts with true connection.

Mentioned in This Show

Oxford Road The Media Roundtable Episode

Sound Off Podcast (Matt Cundill interviews Doug Downs)

Why MKBHD Told Netflix: "Don't Bother on Jon Youshaei channel

What Podcasting Can Learn From YouTube Growth with Rox Codes (Podbiz with Norma Jean Belenky)

Lisa Kudrow on Vanity Fair Channel

Sounds Profitable The Download

James Cridland on Spotify's Features "Coming Soon."

Jordan Harbinger Talks YouTube on New Media Show with Rob Greenlee

Charlie Puth on Rick Beato Channel

Project Hail Mary Trailer

Big Lash Energy Interview

Audible (aff link)

Mentioned in this episode:

See Your Show On Podpage

If you host a podcast, your website should work as hard as your episodes do. At Podpage, we automatically create a beautiful, professional site for your show — complete with episode pages, transcripts, audio players, SEO optimization, and built-in tools to grow your audience. No design work. No plugins. No ongoing maintenance. In less than a minute, you can see exactly what your podcast would look like on Podpage. Go to podpage.com/preview and generate your free preview site now. (No Credit Card Required) See your show the way it should look.

Podpage

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Live Appearances

I will be at the Empower Podcasting Conference (Year 3!) in Charlotte North Carolina. This is my favorite type of conference with a cap at 250 people, it's a great crowd without being overwhelming. Great speakers, great networking, and a great location.

Where Will I Be?

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

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.

Participants

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, sloppy terminology, and more.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly what turns listeners off - and how to fix it. I’ll also share my own take on ads, monetization, and why a little creativity can still set your show apart in 2026

The Most Popular Pet Peeves

• Too many/poorly placed ads (especially mid-roll and early heavy ad blocks)
• Not getting to the point / burying the lead / unclear episode direction
• Lack of preparation (hosts winging it, talking in circles, not prepping guests)
• Sloppy language and terminology (“podcast” vs “episode,” “podcasting” vs “podcasts,” RSS vs not)
• Wasting listener time with meta-chatter, overlong intros, and “Tell me about yourself” questions

I do this question every year, and as you might imagine, this list doesn't change much. This year seems like advertisements were the top peeve.

Is Everyone Going to use the "YouTube Annoying Your Audience to Death" strategy, and use tools like Supercast and Patreon, and offer an ad-free version?

Mentioned In This Episode

School of Podcasting

Podpage - Podcast Websites

The Pharmacist's Voice

The Perrysburg Podcast

Steve Stewart

Podcast Editors Academy

Welcome to Earth Stories

Guardian Down Roundtable

Lessons in the Rear View

Ask the Podcast Coach

Podcasting Observations (Dave's Newsletter)

School of Podcasting Follow Page

Patreon

Supercast

OP3 Open Source Stats

Truefans.FM

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Give Your Podcast A Home

When you look at our podcasting pieces, your media host is the engine. But your website is the home. It’s where your audience learns who you are, explores your episodes, and decides to subscribe. At Podpage, we build podcast websites that are fast, reliable, and designed to convert visitors into listeners. Every episode is automatically published, SEO-optimized, and structured for growth—so you can focus on creating, not managing your site. If your media host powers your podcast, Podpage gives it a place to live—and a place to grow. Start building your podcast’s home with Podpage by going to www.podpage.com/preview and start your 14 day free trial today.

Podpage

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.

New Free Tier

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.

Brenden and I have a vision for the future, and it’s about empowering you to take your podcasting game to the next level. If you’ve ever wanted to launch a podcast, or if you’re already knee-deep in it and looking for ways to monetize, we’ve got you covered. We’re building a community where you can learn, grow, and thrive, and I’m more excited than ever to be a part of your podcasting journey.

So, let’s get to work and see what we can do together!

My Favorite CRM

I'm not making this up. My favorite CRM is call "Less Annoying CRM. Its s a simple, no-frills customer relationship management tool built specifically for small businesses, solopreneurs, and anyone who feels overwhelmed by complex CRMs. It focuses on the essentials: tracking contacts, managing leads, organizing tasks, and keeping a clear sales pipeline (although I don't use the pipleline tool)

Takeaways:

• This week, we celebrated the acquisition of the School of Podcasting by PodPage, which is a huge deal.
• I went from living in my brother's basement after a divorce to running a successful podcasting business, talk about an upgrade.
• Relationships are key in podcasting; it's wild how many people you meet that can help you out.
• We’re excited to expand the School of Podcasting, bringing more courses and experts for everyone to learn from.
• This merger means more time and resources to create better content for our community, so stay tuned!
• Don't worry, if you’re already a member, nothing changes except for more value coming your way!

Links referenced in this episode:

• schoolofpodcasting.com
• podpage.com
• podnews.net
• Less Annoying CRM
• Last week's episode on Podcasting SEO
• PodSEO
• Heartbeat - Community and Courses Platform

Mentioned in this episode:

Unlock Exclusive Insights: Subscribe to 'Podcasting Observations' Newsletter!

Get a look into the world of podcasting like never before with "Podcasting Observations," your go-to source for trends, tips, and transformative insights tailored just for podcasters. You also get "behind the scenes" info from the School of Podcasting Don't miss out on staying ahead of the game—join the 1700+ people who are already reading Podcasting Observations today!

Podcasting Observations

Question of the Month

This might be harder question to answer because when I ask people, the sometimes freeze. The question? How do you measure success for your podcast beyond download numbers? I need your answer by June 26th, 2026. Don't forget to tell us a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the show notes.

Question of the Month

Get Your Podcast Up and Going in Six Weeks

Dreaming of starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? Podcasting in Six Weeks gives you a clear, step-by-step path to go from idea to launch with confidence. This practical course is designed to help you create, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast in just six weeks. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by the technical side, you'll get the guidance, structure, and tools you need to launch a podcast that sounds professional and reaches the right audience. Ready to stop overthinking and start podcasting? Join Podcasting in Six Weeks today and turn your voice, ideas, and expertise into a show people want to hear. The best part? It's only $1 Classes Start June 3rd

Podcasting in Six Weeks

See Your Show On Podpage

If you host a podcast, your website should work as hard as your episodes do. At Podpage, we automatically create a beautiful, professional site for your show — complete with episode pages, transcripts, audio players, SEO optimization, and built-in tools to grow your audience. No design work. No plugins. No ongoing maintenance. In less than a minute, you can see exactly what your podcast would look like on Podpage. Go to podpage.com/preview and generate your free preview site now. (No Credit Card Required) See your show the way it should look.

Podpage